User:B33net/Scrapped pages

The following is a list of page ideas I have scrapped. Each of them is exactly how they were left before deletion; there are only a few minor stylistic changes.

Feel free to use them as inspiration if you have any more knowledge on these topics. In no particular order:

Rats in Alberta

The Canadian province of Alberta has implemented a rat control program aimed at eradicating rats to prevent the spread of agricultural and human diseases. The initiative began in the 1950s in response to a westward migration of Norway rats from Saskatchewan. Concerns over potential disease transmission prompted the provincial government to introduce extermination measures to protect public health and agriculture. A 2004 report estimated that rats could cause up to CA$42 million in annual damage across Alberta if uncontrolled.

History

Norway rats were introduced to North America around 1775, initially appearing along the east coast. With the expansion of human settlement and agriculture, the rats gradually moved westward. They reached Saskatchewan by the 1920s, advancing at an estimated pace of 24 km (15 mi) per year.

Norway rats were first discovered in Alberta during the summer of 1950 on a farm near Alsask, along the province's eastern border. The discovery was made by field crews from the Alberta Department of Health who were conducting studies on the sylvatic plague in Richardson's ground squirrels. While authorities recognized the potential economic damage posed by rats, their primary concern at the time was the threat of disease transmission within Alberta. As a result, the provincial government initiated efforts in 1950 to slow the rats' spread. That same year, responsibility for rat control was transferred from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture.

An Alberta Department of Public Health rat poster from 1948

The Agricultural Pests Act of Alberta (1942) granted the Minister of Agriculture the authority to classify animals that posed a threat to crops or livestock as pests. Under the legislation, both individuals and municipalities were obligated to take action to eliminate and prevent the spread of these designated pests. If local pest control efforts were found to be insufficient, the provincial government had the right to intervene and carry out control measures, with the costs recoverable from the responsible landowner or municipality. This law served as the foundation for pest management in Alberta before the appearance of rats in the province. It was first applied to rats in 1950, when the species was formally designated as a pest. That same year, an amendment to the legislation required every municipality to designate a pest control inspector.

William Lobay, a crop protection supervisor, originally conceived the plan of using a designated control zone to stop rats from entering Alberta. He led the planning and execution of the initiative between 1950 and 1953. Since that time, Alberta has operated a Rat Control Zone (RCZ) along its border with Saskatchewan. It spans roughly 600 km (370 mi) in length from Cold Lake in the north to the Montana border in the south, and is 29 km (18 mi) in width. Responsibility for managing rat control within the zone falls primarily to seven municipalities, which receive provincial support in the form of funding and supplies. Additional assistance comes from farmers, county officials, pest control officers, and provincial staff.

Most residents of Alberta had never encountered rats and were unfamiliar with their appearance or methods of control. As a result, the provincial government's initial efforts focused on public education and gaining support from local governments and communities. To aid in identification, preserved rat specimens were distributed to Alberta Agriculture offices in the 1950s. In 1951, five provincial employees, primarily responsible for weed inspection, were assigned to train and assist municipal pest control inspectors. Personnel from the Saskatchewan Department of Health, experienced in rat control, also contributed to the training efforts. Rat control conferences were held in six towns across eastern Alberta. Additionally, 2,000 posters and 1,500 pamphlets were distributed to staff at grain elevators, railway stations, schools, and post offices, as well as to private citizens.

A rat control pamphlet distributed in Alberta outlined three primary strategies still widely used in rodent management today: exterminating rats, removing potential shelter and food sources, and making structures resistant to rodent entry. It also listed various toxicants recommended at the time, such as red squill, α-Naphthylthiourea, barium carbonate, zinc phosphide, sodium fluoroacetate, thallium sulfate, arsenic, strychnine alkaloids, and warfarin.

By autumn 1951, authorities had identified 30 verified rat infestations along a 180 km (110 mi) stretch of Alberta's eastern boundary. In 1952, the affected area expanded to 270 km (170 mi), with rats reaching 50 km (31 mi) to 60 km (37 mi) inland in three separate locations between Medicine Hat and Provost. Due to limited expertise in managing the spread, the provincial government hired a private pest control firm while working to build its own capacity.

Between June 1952 and July 1953, approximately 63,600 kg (140,200 lb) of 73% arsenic trioxide tracking powder were applied to 8,000 buildings across 2,700 farms within a control area 20 km (12 mi) to 50 km (31 mi) kilometers wide and 300 km (190 mi) long. This equated to an average of 24 kg (53 lb) per farm and 8 kg (18 lb) per structure. Although intended for use only in permanent buildings, the powder was sometimes applied in temporary structures, and poor application or demolition occasionally left it exposed. Communication about the poison's risks was inconsistent, some residents were not warned, while others were incorrectly told the substance affected only rodents. Consequently, cases of accidental poisoning of livestock, pets, and poultry occurred, particularly in the program's early stages.

To mitigate these risks, Alberta Agriculture began sending annual cautionary letters to residents in the affected zone until 1955, warning of potential dangers to humans and animals. The total cost of the program in 1952 and 1953 was CA$152,670, with 74% allocated to tracking powder. This remained the most expensive year for rat control efforts until 1978. Due to both the financial and safety concerns associated with arsenic, the province eventually ended its poison-proofing approach. However, the early efforts successfully delayed the spread of rats, keeping most infestations within 10 km (6.2 mi) to 20 km (12 mi) of the border, giving Alberta time to implement a more sustainable long-term control strategy.

The southern expansion of rat populations into Alberta was effectively stopped in 1953 when infestations encountered the sparsely inhabited Cypress Hills region. In contrast, the northern spread continued until 1958, when the dense, continuous boreal forest near Cold Lake formed a natural barrier that reduced further movement.

The primary responsibility for preventing the establishment of rats in Alberta has long rested with the seven rural municipalities along the Saskatchewan border. These municipalities maintained that their control efforts served to protect the province as a whole, which led to debates over funding support. In 1954, Alberta Agriculture responded by agreeing to subsidize half the salary and operational costs of a full-time pest control officer in each of the border municipalities.

Throughout the 1950s, Alberta continued to promote public awareness of rat control. Posters and brochures were widely distributed, and educational displays appeared at local fairs, picnics, and rodeos. Informational talks were given to schools, 4-H clubs, agricultural societies, chambers of commerce, and other interested organizations.

In 1953, Alberta Agriculture began using its agricultural news radio program, Call of the Land, to spread information about the rat control initiative. While some initial resistance existed, public interest and support for the program grew, especially among those directly affected by infestations. For example, in February 1956, seven meetings in the Medicine Hat area attracted nearly 900 attendees.

During this time, Alberta's Agricultural Pests Act required property owners to take action against rat infestations. If owners failed to respond to initial warnings from pest inspectors, they could receive formal notices mandating compliance. Continued inaction could lead to legal proceedings. However, court enforcement was initially delayed to allow time for public education on rat control measures. The first legal case was not initiated until 1955.

By 1956, authorities had issued 17 formal notices, resulting in three court cases and convictions. At the time, such cases were heard by local magistrates, typically respected community members, such as storeowners or postmasters, who helped ensure local enforcement. These early cases helped establish compliance; since 1956, the number of annual notices has not exceeded seven.

Rat infestations in Alberta's designated border control zone rose from just one in 1950 to 573 by 1955. From 1956 to 1959, the number ranged between 394 and 637, after which infestations began to decline significantly.

The city of Lloydminster, located on the Alberta–Saskatchewan border, experienced enforcement challenges for rat control laws due to its location in two provinces. Effective control on the Alberta side required cooperation from Saskatchewan. To ensure coordinated enforcement, both provinces issued orders in council extending the provisions of Alberta's Agricultural Pests Act to the Saskatchewan portion of Lloydminster.

Easter in Germany

Easter in Germany (German: Ostern, pronounced [ˈoːstɜn]) is a significant holiday that includes both religious observances and cultural traditions. It is one of the country's major annual celebrations. Germany observes Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. The country is known for various cultural traditions, including Easter fires, Easter markets, Easter egg trees, and Easter fountains.

