Difference between revisions of "Biotopia"
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==Holidays== | ==Holidays== | ||
| − | ::'''New Years Eve''': 1 January | + | ::'''New Years Eve''': 1 January |
| − | ::'''Springfest''': 5 March | + | ::'''Springfest''': 5 March |
| − | ::'''Republic Day''': 20 April | + | ::'''Republic Day''': 20 April |
| − | ::'''Carnival''': 1 May | + | ::'''Carnival''': 1 May |
| − | ::'''Winterfest''': 15 August | + | ::'''Winterfest''': 15 August |
| − | ::'''Harvest Festival''': 16 October | + | ::'''Harvest Festival''': 16 October |
| − | ::'''Youth | + | ::'''Youth Day''': 25 November |
| − | ::'''Citizen Day''': 20 December | + | ::'''Citizen Day''': 20 December |
| − | [[Biotopia Culture]] | + | For more information see [[Biotopia Culture]] |
==Politics== | ==Politics== | ||
Revision as of 04:55, 4 December 2005
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| Official Languages | Biotopian, Celdonian | ||||
| Capital | Zhaire, 360,000 | ||||
| Prime Minister | Citizen Naasir | ||||
| Foreign Minister | Citizen Shujaa | ||||
| Area - Total - water |
3,274,600 km² 304,400 km² | ||||
| Population - Total (september 2005) - Density |
45,000,000 million 15.15/km&sup | ||||
| Independence | 1894 | ||||
| Government Type | Bicameral Parliamentary Democracy | ||||
| Nation Type | Republic | ||||
| National Animal | Silver Llama | ||||
| GDP (2005) - Total - GDP/capita |
180 trillion UP36,150 | ||||
| Currency | 1 Union Paw (UP) = 100 UP cents | ||||
| International Abbreviations - sport - government |
BIO EDRB | ||||
| Military Organisation | CSF (Citizen Security Force) | ||||
| National Anthem | | Biotopia Culture | ||||
| Internet TLD | .bt | ||||
| Calling Code | +6064 | ||||
Contents
Republican History
- Phosee Union
- (1894-1909) Empress Leme III was forced to abdicate after Parliament passed a vote of no-confidence ending a 600 year old dynasty. A new Constitution was drafted and ratified on 23/11/1894 establishing the Union of 21 autonomous states based on a weak federation of democratic governments. The central government controlled the railways, telegraphs and other key infrastructure which prospered from standardisation and investment. The smaller states lagged behind economically.
- Republic of Phosee
- (1910-1933) The Phosee Union was drawn into a stronger federal system amid concerns about under-development, social discontent, business corruption and strategic interests. The central government provided funding and investment for “nation building” projects including highways, dams and steelworks. The system operated relatively successfully until the Secession Crises of 1933 split the Republic between the central conservative government of Phosee Republic and the socialist controlled state of Sagawachee.
- Republic of Phosee/Republic of Sagawachee
- (1933-1938) In 1933 the state of Sagawachee refused to pay back heavy national loans in the middle of an economic slump that heavily hit the state. The socialist government refused to cut wages and services and instead attempted to renegotiate the terms of the loan. The impasse was attempted to be broken when the state government seceded from the federation a move rejected by the national government and Supreme Courts. The crises escalated as it became a power struggle between the conservatives and nationalists against the socialists and other reformists.
- United Republic of Phosee
- (1940-1968) A new Constitution established a central republic controlled by a nominal parliament with most real power invested in the President and the military. The government was largely corrupt but was buoyed by its control of exports and receiving significant foreign investment for the exploitation of its natural resources. Much of this capital came from Knootoss which provided the markets and technology to exploit the copious natural resources of the nation including offshore natural gas, iron, bauxite, beef and cereals. Junior officers staged a coup and although not socialist the government relied on the United Socialist Party of Biotopia to garner popular support for the new regime.
