Difference between revisions of "Biotopia"

Latest revision as of 07:49, 6 March 2007

The Commonwealth of Biotopia
Ven Hastradobe ut Phosee


Flag and Coat of Arms

Motto

Live the best within your means
Keg Oskrapt Ojokonta Ramdee

Anthem

The Red Star Rising
Ven OklaptRagaa Entro

Capital
Largest City

Zhaire
St Kordaam

Government

Federal Constitutional Socialist Republic

Area
- Total
- water

3,274,600 km²
304,400 km²

Population
- Total (2024)
- Density

45,868,000 million
14/km²

GDP (2024)
- Total
- GDP/capita

1.6 trillion
V 35,300

HDI 2024

0.965 (high)

Currency

Biotopian Vello (VLO)

Internet TLD

.bp

Calling Code

+6060

The Commonwealth of Biotopia (Hastradobe Phosee) or simply Biotopia (Phosee), is one of the leading industrialised countries in the Anticapitalist Alliance. Biotopia is a sub-continental island surrounded by the Azure Ocean situated due east of northern Greater Aperin. The Commonwealth includes several maritime islands, the largest of which is Vellnaen, the only island province. The term Biotopia is dualistic and can refer to both the geographic entity of the sub-continent or the sovereign territory of the Commonwealth. The closest nations to Biotopia are Demo-Bobylon, Free Socialism, Free Soviets and Watfordshire in Alcaerin.

The Commonwealth is a federation of thirty-nine self-governing provinces, with an additional seven federal territories, united under a national parliament. The capital of Biotopia is The City of Zhaire located in the western centre of the sub-continent on the shores of the Great Amanzee. The state is constitutionally defined as socialist, atheistic and democratic and has been a self-proclaimed socialist republic since 1894. The indigenous peoples of Biotopia are the Pagnaan Sapiens who are a non-human species.

Biotopia is a member of the United Nations, the International Fair Trade Agreement and the Anti-Capitalist Alliance. It was previously a member of the Coalition of Anti-Capitalist Economies and was also a founding member of the Non-Human Union. Biotopia pursues a foreign policy objective of Lephtonta (middle power) emphasising consensus building and coalition forming. As a compliment to this Biotopia has a large industrial and economic base and a modern military force that has previously participated in international missions.

History

Antiquarian Era

Pagnaan Sapiens arrived in Biotopia between thirty-thousand and twenty-five-thousand years ago. These nomadic peoples lived in technologically primitive conditions akin to the Stone Age. This subsistence level of nomadic living subsided with the gradual spread of domestication. The Pan-Heliocentric Civilisation organised the wide-spread construction of megalithic structures. A trans-continental trading network distributed religious artefacts and tools. As distinct urban communities developed the Pan-Heliocentric Civilisation was gradually replaced by local and regional religious practice and inter-community trading.

Classical Era

Urbanisation, trade and population growth facilitated the development of feudalism, bureaucracy and organised religion although most people in Biotopia continued to live in self-sufficient rural villages. The exceptions were maritime capitals which provided administrative and commercial functions and the city-states around the Great Amanzee. Several of these cities eventually formed the Old Commonwealth which became the commercial and cultural hub of Biotopia spurring a revival in trans-continental trade.

Imperial Era

Eventually the Sagawachii annexed the Old Commonwealth and consolidated their domination over much of Biotopia. The Empire instituted major engineering works, founded new townships and standardised Imperial governance. The two most significant actions taken by the Empire was the construction of an extensive paved road network and the introduction of a common language. The Sagawachii Empire eventually imploded into a period of civil war before the Restoration returned a central government. The Restoration accompanied increasing contact with the outside world and a growth in international trade.

Republican Era

The Restoration period ended with the establishment of the First Republic. The demise of feudalism allowed for the rapid industrialisation of the state from the mid-nineteenth century. This process catalysed a domestic working-class revolutionary movement culminating in the 1894 Revolution which established the first socialist republic. Since then the state has remained at least ostensibly socialist and come to constitutionally enshrine civil-rights, democracy, secularism and socialism. Biotopia is internationally recognised for strong civil-rights, open government and adhering to the judicial process.

