Roudland
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| Flag of Roudland | |
| Motto: Strong are the many who fight as one | |
| [ ] | |
| Region | Alliance of Honourable Peoples |
|---|---|
| Capital | Roston |
| Official Language(s) | Roudland Standard English |
| Leader | Prime Minister David J Roud |
| Population | 3.3 Billion |
| Currency | Roudollar |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Introduction
The Grand Military Republic of Roudland is a large industrialised nation that is located on the Northern Continent (or Eurha). It is considered one of the three 'Alliance Hyperpowers', and has vast military, economic and political strength. It plays a very active role in world affairs and often takes the form of an interventionary force in a military or political sense, taking it upon itself to end world crises (notable among these crises are the Southern Gulf War and the War of Hannigan Island). Its economy is the strongest on the Northern Continent and it has the 3rd largest GDP in the world, behind Kegmenistan and Jihad Allah.
It was one of three nations that signed the original Alliance treaty, and remains to this day as the 'father' of the Alliance. Recently there were rumours of the Roudland government attempting to form some kind of 'Tri-Party Alliance' with the other two Hyperpowers, Super Rome and Kegmenistan though this remains unconfirmed.
A large amount of woodland and valleys dominate the country, but these have been lessened in size throughout the 20th and early 21st Centuries due to increased industrial activity, and an unprecedented urban expansion. The nation was formed in its current republican state in 1733, when a group of military and political leaders ousted the (then) government. This has had implicatons to the present day, as Roudland is often characterised as a brutish nation, as per its militaristic attitude and almost colonial attitude to world affairs. Voltaire called Roudland 'An Army with a nation'.
As was said, the overtly militaristic nature of the people and government has led to Roudland being involved in numerous conflicts, often defending smaller powers in the case of the Abbayish Civil war and the War of Hannigan Island. Occasionally large powers are confronted, such as the superpowers of Perpendiculum and Walschland during the Southern Gulf War. These conflicts have all gone Roudland's way, and it is notable that since 1937 there have been only three instances where Roudland has not been part of, or led, an international coalition during a time of conflict.
The current Roudland is a Parliamentary Democracy, where the Prime Minister is the head of state. For well over 200 years, the country's pride has been embodied in its military and the nation's secure status. This has great influence on today's Roudland, where emphasis is put on patriotism and loyalty to one's country.
The country is governed by a parliament of 852 seats, and the current government is the Conservative Party. The Parliament is in the nation's capital, Roston. The nation is federalised, and there are 54 states, which have limited devolved powers over civil affairs. Key legislation regarding healthcare, education, laws, police and the economy still comes from the central government though.
The main industries of the nation are Arms Manufacturing, Vehicle Manufacturing, and Uranium Mining. These combine to form a very powerful export market, led by the Defence company RDC Systems. The country is also a major oil producer, and is one of the leading nations of the Alliance Group of Eight.
The Grand Military Republic of Roudland Factbook
Geography
Location – Founding member of the treaty organisation, Alliance of Honourable Peoples, Roudland resides on the eastern seaboard of the Northern Continent. To the north-east rests the country of Gothria, Violet Strawberries dominates Roudland's western border, and Roudland borders Great Wrightland to the south.
Area – 4,986,500 sq. miles
Climate – Roudland's climate is stable, and varies little, considering the nation's size. The majority of the year (Sept-April), temperatures average at 6-18C. Rainfall during this time is intermittent, but heavy. Cold spells occur from Nov to Jan, with snow expected sometime during this period, especially in the north of the country, which is traditionally the colder. During the summer, temperatures average at 20-25C, with some limited rainfall. The south occasionally experiences heat waves.
Terrain – A country of woodland and valleys, the more mountainous northern part of Roudland is home to many large rivers and lakes. There are a small number of prominent mountain ranges, most notably the Peledite range. The south and west is more flat, and contains many large forests and plains. The majority of farming occurs in this region.
Elevation Extremes – Lowest point: Darfuin Basin (-340m) Highest point: Mount Peledite (5870 m)
Natural Resources-Abundant: Crude Oil, Natural Gas (mostly offshore), Uranium, Steel, Iron, Minerals (some diamonds), timber, copper, tin. Most of these are exported.
