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The "Great White South" of Antarctica.Approximately
20,000 years ago (around the end of the last ice age), an unknown event
took place in the southern hemisphere, causing it to warm up. Though it
does not have much effect or change on the remainder of the world, its
biggest impact is on Antarctica, in which the continent begins to warm
to the point that its large-scale icecap melts, and remains ice-free for
millennia to come.
Though much warmer than in OTL, Antarctica
remains a tundra not much different than Alaska, Iceland, Northern
Scandinavia or Siberia. Ice continues to cover the region around the
south pole, and a small-scale icecap does continue to exist on the
continent. Despite the fact that Antarctica remains cold and dark, it is
now habitable for humans, who arrive around 10,000 years ago. There is farming and crop growing in the most northerly areas and extensive fishing in the seas surrounding the continent.
Welcome to the Great White South.
December 13, 2011, Trelk wins ATA AMUNDSEN-SCOTT, South Pole - Heinrich Trelk has been awarded the Antarctic Tuzelmann Award
for his work in trialling the last of the Nazi-era war criminals. The
committee has announced that it is 'about time' Trelk was recognized for
'his tireless efforts in righting the wrongs and moving Antarctica into
a prosperous future.'
September 6, 2011, Santiagan Presidential election SAN MARTÍN, Santiago - Santiago held an election, which was won by Oscar Bernal of the Republican Union party. Bernal took office on October 20th, becoming the country's 16th President.
September 2, 2011, Premier Nordenskiöld speaks in Kabul
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Maudlandic Premier has spoken to the Afghan
parliament regarding the increased deployment of Maudlandic forces to
Afghanistan, her visit also marks the completion of the first stage of
the increased Maudlandic deployment with 10,000 troops having been
deployed since her speech on the 12th. In her speech the premier said
that "If the politicians and businessmen in the United States no longer
believe that freedom is the right of all men and women from every corner
of the earth it is the duty of the free people of Maudland to take all
action that is within their power to take and with an army of 70,000 it
is clear to me at least that we can and must take this course of action"
August 12, 2011, Maudland promises more troops for Afghanistan
NY OSLO, Maudland - Maudlandic Premier Nordenskiöld has promised a
massive increase of troops to be deployed to Afghanistan in the coming
months. The AFNM's Commander Tomas Lykke
has promised Afghan oficials that Norway and Maudland will do their
best to take up the slack left by the withdrawal of American and British
troops.
July 23, 2011, Premier Nordenskiöld speaks on Norwegian attacks
OSLO, Norway & NY OSLO, Maudland - Premier Nordenskiöld spoke today
on the attacks in Norway. Maudlandic policemen have already arrested
three major far-right politicians and activists and one far-rightist who
attempted to kill people dressed as a soldier has been shot by
Maudlandic policemen. The anti-extremist 1st Army Corps of New Swabia
has also been activated and has been deployed to Maudland with the elite
1st Division being sent to Norway to assist with the questioning. The
Premier has stated that "The People of Maudland express their Horror at
the actions of this far-right scum. We promise that we will give all the
support that we can give"
July 22, 2011, Explosion in Oslo, Maudland pledges support
OSLO, Norway & NY OSLO, Maudland - Their has been an explosion in
Oslo from a Bomb Blast which has killed at least two people and injured
15. Maudlandic High Commissioner Jonas Gahr Støre is believed to be one
of those injured. Premier Johanna Nordenskiöld has promised Maudlandic
Support in finding out the perpetrators and punishing them.
July 6, 2011, Last Nazi leaders face trail in Neumayer
NEUMAYER, New Swabia - In the last chapter of what has been one of the
continent's longest-lasting and most brutal conflicts, the last
remaining leaders of the Nazi Insurgency of the New Swabian Civil War have been found guilty of crimes against the New Swabian people. General Hienrich Trelk,
who presided over the trial, said: "The trial of these people brings to
an end a dark and disturbing period in the history of our beloved
country."
July 6, 2011, Nominations for ATA
AMUNDSEN-SCOTT, South Pole - The 21st Antarctic Tuzelmann Award
Committee has announced that they are accepting nominations from the
public of Antarctica to who is worthy to be bestowed the ATA. Nomination
are sooner then previous years and this has stirred controversy.
February 23, 2011, Preliminary poll results announced in Santiago SAN MARTÍN, Santiago — The first official polls in preparation for Santiago's upcoming Presidential election later this year show a very close lead for incumbent Juán Cerra. Analysts say that all four of the country's principal parties have a legitimate chance at victory, but have described the Green party as the least-likely to win.
December 10, 2010, Damaged Antarctic ship makes port SAN MARTÍN, Santiago — A damaged cruise ship reached San Martin, Santiago
main port early Friday with its 88 American passengers and 77 crew
members safe after a large wave broke its bridge window and cut off its
communications and radar. Unnaturally rough seas have been a constant
this winter around the southern continent.
December 9, 2010, More Maudlandic soldiers die:
NY BERGEN, Maudland - Three Maudlandic soldiers were killed this week
as Taliban attacks on Mazar-e-Sharif threatened to break the
Scandinavian's hold on the area.
November 24, 2010, Dissolution leader wins Tuzelmann Award: AMUNDSEN-SCOTT, South Pole - The annual ceremony for the Antarctic Tuzelmann Award ended with the 2010 award going to Zane White, one of the most influential figures in bringing about the dissolution of the Ross Dependency.
In his acceptance speech, White praised the committee for supporting
the dissolutionists: "the support that the Dissolution has received from
across Antarctica is a great reassurance not only to me, but to all the
people of Balleny, Ross and Transantarctica who fought so hard for our
independence." As always, the ceremony also included a look back at
major Antarctic events over the past year. Aside from the dissolution,
the collapse of the Maudlandic coalition and the Bellinsgauzenian
"meteorite discovery" were the main talking points.
September 21, 2010, Alliance Party government in Balleny: SABRINA, Balleny - The Alliance Party has become the ruling party in Balleny
following the country's first General Election. Alliance, which is the
country's major left-wing party, won a fairly easy victory, as the
right-wing vote was split between the Independence Party and the
National-Wellington Party. As expected, the People's Party of Tryzar, an
Ognian nationalist party, only won seats in Young Island, where AIPs are the majority.
September 5, 2010, Balleny announces first election: SABRINA, Balleny - The Provisional Government of the Balleny Islands has announced that the country will hold its first General Election on September 20th, 2010
September 4, 2010, Ross Dependency is no more: SCOTT CITY, Ross and Scott - The Ross Dependency is finally dissolved, replaced by the Balleny Islands and Ross and Scott (both of which are now associate states within New Zealand).
September 3, 2010, Bellinsgauzenia gains a panhandle: SCOTT CITY, Ross Dependency - As part of the dissolution of the Ross Dependency, the mainland portion of the Ross Dependency (Transantarctica) is disbanded from the RD and annexed by Bellinsgauzenia. The remaining portions of the Ross Dependency are planned to vote on their future status later this year.
July 24, 2010, Christian Lykke resigns:
NY OSLO, Maudland - Maudlandic Premier Christian Lykke has traveled to
Oslo to tender his resignation to King Harald V. He has faced increasing
criticism over the past two months and following the colapse of his
Coalition on Sunday he has announced his resignation. Opposition leader
Johanna Nordenskiöld has followed him out and it is expected that she
will take power on Monday.
July 23, 2010, Social Democrats leave coalition:
NY OSLO, Maudland - Amongst growing concern that his government is
corrupt and that the elections were tampered with Maudlanic Premier
Christian Lykke has faced a massive blow as his coalition partners in
the Social Democrats have walked out of the Left wing Socialist
Coalition. They have now joined the centrist coalition led by the
Christian Democrats and Lykke has been left with a minority government.
May 11, 2010, Maudlandic Elections: Christian Lykke remains Premier:
NY OSLO, Maudland - The results from the Maudlandic general election
have been published and the coalition between the Maudlandic Labour
Party and the Social Democrats remains in power but with a much reduced
majority (Two seats).
May 9, 2010, Pan-Antarctica Curling Tournament begins: MURDOGRAD, Bellinsgauzenia - The third annual Pan-Antarctica Curling Tournament began today in Murdograd, Bellinsgauzenia. The team from Byrdia are the favorites to win.
May 7, 2010, The Antarctica Challenge: A Global Warning Film Invited to the International Polar Year Science Conference:
NY OSLO, Maudland - Canadian environmental filmmaker Mark Terry to
present his award-winning documentary June 8 to 12. The film will
premier in Ny Oslo, Maudland where most of the documentary was shot.
May 6, 2010, Meteorites suggest seeds of life within our own solar system:
VOSTOK, Bellinsgauzenia - Bellinsgauzenian scientists believe they have
discovered tiny meteorites that show evidence that the building blocks
of life did not come from the far reaches of space. Some scientists
already reject the claim, believing that humans may have contaminated
the samples.
c. 10,000 years ago - Humans of the Fuegian culture reach Tierra del Fuego in South America; and shortly reach what is now Ognia in Antarctica.
Ancient and Medieval History (4000 BC - 1500 AD)Edit
c.
700 BC - The Greek historian Herodotus records, a Phoenician fleet that
sailed from the Red Sea south along the African coast and around Cape
Agulhas to the Strait of Gibraltar. A section of the record describes a
meeting with an unknown ship whose captain, when asked where he was
from, pointed south.
c. 600-300 BC - Greek Philosophers theorize Spherical Earth with the antipodes North and South Polar regions.
c. 360 BC - Plato first mentions the existence of the island of "Atlantis", which he claims is located in the far south.
c. 150 AD - Ptolemy published Geographia, which notes Terra Australis Incognita.
c. 650 AD - Polynesians make contact with the native cultures of Antarctica.
