Difference between revisions of "Amarenthe"

From NSwiki, the NationStates encyclopedia.
Jump to: navigation, search
m
m
 
Line 25: Line 25:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''[[Population]]''' <br>&nbsp;- Total (2006)
 
| '''[[Population]]''' <br>&nbsp;- Total (2006)
| <br>3,294,000,000 (AO: [http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?region=Atlantian_Oceania&columns=category:population:economy:gdppc:tax:lastlogin&order_by=population&order=desc 39th])
+
| <br>4,647,000,000 (AO: [http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?region=Atlantian_Oceania&columns=category:population:economy:gdppc:tax:lastlogin&order_by=population&order=desc 28th])
 
|-
 
|-
| '''[[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]''' (FY2006/07) <br/>&nbsp; - Total (NSD) <br/>&nbsp; - GDP/capita (NSD)
+
| '''[[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]''' (FY2007/08) <br/>&nbsp; - Total (NSD) <br/>&nbsp; - GDP/capita (NSD)
| <br>$107,323,489,890,027 <br>$32,351.81 (AO: 19th)
+
| <br>$150,728,025,718,181 <br>$32,435 (AO: [http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?region=Atlantian_Oceania&columns=category:population:economy:gdppc:tax:lastlogin&order_by=gdppc&order=desc 18th])
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''National animal''' <br>&nbsp; - English name
 
| '''National animal''' <br>&nbsp; - English name
| ''Panthera tigris blanchum'' <br>[[Wikipedia:White tiger|White Tiger]]
+
| ''Panthera tigris blanchum'' <br>[[Wikipedia:White tiger|White tiger]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''National flower''' <br>&nbsp; - English name
 
|'''National flower''' <br>&nbsp; - English name
Line 45: Line 45:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''National charter of rights'''
 
|'''National charter of rights'''
| Amarenthian Constitution of 1998
+
| ''Amarenthian Constitution'', 1998
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''International abbreviations''' <br>&nbsp; - Sport <br>&nbsp; - Government
 
| '''International abbreviations''' <br>&nbsp; - Sport <br>&nbsp; - Government
Line 55: Line 55:
 
| '''[[Nation codes|Calling code]]'''  
 
| '''[[Nation codes|Calling code]]'''  
 
| <font face="Courier New"> +65
 
| <font face="Courier New"> +65
 +
|-
 +
| '''[[Wikipedia:Gini coefficient|Gini]] index'''
 +
| 43.4 (<font color="red">high</font>)
 +
|-
 +
| '''[[Human Development Index|HDI]]'''
 +
| http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/grn_arrow.png 0.823 (<font color="green">high</font>)
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''[[Pacitalian Development and Advancement System|PDAS]] rating'''
 
| '''[[Pacitalian Development and Advancement System|PDAS]] rating'''
| style="background: #66CD00; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" |<font color=white>C</font>
+
| style="background: #00E5EE; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" | B
 
|-
 
|-
 
| style="background: #2FAA96; height: 0.8em;" colspan=2 |
 
| style="background: #2FAA96; height: 0.8em;" colspan=2 |

Latest revision as of 03:17, 13 July 2007

Democratic Republic of Amarenthe
amarenthe.jpg amarenthecoatofarms.jpg
National flag Coat of arms
Motto The great are only great because we are on our knees
Capital and largest city Mynia
Languages
  - Official
  - Unofficial

Amarenthian English
Gaelic, Pacitalian
Government


  - President
Presidential republic
ADS majority

Stephanie Coulson (ADS)
Independence
  - from the UK
 
31 May 1998
Area
 - Total
 - % water

188,672 km²
1.5%
Population
 - Total (2006)

4,647,000,000 (AO: 28th)
GDP (FY2007/08)
  - Total (NSD)
  - GDP/capita (NSD)

$150,728,025,718,181
$32,435 (AO: 18th)
National animal
  - English name
Panthera tigris blanchum
White tiger
National flower
  - English name
Amaranthus caudatus
Amaranth
National tree
  - English name
Taxodium mucronatum
Montezuma cypress
Currency 1 Silver (AMS) = 100 pence
Time Zone AOTC +0300
National charter of rights Amarenthian Constitution, 1998
International abbreviations
  - Sport
  - Government

