People's Republic of Fuñia Lan

Fuñia Lan also known as Funnia Lan is a country located in the Southern Hemisphere adjoining the South Eastern Sea. Mostly desert, the nation enjoys a temperate coast which is where most of its food production occurs. The country is divided administratively into 99 régions. Each region is further divided into ten arrondissements. There are a total of 990 arrondisements across the nation.

• Cities:
  • Largest city Port Henri
  • Other Cities:Norge, Kings City, Balai, Damor
• Government
  • Government type: Parlamentary Republic
  • Parliament: The National Council (99 members - one from each region).

• • Other Languages: Ukranian, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Gaelic, 47 tribal languages

• Education: Compulsory from 5 years to 16 years

                   Junior (Reception Grade and Grades 1 to 2)
                   Primary (Grades 3 to 6)
                   Secondary (Grades 7 to 10)
                   Senior (Grades 11 and 12)
                   Education is free at all levels

• Universities: Fuñia Lan has five universities: Universite de Fuñia Lan (UdF), Fuñia Lan National University (FNU), Cite Universite (CU), Fuñia Lan Technology University (FLTU) and Institute Nationale de Fuñia Lan (INFL). University education is provided free but graduates contribute at a higher tax rate.

• National Service: Fourteen months of National Service is compulsory for all who wish to be residents. For those born in Fuñia Lan or who emigrate there before the age of 26, it can be started at the age of 16 and must be completed by the age of 26. For emigrants over the age of 26 who wish to be residents, National Service must be completed within five years. National Service consists of four modules:
  • Defence Unit (two months)
  • Citizenship Unit (two months)
  • Community Service (six months)
  • Environmental Service (two month)

The final two months is taken in one of the four areas. The Community Service unit can be undertaken in Funia Lan or overseas. For example many medical students complete their service in an African, Asian or Pacific context.

All citizens have to complete a further four days per year for life. All citizens are on call should there be an invasion.

Completion of National Service is seen as evidence of adulthood and is usually accompanied by

• Citizenship: Citizens have access to Fuñia Lan Health, National Super, the right to carry a Fuñia Lan passport, access to diplomatic services, free university education and a lower national tax rate.

• National animal The Numbat

• Currency Tal (₮) (100 centime = 1₮)
  • Coins: 1/2c, 2c, 10c, 25c, 99c,
  • Notes: 3₮, 10₮, 50₮, 100₮

*Media

• • Television (ten channels available)
  • Radio (seven AM stations and seven FM stations)
  • Newspaper: two national dailies (Newsflash and Funia Lan Financial Times), one national weekly (Saturday News)
  • Internet (national Broadband network provided via cable and wireless by Fuñia Lan Communications Corporation
  • Telephone (provided by Fuñia Lan Communications Corporation)
  • Mobile (service provided by Fuñia Lan Communications Corporation)
  • Internet TLD .fl

History

The indigenous peoples of Fuñia Lan arrived approximately 10 000 years ago. They settled as 47 tribes each with their own language. The Spanish traded with the indigenous people for the pearls, wood, fruits and precious stones through the 16th and 17th centuries. It was during this time, that the name Fuñia Lan emerged to describe the region.

For many years, the waters of Funia Lan were explored and used by whalers, pearl divers and fishermen from China, Indonesia, Portugal and Spain.

Fuñia Lan was settled in the early 1840s by 1300 French intellectuals in the North (Nouvelle Monde) and in the 1850s by 700 Scottish, 400 Irish and 2000 English republicans in the South. Both groups sought their utopia, a new world" founded on a closer union with nature, shared wealth, freedom of religion, equality of citizens and education for all. Despite the machinations of their ruling powers, the "communities" sought to develop a different model. Importantly, they did not claim their territory for their own nation. The French colony was centred at Port Henri (founded by Henri Ledru-Rollin in 1845) and the British colony at King's City (named after Joseph King, principal organiser of the British colony who died

The French settlers because of their acceptance of indigenous peoples (including the permitting of inter marrying) survived the major drought of 1866 to 1870 with help from these native peoples. The British were in danger of starvation and appealed to Britain and the French settlers to the North. Help came from the French first and with their encouragement, a closer relationship was forged between the indigenous peoples and the southern settlers. This led to a new respect between the Scottish, Irish and English in the South and the French settlers in the North and the indigenous peoples. This equality extended to the Chinese community who were working as pearl divers.