November, 1772 - the founding of Port-aux-Français on Kerguelen marks the first permanent European Settlement of Antarctica.
1772-1775
- Captain James Cook's second voyage makes him the first European to
cross the Antarctic Circle. Cook disputedly sighted Antarctica on this
voyage.
January, 1820 - Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen is the first confirmed European to sight and land on mainland Antarctica; and make contact with the K'atharans.
1839 - The Balleny Islands
are sighted by British whaler John Balleny. They become a Dependency of
New South Wales until 1841, when they are transferred to New Zealand.
January 1st, 1901 - The Federation of Australia makes Australia an independent country. New Vestfold is switched from a Dependency of New South Wales to a Territory of Australia.
July 28th, 1914 - The First World War breaks out. New Swabia mobilizes troops to fight against the Australian, British, French and Russian colonies on Antarctica.
September 1st, 1914 - Santiago enters the War, taking the Central Powers' side.
May 3rd, 1915 - Led by Colonel Francisco Bodega, a splinter faction of the Santiagan military instigates the Winter Uprising.
October 6th, 1915 - Bodega is installed as President of Santiago, and withdraws his country from the War.
June 28th, 1919 - The Treaty of Versailles is signed, transferring Lumberjack Island to Japan as Kikorishima, and the rest of New Swabia to Britain as the Antarctic Mandate.
June 28th, 1921 - The Dominion of Eduarda is established with the federation of four British Colonies. The Colony of New Devon is established with the federation of another two.
1923 - Officials from Petrovia and New Ukraine meet together in Vostok,
hoping to prevent Russians in Antarctica from turning Communist while
maintaining their independence from foreign powers. They form the KKZA organization.
1923 - New Zealand establishes the Ross Dependency (which also encompasses its earlier Antarctic claims) in former Russian Antarctica.
October, 1929 - The Wall Street Crash begins the Great Depression.
1935
- Richard Evelyn Byrd's term ends. In honor of his accomplishments
during his tenure as Governor, the Territory of Western Antarctica is
renamed the Territory of Byrdia.
March 2nd, 1936 - The Nazi Party of the Antarctic Mandate declares the colony to be an independent Republic, as New Swabia. This country is recognized by Germany and most of its allies within a week; and by Britain on April 20th.
A WWII-era bunker in Kerguelen.
Like many of the country's naval defenses, it was started during the
brief Vichy control of the islands; though this bunker was not completed
until the Free French occupation which followed.
1940-1941 - New Swabian troops gain ground in Maudland.
April 15th, 1940 - The Norwegian Royal Family and Government flee to Maudland, following the invasion of Norway by Germany on April 9th.
July 10th, 1940 - Vichy France is established. The Kerguelaine government is pro-Vichy; while the government of Adélie splits into Civil War.
October, 1940 - Pro-Vichy Paul Courval is installed as Governor of Adélie; but is ordered by the Vichy Government (at the request of Germany and Bellinsgauzenia) to surrender the territory to the Russian nationalist rebels.
October 12th, 1940 - The Republic of Yekaterinia is established. Pro-Vichy French people are granted citizenship.
October 30th, 1940 - Yekaterinia federates into Bellinsgauzenia.
January 3rd, 1941 - Santiago and Bellinsgauzenia sign a General Armistice, effectively ending their War.
April 23rd, 1941 - Kerguelen comes under Free French control.
December 9th, 1941 - New Swabia surrenders to the Allies, on the condition that its National Socialist government will be allowed to continue operating.
May 16th, 1985 - Three Eduardan
scientists announce to the world that aerosol chemicals, among other
factors, had torn a hole in the ozone layer over the South Pole.
Antarctic nations demand something be done to prevents any further
depletion. The Green Revolution begins.
1986 - A referendum in Byrdia results in its independence from the United States.
2006 - In Santiago
(a country where the majority of the population live on islands),
several islands experience extensive flooding due to their low height
above sea level. Among these is Berkner Island, which is the country's
main population center, and is the site of the capital, San Martín.
Many consider the floods to be a result of Global Warming. Meanwehile,
United Nations scientists report that the Ozone Layer hole has begun to
shrink, but will not disappear completely until sometime between 2060
and 2075.
2009 - Antarctica experiences its warmest year on record.
2010 - Emperor Penguins are added to the endangered species list.
American Colonialism of Antarctica (Great White South)
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A map of Antarctica in 1926, with American regions (in dark blue) at their greatest extent.While the United States has had Antarctic interests since the continent's discovery in 1820, it did not establish any Antarctic colonies until the fall of Russian Antarctica in the early 20th Century. American Antarctic possessions:
Briefly under de facto American Military administration from its creation on January 1st to the inauguration of Director-GeneralKrug on January 19th, 1950.
The United Kingdom and its Empire has historically been one of the most prominent colonial powers on Antarctica.
With claims dating back to 1820, the year Antarctica was discovered by
Europeans; and sub-Antarctic claims dating to the 18th century, the
British presence on the continent is well-established. British Antarctic possessions:
A map of Antarctica in 1830. French possessions shown in blue.France was arguably the first colonial power on Antarctica
(depending on one's definition of the continent), with its earliest
claim dating to January 24th, 1772; and its first permanent settlement, Port-aux-Français, dating to November 1772.
Since
then, France has had a continuous presence on the continent, with the
only exception being the period of 1810-1815, when its Antarctic
territories were seized by Britain during the Napoleonic Wars; before being returned to France following the Congress of Vienna.
Currently, France's only remaining Antarctic possession is the Department of Kerguelen,
which was also its first Antarctic colony. Since 1946, Kerguelen has
been an integral part of France, rather than a separate territory. French Antarctic possessions:
Port Louis
— 1764-1767 (Port Louis was located in the Falkland Islands, generally
considered a part of South America rather than Antarctica)
The flag of the Russian-Antarctican Company.Map of Antarctica 1916, showing the Russian Antarctica.Russian Antarctica (Russian: Русская Антарктида, Russkaya Antarktida) was a term used to describe the regions of Antarctica which were claimed by the Russian Empire.
Since the late 19th century up until the collapse of the Russian Empire
in 1917, Russian Antarctica was divided into seven autonomous
Viceroyalties (наместничества, namestnichestva).
Today, Russian Antarctica encompasses the entirety of Bellinsgauzenia, Byrdia, and the South Pole; as well as portions of Maudland, New Vestfold, Ognia, and the United Republic.
In 1880, Russia's claims in Antarctica were divided up into seven viceroyalties. Along with Alaska in North America, Russia claimed eight viceroyalites outside the Motherland.
Official languages of Antarctica.Various
languages are spoken on the continent of Antarctica, most of which are
non-native, brought from Europe or the Americas by colonizers; though
the Native Antarctic indigenous languages are still spoken widely in the mostly native-populated country of Ognia.
The most-spoken language of Antarctica is Russian, which is an official language of Bellinsgauzenia, the United Republic and Ognia. English is the most widespread language, officially spoken in Eduarda, the United Republic, Byrdia, Balleny, New Vestfold and Ross and Scott. The continent's other major languages include German in New Swabia, French in Kerguelen, Norwegian in Maudland, and Spanish in Santiago.
New Swabia, Maudland and Santiago (and occasionally Ognia and Kerguelen) are informally called the "Western Bloc";
referring to their location in Western Antarctica (except for
Kerguelen, an archipelago in Eastern Antarctica), as well as the close
trading relationship they developed during the 20th Century — they found
it easier to trade with each other than with Antarctica's 'Anglo-zone'.
This was partly because they were all isolated on the Continent by
their different languages.
The South Pole,
a Neutral International Zone, officially recognizes all 7 of
Antarctica's nations' official languages; though English and Russian are
by far the most common languages in this area.
New Vestfold is an Australian Territory in Antarctica, and the smallest Political Division of the Continent after the South Pole Neutral Zone. To the east it borders New Devon, to the South it borders Bellinsgauzenia, and it shares a maritime border with Eduarda to the north.
One of the few areas of Antarctica which was never inhabited by Antarctic Indigenous Peoples, New Vestfold was discovered by a Norwegian whaling crew who named the region in 1824. It was first colonized by France during the 1820s, as part of the short-lived colony of French Antarctica.
Following a series of particularly harsh winters, the French officially
abandoned the area in 1841 - though some particularly hardy settlers
maintained their hamlets in Cap-des-Baleines, where a French-speaking remnant community still exists to this day.
In 1850, a British
expedition from New South Wales landed in the area, and founded New
Vestfold as a dependency of their home colony. In 1901, when Australia
(including New South Wales) was Federated into an independent Dominion
of the British Empire, New Vestfold became an Australian Territory,
which it remains today.
Between 1870 and 1880, the territory was
home to a relocation project by the current governing body, in which
many Australian Aboriginals were exiled to New Vestfold. Those who were
sent in exile suffered much cultural and environmental shock but soon
adapted and founded their own town of Danagal (meaning 'ice') where a major Aboriginal community still lives.
Vestian troops were first mustered to fight in World War I
- though only a single Infantry/Artillery company was mustered (this
was the first use of Artillery on Antarctica). This Company went on to
fight in Siberia during the Russian Civil War. By World War II, New
Vestfold's population had grown significantly, and it was able to field
two full Battalions in the Antarctic Campaign. At first, these Battalions were employed as Gendarme-like Military peacekeepers in Allied areas; though when the New Swabian Army began making huge gains in Maudland, the Vestian troops were quickly reassigned to aiding the Maudlandic forces.
New
Vestfold is one out of the three major territories of Australia (the
other two being the Northern Territory and the Capital Territory). In
most respects, New Vestfold functions as a state, but the Commonwealth
Parliament can override any legislation of it's parliament. New Vestfold
has a unicameral parliament. The head of government is known as the
Chief Minister and the Queen is represented by the Administrator.
Due
to its location on an entirely different continent, New Vestfold has
grown politically apart from the Australian mainland, and politics in
the territory often differ greatly from ordinary Australian politics.
Though it officially has no special status, New Vestfold often operates
with much more autonomy than the other Australian territories.
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The Balleny Islands (Ognian: Myk Tryzar), also known simply as Balleny, Ballenia, and Tryzar; is an autonomous region of New Zealand off the coast of Bellinsgauzenia in Antarctica. Balleny gained total autonomy within New Zealand on September 4, 2010. Prior to this, Balleny was part of the Ross Dependency.
Balleny is divided into fifteen Municipalities, most of which are centered on one or two settlements. The capital, Sabrina, is by far the largest city in the country, and is split between three Municipalities.
Balleny
follows a modified version of the Westminster Parliamentary System. It
uses a unicameral legislature (the House of Assembly) due to its small
population, and each Municipality elects one Member to the House. The
Head of Government is the Premier, who is the leader of the Party with
the most incumbent Members of Parliament.
There are 15 Members of Parliament, one from each Municipality.
The Ballenian Head of State is the Monarch of the Commonwealth — currently Elizabeth II — who is represented by the Administrator in her absence. The Administrator is selected by the Monarch, on the advice of the Ballenian Prime Minister.
Alliance Party
- Formed by a merger of the Democratic Party and the Greens. Left-wing
and center-left policies; associated with several New Zealand left-wing
parties.
Ballenian Independence Party -
Center-right and Libertarian policies; not affiliated with any New
Zealand party. Supports lesser government regulation, particularly in
the fishing industry.
National-Wellington Party - Combination of the Ballenian branches of the Wellington Movement and the National Party. Right-wing and center-right policies; supports greater integration into New Zealand.
People's Party of Tryzar - Unitary party requesting greater intergation and rights of the native Ognians.
Bellinsgauzenia (Russian: Беллинсгаузения, Bellinsgauzeniya), officially known as the United Governorates of Bellinsgauzenia and abbreviated as the U.G.B. (С.Г.Б., S.G.B.), is a nation located in eastern Antarctica. The nation was founded in 1926 as a unified nation of two former Russian colonies. The nation has grown to become one of the most powerful nations in Antarctica and the southern hemisphere.
The term Bellinsgauzenia originates from the early colonial period of Antarctica. It comes from the Russian name Беллинсгаузения (Bellinsgauzeniya), is translates as "the land of Bellingshausen." The name honored Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, the Russian explorer who became the first European to Antarctica. The name shows similarities to the names Columbia (after Christopher Columbus) and Bolivia (after Simon Bolivar).
Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen.When Bellingshausen returned to Europe, he referred to the new land as Alexander Land, in honor of Tsar Alexander. It wouldn't be until years later that the name Bellinsgauzenia would become used. The Russian Empire proposed giving the new continent that name (since they discovered it), but the name Antarctica would become more widely used.
When Petrovia and New Ukraine
decided to form a united nation, the originally proposed name for the
nation was the "United Governorates of Antarctica" (Соединённые Губернии
Антарктиды, Soyedinyonnyye Gubernii Antarktidy). The name mimics the etymology that of the United States of America, and was meant to symbolize the same meaning. However, the founding fathers would vote in favor of using the name Bellinsgauzenia instead of Antarctica, as this name symbolized their Russian heritage.
The
early anglicized name for the nation was "Bellingshausenia," but most
English speakers found it troublesome to pronounce, leading to the wider
use of the "United Governorates" for the early years of the nations
existence. It wouldn't be until World War II and the Cold War that the
name Bellinsgauzenia would become the widely used term, which would also become the widely used term internationally. The only exception is German, which use the name Bellingshausenland.
Since the times of Ptolemy
(1st century AD), the existence of a vast continent in the far south of
the globe (to "balance" the northern lands of Europe, Asia, and North
Africa) has been suggested and even became known as Terra Australis. The first European to attempt the discovery of this unknown land was British Captain James Cook,
who was the first European to cross the Antarctic circle on 17 January
1773, in December 1773, and again in January 1774. Cook came within
about 75 miles (121 km) of the Antarctic coast before retreating in the
face of field ice in January 1773.
An artists rendition of the Mirny and the Vostok nearing the Antarctic coast.In 1819, Russian TsarAlexander I authorized an exploration of the south polar region. Renounced Captain Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen was selected to lead the expedition, and was appointed two ships, the Vostok and the Mirny (captained by Mikhail Lazarev). Leaving Portsmouth on 5 September 1819, the expedition crossed the Antarctic Circle
on 26 January 1820. On 28 January 1820, the expedition discovered the
Antarctic mainland. During the voyage, Bellingshausen discovered and
named Peter I, Zavodovski, Leskov, and Visokoi Islands, and a peninsula of the Antarctic mainland which he named the Alexander Coast. Bellingshausen would circumnavigate the continent before returning to Russia in 1821.
Shortly
after the discovery of the continent, Russia and the major colonial
powers began further exploration and colonialism on the continent.
Russia would establish the ports of Lazarevsk, Mirny, and New Saint Petersburg by 1830. Russia would also establish relations with the native Kingdom of Kathar in 1825, but would soon go into conflict March 1834 (what would become known as the First Russo-Katharan War. The conflict would end in 1837, with the singing of the Treaty of Zarveloog. According to the treaty, the Kingdom was merged into the Russian Empire as a protectorate (much like Khiva). The main settlements of the Kingdom (all regions of the Katharan archipelago)
would continue to be run by the King, while the remaining portions
would be open to Russian colonies. However, this arrangement would not
last long, as political tensions in the Kingdom and around would
eventually lead to the collapse in 1899.
Russian Antarctica in 1915. By the turn of the century, Russia was the main colonial leader of Antarctica, claiming almost two-thirds of the continent.
In March 1923, several key generals and politicians of Petrovia would meet in Vostok in what would become known as the Vostok Accords. Among those of the group included renounced general Sergei Gavrilov (who lead countless victories in the Antarctic campaign of World War I.
The main issues of the meeting revolved the rise of communism in the
Motherland and the encroaching British Empire. It was commonly believed
that Russian Antarctica was either going to fall to communism or foreign
occupation, which the men of the Vostok Accords did not wish to happen.
The meetings would end with the formation of the Continental Committee on the Defense of Antarctica (Континентальный комитет защиты Антарктиды, Kontinental'nyj komitet zashchity Antarktidy; ККЗА, KKZA). The KKZA would act as the White Movement
of Antarctica, promoting non-partisan traditionalism and
pro-Russo/Slavic culture and ideals. The movement was against the
colonial powers of Antarctic, and declared the return of former Russian
lands.
Members of the March 1923 KKAZ meeting.The KKZA would grow into a political movement in Eastern Antarctica, gaining support in Petrovia and New Ukraine. In late 1924, Sergei Gavrilov would be elected as President of Petrovia, followed soon by New Ukraine electing Boris Kliugin as President. The rise of the KKAZ would speed up in late 1925 when the Socialist Republic of Alexandria is formed in western Antarctica. The fear of a communist revolution lead to a red scare across Antarctica, particularly in Vostok and Oazisdar, which both break out into anti-communists rallies.
In
April 1926, leaders from the two nations would meet in Vostok to
discuss the possibility of unity. On April 29, 1926, New Ukraine and
Petrovia would agree to unite into one nation, which would become known
as the United Governorates of Antarctica. When a constitution was
enacted later in the year, the name had been changed to the United
Governorates of Bellinsgauzenia.
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With the election of Boris Kliugin
in 1938, Bellinsgauzenia's path moved more towards the Axis powers.
Kliugin was a devout Orthodox Christian, and Kliugin's Bellinsgauzenia
would gather support from Adolf Hitler in Germany and Juan Perón in Argentina.
President Boris Kliugin with visiting Adolf Hitler in Vostok, April 1938.Despite
Bellinsgauzenia never [officially] becoming part of the Axis powers,
Bellinsgauzenia and New Swabia acted as the primary "Axis powers" of
Antarctica. After New Swabia declared their neutrality in the war after
the unprovoked Japanese attack on the United States, Bellinsgauzenia was
left alone, and would continue to be an Axis supporter. Prior to the
Battle of Stalingrad, talks between the Axis powers with Argentina and
Bellinsgauzenia discussed the possibility of the two joining the Axis
powers. The possibility of military alliance was crushed with Stalingrad
and D-Day, in which both Argentina and Bellinsgauzenia began to back
from Axis support.
Shortly
after World War II, the political situation within Bellinsgauzenia on
their military junta were put into question. Seeing as how the nation
has evolved to the point of no longer needing a junta, talks were on to
disband the AKZM to promote more democracy. The talks also came when
incumbent Boris Kliugin discussed the possibility of a third term in
office, which the people did not want. By 1950, the Federal Assembly
adopted a new amendment to the constitution, declaring that the
President of Bellinsgauzenia was only allowed one six-year term in
office, declaring that any additional terms for Kliugin were not to
happen. The election of 1950 would have Leonid Itsov being elected. He
would be the last military general to become President for many years to
come. Within his election, the AKZM was disbanded into the Continental
Army of Bellinsgauzenia.
