User:Ostry/Sandbox4

Free City of Ekar مدينة عكار الحرة (Arabic) Madinat Eakaar al-Hura
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: صلاة Salatan A Prayer
Capital and largest city	Ekar (city-state)
Official languages	Arabic
Ethnic groups (2020)	61.5% Ekarrian 25.9% Arab 7.8% Yehud 4.8% Other
Religion (2020)	47.4% Christian 39.1% Salamid 6.4% Yehud 4.8% Irreligious 2.3% Other
Demonym(s)	Ekarrian
Government	Unitary constitutional monarchy
• Sheikh	Abdul II
• Prime Minister	Safar al-Bey
Legislature	Senate
Independence
Area
• Total	50 km2 (19 sq mi)
• Water (%)	8.0
Population
• 2020 census	58,730
• Density	1,175/km2 (3,043.2/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2020 estimate
• Total	$3.2 billion
• Per capita	$54,487
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	$2.6 billion
• Per capita	$44,270
HDI (2020)	0.802 very high
Currency	Ekarrian dinar (Đ) (UKD)
Time zone	UTCTBD (TBD)
• Summer (DST)	UTCTBD (TBD)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+45
ISO 3166 code	UK
Internet TLD	.uk

Temporary Overview

• Heavily based on the ancient Pheonician city-states (Byblos, Tyre, Sidon, etc.).

Statistics

Ekar	Tier	Exact Data
Population	Low	58,730
GDP	Very High	$44,270 (nominal p/capita)
Land Area	Low	50 km2

History

• Historically one of the first major cities inhabited on [Coast], and a major trading centre in [Place] by the 1500s BCE. Becomes well-known for exporting copper around the region.
• Forms a thalassocracy around the [Coast] around the 500s BCE, attaining notable naval power for a few decades (akin to say a smaller Carthage) before collapsing after an invasion by [Insert Big Ancient Empire here]
• For the rest of antiquity, Ekar bounces between semi-independence and vassalage through numerous larger states, but remains a notable (if smaller) trading port in [Region]. By the 500s CE, Ekar is also established as a major centre of learning after the foundation of its university.
• Sees a major revival during the Medieval period as the capital of a not!Crusader state, not only re-opening trade and contacts to [Not!Eurpe] but also helping create a distinct society that furthers separates Ekar from the rest of [Region]. The not!Crusader state falls to [Insert Other Big Empire/State] in the late Medieval period, but Ekar stays a relatively prosperous port, now exporting numerous trade goods and luxury items such as fabrics and dyes.
• Ekar stays under larger states (albeit with significant autonomy) until the mid/late-19th century, when [colonial power] takes over and annexes the city as a colonial possession (perhaps full annexation a la Algeria?)
• Under colonial control, Ekar gains a [not!European] flair in its architecture and institutions, alongside increased marginalization of the not!Muslim population of the city.
• During the growing sentiment of de-colonization, Ekar is actually one of the final holdouts of [Colonizer], whose refusal to grant independence to Ekar leads to ethnic-religious violence and dissent into the 1970s. In [Year], the Free City of Ekar is grant self-rule as a mandate government ruled by a multi-national rotating committee, until a new constitution is passed and ratified in [Year], officially granting Ekar independence under Sheikh Adad II (whose family ruled as Sheikhs, and de facto governors of the city during the colonial period).
• Ekar's independence flies in the face of [Neighbouring State], which has claimed the city-state as under their control since the end of [Major Event], and still refuse to recognize Ekar.

Economy

Traditionally a trade port, Ekar remains known for its point-of-entry, but since the 20th century has also grown to being known as the playground of the rich and famous, and by virtue of this, a notorious tax haven. Income inequality is rampant, and the growing amount of the city-state's economic power stems from catering to the wealthy in both Idica and Auressia (think Monaco, but drier.)

Demographics

Known since even ancient times for being cosmopolitan and diverse, the majority of Ekar's population is of not!Arab descent, like the region around it, but religiously is a mixture of not!Christianity, not!Islam, and not!Judaism. Religious segregation and favouritism towards the not!Christian community was rampant during the colonial period, but relations are, in some form, improving. The largest question is Ekar's uniqueness from its neighbours, and not!Pan-Arabism threatening the state's very being.

Language-wise, temporarily I have not!Sumerian as a placeholder, by officially most Ekarrians would speak the same language(s) of their neighbour(s).

Politics

Ekar is a constitutional monarchy, ruled by Sheikh Abdul II, aided by a Prime Minister. The Sheikh on paper retains some far-reaching powers, such as the ability to dissolve the Senate and dismiss the Prime Minister at any time, but these powers are limited by parliamentary conduct. Politics in Ekar are extremely localized, and it is not uncommon for parties and coalitions to change, merge, and dissolve in quick succession as politicians move around the politics issues faced by the city-state.