Arendaal
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| Flag of Arendaal | |
| Motto: Den største plikt av en Herskeren var å forsikre lykken av sinne Folket | |
| Map | |
| Region | Europe |
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| Capital | Emyn Arnen |
| Official Language(s) | Arnen, English, others listed under "Aren Languages" |
| Leader | Chancellor Pieter von Larscröna & King Edvard V |
| Population | +1.4 billion |
| Currency | Reath |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Arendaal is a rich, liberal, democratic, pacifist Scandinavian Constitutional Monarchy in Western Europe.
Established as a nation in 810 AD, Arendaal is very much open to immigration, and prides itself on tolerance and striving towards excellence in every regard. It is well known for it’s lavish lifestyle and overwhelming beauty in all aspects - beautiful people, landscapes, artistic achievements and architecture.
It’s generous social security and welfare system, supported by the large revenues generated by it’s oil and natural gas reserves, allow for one of the highest living standards in Europe. The Aren people also enjoy the very highest standards of education and health care - all provided for free - and ample political & social freedoms.
For more information please visit: Arendaal's Webpage (http://www.freewebs.com/arendaal)
Kongeriket Arendäl
Country name:
conventional long form: Constitutional Monarchy of Arendaal
conventional short form: Arendaal
local long form: Kongeriket Arendäl
local short form: Arendäl
Data code: AR
Government type: Constitutional Monarchy
National capital: Emyn Arnen
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (fylker, singular—fylke); Norseberg, Stockholm, Fjordholm, Rosekilde, Finnberg, Krystallberg, Icelandic Territories/Icenti
Provincial Capitals: Emyn Arnen (Norseberg), Trondheim (Stockholm), Helsindor (Fjordholm), Nareath (Rosekilde), Kronstad (Finnberg), Thorvald (Krystallberg), Rakverje (Icenti)
Nationality: noun: Aren (plural: Aren) ; adjective: Aren
Ethnic groups: diverse; mostly Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Lapps (Sami), Korean, various others
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 38 %, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 12%, other 11%, none 39%,
Languages: Aren & English (both official) Norse, German, Norwegian, Dutch and French also spoken [Finnish, Lapp, Korean, Turkish, Hebrew, Russian, Urdu and Mandarin speaking minorities also prominent]
National Animal: The Stallion
National Flower: The White Rose
National Tree: The Norse Pine
National Sport: Skiing (due to Arendaal's distinctive landscape and abundance of snow in the winter)
The National Flag of Arendaal
The National Anthem
"Av der Gladen" (to the tune of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy")
Gladen, skjønne Götterfunken,
Datter av Elysium,
Vir bryddetten feuertrunken,
Himmelske, din Heiligtum!
Dinne Dellig bandsjna aftur,
det som Moten barsk geteilt:
Alle Folke vorden Brødre,
der din sanfter Flügel weilt!
Ert verölden, Millijónen!
Denne Kuss den allen Velt!
Brødre, grensel Sternenzelt
mått en helser Folke vohnt.
Geography
Arendaal is well known for it's sublime lanscapes and stunning environment. It is located to the west of Kelas , the North of Rokolev and ECE and to the south of Hugoland
Map of Arendaal
Here is a detailed map of Arendaal indicating its location in Northern Europe and it's major cities:
Climate
Arendaal shares the extremely cold climate typical of Nordic countries. Because of the North Atlantic Drift, the coast has a milder climate for a northern country, although winters are long and cold. The interior of Arendaal is colder, particularly in areas of high elevation especially in the far east. It is rainy year-round.
Terrain
The coastline, 1,700 miles (2,740 km) long, is fringed with and is deeply indented by numerous fjords. From the coast the land rises sharply to high plateau. The highest peak rises up to 3,472 m, west of which lies perhaps the largest glacier field in Europe. The mountains and plateaus are intersected by fertile valleys, and by rapid rivers, which furnish hydroelectric power and are used for logging. They are covered in lush pine forests.
Most of the population is concentrated along the western coast and in the nation's valleys, where most chief cities are located. The eastern borders are lined with high mountains.
Land: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north; 5 main rivers which branch out into several smaller rivers. Most cities are located on or near a major river.
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: 0 m
highest point: 3,472 m (Mt. Blanc)
Natural resources: petroleum, oil, silver, platinum, diamonds, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, steel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 27%
forests and woodland: 48%
Climate
Arendaal has a cold climate typical of Nordic countries. Because of the North Atlantic Drift, the coast has a milder climate for a northern country, although winters are long and cold. The interior of Arendaal is colder, particularly in areas of high elevation especially in the far east. It is rainy year-round.