Basketball in North Korea

North Korea has implemented modified rules for the game of basketball to fit the preferences of the country's Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un. These changes are said to have been influenced by Kim's interest in the sport and his admiration for the Chicago Bulls, a team he reportedly followed during his youth. The modified rules surfaced publicly following Kim's meetings with former NBA player Dennis Rodman, who visited North Korea several times beginning in 2013. According to various reports, the altered rules are intended to make the game more engaging.

Prior to Kim's meetings with Rodman, the North Korea men's national basketball team had been affiliated with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) since 1947. In December 2013, Rodman agreed to assist in training the national team, following the development of his personal friendship with Kim. This visit and Rodman's involvement with North Korean basketball were documented in the 2015 documentary Dennis Rodman's Big Bang in Pyongyang.

History

In the late 1990s, Kim Jong Il, the leader of North Korea at the time, introduced modifications to basketball, reflecting his personal interest in the game. Kim Jong Il's influence on sports extended to basketball, leading to alterations in the traditional rules to better align with his vision and ideologies. One significant change involved awarding more points for certain baskets, increasing the score for specific shots to make the game appear more thrilling. In North Korea, sports were often utilized to promote the regime's ideologies, with the modifications intended to serve that purpose.

List of mobs in Minecraft

In Minecraft, a mob is a computer-controlled non-player character (NPC) that spawns throughout the game world. Mobs can resemble real-life animals, as well as fictional or mythological creatures. Some mobs are passive or neutral, while others are hostile and pose a threat to the player. Hostile mobs challenge the player and can be defeated for resources, experience points, or survival purposes.

Passive mobs

Axolotl

The axolotl is a paedomorphic salamander that was introduced to Minecraft in 2021, following a surge in its popularity online. Its addition to the game was met with widespread enthusiasm, particularly among the Mexican Minecraft community, where its popularity contributed to the axolotl being featured on the country's 50-peso banknote. In the game, axolotls are aquatic mobs that spawn in underground water sources within Lush Cave biomes. They appear in various colors, including yellow, pink, cyan, and a rare blue variant, the latter having a spawn rate of approximately 1 in 1,200. Axolotls must remain in water to survive; if they are out of water for more than five minutes, they will die. Players can attract axolotls using a bucket of tropical fish.

List of proposed U.S. counties

Map of the United States showing the borders of states and counties.

In the United States, counties are fundamental administrative units within states, providing local government and public services.

The concept of counties in the U.S. originates from the English system of shires, which were used as local administrative units. English colonists brought this model to North America, adapting it to suit colonial governance. Virginia was the first colony to implement counties, establishing eight original shires (later renamed counties) in 1634 to streamline administrative tasks in the growing colony.

As the American colonies expanded and settlers moved westward, the demand for organized local governance led to the formation of additional counties. Between 1790 and 1900, more than 2,000 counties were created. State legislatures were responsible for defining county boundaries, taking into account factors such as population distribution, geographic features, and administrative convenience. A common goal was to ensure that residents could travel to the county seat within a day.

Today, the United States comprises more than 3,000 counties, boroughs, and parishes, each playing an essential role in local administration. While the basic structure of counties remains consistent, their specific responsibilities and authority vary across states, shaped by legal frameworks, historical contexts, and regional needs. Modern counties typically manage a variety of functions, including law enforcement, infrastructure maintenance, public health services, and other community services, evolving over time to meet the demands of their populations.

In recent years, there have been several proposals to create new counties in various states, often driven by factors such as population growth, administrative efficiency, and the desire for more localized government control. For example, in Georgia, discussions have taken place regarding the creation of new counties to accommodate declining population growth and ensure that local governments can effectively manage infrastructure and public services. Similarly, in Nevada, proposals for new counties have emerged in response to discussions about developing a smart city.

Proponents of these proposals argue that the formation of new counties could improve resource allocation and better meet the needs of residents, particularly in large, sparsely populated regions. However, such initiatives often face significant challenges, including concerns about the financial implications, the potential fragmentation of existing counties, and the administrative costs associated with creating new local government structures.

Proposals

Birch County, South Carolina

Main article: Birch County, South Carolina

The proposal for Birch County, driven by citizens and businesses dissatisfied with the tax and regulatory policies in Richland and Lexington counties, would have included portions of northern Lexington County and northwestern Richland County, encompassing the communities of Ballentine, Irmo, and Chapin. The proposed county name would have been derived from the first letters of these communities. In December 2012, Republican Nathan Ballentine, who resides in Chapin and represents District 71 in the South Carolina House of Representatives, remarked that "chances are slim to none it would ever happen." The proposed county would have been considered the "illegal" 47th county in South Carolina, as state law currently limits the state to a maximum of 46 counties.

Bloxham County, Florida

Main article: Bloxham County, Florida

Proposed border of Bloxham County

Proposed in 1914, Bloxham County was to be formed from land taken from Levy and Marion counties and was named after William D. Bloxham, who served as the thirteenth and seventeenth governor of Florida. The proposed county seat was to be Williston, Florida. Although the county existed on paper, voters rejected its creation, and the proposal was ultimately abandoned in 1915 after failing to gain enough support in a referendum.

Cahuilla County, California

Main article: Cahuilla County, California

Proposed in the 1980s by residents of eastern Riverside County, California, the county was to be named after the Cahuilla people, who have inhabited the region for over 2,000 years. The proposed county would have included the Coachella Valley, encompassing cities such as Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, and Blythe. However, the ballot measure for the creation of the county was ultimately defeated.

Cascade County, Washington

Main article: Cascade County, Washington

Freddy Fazbear

Freddy Fazbear
Five Nights at Freddy's character
First appearance	Five Nights at Freddy's (2014)
Last appearance	Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)
Created by	Scott Cawthon

Freddy Fazbear, commonly referred to as Freddy, is an animatronic character and a recurring antagonist in the Five Nights at Freddy's series. He serves as the star attraction in several of the games in the series.

Conception and creation

The concept for Five Nights at Freddy's originated from the negative reception of Scott Cawthon's earlier game, Chipper & Sons Lumber Co., in which players commented that the main character resembled a "scary animatronic animal." Initially discouraged by the criticism, Cawthon, who had primarily developed Christian-themed games, used the feedback to design a deliberately frightening game. The homicidal animatronics created by Cawthon were inspired by this critique and influenced by the mascots at Chuck E. Cheese party venues. Five Nights at Freddy's was released on August 8, 2014, via Desura, and later on Steam after gaining approval via Steam Greenlight. The game quickly gained attention after being showcased by prominent YouTubers.

Appearances

Freddy Fazbear is a recurring antagonist in the Five Nights at Freddy's series and serves as the star attraction in most games.

In Five Nights at Freddy's, Freddy Fazbear is depicted as a light brown animatronic bear wearing a black bow tie and a black top hat. He holds a microphone in his right hand.

In Five Nights at Freddy's 2, there are two versions of Freddy Fazbear: Toy Freddy, a redesigned model with a "glossy plastic" appearance, and Withered Freddy, a damaged and worn model.

In Five Nights at Freddy's 3, Freddy Fazbear is depicted as a phantom rather than a physical animatronic, called Phantom Freddy. This version is a redesign of Withered Freddy from Five Nights at Freddy's 2.

In Five Nights at Freddy's 4, Freddy Fazbear is depicted as Nightmare Freddy, a withered and frightening version. Small animatronic companions known as "Freddles" are attached to his body and appear on the protagonist's bed if they go unnoticed.

In Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location, Freddy Fazbear is depicted as Funtime Freddy, a "shiny" white bear with pink highlights. He has an animatronic puppet named Bon-Bon attached to his right hand.

In Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator, Freddy Fazbear is depicted as Molten Freddy, a tangled mass of wires with multiple eyes, sharp teeth, and a rusted metal face.

In Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach, Freddy Fazbear is depicted as Glamrock Freddy, inspired by 1980s glam rock. Unlike in previous games, where Freddy is an antagonist, Glamrock Freddy assists the player in avoiding other animatronics. He features a stomach compartment where the player can hide. However, due to malfunctions, Freddy can run out of power and requires recharging, leaving the player vulnerable.

Reception

Freddy Fazbear has received positive reception for his appearance in the Five Nights at Freddy's series. Sabina Graves of Gizmodo praised Freddy's portrayal in the movie, noting that he and the other animatronics appear both "welcoming and you want to hug them" and "fantastically frightening." Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting described Freddy's "soft, cuddly side" as making the character a "charming creature feature" rather than purely terrifying. Jen Yamato of the Los Angeles Times complimented the horror atmosphere and design, calling the animatronics "practically realized demented Barneys" with "layers of dirt and grime" and a consistently sinister appearance. Mark Kennedy of The Herald-Standard criticized the design, describing the animatronics as "unsettling with bright eyes and teeth" but resembling "overgrown Care Bears with a drinking problem." Omri Petitte of PC Gamer highlighted Freddy's toothy grin in the first game, which produces a "twisted Cheshire" effect that increases tension. Justin Clark of GameSpot stated that the horror arises from the concept of "a soulless, poorly programmed automaton" hidden beneath Freddy's mascot exterior.

In other media

Film

Freddy's first film appearance was in the 2023 movie Five Nights at Freddy's. For the film, Jim Henson's Creature Shop built a real animatronic modeled after Freddy. Freddy was puppeteered by Artie Esposito and performed by Kevin Foster.

Novels

Freddy Fazbear is a central character in the novels written by Scott Cawthon. His story is developed in Five Nights at Freddy's: The Silver Eyes and Five Nights at Freddy's: The Twisted Ones, and concludes in Five Nights at Freddy's: The Fourth Closet.

Video games

In Funko Fusion, a level is based on Five Nights at Freddy's. Players can take on the role of Freddy or Foxy, and the level uses the settings of the original game.

Extraterrestrial submarines

An extraterrestrial submarine is a conceptual submarine designed for exploring surface or subsurface water on other planets or moons during space exploration.

History

Jupiter's moons

Europa

In 1957, astronomers pointed a telescope at Jupiter's moon Europa and discovered evidence suggesting an abundance of water ice on its surface. The discovery was made using low-resolution infrared spectroscopic observations of Europa. Gerald Kuiper further confirmed this possibility by documenting water ice on both Europa and Ganymede in the same year.

On December 3, 1973, Pioneer 10 flew past Europa at a distance of 321,000 km. While Pioneer 10 managed to take an image of Europa, it was too far away to capture a detailed photograph, though some albedo features were apparent. On December 2, 1974, Pioneer 11 flew by Europa at a distance of 586,700 km but did not send back any images or data of the moon.

Processed using orange, blue, and violet filtered images of Europa taken by Voyager 2 on July 9, 1979

On March 5, 1979, Voyager 1 flew by Europa at a distance of 733,760 km. The spacecraft took an image of Europa at a distance of 2.8 million km, revealing to scientists a lineated but un-cratered surface, which provided evidence of currently active geology. Scientists also noted a large amount of intersecting linear features in the low-resolution photos from Voyager 1. Four months later, Voyager 2 flew by Europa at a distance of 205,720 km, revealing more intricate details of the moon not yet seen by other spacecraft. Initially, scientists believed the large number of intersecting linear features seen in the low-resolution photos from Voyager 1 were deep cracks caused by crustal rifting or tectonic processes. However, closer high-resolution photos from Voyager 2 showed that these features lacked topographic relief, which led many to suggest that these cracks might be similar to ice floes on Earth, indicating that Europa might have a liquid water interior. One scientist remarked that they "might have been painted on with a felt marker," suggesting that Europa may be a relatively young satellite. Additionally, the production of fresh ice or snow along Europa's cracks and glacier-like flows might remove evidence of crater impacts. Europa is internally active due to tidal heating at a level about one-tenth that of Io. It is thought to have a thin crust of water ice, less than 30 km (19 mi) thick, possibly floating on a 50 km (31 mi)-deep ocean.

The Galileo spacecraft, launched in October 1989 and inserted into Jupiter's orbit in December 1995, provided valuable data about Europa. Galileo confirmed the possibility of a subsurface ocean beneath Europa's ice shell using magnetic data, which suggested the presence of a saltwater-like ocean. Additionally, the spacecraft discovered an exosphere composed of oxygen surrounding Europa.

In 1997, a proposed mission to Europa was canceled. The mission's premise was to send a robotic spacecraft to orbit Europa, use a laser to illuminate its surface, and search for thin areas of ice. A submarine would then be deployed to land on Europa, drill or melt a borehole through the ice, and explore for signs of life.

Alaskans

Flag of Alaska

Map of the United States with Alaska highlighted

Alaskans are the citizens and nationals of the U.S. state of Alaska. The majority of immigrants in Alaska are of Filipino, Mexican, Thai, Korean, and Canadian origins.

It is believed that ancient humans crossed the Beringia land bridge, which connected northeastern Siberia and western Alaska, during the Last Glacial Maximum. This migration continued until rising sea levels during the Holocene submerged the land bridge, making further migration by this route impossible.

Racial groups

Native Americans and Alaska Natives

Main articles: Alaska Natives, Americans § Native Americans and Alaska Natives, and Demographics of Alaska

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 111,575 Native Americans and Alaska Natives reside in Alaska, making up 33.4% of the total population of Native Americans and Alaska Natives in the United States. According to the 2020 Census, approximately 2,251,699 Americans, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Native Americans or Alaska Natives.

In 1990, the Alaska Natives Commission estimated there were approximately 86,000 Alaska Natives living in Alaska, with an additional 17,000 living outside the state. A 2013 study by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development documented over 120,000 Alaska Native people in Alaska. While most still live in small villages or remote regional hubs like Nome, Dillingham, and Bethel, the percentage residing in urban areas has been increasing. By 2010, 44% lived in urban areas, up from 38% in 2000. As of 2018, Alaska Natives make up 15.4% of the state's population.

Asian Americans

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 44,032 Asian Americans live in Alaska. Approximately 4.4% of Alaska's Asian American population is Filipino, 0.3% Chinese, 0.2% Laotian, 0.2% Japanese, 0.1% Indian, 0.1% Vietnamese, and 0.1% Thai.

Black or African American

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 21,898 Black or African Americans live in Alaska, making up about 3.7% of the state's population.

Hispanic or Latino

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 49,824 Hispanic or Latino Americans live in Alaska, making up about 7.7% of the state's population.

Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 12,698 Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders live in Alaska, making up about 1.7% of the state's population. Of this, around 0.7% of the population is Samoan, 0.1% is Hawaiian, and 0.1% is Tongan.

Not Hispanic or Latino

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 421,758 Not Hispanic or Latino Americans live in Alaska, making up about 57.5% of the state's population.

Two or more races

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 89,524 people in Alaska identify as two or more races, making up about 8.2% of the state's population.

Some other race

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 18,272 people in Alaska identify as another race, making up about 1.7% of the state's population.

Ethnic groups

Main article: Alaska Natives

Alaskan Athabaskans

The Alaskan Athabascans, also known as the Alaskan Athapascans, or Dena, is an Alaskan Native Athabaskan-speaking ethnolinguistic group. They are the original inhabitants of the interior of Alaska. The Athabascans descended from Asian hunter-gatherers, which likely originated from Mongolia, who crossed the Bering Strait and settled in North America.

Ahtna people

The Ahtna, also known as the Ahtena, Atna, Ahtna-kohtaene, or Copper River people, are an Alaskan Native group speaking Athabaskan languages. Their homeland, called Atna Nenn', is located in the Copper River area of southern Alaska. The name Ahtna comes from the local name for the Copper River. The total population of Ahtna is estimated at around 1,427.

Deg Hitʼan

Deg Hitʼan, also known as Deg Xitʼan or Kaiyuhkhotana, is a group of Alaskan Athabaskan peoples. They speak Deg Xinag and live in Alaska along the Anvik River in Anvik, the Innoko River in Shageluk, and the lower Yukon River in Holy Cross.

The Deg Hitʼan are part of the federally recognized Alaska Native tribes of Anvik Village, Shageluk Native Village, and Holy Cross Village. The Iditarod Trail's origins trace back to the native trails of the Denaʼina and Deg Hitʼan Athabaskan Indians, as well as the Inupiaq Eskimos.

