Isle of Grunnen

Isle of Grunnen, Pearl of the Pacific.

Profile

The Isle of Grunnen is a pleasant region situated near The West Pacific. The region generally consists of 10 to 15 individual nations, but the Regional Government is focussing on expansion. The main language spoken in the region is Dutch, but sometimes members communicate in a dialect only known in The Isle of Grunnen: Grunnegs.

Politics

The Isle of Grunnen is proud of its democratic system and its Constitution. The most important authority in the region is the Regional Delegate, helped by the Regional Government (Kabinet). The Regional Delegate needs the support of the Parliament in order to function properly.

Most decisions are taken by the Parliament. The Parliament of The Isle of Grunnen (Parlement) consists of all main nations in the region, puppet-states are excluded. The Parliament has 150 seats. The seats are divided between the nations, a third is based on nation-size, a third is based on membership of the region and the last third of the 150 seats is divided by monthly elections (Parlementsverkiezingen).

The Regional Government (Kabinet) is made up by four nations. The Kabinet is responsible for the well-being of the region. Important issues like expansion, public relations and safety are part of the work of the Kabinet. The president of The Isle of Grunnen, and of the Kabinet is the Regional Delegate. The Regional Delegate is responsible for the all the actions of the Kabinet. The Regional Delegate is helped in this by three ministers, these are the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence and Justice.

The Parliament is reformed monthly. The Parliamental Elections play an important role in this. The outcome of these elections is also deciding in the appointment of Ministers.

The Regional Delegate is also chosen by elections. The Parliament and the Regional Delegate self can decide if new Regional Delegate-elections are needed. These elections take place together with the next Parliamental Elections.

The Founder plays an extraordinary role in the democratic system of the region. Despite the fact that a Founder has more power than a Regional Delegate in NationStates, its role in governing the region is restricted by the Constitution. The Founder has the same rights and duties like all other nations. The only privilege of being the Founder is to know the regional password and replace the Regional Delegate in case of an emergency.

History

Not much is known of the forming of the continent. A popular story amongst the peoples of the region tells that once in ancient times the god Zeus carried a handfull of peat for his stove and accidentally dropped some in the ocean. Instead of picking it up again, Zeus decided to cover it up with some sand from his garden. The result was astonishing: a lush and fertile continent, shaped like the Dutch Province of Groningen.

A long time ago the people of Musselkanalia heard about this paradise. The Musselkanalian leaders spread the news to the Knoalskian and Musseltrechtian Leaders and together they decided to move to this continent. Soon the peoples of these nations were moved to enormous ships and the 15 million citizens of the three nations set sail to the Promised Land. Storms and rough seas could not stop them and after a long journey the continent was found. The leader of Knoalski was first to set foot on the beach and automatically became Founder. The three leaders of de countries baptised the continent Isle of Grunnen. Soon the leaders of Eanskekanaal, Jelliclepatrer and the Ultimate Vipers heard of this paradise and made the same journey...

Present situation of Isle of Grunnen

Demograpics

Nowadays the region consists of 15 nations. Five of them are puppets. This means that the region is populated by 10 main nations. These nations also take place in the Parliament.

The total population of the Region was 20,452,000,000 on september 13th 2005. Together Musselkanalia and Knoalski are responsible for 28% of the total number of inhabitants. They are by far the largest nations in the region.

Economics

The overall economic situation in the region is quite good. The average income in the region lies around $26000 per capita. There is however a great difference in income between the various nations in the region. With an average income per capita of approximately $47500 Oosterhaven is the richest nation. The poorest however is Groningen Noord, with an average income of only $45 per capita.

Defence

The region is very peacefull. Until half November 2005, there had never been an armed conflict between nations in the long history of the region. There have only been two international incidents which possibly could have ended in an armed conflict, luckily this has never happened.

The latest conflict, recently between Musselkanalia and Knoalski, almost meant the end of the peacefull history of the region. The crisis, about a piece of abandoned land belonging to a disappeared nation, was sworn by intense debating in the parliament. Momentarily the military forces of both nations still occupy parts of this abandoned land, awaiting further decisions of the Parliament. This event did change some things in the relations between nations and has lead to an increase in military spending in some nations.

Eventually the precarious situation in that part of the region and indecisiveness of the regional Parliament lead to an escalation. Kyott and Oosterhaven decided to invade a part of the abandoned land, soon after that Groningen Noord did the same and the three nations decided to form the GOK-alliance. These actions provoked Musselkanalia and Knoalski. After threats and heated discussions, Knoalskian forces blew up a Kyottian oil depot. Immediately the GOK-alliance declared war on Knoalski. After a few hours Musselkanalia joined the war by giving military support to Knoalski. The course of the war proved to be disastreous for the GOK-Alliance. After 5 days the combined Knoalskian and Musselkanalian forces had decimated the armies of the GOK-Alliance. On the fifth day the GOK-Alliance capitulated. During the aftermath of the war, the Musselkanalian government presented their plans for redrawing the boundaries of a number of nations, to fill up the empty land and end this long-lasting conflict.

Communication

The communication between the various nations takes place on the Isle of Grunnen communication board, better known as the IoG Forum. The forum is also the place where parliamental and governmental discussions are being held. The communication mainly takes place in Dutch.