Equetus

Equetus, officially the Commonwealth of Equetus is an overseas incorporated territory of the United Republic, located in mainland southern Crona bordering Arsyra to the north, and Vertannia to the east.

Geography
Equetus is situated in between the Equus and Carolus Rivers, forming the border with Vertannia and part of the border with Arsyra respectively. The territory consists of a wide range of climates and terrain, from the humid Mediterranean climate of the coastal plains to the west and south, to the arid mountainous climate of the Velyrian Uplands that form part of its northeastern border with Arsyra.

History
Equetus was inhabited by the Cartesian people and their ancestors for several millennia before the arrival of Levantines. During the Age of Exploration, Equetus was settled by a mix of Pankarans, Pelaxians, Caphirian exiles and expats from Alstin, leading to the development of a unique society that promoted the acceptance of diversity. Nevertheless, by 1910, the territory was firmly under the control of Pankara, due in large part of the loss of Cartadanian influence in the region, following the independence of both Galicia and Porlos.

Under Panakaran rule, Equetus became the country's industrial center, as its location along coastal plains allowed for raw materials from neighboring Arsyra to be transported to factories near the Velryian Uplands, which in turn lead to Equetus, along with neighboring Vertannia, becoming the most economically powerful region in the country. However, the local populace increasingly grew discontent throughout the 20th century, as a result of their unofficial status as second-class citizens, as well as a lack of autonomy in regional affairs and the heavy-handed tactics of the Pankaran Stratocracy. As result, when UR forces entered Equetus during the Pankaran Campaign, the majority of the region defected over the United Republic, resulting in a significant lack of combat in Equetus during the conflict. As part of the Treaty of Radiopolis, which brought to an end to hostilities between the United Republic and Pankara on 30 September 2021, Equetus was transferred to and annexed by the United Republic as an autonomous territory.

Government
Equetus is an incorporated territory of the United Republic. Its governmental structure and fundamental law are prescribed by the Equetus Territorial Charter, promulgated by President Benjamin Ryder and validated by Parliament in late 2021. The Governor of Equetus is elected by the residents of Equetus, and is prescribed a four-year term by the Charter, though a Governor may be replaced or recalled at any point in their term.

The territorial legislative body is known as the Senatus Equetusius (Equetusian Senate). It is a part-time body that meets once annually at for a period of 32 weeks. The Assembly comprises of 150 seats, apportioned according to population, with a guaranteed minimum of two seats per precinct.

Equetus sends a single non-voting Delegate to the National Council.

Society & Culture
The population of Vertannia is predominately a mix of residents descended from Pankaran transplants and settlers of Occidental origin. Combined, this binary mixture makes up approximately 76% of residents, with the remaining populace being are of other origins; Mainly from Anta Carda and Ulaga.

Equetus is a multilingual society, with the most widely spoken languages in the territory being Alsintian Ænglish, Cartadanian, and Vertannes. 47% of Equetusians are Catholic, with minorities practicing other Christian traditions, most prominently the Chantry of Alstin.

Economy
Equetus has long had a diversified economy with strong agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing sectors, as well a growing tourism, retail trade, and other service-oriented sectors.