Province (WOU)

A province is a subdivision of a nation, which has separate representatives from the national government. In federal WOU states, provinces are semi-sovereign regions with their own constitution, parliament, legislature, judiciary, and governor separate from the state government. In unitary ones, provinces serve only as subdivisions of that nation and all government officials within that province are directly from the central government. But as the WOU functions as a confederal nation, all eight of its member states are referred to as just states, regardless of whether they are unitary or federal, with the exception of local law, in which case federal may refer to individual states.

The federal states take their system from the Yoshi States, which is having semi-independent subdivisions. This is the case with all five federal states in the WOU.

## Neopalita

Neopalita's constitution states that all seven provinces are fully autonomous regions with their own constitution, parliament, legislature and judiciary independent from the central state government. Each province is also assigned a governor who has no term limits and is not an elected official (with the exception of Southern Neopalita). These governors have almost absolute power and can appoint judges within their borders and pass laws without approval from the central government.

Northern Neopalita's constitution and legislature is older than the federal government's and Southern Neopalita is the only province where the governor is elected, which is through a four-year term limit, but the governor can be elected again a second time. After eight years, the governor cannot serve for governor again.

Until King Michael III's coronation on September 14, 2021, each province also had their own border controls that restricted freedom of movement between each other and also had separate visa requirements from the central government. This was abolished after King Michael III ascended to the throne and now the state has a single visa policy for everyone regardless of nationality.

## Asauna

Asauna has eight provinces which are semi-sovereign and have their own constitution, parliament, legislature, judiciary, and governor independent from the central government. The governors have almost absolute power and can appoint judges and other officials. The governors however are not elected officials and will serve until they pass away.

## Valentine

Valentine is divided into five provinces, all of which have their own constitution, parliament, legislature, judiciary, and governor independent from the central government. The governors are elected officials who serve five year terms, but can be elected again to serve ten years. They cannot serve more than two terms under the Valentinian constitution.

Valentine is not a theocracy, nor does it practice religious law, but Catholicism is the country's state religion, though the church and state are usually separate, and the state usually has shifted towards more secular views in regard to religion over the years. However, Eastern Valentine and New Rome do have Catholic governments as their head of states are also religious leaders, and as such, they practice religious law, though it is not nearly as significant as with Neopalita or Leland.

Additionally, Western Valentine and New Rome, as well as the Port Arthur and Love Islands autonomous territories also maintain separate border controls for foreign nationals independently from the state government, meaning that foreign nationals wishing to travel into those areas must obtain a separate passport stamp for those provinces apart from the state.

However, all provinces must comply with Valentine's Yoshi Rights Amendment Act which requires all subdivisions to respect the rights of its citizens.

## Lepps Island

Lepps Island is divided into five autonomous provinces and the unincorporated territory of New Austria, all of which have their own constitutions, parliaments, legislatures, judiciaries, and governors. Governor terms vary between province.

## Tangalu

Though not in the WOU now, it was formerly in the union from 1999 to 2008. This was until the formation of SWIFT in 2009. However, it is very similar to that of the WOU states in that it has semi sovereign provinces with their own constitutions, parliaments, legislatures, and judiciaries. However, each governor is limited to two four year terms.