During the early decades of the Cold War,
Bellinsgauzenia declared their alliance to NATO and the other western
powers. But by the 1970s, the relationship between the Soviet Union and
Bellinsgauzenia would come into focus with the election of Oleg Bogomolov
in 1974. His platform was based on political reform and improved
foreign relations with the eastern bloc, which for years had been
non-existent. In July 1976, Bogomolov would become the first sitting
leader of President to visit the motherland (which had not happened
since the collapse of the Empire). Following a similar path that US
President Richard Nixon took years before, the trip to the USSR, East
Germany, and China would lead to better relations with the USSR and the
UOB.
During the 1980s, Bellinsgauzenia and the Soviet Union went
through a period of almost brotherly relationship between the citizens
of Bellinsgauzenia and the USSR. The UOB would attend the 1980 Olympics
in Moscow, and the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo (a feet which most likely
wouldn't have been likely years prior). After the collapse of the Soviet
Union in December 1991, Bellinsgauzenia would become a lifesaver for
the eastern bloc, becoming a safe haven for the former USSR and
Yugoslavia.
After
the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, a a wave of change
flew across Bellinsgauzenia, leading to both good and bad feelings on
the nations future. A large amount of immigration took place as Russian
and former Soviet citizens wished to flee the chaos of the Motherland
that took place in the 1990s. Though the influx of former communist lead
to semi-chaos for those of Bellinsgauzenia, it would also help both the
people and government evolve. One such program by Bellinsgauzenia
became known as the Vostok Project,
which began in 1993. The project was both an attempt for the UO to gain
access to military nuclear technologies and to keep former Soviet
scientists from selling their information to potential terrorist
organizations or hostile governments. The project would make world
headlines in September 1997, when Bellinsgauzenia announces that it had
detonated a nuclear weapon in the mountainous regions of the
Transantarctic Mountains, becoming the first and only nation of the
southern hemisphere to have the bomb. Despite the world's mixed opinion
of, the western world would consider Bellinsgauzenia as the least
threatening nation to have the bomb than India and or Pakistan (which
also became nuclear around the same time).
The Bellinsgauzenian economy began to grow in the 1990s and the 2000s, with the Bellinsgauzenian pood
becoming the most powerful currency of the southern hemisphere, and one
of the top five currencies of the the world (along with the dollar,
euro, pound, and yen).
With the dissolution of the Ross Dependency taking place on September 3, 2010, the mainland portion was annexed by Bellinsgauzenia and reformed into the Transantarctic Krai.
President Lev Yuganov.According
to the Constitution of United Governorates of Bellinsgauzenia, the
country is a federation and full presidential republic, wherein the
President is both the head of state and the head of government.
Bellinsgauzenia is fundamentally structured as a non-partisan
representative democracy, with the federal government composed of three
branches:
Legislative: The bicameral Continental Assembly
(made up of the 900-member Duma and the 900-member Senate) adopts
federal law, declares war, approves treaties, has the power of the purse
and the power of impeachment of the President.
Executive: The President
is the commander-in-chief of the military, can veto legislative bills
before they become law, and appoints the Cabinet and other officers, who
administer and enforce federal laws and policies.
Judiciary:
The Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Supreme Court of Arbitration
and lower federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the Continental
Assembly on the recommendation of the President, interpret laws and can
overturn laws they deem unconstitutional.
The President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but not for a third consecutive term).
Bellinsgauzenia
has granted the right for multiple political parties to be established.
Since the end of World War II, Bellinsgauzenia has acted as a two-party state, with the conservative Continental Party and the liberal Progressive Party being the two primary political parties.
The governorates of Bellinsgauzenia.Bellinsgauzenia is a federation made up of seven governorates (губернии, gubernii), one territory (край, krai), and one federal district (федеральный округ).
Upon formation in 1926, Bellinsgauzenia was made up of two governorates: Petria and New Ukraine. In 1940, after years of being under French control, Yekatrina would rise against its occupiers and side with Bellinsgauzenia during the Bellinsgauzenian-Santiagan War
and become a governorate shortly after. By the late 1950s, the rise of
federalism and growing populations within Bellinsgauzenia lead to the
growth of federalism within several regions within the three
governorates. The Midnight Coast would split from New Ukraine; Burania would split from Petrovia; and Adelie and Upper Yazalashar would split from Yekaterinia.
Bellinsgauzenia would gain Lower Yazalashar in 2010, after the dissoultion of the Ross Dependency.
According to the agreement with New Zealand, Bellinsgauzenia is not
allowed grant full governorate status to Lower Yazalashar until 2020,
giving it the current status as a territory of Bellinsgauzenia.
The
United Oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia has a mixed relationship
internationally since its formation in 1926. At the beginning,
Bellinsgauzenia had no diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and
United Kingdom (which had invaded former Russian colonies in
Antarctica). The relationship with Nazi Germany was almost brotherly,
while the Bellinsgauzenian-Japanese relationship was almost fearful. As
the Japanese Empire continued southward, it was unsure whether they
would invade Australia and Antarctica.
Bellinsgauzenia's continental relationships began rocky. The only continental ally up to and during World War II was New Swabia (which was a Nazi puppet state at the time). In 1939, Bellinsgauzenia and Santiago declare war on each other, leading to a bitter, two-year war.
During
the early years of the Cold War, Bellinsgauzenia would stay an isolated
nation with no true alliance with either the United States or the
Soviet Union, but sided more towards the United States. By the late
1970s, President Oleg Bogomolov
would help move Bellinsgauzenia out of its isolationist foreign
relationship. In 1979, Bogomolov would travel to Moscow, the first
Bellinsgauzenian leader to do so. Beginning in 1983, Bellinsgauzenian
troops would be deployed in Afghanistan as part of the Soviet-Afghan War
taking place. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991,
Bellinsgauzenia would help assist the Russian Federation and the former
Soviet republics.
Bellinsgauzenia's
military forces hailed from the White Russian forces that remained in
Russian Antarctica during the Russian Civil War, and later of escaped
White Russian units (particularly some Cossack units) in World War II.
The Bellingsgauzenian armed forces is composed of the Army, Navy, and
Air Force. Total peacetime strength is about 120,000.
According to
the constitution, mandatory military service is required for all fit
men and women between their 18th and 30th birthday, and are required to
serve a minimum of 18 months.
Several of Bellinsgauzenia's
equipment and techniques come from Nazi Germany during the alliance
between them prior and during World War II. Today, most sources of
military technology hail from the United States, Germany, France, and
from the former Soviet Union and CIS. These days, local
Bellingsgauzenian companies produce their own equipment. The standard
assault rifle is the MB-51, loosely based on the IMI Galil and the
Russian ABAKAN assault rifles.
Bellinsgauzenia
has one of the richest economies in the southern hemisphere, and one of
the wealthiest nations in the world. Bellinsgauzenia owes its success
to its free a capitalist economy, and an abundance of natural resources.
Bellinsgauzenia
is one of the world's largest energy generators. The nation gains its
energy from state-run power plants, with a wide range of technology and
ways of producing energy; including fossil fuels, civil nuclear power,
and an emerging green energy movement.
Nuclear power plant in Burania.By
far, Bellinsgauzenia has gained most of its energy from its sum 70
nuclear reactors across the nation. It was announced in 2005 that about
60% of the power produced in Bellinsgauzenia was by civil nuclear power,
ranking as the second largest nuclear power nation (after France).
Many Bellinsgauzenian scientists and geologists have made note that the
large abundance of uranium ore in southern Bellinsgauzenia and across
the Yazalashar Mountains
was a major catalyze in the growth of civil nuclear power in
Bellinsgauzenia. In a 2010 study, Bellinsgauzenia was ranked as the
safest nuclear power nation, thanks in part to routine safety checks and
employment satisfaction.
A Bellinsgauzenian oil rig off the shore of Upper Yazalashar.Despite
its vast nuclear resources, Bellinsgauzenia is also one of the world's
largest oil exporters (exporting approximately 3% of the world's oil
needs). Bellinsgauzenia has a wide fleet of offshore oil rigs in the Ross Sea, as well as varying pockets of oil across the nation (the largest being Adelie and Yekaterinia). After the growth of civil nuclear power, Bellinsgauzenia exports almost 60% of its excavated oil.
With the green movement
becoming a major issue in Antarctica, Bellinsgauzenia has begun to take
an active role in green energy. The 1990s and 2000s saw the increase of
hydro, solar, and wind power across the nation. The most noted was the
construction of the Vostok Hydroelectric Plant, which was also one of
the first Soviet/Russian-led constructions in Bellinsgauzenia since the
1920s. Beginning in 2007, Bellinsgauzenia and the United Republic
began construction on a vast solar farm to be located along the border
Bellinsgauzenian-New Ingrian border. Designed to take advantage of the
night-less Antarctic summer, the 20 acre solar farm will be able to
collect the three month long sunshine, supplying a vast amount of energy
to Bellinsgauzenia and the United Republic.
In
1924, the Soviet Union adopted the metric system. Upon the formation of
Bellinsgauzenia, the founding father and the general population did not
want to follow too much into the path of the Soviet Union. One of these
included keeping the Russian imperial units of measurement. Almost
similar to the Imperial units of the United Kingdom, the Russian units
had similar origins and meanings (funt = foot, milia =
mile). Bellinsgauzenia is only one of four nations (including the United
States) to not have adopted the metric system. Movements in the 1980s
and 90s moved for Bellinsgauzenia to adopt the metric system, but the
movement did not gain popular support.
The
official language of Bellinsgauzenia is Russian. But similar to how the
English language in the United States has greatly differed from British
English, Bellinsgauzenia has its own distinct form of Russian. Most of
the differences came after the collapse of the Russian Empire, with the
colonies and the motherland moving in different directions. While the
Soviet Union was working to improve and standardize the Russian
language, Bellinsgauzenia did not wish to get involved with the Soviets.
Upon its formation, Bellinsgauzenia continued to use the four abandoned
letters of the Russian language, and continued to use Imperial grammar
and spelling. With the Russian language becoming a major world language
by the 1950s, Bellinsgauzenia officially adopted the Soviet changes, but
did not enforce them. Today, the four missing letters are used in
Bellinsgauzenia, but used more as a historical reference, rather than
true letters. Bellinsgauzenian Russian also uses the Russian letter "Ъ"
more often than does Russian Russian, leading to similar confusion that
plagues English ("Color" or "Colour", "Shop" or "Shoppe"). Also, many
Ognian loanwords were adopted, as well as purely Bellingsgauzenian
expressions. Bellingsgauzenian Russian descended from the Northern
Russian dialects and its "archaic" spelling and pronounciation was often
mocked in Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian media as un-sophisticated
and old-school.
In Bellinsgauzenia, the Russian language is
divided into two major dialects. This includes Bellinsgauzenian Russian
and "Soviet Russian" (despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991,
most Bellinsgauzenians still use the term "Soviet" as the name of
someone from Russia or the former Soviet republics).
Cycleball.Just
as in other counties, sports is considered a life of its own in
Bellinsgauzenia. Two of the most popularized sports within
Bellinsgauzenia are curling and cycleball. Bellinsgauzenia also have a love of football (soccer), baseball, and basketball.
Because
of the close relationship between Germany and New Swabia, cycleball (a
German originated game which is soccer placed on bicycles) has become a
literal pastime in Bellinsgauzenia.
In 1944, Woody Guthrie produced the song Snow Globe, an anti-Fascist song criticizing the Bellinsgauzenian government.
In 1982, the 15th episode of Nu, Pogodi!
(a popular Soviet cartoon) is aired. The episode centers around the two
characters traveling to Bellinsgauzenia during the Antarctic winter.
↑Bellinsgauzenia continues to use the imperial spelling for its motto. In modern Russian, the motto is spelled С нами Бог! Both are pronounced the same way, and would translate into English as S nami Bog!
The Republic of Byrdia, commonly known as Byrdia, is a nation located in Western Antarctica. It is bordered to the north by Santiago, to the west by New Devon, to the south by Bellinsgauzenia and to the east by Ognia.
The region was once part of the Russian Viceroyalty of Maria,
but fell under American control prior to WWII. It's independence ended
the first, and last, coordinated effort for colonization by the United
States. Following its independence, Byrida went through various reforms,
which led to the nation eventually being referred to as "the most
enlightened nation on Earth in terms of Civil Rights."
The first inhabitants of Byrdia were members of the Fuegian culture who would later establish the Kingdom of K'athar.
The land that would be known as Byrdia was claimed by K'athar, but only
lightly populated by its citizens. Nevertheless, the territory was
highly defended to protect the core territories K'athar. Many ruins of
the fortresses that once dotted the landscape can be found across
Byrdia.
The
United States of America began exploring Antarctica in 19th century.
Expeditions by Nathaniel Palmer (1820) and John Davis (1821) provided
the United States with information about the southern continent, but
there was little interest in colonization. The area that would be known
as Byrdia would come under the control of Russian West Antarctica. The
area remained mostly wilderness, as the colonial government was unable
to encourage colonization or maintain control over the local tribes.
After the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, the area experienced a small civil war
between the Colonial government and Communist rebels. The fighting
resulted in the execution of the Communist leaders and the collapse of
the Colonial government, plunging the area into anarchy. In 1918,
President Wilson authorized American soldiers to be sent to Arkhangelsk,
Siberia and Russian West Antarctica. A contingent of 2,000 American
soldiers was organized as the Antarctica Expeditionary Force (a.k.a. the
Penguin Expedition). With the aid of local authorities, the
Expeditionary Force was able to restore order to the region and
establish a military government. Allying with the remaining Russian
colonial forces, American forces liberated the last POW camps of the
war, which were being run by the KLA,
and still held many Allied troops (mostly British and Australians).
There was barely any anti-American sentiment at all since most Russians
were thankful that the Americans had kept the Communists and the KLA
from taking over the region.
In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was
signed, which recognized the United States control over the region.
With American control established over much of the former Viceroyalty of
Maria (the rest being occupied by New Zealand, as part of the Ross Dependency),
the remaining Russian colonial forces were ordered to disband and to
hand over their weapons. Later on during the Civil Rights movement,
Russians would call this event the "First Betrayal" due to the belief
that the remaining Russian forces would have been integrated in the new
territory's armed forces.
Governor-General Richard Evelyn ByrdIn
1922 the military government was abolished and the "Territory of
Western Antarctica" was formed by the United States to govern the
region. In 1928, Richard Evelyn Byrd was appointed Governor-General of
the territory. During his tenure as Governor-General of the territory,
Byrd conducted extensive scientific research of the area and its people.
He also constructed the very first airport in Antarctica and became the
first person to do a fly over of the South Pole.
Byrd also
encouraged American colonization in the area and convinced the United
States Congress to pass legislation that provided generous aide packages
to anyone who wished to settle there. The original wave of settlers
originated from New England and many were fishermen by trade who wanted
to take advantage of the good fishing around the continent. Meanwhile,
Russian settlements were "Americanized" and received names like
"Stonington".
Ethnic Russians soon became a marginalized class in
the territorial government, which prefered the settlers over the local
Russians. Local Ognians also suffered, being forced onto reservations to
open up land to American settlers.
Byrd served as
Governor-General until 1935. In honor of his accomplishments the
territory was renamed "Byrdia" after him. One of the new coastal
settlements created by American settlers also renamed itself after Byrd
and eventually would become the largest city in the country. Also in
1935, Byrdia's borders were established after the BENZUS Conference.
They became finalized in 1950 when the United Kingdom and the United States agreed to form the South Pole Neutral Zone. Byrdia ceded some of its eastern territory near the South Pole to create the zone.
The
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) had a profound effect on Byrdia. Many
ethnic Russians in the newly-acquired American territory of Byrdia,
descendants of White Russian immigrants, signed up for the Nationalists
due to the anti-Monarchist stance of the Republicans. Meanwhile,
Byrdia's growing American population included a fairly large leftist
population, who had moved to Byrdia due to America's "Red Scare." The Palmer Column
(named for Nathaniel Palmer, the first American on Antarctica) was
founded by these leftists and recruited roughly 300 men before shipping
to Spain. This column was a part of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, the
American international brigade that fought in the civil war. This led to
a few clashes in Byrdia itself, though none of these were actual
battles, simply riots between the opposing factions. The riots, however,
continued to showcase the tension between the dominant Americans and
the marginalized Russians.
When World War II broke out on
September 1, 1939, the United States remained neutral in the conflict.
Nevertheless, Byrdian seamen were killed in those early years by German
U-Boats operating in the Atlantic Ocean and from ports in New Swabia.
When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States
entered the war on the side of the Allies. Thanks to the large force of
American troops located in Byrdia, New Swabia surrendered to the allies
shortly thereafter. Though the entrance of United States into the war
ended the fighting in Antarctica, small contingents of Byrdians served
in the American military in both Europe and the Pacific theaters for the
rest of the war.
The end of World War II left the United States,
Australia and British Commonwealth as the most influential nations on
the continent, a period which would last to the 1970s. Byrdia would
prosper during this period due to its relationship with the United
States. Byrdian citizens found themselves appointed to positions of
considerable power across the continent, such as McKinley O'Hara who was appointed Directors-General of the South Pole.
After
World War II, dissatisfied Russians and Ognians occasionally riot, and
clash with the Byrdian police and military. However, these riots are
rare, and the Russians and Ognians often riot against eachother. There
is no organized Civil Rights Movement in this period, but the first
seeds have been laid. A young radical by the name of Dmitri Pagovich would be a part of many of these clashes with the American authority, but events would eventually lead to a non-violent path.
During
the Vietnam War, American Byrdians were drafted into the military
starting in 1964, while non-Americans were encouraged to join
voluntarily by being offered full American citizenship. Though many
Russians and Ognians took advantage of this, even with full citizenship
these non-American Byrdians found themselves still marginalized by
discriminatory treatment by the Americans who dominated the Byrdian
government. Russian and Ognians veterans returning home after fighting
in Vietnam became the catalyst for change against this corrupt system.
Around
the same time the African American Civil Rights movement was happening
in the states, Russians and Ognians worked to change the corrupt system
of Byrdia. Partly violent, partly non-violent, many Russian and Ognian
groups came together and organized the Byrdia Freedom Alliance
(BFA), which included a pro-civil rights and pro-independence agenda.
Some less Radical members try to align the BFA with the American
anti-war movement, to increase publicity and sympathy for the party.
Many "hippies" and other anti-War groups in the continental US announce
support for the BFA.
