Falastur

The Unified Provinces of Falastur

National Motto: Orbis Non Sufficit
Map:	Note that this indicates the location of the Falastur Island Group, not all of the Unified Provinces
Region	Greater Cladonia
Official language	English, plus regional and ethnic languages
Capital	Terila
Largest Religion	Falasturian Methodism
Tech Level	Modern Tech
Government  - Emperor  - Head of the Commons	· Monarchy · Free-market capitalist state HIM Matthew VI Anthony de Moins .
Population (May 2006)	~5,996,000,000
HDI	0.931 - high
Currency	Havanaro (~H~)
Independence Day	April 11th, 1715
Time zone  - Summer	UTC-1 UTC+0
Internet TLD	.flt
Stats: NSEconomy Pipian XML

Overview of an Empire

Long-time leader (and for a long time, sole member) of the Falastur Alliance region, the Imperial Power (more commonly known as the Empire) of Falastur is a Monarchy, based heavily on the Tudor English form of Government, but with strong modern-day influences. While it's capital lies on Falastur Island, in the Atlantic Ocean, the Empire is far-flung all across the world. It may, perhaps, even be one of the several nations which could arguably boast that never does the sun set upon its unladen lands. While its history dates back little more than three centuries, it has arisen as a world leader in economic and military might, yet intermittent but protracted periods of seclusion have induced it into a less than conspicuous role on the international stage.

History

Main article: History of Falastur

Starting life as a English pseudo-colony, and thus declaring allegiance to England as such, although eschewing involvement in their affairs Falastur grew to be a universally renowned and distinguished sanctuary for those seeking renewal of self in the eyes of others. Furthermore to this day Falastur maintains resolutely an uninhibited and cordial immigration policy. Economic power and beliefs in a free market economy within Falastur, have led it to become a signatory of the Knootian International Stabilisation Treaty (KIST). Through a great period of colonialism has it traversed, having moreover, in a different epoch played a minor role in the Napoleonic Wars, largely avoided the World Wars, concomitantly escaping Civil War and reluctantly was a staging ground for part of the Cold War, and by way of all of these has Falastur emerged through precarious times only to grasp security as much more unyielding, established as a relatively, considerably, extensive political unit.

Government

Main article: Falasturian Government

In order to maintain control over such a large political body, Government in Falastur is very much decentralised, and focuses on a series of tiers of Government down to the local level. Until recently, Government comprised of two divisions - the Monarchist half of the Government headed by Emperor Matthew VI of Falastur, and the Democratic side, directed by Anthony DeMoins. These two leaders had equal rights to power, and a strong friendship, despite the age gap between them. However, following a long campaign of political reform, and numerous referendums, the Empire's Government has since been reformed to the more workable system of what is known as "Modern Monarchism" - a twist from Medieval Monarchism, incorporating modern-day values. The democratic side of the Government has been integrated into this system, fulfilling the role of the "Houses of Commons", where the people of Falastur are given their say in Government.

Subdivisions

Main article: Subdivisions of Falastur

The Empire of Falastur can be divided and sub-divided into several parts, of varying status in the Empire. The status of the different lands of the Empire are largely defined by the period in Falasturian history in which they were incorporated under the crown of the Emperor, and the internal policies in action during those periods.

The Unified Provinces of Falastur

At the top of the scale, the Empire is headed in Terila, on Falastur Island, where all the most important Government buildings are to be found. Falastur Island is the most important of all the lands of the Empire, even though it is home to only 956 million. The other islands of the Falastur Island Group are home to the remainder of the 3,674 million population, and they are second in importance only to Falastur Island - being host to several of the largest cities of the Holy Empire of Falastur, and declared free from the Empire longest ago. Alongside them are 3 distinct and vast stretches of land, along with 4 smaller areas, which combined with the Falastur Island Group make up the nation of Falastur itself, known as the Unified Provinces of Falastur. However, they are rarely known by this name as most international events involving Falastur either are of relevance to the whole Empire, or to the capital.

