Kertbeny

Kertbeny

Flag of Kertbeny
Motto: Liberty is the duty of each individual.
Link to Map
Region	Equilism
Capital	Mattachine
Official Language(s)	English is the common langauge, though all languages are spoken. The dialect of Camp is often spoken widely. The dialect of Polari is sometimes heard, but not widely anymore.
Leader	Apollo Wanksum
Population	Changing; 400 million currently; growing quickly.
Currency	the Bezant is the national currency. The regional currency is the Equiliant.
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Meaning of the Flag

The central flame symbolizes the ever-burning fire of liberty central to the lives of all Kertbenis; the white field symbolizes purity and neutrality; the blue border bands at top and bottom symbolize bravery and courage, which is the basis of each individual and the highest goal for which to strive; the purple border bands at the hoist and fly ends symbolize loyalty and love, the beginning and end, the items which support each individual.

The Commonwealth

The Territory and Provinces are listed below, with the Provincial Capital following in parentheses:

Kertbeny Capital Territory (Mattachine – the national capital)

Marais (Brand)

Castro (Milk)

Greenwich (Kopay)

Prenzlauer (Ulrichs)

Chelsea (Cornish)

Folsom (Hirschfeld)

Facts about Kertbeny

Kertbeny, as a nation, is relatively young. As a nation, the “official” history begins with Federation. The ancient history is somewhat clouded which makes sorting fact from mystery and legend rather difficult. One thing that is known, for sure, is that Kertbeny was originally settled by refugees from other lands. These refugees were outcasts in their home lands for various reasons: political, moralistic, psychological, religious. For any number of reasons, these original inhabitants felt the need to leave their homes for “being different.”

Before the Federation, the nation of Kertbeny was just a bunch of bois, wimmin, and transes, who wandered aimlessly. There was little sense of responsibility be it personal or interpersonal. Gradually, however, these people gathered into tribes. Due to their previous intermingling, they found that they had quite a bit in common and could benefit by settling down, sharing resources and knowledge, and work toward a common goal. That goal: Respect for all, Freedom for all. That became the mantra for the greater part of Kertbenis and helped move a random collection of settlements toward Federation.

Federated 12 March 2006 CE, the nation is a liberal commonwealth of seven provinces plus one capital territory. After a short stay in the Pacific Region, Kertbeny moved to Equilism. The invitation was extended by Tse Moana. Kertbenis were so moved by the invitation and the concordance of beliefs, the motion was debated by the Assemblage a mere twelve minutes.

Apollo Wanksum, former Premier of Chelsea Province, was instrumental in the move to federation and founding of the nation. Wanksum was elected first President by a narrow margin in the first national election.

Gambling is legal everywhere in Kertbeny. The primary industries are uranium mining, automobile manufacturing and gambling.

The national animal is the bluebird. The national currency is the bezant (symbol β) and the regional currency is the equilant (symbol ə). The exchange rate is roughly β1= ə0.50825.

The national emergency telephone number is: 9. Press 9 on any telephone, and wait for the local emergency operator to come on the line, then state your emergency. Nine, oddly enough, is also one of the most favorite numbers of many Kertbenis.

On 15 June 2006 the nation reached 500 million citizens. A vote was taken, and legislation enacted, by the Assemblage that Kertbeny should become a Sociocratic Commonwealth. That means all citizens are considered equal and rule of government is by consensus.

Kertbeny's Government

Kertbeny has a parliamentary form of government with a Prime Minster and an elected President with many reserve powers. The national legislature is known as the Assemblage. Elections are held every three years and participation is voluntary.

The party with majority support of the Hall of Chamberlains forms Government, with its leader becoming Prime Minister. The Prime Minister forms a cabinet and appoints each Head of Department.

The President is elected for one non-consecutive eight year term. The President is the head of state and possesses veto power. The President forms a Round Table with the Prime Minster, the Chief Consul, the Second Justice, the Lieutenant Premier of each province and a representative from the Kertbeny Capital Territory who is directly-elected by its citizens.

The upper house is the Consulate. It is comprised of sixty-nine Consuls which is eleven directly-elected members from each province regardless of size or population. The KCT elects three. Terms run for six years. Members elect amongst themselves a Chief Consul.

The lower house, the Hall of Chamberlains, is made up of 100 Chamberlains, one of whom is the Prime Minister in a non-voting role except in the case of a tie vote. Two are elected from the KCT at-large. The remaining seats are apportioned to the provinces by population. Terms for Chamberlains are three years. Each Chamberlain is elected from single member constituencies called districts.

The Great Court is composed of seven judges appointed by the President with consent of the Consulate. It has appellate jurisdiction over all other courts. It also has some original jurisdiction, and has the power of constitutional review. Appointments to the Great Court are for life, but judges have the option to retire. The judges meet and elect from their membership a Chief Justice. The judge with the second highest votes is called the Second Justice. Traditionally, one judge is appointed from each province plus the KCT, although this is not law.

As one can tell from these rather complex structures, the intent of government is: to be representative; impartial; fair in both distribution and application; self-policing; and to some extent self-correcting. The ultimate power lies in the hands of The People.

The age of majority for all Kertbenis is 16, following action by the Assemblage in the 15 June 2006 expansion of rights. (Previously, it had been 17.)

Geography of Kertbeny

Kertbeny is situated at the extreme western end of the southwest island in the southern hemisphere of the Region of Equilism. It is a nation of stark beauty, yet guidebooks often refer to the country as having a “barren and inhospitable landscape.”

