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Kingdom of Vardana (Vardanan)
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Απόδοση σε κανέναν Apódosi se kanénan ("Yield to none")
Anthem: Τραγούδι του Αστέρα Tragoúdi tou Astéra Song of the Star
Royal Badge:
Location of Aretias (dark green) – claimed territories (light green) – in Scipia (dark grey)
Political Map of Aretias Political Map of Aretias
Capital	Basilakia
Largest	Karchavan
Official language	Vardanan
Recognized minority languages	Aorsoian Latin
Ethnic groups (2019)	72% Vardanan 22% Aorsoian 2% Lerazgan 4% other
Religion	State religion: Vardanan Aletheic Nazarism Other recognized: Fabrian Catholicism, Azdarin, Emendatic Nazarism, Judaism
Demonym(s)	Aretian
Government	Unitary absolute monarchy
• Basileus	Basil I
Legislature	None
Independence from the Republic of Vardana
• Proclamation	12 January 1924
• Ceasefire	8 August 1927
Area
• Total	3,616 km2 (1,396 sq mi) (nth)
• Water (%)	1.5%
Population
• 2020 estimate	865,303
• 2014 census	833,622
• Density	230.5/km2 (597.0/sq mi)
Currency	Denarius (𐆖) (ARD)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+575
ISO 3166 code	AR
Internet TLD	.my/.ar

Aretias, officially the Kingdom of Vardana (Vardanan: Թագավորության Մյուսիա), an island country in the Ozeros Sea, located approximately XXkm2 off the eastern coast of Scipia. It shares a maritime border with Vardana to the west, and Perateia to the north. Its capital is X, and its largest city is Y. The majority of the population consists of Vardanans, whose language is the only official language of the country. The official state religion is the Vardanan Aletheic Nazarism, with no official protections on freedom of religion.

Aretias was first settled by Nestians from coastal Eastern Scipia in the 14th century BCE, widely considered to be the first human settlements on the islands. The islands fell under the control of successive empires, such as the Kardish Empire, Latin Empire, Bayarid Empire, and intermittently Yen Caliphates. In the 14th century, Aretias served as the core of the minor kingdom of Lesser Vardana, headed by the Manavazean dynasty, and later the Artavazd dynasty that came to rule Greater Vardana and became the first Emperors of Lihnidos. It later came a province of the successor Hazaraspid Kingdom of Vardana in the early 1830s. Aretias gained its de-facto independence following the 1927 Ozeros Ceasefire, but has since remained in an official state of war with the mainland Republic of Vardana.

Not including unrecognized claims, Aretias is 3,616 km², making it the second smallest Scipian nation by area. As of 2020, its population is estimated at 865,303. Aretias consists of one major island, five minor islands, and dozens of even more minor islands. The main island is known by its Mysian name of Aretias, from which the country derives its name. The country also claims all territories held by the Republic of Vardana, Perateia, and Lihnidosi imperial titles; however, no nation recognizes these claims. Aretias is a member of the Forum of Nations, Society of Latin States and Peoples, and XXXX.

Name

The Kingdom of Aretias rests on a minor archipelago surrounding a large, main island from which the country takes its name. The territory consisting of modern Aretias has held numerous names since the first recorded human settlements. Aretias was first used as a name for the main island in the 2nd century BCE, coming from the Hellenic meaning "Island of Ares". During the period of Latin control, from the 2nd to 5th centuries CE, the islands were referred to as Aretium in imperial documents, roughly meaning "Island of Mars", however Aretias remained the most widely used name.

Geography

Aretias has an area of 3,616 square kilometers, which consists of the main island, also named Aretias, and a series of smaller islands surrounding it. The main island has an area of 3,200 km², equating nearly 88% of the nation's territory. The country is X kilometers off the coast of the Vardanan province of Mysia, X kilometers from the Latin-held Perateia.

The main island is dominated by a small mountain range, the Agrafa Mountains, and a central-to-coastal plain crossing the island. The Agrafa Mountains cover most of the northern end of the island, and together with southern hills surround the central plain. The Perivolia River runs through the center of the country, and is the longest river in Aretias. Mount Baghats, as part of the Agrafa Mountains, is the highest point in Aretias at 2,109 meters.

