Antrium
| |
| Flag of Antrium | |
| Motto: Aio, quantitas magna frumentorum est | |
| |
| Region | International Democratic Union |
|---|---|
| Capital | Sivaris |
| Official Language(s) | English, French, Alvésin |
| Government | |
| - Prime Minister | Aranti Dévalera |
| Population | over 1.7 billion |
| Currency | Conargo |
| Internet TLD | .an |
| Calling code | +027
|
| ISO Code | IDAN
|
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Grand Democracy of Antrium is a nation in the eastern part of the International Democratic Union. It is usually classified as a parliamentary democracy with socialist tendancies. Its capital and largest city is Sivaris. It was founded in 2005 after the collapse of the American Federalist government. Today, it has nine provinces and over 1.7 billion citizens.
Contents
History
The American Federalist Crisis
- Main article: American Federalist/Riconiaa Refugee Crisis.
Antrium was founded August 12, 2005, in the International Democratic Union, by refugees from the former state of American Federalist. American Federalist failed on August 11, 2005 after a war in January of that year, when the eastern provinces of American Federalist, North Hiel and Ituri, who had earlier supported the Federalist Party, took up arms against them. This may have been caused by a 2004 genocide in Ituri led by militants from IDU Unknown Lands. The government did not contain these militants. The Federalist Party stayed in office because of intervention by Domnonia, Hiel, and Keeslandia. The President was later assassinated.
The failure of American Federalist pushed hundreds of thousands of Federalists to leave the country. Many left to surrounding Malabra, Keeslandia, and Domnonia. A militia called the Nationalist and Integrationist Front killed 9,000 Federalists at this time, and caused approximately 270,000 to flee the country.
After this, many Federalists in the mid-southern part of American Federalist, wanting peace and order, considered starting a new state.
The Founding of Antrium
After a few local political groups got involved, they drafted a Declaration of Independence for the new state, which would be called Antrium. They formed a new democratic government and regained electricity and water. When order was restored, they had their first elections.
There were only two candidates in this election, Nàkàro Ventalīz, a conservative from the eastern provinces of former American Federalist, and Arànti Devaléra, a liberal from the central areas of Antrium. Devaléra won and immediately started setting up a Parliament and appointing government jobs.
Antrium was then split into four provinces (Norato, Esto, Soréto, and Véo) and Sivaris was chosen as its capital (and has its own province, The District of Sivaris), because of its central location.
In September 2005, the Antrium Red Cross found a group of refugees from the American Federalist crisis living in a region southeast of Antrium, called Alvés-Navlan, for the two groups of people living there: the Alvesis and the Navlanis. After a relief effort by the ARC and the Grey Nuns of Listeneisse, power and water was restored to the area. The citizens of the area decided to vote on whether to become independent or to become a province of Antrium. On December 3rd, they voted for becoming a province of Antrium, 68% to 32%. The province's capital is Marnezjalis.
After The Crisis
Antrium joined the United Nations and on September 22, 2005, the Antrian UN ambassador, Jokwero Manīzka wrote and passed Antrium's first UN resolution, Labeling Standards.
Three more provinces (Kostatero, Lakitéo, and Monvelàro) were annexed on February 18, 2006. The government said that it annexed the properties to help feed Antrium's rapidly growing population, and to help its struggling agricultural industry. It also provided more space, lowering population densities in many of Antrium's larger cities.
Antrium has sent a team to the First Winter Olympics.
On May 18, 2006, the Antrian Christian Society founded a new country based on Christian principles southwest of Antrium, called the Christian Republic of South Antrium.
For more recent events, read the Antrium Beacon-Times Online.
Geography
Most of the country is in higher elevations, with the Granvéo Mountains on the western side of the country, and other mountains and elevated lands spreading throughout most of the eastern and southern parts of the country. These mountains are home to the Antrian Hare, Antrium's national animal.
In the province of Alvés-Navlan and in the northeast, there are some lowlands. These lowlands are home to almost all of Antrium's agricultural industry.
Antrium also has a long coastline, two lakes, and many rivers. The eastern side of the country borders the East Union Sea. These low beaches are Antrium's most popular vacation destination. Other popular destinations include the two large lakes of Antrium: Lake Spitz in the north and Lake Kernow in the south. All of the rivers in the country are in its western half.
Culture
Holidays
- January 1 - New Year's Day
- February 20 - Flag Day
- May 16 - Aranti Devaléra Day (made an official holiday in November 2005 in honor of Aranti Devaléra, Antrium's first Prime Minister, who is commonly called The Father of Antrium)
- July 24 - Democracy Day
- August 12 - Founding Day
- September 22-27 - Fall Festival
Music
Music is a large part of the average Antrian's life. Most cities with more than 10,000 people, especially those with colleges, have at least one radio station. These same cities almost always have places set up for bands to play, and record or CD stores. Antrian and foreign groups, especially those on independent labels, often like to tour smaller cities to see more of the nation and areas that do not get to see as many acts.
