Territories of Meridon

The territories of Meridon are the primary political and administrative divisors of areas in Meridon's federal system. All areas administrated by the Federal Republic are organized into territories, except for the Cordelia Federal Capital Area, which is administrated specially. Territories are usually divided into island administrations, or in the case of larger islands or administrations, are separated into districts and metro areas, which are comprised of a variety of further subdivisions, including townships.

The Territories of Meridon were generally recognized at least informally in the years following the Third Colonial War. They were first formally codified in the First Articles of Union in 1666, and have existed with minimal changes in these forms since that time. The territories of the Southern and Eastern Islands were formed in 1884 with the merger of a large amount of administrative areas over individual islands, and were the last major change to the number or design of territories since.

Characteristics
Territories are lead by a governor, who is selected in varying methods depending on an individual territories' processes. 5 territorial governors are elected through parliamentary vote (Alexandria, Silvers, Smith Island,Kalua, and Helena), 4 governors are elected through direct election (Southern Islands, Eastern Islands, Mahine, and Redbird), 1 rotates between a number of chief ministers regularly (Ohawe) and 1 operates an executive council consisting of 5 members (Taikorea). Federal legislation mandates territories to have and provide for a number of services, including medical, educational, law enforcement, transpiration, and environmental services, and also mandates federal standards for each of these to meet. Within these confines, provinces are responsible for organizing and operating said sources, including the provision of funding (which may in some cases be supplemented by Federal aid). Territories are empowered to set their own budgets, taxes, and expenditure within said confines.

Territorial governments generally consist of a legislature which may be parliamentary or not, and elect their representation through electoral districts or through island or district elections. Generally, terms for legislative members last anywhere from 4 to 6 years.