Travel in Sel Appa

Sel Appa is a large country of over 1.3 billion inhabitants. It is located on the continent of Sel Appa, along with MassPwnage, Comunisticturkeys, and De Jewish Mafia. It is a quite diverse nation molding all walks of life together. With a history going back more than four millennia, Sel Appa today is quite modernised and enjoys a prosperous economy. Being a powerful and wealthy nation, it has a mixture of densely-populated urban areas with wide areas of low population and incredible natural beauty.

Regions

Nemnenait

Nemnenait is the most populous city in Sel Appa, and is also the capital. An enormous megalopolis, the city's business, financial and trading organizations play a significant role in the economy of the nation and in the region; as a result, the city has the largest regional economy in the country. The city is also one of the region's most important cultural centres.

The city is divided up into 15 sectors of 100km² each and has a population of over 35 million within a land area of 1500 km² (580 square miles), making it the most densely populated city in the region. With a population of over 50 million, the Nemnenait metropolitan area is one of the largest urban areas in the region.

Nemnenait has been a centre of the region's financial system for over four millennia and home to many of the region's most influential stock markets and financial institutions. In addition, it is the birthplace of many Sel Appan cultural movements. The city's cultural vitality has been fueled by immigration since its founding by farmers in 2500 BCE. Nemnenait is also notable for having the lowest crime rate and the highest tax burden among the ten largest Sel Appan cities.

Northern Sel Appa

Northern Sel Appa is the premier cultural, economical, and political hub of the nation that grew up around Nemnenait. It is made up of the provinces of: Anila, Anvorbuod, Demmahom, (North) Eniarku, Fellitshire, South Fellitshire, Fizroe Island, Reddingham, (Reddingham) Annex, Thurmann, and T'lopiq. This region makes up about 45% of the economy, more than any other. Almost all ports and economic centres are located in Northern Sel Appa.

Culturally, the region is very rich. The majority of Sel Appan music has originated in the north or based off of northern styles. A lot of top professional sports is played in the north as well. Currently 7 of the top 10 football clubs play in the north. The largest stadiums also are in the north. Ice hockey is also primarily a northern sport, with just under half of the hockey clubs being based in the north.

Politically, the region contains the capital, Nemnenait, and has long been a political centre. The early Sel Appan nation was centralized in the north. Much of the liberal political ideas originated and are based in the north, notably the democratic socialism that currently governs Sel Appa. A bastion of liberal and democratic thought, the north is also home to Fizroe Island, a symbol of the Grand Archduchy.

French Region

The French Region is a culturally rich part of Sel Appa that has contributed greatly to the arts and diversity in Sel Appa. It consists of the provinces: Belgique, Marseilles, Orleans, Paris, and Versailles. The region is home to the majority of Sel Appa's French-speaking population that has greatly influenced the nation linguistically. Furthermore, a significant amount of art has been generated by French Sel Appan artists. The architecture of this region is renowned throughout the nation for its beauty. The French Region also produces a significant number of footballers, the most well-known being Colin Patette.

Eastern Sel Appa

Eastern Sel Appa is a political hub that designed much of the original communist and socialist thought that gave birth to Sel Appan democratic socialism. It is also home to a majority of Sel Appa's ice hockey base. Main minority languages include Russian and Ukrainian. This region includes the provinces of: Boristag, Cyprus, Eniarku, Gorbachevstag, Josefstag, Khrushchevstag, South Khrushchevstag, Leninstag, Priat, Stalinstag, Vladimirstag, and Yulvanyin. It has produced several footballers, most notably goalkeeper Vasily Kashchenko.

Southern Sel Appa

With a more Oriental basis caused by the mixing of Sel Appa and MassPwnage, Southern Sel Appa adds a unique and diverse flavor to the nation. The cuisine of the region is reputed to be the best in the nation, reflecting its roots in MassPwnage. Many Oriental-style dishes that are popular in Sel Appa come from this region. It has also produced a few notable footballers that are currently on the national team, such as Kash Vasou. The Natives province adds another twist with a more "primitive" style of living. The region includes the provinces of: Datooi, Shanghai, Natives, Phork, Pukapuka, Thikket, and Thingpao.

Geography

Sel Appa is a quite large country at more than 10 million sq km in size. It is part of the continent of Sel Appa and borders the ocean in the west and north. To the east is De Jewish Mafia and Comunisticturkeys. To the south is MassPwnage. It is made up of 35 provinces and one capital-city, Nemnenait, that is often considered at the provincial level.

