Shmuel Rabinovitch
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| National motto: "Virtue is a Life at Sea." | |||
| National anthem: Born of the Oceans | |||
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| Region | PEEL | ||
| Capital | Alvy | ||
| Largest city | Alvy | ||
| Official languages | Rabineu | ||
| Government | Theocratic Republic | ||
| Settlement | Date Unknown | ||
| Area • Total • Water (%) |
2,197,233 km² (27th) 12.529% | ||
| Population As of: • 2056 est. • Density |
364,500,000 (47th) 216.82/km² (37th) | ||
| GDP (PPP) • Total • Per capita |
2056 Est. $1,936,000,000,000 (55th) $5,311.39 (?) | ||
| Currency | Shekel (SRS)
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| Time zone • Summer (DST) |
Northwest PEEL Standard Time (PUTC-3) New American Standard Time (PUTC-2) Northwest PEEL Summer Time (PUTC-2) New American Summer Time (PUTC-1) | ||
| Internet TLD | .sr | ||
| This map includes projected land aquisitions from The Hotz. See the southeast coast. | |||
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Contents
The Holy Land of Shmuel Rabinovitch
Introduction
Shmuel Rabinovitch is a semi-theocratic state in the Far North region of the continent of Ilkuknuis. It is characterised by a densely populated coast and a mostly uninhabited interior.
Government
Steeped in tradition, the government of Shmuel Rabinovitch has changed very little in decades, perhaps centuries.
The National Assembly
The National Assembly of Shmuel Rabinovitch has been the people's voice for as long as anyone can remember. A representative body of 255 members, each member of the Assembly is elected through plurality vote by the residents of his or her district. The Assembly is cherished by many for its salt-of-the-earth flavor(most members are well-known, accessible members of their communities), though often equally derided for its perceived lack of power. Bills passed by the Assembly must meet approval from the Council of Nine, and a no vote from the Council can not be contested. There is no override in the Shmueli political system. Assembly members face reelection every year.
- See also Members of Shmueli Assembly
The Council of Nine Elders
The Council of Elders of Shmuel Rabinovitch is the nation's foremost political and spiritual institution. The nine members hold the final word on nearly all matters of church and state, as no government institution can make law without the Council's approval. Likewise, no religious doctrine can be enforced without the same approval. Still, the elders are not an omnipotent oligarchy. While each Elder serves a lifetime term, any new member must be elected by popular vote during a special election, for which two candidates are chosen-one by a majority of the Assembly, the other by the remaining members of the Council. Qualifications are precise. A candidate must have been born and raised a Child of the Rabinovitchai, must have received a complete religious education, including 6 years in seminary, and must have served at least 25 years as a member of the Shmueli clergy.
Religion
The principal religion of Shmuel Rabinovitch is, of course, Rabinovitchai. The Legend of Rabinovitch supposes that the God of the Oceans(Rabinovitch), bore a race of his own from the ocean. They, the Children of Rabinovitch, were to be his chosen people. When the apocalypse leaves all of F'Rama II in flames, in accordance with Rabinovitchai lore, he will return to save his people, and to see their peaceful return to the ocean from whence they came. It is for this reason that Orthodox Rabinovitchai(the nation's majority) have not moved inland in centuries: they must stay close to the shores, and be always ready for his return.
Religious Hierarchy
Initially in Rabinovitchai culture, the Legend of Rabinovitch and secrets of the faith were held only by a Council of Nine, the most dedicated and studious members of the faith. With knowledge came power, and these Nine ruled religious(and to a large extent, public) life to an extent not seen today. Those who follow the religious guidance of the Elders are known the the Shmuelis.
Religion in Public Life
Recent reforms have seen atheists and Unorthodox Rabinovitchai gain much social freedom, such as those previously forbidden under theocratic rule. Formerly, citizens were required to stay with "three days walking" from the coast, and were forbidden from eating "flesh of the creatures of the dirt". That would be, of course, any meats other than seafood. These, however, were not the most key reforms in the nations history. That would be the democratizing of the Council of Nine, in 2049, starting with the appointment of the newest Elder, Menachem Attal of Achva. Now, as detailed above, Council members are chosen by the public electorate, though the choice is only between two candidates, a matter still in dispute.
The Hotzi Division
The Hotz, unlike the Shmuelis, do not believe in the power of the Elders, and oppose any form of religion that assumes one individual can know Rabinovitch better than another. Their populist stance has been an remains unpopular with the religious hierarchy in Shmuel Rabinovitch, and for generations Hotzi have either protested violently against the Elders' rule, or they have removed themselves from the Elders' juridiction, typically into the region formerly known as NW10, now the Hotz Confederacy. The Hotzi nation was formally established on December 18th, 2056.
Military
Shmuel Rabinovitch maintains a small, conscripted military, with most serving in the navy. The army has very few servicemen and women, for it has been rarely needed outside of the occasional violent clash with Hotzi rebels. Recently, however, the Shmuelis are currently working on expanding the air force, as there are few defensive fortifications in the barren interior of the nation.
Geography
Located in the far north of Illiknuis, the people of Shmuel Rabinovitch remained isolated from the southern peoples for nearly all of their existence.
Climate
Not surprisingly, the majority of Shmuel Rabinovitch remains relatively cold year-round, with cool summers and harsh winters during which temperatures rarely go above freezing, if ever.
