Difference between revisions of "Hochberg"

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|- align=center style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- align=center style="vertical-align: top;"
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| style="font-size:95%" colspan="2" | [[National motto]]: "Something witty in latin"
+
| style="font-size:95%" colspan="2" | [[National motto]]: "Bene agendo nunquam defessus."
 
|- align=center style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- align=center style="vertical-align: top;"
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| style="font-size:95%" colspan="2" | National anthem: "To be decided"
+
| style="font-size:95%" colspan="2" | National anthem: TBD
−
|- align=center
+
−
| colspan="2" style="background:#ffffff;" | [[Image:hochbergmap2.png|The Kingdom of Hochberg]]
+
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''[[Region]]'''
 
| '''[[Region]]'''
−
| [[Tethys Continent]]
+
| Tethys Continent
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''Capital City'''
 
| '''Capital City'''
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|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''Largest City'''
 
| '''Largest City'''
−
| Flußdorf
+
| [[Flußdorf]]
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''Population'''
 
| '''Population'''
−
| 5,000,000
+
| 20,000,000
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''Suffrage'''
 
| '''Suffrage'''
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| style="white-space: nowrap;" | '''Government''' <div style="text-align: left;">Head of State<br>
 
| style="white-space: nowrap;" | '''Government''' <div style="text-align: left;">Head of State<br>
 
Head of Government</div>
 
Head of Government</div>
−
| style="white-space: nowrap;" | Parliamentary Republic<br>''President''<br>''Prime Minister''
+
| style="white-space: nowrap;" | Parliamentary Republic<br>Karl Wald<br>[[Jürgen Klaus]]
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''[[Nation codes|ISO Nation Code]]'''
 
| '''[[Nation codes|ISO Nation Code]]'''
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|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''[[Wikipedia:Time zone|Time Zone]]'''<br>&nbsp;&bull; Summer&nbsp;([[Wikipedia:Daylight saving time|DST]])
 
| '''[[Wikipedia:Time zone|Time Zone]]'''<br>&nbsp;&bull; Summer&nbsp;([[Wikipedia:Daylight saving time|DST]])
−
| GMT -1100<br>+0100
+
| GMT -0300<br>+0100
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
| '''[[Nation codes|Internet TLD]]'''
 
| '''[[Nation codes|Internet TLD]]'''
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|}
 
|}
 
==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
−
 
+
The '''Republic of Hochberg''' is a small island [[nation]]. Renowned for its freedoms, the Republic of Hochberg is one of the most-established Constitutional Monarchies in existence - the current Parliamentary system dating back to the early 17th Centry CE. It is currently undergoing a period of massive and rapid expansion, fueled by the business-friendly policies currently favoured by the Government.
−
The '''Republic of Hochberg''' is a small island [[nation]] situated on the edge of the [[Tethys Continent]]. Renowned for its freedoms, the Republic of Hochberg is one of the most-established Constitutional Monarchies in existence - the current Parliamentary system dating back to the early 17th Centry CE. It is currently undergoing a period of massive and rapid expansion, fueled by the business-friendly policies currently favoured by the Government.
+
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Discovery of Hochberginsel===
 
===Discovery of Hochberginsel===
−
 
 
The '''Island of Hochberg''' (''Deutsch: Hochberginsel'') was discovered by pure chance by the ''[[Adler]]'', one of a relatively tiny number of ocean-going Carrack vessels originating from the Northern Germanic province of Schleswig-Holstein. The ''[[Adler]]'', originally dispatched on an expedition to Iceland, became lost in a storm and blown off course during a particularly fierce Atlantic storm.  
 
The '''Island of Hochberg''' (''Deutsch: Hochberginsel'') was discovered by pure chance by the ''[[Adler]]'', one of a relatively tiny number of ocean-going Carrack vessels originating from the Northern Germanic province of Schleswig-Holstein. The ''[[Adler]]'', originally dispatched on an expedition to Iceland, became lost in a storm and blown off course during a particularly fierce Atlantic storm.  
  
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After a number of months, the ''[[Adler]]'' was ready to return to Schleswig - many of the crew, however, had little wish to return, having found 'Paradise on Earth'. These few men were left behind with a few tools and materials, and became the first permanent settlers of the island.
 
After a number of months, the ''[[Adler]]'' was ready to return to Schleswig - many of the crew, however, had little wish to return, having found 'Paradise on Earth'. These few men were left behind with a few tools and materials, and became the first permanent settlers of the island.
  
