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flag of the Republic
A busy industrial nation, centered on the remains of the Mexican state of Baja California.
Sometimes known as the NRM (pronounced by Spanish speakers as EH-nay, EH-rray, EH-may) or just La República; properly spelled in full, it's La Nueva República de México.
Origin
Pre-War
Tijuana (pop. 411,500), Ensenada (pop. 77,687), and Mexicali (the state capital, pop. 349,500) were bustling border cities in the 1980s. The entire state of Baja California had a population of about 1.6 million.
Industrial activities included the port and cement plant at Ensenada, and a 1,100 megawatt oil-fired generator station at Rosarito.
The first governor in seventy years of any Mexican state not from the dominant PAN (Partido Acción Nacional) had just been elected.
Post-War
Seven nuclear weapons struck Baja California, all of them were warheads from the same SS-18 missile (the other warheads hit Baja California Sur); each had a yield of 600 kilotons. Mexicali, Tijuana and Ensenada each received a surface strike and an air burst; in addition, the resort town of Rosarito suffered a single air burst attack. Winds that day were from the east-southeast, around 15 kph average.
Essentially the entire populations of the four cities struck were killed -- either within minutes of the blasts, or in the hours and days that followed. Fallout in the area was mostly from nuclear attacks at Mexicali and Yuma, Arizona, and from attacks on the San Diego area, and debris from the San Onofre reactor. Survivors fled; the refugees who came from the United States either died or moved on.
Massive earthquakes, rising sea levels, wildfires, and twenty years of rough weather made the state of Baja California unrecognizable. Settlers began to return from Sonora in the mid-21st Century, fleeing from the turbulent and violent era which led to the rise of the Cartel.
The current Republic was established about a century ago, in 2041. Many of the early inhabitants were trained mechanics and machinists, from closed factories in the Cartel zones. Hundreds of small factories now make everything from knives to small internal combustion engines.
What Outsiders Know
Southern Californians consider the "Mexicans" or "Mexicanos" to be greedy but industrious.
Recently, some statements by the Republic's governor and committee members include calls to bring California back into "la patria."
A good deal of the raw materials and industrial goods found around the Los Angeles Bay come from the NRM.
The Reality
While not possessing the most advanced industrial capabilities, the Republic has the numbers to make up for some shortfalls in technical knowledge.
The republic has been feeling the pinch of diminishing resources for some years, and has been looking to expand.
The leading faction in the government seeks to reunite many neighboring regions under the Mexican flag.
Population
30,000.
Of these, children under age 16 make up 25% (7,500); people age 48 or more make up 18% (5,400). There are 7,500 women above age 15 but under age 48, and 9,600 men in that same age category.
About half of the "adult but not old" women have gainful employment.
Territory and Locations
This nation spreads between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. They claim territory all the way south 20 kilometers south past Ensenada; the area claimed totals about 9,000 square kilometers. Area capable of cultivation is only about one-tenth of that, however.
The capital is at the town of Tijuana (pop. 3,000), a few kilometers south of the 20th Century urban zone. Puerto Centinela (pop. 800) is the main port on the Gulf of California. Las Palmas (pop. 1,800), Tecate (pop. 3,000), and Ensenada (pop. 1,000) are other notable towns.
Organization
Government, National and Local
El Comité de Seguridad del Estado is the legislative body, elected by all voters every two years in January; the Comité itself only convenes once a year in late January except in cases of emergencies, or when called by el governador. The governor is chosen by the Committee from among its members, and serves as long as the Committee wishes.
All persons age 18 or more can vote in all elections. The cities have municipal governments that function similarly to the national government, with a city council and a major. The elections are remarkably free of fraud and corruption -- the current (populist) governor is very popular, though.
Courts are very much subsidiary to the Committee and the governor.
Military Affairs
The armed forces (FAM: Fuerzas Armadas de Mexico) have been growing in recent years; as of 2140 there are 88 men in uniform (women do not serve in the republic's armed forces). There are only two naval vessels in service -- one in the Pacific Ocean, and one in the Gulf of California -- and naval personnel only total perhaps 10 men.
Military ranks are, in descending order:
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mayor (there is currently only one of these, the senior officer in the military), paid $900 per month
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capitán (there are four of these -- one for the artillery, one for the cavalry, and two for the infantry), each paid $600 per month
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teniente (there are four of these, all acting as seconds-in-command to the captains), each paid $300 per month
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sargento, paid $17 per month, plus free room and board. The naval vessels are commanded by sergeants.
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cabo, paid $15 per month, plus free room and board
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soldado, paid $13 per month, plus free room and board
There is a battery of three breech-loading field guns, pulled by jeep-ish gasogen or alcohol-powered vehicles -- so about 18 men in the artillery. There is a unit of horse-mounted cavalry (20 men), and 40 infantry.
Annual military spending is around $100,000, mostly on salaries (per month: $4,500 for all officers, $1,100 for all enlisted men), food and quarters for horses and enlisted men, ammunition, and replacement of horses.
