Belfras
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Belfrasian Federation | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: Pax et unitatis ("Peace and Unity") | |
| Anthem: Gloria aeterna Eternal Glory  | |
| File:Map of Belfras On Acheron.png | |
| File:BelfrasclaimAjax2.jpg | |
| Capital | Thessalona |
| Largest | Delphoria |
| Official languages | Hellenic Latin |
| Recognised regional languages | Quechua Rezese |
| Demonym(s) | Belfrasian |
| Government | Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Nicholaus | |
• Consul | Theodosius Lupis |
| Konstantina Golia | |
| Klaus Vasilakis | |
| Legislature | Senate |
| Upper Senate | |
| Lower Senate | |
| Independence from the Latin Empire | |
| 1 January 1852 | |
| 18 August 1895 (with effect from 1 January 1900) | |
| 15 August 1952 | |
| Area | |
• | 2,361,568 km2 (911,807 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 110,000,000 (mid 2012) |
• Density | 56.81/km2 (147.1/sq mi) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2015 estimate |
• Total | $4,102,340,000,000 |
• Per capita | £37,294 |
| Currency | Belfrasian Lira (BFL) |
| Date format | dd.mmm.yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
Belfras (Latin: Foederatio Belfrasiana), officially the Federation of Belfras is a country located in southern Norumbia consisting of 20 states and a special district. The nation has a population of over 100 million citizens and shares land borders with Elatia and Gristol-Serkonos. The nation sits on the western side of the Kayamucan Sea and shares significant history with Mutul, a nation across from Belfras in Oxidentale.
Name
The name Belfras (pronounced [bɛlˈfrɑz]) is derived from the Tekamoran Ven Potroni Belfras Inin ("The Great blessed land"), originally describing the areas surrounding the state of Mondria inhabited by the Tekamoran civilisation which reigned in the region from 2,500 BCE to 603 CE when the Runakuna empire - now modern-day Kustakuna - invaded from the south. The Runakunans utilised the Tekamoran name for the lands, with expeditions further inland naturally having the name applied to them. Following the withdraw of the Runakuna Empire in the 11th century the league of city states left in it's wake was collectively known as the "Benfrasse League", with the territory itself remaining known as Ven Potroni Belfras Inin.
The name was lost in usage during the 13th century when the Latin Empire invaded the city-states to the south of the Tekamoran civilisation, titling the land they had landed in Hesperia, Latin for "Western Land". This name was for a time utilised by the invading Belisarian Empire for the entirety of modern-day Belfras, but by the turn of the 13th century the eastern coast states had formed their own names, with Ven Potroni Belfras Inin being named "Mondria" after the Latin general in charge of the invasion of the Tekamoran.
The first mention of 'Belfras' aside from in literature of the now destroyed Tekamoran civilisation was in 1724 by Marcus Antonius Questros, a famed explorer who mapped the western coast of the southern continent and renowned lover of Tekamoran arts. A report from him to the Imperial Cartography Office back in Castellum ab Alba was at the time cited as ground breaking work, with multiple scholars opting to continue referring to the southern side of the continent where their colonies thrived by 'Belfras'.
In the 19th century civil discord began to grow within the colonies as citizens began demanding more rights and the ability to self govern, demands that were met due to an unsettled Imperial government following a succession crisis. The country's constitution, created and signed on 1 January 1852, federalised the colonies into one entity under the name 'Belfras', directly referencing Marcus Questros' work as the origin of the name. The central colony at the time of the federalisation, Salonika, renamed itself to 'Hesperia' in honour of the colonial heritage, with the name Salonika being adopted in the 20th century as the capital district for the nation's capital, Thessalona.
History
Politics
The first traces of the modern political state of Belfras are found in the Act of Federalisation signed into power in 1855, with the nation being divided into ten crown dependencies of the Latin Empire prior to this date. The Act of Federalisation merged these dependencies into a singular entity with the city of Thessalona, seat of imperial power in Norumbia serving as the capital. This singular state underwent numerous legislative changes until the Belfrasian Self Governance Act of 1895 was signed which brought into existence a regal title that would eventually become the monarchy of Belfras. The act was followed up by the formation of the Royal Household in 1897 with then-Duke Philippos of the House of Dimitrios, Duke of Mondria and largest power in Belfras, being granted the title by Emperor Constantine XIX with the coronation taking place when the Self Governance Act came into full force on new years day 1900.
Following the coronation of Sovereign Prince Philippos the nation swore an oath of fealty to the Latin Emperor, with Constantine XIX serving as overlord over the self governing nation until his death on 13 April 1945, sparking the Social War. Following the conclusion of the war, an oath was not sworn to Empress Diana Augusta and was the point in which the country became fully independent.
As a result of the Act of Federalisation and written constitution, Belfras is a federal monarchy with it's monarch being the head of state and chief executive for the nation. The states in Belfras have their own governments, holding legislative and administrative powers over their own territories so long as they comply with national directive appointed by both the monarch and the nations senate. Each state has an elected governor, a house of representatives elected from administrative units within the state and has organisational control over it's home guard. These states elect individuals to the national senate to represent the state in national legislation.
Monarchy
The constitution of the country closely follows the Latin imperial model from the days when the nation was a crown dependency. This means that the monarchy of the nation holds executive and legislative powers with the monarch serving as head of state and chief executive. The constitution permits the monarch powers to act as chief legislator and holds power to direct the courts and senate and may veto or overrule legislation as their own discretion. The Act of Federalisation protects the individual state governments existence and right to direct internal legislation in line with national directives, but the constitution overrules the act in that the monarch may veto state legislation and execute their own. The monarch's Royal Household supports the monarch in his role as chief executive and head of state. The Head of the Royal Household is a highly ranked political position and is the highest non-elected post in the country.
While the senate holds legislative powers for the nation, the monarch must approve of legislature voted for in the senate before it can become law. This is also true for foreign relations, with the monarch representing the country internationally and is able to direct foreign relations without senate approval. The royal family are often granted representative powers by the crown when conducting official state visits to foreign nations to speak on the crowns behalf. The monarch also serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces and holds sole power to declare war. While typically directing the military or declaring war would require senatorial approval, in cases of emergency the monarch may overrule this necessity.
Senate
The first senate to exist in the area of modern-day Belfras was formed in 1322 by the Latin emperor John V in Thessalona, which at the time was largest Latin city in Norumbia. Eventually each crown dependency had its own senate of elected representatives who would at the approval of the Latin crown direct legislature over their territories. The Act of Federalisation in 1855 shifted the political landscape of the country drastically: Salonika, the territory of which Thessalona was the capital was reduced in size drastically and turned into a Federal Territory controlled by the national government directly but with a senatorial seat capable of voting on legislation. The remaining territory and the other crown dependencies were reorganised into states with their own houses of representatives with powers of legislature within their own territories. The senate in Thessalona became the national senate with it's leader being granted the title of Consul.
The senate today is the unicameral legislative body of the national government composed of XXX senators elected on a five year period on national elections, with senators being elected by state to represent them on the national stage. The head of the senate, the Consul, is the leader of the dominating political party in the senate and is responsible for directing the senate in forming legislation. The office of the Consul exists as a solely elected position and cannot be changed by the monarch, although the monarch may overrule and veto their powers with their own supreme authority. While it has never happened yet, the constitution allows the monarch to disband the senate or force senators, even the Consul, from their seat to trigger new elections outside of the typical five year period. No term limit exists for senators and their positions in the senate.
Foreign Relations
Military
The Belfrasian Armed Forces was formally created after the federalisation of the Belfrasian Colonies in 1852 to operate and maintain the now unified government's military. The Armed Forces consists of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force. The Marines and the Coast Guard are deputy branches of the Navy, with the coast guard being jointly operated by the Department of the Interior. In 2015 the armed forces employed a total of 361,500 personnel with an additional 250,000 civilian personnel employed to help maintain and operate it's bases and other necessary operations.
While the Monarch serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the Consul has ultimate power of appointment to the Military Council and the Secretary of Defence to oversee the military. The Department of Defence is the primary administrative body of the armed forces and is headed by the Secretary of Defence and the Military Council, of which the former is superior to in administrative decision-making.
Service within the armed forces is voluntary above the age of 18, but employment within the military can begin at 16 with parental permission through the Junior Academy program. Recruits through the program learn necessary skills and earn their necessary High School-equivalent grades alongside necessary military qualifications for their chosen branch prior to reaching the age of 18 and entering the service at that point. Although service is voluntary, the constitution legalise the usage of conscription as and when deemed necessary by the government "to protect the Federation and it's people".
The budget of the armed forces in 2013 was $64.570 billion, approximately 2.75% of the country's GDP that year.
Demographics
Ethnic Groups
Languages
Urbanisation
Religion
Belfras is a predominantly christian country with the Fabrian church as it's state religion. Despite this, it allows other religions to operate within it's borders with limitations regarding actively seeking converts or conducting services in areas outside of state-sanctioned areas of worship.
Education
Education within the Federation is provided by public, private, and home school systems. Public education is operated and regulated by state and local governments with oversight from the overall government itself.
Children are required to attend school from age 6 to 16, with optional free education continuing through college to the age of 18. The initial cycle of education takes the child through Primary school and Secondary school systems, which form a foundation and expands upon it respectively. These schools are typically public with uniform dress-codes and a nationally-instituted code of standards for education and teacher performance. Districts of a state typically have a 'supervisory board' for education within that district. Children entering Primary school are divided into classes, with those class names differing depending on where that school is or it's own history. Basic education creates a foundation for maths, literature, geography and team-working skills that is steadily expanded as the child grows and learns more until they have a 'Basic Grade' for those skills, typically just before entering secondary school at the age of 11.
Upon entering secondary school, the child has their own education 'tailored' around a central static block of literature and maths. This tailored education aims to bring their overall understanding of chosen and mandatory areas to the national standard by the time they reach the age of 16 and take their National Standard Certification, or NSC. This rates them on their areas in an A-to-F scale, with 'A' being the highest and 'F' signifying a total failure of understanding. Those whom fail in an area are not granted any certificate although the grade awarded remains with them. Following conclusion of secondary school at the age of 16 children may continue on in three junctures: They may continue to college, a free education to the age of 18 which will allow them to gain specific qualifications for chosen career paths. They may also enter a career immediately through the aid of a career councillor at secondary school or alone. Finally, they may enter the government-funded military program which will give them rewarding qualifications. The only draw-back from entering the military program is that you are bound to serve until you reach the age of 21.
Higher education within the country is expanded from the free education college a student may enter at the age of 16. This system allows the student to earn a degree or qualification for a chosen skill or to increase their NSC in literature, maths or anything they 'tailored' for themselves in secondary school. A 10-year advertising program from the government from the 80s to the 90s brought more public awareness of this possibility and has increased educational standards as a result.
The period between the age of 16 to 18 is better known as the 'Free Education Period' within the education system, or EDP. During the EDP for pupils they are encouraged to keep standards high and mid-education ratings (A overall grade of how the pupil is doing in EDP) at a good level as to appeal toward the government and large organisations to 'sponsor' them into advanced education, such as university or academies such as the Academy of Medicine. These sponsorships will pay for their entry and stay at campus facilities for them to gain the qualifications. The difference between a government sponsorship and an organisational sponsorship is the latter tends to be aimed toward you having a job within their organisation at the end of their education, whereas a government sponsorship does not. Organisational sponsorships also tend to be viewed as more prestigious than government ones by the public, especially for larger and better known organisations. The exception to this rule is that the government-run health system may sponsor future medical practitioners and the legal system may sponsor future members of it through the Academy of Law.
Private education in the country allows private schools to formulate their own curriculum, as long as it obeys basic standards for national education and maintains cultural integrity for the country. Private Schools tend to be in two versions, one that is almost identical to public primary and secondary schools but with a much higher limitation on membership. The other version are 'academic' institutions that house the pupil and continues to provide education from the age of 6 to 16 in one place. The military also operates a private school from 11 to 16, with pupils sometimes continuing into the military education program thereafter. Public and private colleges and universities also maintain a parity in standards, although private universities are viewed as far more prestigious and tend to create the leading echelon of the country.
Health
Healthcare in the country is currently at the highest level it has been in living memory. It has a system of private and publicly funded health care with complementary treatments, aftercare, and hospice care. Public healthcare within the country is provided by the National Health Bureau, or NHB. The NHB operates public hospitals and clinics around the country that provide a paid-for health service to permanent residents as and when needed. This service is free for medical treatment with the exceptions of non-life threatening prescriptions, dental charges that are not causing pain, and standard charges for most surgical procedures as necessary. Clinical visitations cost money to book, although hospitals utilise a walk-in service for people of whom have suffered an injury but are mobile.
Hospitals and clinics throughout the country operate within set, district-dependant organisations to better oversee day-to-day operations of each hospital. This has allowed medical aid to be transferred from one to another quickly should one hospital find itself short of one kind of medicine and allows for a better, fluid function of the hospital system. Cross-district transfers are also fairly common, with patients often being transferred to Monrael Place hospital, which is a specialist childrens hospital and the best in the country. Most transfers are done with privately chartered flights, although it has been known for the military to assist as necessary, such as when children suffering burns from the 1993 Downsridge School fire were flown in an Air Force transport plane directly to Monrael Place within hours for immediate surgery. The government at the time called this "Two government agencies working together to accomplish both of their primary objectives; To serve the Federation."
Permanent residents of the Federation or those born in the country and passport holders (such as expats) are entitled to free medical treatments with the exception of non-urgent dental treatments and non-life threatening prescriptions. People within the country that are not permanent residents are also entitled to free treatment by the RNHB at time of use and with clinical aid as well for emergency non-admission treatment. Non-emergency treatment will require the patient to undergo an eligibility interview to establish eligibility and legitimacy. The Bureau has in the past refused to provide treatment to individuals they feel have entered the country with the purpose of exploiting the health service provided or to commit 'health evasion', or to use the service and flee before paying. Regulations for charging non-permanent residents for medical treatments were brought into use in 2016.
Individuals entering the country for a temporary stay that will last more than six months are required to pay an immigration medical surcharge that will entitle them to medical treatment on the same basis as a permanent resident. The surcharge, brought into service in 2004, is $200 a year with exemptions for those arriving on diplomatic visas.
Private healthcare in the country is readily available, although not a free service. These institutions can involve private surgery and aftercare, full hospitals for wealthier residents or alteration specialists, better known as 'plastic surgeons'. Privately-run organisations are also heavily involved in the RNHB to provide on-hand security, cleaning or supplementary staff as well as to provide and maintain the majority of the Bureau's medical equipment.
Law Enforcement and Crime
The Constitution establishes five levels of policing for the country: National, highway, transport, military, and civil. The first three are directly controlled by the national government while the last two are subordinate to the military and state governments respectively. The highest level of law enforcement in the country is the Federal Security Agency, better known as the FSA. They have national jurisdiction and work closely with the Gendarmerie in conducting their duties.
Ever since the 1960s the country has had trouble with organised crime in the country. The production and distribution of illegal narcotics such as cocaine is a major factor in crime in the south of the country and gang violence is one of the leading causes of non-natural deaths in 2014. A corruption scandal in late 2016 revealed that one of the largest crime groups in the country had been bribing government officials, leading to a major investigation by the RID and a sweep of arrests. The country's northern neighbour of Cherogado contributes to the importation of narcotics and other criminal enterprises as a result of it's comparably lax laws against the use of narcotics.
The country is an active practitioner of the death penalty, and was criticised in 2004 for the execution of Pamela Sarkov, a nationalised citizen who was found guilty of murdering her family the year in 2002. Inconclusive evidence and testimonies of Sarkov not being in the area at the time of the murders were ignored by the judge and state authorities, who put her to death by hanging after denying a stay of execution plea. A second case in 2006 also attracted international condemnation after three people suspected of being drug dealers were executed on 'loose' evidence that an independent enquiry found to have been planted by personnel involved with the raid.
Economy
Tourism
Tourism in the country is both a well-developed part of the country's economy and a key part of it. The country had one of the highest numbers of visitors in terms of international tourist arrivals in 2013 and has featured in the top three tourism destinations index for seven years running as of 2016. Tourism in the country is a combination of ecotourism with leisure and recreation, with people either opting to enjoy the sun and beach of places like Thessalona's pristine-white beaches or the in-land Still Sea. The 2015 Travel Guidance issued globally, the country was listed as #1 for visitation in regards to luxury-related tourism and history, with over 500 battle-fields and 250 museums to visit.
Belfras' main competitive advantage in tourism index is it's natural resources, which was ranked 1st in 2008 and again in 2016. The country ranked 18th for cultural resources, due to it's world heritage sites for pre-colonial civilisations and colonial/independence-era museums. The country's transportation infrastructure was rated as being a bonus toward the tourism industry, with the national road/rail network being completed in 1955. A tourism boom in the 1980s saw prices deflate substantially to the area, causing it's appeal to middle-class families to rise from that point onward and a national law enforcing prices to remain low to keep up a steady stream of tourism to the country. Subsequently ticket taxes and airport charges for tourism firms have remained at 1980s levels, with a government fund bridging the monetary gap for larger tourism firms. This has had the unfortunate consequence of the larger tourism firms in the country, Belfrasian Tourism Deluxe being one of them, establishing a monopoly on the industry. Safety and security in the country's tourism regions remain high, with police forces having special Economic Protection Units (FPU) purposed toward specifically guarding tourism destinations. The primary reason for the foundation of the FPU was the 1997 San Marco massacre that saw several tourists killed. The 1997 attack was the last recorded incident with tourists in the country, causing it's Safety and Security index to rise to 18th in 2011.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Energy
Water supply and sanitation
Science and Technology
To be filled
