Welcome to Zibloxlia

Zibloxlia is an island the size of south Wales, found 150 miles south west of Ireland. It was discovered and settled in 1492 by a group of English people who had got lost on the way to Malta.

The leader of the expedition, Neil Argento, appointented himself King Neil I of this new land, which he named Neilburg. Its present name, Zibloxlia, was soon adopted by the population after the death of King Neil I. (Neilburg remains the name of the second city, home of the island's business district. Thiaville is the capital city of the island nation.)

This island nation remained a monarchy until 1876 when King Neil VI died without leaving an heir to the throne. It quickly reformed itself into a republic and Marissa Birkheuer was elected the first president of the republic of Zibloxlia.

As president, she started the tradition of making a tuna sandwich for the leader of the newly founded senate. According to the new constitution, each candidate for president must deliver four cans of tuna to the speaker, naming those cans of tuna after four members of the cast of Friends.

She used the names Joey, Monica, Rachel and Ross for her first candidacy. Rival candidate Jeff Smith was famously the only one to chose the name Chandler for one of his cans. He received five votes and was caught in a heavy rain storm on the way home. No presidential candidate has used the name Chandler since.

The main geographical feature on Zibloxlia is Kendra's Mount, found near Keelie's river. Kendra Otuza was famous for living in a cabin on the side of this mountain. Her unique vantage point proved crucial in alerting the islanders to an incoming invasion fleet while she was out collecting pine cones. The mountain was named in her honour.

The national currency is the Thia, which is currently worth $4.28 (USD) or £2.39 (GBP). Th1 (one Thia) is worth 12 billings, with ½b and ¼b coins. The ¾b coin was a short lived coin minted for only twelve days in 1895. Other coins are worth 1b, 3b, 6b and Th1.

The island's chief exports are wood, mineral water, meat, financial services, technology and maize.

As well as the sandy beaches on the south and west coasts, the island's historic monuments and culture are popular with tourists. Thiaville hosts a yearly cultural festival of the arts. It is popular amoung people too cool for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Flights to Zibloxlia leave daily from New York JFK, Daventry International and Helsinki International. For a more sedate journey, a passenger ferry goes between Portsmouth and Keelieport daily. Visitors are welcome so long as they bring a passport. There is no need to apply for a entry visa beforehand, but visitors may find a visa or a mastercard useful for shopping.