−
Upon returning to land, Captain Lindemann was laughed at for his suggestion that there was an undiscovered island in the Atlantic. The Spanish or the Portugese would have already claimed any such island - the man was delusional. Not everyone disbelieved him, however. Slowly he gathered a small following of believers; the idea of Paradise making many a man willing to uproot his family and follow Lindemann on an expedition back to the island.
+
Upon returning to land, [[David Lindemann | Captain Lindemann]] was laughed at for his suggestion that there was an undiscovered island in the Atlantic. The Spanish or the Portugese would have already claimed any such island - the man was delusional. Not everyone disbelieved him, however. Slowly he gathered a small following of believers; the idea of Paradise making many a man willing to uproot his family and follow Lindemann on an expedition back to the island.
  
 
===The establishment of the Colony===
 
===The establishment of the Colony===
−
Two years after his return to Germany, Lindemann set sail again. This time he led a small pilgrimage of less than three hundred people from all walks of life - laywers, doctors, builders, merchants and farmers. These people were nothing alike, save for a common belief in Lindemann and the Island of the Tall Mountain, as he called it, or the ''[[Hochberginsel]]''.
+
Two years after his return to Germany, [[David Lindemann | Lindemann]] set sail again. This time he led a small pilgrimage of less than three hundred people from all walks of life - laywers, doctors, builders, merchants and farmers. These people were nothing alike, save for a common belief in [[David Lindemann | Lindemann]] and the Island of the Tall Mountain, as he called it, or the ''[[Hochberginsel]]''.
  
 
Arriving in the year 1654, the 'colonists' set about scouring the land in an attempt to find an ideal site for a permanent settlement. Moving further inland than any previous settlement, they sailed up the [[Waldfluß]] fifty miles, until they came to a large open valley. Naming the new town [[Talstadt]] (''English: Valley Town''), it soon grew into a completely self-sufficient community.
 
Arriving in the year 1654, the 'colonists' set about scouring the land in an attempt to find an ideal site for a permanent settlement. Moving further inland than any previous settlement, they sailed up the [[Waldfluß]] fifty miles, until they came to a large open valley. Naming the new town [[Talstadt]] (''English: Valley Town''), it soon grew into a completely self-sufficient community.
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After the first few years of bliss, the settlers began to come disenchanted, with much arguing over decisions and a wave of disease. During these years there was little progress made in 'civilising' the island, and the infighting threatened the very survival of the settlement; many were beginning to miss the stability of home.
 
After the first few years of bliss, the settlers began to come disenchanted, with much arguing over decisions and a wave of disease. During these years there was little progress made in 'civilising' the island, and the infighting threatened the very survival of the settlement; many were beginning to miss the stability of home.
  
−
It was at this point, in the year 1663, that Lindemann (who was still widely respected by the majority of the population - with a few noteable exceptions) proposed setting up the first democratic 'Government' for the Island, to put an end to the fighting. It was decided by the people that everyone (including women - the Republic of Hochberg was one of the first countries in the World to extend suffrage universally) would elect a '''Council of Representatives''' to debate any issues that arose. It was also decided at this point that the Island would be officially secular - no one religion was given dominance above any other.
+
It was at this point, in the year 1663, that [[David Lindemann | Lindemann]] (who was still widely respected by the majority of the population - with a few noteable exceptions) proposed setting up the first democratic 'Government' for the Island, to put an end to the fighting. It was decided by the people that everyone (including women - the Republic of Hochberg was one of the first countries in the World to extend suffrage universally) would elect a [[Council of Representatives (Hochberg) | Council of Representatives]] to debate any issues that arose. It was also decided at this point that the Island would be officially secular - no one religion was given dominance above any other.
  
−
The strategy worked; many of the long-standing arguements came to an end, and once again the Island entered a period of growth that was to last for the next 200 years.
+
The strategy worked; many of the long-standing arguements came to an end, and once again the Island entered a period of growth.
  