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  River Perivolia is the largest river in Aretias

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  Landscape around Perivolia

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  Beaches near Teos along the Periclean Sea

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  Winter snowfall in the Agrafa Mountains

Climate

Aretias has a typical Periclean climate, with semi-arid tendencies inland at mid-level elevations of mountains. Coastal winters are mild, with hot summers. Coastal communities experience some of the hottest days in the Periclean during the summer, reaching upwards of 80 °F during the day, on average, during the peak of summer.

Winters remain warm in Aretias. The average winter temperature in the capital of Perivolia sees a daily average of 66°F, with nightly lows near 45°F. Snow is possible at the highest peaks of the Agrafa Mountains, particularly Mount Baghats.

Politics

Basil I Basileus of Aretias

Main articles: Monarchy of Aretias and Royal Council

Aretias is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Bznuni. The Bznuni have been ruling Aretias since the 17th century, originally as Lords of Aretias, historically as a vassal or tributary to other rulers, including the Monarch of Vardana. The current Basileus is Basil I, who succeed his mother following her abdication on 20 September 2014. The Basileus has the sole power to appoint and remove ministers of the Crown, who together form the Royal Council. Aretias has no codified constitution, which places most legislative, executive, and judicial authority in the hands of the Basileus.

Aretias features no political parties, which have been banned by decree since 1931. There is no national legislature, though various proposals eventually led to the creation of a consultative assembly of 40 individuals appointed by the Basileus. This consultative assembly has no ability to propose legislation, but regularly votes on legislation originating from the Basileus or Royal Council. There are no national elections, but elections on a local level are commonplace. Through customary law, all adult citizens have the right to petition the Basileus. However, local elections are often subject to fraud or voter intimidation according to human rights groups.

Administrative divisions

Aretias is a unitary state divided into counties and municipalities. There are three counties, which are used for statistical and judicial boundary purposes. There are 80 municipalities, which serve as the primary avenue for local government. These municipalities control most local matters, such as education, transportation, and zoning.

Perivolia is the largest municipality, with a population of approximately 300,000 residents, or roughly one-third of the country's population. Teos is the second largest municipality, with a population of close to 100,000.

International status and foreign relations

Aretias was a province of Mysia upon the declaration of the second Mysian Kingdom on 19 July 1924, following the execution of King Stepan IV of Vardana. The local governor and prominent royalist, Gregor Bznuni, proclaimed George II as Basileus of Mysia. Since 1924, Aretias has claimed to be the government of Greater Vardana, which has resulted in non-recognition of Aretias by successive Vardanan governments; however, the territorial extent of the Aretias has dwindled since the original declaration. Despite losing all mainland territory, Aretias continues to claim its status as the legal successor to the Mysian Kingdom. Proposals to officially recognize the country as the Kingdom of Aretias were most recently discussed in the 1970s, however no change has been made. However, even among nations that recognize Aretias as an independent state, few recognize its claims over any mainland territory. These historical claims have resulted in complex relations with cordial states as well.

A stated primary goal of Aretias is to achieve the reunification of "Greater Vardana" under monarchist rule. In practice, however, Aretias's primary goal is noted to be defense and security of its territory, which has faced various tests since 1933.

Aretias is a member of the Forum of Nations, [org], and [org].

Law

Main articles: Law of Aretias and Judiciary of Aretias

Law in Aretias primary operates under a civil law system, with customary law serving as a secondary source of law when not officially codified or superseded by codified law. Civil law in Aretias is heavily based on Latin and Vardanan law.

Aretias lacks an independent judiciary, and as a result the court system is heavily influenced by the central government and the Basileus, who may intervene in cases or issue a verdict on appeal. Despite this, the judiciary underwent a series of reforms in the mid-20th century primarily based on judicial systems in Western Belisaria. It features royal circuit courts serving as the general trial court for all civil and criminal matters. There are four circuit courts, one per county except in Perivolia which hosts two circuit courts. Aretias lacks an intermediate appellate court in the traditional sense, as the Court of Cassation is the de facto court of last resort and features a criminal and civil division.

