SmileyLand & Folegandria

Early stage

SmileyLand has applied to NSC on December 20th, 2012. SmileyLand had been a Republic for most of its presence in the Waiting List, before getting united with the Island of Folegandria close to their debut in NSC 109.

This Nation remained in the WL for 504 days.

SmileyLand in the WLSC

SmileyLand took part in 25 editions of the WLSC. (24 as a Republic and the last edition as a Federation).

Due to the official channel's lack of interest, SmileyLand withdrew three times from this contest. (45 to 47; 56 to 58 and finally in the 60th edition of the contest).

SmileyLand's debut in the WLSC took place in the 33rd edition and took part in it for the very last time 30 editions later.

Worst result: 11 out of 15 in their debut.

Best results: 1st in editions 38 and 48.

 SmileyLand & Folegandria in the NSC: 

Debut: NSC 109

Worst result: Edition 109 - 21/23 in the semi-final 

Best result: Edition 110 - 3/30 in the final.

SmileyLand's official and public channel: BroadcasterSmileChannel (channels 1 & 2).

Other private channels: SMLMovies (SMLM), MTVLand (MTVL), WorldSportsChannel (WSC), SpiritualFantasticRealm (SFR) and FoxxEntertainment (FXE)

SmileyLand's History.

Geography

SmileyLand is an Island and has an extension of 103.000 km2.

Folegandria is another island with 56.000km2

Early History

SmileyLand was first discovered by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century. It had no natives inhabitants by then and the first official inhabitants were Portuguese. Due to its bright and sunny days, this new was called "Terra da Alegria" (The Land of Happiness) and remained with this offical name until its independence.

British in SmileyLand

The British and Portuguese signed a treaty (The Development Treaty) in the late 16th Century, which consisted in handing the Northern Area to the English, while the Southern Area would remain under the Portuguese dominance. From this moment on the British community grew larger and larger.

The Development Treaty

The Portuguese had a world wide Empire in the 17th Century and The Land of Happiness had huge costs to the Portuguese Crown. The Island was not the focus of the Portuguese governers and their lack of interest in this territory grew every year. The fact that this Island remained in the extreme North with what was called a harsh climate by the Portuguese, did not help to increase their interest in this Land.

In the 1680's the British had shown an interest about this Island and at the same time they knew about the lack of interest from Portugal. High representitives from the British Crown were sent to Lisbon. Suprisingly enough, the Portuguese decided to sign a Treaty handing 80% of the Island to the British and remaining with only 20% of the whole territory (obviously keeping the Southern city, Santa Luz (translation in English: Holy Light), the most important and richest area of the Island).

The Development Treaty was called this way because The Land of Happiness was only developing in its Southern part due to a constant and intense commercial activity, where the Spanish, Dutch and British had a major role. The Northern part was forgotten, and ironically it was also the most populated area. With this Treaty, the British commited to the development of the North, demanding that the Portuguese ceased to have any influence in this part of the territory. The Portuguese agreed and for almost 2 centuries this would remain a split territory. The only aspect British would encourage from the previous

North vs South

The years and decades that followed were everything but peaceful. The Portuguese lack of interest even about the Southern Area, the rich and developed one, did not stop growing. Dutch, Spaniards had a huge commercial activity, over 50% that the Portuguese had. The Portuguese idea, even if not clearly stated in the beginning, was giving up of the whole territory, not without heavily charging for their definite departure as Governers. The Northern part highly developed by then with Hillaria as its main city, was basically another and completely different land from the South.The British had very strict rules to what commercial freedom and transactions concerned and all activites that were allowed were charged with very high taxes. The North became organised and developed, but with strict rules to what letting other countries do there.

The British did not play Portugal's game. They simply ignored the South for a while and the Portuguese ceased to administrate the territory with any sort of competence, only keeping it for random reasons. Portugal did not have the funds to keep the South, but it would take years before the United Treaty was signed.

The United Treaty

Portugal was having more and more troubles to keep the Southern part of the Island. Spaniards and Dutch were starting with increasing military occupance, even without literal disturbance, and the British were keeping a close eye on the situation. In 1850 the British made a proposal to the Portuguese: they would give Portuguese crown a generous fund, obviously not as big s the Portuguese wished, and British army would be sent to the South in order to keep the order and end with all ambitions from the Dutch and Spaniards dominating this huge part of the Island. The Portuguese tried to play a bit harsh on the conditions to sign a definite treaty, but they eventually gave up the South in favour of the British, accepting all the terms and conditions that were expressed in the treaty.