Kertbeny has a southern temperate maritime climate. Summers (December – February) are generally hot and dry with average high temperatures 28°C-30°C (82°F-86°F). A southwesterly breeze blows in off the ocean most summer afternoons, which locals call “the Restless Lover” since it comes in from the Restless Sea and brings relief like a lover. Winters (June – August) are cool and moist with averages highs 14°C-17°C (58°F-63°F) with a seasonal average rainfall of 155mm (6.1 inches) and about 17 wet days per month. The mountain areas of the east and southeast are markedly cooler year-round and wetter.

The west coast of Kertbeny lies along the Restless Sea and is noted for its rough, sometimes rocky, terrain. In the southern area of the country, particularly in Chelsea Province, the coastline is formed of high cliffs.

The Bay of Kertbeny forms the northern border. The bay is a broad crescent formed by the meeting of the Restless Sea and The Void, which is vast empty ocean.

Kertbeny is bounded on the east and northeast by the nation of The Great Irwin Rommel. Kertbeny is bounded on the extreme southeast and south by the nation of Mystral.

Kertbeny Capital Territory, and the national capital of Mattachine, sits upon a peninsular plateau jutting into the Restless Sea and looking out into the emptiness of The Void. The plateau is mostly pine barrens, with undergrowth of heath, berries and sedges. A few oak, hazelnut and elm groves do survive here. This area is notable for its extensive bluebird population – which is the national symbol.

The central section of Kertbeny is typified by sweeping grassland plains. In fact, Prenzlauer Province is almost entirely flat, although there is a slight gradient rising to the south-southeast. This is where it meets the undulating terrain of southern Folsom Province.

In the northeast of the country is Marais Province, bounded to its west by the Bay of Kertbeny. The mountain ridges to its east form the border with The Great Irwin Rommel.

Castro Province enjoys the majority of the Bay coastline and is generally considered to be heath-like with a gently rolling terrain and low-growth vegetation. However, the groves of azalea and rhododendron can be spectacular in their season.

In the westlands lies Greenwich Province and its alluring seaside resort city of Stonewall. The province, in general, has a rather rocky terrain characterized by a ground cover of mosses, heathers and ferns. Stonewall sits at the southwestern tip of Jeff Stryker Peninsula in the Restless Sea, which has turned the rocky coast into beaches of small rounded pebbles.

Roxbury Province is in the eastern part of the country. Again, the mountain ridges to its east form the border with The Great Irwin Rommel. Roxbury Province is quite hilly and noted for its scrubby vegetation.

Almost in the center of the nation is the Kammermeyer Natural Wildlife Preserve. It is an area set aside from development to preserve the natural beauty of the country and as a habitat for wildlife. It straddles the borders of Castro, Roxbury and Prenzlauer provinces.

Kertbeny Military

Approximately 5 million Kertbenis are suitable for military service. That number includes male, female and transgender. Approximately 175,000 Kertbenis are employed by the Defense Ministry. The figure includes both civilian and military personnel. (Figures given for each branch reflect this.)

The structure of Kertbeny military is composed of: Army, Navy, and Aerial Corps. These forces are for national and regional defense. There is no permanent internal force. The various provinces and territory each have their own internal police. However, in times of emergency, parts of these forces can be joined to form a temporary corps known as the Kertbeny Civil Guard.

Each branch of the military has its own training academy around which towns have built up.

• Army Academy is in Prenzlauer Province just north of the capital city of Ulrich.
• Navy Academy is in Castro Province just west of the capital city of Milk, and located directly on the Bay of Kertbeny.
• Aerial Academy is in Greenwich Province just south of the town of Gately adjacent to the western coast.

The Army of Kertbeny

The regular, land based army branch.

• Approximately 40,000 personnel in various capacities of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry and support.

The Navy of Kertbeny

The regular, sea based navy branch, including the Navy Air Service and Marine Corps.

• Approximately 45,000 personnel in various capacities.

The Kertbeny Aerial Corps

The aviation branch of the Kertbeny military.

• Approximately 30,000 personnel in various capacities.

Higher Education

• University of Kertbeny
  • Kertbeny Capital Territory
    • General education university, with well-renowned schools of journalism, literature, and law.

• Toklas University
  • In northern province of Marais, south of McReynolds.
    • Liberal arts university. Esteemed for rigorous studies in art (theory and practice), fine/performing arts, languages, literature, music, and cooking.

• Keynes University
  • Located just west of the capital city of Frank, in the starkly beautiful province of Roxbury.
    • Keynes University’s primary focus is on economics, economic theory, finance, and politics.

• Boisclair University
  • In the north-central coast of Castro Province on the Bay of Kertbeny, east-northeast of the province capital city of Milk.
    • Boisclair is well-known for practicum and research in law, politics, and environmental studies.

• Hexter University
  • Located on the coastal plains of west central Greenwich Province, midway between the capital of Kopay the broadcasting center of Norton and the seaside resort of Stonewall.
    • Hexter University is a center of education – teacher training and educational theory/research – as well as a school for the humanities and philosophy.

• Turing University
  • Located in west-central Prenzlauer Province, near the city of Ebing and west-southwest of the capital, Ulrichs.
    • Turing University is on the cutting edge of science, mathematics, and computer technology.

• Waddell University
  • Located high on the southern coastal cliffs Chelsea Province, between the capital city of Cornish and the town of Galindo.
    • Waddell University is the medical university of Kertbeny. It is distinguished for its research, doctor training, sports medicine, and community service directives/incentives. Waddell University Medical Center is a teaching hospital.

• Winckelmann University
  • In the southern province of Folsom in the sweeping plains northeast of Hirschfeld, the province capital.
    • Winckelmann University is unique for is approach of classical education methods. The College of Archaeology is famous throughout Kertbeny, the Region of Equilism and the NationStates. Art history and classical language programs are superb. The College of International Studies draws students from everywhere.

Each province runs its own general education college and its own technical college.