Difference between revisions of "Ariddia"

Latest revision as of 10:04, 23 October 2007

Ariddia

Flag Emblem
Motto: Solidarity, Democracy, Peace
Map of Ariddia
Region	Uhuhland
Capital	Rêvane
Official Language(s)	French, English, Wymgani
Leader	Second Secretary Turei Lauru
Sovereignty	1810
Population	9.48 billion
Currency	Ariddian credit (Ç)
Internet TLD	.ari
Calling code	+96
ISO Code	PARI
NS Sunset XML

The People's Democratic Social Republic of Ariddia (the PDSRA) is a group of nineteen islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of the Uhuhland continent. Ariddia has a territorial exclave within continental Uhuhland: Gnatanamo.

On the international stage, Ariddia's claim to fame is as the founder (and three times winner) of the NationStates World Cup and winner of the first international Futsal Tournament. The country is also known abroad as the base of operations for PINA, a news channel broadcast around the world.

The Ariddian Isles are a group of twenty islands in the Pacific, nineteen of which form the PDSRA. The twentieth, Limea, is split between West Ariddia, a capitalist secessionist state, and the tiny communist city-state of North-West Ariddia. Since 2144, the PDSRA has officially relinquished its sovereignty into a Federation of the Ariddian Isles, of which it is a member State. However, it remains fully self-governing, and is widely viewed as a sovereign country.

People

Ariddia is a country with a high level of immigration and a diverse population. Indigenous Ariddians, or Wymgani, currently constitute about 30% of the population; there are no official figures as to the ethnic composition of Ariddia’s population. The first immigrants were French and English colonists. When Ariddia acquired sovereignty, and increasingly so when the people declared a communist republic, immigrants from all round the globe began to settle in the Isles.

There are also Ariddian expatriate communities in many foreign countries. Perhaps the best-known Ariddian-born persons living abroad are Pacitalian politician and journalist Archetenia Nera, and Archregimancy football player/Orthodox monk Fr. Innocent. Jeruselem football coach, businesswoman and media star Dazza Dallas is of part-Ariddian descent.

Government

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Aj Ud was Prime Secretary for 45 years

Ariddia is a democratic republic. The Democratic Communist Party, currently forming the government and holding a large majority of seats in the People’s Prime Parliament, lays the emphasis on social rights and the well-being of its population, be it in terms of health, housing or education. The government, however, has been criticised abroad for the detrimental effects of its policies on the Ariddian economy.

Ariddia's Human Development Index, as calculated by the Ceoranan Department of State, is 0.113. The Ariddian Secretariat for Health, however, dismisses this figure as "irrelevant and misleading", explaining that the CDS bases its figures on a nation's use of its budget, whereas Ariddia has a moneyless economy. The PDSRA's PDAS rating is "C" ("satisfactory"). The Forest region's Human Development Index gives Ariddia a rating of .578 (medium high). Audrey Lake, Secretary for Health, also claims that "Ariddia has always been recognised by the United Nations as one of the best countries in the world to live in, with excellent education, healthcare and living conditions".

See also:

• Ariddian government officials and diplomats
• Ariddian government and judiciary

Symbols

Flag

The Ariddian flag is made up of a red cross on a black background, with green bands adjacent to the arms of the cross, and a red star in the right-hand section. Red symbolises communism, and black the people’s desire to strive towards anarchy; red and black are the nation’s official colours. Green symbolises ecological concerns.

The Ariddian flag was a direct source of inspiration for that of New Burmesia.

Emblem

The unofficial emblem (or seal) of the PDSRA depicts a worker looking up with hope, pride and confidence, and includes the three national colours (red, black and green). White symbolises hope and purity. The hammer represents the people's determination (after 1985) to build a new society. The emblem also contains the national motto (in French), and an acronym of the country's French name (République Démocratique, Sociale et Populaire d'Ariddia).

National Anthem

The national anthem of the PDSRA is Dream, sung to the tune of the Communist Internationale.

Lyrics:

Dream on, Ariddia's sons and daughters
Dream of a land of anarchy
See what our dreams so far have brought us
Social rights for all here we see
The best of both worlds is in our hold
For democrats are communist
If the will of the people be bold
Achieve we will, sing, raise your fist

[Chorus]
Red and black is our nation
Freedoms we do hold dear
No one shall rob us of them
Our dream of anarchy!

We shall not yield to foreign pressure
We shall hold our heads high in pride
Ye who scorn our ways should know better
Your scorn will never reach our tide
We do not ask for your approval
Nor do we seek to change your minds
The people today this nation rule
Our dreams to our land do us bind

[Chorus]

Peace freedom is all that we ask for
No wars shall shed Ariddian blood
One day a brotherhood of nations
Will live; the people shall know love
One day the world together shall dream
Cast off the chains of slavery
One day the people will rise and beam
With joy: Today the world is free!

