Alachua

Alachua, officially The Free Republic of Alachua, is a sovereign region located northwest of The City of Newisle. Originally a state within Armonia, Alachua declared partial independence and established its own system of governance. It seceded in 2019 due to a growing strain between it's traditionally more conservative inhabitants and the liberal government of Armonia. Although claiming independence, Alachua still relies on Armonia for military assistance and for it's international trade relations. With the exception of three nations (China, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia), Alachua has gained no official recognition universally, and is often boycotted due to it's violation of human rights issues, as well as the controversy of it's secession, which used false narratives and forgery to convince it's citizens to vote in favor of separation.

Prior to secession, the area was called Tumbleweed, and was issued statehood from land donated by Everson and Forrestal states as Alachua.

Relationship with Armonia
Alachua and Armonia have a historically turbulent history. A border wall physically separating the two nations was completed by Alachua at the end of 2019 after it's successful succession, and movements at it's two road crossings and one rail crossing are heavily restricted. Violent altercations and Alachuaian terror threats along the wall have resulted in constant military monitoring from both sides.

While Alachua is slowly becoming self-sufficient, it relies on Armonia for almost every basic good and material. While food and electricity is produced in-state, Water is piped in from Armonia, and rail shipping occurs daily on the single route between Newisle and Alachua's synonymous capital. Commercial trains travel on the same route from Newisle Union Station once a week, and passengers are subjected to high-level security checks.

Culture
Alachua has a fiercely patriotic and freedom-based culture, often exhibiting romanticized conservative ideals. Outdoor activities such as gunsports, camping, hunting, motorsports, and homebuilding are popular. While historically being a hub for both agriculture and art, local industry has now pivoted to weapons manufacturing and mining.

Transportation
Due to it's isolationist nature, Alachua's sole point of access is it's train station, which is served by the RER.

Treatment of Minority Groups
Racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and sexuality groups in the minority are heavily discriminated in Tumbelweed. During the campaigns for secession, the LGBTQ+ community was the most violently and consistently targeted. LGBTQ+ citizens are significantly discriminated against in Alachua, and are the focus of false rhetorics and heavily targeting. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have almost non-existent rights and are deemed second-class "perverse" citizens. Many members of the community have had to flee in order to escape legal persecution and, in some cases, capital punishment, making Newisle a gay haven.