Kiue

Kiue

Flag of Kiue
Motto: "The New Path - Le Nouveau Chemin"
Region	Europe
Capital	Bainhampton
Official Language(s)	English, French
Leader	Adrian Stoughton
Population	7,958,700
Currency	Kiuéan Pound (KIP£)
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History and General Overview

On the 11th June 1976, a large earthquake occurred deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean originating off the western coast of Spain. What ensued was 28 days of ash and steam covering the region. When everything cleared, a new island some 3,000 square kilometres big was left exposed above the ocean surface centred about 60km north of the Canary Islands. Within two weeks, the British Royal Navy claimed the territory for Britain. After a small military engagement with the Spanish Navy, Britain kept the territory but it remained unused for five years as earthquakes continued one after another. Vegetation began to grow and the island became a symbol of rejuvenation in Europe.

Meanwhile, a small gentlemen's social club in London under the auspices of a Mr. Alfred Morecott and a group of six other wealthy philosophes and social elites pondered how to resourcefully use the island. When Downing Street announced plans to colonise the island, it was Mr. Morecott who approached Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and, using a convincing argument to inspire nationalism, she agreed to allow Mr. Morecott to lead local governmental operations on the island.

In an interesting turn of events soon to become one of the most strange and inspiring stories of the past century, Mr. Morecott's car broke down one evening after a meeting. Not having a ride and being visually distressed, a young 23-year-old London Symphony Orchestra player named Adrian Stoughton asked him if he needed a lift. After a night of heavy drinking, Mr. Morecott willingly divulged the group's plans in the car to Stoughton, who attended the next club meeting. Being a first-chair cello player, versed in six languages, and a university dropout, he was well-informed in political affairs and shortly integrated himself into the group, though the second-youngest member, Mr. Carlyle Reynes, was 55 years his senior.

The eight members arrived on the island 5 months later, in winter of 1981. Following to their strict set of principles, they set out to create an island unlike the world had ever seen. With strict architectural guidelines, the island was to be a fusion of deconstructivism postmodern styles combined with ancient Greco-Roman accents. Top British design teams, eager to show off their talents to a new area with supple amounts of land and endless supplies of money, created towers of twisted titanium and glass. The country was also to be bilingual, with all potential residents speaking at least English and French, regarded as a traditional European language of politics and philosophy. The finale of Saint-Saëns' "Organ Symphony no. 3" was chosen as the national anthem, to remain without lyrics, and an official flag bearing three prominent colours of Kiué - black, blue and silver - was designed by soon-to-be Duke Adrian Stoughton. All signs are written in both English and French.

The Grand Duchy of Kiué (Le Grand-Duché de Kiué, in French) was formally established as an independent nation on the 11th June 1986, much to the dismay of Great Britain, whose politics were seen as "too conservative" by the Kiuéan government. Its government was established as a duchy, appointing the young and charismatic Adrian Stoughton as Duke. Kiué has since risen to international status as an epicentre of free trade and progressive values throughout the world.

Government

Organisation and Structure

The seven original members created the governing body known as The Forum. The Forum passes ALL edicts and decrees within the island and acts according to the interests of the Duke, who has the power to veto any edict passed. To date, no edict has ever been vetoed as the views and aims of The Forum are virtually one and the same with Duke Stoughton's. For an edict to pass, it must receive five of the seven Forum member votes. If an edict fails to elicit five votes, an intervention by the Duke guarantees passing UNLESS the edict received one or zero votes to begin with.

Since there is but one party, a supreme legislature, there are no opposing political parties. The voice of the people is heard through a series of public forums, usually run by various labour unions in different cities. The public forums compile a list of grievances and bring it before the County Council. Examples of county-level grievances would be roads in need of repair, need for a local after-school resource centre, etc. Should it be a nation-wide issue that the county council cannot address, it is brought forth directly to The Forum. The Forum is very lenient and usually resolves most legitimate claims brought to it.

Members

In addition to their duties on the forum, each member functions as minister of a department of the government. This breaks down as follows:

Emmett Wetherden - Minister of Transportation
Nathaniel Haddock - Minister of Health
Carlyle Reynes - Minister of Education
Jonathan Silsbury - Minister of the Home Office
Cecil Perrin - Minister of the Kiué Central Bank
Kelsey Ashcombe - Minister of Justice

Alfred Morecott, the seventh member, represents Kiué in the United Nations.

Other departments not classified as ministries, such as the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Customs and Border Patrol (a department of the Home Office), are led by other Kiuéan citizens directly appointed by The Forum.

Political Affiliations

Kiué is a member of the European Union, the United Nations, the Federative Trade Association (of Europe), and the Organisation for European Security. Kiué is a left-leaning Libertarian Monarchy (specifically a duchy) that values free trade, civil liberties and international prosperity. At present, Kiué is creating a special coalition of Francophone nations throughout Europe to promote French culture and encourage dialogue between French-speaking nations.

People

Background

As of 2005, eighty-nine percent of citizens of Kiué were not born on Kiué, but immigrated there following its creation between 1981 and 1986. About 54% of all immigrants are British, and another 20% are American and Canadian. 16% are from France or other French-speaking nations and 8% are from the Pacific Rim (China, Japan, South Korea.) The remaining two percent are from elsewhere. Kiué recognises dual citizenship and most citizens do retain their original citizenship as well as their Kiuéan one.