Justice, Social Control, Punishment
Four judges try all cases; appeals are made to the governor, who can also issue pardons (with or without conditions). There's a small prison farm at Las Palmas, with about 200 inmates and a dozen guards. The legal system is based on the pre-Atomic War structure of Mexican law.
The military can act as police when needed, but normally a dozen or so police officers handle crime prevention and apprehension of criminals.
Political Factions, Dissent
The urban industrial and working class are somewhat countered by the farmers and rural poor. The urban folk are more approving of good relations with Amega S'hana.
There's a movement seeking to expand the Republic into California, or at least all the parts with a Spanish-speaking population.
A few agents of the Cartel have been making trouble -- while it's not a major worry for the Cartel, the Cartel's jefes have a vague sense that "those people got away from us."
Famous/Infamous Persons
Gobernador Alejandro Fuentes, age 52. He has been in office since 2128. A popular populist leader, and a portly man with a twinkle in his eye and the style of a farmer. For the last couple of years he has been urging the policy of Reunificación -- bringing all the historical Mexican territories together again into la patria; this includes California.
Aron Miguel de Paiva, age 45. A member of the Committee, and a representative of the more urban, technically-sophisticated class (he himself owns several fábricas in Tijuana).
Mayor Mitchell Riley-Baron, age 37. A skilled and natural leader of men, and the Republic's senior military officer. He was involved in the brief border war with Amega S'hana in 2133.
Relationships with Other Groups
The more conservative, rural population of the República sees Amega S'hana as a rival, and also as a "natural" ally against the gringos of the Los Angeles Bay area. Seven years ago the two nations had a small war about fishing and trade rights, mostly fought along the shores of the Gulf. There is still a lot of trade between the two nations.
Southshore and the Los Angeles Bay communities are seen as wild, dangerous groups.
Culture
Ethnic Groups, Immigration and Emigration
The background of the republic's citizens is a blend of indigenous tribes from the state of Sonora, and Spanish immigrants in the colonial period.
A small but steady stream of immigrants arrives from across the Gulf of California.
Social Divisions and Castes
...
Religion, Beliefs and Superstition
Almost all of the republic's citizens will claim to be Roman Catholics. There are many festivals, and a 20th Century observer will see plenty of "folk" activities, foods, and beliefs expressed there.
Cremation is almost universally preferred.
Important holidays:
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6 January: Dia de los Reyes, when children receive gifts. Crown-shaped breads and cookies, etc. are served.
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2 February: Dia de la Candelaria, the end of the Christmas season; candle-lit processions through the streets to the churches are followed by a big community festival.
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March or April: Semana Santa ("holy week") begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter.
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2140: Easter Sunday is 3 April
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2141: Easter Sunday is 26 March
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2142: Easter Sunday is 15 April
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20 July: feast of Santa Margarita, patron of fertility and childbirth
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1-2 November: Dia de los Muertos, a festival commemorating departed family and friends.
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12 December: feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe.
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24 December: La Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), with a large family meal at midnight.
Any sort of business or negotiations will be preceded by at least a quarter-hour of polite discussion of non-business topics. Rushing into important discussion is seen as impolite or uncultured.
Morality and Values
In a family or household, men are traditionally the breadwinners, working in the fields or shops; women are home-makers, raising children and supporting the men (making meals, laundry, etc.).
Machismo is an important masculine value. All important decisions are ultimately the responsibility of the men of the house -- the oldest ancestral male has the ultimate authority. Men greet other men with a handshake -- those who know each other well might give a traditional hug.
Women don't generally shake hands; they kiss each other on the right cheek.
Respect for the older generation(s) is expected.
Children will usually have a god parent ("padrino") and a patron saint (most names are from the list of saints). Female children have a quinceañera on their fifteen birthday, to symbolize and celebrate their transition to womanhood.
Progress and Failure
Increasing and protecting the wealth -- land, goods, reputation, power -- of your family are the most important.
Unmarried men tend to drift into the cities and find work in the factories.
Family, Age, Sexuality and Gender
Married women, and most widows, cover their hair, and usually have it braided or otherwise "tied up". An adult woman with her hair undone (long and loose) is a sign that she's willing to accept marriage proposals. Women may marry at (of course) age 15, males can marry
Perhaps due to the low (female) birthrate, bastardy is not an issue -- all of a wife's children are legal heirs to the couple (even if born before wedlock, or from another marriage), unless a (rare) legal proceeding is instituted and won by the husband. This can (rarely) result in children having multiple living legal parents.
A woman having a child but not having a husband is seen as foolish, but not particularly sinful (except perhaps by very pious old ladies). Pregnancy among unmarried girls (below age 19 or so) is usually grounds for a charge of seduction (estupro) against the man involved.
The age of consent for sexual activity is effectively 14, with various restrictions up to age 16. Marriage without parental consent is illegal before age 18; with parental consent, it's allowed at age 15.
Divorce is rare, scandalous and quite contentious.
Education and Language
Español Mexicano is the primary language; some people know Komerk or Roadtalk. Literacy stands at 85%.
Primary schools, up to age 14, are free and government-funded; there are also a few schools operated by the Catholic church. Education to age 18 requires some funding or ability, but 20% of the population manage schooling to the 12th grade -- the area around Tijuana has the highest percentage of people educated to a 12th grade level.
