The Republic of New Holland

The Republic of New Holland Arnhemslandt.png
The Republic of New Holland (Dutch: De Republiek van Nieuw Holland, French: La République de Nouvelle Hollande), is a republic situated in the north of the continent of New Holland.

It's capital is the city Nieuw Arnhem, built on the island, Groote Eylandt ("large island" in Dutch). The national languages of the republic are Dutch, the majority language, and French. There is also a minority of English speakers but they are such a small percentage of the population that the language is not recognised by the government. The national anthem of the country is called "Een Groot Land".

It is currently under the leadership of Chancellor Jan Gerritszoon.

Pre-colonial era 40,000 BC - 1606 AD
Before Dutch colonisation, New Holland was inhabited by a number of indigenous tribes who had lived in the land for many millenia (some estimates are up to 40,000 years). They spoke a variety of native languages and lived in an uncivilised manner.

In 1606, Dutch mariner, Willem Janszoon discovered the continent of New Holland while exploring for the fabled country of Nova Guinea, said to be rich with gold and resources. However, when he reached the new land, he found that there were large forests full of hostile natives that killed nine of his crew.

In 1616, Dirk Hartog, also a Dutch captain, discovered more of the continent, charting a section of land on the west coast and naming it "Eendrachtslandt", after his ship the "Eendracht", meaning "Unity" in Dutch.

In the years that followed, many ships following the new route to the East Indies accidentally became wrecked along the coast of New Holland. Famous examples of these ill-fated ships include the Batavia, Zuytdorp, and Zeewijk. After the wrecking of the Batavia, a murderous munity was carried out under the orders of a psycopathic doctor from Haarlem, Jeronimus Corneliszoon.

Colonial era - 1629 AD - 1842 AD
After the disaster concerning the Batavia, the United East India Company decided to settle on the new continent, to make it safer for ships and easier to manage, and were about to found a city when the States-General banned them from monopolising on the New Holland continent and set up a new company, the Nieuw-Holland Compagnie (New Holland Company), to colonise and exploit the resources of the new land.

The city of Nieuw Arnhem was founded in 1631, and New Holland was officially claimed for the United Provinces. This caused a great deal of talk in Europe, especially amongst the English and French who wanted their own claims on the new continent, imagining that it must be a place of wonders and plenty.

Independence movement - 1842 AD - 1843 AD
Movements for independence had never really gained support until Belgium gained independence in 1831. From then onwards, the people of New Holland decided that they should also be their own country.

War of Independence - 1843 AD - 1848 AD
Republic - 1848 AD - present