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Republic of Stenza | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
Motto: Saolotoga e ala i le Faamaualuga! "Freedom through Pride!" | |
Anthem: None, previously the Song of Gratitude to The Party | |
| Capital and largest city | Rakahanga |
| Official languages | Stenzan |
| Recognised national languages |
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| Ethnic groups (2020) |
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| Government | Federal presidential constitutional republic |
• President | Iakopo Hsin |
• Vice-President | Filemu Lung |
| Legislature | Stenzan Democratic Congress |
| First Council of the Stenzan Democratic Congress | |
| Second Council of the Stenzan Democratic Congress | |
| Establishment | |
• Tribal Era | ???? - May 3rd, 1742 |
• Colonization by Corumm | May 3rd, 1742 |
• Independence | August 2nd, 1921 |
• Republican constitution | September 24th, 2020 |
| Area | |
• Total area | 2,045,702 km2 (789,850 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 0.59% |
• Total land area | 2,033,633 km2 (785,190 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2021 estimate | 47,214,812 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2021 estimate |
• Total | $1.39 trillion |
• Per capita | $29,482 |
| HDI (2021) |  0.691medium |
| Currency | Stenzan Dollar (s$) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +816 |
| Internet TLD | .st |
Stenza, officially The Republic of Stenza, is an island country in Australis. It does not have any land borders, although the Escal Isles lie just off its eastern coast. Its capital and largest city is Rakahanga.
Little is known about Stenza's early history, with most of the country being governed by independent tribes until Corumm discovered and colonized the island in 1742. The following colonial era saw Stenzan society develop from its tribal roots into a more modern puppet state, ending in a brief period of semi-self governance during the early 20th century. A bloody war between Stenzan freedom fighters and the Corumm-aligned government followed between 1919 and 1921, resulting in A Corummese retreat from the Island. An internal struggle for power followed Stenzan Independence, ending with the rise to power of the Stenzan People's Party. The party had total control over the nation from 1922 until late 2019, with the country being largely isolated from the rest of the world. This changed when the Stenzan revolution removed the Party from power and paved the way for the Republic to form.
The Republic of Stenza is a young Federal presidential constitutional republic, its head of state is the recently elected Iakopo Hsin, a charismatic public servant who was the Second Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Party's rule. His Vice-President is Major General (ret.) Filemu Lung, a career intelligence officer who played a vital role in orchestrating the Stenzan revolution. Stenzan legislature is through its Democratic Congress, although the President holds the right to bypass the congress through presidential decrees.
Although historically weak economically, Stenza is currently enjoying an economic boom after opening up to new foreign markets. Both the export of Stenzan metals and the birth of a tourism industry have helped develop Stenza's economy in recent times. Although politically oppressive until recently, Stenza has a history of being socially progressive. Stenza has a high degree of gender equality, with women being fully integrated into fields such as the military. Certain soft drugs are legal and freely available in Stenza, although buyers need a bi-monthly approval from a licensed physician to avoid addiction.
History
Pre-Colonial Era
Little is known of the first inhabitants of Stenzan land or where they came from, with the little history that existed of this time being wiped during the Corummese occupation of the island. It is known that the native population of the island used to live together in tribal communities before the Corummese colonized the land, the tribes forming occasional trade alliances or fighting each other over minor territorial disputes. It is commonly believed that all these tribes shared a common religion, although any history of this religion has been removed in the 19th century.
Colonial Era
The colonization of Stenza almost stared by accident, when a Corummese vessel captained by Xi Haoipong suffered a major scurvy outbreak and decided to deviate off its course to find land. The land they found turned out to be Stenza, and upon returning home the crew reported of their findings. The land they had discovered was deemed interesting enough for another expedition, and within two years a Corummese community had been found in the cape of hope on the northwestern part of the island, named after the fact it brought hope to the ill sailors who discovered it. The Corummese called this city Xīwàng (Hope), but is now known as the regional capital Faamoemoe (Hope).
Corummese exploration beyond the initial settlement at Xīwàng wipwip