Jammu & Kashmir

  • Contested territories
  • Capital Srinagar (Summer) & Jammu (Winter)
  • Area 101,338 km²
  • Population 12,541,302

Since 1947, the greater region of Jammu and Kashmir has been embroiled in a territorial dispute between India, Pakistan and China. India control approximately 43% of the land area of the region and 70% of its population, Pakistan controls roughly 37% of the land, while China controls the remaining 20%. Kashmir is widely regarded as the world’s most militarized zone—the region has witnessed three major wars between India and Pakistan, another more limited war between India and China, numerous border skirmishes, high mountainous warfare, an ongoing insurgency, a Hindu exodus and widespread internal civil unrest.

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Puntland

Puntland is a region in Northeastern Somalia, its leaders declared independence in 1998. Internationally, it is recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia. Puntland has long been the epicenter of piracy networks in the Gulf of Aden. In 2009, Puntland MPs introduced a new state flag consisting of blue, green and white horizontal stripes—the white stripe in the centre represents peace and stability in the region. Puntland has 1600 km of coastline, which is abundant with fish and other natural marine resources. Additional economic products and activities of the region include livestock, frankincense, myrrh, gum arabic, manufacturing and agriculture.

Donetsk People’s Republic

The Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine has been ravaged by constant turmoil in the last decade. On 30 September 2022, president Vladimir Putin proclaimed Russian rule over Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, in total fifteen percent of Ukraine's territory—the biggest annexation in Europe since World War Two. Putins proclamation followed shortly after referendums in these regions were held, referendums that were called 'a sham' by the international community. The Donetsk People’s Republic already proclaimed independence in Spring 2014, in the wake of the Ukrainian revolution. In February 2022, Russian president Putin formally recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, a deed that led up to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Llhuros

Llhuros is a complex ‘imaginairy’ civilization, now lost and only existing in artefacts and stories, created by artist Norman Daly. He started out as a painter, but in the 1960s, turned his attention to sculpture. His work with assemblages led to the conception of The Civilization of Llhuros, a lost culture. For this fictional society he created utilitarian and ritual objects, scientific instruments, sculptures, paintings, frescoes, and fragments of architectural ruins, all made from found material. Llhuros came to be recognized as the foundation of ‘archaeological art’. Norman Daly passed away in 2008, the project is still exhibited worldwide.