 
===The Growth Years===
 
===The Growth Years===
 +
The years 1663 till 1765 were a period of slow, but steady expansion across the island. Settlements at [[Flußdorf]] and [[Blauhafen]] were established by citizens wishing to get away from the capital, which was by now becoming quite crowded by the original standards. During these years, the island remained undiscovered - those left behind in Europe believed the [[Lindemann Settlers]] had all perished.
 +
 +
Nor did any citizen of [[Hochberginsel]] try to leave the island in this time; there were no ocean-going vessels to speak of, other than small fishing vessels and they were quite content to live out their lives on the island. By 1700 the majority of the population had in fact been born on the island, and having been told of the troubles faced in Europe, had little desire to visit.
 +
 +
The first brick & stone buildings began to be constructed in 1710, and the isolation from Europe led to the now famously individual Hochen building style, similar in many ways to the architecture seen in Austria - and yet individual in its own right.
 +
 +
===The Troubled Years===
 +
In 1765, the peaceful existence the Hochen people had led was abruptly interrupted by the arrival on the island by the crew of the HMS Athene, a fifth-rate frigate of His Majesty's Brittanic Navy. The Athene, in a weird twist, had suffered a similar fate to [[Adler |Lindemann's Adler]] - they became beached in what was later named [[English Harbour (Hochberg) | English Harbour]] after a major storm caused them to go majorly off course from the route they had been trying to take across to the American colonies.
 +
 +
With thirty-two 12 pound cannon, and a crew of 265, the HMS Athene and its crew were initially unaware of the presence of the Hochen settlers - just as they were, at first, unaware of them. Captain Thomas Carrick claimed the island in the name of His Majesty King George III of Great Britain and they began to create their own encampment from the remains of their crippled vessel.
 +
 +
Sending his first lieutenant, with the marine detachment, to explore the island further, they soon came across the settlement of [[Flußdorf]] on the edge of the large [[Forellsee]] - they certainly did not expect to find a well-established and for all intents and purposes a European town there.
 +
 +
Needless to say the Hochen settlers were extremely wary of these Englishmen, their modern weapons and bright uniforms and there were many cases of drunk English sailors raping Hochen women. Conflict was inevitable.
 +
 +
The entire male population of the settlement of [[Blauhafen]] and [[Kiefshalt]] rose marched overnight to English Harbour and burnt the fort built by the British to the ground. In retaliation, the Marines hunted down and executed sixty young men - considering the size of the population at the time, less than a thousand in total, a devastating blow.
 +
 +
With the threat of Civil War on the island, Captain Carrick and the leader of the [[Council of Representatives]], Markus Bucher sat down at what would later be known as [[Teeweiherdorf | Teeweiher]] to drink tea and talk. It was decided that the British sailors would confine themselves to the [[Sussex Peninsula, Hochberg |Sussex Peninsula]], that [[German]] and [[English]] would become the official languages of the Island, and that they would officially declare the existence of the new [[Hochberg | Republic of Hochberg]].
 +
 +
This led to the dissolution of the [[Council of Representatives (Hochberg) | Council of Representatives]]. It was replaced, this time, by a [[House of Representatives (Hochberg) | House of Representatives]], with twenty elected members.
 +
 +
Peace was restored.
  
 
===The Isolationist Years===
 
===The Isolationist Years===
 +
After seeing the problem the influx of foreigners caused, the newly united people of Hochberg, decided that they would now make it illegal for any Hochen citizen to make contact with an outsider, and that any non-Hochen citizen who landed on the island would have their vessels confiscated so that they might remain hidden away.
 +
 +
This policy continued, and, suprisingly, did not cause a great deal of trouble. Those who landed on the island, for whatever purpose, easily merged with the native population (usually finding a niche as experts in the new technologies developed in the outside world). The arrival of new technology in this way meant that, by 1901, when the Republic of Hochberg officially ended its policy of isolation, they were only a few years behind the major industrial nations of the world in terms of technological and social advancement. Indeed, they were very far ahead in the way society ran.
  
 
===The Modern Era===
 
===The Modern Era===
 +
At the turn of the century, it was decided that the Republic of Hochberg would no longer be able to hide out in the Atlantic. Sooner or later they would be discovered, and it would be better for the Hochen people if they were to join the world economy. In 1901 they launched, for the first time, a small fleet of Steamships that they used to dispatch news of the existence of the Republic to the major powers of the world.
 +
 +
This led to a mass influx of settlers, and over the next 100 years the Republic of Hochberg's population grew exponentially, and became a modern, powerful state in its own right - the railway network was established, Autobahns built, and an International Airport constructed. Large Ports also became established at [[Blauhafen]] and at [[English Harbour]].
 +
 +
The Republic became a major trader, particularly with the USA and Britain. It stuck to a strict policy of neutrality throughout the First and Second World Wars, and refused to take sides in the Cold War.
 +
 +
In the Year 2000, the Hochmark was established as the currency of the Republic, as it was felt a new currency was needed to better compete in a global economy. The Republic also began the expansion of its Armed forces and is expected to become a major power within the next few decades.
  
