Bai Men
| |
| Flag of Bai Men | |
| Motto: Land of One Thousand Kingdoms | |
| No Map Available Yet | |
| Region | Antarctica |
|---|---|
| Capital | Mao Shan |
| Official Language(s) | English, Mandarin |
| Leader | King of Wands |
| Population | huge |
| Currency | lentil |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Geography
Bai Men is a large subtropical island (or complex of islands) located in Antarctica. Due to its size, some sources even classify it as a small continent.
This debate over classification is a result of Bai Men's unusual land formation. We now know that most of the nation's territory is, in fact, part of one large land mass - the central island of Bai Men. However, the island features surprising extremes of elevation, being covered with a network of jutting mountains and deep salt- and freshwater channels. The land is effectively divided into a multitude of isolated subregions. Until the late nineteenth century, it was believed that each subregion was a separate island.
To further complicate the issue, the main island of Bai Men is in fact surrounded by dozens of much smaller satellite islands. The term "Bai Men" refers both to the island complex as a whole, and to the main island.
Bai Men is known for its great geographic diversity and (in much of the island) for its striking, rugged beauty. A byzantine network of waterways cuts between land masses that are often dramatically different in character and climate. As a result, it is difficult to generalize about the geography of Bai Men.
Because it is in a subtropical region, land in Bai Men is characteristically quite verdant and brilliantly colorful (though there are several notable exceptions to this rule). Extremes of elevation frequently result in water channels which cut through towering cliffs. However, with the diversity typical of Bai Men, there are also marshy, vaguely-defined lowland areas to be found.
Mao Shan, the site of Bai Men's eponymous capital city, is a towering, misty mountain near the center of the main island. The capital city is nestled in a fertile valley at the top of the mountain. Mao Shan (cat mountain) is so-called because of the wild cats which abound on its uninhabited slopes; in ancient times, the cats were considered to be sacred, and are still treated with great respect by the local population.
Bai Men's most prominent waterway, the Hong He (Red River), has its source in Mao Shan. After cutting through the slopes of the mountain, it flows westward into the ocean. Its entry is marked by two vast, roughly-cut white stones - the source of the name of Bai Men ("white gate"). The Hong He serves as a useful main trade route in an otherwise confusing and irregular system of waterways.
History and Government
Bai Men's natural division into isolated geographic regions led to the early development of countless diverse nation-states, much like the Greek poleis. This history is reflected in the structure of Bai Men's government, modeled along the lines of early American federalism. Though not weak, the national government exerts minimal influence, allowing a high degree of self-rule in its many regions.
Politically, Bai Men has a longstanding tradition of what might best be described as "tempered libertarianism." In general, the staunchly democratic government adopts a laissez-faire attitude toward the social and economic behaviors of its citizens (though individual regions may have significantly more restrictive policies). However, the ideals of libertarianism are not taken to the extreme, and the national government has a firm presence in matters which it considers to be rightfully within its purview.
In particular, the government has shown a marked determination to protect the environmental quality of the nation, even at the expense of individual, corporate or regional interests. As a national "resource" shared by all, the environment is considered to be well within the domain of the national government. Bai Men maintains a significant amount of undeveloped public land, though private land ownership is the norm.
The Bai Men government also contributes significantly to scientific research - particularly, at the moment, into alternative fuels. The nation boasts a thriving space program.
Bai Men is perhaps most notable for its compulsory vegetarianism. Animals are strictly protected under the law; they may be owned, but not mistreated, experimented upon, or slaughtered for any purpose.
Bai Men's laissez-faire policy applies equally to the international arena. The nation willingly accepts immigrants and refugees and places no restrictions on trade. On the other hand, it refuses to meddle in the affairs of other nations.
