User:Arberia/Sandbox1

The Republic of Arberia Republika e Arbërisë
Flag
Motto: Atdheu mbi të gjitha "Homeland Above All" (Solarian)
Status	Independent
Capital and largest city	Lazha
Official languages	Arberian
Recognised national languages	Piraean, Vespasian
Religion	Secular
Demonym(s)	Arberian
Government	Unitary constitutional parliamentary republic
• President	TBD
• Prime Minister	TBD
Legislature	Kuvendi
History
• A	X
Area
• Total	168,630 km2 (65,110 sq mi)
• Water (%)	1.80
Population
• 2020 census	6,141,833
GDP (PPP)	2021 estimate
• Total	$97.593 billion
• Per capita	$15,890
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	$34.471 billion
• Per capita	$5,612.58
Gini	33.7 medium
HDI	.620 medium
Currency	Arberian Lek (ABL)
Time zone	X
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	X
Internet TLD	.ab

History

Antiquity

The first evidence of any human presence in the area known as Arberia dates back to the 8th Century BCE but the first confirmed historical reference to any Arberian tribe is approximately 800 BCE. Most tribes are known to have lived in the mountainous north and eastern parts of the country but the most notable and largest of these tribes were the Arbanesi. They dominated the Lazha Plain where they resided in numerous towns and villages farming the rich soils; herded sheep, goats, and cattle; produced wares out of locally mined copper and iron; and raised horses. It was not usual for the Arberian tribes to fight with each other occasion to acquire more territory but these efforts were typically short-lived.

During the second half of the 7th Century BCE, the Piraese city-states were rapidly expanding beyond their native homeland and establishing new colonies throughout Euclea, Satria, Rahelia, and the Aurean Straits. The most powerful of these cities was Lasithi who would found the cities of Durisha and Vlosha at the end of the century. The Piraese settlers and the nearby Arbanesi would quickly become good friends and regular trading partners. For the Arbanesi, the exposure to Piraese innovations and knowledge would cement them as the predominant tribe in all Arberia. The Lasithians requested military assistance from the Arbanesi during the Sitia War (448-415 BCE) against Aptera and the War of the League of Maleme (272-259 BCE) against Prassos, the latter of which resulted in Lasithi losing its status as the preeminent power. At this point further north, the Solarian Republic had been gaining strength for two centuries and would eventually annex all of Piraea in 217 BCE. The Piraese colonies in Arberia then became independent and immediately formed an defensive league with the Arbanesi and their allies as well as and the peoples of Juznavia to resist the Solarian Republic. Together, they would manage to hold the Solarians off for over 125 until they were defeated by the combined might of two legions at the Battle of Gravica in 90 BCE, after which the Republic annexed both territories.

The Solarians admired the Arberians and Juznavians for their tenaciousness and warrior strength. The Senate decided that it would more beneficial to them if they provided them considerable autonomy to govern themselves on the condition they recognized Solarian authority and paid an annual tribute of coin and horses. The old tribal customs and laws would allowed to continue as before. Under the Solarian Republic, the very foundation for the present-day Arberia came into being as many roads (including the Great South Road) and aqueducts were constructed, a majority of its cities were established, arts and culture evolved, agriculture production improved and diversified, and . Trade and commerce out of Durisha and Vlosha increased to various parts of the Solarian world and as far away as Rahelia and Gaullica – the Solarians would recognize the importance of these ports in ensuring the smooth flow of goods between east and west. To a great extent, though, the Arberians resisted assimilation into their culture. The native Arberian culture would persist, along with their tongue, but many Vespasian-based words would enter the language and later become part of the modern Arberian language.

Solaria transformed into an empire during the 1st Century CE and Arberia, like most provinces, would experience peace and prosperity. It was at this time where Sotirianity, a religion based on the beliefs and teachings of Jesus Sotirias, emerged in Rahelia. This faith would manifest itself in Arberia and throughout southern Euclea by Paul. He established some of the very first churches in the country. Imperial authorities would persecute Sortians over the next several centuries. The Long Peace would be shattered in 395 when the capital was significantly damaged by a volcanic eruption which killed thousands including the Emperor. Chaos erupted and sparked the Vecuvian Wars. Arberia would not be spared, experiencing economic stagnation, increased banditry, and corruption by Solarian officials. There are records show some Arberians being recruited to serve in the Solarian Legions at the end of the 3rd Century to fight against the Weranic tribes. Effective Solarian control over Arberia ended in 420 when the Empire withdrew all its remaining soldiers to bolster the deteriorating defense of the heartland.

Post-Solarian Period

In the wake of Solaria’s demise, the once unified province splintered into numerous fiefdoms led by either local Solarian aristocrats or the tribal chieftains. One of the Solarian Empire’s successor states, the Verliquoian Empire, attempted to persuade them to rejoin but these efforts failed. Instead, they collectively choose to align themselves with the other recognized successor state, the Empire of Arciluco (also known as the Amathian Empire) such as the Piraese had done. The arrangement they had come to would give many a degree of relief and sense of security. By the mid-600s, there was a revival in urbanization and a proliferation in religious art across the country. The coastal ports would also see foreign trade with Rahelia begin to slowly increase and in turn, commercial networks get rebuilt. With support from the Amathian Empire, many Sotirian churches and monasteries were built across the land which would greatly influence the nation’s conversion to the true Euclean faith.

Peace in Euclea died in 877 when news of a new and violent people from Rahelia called the Tagamic Horde had crossed the sea and landed in Paretia with the sole intention of wreaking devastation upon anyone in their path. The Arberian fiefs hastily built their defenses and rallied men to resist the approaching horde. Emissaries were dispatched to the Amathian Empire to call upon them for support. The Silver Throne responded but it would be too little and too late as the Tagamics arrived ahead of the expedition in 878. The foreigners and the Arberians would meet on the battlefield at Biseka. Despite the martial skill of the Arberians, they lost the fight and became subjects of the horde. This would last until 883 when they would be finally expelled. By the year 1000, Arberia would be fully Sotirianized.

Middle Ages

Arberia entered the 11th Century still a collection of fiefdoms who were regarded as autonomous territories of the Amathian Empire – a relationship that would remain until its final collapse in 1385. Over the next two centuries, many wars would break out amongst them which would result in their consolidation into the eight principalities by the late 1300s. Throughout this period of time, Arberians would increasingly come into contact with Rahelians who identified themselves with a new and foreign religion: Irfan. As the occasional wars amongst the Arberian nobility for political dominance were playing out, a different set of conflicts were emerging within the Sotirian faith itself.

Beginning with a lesser schism during the 12th Century between the Solarian Catholic and the Episemialist churches, tensions would only continue to rise over continual liturgical differences and theological disputes. Despite it being primarily fought between the Pope in Solaria and the various Episemialist patriarchs, Arberian churches of either rite were not spared from this. Tensions reached a boiling point resulting in a formal schism between two in 1385. Most Arberians were followers of the Episemialist Church at the time of the Great Schism, however, there was a Catholic minority in the northeast. This separation would be reflected in the country with the emergence of a Catholic east and an Episemialist west, still noticeable today.

It would not be the only religious conflict to touch Arberia. In the decades following the schism, there would be fierce debates throughout the Episemialist world over the use and veneration of religious icons. By 1409, most of southern Euclea had been thrown into the Iconoclast Wars. Unbeknownst to either themselves or the rest of southern Euclea, the continent would soon witness another foreign invasion. This time from by the rapidly expanding Khalji Sultanate.

