San Theodoros is a Latin American country in The Adventures of Tintin. San Theodoros apparently became independent around 1805 as a result of the unstated actions of General Olivaro, possibly similar to those of Simón Bolívar. Its capital is Los Dopicos (which was called Tapiocapolis while General Tapioca was in power).San Theodoros is bordered by rival nation Nuevo-Rico.
Politics
The statecraft of San Theodoros is unstable and represents the typical Banana Republic. The calamity in government is seen in Tintin and the Picaros, where General Alcazar and General Tapioca often vying for power through revolutions and eventually turns the country's leadership because they are unable to remain in power for long.
Culture
Most of the population seems to be humble and poor, but they are also a festive people. Between February 22-24 every year they have their own carnival, celebrated for a few days in the capital, Los Dopicos. Several of the nation's local businesses are revealed as well:
- The central bank is called Banco de la Nación.
- The national airline is SANTAERO.
- The state lottery is called Loteria Naciónal
Location
The map showing San Theodoros as being located in north-east South America.
Determining the location of the county is difficult, given the conflicting references in the books. It appears to be located in Central or South America. The capital, Los Dopicos, is shown in The Broken Ear as having a seaport, whereas in Tintin and the Picaros, it appears to be inland. At the start of part 1 of The Broken Ear (TV episode) a map displayed at the Museum of Ethnography in Brussels showing the location of the Arumbayas also depicts San Theodoros and neigbouring Nuevo-Rico as being located in north-east South America, north of the Amazon River.
In Tintin and the Picaros, the Paris Flash report clearly states that the country is in South America, since Bianca Castafiore reportedly "continued her brilliant progress through South America," after visiting Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, and plans visit San Theodoros. In the same book, Captain Haddock, on an attempt to call General Tapioca, says "Hello, International? Give me South America... Tapiocapolis...General Tapioca!" Which is more proof that the country is in South America.
Military
The San Theodoran army has a ridiculous proliferation of colonels. In The Broken Ear, the army had 3487 Colonels but only 49 Corporals. During Alcazar's first regime, the entire number of troops under the employment of the armed forces stood at approximately 44,900 men, and would have been larger during Tapioca's previous dictatorship. San Theodoros appears to also have a navy and air force, but little is seen of them. At one time under General Tapioca, San Theodoros enjoys close military co-operation with fascist state of Borduria in Europe, which would explain the style of its military uniforms and munitions. Tapioca's symbol can be compared to the mustache of the Bordurian dictator Marshal Kûrvi-Tasch. After General Alcazar returns to power, some military units are depicted clad in guerrilla-style uniforms. In The Broken Ear both San Theodoros and its warring neighbour Nuevo Rico buy arms from the same arms dealer, Basil Bazarov.
The main service rifle of the San Theodoroan army during the Picaros era, also often used by the Picaros resistance, is the Italian-made AR-70.