By 1975 the last piece of legislation
preventing non-Americans from accessing the same rights and benefits as
Americans in Byrdia was repealed, but Russians and Ognians still suffer
prejudice from some authorities.
The
inlfux of Russian and Ognia participation in the Byrdian government
also transformed Byrdia's relationship with the United States. Despite
the generous aid package originally given by Congress to encourage
settlement in Antarctica, interest in travelling and building a home on
the cold continent was always low. Thus American settlers were never
able to overwhelm the ethnic Russians and Ognians who lived there. By
the 1980s, Congress had already cut the colonization aid from the budget
and the military had been downgrading its numbers in Byrdia to the bare
minimum. It was these factors which led to even the ethnic Americans to
reconsider their relationship with their home country.
Meanwhile,
the Byrdia Freedom Alliance, took control of a large percentage of the
seats in the General Assembly. Thanks to their influence a referendum
was held to decide Byrdia's relationship with the United States that
resulted in a majority voting for independence, which was granted in
1986. Byrdia did, however, sign a Compact of Free Association with the
United States, thus remaining close with the former mother country.
The independence of Byrdia marked the end of the civil rights movement in Byrdia.
Independence
meant the decline of the Byrdia Freedom Alliance (which eventually
split into two separate parties) and the rise of the Green Party. The
discovery of the hole in the ozone layer in 1985 led to an upswing in
environmental concern throughout Antarctica, but this was especially
felt in Byrdia. Since the factions of the Freedom Alliance were unable
to unite, the young Green Party was successful in taking control of the
government. The signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1989 was one of the
crowning achievements of the Green Party. Analysts predicted that the
Green Party would be unsuccessful in later elections, but thanks to
charismatic leadership and a diversification of their political
platform, the Green Party became the major left-wing party in Byrdian
politics. There only rivals were the Whig Party, a conservative party
backed by the fishing industry, and the remnants of the Freedom Alliance
(the Gorchakovists and the Ognian Independence Party).
Prior to September 3, 2010, the most pressing domestic issue in Byrdia was the regulation of the fishing industry. The dissolution of the Ross Dependency, however, changed that.
Relations between Byrdia and Bellinsgauzenia
have always been good. Bellinsgauzenia was a supporter of the United
States during the Cold War and this good relations were continued after
Byrdia gained independence. Nevertheless, Byrdia's significant Russian
population has seen Bellinsgauzenian expansion into the former Ross
Dependency as a good thing. Many radical Gorchakovists have spoken out
publicly in favor of the idea of a "Greater Bellinsgauzenia" uniting the
former territories of Russian Antarctica. While not all Russians have
spoken out in favor of such an idea and Bellinsgauzenia President Lev
Yugonov has publicly stated that his nation has no ambition for Byrdian
territory, many non-Russian Byrdians are concerned. While there have
been no acts of violence yet, there is increased tension between the
three communities who make up the Byrdian populace. Meanwhile, the
General Assembly has called for an investigation into possible ties
between the Gorchakovists and the terrorist organization known as the Russian Continental Army.
During
Byrdia's colonial period, the territory was led by a Governor-General
who was appointed by the President of the United States and approved by
the United States Senate. The United States Senate Committee on
Antarctica was created also to oversee the administration of the
territory. This structure remained in place until 1946 when a local
assembly was created to replace the Senate Committee, but the
Governor-General would have veto power over the area. Following its
independence in 1985, Byrdia adopted a new Constitution that created a
unitary Republic led by a President and a one-house legislature called
the General Assembly.
Byrdia's small population allows for direct
representation at the lower levels. Local communites are governed by
town meetings, a practice brought by American settlers to the region,
many who originated from New England. Members of the Byrdian communities
come together to legislate policy and budgets. The town meetings also
choose who will represent the community in the General Assembly
Following
the collapse of Russian West Antarctica and annexation by the United
States, some Russians returned to the Soviet Union. The area, however,
did receive immigration from White Russians, fleeing the harsh
repressions of the Soviet Union. Today, Russians make up the single
largest ethnic group of Byrdia. Most do not speak Russian, adopting
English as their primary langauge.
There are relatively large populations of both K'atharan and Ognian people, particularly along the West coast, near Ognia.
Byrdia's treatment of AIPs has been heavily influenced by the treatment
of Native Americans by the United States government. When the area
became an American territory, many Reservations were created for the
AIPs near their traditional homelands; where the majority of AIPs still
live today. Like in America, conditions on these Reservations are
generally far worse than conditions elsewhere in the country; though in
the 1970s, when AIPs and ethnic Russians were granted the full rights of
Byrdian citizens, the Government began a large program to improve
Reservation conditions.
Today, AIPs are a major element of Byrdian
society, as they are one of the country's largest ethnic groups. Most
live either on Reservations or in major cities, such as Byrd City.
There is a small Argentine community located in Byrdia. Most were refuges from the Bellinsgauzenian-Santiagan War who chose to remain once the war was over.
Byrdia
is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the
United States, which is wholly responsible for its defense. Despite
this, the United States only maintains a small contingent on Byrdia
territory for defense. Security is chieflly maintained by the Byrdia
Police Unit and the Byrdia Coast Guard. The Compact of Free Association
allows Byrdian citizens to join the U.S. military without having to
obtain U.S. permanent residency or citizenship, allows for immigration
and employment for Byrdians in the U.S., and establishes economic and
technical aid programs.
Byrdia is also a member of the Antarctic Forum and the Antarctic Assembly.
Like
most of Antarctica, Byrdia's economy revolves around resource
extraction. Coal, hydrocarbons, iron ore, platinum, copper, chromium,
nickel and gold have all been found in some quantities inside Byrdian
territory. The primary economic activity, however, is fishing. The good
fishing around the continent provides most of Byrdia's wealth, making it
difficult for the Green Party to pass meaningful regulation over the
industry. There is also a small tourist industry thanks to Antarctica
iconic wildlife.
Leroy Frank Johnston
- Scientist who research pre-historic and devised theories as to why
Antarctica might have warmed up. Winner of the 1932 Antarctic Tuzelmann
Award.
Julius A. Krug
- Was appointed by President Truman to be the first Director-General of
the South Pole, and approved by the joint American–British committee
which established the NIZ. Helped form the Antarctic Assembly. Oversaw the post-WWII trials in Antarctica. Winner of the 1950 Antarctic Tuzelmann Award.
McKinley O'Hara - Third Director-General of the South Pole from 1960 to 1965. First naturally born Byrdian citizen to hold this position.
Dmitri Pagovich
- Russian civil rights and pro-independence leader. First ethnic
Russian Director-General of the South Pole (1985-1990). Oversaw the
Green Revolution, the Montreal Protocol, and the independence of Byrdia
and New Devon. Winner of the 1992 Antarctic Tuzelmann Award.
Matthew K. Solomon - Oil tycoon and one of the richest men in Antarctica. Founded the Blizzard Foundation which is a charity across the continent. Winner of th 2009 Antarctic Tuzelmann Award.
Herbert Spencer - Winner of the 1990 Antarctic Tuzelmann Award.
The Dominion of Eduarda, commonly shortened to Eduarda, is a British dominion in Eastern Antarctica. Along with the UK and Newfoundland, Eduarda is one of the founding members of the British Imperial Confederation.
In early 1821, at the height of the Antarctic summer, Edward Bransfield became the first European to reach modern-day Eduarda, and founded the colony of Nova Hibernia. Later that year, Great Cardiff was founded; followed by New Perthshire in 1822 and New Fenland
in 1823. These four colonies would later be combined into the Dominion
of Eduarda, but until 1921, they had little autonomy, and were grouped
along with New Somerset and Cooksland (the two colonies which later became New Devon) as "British East Antarctica".
The
division between modern-day Eduarda and New Devon began to arise during
the 19th century, when the four largely maritime Eduardan colonies were
quickly developed and created a thriving economy; while the two New
Devonian colonies were considered the "Antarctic frontier", and remained
much less developed and affluent. The term "Eduarda" dates to at least
the 1880s, when a British newspaper reporting on the Antarctic colonies
wrote:
"Much like in Grahamland,
there exists a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty towards the Crown
among the people of Nova Hibernia, Great Cardiff, New Perthshire and
New Fenland, and many have taken to referring to these colonies
collectively as Edwarda [sic] after His Highness the Prince of Wales."
The
British colonies fought against the Germans in New Swabia during the
war. There were many successes mostly made by Eduardans because of the
Interior Antarctics-already becoming known as New
Devonians-unwillingness to fight.
On
28th June 1921, the British East Antarctic colonies were united into
the Dominion of Eduarda. This had a profound effect on culture in
British Antarctica. To prevent hostility in the South, a militaristic
streak grew, especially with great Eduardan victories in the Antarctic
Campaign. The British mandate on New Swabia was handed over to Eduarda
and they ran it as an extension of Eduarda under the name British West
Antarctica. Under British occupation, the German language was greatly
discouraged, and a time-period of "Anglification" began, though it would
not take into affect. The colonists of German decent began protests
against occupying British. By 1933, the German government now under
Adolf Hitler would begin support for the region's sovereignty. In 1936,
the National Socialist German Workers' Party of New Swabia (NSDAPNS)
gained in popularity in the region. On January 19, 1939, the
German-speaking population united to form the Republic of New Swabia.
Unlike the Motherland, New Swabia considered itself a single-party
republic, headed by the Nazi Party. New Swabia refused to become a
German colony once again, but did agree to form relations and
cooperation with Germany. Just days later, Germany and Italy declared
recognition of New Swabia. Eduarda and indeed Britain did nothing to
stop this process, thinking of the German speaking populace as a
liability.