Denaʼina

The Denaʼina, formerly known as Tanaina, are an Alaskan Athabaskan group originally inhabiting the south-central regions of Alaska. Their homeland, Denaʼina Ełnena, spans over 41,000 mi² (110,000 km²), covering areas from Seldovia to Pedro Bay. They arrived in this region between 1,000 and 1,500 years ago and were the only Alaskan Athabaskan group to live on the coast. The Denaʼina have a hunter-gatherer culture and a matrilineal system. The native trails of the Denaʼina, along with those of the Deg Hitʼan and the Inupiaq, were precursors to the Iditarod Trail.

Aleuts

The Aleuts, also known as Unangan, Unangas, or Unangax̂, are the Indigenous people of the Aleutian Islands, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Today, there are approximately 6,752 Aleuts in the United States, and around 482 in Russia.

Alaskan Creoles

Alaskan Creoles are an ethnic group in Alaska descended from the Russian Creoles, who were citizens of colonial Alaska during the Russian Empire's rule.

Colonization attempts by Russia

Russia has historically maintained colonial territories in Siberia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, North America, and parts of Eastern Europe. However, it has had little success in maintaining overseas exclave colonies. Currently, Russia retains Kaliningrad Oblast, a non-contiguous exclave located in the Baltic region of Prussia, separated from the Russian mainland.

Tsardom of Russia

Tsardom of Russia's territorial expansion from 1500 to 1700

During the Tsardom of Russia, territorial expansion extended outward from the Grand Principality of Moscow into Siberia and the Caucasus. Russian explorers also made frequent attempts to explore parts of North America, but limited funding restricted the scale and frequency of these missions.

Asia

China

Main article: Russian conquest of Siberia

By the mid-17th century, following the conquest of several Siberian khanates, Russia had reached the Amur River and the outskirts of the Chinese Empire. After a series of border conflicts with the Qing dynasty, Russia signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689. Under the treaty, Russia ceded its claims to the Amur Valley but secured access to the region east of Lake Baikal and the trade route to Beijing. This agreement solidified Russia's initial expansion to the Pacific.

North America

Alaska

The earliest written records suggest that Eurasian Russians were the first Europeans to reach Alaska, with some unofficial assumptions claiming that Slavic navigators arrived before the 18th century.

In 1648, Semyon Dezhnev sailed from the Kolyma River around the eastern tip of Asia to the Anadyr River. According to legend, some of his vessels may have drifted to Alaska, though no evidence of settlement remains. Dezhnev's discovery was not reported to the central government, leaving unanswered whether Siberia and North America were connected.

Russian Empire

Territorial extent of the Russian Empire

All territories owned by the Russian Empire

During the Russian Empire, imperial expansion reached its peak, with Russia acquiring territories in Siberia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of Eastern Europe, which were later fully integrated into the state. Russia also attempted colonization in regions such as North America and Oceania, though these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful and the territories were later relinquished.

Africa

Djibouti

In 1883, Nikolai Ivanovich Ashinov, a Russian adventurer and burgess of Penza, visited the Ethiopian Empire to establish clerical and political ties. After returning to Russia, he announced plans for an 1888 expedition to the Gulf of Tadjoura to found a settlement, claiming to act as a free Cossack. Ashinov stated that Mohammed Loitah had leased him land in the area. Acting independently of the Russian government, Ashinov and 165 Terek Cossacks departed Odessa aboard the Kornilov on 10 December 1888, transferring to the Lazarev en route to Port Said. There, he chartered the Austrian ship Amfitrida, arriving in the Gulf of Tadjoura on 6 January 1889, where Ethiopian priests welcomed the expedition.

On 14 January, Ashinov established a base at the abandoned Egyptian fort of Sagallo, renaming it "New Moscow" (Russian: Новая Москва, romanized: Novaya Moskva) and erecting a tent as the church of St. Nicholas. Although a flag was raised, the Russian government disavowed any involvement, and the Russian ambassador in Paris distanced the empire from Ashinov. After several colonists escaped to Obock and informed the French, a French cruiser and three gunboats arrived on 5 February. Misunderstanding an ultimatum, Ashinov did not surrender, prompting a French artillery strike that killed six colonists and wounded 22.

Asia

China

The former Russian City Hall of Dalniy built around 1900

In 1898, the Russian Empire acquired a lease from China for the Liaodong Peninsula and established the territory of Russian Dalian. Russia secured railroad rights to connect the peninsula to the Chinese Eastern Railway via a line from Port Arthur to Harbin and began fortifying the harbor at Port Arthur. Tsar Nicholas II supported the acquisition, believing it would enhance Russia's security and economic influence, partly due to misinformation that the British Empire intended to seize the port. The city of Dalny (later Dalian) was founded near Port Arthur along the railway. In 1902, the Russian viceroy shifted focus from Dalny to Port Arthur, developing administrative and cultural infrastructure there. These actions intensified Japanese resentment over competing interests in Manchuria. On 2 January 1905, after prolonged battles and the encirclement of Russian forces, Port Arthur fell to Japan during the Siege of Port Arthur.

Europe

Ionian Islands

Main article: Ionian Islands

Flag of the Septinsular Republic

In 1797, French General Napoléon Bonaparte conquered Venice. Under the Treaty of Campo Formio signed in October 1797, the Ionian Islands came under French control and were organized into the départements of Mer-Égée, Ithaque, and Corcyre. In 1798–1799, a joint Russian-Ottoman fleet commanded by Russian Admiral Fyodor Ushakov expelled the French and established the Septinsular Republic (1800–1807) under Russo-Ottoman protection, marking the first instance of Greek self-government since the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The 1807 Treaty of Tilsit returned the Ionian Islands to French rule, and the French Empire resumed possession.

Wallachia

Main article: Wallachia

In 1768, during the Fifth Russo-Turkish War, Wallachia came under its first Russian occupation, aided by the rebellion of Pârvu Cantacuzino. The Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in 1774 granted Russia the right to intervene on behalf of Eastern Orthodox subjects of the Ottoman Empire. This reduced Ottoman pressures, including a decrease in tribute payments, and gradually increased internal stability in Wallachia while facilitating further Russian involvement in the region.

North America

Alaska

Main article: Russian colonization of North America § Russian colonization

The first recorded sighting of the Alaskan coastline occurred in 1732 by Russian maritime explorer Ivan Fedorov near present-day Cape Prince of Wales, opposite Cape Dezhnev in Russia. Fedorov did not land. The first documented landfall in Alaska took place in 1741 during the Second Kamchatka Expedition. As part of this expedition, Vitus Bering and Aleksei Chirikov sailed from Petropavlovsk in June 1741 aboard the Sv. Petr and Sv. Pavel, respectively. After becoming separated, Chirikov sighted land on July 15, likely the west side of Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. Chirikov sent a group of men ashore in a longboat, making them the first Europeans to land on the northwestern coast of North America. Around July 16, 1741, Bering and the crew of the Sv. Petr sighted Mount Saint Elias on the Alaskan mainland and soon turned westward toward Russia. Chirikov and the Sv. Pavel returned to Russia in October with news of the discovery. In November, Bering's ship was wrecked on Bering Island, where Bering died after falling ill. The Sv. Petr was destroyed by high winds. The surviving crew wintered on the island and built a boat from the wreckage, reaching Kamchatka in August 1742. The sea otter pelts they brought back were of high quality, prompting Russian settlement in Alaska.

Russian promyshlenniki

Due to the remoteness from central authority in St. Petersburg, combined with challenging geography and limited resources, the next state-sponsored Russian expedition to Alaska was delayed for over two decades. In 1766, captains Pyotr Krenitsyn and Mikhail Levashov set out for the Aleutian Islands, eventually arriving after being initially wrecked on Bering Island. Between 1774 and 1800, Spain also launched several expeditions to Alaska in an effort to assert control over the Pacific Northwest, though these claims were abandoned following the Nootka Crisis at the turn of the 19th century. Count Nikolay Rumyantsev later financed Russia's first naval circumnavigation (1803–1806) under Adam Johann von Krusenstern and Nikolai Rezanov, and supported the Riurik expedition (1814–1816), which yielded valuable scientific and ethnographic data on Alaska, California, and their Indigenous populations.