[Chorus]

No unjust laws crush the Ariddians
The people are the government
No man dominates his fellow men
For these rights ne'er did we relent
We do not bow before religion
We do not bow before a king
We are all equal in our nation
And we shall bow before nothing

[Chorus]

[Fifth stanza: instrumental only]

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O Tau, the "father of Ariddia", portrayed here by Indigenous actor John Ie

History

Ariddia was first settled about 3,000 years ago by Pacific Islanders of indeterminate (though possibly Polynesian) origin. These original settlers became the Wymgani, with their own unique culture and language. Over the next six or seven centuries, they spread throughout the Ariddian Isles.

Pre-colonial Wymgani history is perhaps most notable for the great journeys of exploration undertaken by Wymgani navigators, to the far ends of the globe. The thirteenth to early seventeenth centuries marked the high point of this era.

Ariddia’s colonial history begins in 1662, with the arrival of the first European explorers, followed by the first European settlers in the early 1670s, and by annexation in 1683.

The country became a sovereign republic in 1810, and, in 1985, elected a communist government led by Xavier Gris, who proclaimed the birth of the Social Republic.

For more information, see the article on the History of Ariddia.

Culture

"National identity"

Ariddia is a multicultural, multi-ethnic society, with an Indigenous population comprising about a third of the country's inhabitants. Shared values are often seen as the core of Ariddian identity, and include a socialist ethos of "sharing and caring", a commitment to human and animal rights, environmentally responsible behaviour, and the importance of education and critical thinking. These values are often considered by Ariddians to be "typically Ariddian".

For more information, see the article on Ariddian national identity.

Cultural particularities

It is almost futile, of course, to attempt to ascribe common behavioural traits to all Ariddians; despite their strong sense of community and social responsibility, Ariddians tend to value their sense of individual identity; besides, Ariddia is a highly multicultural society.

Nonetheless, it is common for Ariddians to value their privacy, and to be discreet rather than outspoken. There is a strong cultural emphasis on thinking before speaking. Ariddia is renowned for its education system, in which classes in critical thinking and philosophy are compulsory. Ariddians tend to look down on ignorant people who seem content with their own ignorance, or who boldly assert ignorant viewpoints. Intelligence, critical thinking, and a thirst for knowledge of all kinds are highly valued in Ariddian society.

Ariddians are very community-minded, and view capitalist values such as the pursuit of individual profit with strong distaste. Ariddians see themselves as part of a society, with specific duties and responsibilities as such. Selfishness ranks alongside ignorance as a character trait Ariddians find distasteful and difficult to understand.

Ariddians do not frown upon, or feel uncomfortable with, public displays of affection, be they heterosexual or homosexual in nature. Likewise, they are not, for the most part, shocked by partial or even complete displays of public nudity.

Smoking or using drugs may be frowned upon to some extent if it inconveniences non-smokers, or if some Ariddians feel uncomfortable at seeing someone ‘damage their own health’, but on the whole it is accepted.

Cruelty against animals, including insects and fish, is viewed by Ariddians as contemptible and perverse. Visitors should remember that eating meat, or killing or wounding an animal, is a crime in Ariddia, and may result in a jail sentence or a lengthy sentence of community work.

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Annabelle Laurier, a famous Ariddian writer of the nineteenth century

Literature

Literature is arguably the most notable aspect of the arts in Ariddia. Many novels and plays focus on social and environmental issues. Among Ariddia’s most famous writers are the nineteenth century socialist novellist Annabelle Laurier, and contemporary author Abel Moeaki.

For more information, see the article on Ariddian literature.

Films

The PDSRA, being an ‘under-developed’ nation with limited means, is not known for producing “blockbusters” or films with high-quality special effects. Instead, Ariddian films tend to be “low budget” and to focus on thought-provoking and informative storylines. Well-documented historical fiction is a common theme in Ariddian film.

For more information, see the section on Films in Ariddia.

Universities

There are a great number of universities in Ariddia, and the high level of education enjoyed by Ariddians has been noted and commended by the United Nations. Most famous among them is the University of Rêvane, and above all its prestigious Department of Historical, Linguistic and Cultural Studies, and its Department of Medical Studies. These, and others, attract a significant number of foreign students every year. The University of Rêvane also houses a vast Department of Wymgani Studies, for Wymgani and non-Indigenous students alike. The Department is based in great part on traditional Wymgani methods of teaching and learning.

See:

• List of Ariddian universities

Cuisine

Ariddian cooking is generally not considered haute cuisine; rather, it lays the emphasis on being simple and healthy. Ariddians are vegetarians.

The national drink is grapefruit juice, and is something of a national obsession. Ariddians use grapefruits in many kinds of drinks, including fizzy grapefruit-flavoured water and a number of surprising grapefruit-based alcoholic beverages.

