Alternia

Alternia, officially, the Republic of Alternia, is an unitary republic located in Africa. The country is composed by 11 provinces, which are located in Southeast Africa, south of the Zambezi river. The capital and largest city is Suthu. A country of 27 million people, Alternia has 9 official languages, with English, Shona, Makhuwa, Cisena and Ndebele being the most used. It borders the Southern Africa Federation and Swaziland to the west and south, and Nyasaland to the north.

Since the 11th century, present-day Alternia has been the site of several organised states and kingdoms as well as a major route for migration and trade. The area that is now Alternia was first discovered by Europeans around the 15th century, but colonization would begin until the late 19th century. The self-governing colony of Southern Rodhesia was founded in 1920, along with the self-governing colony of Zambezia. However, only two years later, Southern Rodhesia was absorbed into British Zambezia, conforming the present-day borders of Alternia.

Alternia gained independence on 1967 after a three years-long independence war lead by black nationalist guerrillas against the British. Alternia then joined the Commonwealth of Nations, which it remains part of until present days.

Alternia's economy has experienced a rapid increase since the 90s, following the neoliberal and free trade reforms made during the mandate of president Charles Futa. It is one of the biggest economies from sub-saharan Africa by GDP, and it also has the second-hightest HDI in sub-saharan Africa, behind the Southern African Federation.

Alternia is a founding member of the African Union, and it is also part of the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community, and the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa.

Etymology
According to the official versions from the Alternian government, the name Alternia originates from a Latin word; alternus (alter, alternate).

History says that during a meeting between the Zambezian Revolutionary Forces and the People's Liberation Front, (the two forces who would go on to form the Alternian Liberation Council and ultimately achieve independence from the United Kingdom) independence hero Adam Obiang suggested to use the name "Alternia" as the name for an independent Zambezia. Multiple native names had been suggested, but the leaders couldn't agree on one that wouldn't privilege a certain group or region over the rest. Therefore, Alternia was choosen, as it represented a new alternative for all of Zambezia's people to fight under the same banner regardless of their ethnicy, language, religion or culture.