Sel Appa is surrounded on two sides by ocean. A notable body of water is Fizroe Gulf, a naturally protected body created by two penisulae. The nation's largest harbor and port, Nemnenait, borders Fizroe Gulf. Also, worth noting is the Fellitshire Maelstrom, an enormous underwater vortex. In addition, there is the Anvorbuod Bay in the west. Internally, there are many lakes and river systems that bring fresh water from deep in Sel Appa to the ocean.

Climate

The northern part of Sel Appa is mainly a temperate climate. It includes temperate deciduous forests and some open plains. The majority of the population lives in this climate and is generally considered the best representation of Sel Appan climate. There are four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Temperatures range from just below 0 degrees Celsius in winter to about 35 degrees Celsius in summer, however this is an extreme and temperatures rarely exceed 30 degrees in the summer. Humidity is fairly low in comparison to the rest of the country.

The southwestern coastal areas are of a tropical climate, enjoyed by vacationers year-round. Beautiful and clean beaches meander along the coast and are a great place for those who like warmth and sun. As part of the warmer southern climate, it really only has two seasons: wet and dry, comparable to other tropical and equatorial countries. There is no monsoon that comes during the rainy season, however there is a marked increase in rain and humidity. Temperatures range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

The majority of the southern portion of Sel Appa is tropical rainforest. It is very warm and humid, typical of tropical rainforests. Average rainfall is well above 2 metres per year, often reach 5 metres. The region is largely made up of tropical rainforests with settlements and cities dispersed all over. This region is much more rural and less densely populated than the other two. There is a distinct wet and dry season. The rainy season consists of daily rainstorms that replenish the water that evaporates daily. The humidity is high, but not uncomfortable. Temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Culture

Sel Appan culture is very complex and diverse due to its large size and large population. It generally conforms to a typical Western style that is largely liberal in thought. There are many things that distinguish Sel Appan culture from other Western cultures and this gives the country a unique identity, even with its mixed heritage. This unique blend has shaped Sel Appa for centuries and continues to do so, allowing the country to stay relevant and current.

Language

Sel Appa has two official languages: English and French. All languages are protected, and all students are required to learn English and French fluently, as well as a third--and sometimes fourth--language. The constitution prohibits any attempt to favor either English or French over the other, however, English is used in national government. Other significant languages include Esperanto, Hebrew, Mandarin, Russian, and Ukrainian. Students are also able to learn Arabic, Greek, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish, and other languages.

Sel Appan English is slightly modified from general English. The letters "c" and "x" represent the sounds /tʃ/ (lunch) and /ʃ/ (fish) respectively. Where "c" is used in normal English, it now is represented as "k" or "s" as needed. The letters "g" and "j" always represent /ɡ/ (goat) and /ʒ/ (measure)" respectively. (Also, the digraph "ph" is replaced with "f". In addition, many silent letters are removed, such as "ugh" in "through" and "though", which are now spelled "thru" and "tho" respectively. Spellings and words follow a mix of British and American styles (metre, licence, realise vs. color, maneuver, harbor). Attempts to reform spelling further have been tried, but no method has been found acceptable. (Example: "Tho I went thru the whole market, I did not even find any fiq for lunc. There was a goat with ruf wool that the vendor meajured on his scale.")

Sports

Sporting in Sel Appa is very widespread and virtually everyoe takes part in one sport or another. The most popular professional sport is football (soccer), with 30 teams in the Domestic League and an accomplished national team. Most children are introduced to football at a young age and many play in local "kiddie leagues". Those with talent are then likely to play for school and university teams. From there, professional teams may draft players they see that have promise. The national team is ranked in the top 25 and has entered the World Cup six times, qualifying thrice (not including WC36).

File:Ffsa logo4.PNG
Logo for the Football Federation of Sel Appa

Ice hockey is the other main popular professional sport. It runs back-to-back with football and has its own, albeit smaller, Domestic League. Sel Appans do not follow the national hockey team well. Regardless, it has only seen one international tournament: World Cup of Hockey 3. Street hockey is quite popular in middle schools and amongst early teens who play it themselves in self-organized leagues.

Other popular sports include archery, athletics (track), boating, (mountain/tree/wall)climbing, cross-country equestrian, tetherball, wrestling (Mongolian-style), as well as cricket and basketball to some degree. It is culturally expected of children in Sel Appa to be able to take part in most of these sports to make them as fit and able as possible.

Religion

Religion is not a major issue in Sel Appa. Publicly, everyone is atheist and religion is generally kept to oneself. Religion rarely influences thought and morals, unlike in many other countries. It does, however, exist. There is a sizable Jewish population, as well as, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, and others. Christianity is virtually nonexistent and is not thought of highly by most Sel Appans.