The most popular types of music in Antrium are electronic and rock, although acts in many other genres have become popular as well. Independent labels dominate the music scene in Antrium, with their artists often selling nearly as many, if not as many, records as major label artists.
The Antrian Board of Recording Artists (ABRI) certifies albums with the labels bronze (100,000 records sold), silver (500,000 records sold) and gold (1,000,000 records sold). They also hold the Antrian Music Awards each year.
Divisions
Provinces
Antrium is divided into nine provinces. At the time Antrium was founded, there were only four: Esto, Norato, Soréto, and Véo. These are sometimes called the Original Provinces.
Counties
Each province in Antrium is split into counties. Each county sends representatives (the amount is based on the county's population) to the Provincial Parliament, which then sends 5 representatives to the National Parliament. Both Parliaments consist of 45 representatives.
Religion
The Antrian government is known for its anti-religious stance, and many of its citizens share these beliefs. Over one third of the country are either Agnostics or Atheists. The leading religion of the country is Christianity, with almost one third of Antrians, followed by the "Other" category. The reason for the high number of "other" religions is because of the many tribal religions of the Alvésis and Navlanis that have spread through much of southern Antrium. There are also small minorities of other religions present.
Language
Antrium has three official languages, but many more are spoken in small numbers throughout the country. Its official languages are:
English
English was Antrium's first official language, adopted when the country was founded. According to the most recent census results, 96% of Antrians speak English fluently, making English the most spoken language in Antrium. It is required in all government-funded schools in all provinces, and is spoken widely in almost all places in Antrium.
French
French was Antrium's second official language, adopted in early September 2005, when the Antrium Parliament voted in favor of it, 79-21. French is spoken by an estimated 64% of Antrians. It is the second most widely spoken language in Antrium. French is the primary language in most of Véo and southern Norato. It is now required in all government-funded schools in all provinces.
Alvésin
Alvésin is a tribal language spoken by a group called the Alvési, who live mostly in southeastern Soréto and in Alvés-Navlan. It is the most spoken language in Alvés-Navlan, and the third most in Antrium. It became an official language of Antrium in late September 2005, when Parliament voted in favor of it, 58-42. 19% of Antrians can speak Alvésin. It is now gaining more speakers as it is required in all government-funded schools in Soréto, and is also taught in some schools in Esto and Sivaris. Some of the leaders in Alvés-Navlan want to create an academy similar to French's Académie française, to preserve the language. Many place names in Antrium are in Alvésin, such as the province names, and many city names. Sivaris means "city of rivers", "siva" meaning city, and "ris" meaning rivers.
Media
Antrium's most popular newspaper is The Antrium Beacon-Times, which is available across the country, and read by a majority of Antrians daily. Antrium is also home to thousands of radio and TV stations, with most based in larger cities. Most cities also have at least one local newspaper and news radio station.
Economy
Antrium has been known for its strong Automobile Manufacturing industry, with 4 major auto companies in the country. There are many automobile factories throughout Antrium, especially in Soréto.
In early 2006, Antrian automobile sales decreased drastically, due to the government's promotion of mass transit and carpooling. Thousands of Antrians lost their jobs. Ràvelo Automobile Company, once the 4th most successful company in Antrium (behind the other three auto companies) declared bankruptcy in March 2006. It was the first auto company to do so in the history of Antrium.
Antrium's primary industry then changed to Book Publishing. New companies like Les Éditeurs Antriens, The Jérīn-Velmàrtū Press, Le Lapin Rouge, and High Mountain Publishing, were among Antrium's top companies. Many Antrians who lost their manufacturing jobs worked in book publishing at this time.
In April 2006, the Antrian government announced it would be giving support to the struggling Automobile Manufacturing industry, and many Antrians reclaimed their manufacturing jobs. It once again became Antrium's leading industry.
Other important industries include tourism, especially on the eastern coast and the mountains, and agriculture in the northeast.
Currency
When Antrium was founded until February 21, 2007, the official Antrian currency was the Verino. In February 2007, the IDU Currency Organization decided on a regional currency called the Conargo, which Antrium now uses as currency. The country sent Étienne Ouellet as its representative to the organization, who helped make some decisions about valuation and other aspects of the money. Antrians are able to trade in verinos for Conargos at any bank in the country at a ratio of about 71 centis per Conargo.
Symbols
Symbols used to identify Antrium in the country are:
- Flag: Flag of Antrium
- National animal: Antrian Hare
- National bird: Granvéo Snowfinch
Nation Codes
These codes are used to identify Antrium in the international community:
- ISO nation code: IDAN
- International sports code: ANT
- International phone code: 027
- Carplate code: AN
- National TLD: .an
Government Officials
Current Antrium government officials are:
Prime Minister: Aranti Devaléra
Assistant Prime Minister: Kenima Kwîstàrmejàn
UN Ambassador: Jokwero Manîzca
President of the Antrium Red Cross: Dérgrino Blantî
President of the Antrium Mint: Mîrros Valso
President of the Antrium Space Agency: Ramoro Elaksim
International Organizations
Antrium is a member of the following organizations:
