Kingdom of Ponchartrain-Maurepas

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Kingdom of Ponchartrain-Maurepas
Translations
  • French:Royaume de Pontchartrain-Maurepas
    Pontunian:Royumen Puntuniaska-Maerpos

Flag of Pontunia
Flag
Coat of arms

Motto: "Tu Es Tutes"
"Let the Good Times Roll" (tourism)[1]
CapitalNew Rouen
Official languagesEnglish, French, Kouri-Vini
Religion
Catholicism
Demonym(s)Pontunian
GovernmentUnitary Constitutional Monarchy
• King
Andrew I
• Designated Regent
Ronald de Bourbonelle
Alexandra "Irikladis" Terrel
LegislatureParliament of Pontunia
• Independence of Pontunia
12 January 2020
• Restoration of Monarchy
13 May 2023

Population
• November 2023 population
15 residents, 10 online citizens (15 residents, 10 online citizens)
HDI0.893
very high
CurrencyPontunian Ducat
Time zoneUTC-6 (LST)
• Summer (DST)
UTC-5 (LDT)
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy VE
Driving sideright
Calling code+1
Internet TLD.po (proposed)

Pontunia, officially the Kingdom of Ponchartrain-Maurepas, 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 20 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 Pontunia was partitioned between an independent micronation and New Pontunia.

On 5 August 2021, the Duchy became a Kingdom.

The Long Year

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,in October, after repeated failures in convening a Parliament, Andrew Perdomo abolished the monarchy, only for the monarchy to be restored by the people on 14 November.

Government and politics

Pontunia is officially a constitutional monarchy. The position of the monarch is the highest within the nation and they discharge their powers and functions, having full authority over various executive and diplomatic duties. The monarch is the executive head of state and is also considered as the de facto co-head of government, especially considering their role in the government and the matters related to the cabinet.

Administration

Pontunia has a unicameral legislature, called the Sovereign Council. Elections are held by a proportional voting system.

Foreign Relations and Defense

The diplomatic relations of Pontchartrain-Maurepas are implemented by the Monarch. The power to grant official diplomatic recognition of sovereignty lies primarily with the Monarch. The United States of America claims ownership of all land comprising Pontchartrain-Maurepas.

Nations under Pontunian Vassalage

Bilateral Recognition

  • TDC Empire
  • Revolutionary Republic of Excelsior
  • Kingdom of Bryantia
  • Federated States of Gapla
  • 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. Pontunia has abolished capital punishment.

Elarians were formerly expelled from Pontunia for security reasons.

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)

References

  1. "Laissez les bons temps rouler" in Cajun French.

See also