Albion

The State of Albion
Flag
Motto: Fortis et liber ("Strong and Free")
Albion highlighted in Ibica
Capital	Troy
Largest city	St. Clarke
Official languages	English
Demonym(s)	Albionite
Government
• Crown Prince (Ceremonial)	Charles X
• Prime Minister	James Loughton
Legislature	Parliament of Albion
Establishment
• Kingdom Established	1325
• Federation	January 1st, 1701
Area
• Total	914,199 km2 (352,974 sq mi)
Population
• 2015 census	24,346,483
GDP (nominal)	2015 estimate
• Total	$1,580,000,000,000
• Per capita	$64,896

Albion is a state of Ibica. With an estimated population of 24,346,483 as of 2015 census, it is Ibica's second most populous state. Its area is about 914,000 square kilometres (353,000 sq mi). Albion was once and independent kingdom before joining the Ibican Federation that, at its height, controlled the areas of modern Calahan, Cartier, Hamilton, Petra, and Romane.

Albion is bordered by the states of Petra to the west, Cartier to the North, Romane to the East, Ochoa to the south, and East Monroe to the southwest. It has a predominantly humid continental climate, with stark contrasts over a year; but seasonal temperature average swings are smaller than in areas further east, due to winters being warmed by occasional chinook winds bringing sudden warming.

Albions's capital, Troy, is located in the southeastern corner of the state, on the coast of the Carpathian Ocean. In the northwestern corner of the state is the Royal city of St. Clarke, the historical capital of the Albion Kingdom, and current home of the state's crown prince. St. Clarke is the center of Ibica's ship building industry and home of the states petrochemical industry

Economy

Albion's economy is one of the strongest in the world, supported by the burgeoning petroleum industry and to a lesser extent, agriculture and technology. In 2013 Albion's per capita GDP exceeded that of Angola, and was the highest of any state at $64,896.

Albion's debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to reach 11.4% in fiscal year 2019–2020, compared to a surplus-to-GDP ratio of 13.4% in 2009–2010.

The Fraser Institute states that Albion also has very high levels of economic freedom and rates Albion as the freest economy in Ibica.

Agriculture and forestry

Cows in Tyler.

Agriculture has a significant position in the state's economy. The state has over three million head of cattle, and Albion beef has a healthy worldwide market. Albion is one of the top producers of plains buffalo (bison) for the consumer market. Sheep for wool and mutton are also raised.

Wheat and canola are primary farm crops, with Albion leading the states in spring wheat production; other grains are also prominent. Much of the farming is dryland farming, often with fallow seasons interspersed with cultivation. Continuous cropping (in which there is no fallow season) is gradually becoming a more common mode of production because of increased profits and a reduction of soil erosion. Across the state, the once common grain elevator is slowly being lost as rail lines are decreasing; farmers typically truck the grain to central points.

Albion is the leading beekeeping state of Ibica. Hybrid canola also requires bee pollination, and some beekeepers service this need.

A canola field in Albion

Forestry plays a vital role in Albion's economy, providing over 15,000 jobs and contributing billions of dollars annually. Uses for harvested timber include pulpwood, hardwood, engineered wood and bioproducts such as chemicals and biofuels. In 2017, shipments of forest products reached a record $6.4 billion, and exports were $3.4 billion. Forest products include pulp, paper and wood products such as lumber and oriented strand board.58% or 38 million hectares of Alberta is forested. Of the forested area, about 60% or 22.5 million hectares are considered suitable for harvest.

Government and politics

The Government of Albion is organized as a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislature. Its unicameral legislature—the Legislative Assembly—consists of 87 members elected first past the post (FPTP) from single-member constituencies. Locally municipal governments and school boards are elected and operate separately. Their boundaries do not necessarily coincide.

The Albion Legislative Building serves as the meeting place for the Legislative Assembly of Albion

The Crown Prince Charles X is a figurehead whose actions are highly restricted by custom and constitutional convention. The government is headed by the Prime Minister. The prime minister is normally a member of the Legislative Assembly, and draws all the members of the Cabinet from among the members of the Legislative Assembly. The City of Troy is the seat of the provincial government—the capital of Albion. The current prime minister is James Loughton, sworn in on April 30, 2019.

Military

Military bases in Albion include Fort St. Clarke, Fort Mason, and Joint Base Troy.

Education

As with any Ibican state, the Albion Legislature has (almost) exclusive authority to make laws respecting education. Since 1905 the Legislature has used this capacity to continue the model of locally elected public and separate school boards which originated prior to 1905, as well as to create and regulate universities, colleges, technical institutions and other educational forms and institutions (public charter schools, private schools, home schooling).

Transportation

Air

Aerial view of St. Clarke International Airport, the states's largest airport by passenger traffic.

Albion is well-connected by air, with international airports in both Troy and St. Clarke.

Public transit

Hillsborough, Nevada, San Marcos, St. Clarke, and Troy have substantial public transit systems. In addition to buses, St. Clarke and Troy operate light rail transit (LRT) systems.

Rail

A San Marcos, Charlotte, & Northern passenger train passes by freight trains in the background, in Philmont

There are more than 9,000 km (5,600 mi) of operating mainline railway in Albion. Railfreight service in the state is provided by Albion Southern & Cartier Railway, Hamilton International Railroad, and United Western Railway.

Road

Albion has over 181,000 km (112,000 mi) of highways and roads, of which nearly 41,000 km (25,000 mi) are paved. The main north-south corridors are Ibica Route 5, Interstate 75, and Interstate 85. The main east-west corridors are Interstate 50, Interstate 70, and Ibica Route 74.

View of Albion State Highway 1 near Conway. The highway serves as the states's main link between Troy and St. Clarke