The Shelikhov-Golikov Company served as the foundation for the Russian-American Company (RAC), which was formally chartered in 1799 by Tsar Paul I. The charter granted the RAC a monopoly over trade in the Aleutian Islands and the North American mainland south to 55° north latitude. The RAC became Russia's first joint-stock company and operated under the direct oversight of the Ministry of Commerce of Imperial Russia. While Siberian merchants based in Irkutsk were the initial major shareholders, they were later replaced by members of the Russian nobility and aristocracy from Saint Petersburg. The company established settlements in present-day Alaska, Hawaii, and California.

Beginning in 1743, small groups of Russian fur traders, known as promyshlenniki, began sailing from the Russian Pacific coast to the Aleutian Islands. Instead of hunting marine animals themselves, these traders frequently compelled the Aleuts to hunt by taking family members hostage to ensure compliance in collecting seal furs. This form of colonial exploitation reflected similar methods used by promyshlenniki during Russia's expansion into Siberia and the Russian Far East. As news of the region's lucrative fur resources spread, competition among Russian trading companies intensified, leading to the widespread enserfment of Aleut populations.

As animal populations declined, the Aleuts, already heavily reliant on the barter economy established by the Russian fur trade, were increasingly forced to take greater risks in the dangerous waters of the North Pacific to hunt sea otters. During the Shelekhov-Golikov Company's monopoly from 1783 to 1799, sporadic violence against indigenous communities became systematic, serving as a tool of colonial control. When Aleut serfs revolted and achieved limited victories, Russian promyshlenniki responded with severe retaliation, destroying boats and hunting equipment, which left many Aleuts without means of survival. The most catastrophic impact came from disease: during the first two generations of contact (1741–1759 and 1781–1799), approximately 80 percent of the Aleut population died from Eurasian infectious diseases to which they had no immunity.

Though the Alaskan colony was never highly profitable due to transportation costs, most Russian traders remained committed to retaining the territory. In 1784, Grigory Ivanovich Shelekhov arrived at Three Saints Bay on Kodiak Island with the ships Three Saints (Russian: Три Святителя, romanized: Tri Svyatitelya) and St. Simon. After encountering resistance from the Koniag Alaska Natives, Shelekhov responded with force, killing hundreds and taking hostages to secure control. He subsequently established the second permanent Russian settlement in Alaska, following the 1774 settlement of Unalaska, at Three Saints Bay on Kodiak Island.

In 1790, Grigory Shelekhov, having returned to Russia, appointed Alexander Andreyevich Baranov to oversee his Alaskan fur operations. Baranov moved the settlement to the northeastern part of Kodiak Island, where timber was more accessible; this site later developed into the modern city of Kodiak. Russian settlers intermarried with local Koniag women, forming families whose surnames, such as Panamaroff, Petrikoff, and Kvasnikoff, remain in the region.

In 1795, Baranov, concerned by European traders engaging with Indigenous peoples in southeast Alaska, founded a settlement called Mikhailovsk about six miles (9.7 km) north of present-day Sitka. Although the land was initially purchased from the Tlingit, the settlement was attacked and destroyed in 1802 by Tlingit warriors from a nearby community during Baranov's absence. Baranov retaliated with a Russian warship, destroying the attackers' village, and constructed a new settlement, New Archangel (Russian: Ново-Архангельск, romanized: Novo-Arkhangelsk), on the same site. New Archangel became the capital of Russian America and is now the city of Sitka.

As Baranov consolidated Russian settlements in Alaska, the Shelekhov family actively petitioned Empress Catherine the Great for exclusive control over the region's fur trade. In 1799, their efforts succeeded when Nikolay Petrovich Rezanov, Shelekhov's son-in-law, secured a monopoly on the American fur trade from Emperor Paul I. This led to the formation of the Russian-American Company. While primarily a commercial enterprise, the company was also tasked with establishing new settlements, effectively serving as an extension of the Russian Empire's influence in North America.

Aleutian and Russian allied forces defeat the Tlingit at the Battle of Sitka in 1804

By 1804, Baranov, as manager of the Russian-American Company, had solidified the company's dominance over fur trade operations in the Americas after defeating the Tlingit clan at the Battle of Sitka. Despite this, the Russians never fully colonized Alaska. Their presence remained largely coastal, avoiding expansion into the interior.

By the 1830s, the Russian-American Company's control over regional trade had begun to decline. In 1839, under the terms of the RAC-HBC Agreement, the British Hudson's Bay Company was granted a lease on the southern portion of Russian America, where it established Fort Stikine. This outpost increasingly diverted trade away from Russian interests.

A company ship visited Russian American outposts only every two to three years to deliver provisions. Due to limited supplies, trade was incidental compared to trapping operations carried out by Aleutian laborers. This scarcity left the outposts reliant on British and American merchants for essential goods. Baranov acknowledged that the Russian-American Company could not operate without foreign trade. American ties were especially valuable, as they enabled the sale of furs in Guangzhou, which was geographically advantageous for the Russians. However, American hunters and trappers increasingly encroached on territory claimed by Russia.

Beginning with the destruction of the Phoenix in 1799, several Russian-American Company (RAC) ships were damaged or destroyed by storms, resulting in severe supply shortages at colonial outposts. On 24 June 1800, an American vessel arrived at Kodiak Island, and Baranov negotiated the purchase of goods valued at over 12,000 rubles, preventing what he described as "imminent starvation." Over the course of his leadership, Baranov traded more than 2 million rubles worth of furs for American supplies, drawing criticism from the RAC board of directors. Between 1806 and 1818, he shipped 15 million rubles worth of furs to Russia but received less than 3 million rubles in provisions, an amount insufficient even to cover half the expenses of the Saint Petersburg company office.

The Russo-American Treaty of 1824 granted Russia exclusive rights to the fur trade north of latitude 54°40'N, restricting American activity to areas south of that line. A similar boundary was reaffirmed in the 1825 Treaty of Saint Petersburg with Britain, which also defined most of the border with British America. Despite these agreements, enforcement proved difficult, and they were increasingly ignored. The Russian presence weakened further following the 1818 retirement of Alexander Baranov, the long-serving chief manager of the Russian-American Company.

When the company's charter was renewed in 1821, it mandated that future chief managers be naval officers. However, these officers typically lacked experience in the fur trade, which contributed to the company's decline. The renewed charter also sought to limit foreign contact, particularly with Americans, whose trade and supplies had become essential to the colony's survival. The strategy failed, and the Russian-American Company eventually reached an agreement with the Hudson's Bay Company, allowing British ships to transit through Russian-controlled waters.

Main article: Alaska Purchase

Russia and the United States in 1866

Map showing the Department of Alaska in 1867, following the Alaska Purchase

By the 1860s, the Russian government was prepared to relinquish its colony in Russian America. Overhunting had significantly depleted the population of fur-bearing animals, while increased competition from British and American traders further reduced the colony's profitability. The logistical challenges of supplying and defending the distant territory also contributed to waning interest. Facing financial strain and anticipating potential conflict with Britain, Russia feared it might lose Alaska without compensation, particularly to British forces advancing from British Columbia.

Following the Union victory in the American Civil War, Tsar Alexander II instructed Russian minister Eduard de Stoeckl to begin negotiations with U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward in early March 1867. The United States Senate, encouraged by Seward, approved the Alaska Purchase from the Russian Empire. The agreed price was US$7,200,000, equivalent to roughly two cents per acre. The canceled check for the transaction is now held in the United States National Archives and Records Administration.

After Russian America was sold to the United States, the Russian-American Company's assets were liquidated. Following the transfer, Tlingit elders asserted that Russia had only been entitled to sell Castle Hill. Other Indigenous groups similarly maintained that they had never ceded their territories, and that the United States had taken control without consent. Native land claims remained unresolved until the latter half of the 20th century, culminating in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act passed by Congress.

At its peak, Russian America had a Russian population of about 700, compared to approximately 40,000 Aleuts. Aleuts and Creoles were offered the option to become U.S. citizens within three years, though few accepted. In Sitka, General Jefferson C. Davis evicted Russians from their homes to accommodate incoming Americans, prompting complaints about misconduct by U.S. troops. Many Russians subsequently returned to Russia or relocated to the Pacific Northwest and California.

