South Mariana

Not to be confused as Mariana.

Independent Pacific State of South Mariana Kampungan Estado Pasifiko ni Bagat Mariana Campungan Estado Pasifico de Mariana Sur Estado Pacífico Independiente de Mariana del Sur
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Amor an Lusun, Amor an Tahun (Love the Country, Love the People)
Anthem: Aba Tahud an Katag Bagat Mariana (God Bless the South Mariana Islands)
Capital	Maisa
Largest city	Sangan
Official languages	Maisanese Amargo Spanish English
Recognised regional languages	Chamorro Chinese Filipino German Japanese
Ethnic groups (2019)	Maisanese - 49% Filipino - 13% Chamorro - 11% American - 9% Japanese - 6% Chinese - 5% German - 3% Korean - 2% Others - 2%
Demonym(s)	South Mariana Islander (formal) Maisanese (colloquial)
Government	Federal semi-presidential constitutional republic
• President	Adreanna Bugayong
• Vice President	Joseph Guerrero
• Prime Minister	Aniceto Mata
• Deputy Prime Minister	Francisco Tanio
Legislature	National Assembly
• Upper house	House of Councilors
• Lower house	House of Delegates
Independence  from Spain
• Spanish East Indies	1565
• South Mariana First Republic	1897
• Japanese occupation in South Mariana	1942
• South Mariana Second Republic	1945
• Current constitution	1998
Area
• Total	702 km2 (271 sq mi)
Population
• 2019 estimate	2,992,632 (148th)
• 2019 census	2,992,632
• Density	120/km2 (310.8/sq mi)
Currency	South Mariana peso (SMR)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	left
Calling code	+64
ISO 3166 code	SMR
Internet TLD	.smr
Website www.southmariana.gov.smr

South Mariana, officially the Independent Pacific State of South Mariana is an archipelagic country in Pacific Ocean. It is located southernmost of Mariana Archipelago but the country doesn't include the island of Guam. It consists of 19 islands that are categorized broadly under the three main geographical divisions named: Durem, Lanu and Sapet. The capital city is Maisa and most populous city is Sangan.

It was a territory of Spanish East Indies in 1565 until 1898. After Spanish-American War, Guam were sold to the United States but the northern part of archipelago were sold to Germany. It was also attempt that southern part of archipelago were also sold to Germany but some people didn't agree because they want independence. During World War II, it became a Japanese territory following the loss of South Mariana in Battle of Maisa. After the surrender of Japanese soldiers, the country was restored in 1945. The current constitution was enacted in 1998 by former president Flerida de Leon to established the federal government of the country.

History

Spanish colonization

The entire Mariana Islands was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan together with his crew in 1521. Magellan was the first European who discovered the Mariana Islands. He first discovered the southern portion of the Mariana Islands and he saw the Mayisa people. The said people are good in gathering fruits and fishing. After the discovery of the southern portion of Mariana Islands, Magellan and his crew discovered Guam and Northern Mariana islands and the entire Mariana islands claimed the archipelago for Spain.

First republic

South Mariana declared independence from Spain in August 13, 1897 but the independence was not formally unrecognized by the Spaniards until the end of Maisa Revolution. After the victory of South Mariana against Spaniards, the independence was formally declared by Manuel Alig in May 12, 1899. It was attempted that the country will became a territory of Germany and United States but Alig and the people of South Mariana did not agree because they want independence. At the same year, the First Kampalin War was happened to prevent the colonization of South Mariana by the Germans and Americans. During Alig administration, South Mariana have diplomatic relations with the Philippines and they recognized each other as countries until Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo captured by the Americans in 1901.

The first election was held in May 26, 1902 and Carlos Inemu won the election against Alberto Pomar and Lucio Dalum. During Inemu administration, the Second Kampalin War happened because the U. S. forced them to colonize the country but they did not agree. The war was happened in two months and many casualties in both parties. Due to the efforts of Maisanese people, the government of South Mariana won against the United States.

Second republic

After the Second World War, Marcos Taitano (the son of former president Felipe Taitano) became president and he won the election against Alonzo Borja, Macario Sapyang, and Gabriel Concepcion. During his term, Talina became the temporary capital of the country due to the severe damage of Maisa during war. He rebuilt the city of Maisa for two years with the help of the people.

Shift to federalism

In 1998, the current government of South Mariana was shift from unitary to federalism by former president Flerida de Leon.

Politics

Government

South Mariana is a federal semi-presidential constitutional democracy which serves as the foundation of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president is the head of state and he/she appoints the prime minister and the deputy prime minister. The vice president will be take over the post if the president is resigned or removed. The government of the country is bicameral and it is divided into two houses: House of Councilors (upper house) and House of Delegates (lower house).

