Carucere
Republic of Carucere | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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Anthem: "Liberté" "Dagaodedoa" Liberty  | |
 Location of Carucere (green), within the Western Arucian archipelago (light grey) | |
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| Capital and largest city |  Carrefour |
| Official languages | Gaullican Caruceran Ziba |
| Recognized languages | Caruceran Creole |
| Ethnic groups (2021) | |
| Religion (2021) |
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| Demonym(s) | Caruquèrais Gajugeni Caruceran |
| Government | Unitary presidential constitutional republic |
| Neil Gaubina | |
• Premier | Dazadiu Dogo |
| Roy Dazeje | |
| Zegodu Dazeda | |
| Legislature | Senate |
| History of Carucere | |
• Colony established | 1520 |
• Republic of Pirates | 1712 |
• Theme established | 1724 |
• Allied mandate | 1935 |
• Incorporation into the United Provinces | 1945 |
• Independence | 1954 |
• Current constitution | 1961 |
| Area | |
• Total | 8,165.51 km2 (3,152.72 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2021 census | 537,238 |
• Density | 65.79/km2 (170.4/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2021 estimate |
• Total | $9.6 billion |
• Per capita | $17,937 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $5.7 billion |
• Per capita | $10,607 |
| Gini (2021) |  37.4medium |
| HDI (2021) |  0.75high |
| Currency | Arucian Shilling (ARS) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Internet TLD | .ca |
Carucere (Gaullican: Caruquère, Caruceran Ziba: Gajuge), formally known as the Republic of Carucere (Gaullican: République d' Caruquère, Caruceran Ziba: Gajugeboga), also known as Îles de Reine-Anne (Queen Anne's Islands), is a small island nation between Asteria Superior and Asteria Inferior in the Arucian Sea. Consisting of the main islands of Marien and Magua, and numerous much smaller islands, it shares maritime borders with Sainte-Chloé to the west, Imagua and the Assimas to the north, and Aucuria to the east and south.
Before the arrival of Euclean settlers, the islands were home to Nati tribes scattered across the mountainous terrain. Carucere was discovered during the voyage of the Gaullican explorer Auguste de Antibes, who named it after the Queen of Gaullica, Anne the Financier. It was colonized by Gaullica in 1520, who established a port in the strait between Marien and Magua, which formed a large natural harbor. While the extremely mountainous terrain of Marien island limited the widespread development of plantations and the importation of Bahian slaves, it became a prominent trading, naval, and shipbuilding post for Gaulicia. The Anne Strait serves as one of the largest anchorages in the world and one of the major naval bases for the Gaullican navy in the Asterias during the colonial era.
The islands became a major hub of pirate activity during the Golden Age of Piracy from the late 17th century to the early 18th century. The islands’ rugged northern coastline served as safe bases for pirates to operate. Gaulician rule of the islands collapsed during the Ten Years' War in Euclea, resulting in the brief establishment of a pirate republic in 1712. The ban on the slave trade and slavery in the 19th century led the Gauillican government to import tens of thousands of gowsas to the islands for labor. By the turn of the century, gowsas formed a plurality of the population. After the Great War, ownership of the islands was stripped from Gaullica's possession and transferred to a joint Allied commission which later established the Arucian Federation, consisting of Sainte-Chloé and Carucere. In 1945, both states formed a federation with Bonaventure and Imagua and the Assimas, forming the United Provinces of the Western Arucian Islands. During Sainte-Chloé’s secession from the United Provinces, Carucere declared independence from the United Provinces by a self-organized referendum.
The new republic was characterized by political dysfunction caused by ethnic tensions between Gowsas and Bahio-Carucerans. In 1957, a clique of Bahian officers within the military launched a failed coup when it appeared the pro-Gowsa PGU party would win the country's first election. The failed coup marked the apex of an intense period of intense racial violence known as the Unrest. In response, moderate elements of the military led by Jean Préval launched a successful military coup to restore order. In 1961, Préval declared the restoration of the Republic and drafted a new constitution to establish a pluralistic and inclusive state. Préval was elected President in 1962 and remained in office until his death in 1972. His Presidency oversaw the promotion of multiracialism, the creation of a national identity, and the development and diversification of the economy from a purely extractive and agriculture based one.
Today Carucere is an upper-middle income country. The legacy of Gaullican rule is reflected in the country's political administration and the country's population of Gowsan and Bahian peoples. The islands’ rapidly growing economy consists of a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and various service-based businesses. However the disparities between the richer coast and the poorer interior are very visible especially in income inequality and standards of living. The collapse of the dominant party system that revolved around the Popular Rally and the return of race based politics has led to recent political instability. Carucere is a member of the Community of Nations, the Organization of Asterian Nations, and the Arucian Cooperation Organization.
Etymology
The archipelago was called Karukera or "The Island of Beautiful Waters" by the native Nati tribes. Auguste de Antibes renamed it Îles de Reine-Anne or Queen Anne's Islands after the Queen of Gaullica at the time, Anne the Financier. Although the latter was used as its official name in state documents during Gaullican rule, the name Karukera, later spelled as Carucere, was more commonly used by the islands' population. Upon the country's ascension to the United Provinces, it officially adopted Carucere as its name.
History
Prehistory
The ancient history of the island is not well known. Archeological evidence suggests humans may have first settled or visited Carucere around 1600 BCE, but this remains a highly debated topic. It is definitively known that around the 4th to 7th centuries CE, the Nati peoples migrated to the island. Settlements of Nati appeared all over the island by around 1000 CE. When Euclean explorers arrived to the island in 16th century, the island's population was estimated to be around 20,000 to 40,000 peoples divided amongst four or five tribes separated by the mountainous terrain. They lived in small villages, each led by a cacique or chief. They subsisted by hunting and fishing, with hunting generally done by men and the women harvesting the indigenous cassava root and fruit. Recent archeological explorations have uncovered the major role the Anne Strait has played in their society. This lasted until Euclean colonisation in 1520.