The French community eschewed the importation of non native animals and plants, seeking to rely on what the new world offered. The English brought cats, dogs and mice.

In 1871, the two communites, adopted the Seven Pillars, principles by which they would live. There were 9 000 in the English speaking South and 11 000 in the French speaking North.

When the British government finally came to "help" the starving Enlish settlers in 1873, they took control of both the North and the South. As a result of continuing global Anglo-French conflict, they imposed the use of English in all schools and in commerce. In protest, the English speaking south insisted that French be taught in their schools.

The first English governor Edward Jeffries retaliated by arresting both the leaders of the French and English communities. The response was a complete strike by 95% of all citizens known as the "Great Strike". Governor Jeffries responded by arresting all of the clergy, teachers, doctors and shopkeepers in the English community who were seen as being leaders of the strike. The resulting chaos resulted in a refusal by the people to serve the army. This included the unloading of army supply ships which were bringing supplies from India, Australia and New Zealand. Desperate for food, supplies and medical help, the army (fifty men) went on strike demanding the resignation of Jeffries. The announcement of his resignation in 1876 led to universal jubilation.

With the governor went despatches from the leaders of Fuñia Lan demanding continued autonomy and freedom from interference, the adoption of the Seven Pillars and the use of French and English as the joint languages of the new world. There was no response from the British government.

The replacement governor Robert Mitchell who arrived in 1878 was appalled by "the loose practices witnessed in these 'accursed territories'"; namely the intermingling of the French, English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese and Indigenous people. He instituted a new policy of segregation, and forbade the education of the Chinese and Indigenous peoples. The governor also allowed the introduction of non native animals into the north including dogs and cats which had a devastating effect on the native animals. He also allowed the use of weapons in the territories, which violated the pacifist nature of the peoples. The communities saw these things as a betrayal of their paradise on earth. Governor Mitchell was "arrested" by a citizens committee and escorted to a merchant ship hired by the citizens of the new world. He had lasted four and a half months.

In 1880, Governor James Jameson appeared to be more sympathetic. He supported the principle of having joint languages and encouraged the use of them in commerce and education. He horrified the English overlords by marrying a French woman in 1882. He was recalled and ordered to return to England. He resigned and continued to live in Port Henri.

In the meantime, the discovery of diamonds by the Port Henri Diamond Company gave the communities their first real serious income. Because all land was held in common, the diamond wealth was shared and used to build the infrastructure of the coastal cities. The population of Funia Lan grew rapidly through the 1880s reaching 75 000 by 1887.

Unfortunately, this new financial clout meant that both the English and French were more interested in their colonies. In 1887 the French and English forces invaded their respective territories. Not possessing weapons, there was little active resistance and the territory was split into two. The North was known as Fuñia Lan and the South was known as VictoriaLand after the Queen.

The populace took great delight in ignoring the exhortions to divide into separate populations and maintained the practice of using French and English plus encouraging the use of Cantonese, Gaelic and Indigenous tongues. There was an active policy of harrassing, undermining and ignoring the military rulers. The French responded with significant numbers of their own men deserting preferring to work in the mining, fishing and pearling industries which were financially rewarding. The English however were cruel. The military commander of the South, Brigadier Robert T Ross had no hesitation in using force to harrass and hassle the unruly citizens. He did not succeed in taking control of the Port Henri Diamond Company which was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1888 (with 90% of the shareholders being citizens of the new world).

