Eskeocha
The Independent Frontier of Eskeocha | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: "Beauty is as abundant as you make it." | |
| Coat of Arms File:EskeochaCoA.png | |
| File:Eskeocha Map.jpg | |
| Capital | Cranarie |
| Largest | Abasol |
| Official languages | Neranian, Galee, Eskeok |
| Recognised national languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Eskeochan |
| Government | Independent Confederated Republic |
• Frontier Captain | Milo Yuskwag |
• Eskeocha Tribe Leader | Huren Okonowanok |
• Frontier Lieutenant | Arden Cosk |
| Establishment | |
• Neranian and Wolfgalian Colonization | 1902 |
• Abandonment of Nerany and Wolfgalia | 1964 |
• Formation of Statehood | 1965 |
| Population | |
• 2015 estimate | 1,100,000 |
| Currency | Chipre (CHP) |
| Date format | mm.dd.yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +199 |
| Internet TLD | .esk |
The Independent Frontier of Eskeocha is a large country composed of sixteen boroughs, located on the eastern end of the continent of Avistava in Anteria. The state was formed by remaining settlers from the nations Nerany and Wolfgalia, originally as a joint colony of the two nations, to develop trade of fish, furs, and gold in the region. The territory began its transition into nationhood in 1965 when, during a series of challenging international events for the two countries, they both chose to release the territory to the control of the settlers. Later that year, pioneers and leaders from larger settlements united and agreed to form a new nation, officially declaring the land to be the nation of Eskeocha the next year in 1965, named after the Eskeocha tribe who originally inhabited the land.
Etymology
The name Eskeocha originates from the first nation tribe that inhabited the land before the arrival of settlers. When the nation was founded, leaders chose to name the country after the tribe as a show of respect to the people who originally inhabited the land. The Eskeocha tribe took its name from their language Eskeok. In Eskeok, the word Eskeocha means "land we survived," as Eskeok means survive and cah means land.
Demographics
Language
There are three central languages used across Eskeocha. The vast majority of citizens speak both Neranian and Galee, the languages of the former parent nations. Eskok, the official language of the Eskeocha tribe, is considered an official language alongside Neranian and Galee, although only approximately 35% of citizens speak the language. Most citizens of Eskeocha do not speak more than the three languages, although many frontier leaders and travelers will speak a third or fourth language such as English.
Cranarie, the capital of Eskeocha, and Abasol, the largest city by population, have small populations of speakers of other, lesser known Anterian languages.
People
The ethnic makeup of Eskeocha consists almost entirely of Neranian, Galea, and Eskeocha Tribe background. This is attributed to the intense landscape, making the nation less appealing to people other than settlers and natives. Tokoway, located on the southern end of the Cranarie passage, has a small population of natives from other backgrounds, although this is partly because the city is overwhelmingly Galea, an ethnicity from a nation that is known for its population variety and melting pot environment.
History
Pre-Colonization period
The first known inhabitants of the river delta region (named for the river delta where the tribe settled) were the Galea Tribe who inhabited the land for approximately 2400 years before the arrival of traders. The tribe strongly believed in the existence of two gods who shaped and protected the earth, twins named Farran (male, god of the land, his name directly translates in Galee to “Forest”) and Stel (female, goddess of the sea, her name directly translates in Galee to “Water”).
The Galea tribe built villages all along the south bank of the northern river in the region (present day Yorke-Wolf River), the largest of which they named Stelton, meaning “meeting waters,” as it was located at the meeting of two rivers which combined into a third. The land was extremely fertile and surrounded by lush forests, allowing for great prosperity in farming and hunting for the Galea tribe.
Arrival of the Astari Traders
In 1710, three ships of Astari traders arrived on the edge of the river delta region. The traders immediately built two settlements right next to each other, Firsttown and Rivermouth. Finding the land more than suitable for a base of operations for trading, they sent word back to Astari that they were staying across the ocean for a time. A year later, four more ships arrived with more traders and resources that could be used for trade. The two settlements expanded over the next few years into large towns. In 1716, six years after arriving in the River Delta region, the traders still had no luck in finding anyone to trade with. Yet due to the relentlessness of the traders, Rivermouth traders moved across the river and inhabited two other riverbanks in hopes of finding partners to trade with. The three riverside settlements named themselves Triboro due to the three locations making up the town.
Astari and Galea Meet
After the traders had been settled for some time in the river delta region, in the year 1717, three groups of surveyors were sent out to explore more of the area. One group followed the coast south, one followed the river inland, and one group went north along the coast. This third group came across the northern river, and after some debate, chose to follow the river. After two weeks of exploring, they came across the Galea Tribe. Despite the Astari and the Galea Tribe speaking different languages, they immediately greeted each other with hospitality and kindness. The Galea Tribe believed that all people should be considered good until proven otherwise and took the explorers in and gave them food and rest. The explorers returned to the Astari settlements and shared their discovery. Two years later, the governing members of Firsttown voted unanimously to try and connect with the Galea Tribe to encourage trade, unaware of the greater effect their decision would have.