Land Use – Arable: 54.1%
Cities: 45.9%
Natural Hazards – Very little; some rainfalls can be extremely heavy with localised flooding. Occasional heavy gales leading to small hurricanes.
Environmental Issues – Slight deforestation due to mining, moderate pollution due to industry and commercial traffic. Reports of strange diseases in Satyr border area, so far unconfirmed by government.
People
The people of Roudland are traditionally cynical and hard-working, perhaps because of the nature of Roudland's history. They enjoy good wages and good public services, and are traditionally well-looked after. There are government exercise programmes in schools and workplaces, and the military heritage of Roudland means that many people enjoy both physical and mental exercise on a regular basis.
The average height for the nation is around 5 foot 9 inches, and people, especially from the north, are quite stocky in appearance. Culture in Roudland is such that good food is a key part of life, and so it is found that Roudlanders have a larger frame than some other cultures; the aforementioned 'healthy' culture means that obesity levels are no higher than the other nations in the area, such as Great Wrightland and McPsychoville.
Traditionally Roudland's people are found to be uncaring, unsympathetic and rather rude at times. This is not beacause they dislike other people, but because they are hard-nosed and somewhat suspicious of other nations and cultures. This is compounded by a fierce nationalism, which does not extend to xenophobia but does lead to some unsavoury exchanges with people from the Southern Continent. Overall though, Roudlanders care about their own, and those who share the same values as they do, such as a thirst for knowledge, and a certain sense of humility.
Population – 2.256 billion
Age structure
0-14 years: 17% 15-64 years: 74% 65 years and over: 9%
Median Age – Total: 29.3 years
Male: 29.5 years
Female: 28.3 years
Rate of population growth – Taken over a period of five years, the average rate of growth was 2.79%. Roudland's growth stabilised in the late 1990's
Aggregate migration rate (per one thousand citizens) – 3.7 migrants
Life expectancy – Total: 80.5 years
Male: 79.7 years
Female: 81.4 years
Nationality – Singular/Plural Noun: Roudlander
Adjective: Roudlandian
Ethnic Groups – Native Roudlandian: 83%
Migrants: 17% of which:
Super Roman:1.4%
Gothrian:7%
Friendly Alien: 0.0005%
McPsychovilian: 0.5%
Violet Strawberrian:3%
McGranaghanatarian:0.3%
Yewish: 1.2%
Kegmenistanis: 0.6%
Wrightlander: 3%
Others: n/a
Religious Background – Atheist: 78%
Christian: 7%
(Y)'ewish: 4%
Buddhist: 2%
Kegmenistani Cathol: 3%
High Church of Katie Jane:4.5%
Others: 1.5%
Languages – Roudland Standard English: 100% (official language)
Southern Continent Languages (variations on McGranaghantarian dialect etc): 12%
Northern Gothrian Dialects: 7%
Romantic Dialects:21%
Average Family Size – 2.4 children born/woman
Literacy (percentage of the population 12+ who can read and write) – Total: 98%
Male: 97%
Female: 99%
Class System
There are essentially only two classes in Roudland; Working and Middle. This in itself is a misnomer, as the 'Working Classes', due to a recent boom in average earnings, now occupy most of what would traditionally be regarded as the middle class band of culture and earnings (as well as the traditional working class area). The 'Middle Classes' have been pushed up the class system, and now comprise the business owners, not the businessmen.
Since the formation of the Republic in 1733, there have been no nobility or gentry in Roudland. Instead, people are judged on their achievements, not their heritage; a sense of all being together in a grand nation emerged after the revolution, and this was renewed after the Great Alliance War. People in Roudland, very much like those in McPsychoville, are tough, sometimes cynical people who are wary of those who lead overly opulent lifestyles. It is for this reason that a certain closet xenophobia exists regarding those in Durkistan, and the Roudland military sometimes finds it hard to work with the Super Roman army, with all its grandeur and perceived outdated caste system.
Transport
The home of the car, Roudland understandably has an enormous transport infrastructure, including a large road network. It incorporates cutting-edge construction techniques and materials to create a smooth, safe surface that deals easily with both commuter traffic and the transportation of heavy loads due to Roudland's industrial and commercial output. The roads are split into several distinct groups, Residential (2 or 4 lanes, 30mph limit), Carridgeway (4 or 6 lanes, 50mph limit), Motorway (6 to 8 lanes, 70mph limit), Freeway (10 to 12 lanes, 80mph limit).