  
 
==Government==
 
==Government==
 
===Executive Branch===
 
===Executive Branch===
 +
The Head of the Hochen Government is the [[Jürgen Klaus | Prime Minister]], who by convention, is the leader of the largest party in the [[House of Representatives (Hochberg)|House of Representatives]] (He must, however, be able to command a 2/3 majority of the House) - who is asked to form a Government by the President of the Republic, who is essentially a figurehead for the nation.
 +
 +
The Prime Minister is head of a Cabinet, which comprises a team of Ministers, each responsible for one department. The current cabinet comprises:
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|- style="background-color:#C9C9C9"
 +
|- cellpadding=5 cellspacing=2 border=0
 +
!colspan=3 bgcolor="#C9C9C9" align="center"|Cabinet of the Republic of Hochberg
 +
|-
 +
!colspan=1 bgcolor="#E9E9E9" style="width: 345px" align="center"|Portfolio
 +
!colspan=1 bgcolor="#E9E9E9" style="width: 150px" align="center"|Minister
 +
!colspan=1 bgcolor="#E9E9E9" style="width: 100px" align="center"|Party Affiliation
 +
|-
 +
|Prime Minister
 +
|[[Jürgen Klaus]]
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Deputy Prime Minister
 +
|Kristina Schwarz
 +
|[[Liberal Party (Hochberg) | LP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
 +
|Thomas Baker
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Secretary of the Treasury
 +
|James Rosenheim
 +
|[[Liberal Party (Hochberg) | LP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Secretary of State for the Home Department
 +
|Matthias Scott
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Secretary of State for Defence
 +
|Michael Reinhardt
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
 +
|Clara Lehrer
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Secretary of State for Health
 +
|Petra Edwards
 +
|[[Liberal Party (Hochberg) | LP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Secretary of State for Education and Skills
 +
|Joschka Kellerman
 +
|[[Liberal Party (Hochberg) | LP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
 +
|Karl Jaspers
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Secretary of State for International Development
 +
|Jonathan Nicholson
 +
|[[Liberal Party (Hochberg) | LP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Secretary of State for Transport
 +
|Rosa Jung
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
 +
|Angela Schmitt
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
 +
|Johann Brittain
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Minister for Equality and Social Exclusion
 +
|Mary Salz
 +
|[[Liberal Party (Hochberg) | LP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Leader of the House of Representatives
 +
|Josef Strauß
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|-
 +
|Leader of the Senate
 +
|Joseph Stresemann
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|- bgcolor="#E9E9E9"
 +
|Attorney General
 +
|Clara Lauterbach
 +
|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg) | DSP]]
 +
|}
 +
 +
 
===Parliamentary System===
 
===Parliamentary System===
 +
The Parliamentary system of the Republic of Hochberg is remarkably simple and ingenious. New Legislation can be proposed by any member of the house (regardless of which party they belong to), as long as it is seconded by two other individuals and copies of the proposals are made availible for all members. Following this, house-wide discussions will begin on the proposals. When the discussions have finished, 
 +
 
===Elections 2006===
 
===Elections 2006===
 +
At the last elections in 2006, the population of Hochberg elected a new [[House of Representatives (Hochberg) | House of Representatives]], with a total of 200 elected members. The Democratic Socialist and Liberal Coalition once again were successful and Jürgen Klaus was elected as Prime Minister of the Republic of Hochberg.
  
−
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Begin|title = Hochberg General Election 2005}}
+
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Begin|title = Hochberg General Election 2006}}
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
   |party      = Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg)
 
   |party      = Democratic Socialist Party (Hochberg)
−
   |seats      = 103
+
   |seats      = 108
 
   |gain      = 15
 
   |gain      = 15
 
   |loss      = 0
 
   |loss      = 0
 
   |net        = +15
 
   |net        = +15
−
   |seats %    = 51.5
+
   |seats %    = 54.0
 
  }}
 
  }}
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
   |party      = Liberal Party (Hochberg)
 
   |party      = Liberal Party (Hochberg)
−
   |seats      = 37
+
   |seats      = 42
 
   |gain      = 4
 
   |gain      = 4
 
   |loss      = 3
 
   |loss      = 3
 
   |net        = +1
 
   |net        = +1
−
   |seats %    = 18.5
+
   |seats %    = 21.0
 
  }}
 
  }}
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
   |party      = Conservative Party (Hochberg)
 