- United Socialist States of Phosee
- (1969-1988) The United Socialist Party gained final gained control of the government by 1971 and began to nationalise industry, collectivise agriculture and invest in developing industry. In 1972 the Dutch Republic of Knootoss attempted to overthrow the socialist government but lost the decisive Battle of Odem. The USSP relied heavily on aid and economic direction from foreign socialist states, primarily from the neighbouring region of Aperin. The price of development was chronic pollution, urbanisation and environmental desecration culminating in an active and grassroots environmental movement.
- United Socialist States of Biotopia
- (1987-1993) Since 1980 the government had growing economic problems exacerbated by mismanagement from 1984 by the controlling “Iron Guard” faction of the Party. By 1988 the USSP was on the brink of collapse with high unemployment, popular resentment against police brutality and a slump in the standard of living. The Citizen Alliance mobilised popular resentment and was an instrumental force in the popular collapse of the government. The Citizen Party dominated by the Green movement instigated the “Development Dictatorship” before a final Constitutional model was ratified in late 1993.
- Eco-Democratic Republic of Biotopia
- (1994) The new Constitution is based on federalism, universal suffrage, autonomous economic management and the “privatisation” of non-essential services into the management of worker councils and collectives. The Constitution rejects both socialism and capitalism and the government has an official “ecologist agenda” based on sustainable development, decentralisation, democracy and non-violence (the military has been disbanded). The government has experienced mixed success with its policies but maintains its “softly walked pathway to development”.
Geography
- Area
- total: 3,274,600 sq km
- water: 304,400 sq km
- land: 2,970,200 sq km
- Land Boundaries
- total: none
- border countries: none
- Coastline
- 10,600 km
- Climate
- Divided into five climatic regions; Mediterranean along the western and northern seaboards with warm dry summers and mild winters, The Plateau Region is warm and dry all year due to its elevation between two mountain ranges, The Arid Zone is largely hot and dry with a distinct rainy season. The are two thin ridges of alpine affected mountain country, Island Region has mild summers and wet winters and the southern seaboard shares a similar climate.
- Terrain
- The sub-continent (Pagaan) is surrounded by flat coastal plains that are widest along the southern and northern seaboards. A broad floodplain intersects the centre of the southern plains drawing from a large basin interior of gently undulating quality surrounded by two mountain ranges running along a north-south axis. The greater of the two ranges divides the western and eastern third of the sub-continent from one another. The smaller of the range forms like a mirrored “?” A large canyon carves through the elevated arid lands in the east as the land gradually declines towards the coast. The Island is composed of limestone with various caverns and caves being formed.
- Elevation Extremes
- lowest point: Mouth of the World -16m bsl
- highest point: Skytooth Peak 6,598m asl
- Natural Resources
- bauxite, beach sands, coal, copper, iron ore, metallic chrome, nickel, timber, hydroelectricity
- Land Use
- arable land: 11%
- permanent crops: 1%
- other: 88%
- Natural Hazards
- flash floods in mountain valleys, severe thunderstorms in the central basin and eastern alpine range, droughts in the eastern regions and cyclonic storms along the northern coast
- Environmental Issues
- atmospheric pollution, degradation of the major water systems, soil contamination from industrial waste, erosion, salination
People
- Species
- Population
- 45,868,053
- Population Growth Rate
- 0.23% (105,496)
- Nationality
- noun: Biotoipan(s)
- adjective: Biotopian
- Ethnic Groups
- Indigenous Biotopians 95.2%
- Humans 3.38% (1,550,340)
- Other 1.42% (651,326)
- Religions
- Atheist 36%, Gnangara 4%, Mother Church 21%, Universal Cathedral 28%, Other 11%
- Languages
- Literacy
- definition: age 15 and over can read and write
- total population: 99.8%
Government
- Country Name
- conventional long form: The EcoDemocratic Republic of Biotopia
- conventional short form: The Republic of Biotopia OR Biotopia
- abbreviation: E.D.R.B.