Colonial era
Early Gaullican rule
The island of Carucere was discovered in the year 1498 by the Gaullican explorer Auguste de Antibes, who named the island after the Queen Anne of Gaullica and claimed on behalf of her country. Antibes did not step foot on the island, but his expedition noted the island's mountainous terrain and rocky coast during a pass of the island and reported as unsuited for settlement. For unknown reasons, he failed to notice the Anne Strait, possibly due to poor weather. Eucleans did not return to the island until 1518, when an expedition of Gaullican surveyors were tasked with properly exploring the island. During the expedition, they discovered the strait and quickly realized the strategic value of the strait that formed a large natural harbor. After scouting out the strait, they quickly returned to Sainte-Chloé to report the discovery to Gaullica.
In 1520 Gaullica founded Port Royal on the island of Marien, incorporating it into the Viceroyalty of the New Aurean as part of the Theme of Sainte-Chloé. The massive natural harbor formed by the Anne Strait made the location of Port Royal an ideal place for a large naval base and anchorage. The first naval facilities around Port Royal were built in 1525; the settlement quickly became a major trade port and home to one of the largest naval bases in the Asterias. Alongside Port de la Sainte in the Sainte-Chloé archipelago, it was the center of early Gaullican naval activity in the Asterias, containing docking, construction, and repair facilities. Despite its small size compared to the Sainte-Chloé archipelago, Carucere played a large role in being the "Gateway to the Asterias". Nevertheless during the 16th century, the settlements on Carucere remained relatively small.
The colonial government experienced fierce resistance by the indigenous population against attempts to convert them to Catholicism and to use them as forced labor. While diseases devastated the population on both islands, the terrain offered many places for indigenous people to hide and resist. They descended from the mountains to attack Gaullican settlements while the colonial authorities raided their villages for slaves. In 1532, the Gaullicans successfully defeated a rebellion and massacred hundreds of people on Magua and forced them to retreat to Marien, which offered greater safety. When they revolted again in 1558, the Viceroy retaliated with a military expedition; many were killed by the Gaullicans and those were captured were enslaved to work on the plantations. The rebellion marked the end of major resistance on the island, with the survivors fleeing further into the interior. Thereafter the native population went into terminal decline and were virtually wiped out by the beginning of the following century.
The 17th century on Carucere passed largely without major incident, although there was widespread piracy. The importance of the New Aurean Viceroyalty declined as Satucin became the center of the Gaullican empire in Asteria Inferior. While Carucere remained a major port for travel between Satucin and Gaullica, it was quickly overshadowed by the economic production of the Sainte-Chloé islands. Compared to Carucere, the settlements on Sainte-Chloé was well established, more developed, geographically larger, and significantly less mountainous. While Carucere had sugar and tobacco plantations centered around settlements, but the islands' mountainous terrain hindered the widespread expansion of cash crops. The development of new plantations in Carucere were largely concentrated on the island of Magua, although new plantations were built wherever land was available. By the late 17th century, the total population of the islands were roughly 10,000 people. The sparse settlement and limited development made Carucere one of the less populated colonies of the Viceroyalty of the New Aurean, with the least developed plantation infrastructure.
Piracy around Carucere became a significant issue by the end of the 17th century as corrupt local authorities and military officials allowed pirates to operate openly. The era of true pirate control occurred when Fort-Royal was razed by an Estmerish-Povelian fleet during the Ten Years' War in 1713. Afterwards the islands were abandoned by colonial authorities and were taken over by pirates who were already based on the coast of Marien. Carucere became a pirate republic, a stronghold for pirates which allowed them to raid and cause havoc with trade and shipping in the Western Acurian Islands. It was governed by an informal clique of pirates, led by the captains Firebeard and Graves. Gaullican rule only returned after 1724 after an anti-piracy operation coupled with an Gaullican offer for clemency and an opportunity to become privateers. After the restoration of Gaullican rule, Carucere was reestablished as the separate Theme of Riene Anne.
Late Gaullican rule
The new colonial administration of the sought to further develop the Theme of Riene Anne. Its recorded population in 1724 was a mere 20,000 people. To attract more settlers, the government granted free land and tax exemption for 10 years to Solarian Catholic settlers who were willing to swear allegiance to the Gaullican monarchy. Sailors were also attracted by the offer to become state sponsored privateers and raid foreign shipping. However attempts to expand the production of cash crops suffered the same problems that the colony experienced in the centuries prior. While there was interest in developing plantations, the mountainous terrain continued to limit development to the flat areas on the eastern and around the Anne Strait. Furthermore the eastern coastal plain known as the Plaine Orientale; while flat, was swampy and riddled with malaria. While there were some tobacco plantations and a salt harvesting operation, the death rates among slaves were very high. The main industry of the islands continued to be shipbuilding and repair work at the islands' rebuilt and expanded shipyards in the Anne Strait. By the 1780s and 1790s, the islands' economy and population started growing rapidly. A census taken in 1797 showed that the island's population had grown to over 50,000 people. The vast majority of the population were slaves, but also included a varied population of mixed race individuals, free Bahians, Dezevauni workers, retired pirates and Euclean settlers.