AMR
AMR
Internet TLD .amr
Calling code +65
Gini index 43.4 (high)
HDI grn_arrow.png 0.823 (high)
PDAS rating B

The Democratic Republic of Amarenthe (Pacitalian: La Repubblica Democraticali di Amarentinia, Gaelic: An Poblaght ny Deynlagh Amærenthiat) is a small, developing nation-state in the southeastern corner of Atlantian Oceania, bordered on the west and northwest by Pacitalia, and elsewhere by water.

Amarenthe, once a troubled exclave trying to break free of the shackles of British imperialism, saw the tedious (and sometimes violent) struggle for independence carry through until very late in the 20th century, when the UK finally granted Amarenthe full independence. Now a stable, positive and fully democratic state, the friendly and optimistic people of Amarenthe are focusing on economic growth and on expanding the social services network, two trouble-spots weakened by the movement for independence but primed for maturity and development.

Amarenthe finds itself today at the crossroads of a very important land mass. Occupying the southern tip of the Foringanan continent in Atlantian Oceania, Amarenthe serves as the southeastern gateway to Pacitalia, Nova Moepoeia, Izistan and Space Union, as well to much of the rest of Atlantian Oceania thanks to its strategic geographic location. It is hoped tourism and shipping will help build Amarenthe into an economic stronghold with a cemented future.

People and culture

Amarenthians are generally pacifist, benevolent, and left-of-centre. They, for the most part, share the values and beliefs of the ruling Democratic Socialist Party (see: Social democracy) under President Stephanie Coulson. Amarenthians are very friendly and welcoming people, especially to visitors and tourists, and have a mostly positive view of the international community.

Race, ethnicity, life and population

Amarenthe's official population was 81,732,583 at the 2005 census, with Mynia, the capital, having the most people (4,669,409 in the metropolitan area). Ethnic Amarenthians -- those of original English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh ancestry -- make up a commanding 95% of the population. A large contingent of Amarenthians speak fluent Gaelic. Aztec and Mayan descendants make up a further 3% of the population. The remaining 2% is a concoction of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French and Portuguese immigrants.

Life expectancy in Amarenthe is improving but the average lifespan is still only 68 years (68.4 for a female, 67.6 for a male). However, that is dramatically up from the 1999 estimate of 55 years. Lower life expectancy in the country is the result of a developing health care system that, at the moment, simply cannot handle the level of care required for senior citizens. The health care system is improving, though, which is one reason for the spike in life expectancy.

Culture

Historical context

Amarenthian culture is an interesting combination of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish customs and norms, where anything from kilts to crevettes go. Amarenthian culture is much more emphatic about the Irish way of life than anything else, and Irish folklore (leprechauns, blarney stones and all) is a staple in the state. Irish monolithianism has a strong foundation here as well. And, if it could be any harder to believe, Irish beer is the beverage of choice for almost any pastime imaginable (though there are age limits for alcohol consumption).

Food

Amarenthian food is heavily reliant on garden root vegetables like potatoes, onions, carrots and parsnips. Lamb, beef and game are also crucial ingredients in most Amarenthian recipes. Amarenthian beef stew is the signature dish of the nation, a delicious combination of stewed beef, potatoes, peas, carrots, onion, tomato, celery and rich gravy.

In addition to traditional fare, Amarenthian cities are opening up to international cuisine, and most citizens are keen to experience the foods of near and far.

Attitudes

Amarenthians, once traditionally conservative because of the influences of the mother country, have adopted a tolerant, laid-back attitude towards living, reflected in the increasing secularisation of the country. Amarenthe is extremely tolerant of LGBT persons, and of touchy social issues like same-sex marriage, euthanasia and abortion.

Religion

As mentioned, Amarenthe is a strongly secular state. Once a nation with a majority Christian population, Amarenthe recorded in the 2005 census that only 22% of registered citizens were still practicing Christians. Even worse for pro-religious groups was the news that only 9% of Amarenthians attend church weekly (compared with 58% in Pacitalia). The level of secularisation in Amarenthe is so great that the nation is now rivaling traditional and better-known secular liberal democracies like Knootoss. More Amarenthians are becoming pagan as of late.

