Artoonia
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| Flag of Artoonia | |
| Motto: There Oughtn't Be a Law | |
| Artoonia map | |
| Region | The Satellite of Love |
|---|---|
| Capital | Lumo |
| Official Language(s) | Esperanto, GLA |
| Leader | Emperor Artu Iª |
| Population | 2,834,522,542 (J·490 Census) |
| Currency | malplena redonulo |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
History
Although scholars debate the origins of the Artoonian people, what is known is this: originally, the Artoonian islands were populated by five ethnic nations: the Muzinano, the Greĝano, the Spandano, the Jagiano, and the Ajmano. Wars between these groups were frequent, until a loose confederation was established ca. 1378 C.E., following the wholesale slaughter of the Jagiano at the hands of a Muzinano-Greĝano alliance. However, infighting was still common as each of the four remaining groups fought to make itself supreme over the others. This confederation dissolved in 1733 C.E., when the Ajmano, having just ascended to dominance in the confederal council, attempted to enslave the other three groups. Fighting continued for years until a young general, Artu I, began to amass an army from among the poor and downtrodden of each of the four remaining nations.
Artu was born a Greĝano, although his mother was half Muzinano, and his father was believed to be a half-Ajmano, half-Spandino soldier. Because of his conflicting ethnic identity, Artu was cast out into the wilderness and raised by monks. These monks, from The Order of the Silent Monkey, were followers of the ancient Ajmano philosopher Taŝio, and they taught Artu their warrior code. However, his monastic upbringing also instilled in him a desire to end the conflict between his people. He began to recruit soldiers from the lower classes of their societies, and after amassing an army of three thousand soldiers, waged a guerilla war against the leaders of the four nations, assimilating them into a new "nation" he called the "Artuanoj" ("followers of Artu").
Within two years, the Spandino had been completely assimilated into Artu's new nation. He then made peace with the Greĝano, then attacked the Muzinano, until they joined three years after that. He then offered peace to the Ajmano, although they declined, and a very bloody four-year conflict ensued, until Hektor', son of Ajmano general Setipo, was slain in battle on 30 March 2004. The resulting grief led Setipo to join the Artuana alliance, and on 3 April, the nation-state of Artoonia was formed.
After this had occurred, Artoonian religious and philosophical leaders began advocating that the only way to cement this new national identity and prevent future genocides was through intermarriage. Many Church of Artoonia clergy refused to perform marriages among same-ethnicity couples, likening such unions to incest, as a crime against nature. Children of mixed-ethnicity couples often went so far as to search out spouses who would complement their ethnic background. Within three generations, census records indicated that fewer than 8% of the Artoonian people were "purebred" Ajmano, Greĝano, Muzinano, or Spandino. Today, the figure is less than 1%, and the word "Artoonian" is a perfectly acceptable ethnic classification.
Geography
Location: An island chain in The Satellite of Love, south of Interlocking Land, south-west of Cybertronus, north of Ninjafania, and east of Pechins. Surrounded by the Sea of Artoonia to the east, and the Sea of Pechins to the west.
Area: 846,006 km² (326,645 mi²) (land)
Area, Comparitive: About twice the size of California.
Climate: Mainly temperate. Mountainous regions in Wejo generally cooler and than the lower lands. As to the general weather, well, let's just say that there's a reason that Stadio Agloja in the capitol city Lumo is the nation's only non-domed sporting arena.
Elevation extremes: Vale of Takro, -32 m (-105 ft); Mt. Ŝameso, 7,243 m (23,763 ft)
Natural resources: Coal, Copper, Lead, Uranium, Bauxite, Gold, Iron, Mercury, Silver, Tungsten, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Timber
Land use: arable land: 73%, permanent crops: 7%
Irrigated land: 642,399 km² (2004 est.)
Natural hazards: mild volcanic activity in mountains, moderate flooding in river basins, forest fires
Environmental issues: fossil fuel emissions, water pollution from pesticide use, erosion from terrain renovations
Demographic and Cultural Data
Nationality: noun: Artuano (plural: Artuanoj), Artoonian (plural: Artoonians) adjective: Artuana, Artoonian
Ethnicities: White/Caucasian, 80%; Black/African, 10%; Asian/Pacific Islander, 7%; Other/Unavailable Data, 3%. Estimates put 21% as Hispanic, but falling into one of the above classifications, since the Ministry of Censi does not keep official records regarding Hispanic origen. (Ethnic Artuanoj are considered "White" in the same.)
Religions: Christianity, 80% (Church of Artoonia, 74%; Orthodox, 15%; Roman Catholic, 8%; Misc. Protestant, 3%); Judaism, 6%; Islam, 5%; Buddhism, 3%; Other/Unaffiliated, 6%.
Patron Saint: Sanktulo Mikelo la Arĥangelsko (Saint Michæl the Archangel).
Sex ratio: At birth: 1.240 m:f; under 15 years: 1.101 m:f; 15-64 years: 0.992 m:f; 65 years and over: 0.862 m:f; total population: 0.987 m:f
Life expectancy at birth: 81.79 years (male: 79.97 years; female: 84.10 years)
Fertility rate: 4.31 children born/woman
Languages: Esperanto and GLA ("Gestlingvo Artuana": Artoonian Sign Language) are official languages for all governmental publications (printed and audiorecorded in Esperanto, videorecorded in GLA). Most citisens are polylingual, and are likely to speak English, French, Spanish, and/or German, among other languages (being able to speak many languages is considered a mark of honour).
