Tavast-Carelia
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| Flag of Tavast-Carelia | |
| Motto: From the People, by the People, for the People | |
| Tavast-Carelia | |
| Region | Anticapitalist Alliance |
|---|---|
| Capital | Porvoo |
| Official Language(s) | Tavast, Carelian, Rigan |
| Leader | Grand Duke Daniel II |
| Population | 71 million (RP cap) |
| Currency | Daler |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Overview
Tavast-Carelia, located on the eastern coast of Alçaera is considered to be one of the leading countries in it's continent. The nation is bordered the Alçaeran Ocean in the south and east (although the island nation of Ecopoeia lies near on the east), in the North it's neighbours are New Paristan and CADs, in the west Arcnow, and Tankerton in the south-west. Although largely inactive in world-wide international politics, Tavast-Carelia provides a notable voice in the politics of it's native continent, as well as various international organizations the nation belongs to.
Geography
Tavast-Carelia is largely surrounded by various bodies of water: in the east the Alçaeran Ocean, south the Alçaeran Ocean and Tankerton, in the west by lake Ladoga and Arcnow, and in the north by the CADs, New Paristan and Lake Spiffing. In the inner parts the nation is mostly defined by it's large forests. Most inhabitation is still grouped around the coast, although during the latter 20th century the inland cities started experiencing notable growth. In general, Tavast-Carelia can be divided into three basic geographical areas: coastal, inland and highlands.
Coastal Areas
The coast could really be called the 'heartland' of Tavast-Carelia. Most Tavast-Carelians live here on the fertile lands in about a 100-kilometer radius from the coastline. The largest cities can also be found here, including the capital Porvoo. Traditionally these areas have been the major agricultural area of Alçaera. During the 20th century drastic growth of cities has taken over much of the farmland, but fortunately farmers have been able to relocate deeper inland.
Inland Areas
The interiors of Tavast-Carelia are still mostly covered with forests, which proves a steady source of paper for the nation's book publishing industry. During the 20th century the woodlands increasingly opened up to farming (the century also saw notably growth of the inland cities), despite this Tavast-Carelia still has forested areas her citizens can be proud of.
Highlands
In the northern part of the nation, near Paristani border, are the Fennevid Highlands, which are a notable source of valuable minerals. To protect the eco-system of the highlands the goverment has imposed an increasing number of restrictions to mining on this area during the last decades.
In the west land rises to form the Carelid Mountains, which range from Tavast-Carelia through Arcnow and Detome into Rehochipe. This area forms the province of Savonia, a little-developed part of the nation. These parts of the Carelids are not as rich in minerals as the Fennevid Highlands, although some mines exist here as well. In general Savonia is Tavast-Carelia's true wilderness area, where can be found the last existing pockets of old Carelian cultural tradition.
History
Below is a short review of Tavast-Carelia's history. For more detailed information, please read the article History of Tavast-Carelia.
Until the 14th century, the lands currently known as Tavast-Carelia were inhabited by various small tribes, and no state-level organisation existed. This changed when explorers from Riga (a part of modern-day Svea Riga) arrived from the continent of Aperin and decided to colonise the areas inhabited by Tavast and Carelian tribes approximately a century later. In 1563 a civil war erupted in Riga which resulted in Tavastland and Carelia becoming an independent state, ruled by Juhana I, brother of Erik XIV of Riga.
In the year 1600 Juhana II lost the crown of Tavastland to Carl IX of Riga, and Tavastland again became a Rigan colony. Carelia however retained it's independence. Curing the 17th century Carelian Grand Dukes expanded their area towards the west, the state becoming more powerful, leading to Tavastland being re-united with Carelia in 1719. This also led to the creation of the name Tavast-Carelia. The 19th century was an era of danger, when various new colonial powers from Aperin threathered the nation's sovereignity. However, a military alliance with New Paristan and skillful diplomacy with the foreign powers managed to keep the state independent, although it's territories were diminished.
The last years of the 19th century were a time of democratic re-form after the new duke Daniel I was crowned. Friction between socialist forces and supporters of the old regime led to a civil war after Daniel I's death in 1918. Reactionary forces led by Daniel I's son Juhana VII emerged victorious from the war, which led to a dictatorial regime that lasted until the end of the century.
After the year 1999 and Daniel II's rige to power several progressive re-forms were carried out, resulting in formation of the modern-day leftist-oriented Tavast-Carelia.
People
The majority of Tavast-Carelians are either Tavastian, Carelian or Rigan by origin. The distinction between these three ethnical groups has blurred greatly during the last century, and by modern times all three groups consider themselves predominantly Tavast-Carelian. Various smaller ethnical groups also exist, created by refugees from the less socially progressed nations of the continent, or simply as people from neighbouring nations who have desired to move into Tavast-Carelia for reason other than opression.
Languages
Although Tavast and Carelian are officially still listed as separate languages, in reality it is nearly impossible to make distinction between the two languages, and quite often the predominant language of Tavast-Carelia is referred to simply as Tavast. Rigan is still spoken in some families descending from Rigan colonists, but as these are being assimilated into the general populace Rigan as a native language in Tavast-Carelia is disappearing. The more recently arrived ethnical groups have brought with them their own languages, but these still lack official recognition.
Translitteration of Tavast names
As with many languages, various names are written in a different way in Tavast than they are in other languages. This article has chosen to use the Tavast spelling for names when they refer to Tavast-Carelian rulers, but the Rigan when they are referred as rulers of Svea Riga.
A notable thing on names is the name Tavast-Carelia itself. Because it is the established international form, it is used through-out this article. However, the names Tavastland and Carelia both come from the Rigan language. In native Tavast, Tavast-Carelia is called Häme-Karjala.
