Curateo Republic

Curateo is part of the Lucaya

Curateo Republic
Constituent Republic of Vekllei
Part of the Lucayan Commonwealth
Capital	George Town
Population	14,859
Area	250 km²
Languages	English, Lucayan
Vekllei Accession	1930, as part of the Alford Agreement

The Curateo Republic is a constituent republic of Vekllei in the middle of the Lucayan archipelago. It comprises 365 cays, islands and islets scattered along a gentle curve adjacent to the Cigateo, Guanima and Yuma republics. These cays and islets become larger as you head south, culminating in large, slender islands known as Little and Great Curateo. These are where most Curateans live.

The vast majority of the republic’s cays are uninhabited, and fringed by coral reefs too numerous to count. They are protected by federal legislation, and the local and federal governments retain a variety of facilities across them for various environmental and research purposes. The name ‘Curateo’ comes from the native Lucayan word for ‘outer land,’ since the islands break way from the main Lucayan island chain.

The native Lucayans have lived on the Curateo islands for hundreds of years, but the population there was almost entirely enslaved in the 16th Century and removed to industries throughout Lucaya. The islands remained abandoned until they began to receive settlers in the late 18th Century during the American Revolution. Thousands of British Loyalists fled to the islands, and made failed attempts to establish cotton and coffee plantations there. Slavery was abolished shortly after, and as the Loyalists returned to the UK their estates were left to former African slaves, whose descendants make up most of the population there today. Some Lucayans have since returned to Curateo, but much of the disapora remains scattered across the rest of the archipelago.

Most of the islands are small and undeveloped, and their economies are mostly municipal – meaning smallholdings, minor agriculture, fishing and the civil service. Young or ambitious Curateans typically relocate elsewhere in Lucaya to pursue higher education. In typical Lucayan fashion, life on Curateo is easy and the weather is good, and Cureateans spend most afternoons eating together in communal dinners called catchups or playing sport. Cricket is especially popular.

A rail line connects the length of Greater Curateo with Little Curateo, but the rest of its islets are invariably unpaved and undeveloped. Many locals own wooden boats with simple outboard motors they use to get around. Many Curateans work and study in the neighbouring republic of Yuma. Ferries leave from George Town each day for Yuma and Nema.

Climate

Warm and winterless, with tropical humidity moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. Expect heavy rains and storms in summer.

Public Holidays:

• New Year’s Day 1 Jan
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Whit Monday
• Commonwealth Day 1 May
• Republic Day 10 Jul
• Emancipation Day 1st Mon/Aug
• Discovery Day 12 Oct
• Christmas Day 25 Dec
• Boxing Day 26 Dec