Government
Arendaal is a Constitutional Monarchy where the Monarch is ceremonial head of state, and the government is headed by a Chancellor chosen by the national Parliament which is elected directly by the citizens of the nation. The ceremonial functions of the Chancellor are performed by a President, who is therefore the ceremonial head of government. This system has existed since 1850.
Government Leaders
Ceremonial Chief of State: King Edvard V (since 1974)
Heir Apparent: Crown Prince Hans Matthias IV
Head of Government: Chancellor Pieter von Larscröna
The Chancellor is the head of government and, as such, the political leader of the country. Citizens elect the Parliament (Stortinget), which in turn picks the Chancellor. Elections are held every four years, but there is no limit set on how many times one individual may hold the office.
Ceremonial and Administrative Head of Government: President Dr. Friederick Helmgaard
The President performs largely ceremonial and administrative functions, and represents the nation from above the partisan fray. He signs laws into power, and is appointed by the National Senate (Riksrådet) with the approval of Parliament.
Political System
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Constitution: 1817, modified in 1884 and 1964
Every Aren citizen has an "active" and a "passive" franchise. The active franchise - ie: the right to vote - allows each adult citizen two votes. One is cast for a party at the national level, and a second is cast independantly - and possibly for a different party - at the provincial level. Accordingly, Aren citizens elect members of the National Parliament and of Provincial Parliaments directly. Since the provincial representatives that make up the National "Senate" or "Upper House" are members of provincial parliament, they too have been elected by the people.
The "passive" franchise - ie: the right to hold office - is afforded to all Aren citizens over 18 years of age, regardless of place of birth, ethnic origin, gender, sexual preference and monetary assets.
Stortinget: The National Parliament (Stortinget) is the chief repository of political power as delegated directly by Aren citizens through their votes. Six parties are represented in the current Parliament: two in the governing coalition and four in opposition. In addition to its legislative functions, it serves as a check upon the power of the executive branch of government. Arendaal has various systems of checks and balances to prevent concentration of power in the central government, an individual or a single group.
Riksrådet: The 'upper house' or 'national council' ("federal council") is the representation of the 7 provinces (fylker) of Arendaal. It is accordingly composed of delegates from the provincial governments. Seats are alotted to provinces in accordance with the population of the province, yet articles in the Constitution of Arendaal ensure that the smaller provinces receive a great deal of representation per inhabitant. In contrast to many other legislative bodies, the provincial delegates to the Riksrådet are required to vote as a bloc and represent the position of the provincial government.
Royal Family
The Current Royal Family consists of His Majesty, King Edvard V, his wife Queen Elisabet and their children:
Crown Prince Hans-Matthias, Prince Ferdinand and Princess Sophia.
Though the Aren Royal Family hold no real political power, they occupy a central and celebrated position in Aren society and with relation to the Aren government in ceremonial affairs of state. They are also extensively involved in Charity work, seeking to aid empoverished countries and peoples, as well as improve the life of Aren citizens in any way they can.
The current King, Edvard V, who hails from the House of Nareath - the single longest dynasty to have ruled Arendaal - is the Aren Chief of State. As such he is responsible for meeting foreign dignitaries, hosting state galas & events and issuing the Royal Decrees which ceremonially confirm the appointment of Chancellors, Presidents, Cabinet Ministers, Senior Civil Servants, Senior Military Figures and Aren Ambassadors to foreign nations.
Royal Marriages to Other Royal Families
Though not conducted as it once was, inter-marriage between the Aren Royal Family and other Royal Houses from across Europe does still occur.
The neice of King Edvard V and daughter of HRH's late brother Prince Varick, Princess Katarina von Nareath, Duchess of Krystallberg is married to the Grand Duke of Montelimar and is therefore, the Grand Duchess of Montelimar.
Katarina's younger sister, Princess Iselin is engaged to the Crown Prince of Kelas
The niece of Queen Elisabet, the Duchess of Maastricht Mara der Aufengaard is engaged to the Infante of the Spanish Kingdom
National Cabinet
The National Cabinet is chaired by the Chancellor and is composed of Arendaal's most important National Ministers. This state council is selected by the Chancellor and then ceremonially appointed by the President and a Royal decree after approval from the Parliment. Members of the cabinet are overwhelmingly drawn from the Parliament and retain their Parliamentary seats while serving as ministers. The constitution maintains that ministers conduct the affairs of their ministries autonomously and with full responsibility, within the guidelines set by the chancellor.