Holidays and customs

The following is a list of the major Amarenthian holidays and customs.

  • January 1 - New Year's Day
  • February 14 - Valentine's Day
  • March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
  • April 1 - April Fools Day
  • May 31 - Amarenthe Day
  • June 21 - Solstice
  • October 31 - Hallowe'en
  • December 25 - Christmas Day
  • December 31 - New Year's Eve

Suffrage

Universal suffrage exists in Amarenthe. Provincially, 16 is the minimum age to vote. Federally, the minimum age is 18 to vote; this also applies nationwide for drinking and smoking. The low ages are another mark of Amarenthe's liberalised political outlook: the age used to be 21 both provincially and federally.

Sport and recreation

Amarenthe is growing an interest in many spectator sports. Amarenthe is a reasonable force in football, cricket and rugby and there is an increasing interest in ice hockey. Many Amarenthians avidly follow teams in the Ligura Futaboli di Pacitalia and Ligura Hockey di Pacitalia. Recently, Amarenthe's capital was given an LHP expansion team.

Politics and government

<div" class="plainlinksneverexpand">cid_1123538422_05165v.150.jpg
Amarenthe's House of Lords (historical pic).
</div>

Amarenthe is a presidential republic with a unicameral legislative branch. The powers of head of state and head of government are both invested in the president, elected every four years by direct popular vote. The president leads the House of Lords sessions and has veto power over any legislation signed. The House of Lords consists of 726 seats with approximately 112,579 residents per seat. Members of the House are referred to not as Lords but as Members of the Amarenthian Parliament (MAPs). They are also elected every four years. Currently, the Democratic Socialist Party has a plurality of the seats (about 40% of them) but, thus, not a majority. The Green Party props up the DSP minority, while the Conservative Party forms the official opposition.

The president appoints 12 MAPs to fill cabinet positions. The 12 cabinet positions are foreign affairs, defence, agriculture, justice, health, education, finance, commerce, environment, transportation, labour, and religion and spirituality.

Unlike other former British colonies, Amarenthe does not swear allegiance to the Queen because she is not a realm of the British commonwealth. One of the terms of independence in 1998 was "complete cessation of formal and informal ties to the United Kingdom, excluding cultural and historical institutions and ideas, and the establishment of new diplomatic ties".

There are four provinces in Amarenthe: Nua Eire, Sheffield, Durstun and Fennland. Each is governed by a provincial premier and individual legislatures. The capital, Mynia, is in the province of Sheffield, while Larne, the major port, is in Nua Eire.

Economy

Amarenthe's economy is agriculture and tourism-based with an increasing base of heavy industry and manufacturing. Labour standards are improving to the chagrin of corporations that set up shop here to take advantage of the once lax laws. The average personal income of an Amarenthian has increased from a pathetic $500 US in 1995 to nearly $36,000 in 2006; with it, increases in pricing and taxes due to inflation and government needs (to improve the infrastructure) have occurred.

  • GDP: NS$107 trillion (2006)
  • GDP per capita: NS$32,351.81 (2006)
  • Average personal income: NS$35,863.95 (2006)
  • Unemployment rate: 4.04% (est. 6/2006)
  • Major sectors: Services - 43%, Agriculture - 25%, Industry - 23%, Other - 9%


Imports and exports

Amarenthe's main imports are textiles, automobiles, personal computers, food products, energy products and fresh water. Their principal exports are beans, grains, dairy products, produce, natural gas and mined minerals. Amarenthe has a respectable sized gold deposit at its eastern end which is yet to be capitalised upon. Much of Amarenthe's trade is still government-regulated.

Transportation

Amarenthe is consistently improving its transportation system for the benefit of its people and economy, but their improvements were most noticeable in 2004 and 2005 with the opening of the metro-subway network in Mynia and the first tolled six-lane highways across the small state.
<div" class="plainlinksneverexpand">cid_2472171.150.jpg
Larne's Central Train Station.
</div> However, much of the country's highway network remains underdeveloped or in need of repair. The only major highway in Amarenthe is the N1 between Mynia and Larne. Gridlock is a problem, especially in the inner cities.

Amarenthe's major international airports are at Mynia and Larne, as are its major train and bus stations. Flights and trains arrive and depart daily for nearby countries like Pacitalia, Nova Moepoeia and Space Union but Amarenthe's importance as an air hub is enormously overshadowed by aerocentres like Timiocato (the capital of Pacitalia) and Nortopalazzo (Pacitalia's second-largest city). Flights to Amarenthe are ninety-nine times out of one hundred there because Amarenthe is the final destination. Mynia only serves as a connection point for smaller airports. Ferries transport cars and passengers between Mynia and the Amarenthian and Pacitalian islands.

Communication

Amarenthe's telephone system is highly developed and most homes have at least one telephone. The same goes for the internet system, mostly based on free-access wireless internet points ('hotspots'). Public telephones are almost everywhere in Amarenthe as are large television boards carrying news updates or local weather.

Amarenthian television and radio networks are private and independently-minded, though individual networks show liberal or conservative bias depending on the program or the host. Richard Reger is a popular social-democratic radio host who is vocally anti-capitalist and highly critical of Pacitalian foreign policy, calling their war against Hiroshiko in 2005 a "terrorist operation".

Amarenthe's high level of internal communication is lauded and believed to be responsible for the state's quickly improving quality of life.

Foreign policy

International relations

Amarenthe is not a member of any major organisations, and does not recognise the jurisdiction of the United Nations because it is not a member. However, Amarenthe maintains strong relations with individual nations. Among them:

Military

Amarenthe maintains a small military of around 175,000 (combined active/reserve total, 12/2005). Currently, most of the active forces are active in emergency task-force operations both at home and abroad, acting as peacekeepers in troubled areas. Around 20,000 of these men serve in a combined naval/aeronautic force, and Pacitalia is reportedly training 800 army soldiers in a new special-operations force to help in small conflicts abroad (1). Amarenthe's sovereignty is conventionally assured (meaning there is no formal agreement) by Pacitalia, Sarzonia and the AORDO, the region's unified defence organisation.

Geography and climate

Amarenthe is mostly softly rolling hills, with cliffs in the east and northeast. The south and north shores are flat and at sea level and there are no violent changes in elevation or biome (Amarenthe is basically completely tropical). Summer temperatures reach about 35*C during the day and fall to around 15*C at night (but it will feel warmer if it is quite humid). In the winter, the average temperature on a sunny day is 22*C and at night, 11*C. Mynia has smog problems but the alleviation of such issues is being handled admirably by the Amarenthian government. Air quality has gone up considerably since 1996.

Atlantian Oceania on NSwiki
Main articles: Atlantian Oceania, AO QuickInfo
Nation pages: 95X, Acarionne, Amarenthe, Atheistic Right, Az-cz, Bazalonia, Bettia, Bostopia, Chacor, Crystilakere, Delesa, Demot, Falcania, Fmjphoenix, Geisenfried, Hypocria, Iizaarland, Khazaron, Kura-Pelland, Lamoni, Lontorika, Manhattan Prime, Maraque, Milchama, Morgrugyn, Nedalia, New Montreal States, Nojika, Northern Bettia, Nova Britannicus, NSWC Signups, Oliverry, Pacitalia, Quakmybush, Sarzonia, Schiavonia, Spruitland, Starblaydia, Tempalhiyon, The Islands of Qutar, The Lowland Clans, Turori, Ubundi, Unified Capitalizt States, Vephrall, Vilita, Walsallia, Western Afghanistan, Wulaishen
Regional info: Atlantian Oceania Regional Defence Organisation, Atlantian Oceania Regional Free Trade Organisation, Atlantian Oceania UN Voting, Lake Bekk, Major airports in Atlantian Oceania
Sports-related: AO Bowl, AO Champions League, Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football (AOCAF)
For more information or to see non-listed pages, please see Category:Atlantian Oceania.