Geography

Area

total: 3,274,600 sq km

water: 304,400 sq km

land: 2,970,200 sq km

Land Boundaries

total: none

border countries: none

Coastline

10,600 km

Climate

Biotopia can be divided into five general climatic zones; Alpine Districts, Eastern Interior, Coastal Mediterranean, Western Interior and Northern Maritime .

Alpine Districts – the Red and White Ranges are sufficiently extensive and elevated that they sustain a distinct alpine micro-climate. The temperature is cool all year round with snowfall in winter and mild temperatures during summer. In general conditions are similar between the two regions but as the larger the White Ranges has a more pronounced climatic influence. The vegetation is dominated by conifers, wildflowers and seasonal grasses.

Eastern Interior – the hottest and driest of all climatic zones stretches east of the White Ranges and approximately up to 20km from the coastline. The temperature is hot in summer and warm throughout the year while winter is mild and brief with most rain delivered in one or two major thunderstorms. Rainfall is supplemented by snow-melt from the White Ranges. The vegetation consists of short grasses, open woodland, shrubs and seasonal flowers.

Coastal Mediterranean – covers an extensive area along the southern coastal districts, Tanja Basin, from the southern foothills of the White Range to the Golden Scarp and the western incline of the Red Range. These regions experience hot summers and mild winters with low rainfall throughout the year. Variations in rainfall predict the density and distribution of vegetation types. These are divided into three general categories; woodlands, grasslands and wetlands.

Northern Maritime – this zone broadly covers the northern perimeter of Biotopia from the base of the Red and White Ranges to the coastline and most of Vellnaen. The temperature is cool throughout the year with significant snow in winter (with the exception of Vellnaen) and mild summers. The intensity of snowfall and decline of average yearly temperature increases in proportion to latitude. The vegetation is composed of forests, plains and lake systems.

Terrain

The greatest geological feature are the White Mountains which divide Biotopia along an east-west axis. The smaller Red Mountains Range likewise divide the central region from the north creating a north-west – south-central axis. To the east of the White Mountains is the eastern plain which gradually declines towards the north-east and south-eastern coastlines before rapidly levelling into a narrow coastal plain. The Golden Scarp rises in the east-south-east forming a coastline of isolated bays and coastal cliffs. North of the Golden scarp is the Sea of Naen between the mainland and Vellnaen and to the south is the Kanumbra Gulf.

Between the Red and White Ranges is the Central Plateau which descends to form the Kholsten Pass in the north between the two mountain chains. The plateau drains water from both Ranges into the Great Amanzee which flows into the Doklatta Basin to the south. The waters of the Great Amanzee, Phranz and Hollopat all exit in The Ghand making the gulf saline and estuarine in character. Most runoff from the White Mountains flows westward. Antenbrasoon is the southern tip of Biotopia formed by a broad western plain that rises into the southern tail of the White Mountain Range.

The western districts of Biotopia bordering the Doklatta Basin and the Red Mountains are characterised by broad plains in the south gradually being supplemented by broad water bearing valleys and gentle highlands. These formations are due to the processes of erosion on the Red Mountains smoothing the surround landscape towards a gentle incline. The Northern Plain runs west of the Kholsten Pass to the eastern highlands of the RorangaNorv Penninsula where the north-eastern most point of the White Ranges descend into the plains.

The island of Vellnaen is situated to the north-east of Biotopia just south of the Roranga Peninsula. The coastline is level along the southern half of the island with an undulating interior of hillocks intersected by a broad valley running from the north to the south-east from the western coastline. North of this the terrain becomes increasingly elevated interjected with ravines and narrow valleys. The northern coastline rises several meters above the sea exposing a basalt foundation formed by ancient volcanic activity.

