Quetana
Quetanan Republic | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
 | |
| Capital | Vongane |
| Official languages | Qoati, Caticeze-English |
| Recognised national languages | Qoati |
| Demonym(s) | Quetanan |
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic |
| António Brafeo | |
| José dos Reis | |
| Establishment | |
• Foundation | 868 |
• Independence | 1835 |
• Republic | 1910 |
| Area | |
• Total | 406,796 km2 (157,065 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 43,400,000 |
| GDP (PPP) | estimate |
• Total | 1.055 trillion |
• Per capita | 60,461 |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | 1.012 trillion |
• Per capita | 58,003 |
| Gini | 26.6 low |
| HDI | 0.944 very high |
| Currency | Quentanan Lien |
| Date format | mm-dd-yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
Quetana, also known as the Quetanan Republic is a moderately sized nation in the Coalition of Crown Albatross, located on a peninsula in Eastern Adula bordering Raviannas to the north, Skith and Andaluni to the west, and an eastern maritime border with Zamastan separated by the Strait of Quetana, which connects the Olympic Ocean and the Toyana Ocean as one of the busiest natural waterways on Iearth. Quetana is one of the oldest nations on Iearth, its territory having been continuously settled, invaded and fought over since prehistoric times. Founded in 868, the County of Quetana gained prominence after the Battle of São Warena (1128). The Kingdom of Quetana was later proclaimed following the Battle of Terrace (1139) and the Treaty of Zamora in 1143.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Quetana established one of the first global empires, becoming one of the world's major economic, political and military powers. During this period, Quetanan explorers pioneered maritime exploration, notably under royal patronage with such notable voyages as Almirian Gamor discovering the southern-most continent of Antartique. During this time Quentana attemped to monopolize the spice trade and divided the world into hemispheres of dominion. However, events such as the 1724 Vongane earthquake, Skithan Imperial Occupation, the independence of Zamastan (1804) and its subsequent regional rise to power, a late industrialization compared to other Euronian and Adulan powers, a revolution in 1910, and economic turmoil following the World War erased to a great extent Quetana's prior opulence.
Quetana has left a profound cultural, architectural and linguistic influence across the globe, specifically Eastern Adula and Western Euronia, with a legacy of around 250 million Quetanan-based speakers and creoles. It is a developed country with an advanced economy and high living standards. Additionally, it is highly placed in rankings of moral freedom, peacefulness, LGBTI rights, democracy, press freedom, stability, social progress, prosperity, and HDI.
Etymology
The title Quetana historically comes from the family name of Almirs Da Quetan, the King of a Western region kingdom who conquered and named a unified County Quetana in 868 AD. The name gained prominence significantly following the Battle of São Warena (1128). The Kingdom of Quetana was later proclaimed following the Battle of Terrace (1139) and the Treaty of Zamora in 1143. Though the exact meaning of the surname Quetana is unknown, it is believed to have meant "Man of Luck" in ancient Qoati.
History
Prehistory
Quetana is one of the oldest nations on Iearth, its territory having been continuously settled, invaded and fought over since prehistoric times.
Visgoran Kingdoms (868-1398)
Founded in 868, the County of Quetana gained prominence after the Battle of São Warena (1128).
Battle of Terrace (1139)
Treaty of Zamora
The Kingdom of Quetana was officially proclaimed following the signing of the Treaty of Zamora, which unified the Visgoran Kingdoms under a council of regional heads of affairs.
Quetana Empire (1398-1709)
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Quetana established one of the first global empires, becoming one of the world's major economic, political and military powers. During this period, Quetanan explorers pioneered maritime exploration, notably under royal patronage with such notable voyages as Almirian Gamor discovering the southern-most continent of Antartique in 1482. During this time Quentana attempted to monopolize the spice trade and divided the world into hemispheres of dominion.
Through exploration and conquest or royal marriage alliances and inheritance, the Quetana Empire expanded to include vast areas in eastern Nortua, islands in the Southern Toyana Ocean area, areas of Vitosium, cities in western Euronia, as well as parts of what are now Yuan, Barangadesh, Qolaysia, Saint Croix and Bens, and Vulkaria. The first circumnavigation of the world was carried out in 1498–1501. It was the first empire on which it was said that the sun never set. This was an Age of Discovery, with daring explorations by sea and by land, the opening-up of new trade routes across oceans, conquests and the beginnings of Adulan colonialism. Quetanan explorers brought back precious metals, spices, luxuries, and previously unknown plants, and played a leading part in transforming the Adulan understanding of the globe. The cultural efflorescence witnessed during this period is now referred to as the Quetanan Golden Age. The expansion of the empire caused immense upheaval in Euronia as the collapse of societies and empires and new diseases from Adula devastated Euronian indigenous populations and established kingdoms. The rise of humanism, religious schisms, and new geographical discoveries and conquests raised issues that were addressed by intellectual movements.
Quetana's 16th-century maritime supremacy was demonstrated by the victory over the Emmirians in the Tarijar Strait in 1551, and then after the setback of the Quetanan Armada in 1588, in a series of victories against Emmiria in the Emmiria-Quetana War (1585–1592). However, during the middle decades of the 17th century Quetana's maritime power went into a long decline with mounting defeats against the Emmirians and then Skith; that by the 1660s it was struggling grimly to defend its overseas possessions from pirates and privateers.
Skith Occupation (1709-1836)
In 1709, Skith invaded Quetana's territory as part of the Skithan Expansionist War. There was little opposition, as Quetana's imperial forces were spread thinly across the globe and economic disparity kept troops domestically unmotivated to fight. The monarchy of Quetana was maintained thanks to the largely peaceful conduct of occupation, although it remained a de-facto Skithan puppet position. Historians argue that Skith's occupation of Quetana, while far-reaching, was primarily a mechanism for enhancing autocracy at the expense of individual liberty and especially an apparatus for crushing opposition, suppressing criticism, and furthering colonial economic exploitation as well as intensifying book censorship and consolidating personal control and profit.
With the occupation by Skith, Quetana began a slow but inexorable decline that lasted until the 20th century. This decline was hastened by the independence of Saint Croix and Bens, the country's largest colonial possession.
1724 Earthquake
The 1724 Vongane earthquake, also known as the Great Vongane earthquake, impacted Vongane on the morning of Saturday, 1 November, Feast of All Saints, at around 09:40 local time. In combination with subsequent fires and a tsunami, the earthquake almost totally destroyed Vongane and adjoining areas. Seismologists today estimate the Vongane earthquake had a magnitude of 8.4 on the moment magnitude scale, with its epicenter in the Olympic Ocean about 200 km (120 mi) west-southwest of the city's cape. Estimates place the death toll in Vongane alone at between 30,000 and 50,000 people, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in history.
The earthquake accentuated political tensions in Quetana and profoundly disrupted the country's colonial ambitions, leading to the country's capture and imperialisation by neighboring Skith. The event was widely discussed and dwelt upon by Adulan Enlightenment philosophers, and inspired major developments in theodicy. As the first earthquake studied scientifically for its effects over a large area, it led to the birth of modern seismology and earthquake engineering.
Dissolve of Skithan rule (1835-36)
In the autumn of 1807, Skith moved troops through Quetana to attempt to invade Kuresa as they attempted independence. Kuresa won independence from Skith in 1809 through a partition agreement rather than violent revolution (as seen five years prior during the Zamastan War of Independence). As a result of the change in its status of the Skithan Empire slowly losing influence and territory, administrative, civic, economical, military, educational, and scientific apparatus were expanded and highly modernized.
Quetana's independence was recognized in 1835, whereby Emperor Hang Almarez II peacefully granted independence to save face in Skith and maintain any semblance of a functioning economic system. The monarchy of Quetana was reestablished, with more political prominence as the monarchy worked to centralize fractured institutions that were abandoned by Skithan government.
Return to regional prominence
Republic (1910-current day)
Revolution and Constitution
The 1910 Quetana Revolution on September 5th, 1910, resulted in the deposition of King Heraldo II and marked the end of the Quetanan monarchy, which had existed in both absolute rule and de-facto rule since the twelfth century. A interim government formed in the week following the overthrow of Heraldo II, with conservatives and liberals sharing democratic power. A constitution was drafted, submitted, and established by the newly created National Assembly, establishing the Republic of Quetana. The first President of Quetana was Ovidio Silveira, elected in the first national referendum on November 6th, 1910 and taking office in January of 1911.
The introduction of democratic restoration made possible a growing open society. New cultural movements based on freedom appeared, like libertarian models of free market enterprise and a culture of human rights arose with Vicente Santos. The new republic had many problems, however, with 19 different governments in just 15 years due to political instability and economic weaknesses. These weaknesses were fertile ground for chaos and unrest during the early years of the republic.
World War
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At the onset of the World War, Quetanan shipping vessels came under constant attack from Drambenburgian submarines. Following the sinking of the QNAV Belsavian aircraft carrier near Ossinia by Drambenburg, Quetana joined the war alongside Zamastan with the expressed goal of pushing Drambenburgian and DSC forces out of Avergnon. However, Quetanan forces shifted their focus to the southern front of the war, specifically the liberation of Vulkaria. Additionally, Quetanan forces participated in the liberation of Jerku following their capture and occupation by Rumaztria.
Initially, Gladysynthian, Quetanan, Ruskaynian, and Emmirian forces comprised of a bulk of the attacking force against Rumaztrian armies in the south of Vulkaria and Jerku. In 1948, Rumaztria had blocked the access of the Gulf of Ausiana using their territorial portion of the Yellow River, and launched an invasion into Jerku, taking a large portion of the country. The Republic of Jerku's Armed Force switched to guerrilla warfare, damaging the Rumaztrian invading troops, but failing to stop an occupation.
In January 1951, the Jerkuan took back some small portions of the country after cooperating with a Beleroskovian-backed communist movement in the country. The combined communist-resistance force took back the capital city of New Johr after a month long siege, signaling the coming end of the liberation of the country. In 1953, the Jerkuan officially joined the Allied Powers, establishing a key southern front into the World War. The Emmirian, Ruskaynian and Quetanan forces combined with Jerku and Beleroskov forces pushed the Rumaztrian forces back, liberating Jerku fully on September 12th, 1953.
Quetanan forces, along with Zamastanian, Ruskaynian, and Emmirian forces landed on the northern stretch of Vulkaria early in the morning of April 7, 1952, in Operation Pelican Spanning. The troops split up in two groups, and marched north through Vulkarian territory parallel on both east (Zamastan and Quetana) and west (Ruskayn and Emmiria) of the territory occupied by the DSC. Vulkarian resistance troops joined them as DSC forces began to prepare for a counter-attack. In the evening of April 16, Allied troops began an incredibly effective campaign against the northern half of DSC-controlled territory in Vulkaria, utilizing Vulkarian knowledge of the area the great extent. Within weeks, the northern DSC troops had either been driven out, or killed in the face of the terrific onslaught of Allied firepower, and the northern half of the strip was back in Vulkarian possession. The southern half of the DSC-controlled territory was cut off from their own country, and in many instances, they were offered terms of surrender, which most promptly refused. The bulk of DSC forces were at this point preoccupied with the battle on the eastern front of Avergnon and were unable to send reinforcements to the troops in Vulkaria.
The World War ended on November 19th, 1954, with Quetana suffering casualties of 43,740 killed and 201,000 wounded. The global conflict, though, solidified Quetana as an influencial nation in the world stage, having established its fighting power and economic ability to aid allied nations and assist in reconstruction following the war.
Modern Day
Quetana joined the Coalition of Crown Albatross upon its founding in 1975, becoming one of the first 15 nations to join. It joined the Coalition Trade Organization in 1995 and became a founding member of the Western Euronia Defense Alliance in 2001.
On 1 January 2002, Quetana opened free trade agreements with Andaluni, Kuresa, and Sulifa, and Quetana experienced strong economic growth, well above the Adulan average during the early 2000s. However, well-publicised concerns issued by many economic commentators at the height of the boom warned that extraordinary property prices and a high foreign trade deficit were likely to lead to a painful economic collapse.
In 2002 the Mabare oil spill occurred with big ecological consequences along Quetana's Toyana coastline. On 15 October, 2005 a local Islamist terrorist group known as Al-Fijar carried out the largest terrorist attack in Quetana history when they killed 391 people and wounded more than 1,800 others by bombing commuter trains in Ledua. Because of the proximity of the 2005 election, the issue of responsibility quickly became a political controversy, with the main competing parties Social People's Party and Conservative Party exchanging accusations over the handling of the incident. The elections on 14 November were won by the Conservative Party, led by Óscar Cavaco
The proportion of Quetana's foreign born population increased rapidly during its economic boom in the early 2000s. In 2007 the Quetana government legalised same sex marriage. Decentralisation was supported with much resistance of Constitutional Court and conservative opposition, so did gender politics like quotas or the law against gender violence.
Quetana faced a severe economic crisis in 2018, which was spurred by unsustainable growth in government debt. This led the country to negotiate in 2019 with the government of Zamastan and the Coalition of Crown Albatross a loan to help the country stabilize its finances.
Geography
The territory of Quetana includes an area on the Quetanan Peninsula (referred to as the continent by most Quetanans) and two archipelagos in the Olympic Ocean: the archipelagos of Dridiera and the Mazores. Mainland Quetana is split by its main river, the Qagus River, that flows from Lake Nora as the border between Skith and Andaluni and disgorges in the Qagus Estuary, in Vongane, before escaping into the Olympic Ocean. The northern landscape is mountainous from the coast towards the interior with several plateaus indented by river valleys, whereas the south is characterized by rolling plains.
Quetana's highest peak is Mount Finogal, which measures 2,351 m (7,713 ft). It serves as an important seasonal attraction for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. The archipelagos of Drideira and the Mazores are scattered within the Olympic Ocean. Geologically, these islands were formed by volcanic and seismic events. The last terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred in 1957–58 and minor earthquakes occur sporadically, usually of low intensity. Quetana's exclusive economic zone, a sea zone over which the Quetanans have special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, has 1,727,408 km2. This is the 4th-largest exclusive economic zone on the continent of Adula (after Vitosium, Cadair, and Emmiria) and the 20th largest in the world.
Climate
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Quetana is defined as a Mediterranean-Equatorial climate, and is a relatively cool temperature compared to other equatorial-tropic Adulan countries: the annual average temperature in mainland Quetana varies from 8–12 °C (46.4–53.6 °F) in the mountainous interior north to 16–20 °C (60.8–68.0 °F) in the south and on the Qagus river basin. There are however, variations from the highlands to the lowlands. Annual average rainfall in the mainland varies from just over 3,200 mm (126.0 in) on the Qwerês National Park. Mount Finogal is recognized as receiving the largest annual rainfall (over 6,250 mm (246.1 in) per year) in Quetana.
Snowfalls occur occassionally in the winter in the interior North of the country, particularly on the mountains. In winter temperatures may drop below −10.0 °C (14.0 °F) in interior mountainous towns. In these places snow can fall any time from October to May. In the South of the country snowfalls are rare but still occur in the highest elevations.
Quetana has around 2300 to 3200 hours of sunshine a year, an average of 4–6 h in winter and 10–12 h in the summer, with higher values in the south-east and lower in the north-west. The average sea surface temperature on the east coast of mainland Quetana varies from 14–16 °C (57.2–60.8 °F) in winter to 19–21 °C (66.2–69.8 °F) in the summer while on the south coast it ranges from 16 °C (60.8 °F) in winter and rises in the summer to about 22–23 °C (71.6–73.4 °F), occasionally reaching 26 °C (78.8 °F).
Government
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Quetana has been a semi-presidential representative democratic republic since the ratification of the Constitution of 1911, with Vongane, the nation's largest city, as its capital. The Constitution grants the division or separation of powers among four bodies referred as "organs of Sovereignty": the President of the Republic, the Government, the Assembly of the Republic and the Courts.
The President, who is elected to a five-year term, has an executive role: President is currently António Brafeo. The Assembly of the Republic is a single chamber parliament composed of 350 deputies elected for a four-year term. The Government is headed by the Prime Minister is currently José dos Reis and includes Ministers and Secretaries of State. The Courts are organized into several levels, among the judicial, administrative and fiscal branches. The Supreme Courts are institutions of last resort/appeal. A thirteen-member Constitutional Court oversees the constitutionality of the laws.
Quetana operates a multi-party system of competitive legislatures/local administrative governments at the national, regional and local levels. The Assembly of the Republic, Regional Assemblies and local municipalities and parishes, are dominated by two political parties, the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party, in addition to the Unitary Democratic Coalition (Quetanan Communist Party and Ecologist Party "The Greens"), the Left Bloc and the Democratic and Social Center – People's Party, which garner between 5 and 15% of the vote regularly.
Administrative divisions
| Province | Postal abbrev. |
Capital | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vongane | VON | Vongane | 7,505,526 |
| Brandao | BRD | Baleicos | 5,894,474 |
| Malacian | MLC | Malcanes | 10,024,933 |
| Leduaranor | LDR | Ledua | 2,735,067 |
| Basaaria | BSR | Bassari | 5,688,603 |
| Napilui | NPL | Napani | 2,809,400 |
| Fatana | FTA | Fiutania | 3,128,465 |
| Dellenao | DLN | Albate | 4,613,532 |
Foreign Relations and Military
 Quetanan Army Chaimite V-200 |
.jpg) Quetanan Navy QEKO-200 PN |
 Quetanan Air Force Z-14 Fighter Jet |
Quetana joined the Coalition of Crown Albatross upon its founding in 1975, becoming one of the first 15 nations to join. It has on numerous occassions committed soliders to international peacekeeping campaigns under the C.C.A.'s conduct. Quetana's closest ally is Zamastan, with whom they share 40% of total imports and 56% of total exports. Other close allies are Skith, Emmiria, Rio Palito, Ruskayn, and Caspia. Quetana is part of the Western Euronia Defense Alliance, which is a mutual defense treaty involving several nations in Western Euronia and Eastern Adula.
Major adversaries to the Quetanan government historically has been Mulfulira, although the later half of the 20th century and the 21st century thus far have seen the two nations restoring diplomatic connections and increasing bilateral trade agreements.
The Armed Forces of Quetana have three branches: Navy, Army and Air Force. They serve primarily as a self-defense force whose mission is to protect the territorial integrity of the country and provide humanitarian assistance and security at home and abroad. As of 2018, the three branches numbered 239,200 active personnel including 37,500 women. Quetanan military expenditure in 2009 was 5 billion Z$, representing 2.1 per cent of GDP. Military conscription was abolished in 2004. The minimum age for voluntary recruitment is 18 years.
The Army (101,000 personnel) comprises three brigades and other small units. An infantry brigade, a mechanized brigade and a Rapid Reaction Brigade (consisting of paratroopers, commandos and rangers). The Navy (90,700 personnel, of which 10,580 are marines), the world's oldest surviving naval force, has five frigates, seven corvettes, two submarines, and 28 patrol and auxiliary vessels. The Air Force (47,500 personnel) has the Zamastanian Z-14 fighter jet as the main combat aircraft.
Zamastan maintains a military presence with 3,770 troops in the R'qajes Air Base in the capital of Vongane.
Demographics
Language
Qoati is the official language of Quetana. Qoati is a Romance language that originated from Mulfulira-Qoati; an extinct language that was spoken in what is now Mulfulira and Northern Quetanan regions. There are still many similarities between the Mulfuliran and Quetanan cultures.
Religion
According to the 2019 Census, 81.0% of the Quetanan population is Verdusan Catholic Christian. The country has small Protestant, Latter-day Saint, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Eastern Orthodox Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baha'i, Buddhist, Jewish and Spiritist communities. Some 6.8% of the population declared themselves to be non-religious, and 8.3% did not give any answer about their religion.
Many Quetanan holidays, festivals and traditions have a Christian origin or connotation. Although relations between the Quetanan state and the Verdusan Catholic Church were generally amiable and stable since the earliest years of the Quetanan nation, their relative power fluctuated. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the church enjoyed both riches and power stemming from its role in the reconquest, its close identification with early Quetanan nationalism and the foundation of the Quetanan educational system, including its first university.
The growth of the Quetanan overseas empire made its missionaries important agents of colonization, with important roles in the education and evangelization of people from all the inhabited continents. The growth of liberal and nascent republican movements during the eras leading to the formation of the First Quetanan Republic (1911–26) changed the role and importance of organized religion. Quentana is a secular state: church and state were formally separated during the Quetanan First Republic, and later reiterated in the 1912 Quentana Constitution.
Culture
Sports
Association football, or soccer, is the most popular sport in Quetana. The Quetana national football team has won three World Cup titles in 1989, 2010, and 2011. Quetana has also hosted the World Cup twice in 1984 and 1998.
Cuisine
Quetanan cuisine is very diverse. The Quetanan people consume a lot of dry cod, for which there are hundreds of recipes. Two other popular fish recipes are grilled sardines and caldeirada, a tomato-based stew that can be made from several types of fish with a mix of onion, garlic, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, parsley or coriander. Typical Quetanan meat recipes made out of beef, pork, lamb, goat or chicken include cozido à quetaneze, feijoada, frango de churrasco, leitão (roast suckling pig), chanfana and carne de porco à alentejana. A very popular northern dish is dobrada, a tripe with white beans and carrots stew, often served with steamed white rice. Peri-peri chicken is a spicy charcoal chicken dish served with rice and vegetables, a favorite throughout Quetana, but most common in the Malgarve region.
The Quetanan art of pastry has its origins in the many medieval Catholic monasteries spread widely across the country. These monasteries, using very few ingredients (mostly almonds, vanilla, cinnamon, flour, eggs and some liquor), managed to create a spectacular wide range of different pastries, of which pastéis de Belém (or pastéis de nata) originally from Vongagne, and ovos moles from Maveiro are examples. Quetanan cuisine is very diverse, with different regions having their own traditional dishes. The Quetanans have a culture of good food, and throughout the country there are myriads of good restaurants and typical small tasquinhas.
Quetana wines have enjoyed international recognition since the times of the Emmiria Empire, who associated Quetana with wine. Today, the country is known by wine lovers and its wines have won several international prizes. Some of the best Quetana wines are Vinho Verde, Vinho Alvarinho, Vinho do Douro, and the sweet Port Wine.
Economy
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Quetana is a developed and a high-income country, with a GDP per capita of 77% of the Eastern Adulan average in 2017 (increasing from 75% in 2012) and a HDI of 0.843 in 2016. By the end of 2018, Quetana's GDP (PPP) was $32,554 per capita, according to C.C.A. Economic Council's report. The national currency of Quetana is the lein, which replaced the Zamastanian dollar, and the country was one of the original member states of the Eastern Adulan Economic Council. Quetana's central bank is the Banco de Quetana, an integral part of the Adulan System of Central Banks. Most industries, businesses and financial institutions are concentrated in the Vongane and Baleicos metropolitan areas.
Quetana has long tried to adapt to a changing modern global economy, a process that continues in 2013. Since the 1990s, Quetana's public consumption-based economic development model has been slowly changing to a system that is focused on exports, private investment and the development of the high-tech sector. Consequently, business services have overtaken more traditional industries such as textiles, clothing, footwear and cork (Quetana is the world's leading cork producer), wood products and beverages.
The banking and insurance sectors performed well until the financial crisis of 2018, and this partly reflected a rapid deepening of the market in Quetana. While sensitive to various types of market and underwriting risks, it has been estimated that overall both the life and non-life sectors will be able to withstand a number of severe shocks, even though the impact on individual insurers varies widely. The "PoverTea" Protests that began in Zamastan in 2018 and 2019 extended to Quetana, resulting in the resignation of several high profile banking executives and government figures.
Travel and tourism continue to be extremely important for Quetana. Quetana's flag carrier airline is Quetana Airways, whose major hub is Vongane International Airport. It has been necessary for the country to focus upon its niche attractions, such as health, nature and rural tourism, to stay ahead of its competitors. Industry is diversified, ranging from automotive, aerospace, electronics and textiles, to food, chemicals, cement and wood pulp. Agriculture and forestry industries also exist, though the country largely operates in regards to importing agricultural products from Zamastan and Mulfulira since the turn of the millenium. Traditionally a sea power, Quetana has had a strong tradition in the Quetanan fishing sector and is one of the countries with the highest fish consumption per capita.