The national government consists of 31 ministries, as follows:
Foreign; Interior; Defence; Justice; Economy; Technology; Finance; Treasury; Commerce and Development; Industry; International Cooperation; Small-scale Industry; Health and Research; Education; Communications; Agriculture; Environment; Social Security and Welfare; Housing and Building; Labour; Culture; Public Affairs; Minority Affairs; Youth Affairs; Women’s Affairs; Senior Citizens Affairs; Transportation; Travel & Tourism; Sport.
These are the members of the current Cabinet:
These are the other Ministers of Arendaal's National Government:
These are various other important figures in the Aren Government and its infrastructure:
Political Parties
There are six main political parties which operate in Emyn Arnen. The liberal social democrats (SPD) and the Green Party (GP) currently make up the coalition government of Arendaal.
The other four parties, which make up the Parliamentary opposition include: VSU (Center Left) LPEW (Center Right) PoN (Socialist) AVM (Libertarian)
Military
The Aren Armed Forces, or Försvarsmakten, are a Government agency responsible for the peacetime operation of the armed forces of Arendaal. As a Government agency, they report to the Aren Ministry of Defence. The primary long time task of the agency is to prepare for the defense of the country in the event of war, with the short-term task of training and deploying peace support forces abroad.
As is custom, the Armed Forces are branched into:
The Royal Aren Army, The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
The head of armed forces is the Commander-in-Chief of the Aren Armed Forces (Överbefälhavaren, ÖB), the most senior officer in the country. He is also head of the army. Directly under him are the heads of the Navy and Air Force.
Arendaal is both a politically neutral and largely pacifist nation, but nonetheless has an efficient military built on conscription. All adult males of or over 20 years of age - providing they are physically and mentally able - are required to perform 2 years of military service. The Aren military is well trained and disciplined, largely due to its experience of acting as peace keepers in war torn areas of the world.
Until 1850, being a conscientious objector didn't count in Arendaal. However, ever since it is now possible to serve in a non-combatant role working for the army: in administrative affairs for example. Since the Aren military does not engage in war, serving a non-combatant role is rare. Conscientious objectors are also allowed to perform Zivildienst (civilian service) in a nursing home, etc. instead of joining the military, at the cost of serving 50% longer than they would in the armed forces.
This conscription draft is often critisized by political parties, and is currently under revision, though given the fact that it pays its conscripts well it is actually fairly popular among the populace.
Army (Armén)
The Royal Aren Army is headed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Aren Armed Forces, the Överbefälhavaren (ÖB). The current head of the Armed Forces and Royal Army is Överbefälhavaren The Duke of Ekeheim, Hans Brännare.
The peace time organization of the Royal Aren Army is divided into a number of training regiments for the different corps. These include:
Infantry Corps (One and a half regiment of infantry troops)
Cavalry Corps ( Two and a half regiments of cavalry troops)
Armoured Corps (Five regiments of armoured troops)
Artillery Corps (One regiment and one battalion of artillery troops)
Anti-Aircraft Corps (One regiment and one battalion of anti-aircraft troops)
Engineer Corps (One regiment and one battalion of engineering troops)
Signal Corps (One regiment and one battalion of signaling troops)
Logistic Corps (One regiment and one battalion of supply troops)
The Royal Aren Navy is led by the Chief of the Navy, the Vören Marinen (VM), who has the rank of Admiral. The Current head of the Army is Vören Marinen Admiral Sir Ericus der Soderberg.
The Royal Aren Navy is the naval branch of the Aren Armed Forces. It consists of surface and submarine naval units – the Fleet (Flottan) – as well as marine units, the so-called Amphibious Corps (Amfibiekåren). It is the largest part of the Armed Forces, and traces its routes back to the historical tie between the Aren and the Sea.
The Aren Maritime Force is divided into:
The Surface Fleet
The Fleet Air Arm
The Submarine Fleet
The Royal Marines
Air Force (Flygvarnet)
The Royal Aren Air Force is headed by the Chief of the Air Force, the Vören Flygvarnet. The current head of the Air Force is Vören Flygvarnet Air Marshall (Fältmarskalk) Sir Mikko Spoor
It is the smallest part of the Military, but is superbly trained, skilled and efficient. It is composed of:
Fighter Units
Gripen fighter (two-seat version) with Four wings of fighters:
Jämtland Air Force Wing (F 4)
Skaraborg Air Force Wing (F 7)
Blekinge Air Force Wing (F 17)
Norrbotten Air Force Wing (F 21)
Helicopter Units
The aviation units that formerly were under the Aren Army ("Arméflyget") and the Royal Navy ("Marinflyget") have been merged with the helicopter units of the Air Force to form the single Helicopter Wing (Hkpflj) for the entire Armed Forces. The wing has been placed under the authority of the Air Force and consists of 7 Helicopter Squadrons.