The 1890s are known as the "dark times" as they coincided with the continuing military presence, The Great Drought (1891 to 1894) and the collapse of the Port Henri Diamond Mine killing 177 men.

In 1897 Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. The people of VictoriaLand celebrated by petitioning the Queen, the Colonial Secretary, Joseph Chamberlain and the British Prime Minister for independence. The population had fallen to 45 000 in the North and 28 000 in the South.

Their wish was partly granted when the British in 1899 facing the Boer War moved their troops out of VictoriaLand. They handed the territory over to an elected government voted in by English speaking males with incomes ober 5 pounds per year. The first act of the new Government in 1901 was to reunite the North and the South, effectively handing the territory back to the French. In view of the recent death of Queen Victoria, some in Britain saw this act as treason and moved to take control of the Port Henry Diamond Company in retaliation. This move was thwarted legally.

It was during this time that many of the early principles established by the original colonists were re-established. The nation formally adopted the old name: Fuñia Lan. It was divided into 99 Regions with each region being divided into arrondisements. In 1906 all men and women were given the vote. The total population of Funia Lan was 150 000.

French rule lasted until 1914 when it was replaced by a joint Anglo-French commission for the duration of World War One. A new Governing Council was established made up of three people: a person appointed by the French, a person appointed by the British monarch and a person elected by the people of Funia Lan. This model remained in practice until World War Two.

After World War One, the leaders of the Communities demanded a move to self rule. This was ignored. Population growth was steady from World War One through the Great Depression and up to the outbreak of World War Two.

When France was invaded by the Nazis. In a move designed to thwart any Nazi claims, Funia Lan declared independence and estabished the capital Fuñia Lan Cite. At the time, the population was 800 000 people.

Under the 1943 Constitution, the Governing Council became a Presidential Council with indigenous people choosing one of the three representatives and the newly established National Council electing the third. Fuñia Lan was also established with no army, opting instead for a universal defence force made up of all citizens being ready when required. The "Pillars"of Funia Lan which had existed in some form since the 1860s became the basis of the nation. The new government began control of the radio networks. It dumped the Franc and replaced it with the Tal, still divided into Centimes.

Post World War Two saw the discovery of oil and the expansion of coal, diamond, iron ore, nickel and zinc mining. Uranium was also discovered but the people of Fuñia Lan voted to never mine it. The rail system was established with lines linking all existing towns and the new capital. The first airport was established at Fuñia Lan Cite but in a move designed to protect the rail system no internal flights were allowed. Significant effort was placed in the conservation and use of water resources. Surprisingly for an oil exporter, the ownership of private cars was forbidden with communal ownership allowed in some situations. Five cities banned the use of motor vehicles preferring the communal transport systems to the individual, and the green park to the car park.

Immigration from Eastern Europe principally the Ukraine occurred in significant numbers after world war two. The government imposed strict population limits on the location of people limiting each region to a maximum population of 60 000. The national population reached one million in 1948, two million in 1959, three million in 1969 and four million in 1979.

Severe drought hit the country from 1969 to 1975 serving to remind the population of its commitment to environmental sustainability. The country saw further droughts in 1985 and 86, 1989 to 1993, and 1999-2006.

The 1973 oil crisis impacted a nation whose wealth had largely come from oil. There was a realisation that oil was a finite resource and oil became an issue of national security. From 1975 until now the policy has been to reduce the export of oil steadily. No one knows for certain, what the oil supply of Fuñia Lan is. In 1975 it was estimated oil supplies would last until 2005. Since then the country has discovered four more fields but has reduced export supply by at least fifty per cent and at the same time, domestic oil consumption has been almost eradicated.

In 1978 both FM radio and Television were introduced. The [Chemins de Fer de Fuñia Lan][2] (the rail system) was rebuilt using French and Japanese technology through the 1980s and recently maglev lines have been built linking Fuñia Lan Cite, kings Cite and Port Henry plus Norge.

The country has been active in recycling, environmental protection and latterly Climate change issues. It maintains a strict nuetrality and is resistant to join global organisations.