Population Centers
] The Shmueli people arrived along PEEL's northern coast hundreds, perhaps thousands of years ago, and they have not strayed since that time. Over 300 million Shmuelis live with 50 miles of the north coast, clustered into the densely populated cities that originated as fishing villages centuries ago.
Rural Inland
The bulk of inland Shmuel Rabinovitch is very sparsely settled. Between the scattered communities lie as much as hundreds of kilometers of undeveloped old-growth pine forest.
Southeast Border
Undeveloped and previously under DROOP jurisdiction, the southeast of Shmuel Rabinovitch was ceded by The Hotzi state upon its recognition. The area is expected to be heavily developed, as the coast has great potential for trade with eastern nations, such as Uudestaan, Y Fenni, and Terre Argente. Already plans are being discussed for extending Maglev lines up the coast.
Industry and Commerce
Traditional Commerce
] As it is for religion, it is for money. Traditional life in Shmuel Rabinovitch is tied to the sea. Fishing is now and has always been an important part of Shmuel Rabinovitch. The nation's largest employers happen to be two of the regions largest seafood companies, Shmueli International and Daliah's Akko. Other foreign companies also use Shmueli labor to fish the nation's plentiful coastline. Whereas now the nation makes a great deal of money through international seafood sales, previous generations saw fishing as a means of sustenance, though rarely a lucrative field. In order to preserve the fish long enough for foreign consumption, mariners would need to travel perhaps as far as the Western Spur for salt, which was not easily procured in the cold climate of Shmuel Rabinovitch. Until modern advances, the fishing industry and the nation as a whole remain relatively isolated, with few goods to offer the wealthy southern nations, who at any rate were a prohibitive distance away.
Modern Industries
Though not a wealthy nation by any standard, Shmuel Rabinovitch has made great economic strides in the last few years, spurred by healthy participation in the FTO and POECD. Recently the nation has become a greater regional supplier for consumer goods, most notably seafood, but also various native alcoholic beverages. Katzir Vodka has become a popular drink among many young New Americans, and Feldenkrais, though derided by many for its sticky sweetness, is nevertheless a famous and sometimes popular wine in the region. As for well-to-do commercial advancements, many of the nations former automotive manufacturers have abandoned that failing industry and adopted a line of work more suitable for this nation: the manufacture of personal and commercial watercraft. This would would prove to be a wise decision. The market for such craft has taken off, and many expect it should become the nation's primary employer and principal moneymaker within a few years.
Transportation
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Long distance transportation was always a difficult concept to deal with in a nation as large and unevenly populated as Shmuel Rabinovitch. Overland travel would be met with difficult terrain and poor road conditions in the nation's massive, undeveloped inland forests. Travel by boat involved an excruciatingly long period at sea, as any trip South or West would requite sailing great distances around the Western Spur. Air travel was, and is still for many, scarcely affordable. This partially explains why over 95% of the population of Shmuel Rabinovitch lives within 50 miles of the Northern Coast.
The Maglev
The Trans-PEEL rail line known as the Maglev has the potential to revolutionize travel in Shmuel Rabinovitch. Fast, efficient, and affordable, the Maglev has made the task of travel to and from Shmuel Rabinovitch considerably easier. Leaving mainland PEEL at the city of Adin and ending in the capital of Alvy, the Shmueli Line is as far north the rail system can take you in Western PEEL.
Culture
Over centuries of geographic isolation from the rest of PEEL, the people of Shmuel Rabinovitch have built for themselves a culture that is at once uniquely interesting and accessible for the foreign visitor.
Art
Though panned by some for the lackluster national interest in the arts, Shmuel Rabinovitch does have a few popular postmodern artists. Classical art, however, never held much appeal, nor did painting or sculpture in general. More popular were the crafts, woodworking, and in later periods, photography.
Music
Though many have embraced the modern musical styles of other in the area, most notably the Weinsteinstonians, traditional Rabinovitchai folk music remains popular across much of the nation. Typically involving small drums and stringed instruments, Rabinovitchai music lyrically delves into the fantastic, telling tales of heroism, misfortune, and the downright bizarre.
Literature
Much like the music of Shmuel Rabinovitch, the nation's literature often deals with tales of the extraordinary as well. On other occasions, however, bestsellers have emerged that chronicle the day-to-day struggles of the "typical" Shmueli citizen. One prominent example would be The Wilderness Remains by Uziel Shahak, a 2055 international bestseller.
Television & Theatre
Once again, subject matter can range from the incredible to the mundane when one is speaking of Shmueli theatre and television, but this is also the only artistic medium in which the nation's comedic prowess reigns supreme. Black comedies and deapan delivery are among the most recognizable features of the living arts in Shmuel Rabinovitch.
Sports
Though by no means an internaional sporting powerhouse, sports remain a popular pasttime in Shmuel Rabinovitch. Bowling is the national sport of choice among Shmuelis of all ages, though rowing, sharpshooting, and snowmobiling are all very popular as well.
International Politics
In most international matters, Shmuel Rabinovitch will try to remain neutral, in accordance with its previous isolationist history. When pressed, however, the Shmuelis will certainly rise to protect their domestic and economic interests, though that has happened rarely. In fact, in the whole of Shmueli recorded history there is no account of any wars waged.
