Pinguinum

The People's Democratic Social Republic of Ariddia (the PDSRA) is a group of nineteen islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of the Uhuhland continent. Ariddia has a territorial exclave within continental Uhuhland: Gnatanamo.

On the international stage, Ariddia's claim to fame is as the founder (and three times winner) of the NationStates World Cup and winner of the first international Futsal Tournament. The country is also known abroad as the base of operations for PINA, a news channel broadcast around the world.

The Ariddian Isles are a group of twenty islands in the Pacific, nineteen of which form the PDSRA. The twentieth, Limea, is split between the Sovereign State of West Ariddia, a capitalist secessionist state, and the tiny communist nation of North-West Ariddia.

People

Ariddia is a country with a high level of immigration and a diverse population. Indigenous Ariddians, or Wymgani, currently constitute about 30% of the population; there are no official figures as to the ethnic composition of Ariddia’s population. The first immigrants were French and English colonists. When Ariddia acquired sovereignty, and increasingly so when the people declared a communist republic, immigrants from all round the globe began to settle in the Isles.

There are also Ariddian expatriate communities in many foreign countries. Perhaps the best-known Ariddian-born persons living abroad are Pacitalian politician and journalist Archetenia Nera, and Archregimancy football player/Orthodox monk Fr. Innocent. Jeruselem football coach, businesswoman and media star Dazza Dallas is of part-Ariddian descent.

Government

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Aj Ud was Prime Secretary for 45 years

Ariddia is a democratic republic. The Democratic Communist Party, currently forming the government and holding a large majority of seats in the People’s Prime Parliament, lays the emphasis on social rights and the well-being of its population, be it in terms of health, housing or education. The government, however, has been criticised abroad for the detrimental effects of its policies on the Ariddian economy.

Ariddia's Human Development Index, as calculated by the Ceoranan Department of State, is 0.113. The Ariddian Secretariat for Health, however, dismisses this figure as "irrelevant and misleading", explaining that the CDS bases its figures on a nation's use of its budget, whereas Ariddia has a moneyless economy. The PDSRA's PDAS rating is "C" ("satisfactory"). The Forest region's Human Development Index gives Ariddia a rating of .578 (medium high). Audrey Lake, Secretary for Health, also claims that "Ariddia has always been recognised by the United Nations as one of the best countries in the world to live in, with excellent education, healthcare and living conditions".

See also:

• Ariddian government officials and diplomats
• Ariddian government and judiciary

Symbols

Flag

The Ariddian flag is made up of a red cross on a black background, with green bands adjacent to the arms of the cross, and a red star in the right-hand section. Red symbolises communism, and black the people’s desire to strive towards anarchy; red and black are the nation’s official colours. Green symbolises ecological concerns.

The Ariddian flag was a direct source of inspiration for that of New Burmesia.

Emblem

The unofficial emblem (or seal) of the PDSRA depicts a worker looking up with hope, pride and confidence, and includes the three national colours (red, black and green). White symbolises hope and purity. The hammer represents the people's determination (after 1985) to build a new society. The emblem also contains the national motto (in French), and an acronym of the country's French name (République Démocratique, Sociale et Populaire d'Ariddia).

National Anthem

The national anthem of the PDSRA is Dream, sung to the tune of the Communist Internationale.

Lyrics:

Dream on, Ariddia's sons and daughters
Dream of a land of anarchy
See what our dreams so far have brought us
Social rights for all here we see
The best of both worlds is in our hold
For democrats are communist
If the will of the people be bold
Achieve we will, sing, raise your fist

[Chorus]
Red and black is our nation
Freedoms we do hold dear
No one shall rob us of them
Our dream of anarchy!

We shall not yield to foreign pressure
We shall hold our heads high in pride
Ye who scorn our ways should know better
Your scorn will never reach our tide
We do not ask for your approval
Nor do we seek to change your minds
The people today this nation rule
Our dreams to our land do us bind

[Chorus]

Peace freedom is all that we ask for
No wars shall shed Ariddian blood
One day a brotherhood of nations
Will live; the people shall know love
One day the world together shall dream
Cast off the chains of slavery
One day the people will rise and beam
With joy: Today the world is free!

[Chorus]

No unjust laws crush the Ariddians
The people are the government
No man dominates his fellow men
For these rights ne'er did we relent
We do not bow before religion
We do not bow before a king
We are all equal in our nation
And we shall bow before nothing

[Chorus]

[Fifth stanza: instrumental only]

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O Tau, the "father of Ariddia", portrayed here by Indigenous actor John Ie

History

Ariddia was first settled about 3,000 years ago by Pacific Islanders of indeterminate (though possibly Polynesian) origin. These original settlers became the Wymgani, with their own unique culture and language. Over the next six or seven centuries, they spread throughout the Ariddian Isles.