Executive branch

• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food
• Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry
• Ministry of Culture and the Arts
• Ministry of Defense
• Ministry of Education, Science, and Research
• Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources
• Ministry of Environment, Foresty, and Water
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Health, Social Services, and Welfare
• Ministry of Human Settlements
• Ministry of Information and Communications Technology

• Ministry of Interior and Public Safety
• Ministry of Justice
• Ministry of Labor and Employment
• Ministry of Land Reform
• Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure
• Ministry of Sports
• Ministry of Tourism

Political parties

	Logo	English Name	Maisanese Name	Founded
		Progressive Party	Partido Progresista	1902
		National People's Party	Partido Malusun Matahun	1924
		Democratic Party	Partido Demokrata	1928
		United Citizens Party	Partido Unida Matahuan	1948
		National Reform Party	Partido Malusun Reforma	1972
		Liberty Party	Partido Libertad	1976
		Republican Party	Partido Republikana	1989
		Future Nation Party	Partido Layuha Lusun	2000

Progressive Party

Progressive Party (Partido Progresista) was founded in 1902. It is one of the largest political party in South Mariana. It is also the oldest political party in the country. The party advocates progressivism and agrarianism. This party is very popular among the masses for almost centuries and many former presidents in the history of South Mariana are from the said party. The current chairperson of the party is Robert Pulina while the secretary-general is Manolo Sagayon.

National People's Party

National People's Party (Partido Malusun Matahun) was founded in 1924, following the merger of two political parties called: Nationalist Party (Partido Malusunan) and People's Party (Partido Matahun). The party advocates conservatism, nationalism, and populism. This party is the most popular rival of the Progressives and they are one of the major parties that compete every election. The current chairperson of the party is Amalia Williams while the secretary-general is Salvador Gahuma.

Democratic Party

Democratic Party (Partido Demokrata) was founded in 1928, following the dissolution of Independence Party (Partido Kampalin). The party advocates popular democracy and social liberalism. It is considered as the oldest minor political party in South Mariana. The current chairperson of the party is Marco Neumann while the secretary-general is Cassandra Yamasaki.

United Citizens Party

United Citizens Party (Partido Unida Matauhan) was founded in 1948, two years after former president Alonzo Borja defeated for the re-election of 1946 presidential election. The party advocates nationalism, populism and social democracy. The current chairperson is Lucio Borja while the secretary-general is Petra Concepcion.

Administrative divisions

Flag	State	Capital city	Map
flag of durem	Durem	Sangan	???
flag of fcs	Federal Capital State	Maisa	???
flag of lanu	Lanu	Menuri	???
flag of sapet	Sapet	Bunbon	???

Infrastructure

Transportation

Buses, carozas, taxis, and motorcycle are commonly available in major cities and towns. Carozas are popular and iconic horse-drawn carriage that still exist today. They have become a symbol of the Maisanese culture and it is considered as a counterpart of kalesa in the Philippines. Medium boats are also used for transportation from island to island.

Telecommunications

The mobile telephone market of South Mariana is divided between two companies - Azul Mobile and Fresco Telecom. The two telecommunication companies have also subscribers in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. Over 48% of the population were used mobile phones in everyday life. The state of mobile market is stable due to the stronger signal by using 4G network.

As of 2010, there are around 532,901 Internet users in South Mariana with overall Internet penetration of 49%. In 2014, former president Miguel Schneider signed a law for the free access of Wi-Fi for the whole country especially in public areas.

Education

The education of South Mariana is free and compulsory for the ages 5 to 22. The education of the country is divided into four groups: kindergarten (5-6 years old), elementary (7-12 years old), secondary (13-18 years old), and tertiary (19-22 years old). Some students are not going to college but instead they take some vocational courses to improve their skills and to help a better working experiences.

South Mariana have three main public universities named: National University of South Mariana, South Mariana State University, University of South Mariana.

Culture

Music

The music of the country have an influence of Chamorro and Filipino music. The Maisanese pop music of South Mariana have also an influence of Western music. Other genres that are popular in the country are rock, R&B, hip-hop, soul, acoustic, reggae, and Latin music.

The popular singers in the country are Rosalinda Dulum, Mercedes Valencia, Amado Jalandoni, Rufino Agbayani, Claro Lizama, Edna Su, Pedro Hiroshi, Esteban Goo, and Alfred Alcasid.

The Original Pilipino Music (OPM) is very popular of South Mariana due to the bigger population of the Filipino community in the country. Aside from OPM, some people in the country are listening to J-Pop and K-Pop.

The main record labels in the country are Lily Records (owned by Sony Music Enterntainment), Astro Music (owned by Universal Music Group), Venus Records (owned by Warner Music Group), Cirtus Records, Oriental Records, and Terra Records.

Mass media

Television

The major television networks in South Mariana are: SMBS, ITAC, PBMI, and MRTN. The said television networks are only available free television channels on Maisanese television by audiences in the country. The four giant networks have also access Northern Mariana Islands and Guam due to it's geographical location.

Most of the time, the Maisanese TV audiences are enjoying of watching TV series from China, Japan, Latin America, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, and United States. Local dramas are also available but it is uncommon to produce TV series in the country. Some of the highest rated Maisanese drama in history are Pahat Bulan (Blue Moon), Balai ni Mungen (House of Darkness), Han Palahad (The Promise), and Maria Corazon.

Cuisine

The cuisine of South Mariana are influenced by the Spaniards, Filipinos, Chamorros, and other ethnic groups. The most famous dish is adobar. The main ingredients of the said dish are soy sauce, vinegar, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and chilis. It has the same taste of the Philippine adobo but it has a spicy taste.