Moshingow

The Islands of Columbia (pronounced /ˈaɪ̯ləndz /əv/ /kəˈlʌmbi.ə/),(Russian: Федеративные острова Колумбии; Spanish: Islas de Columbia), also known colloquially as Moshingow (pronounced /'mɒʃɪŋaʊ Mosh-ing-ou in US mainly, or /'mɒʃɪŋoʊ Mosh-ing-oh in UK and in Bermudian English pronunciation mainly), is an incorporated territory of the United States of America. The area that the territory covers is coextensive with the former Islands of Bermuda. It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is approximately 1,070km (665 mi) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and 1,759 km (1,093 mi) northeast of Cuba. The official languages are English (US) and Russian, and the regional language is Spanish (US). Minority languages also spoken in the dependency include Ukrainian, Belarusian, and various other slavic languages. It is a densely populated area and consists of seven divisions, known as Wards.

The territory's capital, Hamilton, located in Ward 3, lies within a sub-division known as the Columbian Capital Zone.

Pre-1600s
What would later be named Bermuda was discovered in 1505 by Spanish explorer Juan de Bermúdez. Both Spanish and Portuguese ships used the islands as a replenishment spot to take on fresh meat and water.

Cession of the overseas territory to the United States
Through the Treaty of Bermuda, which was signed by the United Kingdom and the United States on the 25 of July, 1993, the Islands of Bermuda ceased to exist and the land covered by the former British overseas territory was ceded to the United States. The area was officially renamed from the 'Islands of Bermuda' to the 'Islands of Columbia,' a territory built mainly to acknowledge the ending of the Cold War, and to commemorate the relations between the United States and the Russian Federation. 'Columbia' derives from the New Latin toponym of the same name, in use since the 1730s with reference to the thirteen (or more) colonies of British America.

Reconstruction
The government of the United States commissioned a team of architects to rebuild the land once occupied by Bermuda, resulting in a blend of neoclassical architecture and traditional Russian architecture. It was later divided into seven wards, with Ward 4 containing the dependency's capital zone. The Jefferson Obelisk, the world's second tallest freestanding obelisk after the Washington Monument, began construction in 2003 and officially opened on the third of November of 2006. Likewise to the latter, it was constructed mainly from Potomac bluestone. The Capitol of the Islands of Columbia, located in Ward 4 division, had constructed finished in early 2002 and is home to the bicameral Legislative Assembly of the Islands of Columbia. Among the names of numerous landmarks located in the dependency, a salient number are named for historical figures from both American and Russian past.

In many neighbourhoods, housing present in the time of the former Bermuda were disassembled, and the construction materials comprised were transported to construct various monuments and cathedrals, with a prominent theme of neoclassicism present among the styling of the architecture. However, most historical sites were left untouched, and some renamed, and major parts of Bermudian culture and history were preserved in various wards.

The Bermúdez Complex, located in Ward 3, which began construction in 1995 and finished in 2007, has its name derived from Juan de Bermúdez, who first discovered the islands.

Present Day
The territory has an average an estimated 40 million visitors per year, starting from 2015. Lake Superior Resort is renowned for its stunning Atlantic Ocean views.

Culture
The culture of the Islands of Columbia is typically American, but it is evident that Russian culture has also heavily influenced it.

Education
The school days are from Monday to Friday. The average school day is from 7:15 to 2:10. Elementary School day is from 7:50 to 2:30, and High School day is from 7:15 to 2:10. Bilingual schools are very common in the territory.

Media
The media uses mainly English (US), and Russian. The territory has two major operating TV channels: ICTV (ENG) and ICTV (RUS).

Climate
The islands experience hot and humid summers with the majority of precipitation falling from isolated showers and thunderstorms, and mild winters. Occasionally, tropical waves and cyclones may also pass through the area.

Trends

 * The Islands of Columbia recognise two official languages: English (US), and Russian.
 * Its currency is US Dollars (USD).
 * The current population is 291,348.
 * The life expectancy is 78.3 years for men and 84.7 years for women.
 * The minimum legal marrying age is 21.
 * The minimum legal drinking age is 21.

Politics
Residents of the territory do not have voting representation in the U.S. Congress, similar to the cases of the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Trivia

 * Its colloquial name, Moshingow, is a portmanteau between 'Washington,' the capital and federal district of the United States of America, and 'Moscow,' the capital of the Russian Federation, as a gag that is evocative of its mixture of culture.