Knootoss
Flag of Knootoss | |
Motto: "Libertate unanimus" ("Unified by freedom") | |
National Anthem: Anthem of the DDR | |
Map of Knootoss Proper | |
Region | Free Trade Zone |
---|---|
Capital | Knootcap |
Official Language(s) | Knootian-Dutch, Knootian-Frisian |
Leader | Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan |
Population | Approaching 3 billion (Sept 2004) |
Currency | 1 Euro = 100 Eurocents |
NS Sunset XML |
Contents
Dutch Democratic Republic
The Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss is a post-modern developed democracy on the European continent, inhabited by a highly educated population of almost 3 billion. Its territories encompass the Netherlands and several reclaimed land projects (called ‘polders’) in the North Sea. The nation is noted for these huge ‘polders’ which consist most of the new land, giving room for expansion while the historic territories can remain relatively untouched.
Knootoss is noted by many foreigners for its liberal social policies including legal drugs and prostitution, and is well-known as a gambling paradise. The open and multicultural nation is used to the many visiting foreigners, including non-humans. The Knootian people are peaceful to the point of pacifism and oriented on free and open trade. There is consensus on the advantages of the free market, yet the government regulates business, to a point. The nation is run by coalition governments. Currently a conservative/liberal coalition is in power under the Elvish Prime Minister Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan.
The DDR is part of the ‘Knootian Federation’, which includes dependent areas which have a great deal of autonomy. Ale-Yarok (or "green leaf") is a protectorate in Israel while Knootian Colombia is a sector assigned to the Knootians in a Baron/Knootian mission to restore order to the nation that was plagued by insurgency.
Geography
Terrain features
Knootoss is located in the region of Nederland (the Netherlands), in Europe. Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E
The terrain consists mostly of coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders) with some hills in southeast. Most land is below sea level. The urban population in the ‘old land’ is spread out in a decentralised web of historic cities. ‘Knootcap’ is the name given to the cities in the west of the country which have grown into a single agglomeration that is officially the capital. (See: Knootian Cities) In the reclaimed lands, cities are set up according to strict building plans leaving room for different forms of inhabitation only on the designated spots. The nation has few natural resources besides some arable land. Natural gas is won in the north of the country and there are corporations drilling for oil in the North Sea.
The nation is currently undergoing many Polder projects, building dykes around waters which makes for continues expansion of the Knootian territories. Its maritime claims are:
- exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
- territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate
Knootoss has a temperate marine climate with cool summers and mild winters.
Environmental issues:
There are several major environmental issues:
- Water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates;
- Air pollution from vehicles and refining activities, smog;
- Acid rain
- Deforestation (almost complete at this point)
- Sinking ground in the northern provinces due to the winning of natural gas.
Land use:
- Arable land: 26.53%
- Permanent crops: 0,5%
- Other: 72.44%
Knootian Cities
The Dutch Democratic Republic is highly urbanised. There are many cities in Knootoss, bust the most important cities are part of a giant 'network city' called Knootcap. Knootcap encompasses the west and centre of the country, including the old cities of The Hague (the centre of government), Amsterdam (the old capital), Rotterdam (the economic heart) and Utrecht.
Economy
Knootoss has a prosperous and open powerhouse economy depending heavily on foreign trade. The service-oriented economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate inflation, and a small current account deficit. Benefiting from the complete absence of drug laws, an extremely prosperous export sector is up and running. Due to scale advantages, the prices are significantly lower then illegal produce, making Knootoss extremely competitive in this industry. Other industrial activity is predominantly in Information Technology (IT) and various media but on the whole the industrial sector is very diverse and competitive in areas from arms manufacturing to cheese exports. Research and development is one of the main service industries in Knootoss and great emphasis is placed on R&D by the government.
Recently, large investments have been made by foreign investors in Automobile Manufacturing, Poultry, Electrical items and drone technology. A Knootian corporation is also the official distributor of Pink Bunny Cola™ and related products. Knootoss uses the Euro along with several other nations and the country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment. Tax levels in Knootoss are relatively low and the government has a pro-business attitude. The GDP per Capita is $45,771.43, and the unemployment rate is 0,8%
GDP composition by sector
- Agriculture: 1%
- Industries: 21%
- Services: 78%
Trade
The mayor trade partners of Knootoss are the signatories to the KIST treaty, the WBO and (former) Ur Trade Pact member states and the nations in the regions of Nederland and Holland. The import commodities are machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing and weapons.
Development aid
Knootoss is an economic aid donor, donating to various development aid programmes, both through the ministry of Economic Affairs and through private donations, in total amounting to about 0,6% of the GDP. The government co-funded the DNAC. The recent conservative administrations have strongly cut aid programmes and changed their nature. Some nations have cynically described the reformed Knootian economic programme aid as being "either for geopolitical purposes, or extortions in exchange for trade concessions".
One of the main recipients of Knootian economic aid is New York and Jersey, a first-world nation which, in turn, funds the DDR the same amount of military aid.