The United Treaty was so called because it allowed the British to take over the whole territory and basically end with any ideas of Spaniards and Dutch to dominate the South. Portugal would definitely quit about being politcally important in the territory and would leave with no further demands.

Unitl 1989 the whole territory was dominated by the Britsh. North and South were united and despite obvious differences that would forever remain, this Island became one, with the same strict rules to what commercial freedom or any other special allowance given to foreign countries concerned.

Referendum and Independence

The remaining centuries were a peaceful time for this territory. The British decided to make Hillaria the capital and make it the cultural, politcal and commercial centre, never forgetting Santa Luz though, giving all the necessary funds for it to remain the Island's second most finantial and cultural city.

The ideas of independence grew heavier in the 80's. The Land of Happiness was a rich land, with an intense cultural and commercial activity. The British resisted most of this decade to the independence ideas, until they finally allowed a Referendum in 1987. Over 90% of the population voted "yes" for independence and in 1989 the new nation of The Republic of SmileyLand emerged.

1994-1999 - The dark Era

A new Nation had been built. A new name found. The main languages persisted through out the different centuries, being English the first official Language and Portuguese called the National Language until 1993. The fact that Portuguese was being placed second, did not please the governers of many of the main cities. English was obviously widely spoken, but the Portuguese language was spoken and understood by all the citizens (it's always been part of the education of all SmlleyLanders). In 1994 Portuguese was finally transformed into one of the official languages, leaving the secondary role behind.

However, while SmileyLanders had reasons to smile for so long, in 1994 the land started facing a serious Economic crisis which also lead to political disturbance. Margaret Sampaio, the President, thought there would be no other way out from this crisis than asking for their neighbours' help.

Margaret Sampaio and Trollheimr

Margaret Lewis Sampaio was 38 years old when she became the president of the recently created Republic. She was highly popular amongst the population and she did not intend to lose her popularity. When the crisis became heavier, she visited Trollheimr, one of SmileyLand's biggest allies to seek for help. After weeks of discussions, Trollheimr decided to help the difficult situation of SmileyLand, demanding to be part of the Government. Margaret realized she did not have another option and a vice-president from Trollheimr was chosen. No decisions would be made without Trollheimr's clear approval.

2000 - The end of the dark Era - Trollheimr's departure and Peter Richards vs Margaret Sampaio

In 2000 SmileyLand's situation had improved drastically. Due to its natural resources, tourism and a competent government re-elected in 1996 with Trollheimr always with a spot in it, SmileyLand became a safe and economically balanced nation. The 2001 elections were coming closer and Peter Richards (aged 35), a fierce member of the major party from the Opposition, started his own battle to reach power. He did not keep himself from a hard propaganda against Margaret, stating that she accepted to sell SmileyLand, immediately after its Independence, because of her clear incompetence to rule the territory on her own.

Trollheimr did not want to be part of this internal fight and after several discussions with both Margaret and Peter, it was decided Trollheimr would no longer take part in being part of the government or important decisions of this nation.

Peter would end up winning the elections in 2001, 2006 and 2011. He would be known as the Iron mind, a tough President and mainly polemic and considered unfriendly. But his known ability of transforming the Republic into a competitive and wealthy nation, his competence of attracting powerful international allies and finally of keeping the finances of the country clearly balanced, and healthy, makes SmileyLanders surrender to this man, who's been the main leader of this Nation for 13 years already.

Folegandria

Folegandria is a Southern Island geographically very close to SmileyLand. The interraction between these two Islands had been a Historical fact for centuries. Their ties have always been very close. Peter Richards and Thanos Dimitras agreed on having internal talks about creating a Federation. The main reasons were Folegandria's harsh times on competing on their own and as a fully independent Nation in the last decade. Afraid of having a situation similar to the one faced by SmileyLand decades before, Thanos decided that the best way of protecting the former Greek territory and current Republic, was to create a Federation with their wealthy neighbours, offering Folegandria's resources and common profits as their guarantee. SmileyLand, on the other hand, would compromise to protecting and and funding Folegandria in a rate of 30%, both keeping their autonomy and individual commitments and extra-commercial profits.

After a referendum kept in both nations, with an undoubtedly win in favour of the creation of the new Federation (89% in SmileyLand and 94% in Folegandria) A new Federation was created to start competing in the NSC contest.

SmileyLand's main cities:

Hillaria

Santa Luz

Kingdom City

Kensington Vegas

BCS leaders and voting jurors:

EurovisionSmile

Nicholas 123