California

Main article: Russian colonization of North America § California

See also: Fort Ross, California

In 1812, the Russians established an outpost named Fortress Ross (Russian: Крѣпость Россъ, romanized: Krepost' Ross) near Bodega Bay in Northern California, north of San Francisco Bay. The colony also operated a sealing station on the Farallon Islands. By 1818, Fort Ross had a population of 128, including 26 Russians and 102 Native Americans. The settlement was maintained until 1841, when the Russians withdrew from the region. As of 2015, Fort Ross is listed as a Federal National Historic Landmark and is preserved within California's Fort Ross State Historic Park, located approximately 80 miles (130 km) northwest of San Francisco.

Spanish concern about Russian colonial expansion led New Spain to begin settling the upper Las Californias Province through the establishment of presidios (forts), pueblos (villages), and missions. Following independence in 1821, the First Mexican Empire sought to counter Russian presence more directly. In 1823, the Mission San Francisco de Solano was founded in response to the Russian settlement at Fort Ross. In 1836, Mexico further reinforced its northern frontier by establishing the El Presidio Real de Sonoma (Sonoma Barracks), placing General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo in command of the region.

Hawaii

Main article: Russian Fort Elizabeth

Artist's representation of Fort Elizabeth

Fort Elizabeth, 1817

In 1815, German physician Georg Anton Schäffer, acting as an agent of the Russian-American Company, arrived in Hawaiʻi to recover goods seized by Kaumualiʻi, the chief of Kauaʻi. According to the company's instructions, Schäffer was first to establish friendly relations with Kamehameha I, who had unified the Hawaiian Islands into a kingdom and was in conflict with Kaumualiʻi. Schäffer was then to recover the value of the seized merchandise from Kaumualiʻi, with or without Kamehameha's support.

Schäffer's medical skills earned Kamehameha I's respect, but the king declined to assist Russia against Kaumualiʻi. After the company vessels Otkrytie and Il'mena arrived, Schäffer travelled to Kauaʻi, where Kaumualiʻi quickly signed a treaty granting Tsar Alexander I a protectorate over the island. Kaumualiʻi, seeking independence from Kamehameha, hoped Russian support would restore his sovereignty. He permitted Schäffer to establish three forts: Fort Elizabeth (Russian: Елизаветинская Крепость, romanized: Elizavetinskaya Krepost’) near Waimea, and the smaller Fort Alexander (Russian: крепость Александра, romanized: Krepost’ Aleksandra) and Fort Barclay-de-Tolly (Russian: форт Барклая-де-Толли, romanized: Fort Barklaya-de-Tolli) near Hanalei.

Fort Elizabeth, built in 1817, was formed on the east bank of the Waimea River and contained Hawaiʻi's first Russian Orthodox chapel. When it became clear that Schäffer lacked official backing from St Petersburg, he departed Kauaʻi in late 1817. Captain Alexander Adams soon replaced the Russian flag with that of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, and Fort Elizabeth passed to Kamehameha's supporters.

In 1820, Fort Elizabeth's guns fired in salute as Prince George Kaumualiʻi (Humehume), son of Kaumualiʻi, returned to Kauaʻi aboard the Thaddeus after accompanying American missionaries. In 1824, Humehume attempted a rebellion by attacking the fort, but it was used as a base to capture him and maintain the unification of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The fort was abandoned in 1853.

In 1816, Schäffer conducted a secret mission in Hawaiʻi, attempting to persuade Kamehameha I to accept Russian protection and permit a naval base on Kauaʻi. The plan was prevented by British and American diplomats, who influenced the king to reject the proposal. Prince Alexander Bagration returned to Russia in 1817 and remained in military service until retiring in 1821. Later, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi assigned Kauaʻi pioneer Valdemar Knudsen to remove weapons from Fort Elizabeth. Similar dismantling efforts occurred at other Hawaiian forts, including those in Kailua-Kona, Lāhainā, and Honolulu. In 1862, Knudsen compiled an inventory of the fort's weaponry, listing 60 flintlock muskets, 16 swords, 12 18-pound cannons, 26 4- and 6-pound cannons, six heavy guns, and 24 small guns. During the fort's decommissioning in 1864, one or two cannons reportedly fell into Waimea Bay while being loaded onto a schooner for sale as scrap metal.

Danish language in Greenland

To-do: Bad sourcing; fix later

Danish was the primary language used by Danish settlers during the colonization of Greenland. About 12% of the population speaks Danish as a first or sole language, largely consisting of Danish immigrants. Historically, Danish functioned as a second language for many multiethnic Inuit communities, though Greenlandic remained dominant in smaller settlements. In major towns, particularly Nuuk, Danish speakers held notable social influence. Following the introduction of self-governance in 2009, Greenlandic, specifically West Greenlandic, became the official language of Greenland.

History

Early contact and missionary period (1721–1776)

Greenlandic arrived in Greenland with the migration of the Thule people in the 13th century. The languages of the earlier Saqqaq and Dorset cultures remain unknown.

Danish presence in Greenland began in 1721 with the arrival of missionary Hans Egede under the authority of the Danish-Norwegian Crown. Early Danish linguistic influence developed through religious instruction, as missionaries used Danish for administrative records while relying on interpreters and increasingly studying Kalaallisut.

The first known descriptions of Greenlandic date from the 17th century, and systematic documentation began with Danish missionary efforts in the 18th century. Paul Egede produced the first Greenlandic dictionary in 1750 and the first grammar in 1760.

Danish colonial administration (1776–1953)

The Royal Greenland Trading Department (KGH) was established in 1776, centralizing Danish authority in Greenland and establishing Danish as a functional administrative language.

In 1951, Danish authorities launched the Little Danes experiment, sending 22 Greenlandic children aged five to eight to Denmark to learn the Danish language and culture. The project aimed to create a Greenlandic elite who could serve as intermediaries between Greenland and Denmark. Upon arrival, the children were separated from their families and placed in foster homes or orphanages. Two years later, 16 returned to Greenland but were placed in an orphanage rather than reuniting with their families. Many never saw their relatives again, and the experience caused lasting harm to their mental health and cultural identity.

Integration into the Kingdom of Denmark (1953–1979)

From 1851 to 1973, Greenlandic used an orthography developed by missionary linguist Samuel Kleinschmidt. In 1973, a reformed orthography was introduced to align the written language more closely with contemporary spoken Greenlandic. Following this reform, literacy in Greenlandic increased.

Vehicle registration plates of Overseas France

Map of France's overseas possessions

All eleven inhabited Overseas French territories require residents to register motor vehicles and display license plates.

French Guiana

2009 series French Guiana license plate, the current series

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of French Guiana

French Guiana plates feature black characters on a white background. The standard front plate features a blue band on the left showing the oval F below twelve golden European stars, and a blue band on the right showing the regional logo above the department code 973 for French Guiana. Two-line rear plates follow the same format, with the blue bands positioned at the top left and top right of the plate. The current passenger plate series in French Guiana was introduced on 15 April 2009.

French Guiana first required residents to register motor vehicles and display license plates in 1950. Current plates are European standard 520 mm × 110 mm (20.5 in × 4.3 in) and use French stamping dies. The license plates have a registration format of two letters, a hyphen, three numerals, a hyphen, and two letters. French overseas departments and territories are assigned three-digit codes beginning with 97, which was originally a single code for all such territories.

French Polynesia

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of French Polynesia

Number plate sample from French Polynesia (986)

French Polynesia requires residents to register motor vehicles and display license plates. Current plates are European standard 520 mm × 110 mm (20.5 in × 4.3 in) and use French stamping dies. The license plates have a registration format of one to six digits followed by P. French overseas departments and territories are assigned three-digit codes beginning with 97, which was originally a single code for all such territories.

The current passenger plate series was introduced in 1993. Front plates display black characters on a yellow background, with a blue band on the left showing the oval F beneath twelve golden European stars. Rear plates follow the same design but use a white background for the characters.

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Vehicle registration number from the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Kerguelen Islands

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands have no permanent population. Approximately 150 people are present during winter and around 310 during summer, mainly consisting of military personnel, officials, scientific researchers, and support staff.

