The Sunbird Chain
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| Flag of The Sunbird Chain | |
| Motto: "The sun sets about a mile offshore." | |
| Unavailable | |
| Region | Naumara |
|---|---|
| Capital | Argence |
| Official Language(s) | English, Jamahdee |
| Leader | Pubah Oke Joe Pembana |
| Population | 124 million last census |
| Currency | duaka |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Democratic States of the Sunbird Chain consist of a number of small islands, forming the far western boundary of Naumara. The islands are something of a tropical paradise, inhabited by people granted an incredibly high degree of social freedom despite a reasonably strong economy.
Contents
Geography
Land
The Sunbird Chain is composed of several islands, the largest of which covers an area about 65km x 80km in size. There are three major islands - Sunfire Island (the largest and most heavily populated), Tall Island, and Evans Island. The capitol and largest city is Argence, which boasts a population of 7.2 million and lies on the west coast of Sunfire Island; about 50-60km to the south lies the third-largest city, New Blackport. The second-largest town, Calloway Harbor, occupies the north tip of Tall Island.
Climate
The islands' climate is warm and tropical, though rainforests aren't uncommon. The nation sports a few mountains on the more northern islands, including a few volcanoes; save for the towering Mt. Tikundebu, they are dormant. Most of the islands are rich in foliage and beautiful sandy beaches, with rainforests on the more southern islands going largely untouched.
Flora and Fauna
The Sunbird Chain is home to a number of unique species of wildlife, including the golden-throated frigatebird; this bird is known as the sunbird to the natives and gives the chain its name, and it breeds abundantly on pretty much every island. Other native species of birds include mostly waterfowl - the bar-tailed swan, the mottled flamingo, the teal-cowled duck, Calloway's duck, the violet ibis, and the buff-throated goose. A species of snake known as the diamondbite lives in the deeper rainforests. The Chain is a haven for cryptozoologists, as there have been a number of curious and unidentified creatures sighted here - a sea serpent nicknamed Callie is reputed to live in the waters off Calloway Harbor, another ("Buktu") at Stark Point on Tall Island, and a third ("Channel Critter") in the channel between Sunfire Island and a smaller island, White Island. There have been sightings of giant octopi, and rumor has it that a creature like a dinosaur lives in the rainforests of Shark Island.
Population
Ethnic Groups
The people of the chain are predominantly made up of the island's natives, a mocha-skinned people known as the Jamahdee. The average Jamahdee ranges from 5' to 6' tall, while their hair is usually dark, though blonde or reddish hair is known to exist.
Native Jamahdee constitute a 72% majority. 16% of the people are white settlers From Europe, while 8% are of mixed white and Jamahdee ancestry. The remaining 4% consists of other nationalities.
Government
Political Process
The government of the Sunbird Chain is small at the top; the reformers who took power on the island insist that European-style top-heavy democracy slowed the country down and prevented anything from getting done.
The country's head of state is known as the Pubah Oke - roughly 'First Leader' or 'Big Leader'. The Pubah Oke functions as both the executive and legislative branch of government and is in essence a dictator, able to rule almost at a whim. His powers, however, are limited by ten Stewards and the democratic process itself. Every two years there is a citizens' referendum in the Sunbird Chain in which voters go to the polls to vote on a simple question: Is the Pubah Oke doing a good job? Should the polls reflect a higher percentage of no votes than yes votes, the Pubah Oke must by law step down to allow an election for his office to be held. The former Pubah Oke may attempt to run for the office again under most circumstances. However, should the former Pubah Oke attempt to run again he must be cleared by the Stewards. Should the incumbent not receive the confidence of a majority of Stewards as reflected in a Vote of Confidence, he is not permitted to run for reelection.
The Stewards, incidentally, are typically former teachers and professors - learned men, basically. They are elected for ten-year terms and may serve no longer than that. They function as an advisory board to the Pubah Oke. Though the head of state is not required to follow the advice of the Stewards, he is subject to Leadership Reviews should the situation warrant it. Generally Leadership Reviews are very rare and occur only in instances where the Pubah Oke's judgment or leadership is in doubt or clearly inadequate. For example, Pubah Oke Joe Pembana recently passed a Leadership Review 8-2 regarding reports that the law enforcement system was inadequate. Should a Pubah Oke fail to pass a leadership review, he is required to step down and call an election.
The legislative process is fairly simple. The Pubah Oke thinks up a law, puts it in writing, and takes it to the Stewards for debate and suggestions. The law may be modified at this point, though it is not required. After consulting with the Stewards the Pubah Oke is free to implement the motion as policy, ensuring that the legislative process moves blindingly quickly. In some cases it takes mere minutes to complete the process of moving a bill from a draft to a law. Should the Pubah Oke enact what most consider a bad law the Stewards may call a Leadership Review, but this is saved for extreme circumstances.
Current Makeup
- Pubah Oke: Joseph "Joe" Pembana
Stewards:
- Mr. Samu Banyamu
- Mr. Ken Demjebaanda
- Mr. Thomas Sheehan
- Mr. Fadimbu Yehunjawi
- Mrs. Kali Ruhawnu
- Mrs. Udala Kubakakandu
- Mr. George Yamwebi
- Mr. Bandu Jimbata
- Mrs. Janet Gehl
- Mr. Rundumanu Beega
Economy
Fairly minor in the Naumaran scheme.
Major Industries
The tourism industry is by far the largest money-generator in the Sunbird Chain. The government takes great pains to ensure that the islands' tropical environment goes unravaged by big business, ensuring that the Sunbird Chain's lush rainforests and picturesque beaches survive to attract visitors. In every large city there are are at least two casinos, while Argente sports a huge casino-lined strip by the waterfront known as the Neon Coast, named for the neon lights that shine from the numerous casinos there. Most of these casinos feature restaurants and attached hotel facilities, while independent hotels infest downtown areas.
