Difference between revisions of "Gruenberg"

Latest revision as of 17:56, 24 March 2007

The Holy Wenaist Sultanate of Gruenberg
Tep Zlatani Melli Wenaisti Gruenbergersk vom

(In detail)
Motto: Kab-sez Schialnach Brachtrauron'
National Anthem: Kab-sez Schialnach Brachtrauron'
Region	Antarctic Oasis
Capital	Flurthwel
Largest city	Merlefurt
Official Language(s)	Rukialkotta, Bazhtan
Government	Monarchy/Theocracy/Goatocracy
- Sultan	Gardab Woltzten IX
- Grand Vizier	Mikkolic Weltin
Establishment
- Act of Unification	1709
Area
- Total	4,301,140km²
- % water	8.2
Population	3.192 billion
Currency	Opst (GROP)
Timezone	UTC+5 to +6
- Summer (DST)	UTC+6 to +7
Internet TLD	.gb
Calling code	+627
ISO Code	GRMI
NS Sunset XML

Despite its average area, Gruenberg has a densely distributed population of over 3 billion. It is the home of Wenaism, and has the largest population of adherents in the world, with over 97% of its citizens being registered Wenaists. The area, renowned for its degree of cultural, ecological, geological and climatic diversity, has a long tribal history, and has historically proved resistant to unification; modern Gruenberg has however been united for nearly 300 years under the rule of the Woltzten Dynasty, who were the first to bring Naffarron and the Gelzien Nub under a common flag. This union has been far from harmonious, and separatists in the Gelzien Nub have become increasingly vocal and violent in their calls for autonomy.

Once a relatively poor and undeveloped country, Gruenberg has seen major agricultural, industrial and financial reforms in the last century, with its economy the fastest-growing in the region, and being ranked in the top 1% worldwide. Social and political freedoms have also increased, but its image as a despotic land of oppression persists. The military has also been strengthened significantly, and Gruenberg is a declared nuclear state. Once a prominent member of the United Nations, it has now resigned, but has not since retreated into total isolation.

Etymology

The name Gruenberg (IPA:/gryːnbɛʁk/) means "Green Mountain" in Rukialkotta, the official national language. "Green Mountain" is a reference to Hatash Myari, the sacred mountain of the Wenaist religion. "Green Mountain" has long been used to identify the region in the absence of any other common term; however, it was not adopted as the official name of the nation until 1709.

History

Main article(s): History of Gruenberg

'Gruenberg' as a political entity is a comparatively recent phenomenon, having been established in 1709, at which point it did not encompass all of its current territorial holdings, but the general geographical region has been inhabited for thousands of years, and has a rich and diverse history, marked by division between divergent tribes, and chiefly significant for the growth of Wenaism.

Geography and climate

Main article(s): Geography of Gruenberg

Gruenberg has a total area of 1,027,824 square kilometres, with a land area of 992,514 square kilometres. This is divided in an approximate 6:1 ratio between Naffarron (880,254 km²) and the Gelzien Nub (147,570 km²). Both are mainly surrounded by tiny tribal states, small numbers of which Gruenberg has annexed over the years, but Naffarron shares a 2,954 km border with Gurglestan, to its north-west. It has a 3,958 km coastline, and the Gelzien Nub 1,306 km.The two provinces are separated by over three thousand kilometres over the Bay of Abzhan-Rejak, and are fairly geographically distinct.

The Naffarronese coastline on the Bay of Abzhan-Rejak plays host to some of the most beautiful beaches in the region, famed for their fine white sand.

Gruenberg has a fairly diverse climate. Naffarron is generally temperate, and the Gelzien Nub subtropical, but there is substantial regional variation, encompassing warm coastal areas, the frozen mountains of the north, high rocky deserts in the west, low hot desert in southeast Naffarron, and dense jungle in parts of the Gelzien Nub. There are three broad seasons: a hot spring runs from Turning Day to late Wrasch; the summer monsoon season then typically lasts into Syara; the rest of the year falls into a cold winter.

Temperatures range over a huge extreme. The far north of the Karundulastan district exists in a state of near-permanent winter; its icy valleys are only accessible for brief periods each spring, and then only to skilled teams. By contrast, the mountains of Stammerslab, in western Naffarron]], are generally subject to a greater variation, with equally bitter winters, but fairly hot summers. Temperatures for the populous settlements that line the Aszumba river are subject to the greatest variance, generally ranging from 0° C winter lows to summer highs of over 40° C. Further east, in the Krazl desert, summer peaks of over 50° C are regularly recorded. Coastal regions, and the Gelzien Nub, tend to have a more moderate temperature range, varying from about 10° C in the winter to 35° C in the summer.

Government

Main article(s): Government of Gruenberg

Gruenberg is a technically a semi-democratic constitutional monarchy, but in fact cannot be easily classified under conventional political nomenclature, and its form of government does not conform to traditional models. This is principally because there is no separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary. Because the power of the executive (the Sultan) is hereditary, and extends over the legislature and judiciary as well, it has typically functioned as much closer to an absolute monarchy. As there is no separation of church and state, it is also a theocracy.

