The Andorinhões

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Constitutional State of the Andorinhões Estado Constitucional dos Andorinhões
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Frente" "Forward"
Anthem: "Juntas marcharemos" File:National Anthem of the Andorinhões.ogg
Location of the Andorinhões on Urth
Location	Location of the Andorinhões
Capital	São João das Ilhas
Largest	Colheitas
Official languages	Cruzese
Recognised national languages	Staynish Andorinhense Creole
Recognised regional languages	Lissian
Sign language	Cruzese Sign Language (LGC)
Demonym(s)	Andorinhense
Government	Unitary semi-presidential republic
• Governor	Cristóvão de Carvalho
• President of the Council of Ministers	João Paulo Rodrigues
Legislature	National Assembly
Formation
• Settlement of Santa Cruz	15 August 1435
• Sovereign Land of the Holy Cross	16 April 1487
• Republic of Martlet	10 October 1804
• Socialist Republic of the Martlets Islands	6 May 1971
• People's Republic of the Andorinhas Islands	19 November 1973
• Constitutional State of the Andorinhões	5 June 1991
Area
• Total	6,221 km2 (2,402 sq mi)
Population
• 2020 estimate	1,323,529
• 2014 census	1,314,965
• Density	21,117/km2 (54,692.8/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	$16.850 billion
• Per capita	$12,814
Currency	Andorinhense escudo (ANE)
Time zone	UTC+11:30
Driving side	right
Calling code	+015
ISO 3166 code	AN
Internet TLD	.an
Website www.theandorinhoes.an

The Andorinhões (Cruzese pronunciation: [ɐ̃.du.ɾi.ˈɲõjʃ]) officially the Constitutional State of the Andorinhões (Cruzese: Estado Constitucional dos Andorinhões) previously known in Staynish as The Andorignoes is an island country located east of Aurora.

The archipelago is composed of 19 islands and covers an area of 6,221 square kilometres (2,401 sq mi) and has a tropical climate. It's largest city is Colheitas, located on the island of Santo Ambrósio and the capital is São João das Ilhas (commonly referred as São João), located on the island of São João.

The Andorinhões remained uninhabited until the 15th century, when members of the Order of the Holy Cross discovered and colonized the islands. The Order of the Holy Cross proclaimed the islands sovereign in 1487, and named it Terra Soberana da Santa Cruz.

Since the beginning of the 1990s the Andorinhões has operated as a stable representative democracy. Lacking natural resources, its developing economy is mostly service-oriented, with a growing focus on tourism and foreign investment.

Etymology

The name for the Andorinhões comes from the swift, the heraldic animal of the nation, also known as the martlet. Previously, the term Andorinhas was used, which is for the actual national animal, the swallow and was changed to the actual term with the introduction of a new constitution in 1992.

On 24 October 2001, the country's delegation announced that the official name should no longer be translated into other languages. Instead of "Andorignoes," the designation "Andorinhões" is to be used. Staynish-speakers have used the staynicised versions of the name such as "Martlets" or "Andorignas" for the archipelago and for the country. In 2001 the Andorinhense government determined that the Cruzese designation Andorinhões would henceforth be used for official purposes even in Staynish-language contexts.

History

Main article: History of the Andorinhões

Before the arrival of the Order of the Holy Cross, the islands were uninhabited. They were discovered by Maurício de Corvos in 1412 who was afterwards appointed Commander of the islands by the Grand Master of the Holy Cross.

In 1435, settlers of the Order arrived at the island of Santa Maria and founded a settlement which became the city of Santa Cruz. The islands were proclaimed to be sovereign and independent in 1487, this fast-tracked other settlements and many islands acquisitions. With such a massive expansion and still little population, the government had grown considerably and had trouble exercising its rule. The government levied new taxes, especially on the recently acquired islands which angered the newly established populations there, feeling that the more populous islands be the one to provide for the services.

Republicanism (1790-1960)

With the population angered with the government, a small group of influent people met with the goal to find solutions on the issues with the government. At first, the solution put forward was to negotiate with the government and to reduce the level of taxes by spreading it more evenly through the years. This proposal was rejected by the government. In 1802, a group of revolutionaries proclaimed the Republic of the Martlet and established the Provisional Government of the Republic of Martlet and in 1804, the Sovereign Land's government officially capitulated in Espírito Santo. This new republic was faced with many challenges, having to rebuild some of the villages and settlements which had been destroyed during the revolution. Mostly on the island of Santo Ambrósio which saw a lot of fighting due to its strategic position.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Andorinhões

Government

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Andorinhões

The Andorinhões is a stable semi-presidential representative democratic republic. It is among the most democratic nations. The constitution – adopted in 1992 and revised most recently in 2015 – defines the basic principles of its government. The governor is the head of state and is elected by popular vote for a 10-year term.

