Chibalba

Republic of Chibalba la República de Chibalba
Flag
Motto: "Tuméen le na' ujo' yéetel yuum k'iino' unidos sobrevivi" United by Mother Moon and Sun Priest we survive
Chibalba is located in southeastern Madurin, Teremara.
Capital and largest city	Itznam
Official languages	Chibalban
Demonym(s)	Chibalban
Government	Constitutional Federal Presidential Republic
• Premier	Estrella de Septeportes
• Presidente	Verano de Esmeralda
• Minister of the Interior & Vice Premier	John Carvallo
Legislature	Parlement
Establishment
• Founding of Chibalba	854
• Exchange of Ideas	1510 - 1739
• Gaulic Rule	1740 - 1794
• Le désordre	1794 - 1830
• First Republic	1858 - 1918
• Regency Commitee	1918 - 1938
• Ebony Palisade	1938 - 1989
Area
•	985,750 km2 (380,600 sq mi)
Population
• 2020 census	63,963,271
• Density	65/km2 (168.3/sq mi)
Currency	Chibalban Domar (D) (DC)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right

Chibalba is an egalitarian society founded in the 800’s. It resisted conquest by Espicuta in the early 1500's, but later invited Terre des Gaules subjugation in 1740 only to overthrown Gaulic rule during the Gaulic Revolution in 1789. She has been ruled by heroes and villains with greater and lesser success. Chibalba instituted democractic rule in 1858 under President Cualli Aguinaldo-Miats after seven years of struggle during the War for Unification. In 1923 the Marxist-Communist party came to power and didn’t relinquish it until 1989. She is still in the throes of capitalist reform, struggling to remake herself for the modern age.

Chibalba is a nation with potential. Only in the last 30 years has it thrown off the yoke of communism and the specter of that haunts the land. Chibalban technology and culture struggle to come into the modern age. Her antiquated state-run industries waste resources and promote inefficiency. The private market cannot meet customer demand, but few consumers can afford shiny, new foreign goods. Her people are well-read, educated, hard-working, and enterprising, but they lack the means and experience to capitalize on their abilities. Chibalba has a proud history, her indigenous peoples resisted Espicuta conquest and survived 50 years of Terre des Gaules rule while retain a hold on their native culture. She has moved past mercurial rule by heroes and villains and subjugation to a Communist manifesto. Chibalba looks to the future and wonders what it holds for her people.

History

Antiquity (pre-854)

Chibalban Timeline

~5000 BC	Xa’ro sea peoples reach the coastal areas of present-day Chibalban
2903 BC	Pelenenle tribe migrates onto the Ixokta Plain, found city of Yonnaro on the Tu’ja River.
1236 BC	Four Cities Period as Pe’emi, Ta’axil, Talxan, and Nahaurax dominate the Ixokta Plain.
1027 BC	Island city of Xcalak (Ka’tuanan) founded.
513 BC	City of Rauniakai founded on the Gocopa Plateau (Mele Gorge on the Tipi’ut’ja River).
392 BC	Rauniakai subjugates the city-states of the Gocopa Plateau.
200 BC	Rauniakai conquers Pe’emi and Talxan spreading its dominance into the Ixokta Plain.
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Geography

Geographic Regions

Chibalban is a land of extreme terrains.

The Coastal Lowlands are dominated by tropical jungle. Mangrove swamps form estuaries where the inland river systems meet the sea.

Inland from the coast is the Ixokta Plain, the broad forested plains that are the breadbasket of the nation.

West are the Canyon Lands, the Tlota'bral, broken karst topography carved into a maze of canyons, valleys, and pinnacles by the Semoe’a River.

Ringing the Ixokta Plain to the west and north is the high (2000m above sea level) Gocopa Plateau. Along the eastern and southern edges of the plateau is the Tu’tora Rise, a 148km long, 350m high escarpment that runs along the eastern edge of the plateau.

Dividing Chibalba from Aestralis in the northeast are the Omacatl Mountains - the lofty volcano dotted Central Peaks (no passes under 4000m and the highest peak, the Witso’ Gran Miis, at 5400m).

To the west are the Cabracana Mountains - with elevations between 2500 and 2700m.

To the east, forming the border with San Rosito are the Cuatzul Mountains - with summits at about 3000m.

In the northwest corner are the jungle highlands of Poneho in the State of Xanameka.

In the far west are the jungled highlands of Narai in the State of Macatl.

Offshore in Katuan Bay are the Katuan Isles: Great Katua to the east, Tohil (in the north), Ukuxkaj (in the west), Pichantoa (dead center), and Edza’tlan (to the south), with a plethora of smaller islands, reefs, shoals, atolls, and cays.

460km south of the mainland are the Outer Islands and the archipelago of San Nicholas: Esmergarde Cay, San Isobel, Saint Catherine, Nedger Cay, the Dozier Pinnacles, Altamarina Cay, Fortunada, and San Nicholas.

