Caruban

Caruban Cirebon
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Aking karapatan, ating batas (My right, our law)
Anthem: Diwa ng Bayan (Song of the Nation)
Capital and largest city	Bonton
Official languages	Caticeze-English, Tagpalo, and Pratoaboan
Demonym(s)	Carubanese
Government	Unitary semi-presidential republic
• Lakan	Merob Wibowo
• Prime Minister	William Langins
Legislature	Parliament  L Batasan
Formation
• Republic of Strackenz	January 23, 1579
• Rumaztrian rule	September 1, 1708
• Self-Government Act	October 26, 1807
• Carubanese Parliament Act	February 22, 1826
• Independence Act	March 15, 1960
Area
• Total	1,092,000 km2 (422,000 sq mi)
Population
• 2010 census	26,370,120
• Density	24.1/km2 (62.4/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2020 estimate
• Total	$535.7 billion
• Per capita	$20,314
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	$435.7 billion
• Per capita	$16,522
HDI (2019)	0.881 very high
Currency	Carubanese dollar ($)
Date format	mm-dd-yyyy
Internet TLD	.cr

Caruban (Tagpalo: , Cirebon), officially the Republic of Caruban, is a country in Ausiana. Vulkaria borders the country from the west, the Tervali Islands from the south, and the Samson Ocean from the east. A former Rumaztrian colony, much of its modern heritage is intertwined with central Ausianan culture. Its native residents, the Tagpalo people, share a long historical relationship with Vulkaria. Due to Rumaztria rule, the nation is trilingual and speaks Caticeze-English, Pratoaboan, and Tagpalo. The peninsular country is surrounded by the Samson Ocean. The capital and largest city in Caruban is Bonton.

The Tagpalo people arrived in the Caruban Peninsula in 900 BC. They settled in the Lusong archipelago, the group of islands north of the peninsula. Early Vulkarian states introduced the Tagpalo to a sedentary, agrarian lifestyle. In the 6th Century, the Tagpalo migrated to the mainland peninsula. The remaining tribes in the Lusong Islands maintained their sea-nomad traditions. In the mainland, the Tagpalo founded thalassocracies in large, stone-walled settlements. During the Warring City-States period (1500-1850), Vulkarian warlords conquered Caruban and formed the Republic of Strackenz. Pratoaboan-speaking Vulkarians colonized the peninsula and assimilated the mainlander Tagpalo. In 1708, the Rumaztrian Empire invaded Caruban to secure trade routes in the Samson Ocean. After the Zamastan War of Independence, Rumaztria enacted colonial reform to protect its colonial possessions. In Caruban, self-government was enacted in 1807 to prepare the territory's transition to an autonomous parliamentary democracy, finalized in the Carubanese Parliament Act of 1826. In 1960, Rumaztrian parliament granted Caruban independence.

Caruban is a developed country with a high-income economy. The service industry is the top economic sector, followed by manufacturing as second and agriculture as third. Carubanese citizens enjoy a high quality of life, spanning from benefits in government transparency, free education up to high school, universal healthcare, and protections in civil liberties and economic freedom. The country is a republic with an elected, unicameral parliament. The prime minister, currently William Langins, is the head of government. A popularly elected Lakan, currently Merob Wibowo, is head of state. In its bid to institute permanent neutrality, Caruban renounced its right to declare war and abolished standing armed forces in the 1964 Constitution.

Etymology

Cirebon House, the Lakan's official residence

The name Caruban traces its origin from an old legend. It usually varies, but the story always involves a Tagpalo merchant was visiting Vulkaria. When Vulkarians asked the merchant about their home country, they assumed the Vulkarians referred to their variety of wares, calling them "caruban."

"Caruban" () is an old Tagpalo word for "mixed." Over the years, foreigners used other names like "Cheribon," "Chirebon," and "Sirivon." A Pratoaboan word Vulkarians used is "Karubon." Historically, Vulkarians used "Strackenz" for the peninsula, and it did become a name for a Vulkarian rump state in the 16th-19th centuries. "Strackenz" is now the name of a Carubanese province. In 1960, Cirebon () was adopted as the official native translation.

At the beginning of Rumaztrian rule, when Caruban was still a loose confederation of indigenous tribes, Vulkarian cities, and Rumaztrian colonies, the colonial administration used the title "United Federation." The Self-Government Act in 1807 used the new title "Federation." In the 1964 Constitution, Caruban replaced the federal form of government with a unitary state, and the title "Federation" was replaced by "Republic."

