Superior
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Republic of Superior | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: Our right, our land! | |
 | |
| Capital | Bayfield |
| Largest city | Superior |
| Official languages | English |
| Government | Presidential Republic |
• President | Edwin Mills |
• Deputy-President | Arthur Jackson |
| Legislature | State Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 35,841 sq mi (92,830 km2) |
| Population | |
• 2020 estimate estimate | 661,807 |
• Density | 18.4/sq mi (7.1/km2) |
| Currency | Superior Dollar |
| Time zone | CST |
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Internet TLD | .su |
Superior, officially the Republic of Superior, and less commonly known as the Republic of Northern Wisconsin or the Republic of Ontonagon, is a self-proclaimed breakaway state in the midwest region of North America. It borders the Mesabi Republic to the northwest, the Fort McCoy Military Administration and East Wisconsin to the south, and Lake Superior to the north. The southern border of the Upper Peninsula lie on Lake Michigan. Superior occupies an area of 92,830 km2 (35,841 sq mi) with a population of about 661,000 within. It consists of the counties of Polk, Barron, Rusk, Price, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest, Florence, Oneida, Vilas, Iron, Ashland, Sawyer, Washburn, Burnett, Douglas and Bayfield from the former state of Wisconsin, and the counties of Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counties in the Upper Peninsula. Its capital is Bayfield and largest city is Superior. Formed sometime after the nuclear attack on Washington D.C., the Republic of Superior maintains an official alliance with the Mesabi Republic, and has poor relations with the Fort McCoy Military Administration and East Wisconsin, the two other successor states in the former state of Wisconsin. Polk County is the only county of the Republic that borders the League of the Twin Cities, but the only border crossing remains closed.
Geography
The region that the Republic of Superior encompasses is known as the Northern Highland and was once a mountain range similar to the Alps or Rocky Mountains of today. Over hundreds of millions of years, these mountains were worn and flattened out by erosion and glaciation. The region is mostly a smooth plain, but it remains higher than the rest of the state and some hilly regions continue to exist. Located near the center of the region, Timms Hill in Price County is the highest point in Wisconsin, at an elevation of 1,951 feet (595 m) feet above sea level, where the highest point in the whole republic is Mount Arvon, elevation 1,979 feet (603 m) located in the Upper Peninsula. Other hills such as Rib Mountain also approach this elevation.
Whether hilly or flat, most of the republic is covered in woodlands. The most common trees of Northern Wisconsin are the Sugar Maple, Aspen, Basswood, Hemlock, and Yellow Birch, as well as Red and White Pine. A large amount of the forestland in the region is included within the 1,519,800-acre (6,150 km2) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. State and county forests also cover a significant part of the region, and only a small portion of the land is devoted to agriculture. Despite the absence of large cities, tourism is an important part of the local economy. The region’s numerous lakes and forests make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts during the summer season. The Upper Peninsula contains 16,377 square miles (42,420 km2). The maximum east–west distance in the Upper Peninsula is about 320 miles (510 km), and the maximum north–south distance is about 125 miles (201 km). It is bounded on the north by Lake Superior, on the east by St. Marys River, on the south by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and on the west by Wisconsin. It has about 1,700 miles (2,700 km) of continuous shoreline with the Great Lakes. There are about 4,300 inland lakes, the largest of which is Lake Gogebic, and 12,000 miles (19,000 km) of streams.
Wildlife
The wildlife of Superior includes whitetail deer, timber wolves, elk, moose, and bear. The Upper Peninsula contains a larger variety of wildlife. Some of the mammals found in the UP include shrews, moles, mice, white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, cougar, gray and red foxes, wolves, river otters, martens, fishers, muskrats, bobcats, coyotes, snowshoe hares, cotton-tail rabbits, porcupines, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossum and bats. There is a large variety of birds, including hawks, osprey, owls, gulls, hummingbirds, chickadees, robins, cardinals (the national bird), woodpeckers, warblers, and bald eagles. In terms of reptiles and amphibians, the UP has common garter snakes, red bellied snakes, pine snakes, northern water snakes, brown snakes, eastern garter snakes, eastern fox snakes, eastern ribbon back snakes, green snakes, northern ringneck snakes, eastern milk snakes (Mackinac and Marquette counties) and eastern hognose snakes (Menominee County only), plus snapping turtles, wood turtles, and painted turtles, green frogs, bullfrogs, northern leopard frogs, and salamanders. Lakes and rivers contain many fish such as walleye, muskie, northern pike, trout, salmon, bullhead catfish, and bass. Invasive species like the alewife and sea lamprey can be found in the Great Lakes. The UP also contains many shellfish, such as clams, aquatic snails, and crayfish. The American Bird Conservancy and the National Audubon Society have designated several locations as internationally Important Bird Areas.