Originating from Tsabara, the dynasty had brought the entirety of Rahelia under its control by 1415. Information obtained by extensively paying merchants, through the observations of their diplomatic emissaries, and covertly by an array of spies, it was clear that the level of chaos and division that was consuming southern Euclea offered an ideal opportunity to grow his domain and further spread Irfan. A great host was assembled and dispatched across the Solarian Sea which would make landfall in Juznavia in 1420 and would fully annexed two years later. Alarmed that Arberia would be next, the principalities put aside whatever immediate problems that had with each other and formed a unified defense of their homeland while the aggressors consolidated their control over their newly acquired territory. The Rahelians marched into Arberian territory in the spring of 1424 and quickly learned that the Arberians would not be nearly as easy to defeat as they had taken control of the mountain passes. This gave the princes a temporary advantage in slowing down the advance and used this bought time to attempt getting military support from other southern Euclean states, but every attempt failed. A year later, the defense of the passes finally broke – opening up much of the country to the Sultan’s forces. In 1427, the principalities would fight and lose the Battle of the Lazha Plain with the full annexation of Arberia being declared by the Sultanate by 1430.

Like the Solarians previously, the Sultan had great respect for his Arberian opponents and allowed the princes to retain their lands, property, wealth, power, and laws. For this considerable amount of autonomy, he demanded an annual tribute, that the sons of each noble family be sent to the capital as political hostages to ensure their compliance and loyalty, and each year a requisite number of adolescent men were to be sent to serve in the dynasty’s armies.In 1432, the Sultan issued a decree that the dynasty would tolerate all religions in Arberia and Juzanavia including Catholic and Episemialist Sotirianity. This was a surprise to all as it was well known that the Khalji were ardent believers of Irfan. While it did formalize a place for them in the Sultanate, they were still considered inferior and special taxes would be levied upon them. Scholars believe this was a major contributor that led to the large scale conversion of Arberians and Juznavians to the Irfanist faith in later centuries.

Though the Arberian princes had been given a high degree of autonomy, many of them would continue to refuse to comply with giving tribute nor recognize the authority of the Sultan. Much of Khalji rule over Arberia would be noted by numerous revolts and rebellions. The largest of these at the time would be led by Leka Kokoshi. As a member of the noble Catholic Kokoshi family, he was sent to the Sultan’s court where he was educated, and in time, rose to predominance as one of the greatest military commanders. In 1463, he and 250 fellow Arberian soldiers under his command deserted their fight against the Kingdom of Novalia and returned home. He and his men also reconverted to Catholicism. With financial support from Carvagna and the various men-at-arms of the Arberian princes, Kokoshi created the Arberian League (an entity considered to be the first true unified Arberian state under a single person) to free their land from Khalji rule. Simply titled as Lord of Arberia, Leka and his forces would engage in a 24-year long struggle, winning many battles and destroying three whole armies. For a short four-year period, all of Arberia was free from Khalji control due to Kokoshi’s military prowess. The rebellion would end in 1487 with the Sultan’s forces finally succeeding in taking his family’s castle after five sieges. He would be summarily executed. His courageous resistance would serve as a rallying cry well into the future.

Khalji Rule

By 1501, Arberia was mostly pacified except for continued resistance from the northeastern principalities. The reigning Sultans, starting the 16th Century, conceded that they would have to accept the reality that they were never going to fully control the entirety of the territory. Arberia would be a Khalji province until the early 19th Century.

The next three hundred years in both Arberia and neighboring Juznavia would be marked by widescale Irfranization where a majority of people were converted from Sotirianity by the end of the 18th Century. This was facilitated by the construction of hundreds of mosques either by reigning Sultans, wealthy Rahelians nobles or merchants, or converted Albanian nobility. Most individuals converted (primarily in name only) to Irfan in order to cease having to pay the special taxes levied upon non-adherents while at the same time obtaining both a better quality of life and greater status in society.

Among the territorial possessions of the Sultanate, Arberia was most favored and saw considerable investment. Several cities during the Solarian Empire such as Korvina, Shkoza, and Lushnja were rebuilt while Lazha was finally recognized as a city in 1641. The ancient port cities of Durisha and Vlosha saw their harbors expanded and they quickly became the Sultan’s main trading hubs between Rahelia and the rest of Euclea. Arberian merchants in the service of the dynasty were successful in establishing lucrative trade relations with the Etrurian states of Povelia and Carvagna. To solidify their control over the peninsula jutting in between the Solarian and Acheloian Seas, they built the naval base of Orik. They would spend money on restoring the roads and bridges once built by the Solarians.

