Minoa

Minoa is a country and vassal state of Baragandi in Earth World Redux found in Southern Europe and in the Eastern Mediterranean. Officially the Kingdom of Minoa, it was founded on the 7th of May, 2022(Known in Minoa as Statehood Day) by the country's current king and ruler PixonState. Minoa shares a land border with Macedonia as well as a maritime border with Lycia. The country currently hosts a grand population of 30 citizen comprising of mainly ethnic Greek with plans to further expand and populate the country.

History
Minoa began at first as a concept among various Greek intellectuals while they were having their morning coffees in early May of 2022, this concept would be solidified following the claiming of the island of Crete and a few other neighboring islands on the 7th of May, which was then promptly followed by the actualization of the Minoan nation on the 8th of May that remains today. The country has seen several expansions of neighboring land including the annexation of the Peloponnesian peninsula following the disbandment of Sparta as well as a foothold in Epirus gained following the Partition of Hellas on the 12th of May, 2022. On the 2nd of July, 2022, Minoa integrated the neighbouring nation of Athenia due to the latter's mismanagement of the land as well as the collapse of its society. On the 27th of July, 2022, Minoa was placed under supervision of the Satrapy of Baragandhi led by Sikorskiii effectively making it a vassal state that serve's the latter, with autonomy given to the citizens and (now deceased) ruler PixonState.

Economy and Society
Minoa is a lesser developed country, ranking fairly low due to its economy being concentrated around subsistence agriculture with some export agriculture in the few fertile flat areas around the country, and the exporting of raw materials such as coal, cobblestone, diamonds, and sandstone. Minoa faces challenges to development because of its low population, lack of buildable and arable land coupled with poor education structure and lack of proper healthcare. The country has also gone on record for having a relatively poor human rights record, characterized by the lack of political freedoms of citizens as well as the excess and extrajudicial use of capital punishments along with a strict interpretation of the Hellenic Law.

With the death of the first and greatest Minoan ruler - PixonState - the country has been thrown into anarchy. Having built a cult of personality around oneself and vesting all political power in him even going so far as subverting the Hellenic church of Minoa into being his pawns in order to justify his reign under the pretenses that Zeus had granted him the right to rule. Initially the broadcasts and messages were sent throughout the Kingdom declaring a statement to calm the populace: "REMAIN CALM. MINOA ENDURES. PIXONSTATE LIVES. THE HOLY MINOAN KINGDOM SHALL ENDURE. THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE." the populace found no solace in the message and ignored it, the message itself was repeating until the takeover of the country. The death of PixonState has resulted in no competent Minoan being able to secure power as ruler forcing the powerful yet friendly state of Baragandhi to step in and place the region under military rule that answer directly to Satrap Sikorskiii. The country is in the process of being rebuilt in order to reinstate a civilian government.

Government and Foreign Relations
Minoa is an unitary absolute monarchy that rules with the guiding of the ruler PixonState as well as the fundamentalist Hellenic Law. Minoa is a vassal state to Baragandhi but still retains nominal autonomy to rule over its citizens but has been forced to concede its rights to autonomously perform foreign affairs(unless they are with nations within Baragandhi's sphere) as well as having little control over military and tax matters. It is a member of the Greek Economic Union (GEU) and a member of the official Mappercraft discord server.

Lycia-Minoa Proxy Conflict
Additionally Minoa is in a mini cold war with the neighboring power of Lycia dubbed the Lycia-Minoa proxy conflict with a friendly competition based around stealing one another's tourists, boats etc. as well as the occasional banter and shit talking towards each other's respective countries.

Astakida Conflict
During the afternoon of the 12th of June, 2022, a minor conflict and skirmish occured between the powers of Lycia and Minoa over the island of Astakida. The island's legal claim is debated as poor documentation and record keeping has led to both sides claiming as one another's land. The ensuing skirmish resulted in a Lycian victory and the island is considered de facto part of Lycia, though Minoa insists it is an integral piece of their country.

Crete
The Island of Crete serves as the power base of all operations conducted by Minoa as well as being the most important part of Minoa.

Knossos
Minoa's crown jewel and capital city as well as the location of all government bodies is on the Island of Crete.

Peloponnese
The Peloponnesian peninsula is the largest of all regions in Minoa most notable for its defensive structures as well as its vast farmlands and underdeveloped villages.

Peloponnesian Express
The Peloponnesian Express is a railway that connects the entire peninsula together as well as connecting all regions to a single network

Epirus
The poorest region of all Minoa known mostly for its fishing and mountainous terrain that hosts temples and monasteries for monks.

Zakynthos
The island of Zakynthos famous for its scenic beaches and lovely weather is the personal vacation home of the nation's leader-Pixon State.

Athenia
Athenia makes up the land's that once belonged to the country of Athenia, hosting prime arable lands and tons of access to the sea, this is a key investment area for future economic endeavors.

Athens
Athens is a very small and poor but developing town that has plans to encompass the majority of the region of Athenia.