The expansion of the islands' economy initially led to an increase in the importation of slaves, but anti-slavery and abolitionist movements were gaining momentum in Gaullica. In 1815, the government abolished slavery and the trade of slaves; while the ban on the practice of slavery would not apply to Carucere until the early 1830s, the ban on importing new slaves applied immediately. As a result, the islands' economy was hit by a severe agricultural labor shortage. To alleviate this issue Gaullica, with the help of the Saint Bermude's Company, began to import large numbers of gowsas, emigrants from modern-day Dezevau, to the colony for labor. The vast majority of gowsans arrived under indentureship contracts, although a few migrated freely. A second, more severe, labor shortage occurred in the 1830s after newly emancipated slaves refused to continue working on the plantations which led to a second wave of gowsan migrants. These contracts were often exploitative, but after their contracts expired, Gaullica offered portions of land to gowsas to encourage settlement. Over 90% of gowsas accepted the offer instead of returning to Dezevau.
The discovery of anti-malarial medication and better agricultural technology and techniques, led to another rapid expansion of the island's economy. Development, led by newly settled gowsas, was most intense in Magua and the Plaine Orientale of Marien. By the mid 19th century, more than half of the cash crops of the islands were being produced by independent farmers; the majority of which were gowsas. By then Carucere became the center of gowsa migration to the Arucian; while the majority of gowsas arriving to the islands continued to be indentured servants, a growing number of free gowsas came to Carucere. Gowsas were subject to intense Gaullicanization programs by the colonial government by promoting the Gaullican language over Ziba and converting them to Solarian Catholicism. Although many gowsas converted to Sotirianity, they largely kept their culture and identity. The large number of Gowsas migrating to Carucere, colonial authorities granting gowsas land, and the tendency of gowsa men to take bahian wives led to racial tensions with the Bahio-Carucerean population.
Carucere was used as a staging ground for the Gaullican navy during the War of the Arucian. for their attacks on Aucuria. Combined with emigration of free blacks, colony's population turned from overwhelmingly Bahian to plurality gowsas.
Two federations period
Post-independence era
Carucere gained independence from the United Provinces on 14 February 1954. The new country retained most of the institutions and norms created under the United Provinces including a parliamentary system and a power sharing agreement between the gowsas and the bahians political factions. An attempt to draft a new constitution was beset by disagreements over political structure, religious rights, and the future of the power sharing agreement. After the failure of the constitutional convention, the provisional government resigned and elections were held in 1957. As the election campaign progressed, ethnic tensions exploded into violent riots and election day saw attempts by mobs to interfere with voting. When it appeared that the pro-Gowsa PGU party had won, elements of the military attempted a coup. While the coup failed, many members of the new government were killed, and a period of ethnic violence known as the Unrest rocked the country. An emergency national unity government was formed but was incapable of resolving the crisis. Fearing a fundamental breakdown of law and order, the Carucerean military at the direction of Jean Préval launched a military coup, suspending the provisional constitution and establishing an "interim" government.
The government suppressed violent groups and established strict punishments for ethnic and religious hate crimes. In 1958, Préval published the People's Charter for Change, Peace, and Progress which declared three fundamental principles that the new constitution should embody which were establishing ethnic and religious equality, preventing racial politics, and embracing the country's multiracial nature. A new constitution was drafted and ratified ahead of the country's second election in 1962. Under the constitution he created, Jean Préval and his Popular Rally party won in an landslide and he was elected President. Widely regarded as "The Father of The Nation", Préval served as President uninterrupted until his death in 1972. His Presidency oversaw reconciliation efforts between the gowsa and the bahian peoples and the creation of economic programs to transition the country away from an extractive and agriculture based economy. During his presidency, the Popular Rally served as multi-ethnic mass movement and political party for the majority of Carucereans.
The turmoil of the Sugar Crash and Sugar High during the 1960s and 1970s greatly impacted the economy of Carucere. The extreme fluctuation in the price of sugar price bankrupted many of the old sugar plantations and represented the final time agriculture formed the basis of the country's economy. A collapse of the national economy was prevented by government intervention and the ongoing diversification of Carucere's economy into the tourism and manufacturing sectors. The transition was greatly accelerated by the crash and international investments. Nevertheless economic growth stagnated by the 1960s before slowly recovering by the 1970s. However another crash in the price of sugar and a rise in the price of commodities resulted in a recession in 1980, causing rising inflation and unemployment. Préval's successor, President Victorin Lurel was accused of economic mismanagement and favoritism toward the gowsas. In addition he was accused of authoritarianism over the country and the party, espeically after he passed a constitutional amendment that asserted the power of the President over the Senate. A leadership challenge by reformists resulted in major party split among ethnic lines. The Rally's political disintegration was hastened by the exodus in support among Bahio-Carucerans for the Rally.
The collapse of the Rally led to the formation of over a dozen successor parties which quickly merged into new political parties or formed electoral alliances. In 1990 a united front of political parties under the National Alliance for Change won and elected Gabriel Serville as President. Serville unable to hold together the fragile NAC coalition and successive elections saw a return to unstable political alliances. After a period of political dysfunction caused by a series of close election results, Patrick Dazeje of the Liberal Party rose to power in in 2002, retaining that position until 2010. His Presidency saw further economic development, including the construction of several geothermal power plants with assistance of Dezevau. The government was defeated in the 2010 election by the People's Union due to fears that Carucere was becoming too close to councilist Dezevau. However, the new administration was accused of corruption and the PU were defeated in 2014 by the Liberal Party.
Geography
Carucere lies 6 degrees north and 78 degrees east in the western Arucian Sea. The islands are considered to be part of the western Arucian archipelago which includes the island countries of Sainte-Chloé, Imagua and the Assimas, Bonaventure, and parts of Aucuria and Eldmark. There is considerable debate among geographers on whether the region should be considered geographically part of Asteria Superior or Asteria Inferior. In recent decades, a growing number of people consider the western Arucian archipelago to be its own subregion based upon a common political, cultural, and historical heritage. Geologically the islands sits upon the Asteria Inferior plate, with the Arucian rift to the north.
Covering an area of 8,165.51 km2 (3152.7 sq mi), the country consists of two main islands, Marien and Magua, separated by the Anne Strait which forms a large natural harbor, plus a number of much smaller islands. Marien is 6,708 km2 (2589.9 sq mi), comprising 82.1% of the country's area. Magua is 1,433.8 km2 (553.6 sq mi), comprising 17.5% of the country's area. The remaining area is distributed among the country's small islands.
Marien is very mountainous, with Monte Cinto as the highest peak at 2,123 m (6,965 ft), and around 120 other summits of more than 1,500 m (4,921 ft). The country's central spine, a northwest–southeast axis of steep volcanic slopes and deep gorges, generally varies in elevation from 300 to 1,400 metres (984 to 4,593 ft) above sea level. Several east-west trending mountain spurs extend to the narrow coastal plains in the west and south, which are studded with sea cliffs. The interior features rugged mountains of volcanic origin. Volcanism is evident on the island. Marien is water-rich with swift-flowing highland streams, which cascade into deep gorges and form natural pools and crater lakes. The streams are not navigable, but many are sources of hydroelectric power. The southeastern region of the island, known as the Plaine Orientale, is a coastal plain and the flattest region of the island. The Plains has a number of coastal lagoons separated from the oceans by small sandbars. In addition marshland is also extensive on the coast in the region. As a result, malaria has historically been a problem near the marshlands and swamps in the area, which limited its development in the past. The major bodies of freshwater on Marien are all artificial, formed by dams to create reservoirs.
The Anne Strait divides the two main islands. The strait consists of four channels; two in the west and two in the east, with a large bay in the center. It has a shallow sandy bottom, averaging about 30 m (100 ft) deep. The natural harbor has an area of 271.98 km2 (105 sq mi). Magua is the smaller of the two main islands. The majority of the island are also covered by highlands and mountains; The island's highest peak is at 1,447 meters (1,640 ft), which is surrounded by an elevated plateau. However the island's terrain significantly less rugged than the island of Marien, featuring rolling hills and gentle mountain slopes.
Magua is the more populated of the two islands despite its smaller size due to its earlier settlement and less harsh terrain. The population centers of the islands are largely centered around the Anne Strait. There are four major municipalities on the islands, the capital Carrefour and the cities of Tiburon, Fort-Royal, and Caracol.
Geology
Carucere consists of geologically young volcanic islands, formed by volcanism from the Carucerean hotspot. It is also speculated that uplift from a rising magma plume played a role in the island's formation. As a result, the island of Marien is highly geologically active with several major volcanoes, such as Monte Cinto. Carucere is part of a large cluster of hotspots and large igneous provinces that form the Western Arucian Archipelago, formed by tectonic activity from the rift between the Asteria Superior and Asteria Inferior tectonic plates. The region is one of the most geologically active places in the world.
Climate
Carucere has a maritime tropical climate. There are two seasons annually: the dry season from January to June, and the rainy season from July to December. Winds are predominantly from the northwest and are dominated by the northwest trade winds. The climate varies significantly on the islands based upon elevation and the side of the island. In higher elevation on both islands, the climate is often cooler than that of the sweltering heat of the plains below, due to constant cloud and mist cover, and heavy rains in the mountains. The leeward side of the islands are noticeably drier due to drier winds and the dry season.
Biodiversity
Carucere shares a similar biological diversity with other western Arucian islands. The country contains five terrestrial ecoregions; moist forests, Lesser dry forests, montane warm forests, xeric scrub, and mangroves. The main ecosystems in Carucere are coastal, marine, forest, freshwater, karst, man-made ecosystems, and savanna.
The islands' fertile volcanic soils, heavy rainfall and a warm climate result in lush vegetation. Most of the islands' remaining forests are on Marien, containing such plants such as mahogany, ironwood, and chestnut trees. Mangrove swamps are common on the coasts and the river mouths of Marien. However much of the forest on Magua has been cleared, with only a few patches remaining.
The rainforest lies between 300 and 1,000 m of altitude on the windward side of the islands, home to trees such as white gum and the chestnut tree; shrubs and herbaceous plants like as the mountain palm, the ballsier or ferns. Above 1,000 m, is a humid savannah composed of mosses, lichens, sphagnum and larger plants such as high altitude violet or mountain thyme. On the leeward side of Marien are tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests. The most prominent plant in the biome are the guaiacwood and the holywood trees which were valued for the quality of their wood.
Few terrestrial mammals, aside from bats and raccoons, are native to the islands. Bird species include the endemic purple-throated carib, Carucere woodpecker and the Sisserou parrot which is the country's national bird and is endemic to the islands. The waters of the islands support a rich variety of marine life. Most notably a group of sperm whales live in this area year-round. Other cetaceans commonly seen in the area include spinner dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins.
Environmental preservation
Carucere's environment suffered significant damage during the colonial era from the development of intensive crops, especially tobacco and sugarcane, as well the large scale harvesting of guaiacwood and holywood trees. Prior to the 20th century, it is estimated that Marien lost between 10-20 percent of its original forests and Magua lost up to 60 percent of its original forests. Threats to the country's biodiversity today include over-hunting and poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, water pollution, and introduction of invasive species and pathogens. Habitat loss is a major issue largely caused by land clearance for quarrying, agriculture, squatting, housing and industrial development and road construction. Proposals to build more dams have been halted due to environmental concerns.
Government & Politics
Carucere's politics occurs in the framework of an independent unitary de facto presidential republic. The government is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Carucere which describes the country as a parliamentary republic with power centered in the legislature. In reality, political power is centered around the powerful President of Carucere, who is both head of state and head of government. The legislature of the country is the unicameral Senate of Carucere which plays a secondary, but important role in national politics. Judicial authority is delegated to the national court system led by the Court of the Republic and Council of State. Carucere is a centralized unitary state, although the Western Region is granted significantly more autonomy.
Under the country's provisional constitution at independence, Carucere was a parliamentary state with a President as head of state and a Premier as head of government. However under Jean Préval's constitution and Presidency, political power was centralised within the office. After Préval's death, his successors formalized the powers of the presidency through several constitutional amendments. As a result, Carucere's politics combines aspects from the parliamentary and presidential political systems. Since the President remains indirectly elected, political scholars continue to debate whether the country is a presidential republic or has created a new system entirely.
Governance
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The President of Carucere is head of state and head of government of the country. The Presidency is granted wide ranging powers and responsibilities; mainly serving as chief diplomat, chief legislator, and the commander in chief of the armed forces. The president is responsible for conducting foreign relations, such as approving treaties, declaring war, and making peace, as well acting as commander in chief of the Carucere Defence Force. The president, by approval of the Cabinet of Carucere, can issue broad decrees with the force of legislation as long it is determined to be constitutional. However, decrees cannot override existing legislation and the Senate can pass legislation to override a decree. The President lacks veto powers and must promulgate all laws presented to them, although they can refer a law to the Council of State for constitutional review. Other powers of the president include granting amnesty, pardon, or clemency on recommendation by the Senate, declaring martial law, and conferring honors and decorations. The President is elected by the Senate after a legislative election to a term of 4 years.
The President is assisted by the Premier of Carucere as deputy head of government. The Premier largely serves to implement policy on direction of the President, instead of making it. As both part of the executive and legislative branch, the Premier serves as the link between the Senate and the Presidency. The Premier is a member of the Cabinet of Carucere, which consists of various high-ranking state officials, including the President and over a dozen ministers. The Cabinet largely functions as an advisory council by providing opinions and advice for the President. However the Cabinet's approval for measures regarding certain matters such as decrees and submitting legislation to the Senate is required. The President has the power to nominate the Premier and the rest of the Cabinet, but they must be approved by the Senate; in addition the Premier must be a current member of the Senate.
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 Radical Party/Republicans (81) Opposition (98) Democratic Movement (65) Alliance for National Unity (33) |
The Senate of Carucere is the country's legislative body. The Senate consists of 179 members democratically elected by nationwide proportional representation with a 10% electoral threshold. The Senate is the supreme legislative authority, but by convention it usually debates and votes on legislation submitted by the Premier instead. Nevertheless, the Senate wields several important powers over the President. It has the power to approve appointments by the President which includes the Premier and the appointed members of the Cabinet, as well has the power to dismiss them by a simple majority vote. Although the Senate generally allows the executive to begin the legislative procedure, ultimately the Senate's legislative authority supersedes the executive's, which allows it to have final say on any measure proposed by the executive. Finally it has the power to impeach and dismiss a President from office with a two-thirds majority vote.
Political parties
Carucere's politics were dominated by the Rally of the Carucerean People until its collapse in the 1980s. President Jean Préval intended for it to not be a political party, but a "rally" that would provide a common platform for all Carucereans regardless of political affiliation or ethnic group. All major political parties in Carucere are direct successors of the Rally. Parties usually form short lived political alliances formed prior to elections before dissolving and reconstituting into various successors. Unlike other democracies in the world, the country's politics are divided by ethnic groups and ideology.
Carucere traditionally has a multi-party system despite the Senate's high electoral threshold that prevents small political parties from being elected despite the proportional voting system. Parties usually form loose political alliances to contest each election to ensure that they collectively cross the 10% threshold. The parties are currently represented in the Senate are the Radical Party/Republicans, Democratic Movement, and the political parties of the Alliance for National Unity. The Radical Party/Republican and the Democratic Movement are generally supported by the Gowsan population, although the former is more popular among Medis. The Bahio-Carucerans support various opposition parties which form short-lived political alliances, such as the current Alliance for National Unity.
Judiciary and Law Enforcement
The Carucrean legal system based upon the Gaullican system which is in turn based on Solarian Law, Verliquoian Law and the allgemeines gesetzbuch. The Carucrean court system is split into two court types and three jurisdictional levels. The two types of courts are judicial courts which handle criminal and civil cases and administrative courts which handles cases that concerns the exercise of public power. The three levels of the judiciary are the prefecture court, the regional appeal courts, and the two national courts. The highest court concerning civil and criminal law is the Court of the Republic and the administrative courts are headed by the Council of State. The Council of State is the highest judicial authority in the country, serving as the supreme administrative and constitutional court in the country. In addition, it serves as the legal adviser of the executive branch on matters of constitutional law.
The two main national law enforcement agencies of Carucere are the civilian National Police of Carucere and the military Gendarmerie of Carucere. The National Police is the country's primary law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction in cities and large towns. It closely cooperates with the three regional police forces of Carucere. The Gendarmerie's primary jurisdiction is in smaller towns, as well as in rural and offshore areas. For operations offshore, the Gendarmerie cooperates with the Coast Guard. The three regional police forces of Carucere cover the entire island of Magua, and the western and eastern regions of Marien. No local police forces exist; instead units are stationed within a settlement or assigned to cover a small region.
Foreign relations
As a former member of the United Provinces, Carucere is closely linked to its island neighbors. It is a full member of the Arucian Cooperation Organization and participates in the organisation's customs area, visa free area, and common market. Carucere's shares especially close cultural and economic ties with Sainte-Chloé due to its geographical proximity and a common colonial history under Gaullica. The country also has good ties with the countries bordering the Western Arucian Sea. Carucere is also a member of the global Community of Nations and the continental Organization of Asterian Nations.
Due to its colonial legacy, Carucere shares many ties with countries around the world. It has many ties with its former coloniser, Gaullica and is a member of its Association of Gaullophone States. Carucere has a unique relationship with Dezevau due to significant migration of gowsas to the country during the 19thcentury. Due to a common heritage, the two countries have cultivated social, cultural, scientific, and economic ties since the 1990s. For the past two decades, Dezevau has assisted with the economic development of the country, focusing on hydropower and geothermal energy. However Dezevau's social and cultural links are significantly more controversial, especially with the Bahio-Carucerean population as Dezevau is commonly perceived to favor the Gowsa population. For this reason, Carucere's relations with Dezevau have been described as bipolar and largely determined by the current President.
Military
The Carucere Defence Force is the nation's military and is responsible for the defence of the country. It consists of the Battalions, the Coast Guard, and the Gendarmerie. Its primary mission is to defend Carucere and protect the territorial integrity of Carucere. The largest active branch of the Defence Force is the Coast Guard, who is tasked with patrolling its waters and providing assistance and relief in times of disaster. In addition to a small surface fleet, the Coast Guard operates several helicopters and light patrol aircraft that functions as the country's air force. The Battalions functions as the main standing land forces of the country, organized into two battalions of 1000 personnel each. The Gendarmerie operates as the national police force and supplements the sole national police forces and the three regional police forces of the island.
The Defence Forces originates from the Provincial Guard of the Province of Carucere under the United Provinces, which functioned as a national police force. Following the country's independence, the Guard was reorganised and expanded into the Defence Forces in 1955. Today, the Defence Force largely operates as an internal security keeping force and disaster response agency.
Administrative divisions
Carucere is a unitary state divided into seven prefectures, two municipality, and a region. With the exception of the Western Region, these subdivisions generally lack autonomy and largely serve for ease of adminstration by the central government. Prefectures are governed by a prefecture and are governed by an Senate consisting of a mixture of elected and appointed members. The country's two municipalities, the capital city of Carrefour and Fort Royal, are governed by a mayor and an elected council. These bodies largely serve to assist in the adminstration of their subdivisions. Elections for these bodies are held every four years. The Western Region of Carucere is granted significantly more autonomy than the other administrative divisions. It is governed by the Western Regional Senate who elects a prefect who has control over some spending such as infrastructure and education.
Demographics
The population of Carucere is estimated to be around 540 thousand people in 2022, making it the least populated country in the Western Arucian islands. The last census conducted in 2021, recorded a population of 537,238 of whom 268,454 were males and 268,784 were females. Ethnic, racial, and religious statistics are tracked by the government. The population on the island of Marien were 292,518 and that of Mauga was 214,881; the remainder of the country's population lives on the many smaller islands. Carucere is a multiethnic society, drawn from Southeast Coian and Bahian origins as well as Euclean origns.
Ethnic groups
The diverse ethnic composition of Carucere reflects its colonial legacy. While the earliest inhabitants were of Indigenous heritage, the two dominant groups in the country are now those of Southeast Coian and of Bahian heritage. Both ethnic groups are descendants of slaves and indentured workers brought by Gaullican colonial authorities for work beginning from the 16th century up to the early 20th century. As a result, Carcere is commonly considered as a multicultural society.
Gowsan Carucereans make up the country's largest ethnic group, consisting of 40.3% of population; it is the only country in the Asterias where the descendants of the Gowsas form a plurality of the population. While Gowsa is a term usually used to refer to the indentured workers brought from Southeast Coius to replace freed Bahian slaves, the term in Carucere is used to refer to their descendants. The vast majority of Gowsas orginate from modern-day Dezevau, for this reason they are sometimes labled as Dezevauani Carucreans, but this is uncommon. Despite Gaullization efforts, many Gowsan Carucereans continue to practice their own distinct culture, while incorporating Gaullican and Bahian traditions. Their unique form of speaking Ziba and practicing Badi, reflects their diverse influences.
Bahio-Carucereans make up the country's second largest ethnic group, with approximately 30.5% of the population identifying as being of Bahian descent. The majority of people of an Bahian background are the descendants of slaves forcibly transported to the islands from as early as the 16th century. Bahio-Carucereans mainly speak Gaullican and practice Solarian Catholicism. Like Gowsan Carucereans, their culture reflects a syncretism of their originating cultures in Bahia with Gaullican and Gowsan cultures in Carucere. Bahio-Carucereans are the main speakers of a creole language known as Mauga Creole, which has been formally recognized at the national level.
Approximately 22.6% of the population identifies as mixed or métis in Gaullican. Of this population, about 19% identify as Medi or mixed in Ziba, who are people of mixed gowsa and bahian descent. Medi culture is very diverse and reflects the combination many cultural traditions and other aspects from its parent cultures. While Gowsa-Bahian pairings existed in the past, the Medi population did not become significant until the 1970s; today it is the fastest growing ethnic group on the island. The remainder of the mixed population originate from many different ethnic groups that came during the colonial era. There are also small but significant minorities of people of Indigenous, Euclean, Shangean, and Senrian descent.
Religion
The largest religion in Carucere is Solarian Catholicism. 57.8% of the country's population identify as Catholics. The religion was brought to Carucere by Gaullican colonial authorities who imposed the religion on the indigenous peoples and Bahian slaves. Following the arrival of the Gowsa, the Solarian Catholic Church took an active role in the Gaullisation program through church operated schools. As a result, Catholicism and the Catholic Church has historically played a dominant role in Carucrean society and governance. However since independence, its influence has significantly declined after the implementation of state secularism promotion of religious diversity. The remaining 3.4% of the population is officially classified as "other Sotirian", which include Amendists, Episemialists, and other churches.
