Guffingford

The Republic of Guffingford
 Die Republieck van Guffingsfort

Flag of Guffingford, the Iron Coat
Iusititia, Libertas et Concordia Geregtigheit, Vryheit en Eenheit
Official Languages	Hoogs, German, French and Spanish
Capital	Hoogenbosch, 1.2 million
Largest metropolitan agglomerations Greater Redmound 12.5 million Port Kramer 11 million Del Monte Pelado 10.5 million Cerfontaine 9.4 million Greater Hoogenbosch 8.9 million
National Map	National Map
Prime Minister	Christopher Watermont
Head of State	Maximillian Kalba
Foreign Affairs	Kellus Constantine
Defence	Leonard Ynsson
Economic Affairs	Rudyard Sweet
Health & Education	Otto Galloway
Population	~ 5.6 billion
Independence	September 29th 1902, from Knootoss
Government Type	Dictatorship
Nation Type	Authoritarian
National Animal	Burrick
Currency	1 Gulden (Guilder) (ÐG) = 100 Cents 1 Ðukaat Gulden (Ðucat Guilder) = State Gold Value
CHDI	0.686
Time Zone  - in summer	GMT 11 GMT 11
Naval Craft Classification	HMS - Hanseatic Merchant Shipping HMS - Hanseatic Marine Shipping
Official/Predominant Religion	Official Religion is Deism; native religions (polynesian)
National/Most popular sports	Knife throwing, archery, football (soccer) and baseball.
Patron Saint	Saint Christopher
Calling Code	+288

OOC Preamble
Where would the world be without Guffingford? Still on the same place, but to aliens a more friendly place. You see, the things you are reading here aren't the nicest things. Some entries of this online encyclopedia only give you insight in wars written by the victor. In Guffingford, shamefully, there are no winners. From wherever you go, to wherever you want to go, you will see them. Drunk miners, whores, white power parades. This is a nation that does not know the word "winner". The characters you read about in my stories - as well as these entries - are of the lowest social calibre. Addicted to illegal booze, living from day to day to make ends meet Guffingford is the prime example of a true anti-nation. The rest of this entry and all other entries in the Guffingford category can be used for IC and OOC information.

So far this and many other pages contain basic or elaborate information on the subject Guffingford and many associated subjects. If you think something's wrong, missing or a subject hasn't been quite as in-depth as you'd want to see, or just want to have more information on a certain subject - do not hesitate to contact me. Drop me a message here or through telegram on NationStates.

General Information

All sorts of information goes here, but before reading keep this in mind. When writing about the Dutch, British or French, think of them as NationStates nations.

• Dutch = Knootoss
• British = Questers
• French = None yet
• Germans = None yet

Guffingford as a whole

Guffingford is a very large, dry nation that closely resembles present day South Africa and Namibia. The central highlands are dry, rocky regions where rivers only flow during the rain season. The coastal regions are green, lush mountainous regions where most of the argicultural activities take place. The utmost northern provinces of the Bundesstaat Neuland-Grüneberg-Gooshen is the prime diamond and gold mining center, while the processing plants are mostly located in Rooi-Nassau, the most south-western freestate. The only state is the North Western Quarter, consisting of four semi-independent provinces. These are mainly Spanish. Guffingford is very rich in minerals and all sorts of ore, and this is the primary industrial sector. Other low-tech industries are increasingly sighted in Guffingford, namely synethetic materials processing, plastic injection molding, plastic extrusion, metal workshops, wood workshops, furniture building industry and various other true labor professions. Since Guffingford is such a massively huge nation, there's plenty of space for natural beauty. Some sites have been ruined by the mining industry, but that's less than 1% of the landscape - while providing more than 50% of the national GDP.

Brief Information on Economy

Blah blah blah more added later, in the meantime read this: Guffingfordian Economy.

History of Guffingford

The history of Guffingford is a long and varied tale. Here I present to you the highlights, the most important happenings and some other information. Some images will be added later on.

