Difference between revisions of "Mephras"

Revision as of 01:26, 17 September 2007

Mephras

Flag of Mephras
Motto: Omnia Omnibus Ubique
[1]
Region	Nova
Capital	Euphova
Largest city	Bliss
Official Language(s)	Esperanto
Leader	Steffan Monde
Population	Approximately 1.63 billion
Currency	phran
NS Sunset XML

Introduction

The Experimental Communes of Mephras is a nation based on a continent. It strives to serve its citizens and its environment. The economy is fairly strong, however the citizens are always placed before economic gain. Mephras has had a long history with much conflict, however recently the various groups have come together to form a peace loving and laid back nation.

History

The History of Mephras begins in approximately 1853, when a group of Scientists decided they were fed up with the regulation they faced in the various "Enlightened" Nations of the world. They wished to perform research that was considered immoral and unethical, which they thought as necessary for human survival. Originally, a group of 100 scientists and their families set out to find a new place to live. As they were sailing on the Atlantic, they found their way into a new sea, and their eyes found a new land, full of vegetation and life. Deciding this was where they would settle, the group landed in 1858. The scientists wished to build a society in which technology would solve all the problems of society, a technological utopia.

The first few years were difficult, as the original 450 scientists set up their small community. But within a few years, the community was already prospering. The nation had an extremely open immigration policy, and during the years of the world wars, millions came to the nation. Science continued to progress, and people continued to stream in, lured by the ideas of the scientists and the promise of a decent living. By 1904, the nation had grown to over 100000000 people.

At this point, the nation began to implement more policies that would bring it further to its goal of a technological utopia. All children were placed in community run orphanages, which provided exceptional and equal education for all children, a feat amazing for the time. People were also encouraged to have more children, to increase the population more. With this, the population skyrocketed, placing strain on the nation. By 1950, the nation had grown to over 450000000. Greater Technological achievements were made, and the population continued to grow until it hit one billion in 1975. At this time, the nation decided to pursue a polygamous approach to all human relationships. All people were encouraged to use contraception and test for diseases however, and the health of the nation did not suffer. Today, in 2007, the nation creates all babies in test tubes which are placed in women and delivered, and the population still grows, however the growth rate has slowed greatly.

Geography and Climate

Mephras resides on a section of a great continent with it's total land area approximately that of India. The nation is densely populated, and over 90% of people live in the cities. Since all cities are constructed in a dense fashion, there is still a considerable amount of land dedicated to farming and natural landscapes. Many of the locals refer to the nation as the wave or the fin, as it has that appearance from space The northern portion of the nation is generally flat, along with most of the coastline. The central region is more hilly, however still fairly flat, while the southerly regions are much more mountainous, although the mountains aren't extremely high.

The climate is generally continental in the central region, and tropical in the northern regions, while it can get quite cold in the mountains of the southern regions. Rainfall is high across the nation, allowing farm production to be high. Tropical forest exists in the north, while temperate forests and grassland dominate the rest of the nation.

Important Cities The most important city in the nation is the capital, Euphova. Built with an emphasis on beauty, and in the center of the nation, this city houses most of the important government offices, and has a metropolitan population of about 23 million. It is also the cultural hub, with various opera houses, theatre companies, museums, and zoos. It has been called the "Jewel of Mephras", and the "City in the Garden."

Techno Trade City is the center of the import export business in the nation. Despite being a command economy, there is significant trade between the nation and various other nations. Built on an island off the coast, the city is built largely with futuristic architecture, and a liberal use of neon, giving it the name, the "City of Neon." It houses about 30 million Mephrasians, and approximately 5 million peoples of various other nationalities. Control is lessened in this area, making it the home of many who wish for more freedom than is allowed by the state. It also houses the largest port in the nation, through which over 80% of imports and exports are handled.

Bliss is the center of the northern resort region. It is an attraction in its own right, with beautiful natural beauty and Mediterranean architecture. It houses various rental villas and hotels which are often full of visitors. Its white sand beaches and clear blue waters draw millions every year. Also known for its legendary nightlife and dining. It is also a transport hub for the various smaller islands on which many of the richer classes take their vacation. Known as "The Happiest Place on Earth" and "The Fountain City."

Economy

Under the new system, Mephras has switched to a command economy. However, steps have been put into place to assure that the worker is represented within the system. With the help of advanced supercomputers, supply and demand are closely monitored to assure that prices are accurate and that the economy will stay stable. The main focus of factories are the basic necessities of life. With the change, the economy took a large hit, but has recently stabilized. The hope is that eventually with steady growth, the nation will be able to produce high quality goods and be entirely self sufficient. There is an importance based on agriculture and housing.

Trade is something that is highly regulated, any imports must be substituted with an export, in order to keep a good trade balance, and to protect the nation's industries from foreign competition.

Transportation

Another important portion of the Mephrasian budget is improving transportation infrastructure. Current infrastructure is highly traditional rail based with some roads. Private cars are highly restricted and no true highways exist within the nation. Roads with buses and subways are more common in the larger cities, however most cities attempt to keep necessities within walking or biking distance. Recently interest has been show in maglev train technology, however this will only be implemented as the economy grows.