Geography

Fuñia Lan stretches 1665 km from East to West and 646km from North to South.

Government

Fuñia Lan has a unique head of state situation. The Presidential Council consists of three inidividuals all elected differently:

• 1. The Indigenous People's Representative nominated by the Native People's Council which is elected every four years to represent the affairs of the indegenous peoples of Funia Lan. This Representative can be nominated no more than two times to this role.
• 2. The Citizen's Representative elected during the national election for a period of four years by the entire population of Funia Lan
• 3. The Parliamentray Representative elected every four years after the National election by the National Council. This representative starts their role one year after the National election.

Any of the Presidents can act in the role. Two are needed to sign in legislation. All three need to agree to the appointment of Judges, the dissolving of National Council, any constitutional change and any decision to go to war.

• Franchise: To be enfranchised you must have completed National Service. Voting is compulsory. National Service is fourteen months in length and can be started as early as a person's 16th Birthday. National Service must be completed by a person's 26th Birthday. Therefore voters can be as young as 17 when voting or as old as 29 when voting for the first time.

Economy

The export of minerals and oil make up a significant proportion of national GDP. The economy is also a regional banking centre.

Business in Fuñia Lan

Fuñia Lan operates as a free market economy with as little government intervention as possible. By many other countries standards legislated consumer protections are fewer.

There are five types of businesses in Fuñia Lan:

• • 1. Mutual co-operatives which play a much larger part in the economy than in many other developed nations. For example the third largest bank is The Co-op. In many other nations, people will form a private enterprise to provide a certain service and in some,the citizens will wait for the government to provide the service. In Funia Lan, people will often form a cooperative. Funia Lan has quite strict non mutualising legislation which prevents mutuals becoming private companies.
  • 2. Single and Joint Trading Institutions - much work has gone into ensuring the viability and maintenance of smaller corporate units. The tax rate, for example of smaller companies is lower than larger companies.
  • 3. Privately Listed Companies. The Funia Lan Stock Exchange has 111 companies listed on the exchange. This includes two cooperative groups.
  • 4. Holding Companies

Much of Funia Lan's post war business success came from mega holding companies which owned a range of banking, retail and other subsidaries. These included companies such as Cowling Stores, The United Group, Drivers and, Kings City Holdings.The 1980s saw a shift with a move to break up the Holding Companies. Many of them divested themselves of "non core" businesses becoming specialist.

• • 5. National Companies (effectively owned by the state)

The Banking Acts

• First Banking Act 1985
• Second Banking Act 1995
• Third Banking Act 2002

The Three Big National Companies

The post war period saw the rise of three very powerful nationally owned companies :

• 1.Fuñia Lan Investment Company (FLIC) established to invest in infrastructure

2.Fuñia Lan Resources Company (FRC) which grew out of the Port Henri Diamond Company set up to manage resources 3.The Independent Holding Company - later Independent Holding Corporation (IHC) established to run services

These three companies grew in power and strength from the 1950s to the 1980s when government action saw the restructuring of IHC.

1. Fuñia Lan Investment Corporation

No discussion of Fuñia Lan or its economy is complete without reference to the juggarnaut of Fuñia Lan Investment Corporation (FLIC). FLIC is owned by the people of Funia Lan. Every citizen automatically receives a share when they complete national service. The share can not be sold or given away. the dividends of FLIC are split into three equal components: 1. a cash dividend 2. a deposit into every citizens National Super Account 3. reinvestment in FLIC projects

FLIC of course pays income tax which provides the government with a significant source of income. The company was formed in 1919, as MAMS (Manners Money Saving) and taken over in 1943 by the new government of Funia Lan which sought to exert some control over the key national infrastructure, give Funia Lanners "a share of the national posperity"

MAMS was kept as its name until 1977, when it became Fuñia Lan Investment Corporation and then in 1982 when it became FLIC.