After leaving the NS United Nations, a policy has been established to encourage the "development of rendering the NSUN even more irrelevant then it already is". The DDR ministry of Economic Affairs has cut all economic and humanitarian aid to UN member nations with the exception of structural adjustment funding programmes, disaster relief and reciprocating aid.
Communication and infrastructure:
Knootoss boasts a highly advanced communications and transport network. Internet access is primarily but not exclusively through Bunnynet™, the Internet access provider from the Bunny King and Pink Bunny Cola Incorporated. The Internet fix is ".kn" Both roads and public transportation through rail are widely used. All mayor cities are connected through highways. Waterways are also very important, as they are being used to ship bulk goods over long distances. Rotterdam is one of the biggest ports in the world in terms of cargo transfer. Schiphol Int. Airport is a civilian mainport handling an enormous amount of air traffic, but most military air operations take place from Balmora Airbase. (See also the news item on major ports)
Major Corporations
Despite strict anti-cartel laws, several major corporations have cornered large parts of Knootian markets. The following multinationals are most well-known abroad:
- Bonifatius Recreational Drugs Incorporated
- Caesar SuperComputer Inc
- Knootoss News Network
- Pink Bunny Cola Incorporated
Minister of Economic affairs
Minister of Economic Affairs: Mr. L.J. Brinkhorst (SLP) (See seperate article)
Culture
Race and ethnicity
The Knootian population is currently approaching three billion. The human race, the original inhabitants, account for 80% of the population. Humans are predominantly ethnic Dutch. There is a large and vocal Elvish minority of about 15 percent of the population. The other 5% consist of other races, spread out over a wide diversity of groups.
Life expectancy at birth is rather low for humans, about 60 years. (Mainly due to poor healthcare and a habit of assisted suicide in the case of severe illness or limitations associated with age.) However since the life-expectancy is virtually unlimited for elves and a few other species it is impossible to make a useful total average.
Religion
Knootians are, on the whole, very anti-religious both in terms of political convictions and in terms of values. A recent survey amongst the humans showed that over 95 percent of the human population is either avowedly atheist or sympathetic to some form of secular humanism. There are small Christian communities who cling to the old faiths in the northern provinces (Dutch-reformed) and in the extreme south (Catholic) 0,79% of the population is protestant, 0,21 percent is Roman Catholic. The nation was originally Dutch-Reformed (a protestant variety) and political conflicts between religious groups played a major role in Nineteenth century Knootoss.
The number of former churches that have been converted into art galleries or supermarkets is the most obvious sign of today's attitude to religion and art. Several years ago, a cult worshipping the Lady Sirithil nos Fëanor of Menelmacar has been sweeping through the country gaining immense popularity amongst the population but this cult is fading away.
The Order of the Invisible Hand is not exactly a religion, but it does have religous aspects. It is rapidly gaining in popularity amongst the elite.
Politics
Political parties
The DDR has a multi-party system with many different parties forming different coalitions. The latest election results are:
- RCPK: Realistische Conservatieve Partij Knootoss.: 69 (conservative) (government party)
- SLP: Sociaal-Liberale Partij: 63 (liberal)(government party)
- KGP: Knootiaanse Groene Partij: 62 (green)(opposition party)
- SP: Socialistische Partij: 4 (socialist)(opposition party)
- KEP: Knootiaanse Elven Partij: 1 (elvish interests)("opposition" party - follows RCPK)
- IP: Imperialistische Partij: 1 (imperialist)(opposition party)
Anthem of the Dutch Democratic Republic
The new anthem of the Dutch Democratic Republic was established after the Shadow War raged in the country. It can be downloaded in the 'downloads' section of this website
The text, in various languages, can be found here.
Dependencies
The Knootian Federation is an instrument of holding together various Knootian dependencies. (For organisation see the main article. These dependencies are:
- Knootian Colombia
- Ale-Yarok
- Nieuw-Nederland (small island)
- Netox
- Europolis - used to be a dependency. Is now owned by Tarasovka. Knootian base still exists.
International Organisations
Current member
- Knootian International Stabilisation Treaty - founder and host
- World Business Organization
- Martian Free Trade Agreement
- International Mediation Council
- Human Rights Council
- Valinon/Sunset/Knootoss Defense Pact
- Vinyatírion Economic Intelligence Readiness Treaty of Allied States. - invited
- A host of other bilateral agreements
UN organisations
Despite not being a member of the United Nations, the DDR cooperates with several UN organisations, through the UN office. These are:
- The [International Red Cross Organization]]
- The Global AIDS Initiative
- The UNICAT
- The World Blood Bank.
Formerly member of
- SATO
- UnAPS
- United Nations
- Ur Trade Pact (Defunct)
Related articles
- Shadow War
- Knootian Defence Force
- Combat Application Engineered System for Advanced Response
- Nineteenth century Knootoss
- Order of the Invisible Hand <--- Recommended read
- Fourth Edolian War