From 1717 to 1764, the two groups flourished in trade and bonding at an unprecedented pace. The Astari introduced their technology and the Galea Tribe spread their culture and food. In 1721, the Galea Tribe presented corn to the Astari for trade, valuable to the latter for its short growing season, cementing Galea value in Astari presence. The groups learned each other’s languages, and by the year 1764, were practically one, bicultural society, with many Galea Tribe members having moved to Triboro and the surrounding region, and many Astari having spread further inland, developing more settlements for trade.
Protectorate Status
In 1764, the Astari claimed the entire region of the Galea Tribe as a protectorate of the Astari in order to protect trade in the region. The Galea Tribe were not concerned about this, as they now understood the technology and the ways of the outside world and were glad for the protection as they were still racing to become a modern society. The Astari in the region, having adopted the wolf (an animal native to the region) as a sigil due to frequent sightings, chose to name the protectorate Wolfgalia, combining their presence and the presence of the Galea Tribe. As a protectorate, the tribe slowly caught up to the world in technology and eventually became a significant (albeit small) presence on the world stage. Through all of this, however, the Galea Tribe remained loyal to their original culture and maintained a devout respect for the twin gods and were adamant about the use of Galee as the language of the protectorate.
A Nation is Formed
In 1832, internal wars in Astariax ended and the nation was dealing with problems of its own, too many to focus on Wolfgalia. Wolfgalia had become mostly independent at this point and only relied significantly on Astariax for trade. Leaders from major Wolfgalian cities came together in the city of Wolfgale in late January and drafted a document for independence for Wolfgalia.
On March 19th, 1943, Wolfgalian leaders and the government of Astariax signed the Declaration of Nationhood for Wolfgalia, officially declaring Wolfgalia an independent nation.
Government
The Government of Wolfgalia is a Federal Constitutional Parliamentary Republic. It respects Chief Daria Callowest as the head of state, although the position holds minimal power. It is more of a figurehead position, as the executive head of government is the Prime Minister. The government also has a judicial branch made up of a supreme court which holds 11 seats. There is also a legislative branch consisting of two houses, the Senate and the House of Commons. The responsibilities of the two houses differ, although in many cases including amending the national constitution, both houses must have a passing vote. The national election day is December 2nd, and is held on the national level every two years.
Parliament
The two houses of the legislative branch make up the parliament. The first house, the House of Commons, is made up of 620 members who are elected by districts made up of roughly equal populations. Members of the House of Commons serve 4 year terms and hold elections for all 620 seats every four years, turning over the entire house (with exception to those who are re-elected). The Progressive Party currently holds the majority in the House of Commons. The second house, the Senate, is made up of 90 members who represent the three counties in each of Wolfgalia's provinces, the capital Wolfgale, and the territories of Francessia and the Wole Ola Islands. Each county has three representing senators. Senators hold a six year term, with one senatorial seat from each county up for election every two years. The Progressive Party currently holds the majority in the Senate. Here are the seat layouts for the houses of parliament in Wolfgalia:
Seat layout of the House of Commons:
▇ Progressive Party: 310 seats (Ruling)
▇ National Party: 256 seats (Opposition)
▇ New Era Party: 39 seats
▇ Socialist Party: 11 seats
▇ Independent: 4 seats
Seat layout of the Senate:
▇ Progressive Party: 46 seats (Ruling)
▇ National Party: 36 seats (Opposition)
▇ New Era Party: 6 seats
▇ Socialist Party: 1 seats
▇ Independent: 1 seats
Executive Branch
Wolfgalia's Executive Branch is run by a Prime Minister, with a cabinet appointed to hold departmental positions. When a Prime Minister's term is complete, the Senate nominates a new Prime Ministerial Candidate. If at least two thirds of the Senate approves of the candidate, a vote goes out to the Wolfgalian people. At least half of the people must vote yes for the Prime Ministerial Candidate to be elected into the position. If the vote fails, the Senate must nominate a second candidate. If the second vote fails, the House of Commons must nominate a candidate. If the third vote fails, each party of Wolfgalia may nominate a candidate to participate in an election, where the people of Wolfgalia must vote between the nominees. The appointed nominee then becomes the Prime Minister of Wolfgalia. The Prime Minister serves for four years and may hold up to two terms in office.
The current Prime Minister of Wolfgalia is Carson Vogreene, elected in the second round of Senate nominations in 2016. He is registered as a member of the Progressive Party. The first Senate Nomination, Theodora Lowell, a registered member of the National Party, was up for re-election from her previous term, but only gained 46% of the popular vote, failing to win the seat.
Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court of Wolfgalia consists of 11 seats. Judges on the Supreme Court are appointed by the Prime Minister, and after a hearing from a senate committee made up of 16 senators, must be approved in votes by the Senate and the House of Commons. Both houses must give two-thirds majority votes for the nominee to be passed into the court, ensuring bipartisan justices. Justices serve for life or until they choose to retire from the court, in which case a new justice will be nominated by the Prime Minister, unless it is within 6 months of the next Prime Ministerial election.
