Freice
Country of Freice Punqya Fris | |
|---|---|
| Anthem: Fris Enqe (English: "Onward Friece") | |
 The location of Freice in Olivacia | |
| Capital and largest city | Freice City |
| Official languages |
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| Ethnic groups (2021 census) |
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| Demonym(s) | Freician |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency |
| Aniara Neze | |
• Vice President of the Assembly of Delegates | Saral Tene Siegna |
| Legislature | Assembly of Delegates |
| Formation | |
• Independence from Maricoen | 1969 |
• Current constitution | 1971 |
| Area | |
• Total | 121.3 km2 (46.8 sq mi) (unranked) |
| Population | |
• 2016 census | 14,158 (X) |
• Density | 117/km2 (303.0/sq mi) (1) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | ₳32.7 million (not ranked) |
• Per capita | ₳2,312 (not ranked) |
| Currency | Freician are (FRA) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:25 (FST) |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +451 |
| ISO 3166 code | FR |
| Internet TLD | .fr |
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Freice (Frecian: Fris), officially the Country of Freice (Frecian: Punqya Fris) is an island country located in Olivacia, positioned to the south of Latvilande. Constituting only one island and having an area of only 121 km2 (46.8 sq mi), Freice is the second-smallest country in the world. Furthermore, with a population of 14,158, it has one of the smallest population of any independent state. It's capital is Freice City.
Settled by nomadic peoples from mainland Olivacia around 900 BC, Freice was colonized and annexed by Maricoen in the mid 18th century. Following a gradual process of reform and the introduction of local self-government in the 1950s, Freice became an independent country in 1969, during the height of the Era of Civil Wars. Following independence, a program of political and economic modernization was undertaken by successive governments, although mostly focussed in the capital and other larger urban areas. It transitioned from a colonial state to a democratic republic, with the 1971 constitution creating the Assembly of Delegates and an executive presidency, elected by the assembly from amongst its members.
Freice has maintained traditional cultures and ways of life, with political and economic society marked by the sharp contrast between local cultures and urban modernity[1]. Beginning in 2021, Freice has slowly emerged from a long period of self-isolation. It successfully sought membership of the Saltstil Pact and of the Anterian Socialist Republics Alliance. In the Rohyn crisis, Freice took part in a Saltstil Pact-organized program of aid to people affected by conflict[2]. This marked the first time since independence that Freice took part in a multi-nation exercise.
History
Early history and Colonization
Freice was first inhabited by nomadic peoples from Olivacia around 900 BC. However, the population today traces its heritage to a number of waves of migration across a thousand years from numerous groups of varying ethnic backgrounds. Until the colonization by the Maricoenians in the mid 18th century, Freice was governed by a succession of different political systems, but only under one single, unified government from the mid sixteenth century with the establishment of the Frecian kingdom.
Maricoen imperialists first landed on Freice in 1756, making contact with the natives and their Queen. In the first stages, an agreement was made that allowed Maricoenians use of the island as a base from which to trade and station part of its naval fleet. Although Freice remained de jure independent, the two years that followed this agreement saw the government and economy of Freice increasingly come under Maricoenian, with the Queen becoming subordinate to the wishes of the resident naval commander.
In 1758, Maricoen formally annexed Freice as a colony, introducing a new colonial government with a Governor exercising supreme authority on the island. The Queen remained a public figure with limited powers, often serving as a representative of the Frecian people to the colonial authorities and vice versa. However, in 1832 the Queen was formally stripped of all political responsibilities.
Freice became an important trading post, providing Maricoen with an important strategic position from which to deploy its navy, and played a crucial part in the Marco-Thoren Wars.
The large fishing reserves found in the ocean surrounding Freice remained an important part of the local economy and was an important source of revenue for the colonial government, which created a monopoly on the fishing of local waters and imposed a quota on all fish that was to be sent to mainland Maricoen.
Self government and the road to independence
Beginning in 1950, steps were taken to introduce self government in Freice. This began with the creation of an Assembly of Delegates, an advisory body to the Governor. This body was not elected but rather appointed by local community leaders. This body was an important first step in the process of independence.
In 1954, the Maricoenian government issued the Frecian Internal Reorganization Act, which devolved many of the powers held by the Governor to the Assembly and provided for the appointment of a local political leader with limited political powers. The President of the Assembly, previously just the chairman of the body, assumed the responsibility of assisting in the governance of the colony alongside the governor. This process of democratization continued with the introduction of elections to the assembly on a limited franchise. Over the next ten years, the assembly continued to expand its functions and responsibilities on an ad hoc basis, with the colonial government transferring powers when necessary.
In 1965, colonial authorities provided for the creation of a constitutional convention to determine the future of Freice's sovereignty. It was widely expected that, due to the lack of economic and political development on the island, the public would opt for continued Maricoenian rule for the foreseeable future. However, the convention found in favour of independence, which began the process of independence, with the creation of a new convention to draw up plans for the eventual independence of Freice.
Independence
Freice achieved full independence on 16 February 1969 after a decade of negotiations with Maricoen. Under the independence agreement, a Constituent Assembly was established to draw up a new constitution, with Maricoen continuing to provide guidance in the construction of the new nation. The Constituent Assembly was dissolved on 31 December 1971 after the signing of the Constitution, although many of its responsibilities had been transferred to the new Assembly of Delegates.
In 1972, the Frecian government adopted a policy of 'internal focus', becoming increasingly isolated from the outside world and working on establishing new institutions and managing the country's economy without outside interference.
Despite initial attempts at the 'nativization' of Freice and the removal of western influences, the government formally abolished the residual native institutions that had survived on a semi-official basis. The traditional Queen of Freice was stripped of all formal power, although the Queen still retains significant informal power and influence, and the Council of Elders was disbanded. Despite this, traditional culture prevails on the island, with an increasing gap between the highly-westernized political class, centred in Freice City, and the rest of the population.
In 2021, Aniara Neze was elected leader of Freice and initiated reforms known as the 'external focus'. Her government successfully negotiated entry into the Saltstil Pact and the Anterian Socialist Republics Alliance, and has embarked on a process of formalizing relations with other states, including Maricoen.
Geography
There are four lakes in Freice: Lake Tagnaz (28 ha (69.2 acres)), Lake Buna (19 ha (47 acres)), Lake Baten (8 ha (19.8)), and Lake Kamza (1.7 ha (4.2 acres)).
Freice is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, with around 19 mammal species, 10 amphibian species, 8 repticle species, and around 150 species of fish native to the island and its surrounding waters[3]. Historically, Freice was host to a number of endemic bird species and subspecies, but these have since become extinct following decades of hunting and land clearance from the 1920s to the 1960s.
The Ajen National Forest is host to a number of introduced plant species, with shrubs, plants, and climbers. This project has been funded by the Department for the Economy, Utilities, Industry, and the Environment.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Freice is Cfb, with consistent temperatures all year round. Days are mild and nights are cool, with precipitation heavy. June and July are the driest months. March is the wettest month, with up to 350mm of rain, with July the driest month, having only 120mm.
The temperature rarely falls below 6 °C (43 °F) or rises above 30 °C (86 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded on the island is 34.1 °C (93.4 °F), while the lowest temperature ever recorded is 4.1 °C (39.4 °F)
Politics and foreign relations
Freice's political system combines elements found in both parliamentary and presidential systems, but is unique in that the executive and legislative branches are tightly interconnected, with little division of powers between the two branches.
Under the 1971 constitution, executive power is vested in the Senior Committee of the Assembly of Delegates, whilst legislative power is vested in both the Senior Committee and the wider Assembly. The Senior Committee is comparable to a cabinet, and operates within the Assembly. It is lead by the President of the Assembly of Delegates, who is elected by delegates at the beginning of each Assembly following an election. The Assembly of Delegates also elects specific members to serve as 'Lead Delegate' within a certain department of the committee, akin to a minister in charge of a ministry.
The Assembly of Delegates of Freice is the country's unicameral legislature, elected every year by all Frecian citizens aged eighteen and over. Whilst permitted to exist, Freice has no political parties, with the assembly operating under a consensus-based system. The President of the Assembly, as de facto head of government, is elected at the beginning of each Assembly, and who serves at the pleasure of the Assembly. Under this system, the government is directly tied to the legislature, rather than independent of it. The Assembly as the power to recall any member of the Senior Committee with a two-thirds vote, and can pass a motion of no confidence with a simple majority.
The Assembly of Delegates consists of 15 members with each of the regions of Freice sending multiple delegates based on their population. The delegation numbers as as follows: Northwest, 4; Northeast, 2; Southeast, 5; Southwest, 4.
Foreign Affairs and defence
Foreign relations are conducted with the Department for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Sustainable Development, lead by the Lead Delegate for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Sustainable Development.
Freice's foreign policy is largely determined by its membership of the Saltstil Pact and, to a lesser extent, the Anterian Socialist Republics Alliance (ASRA). As a member of the Saltstil Pact, Freice aligns itself with the policies adopted by the organization and agrees not to wage any act of aggression against another member. Vultesia, as lead nation of the Pact, has an embassy in Freice City, which acts as the representative office of the whole Pact in the state.
