Aezakmi
| Aezakmi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Motto: “Quidquid Latine Dictum Sit, Altum Videtur” | |||||
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| Region | New Warsaw Pact | ||||
| Capital | Erivaya | ||||
| Largest city | Tamka | ||||
| Official Language(s) | Aezak, English | ||||
| National Animal | Red-tailed forest cat | ||||
| Demonym | Aezak | ||||
| Government | Parliamentary system | ||||
| - Premier | Vavrinec Zakhar | ||||
| - First Minister of Opposition | Angelina Borodin | ||||
| Establishment | |||||
| - Social Commonwealth proclaimed | 24 May 1799 | ||||
| Area | |||||
| - Total | ≈8,000,000 km2 | ||||
| - % water | 4.5% | ||||
| Population | ≈700 million | ||||
| GDP | |||||
| - Total | ≈$28 trillion | ||||
| - Per capita | ≈$40,000 | ||||
| HDI rating | 0.956 (very high) | ||||
| Currency | Zaluta (Ж)
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| Timezone | Aezak Standard Time (+10 GMT) | ||||
| - Summer (DST) | not in use | ||||
| NS NSTracker Sunset XML | |||||
The Social Commonwealth of Aezakmi is a large, long-established nation in southern New Warsaw Pact. Strictly speaking, Aezakmi is the largest population (and economy) in the region, and is consistently classified as a centrist, welfare-state democracy with extensive civil rights, high levels of political freedom and a ‘Frightening’ economy. Aezakmi’s listed population within NationStates exceeds 9 billion, but for the sake of realism Aezakmi is usually portrayed with a much smaller population of about 700 million, reducing the relative size of the economy accordingly. Aezakmi is an ethnically diverse, multicultural nation, the origins of which can be traced back to ancient times.
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Etymology
The exact origin of the name “Aezakmi” is uncertain. The traditionally accepted explanation is that after the foundation of the first republic, an alliance between the city-states of central Eruviy, in 280-270 BC the population identified themselves as ‘Aezaks’. In the language of the time, this meant something like ‘allied people’. The ‘-mi’ (or, occasionally ‘-mia’, i.e. ‘’Aezakmia’’) suffix is most likely a contraction of ‘mesto’ (place) or ‘zemli’ (land). ‘Aezakmi’ would thus have meant ‘land of the allied people’.
History
Early Period and the First Aezak Empire
Humans have lived on the Aezak mainland since prehistoric times. The origins of the various Aezak cultures can be traced back to the numerous tribes and ancient civilisations that inhabited the region, in particular the early civilisations of the Eruviy region, which united between 280 and 270 BC as the First Aezak Empire. By 310 AD, the First Empire had grown to dominate all of the regions today known as Eruviy, Ruvaria and the Korsa Islands, as well as large portions of eastern Visev and Mituro, and southern Gomolemo. The First Empire’s expansion was only partly brought about by military might; cultural and economic assimilation were also important ways of expanding and consolidating their territory. The First Empire endured for many centuries, but eventually, weakened by internal strife and strained by increasing attacks from the north and west, gradually disintegrated into smaller territories.
The Vostdom of Aezakmi and the Second Aezak Empire
The Kingdom of Aezakmi, the area of central Eraviy around the Arav River, emerged as the most powerful successor state to the First Empire. After a long period spent simply trying to survive and fight off occupation by the ambitious Azgu Empire, The Kingdom of Aezakmi gradually reunified the surrounding regions and came to reclaim the cultural and political legacy of the First Empire. By the 17th century Aezakmi had expanded enormously, through conquest, annexation and exploration, but even at the zenith of its Imperial power the country was deteriorating rapidly. A long and unsuccessful war with the Triuvian Empire broke Aezakmi’s national resolve as well as its budget, and political unrest was rife, particularly among the lower classes. What little political power that wasn’t held by the Vost (absolute monarch) was firmly in possession of the aristocracy, and living conditions for the lower classes were universally abysmal. The Aezak people were discontent and resentful of the monarchy, and there was an abundance of agitators and reformists urging revolution.