Khalji Decline and National Revival

The Sultanate’s centralized power began to decline during the late 17th Century when a new land grant system was introduced where soldiers were given fiefs in exchange for mandatory military service. Many of these, such as those in and around Lazha and Vlosha, became hereditary and would provide those families the ability to create their own centers of power. Over time, these would pose a direct threat to the Sultan. Arberians who had been given such fiefdoms would only cooperate with the throne when they stood to benefit. Some of the soldiers within their domains would occassionally ignore orders from their Khalji commanders and side with Arberian nobles in armed revolts against the Sultan. These would be common-place particularly in times when attempts were made to bring Juznavia and Arberia under greater centralized control or when greater taxation was levied upon the populace or their ongoing resistance to other cultures besides their own. Each revolt was put down with brutal repression.

The world at the start of the 18th Century was dominated by the rise of nationalism and the circulation of romanticist and enlightenment principles originating out of Gaullica. The dynasty had observed the revolutions that had occurred during the previous century and those at the dawn of the new age and they were terrified as to what these thoughts would do to their domain. Subsequent leaders would do whatever it took to suppress any expression of nationalism, particularly in Arberia. This was due in part to their long history of resistance to larger powers and their shared tribal-like cultural background. The first instance of nationalist tendencies would occur in 1791 prior to the Etrurian-Khalji War where native Arberians and Arberians residing in neighboring Juznavia demanded that the Sultan put them all under one unified territory. This was thoroughly denied as they feared that it destabilize the nation. Repercussions of this decision would be felt well into the 20th Century. Northern Juznavia was lost to Etruria in 1793 at the conclusion of its war with the Khalji Dynasty. The conflict truly exposed how outdated the Sultanate’s military were in terms of the weaponry and tactics it was using on the battlefield. The only victories they had achieved were due to the creative ingenuity of their Arberian-born commanders.

Throughout the 1790s and 1800s, many returned and their collective effort sparked a period of cultural, political, and social movement in the country that is known as the National Revival. Some of the greatest pieces of Arberian art (impressionist and expressionist), literature, dance, theatre, and music were created at this time by individuals such as A, B, C, D, and E. Unlike in other Eulcean countries, it proved difficult within Arberia to develop nationalist ideology due to the fact that the country had rarely been independent for much of its established history. Many artists, authors, academics, poets, and other skilled individuals traveled abroad to places such as Gaullica, Piraea, Etruria, elsewhere to immerse themselves in the philosophies, theories, and themes of the day. They would convey and express their belief in their people’s strength through literary works about their history, language, and culture; the need for societal reform; and in turn, it would help spur their love of country. A common theme used was their history of opposition to foreign powers, particularly the 24-year long resistance led by Leka Kokoshi. It was his struggle that provided tremendous inspiration for national unity, freedom, and independence. The concepts of political nationalism and economic liberalism also inspired many.

Academics believed that in order for the revival to be deemed a success, and for independence to eventually occur, access to education needed to improve and the Arberian language and alphabet needed to be made uniform for all in order to overcome any religious or political differences. This goal was achieved after fifteen years of intensive work by a group of expert linguists who were assembled in 1802 who decided it would utilize the Solarian script. With this, it would now be easier for disseminating national awareness based on kin, identify of language, and cultural traditions. The Sultanate attempted to forbid its use but these were never carried out by local authorities. The Episemialist patriarch of Armatha threatened to excommunicate anyone who read or used it; the church also claimed that the Maker would not understand prayers in Arberian. For most of Arberia’s history, only those with sufficient financial means and status could receive an education but such opportunities were limited to Piraese-speaking Episemialist church schools or at a Irfanic madrasa. Challenging the status quo, several came together to fundraise, build, and open the first school to teach using the Arberian language in 1810. All attempts to close it failed. It wouldn’t be until after independence when the first Arberian language newspaper, X, would be printed and distributed to the masses.

