Meridia is a constituent republic of Atlantic Region.
| Meridia Republic | |
|---|---|
| Island of El Hierro | |
| Constituent Republic of Vekllei | |
 |
|
| Part of the Atlantic Region | |
| The republic is served by a single railway, precarious even by Commonwealth standards, which climbs to the plateau through a series of remarkable switchbacks and tunnels. | |
| Population | 15,260 |
| Demographics |
60% Benahoarita & others 12% African 10% Canarii
18% other
|
| Economy | Livestock & dairy Metals, machinery & defence, Food & drink |
| Produces | Cheese, Wine, Honey, Goats, Fish |
| Working week | 18.9 hours |
| Specialisation | Agriculture, Land & Sea |
| Accession | 1978, as part of the Canary Delegation |
| Area | 268.71 km² |
| Capital | Sabinosa |
| Languages | English, Portuguese, Canarii Bimbache |
The Meridia Republic is a constituent republic of Vekllei in the Atlantic, at the westernmost point of the Canarii archipelago and south of Benahoare. The island is rocky and roughly triangular, with steep cliffs that encircle a volcanic highland plateau. Most of its population lives up on the plateau, called the highland, in villages connected by narrow roads.
The Canarii originally called the island Hero-akran, or “the edge of great water,” which suits its character well. The Portuguese reached Meridia in 1483, and in a fashion similar to its neighbours, the Bimbache there reached a tributary arrangement that prevent total conquest of the island. This has kept much of the island’s early oral history alive, along with an extensive network of stone channels and underground galerias that still carry clean water up to the highland centuries after they were built. The original clan networks of the Bimbache are long gone and are mostly a subject for historians now, and so the culture today is an odd fusion of Portuguese lusotropicalism and indigenous Canarii practices.
The largest settlement and republic capital is Sabinosa, a pretty town of Lisboan plazas and the low stone houses of Canarii tradition. English is used in schools and work, but many Meridians still speak a kind of Creole Canarii that is strongly associated with similar Portuguese-Canarii languages found in its neighbours. Portuguese proper is quickly dying out, but its colonial legacy lives on in the terraces and wines grown in the highlands today. Goats and lamb are the only livestock.
The republic is served by a single railway, precarious even by Commonwealth standards, which winds its way along the coast on old narrow-gauge track and climbs to the plateau through a series of remarkable switchbacks and tunnels. Some of the smaller fishing villages have no road at all, and have to be reached by coastal tramway, gondola or horseback. Paths are generally poorly kept. Ferries out of Sabinosa’s harbour are the only link to the rest of the Canarii republics.
- Coal
- Electronic Components
- Fruit
- Grapes
- Lubricants
- Milk
- Salt
- Sand & Gravel
- Sugar
- Vegetables
- Vinegar
Climate
Subtropical with strong trade wind influence. The highland plateau experiences more rainfall and cooler temperatures than the arid coastal areas.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 21° 17° 21° 17° 21° 17° 22° 18° 23° 19° 24° 20° 25° 21° 26° 22° 27° 22° 26° 22° 24° 20° 22° 18°
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 21° 17° 21° 17° 21° 17° 22° 18° 23° 19° 24° 20° Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 25° 21° 26° 22° 27° 22° 26° 22° 24° 20° 22° 18°
Public Holidays
- New Year’s Day 1 Jan
- Epiphany 6 Jan
- Good Friday
- Easter
- Commonwealth Day 1 May
- Canary Day 8 Jun
- Transfiguración Day 6 Aug
- Assumption Day 15 Aug
- Republic Day 27 Sep
- All Saints Day 1 Nov
- Feast of Imm. Con. 8 Dec
- Christmas Day 25 Dec
- Punta de Orchilla: Historic lighthouse marking the westernmost point of the Canaries, once considered the edge of the known world.
- Bimbache Cultural Centre: Museum and research facility dedicated to preserving Canarii language, customs, and traditional knowledge.
- La Dehesa: Ancient juniper forest on the highland plateau, sacred to the Bimbaches and now protected as a Commonwealth nature reserve.
- Frontera Hydroelectric Station: Commonwealth power facility utilising the island’s highland springs and steep terrain for electricity generation.
- Charco Manso: Natural volcanic pools on the northern coast, popular with locals for swimming and traditional gathering place for community meetings.
- Mirador de Jinama: Highland viewpoint offering panoramic views across the western Atlantic and neighbouring Canary republics.
- Las Puntas Port: Tiny fishing harbour considered one of the world’s smallest, serving the island’s traditional fishing fleet.
- Skilled Trades & Construction 11.3%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 11.1%
- Education 10.4%
- Healthcare 9.1%
All 19 groups
Hide table
- Skilled Trades & Construction 11.3%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 11.1%
- Education 10.4%
- Healthcare 9.1%
| Occupation | Share | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Trades & Construction | 11.3% | 2,070 |
| Agriculture, Land & Sea | 11.1% | 2,030 |
| Education | 10.4% | 1,900 |
| Healthcare | 9.1% | 1,670 |
| Industry | 8.7% | 1,600 |
| Domestic | 8.0% | 1,460 |
| Government & Civil Administration | 5.7% | 1,050 |
| Arts & Media | 5.7% | 1,050 |
| Transport | 5.2% | 950 |
| Retail, Distribution & Logistics | 4.4% | 810 |
| Security & Defence | 3.6% | 660 |
| Economic Planning | 3.1% | 570 |
| Sport & Recreation | 2.7% | 500 |
| Law & Justice | 2.2% | 410 |
| Science & Research | 2.1% | 380 |
| Information & Communications | 2.1% | 380 |
| Hospitality & Participatory Trades | 1.9% | 350 |
| Energy & Resources | 1.4% | 250 |
| Religious & Ceremonial | 1.1% | 200 |
Register estimates of posts located in the republic, rounded; figures under 50 suppressed.