   |party      = Conservative Party (Hochberg)
−
   |seats      = 32
+
   |seats      = 27
 
   |gain      = 1
 
   |gain      = 1
 
   |loss      = 17
 
   |loss      = 17
 
   |net        = -16
 
   |net        = -16
−
   |seats %    = 16.0
+
   |seats %    = 13.5
 
  }}
 
  }}
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
   |party      = Green Party (Hochberg)
 
   |party      = Green Party (Hochberg)
−
   |seats      = 15
+
   |seats      = 12
 
   |gain      = 5
 
   |gain      = 5
 
   |loss      = 0
 
   |loss      = 0
 
   |net        = +5
 
   |net        = +5
−
   |seats %    = 7.5
+
   |seats %    = 6.0
 
  }}
 
  }}
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
   |party      = Communist Party (Hochberg)
 
   |party      = Communist Party (Hochberg)
−
   |seats      = 10
+
   |seats      = 8
 
   |gain      = 0
 
   |gain      = 0
 
   |loss      = 5
 
   |loss      = 5
 
   |net        = -5
 
   |net        = -5
−
   |seats %    = 5.0
+
   |seats %    = 4.0
 
  }}
 
  }}
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
 
  {{Template:Election Seat Summary Party|
Line 153: Line 271:
 
  }}
 
  }}
 
  {{Election box end}}
 
  {{Election box end}}
−
 
−
==Economy==
 
−
===Industry===
 
−
===Trade===
 
−
===Currency===
 
  
  
 
==Military==
 
==Military==
 
===Navy===
 
===Navy===
 +
The Hochen Navy is currently very small, comprising a number of Corvettes and Patrol Boats. The Government is seeking to increase the size of the Hochen Navy substantially in the next decades with the aim of producing a powerful force capable of rapid deployment across the globe and reacting to situations as and when they occur.
 +
 
===Air Force===
 
===Air Force===
 +
The Republic of Hochen Air Force currently comprises a single squadron of Fighters whose main mission is interception, and a small fleet of helicopters and transport planes used to ferry Government officials.
 +
 
===Army===
 
===Army===
−
 
+
The Hochen Army is around 20,000 in total, armed with basic equipment, a handful of Jeeps, Helicopters, APCs and one battalion of MBTs.
  
 
==Foreign Relations==
 
==Foreign Relations==
 +
Foreign Relations are essential for the success of any nation. The Republic of Hochberg is on peaceful terms with all nations currently and, mainly due to the long period of isolation, takes a generally neutral view on issues.
 +
 
===Allies===
 
===Allies===
 +
The Republic of Hochberg is currently not a member of any formal alliances, nor do they have specific agreements with any other nation. The Republic is a member of the [[United Nations]].
 +
 
===Disputes===
 
===Disputes===
 +
The Republic of Hochberg is currently not a party to any international disputes and is currently still following a strictly neutral standpoint.
  
  
 
==Transport Infrastructure==
 
==Transport Infrastructure==
 
===Ports & Harbours===
 
===Ports & Harbours===
 +
Ports and Harbours have always been essential to the peoples of island nations - the Republic of Hochberg is no different. The major Ports on the island are those at [[Blauhafen]] and [[English Harbour (Hochberg)|English Harbour]], through which  thousands of tons of goods pass every year.
 +
 
===Airports===
 
===Airports===
 +
The Republic of Hochberg currently only has the one International Airport, at [[Talstadt]]. All major long-distance carriers fly from this Airport, with a number of the smaller, low-fare carriers showing an interest. The Terminal facilities are modern and the terminal is only a short U-Bahn journey from the city centre.
 +
 +
'''Full Name:''' Talstadt International Airport (TST)<br>
 +
'''ID Code:''' TST<br>
 +
'''Runways:''' 2<br>
 +
'''Terminals:''' 4<br>
 +
 
===Road Network===
 
===Road Network===
 +
The Island has a well-developed road network, typically efficient in the Hochen manner. Roads are labelled in a Quasi-German manner as follows:
 +
 +
*'''A-Roads''' - Autobahns (''Motorways'')
 +
**130km/h Speed Limit
 +
*'''B-Roads''' - Bundestraßen (''Republic Road'')
 +
**100km/h Speed Limit
 +
*'''C-Roads''' - Major Roads
 +
**80km/h in rural areas
 +
**50km/h in urban areas
 +
*'''Smaller roads carry no number'''
 +
**Local Speed Limits apply
 +
 