Religion

The PDSRA is a constitutionally secular country, which recognises and protects freedom of religious belief, expression and worship. It is estimated that 76.6% of Ariddians are atheists, and that a further 14.1% are agnostics. The main religion is Christianity (at around 3.2%), most of whom are Catholics.

Atheism is highest among Indigenous Ariddians, who had no concept of religion or spirituality before contact with the outside world.

For more information, see the article on Religion in Ariddia.

Languages

The government recognises three official national languages, with equal status: Wymgani, French and English. Many Ariddians are fluent in all three, and official documents are published in these three languages. In addition, six languages enjoy official recognition on a regional level: Lank Jan (on Se'asho), Dutch (in Gnatanamo), Tikieyo, Korean, Ariddian Arctic Wymgani, and Ariddian Arctic Korean (these four in the Ariddian Arctic Islands). The latter two languages are considered to be endangered, and the governments in Rêvane and Ata'eatu actively promote their use, most notably in Arctic Island schools.

A variety of minority languages have also been introduced by immigrants, and are taught in some schools.

Main holidays

Economy

Ariddia has an officially moneyless economy, based on the principles of reciprocal gifting and communal sharing on the basis of need. The country’s communist economy is in many ways similar to Wymgani traditional economic practices and values. A national currency exists primarily for interaction with foreign societies.

For more information see the article on the Ariddian economy.

News services

Since all Ariddians are employees of the State, including those whose job it is to keep their fellow citizens up to date on the news, some have questioned whether independent media are possible in the PDSRA. However, news services express a variety of opinions, and do not hesitate to be critical of the government.

Newspapers

The main daily newspaper in Ariddia is La Voix du Peuple (Voice of the People). It is widely read at home and abroad. As most Ariddians speak all three national languages, it contains articles in French, English and Wymgami (and a few translated into the other two languages). La Voix du Peuple is a strong supporter of the official Ariddian socio-economic philosophy, although it does criticise certain government decisions.

Planète is a weekly magazine dedicated to introducing Ariddians to foreign cultures, and the history of other countries. It is written in French, and also contains articles pertaining to international news, articles from foreign newspapers (translated into French), and lessons to learn the basics of a number of foreign languages. Every six months, a condensed issue of Planète is published in English and in Wymgani, in addition to the normal French issue for that month.

Le Quotidien Révolutionaire is a daily newspaper which prints articles (translated into French except when they were originally in English) from communist and socialist newspapers around the world, including The Red Flag.

L’Outremer is a weekly newspaper printed in French and destined for readers in Ariddia’s overseas territories, but also for Ariddian expatriates. It focuses on events related to these categories of Ariddians, and many articles deal with the Ariddian Arctic Islands and Gnatanamo; the much smaller Eshyosha and Ariddian Antarctica receive less coverage. Articles are mostly contributed by inhabitants of these territories, coordinated through the newspaper’s headquarters in Rêvane. The newspaper is sometimes credited with having helped develop a sense of “overseas Ariddian” identity.

Television

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Ariddian television: Robert Choi reports from abroad for PINA; Aia Lembrun, reporter for Shanal 7 (Channel Seven)

There are eight channels (not counting foreign channels on satellite), the most popular of which is Channel One, which offers a wide variety of programmes. Some channels are more specialised, such as Channel Three (which offers round the clock news) or Channel Four (devoted to cultural programmes). Channel Seven is operated by Wymgani for Wymgani, with programmes partaining to various issues of interest to Indigenous Ariddians.

In addition to these are two channels which operate only a few hours per day. The Parliamentary Channel (#9) offers live broadcasts of debates in the People's Prime Parliament and the Wehela Iolih, as well as local reports on local community debates and decisions. It also features interviews with members of the government, and in-depth reports on issues discussed by the Parliaments and Cabinet. The tenth channel is Docu'Môme, a documentary channel for children, which aims at educating Ariddian children in fun and interesting ways. It airs daily from 4PM to 7PM.

Programmes on television may be in French, English or Wymgani, and subtitled in the other two languages. The eight o'clock news on Channel One is in French, and subtitled.

Ariddians also receive international news via satellite from the World News Company (based in Edward City), the Kelssek Broadcasting Corporation, the Eurasian Broadcasting Group, the Swilatian Broadcast Corporation, the Cookeslandic Broadcasting Corporation and the San Monticaz International Broadcasting Company. Both the Pacitalian Broadcasting Corporation and the Pacitalian News Network are due to begin broadcasting in Ariddia within a few months.

See also:

• Public International News Ariddia (PINA)
• Television in Ariddia

Radio

There are numerous radio channels in Ariddia. Radio Three, like Channel Three on television, offers round-the-clock news. Foreign radio access will soon be provided by the Pacitalian Broadcasting Corporation.