Immigration

Despite its seemingly casual, ultra-modern, capitalist feel, immigration remains one of the few, if not the only, very difficult things about Kiué. The original creators envisioned a country of intellectualism coupled with progressive ideas, economic entrepreneurialism and fine arts. They also strove for an international society, drawing on people from all backgrounds to add in to the blend of lifestyles and persuasions. Thus all tourist visas are issued for a period not to exceed 90 days. After that, individuals wishing to stay longer must apply for a residence visa. In addition to having little or no criminal background, applicants must also be fluent in one of the official languages, English or French. Preference is given to those who speak both, and very rarely is someone accepted who only speaks one or the other. Furthermore, applicants must not be overtly supportive of a political cause that would create turmoil or civil unrest, such as neo-Nazism or anarchy. While Kiué grants full freedom as to political affiliation, such radical and traditionally negative ideas are generally looked down upon. Applicants must be of sound mental health, though mentally handicapped applicants are judged differently, and only need to be sponsored by a current Kiuéan citizen of sound mental health. After being accepted, individuals are given the option of residing in Kiué on a permanent resident visa or accepting Kiuéan citizenship. With the exception of businessmen, most residents choose citizenship.

Religion

Kiué is by no means a religious state. In fact, approximately half of the population professes to have no religion at all. The most recent census, published in early 2005, breaks down religious persuasion as follows:

52% Atheism/Agnosticism
31% Anglicanism
7% Catholicism
6% Judaism
3% Asian religions (Buddhism, Shintoism, etc.)
1% Other

Geography

Terrain

Kiué is a mountainous volcanic island with verdant vegetation and a Mediterranean climate similar to that of Sicily. The main island is split almost in half by the Downton River. The north half features the most mountainous terrain and also the island's one dormant volcano, Mount Garnier. At a peak of 1,042 metres above sea level, Mt Garnier is the highest point in Kiué. The beaches in the north island are predominately rocky with some black sand on the coast north of Bainhampton. The waters surrounding the island are a deep teal and are home to the national animal, the porpoise. Ample amounts of snow atop Mt Garnier create a series of streams and waterfalls that run towards the Downton River in the centre of the island. The north also has more tropical vegetation due to the most direct rainfall on the south side of Mt Garnier.

Located on the south half is the Pilinsi National Forest, a more arid forest featuring pine trees similar to those found in neighbouring Spain. The forest occupies about one third of the southern half. Also on the southern half is a long peninsula jetting out from the southwest corner to the west, where Vera Lighthouse is located. The south coast of Kiué has very sandy beaches and is flanked by natural jetties creating a harbour in the city of Misi. Consequently, Misi is known as the resort area and most holidaymakers spend their time between the capitol of Bainhampton and Misi, some 180 kilometres to the southeast.

Major Cities and Ports

The capitol city is Bainhampton, home to all government offices, towering skyscrapers, multinational corporations, diplomatic embassies (with a few in Aldebourne), national museums and is considered by many to be the most modern city on the face of the globe. Broken down into twenty numerical subsections, Bainhampton's population is close to 5 million, making it unmistakably the largest city in Kiué.

About 170km to the northeast, directly up the Downton River on the east coast of Kiué, is the second-largest city - Aldebourne. Aldebourne is home to most domestic businesses and has a large residential population. In fact, nearly one million people travel the stretch of high-speed rail connecting Aldebourne to Bainhampton every day. Aldebourne is a relaxed local city and also has a large French population. Whereas in Bainhampton it's more common to speak either language in conversation, French is slightly more dominant in Aldebourne. Kiué University, the nation's largest private university, is located to the north of Aldebourne. Also on the rise is the music scene in Aldebourne. Most garage bands in Kiué get their start in the suburban areas of Aldebourne.

On the south coast, 183km southeast from Bainhampton and 241km southwest from Aldebourne, is the resort town of Misi, world-renowned for its sandy beaches, temperate climate, five-star resorts and exquisite dining rivalled only by the international cuisine in Bainhampton.

On the southwest peninsula's north coast and located 83km to Bainhampton's southwest is the port city of Alban's Bay. Much like the French town of Marseille, Alban's Bay is primarily a fishing town and is Kiué's biggest source of income from a domestic industry - fishing. With a small and patriotic population, Alban's Bay represents the real culture of Kiué.

Ports located in Kiué:
Bainhampton International Seaport
Aldebourne Docklands
Alban's Bay
Misi Harbour (for private boats and holiday vessels only)

Kiué's airport is named Kiué International Airport (KRQ) and is located 70km to the southeast of Bainhampton on the edge of the Pilinsi National Forest. The national airline is Kiué-Air, a member of the One-World Alliance and the SilverAir Alliance, providing air service throughout Europe and the world. The terminal is brand new and has car hire facilities as well as a high-speed train with service directly to Bainhampton City Centre in 25 minutes.

Issues and Stances

Here are some current world issues and the stances that the Kiuéan government have adopted:
Homosexual marriage is legalised, as is sodomy
Abortion is legal
All forms of drugs, as long as the taker does not present a hindrance to society, are legal
Capital punishment is illegal

Further links and information

NS Profile Internet Site for the Continent of Europe E-mail Duke Stoughton