The Head of state is the Sultan, currently Gardab Woltzten IX. The line of succession is exclusively male, and in descending age order, such that the oldest son of the incumbent is first in line to the throne. Only one family has occupied the throne: the Woltztens. The longevity and stability of this rule has led to their classification as a dynasty. All federal laws are issued by Sultanic decree.

There is also a high degree of devolution in Gruenberg's political system, representing the tribal history of the nation. Towns have elected councils with powers usually including aspects of taxation, education and law and order. The nation is divided into administrative districts, each with elected councils that oversee town policies, and then each major province has a regional assembly, which exercises considerable legislative power.

At the federal level, the legislature is bicameral. The Regional Congress consists of 200 seats, with 40 representatives from each administrative region; the 500-seat National Congress is apportioned on the basis of straight popular vote. The Head of Government is the head of the largest party — this has always been the Monarchists, and hence the Sultan shares both Head of State and Head of Government titles. The Cabinet is appointed by the Head of Government. The Court and federal government technically have the power to legislate on all matters, but concern themselves mainly with foreign policy and economic and military affairs.

A distinct feature of Gruenberger governance is the role of the Viziery. The Grand Vizier is a political appointment, but is immune from dismissal, and so one Vizier may serve more than one Sultan. The Viziery is staffed by a mixture of civil and religious personnel, and has numerous areas of responsibility. It is also completely unaccountable to the federal government, and is seen as a buffer against the ability of the people to vote the Sultan's powers away.

Politics

Political history

Main article(s): Politics of Gruenberg

Whilst there are many sources of legitimate criticism of the Woltzten dynasty, most would admit that, whatever troubles post-unification Gruenberg has seen at their hands, political instability has not been one. The factional wars and tribal divisions that marked most of the First Age have largely disappeared. The political system has evolved gradually, and has generally been receptive to change. Political theorists have argued that the Sultans have preferred to move gradually towards constitutional democracy with themselves at the helm, than attempt to retain absolute autocracy and suffer violent revolution, which would clearly be more damaging.

Political parties

Main article(s): List of political parties in Gruenberg

Economy

Main article(s): Economy of Gruenberg

Gruenberg is a developed nation with one of the faster growing economies in the world, and is ranked foremost in Antarctic Oasis on several economic indicators. However, it has not always enjoyed such prosperity, and in the past suffered from great economic underdevelopment. Sweeping internal reforms of fiscal and administrative infrastructure transformed the country over the course of two centuries, taking it to its present point of economic strength. Its current pro-market policies and active engagement in international free trade are contributing to a further boom, although some traditional sectors of employment, notably agriculture, are declining.

The economy is probably best described as mixed, but is essentially based on free market principles. Although privatisation is almost complete, the state still plays a substantial role in the running of financial matters.

Gruenberg's GDP is estimated at $57.482 billion ($32,623 per capita). The growth rate has been positive for over a decade, and was 2.8% last year. Gruenberg's principal industries are mining and refining - the country is home to plentiful resources of precious and valuable rocks, metals and ores - and automobile manufacturing. Although other traditional industries such as fishing and forestry remain strong, agriculture has lost its importance within Gruenberg's economy, which now imports a significant proportion of its food needs. Other major sectors are armaments, manufacturing, retail and financial services.

Calendar

Main article(s): Tak Perda Rarapsant

Until very recently, Gruenberg was the only known nation in the world to use Tak Perda Rarapsant, the traditional Wenaist system of measuring time. A lunar calendar, it had been in use for centuries, but was increasingly falling out of vogue in the business, academic and scientific communities, who found it proved troublesome when dealing with foreign nations, who predominantly used the Gregorian calendar. There was considerable popular opposition to a change to the Gregorian calendar, however, as it was widely perceived as a Christian institution. Nonetheless, under the Act of Harmony in Time, the Gregorian calendar was adopted as standard, along with the Common Era system of measuring years.

Holidays

Main article(s): Holidays in Gruenberg

Sport

Main article(s): Sport in Gruenberg

Gruenberger batsman Benny Enchante drives

Cricket is Gruenberg's national sport, and enjoys a massive following, attracting vast live and television audiences, as well as considerable corporate sponsorship interest. A range of other ball sports such as football, hockey, tennis, Mentil and golf are also widely played, as well as athletics, swimming and cycling. Motor sports are increasing in popularity, in particular with the development of a new Formula One track at Moroschwegen. Despite the national passion for sport, however, Gruenberg has had very little international exposure, let alone success, in sporting matters, and many of its players, hailed as heroes at home, are unheard of abroad. There are signs this is changing, however, such as the relative success of the national football team in qualifying for World Cup 26, the introduction of the Capra Cup and Tour de Gruenberg, and the formation of the Gruenberger Olympic Association to lobby for participation in the Olympic Games. Further to this, the Gruenberger Cricket Board have announced their intent to renew international interest in a Test cricket season, as well as an ODI world cup. Sport in Gruenberg is organized and regulated by the Gruenberger Sports Council.