The second largest religion is Badi; about 37.6% of the country's population identifies as an adherent. Badi was brought to Carucere by the original Gowsas during the 18th century, who practiced various Tendencies of Badi. Despite the introduction of Catholicism to the laborers, the majority of gowsas continued to practice Badi alongside Catholicism, which has since developed into a Tendency unique to Carucere. The Badi religion in Carucere is known for its significant doctrinal diversity for its small population, religious syncretism with Solarian Catholicism, and the existence of a formalized religious hierarchy. Since 1970, the Gajuge Temple represents the Badi population in Carucere, especially by organizing festivals and rituals.
In Carucere, Catholicism and Badi have an intertwined history starting in the 19th century; despite the efforts of colonial authorities, the two religions largely coexist with each other and have undergone a high degree of religious syncretization. It is estimated that over one third of Carucereans practice Catholicism and Badi simultaneously. The high number of dual adherents is believed to be due to the nature of the two religions; Badi largely deals with the physical plane and life on earth and deemphasizes the afterlife or salvation, while Sotrianity places greater emphasis on an explanation for life, death, and the afterlife. Such people simultaneously observe both Catholic and Badi rites, a practice known in Carucere as "Badi in life and Catholic in death." Even among those who solely identify as Catholic, many still believe in at least some parts of the Badi elemental system and about half have reported that they participated in elemental rituals and other individual or communal activities that originated from the Badi religion. As a result, it is difficult to estimate the exact number of adherents for either religion in Carucere, so estimations largely rely on self reporting.
The level of religious syncretism has generated significant controversy both at home and abroad. The Solarian Catholic Church and conservative Catholics have repeatedly condemned the syncretization of the religion in Carucere, labeling it as an "evil" and "satanic" corruption. Most controversially, the generally liberal attitudes of Carucerean Catholics towards human sexuality has been tied to Badi beliefs and has led to accusations of immorality. However the Carucerean government under the Popular Rally has repeatedly blocked the Church's attempts to enforce religious orthodoxy under the constitutional principle of laïcité.
Languages
Carucere's two official languages are the Carucerean dialect of Gaullican and Carucrean Ziba. Gaullican is the main written language and is widely used in government, business and education as a lingua franca. It is spoken by all educated Carucreans, especially by the Bahio-Carucerean population. However the most popular language spoken by them is Carucerean Creole. Gaullican is the creole's base language and it draws significant influence from Bahian languages at first and later Ziba after the arrival of the Gowsans in the 19th century. While its vocabulary is largely derived from Gaullican, it has many loanwords from Ziba and its grammar resembles that of some Bahian languages.
Carucrean Ziba, is the language spoken by most Carucereans of Gowsan descent. Gaullisation programs by colonial authorities did not completely supress the usage of Ziba. However it did lead to significant changes to the language, such as loaning a large number of words from Gaullican and the formation of many words unique to Carucrean Ziba that cater for the new environment that the Gowsans now live in. As a result, Carucrean Ziba is distinct from the varieties spoken in Dezevau, although it remains largely mutually intelligibile. Despite its status as an official language, everyday use of Ziba is largely limited to the Gowsan population, although it is commonly used for cultural and religious traditions today.
Education
Carucere's education system is managed by the Carucere Academy, a government institution under the Ministry of Education, which oversees primary and secondary schooling in the entire country. It oversees 300 elementary schools, including 1 private kindergarten under contract and 14 private elementary schools under contract. It also has 52 middle schools, including 6 private under contract. Finally, it oversees 38 high schools, 13 of which are private under contract. Enrollment in the Academy is mandatory with primary school lasting until age 12 and secondary school lasting until age 16. Children generally start pre-school at two and a half years but this is not mandatory. They are, however, expected to have basic reading and writing skills when they join the Academy.
Tertiary education is provided by Jean Préval University, Félix Éboué Institute of Technology, Reine-Anne College, and the National Insitute for Development. With the exception of Reine-Anne College, they are all public state funded institutions that provides certificate, diploma, and degree-level education programs. The National Institute for Development is a government backed graduate university, founded in 2013 with an emphasis on educational programs promoting economic and social development. There are discussions underway of reorganizing all public higher education institutions into a national university. Reine-Anne College is a private, pontifical college supported by the Catholic Church.
Healthcare
Carucere has a universal health care system managed by the Ministry of Health. Medical centres in Carucere include: University Hospital Centre (CHU) in Carrefour, Regional Hospital Centre (CHR) in Fort-Royal, and four hospitals located in Pointe-Noire, Caracol, Tiberon and Saint-Cholé. The University Hospital Centre is the largest hospital in the country with more than 900 beds; which includes 660 medical, 243 surgical, and 70 obstetrics beds, with another 10 in its intensive care unit. The hospital operates a 24-hour emergency service. In addition there are about a dozen smaller medical clinics in smaller towns around the islands. The population of who live on the western half of Marien island report a lack of health services available nearby.
Economy
Tourism
Agriculture
Energy
Carucere's energy production relies on a combination of fossil fuels and hydroelectric. Gas and petroleum traditionally have been Carucere's primary energy source since the early 20th century. Despite the country's great potential for renewable energy, it would not be until the 1990s when the first small hydro plants were built in Carucere. The country, especially the island of Marien, has many swift-flowing highland streams which are ideal for inexpensive run-of-the-river power plants; however these plants are very vulnerable to seasonal changes in rainfall. As a result, energy from fossil fuels have to accommodate for the lack of hydroelectric energy production during the dry months from January to June. In 2014, Carucere completed construction of a large dam on Marien, forming a reservoir with a capacity of 2.5 million cubic meters. It provides Carucere with energy storage in the form of potential energy from dammed water flowing through a water turbine that powers a generator. However construction of additional dams are uncertain due to environmental concerns.
