Antrium
The Grand Democracy of Antrium is a nation in the eastern part of the International Democratic Union. It is usually classified as a Democratic Socialism or Inoffensive Centrist Democracy. It was founded in 2005 after the collapse of the American Federalist government. Today, it has nine provinces and over 1.7 billion citizens. Right now, Antrium is the elected UN delegate of the International Democratic Union.
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Contents
History
The American Federalist 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.
(For more information, see American Federalist/Riconiaa Refugee Crisis)
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.
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
- 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
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.
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.
Government Officials
Current Antrium government officials are:
Prime Minister: Aranti Devaléra
Assistant Prime Minister: Kenima Kwīstàrmejàn
UN Ambassador: Jokwero Manīzca
President of the Antrium Red Cross: Dérgrino Blantī
President of the Antrium Mint: Mīrros Valso
President of the Antrium Space Agency: Ramoro Elaksim
Media
Antrium's most popular newspaper is The Antrium Beacon-Times.
