New Baldia

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

Localization
New Baldia is located in the northeast 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 Kingdom of Aetheria. The eastern parts of the town are separated from Aetheria by the Tresrius river.

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

The 9th of July 2021 New Baldia was founded by Lythd and Spokes6. The new settlement was successful and started growing and reached a big enough population to warrant mayoral elections. On August 7th, 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. One of Saphiro's main ambitions was to grow the active population and to accomplish that a policy was enacted that payed new citizens to stimulate population growth. Despite this, the settlement's growth was slowing down and the town was soon after facing its first major challenge.

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 town 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. The settlement being at its lowest point, there were plans to abandon it and evacuate all citizens to new town of Tiatua. But under Gooblegins persistance the situation improved and the town was able to focus on developing itself. Under Gooblegin's 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, notably implementing a major tax reduction. The 24th of October, Alphonsine Gooblegins resigned and appointed Jean Bon Serrano as her successor. Today Alphonsine Gooblegins is rembered as the Mayor who laid the groundwork for New Baldia's future industrialisation and urbanisation.

Jean Serrano attempted to revitalize democratic institutions within New Baldia. To accomplish that the New Baldia Constituent Assembley was formed which was supposed to codify a new and legitimate governing system. But it turned out to be a failure, because of the limitations that were imposed by the montroigian laws and that the Uldarahi Civil War broke out 10 days into Serrano's mayorship which subsequently changed the agenda

New Baldia during the Civil War
After the outbreak of the war between "Loyalist" and "Imperial Uldarash", New Baldia developed into a crucial military-industrial hub for the loyalist war effort. A sizeable amount of weapons and armour was manufactured in that period, improving the local economy considerably and thus making New Baldia a wealthy town. During these times New Baldia prospered and reached a peak in terms of population and relevance. Unlike Terroja, New Baldia remained largely unscathed, due to no battles taking place in the town and not being occupied by Imperialists forces after the defeat of Loyalist Uldarash and the subsequent treaty of Terroja that ended the conflict.

Status
New Baldia is a town within the Republic of Montroig. This used to mean, 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 used to be the only montroigian town which had the autonomy to choose a system of governance for itself.

Since the constitutional reform, which entered into effect the 19th november 2023, the status of New Baldia has evolved. Now it not just a town, but nominally a federated State within the Federal Republic of Montroig.

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 which is co-exerciced with the council.

Legislative powers, which are limited to the choosing and amending of the New Baldian system of governance, deciding on local taxation and laws which are of religious, cultural, economic or of procedural value and which do not undermine a superior state interest, are held by the citizens of New Baldia.

The judicial power is held and enforced by the federal 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 they where mainly exported to the Republic of Alfheim while still supplying the capital of Terroja whith large quantities of food.

New Baldia is the capital of Banking in Montroig, as it hosts the Montroigian National Bank (MNB).

Cuisine
The New Baldian diet consists mostly of baked 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 parliament meetings.

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

Spokes Gooblegins is one of the two founders of New Baldia. Their longevity has left a significant mark on the city as the longest serving mayor in the history of the nation.

Jean Bon Serrano-Gooblegins is one of the artisans of the economic rise of New Baldia and has defined its unique architecture.

Mihailo Ficko Games is the founder of the White Mountain Experience Company and was the creator and subsequently the first governor of the Montroigian National Bank.

The Federated Cooks Party is a political party created by New Baldians whose primary objective is to give the states of the Federal Republic of Montroig more representation in the national government.

Architecture
The architecture in New Baldia is unique. It has many distinct characteristics. It was many domes and columns.

The buildings worthy of a visit are the Town Hall, the National Library, the Moonlit Mountain Cathedral and the Gooblegins Palace.