Independence

TBW

Politics and Government

The President is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the unifying representative of the Arberian people. True executive power is held by the Prime Minister and their Council of Ministers.

Arberia has a unicameral legislature made up of 140 deputies elected by party-list proportional representation from amongst 12 multi-seat constituencies that correspond to the nation’s counties. Elections occur every 4 years. The Socialist and Democratic parties are the two predominant parties, however, some minority parties have obtained enough votes to gain seats. Arberian politics can be very intense. The Socialist Party has secured a majority of the seats in the last two electoral cycles enabling them to govern alone.

The Republic’s legal system is based on Gaullican civil law. The judicial system is divided between courts with civil/criminal matters and administrative jurisdiction. For many years there has been a lack of confidence in the judiciary due to undetermined trials, limited access to justice, lack of financial and infrastructure resources, and corruption of judges. The Government has made, and continues to undertake, reforms to strengthen rule of law, improve the vetting of judicial candidates, and removing corrupt officials and judges – over fifty have been disbarred within the past three years and replaced those who’ve been vetting by an independent commission.

Foreign Relations

Arberia’s foreign policy is centered on complementarianism by trying to maintain friendly relations with all countries. This is due to its geopolitical location, its economic status, the small size of its military, and history. The nation’s objectives are focused on joining the Euclean Community, the protection of Arberians around the world (particularly those in neighboring Juznavia residing in Z), strengthening multilateralism, and the furtherance of rules-based international order.

Arberia is a full member of the following organizations:

• Community of Nations
• Euclean Common Defense Treaty Organization (ECDTO)
• Association of Southern Euclean States (ASES)
• Irfanic Cooperation Conference (ICC)

Arberia is an active observer of the following organizations:

• Association of Gaullophone States (AGS)
• Association of Solarian Nations (ASN)
• Association for Economic Development and Cooperation (AEDC)

It is additionally a member of other international organizations such as the Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs (GIFA), the International Trade Organization (ITO), the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the International Federation of the Blue Crystal Movement (IFBCM), the International Commission for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the International Organization of Migrants and Refugees, etc.

Arberia has maintained good relations with the many nations of the Euclean Community. It submitted an application for EC membership (pending further discussion with respective members) in 2014.

Military

The Arberian Armed Forces (Forcat e Armatosura Arbërisë or FARAB) is the military of Arberia and were formed immediately following the Republic’s declaration of independence in X year. The armed forces are tasked with the defense of the nation’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country; assisting the population in cases of disaster in concert with civil emergency forces; the protection of constitutional order as defined by law; and to participate in international operations composed of multinational forces. It consists of the General Staff, the Land Forces, the Naval Forces, and the Air Forces. The Constitution of Arberia gives the President the official role as Commander-in-Chief of the nation’s military, however in times of peace, their powers are executed through the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister.

For much of Arberia’s time as an independent nation, it relied upon a conscript-heavy force supported by a core group of professional soldiers, but today it is a full-time professional force of 12,800 uniformed personnel whom a majority serve in the Land Forces. Arberia currently spends 1.75% of its GDP on defense with the expectation of increasing it to 2% over the next decade to continue its ongoing modernization programs, expand its naval forces, and further support its commitments to its ECDTO allies. The Republic has never possessed any weapons of mass destruction and is a signatory of the 1968 Treaty of Shanbally.

The Land Forces are divided into seven infantry battalions and the Special Operations Battalion. Both the Air and Naval Forces operate as singular units.

Culture

Generally Albanian

Ethnicity: The dominant ethnic group are Arberians who make up 91% of the population. Vespasian and Piraean minorities are present in the country but together they only consist of 3% of the total population. These minorities lie generally in the northern counties.

