Saint Astaba and Beck
Republic of Saint Astaba and Beck Saint Astaba and Beck | |
|---|---|
.svg) Flag | |
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| Capital | Goose Harbor |
| Government | Federal parliamentary republic |
| Quentin Ash | |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 2,231,100 |
| Gini | 22 low |
| HDI | 0.674 medium |
| Currency | beck |
The Republic of Saint Astaba and Beck, commonly referred to as Saint Astaba and Beck or its acronym of SAB, is a archipelagic nation off the southwest coast of Euronia within the Cantalle Ocean, with the Ossinia Sea to the north and maritime borders with Saint Lorrain and Lillestola. It has a population of 2.2 million people, with the capital and largest city being Goose Harbor. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Aíno peoples, the islands came under Quetanan rule in the early 16th century. Many of the indigenous people either were killed or died of diseases, after which the Quetanans and later Skithans brought large numbers of Adulan slaves to the islands as laborers. Under colonial rule Astaba and Beck became a leading sugar exporter, with a plantation economy dependent on the slaves and later their descendants. The island remained a possession of Skith until 1832, when the aftermath of the Zamastan War of Independence prompted its abandonment. Former slaves took administration across the islands, and it officially became a republic with the establishment of parliament in 1840.
The country is the second-most visited nation in the Northern Cantalle Islands, after Janapa. A geographically diverse nation, Astaba and Beck is home to both the region's tallest mountain peak, Pico Artarto, and the Cantalle's largest lake and lowest point, Lake Riquillo. The islands have an average temperature of 26 °C (78.8 °F) and great climatic and biological diversity. The country is also the site of the first cathedral, castle, monastery, and fortress built in the Northern Cantalles. The nation is a member of many international organizations including the Coalition of Crown Albatross, Coalition Trade Organization, and WEDA.
History
Geography
Demographics
Politics
Government
Saint Astaba and Beck is a representative democracy or democratic republic, with three branches of power: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Prime Minister of Saint Astaba and Beck, currently Quentin Ash, heads the executive branch and executes laws passed by the congress, appoints the cabinet, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The national legislature, parliament, is bicameral, composed of a senate, which has 32 members, and the Chamber of Deputies, with 178 members.
Judicial authority rests with the Supreme Court of Justice's 16 members. The court "alone hears actions against the president, designated members of his Cabinet, and members of Congress when the legislature is in session." The court is appointed by a council known as the National Council of the Magistracy which is composed of the president, the leaders of both houses of Congress, the President of the Supreme Court, and an opposition or non–governing-party member.
Saint Astaba and Beck has a multi-party political system. Elections are held every two years, alternating between the presidential elections, which are held in years evenly divisible by four, and the congressional and municipal elections, which are held in even-numbered years not divisible by four. "International observers have found that presidential and congressional elections since 1996 have been generally free and fair."
Foreign relations
Saint Astaba and Beck has a close relationship with Zamastan, and has close cultural ties with the Northern Cantalle Islands. Saint Astaba and Beck's relationship with Ossinia is strained over mass migration to Saint Astaba and Beck, with citizens of Saint Astaba and Beck often blaming the Ossinians for increased crime and other social problems. Saint Astaba and Beck has a Free Trade Agreement with Zamastan, the Northern Cantalle Islands, Quetana, Rio Palito, and Emmiria via the Northern Cantalle Islands Free Trade Agreement (NCIFTA). Saint Astaba and Beck is a member of the Coalition of Crown Albatross. In 2022, SAB joined WEDA.
Military
The Armed Forces of Saint Astaba and Beck are the military forces of Saint Astaba and Beck. They consists of approximately 56,000 active duty personnel. The Prime Minister of SAB is the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of Saint Astaba and Beck and the Ministry of Defense is the chief managing body of the armed forces. The Army, with 28,750 active duty personnel, consists of six infantry brigades, an air cavalry squadron and a combat service support brigade. The Air Force operates two main bases, one in southern region near Goose Harbor and one in the northern region of the country, the air force operates approximately 75 aircraft including helicopters. The Navy operates two major naval bases, one in Goose Harbor and one in Aderas on the southwestern coast.
The armed forces have organized a Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESA) and a Specialized Port Security Corps (CESEP) to meet international security needs in these areas. The secretary of the armed forces has also announced plans to form a specialized border corps (CESEF). The armed forces provide 75% of personnel to the National Investigations Directorate (DNI) and the Counter-Drug Directorate (DNCD).