Mava

Kingdom of Mava Makilaki'aké 'a Máva (Mavean)
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: "Likaa'ki Kékalak 'a ta Kéakan'u 'a Lowka" (Mavean) "Take Heed of the Leadings of God" Royal motto: "Koila kile Kuaa Kiak" (Mavean) "Faith and My Truth"
Anthem: Lowka Akalauma'ki Máva (Mavean) "God Bless Mava"
Location of Mava (red)
Capital and largest city	Paas
Ethnic groups	94.3% Mavean 3.1% Part-Mavean 2.6% Others
Demonym(s)	Mavean Mavanese
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Monarch	Káakaia IV
• Prime Minister	Nua Kiuiáké
• Assembly Speaker	Vauta Laumasi
Legislature	Legislative Assembly
Independence from TBC
• TBC	TBC
Area
• Total	1,734 km2 (670 sq mi)
• Water (%)	negligible
Population
• 2020 estimate	73,129 (TBC)
• Density	42.17/km2 (109.2/sq mi) (TBC)
GDP (PPP)	2019 estimate
• Total	748.25 million
• Per capita	10,232
GDP (nominal)	2019 estimate
• Total	667.52 million (TBC)
• Per capita	9,120 (TBC)
Currency	Mavean pua (MPU)
Time zone	UTCTBC (TBC)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+218
Internet TLD	.mv

Mava (Mavean: Máva), officially the Kingdom of Mava (Mavean: Makilaki'aké 'a Máva) is an island country located in Triania, consisting of two main islands, Mava Naik and Mava Liteki, and the smaller island of Mava Makaka. With a total area of 1,734 km² (670 sq mi), and roughly 73,000 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest sovereign states in the world, in both land and population. The capital and largest city is Paas, located on Marva Naik.

Mava is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, with Káakaia IV as king and head of state. Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Legislative Assembly, from which is appointed the Prime Minister, who serves as head of government. The economy of Mava is dependent on tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The majority of the inhabitants of Mava are indigenous Mavean, with a small number of part Mavean and the remainder largely immigrant workers and retired expatriates.

History

Arrival of Eguilondo

In July 1867, Ibarmentudiak adventurer and convicted fraudster Otaño Eguilondo arrived in Mava, after having read a number of books on the Antarctic. He had been inspired by stories of travellers creating new societies in newly-discovered lands, and mistakenly believed that the population of Mava was little more than a few hundred. He landed at the modern settlement of Kaá'i in late July and immediately made contact with the local people. Initially surprised at the larger population than previously believed, he quickly ingratiated himself into the local community, using his talent for deceit to establish some influence. He claimed that he was a member of the deposed Aguirregoitiafelipenas dynasty, taking advantage of the Mavean custom of affording reverence to persons of a higher class, irrespective of their background. By 1870, he had fully adopted a Mavean identity, taking the name Kasák Tanána and marrying a local woman, who died shortly after the birth of his first child.

In 1875, he was elected leader of Mava Naik, the largest and most populous of the Mavean islands. His election was bolstered by repeated claims of royal ancestry as well as claims of a planned Ibarmentudiak invasion, which he pledged he could avert. In 1878, he proclaimed himself King of Mava on grounds of being the class equal of any potential coloniser. He took the name Káakaia II, claiming "spiritual decent" from the semi-mythical chief Káakaia, who is believed to have ruled in the seventeenth century, and issued a number of decrees establishing a new nobility and political system based on his homeland. Shortly after his accession, he married Náakala Kingup, the daughter of the previous ruler, thus further cementing his claim to leadership.

Geography

The country comprises two main islands, Mava Naik and Mava Liteki, which are separated by the Mava Strait.

The country comprises two main islands, Mava Naik and Mava Liteki, separated by the Mava Strait, and the smaller Mava Makaka. Mava Naik is the largest of the island (1386 km²), followed by Mava Liteki (305 km²) and Mava Makaka (44 km²). Together, these islands and the surrounding rocks and islets make up the Mava Islands, for which the country is named. The two larger islands are characterised by their long east-to-west coastlines, with Mava Naik being approximately 77 km long and 18 km wide. Mava Liteki is 11 km long and 4 km wide. The smallest of the main islands, Mava Makaka, is approximately 15 km long and 3 km wide.

Approximately 30 percent of Mava Naik is covered in Magellanic subpolar forests, mostly in the south. The forests are home to a variety of flora. The southern beech (Nothofagus) is a common tree across the Mava islands. Because of the mostly untouched nature of many of these forests, a variety of animals have successfully established habitats. Amongst Mava's fauna include the southern river otter, the Magellanic woodpecker, the Trianian sierra-finch, and the Trianian condor.

Climate

Mava has a maritime climate, sitting in the transition region between the tundra (Köppen classifications ET) and subarctic zones (Cfc). The climate is characterised my a minimal temperature range across days and seasons. There is no marked wet and dry season, with the climate influenced by the cool ocean currents and southerly winds.

The average maximum temperature in January is around 12 °C (55 °F), whilst the July maximum average temperature drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). Average rainfall ranges from around 280-300mm in lowland areas to upwards of 1,500 mm in mountain terrain. Average rainfall is 890 mm. The weather is also characterised by humidity and high winds, the latter inspiring the name of the "Windy Islands". In wintertime, gales are particularly common. Despite the cold climate, snow is not common at any time of year, although it can appear in all months.

Climate data for Mava
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	25.6 (78.1)	23.4 (74.1)	22.1 (71.8)	22.9 (73.2)	16.6 (61.9)	14.3 (57.7)	13.0 (55.4)	14.8 (58.6)	15.6 (60.1)	18.0 (64.4)	19.7 (67.5)	21.9 (71.4)	25.6 (78.1)
Average high °C (°F)	12.0 (53.6)	12.1 (53.8)	11.3 (52.3)	9.5 (49.1)	6.7 (44.1)	5.4 (41.7)	4.8 (40.6)	5.0 (41.0)	5.7 (42.3)	7.2 (45.0)	8.8 (47.8)	10.7 (51.3)	8.3 (46.9)
Daily mean °C (°F)	8.2 (46.8)	8.4 (47.1)	7.7 (45.9)	6.1 (43.0)	3.8 (38.8)	2.6 (36.7)	2.0 (35.6)	2.2 (36.0)	2.7 (36.9)	3.9 (39.0)	5.2 (41.4)	7.0 (44.6)	5.0 (41.0)
Average low °C (°F)	4.5 (40.1)	4.7 (40.5)	4.0 (39.2)	2.8 (37.0)	1.0 (33.8)	−0.1 (31.8)	−0.7 (30.7)	−0.6 (30.9)	−0.4 (31.3)	0.5 (32.9)	1.7 (35.1)	3.4 (38.1)	−0.7 (30.7)
Record low °C (°F)	−1.7 (28.9)	−1.2 (29.8)	−2.4 (27.7)	−4.6 (23.7)	−7.4 (18.7)	−8.7 (16.3)	−9.1 (15.6)	−9.7 (14.5)	−7.8 (18.0)	−5.3 (22.5)	−4.6 (23.7)	−3.5 (25.7)	−9.7 (14.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	52.4 (2.06)	44.6 (1.76)	59.4 (2.34)	64.6 (2.54)	70.4 (2.77)	69.3 (2.73)	69.6 (2.74)	60.9 (2.40)	56.5 (2.22)	46.3 (1.82)	51.0 (2.01)	52.1 (2.05)	697.1 (27.44)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.2 mm)	7.9	7.3	9.2	9.7	12.0	10.7	12.1	9.7	9.1	8.1	8.4	9.1	113.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours	187.4	158.6	145.8	114.7	95.5	74.9	86.1	106.7	128.4	153.6	166.8	182.5	1,601
Source: Government of Mava

Government and politics

Káakaia IV
King of Mava
since 2013

Nua Kiuiáké
Prime Minister of Mava
since 2022

Mava is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government, in which political power is shared between an hereditary monarch and an elected parliament. The monarch, at present King Káakaia IV, serves as head of state, reigning by right of descent from the king Ta Kaikeka. Although nominally chief executive and vested with significant constitutional powers, the King is largely a figurehead, but nonetheless possesses certain significant constitutional powers within the government.

Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Legislative Assembly, which is composed of 45 members elected from single-member constituencies every two years. 38 members are elected in single-member constituencies, with the remainder elected to represent a national constituency on a party list. All laws are required to be submitted to the assembly and approved by its members before they are promulgated, with the power of the assembly significantly increasing from a previously rubber-stamp body to a powerful political body. The government is appointed from amongst the largest party or grouping in the Legislative Assembly by the King; the Prime Minister is appointed to head the government.

Mavean politics continues to be characterised by the dominance of the nobility, with the King's political power leading many observers to characterise Mava's political system as a semi-constitutional monarchy or a "monarchical anocracy". Political figures across parties continue to affirm their allegiance to the King, and policies affecting the King and royal family are largely avoided because of their controversial nature. In recent years, the King has devolved political power to the elected government, although he still formally retains all powers granted in the constitution.

Law

The Constitution of Mava is the fundamental law of the Kingdom of Mava, providing for a government based on the principles of human dignity, democracy, the rule of law, sustainability, and societal cohesion. The Mavean legal system is based on civil law implemented through a four-level court structure. The first level consists of summary courts, which deal with low-level crimes. The second level consists of criminal courts and district courts, which deal with criminal and significant financial cases respectively. The High Court hears appeals from the criminal and district courts, with the Supreme Court the court of final appeal. The Supreme Court also conducts constitutional reviews.

