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Paria

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Constituent Republic

Paria is a constituent republic of Antilles Region.

❊ EFF 01 Jan 01
Region Antilles Rep 06 of 07 · Acc. 1988, as part of the Curaçao Treaty
Capital Bethlehem 109 km²
Population — Republic
Paria Republic
Los Roques Islands
Constituent Republic of Vekllei
Part of the Antilles Region
Population 4,200
Demographics 55% Afro-Antillean · 25% Caribbean mixed · 20% Other
Accession 1988, as part of the Curaçao Treaty
Area 109 km²
Capital Bethlehem
Languages English, Papiamento, Spanish

The Republic of Paria is a constituent republic in the western Caribbean Sea comprising many islands and archipelagoes that fringe the coast of Venezuela. It is situated east of Bonaire and then carries on eastwards as scattered islands until the Witness Islands southwest of Cama and west of Kairi.

Paria has a small population clustered in Bethlehem, the only city and capital of the republic. Despite its proximity to South America, life there is remarkably similar to other Vekllei towns in the region, and rarely do Parians spend any time in the 60-70 uninhabited islands and cays that can be found in clusters. Many are low-lying and sandy, but there are also rocky island chains in the east.

The scattered coral atolls and limestone islands that comprise Paria have an unusual history. They had no local people at the time of European discovery, but became a common waypoint for the seafaring Guaiqueri people. They left behind conch shell middens which are now protected as historic sites. They were poorly suited for colonial purposes like sugar, and fast became a refuge for pirates and pearl divers.

Pearl diving was Paria’s primary trade throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, though by 1780 most beds were worked by free divers who lived beyond colonial authority. The capital, Bethlehem, is pretty but underdeveloped and has only a few large buildings by the harbour. It acquired its name from Methodist missionary Josiah Whitmore, who arrived on Christmas Eve 1847 and proclaimed he had found “a new Bethlehem under tropical stars.” It is no surprise, then, that Bethlehem remains enthusiastically Christian today.

Life and property is communal on the island, and is disturbed only by the Bethlehem Hospital and the interests of the Littoral Service in the region. Many Parians work at the hospital, which sees many people coming and going from all parts of Vekllei. East of the Botuto islands is a littoral service air station located on Orchilla, which is primarily concerned with smuggling and fishing from nearby Venezuela.

A tramway exists in the capital, but otherwise the only way to get around is by boat. Fast ferries run between the Botutuo Archipelago and Scallop Island. The airstrip in the capital is popular among private seaplane pilots. Few of Paria’s islands are inhabited permanently, and they inspire many rumours of escaped madmen, pirates, criminals, shipwrecks and hermits that have renounced Commonwealth society.

Climate

Warm and dry, with the heat eased by constant trade winds. Rain falls between September and January.

Public Holidays

  • New Year’s Day 1 Jan
  • Good Friday 30 Apr
  • Commonwealth Day 1 May
  • Ascension Day
  • Whit Monday
  • Assumption Day 15 Aug
  • Republic Day 10 Oct
  • All Saints Day 1 Nov
  • Christmas Day 25 Dec
  • Boxing Day 26 Dec
Production Production Map
Demographics Demographics of the Commonwealth
  • Afro-Antillean 55.0%
  • Caribbean mixed 25.0%
  • Other 20.0%
Occupations
Population: 4,200 Labour Force: 2,667 Est. Workers: 40,672 Unemployment: 0.0% (workers exceed labour force by 1425.0%)
OccupationShareWorkers
Information & Communications 37.8% 15,379
Healthcare 19.5% 7,946
Economic Planning 10.5% 4,257
Law & Justice 9.7% 3,960
Science & Research 4.5% 1,812
Retail, Distribution & Logistics 4.3% 1,758
Arts & Media 3.3% 1,342
Transport 2.0% 797
Sport & Recreation 1.9% 769
Agriculture, Land & Sea 1.6% 647
Security & Defence 1.0% 407
Industry 0.9% 363
Skilled Trades & Construction 0.7% 272
Education 0.7% 270
Domestic 0.6% 259
Hospitality & Participatory Trades 0.5% 192
Government & Civil Administration 0.4% 162
Energy & Resources 0.1% 50
Religious & Ceremonial 0.1% 29
Points of Interest
  • Bank Cafe: Fixture of Bethlehem’s waterfront, which has served sweet tea and seafood for two centuries by some estimates.
  • Eden Rock: Historic landing site in the capital where the republic’s Midnight Parliament is held.
  • Bethlehem Lagoon: Large lagoon in the capital abundant with Crevalle Jack, Tarpon and Bonito.
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