On top of private car travel, there is a large public transport sector, utilising trains, subways, trams and buses. The primary inner-city modes of public transport are buses and subway (or 'tube') trains. The tube systems are prevalent throughout the major cities, with large networks found especially in Roston, Retroit, Hakkendorf, Beghtham, Goarnchester, Boorn, and Rhankkurt. On top of this, there are substantial bus systems throughout the country and major cities, operated by private firms, but regulated by the government.
For commuters, whether inner- or inter- city, there is one obvious choice of transport; railway. The tubes in the major cities are widely used and have excellent safety records. This popularity and performance is shared by the overland rail networks, which, like the buses, are privately run and publicly regulated. Intercity or Express Trains are used for commuters, commerce and day-trippers alike, and on some lines travel at speeds reaching 240mph.
In the suburbs, the government operates several tram services, which travel longer routes than the buses, are in better condition but cost a little more. They are popular among the older members of society who prefer a quieter ride into/out of town centres.
In addition to these transport options, there are an increasing number of low-cost internal airlines that operate daily flights for important last-minute flights and regular shuttle services. These services run out of the same airports as international flights, and mostly do not disrupt the other flights; indeed, Roston International is currently the world's busiest hub for air travel.
Education
Education is mostly private, with a large number of state-subsidised schools and colleges in place. The system is of three compulsory levels of schooling, with optional university courses.
From years 5 to 10, a Primary School is attended. This is followed by a middle school from the age of 10 to 14, and finally a Grammar (private selective), High (public non-selective) or State (public selective) school, from age 14 to 18. At 18, students take NAEs (National Assessment Exams) in 3 to 5 subjects.
Under the Roudland system, National Service is still in place. This does not necessarily involve becoming a member of the Mobile Infantry, but is linked to the military. This occurs for one year after a student's final school. The system is such that it allows easy application to a University or College after a student has obtained their NAEs, and so can apply only to relevant institutions.
During the National Service year, citizens may study a foundation in their chosen course, thereby easing their transition into higher education. University applications are normally at 30% of the population, meaning that a degree shows a certain level of academic superiority. It should be noted that this is deliberately lower than many other Alliance nations.
Healthcare
Like Education, government intervention in this area is mainly regulative, with a National Heath System (or NHS) existing primarily for small matters and for those who do not have access to private medical facilities. The private sector is full of companies vying for trade, with the government watchdog DocNet regulating services so that they conform to an accepted standard.
It should be noted that RoudCorp has a presence in this area, seeing as it owns both the nation's foremost surgical tools provider, as well as operating several health insurance firms, and owning a government contract for building 4 new 'super-hospitals' through the firm MacSonnan. ---
Economy
All stats given in US Dollars
Gross Domestic Product – $81.569 Trillion
GDP real growth rate -3.2%
GDP per capita – $35,265
Population below Poverty Line – 2.3%
Unemployment Rate – 2.57%
Major Industries – Arms Manufacturing
Vehicle Manufacturing
Uranium Mining
Film Production
Industrial Production Growth Rate – 4.74%
Export Goods – Defence Technologies, Steel, Oil, Motion Pictures (Roudland is the region's foremost film producer), Plastics, Gas, Automobiles, Nuclear Technology and Weaponry, some agricultural products, Information Technology, some Textiles products
Import Goods - Defence Technologies, Agricultural Produce, Gothrian Beef and Duck ,Wrightland Lamb, Textiles goods, (some) Precious Metals, Natural Gas
Trade Deficit – $89 Billion
Economic Debt –n/a
Economic Aid – $ 24 Billion per annum. This does not include the wholesale operation of the Violet Strawberries military, for which Roudland is responsible.