The president is the head of government and proposes ministers. The president is nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the governor. Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for 5-year terms.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Andorinhões

A proportional representation of the Andorinhões' exports

A proportional representation of the Andorinhões' imports

The islands have few natural resources, and their imports exceed exports. According to the government, the value of exports in 2020 was $5,268 billion while estimated imports were $10,769 billion. The GDP in 2020 was an estimated $16,850 billion. The GDP per capita was $12,814.

The Andorinhões is in a situation of a trade deficit especially in the transportation, mineral products and machines sectors. The country is still able to have a trade surplus in some sectors mostly the wood products, animal products, precious metals and foodstuffs sectors.

Shipping

The Andorinhões plays a role in the international shipping industry as a flag of convenience for commercial vessels. Cargo vessels are also built in the Andorinhões and is accounting for approximately 8% of all exports.

Unlike some flag countries, there is no requirement that a Andorinhense flag vessel be owned by a Andorinhense individual or corporation.

Fishing

The Andorinhões has a major fishing industry and the commercial ports of the Andorinhões are some of busiest fish transshipment ports in the world. There are a lot of fish processing centres in the Andorinhões and many exports fish to a number of countries. Fishing license fees, provide noteworthy income for the government. Fishing is also one of the largest exports of the Andorinhões accounting for approximately, 16% of all exports.

Agriculture

Agricultural production is concentrated on small and some medium farms. The most important commercial crops is raw sugar followed by coffee, copra, tobacco, cocoa beans, wheat, vanilla and spices. The Andorinhões is also processing a lot of its own agricultural products in industries such as hard liquor, raw sugar, cocoa beans, coconut oil and palm oil. The Andorinhões is also exporting fresh water.

Tourism

Tourism in the Andorinhões is a crucial economic activity. At least 10 percent of the working population are employed in this sector. The country offers a range of tourist accommodations from luxury hotels to modest self-catering establishments.

Shopping districts are popular, with ample duty-free shopping.

Energy

The Andorinhões still rely heavily on diesel fuel for vehicles, power generators, and ships and is trying to diversify its energy sources. The country has been establishing solar power plants in the country and is experimenting with coconut oil as alternative to diesel fuel. Because of its dependency on diesel fuel, refined petroleum is accounting for 12,3% of all imports.

Wood

The country is lacking major natural resources but makes up for it by exporting rough wood and fuel wood, which is accounting for 13% of all exports.

Industry

Due to its size, the country does not have a lot of industries but is still able to have sizeable exports of some high technologies such as computers and broadcasting equipments, some chemical products such as packaged medicaments and pesticides and has a small textile industry. Although in many of these sectors, the imports far exceeds the exports.

Banking

The Andorinhões is considered a tax haven and international financial center. Many registered institutions offer a wide range of offshore banking, investment, legal, accounting, and insurance and trust company services.

Culture

Symbols

Flag

Main article: Flag of the Andorinhões

Coat of Arms

Main article: Coat of arms of the Andorinhões

Transport

Main article: Transport in the Andorinhões

Ports

There are 8 main ports in the Andorinhões, 3 international and 5 regional. Colheitas on Santo Ambrósio is the main port for cruise liners and a main hub for the ferry service between the islands, the cargo terminal also services the Ernesto Coelho International Airport in fuel. Grande Mercado on São João is the main port affiliated to the capital. Ponta Vitória on Glória de Ele is the only source of imports and exports of produce from the island as well as passenger traffic since the closure of the Reino Dele Airport. The regional ports are located in strategic locations that either supply isolated islands such as Espírito, Ordem or Lírios or some group of islands. There are smaller harbours that act as terminals for the inter-island ferry services, which carry both freight and passengers.

Airports

There are 15 operational airports in the Andorinhões, 4 international and 11 domestic, which are separated into national airports and airstrips. Two others are non-operational, one on Glória de Ele (the most populous island without an airport) and one on Santa Rosa, closed for safety reasons. There is also a military airstrip on the island of São Miguel that can be used if the airport on São João is non-operational. The airports have been historically an important infrastructural need for the economy and development of the country. In addition to frequent maritime connections, every islands except Glória de Ele, Santa Fé, Santa Rosa and São Miguel has a domestic airport. There are plans to open an airport on Glória de Ele since the closure of the previous airport had an important impact on the economy of the island. Santa Fé is serviced by the Trindade-Santa Fé Regional Airport, Santa Rosa is serviced by the Ernesto Coelho International Airport and São Miguel is serviced by the São João das Ilhas International Airport.