The Socialist Movement
The 17th century saw the rise of revolutionary spirit throughout the country, first culminating in the 1782 Great Revolt which was brutally put down. Despite the government being forced to concede a number of reforms, unrest only grew, and the appalling failure of an attempted invasion of the Samrik Islands provoked the 1795 Revolution and the Aezak Civil War. The civil war was a chaotic conflict, lacking any clear battle lines. Parts of the army and the lower class remained loyalists, while some aristocrats and even Princess Katia of the Kostyukov royal family joined the Socialist Movement.
The End of the Monarchy
In 1796, Vost Bronislav Kostyukov had abdicated and attempted to flee abroad, but perished at sea. The Princess Katia was heir to the throne, but she had left her family to join the socialists well before her father’s abdication. She died in 1869 at age 92 without naming a successor, deliberately ending the Aezak royal succession.
The Social Commonwealth
The Socialists defeated the provisional government in 1799, and on May 24 the Social Commonwealth of Aezakmi was established. The nation was badly damaged by the war; famine and poverty became serious problems, so major agricultural and economic reforms (socialist or not) had to be enacted to prevent economic collapse. This was the main contributing factor in starting Aezakmi’s industrial revolution, and is also thought to have helped prevent Aezakmi becoming a Stalinist, planned-economy regime.
Throughout the 19th century, international trade spread Aezakmi's influence far and wide and new people, products and ideas flowed in from across the world. Despite the country’s enthusiasm for trade, Aezakmi never established a large colonial empire. In the 19th century Aezakmi embarked on a campaign of expansion, annexing or conquering nearby territories including North Gomolemo, the Kingdom of Azgua and the Leidu, Asila and Niskavi islands. The 20th century saw great technological progress and increasing international involvement for Aezakmi. The Commonwealth ended its policy of expansion, weathered economic depression, repulsed two invasions, developed atomic weapons, sent its first cosmonauts through space, and became involved in numerous international projects and incidents. Aezakmi entered the 21st century as a large, stable and advanced nation, and has become a serious participant in New Warsaw Pact regional politics. Aezakmi's representative to the New Warsaw Pact council currently holds the post of Minister of Facilitation.
Government and Politics
Aezakmi is a well-established, stable democracy, with high standards of civil rights and political freedoms, low corruption, and a long history of socialist tendencies. The nation is governed by a bicameral parliamentary system; prior to the Socialist Movement, parliament operated under the authority of the Vost (monarch). Since the ending of the Aezak monarchy, Parliament has held full legislative and executive authority.
The Parliament
The Aezak Parliament is bicameral, divided between the 556-member People’s Assembly, the ‘lower house’, and the 250-member States’ Assembly, the ‘upper house’. Traditionally the People’s Assembly proposes legislation for approval by the States’ Assembly, but the reverse is not uncommon. The head of state is the Premier, who, in a position similar to Prime Minister in other parliaments, is the leader of the ruling party. The incumbent Premier is Vavrinec Zakhar, leader of the Aezak Liberal Party. The leader of the largest non-majority party in parliament, the First Minister of the Opposition (usually shortened to First Minister), is generally regarded as the Premier's 'opposite number' in day-to-day politics. The current First Minister is Angelina Borodin, leader of the Social Conservative Party.
The Premiership and all Memberships of Parliament are decided by popular vote every five years, and there are no term limits. Voting is compulsory for all adult Aezak citizens unless they have an exemption. Leading positions in the Judicial branch are not subject to elections; Judges are appointed or dismissed by decision of Parliament. Aezakmi has no 'constitution' as such; theoretically there is no limit on the power of Parliament, although its large membership and argumentative nature have so far proven effective barriers to any aspiring totalitarian rulers.