The government initially held 100 per cent of FLIC and all citizens were given shares in FLIC. Gradually the government share was reduced so that by 1977, it held a small financial interest in the company.

FLIC has a twofold mandate: 1. An owner of key national companies including the Fuñia Lan Resources Company, Fuñia Lan Communications Corporation, the Fuñia Lan Energy Exchange (FLEX) and a sizeable share of IHC 2. FLIC purchases companies which are in financial trouble but it is in the national interest for the nation to have FLIC keep them operating. FLIC will either return that company to financial health or continue operating it or shut the company down. Usually FLIC is directed to take the company on by the government but in some cases it will actively seek struggling companies. FLIC has had a proud success rate, restoring 90% of the companies it takes on to financial health, most of which have been reprivatised at a profit.

2. Funia Lan Resources Company

Diamonds were discovered near Port Henri in 1877 and mining began in earnest shortly after. The Port Henri Diamond Company Ltd was listed in London in 1888. It was given monopoly control of diamonds by the early settlers who gave 90% of the share capital to key community leaders from the English, French and Indegenous communities. These leaders distributed the dividends to build the cities of Funia Lan, build public works and provide capital for other ventures. For example, the Universite de Fuñia Lan (UdF) was founded with dividends from the company. One tenth of the shares were purchased by English investors. The company began mining coal 1910, iron ore in 1933, nickel in 1935 and zinc in 1936. During World War Two, the government took control of the Company. It also began purchasing back the share of the company which belonged to external investors. After the war, with with the establishment of MAMS, the government handed control of PHDC to MAMS. It was renamed the Port Henri mining Company in 1949 and then Funia Lan Resources Company in 1967.

FRC has a monopoloy on all mining in Funia Lan. It also controls all oil drilling, and refining. It pays addiitonal resource taxes to the Funia Lan Government as well as regular company tax. Its dividends provide FLIC with a large part of its revenue meaning every citizen benefits from the reources of the nation.

3. [IHC The Independent Holding Corporation][3]

The IHC tower, the tallest building in the country stands in the geographical centre of the Capital, as a reminder of the power of this corporation.

Founded in 1947 by the National Council, the company was seen as the organisation designed to deliver a range of life services to the people of Fuñia Lan including transport, banking and insurance. . It operated as a near monopoly in many markets eg its banking subsidary held in the late 1970s sixty per cent of the banking market. At its peak in 1979, IHC was responsible for telecommunciations, radio, TV and Newspaper media, real estate, rail, air and urban transport, and food manufacturing. At that time it had 20 subsidiaries grouped under three divisions. In 1979, the government floated part of IHC on the Funia Lan Stock Exchange. From 1981 onwards, there was a deliberate policy of breaking the company up into smaller companies, and selling them. IHC is now principally an investment company.

Health in Fuñia Lan

The Health system like many other developed countries is complex. There are major players:

• 1. National Health Corporation
• 2 Medical Guilds eg GP Guild , Mid wives Guild, Nurses Guild,
• 3 Health Providers

• 4 Private Health Insurance Companies

The National Health Corporation, a company owned by FLIC is responsible for delivery of health services to the country. It receives its revenue from the Health Tax, a percentage levied on all income. The percentage is currently six per cent. For a smoker the health tax is much higher. Currently, it is nine per cent. The levy is

Health services are provided by a range of institutions including private practitioners, private hospitals, religious based hospitals, and cooperatives.

All citizens recieve a certain number of free visits per annum. Most citizens for example, receive three free visits to a GP a year, one of which is a major medical check up. They are entitled to emergency treatment, surgery, pregnancy related treatment.

Additional treatment will cost the patient a percentage of the cost of the treatment depending on their income level (generally 5 to 25 per cent of the treatment cost). National Health pays the rest. Patients can obtain private health cover to fund these additional visits.

In addition, health providers can "sell" one fifth of their appointments for whatever price they can command. Some will maintain these appointments for regular National Health patients , and some sell them to local or international patients.