Cuisine

The typical Sel Appan diet is high in complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. The government subsidises production of grain, fruit, and vegetables. Examples are barley, maize, rice, apples, oranges, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and carrots. Meat and fish is frowned upon in massive quantities, however beef, chicken, and turkey are widely available and eaten. Fish is rarely eaten despite its potentially wide availability.

The most popular foods are pancakes and soup, which come in dozens of varieties. Often, they are combined in a meal. Pancakes are made from virtually every grain available, including acorn which is popular amongst wildernessmen and campers. The national soup is called Supen (soo-pen). It is made up of barley, rice, maize, onions, potatoes, carrots, and many spices. Besides the main national cuisine, that originated in the area around Nemnenait, Oriental and Jewish cuisines are quite popular. This is due to the close proximity of MassPwnage and De Jewish Mafia.

Holidays

Sel Appa celebrates several days of the year nationally as holidays. Generally, nonessential labor is not at work and the government closes. The first holiday of the year is the vernal equinox and is equivalent to New Year's in other countries. It is considered the beginning of the year by most because it originally was in ancient Sel Appa. A few days later is Sel Appa Day on 1 April. It is similar to independence days in other countries and celebrates Sel Appa. Fireworks, bonfires, parades, music and public gatherings are organized. It is the anniversary of the formation of the current Republic. Next is Socialist Day on 1 May, which celebrates the workers of Sel Appa and their vital contributions. A more minor, but important holiday is the summer solstice. It is celebrated with picnics, barbecues, and "get-togethers". French Day on 14 July celebrates the French culture that makes up a large part of Sel Appa society. Instead of Christmas, Hanuka, or similar holidays, Sel Appans celebrate the winter solstice. Families get together and gifts are exchanged in thanksgiving. Bonfires are also a major part celebrating the warmth created despite the cold temperatures. Finally, Civil Rights Day, on 15 January, celebrates the civil freedoms and rights enjoyed by all in Sel Appa.

Tourism

Sel Appa welcomes millions of tourists yearly. From business to vacation to exploration, people from all over the world enjoy visiting Sel Appa. There is no limit or quota on the number of tourists that may enter the country, however, there are, of course, restrictions similar to those followed by many Western countries. Regardless, it should not be hard for one to enter Sel Appa. There are many things to take into consideration when coming to Sel Appa.

Methods of Entry

There are several ways to enter Sel Appa. The main way is by plane. Usually, international flights land in Nemnenait International Airport or Anila City International Airport. These are the two largest airports in the nation and the only ones that serve nations that aren't on the Sel Appan continent. Air Sel Appa and Turtle Airlines are the main domestic carriers that will serve other countries. The second common way is by sea. Cruise ships often make harbor in one of Sel Appa's port cities. For those already on the continent, one may also take a train into Sel Appa. All three methods are considerably safe and streamlined ways of entry.

Visa

A visa is not required for:
-visitors from Comunisticturkeys, De Jewish Mafia, and MassPwnage
-visitors from any friendly nation for stays of under 60 days
-visiting sports teams for events
-other

You can apply for a visa at any Sel Appa embassy or consulate in your nation before you arrive. Alternatively, if you wish to extend your stay beyond the 60-day limit, you can apply at your embassy or consulate in Sel Appa. Most government offices also have application forms, which can be submitted at the office. These may take longer to process. Although it is best to apply in advance if you realize you may be staying beyond 60 days, you are given several days after you reach 60 to submit an application. Visas are almost always granted.

Entry

When you enter the country, you are issued a temporary ID card that lasts 60 days, after which you need to renew it. A visa automatically will renew your ID card. A grace period of several days is allowed beyond expiration so you can renew the card.

Customs

Customs will have you declare items that may be restricted. Restricted items must be registered. Items that are banned can be checked at the border or entry point and retrieved when you leave. Any contraband or unregistered items found on your person or among your possessions, inside the country, will be confiscated and you may be deported.

