Silures
| The Silures Territories
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| Looking, always. | ||||||
 Detail Map: click here | ||||||
| Capital | Kadar | |||||
| Largest metropolitan agglomerations Kadar - 11,375,619 | ||||||
| Commissionaire | Llory Bronte | |||||
| Government type | Unicameral Parliament | |||||
| Territory type | Shared Administrative State | |||||
| State Symbol | Thoris Pine | |||||
| Postal Code | S#T #_# | |||||
| * - source-Encyclopedia Domnonia. | ||||||
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The Silures Territory is a Shared Administrative State of the The Asymetrical Confederation of Domnonia, and the International Red Cross. It was historically known as Siluria. Geographically, Silures is east of the Domi River on the southwestern border of the Federal District of Cadorn, and east of Gnejs.
Silures was formerly a state of Poking the Devil(PD), and has begun an absorbtion process which will see it join Confederation as a full Province within 5 years. As a shared administrative state, Silures is guaranteed by common agreement to have a relatively high degree of autonomy from Domnonia, but is not an independant and sovereign state. For instance, Silures retains its own legal system, currency, customs policy, and immigration laws. Only the defence, the diplomatic relations and humanitarian efforts of Silures are the responsibilities of the Domini government and Red Cross officials.
Government
The Silures Shared Administrative Territory is symbolicly headed by its Chief Executive, the Prime Minister of Domnonia. In practice, however, the zone is headed by a democratically elected "Commissionaire".
Shortly after the dissolution of the PD state, Domnonia coordinated the creation of a Provisional Legislative Parliament (PLP). Legislative Parliament elections were held on 24 March 2006, with the next election scheduled for 2008. According to the common agreement, Silures' "mini-constitution", the present term of the Legislative Parliament has 30 seats directly elected from geographical constituencies, and 30 seats elected from functional constituencies. The 2006 Legislative Parliament elections were seen as free, open, and widely contested, despite discontent among mainly 'anti-domini' politicians, who contended that the state should instead move towards complete independace under a socialist system.
The civil service of Silures maintains its quality and neutrality, operating without discernible direction from Domnonia. Many government and administrative operations are located in Kadar near the historical location of Devil Hall, the site where the original PD Constitution was signed.
On April 16th, 2006, a demonstration was organised by the Civil Human Rights Front and humanitarian lawmakers to express concerns over the safety of PD citizens residing outside of the Silures state. The turnout was reported to be 63,000, and at least 250,000 by the organisers. Humanitarian efforts from all corners of the IDU have been at work in the region for months.
Judiciary
In contrast to other former PD states, Silures continues to follow the common law tradition established by Keeslandic colonial rule. Article 31 of the common agreement of Silures allows Silures' courts to refer to decisions (precedents) rendered by courts of foreign IDU jurisdictions and to invite foreign judges to participate in proceedings of Silures' Court of Appeal.
Structurally, Silures' court system consists of the Court of Appeal, and the Upper Court, which is made up of the Court of State, and the Silures Court, which is the highest civilian court in the zone. Justices of the Silures Court are appointed by Silures' Commissionaire. The common agrement of Silures is subject to interpretation by the member nations of the IDU at any time and this power has yet to be invoked.
Geography
With an area of 2,285 square kilometres, Silures is a relatively small state. The population is high, resulting in an inflated population density.
Silures comprises four basic topographical areas: the Durnovarian Mountain Range, the Devil plateau, Kadar Lower plains, and the Domi basin. The Durnovarians are a high mountain range running across the north-east of the state. Among the high peaks of the Durnovarian Mountain Range, the highest of which is the Danzig Mountain at 4,294 metres, are found countless valleys, some with glaciers. From these the headwaters the Domi River flow.
The southern, extremely populous part of the territory is mostly located on the Domi Basin, but can still be mountainous. The Silures climate is generally temperate, but can vary greatly between the localities, from harsh conditions on the high mountains to the often pleasant Groot Gouda-like climate at Silures' southern tip.
Demographics
Silures sits at the crossroads of several major IDU cultures that have heavily influenced the state's languages and culture. Silures has three official languages: English (44%) in the north and centre; French (30%) to the west; and German (8%) in the south. There are other languages spoken locally, and others spoken by immigrants from all over the IDU. The Legislative Parliament is obliged to communicate in the three official languages. Refugees and landed immigrants make up about 50% of the population.
Culture
The culture of Silures is heavily influenced by its neighbour, Domnonia and its natives, but over the years a distinctive culture with strong regional differences has developed. Traditionally Silures is not considered one of the centres of IDU culture, but this perception might be deceptive. In the past, a number of culturally active Silurian have chosen to move abroad, probably given the limited opportunities in their homeland. This was particularly true for artists. However, as the new center of the regional politics of the former PD, Silures has attracted many creative people from all over the region. In times of failing states the tradition of political asylum helped to attract artists. During the American Federalist/Riconiaan Crisis', millions of refugees settled in the area, and millions more after the fall of PD.
Strong regionalism and heavy immigration in Silures make it difficult to speak of a homogeneous Silurian culture. The influence of Riconiaan, Domini, Devlish, Gnejsian and Keesland culture on their parts cannot be denied.