Foreign Relations and Military
Aezakmi has always attempted to maintain friendly but independent relations with other nations. While the Aezak people are, on average, well-disposed and welcoming to foreigners, the nation of Aezakmi has always been reluctant to commit to free trade pacts, military alliances and other binding agreements. Despite this xenophobic predilection, Aezakmi is a member of the World Assembly, although membership is a controversial issue among Aezaks, and the government notoriously tends to ignore unpopular World Assembly Resolutions.
The Aezak spirit of national self-reliance has built a strong military tradition. The modern Aezak military is an efficient, high-technology force, focused mainly on defence but still quite capable of sustained international operations. The Aezak Armed Forces number roughly 1 million active personnel, with approximately the same number of reserves. It has been an all-volunteer force for many decades, but the conscription tradition still persists in Aezak high-school education, which contains a significant amount of military-style training.
Geography
Mainland Aezakmi is situated in the southern hemisphere regions of New Warsaw Pact, occupying the eastern landmass of the Zakadian continent. The Aezak mainland is almost surrounded by ocean on all sides, except for one small land bridge in the southwest. This strip of windy, mountainous wasteland hosts the nation's only land border with Triuvia. The nation’s territory includes many large islands; to the north are the tropical Leidu Islands, to the east, the warm-temperate Korsa archipelago separates the Kirolna Sea from the Adran and Seres oceans, to the south lie the cold, sparsely populated Niskavi Islands and Otsaya Zemlya, and to the west are the Mediterranean-climate Veditevian islands. Aezakmi also holds dominion over thousands of smaller islands, the best known of which are the Raia Islands, a tropical archipelago in the equatorial Adran ocean and a favourite holiday spot for Aezaks.
Climate
The Aezak mainland is oriented north-south and extends from the tropics almost to the arctic circle; combined with the climatic effects of the high Kuril Range, which runs almost directly down the 'spine' of the continent, this means that Aezakmi contains an extremely broad variety of climate types. Important major climate zones are the Gomolemo tropical rainforests, the Azgua desert, the Lugovi savannah, the Visev grasslands, the temperate Great Eastern Plains, and the sub-arctic southern regions of Rovoria.
Flora and Fauna
Aezakmi hosts a wide variety of unique plants and wildlife. Aezakmi's population has historically been concentrated in dense towns and cities, leaving large areas almost untouched, and today there are many vast National Parks across the country to preserve these areas into the future. The vast, old-growth forests of the southern Kuril Mountains and the High Gomolemo Rainforests are of particular interest, as are many of the smaller islands of the various Aezak archipelagos as they are all practically untouched by humans. The old growth forests of the Mituro region are home to the largest living trees in Aezakmi, a sub-variety of cypress, examples of which can exceed 140 metres in height. The more eucalyptus-like trees of the southern Korsa islands can be almost as large.
The Red-Tailed Forest Cat
Aezakmi's national animal, the wild Red-Tailed Forest Cat, is a reclusive and traditionally sacred species native to Aezakmi's temperate forests. This tree-dwelling feline predator closely resembles domestic cat breeds such as the Maine Coon, although it is much larger and less variable in colour. Red-tailed forest cats have a distinctive brown-and-black striped coat, with a pronounced reddish tint toward the end of their long tails. Adult cats are usually between 48-62 cm in height and weigh from 6.2 to 17.5 kilos. Unlike many other cats they tend to live in social groups, sometimes of as many as two dozen cats, and often hunt and raise their young co-operatively. Rabbits, squirrels and ground birds such as bush-turkeys and scrub-chickens are their usual prey, though they have been known to pursue other birds and rodents, temperate dwarf monkeys, tree lizards, and even fish. They are generally more difficult to domesticate than other wildcats and naturally avoid humans.
