Barbanera

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Barbanera
Aponivian Transoceanic Territory
State Flag Civil Flag
Sovereign state	Aponivia
Dallacquan settlement	1301
Aponivian territory	1917
Capital and largest city	Cocco
Official languages	Acquan Norvian, Peyeterin, Lissian, Lamanwassian Ethalrian, Tretridian
Recognised regional languages	Vistarian, Noorvic, Kolonital, Cukish (Valrikan), Chibian, Wesalaric, Norgsveltian, Ulvrikian
Demonym(s)	Barbaneran
Government	Dependency managed by the House of Confederation
• Minister of Barbanera	Giada D'Amore
Legislature	Barbaneran Assembly
• w:Lower house	Territorial Cabinet
Area
• Total	14,787 km2 (5,709 sq mi)
• Water (%)	negligible
Population
• 2020 estimate	671,000

Barbanera, officially called Isola di Barbanera, is an Aponivian Transoceanic Territory located in Northeastern Gondwana. It is the only such territory controlled by Aponivia and is located off the coast of Duominzu. The island's capital and largest city is Cocco.

The prehistoric period was marked by sparse human activity on the island relative to nearby areas. Archeological remains indicate the presence of intermittent small temporary settlements during this era. The only ancient structure still standing is a temple, leading historians to speculate that the island may have had a religious significance and have only been visited during pilgrimages.

The island became a colony of the Dallacquan Empire at its zenith in the 1300s as a trading port with Gondwana and a frequent travel destination for the imperial aristocracy. Emperor Rinaldo the Eternal had broader colonial ambitions for Dallacqua which were never accomplished following his death in the Tretrido-Dallacquan War and the subsequent fall of the First Empire.

Aponivia has de jure control over the entire island. However, the western portion of Barbanera has been under Vistari occupation since the Great War via the Grand Dominion of North Gondwana. West-Zwartbaar's jurisdiction over the island is only recognized by 5 other nations. The international community has been overall unwilling to act in the situation due to the risk of a much broader conflict. The Royal Tavari Armed Forces, which are tasked with the defence of Aponivia, have a clause within their agreement with the confederation that it considers the matter to be outside their jurisdiction unless there is a clear Vistari violation of the status quo.

Etymology

The island's original name — Isola Meridionale — was bestowed upon it when it became a colony of the Dallacquan Empire. In Staynish, this translates to "southerly" and refers to its southern position from the Empire. Its current name originates from Lorenzo "Barbanera" Insigne, a famous pirate who lead a clique that wrestled control of the island from the Dallacquans for three centuries. The island was posthumously renamed in his honour by his son who inherited control over the island and the clique. The smaller island was named after his mother, Lucia. Once Dallacqua regained the island, it continued to use Isola Meridionale but this name was not used locally. The name "Barbanera" was only officially adopted by the Dallacquans after the collapse of the Second Empire.

Politics

The Town Hall of Cocco, which serves as the de facto administrative center of Barbanera.

Office of the Minister of Barbanera.

Due to its precarious geopolitical situation, the island lacks proper representation in the Aponivian House of Confederation. Consequently, Barbanerans have put a substantial focus on municipal elections, which operate regularly. The Mayor of Cocco does not have more power than any other mayor but is used as an indicator of where the island is headed. The Town Hall of Cocco is where all mayors meet quarterly to discuss the state of the island. These discussions are attended by the Minister of Barbanera, a member of the Aponivian Cabinet. This Minister's task is to report back to the Prime Ministers of Aponivia who will submit bills for the Barbanerans if such a policy requires a vote in the House of Confederation.

Mayors and councilors campaign together as a squadra (lit. "team"). The squadra with the most votes is elected for a four-year term. While many of these teams are independent, some are alligned with particular positions relevant to the island's situation. These major factions are the Dividere (those wanting West-Zwartbaar to be recognised as a distinct entity), the Riunione (those wanting the whole island to be under Aponivian control), and the Lasciare (those wanting to form an independent island nation). Collaboration between the factions is common and those in the same faction do not necessarily agree on all policy.

Administrative divisions

Barbanera is divided into 12 administrative divisions. Despite their name, these divisions mainly exist for the postal service. Locally, they are occasionally used to refer to what region a person is from.

Pinna, Baia Julian, Ananas, and Corsaltiempo are fully occupied by West-Zwartbaar. Parts of Portovest, Giungula, and Pappagallo are also occupied. The occupied territory is managed under the same divisions but under different names.

Demographics

Ethnic groups

Barbanera is among the most diverse places in the world, being a prime area to retire and travel for Aponivian and Vistari people alike. The Aksoltalik people, who are native to the island, are also present in various communities.

These various communities are broadly subdivided into four groups:

1. The Barbanerans are descendent from the early Dallacquan colonisers. They most often have darker skin but still vaguely ressemble Dallacquans. While all residents of the island tend to refer to themselves as Barbaneran, only people of further descent can indentify as such on the census. Some Barbanerans have chosen the term "Meridionales" to differenciate themselves from other residents who are not in this group.
2. The Aksoltalik people are native to the island. Their lineage can be traced back to mainland Gondwana, from which they were exiled by a malevolent god according to their legends. Due to differing environments, they are shorter and lighter than the average orc. Consequently, they are of similar stature and build to humans but still posess the green skin and tusks characteristic to their species. Early Dallacquan settlers often went head-to-head with the Aksoltalik, feelings which waned under the Barbanera clique.
3. The Aponivians originate from any province of the confederation. They are a varied group, 36% of which are retirees from the mainland. While all provinces are represented in this group, most are Dallacquan, Lamanwassian, or Metradani. This group is mostly present on the eastern portion of the island due to the disputed nature of West-Zwartbaar.
4. The Vistari originate from any Vistari possession. Most of those living on Barbanera are from the Grand Dominion of North Gondwana and Vistaraland proper. Most of these people live in West-Zwartbaar but a few thousand live on the eastern side of the island as well.

Culture

Symbols

Usage of the tricorona dates back to the era of Dallacquan colonization. The symbol is present on both the state and civil flags and represents the Dallacquan crown protecting the two major islands in Barbanera (Barbanera and Lucia). While this meaning has never changed, the way Barbanerans perceive the symbol has. Lorenzo "Barbanera" Insigne purposely continued to use the symbol while his clique administered the island to reclaim it as a symbol for the Barbaneran people. The flag in use under his rule was similar to the civil flag in use today, though these flags often utilized stitched white fabric over both Dallacquan sections of the quadrisection flag instead of replacing it altogether. Alternatively, both sections with the tricorona were seperated from it, creating two smaller flags. The colonial flag is still in use today as the state flag, though most establishments choose to fly both. The tricorona also acts as the de facto coat of arms for the island despite it not having one.