History

Prehistoric to early history (Pre-1000 AD)

A village in the Caruban Peninsula, 4th Century AD

There has been human habitation in the Caruban Peninsula as long as 40,000 years ago. Sea nomads from Western Ausiana migrated to the peninsula in 900 BC. They settled in the Lusong Islands. Traders and settlers from Vulkaria arrived around the 1st Century AD, followed by Yuan in the 3rd Century AD. They established towns and ports along the southern coasts and introduced wet-rice farming (Yuan), pottery, and metallurgy (the latter two from Vulkaria). Their presence resulted in Vulkarian and Yuan influences in the local cultures. Increased trade in the mainland peninsula attracted migrants from the Lusong Islands.

A series of conquests erupted between the 7th and 9th Centuries, creating powerful, royal Tagpalo thassalocracies that dominated the peninsula. By the 10th Century, the Tagpalo kingdoms in the north and Vulkarian and Yuan city-states in the south divided the peninsula.

City-state era (1100-1850)

Living among Vulkarians, the peninsular Tagpalo assimilated into their culture and intermarried with each other. The Yuan settlers embraced Tagpalo culture, adapting local elements to their traditions and vice versa. Those in the northern parts of the peninsula and the Lusong Islands limited interactions with foreigners to trade. In the 1570s-1580s, at the height of the Warring City-States period, ambitious Vulkarian marcher lords took advantage of the growing chaos to expand their power. They looked north at the rich soil of Carubanese farmlands and united to lead a campaign to conquer the peninsula. The Conquest of Caruban (1579-1581) saw little resistance from the natives, especially from the early Vulkarian settlers. To deter suspicions from other Vulkarian warlords, the victorious conquerors hid their vast new estates behind the newly-founded Republic of Strackenz under the guise of protecting fellow Vulkarians living in the peninsula.

Bird's eye view of Alte Feste, a former Vulkarian city-state

The Republic of Strackenz was a loose confederation of Tagpalo tribes dominated by Vulkarian city-states. A federal council or Bundesrat, elected by leaders of the peninsular states, governed Strackenz. Appointed representatives from all over the peninsula assembled in Hassenstadt to form Landtag, a legislature that met whenever the government needed to negotiate taxation and create new laws. In the rural areas, landed oligarchs called "Ranchkönige" (ranch kings) effectively ruled their large estates like independent states by controlling key provincial offices and had their private armies. Hassenstadt regularly clashed with the Ranchkönige to assert republican authority. Powerful, peninsular Tagpalo tribes competed with the Ranchkönige in dominance over lands and political positions.

In the early 18th Century, the Vulkarian city-states were still at war. The Kingdom of Rumaztria was interested in establishing a permanent presence in Eastern Ausiana to secure trade routes in the Samson Sea from Vulkarian pirates. In 1708, with the support of allied Vulkarian lords, Rumaztria moved expeditionary forces through Vulkaria and invaded Strackenz. The Rumaztrians renamed the territory to "Caruban."

In Rumaztria, a new era of massive demographic expansion began thanks to increases in agricultural production. Plans drawn for Rumaztria's outward expansion emphasized settler colonization. Between 1750-1800, over 500,000 people migrated to Caruban.

The events of the Zamastan War for Independence (1802-1804) made Rumaztria concerned with the stability and defense of its colonial empire. In an attempt to strengthen ties and the ability of Caruban to defend itself, Rumaztria granted Caruban self-government in 1807 to prepare the territory for full autonomy. In 1826, the Carubanese Parliament Act gave Caruban an independent, democratic legislature with the Rumaztrian king as head of state, governing on his behalf by a governor-general elected by parliament.

In the 19th Century, Caruban underwent an industrial revolution. The transition from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy attracted provincial residents to the cities. The Rumaztrian migrants comprised much of Caruban's growing merchant class, who led the more developed part of Carubanese society. The Vulkarian and Tagpalo Ranchkönige continued to rule the countryside until Carubanese Parliament passed the Agricultural Reform Act of 1848. It broke up large landholdings and redistributed them as smallholdings. Poorer Vulkarians and Tagpalo were freed from virtual serfdom. They received much of the redistributed land and, with it, granted them economic independence. In the long term, it encouraged intensive farming and allowed efficient use of the land.

Modern era (1850-present)

In the 1850s, disagreements between the Carubanese Parliament and the city-states over proposals of a unified military force. The Tagpalo city-state of Biringan led other city-states to rebellion in the Sovereignty War (1857-1859). The city-states lost, parliament deposed their leaders and sent them to exile. The centuries-old federation finally ended.

In 1960, Rumaztrian parliament granted Caruban independence. An interim parliament took over for four years to write a constitution. In 1964, King Caslav VI and Makisig Dungog, the first Lakan of Caruban, signed the constitution of the free Carubanese republic. It declared the country a permanently neutral state and abolished the Carubanese armed forces. Later, the Vulkar Treaty was signed in 1992 between Rumaztria and Vulkaria, guaranteeing Carubanese neutrality.