Politics
Superior is a presidential republic. The president is directly elected for a maximum of two consecutive 4-year terms. The current President is Edwin Mills, and Deputy-President is Arthur Jackson. The government of Superior passed through a non-representative phase from 1999 to 2001; a semi-legislative second phase, which included the election of the legislature (the State Council (2001-2010); and a final period, when the government was transitioned to a representative system, where the legislature and president are elected by the people (2010-present).
Under the non-representative phase, the president with congressional approval, appointed members to the State Council. Local inhabitants did not elect these officials. During the second, or semi-legislative phase of government, the adults at least 18 years of age elected representatives to the legislature. In the semi-legislative phase of government, State Council could legislate for the republic, but the president retained absolute veto power.
Judicial Court
In the beginning of the republic, no provision was made for a popularly-elected government in the non-representative phase (1999-2001). Instead of separate legislative and judicial branches of the government, had the authority to appoint a General Court consisting of three judges. The judges were initially appointed by the president, who later delegated this authority to the State Council. Acting as the combined judicial and legislative government, the president and the three judges adopted the laws to govern the republic. In addition to working with the president on legislative issues, the judges presided over the General Court. When the republic entered the second or semi-legislative phase of government in 2001, the legislature gradually became the dominant branch and the judges focused on judicial matters. In 2009, as the republic progressed toward the final phase of government, three circuit courts were established.
Legislature
When the republic entered its second or semi-legislative phase of government in 2001, inhabitants were allowed to elect representatives to the unicameral legislature, the State Council.
After the formation of the new legislative body, each county in the republic was granted the right to elect representatives to the State Council. The president retained his veto powers, as well as his general executive and appointive authority, while the legislative assembly had the authority to pass laws, subject to the president's approval before they could be enacted. The change in governance also removed the judges' legislative powers, leaving the courts with only its judicial authority. The State Council originally had 32 members but was raised to 64 in 2009.
List of Presidents
- 1999-2007: Wayne Kolpak (Independent)
- 2007-2011: Harry Ross (National Party)
- 2011-2015: Kelvin Stanley (Labor–Farm Party)
- 2015-present: Edwin Mills (National Party)
Military
The military of Superior is a collection of militia units from each county (32 units) which are organized into the Superior State Defence Force (SSDF). Officially, SSDF consists only of volunteer units. In practice, the President can issue a decree allowing the SSDF to conscript able bodied individuals in times of national emergency. President Wayne Kolpak had created a legal framework for these local militia companies to organize, drill, and serve as a home guard units capable of handling state emergencies. Each district has one District Commander, who is in charge of recruiting, organizing, training and leading the District Militias. All district militia commanders are subordinate to the SSDF Command. In times of war, all 32 district militia units and their respective commanders are assembled and placed under direct control of the SSDF. Reports estimate that around 6,000 to 7,000 individuals are active servicemen, with a reserve force of 13,000 to 15,000. Women are not allowed to be in active service and are restricted to support roles. Most servicemen are stationed at strategic locations across the republic including (but not limited to) power plants, airports, harbors, police stations, courts, former Wisconsin National Guard armories, municipal buildings and radio stations. The Superior Naval Militia has around 500 volunteers and primarily conducts patrols of the various waterways and coastal areas of the republic. They are responsible for the security of maritime borders and prevention of piracy or smuggling. The Superior Air Patrol handles the management and security of airfields in the republic, and consists of mostly civilian aircraft with limited combat abilities.
Economy
The Republic of Superior is rich in mineral deposits, including iron, copper, nickel, and silver. Superior's economy is primarily focused on mining, forestry and agricultural activities. Cattle industries are also maintained. A number of industrial facilities exist, particularly around the higher population areas such as Superior and Marquette. Following the war in the 1998-99, Superior has struggled economically. Even the most developed parts of the country are largely rural, and the little industry the country has was largely damaged or destroyed. During the outbreak of the war, many large multi-national companies abandonded the area, leading to a shortage of internet providers, healthcare, electricity and common consumer goods. Electric distribution became controlled by the government subsidiary called the Northern Wisconsin Public Energy Service, which regulated electric and gas utility and managed the operations of power plants. Consumer goods had to be imported or produced domestically, which were then distributed to local grocery and hardware stores. Large multi-national corporations such as Wal-Mart, Menards or BP no longer exist in the state, and their buildings have been demolished or repurposed into local variants. Large food processing plants owned by foreign companies were nationalized in order to ensure a steady supply of domestically produced food.