The Dependencies of Falastur

The Dependencies of Falastur are a quite vast number of lands big and small, who rely on the Empire to keep them upright, yet are not totally under the control of the Empire. The Dependencies almost solely are former States under Imperial Control, and a small few of them even hold their own miniature Empires, although the Empire of Falastur tends to try and weave a form of control into these territories, and many Dependencies are faced with a ruler who makes virtually all of his or her political decisions based on advise from or legislations made by the Falastur Government. However, the Dependencies have the power to decide their own fate, usually with the right to elect a Government if they wish or are allowed it. Further than that, the average "lives" of the Dependencies are independent from Falastur, and the citizens of each dream of one day watching their Country emerge a World Power, not merely a free State.

The Dependencies are largely states annexed during the latter periods of Falastur Imperialism. These countries largely were pre-industrial countries with a central government and forms of social structure and organisation that made them technologically inferior to Falastur. However, to earn Falasturian attention, these states held resources, strategically advantageous locations and were deemed "worthy of Falasturian support".

The Colonies of Falastur

The Colonies of Falastur are next in the list. These are Nations under complete control by the Emperor, or his lackey-Governors, but these Nations manage a fragment of superiority over the Dominions as the Colonies are Islands colonised by the Holy Empire, and not Nations conquered and subdued by it.

The Colonies were some of the earliest takings of the Empire of Falastur. Lands spread around the globe and largely populated with tribal natives, the Colonies grew from small groups of trading ports to span tens of thousands of square miles, and became trading centres in their parts of the world. While the first conquests of land were largely run at the end of musket and bayonet, leading to slaughters of the local populations, the losses mounted up for the Falasturian Army, and the Empire became a pioneer in diplomacy with local peoples, annexing the land in peace and giving natives citizenship and local freedom. Due to this, many Colonies have high native populations, and to this day there are many tribes still living in the rural areas of the Colonies, as they did before they were taken over by Falastur.

The Territories of Falastur

Bottom of the list are the Territories of Falastur. These lands essentially have the status of being part of the country of Falastur. They are ruled almost directly by the Emperor, with almost no semblance of independence at all. Their citizens often have few rights, but have been taught to live their lives happily. After all, their status ensures a peaceful and safe environment, and they are free from trouble from outside aggressors by the protection of Falastur. If nations, particularly those with a population under 100 thousand, but occasionally much larger countries on the point of collapse due to inside problems are often given the opportunity to be integrated into the Empire as a territory at the last moment, saving them from falling apart and becoming the land of a more oppressive and opportunistic dictator, (as there are so many around). In fact, the Empire is becoming a world benchmark for the backward, 4th world countries, seen as a country dedicated to the upholding of countries that could not survive on their own.

The Dependencies are mainly countries not annexed through conquest, although some rebellious states are given dependency status. Instead, they are largely countries which in the last century were offered Falasturian protection, and found themselves drawn further and further into the Empire.

Protectorates of Falastur

Falastur also has under its wing a small number of Protectorates.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Falastur

As a nation and Empire spread over many territories all around the world, the geography of Falastur and the Empire is widely varied, stretching from year-round snowy hills and valleys to blazing deserts, and from areas of flat-land to towering mountain ranges. Because of the widespread nature of the lands of the Empire, there is no universal climate or landscape, and few lands share the same weather the whole year round. However, of the vast lands of the Empire, most lands have a temperate, cool climate, and mostly flat land with some hills. Many territories are home to some small mountain ranges, or parts of them, a few of the larger lands of the Empire housing larger mountain ranges, and some of the largest mountains in the world lie in Falasturian lands. Other lands of the Empire are host to many of the largest lakes on their continents.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Falastur

