The Atlas Continent

[OBD]

I'll claim country 16 if possible. Details forthcoming.

Name: Fraser Republic
Capital: Fraseria
Largest City: Birch Bay
Official Language: English, Spanish, Chinese
Other Languages: Vietnamese, Indigenous tongues
Population: 12,077,016
Demographics: European (32%), Chinese (16%), Latino (16%), Other Asian (11%), Black (10%), Vietnamese (7%), Other (6%), Indigenous (2%)
President: Guy Huang (Liberal)
Prime Minister: Alexis Hazeltine (Liberal)

History:

The Fraser Republic began life as a small, isolated, but prosperous, British colony, situated on the southern trade route and serving as a link between nearby British colonies (South Africa, the Falklands, even western Australia). Fraser Colony steadily grew into the 20th Century through an economy based on agriculture and trade. Beginning in the 1930s, Fraser Colony became a settling point for the Chinese diaspora, with local leaders seeking increased immigration to combat economic stagnation. Following the fall of the KMT, this flow would only increase, as family members made the journey to Fraser and the fledgling nation's government sought to bolster its industry by aggressively recruiting skilled and unskilled immigrants alike.

After formally gaining independence (peacefully) following World War II, the Fraser Republic continued to build its reputation as a nation of immigrants. As a relatively stable and democratic nation with a firm open-door policy, many refugees from dictatorial regimes in South America and Asia sought refuge in Fraser. Consequently, the Fraser Republic is quite diverse, and due to relatively liberal attitudes among earlier white European settlers, is (mostly) racially depolarized. Population growth, explosive in the mid-1900s, has begun to level off as more recent governments fearful of overpopulation have imposed immigration restrictions.

The Fraser Republic's capital is Fraseria, a coastal planned city built in the 1970s between Birch Bay and Port Currie. Fraseria is an extremely affulent, modern city, where the nation's economic and political power players live. Accordingly, Fraseria is also quite exclusive, with few allowed to move from other counties to the Fraseria Administrative District.

Birch Bay, the beating heart of Fraseria, is a large, diverse city of 6 million situated on the Fraser Republic's southern coast. A truly global city, Birch Bay is a nexus of international trade and commerce. While not as dense as some Asian cities, Birch Bay's center is still heavily populated, with newer residential districts ringing the main port area. Birch Bay's growth can primarily be attributed to immigration - the city is full of thriving ethnic districts, and is often referred to as the 'melting pot of Fraser'.

Port Currie, situated on the North Coast, is the other major city in the Fraser Republic. A small metropolis of just over a million, Port Currie is the historical capital of the Fraser Republic - however, the desire of the local population to avoid mass immigration led to Birch Bay, rather than Port Currie, becoming the megacity of the Republic. Accordingly, Port Currie is significantly quieter and more European in character - remaining majority white until nearly 2000 - and many residents look upon the chaos of Birch Bay with disdain. That said, it is a major trade hub between the Fraser Republic and the southern coast of neighboring Azurela, preventing it from becoming completely eclipsed in importance by Birch Bay.

The Republic's small rural population either live along the coastal plain between the three major cities, or in the mountains that skirt the Fraser Republic to the north and west. The remaining agricultural regions in Fraser lie in the fertile plains between the cities - while the Republic imports most of its food, the lightly populated agricultural regions still produce wheat, livestock, and most importantly for tourism, wine. These plains are dotted with small towns, and increasingly, exurban settlements - a development that has rankled rural inhabitants, who have worked tirelessly to limit the sprawl of Birch Bay. Recently, the coast north of Birch Bay has become a fast-growing resort area - the Fraser Republic's Gold Coast. The mountains are home to the few concentrated indigenous settlements that remain - the Fraser Republic, due to its southerly position, was rarely settled by indigenous populations. Historic mining settlements can also be found in the mountains - while mostly shuttered, minerals required to support the Fraser Republic's ever-growing demand for advanced technology have renewed interest in the region.

Today, the Fraser Republic's economy is based off of a strong technology sector, as well as trade and tourism, often compared to Hong Kong and Singapore (thanks to the large Asian diaspora, which makes up a plurality of the Fraser Republic's population). Notably, many English-speaking tours to Antarctica operate through the Fraser Republic, and the nation has historically been a base for Antarctic exploration. GDP per capita is roughly $70,000 - Fraser has a burgeoning, wealthy middle class, but also an increasingly discontented underclass thanks to a low minimum wage and a tax code that heavily favors the wealthy.

