User:Latium/Sandbox3
Kingdom of Aretias | |
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 Flag
 Coat of Arms
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| Motto: Զիջել ոչ մեկին Zijel voch’ mekin ("Yield to none") | |
| Anthem: Վարդի մարտ Vardi mart March of the Rose  | |
 Location of Aretias (dark green) – in Belisaria (dark grey) | |
| Political Map of Aretias Political Map of Aretias | |
| Capital and largest city | Evros |
| Official languages | |
| Recognised regional languages | Latin |
| Ethnic groups (2019) |
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| Religion | State religion: Vardanan Apostolic Other recognized: Eastern Orthodoxy, Fabrian Catholicism, Azdarin, Alban Emendatic, Judaism, Irreligion |
| Demonym(s) | Aretian |
| Government | Unitary absolute monarchy |
• Basileus | Basil III |
| Andreas Kiurikian | |
| Legislature | Royal Council |
| Independence from the Second Vardanan Republic | |
• Declaration | 19 July 1924 |
| Area | |
• | 3,616 km2 (1,396 sq mi) (nth) |
| Population | |
• 2020 estimate | 965,577 |
• 2013 census | 850,996 |
• Density | 235.34/km2 (609.5/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $X billion |
• Per capita | $X |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $X billion |
• Per capita | $X |
| Currency | Dram (Դ) (ARD) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy (AD) |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +377 |
| ISO 3166 code | AE |
| Internet TLD | .ae |
Aretias, officially the Kingdom of Aretias (Vardanan: Թագավորության Արետիաս; Mysian: Βασίλειον τῆς Ἀρητιάς), is a semi-recognized sovereign state located off the western coast of the Chersonian Peninsula. It is located on an archipelago in the Periclean Sea, and shares maritime borders with Thraysia to the north, Vardana to the east, and Perateia to the southwest. Its capital, and largest city, is Evros.
The first human settlements in Aretias date back to the 11th century BCE, with the first Aradian and Lihnidosi Hellene colonies established in the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. Aretias has long been a territory of successive empires and kingdoms since the 6th century BCE. Until 1832, Aretias was a province of the Kingdom of Vardana, and from 1832 until 1901 a province of the Kingdom of Mysia. The islands remained under control of the House of Bznuni after re-integration into Hazaraspid Vardana. During the 1924 Revolution, the Lord of Aretias maintained control of the islands and attempted to re-establish control of the mainland until his death in 1933. Since 1924, Aretias has laid claim to Vardana and Mysia by way of both royal titles.
Aretias is a unitary absolute monarchy, with a limited unicameral legislature. Its population is near evenly split between a plurality of Mysians and Vardanans, along with other minority groups. Aretians are overwhelmingly christian, primarily following the Vardanan Apostolic faith, which is the official state religion.
Etymology
Aretias is a minor archipelago surrounding the 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.
History
Prehistoric and ancient history
Middle ages
Early modern history
Independence and modern history
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 X, equating nearly X% of the nation's territory. The country is X kilometers off the coast of the Vardanan province of Mysia, X kilometers from the Diocese of the East, and X kilometers from the coast of Thraysia.
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 Evros 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.
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 Evros 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.
Water
Politics
| File:Basil III, 2018.jpg |
| Basil III Basileus |
Aretias is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Bznuni. The Bznuni have been ruling Aretias since the 15th century, originally as Lords or Princes of Aretias as a vassal of the Monarch of Vardana. The current Basileus is Basil III, who succeed his father as ruler on 19 November 2002. The Basileus has the sole power to appoint and remove the [need name for First Minister role] and 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 1940. 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.
Evros 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.
Foreign relations
Law
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 Thraysian 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 country except in Evros 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
The Aretian 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.