Vehicle registration plates are used only on the Kerguelen Islands. They are imported from Réunion and registered in Port-aux-Français. Plates display black characters on a white background, with a blue band on the left showing the oval F beneath twelve golden European stars and the number and symbol of Réunion. The registration number begins with two digits indicating the year of manufacture followed by the last four digits of the vehicle's serial number. Registration started in the early 1990s, coinciding with the first tourist visits.

Guadeloupe

2009 series Guadeloupe license plate, the current series

Guadeloupe requires residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates. Current plates are European standard 520 mm × 110 mm (20.5 in × 4.3 in) and use French stamping dies. The license plates have a registration format of two letters, a hyphen, three numerals, a hyphen, and two letters. French overseas departments and territories are assigned three-digit codes beginning with 97, which was originally a single code for all such territories.

The current passenger plate series in Guadeloupe was introduced on 15 April 2009. Plates feature black characters on a white background. The standard front plate features a blue band on the left showing the oval F below twelve golden European stars, and a blue band on the right showing the regional logo above the department code 971 for Guadeloupe.

Martinique

A bus with a Martinique license plate from the 2009 series

Martinique requires residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates. Current plates are European standard 520 mm × 110 mm (20.5 in × 4.3 in) and use French stamping dies. The license plates have a registration format of two letters, a hyphen, three numerals, a hyphen, and two letters. French overseas departments and territories are assigned three-digit codes beginning with 97, which was originally a single code for all such territories.

The current passenger plate series in Martinique was introduced on 15 April 2009. Plates feature black characters on a white background. The standard front plate features a blue band on the left showing the oval F below twelve golden European stars, and a blue band on the right showing the regional logo above the department code 972 for Martinique.

Mayotte

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Mayotte

New Caledonia

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of New Caledonia

Réunion

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Réunion

Saint Barthélemy

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Saint Barthélemy

Saint Martin

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of the Collectivity of Saint Martin

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Wallis and Futuna

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Wallis and Futuna

List of countries that have gained independence from France

Territories occupied by France in various centuries

Below are lists of countries and territories that were formerly ruled or administered by France or part of the French Empire. They include information on independence dates, France's formal recognition of sovereignty, and circumstances that influenced each territory's transition to independence. The lists distinguish between official colonies and other administered territories and note any unsuccessful independence attempts that occurred before final separation.

Colonies, protectorates, and mandates

Country	Pre-independence name	Date of independence or first stage		Notes
		Day & month	Year
Algeria	French Algeria	5 July	1962	Algeria declared from the French Fifth Republic on 5 July 1962. France formally recognized independence the same year under the terms of the Évian Accords, which ended the Algerian War.
Benin	French Dahomey	1 August	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 4 December 1958. The Republic of Dahomey declared from the French Fifth Republic on 1 August 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Burkina Faso	French Upper Volta	5 August	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 11 December 1958. The Republic of Upper Volta declared from the French Fifth Republic on 5 August 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970, but was suspended in 2022 following the January 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état.
Cambodia	French protectorate of Cambodia	9 November	1953	The Kingdom of Kampuchea declared in 1945 as a puppet state of the Empire of Japan; restored to French control later that year. The Kingdom of Cambodia declared from the French Fourth Republic on 9 November 1953. France formally recognized independence on 21 July 1954 under the terms of the 1954 Geneva Conference, which ended the First Indochina War. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1993.
Cameroon	French Cameroon	1 January	1960	Following the German Empire's defeat in World War I, Kamerun became a League of Nations mandate and was divided in 1919 into French Cameroon and British Cameroons. After World War II, French Cameroon transitioned into a UN trust territory. Cameroon declared from the French Fifth Republic on 1 January 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1991.
Central African Republic	Ubangi-Shari	13 August	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 1 December 1958. The Central African Republic declared from the French Fifth Republic on 13 August 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1973.
Chad	French Chad	11 August	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 28 November 1958. The Republic of Chad declared from the French Fifth Republic on 11 August 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Comoros	Territory of the Comoros	6 July	1975	The State of the Comoros declared from the French Fifth Republic on 6 July 1975. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1977.
Republic of the Congo	French Congo	15 August	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 28 November 1958. The Republic of the Congo declared from the French Fifth Republic on 15 August 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1981.
Djibouti	French Territory of the Afars and the Issas	27 June	1977	Djibouti declared from the French Fifth Republic on 27 June 1977. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1977.
Gabon	French Gabon	17 August	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community in 28 November 1958. Gabon declared from the French Fifth Republic on 17 August 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Guinea	French Guinea	2 October	1958	Guinea declared from the French Fifth Republic on 2 October 1958. France formally recognized independence on 16 January 1959 and re-established diplomatic relations in July 1975 after a period of strained relations. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1981.
Haiti	Saint-Domingue	1 January	1804	The First Empire of Haiti declared from the French First Republic on 1 January 1804. France formally recognized independence on 17 April 1825, though at a cost of 150 million francs. This debt severely strained Haiti's economy and was not fully settled until 1947. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Laos	French protectorate of Laos	22 October	1953	The Kingdom of Luang Prabang declared in 1945 as a puppet state of the Empire of Japan; restored to French control in 1946. Kingdom of Laos declared from the French Fourth Republic on 22 October 1953. France formally recognized independence on 21 July 1954 under the terms of the 1954 Geneva Conference, which ended the First Indochina War. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1991.
Lebanon	Lebanese Republic	22 November	1943	Lebanon declared from Free France on 22 November 1943. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1973.
Madagascar	French Madagascar	26 June	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 14 October 1958. The Malagasy Republic declared from the French Fifth Republic on 26 June 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Mali	French Sudan	20 June	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 24 November 1958. The Mali Federation declared from the French Fifth Republic on 20 June 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. The Republic of Mali declared on 22 September 1960, following the dissolution of the Mali Federation. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970, but was suspended in 2020 following the 2020 Malian coup d'état.
Mauritania		28 November	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 28 November 1958. Mauritania declared from the French Fifth Republic on 28 November 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1980.
Morocco	French protectorate in Morocco	2 March	1956	Morocco declared from the French Fourth Republic on 2 March 1956. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1981.
Niger	Colony of Niger	3 August	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 19 December 1958. The First Republic of Niger declared from the French Fifth Republic on 3 August 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970, but was suspended in 2023 following the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état.
Senegal	French Senegal	20 June	1960	Gained autonomy and joined the French Community on 25 November 1958. Senegal declared independence from the French Fifth Republic as part of the Mali Federation on 20 June 1960. The Republic of Senegal withdrew from the Mali Federation on 20 August 1960 and France recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Syria	First Syrian Republic	17 April	1946	The First Syrian Republic declared from Free France in 1946. France formally recognized independence the same day.
Togo	French Togoland	27 April	1960	Following the German Empire's defeat in World War I, Togoland became a League of Nations mandate and was divided in 1916 into French Togoland and British Togoland. After World War II, French Togoland transitioned into a UN trust territory. The Togolese Republic declared from the French Fifth Republic on 27 April 1960. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Tunisia	French protectorate of Tunisia	20 March	1956	The Kingdom of Tunisia declared from the French Fourth Republic on 20 March 1956. France formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1970.
Vanuatu	New Hebrides	30 July	1980	Condominium between France and the United Kingdom. The Republic of Vanuatu declared from the French Fifth Republic and the United Kingdom on 30 July 1980. France and the United Kingdom formally recognized independence the same day. Joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 1979.
North Vietnam	French Cochinchina Tonkin Annam	2 September	1945	In 1945, following the Empire of Japan's occupation during World War II, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence and established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. France attempted to regain control from 1946 to 1954, leading to the First Indochina War. After the French defeat at Điện Biên Phủ, the Geneva Accords of 1954 ended French colonial rule and divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel into North Vietnam and South Vietnam, both no longer under French authority.
South Vietnam	Tonkin Annam	21 July	1954	Notes

Territories relinquished to other nations

Country	Pre-independence name	Date of independence or first stage		Notes
		Day & month	Year

Territories taken by force or relinquished after conflict

Country	Pre-independence name	Date of independence or first stage		Notes
		Day & month	Year

Territories relinquished or left unoccupied

Country	Pre-independence name	Date of independence or first stage		Notes
		Day & month	Year

Failed independence or resistance movements

Country	Pre-independence name	Date of independence or first stage		Notes
		Day & month	Year

Vehicle registration plates of the territories of the British Empire

The British Empire at its territorial peak in 1921

During the British Empire, dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories were responsible for issuing their own vehicle registration plates. Local authorities or organizations oversaw the registration process, and plate designs were produced either by the vehicle owners or by local administrative bodies. Although each territory maintained its own system, many followed standards or conventions used in the United Kingdom.