Elevation Extremes

lowest point: Mouth of the World -16m bsl

highest point: Skytooth Peak 6,598m asl

Natural Resources

bauxite, beach sands, coal, copper, iron ore, limestone, lithium, magnesium, metallic chrome, natural gas, nickel, phosphate, potassium, salt, sulphur, timber, tungsten, uranium, zinc, hydroelectricity

Land Use

arable land: 11%

permanent crops: 1%

other: 88%

Natural Hazards

Severe thunderstorms are the greatest natural hazard in Biotopia affecting the eastern interior, south-central coastal and alpine districts during winter. These thunderstorms can induce strong winds along the eastern plains potentially causing serious damage. Flash floods regularly occur in the uninhabited ravines and narrow valleys of the alpine districts of Biotopia and Vellnaen; the greatest risk of which is flooding further downstream. This typically happens when water collects in an isolated lake or wetland or along coastal regions when excess water cannot drain into the sea.

Environmental Issues

Biotopia has expended significant resources tackling the major problems of fresh water management, industrial and urban pollution, sustainable forestry, biodiversity and neutralising greenhouse emissions. The environment in Biotopia is rated as the cleanest in the world and is frequently noted for an absence of serious air-pollution and litter. The majority of ‘waste’ produced in Biotopia is recycled including water, building materials and even cooking oil. The biggest environmental issue currently is about implementing sustainable living standards which will require a reduction in personal consumption.

People

Indigenous Species

Pagnaan Sapiens

Population

Long-term demographic planning has been redistributing the population according to regional carrying capacities. Demographic decentralisation has been supported by a mix of voluntary and legal enforcement aimed at restricting urban sprawl and pollution. Most people live in urban communities between 10,000 and 40,000 which are based on regional economic activities such as agriculture, mining or manufacturing. Supporting industrial services such as value-adding, high-end manufacturing, specialisation and technical assistance have introduced urban economic diversity. Diversification has been the key to expanding productivity and exports helping sustain the high standard of Biotopian living.

Immigration is restricted to the total number of emigrants from Biotopia in the previous year which is continued in order to maintain a steady population equilibrium. Access for refugees and asylum seekers has improved and most applicants will succeed. Many family planning facilities are provided free and sex education is taught nationally. Large families are discouraged with strong financial and legal measures although most people live in small family units. Biotopia has a low infant mortality rate but also a low birth rate and population growth is due to surplus immigration. Within Biotopia there are no restrictions on internal movement.

Biotopian citizens 94.6% (43,391,128)
Foreign Residents 4.5% (2,064,06)
Refugees 0.9% (412,812)

2024 Population

45,868,000

2024 Population Growth Rate

0.23% (105,496)

Nationality

noun: Biotoipan(s)

adjective: Biotopian

Ethnic Groups

The indigenous Pagnaan Sapiens are the single largest ethnic group within Biotopia representing 90% of the population, after which humans comprise just 8% and other non-humans less than two percent. Of the humans 60% originate from Aperin, 20% from Knootoss and the remainder from the rest of the globe. Celdonia, Xikuang, ParEcon and Galdago are the primary sources of origin for members of the human community. There is also a significant Hell Bovines community within Biotopia which is the single largest non-indigenous non-human ethnic group.

Pagnaan Sapiens 90.3% (41,418,804)
Humans 8.3% (3,807,044)
Other 1.4% (642,152)

Religion

There is no state religion in Biotopia but private religious observe is tolerated under federal law. Under the law religious icons or paraphernalia cannot be displayed in the workplace or in public spaces, all religions must register with the government and do not receive tax exemptions. Religiously based or affiliated parties are banned. Religious artefacts cannot be sold or bought although the law does not prohibit their free distribution on private property. The state is constitutionally defined as atheist and prohibits the distribution of any public funds to religious institutions or programs.

Despite restrictions on public displays of religious affinity and practice there are an estimated 35,318,360 people (77%) who prescribe to a theological belief system. Not all of these people believe in a deist belief system such as the Philosophics who prescribe to a mystical or transcendental cosmology. Atheists are the single largest belief group followed by Classicists, Neo-Classicists and Pan-Heliocentrics which are all indigenous belief systems. Foreign religious communities tend to be linked with certain ethnic groups such as Protestantism is the Dutch and Buddhism with the Xikuangese.