Culture and Society

Mephras is a culture that attempts to strike a balance between order and freedom, so that its citizens may live a peaceful yet free life. All people are subject to what many nations would consider a high amount of intrusion into their life. From a young age, Mephrasians are monitored and tested to understand what place they should play within society. After receiving as much education as they wish, they are asked to chose their preferred job for which computers have said the person is best suited. The amount of choice varies for each person. Generally, the person is required to work at this job for 25 hours a week. Because people are better suited to the job, the hours are greatly reduced. People are also required to complete 10 hours of creative work each week. This can vary from are work to volunteering, and is chosen at the discretion of the person. The rest of the time is general spent in leisure, which the government wishes to provide state of the art places for (not present at this time).

Mephras is a nation which prides itself on eccentricity. It is not uncommon to see people in wild outfits and doing things outlandish in many other countries. People enjoy the pursuits of art, music, and invention. Public Art is a mainstay as people erect sculptures in public space and avidly attend art shows and concerts. Most people are socially left leaning, leading to an anything goes attitude throughout the country. Paired with this is a view of respect for all forms of life. Notable is the compulsory vegetarianism which has existed in the nation since near the beginning. Gay marriage, polygamy, pornography are all common. The age of consent is 19.

Another passion of the Mephrasian populace is fashion, people love making their own clothing and designing clothing for their friends. Impromptu fashion shows occur daily, and people enjoy sharing creative ideas.

The people are proud of their nation, but not afraid to criticize the government. Despite this, most are fiercely devoted to the Royal Family, and in turn, the royals provide much to the people. Visitors to the Principality generally find the people wild and sometimes snobby, but underneath that lies a sense of kindness and compassion for all living things.

Religion The most prevalent form of religion in the nation is the national religion, Mephrasian Humanism. Mephrasian Humanism is nontheistic, but stresses service to the community, humility, and respect for all forms of life. About 60% of people follow this, including the royal family. Another 25% are atheist or agnostic, and the remaining 15% practice forms of religion not native to the continent such as Christianity, Islam,Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Demographics

69% thoroughly mixed Mephrasian

6% Caucasian Mephrasian

6% East Asian Mephrasian

9% Native Mephrasian

5% African Mephrasian

5% South and West Asian Mephrasian

Education

Education is compulsory for all children from ages of 4-19. Free universities also exist and approximately 60% of people have at least a bachelors degree. The system is highly funded, and students generally perform well in the humanities and arts, however lag somewhat in science and math. The University of Euphova is the most important university and research center in the principality, where the greatest minds do research and interact.

Mephras, placing technology at the forefront of its political ideology spends approximately 7% of GDP on research and development. As the economy improves, this is expected to expand. Mephrasians see that technology improves quality of life, and integrate it quickly into their lives.

Government

The Government has recently transitioned from a principality to a revolutionary form of government. Steffan Monde has become the head of the new revolutionary government, and has many new ideas for the country. He plans to institute a command economy with an emphasis on technology. While many fear this will be a step towards greater authoritarianism. Monde is the chairman of a group of 9 chief scientists who will in affect set the agenda of the nation each year. However, each of their ideas and plans will be subjected to a vote by the people of the nation. There is also an electronic system of suggestion which all citizens have access to at all times. If 15% of people wish for a change of government, a recall poll will be taken, where if a simple majority wish for change, the government will be dissolved, and new elections will be called. Also, all people are free to file papers to leave the nation, and are free to do so, as long as they complete the forms. Each person is provided with transportation to the new place of their choice if they wish to leave.

Political Parties

Mephras has several major political parties that hold sway in the senate. First is the National Party, which consists of the more socially and fiscally conservative groups. Their main support comes from the nobles and rural peoples. Due to the wealth of the nobles, they hold about 24% of seats in the legislature. Another popular party is the Mephrasian Unitary Party. It is a left-centrist party which espouses socialist ideals. It holds about 39% of seats in the Senate, and has a primarily urban constituency. Another primary party is the Mephras Machine Faction, a technocratic group which supports science as the guiding rule of the country. It holds about 6% of seats. The Green Mephras environmental party holds about 26%. The other 3% of seats are held by unaffiliated independents who vary in their views. Other small parties are the fringe monarchist party and communist party which hold about 2% of seats together.

Military

The Mephrasian Military is a small force for the size of the nation. Currently it has approximately 1,000,000 active personnel, less than .1% of the population. Most of the military budget is focused on high tech robotic exoskeletons (mechs) and robotic fighting units. The prime agenda of the military is defense. Research into missile defense and sea mines is increasing and seen as the best path to protect the nation. Civil Defense shelters are also part of this plan.

Current Events

Recently, Mephras has entered the international political scene, joining both the United Civil Rights Alliance, and the Free World Alliance. It has also recently attempted to establish more embassies.

Current Embassies Pinguinium Si Se Puede Damirez

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION