Vabia

Vabia (pronounced [vah be ah] in English) is a medium sized country that is noted for it's lush forests and beautiful mountains to the north. It is one of the worlds oldest Absolute Monarchies still in existence to this day.

Vabia

Flag of Vabia
Motto: Valeo Per Scientia - Strength Through Knowledge
Region	Region
Capital	Coraveen
Official Language(s)	Vabian
Leader	His Royal Highness, King Tobias Falco
Population	6,000,000
Currency	Gil
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History

Founded in the 12th century, the Kingdom of Vabia was created after years of tribal regions across the country. Under the threatening pressure of an invasion from neighboring Saryrul the tribal leaders came together and unified forming then what was known as the Unified Kingdom of Vabia. Split into four regions, the chosen leaders were known as the Primeval Kings. Revered for their wisdom and cunning strength they successfully kept the Saryrulians from invading for years. However eventually former tribal leaders who were not chosen to be Kings came together in an attempt to overthrow the Primeval Kings.

After almost 100 years of war the Kingdom became unified under one King and through the rediscovery of the ancient "Gods" of the land and their ancestors. From that point forward the kingdom has been ruled by the direct descendants of King Elden Falco. It was also during this period (the 14th century) that the Kingdom decided to seclude itself and close it's borders. Very few foreigners visited the Kingdom and it's lands until the 20th century when Vabia emerged from it's shell.

The most recent notable part of Vabian history took place between 1980-2007 (879-906 AL). A trusted adviser and royal council member; Lord Raphael Alaric overthrew the royal family in a military coup and had them all executed with the exception of the families newborn Tobias Falco. The young baby had been rescued and smuggled to the northern mountains of Vabia. Once Tobias came of age and felt hat he had the knowledge and support needed he returned to the capital city; Coraveen where he rallied support and called for the throne to be restored. Come March 23 2006 (Season of Zephyr, 905 AL) Tobias Falco and his supporters invaded the royal palace and thus started the 63 day Light War. The war waged in the capitol city was eventually won by Tobias Falco and his supporters, which was the majority of the Vabian people. now the King and ruler of Vabia; King Tobias Falco has decided to open the borders of Vabia and bring his country to the forefront of the world.

Geography

Location:
Western Balkarian Region

Area:
Total: 643,427 sq km
Land: 640,053 sq km
Water: 3,374 sq km

Land Boundaries:
Total: 2,889 km
Border Country: Saryrul

Coastline:
4,668 km

Maritime Claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:
Varies from high temperate in the south to sub-arctic in north
Highest Recorded Temperature: 115 °F
Lowest Recorded Temperature: -40 °F

Terrain:
Forests and lush green lands throughout the country, the northern part of the country is very mountainousness.

Elevation Extremes:
Lowest point: Redwick River -3 m
Highest point: Aldshadow Mountians 4,979 m

Natural Resources:
Wide natural resource base including major deposits of coal, and many strategic minerals, gold, timber, uranium, uranium products, fish, and natural gas.

Land Use:
Arable Land:33.46%
Permanent Crops: 2.03%
Other: 64.51%

Irrigated Land:
26,190 sq km

Natural Hazards:
flooding; avalanches; midwinter snowstorms; drought; forest fires

Environmental Issues:
some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff

Industry, Commerce & Economy

General Overview

Vabia's economy and commerce is currently in transition from a well to do economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. Relying heavily on export and international trade due to it's geographic landscape the citizens have developed a high work ethic and a mastery in technology due to the kingdom's self reliance for hundreds of years.

Dominant Industries

Industries are the most important sector of the Vabian economy, and innovation in high technologies is the engine that drives the economic engine of the country. The most dominant industries in Vabia have been the Uranium mining/enrichment industry, Military Defense Systems, and Agriculture.

Smaller industries in Vabia include the gambling industry which is located solely along the coastal region of Vabia, Computer Hardware and Software, food processing, and metallurgy.

Currency and Monetary Policy

The Vabian currency is the Gil (VĢ, and the subunit to the Gil is the Pence, in the 100 denomination similar to cents/dollar.

Economic Statistics

 Exchange Rate: 1 Vabian Gil(VĢ/VG) = $.64 USD
 Gross Domestic Product: VĢ 54,189,739,450.00
 GDP Per Capita: VĢ 10,837.95
 Imports: VĢ 6,773,717,431.25
 Exports: VĢ 7,258,951,641.38
 Income Tax Rate: 19%
 Unemployment: 16.71%
 Consumer Confidence: 68%

People of Vabia

The people of Vabia are an eclectic mixture of generally three ethnicities due to the tribes of Primeval Vabia and the fact that soon after the countries borders were sealed. These three common ethnicities tend to be Caucasian, African, and Asian along with mixtures of the previous mentioned.. While others separate ethnicities exist in Vabia they are on such a small scale they are not worth noting at this time.

Population:
6,000,000

Age Structure:
0-14 years: 18.6% 1,116,000 (male 669,600/female 446,400)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,995,120/female 1,916,880)
65 years and older: 16.2% 972,000 (male 311,040/female 660,960)

Median Age
Male: 36.5 years
Female: 39 years

Population Growth Rate
83.57% (2007 est.)

Birth Rate
12.91 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death Rate
8.55 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Major Languages Spoken
Vabian (official language)
English

Religion
The Light 88%, Catholicism 5%, Protestant 3%, Jewish 2%, Other 2%

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total Population: 100%
Male: 100%
Female: 100%

Vabian Government

The Vabian government is best described as a hybrid parliament form of government. The reason it is seen as such is due to the fact that the King or Queen is the head of the government (executive branch) and a unicameral (single house) council (legislature) co-exists with the Royal family. Made up of ten members, the Council in Vabia is located at the House of Confessors and it's members are freely appointed by the King/Queen. That being said the King/Queen can also dismiss Council members at anytime. The role of the Council is to act as advisers to the Royal family, serve as department heads, and be the voice of the Vabian people.

Vabian Departments of State

Department of Foreign Affairs: Minister Lord Eonwek Iozu
Department of the Armed Forces: General Richard Quatermaine
Department of Communications: Minister Lord Luke Glenham
Department of Commerce:
Department of Health and Sanitation:
Department of Education and Development:
Department of Transportation and Logistics:
Department of Forestry/Natural Resources/Agriculture:
Department of Labor:
Department of Civic affairs:

Vabian Judicial System and Laws

The Vabian judicial system is largely based off of a mix Justinian Code and ancient religious teachings and laws passed down by the clerics of Vabia. Smoking and alcohol are legal in Vabia, however smoking in public and public intoxication are not. Gambling is legal in the regional shore providence of Vabia only and prostitution is illegal altogether.

Freedom of speech, to a degree is alloted by Vabian Law. However, any comments that attempt to undermine the stability, or otherwise, peace and prosperity of The kingdom of Vabia is not tolerated.

Same sex marriages are not recognized by The Vabian law system and such couples are not permitted to adopt children, nor do they share the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts (IE; medical coverage, tax breaks, etc.

The death penalty exists for capital crimes such as murder, rape, and treason. Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Courts exist at city, provincial, and national levels in Vabia ranging from civil court all the way to the Royal Court of Vabia (Comprised of 3 judges, all appointed by the King)

Royal Vabian Armed Forces

The Royal Vabian Armed Forces is a well respected, professional military made up of four traditional branches. Of note is the fact that Vabia requires compulsory military service to all healthy and able bodied males once they reach 18. The program requires all males to register with the Department of Labor once they turn and undergo a physical exam. Usually after this and after they graduate high school the males in Vabia are required to undergo 14 weeks of basic training in a service branch of their choice. Once basic training is complete they are given the choice of serving full time for one year or serving in the reserves for three years.

Statically speaking it should also be noted that the nations compulsory service is seen as quite successful, with a good balance of males deciding to stay on past their required service thus never causing a shortage in service personnel.

Branches of the Royal Vabian Armed Forces

Royal Vabian Army (R.V.A.)
Royal Vabian Navy (R.V.N.)
Royal Air Force (R.A.F.)
Royal Marines (R.M.)

Military Statistics

Gov't Spending on Defense: VĢ 1,594,971,339.50 (11% of Gov't Budget)
Manpower available for military service: males age 18-49: 498,509 / females age 18-49: 204,539
Manpower fit for military service: males age 18-49: 372,661 / females age 18-49: 179,472