Catholic Republic of Pontunia

Catholic Republic of Pontunia
Catholic Republic of Pontunia
	Flag Coat of arms
	Motto: "Gloria in excelsis Deo" "Glory to God in the highest"
	Anthem: "Lift High the Cross"
Capital and	New Rouen
Official languages	Louisiana French, Kouri-Vini, English, Latin
Religion	Catholicism
Demonym(s)	Pontunian
Government	Unitary corporatist parliamentary republic
• President	Andrew Perdomo
• Volcavian	Andrew Perdomo
Legislature	National Assembly of Pontunia
• Independence of Pontunia	12 January 2020
• 5 August 2021	Elevation to Kingdom
• Catholic Republic	15 October 2023
Population
• October 2023 population	15 residents, 10 online citizens
HDI	0.893; very high
Currency	Aequitasian Mark, Pontunian Ducat
Time zone	UTC-6 (LST)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy VE
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.po (proposed)

Pontunia, officially the Catholic Republic of Pontunia, is an independent sovereign state, commonly known as a micronation by external observers. Located primarily in Metairie, Louisiana, with other enclaves and semi-enclaves in Acadiana, The Florida Parishes and the Greater New Orleans Area, Pontunia consists of 15 citizens residing within its main area, and numerous online citizens.

Etymology

Pontchartrain and Maurepas are the names of two lakes situated to the north of Pontunia, which upon its creation in January 2020 was founded with the name "Pontchartrain-Maurepas". The shorter name "Pontunia" was soon derived from this as a nickname. Etymologies retrospectively assigned to Pontunia alone include the Greek primordial deity of the sea Pontus, or the Latin pōns ("bridge") in reference to the nearby Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.

History

On 12 January 2020, Andrew Perdomo, inspired after learning about the micronations of Molossia and Sealand, signed a Declaration of Independence to “preserve the culture and beauty of Southern Louisiana”, and became Duke of Pontchartrain-Maurepas, with his father Eric Perdomo, Lord of the Floridian March, as his regent. However, the Regency was abolished shortly afterwards on the 16th after a committee of vassals debated Andrew I’s minority, and decided that Andrew was not incapable of ruling and therefore did not require a regency. Eric was named heir apparent.

The Duchy had been founded with vague territorial claims, ill-defined other than a plan for an optimum future extent. On 2 September, the actual territorial extent of the Duchy was defined, with the name of the Ducal Domain. Shortly after this, a communist insurrection broke out against the ducal government, but was successfully quashed on 7 October.

On 13 February 2021 Pontunia was partitioned between an independent micronation and New Pontunia.

On 5 August 2021, the Duchy became a Kingdom.

On 26 February 2023, Madgett v. Perdomo was filed and decided in favor of Charles Madgett, making him the disputed new King of Pontunia. This led to Pontunian residents declaring a Catholic Republic.

On 13 May 2023 the monarchy was restored under Andrew Perdomo.

On 15 October 2023, after repeated failures in convening a Parliament, Andrew Perdomo abolished the monarchy.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Pontunia

Pontunia is officially a parliamentary republic. The President is elected by the National Assembly from among the people, and may be impeached by the same body.

Pontunia has a unicameral legislature, called the National Assembly, consisting of elected and appointed officials. Elected members are elected by a proportional voting system, and represent the people as a whole, while appointed officials represent the nation's guilds and minorities. z===Political parties===

List of political parties in Pontunia
Government representation
Logo	Party	Est.	National Assembly	Grand Council	Ideology
	Integralist Communion	2020			Integralism, Monarchism, Conservatism
N/A	Independent	N/A			N/A
	Left Front of Pontunia	2023			Socialism
Unrepresented

Foreign Relations and Defense

The diplomatic relations of Pontunia are implemented by the President. The United States of America claims ownership of all land comprising Pontchartrain-Maurepas.

Nations under Pontunian Vassalage

Kalamastia

Bilateral Recognition

United Federation of the Terra Excelsior Republic
Federated States of Gapla
Kingdom of Bryantia
Socialist Republic of Cotter Menaceland
Empire of Finnistan
Empire of Invictus
Kodrolian Empire

Unilateral Recognition

Unrecognized or Condemned Nations and Organizations

Venezuela, Iran, the PRC, Cuba and the DPRK, for being “oppressive dictatorships against the world.”
Palestine and Israel for "continuation of religious hostilities and false claims to the Holy Land."
Kosovo for being "an attempt by NATO to violate the sovereignty of Serbia."

Law and order

The Pontunian police was formed on 19 January 2020 in response to instances of cyber-crime. It is predominantly an organization to keep tabs on civilians.

The Pontunian military is ultimately responsible for the defence of the nation. The Army is not a standing army, but called upon in times of need.

Geography, territory and climate

Pontunia is mostly flat and built on drained swamp, the city of New Orleans is below sea level. The climate is subtropical and warm most of the year.

Economy

The Ducat is on a Silver Standard, alongside considering Oreo packages legal tender.

Culture and media

Typical music of the area includes jazz and zydeco. The National Dance is called “bōenska”, or Quarterstaff Dance. It also functions as a martial art of sorts, and is taught to the army, as well as privately.

Classification of Pontunia

Bricks and Mortar, Small, Statehood — 5th World (Boodlesmythe-Tallini)
3.6 (Dresner's)
1.9 (Economic Potential Index)
3.46 (Democracy Index)
4 (Freayth's)
3.2 (Linden's)