Currency - Roudollar
Currency Code – R$/R
Fiscal Year – 1st May – 30th April
Government Structure and Politics
Country Name – Official, Formal: The Grand Military Republic of Roudland Official, Informal: Roudland
Variations: The Grand Republic, Roudland Republic
International Sporting Code: RLD
Government Type – Parliamentary Democracy. There are 852 constituencies in Roudland. All 34 Counties have their own regional assembly, but the 852 sit in Parliament House, Roston. There are national elections for the Lower House every 4 years; the next election will occur in 2007. The Upper House contains 236 'peers'. These are elected every 6 years from a list of doctors, lawyers, community leaders etc. The Prime Minister is the head of the largest party in the Lower House, and the second largest becomes the opposition.
Capital City – Roston
Other Major Cities - Retroit, Hakkendorf, Beghtham, Goarnchester, Boorn, Rhankkurt, Jeaattle, Tunnrarsoff, Layfham, Gostchester
Independence – Roudland has been independent from its conception;
National Holidays – Remembrance Day (Dec 12th)
Military Day (May 21st)
Assorted Bank Holidays
Constitution – Officially Titled ‘Constitution of the Grand Republic’, the constitution was drawn up in 1733, and updated from then onwards. It is not codified, and includes elements of Alliance treaties within it.
Legal System – Based from the Anglo-European legal system, with no real changes.
Suffrage – Suffrage is granted at eighteen years of age, but Roudlandians can have sexual relations, gamble and join the Roudland Armed Services at 16. Members who join at 16 will not be posted to a combat unit until they are 18. During their 18th year, immediately after exit from school, Roudlandians undertake a year's national military service. They are not actually considered full citizens until their service has ended.
Executive Branch – Head of state: Prime Minster David J Roud
Minister of Education: John Gordon
Defense Minister: Neil Howard
Minister of Healthcare: Jessica Saylon
Foreign Minister: John Mayer
Minister for the Interior: George Sutcliffe
Minister for the Economy: Aaron Johnson
Minister of Welfare and Society: Terence Limer
Minister of Culture: Rebecca Foxton
Deputy PM: Christopher Oldham
Major Political Parties
Conservative Democratic Party (current government)
Labour Unionist Party (opposition)
National Party
Socialist Alliance
Liberal Party
Electoral System – Single Member Plurality
UN Category – Capitalist Paradise
Voting System - Plurality: The party with the most votes (even if not a majority), wins the seat. The party with the most seats forms the government, the second highest forms the opposition.
International organisation participation
Alliance of Honourable Peoples (AHP), North-Eastern Trading Coalition (NET-CO), Cross-Continental Commerce Alliance (CROCA), G-6 (Group of Six), Alliance Oil Producing Nations (AOPON), Natural Gas Exporting Nations (NAGEN)
Media
The Roudland media is regarded by many as one of the best in the world. High quality newspapers, books, film, theatre, television and radio programmes have enhanced the media's reputation greatly. As way of proof, Roudland is the Alliance's premier film producing nation, the country has over a dozen mainstream daily newspapers, and the Halden Theatre in downtown Goarnchester has staged most of the world's great plays and musicals, attracting tourist and acting interest alike.
The main newspapers in Roudland are the Daily Telegram, the Roston Herald, the Independent, the Roudland Tribune, the Union Mail, the Issue, the Retroit Times and the Protectorate. It may be of interest to note that the current PM favours the Roudland Tribune.
In terms of domestic Television, Roudland fares strongly, and its programmes are seen across the Alliance. One of the premier production companies, Trueman TV, has financed such popular shows as, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly (with the Violet Strawberries Broadcasting Corp.), The Wire, 24, and The Shield. In terms of lighter entertainment, Roudland tends to import shows, such as Two and Half Men from Gothrian TV, a number of comedies from Yew Island, and the fringe cable channel Alpha TV shows the Kegmenistani show 'Sinners do the most shameful things'. In January the most expensive TV show ever made in Roudland will be premiered; 'Exodus' tells the story of the Friendly Aliens' travels from their homeworld to the Earth. The pilot alone cost a staggering R50 million.
Film is, of course a strong feature of Roudland's media, with studios competing every year for bigger box office and greater critical acclaim. A recent survey showed that the average Roudland citizen attends the cinema at least twice a month, which goes some way to explaining why Roudland opened the first 30-screen cinema, and Tolland, a Roudland company, is at the forefront of developing HD technology.