Atheism 23% (10,549,640)
Buddhism 2.2% (1,009,096)
Classical-Theology 16.7% (7,659,956)
Christianity 3.8% (1,742,984)
Islam 1.2% (550,416)
Judaism 0.1% (45,868)
Neo-Classicism 14.5% (6,650,860)
Pan-Helio 12.4% (5,687,632)
Philosophics 8.9% (4,082,252)
Wovanism 11% (5,045,480)
Other 6.2% (2,843,816)

Languages

The Chief Council of Biotopian Users (UmbrevaJarga ut LansmelkDundakon) is responsible for officially adjudicating on the use of Biotopian. The Council publishes the Comprehensive Biotopian Dictionary, the Comprehensive Biotopian Thesaurus and provides editing assistance for major publications. It has also assumed an advocacy role in promoting Biotopian through legislation and popular use. This includes the introduction of substitute terms (usually technical and scientific) for Celdonian words which by law must then be used in all official (eg: governmental, academic and scientific) publications and broadcasts.

Foreign language films, including those locally produced but with a foreign language narrative or complete dialogue, acquire an additional surcharge which is distributed to the Biotopian Film Commission. A similar system also applies to music but not published material. Advertisements directed at the general public must also be in Biotopian. Despite these protectionist measures Celdonian is publicly spoken and remains taught in all secondary schools. There are also numerous Celdonian language publications. The free-to-air Special Broadcasting Network is dedicated to providing multicultural programming including foreign language news services, films and popular programs.

The Biotopian alphabet is written using Celdonian letters (introduced by the Dutch) and represents all the standard letters except “c”, “f”, “q”, “x” and “y” which are commonly substituted by “k”, “ph”, “w”, “zh” and “j”. Biotopian as it is spoken today is heavily influenced by the languages of the Doklatta Basin – AntenBrasoon regions. The Celdonian alphabet was adopted in preference for the complicated and anachronistic indigenous alphabet. Adoption of the Celdonian alphabet helped improve literacy in Celdonian and Dutch as well as increasing the accessibility of scientific and technical literature.

Official; Biotopian

Secondary; Celdonian, Biotopian Sign Language

Unofficial; Regional dialects, Dutch, Xikuangese, Mootish

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

Culture

The Biotopian “national spirit” representing the collective will of the people through the actions and institutions of the state has been described as one being concerned with issues of social justice including international law, the environment, economic exploitation and democratisation. It is also one that can be characterised as parochial towards a world dominated by Homo-Sapiens, the Celdonian language and capitalist popular culture. Underlying this mix of anxiety and contempt is a fear about the homogenisation of global cultures and the loss of a distinctly Biotopian culture. Biotopians are self-conscious of their unique identity as a non-human socialist nation. Together they have been the focus in the evolution of the national spirit.

Collectively the “ethnic spirit” of Biotopians is described as: egalitarian, intellectually open, outwardly reserved, parochial towards outsiders and bound by a strong sense of community and land. Many Biotopians see themselves providing a bridge between Aperin and the rest of the world, socialist and capitalist nations, human and non-human nations. To this end Biotopia pursues a mediatory role in international and regional disputes and attempts to intervene on behalf of the ethnically and economically exploited. Biotopians frequently see their own society as socially progressive, politically liberal, open and a force for the material betterment of the less well off through trade, assistance and foreign aid.

The other side to Biotopian society is that it can be closed or suspicious towards outsiders, culturally chauvinistic and patronising towards smaller nations and patriotically sentimental. On the cultural and social fringes are the racial fanatics, xenophobes and ultranationalists. Many Biotopians are happy with the Lephtonta or middle-way of moderating power and influence with co-operation and solidarity but there is also a vocal minority that advocates an expanded international and regional role using national wealth to expand the military and push back the influence of capitalist nations in the region.

Government

Country Name

conventional long form: The Commonwealth of Biotopia

conventional short form: The Commonwealth or Biotopia

abbreviation: C.B. or Bio

Government Type

Constitutional Federal Parliamentary Republic

Capital

Zhaire

Suffrage

16 years universal and compulsory

National Holidays

Political System

Biotopia is a federal constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Commonwealth Parliament (Hastradobe StodenkKruma) is bicameral being composed of the Assembly of Commonwealth Provinces (Hastrobe UndenaenEljang) and the Assembly of Commonwealth Citizens (Hastrobe StodenkEljang). The General Secretary of the Parliamentary Executive Council is the head of government and responsible to the parliament. Each province is represented by two members in the Assembly of Commonwealth Provinces elected by proportional representation, plus an additional member representing the federal territories. There are two-hundred members in the Assembly of Commonwealth Citizens elected by a proportional multi-member system.

The federal cabinet, called the Parliamentary Executive Council (StodenkKrumart Hanrop Jarga), has sixteen members including the General Secretary. The Executive Council functions as a corporate head of state able to delegate certain functions with parliamentary approval. Terms are set for four year terms in both the ACP and the ACC with a six-month difference in the translation of sets between the upper and lower chambers. Citizens have the right to petition the Commonwealth Supreme Court to test the constitutionality of legislation as well as submitting referenda issues.

National Flag & Coat of Arms

The national flag is vertical with a 1:1.5 ratio. A red band measuring 1/8 the total vertical distance runs along the peak. Beneath this band are three vertical columns along the entire length of the flag. The outer columns are in Commonwealth Blue and the middle column is white with a light-green silhouette of a White Pine in the centre. The National Seal is encircled by a perimeter of golden wheat studded symmetrically by seven red five pointed stars. The inside of seal is the same blue and white vertical columns centred with a White Pine.

Economy

Biotopia has one the largest economies in the Anti-Capitalist Alliance ranking in the top 15 by comparative size and GDP per capita. It is also noticeable for a sustained unemployment rate around 3% and a high rate of taxation which is used to fund extensive social services. Government enterprise represents approximately 60% of the national GDP however most state ownership is by provincial governments. Although the federal government can issue economic objectives the provinces are responsible for implementation and therefore most internal economic planning, management and infrastructure.

The “private sector” is represented by co-operatives, the self-employed, family businesses and collectives as well as some international franchises. The degree of state ownership varies between provinces from 70%-45%. Some provinces have experimented with “privatisation” and pursuing greater profit generation from some public services and utilities. The government has emphasised value-adding and specialisation as a means to raise export revenue and diversify the industrial base. Biotopia now has an advanced electronics and IT industry as well as an international reputation for engineering excellence and production of quality goods.

Biotopia has historically had a lower GDP per capita than comparative capitalist nations (although wealth has been more evenly distributed) although it’s much higher than other non-capitalist nations. A major feature of Biotopian economic development is the pursuit of a steady-state economy. Economic growth is low but inline with the (also low) population growth rate and inflation is well managed. Most economic growth has been due to improvements in efficiency and the increasing value of exports. Over the past decade the Biotopian government has posted budgetary surpluses and has steadily reduced the national debt burden. Biotopia is a participatory member of the International Fair Trade Agreement.

Defence

The Biotopian Defence Force is comprised of the army, aeroforce and navy with 220,000 active members and an additional 1,700,000 reservists (excluding the Home Guard). The Biotopian Defence Force is a voluntary military organisation although all high-school graduates are offered the opportunity to spend a minimum three months in training as part of their gap year social service. The navy is the centrepiece of the armed forces and have participated in naval exercises with the navies of Celdonia and Knootoss. All branches of the B.D.F. have participated in overseas actions including humanitarian assistence.

International Relations

Biotopia plays a contributing role in the Anti-Capitalist Alliance having previously been elected to the regional delegacy for the region. It was also a founding member of the now defunct Non-Human Union and was previously a member of the Coalition of Anti-Capitalist Economies. Currently it remains a member of the United Nations and the Intenraitonal Fair Trade Agreement. Biotopia has good relations with most Aperin nations particularly Celdonia, Xikuang, ParEcon and Ecopoeia. Outside the region Biotopia maintains an international friendship with the capitalist nations of Knootoss, Daistallia and Scolopendra.

International Organisation Membership

Further Information