Pre-colonial Wymgani history is perhaps most notable for the great journeys of exploration undertaken by Wymgani navigators, to the far ends of the globe. The thirteenth to early seventeenth centuries marked the high point of this era.

Ariddia’s colonial history begins in 1662, with the arrival of the first European explorers, followed by the first European settlers in the early 1670s, and by annexation in 1683.

The country became a sovereign republic in 1810, and, in 1985, elected a communist government led by Xavier Gris, who proclaimed the birth of the Social Republic.

For more information, see the article on the History of Ariddia.

Culture

"National identity"

Ariddia is a multicultural, multi-ethnic society, with an Indigenous population comprising about a third of the country's inhabitants. Shared values are often seen as the core of Ariddian identity, and include a socialist ethos of "sharing and caring", a commitment to human and animal rights, environmentally responsible behaviour, and the importance of education and critical thinking. These values are often considered by Ariddians to be "typically Ariddian".

For more information, see the article on Ariddian national identity.

Cultural particularities

It is almost futile, of course, to attempt to ascribe common behavioural traits to all Ariddians; despite their strong sense of community and social responsibility, Ariddians tend to value their sense of individual identity; besides, Ariddia is a highly multicultural society.

Nonetheless, it is common for Ariddians to value their privacy, and to be discreet rather than outspoken. There is a strong cultural emphasis on thinking before speaking. Ariddia is renowned for its education system, in which classes in critical thinking and philosophy are compulsory. Ariddians tend to look down on ignorant people who seem content with their own ignorance, or who boldly assert ignorant viewpoints. Intelligence, critical thinking, and a thirst for knowledge of all kinds are highly valued in Ariddian society.

Ariddians are very community-minded, and view capitalist values such as the pursuit of individual profit with strong distaste. Ariddians see themselves as part of a society, with specific duties and responsibilities as such. Selfishness ranks alongside ignorance as a character trait Ariddians find distasteful and difficult to understand.

Ariddians do not frown upon, or feel uncomfortable with, public displays of affection, be they heterosexual or homosexual in nature. Likewise, they are not, for the most part, shocked by partial or even complete displays of public nudity.

Smoking or using drugs may be frowned upon to some extent if it inconveniences non-smokers, or if some Ariddians feel uncomfortable at seeing someone ‘damage their own health’, but on the whole it is accepted.

Cruelty against animals, including insects and fish, is viewed by Ariddians as contemptible and perverse. Visitors should remember that eating meat, or killing or wounding an animal, is a crime in Ariddia, and may result in a jail sentence or a lengthy sentence of community work.

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Annabelle Laurier, a famous Ariddian writer of the nineteenth century

Literature

Literature is arguably the most notable aspect of the arts in Ariddia. Many novels and plays focus on social and environmental issues. Among Ariddia’s most famous writers are the nineteenth century socialist novellist Annabelle Laurier, and contemporary author Abel Moeaki.

For more information, see the article on Ariddian literature.

Films

The PDSRA, being an ‘under-developed’ nation with limited means, is not known for producing “blockbusters” or films with high-quality special effects. Instead, Ariddian films tend to be “low budget” and to focus on thought-provoking and informative storylines. Well-documented historical fiction is a common theme in Ariddian film.

For more information, see the section on Films in Ariddia.

Universities

There are a great number of universities in Ariddia, and the high level of education enjoyed by Ariddians has been noted and commended by the United Nations. Most famous among them is the University of Rêvane, and above all its prestigious Department of Historical, Linguistic and Cultural Studies, and its Department of Medical Studies. These, and others, attract a significant number of foreign students every year. The University of Rêvane also houses a vast Department of Wymgani Studies, for Wymgani and non-Indigenous students alike. The Department is based in great part on traditional Wymgani methods of teaching and learning.

See:

• List of Ariddian universities

Cuisine

Fishing is major part of Pinguinum.

Religion

The PCO (Pinguinian Catholic Order)

For more information, see the article on Religion in Pinguinum.

Languages

The government recognises three official national languages, with equal status: Pinguiniain, English and Italian.

Main holidays

Economy

Media

News Services

Newspapers

The main national paper is called "The Daily Quill". There are also the local newpapers of Pinguinum, which publish news from their own area.

Feathered is a weekly magazine dedicated to the culture of Pingunum Ariddians.

Television

The PMC (Pinguinian Media Corporation) broadcasts most programs and also gets the annual license fee. The nation gets to vote on the programs it watches and the Ministry of Communication takes an active role in promoting good programs.

Radio

The PMC also controls the radios but does not demand a license fee for use.

International relations

Pinguinum is a member of the United Nations

Pinguinum maintains diplomatic relations with various foreign nations. See: Pinguinian government officials and diplomats.

International codes