===Rail Network===
 
===Rail Network===
−
&nbsp;
+
The Rail Network in the Island is limited, and is mainly confined to connecting major cities together. There are U-Bahn/S-Bahn networks in the cities of [[Talstadt]] and [[Flußdorf]], each allowing for the efficient mass-movement of people.
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Nations]]

Latest revision as of 19:04, 18 March 2007

The Republic of Hochberg
The Flag of the Republic of Hochberg
Flag of Hochberg
National motto: "Bene agendo nunquam defessus."
National anthem: TBD
Region Tethys Continent
Capital City Talstadt
Largest City Flußdorf
Population 20,000,000
Suffrage Universal (16+)
Official Language(s) English German
Government
Head of State
Head of Government
 Parliamentary Republic
Karl Wald
Jürgen Klaus
ISO Nation Code HBRG
Currency Hochmark (HMK)
Time Zone
 • Summer (DST) 		GMT -0300
+0100
Internet TLD .hb
Calling Code +271
National Symbols
 • Sport
 • Animal
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Introduction

The Republic of Hochberg is a small island nation. Renowned for its freedoms, the Republic of Hochberg is one of the most-established Constitutional Monarchies in existence - the current Parliamentary system dating back to the early 17th Centry CE. It is currently undergoing a period of massive and rapid expansion, fueled by the business-friendly policies currently favoured by the Government.

History

Discovery of Hochberginsel

The Island of Hochberg (Deutsch: Hochberginsel) was discovered by pure chance by the Adler, one of a relatively tiny number of ocean-going Carrack vessels originating from the Northern Germanic province of Schleswig-Holstein. The Adler, originally dispatched on an expedition to Iceland, became lost in a storm and blown off course during a particularly fierce Atlantic storm.

Upon the morning, with the compass destroyed and the ship barely intact, the Adler's crew and her captain feared an inevitable death. Close to giving up hope, the crew could barely believe their own eyes when they spotted the high peak of what is now known as Salvation Mountain (Deutsch: Rettberg). Anchoring in Harbour Bay (Deutsch: Hafenbucht), they set about repairing their ship and exploring the uninhabited island.

After a number of months, the Adler was ready to return to Schleswig - many of the crew, however, had little wish to return, having found 'Paradise on Earth'. These few men were left behind with a few tools and materials, and became the first permanent settlers of the island.

Upon returning to land, Captain Lindemann was laughed at for his suggestion that there was an undiscovered island in the Atlantic. The Spanish or the Portugese would have already claimed any such island - the man was delusional. Not everyone disbelieved him, however. Slowly he gathered a small following of believers; the idea of Paradise making many a man willing to uproot his family and follow Lindemann on an expedition back to the island.

The establishment of the Colony

Two years after his return to Germany, Lindemann set sail again. This time he led a small pilgrimage of less than three hundred people from all walks of life - laywers, doctors, builders, merchants and farmers. These people were nothing alike, save for a common belief in Lindemann and the Island of the Tall Mountain, as he called it, or the Hochberginsel.

Arriving in the year 1654, the 'colonists' set about scouring the land in an attempt to find an ideal site for a permanent settlement. Moving further inland than any previous settlement, they sailed up the Waldfluß fifty miles, until they came to a large open valley. Naming the new town Talstadt (English: Valley Town), it soon grew into a completely self-sufficient community.

The First Years

After the first few years of bliss, the settlers began to come disenchanted, with much arguing over decisions and a wave of disease. During these years there was little progress made in 'civilising' the island, and the infighting threatened the very survival of the settlement; many were beginning to miss the stability of home.

It was at this point, in the year 1663, that Lindemann (who was still widely respected by the majority of the population - with a few noteable exceptions) proposed setting up the first democratic 'Government' for the Island, to put an end to the fighting. It was decided by the people that everyone (including women - the Republic of Hochberg was one of the first countries in the World to extend suffrage universally) would elect a Council of Representatives to debate any issues that arose. It was also decided at this point that the Island would be officially secular - no one religion was given dominance above any other.

The strategy worked; many of the long-standing arguements came to an end, and once again the Island entered a period of growth.

The Growth Years

The years 1663 till 1765 were a period of slow, but steady expansion across the island. Settlements at Flußdorf and Blauhafen were established by citizens wishing to get away from the capital, which was by now becoming quite crowded by the original standards. During these years, the island remained undiscovered - those left behind in Europe believed the Lindemann Settlers had all perished.