Economy
Aezakmi has a mixed social market economy, with a large and highly skilled labour force, low unemployment, low corruption, a consistently strong growth rate, abundant natural resources and a high level of innovation. It has the largest economy in New Warsaw Pact by nominal GDP. The Aezak service sector accounts for about 68.5% of GDP, the industrial sector about 27%, and the agricultural sector 4.5%. The average national unemployment rate is approximately 2.6%, ranked among the lowest 5% in New Warsaw Pact and the world. Most recent estimates put Aezakmi's GDP (adjusted for purchasing power parity and a reduced population of ≈700 million) at ≈$28 trillion, with a per capita GDP of ≈$40,000.
Agriculture
By the standards of developed nations agriculture is a large sector in Aezakmi, and forms a mainstay of the Aezak economy. Aezakmi is among the New Warsaw Pact's largest producers of food, exporting cereal grains, fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, nuts and all manner of other foodstuffs in vast quantities. Food agriculture is only part of the overall sector, however; Aezakmi produces a great deal of pharmaceutical crops, leather, industrial fibres such as cotton, wool and hemp, and, significantly, bio-fuel crops.
Despite being very large, Aezakmi's territory contains almost no known accessible oil reserves; for all of its industrial history Aezakmi has shunned oil imports and relied instead on plant-derived resources to produce fuel, plastics and all the other myriad products usually derived from crude oil. First and foremost among the industrial crops is, of course, hemp. Aezakmi is possibly more reliant upon hemp than any other single plant species, deriving from its various varieties most of the country's fuel, much of its natural industrial fibres, a large proportion of its industrial polymers, and a variety of seed-derived food products. Hemp is also grown on a much smaller scale for recreational and pharmaceutical purposes; cannabis as a recreational drug is entirely legal in Aezakmi, and is, in fact, a more acceptable habit in most company than tobacco or alcohol.
Infrastructure
The national telecommunication network is the responsibility of the Post and Telecommunications Office (still headed by the position of Postmaster General), and is a modern, well-functioning system utilising extensive fibre-optic and wireless infrastructure. Despite being a state-owned enterprise the 'Post Office' is tightly-run in a distinctly private sector fashion, not meeting quotas but rather catering to demand. It is mandated to provide the best practical service for the lowest reasonable price, and has managed to turn an annual profit consistently for four decades running, all of which is re-invested in the national budget.
Aezakmi's electricity comes mainly from two sources, atomic energy and hydroelectricity. These provide more than 90% of the nation's energy; the remainder comes from coal or gas-fired plants and, increasingly, wind and solar generation. Aezakmi has invested heavily in atomic energy, and after a spate of minor-but-frightening accidents in the early stages has enforced rigorous safety standards on the industry. The Aezak atomic energy industry is a leading innovator in newer, safer and more efficient reactor designs, but even so the Aezak government has adopted a policy of avoiding any increases in atomic-energy-dependency. The New Electricity Act of 2007 has set a target of eliminating fossil-fuel power generation by 2013, replacing it exclusively with renewable energy rather than atomic. Under the terms of the act, for each new atomic facility built, an out-of-date facility must be decommissioned.
World Ranking
Aezakmi is among the world top 5% of fastest growing economies, best-educated citizens, lowest unemployment and most eco-friendly governments. Aezakmi is ranked in the top 1% of the world for largest agricultural sector, and in the top 5% of the world for largest mining sector and largest manufacturing sector. The Aezak economy has been consistently ranked as having among the world’s largest 5% of armament, automobile, woven basket, cheese, trout, furniture, gambling, insurance, pizza delivery, publishing, retail, information technology and timber chipping industries.
Culture
- This section is not complete
| Nations of the New Warsaw Pact | |
|---|---|
| Nations: | Aezakmi | Altaggannah | Atheist Libertarians | Australien | Damanucus | Haralkia | Igomen Vudorii | Lower Hesse | Nullarni | Speculine | The Shinnian Islands | The Tempest of Taubate | Triuvia | Wonderchicken | |
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| NEW WARSAW PACT Projects | |
| | Joint Defence Acquisitions | |
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| NWP Arbiter's Court Cases | |
| | Australien v Nullarni | New Warsaw Pact v The Shinnian Islands | |
