Rio Grande

República del Río Grande
Republic of the Rio Grande
Motto	"El río da vida"
Anthem	"A partir de Saltillo a Laredo"
Capital	Nuevo Laredo
Largest City	Monterrey
Official language	Spanish
Recognised language	English
Demographics	Latino	86%
	European	9%
	Other	5%
Demonym(s)	Riograndense
	Rio Grandean
Government	Unitary Presidential
	Constitutional republic
President	Nallely González y Luna de Gómez
Congress	Senate
	Chamber of Deputies
Formation	Independence	2 February, 1848
	Open Borders Tex	1974
Geography	Total	295,968sqkm
	Coastline
	Highest Elevation	3,710m
Population	2020 Census	12,264,664
	2015 Census	11,516,117
	Density	41.4/km2
Economy	GDP (PPP) 2020	$310.3 billion
	Per capita	$25,300
HDI (2016)
Currency	Peso
Time zone	UTC -6 (DST not observed)
Date format	dd/MMM/yyyy
Drives on the	Right
Internet TLD	.rg
Calling code	+11

The Rio Grande Republic closely shadows Texas and its independence movement, gaining independence in 1848 with help from the Mexican-American War. Spanish and English are the official languages of Rio Grande.

Rio Grande and Texas have an open-borders policy to promote economic prosperity between the two countries. Despite increased prosperity, Rio Grande is still far behind Texas, with its average GDP (PPP) per capita at $25,300, whereas Texas' is $63,000.

History

Revolution and Independence

Santa Anna signed Treaties of Velasco, which Mexico refuses to ratify, though both sides agree to a temporary armistice. However, Mexico warned Texas that joining the United States would result in another war. Texas agreed to these terms. Santa Anna was released back to Mexico, arriving in Veracruz on 7 June 1836 (rel. 1 June from Velasco). Upon return to Mexico, Santa Anna petitioned for Texas' independence before Mexican Congress, though it did not pass.

Texas and Mexico were still hostile towards each other and had continued border skrimishes, but war did not resume.

On 17 January 1840, when the Rio Grande Republic declared its independence, Mexico was not able to respond quickly nor effectively. Texas desired a buffer zone between them and Mexico, secretly sending troops and assistance. The revolution in Rio Grande was slow, with key battles occuring months apart. The pivotal Battle of Saltillo, where Ráfael Vásquez's 800 strong force was decimated at a hacienda, losing 600 men while the Texians and allies lost only 8, emerged as a victory for Rio Grande. This victory was a boost in morale to revolutionaries in Rio Grande and resulted in an increase of enslistments and support for the republic. However, Mexican forces had built up and by March 1841 after several major losses, the majority of Riograndense forces were captured and imprisioned, killed in battle, or deserted.

With the advent of the Mexican-American war, beginning in 1846, several major battles in Riograndense territory (Monterrey, Buena Vista) inspired revolutionaries to take up arms once again, alongside the US, in their fight for independence. The US, eager for allies that would be of use in Mexico, agreed to lead them. Riograndense forces steadily gained strength as the war moved through Rio Grande territory and into Mexico.

With the ending of the war, Mexico, Rio Grande, Texas, and the United States were present at Guadalupe-Hidalgo, where three separate treaties were signed. The first and second acknowledging the full independence of Texas and Rio Grande. The third ending the Mexican-American War and resulting in the Mexican cession.

When Rio Grande signed at the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, it was then that Texas and Rio Grande realised that they had an overlapping land claim. It was agreed upon by the Rio Grande that Texas would be entitled to its land, merely due to the timeline of events, Texas having claimed the border to the Rio Grande River before the Rio Grande Republic even existed. However, after the 1849 Texian Cession (where Texas sold it's redundant land claims to the United States), Texas offered Rio Grande a small monetary compensation to formally resolve the matter. While the payment given by Texas was certainly not as much as the land claim was worth, the gesture was well received and a welcome financial boost to the poor republic.

Mexico, which was dealing with the after-effects of the Mexican-American War, was preparing for the possibility of losing more territory when James Gadsden began talks of purchasing land to the south of the Mexican Cession to build a trans-continental railroad. The proposed 'Gadsden Purchase' did not make it past the US Senate, the primary reason being that Texas was an obstacle that would make a southern trans-continental railroad unfeasible and unnecessary, though financially-strapped Mexico would have welcomed the additional influx of money.

Nearly fifty years after the Treaty of Velasco, Texas had a strong desire to revisit and repair relations with Mexico who still viewed Texas somewhat unfavourably. This formed the impetus of the Rio Grande Treaty of 1876, signed by Mexico, Rio Grande, and Texas. This treaty promoted economic cooperation and a mutual defence agreement (though this clause was never invoked).

Government and Politics

Government

The current Rio Grandense government is heaviliy based on that of its predecessor state, Mexico.

The President of Rio Grande serves for 6 years of a single term, with no possibility for reelection. Senators and Deputies serve 3 year terms, non-consecutive, though there is no term limit.

Administrative Divisions

Main Article: Administrative Divisions of Rio Grande

There are three states: Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and Coahuila. Within these three states, there are a total of 132 municipalities (43 TAM), (51 NLE), (38 COA).

Economy

Coahuila is home to massive coal reserves, of which the majority mined is exported to Mexico.

Tamaulipas' economy comes primarily from agriculture. Around Ciudad Victoria, logging is common as well.

Nuevo Leon is highly industrialised, as is Saltillo in Coahuila. Most manufacturing and industry is based in Monterrey or Saltillo.

Transport

Road Transport

Rio Grande has a basic road and highway system.

Railways

Ferrocarril de Rio Grande is the national railway network of Rio Grande. It is headquartered in Laredo.

The Texas and Rio Grande Railroad, headquartered in Dos Laredos, is the second largest railway network in Rio Grande.

Texas, Mexican and Pacific Railroad operates a connection which, originating from Jimenez, connects to Saltillo v. Monclova.

Air Transport

Aerrio is the flag carrier of Rio Grande.

SARE is an airline based in Monterrey.

Demographics

Cities, towns, and metropolitan areas

Rio Grande has 1 city with the population exceeding 1 million, Monterrey.

The Monterrey Metropolitan Area is home to 4.5 million Riograndense, nearly half of the population of Rio Grande.

As well, there are 4 international metropolitan areas with greater than 1 million people (combined):

• Torreón-Gómez Palacio (Torreón,RGR - Gómez Palacio,MEX);
• Twin Cities or Dos Laredos (Laredo,TEX - Laredo,RGR);
• Reynosa-Hidalgo; (Hidalgo,TEX - Reynosa,RGR)
• Paso del Golfo (Olmito,TEX - Matamoros,RGR).

Largest cities in Rio Grande
Rank	Name	Municipality	Population	Rank	Name	Municipality	Population
1	Monterrey		1,110,000	11	Tampico		314,000
2	Saltillo		807,000	12	Ciudad Victoria		305,000
3	Guadalupe		691,000	13	Ciudad Benito Juárez		260,000
4	Torreón		679,000	14	Santa Catarina		259,000
5	Reynosa		612,000	15	Monclova		231,000
6	Apodaca		523,000	16	Ciudad Acuña		216,000
7	Matamoros		520,000	17	Piedras Negras		163,000
8	San Nicolás de los Garza		476,000	18	García		145,000
9	Nuevo Laredo		373,000	19	San Pedro Garza García		122,000
10	General Escobedo		363,000	20	Mante		112,000

Culture

Sports

Rio Grande has two North American Football League teams, Monterrey Steel (Acero Monterrey) and Saltillo Dinos (Dinos Saltillo).