Apulija

The Republic of Apulija (Respubblica Apulija in Apulian Croat) is a state located in Southern Italy, founded in 1946 by newly arrived Croat immigrants and Italian politicians unhappy with the new government of Enrico de Nicola. Its capital is located in Bari (Barij).

Enrico de Nicola and the reforms in Apulia
In 1946 the president of Italy, Enrico de Nicola, gave reforms like the organization of mass arrests to ex fascists living in Apulia, it didn't matter if they regret or not. The Apulian governor and later President of Apulia, Lui Scola, rejected those reforms and demanded to the central government to apologise and halt the reforms.

The 'Impazzendada'
Impazzendo means going mad in Italian, so in Italy the recently born dispute between the Apulian governation and the central government was called 'impazzendada'. As Italy mocked the Apulians, the Apulians declared independence on August 21th, 1946. A group of newly immigrated Croats and Apulian politicians declared independence and the Apulian Assembly (the Apulian Assembly's president in behalf of the Assembly) signed the document, passing to be the Parliament of Apulia. Italy immediatly declared martial law in Apulia, the police searched for the authors of the declaration, and the Army entered on Bari on a matter of hours.

The Battle of Bari
The Army got caught by a battalion of militiamen, who started firing towards the Army and a battle started, with militiamen defeating the Army and the central government issuing a real declaration of war which never came out due to the severe defeats.

NATO recognizes Apulija
In January 21st, 1947, NATO issued an announcement saying that they would recognize the Apulian government and ask them to join NATO for protection against communism, measure which Italy rejected and condemned.

Italy asks NATO to keep out of Apulija
In January 23rd, the Italian government asked NATO to not intervene in the conflict to avoid a mass war and avoid losing Italy. NATO would say that they 'recognized Apulija but wouldn't intervene in future conflicts nor express support for any side' and Italy, being sure of the non-intervention pact signed with NATO, went further in the invasion.

The Giorno Offensive
On May 4th, 1947 Italy launched their planned invasion, named 'Giorno Offensive' due to its execution in the morning. The plan consisted in launching an offensive in Bari, flanking the enemy via maritime and ground forces. The offensive was executed and the Apulian militias escaped in helicopters and planes before the offensive along with the President and the Parliament, and also the politicians and immigrants who founded the nation. With Italy now in control of Bari, Apulia was administratively annexed to Reggio Calabria officially in Italy, so the Apulian authorities passed to be authorities of the Apulian provinces.

Bari is retaken by Apulija
After a year of truce and stalemate, the Apulian militiamen decided to retake Bari in some time, since they were preparing for it a year. Apulija decided to introduce voluntary conscription for everyone after 18 years old with military training included. Bari was finally retaken on May 10th, 1948 and the authorities decided to stay in exile for the rest of the war for avoiding any dangers.

The Napoli Agreements
Italy compromised in the Napoli Agreements, to 'respect, recognize and ensure the independence of the newly formed state, whether on war or peace, and to establish diplomatic relations, cordial and formal ones, to ensure the preserving of ties of both nations, united by their Italian identities, language and for ever.'

Geography
Apulia's coastline is longer than that of any other mainland former Italian region. In the north, the Gargano promontory extends out into the Adriatic like a 'sperone' ("spur"), while in the south, the Salento peninsula forms the 'tacco' ("heel") of Italy's boot. The highest peak in the region is Mount Cornacchia (1,152 meters above sea level) within the Daunian Mountains, in the north along the Apennines.

The country has two national parks, the Alta Murgia National Park and Gargano National Park.

Outside national parks in the North and West, most of Apulija and particularly Salento is geographically flat with only moderate hills.

The climate is typically Mediterranean with hot, dry and sunny summers and mild, rainy winters. Snowfall, especially on the coast is rare but has occurred as recently as January 2019 (following on from snow in March 2018 and January 2017). Apulia is among the hottest and driest regions of Italy in summer with temperatures sometimes reaching up to and above 40 °C in Lecce and Foggia.

The coastal areas, particularly on the Adriatic and in the southern Salento region are frequently exposed to winds of varying strengths and directions, strongly affecting local temperatures and conditions, sometimes within the same day. The Northerly Bora wind from the Adriatic can lower temperatures, humidity and moderate summer heat while the Southerly Sirocco wind from North Africa can raise temperatures, humidity and occasionally drop red dust from the Sahara. On some days in spring and autumn, it can be warm enough to swim in Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo on the Ionian coast while at the same time, cool winds warrant jackets and sweaters in Monopoli and Otranto on the Adriatic coast.

The area that is in between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca is part of the Regional Natural Coastal Park of "Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase" wanted by Apulija in 2008. This territory has numerous natural and historical attractions such as Ciolo, which is a rocky cove.

Demographics
Apulija is a diverse nation, also known for its openness and tolerance. That's why it has become an habitual destiny for homosexual Italians. Speaking in terms of ethnicity, it has particular communities like the Arbëreshë (Albanian ethnolinguist community present since the 15th century), or the Greek dialect "Griko" spoken in Salento.

Ethnographics
Italians: 91%, Apulian Croats: 7%, Arbëreshë: 1%, Others: 1%

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