Timeline

• The First Oil War (1860-1871) The first major conflict of Guffingford involving all colonial powers. One of the many resource wars of Guffingford. Marked the first sightings of trench warfare and displacement of citizens to prevent guerrilla attacks.
• Masapa (1890) is a very well known phenonemon in Guffingford. Masapa and the tensions surrounding the cown was the first official racial conflict in Guffingford. A result of success and jealousy. Money and influence were two driving factors and motives behind the whole conflict. Also called the "Gart Jamie" conflict, since he ignited the fuse.

The People's Assembly of Guffingford, built in 1930.

• The Luambo Wars (1895-1898) can be described as a continuation of the Masapa conflict, albeit with a few years inbetween. Though geographically small, the impact on Guffingford, the colonies and citizens was tremendous.
• Independence from Knootoss (1902-1905) After all these wars and police actions within Guffingford, the Knootian ambassador Jonas Gorbrecht signed a decree that marked the retreat and independence. More conflicts between loyalists, colonalists and freedom fighters followed.
• The Second Oil War (1915-1920) Again, a continuation of an earlier conflict. Many Questarian and French colonists were sitll deeply insulted about the outcome of the first oil war, and decided to make another attempt to force a breakthrough. More casulties on both sides, more hatred and conflict.
• Restructuring the Nation (1930-1963) was the big transition period from the wild and reckless years to a more unified and consolidated league of (former) colonies and other territories. Several major conflicts ended around a table instead of the field.

On the origins of the name Guffingford

The name Guffingford originates from the Scot Ian McGuff who first settled on the south eastern shores of Guffingford, present day Rooi-Nassau. There he ordered his men and women to build a collossal fortress, a marvel of the ages and called the town, which soon grew into a city, Scotsborough. Several other little (mainly Scottish) villages were built, and parts of the land were cultivated. The fort of Ian McGuff stood for at least two hundred years until a catastrophic earthquake partially destroyed it. Rendered unsafe and unfit for men, the building was demolished. By then the massive land became mainly Knootian/German, and the Anglo-Saxon elements were driven to the Freestate of Gloucterbury, and shrunk to its present size in roughly hundred years. However, the name Guffingford came from McGuffsfort when all names by then were taken in Australia, Canada and America. Early suggestions were "New Oceania", "New British Territories", "Knootian Caledonia", "Deutsch Ost Solomon" and many more. In the end the name of Ian McGuff was taken. The Mc part was removed and Guffsfort was turned into Guffingsfort. These names were all unofficial until one bright mind changed the name to its current form: Guffingford.

The Guffingfordian Freestates

All of the links to the freestates are kind of stubs, and need to be improved. Maps to be added, etc etc.

German Freestates

Freestate Nord Neuland Bundesstaat Neuland-Grüneberg-Gooshen 1734-Present
Capital city: Änglenbach
Founded in the early half of the 16th century by Prussian and Norse explorers and traders. Popular tourist trap, mining capital and economic powerhouse of Guffingford. The majority of Germans live in this freestate, along with several small French and Hoogs communities. The land itself is dry and very windy. Windhoek (Windy Corner) is the virtual capital of platnium mining of Imperial Armies.

Freestate Grüneberg 1786-1967
Capital city: Saint Julien
A combined Knootian (minority) and German state which used to be governed by a combined council of Germans and Knootians. Thrived until it was absorbed by Nord-Neuland in the early half of the 20th century. Grüneberg's known for its many farms, vineyards and groves. The ground there is extremely fertile, and the sector's the least populated of Guffingford.

Freestate Neu-Bayern 1743-1955
Capital city: Bloupaarl
The far western state of Guffingford, with untamed and dangerous area were the prime sectors of organised crime in Guffingford. Today the whole former freestate is declared a natural habitat, with a few small scale mines in it. Though dry, the state looks very much like USA Colorado and Arizona, with scattered evergreen forests.

