Kleinberg
Kleinberg Republiek | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: "Werd Voor ons als Geboren" | |
Anthem: Die Stem van Kleinberg
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| National Symbols: National Animal: Osse National Tree: Cottonwood Tree National Flower: Geel Rose | |
| Capital | Gelandhoop |
| Official languages | Vrypraatjie |
| Demonym(s) | Baanbreken |
| Government | Tricameral Republic |
| Gerhardus Kriel | |
| Barke Venter | |
| Ruan Pietersen | |
| Legislature | Volksraad |
| Driving side | left |
The Small Mountain Republic (Baanbreken: Kleinberg Republiek, commonly referred to as Kleinberg), is a tricameral republic that survives off its agricultural and service industry. The lands were settled by Baanbreken, meaning "pioneers", colonists whom mainly had the intent to land themselves and farm in these scarecely populated lands that now reside in modern Kleinberg.
Etymology
The name Kleinberg is the Vrypraatjiee name given to the former lands of the Jafari and Hodari tribes. The name Kleinberg translates to "Small Mountain", which is in reference to the highlands in the north-western part of the country. Most of the interior lands are landmarkless and as a result the distant rolling hills and mountains are sometimes the most distinct geographic landmarks. The Jafari and Hodari spoke the, now mostly extinct, language of Anfahrr. The Anfarhrri name for the land was "Terego", which is roughly believed to mean "The lands of the southern tribes".
Government
The Baanbreken government has a tricameral legislative body called the Volksraad. The first chamber, called the Eerste Volksraad, is the highest authority within the government, controlling all state affairs. The second chamber, called the Tweede Volksraad, represented immigrant and non-burghers within the Republiek. The third chamber, or the Derde Volksraad, represents the ________ population in Kleinberg. The second and third chambers may propose legislation, but in order for it to be law, it must be past by the Eerste Volksraad. The Ernset Volksraad is made up of fourty-nine delegates, seven per each district. The second and third chamber have two delegats per each district. This brings the total to seventy-seven delagates in the Volksraad. The head of the state and government is the "Staatspresident". He is elected through an electoral college for a term of seven years, but is not elligible for re-election the following election. The position of Staatspresident is mainly a ceremonial position who is obliged to do as the Volksraad commands. The third branch of government is the Hooggeregshof, or High Court, and is the highest court in the land. The court is made up of seven justices which are appointed by the Volksraad for ten year terms, with no limits.
There are seven semi-autonomous districts within Kleinberg. which include Noordbaai, Vlaktesberg, Vrykus, Osse-Landing, Osbloeden, Hawe-Republiek, and Brabendam. Each of these districts have their own governing bodies to enact local laws and ordinances, but are ultimately subservient to the Volksraad.
Culture
Generally, Baanbreken culture is described as more on the conservative side. A staple in Baanbreken folklore is the concept of the "Yeoman Farmer", a cultural identidy which is praised throughout the agrarian society, which is a class of landowning farmers. Baanbreken culture is rather undiversified due to the rigid, conservative ways of most of the country and the stroing racial divide and apartheid laws. Traditional Baanbreken values are centered around the family, which reflects the devloutionized country as a whole, but the cultures of each state are distinct and vary due to their enviorment and local governments.
Music
Baanbreken music comes in all forms, but the most popular genres are "Easy Listening" (Baanbreken: Maklik luisterbaar), Rock 'n' roll, and Folk (Baanbreken: Volksmusiek). The most popular themes in Baanbreken music is love or heartbreak songs and blues. Despite the rapid change in music, most classic Baanbreken and older songs remain popular, particularly with adults. Vinly records and turn tables are the most fashionable and popular to play music on among the Baanbreken with most major music companies making a large portion of their profits from selling turn tables. Although now in retirement, Baanbreken music artist Bern Wessels is the most famous artist and currently holds the record for the most sales of music in Kleinberg, with his songs "Liefling", "Lied Van Die Lewe", and "Annakie" respectively being the top three songs in Kleinberg over the past five decades.
Economy
Reflective of the culture and society, the Baanbreken economy is based around free-market agriculture. Ranging from subsistant farming to corporate-plantation farming, most employed and self-employed citizens work in direct or supporting agricultural jobs. As a result of most land in Kleinberg being cultivated farming land, the industrial base of the country are centralized in urban centers built around the coast. Most localities are dominated by small, family owned buisnesses, but due to these jobs not being handed out to "outsiders", most immigrants or natives are forced to find employment in one of the many monopolies in Kleinberg. There are no anti-trust laws, which leads to questionably large companies. As a result, most companies have swathes of influence over government policy, A common tactic to retain wealth is the use of "Company Scrips". Company scrips are forms of payment/currency to a company's workers which can only be accepted by company owned stores, effectively retaining all wealth paid out in wages.
Military
The Baanbreken military's origins start with the Kommando system, a system where a localities defence relies on home raised militias called Kommandos, sometimes called "Boswakkers". These Kommandos were made possible due to the civic and societal expectations of men, who at the ages 16 - 60 were expected to own a rifle and horse and were elligible to conscriuption in their local Kommandos. Due to the unreliance of these systems on a national scale and as Wikus Onselen's military modernization reforms, the Kommando system has been subsided for the use of a standing, professional army, the Kleinberg Weermag.
Civics
To be a citizen of Kleinberg, you must be direcetly related to the origional Baanbreken settlers of the region. Immigrants, or other minority groups, are treated as second class citizens. To be a member of a public/civil office, you must be Baanbreken. These citizens are represented and may propose legislation to the Volksraad, particularly the first house, Eerste Volksraad. The other obligations/criteria to be a citizen is that every man is to own a rifle, horse, and two weeks worth of subistance supplies. Although seemingly pointless, most Baanbreken already have such supplies due to the socital norms of Baanbreken life. The reason behind this requirment is the reliance on the Kommando system, the local militia system with conscripts men into "Kommando" or "Boswakkers" units for local or national defence. Citizen's rights and duties are outlined in the Kleinberg consitution.
Geography
Kleinberg is made up of three different distinct geographic regions. Dominating south Kleinberg, an oceanic climate consisting of mild summers, relative to the near-by semi-arid regions, and mild winters. Oceanic regions have narrow temperature ranges; there is a consistant temerperature with little spikes to extreme temperatures. This is homw to most of Kleinberg's urban centers and hosts the industrial and service potions of the economy. Central and north-western Kleinberg, making up most of the nation, is a semi-arid climate. Semi-arid climates are an intermediate climate betwwen humid and desert climates. Most vegitation in this region are short shrubs and grasses and due to the vastness of the semi-arid climate is a host to a large grazing-agricultural industry. In the north east part of Kleinberg exists the highlands. Highlands are elevated plateus consisting of large hills or mountains. These northern highlands are the origins for the name of "Kleinberg", which means "Small mountain".