- Government Type
- Eco-Socialist Democratic Republic
- Capital
- Zhaire
- Administrative Divisions
- 126 EcoRegions, (72 Community Councils, 36 Special Councils, 18 Urban Councils)
- Independence
- 12/4/1894 (Abdication of Leme III)
- National Holiday
- Constitution
- 01/11/1994 (effective from)
- Electoral System
- The National Party Assembly contains 162 seats which are allocated by proportional representation, only Party affiliated members may run. The National Citizen Congress has 126 seats which are allocated along Eco-Regions which are divided by a variety of council types roughly corresponding to 360,000 residents, independent candidates may run. The Supreme Chancellor is nominated to a single year term renewable by parliament for up to 8 years. The Prime Secretary is directly elected every three years for a maximum of three consecutive years and a maximum total of nine terms (27 years in total of office holding). Terms in the NPA are for set three year terms with a maximum of three terms in office. The NCC has set four year terms for a maximum of three terms in office.
- Suffrage
- 16 years universal and compulsory
- Executive Branch
- Chief of Staff: Supreme Chancellor
- Head of Government: Prime Secretary
- Cabinet: proportionally representative of factions in the NCC
- Legislative Branch
- National Party Assembly 162 seats, National Citizen Council 126 seats
- Flag Description
- [Upright rectangle] A thin black band runs across the top, three vertical bands run below this. The two outer bands are dark blue and the centre band is white with a green tree inserted in the middle.
Economy
- GDP
- Gross GDP: $180 trillion
- GDP per Capita:$36,150
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 3.6%
- GDP Composition by Sector
- Agriculture: 26%
- Industry: 42%
- Services: 32%
- Inflation Rate
- 2.3%
- Labor Force
- 27,937,988
- Labor Force by Occupation
- Industry: 39%
- Services: 43%
- Agriculture: 20%
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.23%
- Industries
- agricultural machinery, automobile & transport assembly, banking, entertainment & media, ceramics, chemicals (pharmaceuticals), furniture & design, hydroelectricity, information technology, food processing, metallurgical plants, mining, shipping, paper & pulp, photovoltaic cells, textiles
- Electricity Production by Source
- Fossil Fuels: 51%
- Nuclear: 0%
- Geo/Hydro: 14.5%
- Bio/Solar/Wind: 34.5%
- Agriculture Products
- alcohol, cereal grains (wheat, oats, barley), citrus, dairy, potatoes, soya, stone fruit, llama, hemp, timber, tobacco, seafood, vegetables, wine, wool
- Export Commodities
- agricultural machinery, ceramics, chemicals (pharmaceuticals), furniture, information technology, food processing, metal ores, shipping, steel, paper & pulp, photovoltaic cells
- Export Partners
- N/A
- Import Commodities
- aerospace, chemicals, coffee, consumer goods, crude oil, electronics, industrial chemicals, machinery and equipment, rubber, sugar, telecommunications, textiles
- Import Partners
- N/A
Military
- Branches: Citizen Security Forces (CSF)
- Department of Public Security: The Citizen Security Forces is a civilian organisation directed by the Department of Public Security to oversee public security and evacuation in the event of major disasters or hostile invasion
- Branch Membership:
- Citizen Security Forces 1,146,701
- Military Service Age: 18-49
Holidays
- New Years Eve: 1 January
- Springfest: 5 March
- Republic Day: 20 April
- Carnival: 1 May
- Winterfest: 15 August
- Harvest Festival: 16 October
- Youth Day: 25 November
- Citizen Day: 20 December
For more information see Biotopia Culture
Politics
- Constitutional Secretary: Hon. Citizen Washnee, Musha
- Prime Administrator: Hon. Citizen Naasir, Jumu
- Administration Positions & Departments:
- Department of Agriculture: Hajee Ahote
- Department of Communications: Chaga Hototo
- Department of Culture: Cheja Nuna
- Department of Education: Hekima Yamaka
- Department of Environment: Mema Awanata
- Department of Finance: Hakee Mojag
- Department of Foreign Affairs:
- Department of Healthcare: Dogo Nokomis
- Department of Industry: Etana Maska
- Department of Labour: Hekima Kwatoko
- Department of Security: Rudo Pinon
- Department of Trade: Roozanee Awentia
- Department of Transport: Pedo Magena
- Department of Welfare: Modupe Hantayee
- National Political Factions
- Club of ’90: The leading faction of the Citizen Party (henceforth simply the “Party”) by a margin of 2% the Club of ’90 became the formal political wing of the radical environmental and social justice movements which emerged in reaction to the invasion of the Federation of Sagawachee by the National People’s Congress in 1989-1990. The Club of ’90 became the first government of the Fifth Republic and introduced a revolutionary programme drawn with inspiration from other ecologist nations; in particular Ecopiea, Tanah Burang and Hell Bovines.