The Knootian settler and explorer Arnoldus Jacobsz. DeVrient comes ashore in future Rooi-Nassau, and is welcomed by natives.

Mainly Dutch Freestates

Freestate Rooi-Nassau 1590-present
Capital city: Hoogenbosch
The oldest freestate of Guffingford where the capital of the nation is seated, and where many mines are located. A rich part of Guffingford where also most banking and various other legal and financial institutions are located. Offshore oil and gas development is being carried out by the Global Hell Group. The shores are rich with fish, while the western parts of Rooi-Nassau are endless grassy meadows. Much cattle grazes here, most notably on the Cowra farmlands.

Suidelike Kaap Vrystaat 1912-present
Capital city: Doornenbosch
Originally a Knootian colony, but was taken by the British in the middle of the 18th century. Continued as a Dominion within the Questarian Empire, and was allowed independence in 1912. The Caribean part of Guffingford, and a place where many a rich spends his or her holidays. Overall a very laid-back and relaxed place, with several large naval bases scattered around the long and pleasant coastline.

Freestate Oos Seeland 1609-present
Capital city: Redmound
One of the most important freestates of Guffingford, and also one of the oldest. Founded by conservative Knootian citizens from a provice called "Zeeland" (South West Knootoss) and dwelled there ever since. Oos Seeland's also famous for its long and unspoiled coral reefs near the shore.

Freestate Gooshen 1855-1930
Capital city: Gooshen, now LeSalle
Historical landlocked state, constantly under attack by the French, Knootians and Germans. Eventually collapsed after a combined attack. Motives remain unknown.

British Freestates

Freestate Gloucterbury 1706-present
Capital city: Brittenburg
Part of the Questarian Commonwealth, and isn't very popular among fellow Guffingfordians. British to the bone, and has been a an easy prey for land hunry neighbors. Lost nearly 75% of its territory after 1910.

North Western Quarter 1870-present
Capital city: n/a.
Used to be part of the Questarian Empire as well, but internal troubles and the lack of British colonists willing to settle there prompted the Gloucterbury administration to turn NWQ into a special division. Though officially still part of Gloucterbury, it not recognized as such.

French Freestate(s)

Freestate Cerfonlande 1772-present
Capital city: Cerfontaine
A French state founded by Pantocratorian explorers. Fought many wars, lost wars and won many wars as well. A rich history of artists, writers, poets and a healthy cuisine straight from France. Important state, yet very independent.

Political Spectrum

Allies, Enemies, Pacts, Agreements & Alliances

Guffingfordian Politics

At present, there are 151 seats in the Imperial Parliament of Guffingford, seated in Hoogenbosch. This political system is a relic left behind by the colonial powers of Guffingford, in an attempt to create more stability in the country. Every colony had its say, and often the heated debates decended into verbal abuse. A few times there was also fighting, mainly between British and French members of the parliament, who cooled their tantrum on other members of the parliament.

Even back then Guffingford was a dictatorship. In the earliest history of sovereign Guffingford, German colonists ruled the parliament. A decade later, the British became the most influential. Since then the balance of power occasionally shifts between the Germans and the Dutch. Both can get along just fine, and the love-hate relation is a thing of the past. Apart from this, there's not much to write about the politics in Guffingford. Ministers reign supreme over their departments with an iron fist, the President overlooks the current happenings of the nation but has very little power on his own. He can issue decrees and make statements, and in the event of war he is the only one with the authority to declare war. The Parliament makes laws and approves them as well after debate on what the content should be, clauses and other relevant articles.

Colonialism as Part of Modern Politics

Colonies of Guffingford, under protection and administration of the Guffingford-Theohuanacu Colony Company, founded to promote and increase trade with foreign nations, and to give Guffingford a politically and economically more strategic position on the world stage.

(Legal) Political Parties in Guffingford

Education

More to come!

Culture and Identity

General Information