Republic of Altis and Stratis

Flag of the Republic of Altis and Stratis

The **Republic of Altis and Stratis** is an island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 80 kilometres south-east of Sicily.

## Geography & Demographics

The territory of the Republic comprises both islands of the Altis Archipelago, namely the largest and northern-most island of Altis and the smaller island of Stratis approximately 30 kilometres to the south.

The island of Altis is home to the majority of the Republic's population, along with all major population centres and areas of economic activity. Altis is home to approximately 40,000 inhabitants, mainly of Greco-Altian descent but also incorporating Turkish and Arab minority groups. There are 49 settlements on Altis, comprising 22 cities and 27 villages/towns. The capital city is Pyrgos, located to the south-east of the island.

The island of Stratis was depopulated in the late 1970s and turned over to the Altis Armed Forces and its NATO allies as a fully militarized area for basing, staging, and training their personnel & equipment.

The official language of the Republic is English, a cultural remnant from the archipelago's time as a colony of the British Empire. The other major language is the Altian Greek dialect along with minority speakers of Turkish, Arabic, Maltese, French, and Italian.

## History

The Altis Archipelago has been subject to numerous invasions and wars given its strategic location. Originally settled by the peoples of Ancient Phoenica around 980 BCE, the islands would spend the next 2000 years passing between ownership of several empires. Remnants of these early imperial powers remain to this day across the archipelago, most notably the fortresses of Oreokastro and Old Kavala, the Amphitheater the Temple of Iraklia, and the ancient ruins of Aktinarki.

The archipelago became a colony of the Roman Empire following the 1st Punic War, before shifting between the hands of the Ottoman and then Byanztine Empires until its annexation by the British Empire in the 16th century. The colony provided troops to the British Empire in both World Wars, to whom the Spartan monument on Stratis was built in commemoration.

The islands gained their independence from Britain on 23 January 1962, whereupon the modern incarnation of the Republic of Altis and Stratis came into being. The Republic joined NATO in 1976. The Altis Armed Forces fought a brief insurgency war against an Italian Red Brigades splinter group during the 1980s. Following the negotiated end of this insurgency, the Republic joined the European Union in 1995.

## Politics

The Republic of Altis and Stratis operates within a democratic presidential republican system. A directly-elected President chosen every six years acts as both Head of State and Head of Government. A single-chamber legislature known as Congress is elected every three years. The judicial branch comprises multiple levels of court systems headed by a five-person Supreme Court appointed by Congress. The lower courts comprise a combination of elected and appointed officials.

As of 2021, the President of the Republic is Nikos Panagopoulos, a candidate from the center-left Republican Labour Party. President Panagopoulos faces elections for a second term in office in the latter half of 2021.

## Economics

The Republic's economy relies heavily on the tourism industry, which the Ministry of Tourism markets heavily based upon the archipalago's mediterranean climate, historic landmarks, and pristine countryside. Smaller sections of the economy include mineral extraction and renewable energy exports. The Republic also benefits from several economic development programs based on its membership in the European Union.

As of 2021, the energy company Veroxxotle has been conducting underwater surveys around the coastlines of Altis investigating the possibility of an untapped oil field.

## See also

Politics of the Republic of Altis and Stratis

Altis Civil War (1980s)

Altis Armed Forces

Freedom and Independence Army

Altis and Stratis foreign relations