It was once the most feared of all South Pacific island cultures and was given the name Zeusland by early explorers in honour of the Greek god of the gods, Zeus. Today, however, Zeusland is a very different place to the land first encountered by Magellan, Cook and La Perouse in the 17th and 18th centuries.
A long history of industry and self-sufficiency has been affected by a fall in demand for trinkleberries, a delicacy only found on Zeusland and loved around the world, as well as diminishing tourist numbers to its resorts to see the tree-octopus in the wild and theme parks. A two year drought has also meant that for the first time in its recorded history, Zeuslanders are having to import fruit and vegetables from other countries including Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
On top of drought, falling tourist numbers and a lack of demand for trinkleberries, Zeusland has internal problems. Residents in the north, whose ancestors came mostly from France, are demanding their own country and full separation from the rest of Zeusland. The Free Zeus Now movement has so far only been interested in political disputes, but may in the future resort to other methods to achieve their aims as they seek independence. The recent clashes between Australian-Zeuslanders and New Zealand-Zeuslanders has provided a distraction for the government in the capital, Nowraton.
Zeusland operates as a sovereign nation, in free-association with Australia, who was previously its colonial power. It is free to seek independence whenever the parliament passes the necessary laws, but has chosen not too as Australia provides defence, trade and external affairs support.
The recent discovery of liquified natural gas on the seabed adjacent to both the eastern and western sides of Zeusland has created tensions with Australia and New Zealand, as neither recognises Zeusland's right to the seabed.
A long history of industry and self-sufficiency has been affected by a fall in demand for trinkleberries, a delicacy only found on Zeusland and loved around the world, as well as diminishing tourist numbers to its resorts to see the tree-octopus in the wild and theme parks. A two year drought has also meant that for the first time in its recorded history, Zeuslanders are having to import fruit and vegetables from other countries including Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
On top of drought, falling tourist numbers and a lack of demand for trinkleberries, Zeusland has internal problems. Residents in the north, whose ancestors came mostly from France, are demanding their own country and full separation from the rest of Zeusland. The Free Zeus Now movement has so far only been interested in political disputes, but may in the future resort to other methods to achieve their aims as they seek independence. The recent clashes between Australian-Zeuslanders and New Zealand-Zeuslanders has provided a distraction for the government in the capital, Nowraton.
Zeusland operates as a sovereign nation, in free-association with Australia, who was previously its colonial power. It is free to seek independence whenever the parliament passes the necessary laws, but has chosen not too as Australia provides defence, trade and external affairs support.
The recent discovery of liquified natural gas on the seabed adjacent to both the eastern and western sides of Zeusland has created tensions with Australia and New Zealand, as neither recognises Zeusland's right to the seabed.