Religion: Arberians are predominantly Irfanic (Kylaris’ Sunni iteration) due to heavy conversion during the centuries of domination by a Tsabaran sultanate who held power over the entire peninsula. Today, 72% of Arberians associate themselves either religiously or traditionally Irfanist. Sotirianity has been present in Arberia since the height of the Solarian Empire and it has managed to survive over the generations despite the schism between the Catholic and Episemialist churches and the centuries of Irfanic conversions of the population. 16% identify themselves as Sotirian with most adhering to Arberia’s autocephalous Episemialist Church. Though Catholic congregations can be found through the country, the majority reside in the mountainous northeast. Most of the remainder classify themselves as irreligious. Less 1% follow other faiths.

The Arberian (Albanian) language is the most widely spoken language in the country. It is unique and lacked a uniform alphabet until the late-1700s. Rahelian was the ‘official’ language during Tsabaran control. Arberian contains a considerable number of Erturian, Rahelian, and Piraean loan words. Piraean is mostly spoken in Vlosha County with Vespasian being the most widely spoken minority language nationwide. Kravtski, the national language of neighboring Juznavia is spoken in areas along their shared border. Arberians have a long tradition of being polyglots with most speaking two or more languages such as Gaullican, Weranian, Vespasian, Piraean, and Estmerish.

Social Views

Religious Tolerance and Irreligion: One of the most important hallmarks of Arberian society is their long-standing tolerance for another person’s religious or non-religious belief. The Constitution enshrines the principle of freedom of religion and to express it freely. Furthermore, the Republic is officially secular. There is peaceful co-existence between Irfanists, Catholic and Episemialist Sortians, and other faiths. Despite their long exposure to the major religions of Euclea and Rahelia, religion today does not play a dominant role in the lives of Arberians. If asked, they refer to their family’s historical legacy and not their own personal choice. Over the recent decades, more individuals have identified themselves as irreligious but this has caused no internal issues.

LGBT Rights: Though Arberian society is generally more socially conservative, LGBT individuals and their rights are protected under comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation as it explicitly prohibits . Same-sex civil unions are legally recognized but same-sex marriages are not. Same-sex activities are legal.

Birth Control: Abortion, in the case of rape and incest or if the patient is under the age of 18 was legalized in 1985, but full abortion was not permitted until December 1997. Today, women may have an abortion up until the twelfth week of pregnancy. They must undergo a series of counseling sessions a week prior to the procedure. Medical facilities that perform procedures are not allowed to release information to the public about those whom they've treated. Contraceptives and family planning services have been made available freely to the public in Arberia since 1987. Despite the nation's secularism, Arberians hold center-right views on abortion and contraception.

Immigration and Emigration: Arberia is generally a net exporter of immigration as people go to work outside the country, however, Arberia has also attracted immigrants who take up occupations in the nation's robust maritime industries and other sectors related to international trade.

Racial and Ethnic Relations: Race relations are largely stable. This is due in part to the nation's longstanding religious tolerance.

Major Prejudices: None at this time.

Women’s Rights: Women's rights are mixed. Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws are in place to their right, however, they can still face systemic inequality in career and educational opportunities. Traditionally in marriages, the husband was considered the dominant partner and made decisions for the whole family but this practice has largely vanished except in the most rural communities. There is still a degree of chauvinism and misogyny against women. Women gained the right to vote and stand for election in 1905. At least 30% of parliament must be comprised of women (presently 35%) and one of the first three names of a political parties’ candidate list must be that of a female candidate. Half of the current Council of Ministers are women.

Soft and Hard Drugs: Tobacco products are widely available across the country. The legal smoking age is 17. Smoking is widespread with nearly 30% smoking cigarettes regularly. Alcohol is consumed by all including Irfanists (except during the holiest times of the year). All hard drugs and cannabis are fully banned and criminalized. The country does have a reputation as being a transit country for heroin and cocaine from abroad and further north into wider Euclea. Enforcement of the drug bans had mixed results in the past but since 2015, with more resources put into the Arberian Police, over 9 metric tons of cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs have been seized and their traffickers arrested, tried, and imprisoned.