In
the 1920's the more Loyalist, developed colonies became a Dominion,
while the more rebellious, less developed colonies remained a colony.
However, the imperialists in government were keen to keep hold of the
new Dominion of Eduarda. It was a younger colony than Australia, and
they had already seen that there would be a day when Great Britain would
lose all their colonies. A great effort was made to retain Eduarda.
This lay the way for the British Imperial Confederation, still
colloquially known as the British Empire. The New Devonians could not be
held on to indefinitely, and they gained independence in the 1990s.
When Newfoundland held a referendum on its sovereignty, they voted to
join the British Imperial Confederation instead of Canada. The Empire
now consists of three nations and their dependencies.
Eduardan
society is very similar to British society and many Eduardans consider
themselves British as well as Eduardan. This is just as well, because
under the Eduardan Nationality Act of 1940, all Eduardans by birth hold
dual British and Eduardan nationality. This means an Eduardan can
immigrate to Britain, vote in British elections and take a job in
Britain. The Eduardan Armed Forces, actually count as a Branch of the
British Armed Forces, though they act independently.
As a Commonwealth Realm, Eduarda's Head of State is the Monarch of the Commonwealth – currently Elizabeth II. As the Queen usually resides in the United Kingdom, she is represented in Eduarda by a Governor-General who handles Royal responsibilities, such as opening Parliament and inducting a newly-elected Prime Minister, while the Queen is out of the country.
Constitutionally, Eduarda's legislative branch is the Parliament of Eduarda, which is composed of 67 Members of Parliament (MPs) and 20 Senators. The Prime Minister (leader of the party which controls the House of Commons) is the Head of Government.
Eduarda currently has a 3-party system which has been in place since the beginning of the Great Depression. When the country first gained independence in 1921, there were two principal parties: the Liberal Party of Eduarda (comparable to the British Liberal Party) and the Eduardan First Party (EFP), which is the country's main conservative party.
At the 1930 elections, the formerly minor Labour Party of Eduarda,
a social democratic party, defeated both of the major parties; thus
beginning Eduarda's three-party system. Since the rise of the Labour
Party, the Liberal Party has gradually drifted further right, and is now
considered generally centrist.
Among Antarctic nations, Eduarda is notable for not having a major Green party; which most other countries developed during the Green Revolution of the 1980s. While there was once a Green Party of Eduarda,
it merged with the Labour Party before the Green Revolution began, and
the Labour Party now holds many positions which are equivalent to the
Green Parties in other nations.
Eduarda
maintains good relations with most democratic countries, especially
those in the Commonwealth. Relations with New Swabia are shaky due to
Anglification under British occupation as are relations with New Devon
though this is due to the perceived inequality of treatment of New Devon
by the United Kingdom. Eduarda is part of the British Empire which is
now more of a loose confederacy of the United Kingdom, Eduarda and
Newfoundland.
Kerguelen
is a French Overseas Region in the Indian Ocean, centered upon the
Kerguelen Archipelago. It also administers the Crozet Archipelago,
Saint-Paul island and Amsterdam Island. Due to its very southerly
location, Kerguelen is considered an Antarctic region, and its capital, Port-aux-Français (founded 1772), was the first European settlement in Antarctica.
The two ships of de Kerguelen de Trémarec's second expedition to Kerguelen.The first sighting of one of the Kerguelaine islands was in 1522, when Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano sighted Amsterdam Island. Portuguese sailors sighted Saint-Paul Island in 1559, but there were no actual landings until 1633, when Dutch explorer Anthonie van Diemen visited (and named) Amsterdam Island. Willem de Vlamingh, another Dutchman, made the first landing on Saint-Paul in 1696.
All of the islands remained unclaimed until January 1772, when Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne discovered the Crozet Islands (which he named for his First Mate Jules Crozet), where he made landfall, and claimed them for France. This marked the beginning of French dominance in the area.
Just one month later, in February 1772, Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen de Trémarec
discovered the Kerguelen archipelago, correctly believing it to be the
most significant landmass in the southern Indian Ocean. Upon his return
to France, he was given a Royal Charter to further explore and colonize
the islands, and he took a second expedition later that year.
This expedition proved immensely successful, and founded the future capital city of Port-aux-Français. It survived its first Winter, and supplies began to arrive from France in early 1773.
The
Kerguelen and Crozet islands soon became more populated, due to their
wealth of natural resources: they were bases for lucrative fishing,
sealing and whaling operations.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the British Royal Navy seized
the islands, and they remained under British control from 1810 to 1815,
when they were returned to France by the Congress of Vienna. There was
no British settlement of the islands during this period, simply a
military occupation consisting of a few hundred sailors and Royal
Marines.
Shortly after the Congress of Vienna, the Kerguelen and
Crozet islands were combined into the Colony of Kerguelen, and separated
from Réunion.
After the discovery of Antarctica
in 1820, French officials began discussing the possibility of a
mainland colony, and in 1828, a Kerguelen-based expedition established French Antarctica, which became a Dependency of Kerguelen, governed from Port-aux-Français.
However, the mainland settlements were ill-prepared for the conditions
of Antarctica, and the French government provided little funding to the
colony, as their efforts were focused elsewhere, particularly Algeria.
After ceding a large portion of its land to the British colony of New Devon
in the early 1830s, the colony slowly began to fail, and most of the
French population returned to Kerguelen or other French territories.
Finally, in 1841, the mainland colony was officially dissolved — though a
small French community remained at what is now Cap-des-Baleines, New Vestfold.
In 1843, partly to compensate for the failure of French Antarctica, the citizens of Kerguelen petitioned GovernorJules Dumont d'Urville to claim Saint-Paul and Amsterdam Island for France, and an expedition was sent out to begin populating them.
Around
the 1880s, it became common for one or two large French warships to be
stationed in Kerguelen at all times. This was partly as a deterrent
against the piracy and smuggling which was beginning to grow on the
islands; partly as a defence against the more populous colonies in
Antarctica which France was suspicious of; and partly to provide easy
transport between Kerguelen, Crozet and the other islands, in the event
of a shipwreck or other emergency.
In 1902, the Du Fresne Naval Base was completed, and the French Naval detachment to Kerguelen became a significant force in the area. In World War I, the Kerguelaine navy was critical to the blockades of New Swabia and Santiago, and during the Russian Civil War, they formed a major part of the French expeditionary force which began the occupation of Adélie.
When
Adélie was fully secured as a French territory in 1919, it was
separated from Kerguelen and governed by a French military
administration.
As
an integral part of France, Kerguelen's Head of State is the French
President; who selects a Prefect to represent him during his absence.
The
unicameral General Council has 10 seats, and the unicameral Regional
Council has 7. The members of each Council elect their Council
President; and the President of the General Council acts as the
Kerguelaine Head of Government.
Kerguelen elects one Senator to the French Senate, and two Deputies to the National Assembly.
As
in other French regions, the UMP (Union for a Popular Movement) and the
Socialist Party are the main right- and left-wing parties,
respectively. The UDB (Union Démocratique Bretonne), a Breton
Nationalist party, is the only other National-level party represented in
Kerguelen. The Department also has numerous small, regional parties,
which operate only in Kerguelen.
1880
(Colony); April 15th, 1940 (government-in-exile); September 20th, 1945
(Autonomy); January 26th, 1965 (Self Rule); June 14th 1983
(Independence)
Currency:
Maudlandic krone (Pegged to Norwegian krone)
Maudland
is a nation in northern Antarctica. Formerly a Norwegian colony, it was
the home of the Norwegian parliament-in-exile and Royal Family during
the Nazi occupation of Norway in World War II; and after the Second
World War it was granted expanded autonomy. This continued with the
introduction of self rule in 1965 under the rule of Anna Lykke and
independence in 1983 under Thobias Mjoen. Despite this, it still has the
Norwegian King as head of state and the Norwegian parliament can
technically enforce laws on the House of Legislature.
Otto Nordenskiold, The Second Governor of the Colony of Sofia'slandNorwegian
explorers from the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway arrived in
Antarctica in 1870. The area was claimed by the United Kingdoms of
Sweden and Norway in the same year but settlers from Norway only arrived
in 1877, seven years later with the colony being established officials
in 1880. When these settlers finally arrived, they declared the land to
be part of Norway and founded the capital city of Ny Oslo (New Oslo).
Norway was the last colonial power to arrive on Antarctica except for
the Germans in New Swabia,
three years later, which meant that Sweden-Norway could only claim a
small area of land. However, this did mean that the Norwegian colonists
had fewer problems with the natives, and although small, the Norwegians
soon established themselves as a dominant colonial power in Antarctica.Sweden
and Norway ended their personal union on the 7th of June 1905, and
Norway gained control of this Antarctic colony. Relations between the
Swedish and Norwegian colonists had always been peaceful unlike those on
the mainland but the colonial referendum was evenly split between those
who wanted to join Sweden and those who wanted to join Norway.
Norwegian politician Karl Lykke however came up with a solution, in
exchange for Swedish people and the language being held in equal regard
in the colony's law the country would join Norway and the colony would
be renamed Maudland. Maudland elected one MP to the Norwegian
parliament.