Falastur, an economic giant and a financial powerhouse, has a robust capitalist economy, and is a strong contender to be one of the largest universal economic powers. There are healthy amounts of privatised and nationalised companies running the essential practises of the country, such as transportation and communications, finely tuned with years of practise and modifications to make companies in the less profitable sectors government control and funding, while allowing the more profitable areas to be run by independent businessmen, and giving the greatest result to the Falasturian economy. While very little of Falasturian industry is agriculture, there are still many farms around providing for much of Falastur's dietary needs, and the agricultural sector is technologically advanced and efficient. The Falasturian economy also benefits from plentiful reserves of crude oil and coal from its numerous territories, which it exports to much of the world, however in return it still heavily relies on the import of other resources, such as natural gas which it is lacking in. The economy in this respect could soon look forward to sharp profits, however, as the Falasturian Government have recently begun looking into more efficient and more renewable sources of power, which would have the effect of removing the need for importing resources, and would allow for virtually complete exportation of native resource reserves. As in much of the modern world, industry is declining in Falastur, being replaced by services such as banking and insurance, however industry remains a large employer, and all signs show that there will continue to be an industrial sector in Falasturian economics for decades, or even centuries, to come. Tourism also plays a huge factor in Falasturian economics, with an estimated 700 million people visiting the Falasturian Empire every year, and current campaigns are ongoing to draw more and more people from around the world to Falastur during holiday seasons. The Havanaro continues to grow in strength compared to other world currencies, and is becoming increasingly accepted in other countries of the world as legal (although unofficial) tender.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Falastur

Although the primary language spoken in Falastur is English, and it is taught in every school in the Empire, it is far from the only language spoken. Due to the diverse citizenry of Falastur, with ancestry ranging from all parts of the world, as well as large proportions of native peoples in the populations of some lands, many native tongues from around the world are spoken publicly, and several of the largest and most universal languages and dialects have received the status of official language within the Empire. In a recent survey of much of the Empire, it was found that while virtually every citizen of Falastur can speak English, 83.1% also speak a second language, and 27.6% speak a third. As a result of the broad range of languages and peoples, Falasturians are generally accepting of new citizens, particularly ethnic minorities, a fact believed to be responsible for a large amount of the tourism in Falastur.

Culture

Main article: Falasturian Culture

The culture of the Empire of Falastur is almost as diverse as the languages spoken within it, however, particularly in the Unified Provinces themselves, there is a definitively European, and particularly a definitively British atmosphere, largely down to the English foundations of the nation. Professional clubs and groups for most any sport can be found within Falastur, but the most popular sports are football (soccer), rugby, tennis, baseball and cricket - most all of them English-founded. While the varied ancestry of the citizens of Falastur has made it more difficult to recognise, the accent which most Falasturians use is an accent sounding quite akin to that of the Home Counties of England. Citizens of Falastur are largely quite religious, with atheists largely in the minority. While most religions of the world are practised within Falastur, Christianity - and in particular, Protestantism - is strongest with its borders, with other major religions also enjoying the support of sizable amounts of Falastur's population. While there is a vague but recognisable Falasturian culture, individual parts and states of the Empire are increasingly developing individual identities and distinguishing features in their lives which separates them from the rest of the Empire.

Aside from its roots in England and the world, however, Falastur has developed its own culture in many respects. Its peoples enjoy many variants in music, and in the last half a century, Falastur has developed several styles of music now enjoyed around the world. It is also a centre for literature and the arts, with several museums of art growing in prestige around the world. Falasturian television and its cinema industry and developing rapidly, with many Falasturian channels broadcast the world over, and some Falasturian films setting box office records in far-off nations from where they were first released.

The character of the average Falasturian is generally an accepting, loyal and hard-working one. Just as immorality spreads into all nations of the world, with the young generations growing up to be more arrogant and self-conscious, the same is true of Falastur, however strong moral codes in the country have helped to numb the effect largely, and the all-pervasive police force act as a great incentive to the citizens, discouraging law-breaking throughout the country.

See Also

• List of Falasturian Rulers
• Falasturian Government
• KIST