Economy
The economy of Arendaal is largely supported by its oil and natural gas reserves, the massive banking system and the fact that its cities are a European centre for business and investment. In recent years, automobile and ship manufacture as well as tourism have also come to contribute significantly to revenue.
Currency: Reath
ARR -- Arendaal, Aren Reath, (ÄRR) -- ARR 1.0 = 1.0 EURO
Exhange Rate: 1 Reath : 1 Euro
GDP: purchasing power parity: $209.68 billion
GDP-real growth rate: 12.5%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity: $87,300
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 34% services:63 %
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2%
Labor force:
total: 2.13 million
by occupation: services 51.86%, industry 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7%
Unemployment rate: 0.14%
Budget:
revenues: $258 billion
expenditures: $127 billion, including capital expenditures
Industries: Oil, petroleum and natural gas, banking system, automobile manufacturing, diamond production and cutting, shipbuilding, timber, textiles, mining, metals, chemicals, pulp and paper products, fishing, food processing, book publishing, luxury goods and gambling.
Business
Arendaal is proud to be one of the best business locations in Europe. Among the many benefits of setting up business operations here, the following are the main pillars of our success:
1. High productivity combined with high quality products and services
2. Investor and business-friendly government in a country with modest taxation
3. Currency and price stability
4. First-rate infrastructure
5. Efficient capital market and a highly professional international banking system
6. Excellent education - at the public school and academic level, as well as the dual vocational training system
7. World-renowned universities, technical institutes and R&D institutions
8. Social peace and political stability
Oil & Natural Gas
The economy of Arendaal is largely contigent upon revenue generated from the vast Oil and Natural Gas Reserves found in the North Sea off the coast of Arendaal. Since the discovery of Oil and Natural Gas in these waters during 1949, Arendaal's chief state owned Oil Company - Roya StatOil - has used the revenue to fund the Aren welfare, education and health systerms, the high living standards of the populace and various other services.
These systems are of the most excellent quality and are provided for free to the citizens of Arendaal. The vast revenue generated from oil also ensures that taxes in Arendaal are not high as they do not serve to fund the extensive benefits received by citizens.
OIL
Royal StatOil
Proven reserves: About 19,950 billion bbl
Total production: About 262,900 million bbl/ day
Kiersblad Oil
Proven reserves: About 7,710 billion bbl
Total production: About 148,500 million bbl/ day
Svensen Oil
Proven reserves: About 7,670 billion bbl
Total Production: About 137, 900 million bbl/ day
Arendaal daily Consumption: About 46,000 million bbl/ day
NATURAL GAS
Proved reserves: 1,116 trillion cu m
Production: 27.6 billion cu m per year
Consumption: 16.33 billion cu m per year
Oil Companies
There are three main oil companies in Arendaal: Royal StatOil, Kiersblad Oil and Svensen Oil.
Royal StatOil
This oil company has been nationalized and its revenues fund the high living standards of Arendaal and the superb social welfare, health care and education systems, which provide Aren citizens with impeccable service free of charge.
The company does have some private shareholders, including the Royal Family. It is oil revenue, and not state taxes, which financially support the Royal Family. In 1949, when the company was founded, the Royal Family mortgaged most of their land holdings to the government and bought 5% of StatOil, making them privately wealthy.
Kiersblad Oil
This Oil Company is largely owned by the Kiersblad family, and run by Aren businessman and oil tycoon, Sir Jan Kiersblad. However, shareholders own 60% of its shares. Sir Jan owns 30 % of its shares, while 10 % are owned by the state.
Svensen Oil
This too is a privately owned oil company. Infact, Sir Gustav Svensen, heir to his grandfather's fortune and Duke of Verkhovyna (by marriage) owns 45 % of it. 10 % of the company is owned by the state and the rest by private shareholders.
The Banking System
The banking sector is one of the most important branches of the Aren economy. Almost 7% of the nation's workforce is employed in the industry. It contributes over one-tenth of the added value of the Aren economy. Aren banks manage over 2 trillion euro in assets, of which more than half comes from foreign countries.