The Fraser Republic is staunchly capitalist, and immigrants also brought a significant splash of social conservatism - while American-style evangelical Christian politics are a nonfactor in the secular Fraser Republic, attempts to protect LGBTQ+ rights in the nation's Constitution only succeeded in 2019 after a brutal, decade-long political battle. However, progressivism is on the rise, fueled by discontent among younger, poorer Fraserians.

Democracy in the Fraser Republic is functional and fair, but has generally attracted little interest due to the similarities between the two major parties. Traditionally, the Fraser Republic has a two-party system - the centrist Liberal Party and center-right Republican Party, with both parties favoring deregulation and measures to keep economic growth strong. Since the 1980s, the Republican Party has backed immigration controls, creating the most salient wedge between the parties. However, in recent years, the progressive Fraser Coalition has become a political force, though they remain in third place in the Fraser Republic's unicameral Parliament and have remained in the opposition.

The Fraser Republic is a member of the Commonwealth, and maintains close ties to the West. During the Falklands crisis, British troops briefly used Fraser Republic ports as a staging base, though the Republic did not commit troops due to strong domestic opposition (particularly from the sizable Argentine diaspora). Relations with China have run hot and cold - economic interests have incentivized the two nations to cooperate, though political differences have constantly plagued the relationship, particularly after the Hong Kong protests. The Fraser Republic has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

[OBD]

snip

Yeah I assume Fraser would be quite a bit warmer, with mild summers and winters - ideally similar to the Pacific Northwest, but no colder than southern Canada in any case. Not a climate expert though, and there are certainly instances of large cities located well to the north.

[OBD]

County Map of the Fraser Republic


The Fraser Republic consists of ten counties, two Autonomous Administrative Districts (AADs), and one Indigenous Federation.

Autonomous Administrative Districts

Fraseria
Color: Purple
Population (2020): 467,323
Demographics: European (40%), Asian (29%), Latino (22%), Black (6%), Indigenous (1%), Other (2%)
Executive: Lidia Rojas-Bordon (Republican)

Jokingly known to Australian expats as 'Canberra on the water', Fraseria is the planned capital city of the Fraser Republic.

Birch Bay
Color: Blue
Population (2020): 6,278,933
Demographics: Asian (41%), Latino (22%), European (15%), Black (11%), Arabic (7%), Indigenous (1%), Other (3%)
Executive:

Counties

Pemberton
Color: Navy
Population (2020): 194,326
Seat: Pemberton
Notable Cities: Courtenay
Demographics: European (56%), Asian (23%), Latino (12%), Black (6%), Other (3%)
Governor:

Whitecourt
Color: Off-blue
Population (2020): 506,387
Seat: Renfrew
Notable Cities: Lebec, Cowichan
Demographics: European (36%), Asian (32%), Latino (21%), Black (8%), Other (3%)
Governor:

Townsend
Color: Light blue
Population (2020): 379,283
Seat: Alberni
Notable Cities: Richmond, Tofino, Port Sunshine
Demographics: European (41%), Latino (27%), Asian (23%), Black (7%), Other (2%)
Governor:

Hudson
Color: Brown
Population (2020): 623,927
Seat: Rupert Junction
Notable Cities: Ruskin, Silver Glade
Demographics: European (45%), Latino (20%), Asian (16%), Black (16%), Other (3%)
Governor:

Nicola
Color: Light green
Population (2020): 288,302
Seat: Bradner
Notable Cities: Port Marley
Demographics: European (53%), Latino (23%), Asian (15%), Black (6%), Other (3%)
Governor:

Grand
Color: Light yellow
Population (2020): 326,832
Seat: Fort George
Notable Cities: Cache City, Lemoray, Fort Granisle
Demographics: European (58%), Latino (20%), Asian (10%), Black (9%), Other (3%)
Governor:

Thornton
Color: Red
Population (2020): 351,414
Seat: Thornton
Notable Cities: Lac la Hache, Forest Grove, Caulfeild Groves
Demographics: European (50%), Latino (26%), Asian (16%), Black (5%), Other (3%)
Governor:

Pierce
Color: Pink
Population (2020): 359,560
Seat: Woodlands
Notable Cities: Barrière, Viseu
Demographics: European (54%), Latino (25%), Asian (12%), Black (7%), Other (2%)
Governor:

Currie
Color: Yellow
Population (2020): 1,641,314
Seat: Port Currie
Notable Cities: Mission, Anmore, Lynn Creek
Demographics: European (45%), Latino (24%), Asian (19%), Black (9%), Other (3%)
Governor:

Whiterock
Color: Orange
Population (2020): 453,882
Seat: Quesnel
Notable Cities: Airdrie, White Rock (Brancha Rocha), New Gibraltar
Demographics: European (61%), Latino (21%), Black (8%), Asian (8%), Other (2%)
Governor:


Indigenous Federation
Color: Light brown
Population (2020): 205,623
Seat: Bralome
Notable Cities: D'Arcy, Hazelton, Haislah, Nemaiah Valley
Official Languages: English, Chilanko, Kitimat, Nemaiah, Nuyem Jees, Redonda, Spanish
Demographics: Indigenous (84%), European (10%), Latino (4%), Other (2%)
President: Johnathan Iskuk (Independent)

The Indigenous Federation, a self-governing union of the tribes of the Fraser Republic, lies to the northwest, covering much of the mountainous frontier with (AFE's nation) in two separate units. The five largest tribes - the Chilanko and Redonda in the north, and the Kitimat, Nemaiah, and Nuyem Jees in the south - are responsible for governance, alongside several other tribes with smaller delegation to the Indigenous Council. Like other settler nations, the Fraser Republic displaced significant indigenous populations though, due to the relative lateness of its settlement and the smaller native populations in the far south of the continent, this displacement was not as large as in other nations. The Indigenous Federation was formed in the 19th century during this displacement, and following extensive negotiation, was granted wide autonomy as a Federation in the 1960s. Strict immigration policies, in place since the early 1900s, have kept the region overwhelmingly Indigenous, even as the rest of the Fraser Republic has diversified. And, while there have been some calls (particularly from Chilanko representatives) to separate the North Unit from the South Unit due to the South's perceived dominance (having roughly double the population) and higher mining influence in the South (while the north mostly consists of protected land), tribal unity against the encroachment of outside forces has kept the Indigenous Federation together - for now.

Today, thanks to stunning alpine views - particularly the famous Oso'yoo Arch, a stone arch arcing over a deep blue alpine pool and waterfall - and robust, unique cultural experiences, the Indigenous Federation has a thriving tourism-based economy, and can thus support by far the strongest welfare state in the Fraser Republic (especially with boosts from mining titles). However, tourism has had a darker side - in addition to growing gentrification and overtourism, particularly in the resort towns of D'Arcy and Hazelton, the Indigenous Federation was badly hit by COVID, which dealt a massive blow to its economy, particularly small, family-owned businesses. In recent years, the Indigenous Federation has been forced to reckon with the cost of tourism, as well as the increased encroachment of mining companies (often enabled by Republican politicians in Fraseria) following the discovery of rare earth minerals in the Nuyem Jees territory.

The Indigenous Federation is home to unique politics. On the presidential level, the North Unit is strongly Liberal, while the South Unit is somewhat more swingy thanks to mining interests - unless an Indigenous protest candidate runs, in which case the Federation overwhelmingly backs them. However, for more local elections, party labels effectively cease to matter. On the parliamentary level, MPs from both units caucus with the Indigenous List in Fraseria. However, nearly all elections have a healthy amount of competition, and are strongly nonpartisan and parochial in nature with all candidates running independent of party and on local issues. The Indigenous Council, responsible for local governance, is also nonpartisan, though coalitions typically form along tribal and economic divides.

[OBD]

I'm not an expert in climate either, but the places with the most similar situations to the west side of the bay are east coast areas in the northern hemisphere--so Quebec and Northern China/Korea.

Pyongyang doesn't seem like a bad analogue for southern Azurela actually, but I'd imagine the winters to be pretty harsh nevertheless. There aren't any nice warm currents to heat things up and it's very continental.

I can work around that.

[OBD]

President Huang and Prime Minister Hazeltine express their condolences to those affected by the earthquake, and express hope for a speedy recovery.

Progressive Party leader Jackie Amalie (MP - Glisan Grove) calls upon the Fraser Republic to immediately provide humanitarian aid to the affected nations. Other prominent Progressive politicians have echoed these calls.

The offices of Republican Party leader Edwin Nguyen (MP - Lebec East) and Labor Party leader Antony Jung (MP - Rupert Station) have yet to offer comment on the disaster.