Football

The World Cup

Overview

Ariddia founded the now famous NationStates World Cup, and hosted the first international competition. Ariddia’s initial team competed in every Cup up to, and including, World Cup 11. In the latter, the Ariddian team topped its qualifications’ group, playing fourteen matches undefeated, then bowed out early in the final stages, securing only two points in Group D, behind New Montreal States and the amazing Warnocks Wizards. Ariddia subsequently remained absent for decades, then returned in World Cup 25.

Since then, the team -the new famous "Rouge-et-Noirs"- have won the trophy three times, in World Cups 32 (beating Jeruselem 2-1 in the final), 34 (defeating Milchama 4-1) and 36 (beating Errinundera 4-2 AET). Ariddia co-hosted World Cup 34 with the Holy Empire.

Players

Famous names in the history of Ariddian football include the following:

• Terry Singh (fwd; first played in World Cup 1)
  
• Michel Boulanger (gk/cap; first played in World Cup 1)
  
• Tina Realm (def; first played in World Cup 2)
  
• Ranjit Khan (mid; first played in World Cup 3)
  
• Myrtille Ford (fwd; first played in World Cup 3)
  
• Raphael Ford (fwd; first played in World Cup 4)
  
• Kim Kim (fwd; first played in World Cup 6)
  
• Aurélien Clair (fwd; first played in World Cup 10)
  
• Frédéric Clément (fwd; first played in World Cup 25)
• Yves al Jahdali (def; first played in World Cup 25)
• Ue Alt (mid/cap; first played in World Cup 25)
• Sandrine Leduc (gk/cap; first played in World Cup 25)
• Ta I (mid; first played in World Cup 25)
• Hanifah Kyaw (mid/cap; first played in World Cup 27)
• Tadjou Sheyi Senaya (mid; first played in World Cup 29)
• Xavier Xu (gk/cap; first played in World Cup 31)
• Ke Sho (def; first played in World Cup 31)
• Cassie Lee (gk; first played in World Cup 32)
• Jamilah Shahrour (fwd; first played in World Cup 36)

Colours

What follows was the original announcement of the team’s colours during World Cup 1:

Ariddia's colours:
Home: red top with a black slash going from the left shoulder to the right hip, and the same on the back.
Shorts are entirely black. Socks are red. We have declined to have sponsors mucking up our suits.
Away: the exact reverse. Black top, red slash, red shorts, black socks.
Goalkeeper: Dark green top, with the same black slash. Pale, apple-green shorts. Black socks.

Current team

GK: Cassie Lee (11)
DEF: Myo Thet Myint (cpt, 3); Asul E’i (19); François Riverain (23)
MID: Richard James (21); Sa Ley (5); Raphaëlle du Valdor (13); Ewa Shwuo (7)
ATT: Lucas Arbustier (9); Thomas Dargeau (16) ; Iol Et (12)

Substitutes:
GK: Tu Wesh (1); Armel Moboka (2)
DEF Lucia Nelson (15); Mary E’it (22); Jeremy Isaacs (8)
MID: Jacques Clocher (14) ; Ann Cove (10) ; Heather Rodriguez (17)
ATT: Wol Asu (4); Sylvain Bernard (18); Elmi Hamzah Guirreh (6); Jamilah Shahrour (20)

For more information, see Ariddia's football team.

Domestic football

See the article on Domestic football in Ariddia.

International relations

Ariddia is a member of the United Nations, the Uhuhland Union, the United Nations Old Guard, the UN Green Think Tank, the Sophia International Court, the Coalition of Anti-Capitalist Economies, the Communist International and the Emergency World Cup Committee, an observer at the United International Congress [1] and the National Sovereignty Organization, and a signatory to the International Fair Trade Agreement, the treaty of the International Mediation Council, the Golden Agate Declaration and the Matebian Declaration. As per its pledge in the latter, Ariddia has established a campus of the Third World Open University in the city of Cité-Belle.

Ariddia maintains diplomatic relations with various foreign nations. See: Ariddian government officials and diplomats.

After a series of successful repeals of environmental legislation in the United Nations, and when it seemed the proposal 'Repeal "Stop dumping - Start Cleaning"' would also be succesful, Ariddia transferred its membership to the Republic of ESAT, a tiny "sovereign" territory which, in reality, acts as a mouthpiece for Ariddia, and enables the PDSRA to retain its membership without being affected by resolutions it disapproves of. Ariddia (officially, ESAT) has an office on the tenth floor of the UN Headquarters, staffed by Ambassador Christophe Boco and his aide Julien Quan.

There is also a New Ariddia, which has no relation whatsoever to Ariddia. It was established without the knowledge of the Ariddian authorities, and not by Ariddians. The PDSRA has extended diplomatic recognition to this unusual entity.

Special provinces and dependencies

• Gnatanamo
• Eshyosha
• Ariddian Arctic Islands
• Ariddian Antarctica
• ESAT

International codes