Freice has no formal military force. The Community Protection Force (Gosi Karjyazul Eknekuge; GKE) is the local police force and plays much of the role usually assigned to the armed forces. Within the Community Protection Force is an Officer Corps (Sana Otnen; SO), a paramilitary force under the command of the GKE that also operates as a coast guard[4]. Although officially part of the local police force, the SO can be called upon as a last line of defence in times of war. The Officer Corps works closely with Vultesian military officials.
Administrative subdivisions
Freice is divided into four regions, each of which governed by a regional council (Local Government Organization Act 1972). Regional councils are elected by all eligible voters in their respective regions and undertake many local responsibilities such as waste collection, roads and community cohesion. Freice City, the national capital, is the only part of Freice not subject to this system; despite being a part of the Southeast Region, Freice City is governed directly by the Assembly of Delegates and the Senior Committee.
Most governing at a local level, however, is conducted through local village communities. These communities, known as tekbo are self-governing, self-sufficient towns and villages that exist largely independent of the national government. Under the Local Government Organization Act, tekbo are given a significant degree of automony in their management of local government affairs. Freice is home to over 350 such communities, which continue to play a large cultural as well as economic and political role. It is estimated that up to 60% of Frecians live in such communities. Tekbo are governed by committees elected by the local population.
Demographics
Population figures are largely unknown prior to colonization. In 1900, the population was reported to be around 2,000; by 1971, the population had grown to approximately 7,200. In the 2021 census, 14,158 people were counted. Almost two-thirds (around 30%) of the population live in Freice City, whilst another ten percent live in Ista Otti, home to Freice's largest port.
A large majority of the population are ethnic Frecian, who are the product of three main waves of immigration that took place in around 900BCE, 200CE and 1390CE. Ethnic Frecians constitute 98.1% of the population according to the 2021 census. The small number of non-ethnic Frecians are mostly Vultesians.
The sole official language of Freice is Frecian. There are, however, a number of dialects that have developed due to the largely isolated and independent nature of the many tekbo that exist on the island.
Religion
Freedom of speech, thought, and belief are protected rights in Freice, and therefore no religion is promoted moreso than any other and nor has any state religion been adopted. However, the majority of citizens identify as Christian, with the 2021 census recording 96.1% of Frecians as being Christians. The predominant church is the Unitarian Universalist Church in Freice, which is a Unitarian church featuring significant Freician cultural practices and values.
The remaining religious groups in Freice consist of a small number of Muslims and other groupings. However, these are mostly either short-term residents or immigrants, with very few ethnic or second or third generation immigrants practicing anything other than Christianity.
Economy
TBD
Infrastructure
TBD
Culture
TBD
Education
The Department of Home Affairs, Education, Transport, and Telecommunications manages education policy in Freice, operating through the Frecian Education Council.
Freice operates 13 primary schools and 9 secondary schoools, all of which are operated by or ultimately owned by the Education Council. There are no private schools on the island, but local village groups have been given license to operate schools by the Education Council.
Schooling is mandatory for all people aged 5 to 16, with the option of undertaking further education at one of Freices three educational colleges. All schools are required to teach their lessons in Frecian, although schools have increasingly opted to conduct some lessons in the common language. This has, however, been kept to a minimum, with most schools opting to limit the use of the common language to dedicated common language lessons, in order to preserve Freice's culture.
There is only one university in Freice, the National University of Freice, located in Freice City. The President of the Assembly of Delegates is ex officio Chancellor of the institution[5], which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university also hosts one of only two teacher training colleges on the island and one of only three medical training colleges.
See also
- Demographics of Freice
- Index of Freice–related articles
- List of Freicians
- List of islands
- Outline of Freice
References
- ↑ Visit Freice: Culture
- ↑ Department for for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Sustainable Development: STATEMENT: "The Country of Freice, upholding its obligations as a member state of the Saltstil Pact, has engaged in operations in Rohyn, helping to provide relief for those affected by the current situation.
- ↑ Department for the Economy, Utilities, Industry, and the Environment
- ↑ Office of the Chief Officer, Community Protection Force Freice
- ↑ National University of Freice - Chancellor
Further reading
- Ferrant, Víctor. The Forgotten Island: The Isle of Freice. Gavrilopolis, Gavrilia: Gavrilopolis University Press, 2017.
External links
- Official government website Frecian Government
- Tama Adune aFris – daily newspaper
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