Home entertainment is a large part of Roudland culture; people used to huddle round their radios as a family; nowdays, most families boast a home cinema system with a large screen TV and surround sound. Again, Roudland companies are at the forefront of these technologies, and as of May 2006, Roudland has gone fully digital.
Communications
International Dialing Code – 247-260 (247 – Alliance of Honourable Peoples; 260 – Roudland)
Telephone Landlines – 1.200 billion
Mobile Telephones – 987 million
Radio broadcast stations
AM 3,281 FM 6,961
Major radio broadcasting networks
Roudland Independent Radio (RIR), National Radio Netwrok (NRN), East Coast Talk Radio (ECTR)
Minor radio broadcasting networks
48
Radio broadcasting systems
682
Radios
1.247 billion
Television broadcast stations
14 Non-Satellite, 678 Satellite. Major Networks include Roudland Television Corporation (RTC), Roudland News Network (RNN), Alliance News Network (ANN), West Corp Television for Roudland (WCTR)
Televisions
1. 068 billion
Internet hosts
101,114,060
Internet service providers
706
Internet Address
www.(sitename).rod
Internet users
1.057 billion
Transnational Issues, Customs and Immigration
Disputes - international
Certain discrepancies concerning treatment of prisoners; McGranaghanataria has voiced some concern over this. Roudland does not accept the existence of the nation of Eastern Gothria, and conducts DMZ operations in that area. The UN has attempted to prevent Roudland from doing so, but this has been ignored. Roudland refuses to trade with the nation of Small Yellow Duckiedom due to the lack of proper shipping lanes provided in the area.
Disputes - boundaries
None
Disputes - wars, conflicts and humanitarian issues
Active combat units present (but not fighting) in Hannigan Island, Caesaria. Active combat units engaging hostile threats in Mortuus Angelus-Zakmenistani DMZ, Gothria-Mortuus Angelus DMZ (Eastern Gothria)
Customs and immigration policy
Open to all nations in the AHP, but Roudland does not allow entry for citizens of Moronyicka, Feetbunions or Zakmenistan.
Nations not requiring visas or special documents to enter
Gothria, Violet Strawberries, Great Wrightland
Military
Since the 16th Century, Roudland has traditionally had a strong military. Through its Imperial and near modern period, its armed forces were near unstoppable, but since the cold war between Super Rome and Kegmenistan lead to those two nations developing very advanced armed forces, Roudland has been forced to re-think its position in the world military order. Currently, Roudland stands as one of the top three military nations, with the second highest military spending and some of the most advanced technology available to soldiers, sailors and airmen. Roudland is a declared nuclear power (see Alliance Nuclear Nations)
Roudland's traditional strong point has been the Infantry, whether Airborne, Mechanised, Marine or Light Assault. This has survived to the modern day, even past the Cold War, where both sides developed highly advanced space programmes and very large armed forces respectively. Although Kegmenistan currently has the largest infantry force, it is a sign of Roudland's respected status that both Kegmenistan and Great Wrightland, the other major infantry power after Roudland, use a RoudCorp developed 'Archer' Comms Network, specifically designed for large armies.
The modern Roudland Armed Forces are renowned for their skill, excellent training, combat experience and utility. They are a force to be reckoned with, and are a valued and feared part of the Alliance Rapid Reaction Force.
Military branches
Grand Army of the Republic, Roudland Navy, Roudland Air Force, Mobile Infantry Guardsmen
Military manpower - military age
18 years of age (combat)
Military manpower - current size
Total: 13,885,090
Active land forces: 2,780,000
Active aeronautic forces: 870,400
Active naval forces: 1,300,690
Active special-ops forces: n/a (spec ops form part of Army; some spec ops are not officially acknowledged)
Active SpaceFleet forces: 2,500,000
Reserve forces: 6,000,000
Civilian workforce: 394,000
Military expenditures - monetary value
$51.5 trillion USD
Military expenditures - %tage of Government Spending
42.00%
Units of Interest
Special Reconnaissance Unit (SRU)
15th Airborne Regiment 'Screaming Raptors'
Assault Troopers (5th Mechanised Division)
Primary allies
Gothria, Great Wrightland (members of the Mutual Protection Policy), Violet Strawberries (Military Protectorate), Super Rome, Kegmenistan (ADF Alliance Nations)
