Howtowdie
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| Flag of Howtowdie | |
| Motto: Vive La Bagatelle | |
| No Map Available Yet | |
| Region | Equilism |
|---|---|
| Capital | Cocotapioca |
| Official Language(s) | English, Japanese |
| Leader | The Right Honourable Myrtle Peacock |
| Population | 36 million |
| Currency | The Mitten |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Summary
The Principality of Howtowdie is a large, safe nation, notable for its punitive income tax rates. Its compassionate population of 36 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.
It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, Social Equality, and Social Welfare. The average income tax rate is 54%, and even higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Information Technology.
Education and welfare spending are on the rise, gambling is outlawed, political parties are banned from advertising and receiving private donations, and same-sex marriages are increasingly common. Pharmacies close down as medicinal drugs are sold freely by the government, long arduous trials are held for the most trivial of offences, billions of mittens are being poured into a space program, and hunters have been known to lose limbs while attempting to 'play tag' with their prey. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare.
Howtowdie's national animal is the pikachu, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the mitten.
Government
The Howtowdese government is modelled on a three branch sysyem: an administrative branch in the Cabinet, a legislative branch in the Diet and a judiciary branch in the Court.
The current Prime Minister is the Right Honourable Myrtle Peacock. She is aided by Deputy Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jimmy Chestnuts.
National Symbols
The Green Sun Flag
The green sun and tree in full leaf represent the pride of the Howtowdese in their beautiful forests and natural environment. The national flag also shows an example of the traditional Howtowdie art of the potato print.
Pikachu
This small rodent, native to Howtowdie, is the country's official national animal. The pikachu is a popular domestic pet in rural areas. It is considered a good omen to see one and people frequently leave apples in their gardens to attract the creatures.
Magnolias
This tree is the civic symbol of the Howtowdie capital, Cocotapioca. Its flower is used as the Imperial family's crest and is considered a national symbol.
Ten Facts About Howtowdie
- The earliest recorded potato prints in the world were discovered in Howtowdie.
- Cocotapioca is home to over 60 miles of subterranean tunnels, all built during the early 20th century as apart of an aborted underground transport system.
- Most Howtowdese can play the ukulele or melodica as learning one of these instruments is part of the usual primary school curriculum.
- In recent polls, the Howtowdie people voted toad-in-the-hole, tuna onigiri, rice pudding, roast potatoes and French toast as their top five favourite foods.
- Mt. Aho in southern Howtowdie is, according to legend, haunted by the ghosts of twelve ducks who were put to death in the 15th century for causing floods.
- The city of Tweed has more bicycles per capita than any other in the country.
- Family-size tree houses have become fashionable summer holiday dwellings in Howtowdie's forest regions.
- Howtowdie's orchards produce some 2000 different varieties of apple, including the Tapioca and Peacock varieties which are both indigenous fruits.
- Howtowdie's national sport is considered by many to be croquet.
- Deputy Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jimmy Chestnuts is a former tap dancing child star.
National Holidays
There are eleven public holidays during the year. Special events or festivals take place in each prefecture on these days; government offices and schools are closed.
- January 1 - New Year's Day
- People traditionally celebrate the beginning of the new year by watching the sun rise from the mountains or ocean.
- February 9 - Culture Day
- A day to celebrate the appreciation of culture and to promote participation in cultural activities for all.
- March 20 - Vernal Equinox Day
- Marking the first day of spring.
- May 13 - Howtowdie Day
- A day to commemorate the founding of Howtowdies's democracy and constitution.
- June 15 - Children's Day
- A festival to celebrate the healthy growth of children. Children hold parades in most towns and a seven year old girl or boy is chosen as ruler for the day in each prefecture.
- September 23 - Autumnal Equinox Day
- Marking the first day of autumn.
- September 29 - Elders' Day
- A festival to express respect for the contribution of the elderly. People pay visits to elderly relatives and neighbours on this day with traditional gifts of lucky oranges.
- November 14 - Community Day
- A day to give thanks to the community.
- December 22 to 24 - Blanket Week
- Three days to celebrate the labours of the year and the setting in of winter.
