Mephras
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| Flag of Mephras | |
| Motto: Omnia Omnibus Ubique | |
| [Map URL], or No Map Available | |
| Region | Nova |
|---|---|
| Capital | Euphova |
| Largest city | Bliss |
| Official Language(s) | Esperanto |
| Leader | Steffan Monde |
| Population | Approximately 1.63 billion |
| Currency | phran |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
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 around the year 1413AD, when the first human inventors began to set sail for long distances. The first man to reach the continent, was Cidrus I, who happened upon the continent while experimenting with new ship technology. He soon brought news back to his countrymen of this floating paradise. While most mocked him,a small group of 200 settlers agreed to follow him to the continent. He and his group founded the first settlement, Euphova, which is now the capital. The people elected him as the Prince of this new land, which they christened Mephras.
Cidrus I ruled with strength and intelligence, and by his death in 1457, the nation had a stable food supply and a population of 2000 people. As his air, he chose his middle son, Seymour, who became Seymour I. Seymour focused on development and also explored the entirety of the continent, finding various natural wonders. He also found scattered tribes of humans and other sentients who had found their way to the continent. With great foresight, he peacefully traded with these peoples and developed ties. He also supported immigration of certain people from around earth. He reigned for 40 years, dying in 1497. Upon death, the country had over 1000000 people.
Unfortunately, his son Seymour II went down in history as an ineffective and decadent ruler. He gained the throne at 16, and spent highly on court luxuries, ignoring the principality. He was known for his various concubines, both male and female and excessive parties. Many in the country demanded change, and eventually deposed the prince, placing his cousin Sebastion on the throne in the year 1508.
Under Sebastion I, Mephras entered what could be considered its first Golden Age. Sebastion set a path of technological and economic development throughout the realm. He encouraged immigration and also supported input from his subjects. Every week he would spend an entire day listening to the problems throughout the realm. Although his greatest accomplishment was the Act of Union with the Kenoi tribes. While relations had always been peaceful, the two groups decided to unite as one with the marriage of Sebastion I and a Kenoi princess. They ruled for 30 more years, until the prince died, soon followed by the princess. The population of the country neared 12million at their death, and the people had advanced to a stage never before seen.
His son, Sebastion II took the throne in 1558. While he ruled justly, his reign was unremarkable compared to his father. The next three rulers Sebastion III (1587-1613), Seran I (1613-1648), and Hermes I (1648-1667).
However, Hermes I died heirless, and his family line died out. This left the nobles to elect a new prince. However, in a shocking move, the court chose a 15 year half Kenoi girl, Persephone I. The nobles hoped they could manipulate the young girl, and many feared the complete collapse of the monarchy, however, Persephone proved them wrong and became a strong and competent ruler. She expanded the territories and improved farm technology, and also united her nation with the Kujin peoples, when she chose one as her consort. A great period of peace and prosperity continued until her death at the old age of 75 (1727). Daughter, Karoline I oversaw another development in the nation of Mephras, the CFI or the Congress of the Floating Island, this brought together the other nations on the continent into open dialogue and peace. By this time, Mephras was the dominant nation on the continent, having approximately 45% of the area and 55% of the population.
Geography and Climate
Under Construction
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.
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