Although allowed to cross the border into the Mesabi Republic, citizens in Superior are not able to work abroad, and have since had to find jobs locally in mines, farms or small factories. White collar jobs made up a small portion of the work force and many workers are skilled tradesmen or unskilled laborers. Common jobs include farm-hands, miners, construction workers, factory laborers and stevedores. Republic authorities created state-run farms run by the CCC alongside private farms to employ workers and boost local production of food items and thus reducing the need for such imports. For this purpose, the area planted with wheat, corn, beans and potatoes. The Superior Department of Agriculture also imports some tractors from Jackson in the Red River Incorporated Cities, as no tractors are made domestically. However, one factory (the Phillips Tractor Factory) is currently under construction to produce tractors, bulldozers, and other agricultural equipment.
To aid with the rebuilding of the republic after the war, the Superior Department of Labor created its own Civilian Conservation Corps as a work relief program. It provided manual labor jobs related to the exploitation and development of natural resources in rural lands owned by national and local governments, the rebuilding of residential and industrial areas affected by the war, and the reconstruction of road and rail infrastructure. The CCC is designed to supply jobs for young men and to relieve families who had difficulty finding jobs during recovery from the war. TThe CCC provides workers with shelter, clothing, and food, together with a monthly wage. The CCC holds the authority to relocate workers wherever needed around the republic, giving valuable manpower to places like mines and factories. The Department of Labor, working with the still young Superior Department of Corrections implimented prison labor, and set able-bodied eligible prisoners to work on hard labor jobs.
Mining
Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula are home to a number of derelict mines that had become unprofitable in the early to mid 1900s. The Superior Department of Mining was quick to survey and re-open mines in order to create revenue from exports. Flambeau Mine, a major producer of copper, gold and silver was expanded and more workers were relocated to the area. The Quincy Mine near Hancock, UP was reopened for full scale operation for the first time since 1945. This also included the repair and re-opening of the Quincy Mining Company Stamp Mills, the Quincy Dredge Number Two, and the Quincy Smeltery. A workforce was also relocated to the area to staff the operation. The Cliffs Shaft Mine, formerly a museum, was refitted and re-opened for the first time since 1967, continuing underground iron mining in the area. The CCC has moved thousands of workers to these mines to avoid staffing issues. While lagging well behind modern standards for saftey and productivity, the mining industry creates valuable exports of raw minerals and provides jobs to many. Silica sand mining business has more than doubled since the war ended because of the need for this particular type of sand, which is used in a process known as hydraulic fracturing. Superior produces 60% of all silica used in the former United States. Facing an industrial mining boom, being dubbed the "sand rush" because of the new demand from large oil companies for silica sand, Superior ships frac sand by rail to places like the Dakotas by rail, and Pennsylvania by bulk cargo ship.
Forestry
The forest products industry is the number one employer in Florence, Iron, Lincoln, Price, Rusk, and Sawyer counties. In Langlade county alone, lumber generates 422 jobs, 495 indirect jobs and an economic impact of close to $65 million annually. Forestry equipment had proved to be expensive and difficult to acquire, so the industry is also behind on modern standards. MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company (Luck, Polk County) is a major producer of hardwood lumber.
Agriculture
The climate and topography of Northern Wisconsin is favorable to both arable crops and livestock grazing. The nation has a short growing season, but lacks much of the natural disasters that threaten crops. In the Upper Peninsula, agriculture is limited, though potatoes, strawberries and a few other small fruits are grown. In the southern part of the nation, production of corn for silage and snap beans for processing make up a large portion of farming operations. Oats, potatoes, carrots, and sweet corn for processing are also common. Superior is a major exporter of Maple syrup, due to the abundance of maple trees. State-run farms managed by the CCC provide thousands of jobs all over Northern Wisconsin, and are crucial for the production of foodstuffs. Private farms are still common, but the state encourages farmers to hire local workers. F&A Dairy, a major dairy products producer located in Dresser (Polk County), produces $170 million of revenue for Superior.