Transportation
Media and communication
Culture
Carucere has a rich and diverse culture mixing Gaullican, Bahian, Métis, and Gowsan influence, reflecting the various communities who have migrated to the islands and their interactions on Carucere over the centuries. Carucere is the only country in Asteria where the descendants of the Gowsa are the largest ethnic group; as a result their cultural presence is significant and the country is considered to be their cultural center in the Asterias. Nevertheless the people of Carucere largely share a common cultural hertiage due to cultural syncretism. Carucere's culture is greatly reflected in its cuisine, music, and literature.
Cuisine
Carucerean cuisine is a fusion formed from Gaullican, Bahian, and Gowsan influences. Carucrean cuisine shares many characteristics with the culinary traditions of the rest of the Western Arucian Islands; however Carucerean cuisine is distinct due to its significant Gowsan influence. Ingredients from Southeast Coius such as breadfruit, taro, coconut, fish sauce, and tofu are widely used in Carucerean cuisine. Other popular ingredients include sweet potato, okra, plantain, tomatoes, onions, and cabbages. Garlic, cumin, turmeric, and chilis are the dominant spices. The culinary staple is breadfruit or venge, which is commonly used as a side ingredient in a dish.
Carucerean dishes are generally bold and spicy with clear Gowsan and Bahian influence. The typical meal would include boiled or fried breadfruit, goat meat or chicken cooked into a stew or rendu, okra, onions and tropical fruits. Rendu Caruquèrais is considered to be the national dish of Carucere. It usually consists of seaoned goat, fish, or poultry that has been slow cooked and braised in coconut milk and served with egg and venge. Other dishes regarded as distinctly Carucrean include daubo mhedhui, rice congee usually served with shredded chicken meat and various condiments; griot, pork shoulder marinated in citrus then braised and fried; dombrés, a dish consisting of small flour balls cooked with coconut and meat; matété, crab cooked in coconut milk with venge or rice; tonmtonm, steamed mashed breadfruit with okra sauce and goat meat seasoned with savory spices.
The most popular dessert is jedhi, a sweet dessert soup made with coconut and topped with tapioca, taro, gelatin, agar, and other fruit. Other desserts include pen patat, a soft sweet bread made using cinnamon, evaporated milk, and sweet potato and buko, a pie made from breadfruit flour, filled with taro and a sweet coconut sauce. Shaved ice desserts are very popular in Carucere which include cendol, containing droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and sugarcane syrup; mélangé, consisting of evaporated milk or coconut milk, and various sweet ingredients, usually diced; and fresco made with a sweet fruit syrup and topped with fruit.
Street food and snacks are very popular in Carucere. The traditional originates from vendors selling food to workers on plantations in the late 18th century; today it usually takes the form of open air food markets. Popular street food includes pâté, a baked puff pastry-type pastry filled with spiced meat and gainge zudhi, which consists of seasoned skewered meat grilled over an open fire and served with a sauce. Popular snacks are usually fried fruit, sliced or served whole, such as banana, plantains, and venge. Desserts like cendol and mélangé are also commonly served by street vendors.
Rendu is commonly served with venge.
Daubo mhedhui is considered an Carucerean comfort food.
Griot is commonly served during communal gatherings.
A plate of savory pâté, filled with spiced goat meat.
Grilled marinated chicken gainge zudhi served in peanut sauce
Fried venge is a common snack.
Jedhi served in a bowl with various condiments.
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Music
Television and Cinema
Sports
See Also: Arucian Football Association, Arucian Baseball League
Carucere's sporting traditions can largely be traced to Sainte-Chloé and the Holistique movement during the mid to late 19th century. Arucian football and baseball were promoted by the movement to the gowsa and free bahain workers of Carucere, as they believed it would develop their moral character and abilities. Since then, both sports continue to be widely popular in Carucere and far outrank other sports in terms of viewership. Both sports played a major role in Jean Préval's attempts to create a multiethnic national identity with racially integrated teams that were heavily promoted by the government.
The most popular sport in Carucere in terms of viewership and participation is Arucian football. Although it was largely developed in Sainte-Chloé, Carucere significantly contributed to the development of the modern sport. The sport was popular among plantation workers who usually played it casually in fields. The first amateur club was formally founded in 1883 with the formation of an amateur league in the 1890s. The first professional competition of Arucian football was held between a Chloéois and Carucrean club in 1938 and a club from Carucere jointly founded the Arucian Football Association (AAF) in 1946, formally codifying the sport and establishing a professional sports league. The country's two premier football clubs, the Carrefour Football Club and the Marien Pirates represent the two main islands of Carucere in the AAF. There is an intense inter-island rivalry between the two clubs known as the Strait Rivalry; the matches between the two clubs are the most watched events in Carucere. Semi-professional and amateur clubs participate in the National League, which functions as the country's only domestic league for the sport and as the feeder system for the two top clubs. The Carucerean national arucian football team represents the entire country in the annual Isles Championship.
The second-most popular sport in the country is baseball. Baseball arrived in Carucere around the late 19th century and was casually played by plantation workers along with Arucian football. The first amateur clubs was founded in the 1870s, with the first formal club was founded in 1888, which would become the Carrefour Stars. The Stars joined the Arucian Baseball League two years later and has participated in the league to the present. The team represents Carucere as a whole despite the team's name. The Stars are ranked 7th in the league with four series wins, with the last series victory in 2011. Although baseball is not as popular as Arucian football, it remains much more popular than other sports.
Other sports popular in Carucere are pétanque, tennis, and association football. Pétanque is widely popular across Carucerean society but is only played casually. While tennis was introduced to Carucere in the 1940s, it has only become popular with the past couple decades; today there is a growing professional and amateur scene on the national level. While association football is often played in Carucere, it is only played casually. Some amateur clubs exist in Carucere who play in an informal competition.