- National Political Factions
- Internationalists: Representing the mainstream liberal socialist philosophy – as well as communist, syndicalist and even social democratic fringes – they consistently gain a significant portion of seats in the National House (parliament). The Internationalists have often been critical of the isolationist foreign policy and curtailment of civil liberties in the pursuit of the Green Agenda, although they remain silent on the issue of political reform. They also dispute Ecologist philosophy on ideological grounds and some of the early material excesses.
- Nationalists: The moderate socialist faction of the Party supports a cautious international policy, continuing demilitarisation but rejects the economic philosophies of the Club of ’90 and most of the “hardline” environmental legislation. It also rejects most of the libertarian social policies of the Progressive Bloc preferring more moderate traditional interpretations of social liberties and rights. The Nationalist faction supports economic and population growth and economic organisation through collectivisation as well as the use of state subsidies and other employment generating strategies.
- Progressive Bloc: The most liberal of all the factions the PB support broad social liberties and the introduction of “small-scale capitalism”. The PB frequently protests the program of population control and curtailment of social and political liberties by the government. They also endorse an engaged foreign relations policy through membership of non-partisan organisations such as the United Nations and the International Fair Trade Agreement – which leaves the door open for the capitalisation of the economy. The PB is frequently portrayed as the counter-revolutionary faction of the emerging small-socialist class of family businesses, independent tradespeople and “private” enterprise.
- Republicans: Most hardline of the socialist factions the Republicans comprise mostly former members of the National People’s Congress and are noted for their nationalist, xenophobic and staunchly dogmatic approach to government. The Club of ’90 has been able to garner support for their isolationist policies from the Republicans and in exchange have made concessions for the prohibition of foreign cultural imports. The Republicans support capital punishment, enhanced police powers, remilitarisation and more regressive social policies.
- Utopians: The pro-development offshoot of the Club of ’90 the Utopians are aptly named because they focus on modernisation, technology, urbanisation and trade as the means to achieving the ideal ecological society. They combine liberal socialist influences in supporting expanded foreign relations and economic growth to develop the technologies necessary to eliminate industrial waste and the material excesses of a consumerist culture while boosting living standards, productivity and scientific know-how without the ecological side effects that usually accompany.
- Zoonians: After the Anarchist Organisation was banned following the Phosee Commune Riots they are the most radical of the communalist movements. Dominated by a circle of intellectual heavyweights who advocate decentralised and localised lifestyles that stem both from the anarchists and the early Green movement they endorse isolationism, the preservation of indigenous cultures and subsistence agrarian living. The commune system has been highly successful within certain regions, which is why federalism has been opposed on concern that these movements would dominate some states, as they do some Bioregions and pursue secession.
- National Pressure Groups
- Agrarian Union, Atheist Church, Biotopian Students Union, Citizen Defence Organisation, Eugenicology League, Case for CACE, Congress of Social Organisations, Free Law, Free Science, Gaian Warriors, Independent Artists Association, Internationalist Youth League, Manufacturing Union, Medical Association of Biotopia, National Educators & Academics Forum, National Media Club, Non-Human Liberation Front, Non-Human Union, Police & Emergency Services Union, Trades Union Forum, Small Capitalist Society, single Parents Network, Queerpower, United Nations Friendship Circle, Victims Support Group
International Relations
- International Organisation Membership:
- Ecologist Union
- Anti-Capitalist Alliance
- United Nations