Electricity
As the war ended, the government took control of many critical industries, one of such is energy. The newly created Department of Electric Power re-opened several old or outdated power stations and connected them to the national power grid, including two coal-fired plants. This process took time, as many old power stations rely on old technology or equipment so it's not uncommon to see old power plants in modern operation. Superior generates a total of 621 MW of electricity domestically, with hydroelectric dams providing 38% of all electricity generated at 241 MW. Old or smaller hydroelectric stations are in the process of being modernized or expanded to produce as much power as possible as often as possible. While only having two generating stations, natural gas makes up for 29% at 183 MW. Since natural gas must be constantly imported, the state has planned no new natural gas power plants. The republic hosts three coal-fired power plants, two of which (Shiras Station and Escanaba Generating Station) were previously decomissioned but re-opened shortly after the end of the war due to rising energy shortages. Coal must also be imported, so the Department of Electric Power Industry only maintains the plants until alternatives can be found. Coal makes up for 22% at 141 MW. Biomass, refuse and solar come in last, with an estimated 55 MW being generated. The largest hydroelectric dam is the Edison Sault Power Plant in Sault Ste. Marie on the St. Marys River, generating 27 MW. The second largest is Saint Croix Falls Hydro in Polk County on the Saint Croix River, generating 23.2 MW. The Department of Electric Power has started construction of a 67 megawatt boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR) in Bayfield similar to that of the Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant. If successful, the department will issue the construction of several more along coastlines in an attempt to replace natural gas and coal power stations.
Since the war, Superior and its economy has been critically dependent on its agricultural and lumber exports as the mining industry continues to develop. The estimated per capita income is $31,995 RSD.
Transportation
Large scale projects to revive the rail industry have been in progress since the end of the war. The Wisconsin Northern Railroad, Wisconsin Central Ltd. and Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad were all nationalized after the war and released as government subsidiaries. The Indianhead Central Railroad is currently the newest rail company funded by the government of Superior and investors from other nearby nations. Its trackage follow the old Gandy Dancer Trail from Dresser to Superior, with intermittent branch lines. The rail service sector has a majority of its activities come from mining (iron, copper and frac sand), forestry (wood, pulp and paper) and agricultural products. The rail service sector has become more profitable since the formation of the republic, as the trucking industry was struggling to import trucks, spare parts and fuel to continue mass road transport. The government has been funding and encouraging the use and construction of railways for passenger and cargo transportation. The rail service employs the use of EMD GP15-1, EMD SD38-2, EMD SD40M-2 and EMD SD40M-2 locomotives, and is in the process of opening a manufacturing center for the construction and development of new locomotives and parts.
The trucking industry declined sharpy after the war. The importation of motor vehicles, especially heavy duty vehicles and tractor-trailers became near impossible. Fuel prices for gasoline and diesel spiked and road transport became very unprofitable and unreliable. Spare parts for vehicles became difficult to acquire. More companies turned to the rail service sector to transport and export their goods, most of which to the Mesabi Republic or through the great lakes to nations to the east and Canada.
Maritime Transport remained strong even after the end of the war. Transportation by water plays a vital role in the transport of bulk commodities such as agricultural products, taconite, and forestry products, as well as foreign imports and heavy machinery. Ports in the republic provide an important transportation alternative that other nations in the former United States simply cannot offer to their manufacturers, shippers, and suppliers. Superior's harbors and ports serve as important hubs of economic activity for manufacturing, shipbuilding, cargo handling, passenger ferry services, transportation logistics, commercial fishing, and as recreational centers. Each year, Superior's ports handle some 29 million tons of cargo worth an estimated value of over $5 billion. Nations without water access will sometimes ship goods by rail to the Republic and export goods via ports.
Culture
Sports
The Indianhead Junior Hockey League is the single most popular sport in Superior. The league was created by the government and local hockey associations to boost tourism in rural areas. Every year, thousands of attendees from Superior, Mesabi Republic, Red River and parts of Canada all come to spectate the IJHL. There had been proposals to combine the hockey associations of the Mesabi Republic and the IJHL, but have since been disregarded for political reasons.
List of IJHL Teams:
- West Marshland Lions
- Swiss Township Wolves
- St. Joseph Bloodhounds
- River Valley Eagles
- Thornapple Buccaneers
- North Valley Northmen
- Maple Plain Knights
- Indian Creek Chieftains
- Hillsdale Warriors
- East Farmington Trojans
- Dairyland Antlers
- Alden Township Bearcats
- Almelund Mustangs
Last season, the St. Joseph Bloodhounds secured their first IJHL championship, defeating the Almelund Mustangs 5-3. In third place came the Maple Plain Knights.