There are no advanced education schools (colleges or universities); less than 1% of the adult population has any advanced education. Technical education is centered on the fábricas, in something like apprenticeships.
The highest Education a character gets from the local schools is 12.
Environment and Agriculture
There's a small amount of radioactive contamination between the Pacific coast and the Gulf of California -- but the locals have not way to detect it. The soil around Tijuana also has a fair amount of pre-Atomic War pollution and more recent pollution too. Unfiltered human waste, industrial runoff, heavy metal contaminants, etc. Don't drink from the Tijuana River!
Food
Fish and other seafood from both the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California are used in Mexican cuisine. Other staples are beans, corn, and chili peppers; some dairy products are used (using milk from goats, sheep and horses). Common foods include tacos, tostadas, burros, enchiladas, chimichangas, fajitas, red and green chile, chile rellenos, and tamales.
Art and Entertainment, Music, Literature, Recreation
The popular form of music is called música norteño; it's played on instruments like bajo sexto, accordions, drums and the double bass. It's got a fair amount of influence German polkas, and from 20th Century rock and popular (American) music.
Trios known as cochis play polkas, corridos (a ballad form which usually has a narrative and a moral -- romantic, political, educational, etc.), and música norteño. A larger group would probably be called a conjunto.
The best-known corrido (for the players) is La Cucaracha.
Rodeos and the charreada are popular sports, all involving "ranch" skills such as riding and roping.
Fashion and Appearance
There's a distinct ranchero style of dress, with (for men) wide-brimmed hats, bolo ties, and high leather boots with conchos; and the obrero ("worker") style with head wraps, engineer-front shirts, and square-toed shoes.
Urban and Rural Areas, Architecture
Almost none of the architecture is "remnants" from the Ancient world (earthquakes knocked down what the Atomic War did not). Rural and residential construction is adobe single-story "Mission" architecture, with roofs either flat or peaked with red tiles. Industrial buildings are usually wood framed, with corrugated steel roofs.
Equipment and Resources
Economy
Their economy is classified as Non-Agricultural; the GNP is about $400,000 (in generic 2140 dollars).
Paper money is issued, the Neuvo Peso, worth $1 in silver; there's also a silver peso coin, and bronze centavos, also circulate.
Notable exports are light machinery at Tech level D, horses, sheep, goats, produce, and seafood.
Science, Medicine and Technology
Tech level D (circa 1880, agriculture and weaponry), with some imported items at Tech level C (circa 1920, some electricity). Light bulbs, electric motors and generators, and other electrical gear are imported - bulbs from the City of Lights, wire normally comes from Berdu. The rotating parts of windmills and wind turbines are made locally now.
The fábricas train many machinists and engineers.
There are no oil wells or sources of crude oil within the Republic; lubricants are derived from corn and beans.
Weapons and Military Equipment
Very simple 37mm breech-loading cannons are used by the field artillery, the armored vehicles, and the two naval vessels. Garrison artillery are a mix of various guns up to 105mm bore. The garrison weapons use black powder propellant, while the 37mm guns use very basic smokeless propellant, and have black powder detonating charges (thus, pretty weak).
Infantry rifles and carbines are 11mm black-powder single-shot breech-loaders, equivalent to .44-90 caliber. They use a mix of Ancient revolvers (typically in .38 caliber) and "modern" .44 caliber cap-and-ball revolvers. A few clunky machine guns exist, either the product of a local mechanical genius, or some Ancient relic; all of these are heavy, unreliable, and have limited ammunition.
Firearms are discouraged in civilian hands (there's a 20% excise tax); archery is still common in the rural areas of the nation.
A single methanol-powered armored car is possessed by the republic.
Communications
There are small weekly Spanish-language newspapers in Tijuana (La Tia Juana) and Tecate (La Última Vista); books are also printed, largely school textbooks. Simple telephone systems work inside those two towns, and a telegraph system connects the four main towns.
Vehicles
The factories in Tijuana are quite capable of producing steam-powered or gasogen vehicles; there are a few railway locomotives in use, moving between the steel mills and the fabricas. They're usually powered by either agricultural waste or firewood.
Diesel or gasoline-powered internal combustion engines can also be produced, but are uncommon since liquid fuels are expensive. Gasogen vehicles are used by traders and other people who need to travel long distances -- they usually resemble Cartel vehicles.
Horses, mules, and wagons are the usual means of getting around quickly with a load.
Aircraft
None.
Watercraft
Ensenada is the center for shipbuilding in the República; Puerta Cintenela only builds small fishing craft. The largest slipway at Ensenada can launch vessels up to 66 meters long; the largest built so far was about 3000 tons displacement.
Mostly the "commercial" fleet are fishing craft in the Pacific or in the Gulf; these are usually sailing vessels with small auxiliary steam or gasogen engines, or steam or gasogen vessels with auxiliary sails. A few motorboats are used for speedy transport.
The military has two small steam gunboats, each fitted with a 37mm cannon and a few machine guns.