Politics

Government

Local elections are held for municipal, district, and state offices – term lengths vary depending upon office. National (Parlement) elections are every four years. Deputés du Parlement are allocated based on population size to each Circonscription Législative (district); generally, these are contained within the borders of an État. The party that elects the most Deputés selects the Gabinette de Ministeres and the Premier. The Premier is Chibalba’s functional leader, s/he lives in the Palais de K'áak'Náabo' in the national capital of Itznam. Every five years since 1995 the États hold elections to select the President, Chibalba’s ceremonial head-of-state. As of 2024, the Palais Presidential in Chelix is nearing completion (built on the site of the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Helena, which itself was built on top of the Pyramid of the Moon Goddess).

États

State of Acan along the southeast coast produces wine, coffee, cocoa, koka, sugarcane, rice, hot peppers, hemp, cotton, bananas, avocados, citrus, papaya, guava, mangos, coconut, palm oil, and ethnobotanical pharmaceuticals. It has a long tradition of distilled spirits. Fishing is important along the coast and in the Kiri River. Previously known for smuggling, Kiri’anam is a major port.

State of Awilix in the west on the Gocopa Plateau, is the major petroleum producing state of Chibalba, it also produces copper, nickel, bauxite, marble, salt, limestone, and coal. Goats and woolly sheep are raised in higher elevations. Cotton. Awilix has several hydroelectric dams. It is also home to the Satap’omti Canal.

State of Bacab in the central Ixokta Plain, is onne of the major agricultural states of Chibalba: cattle, wheat, corn, vegetables, soybeans, cotton, avocados, cassava, watermelon, papaya, and citrus. Previously known for raising horses.

State of Bolon along the south coast is a major maritime and agricultural state. It is well known for exotic hardwoods, coffee, cocoa, koka, sugarcane, rice, pineapple, palm oil, oranges, tangerines, coconut, mangos, guavas, tomatoes, melons, hot peppers, hemp, bananas, and ethnobotanical pharmaceuticals. And fishing!

State of Cabrakan encompasses most of the Tlota'bral (Canyon Lands) in the west. It produces gold, emeralds, jade, copper, limestone, and marble.

State of Cha'ac in the highlands of the east, produces sugarcane, maize, bananas, rice, pineapple, potatoes, palm oil, cassava, koka, citrus, watermelon, papaya, melons, and tomatoes.

State of Ekchuaja in the northern Gocopa Plateau, produces potatoes, maize, bananas, copper, coal, petroleum, natural gas, nickel, bauxite, marble, salt, limestone, and coal. Goats and woolly sheep are raised in higher elevations. Ekchuaja has several hydroelectric dams. Ekchuaja is best known for its coffee production!

State of Hunbatz in the east between the mountain ranges, produces bananas, maize, potatoes, cassava, citrus, koka, cocoa, and coffee. Some petroleum and coal are mined here. Goats and sheep are raised in the highlands.

State of Katua the southern islands are home to the natin's largest fishing fleet. Tourism is big business here. Beneath Katua Bay are vast petroleum reserves. This state also has vigorous pearl, shellfish, and shrimp industries. Katua is home to a large shipbuilding industry: specializing in wooden sailing vessels and racing yachts.

State of Macatl ...under construction...

State of Muzencab ...under construction...

State of Techibco ...under construction...

State of Uyabxo ...under construction...

State of Xanameka ...under construction...

Political Parties

During the Communist Era the Marxist-Communist Pars de Páawo'ob Petasum] (PPP or "Red Hat") held firm control of all the levers of power and maintained them through strict government policies. Other parties existed, but they were underfunded, understaffed, and unable to do more than fill a few seats in Parlement. The widely public failure of the communist system in 1989 engendered a host of new, diverse, and often radical political parties. Local elections in 1990 saw massive losses by the PPP. National elections in 1992 ushered in sweeping changes. The newly minted Pars de Changement Institutionnel (PCI), standing on a platform of business-friendly change swept into power. The more radical Pars Libéral (PL) gained the second most seats; the PPP was a distant third. Since then, local and national elections have seen frequent trade-offs in power between the PCI and PL. 2016 saw the first members of the Pars de Ecologiqué (PE) seated in Parlement. The PPP has been consigned to a dust heap of political irrelevance.

Economics

Chibalba has large coal reserves. It has vast hydroelectric potential. Large petroleum reserves exist offshore and beneath the Coastal Lowlands. Mines in the Canyon Lands once produced vast quantities of gold and emeralds. Chibalba possesses significant amounts of nickel, copper, and bauxite along with small amounts of iron ore. Nonmetallic mined minerals include salt, limestone, sulfur, gypsum, dolomite, barite, feldspar, clay, magnetite, mica, talcum, and marble. Despite the variety of minerals available for exploitation, Chibalba still had to import iron, copper, and aluminum to meet its industrial needs. Minerals, in particular coal, oil, and natural gas, and nickel have played an important role in Chibalba’s GDP and foreign trade over the last 20 years. But mining and petroleum technology is antiquated and inefficient.