Nor did any citizen of Hochberginsel try to leave the island in this time; there were no ocean-going vessels to speak of, other than small fishing vessels and they were quite content to live out their lives on the island. By 1700 the majority of the population had in fact been born on the island, and having been told of the troubles faced in Europe, had little desire to visit.

The first brick & stone buildings began to be constructed in 1710, and the isolation from Europe led to the now famously individual Hochen building style, similar in many ways to the architecture seen in Austria - and yet individual in its own right.

The Troubled Years

In 1765, the peaceful existence the Hochen people had led was abruptly interrupted by the arrival on the island by the crew of the HMS Athene, a fifth-rate frigate of His Majesty's Brittanic Navy. The Athene, in a weird twist, had suffered a similar fate to Lindemann's Adler - they became beached in what was later named English Harbour after a major storm caused them to go majorly off course from the route they had been trying to take across to the American colonies.

With thirty-two 12 pound cannon, and a crew of 265, the HMS Athene and its crew were initially unaware of the presence of the Hochen settlers - just as they were, at first, unaware of them. Captain Thomas Carrick claimed the island in the name of His Majesty King George III of Great Britain and they began to create their own encampment from the remains of their crippled vessel.

Sending his first lieutenant, with the marine detachment, to explore the island further, they soon came across the settlement of Flußdorf on the edge of the large Forellsee - they certainly did not expect to find a well-established and for all intents and purposes a European town there.

Needless to say the Hochen settlers were extremely wary of these Englishmen, their modern weapons and bright uniforms and there were many cases of drunk English sailors raping Hochen women. Conflict was inevitable.

The entire male population of the settlement of Blauhafen and Kiefshalt rose marched overnight to English Harbour and burnt the fort built by the British to the ground. In retaliation, the Marines hunted down and executed sixty young men - considering the size of the population at the time, less than a thousand in total, a devastating blow.

With the threat of Civil War on the island, Captain Carrick and the leader of the Council of Representatives, Markus Bucher sat down at what would later be known as Teeweiher to drink tea and talk. It was decided that the British sailors would confine themselves to the Sussex Peninsula, that German and English would become the official languages of the Island, and that they would officially declare the existence of the new Republic of Hochberg.

This led to the dissolution of the Council of Representatives. It was replaced, this time, by a House of Representatives, with twenty elected members.

Peace was restored.

The Isolationist Years

After seeing the problem the influx of foreigners caused, the newly united people of Hochberg, decided that they would now make it illegal for any Hochen citizen to make contact with an outsider, and that any non-Hochen citizen who landed on the island would have their vessels confiscated so that they might remain hidden away.

This policy continued, and, suprisingly, did not cause a great deal of trouble. Those who landed on the island, for whatever purpose, easily merged with the native population (usually finding a niche as experts in the new technologies developed in the outside world). The arrival of new technology in this way meant that, by 1901, when the Republic of Hochberg officially ended its policy of isolation, they were only a few years behind the major industrial nations of the world in terms of technological and social advancement. Indeed, they were very far ahead in the way society ran.

The Modern Era

At the turn of the century, it was decided that the Republic of Hochberg would no longer be able to hide out in the Atlantic. Sooner or later they would be discovered, and it would be better for the Hochen people if they were to join the world economy. In 1901 they launched, for the first time, a small fleet of Steamships that they used to dispatch news of the existence of the Republic to the major powers of the world.

This led to a mass influx of settlers, and over the next 100 years the Republic of Hochberg's population grew exponentially, and became a modern, powerful state in its own right - the railway network was established, Autobahns built, and an International Airport constructed. Large Ports also became established at Blauhafen and at English Harbour.

The Republic became a major trader, particularly with the USA and Britain. It stuck to a strict policy of neutrality throughout the First and Second World Wars, and refused to take sides in the Cold War.

In the Year 2000, the Hochmark was established as the currency of the Republic, as it was felt a new currency was needed to better compete in a global economy. The Republic also began the expansion of its Armed forces and is expected to become a major power within the next few decades.


Government

Executive Branch

The Head of the Hochen Government is the Prime Minister, who by convention, is the leader of the largest party in the House of Representatives (He must, however, be able to command a 2/3 majority of the House) - who is asked to form a Government by the President of the Republic, who is essentially a figurehead for the nation.

The Prime Minister is head of a Cabinet, which comprises a team of Ministers, each responsible for one department. The current cabinet comprises:

Cabinet of the Republic of Hochberg
Portfolio Minister Party Affiliation
Prime Minister Jürgen Klaus DSP
Deputy Prime Minister Kristina Schwarz LP
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Thomas Baker DSP
Secretary of the Treasury James Rosenheim LP
Secretary of State for the Home Department Matthias Scott DSP
Secretary of State for Defence Michael Reinhardt DSP
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Clara Lehrer DSP
Secretary of State for Health Petra Edwards LP
Secretary of State for Education and Skills Joschka Kellerman LP
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Karl Jaspers DSP
Secretary of State for International Development Jonathan Nicholson LP
Secretary of State for Transport Rosa Jung DSP
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Angela Schmitt DSP
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Johann Brittain DSP
Minister for Equality and Social Exclusion Mary Salz LP
Leader of the House of Representatives Josef Strauß DSP
Leader of the Senate Joseph Stresemann DSP
Attorney General Clara Lauterbach DSP


Parliamentary System

The Parliamentary system of the Republic of Hochberg is remarkably simple and ingenious. New Legislation can be proposed by any member of the house (regardless of which party they belong to), as long as it is seconded by two other individuals and copies of the proposals are made availible for all members. Following this, house-wide discussions will begin on the proposals. When the discussions have finished,

Elections 2006

At the last elections in 2006, the population of Hochberg elected a new House of Representatives, with a total of 200 elected members. The Democratic Socialist and Liberal Coalition once again were successful and Jürgen Klaus was elected as Prime Minister of the Republic of Hochberg.


Hochberg General Election 2006
Party Seats Gains Losses Net Gain/Loss Seats %
  Democratic Socialist 108 15 0 +15 54.0
  Liberal 42 4 3 +1 21.0
  Conservative 27 1 17 -16 13.5
  Green 12 5 0 +5 6.0
  Communist 8 0 5 -5 4.0
  Independents 3 0 0 0 1.5


Military

Navy

The Hochen Navy is currently very small, comprising a number of Corvettes and Patrol Boats. The Government is seeking to increase the size of the Hochen Navy substantially in the next decades with the aim of producing a powerful force capable of rapid deployment across the globe and reacting to situations as and when they occur.

Air Force

The Republic of Hochen Air Force currently comprises a single squadron of Fighters whose main mission is interception, and a small fleet of helicopters and transport planes used to ferry Government officials.

Army

The Hochen Army is around 20,000 in total, armed with basic equipment, a handful of Jeeps, Helicopters, APCs and one battalion of MBTs.

Foreign Relations

Foreign Relations are essential for the success of any nation. The Republic of Hochberg is on peaceful terms with all nations currently and, mainly due to the long period of isolation, takes a generally neutral view on issues.

Allies

The Republic of Hochberg is currently not a member of any formal alliances, nor do they have specific agreements with any other nation. The Republic is a member of the United Nations.

Disputes

The Republic of Hochberg is currently not a party to any international disputes and is currently still following a strictly neutral standpoint.


Transport Infrastructure

Ports & Harbours

Ports and Harbours have always been essential to the peoples of island nations - the Republic of Hochberg is no different. The major Ports on the island are those at Blauhafen and English Harbour, through which thousands of tons of goods pass every year.

Airports

The Republic of Hochberg currently only has the one International Airport, at Talstadt. All major long-distance carriers fly from this Airport, with a number of the smaller, low-fare carriers showing an interest. The Terminal facilities are modern and the terminal is only a short U-Bahn journey from the city centre.

Full Name: Talstadt International Airport (TST)
ID Code: TST
Runways: 2
Terminals: 4

Road Network

The Island has a well-developed road network, typically efficient in the Hochen manner. Roads are labelled in a Quasi-German manner as follows:

  • A-Roads - Autobahns (Motorways)
    • 130km/h Speed Limit
  • B-Roads - Bundestraßen (Republic Road)
    • 100km/h Speed Limit
  • C-Roads - Major Roads
    • 80km/h in rural areas
    • 50km/h in urban areas
  • Smaller roads carry no number
    • Local Speed Limits apply

Rail Network

The Rail Network in the Island is limited, and is mainly confined to connecting major cities together. There are U-Bahn/S-Bahn networks in the cities of Talstadt and Flußdorf, each allowing for the efficient mass-movement of people.

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