Aretias

Despotate of Aretias Δεσποτᾶτον τῆς Ἀρητιάς (Perateian)
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς Ḕ tā̀n ḕ epì tâs’ ("Either [with] it [your shield], or on it")
Anthem: Δεσπότου ἐμβατήριος Toû despótou embatḗrios Despot's March
Royal Badge:
Location of Aretias (dark green) – claimed territories (light green) – in Scipia (dark grey)
Political Map of Aretias Political Map of Aretias
Capital	Basilakia
Largest city	Chalceritis
Official language	Perateian
Ethnic groups (2019)	72% Perateians 21% Dardaloni 7% other
Religion	State religion: Ecumenical Church Other recognized: Fabrian Catholicism, Aletheic Church, Azdarin
Demonym(s)	Aretian
Government	Unitary absolute monarchy
• Despot	Basil IV
Legislature	None
Established
• Despotate granted	19 September 1822
• Vardani tributary	8 August 1839
• Independence	12 January 1924
Area
• Total	3,616 km2 (1,396 sq mi) (nth)
• Water (%)	1.5%
Population
• 2020 estimate	965,303
• 2014 census	933,622
• Density	230.5/km2 (597.0/sq mi)
Currency	Hyperpyron (𐆙) (ARH)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+575
Internet TLD	.ar

Aretias, officially the Despotate of Aretias (Perateian: Δεσποτᾶτον τῆς Ἀρητιάς, an island country in the Ozeros Sea, located approximately XXkm2 off the eastern coast of Scipia. It shares a maritime border with Vardana to the west, and Perateia to the north. Its capital is Basilakia, and its largest city is Chalceritis. The majority of the population consists of ethnic Perateians, whose language is the only official language of the country. The official state religion is the Perateian Ecumenical Church, with no protections on freedom of religion.

Aretias was first settled by Neslians from coastal Eastern Scipia in the 14th century BCE, widely considered to be the first human settlements on the islands. The islands fell under the control of successive empires, such as the Kardish Empire, Latin Empire, Perateian Empire, Bayarid Empire, and intermittently Yen Caliphates. It ultimately fell under control of Pereatia until the 19th century, serving as a key appanage for younger sons of the emperor. In 1834, Aretias became a tributary to the Hazaraspid Kingdom until the Vardani revolution in 1924, where Aretias gained its independence.

Not including unrecognized claims, Aretias is 3,616 km², making it the second smallest Scipian nation by area. As of 2020, its population is estimated at 865,303. Aretias consists of one major island, five minor islands, and dozens of even more minor islands. The main island is known by its Mysian name of Aretias, from which the country derives its name. The country also claims all territories held by Perateia, including the city of Ziporea and the island of Lotophagia. Aretias is a member of the Forum of Nations, Society of Latin States and Peoples, and the Trans-Periclean Free Trade Area.

Name

The Despotate of Aretias rests on a minor archipelago surrounding a large, main island from which the country takes its name. The territory consisting of modern Aretias has held numerous names since the first recorded human settlements. Aretias was first used as a name for the main island in the 2nd century BCE, coming from the Hellenic meaning "Island of Ares". During the period of Latin control, from the 2nd to 5th centuries CE, the islands were referred to as Aretium in imperial documents, roughly meaning "Island of Mars", however Aretias remained the most widely used name.

Geography

Aretias is an island country in Eastern Scipia. The main island, from which the country draws its common name, consists of over 90% of the area controlled, and 3,616 square kilometers. It is located 20km off the coast of Vardana in the Ozeros Sea. The Alcaean Straits, and the Perateia, lies to the north. A number of smaller islands are included in the Aretian island chain, mostly controlled by Aretias.

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  River Chalceritis is the largest river in Aretias

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  Landscape around Chalceritis

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  Beaches near Berd along the Ozeros Sea facing Vardana

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  Winter snowfall in the Agrafa Mountains

Climate

The island is primarily categorized as a Periclean climate. Humidity is not uncommon across the country, except for the snow-capped peaks in the island's interior. The island experiences warmer temperatures, with hot summers and more mild winters. Most precipitation occurs in the winter months. Snow is rare except among some of the highest peaks of the Agrafa Mountains, particularly Mount Baghats.

Politics

Basil IV Despot of Aretias

Main articles: Monarchy of Aretias and Royal Council

Aretias is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Byzennos. The Byzennos dynasty has ruled Aretias since the 19th century, following the most recent grant of the appange to XXXX – nephew of Emperor NAME. The current Despot is Basil IV, who succeeded his father on 2 June 2016. The Despot has the sole power to appoint and remove ministers of the Crown, who together form the Royal Council. Aretias has no codified constitution, which places nearly all legislative, executive, and judicial authority in the hands of the Despot.

Aretias features no political parties, which have been banned by decree since 1931. There is no national legislature, though various proposals eventually led to the creation of a consultative assembly of 40 individuals appointed by the Despot. This consultative assembly has no ability to propose legislation, but regularly votes on legislation originating from the Despot or Royal Council. There are no national elections, but elections on a local level are commonplace. Through customary law, all adult citizens have the right to petition the Despot. However, local elections are often subject to fraud or voter intimidation according to human rights groups.

Administrative divisions

Aretias is a unitary state divided into 1 directly controlled city, 79 municipalities, which, in some instances, are further subdivided into districts. Only the single directly-controlled city and 3 municipalities are divided into districts, including Chalceritis, Berd, and Basilakia. Municipalities serve as the primary avenue for local government and control most local matters, such as education, transportation, and zoning.

Chalceritis is the largest city, with a population of approximately 300,000 residents, or roughly one-third of the country's population. Berd is the second largest municipality, with a population of close to 100,000. Basilakia, the capital city, is only the 9th largest city in Aretias, with a population of approximately 40,000.

International status and foreign relations

Aretias was historically an imperial appanage of Perateia, most often granted to younger sons of the emperor, and in its current iteration granted to Prince Basil Kamytzes, the third son of Emperor Athanasios I Kamytzes in 1759. In 1839, it became a tributary of the Hazaraspid Kingdom, a status is held until the Vardani revolution in 1924 when it asserted its independence. A peace was established between Aretias and the newly established Republic of Vardana, however, Vardana continues to lay claim to the islands of Aretias. This claim has led to some states not recognizing or establishing diplomatic relations with Aretias. Additionally, Aretias claims the Perateian city of Savara and the island of Lotophagia and a claim to the title of Perateian emperor. These claims are almost universally unrecognized.

Aretias is a member of the Forum of Nations, Society of Latin Peoples and States, and the Trans-Periclean Free Trade Area.

Law

Main articles: Law of Aretias and Judiciary of Aretias

Law in Aretias primary operates under a civil law system that is heavily supported by uncodified customary law serving as a secondary source of law unless it is superseded by codified law. Civil law in Aretias is heavily based on Latin and specifically Perateian law.

Aretias lacks an independent judiciary, and as a result the court system is heavily influenced by the central government and the Despot, who may intervene in cases or issue a verdict on appeal. Despite this, the judiciary underwent a series of reforms in the mid-20th century primarily based on judicial systems in Western Belisaria. The royal circuit courts serve as the general trial court for all civil and criminal matters. There are four circuit courts, one of which serves in Chalceritis. Aretias lacks an intermediate appellate court in the traditional sense, as the Court of Cassation is the de facto court of last resort for all civil matters. The Court of Cassation features a criminal and civil division. The court of last resort for criminal matters is the Supreme Court of Public Claims. Parties may then appeal to Despot, or more commonly, the Royal Council. Appeals in administrative courts are heard by the Royal Council.

Armed Forces

Main article: Aretian Defense Force

The Aretian Defense Force is the main military institution of Aretias. It is a combined arms force, with air, land, and sea elements. The Defense Force has featured conscription since its inception, requiring all males to serve a compulsory 16 months of service beginning on their 17th birthday. Though primarily a conscripted force, since 1989 the Defense Force features a growing professional enlisted involvement.

Aretias also features a number of paramilitary services, such as the Royal Guard, and the Civil Guard. The Royal Guard serves as the personal protection service of the Despot and his family. Members of the Royal Guard are often some of the most trained soldiers in Aretias and are granted privileges not commonly found in the Defense Force or the Civil Guard. The Civil Guard is the national police force of Aretias, which has in recent years been marginalized in favor or expanded authority of the Defense Force.

Economy

The economy of Aretias has a mixed economy, featuring a modernizing industrial sector, transitioning service sector and robust. Aretias continues to rely on mining, as it is mineral rich and relies on exporting rare earth minerals as a key segment of its economy. Agriculture consists of a small, shrinking sector of the Aretian economy. Its largest trading partners are Perateia, Fahran, Kembesa, and Vardana. The hyperpyron is the country's currency and pegged to the Perateian hyperpyron, allowing Perateian currency to be accepted in Aretias. The Vardani dram is often an accepted currency.

Chalceritis is the main economic center of Aretias due to being the largest population centers and most modern city in the country. Nearly all of the most major domestic companies and corporations have headquarters located in Chalceritis. While economic growth in Aretias has continued since 1960, it is at a steady pace and not considered among a fast growing economy.

Transport

Transportation in Aretias has undergone rapid change since the 1990s, featuring an expansion of motorways and additional air, rail, and water passage; however, outside of major cities such as Chalceritis, Berd, and Basilakia motorways are not fully to modern standards throughout Aretias. Basil II International Airport in Chalceritis is the nation's only international airport, which was first constructed in 1966. Smaller regional airports are located in Berd and Basilakia, and connect the country's islands with the main island and close neighboring nations. The port of Chalceritis is the country's main seaport and is located on the main island of Aretias along the Ozeros Sea coast.

Demographics

As of the most recent 2014 census, the population of Aretias is 933,622. Recent estimates place the population closer to 975,000. The largest ethnic group in Aretias consists of ethnic Perateian, estimated at 72% of the population. Key minority groups include Daraloni, Vardani, and Lerazgans.

Daralonis consist of the single largest minority population, composing nearly 25% of the country's population. Many Daraloni migrated to the islands from neighboring Bayazet and Dardalona in Vardana, or fled as members of the nobility in exile.

Perateians is the sole official language of Aretias. Perateians, along with Latin, hold the dignity of being the official court languages. All civil servants are required to speak Perateian, though many speak Vardani.

Religion

The Perateian Ecumenical Church is the state church of Aretias. Religious minorities typically do not have the freedom to practice their religion unless it is a religion officially recognized by the government. Recognized minority religions include various Nazarism sects, Fabrian Catholicism, Judaism, and Azdarin. Minority religions in Aretias are strictly regulated and controlled, though for what are understood to be political reasons.

While the historical leader of the Perateian Ecumenical Church is the Ecumenical Patriarch of Leonopolis, the Metropolitan of Teos serves as the chief religious authority within Aretias. The government regularly intervenes into clerical matters, such as selection of the Metropolitan of Teos upon a vacancy, and other major religious figures within the country. Official census records place 82% of the population as ecumenical christians, however this number is believed to be more accurately stated around 65-70%.

See also

• Vardana