History

Main article: A1 registration plate

In 1903, the Motor Car Act introduced mandatory motor vehicle registration in the United Kingdom. The law took effect on 1 January 1904, although some plates were issued in late 1903. The registration A 1 was issued by the London County Council in December 1903. The earliest known plate from surviving records is DY 1, issued in Hastings on 23 November 1903.

Africa

Basutoland

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Lesotho

Basutoland, now Lesotho, had license plates issued for private and passenger cars in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Bechuanaland

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Botswana

Egypt

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Egypt

Gambia

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of the Gambia

Gold Coast

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Ghana

Kenya

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Kenya

Mauritius

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Mauritius

Namibia

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Namibia

Nigeria

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Nigeria

Northern Rhodesia

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Zambia

Southern Rhodesia

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Zimbabwe

Nyasaland

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Malawi

Seychelles

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Seychelles

Somaliland

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South Africa

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Swaziland

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Eswatini

Tanganyika

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Tanzania

Uganda

Main article: Vehicle registration plates of Uganda

Gun laws in the territories of the United States

Gun laws in the territories of the United States regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition. These laws vary by territory and operate independently of federal firearms regulations, sometimes imposing broader or more limited restrictions. Among the five inhabited territories, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands recognize the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, whereas American Samoa does not.

Current inhabited territories

American Samoa

Main article: Gun laws in American Samoa

Gun laws in American Samoa regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated territory. The territory maintains a highly restrictive licensing system. Open carry is permitted with a weapons license, while concealed carry is illegal. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and meet several requirements, including providing a documented justification for firearm ownership. Acceptable reasons include protecting a plantation and hunting, while self-defense is not considered a valid basis for obtaining a license. Applicants must also submit signed affidavits from the village mayor, the county chief, and the police supporting their character and stating their need. All firearm transfers require police approval.

Civilian possession of automatic firearms, semi-automatic rifles, and handguns is prohibited. Licensed civilians may own only 12-gauge, 16-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 shotguns, as well as .22-caliber rifles. Ammunition is likewise restricted to these calibers, and possession of any other type is illegal, regardless of license status.

Guam

Main article: Gun laws in Guam

Gun laws in Guam regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated territory. Federal firearms laws and constitutional protections apply.

A firearms identification card, valid for three years from the date of issue, authorizes possession and open carry of all legal firearms, including handguns and long guns.

Guam previously operated as a may-issue jurisdiction and issued relatively few permits, averaging about 50 per year. Following the introduction of Bill 296-32 by senators Tony Ada, Aline Yamashita, Chris Duenas, Tommy Morrison, Rory Respicio, Brant McCreadie, and Michael San Nicolas, and its signing by Governor Eddie Calvo, Guam transitioned to a shall-issue system. The territory falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Northern Mariana Islands

Main article: Gun laws in the Northern Mariana Islands

Gun laws in the Northern Mariana Islands regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Federal laws and constitutional protections apply alongside local regulations.

The CNMI became part of the United States in 1976, 1978, and 1986 (Pub. L. 94-241, Act of March 24, 1976). Before integration, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands enacted the Weapons Control Act (63 TTC §§ 551 et seq.), which prohibited civilian possession of all firearms, including automatic weapons, semi-automatic assault weapons, and handguns. Civilians were permitted to possess licensed .410 shotguns and .22 caliber rifles with corresponding ammunition.

In 2000, House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta sponsored a bill amending the Weapons Control Act to allow firearm use at shooting resorts. The House approved the bill narrowly, with proponents citing potential investment and opponents raising public safety concerns.

In 2014, U.S. Navy veteran David J. Radich and his wife Li-Rong Radich sued James C. Deleon Guerrero, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, arguing that the handgun ban violated the Second Amendment. On March 28, 2016, Judge Ramona V. Manglona ruled in favor of the Radiches, declaring the ban on handguns and ammunition unconstitutional and invalidating restrictions on importing handguns, obtaining weapons identification cards for self-defense, and limitations affecting lawful permanent residents.

The Parent Teacher Student Association of Tanapag Middle School sought to intervene, citing student safety, but the motion was rejected. The PTSA appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Following the Radich decision, Governor Ralph Torres signed the Special Act for Firearms and Enforcement (SAFE Act, N.M.I. Pub. L. 19-42, April 11, 2016), imposing a $1,000 excise tax on handguns and establishing gun-free zones. U.S. Army veteran Paul Murphy challenged provisions of the SAFE Act, including the excise tax, licensing and registration requirements, storage restrictions, bans on large-capacity magazines, assault weapons, rifles above .223 caliber, and restrictions on transporting firearms.

On September 28, 2016, Judge Manglona ruled the excise tax, registration requirement, ban on calibers above .223, assault weapons ban, and restrictions on transportation and open carry unconstitutional. Licensing requirements, storage restrictions, and the ban on large-capacity magazines were upheld. These rulings were incorporated into SAFE II (N.M.I. Pub. L. 19-73, December 1, 2016). Open carry of a loaded handgun without a permit is allowed outside gun-free zones, while concealed carry remains prohibited.

The CNMI legislature subsequently passed a symbolic law expressing disapproval of the Radich decision and stipulating that the handgun ban would be reinstated if the ruling were overturned.

Puerto Rico

Main article: Gun laws in Puerto Rico

Gun laws in Puerto Rico regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition. As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico is considered an "appurtenant jurisdiction" to which the Insular Cases apply. Only constitutional provisions extended by Congress, aside from those applying by their own force, are enforceable in the territory.

Firearm licenses and firearm-related crimes are defined in Act 404 of 2000. On December 11, 2019, Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced signed the Puerto Rico Weapons Act of 2020, effective January 1, 2020. The law consolidated possession and carry licenses into a single license, established a shall-issue system, implemented carry reciprocity, reduced fees, and codified stand your ground provisions.

Applicants must complete a notarized license application using form PR-329 and provide proof of social security number, date of birth, legal presence in Puerto Rico, government-issued identification, a recent headshot, a criminal background certificate no older than 30 days, fingerprints, and a $200 fee. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and not meet the definition of a prohibited person under Section 922(g) of the Gun Control Act of 1968. The Police Bureau must approve compliant applications within 30 days. License holders may only purchase ammunition matching the caliber of their firearms. After issuance, the Police Bureau may continue to investigate the license holder for false information without disturbing the individual's peace or privacy. Licenses must be renewed every five years with a sworn statement and $100 fee.

Applications for firearm licenses increased by 70% after Hurricane Maria in 2017 due to concerns over the widespread electrical outage and reduced police presence. In 2015, a class-action lawsuit involving over 800 plaintiffs resulted in a lower court ruling that several provisions of the existing law were unconstitutional; this ruling was overturned on appeal, and the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico declined to hear the case. In September 2016, a firearms instruction company filed a federal lawsuit challenging additional provisions of the law; no ruling had been issued as of September 2020.

United States Virgin Islands

Main article: Gun laws in the United States Virgin Islands

Gun laws in the United States Virgin Islands regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition. As an unincorporated U.S. territory, many federal laws and Constitutional protections apply.

The territory requires individuals to be at least 21 years old to obtain a non-carry weapons license. Applicants must submit a signed application, be fingerprinted and photographed, demonstrate good moral character, and pay a $75 licensing fee. This license permits the purchase and storage of firearms in a residence or business but does not authorize concealed carry.

There are six types of licenses:

• Blue: Business protection
• Yellow: Home protection and handguns only
• Gray: Farming and long guns only
• White: All active law enforcement
• Pink: Current and retired law enforcement, personal protection, and special circumstances
• Green: Target shooting, sports use, and home protection

Following the U.S. Supreme Court Bruen decision, the police are required to issue a carry permit to any individual not legally prohibited from owning a firearm.