Government and politics

File:The Parliament of Sri Lanka.jpg

Tipolo Palace, home of the Carubanese Parliament

Caruban is a parliamentary democracy with a semi-presidential executive modeled on the Quetanan system. Executive authority, or leadership of the government, is vested in a cabinet led by the head of state known as the Lakan. In the old days, the Lakan was an absolute ruler or paramount chieftain of the Tagpalo people. The modern Lakan enforces law, grants pardons, receive ambassadors, appoints cabinet officials and supreme court justices, and has reserve powers such as dissolving parliament and refusing to sign a bill into law. Under normal circumstances, the Lakan only exercises their powers on the advice of the Prime Minister and cabinet. For supreme court appointments, the Lakan takes advice from the Judicial Independence Commission.

The Carubanese Parliament is unicameral, legislates laws, and can remove the government through a vote of no confidence. Based on the rules of the Quetanan system, the 1964 Constitution enshrined the principles of parliamentary supremacy over the executive and judicial branches. Parliament democratically elects representatives every five years. Eligible formateurs in parliament, leaders of parties capable of winning an investiture vote, are nominated to become prime minister. After a general election or a vote of no confidence, the formateur of the winning party in an investiture vote will be appointed by the Lakan, as head of state, to form a government. Traditionally, the Lakan grants audiences to both the prime minister and the opposition leader to give minority parties a stronger voice in criticizing government policy. The cabinet, formed by the prime minister, is the highest policy-making body in the government and is collectively responsible for the consequences of their actions.

Elections are called by the Lakan either after every five years or after an investiture vote fails. The Lakan then dissolves parliament. Single-member districts called "pekan" (an old Tagpalo word for "market") are vacated upon dissolution and must nominate a candidate. A pekan candidate is usually elected by a local party from member residents. The candidate must win a simple plurality vote to represent local constituents as an MP or Member of Parliament.

The Batasan is the independent legislature for the Tagpalo people with devolved powers granted by the Carubanese Parliament. The Batasan's primary responsibility is to preserve Tagpalo cultural heritage. Unlike Carubanese Parliament, Batasan elects its members through party-list proportional representation. Winning parties are assigned seats based on the percentage of votes garnered by each party and the number of available seats (50). To qualify, parties must win at least 5% of the vote.

The Carubanese judicial system, headed by a chief justice, adjudicates on mixed common and civil law. The Supreme Court of Caruban is the highest court in the country. Court justices and officials are appointed non-politically under the strict rules implemented by the Judicial Independence Commission.

Lakan

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Merob Wibowo
6th Lakan of Caruban

William Langins
8th Prime Minister of Caruban

The Lakan is the highest executive authority and most senior diplomat in the country. Nominally, they are the head of the cabinet and lead the executive branch. But in the adapted Quetanan system, constitutional convention dictates the Lakan, as head of state, to serve only as a ceremonial leader and to embody the representative traditions of national heritage, of everything that makes Caruban a unique country. His powers are exercised only at the advice of the government, the prime minister and cabinet. Exceptions to the rule only apply during emergency, when the government and parliament cannot function normally, and the Lakan may personally use emergency powers to maintain public order. Up until 1964, the Lakan was commander-in-chief of the armed forces (now abolished). The leadership of the country's civilian and paramilitary Carubanese Public Forces is vested in the Department of Interior.

As head of state, the Lakan has the following powers and responsibilities in the Constitution:

1. Combined in themself the rights of sovereignty, the Lakan exercises them as chief of state so as long as they have the lawful consent of the people.
2. The Lakan promulgates laws, treaties, and executive action necessary to enforce the law, but no executive action shall be made to alter existing law
3. The Lakan calls elections, and convokes, prorogates, and dissolves parliament
4. In times of crisis, when parliament cannot resume normal legislative duties, whether in peacetime or war, the Lakan assumes provisional legislative authority and issues executive action in the place of law. Such executive actions are valid statutes until a restored parliament decides otherwise.
5. The Lakan appoints the prime minister, cabinet ministers, ambassadors, and other government officials as designated by law.
6. The Lakan appoints supreme court justices as designated by the Judicial Independence Commission.
7. The Lakan awards titles of nobility, rank, and other marks of honor as designated by the Batasan
8. The Lakan grants amnesty and pardons, and commutations of punishment

Bonton, capital city

Bonton is the capital of Caruban. Excluding the National Capital Region, the city has a population of 1,456,059. Situated on the coast of a small Caruban Sea gulf (Gulf of Bonton), surrounded by plains and tropical forests, the city has a land area of 166.2km². The financial district is in the center of the modern downtown area that stretches from the inland. The heritage quarters of the city, streets lined with colonial Rumaztrian and feudal Vulkarian buildings, are surrounded by old stone walls close to the bay area. Bonton is the political, cultural, and commercial center of the country.

