Free Republic of Boeroe

Conventional long form: Free Republic of Boeroe

Conventional short form: Boeroe

Demonym: Boeroese

Population: 78,000 (1930)

Ethnic groups: European 18%, East Asian 9%, Indigenous 47%, Mixed 21%, Other 5%

Religion: Christian (Catholic) 37%, Christian (Claritan) 5%, Christian (Other) 3%, Muslim 43%, Other 12%

Government: Constitutional republic

Capital: Namleigh

Status: Local power

The Free Republic of Boeroe dates back to the early eighteenth century, when it became a popular hideout for the pirates who plagued the East Indies trade. Although many of these pirate bases were wiped out or taken over by the European colonial powers as the century progressed, Boeroe managed to maintain its independence by carefully playing the Spanish, Aragonese and Rumelians off against each other, while applying a veneer of respectability to its economy and government. Many of the most successful pirate lords managed to parley their ill-gotten wealth into clove plantations and influential positions in the government of the new republic, which in some cases their descendants retain to this day.

These days, the financial sector plays a significant role in the Boeroese economy, as Boeroese regulations are lax and banks are famous for their no-questions-asked policies. Agriculture occupies much of the interior of the island, and cloves and other spices are important exports. Drug trafficking is rampant, as government enforcement ranges from weak to non-existent. Recently, Boeroe has also become known as a popular "flag of convenience" for a number of major shipping firms, again due to its favorable regulatory environment.