Armed Forces

Main article: Mysian Defense Force

The Mysian Defense Force is the main military institution of Aretias. It is a combined arms force, with air, land, and sea elements. The Defense Force has featured conscription since its inception, requiring all males to serve a compulsory 16 months of service beginning on their 17th birthday. Though primarily a conscripted force, since 1989 the Defense Force features a growing professional enlisted involvement.

Aretias also features a number of paramilitary services, such as the Royal Guard, and the Civil Guard. The Royal Guard serves as the personal protection service of the Basileus and his family. Members of the Royal Guard are often some of the most trained soldiers in Aretias and are granted privileges not commonly found in the Defense Force or the Civil Guard. The Civil Guard is the national police force of Aretias, which has in recent years been marginalized in favor or expanded authority of the Defense Force.

Economy

The economy of Aretias has a mixed economy, featuring a modernizing industrial sector, transitioning service sector and robust. Aretias continues to rely on mining, as it is mineral rich and relies on exporting rare earth minerals as a key segment of its economy. Agriculture consists of a small, shrinking sector of the Aretian economy. As of 2019, its unemployment rate is estimated around 13%. Its largest trading partners are Garima, Latium, Lihnidos, and Vardana. The dram is the country's currency, though currencies from neighboring nations such as Latium and Vardana are often accepted by merchants.

Perivolia and Teos comprise the economic centers of Aretias due to being the largest population centers and most modern cities in the country. Nearly all of the most major domestic companies and corporations have headquarters located in Perivolia. While economic growth in Aretias has continued since 1960, it is at a steady pace and not considered among a fast growing economy.

Transport

Transportation in Aretias has undergone rapid change since the 1990s, featuring an expansion of motorways and additional air, rail, and water passage; however, outside of major cities such as Perivolia and Teos motorways are not fully to modern standards throughout Aretias. Basil II International Airport in Perivolia is the nation's only international airport, which was first constructed in 1966. Smaller regional airports are located in Teos and [city], and connect the country's islands with the main island and close neighboring nations. The port of Iasos is the country's main seaport and is located on the main island of Aretias along the Periclean Sea coast.

Demographics

The population of Aretias sits at 850,996 as of the 2013 census. Recent estimates place the population near 965,000. The largest ethnic group in Aretias consists of Mysians, estimated at 49-52% of the population. Ethnic Vardnans form nearly 40% of the population, and consist of the second largest group.

Vardanans have increased in number since the 1960s, which was preceded by a swell in Mysians fleeing the civil war in Vardana. It was estimated that from 1910 to 1960, Mysians created a majority of the population. Other ethnic groups present in the country are Ayrumi, Kards, Lerazgan, and Gharibs.

Mysian and Vardanan are the two official languages of Aretias, as both are widely spoken and understood by nearly all of the county's inhabitants. However, Vardanan holds the dignity of being the official court languages and as such is the primary language of government throughout the country. All civil servants are required to speak Vardanan.

A minor, yet noticeable Gariman minority has developed in major Aretian cities due to the personal union of Aretias and the Gariman state of Nyrundy, which existed from 1933 to 2010. According to the most recent census in 2013, Garimans consist of 3% of the population.

Religion

The Vardanan Apostolic Church is the state church of Aretias. Religious minorities typically do not have the freedom to practice their religion unless it is a religion officially recognized by the government. Recognized minority religions include Fabrian Catholicism, Vardanan Rite Orthodox, Judaism, and various Yen sects. Minority religions in Aretias are strictly regulated and controlled, though for what are understood to be political reasons, Catholic and Orthodox christians retain greater freedoms and autonomy than other minority religious groups.

While the historical leader of the Vardanan Apostolic Church is the Apostolic Patriarch of Aparan, and the Patriarch of All of Vardana is a leader figured in neighboring Vardana, the Patriarch of Teos serves as the chief religious authority in Aretias. The government is known to regularly insert itself into selection of the Patriarch of Teos upon a vacancy, as it does with other major religious figures within the country. Official census records place 73% of the population as Apostolic Christians, however this number is believed to be more accurately stated around 65-70%. Nearly 20% of the population is believed to follow the Orthodox church.

See also

• Vardana