Alternative History
Danish Polynesia
Timeline: The Kalmar Union
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Capital
(and largest city)
Papeete
Language Danish
King Christopher X
Governor Lars von Söhlenthal
Population 160,200 
Currency DKK

The territory of Danish Polynesia covers several island chains in the central Roasjoinn. The population is around 160,000 and the capital is Papeete.

The official language is Danish, however, the native languages are widely used.

The currency is the Danish Krone (DKK).

History[]

Denmark began to occupy various island in the Roasjoinn in the 1870s, chiefly as a barrier to the spread of Mexic and Japanese power. They had been inhabited since around 300 AD by the seafaring Polynesians and later discovered by Tawantinsuyu as they explored westward toward Asia. As in much of the Roasjoinn the arrival of the Tawantinsuyu led to the spread of gunpowder weapons amongst the islands. By the point of the first European contact, often whaling vessels, the Ra'iātean Kingdom had taken over most of the islands.

The spread of Lutheranism by Scandinavian and Anglian missionaries weakened the hold of the native kingdoms and adopting repressive methods the kings would be expelled by uprisings amongst their subjects. In their place Danish protection was sought.

Denmark would later cede the easternmost islands to Tawantinsuyu after they complained that they had always protected the islands without feeling the need to annex them. It would also cede the southernmost island chain to Fryslân in the Kalmar-Fryslân Treaty of 1916.

Due to the huge distances and relative unprofitability only the main islands are connected by telegraph cables and it would take Venice's intervention to connect that small network to the rest of the world in 1997.

The islands provide an important resupply point for Kalmar vessels sailing from Tawantinland to Asia and Australia. However, they are not as integrated into the Danish state as say, Svealandic Polynesia. Small scale agriculture provides most of the employment whilst pearl fishing is curently the most lucrative industry. Cobalt is also mined in small quantities for export to Tawantinsuyu.

Government[]

The small single-chambered Riksdag has wide autonomy with powers over most aspects of civil government, a legacy not only of its remoteness but also its history of self-sufficient miniature native kingdoms which Danish administrators have done little to curb. Elections are held every five years.

The current governor, exercising executive power on behalf of King Christopher X is Lars von Söhlenthal.