Culture
Arts
The arts in Eskeocha is a very singular style, often repeated by most of the artists from the nation. While famous singers, writers, and actors, among others, have come from Eskeocha, while very few, the main form of art in the nation is visual.
Eskeochan art uses colors that can be made from natural resources in the land. This has led to an overwhelming use of red, green, brown, and orange in most visual art, although from time to time purple and blue are known to be used. Most of the art forms in which this can be seen are hide paintings, pieces in which animal hide was used as the canvas, large murals on slabs of rock on the sides of mountains, and most significantly, totem poles. Totems, a symbol of worship in the Eskeocha tribe, is considered a holy form of art, and a pole is only considered a totem if it is blessed by a local tribal leader in a ceremony called a potlach.
Tourists who visit from around the world will stop in smaller principalities to see local totems.
Sports Entertainment
Due to the very small population, professional sports are rarely ever played in Eskeocha, although several secondary schools and universities do have teams in sports such as baseball, football, and basketball, as well as ice hockey. These teams, due to the rough terrain of the nation to navigate, have to fly to many of the other cities they play, often up to three hours just to get to the game. On a professional level, the extent of Eskeocha's sports are their Olympic downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and curling teams. Eskeocha formed a hockey team once in the late 1980s, but the team, while qualifying for the Olympics, was eliminated almost immediately in the elimination rounds. The nation did not send a team to the following Olympics.
On television, Eskeochan citizens can watch sports from Nerany and Wolfgalia. Neranian soccer and Wolfgalian Baseball are the most popular sports programs on Eskeochan television.
Clothing and Accessories
Eskeochan clothing is very representative of the nation's environment and weather. In the warmer months, the typical clothing styles consist of sweaters and flannels alongside jeans, leggings, or other long pants options. Footwear will often be sandals in the principalities and boots outside of the built up cities. Due to the weather, fashion is not often considered in Eskeocha, leading to some choices that citizens of other nations deem questionable when they visit. In the colder months, thick, down coats and wool caps (often with buttons to attach them around the chin) will replace the sweaters and flannel. As well, citizens will wear long underwear with whatever bottoms they choose for their exterior. Hiking and snow boots are often the sole shoe choice in the winter, even to more formal events that generally ask for suits.
While it is not definite, Eskeocha credits itself with the invention of the frontier cap, a hat very similar to the cowboy hat, with the key differences being it is made out of dried animal skin, often that of a deer or a caribou, and that it comes with small pockets around the brim for storing emergency bullets and other items of the sort.
Other Information
International Trade
Wolfgalia relies on international trade for modern technology and fine goods. Strict laws are in place across the nation protecting the environment, making it very difficult for companies to manufacture goods in Wolfgalia. The nations largest imports are cars (overwhelmingly electric) and building materials such as steel, wood, and other metals for building.
Whiskey and Cider are the nation's two largest exports, with large distilleries across the country. Also popular Wolfgalian exports are apples, corn, peaches, and berries, as Wolfgalia's natural farming techniques are strongly encouraged to help protect the environment, causing plant farming to be extremely popular with citizens in rural areas.
Tourism
Wolfgalia's largest industry by a large margin is tourism, partly due to its beautiful forests, landscapes, and coastline, and partly due to the emphasis placed on tourism in the economy. Many beautiful resorts are built all over the country, many cruise ships commissioned by Wolfgalia sail year round, and amusement parks populate the nation's urban environments. Two of the nation's largest exports, whiskey and cider, also help with tourism, as people come from all over the world to taste Wolfgalia made drinks.
Wolfgalia's largest island territory, Francessia, is also a major tourist spot, being home to many beaches and a rainforest, thanks to it's warm climate from nearby oceanic currents, as are the Wole Ola Islands, a chain of small islands near the continent Kasia.
An estimated 15% of economic output comes from tourism, more than any other industry in Wolfgalia, making it the nation that makes the most money from tourism in Anteria. It is one of the tourism capitals of Anteria, alongside San Calia. Malcolm University, located in Triburra', has one of Anteria's premier hospitality and hotel management schools.
Foreign Relationships
Wolfgalia holds positive relations with several nations across Anteria. She is considered to be on strong terms with Astariax, as the nation was key in the formation of Wolfgalia. Wolfgalia's strongest ally is considered to be New North Yorkshire, the nation's neighbor to the north. Wolfgalia also has positive relations with Astariax, Aziallis, and Shadoveil.
Festivities
| Date | Name | Working day |
|---|---|---|
| January 1st | New Year's Day | No |
| March 19th | National Day | No |
| June 21st | Sun Day | Yes |
| September 8th | Twins Day | Yes |
| December 2nd | Election Day | No |
| First Friday of December | Family Day | No |
| December 22nd | Championship Day | No |