Religion
Christianity, more precisely Catholism, was brought into Tavast-Carelia by the Rigans. In the 16th century Protestant re-forms were carried out in Svea Riga, but after Tavast-Carelia gained independence Juhana I passed laws allowing freedom of choice between different forms of christianity. Other belief systems were not allowed, but in spite of that the native beliefs of Carelians survived until modern times.
Today, a majority of Tavast-Carelians are lutheran, but there is also notable catholic communities, and a growing number of worshippers of the old gods, their religion officially referred to as Fennism. In addtition to these a large number of smaller religious groups exist.
Symbols of the State
Modern and Historical Flags of Tavast-Carelia
Internal politics
Parliamentary elections are held every four years, when 250 parliamentary representatives are elected. Leader of the party with the most votes forms the Cabinet, the composition of which must be approved by the parliament.
In modern politics the Duke has no political power. The last decision made by the Ruling Council in the year 2000 was the removal of the Duke's political rights, on Daniel II's own insistance. Currently the Duke as a representative of Tavast-Carelia in internation politics, although many feel the position of the Duke should be removed completely as the last reminder of the dictatorial rule of the previous decades.
Political parties
Democratic process is still a very young institution in Tavast-Carelia, with free elections held only since 2000. As a result, the political map is constantly shifting, with new parties forming and older parties realigning themselves. However, four large parties have established themselves as permanent figures in the national politics.
Leftist Union
The Leftist Union was formed in 1999, when most of the nation's socialist and communist parties decided to run in the upcoming elections as a unified party. As a result the LU was undisputably the largest party after the 2000 elections. Generally the party has been keen to involve Tavast-Carelia in various leftist-minded international organisations, and has concentrated in improving the economy under state control in the field of internal politics.
In the elections of 2008, the LU got 25% support, dropped into position of the second largest party in the nation and was for the first time left outside the cabinet.
Socialist People's Party
The Socialist People's Party was formed in 2004, when a group of representatives split from the Leftist Union to form a new party that took a more critical approach into international alliances and economical growth, arguing that the LU compromised the well-being of the people with their concentration of growth. The LU also compaigned strongly for resigning from the CACE.
In the elections of 2008 the SPP became the nation's largest party with 38% support, and are the leading party in the current cabinet.
Green Party
Previously known as the Green Left, the Green Party has been driving for politics paying more attention to the environment. In 2000 they briefly formed a cabinet with the LU but later left when the LU made a decision to build a new nuclear power plant.
In the elections of 2008 the GP gained 23% support, nearly rivaling the LU, and formed the cabinet with the SPP and Anarchists.
Anarchists
The Anarchists were originally a minor party, calling for direct democracy and apposed memberships in most international organisations. Their support has risen during the years however, and they now rank as one of the "big four" parties, although their support is clearly lesser than that of other large parties.
In the elections of 2008 the Anarchists gained 11% support, and formed the cabinet with the SPP and GP.
Other Parties
Happiness from Capitalism was a notable party in the elections of 2000, gaining 14% support nationwide. Since then their popularity has notably lessened, as they had no representatives in the parliament of 2004. In 2008 they did gather 5% nationwide support. The HFC drives for a return to market economy and privatization of most of the industries nationalized after Duke Daniel II's rise to power.
Other minor parties include the religious Catholicism Wow!, and the rightist Pure Tavastian, National Capitalist Consensus and Better Folk parties. Of these the Better Folk Party, which acts as the voice of the former nobility of the nations, gained 4% support in the 2008 elections, while Catholicism Wow! gained 1% of the votes.
The Goverment
After an election the leader of the largest party begins negotations for the new goverment. If he/she cannot find suitable partners, members of the parliament are free to suggest candidates for a new negotiator, and the parliament itself votes on which candiate will become the next negotiator. This is also applicable if a goverment is formed but later recieves a vote of non-confidence.
The goverment consists of several ministers; Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economics, Minister of Welfare, Minister of Education and Culture, Minister of Infrastuctures, Minister of Defence, Minister of Environmental Issues, Minister of Transportations and Minister of Trade and Industry. Corresponding ministries also exist for all other except the Prime Minister.
Following is a list of the most important ministries and their duties.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is, together with the Prime Minister and the Duke, responsible for all international dealings of the state, be they with allies like ACA, IFTA and CACE nations or non-allies.
- The Ministery of Economics is responsible for coordinating the production of resources, and coordinating their spreading to various ministries.
- The Ministries of Welfare & Education and Culture often work in close cooperation to bring the best possible services to the people.
- The Ministry of Infrastructures is responsible for most large-scale construction efforts in the nation, often working in close cooperation with the Ministry of Transportations.
- The Ministry of Transportations is responsible for the large public transportation systems of the nation, most notably the State Railways (Valtionrautatiet, VR) and the Tavast-Carelian Shipping Company (TCSC). Tavast-Carelia's participation in the Train Rapide Internationale program naturally also fall under the jurisdiction of the MoT.
International politics
Tavast-Carelia is an active member of the Anticapitalist Alliance, and currently functions as the region's UN Delegate. The nation is also a member of the International Fair Trade Agreement, a founding member (and the first chairman) of the International Development Co-operative, a member of the Alçaeran Union and of course a member of the United Nations.
The Nation resigned from membership of the Coalition of Anti-Capitalist Economies in 2008 after a state of war was declared between CACE member nations of Svea Riga and Watfordshire and the Coalition failed to act in the matter.
Shortly after resigning from the CACE, Tavast-Carelia and Ecopoeia signed a mutual defence treaty, the Friendship and Mutual Aid Agreement.