The banking system, is based on the concept of universal banking, whereby all banks can offer all banking services. This is directly opposite of banking systems in countries like England, the USA and Japan which separate commercial banking from investment banking.
Arendaal has a long tradition of economic and financial stability, which translates into low inflation, low interest rates and a significant role of the Aren Reath, particularly in the asset management and issue underwriting business.
Above-average performance, high quality services, transparency of the costs and a good price/performance ratio underpin the attractiveness of Arendaal as a financial centre.
Banks in Arendaal
The two “big banks” - The Royal Bank of Arendaal (RBA) and the Bank of Stockholm (BSO) together account for over 50% of the balance sheet total of all banks in Arendaal.
RBA is the world's leader in wealth management and also Arendaal's leading bank for individual and corporate clients. It is also an important global player in investment banking and the securities business.
The BSO is a globally-active financial services provider. As a financial intermediary it serves global companies and institutions as well as public corporations and private clientele.
Society
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20%
15-64 years: 65%
65 years and over: 15%
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.6 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.6 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.4 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
Population growth rate: 0.41%
Birth rate: 13/1,000 population
Death rate: 14 /1,000 population
Net migration rate: 4.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 5 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.23 years
male: 75.42 years
female: 81.21 years
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman
Literacy: definition: age 16 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8 %
Note: The standards of Aren education are exceptionally high. The three highest ranked universities in Arendaal are located in Emyn Arnen, Helsindor and Krönstad, respectively.
Aren Languages
The two main official languages of Arendaal are English and Aren, with all citizens proficient in both. High school graduates are also required to be fluent in a third language, most commonly Norse, German, French, Dutch or Norwegian.
The native Aren language derives from the Germanic dialects of Nordic descent intergrated with elements of Latinate vocabulary (via the popularity of French in Aren history).
To better illustrate the Aren language, here are some basic phrases in Aren provided with English translation.
Hyggelig å treffe dieg … pleased to meet you
Kann du hielfe mir? … can you help me?
Snaekkvar du Engelska? … Do you speak English?
Berklager, jeg snaekkvar ikkje Norskarnen … I'm sorry, I don't speak Arnen
Jeg forstår ikkje … I don’t understand
Rökning skyulden … No smoking (i.e.: Forbidden smoking)
Får jag me om ... Bitte? … Could I have..., please?
Var kann ich anrufen? … Where can I make a phone call?
Var kann ich finna en taxi? … Where can I find a taxi?
Havst du Tine?... Do you have fire (ie: a lighter)
Media
The Main News service of Arendaal is "ARNN": Arendaal's National News. This news service broadcasts on Aren television from Emyn Arnen.
ARNN prints its news in the "Aren Herald Tribune" the main newspaper service of the nation.
One of the many downsides of the affluent life enjoyed by Aren citizens is that a series of Tabloid newspapers have gained popularity, the most prominent of which is the "Gossip Rag" featuring the infamous column by "Mr. Chatterbox" a society insider whose real identity remains unknown.
The Aren are avid readers, with their love of the written word extending from literature to magazines. As such the vast book publishing industry prints a number of magazines on such topics as fashion, theatre, films, lifestyle, art news, financial and political information and science.
Tourism
Arendaal attracts more than 40 million tourists every year, making it one of the most popular tourist destination in the world. Recently this figure has been increasing - some experts claim to over 50 million given the increased convenience of visiting and residing in Arendaal as well as the heightened interest in the many attractions it offers.
Arendaal is one of the classics among tourist countries. Environmentally stunning, it offers sublime mountain ranges, majestic coastlines, serene lakes and imposing fjords.
Its cities boast the kind of elegance and rich cultural heritage unparallel to any others in the world. Monuments of grandeur like the Palace of Gyllenstierna, the calm beauty of the vineyards in Rosekilde, the ski resorts of Norseberg, Krystallberg, Finnberg and Icenti ; and the city of Emyn Arnen with spectacular artistic achievements, boulevards, the Tor des Licht, the fully perserved Old Town and imposing Lutheran Cathedral, just to mention a few of its assets.
Transportation
A testament to Arendaal's superb infrastructure and one of the reasons why its tourism industry is so pronounced is the excellence of the Aren transportation system.
History
The history of Arendaal is as intricate as it is fascinating. Rich, vibrant and embedded with magnificence, here is a detailed description of events in the nation's past:
