Earthsea Islands
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| Flag of Earthsea Islands | |
| Motto: "Le solei ne delage pa en l'empire erathia" "The sun never sets of the Earthsea empire" | |
| Region | Scarpathia |
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| Capital | Renavo (Renavian) |
| Official Language(s) | Earthsea (official) |
| Leader | Empereur Alexander Impernaque |
| Population | 2.8 Billion |
| Currency | 100 Centimes = 1 Denarius |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Earthsea, officially The Earthsea Empire (Earthsea: L'Impero Eratico), is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Eastern Scarpathia and also comprises various overseas islands and territories located in Scarpathia and other continents. Metropolitan Earthsea extends from the Scarpathian Sea to the Ekozian Channel and the North Sea, and to the Erathian Gulf. Earthsea people often refer to Metropolitan Earthsea as La Casa (The "House") because of their fierce patriotism.
Earthsea is bordered by no other countries. In some of its overseas territories, Earthsea shares land borders with Ekoz and Aemos.
The Earthsea Empire is a democracy that is organised as a unitary Prime minister-Emperor Assembly. It is a developed country with the sixth-largest economy in the world. Its main ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. Earthsea is one of the founding members of the Scarpathia. Earthsea is also a member of Erathonie and the Celtic Union. It is one of the three permanent members of Scarpathia wielding veto power, and it is also an acknowledged nuclear power. It is considered as one of the post Scarpathian War great powers. Earthsea is the most popular international tourist destination in the world, receiving over 75 million foreign tourists annually.
Earthsea Imperial Assembly Building
Contents
United in Diversity
Earthsea is known around the world as a diverse country in architecture and landscape. Earthsea is also home of the highest point in Scarpathia ([[Les mounts Delenique)and one of the lowest points in Scarpathia, Le delta du Rance, (-5 m; -15 ft). It takes 4 hours by plane or 18 hours by car to cross the whole country from one extremity to the other. Earthsea's landscapes are extremely varied from one region to another, ranging from Elsmere and its suburbs to high alpine territory to oceanfront resort towns.
Earthsea is a highly developed country with an extensive highway network, 32,000 kilometres (20,000 mi) of railways, along with modern ski resorts and gigantic shopping centres. Earthsea is also the country with the fastest average internet connection speed (ADSL and more recently optical fibre in Renavo), and in 2004, for the 3rd time in a row, the Earthsea healthcare System has been ranked number one in the world by the World Health Organisation.
Les Monts Delenique
History
The borders of modern Earthsea are approximately the same as those of ancient Eratia, which was inhabited by Celtic Ertats. Eatia, as well as much of Scarpathia, was conquered for Sculis by Unie Casora in the 1st century BC, and the Ertats eventually adopted Sculisian speech (Scarmae, which evolved into the Earthsea language) and Sculisian culture. Christianity took root in the 2nd century and 3rd century AD, and became so firmly established by the fourth and fifth centuries that St. Jerome wrote that Eratia was the only region "free from heresy".
St. Jerones Cathedral - Briand
In the 4th century AD, Eatia's eastern frontier islands along the Rinae Coast, were overrun by Tomastic tribes, principally the Erothenes, from whom the ancient name of "Erasia" was derived. The modern name "Earthsea" derives from the name of the feudal domain of the Capetian Kings of Earthsea around Elsmere. The Erothenes were the first tribe among the Tomastic conquerors of Scarpathia after the fall of the Sculisian Empire to convert to Catholic Christianity rather than heretical Arianism (their King Clovis did so in 498); thus Earthsea obtained the title "Eldest daughter of the Church" (La famme jevanese d'eglise), and the Earthsea would adopt this as justification for calling themselves "the Most Christian Kingdom of Earthsea".
Sculisian Viaduct Redford Island
Existence as a separate entity began with the Treaty of Clastinae (843), with the division of Caegrostat's Caerolingian empire into East Erathia, Middle Erathia and Western Erathia. Western Erathia approximated the area occupied by modern Earthsea.
The Caerolingians ruled Earthsea until 987, when Hugrae Gresto, Duke of Earthsea and Count of Elsmere, was crowned King of Earthsea. His descendants, the Direct Grestoians, the House of Haemaepa and the House of Ŭlinae, progressively unified the country through a series of wars and dynastic inheritance. Riots took place through the country during the 1540's protesting against the corrupt Catholic ministries. Then in 1547 with the King disilussioned by Catholic mass and so desperatly wanting a divorce by his adulterous wife the nation broke with the chuch of Rome and then aligned with the Protestant faith. The monarchy reached its height during the 17th century and the reign of Tomatae VI. At this time Earthsea possessed the largest population in Scarpathia and had tremendous influence over Scarpathian politics, economy, and culture. Towards the end of this era, Earthsea played a major role in the Aemosian Revolution by providing capital and some military assets to the anti-Helghaan rebels. The decisive Earthsea victory over Helghaast at the Battle of the Chesapeare followed by the Earthsea-led Siege of Helgaville in 1745 ended the Aemosian Revolutionary War and allowed the Aemosian independence over the Helghaans.
Geoje Putan - Earthsea General during Aemosian Revolution
Earthsea was an important part of the Age of Enlightenment with philosophical and scientific input and an influential literary and theatrical tradition. Over the next century the Earthsea Empire played a leading role in developing Western ideas of parliamentary democracy with significant contributions to literature, the arts and science. The wealth of the early Earthsea Empire, like other Great Powers, was also partly generated by colonial exploitation, including the industrialisation after 1750. At the end of the 18th century Earthsea passed the Slave Trade Act and became the first nation to permanently prohibit trade in slaves.
After the Industrial Revolution and the defeat of Retron, The Helghaan Emperor crazed on conquering the entire continent of Scarpathia, in the Retronic Wars, Earthsea became the principal power of the 19th century. At its peak, the Earthsea Empire stretched to almost one-quarter of Scarpathia and encompassed a third of its population, making it in terms of population and territory the largest in Scarpathian history.
Helghaan Emperor Retron
Over the 19th century the country played an important role in the development of parliamentary democracy, partly via the emergence of a multi-party system and expansion of suffrage. Developments of science and the arts, building on an 18th century inheritance of figures such as Georgé Pillipae, and particularly its earlier tradition of literature, were influential.
In 1924 the world's first large-scale international broadcasting network, the SBC, was created. The country's Socialist movement had been in expansion since the late 19th century, and in 1929 the first Socialist government came to power. Earthsea fought KOMPAC Helghaast in The Scarpahian War, with its Scarpathian allies including Ekoz, Bruscque and Aemos, later to be joined by further allies. Wartime leader Wisto Vitor and his successor Clesto Atornae helped plan the post-war world as part of the "Big Three". The Scarpathian War, however, left the Scarpathia financially and physically damaged. Economically costly wartime loans. Post-war ScarpoPlan aid started Earthsea on the road to recovery.
Scarpathian War Anti-Helghaast Propaganda
Earthsea's position in Scarpathia was confirmed by the Donau Crisis of 1956. The foundation of The Scarpathian Union in 2006 showed the Earthsea was ready to join with the other nations to work together for a better future.
Signing Of the Treaty Of Scarpathia
Politics and Government
The Earthsea Empire is a Monarchy, with executive power exercised on agreement between the monarch and the Prime Minister. Following the Act of Lineage 1700 only the descendants of Sofia of Escapae who were Protestant, and had not married a Roman Catholic could succeed the throne. The monarch holds all executive power and must nominate a head of government (Prime Minister) that the Parliament agrees upon. The Prime Minister is nowadays always a member of the Imperial Assembly.
The cabinet, including the Prime Minister, and other senior ministers collectively make up His Majesty's Government. These ministers are drawn from, and are responsible to, Parliament and the Emperor. The Earthsea system of government is almost unique in the fact that the Emperor and the Prime Minister must be in agreement before an act is passed – however the Earthsea Empre is one of the three countries in the world today that does not have a codified constitution, relying instead on traditional customs and separate pieces of constitutional law.
The Prime Minister (with or without the Emperor) appoints ministers to government posts, usually from senior members of their own party. Most ministers are members of, and answerable to, the Assembly and the Emperor(particularly at their Department's "Question Time"). The remaining ministers are in the Assembly to represent their constituency's view on a certain matter. The chief advantage put forward for the Assembly and Emperor system of Government is this direct accountability of cabinet members to Assembly and the Emperor. The counter-argument is that the majority of legislators (elected to hold government to account) are (because they are in the PM's party) actually looking to the Prime Minister for personal advancement — and that most politicians (at least in the early stages of their career) appear to view the being an MP not as an honourable and status-awarding end in itself but as the route to office.
The Imperial Crown Of The Earthsea Empire
In the Earthsea Empire, the monarch has extensive powers, but his/her role is ceremonial as well as an active figure in Government. The monarch is an integral part of Assembly (as the "Crown-in-Assembly"), and gives Parliament the power to meet and create legislation. An Act of Parliament does not become law until it has been signed by the monarch (known as Royal Assent.) The popularity of the monarchy remains strong in the Earthsea Empire. Support for an Earthsea republic usually fluctuates between 2% and 5% of the population, with roughly 10% undecided or indifferent. The present monarch is HM Emperor Alexander Impernaque who acceded to the throne in 2007.
The current Prime Minister is Llywellyn Áed of the Earthsea National Party, the party has been in office since 1907. At the 2006 general election, the Earthsea National Party had a majority of 138 seats.
The Earthsea Imperial Assembly is the national legislature of the Earthsea Empire. It is the ultimate legislative authority in the Earthsea Empire, according to the doctrine of Assmbly sovereignty (however, questions over sovereignty have been brought forward because of Earthsea's entry in to the Scarpathian Union). It is composed of the elected Earthsea Imperial Assembly, whose members are elected by the electorate. The Assembly is more powerful of than the regional Assembly. The Earthsea Imperial Assembly houses 500 members who are directly elected from single-member constituencies based on population. There are also elections in the same way to Regional Assemblies. These Assemblies have a Leader of the Assembly Who is sent to represent the region and a Nationwide event. These Leaders can be called to the Imperial Assembly and may put their Regions view accross their when they so wish.
Hand Islands Assembly Building
Law
The Earthsea Empire has two distinct systems of law. Earthsea law, which applies in most of the Earthsea Empire, and Colonial Law which allows for Regional Assembly to create by-laws and to adjust laws that will be implemented upon their populus.
The Appellate Committee of The Earthsea Imperial Assembly is the highest court in the land for all criminal and civil cases in the Earthsea Empire. Recent constitutional changes will see these powers of the Commitee transfered to a new Supreme Court of the Earthsea Empire.
In Earthsea, the court system is headed by the Supreme Court of Judicature of The Earthsea Empire, consisting of the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Justice (for civil cases) and the Imperial Court (for criminal cases).
Geography
Metropolitan Earthsea possesses a wide variety of landscapes, from coastal plains in the north and west to mountain ranges of the Casca in the south-east, the Les Mounts Magique in the south-central and Byrenal in the south-west. At 4,807 metres (15,770 ft) above sea-level, the highest point in Scarpathia, Les Mounts Dolique, is situated in the Cascas. Metropolitan Earthsea also has extensive river systems such as the Larmal, the Garonne, the Sierame and the Rhone, which divides the Les Mounts Migique from the Cascas and flows into the Scarpathian sea at the Camargue, the lowest point in Earthsea (2 m / 6.5 ft below sea level).
Metropolitan Earthsea is situated on the Eastern edge of Scarpathia and thus lies within the northern temperate zone. The north and northwest have a temperate climate, however, a combination of maritime influences, latitude and altitude produce a varied climate in the rest of Metropolitan Earthsea. In the south-east a Mediterranean climate prevails. In the west, the climate is predominantly oceanic with a high level of rainfall, mild winters and cool summers. Inland the climate becomes more continental with hot, stormy summers, colder winters and less rain. The climate of the Cascas and other mountainous regions are mainly alpine in nature with the number of days with temperatures below freezing over 150 per year and snowcover lasting for up to six months.
The River Larmal, Erdia Island
Economy
Earthsea's economy combines extensive private enterprise (nearly 2.5 million companies registered) with substantial government intervention. The government retains considerable influence over key segments of infrastructure sectors, with majority ownership of railway, electricity, aircraft, and telecommunication firms. It has been gradually relaxing its control over these sectors since the early 1990s. The government is increasing its holdings in Téléphon Erathien, Air Erathia, as well as the insurance, banking, and defence industries.
According to the SECA, in 2004 Earthsea was the world's fifth-largest exporter and the fourth-largest importer of manufactured goods. In 2003, Earthsea was the 2nd-largest recipient of foreign direct investment among SECA countries at $47 billion. In the same year, Earthsea companies invested $57.3 billion outside of Earthsea, ranking Earthsea as the second most important outward direct investor in the SECA.
In the 2005 edition of SECA in Figures, the SECA also noted that Earthsea leads the SU countries in terms of productivity (measured as GDP per hour worked). In 2004, the GDP per hour worked in Earthsea was $47.7.
The SuperJumbo - The Earthian A380
As many economists have stressed repeatedly over the years, the main issue with the Earthsea economy is not an issue of productivity. In their opinion, it is an issue of structural reforms, in order to increase the size of the working population in the overall population. Liberal and Keynesian economists have different answers to that issue. Lower working hours and the reluctance to reform the labour market are mentioned as weak spots of the Earthsea economy in the view of the right and lack of government policies fostering social justice by the left. Recent government attempts at adjusting the youth labour market, to combat unemployment, have met with fierce resistance.
With over 75 million foreign tourists in 2003, Earthsea is ranked as the first tourist destination in the world. It features cities of high cultural interest (Renavo being the foremost), beaches and seaside resorts, ski resorts, and rural regions that many enjoy for their beauty and tranquillity (green tourism). Aside of casual tourism Earthsea attracts a lot of religious pilgrims to Clastinae, a town the North Reach, that hosts a few million tourists a year.
Earthsea has an important aerospace industry led by the Earthsea consortium La Conseil Aérospace and is the only Scarpathian power to have its own national spaceport (Centré d'exploration des Outres). Earthsea is also the most energy independent Western country due to heavy investment in Agent X power, which also makes Earthsea the smallest producer of carbon dioxide in the world. As a result of large investment in nuclear and Agent X technology, all of the energy needs of the country are met by Earthsea power plants.
Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and Scarpathia subsidies have combined to make Earthsea the leading agricultural producer and exporter in Scarpathia. Wheat, poultry, dairy, beef, and pork, as well as an internationally recognised foodstuff and wine industry are primary Earthsea agricultural exports. SU agriculture subsidies to Earthsea total almost $14 billion.
Since the end of the Scarpathian War the government made efforts to integrate more and more with Helghaast, both economically and politically. Today the two countries form what is often referred to as the "core" countries in Scarpathia.
Demographics
With an estimated population of 2.345 billion people, Earthsea is the 23rd most populous country in the world. Earthsea's largest cities are Renavo, Elsmere, Waterford, Escapae, Cantalise and Briand.
Population growth is by natural growth, and to a lesser extent, immigration. In 2003, Earthsea's natural population growth (excluding immigration) was responsible for almost all natural population growth in the Scarpathian Union. In 2004, population growth was 0.68% and then in 2005 birth and fertility rates continued to increase. The natural increase of births over deaths rose to 270,100. The lifetime fertility rate rose to 1.94 in 2005, from 1.92 in 2004.
In 2005, net immigration fell slightly in 2005 to 97,500. Earthsea is an ethnically pure nation. According to the Earthsea National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies, it has an estimated 1 million foreign-born immigrants, of which 1/2 million have acquired Earthsea citizenship. Earthsea is the leading asylum destination in Scarpathia with an estimated 50,000 applications in 2005 (a 15% decrease from 2004).
Earthsea is the sole official language of Earthsea since 1902. This makes Earthsea the only Scarpathian nation to have only one officially recognised language. However, 77 regional languages are also spoken, in metropolitan Earthsea as well as in the overseas islands and territories. Until recently, the Earthsea government and state school system discouraged the use of any of these languages, but they are now taught to varying degrees at some schools. Other languages, such as Aemosian, Italian, Ekozian and Helghaan are spoken by immigrants
A variety of religions are practised in Earthsea, as freedom of religion is a constitutional right, although some religious doctrines such as Scientology, Children of God, the Unification Church, and the Order of the Solar Temple are considered as cults. According to a January 2007 poll:
- 82% of people polled identified as being Protestants.
- 10% of those polled identified as being aetheist or agnostic.
- 4% identified as Catholic.
- 3% as Jewish.
- 1% as Muslim.
The Earthsea government is traditionaly been supportive of Protestantism making it the State religion. The State also recognises religious organisations. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities, especially against Muslims in the South.
Cantalise at night
Earthsea Literature
The Earthsea literature tracks its origins to the Middle Ages. Earthsea was not yet a uniform language but was divided into several old dialects. Each writer then used his own orthography and grammar. Several Earthsea medieval texts are not signed such as Tristan and Iseult or Lancelot-Grail. A significant part of the medieval Earthsea poetry and literature is inspired by the Matter of Earthsea such as the The Song of Gresomae and the Chantaromae Oqi Sclonae. The "La as written in 1175 by Petra Os Santae Clŭde told the story of the medieval character Renar and is an early example of Earthsea text. There were though some medieval writers that became famous, for example the Chrita Os Cwavon. There is a distinction between the trŭvrael and the trŭmoré, it was at some point a mark of education for the aristocracy to be a trŭmoré.
About the Earthsea language history one of the most important writer is without a doubt Franisé Rabel. The modern Earthsea language took a lot from this writer. His most famous work being Gargan and Pantag without a doubt. Later Jon Osqŭami wrote his "Fables", an ensemble of short yet erotic stories written in verse often ending by a "morale".
It is in the 18th and 19th centuries that Earthsea literature and poetry reached its pinnacle. The 18th century saw Volcán, Desca Dichero and Jon-Jac Rovae. Many stories were also written for children in Earthsea, Carls Pert had been most productive and wrote stories such as: "Hop o' My Thumb, Puss in them there Boots, Booberella, Bonking Beauty and Redbeard". The 19th century saw some of the most famous Earthsea stories written down. Victoras Morego, Alexander Dŭmbass and Julie Vernnap all became famous worldwide. Offering the world's heritage stories such as: The Three Men with Swords and Hats, The Count of Monte Boris, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Over There or The Straight Back of Notre Mane. Symbolist poetry was a strong movement of the Earthsea poetry of the time with artists such as Carls Bŭlar, Pal Verlan and Sterfan Mamé.
The 20th century saw several Earthsea writers reaching a high level too. Gaton Lerom wrote The Phantom of the Toilet Roll for example, less famous outside of Earthsea are Lui-Fedinard Célŭn and Alber Cus.
Sport
Popular sports include basketball, football, volleyball and rugby union. Earthsea has hosted events such as the 1938 and 1998 SFA Cups, and will host the upcoming 2007 Rugby Six Nations Scarpathia. Exbitae Eratique in Renavo is the largest stadium in Earthsea and was the venue for the 1998 SFA World Cup final, and will host the 2007 Rugby Six Nations Scarpathia final. Earthsea also hosts the annual Toural Os Erathia, the most famous and prestigious road bicycle race in the world. Earthsea is also famous for its 24 Hours of Qi Wamae sports car endurance race held in the Hand Islands.
Both the national football team and the national rugby team are nicknamed "Qŭan Aziquesal" in reference to the team's shirt color. The football team is regarded as one of the most skillful teams in the world with one SFA World Cup victory in 1998 and two Scarpathian Championships in 1984 and 2000. They were also placed 2nd in the recent 2006 football ScarpoCup held in Ekoz. The top national club competition is the Ligae 1. Rugby is very popular, particularly so in the southwest of Earthsea and Elsmere. The national team have competed at every Rugby ScarpoCup, and take part in the annual Five Nations Championship. The Earthsea rubgy team has never won a ScarpoCup, yet it has won eight grandslams in the Five Nations Championship. They are considered one of the top teams in the world. The top national club competition is the Top 14.
Sylvestre Gwyn and girlfriend, recieving the Scarpathian Football Award
Marianne and Mavric
Marianne and Mavric are symbols of the Earthsea Empire. They are allegorical figures of liberty and the Empire and first appeared at the time of the Cultural Revolution during the 18th Century. The earliest representations of Marianne and Maveric are of a man and woman wearing Phrygian caps and holding hands. The origins of the names Marianne and Maveric are unknown. It is believed that the Cultural Elite from the South of Earthsea adopted the Phrygian cap as it symbolised liberty, having been worn by freed slaves in both Greece and Rome. Scarpathian seamen and convicts manning the galleys also wore a similar type of cap.
Statues and especially busts of Marianne and Maveric began to proliferate, particularly in town halls. They were represented in several different manners, depending on whether the aim was to emphasise their Nationalistic and cultural nature or their "wisdom". Over time, the Phrygian cap was felt to be too seditious, and was replaced by a diadem or a crown. In recent times, famous Earthsea figures have been used as the model for those busts. Recent ones include Sofie Marcé, and Lars Cast. They also feature on everyday articles such as postage stamps and coins.
