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| Capital (and largest city) |
Jóhannsborg | ||||
| Language | Álengsk, Creole | ||||
| Queen | Thorey VII | ||||
| Governor | Alexander Daníelsson | ||||
| Population | 27,470 | ||||
| Currency | ALK | ||||
Nýljóneyja is a small island off the West African coast governed by Álengiamark and forms part of the 'West African Trading Archipelago'. Its nearest neighbour is the Kingdom of Mane. The population is around 27,000 and the capital is Jóhannsborg.
The language is officially Álengsk but in practice a creole is spoken.
The currency is the Álengsk Krona (ALK).
History[]
In 1716 the Earldom of Quiripiland, then a virtually autonomous state, commissioned a small merchant navy under its own flag to begin trade with West Africa. The standard pattern for European (and Leifian) involvement with Africa had already emerged over the previous century as states commissioned trading companies to pool the resources of their merchants into a coherent trading bloc and raising forts, armies and negotiating their own treaties with the native peoples. Many of the favourable trading ports further along on the 'Gold' and 'Ivory' coasts had already been claimed however the island, just off the 'Pepper' coast was a good spot for the new entrants.
During the reorganisation of Álengiamark under the leadership of Herridr I Quiripiland lost its autonomous rights, and all of the various trading companies, ships and possessions were amalgamated into a single 'Royal Company'. In 1742 the holding was extended from a mere trading station to incorporate the entire island via the purchase of the chief's land. This was just prior to the outbreak of the War of the League of Arcachon and for several decades the port and trade was run directly by the Royal Africa Company with little state interference.
After the unification, or reunification of the immediate mainland under the Mane kings in 1789, the Royal Africa Company sought to continue its trading relationship with the mainland but the small and thinly populated island was threatened with invasion. Álengiamark would intervene sending two warships forcing Mane to negotiate, but the island continued to be administered by the Company. Had it been a direct Álengsk possession it probably would have been sold to another country as part of the fire-sale during the crash preceding the 'Leifian Crisis'. It was only when the Company itself fell into economic troubles in the 1830s that Álengiamark, now on surer economic footing, took over direct running of the island. After this a treaty with Mane agreed that Álengiamark would govern the island for 299 years after which it would revert to Mane-rule. This would be backdated to Álengiamark's seizure of the entire island so unless the agreement is revised it will cease to be Álengsk property in 2041.
Though larger territorially, compared to Denmark and Luxembourg's respective trade factory holdings at Fort Høegh/Madina to the north, Nýljóneyja is less monetarily valuable. However mining and cocoa industries on the near mainland are growing in size and starting to eclipse more traditional agriculture. The island itself is mostly given over to rice-growing.
The native population, mostly Sherbo people, is almost a minority as over the centuries a creole population of natives, Álengsk and Portuguese have settled and mixed. The island is Catholic, unlike the Muslim mainland, and many stubborn and foolhardy missionaries over the centuries have used the island as a base from which to attempt the conversion of Muslim and Pagan tribes of West Africa.
Government[]
Nýljóneyja is governed by a small council elected by a free vote of the eligible population. The governor, appointed by Álengiamark has veto power over the chamber's decisions however.
The current governor is Alexander Daníelsson, and is the first governor to have been born on the island. The Álengsk queen, currently Thorey VII is recognized as head of state.
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