The judiciary is independent, with political interference explicitly prohibited. Judges are usually appointed for life, but are expected to retire at 75 unless requested to continue. Appointments are made by the King with the consent of the Legislative Assembly. Judges may only be removed by the King on the request of the Minister of Justice by command of the assembly.

Military

The defence of Mava is entrusted to the Royal Mava Armed Forces, which consists of the Royal Mava Army, the Royal Mava Naval Service, and the Royal Mava Air Force. The military is governed primarily through the National Defence Act, which provides that the armed forces, in the name of the King, is to defend Mava against internal and external threats, secure and patrol its territorial waters, and provide assistance and relief during times of disaster.

TAAK

TOKUKSIAGAK

MAVA

Paas

Aasqaalet

Taagokiajut

Sigaak

Saayup

Taak

Pmaak

Miilep

Kungaatiibisa

Districts of Mava

The Mavean Armed Forces, in its current form, came into existence on 1 May 1951. It was formed through the merger of the separate Royal Mava Ground Forces and Royal Mava Naval Force, and the creation of an independent air service as a third branch. There are currently around 1,200 service personnel enlisted in the armed forces, with 16 coastal patrol crafts and 3 aircrafts.

Administrative divisions

Mava is divided into 9 districts, 8 of which are located on the island of Mava Naik. The remaining district comprises the islands of Mava Liteki and Mava Makaka, and is named "The Islands". Each district, except The Islands, is governed by a locally-elected district council; The Islands is governed by an appointed governor due to the small population. For the Legislative Assembly, each district sends a number of members according to the population of that district.

Economy

The Mavean economy is described as "small, unmixed, and vulnerable," with a high dependence on fishing. Cod and salmon are important trading commodities and is the main employment for islanders and the single largest source of income. Because of this dependence, the economy is considered particularly vulnerable to changes in climate as well as competition from other nations, resulting in a comparatively per capita GDP of 9,120. The largest single employer is Ikámaa Siagak'akak Aké (National Fishing Company), which is a state-owned industry and employs between 25 and 35 percent of the country's working population.

Mining also constitutes an important part of the economy. Polymetallic nodules are present in Mava's territorial waters, with the mining of nickel, copper, and molybdenum providing an important boost to the economy from the 1980s. Recent attempts have been made to phase out mining as a source of national income and to create a maritime reserve. The Mavean government committed to pursuing a path towards reducing its dependency on mining, although little progress has been made.

Other important industries include finance and business (10.7%), housing (8.1%), and hospitality (5.3%).

Tourism

Tourism in Mava was undeveloped until relatively recently. Mava has become an increasingly popular tourist attraction for wildlife watching, outdoor activities, and cultural attractions. There are a number of rivers running across the islands that offer opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, prompting the growth of a service industry that is particularly prominent on Mava Liteki. Hiking and camping is also a popular pursuit, with Mava Makaka a common destination for going off-grid. In 2019, the Mavean Tourist Board released a campaign called "roughing it", which encouraged adventurers to visit Mava.

Despite its growth in recent years, tourism in Mava remains comparatively low. In 2020 the Department of Finance and Economic Development reported that tourism numbers for the period 2018-2019 stood at approximately 80,000, an increase from around 50,000 a decade earlier. Despite its recent emphasis on tourism as a source of national income, the government's annual economic report revealed that tourism accounts for only around 1.9 percent of the national economy.

Philately and numismatics

The Mavean government issues a number of commemorative stamps and coins, which has transformed into a significant part of the country's tourism industry.

Energy

Beginning in the 21st century, the government has sought to replace the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. The primary focus is on windpower, taking advantage of the natural climate. In 2013, five 330 kW turbines were installed on the outskirts of Paa. In 2018, three offshore turbines were installed, with a further two 100 kW turbines installed on Mava Liteki. As of 2023, there is limited capacity to store surplus wind energy, with an underdeveloped battery storage system.

Demographics

Education

Education is free and compulsory for all people between the ages of 6 and 16. It consists of five years of primary education, three years of lower secondary education, and two years of higher secondary education. It is publicly funded through the Department of Education, Children and Families and is free of charge.

Following the completion of higher secondary education, Maveans can choose to pursue further education until age 18, enter into employment, or undertake vocational training. There is one university - the University of Mava - and three higher educational institutions: the National Mavean College, the Paa City College, and the Medical School of the Mava Islands. Until the 1980s, the majority of post-16 students were men, but since then women have largely outnumbered men in 16-18 and university education. Men outnumber women in vocational training (except in nursing and teacher training).

Culturally, Maveans hold education and scholarship in high esteem, with a number of prominent Mavean academics and researchers considered important figures. The National Library of Mava, in Paa, serves as a repository for all doctoral and master's dissertations written by Maveans in any country, as well as scholarly publications by or about Maveans. This is publicly available free of charge.

See also

• Politics of Marva
• Culture of Marva

External links

• Marva. The Global Factbook. United Nations