Restricted Items

-alcohol (no more than 8 alcohol units {80mL pure ethanol} may be brought into the country;alcoholic beverages are legal only for religious purposes, however, there is little enforcement as Sel Appans do not drink much alcohol)
-medications (virtually all medications are allowed in the country, regardless of if they legal;be sure to have the prescription with you or you may have to check the medications)
-artifacts/national treasures (these must have receipt and proof of approval from the country of origin, if there should be one)

Banned Items

-all drugs other than medications, ethanol, and caffeine (bags are usually all sniffed at the border and you may check any drugs you have at the border or entry point;penalties for bringing drugs into the country are very stiff)
-animals (pets are allowed in, however Sel Appa does not tolerate the trafficking of animals and will readily confiscate any animal that is believed to be involved in animal trafficking)
-animal products, such as ivory, endangered animal products, and any products from turtles are confiscated at the border and usually destroyed. Check with your travel agent or a Sel Appan embassy if you have a question about a certain item

Homosexuals

Sel Appans are very intolerant of homosexuals, however, this really only applies to homosexual behaviors. In the past, there has been strong prejudice against homosexuality. This has changed a lot, but it is best to keep a low-profile. Homosexual travelers should conceal their homosexuality (ie, not dress in drag, engage in homosexual behavior in public). The reason for the prejudice is the belief that homosexuality is unnatural and abnormal. There should be minimal, if any, problems if homosexuality is not publicized. If one's homosexuality is revealed, deportation is legal, but rarely used before a visa is needed.

Getting Around

There are plenty of ways to get around Sel Appa. The country has an enormous public mass transportation infrastructure that has rendered private automobiles almost obsolete. When visiting, one should at least tour their location on one form of mass transit. It can offer much excitement, as well as give a unique taste of the country.

Mass-Transit

The entire nation is an enormous network of several mass transportation systems. All of which are public and government-owned. As such, it is very cheap, even for foreigners. Expansive underground subways, known as the "Metro" connect parts of a city together and allow anyone to easily travel frm any part of a city to another. Nemnenait's metro system is the largest and expands into its suburbs. Automobiles are banned inside the city. Trains and monorails run service between cities and their suburbs. Buses connect rural areas to cities. High-speed trains travel between cities and provincial capitals. They travel at over 300 kph (186 mph). Slower trains are also available for a more leisurely ride. Prices for mass-transit are very low because it is government-owned.

Other

Crime

Crime is not a major problem in Sel Appa. Pickpocketing is uncommon in cities. There are more run-down sections of cities that may have elevated crime levels. If you suspect a crime was committed against you, your family, or your travelers, call 999 or your embassy/consulate.

Currency

The Sel Appan currency is the (copper) pound (£), divided into 100 pence (p). It is worth exactly 50g of pure copper. Coins comes in denominations of 1p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2. Cash is denominated in £5, £10, £20, £50, £100, and £500 (rare).

Exchange Rates (as of 26 July 2007):
-£1 SAP = $0.388 USD
-£1 SAP = £0.189 GBP
-£1 SAP = €0.282 EUR
-£1 SAP = $0.409 CAD
-£1 SAP = $0.443 AUD
-£1 SAP = ¥46.209 JPY

Emergencies

The emergency phone number is 999 throughout Sel Appa. You will automatically be connected to a dispatcher or operator who will help you handle the situation. For less important emergencies, contact your embassy or consulate for advice.

Food and Drink

All styles of food are available in Nemnenait and Anila City. Oriental cuisine is widespread. Sel Appan cuisine, consisting of hearty stews, soups, and other things made from fresh vegetables, grains and meats. Fish is very rare and unpopular in Sel Appa, despite its potential availability. Most port cities will have some establishments that serve seafood. To drink, most common one will find water and juices. Sports drinks are also popular. Soda is not very popular in Sel Appa. It is believed to be bad for health. It is widely available, however.

Lodging

Lodging is not a problem in Sel Appa. All cities have several hotels of all sizes and ratings. Nemnenait has far more than other cities and a wider variety, including many themed hotels. Outside cities, motels are more common. These offer less accommodations than hotels. Bed and Breakfasts and Inns are also common in more rural parts of Sel Appa. The owners and managers of these establishments are usually very friendly and welcoming to guests from Sel Appa and abroad. It is also possible to rent a house or an apartment for longer durations. Furthermore, one can stay with a Sel Appan host family in a very unique and personal experience.

Photography

It is perfectly acceptable to photograph anything and anyone. However, one should ask people prior to taking their picture. If you are taking a photograph of a crowd, you need not ask permission. For government, military, transportation, and economic structures, it is best to call in advance to alert security that you are not a threat. You will likely be given an escort. Some government and military installations may be restricted.

Prostitution

Prostitution is illegal and foreigners supporting or engaging in prostitution are almost always deported to their nation of origin/departure.

Shopping

Sel Appa has many places to shop and buy souvenirs all over. The spread is similar to most Western nations and necessary goods may be obtained throughout the country. Cities have more specific-interest shops than rural areas.

Tipping

Gratuity is generally included in bills. Bellhops, deliverymen, housekeeping, and the like should usually be tipped a pound or two per day or use