Foreign Relations

Country	Current state of relations
Besmenia	Though located in opposite sides of the east-west hemispheres, the relationship between Besmenia and Caruban is strong and grounded on cultural ties. Both share Pratoboan as an official language. In recent years, relations have expanded in tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. Since 2015, locals have strong opinions on Besmenia in regards to its preceived interference in the Strackenzer Question. Whether intentional or not, both Strackenzer separatists and loyalists see Besmenia as a keyplayer in Strackenz's future status.
Estoca	Estoca has been a significant economic relation for Caruban. In recent years, the Euronian autocracy has taken interest on the mining industry in Caruban, specifically oil. Through free trade agreements, Estoca's economic influence in Caruban rapidly expanded and funded the latest, major oil drilling operations during the Strackenz Rush (2001-2010). Before Zamastan and Estoca normalized relations in early 2021, Caruban has been careful and discreet in pursuing closer economic ties with Estoca's authoritarian regime. It remains to be seen whether Carubanese foreign policy has adjusted to the peace developments.
Rumaztria	Caruban enjoys very close ties with its traditional ally, Rumaztria. As trade partners, their relationship has been enhanced by free movement and trade agreements. This led to strong economic and cultural links, with steady flow of migration and tourism between the two countries. Regularly, Rumaztrian citizens visit Caruban for recreation due to its relaxed regulations on alchohol and prostitution. Carubanese migrants, usually young graduates, go to Rumaztria for employment at their globally-competitive economy. In terms of defense, Rumaztria guarantees Carubanese neutrality in the Vulkar Treaty.
Vulkaria	As an older ally, Vulkaria comes first in Caruban's international relations. Arguably, Vulkaria is the go-to ally whenever Caruban is at the occassional odds with Rumaztria, which is an absolute monarchy. Both neighboring democracies, the countries enjoy free trade and movement. Most Carubanese expats live and/or work in Vulkaria and it is typical for Vulkarians to acquire dual citizenship in Caruban. Vulkaria is a signatory and the despositary of the Vulkar Treaty. It obligates Vulkaria to guard Carubanese neutrality.
Zamastan	As the world's leading superpower, Zamastan is considered the most important partner by Caruban when it comes to the international stage. The two countries have strong links in science cooperation and trade. The fourth largest portion of foreign direct investments come from Zamastan. The majority of seasonal tourists in Caruban are Zamastanian. The Carubanese government has described the country's relationship with Zamastan as "instrumental to the overall growth and international standing of Caruban."

Culture

National anthem

Diwa ng Bayan is the national anthem of Caruban. Josias Pertiwi wrote the composition in 1878. The Carubanese Parliament commissioned Pertiwi to compose a hymn for the 1879 State Opening of Parliament. Pertiwi adopted the lyrics from Fr. Genesis Lambosa's 1836 poem "O Sintang Lupa."

The Tagpalo version is not a direct translation of the Caticeze-English version.

Official Caticeze-English version (Diwa ng Bayan)	Official Tagpalo version (Diwa ng Bayan)	Literal translation of the Tagpalo text
Land of the morning, Child of the sun returning, With fervor burning Thee do our souls adore. Land dear and holy, Cradle of noble heroes, Ne’er shall invaders Trample thy sacred shores. Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds, And o’er thy hills and seas, Do we behold the radiance, feel the throb Of glorious liberty. Thy banner dear to all our hearts, Its sun and stars alight, Oh, never shall its shining fields Be dimmed by tyrant’s might! Beautiful land of love, o land of light, In thine embrace ‘tis rapture to lie, But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged, For us, thy sons to suffer and die.	O sintang lupa, Perlas ng silanganan, Diwang apoy kang Sa araw nagmula. Lupang magiliw, Pugad ng kagitingan, Sa manlulupig Di ka papaslang. Sa iyong langit, simoy, parang. Dagat at kaburolan, Laganap ang tibok ng puso Sa paglayang walang hanggan. Sagisag ng watawat mong mahal Ningning at tagumpay; Araw't bituin niyang maalab Ang s'yang lagi naming tanglaw. Sa iyo, lupa ng ligaya't pagsinta, Tamis mabuhay na yakap mo, Datapwa't langit ding kung ikaw ay apihin Ay mamatay ng dahil sa 'yo.	O beloved land, Pearl of the Orient, A fiery spirit thou art From the sun come forth. Land dearest, Nest of valour, To the conquerors Thou shalt never be slain. In thy skies, air, meadows, Seas and hills, Widespread is the heartbeat of freedom without end. Thy precious flag symbolizes Brilliance and victory; Its sun and stars ablaze Shall ever be our guiding light. In thee, land of joy and loving, 'Tis sweet to live embraced by thee. Therefore heaven, too, if thou would be oppressed, Is to die because of thee.