New Baldia

New Baldia is the second most popolous town of the Federal Republic of Montroig. It is situated in a valley to the east of the capital Terroja.

Localisation
New Baldia is located in the north east of the continent of Haven and it is the easternmost town in Montroig. New Baldia sits on the coast of the Tresrius Bay and is encapsulated by two hills that form the valley in which the town is located. The town shares from the south to the east a long border with the Social Republic of Chevkri. The eastern parts of the town are separated from the Social Republic of Chevkri by the [Insert Name] river.

Origins and Founding
New Baldia is a successor town to Baldia which is also referred to as old Baldia. It was originally a underwater military outpost to the west of Terroja which was founded by Lytdh and _Suicune_. Being unpractical, the settlement was abandoned and was due to its proximity with Terroja integrated as a district into the capital city.

The 9th of July 2021 New Baldia was founded by Lytdh and Spokes6. The new settlement was successful and started growing and reached a big enough population to warrant mayoral elections. The 7th August 2021  Ben "Anti_Xray_ Plugin" Saphiro won the elections with 71,4% of the votes running against Spokes6.

Early development
With Ben Saphiro at its head, the construction of the canals were initiated. The ambition of the project was to drain the swamp to generate habitable and fertile lands. This was mostly successful and about 1/4 of the valley was freed up and soon after it was used for agriculture and housing.

Decline and Stagnation
The draining of the swamp had as a consquence that diseases were spreading throughout the population. Birth rates dropped significantly, settlers were no longer moving in and as a consquence the town entered into a severe demographic crisis with long lasting consequences. Added to that a political and diplomatic crisis ensued on the 26th of August 2021 on the border with the Republic of Chevkri. The at the time Mayor of New Baldia invaded by himself the neighbouring town of Coolio City and occupied it. The combined armed forces of the Chevkri Republic responded by retaking the city during what is known as the First Battle of Coolio City. Two days after that Ben Saphiro resigned on August 28th and fled the country. Alphonsine Gooblegins was appointed to be the new Mayor of New Baldia.

As best as she could, Gooblegins maneuvered New Baldia through the demographic crisis. Under her mayorship the road infrastructure was significantly improved. It is in that period that New Baldia was connected to the capital Terroja and to the broader uldarashi roadnetwork. Added to that the construction of the canals were continued and finalised, maximising the available lands. Gooblegins also enacted economic reforms by implementing a major tax reduction.

Status
New Baldia is a town within the Republic of Montroig. This means that it benefits from a certain degree of autonomy which allows the town to govern itself in matters of infrastructure, culture and other affairs which are only locally relevant. New Baldia is the only montroigian town which has the autonomy to choose a system of governance for itself.

Governing System
New Baldia is governed by a Mayor who is elected once a month by New Baldian citizens. The Mayor serves a one month term and appoints for the same duration of time New Baldians to the City Council who are responsible with assisting them with the governing of the town. The Mayor holds the executive power while the council holds the legislative powers which are limited to the choosing and amending of the New Baldian system of governance. The judicial power is held and enforced by the central government.

Economy
Being the host of the biggest and best engineered Cactus Farm within the Republic of Montroig, New Baldia has imposed itself as the industrial capital of the nation. For example; during the Civil War the town was one of two major military-industrial hubs. This has allowed New Baldia to become a wealthy town which is now host to emerging businesses such as the White Mountain Experience Company.

Agriculture is the second major economic sector. Potatoes are being grown in large quantities and are mainly exported to the Republic of Alfheim.

Cuisine
The New Baldian diet consists mostly of potatoes and dried kelp. The consumption of dried kelp, which is seen as the poor man's food, originated from the early days of the town around the period in which the canals were constructed. These canals were used as a place to make the kelp grow. Today Kelp is no longer a core element of the New Baldian diet and is largely consumed as a tradition and as a reminder of the modest origines of the town.

Despite its simplicity, New Baldian cuisine is famous throughout the country for its New Baldian Potatoes which New Baldians consider to be the best on the continent. Culinary specialties from the town are regularly distributed by its citizens to compatriotes during congress sessions.

Personalities and Organisations linked to New Baldia
Alphonsine Gooblegins was a popular and influential Mayor of New Baldia and two term serving Guardian of the Republic. Having aquired at her peak enormous wealth and political power, she is politically and economically one of the most successfull individiuals that have originitated from the town.