Literacy Rate: 98.65%
Official Calendar: Civil year follows Gregorian calendar, beginning on 1 January. The Church of Artoonia follows a liturgical calendar beginning on 29 September, the Feast of St. Michæl.
Government
Official Stile: La Sanktimperio de Artunja (The Holy Empire of Artoonia)
Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy, headed by an Emperor, who wields theoretically absolute power. Most legislative action, however, is handled by a republican assembly.
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces: Ajmo, Celaja, Ejomo, Fleĝia, Greĝo, Ĥalijo, Kozinto Muzino, Spandino, Vanjo, Wejo. The capitol city of Lumo is situated geographically between Kozinto and Ejomo, although it is considered a part of neither.
Dependent Terretories: Jonestan, Sabines, Ductapistan, Greedy Christians, Hypotheticalia, Groundfield, and Spamosaurus Rex.
National Holiday: "Imperiatago" ("Empire Day"), 3 April; Festo de Sanktulo Mikelo la Arĥangelsko (Feast of St. Michael the Archangel), 29 September
Suffrage: 16 years of age, universal.
Executive branch: The Emperor is both chief of state and head of government, although many functions of the latter are handled by the Prime Minister (or "Ĉefministro"). This post is currently held by Ĉ-mo. Fabricio MORVAN. A cabinet is selected by the Emperor, although the Kunsidantaro must confirm any Cabinet Ministers who are not members of it.
Elections: The Emperor is appointed for life, needing the approval of both the nobility and the Church of Artoonia, and must also be one not already disqualified from the office by decree of a past Emperor (a future Emperor cannot be disqualified, however, by virtue of immutable characteristics like race or sex). The Prime Minister is chosen from the Kunsidantaro's "People's House" by a second general nationwide election.
Legislative Branch: Tricameral assembly known as the Kunsidantaro: "The People's House", 3 seats to each colony, the remainder of 96 seats apportioned amongst the provinces by decennial census, with each province guaranteed at least 5 seats. "His Majesty's House", comprised of all holders of hereditary estates of nobility, and of any life estates if approved by the Emperor. "House of Cards", comprised of any citisen 16 years of age who attends its daily sessions.
Elections: Held at least once every three years, or as necessary when a vote of no-confidence dissolves the Kunsidantaro.
Judicial: Adversarial court system. Highest court is The Imperial Court, unless the Emperor elects to hear a case. Imperial Court Justices are appointed by the Emperor, with the Kunsidantaro's approval, for life. A lower system of federal courts exists with judges appointed by the Emperor, with Kunsidantaro approval unnecessary (appeals courts work the same way). Provincial judicial systems are generally three-tiered, although their judges are usually elected.
Political Parties: (from right-to-left wing) Partio Artuana Nacia (Artoonian National Party), Partio Dekstrista (Rightists' Party), Partio Artuana Modera (Artoonian Moderate Party), Partio Kristanodemokrata (Christian Democrat Party), Partio Maldekstra (Leftist Party), La Partio Socialista Popola de Artunja (Socialist People's Party of Artoonia); numerous smaller parties with limited success at local levels.
Flag description: three horizontal bars of equal size, white, red, and green, with an inset shield near the mast featuring a cross atop a mound against a blue background.
Economy
See also economic detail
Currency: Malplena redonbotelo (Empty bottle return)
Currency divisions: β1 is equal to ␞4 (malplenaj redonoskatoloj/empty can returns), and β5 equal μ1 (malplena redonulo/empty jug return) Note: although the MRB is legally the standard currency from which the MRS's and MRU's values are determined, the MRU is used in exchanges to foreign currencies.
Currency code: MRB (old), MRU (new)
Fiscal Year, governmental: 29 Sep. - 28 Sep.
Major Industries: Agriculture, Defence Contracting, Tourism, Information Technology
Transportation: Aertunja ("Airtoonia") provides 96% of air travel within and into Artoonia. Trajnlinioj Artuanaj rail service and Gazelo busses provide long-distance land transportation; and for short distances, busses and cabs can be hired for those who do not have a private vehicle. Due to the nation's insular geography, boat travel is also widespread.
Advice for Travelers
Visitors should be aware that while most Artoonians are very hospitable to foreigners--especially those who bring their wallets--a few cultural tendencies are often mistaken for ill-temper by the same. Hence, the tourist should always keep in mind that:
(A) Artoonians are a fiercely proud and extroverted people, and it is considered proper to boast loudly and publicly about one's successes, be they due to skill or mere fortune. One who seems to a foreigner an annoying braggart is often considered by Artoonians a friendly, outgoing person.
(B) Artoonians are prone to offer unsolicited advice to anyone whom they feel could be helped by it, whether they know each the advisee or not (a custom known as konsilismo). When approached by a stranger and offered any sort of advice, the proper response is to smile politely and thank the advisor for taking an interest, and--if it seems sound--to follow his or her advice.
(C) Crime is often a problem in Artoonia, especially in remote areas and poorer neighbourhoods. Travellers who cannot avoid these areas are urged to arm themselves, and to be trained in the safe use of whatever armaments they carry (small arms may be safely and legally imported into the country for personal defencive use, if they are properly checked with luggage during travel and declared at Customs--this is permissible and common on all Aertunja flights).
