siides

Siides is a small archipelago located in the southeastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The group consists of four major islands—Liland, Corella, Merix, and Varan—as well as several smaller islets. The combined land area of the archipelago is approximately 184 square kilometres, and its current population is around 3,500 residents, according to the most recent census conducted in 2024.

The official language of Siides is Siedan, a Romance language closely related to Corsican and to a lesser extent to Italian. The populace is predominantly Roman Catholic, with a minority of Orthodox Christians and a small number of adherents of traditional animist practices. The national currency is the Siidian lira, convertible at a fixed rate to the Euro. The governmental structure is a constitutional monarchy; the current monarch is King Amadeus III, but executive power rests with a democratically elected council.

Historically, the islands were first settled in the second millennium BCE by seafaring traders from the Anatolian coast. Over centuries, Siides served as a strategic naval base for various empires, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Ottoman Turks. In the early twentieth century, the islands achieved independence after a brief period of British administration following World War I. Since the late twentieth century, the economy has been driven by tourism, viticulture, and the cultivation of rare medicinal herbs.

Modern Siides maintains an active participation in the Mediterranean Union and the World Tourism Organization. Environmental protection is a major national priority, with several marine reserves established around the islands’ coastlines. The islanders celebrate an annual festival called Siideria, marking the anniversary of their independence, featuring traditional music, dance, and maritime displays.