Chibalba’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, fishing, and petroleum. Coastal communities rely on fishing and shrimping. Chibalba's large fishing industry often runs afoul of international Fisheries Treaties.

Infrastructure

Chibalban doesn’t have a home grown auto industry or national highway system. Automobiles are heavily taxed luxury items out of reach of most consumers. Vehicles on the road are the well-kept remnants of Communist era imports. In antiquity the Twin Thrones built a system of canals and waterways connecting all the cities under their dominion, the current State struggles to maintain these. Railroads built during the Communist Era largely replaced the aging canals and barges and continue to be the most economical means of moving goods and people throughout the country. Many inland families maintain motorboats and barges. The flower barges of Chelix are considered a national treasure. Nearly everyone living near the coast knows how to sail, and sailboat racing is second only to soccer in terms of national passions. Every four years the Itznam’s Favor Regatta draws visitors from throughout the country as they cheer on their favorite captains and crews.

Culture and Society

Equality is the hallmark of Chibalba: it has no strict gender roles or standards. Founded under the Twin Thrones of Chelix and Itznam, the character of the nation maintains that duality. Chelix was the center of the worship of the Moon Goddess Ixchatla, deity of fertility, the harvest, and childbirth. It is called the Mother City and dominates the inland plains region. Chelix was united through marriage to the coastal city of Itznam. The Father City dedicated to Itzaman, the god of the sea, fishing, medicine, writing, calendars, and cacao. These two cities came to dominate all ancient Chibalba and continue to exert their influence over the culture and character of the nation.

The people of Chibalba are not terribly religious. They are a pragmatic people, their beliefs are ingrained in science, and they have largely outgrown religion. Traditionally, outside of the Twin Capitals, each tribe, city, and region had their own gods, beliefs, and customs. While the faith that was behind them as faded, these beliefs and gods live on as cultural hallmarks, customs, and symbols in the traditions, food, festivals, music, art, and sports teams of individual cities and states.

Traditional indigenous shamanic medicine, especially herbalism, is very much still in practice in Chibalba, supported by a rather inefficient universal healthcare system. She has some of the best doctors in the world, but they rely on woefully antiquated facilities and technology. Education from pre-school through university is free in Chibalba, a remnant of the country’s communist past. Her populace is well-read, well-educated, and most speak several languages.

Chibalba has a tradition of service ingrained since the early days of under the Twin Thrones. Military service for all 18-year-olds is mandatory. While many young people chose military careers, public service is also popular, especially teaching. Truly lucrative careers are absent. There is little difference in the standard of living between the richest and poorest of Chibalba, sadly no one has much. This is slowly starting to change with the capitalist reforms, but it remains to be seen how this will impact the working people of the nation.

Chibalba’s entertainment industry is in its infancy. The home-grown music industry has taken off, but most people grew up consuming foreign media and continue to rely on foreign movies and games. The publishing industry is strong, especially books and newspapers. During the Communist Era publications were State-owned and run and tightly controlled – edited reprints of foreign novels were popular. Since ’89 native authors have flourished, and publishers have free reign to print what they want. Personal computers are heavily taxed luxury items and still out of reach for most consumers. The software industry is hampered by lack of access to tools and technology.

Everyone in Chibalban plays and watches soccer. Regional and city teams compete in a yearly National Cup that is traditionally played in either Chelix or Itznam – though over the past five years other cities have put together bids to host, none have managed to find success. Team mascots can be traced directly back to Chibalban’s ancient pantheon of tribal and regional deities. The Raunaikai Ek-Chuuj (Black War Chiefs) are the current National Champions. Chibalba's ancient sport of Pokolpok is popular in remote areas and among some very old families.

While each state, region, and city have their own specialty foods and flavors, the Chibalba national cuisine is the Bak' ti' jump'éel che' (or Jump sandwich): a surf-and-turf on a bun. Charcoal grilled skewered chunks of shrimp, fish, beef steak, onion, and sweet peppers seasoned with hot peppers, cilantro sauce, and cacao served hot on a sliced baguette.

Language

The Chibalban language came to dominate the nation under the Twin Thrones as the language of those in power. Through internal trade and commerce, it became the language of all regions, stealing from tribal tongues and local dialects when needed. Escaped slaves and emigres from other nations of Teremara added their own words and phrases to the national patois especially where the Chibalban language had no words to describe foreign technologies. Adoption of the Latin alphabet and Arabic numerals allowed for easier introduction of new words and concepts. Fifty years of rule by Terre des Gaules added its own unique character to the language. Since 1989 foreign words and phrases have inundated the Chibalban lexicon; media and institutions struggle to keep up. Most commonly spoken languages in Chibalba are Chibalban, Espicutan, Gaulic, English, Austrakian, Qachari, Achaji, Ijija, Naya, Kachaya, Azkthosu, & Unchi (many more indigenous languages spoken by less than 100k persons).