White Islands
The White Islands (Dutch: De Witte Eilanden; Kronenburgish: De Witte Eig) are an autonomous oversea province of the kingdom of Kronenburg located in the Bay of Fundy, between the State of Maine (United States) and the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Approximately 20,000 people lived there on 1 January 2012, more than 6000 of whom reside in the capital of West-Market (Dutch: West-Markt). The official language of the islands is Dutch, but Icelandic, Gaelic dialects and hybrids of these can also be heard. The king of Kronenburg is represented by a governor (since 2002 Anna Nielsen-Fraeijlema). The council of ministers is chaired by Margreet Rietdekker, since January 2013.
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History
The first Europeans visiting the White Islands were possibly Vikings; although according to scientists the few remains which have been found on the island weren't necessarily left behind by Vikings, the present-day inhabitants attract a lot of tourists with them.
The second visitors from Europe came at the end of the sixteenth century; the first colonists, mainly originating from Scotland, Ireland and Iceland arrived in 1613. They founded the settlement of Nieuw-Haven, which was however destroyed during the independence battles of the United States. The inhabitants sided with the American colonists, but proclaimed independence unilaterally in 1780. The independent nation of the White Islands existed for only fourteen years; in 1794 the small country lost a war against the United States and was annexed. After an insurrection two years later, supported by troops from the kingdom of Kronenburg, the White Islands population choose to be part of the kingdom, but already after three years, Kronenburg had to give the islands back to the United States. A first treaty between Kronenburg and the U.S. concerning the islands, determined that the White Islands were to return to Kronenburg. They remained under Kronenburg sovereignty until 1871, when the U.S. re-annexed the islands. The Treaty of Providence of 1917 returned the islands to Kronenburg. During the second world war, when Kronenburg was occupied by the U.S. between 1941 and 1947 to end a national-socialist dictatorship in Kronenburg, the White Islands were only de iure occupied, as they were then part of the municipality of West-Cod, the main island of which had been occupied.
The White Islands remained part of the municipality of West-Cod until 1992. In that year the White Islands became an autonomous overseas province of the kingdom of Kronenburg. This status gave them certain rights on e.g. foreign matters; the White Islands are for instance no part in the Kronenburg memberships of the AGL or the Exumbran Convention.
Politics
The White Islands have their own 29 member parliament and an own party system, although some parties are connected to political parties in the Kronenburg main territory. Political themes include the question of the islands' future: most White Islanders are quite happy with the current status within the kingdom of Kronenburg, but others favour independency or accession to Canada.
The last parliamentary elections were held in 2012. The parties that are currently represented in the White Islands parliament are:
- Liberals of the White Islands (Dutch: Liberalen der Witte Eilanden, LWE) - 9 seats
- Progressive Socialist Union (Progressief Socialistisch Verbond, PSV) - 7 seats
- New Liberal Party (Nieuwe Liberale Partij, NLP) - 5 seats
- Party for Equality (Partij voor Gelijkheid, PvG) - 5 seats
- White Islands Green (Witte Eilanden Groen, WEG) - 2 seats
- Party for Diversity (Partij voor Diversiteit, PvD) - 1 seat
Since January 2013, the islands' ninth government since 1992 has been in office.
# | Chairperson of the Council of Ministers | Took office | Left office | Party | Coalition |
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1 | Sumarliði Gilchrist | 12 May 1992 | 20 March 1996 | LWE | LWE + PvG |
2 | Rudolf Eminga de Weerd I | 20 March 1996 | 4 April 2000 | PSV | PSV + WEG + PvD |
2 | Rudolf Eminga de Weerd II | 4 April 2000 | 22 June 2004 | PSV | PSV + WEG + PvD |
2 | Rudolf Eminga de Weerd III | 22 June 2004 | 29 October 2004 | PSV | PSV + WEG + PvD |
3 | Patrick Robinson I | 29 October 2004 | 27 September 2005 | PSV | PSV + WEG + PvD |
3 | Patrick Robinson II | 27 September 2005 | 5 October 2009 | PSV | PSV + WEG + PvD |
3 | Patrick Robinson III | 5 October 2009 | 24 April 2012 | PSV | PSV + WEG + PvD + FVI |
4 | Walter MacDowell | 24 April 2012 | 4 January 2013 | NLP | NLP + LWE |
5 | Margreet Rietdekker (f) | 4 January 2013 | LWE | LWE + PvG + WEG |
Elements and Municipalities of the Kingdom of Kronenburg |
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The Four Elements: Kronenburg proper · West-Cod · White Islands · Kronenburg Virgin Islands |
The Municipalities of Kronenburg proper: Alexanderstad · Bredenburg · Dietzland · Friescheburg · Groningen · Hinte · Jaltadaburg Koninginneland · Markenland · New-Stavoren · Oosterland · Oranjewijk · Old-Kronenburg · Waterland · Westerland · Westerport |
Former municipality: Zuiderland |