Norway
continued the tradition of sending settlers to Maudland, and over
100,000 settlers arrived in the colony between 1905 and 1917 . During
the early 20th century, Ny Oslo became one of the largest port cities on
the continent as people from across Scandinavia made their way to a new
life in Antarctica (seeing it as the "New York of Antarctica"). Most
Maudlanders were content being ruled by Norway as although they weren't
independent, they had exactly the same rights as all Norwegian citizens -
including the right to vote. As Norway was neutral in WW-I, it wasn't
involved in the Antarctic campaign, but did allow British troops to
operate within its borders.
During the Russian Civil War, some
Norwegians from Maudland fought alongside White Russian forces in
Russian West Antarctica, but the official policy was of neutrality.
Following the First World War thousands of people from Europe traveled
to Antarctica to escape the poverty in their home country and Ny Oslo
acted as a gateway for many people from northern Europe who were seeking
a better life in what became known as the Antarctic Dream. The colony
grew with immigrants from both Scandinavia and Russia and in 1925 the Ny
Oslo region grew to over 100,000 inhabitants making Ny Oslo one of the
largest cities on the Continent. In fact, immigration became so great
that the Norwegian population was in danger of being outnumbered, and
the Norwegian Parliament passed the Maudland Immigration Act of 1928,
which said that any non-Norwegian immigrating to Maudland would have to
speak Norwegian and pass a series of tests. After this immigration, to
Maudland began to fall although it would pick up again during the great
depression.
In the 1930's, Maudland was hit hard by the Great
Depression, and the colony's economy (Based around exports of fish and
trading) started to collapse, This was also shown in an increased desire
by many Maudlander's to have more representation, in the Norwegian
Parliament as they felt they were not being represented properly by
their lone MP. Eventually, though the colony began to move out of the
Depression, there was discussion in the Norwegian Parliament about
granting Maudland a second MP and more autonomy. In early 1939, the
Norwegian parliament granted Maudland a second MP in the 1940 elections,
but this was interrupted by World War II.
After
Nazi Germany's declaration of war on Norway, troops from neighboring
New Swabia invaded Maudland with the intent of occupying it and
prolonging the war with the Allies. Large swathes of Maudland were lost
to New Swabia but the resistance movement was strong in Maudland and
with the arrival of Free Norwegian forces Maudland's central territory
around Ny Oslo was secured. Because of the strong Free Norwegian
presence the Royal Family and Norwegian Parliament moved to Maudland
after the fall of Norway and it became the central command post for the
Norwegian resistance. The territory lost to New Swabia was eventually
regained when the USA entered the war and New Swabia hastily
surrendered.
For the remainder of WW2 Maudland was home to the
Norwegian Parliament and Royal Family and was a base for Norwegian navy
ships operating alongside British and Australian vessels in the pacific
as well as being a safe haven from German submarines. Despite being
thousands of miles away from Norway the Maudlanders were honored by the
presence of their Royal Family and even the most vocal pro independence
groups changed their tone to one of Autonomy. In the latter days of the
Second World War Maudland was home to Norwegian bomber squadrons hunting
down subs and following the end of Nazi Occupation of Norway was
granted Autonomy. Under its new system Maudland still sent two MP's to
the Norwegian Parliament but had control over the Justice System,
Education, Transport, Health Care and Immigration but Norway would still
be responsible for the economy, defense, etc.
Rebuilding and Move Towards Self Rule (1946-1965)Edit
Parts
of Maudland had been badly damaged in the Antarctic campaign and one of
the first priorities for the newly established House of Legislature was
to build up the country’s transport, education and health care
infrastructure. Like Norway and Great Britain Maudland introduced a free
healthcare system and nationalized the few existing railways and
transport companies. The country received even more immigrants from
Norway and the House of Legislature was forced to use its newly given
powers on Immigration to reduce the number of immigrants coming to
Maudland, despite this Ny Oslo retained its image as the Gateway to Antarctica
as it was one of the first places on the continent that had a regular
air service running to and from it. By the end of the 1960's Maudland
had a population of over 1,000,000 people and was regarded as having a
Health Care and Transport infrastructure at least as good as Norway’s.
Despite
their new found freedom as a nation the pro independence party in
Maudland grew even larger citing their success as an Autonomous
territory as proof that the nation was sufficiently capable of running
itself. Opponents of independence pointed out that had the Norwegian
armed forces not intervened in WW2 they would have been occupied by New
Swabia and that they all owed allegiance to the king of Norway but the
pro independence parties changed their mind declaring that they would
still recognize the Norwegian monarch as head of state in a way similar
to Australia and that as one of the richest territories on the continent
they could fund their own armed forces now. Eventually in the 1965
election both MP's were from a pro independence group and the idea was
brought up in the Norwegian Parliament, ideas ranged from merely
granting them slightly more powers to complete independence but
eventually it was decided to reduce the number of MP's Maudland sent to
Parliament to one but Maudland's Parliament (The House of Legislature)
was granted powers over everything except foreign policy and criminal
law.
After
Spain's transition into a democracy in the 1970s, New Swabia was left
alone as a fascist state, but even then the nation was on the verge of
change. Although the NSDAPNS were still determined to maintain control
the general public were determined to bring freedom to New Swabia
through any means necessary up to and including violent options. The
leader of the unofficial New Swabia liberation party (NSLP), Otto
Dietrich went to Maudland to try and plead with Premier Thobias Mjoen to
organise a Norwegian/Maudlanic invasion that would restore democracy.
Mjoen
promised that he would try to convince the Norwegian Parliament that
the invasion was necessary but that he would need some evidence of New
Swabian activities in Maudland to convince the King and Parliament to
invade. Therefore Dietrich decided to organise fake raids into
Maudlandic territory so they would have reason to invade. Mjoen was able
to then convince King Olav V to authorise the Norwegian intervention
and the bill was passed by the Norwegian parliament.
Following
this Norwegian troops moved into Maudland and the Maudlandic Defense
force was activated so that there would be enough forces to both defend
Maudland and attack into New Swabia. Suported by the NSLP
Norwegian/Maudlandic forces (The Armed Forces of Norway and
Maudland/AFNM) quickly moved into New Swabia but the New Swabian army
was able to push the AFNM back into Maudland and even make some small
gains of its own. However the Norwegians had one card that the New
Swabians would be unable to counter, The Air Force.
Although
Maudland did retaliate the involvement of Britain and Argentina shifted
the war onto the global stage. Argentina devoted large amounts of
resources to the conflict and Maudland lost more ground to New Swabia.
However, with the help of the NSLP and Maudlandic Commander Thomas
Lykke, the Maudlandics counter attacked and were finally victorious with
the help of thier Israeli allies.
After
the New Swabian War finished both the Norwegian and Maudlandic
parliaments looked at the increased desire for independence within the
region. Mjoen's parliament included several MIP members and they urged
him to campaign for independence, he did so and the Norwegian parliament
passed the Maudland act of 1983 which released Maudland as a
independent nation. It has one of the highest standards of living in the
world and has a well developed and built up Education, Health and
Transport system. Maudland has slowly developed its own Civil Law,
Defense Policies and has in the years since being granted independence
created a fully independent national infrastructure. Immigrants
continued to arrive in Maudland from Norway and other countries in the
late 20th century and the country reached 2,000,000 inhabitants in 2001.
The population of Maudland has become so great in the past 20 years
that a new city was commissioned by the House of Legislature; Ny Bergen,
the city was completed in 2002 and is now the largest city in Maudland.
In
1990 Maudland ended its last major dependency with Norway when the
Norwegian Parliament passed the Maudlandic Armed Forces Act of 1989
which allowed it to commission its own army, navy and air force, it
received several thousand Heckler & Koch G3 assault rifles from
Norway to equip its army as well as training and also purchased some
Diemaco C7 assault rifles from Canada to equip its elite forces. The Act
also transferred three Oslo class frigates to Maudland's navy alongside
one Hunt II class destroyer and gave them the option of purchasing four
Elco Torpedo boats and an undisclosed number of outdated coast guard
ships and the Air Force gained most of Norway’s aircraft that had been
or were due to be withdrawn from service. Overall the Act gave Maudland
an outdated but large Armed Force that was perfectly capable to
defending Maudland and cooperating with Norway in international
missions.
Maudland
is located on the north-east coast of Antarctica, it has mountainous
regions further inland with three areas of flat ground upon which three
cities of Maudland are built. Maudland is divided into five regions
(four counties and one metropolitan region), which each have a Capital
(Ny Oslo, Ny Bergen, Ny Fredrikstad, Ny Kristiansand and Ny Trondheim).
The majority of the country’s citizens live in the cities with only
70,000 people living in towns.
Maudland
is a Parliamentary Democracy that holds elections every four or five
years (Although they can be called earlier at the decision of the
incumbent Premier). The Premier is normally the leader of the governing
party, which is the party that can secure a parliamentary majority of
151 seats (The House of Legislature has 300 seats), The current Premier
is Johanna Nordenskiöld who leads a coalition of the Christian Democrat
and Social Democrat party as well as the Conservative Party and the
Progressive Party which together hold a majority of 10 seats with the
Labour party in opposition. This Coalition took power in July 2010 when
the SPD left there coalition with the Labour Party and chose to support
the Christian Democrats instead. The Norwegian monarch generally visits
two to three times a year on state visits or for the opening of
parliament. As well as electing MP's to its own parliament, Maudland
also elects one MP to Norway’s parliament.
There are six political
parties in Maudland two of which are Maudlandic branches of their
Norwegian counterparts, the political parties in Maudland are as
follows;
Major Political Parties
Maudlandic Labour Party(93 Seats Opposition Party)
Maudlandic Christian Democrats (90 Seats Ruling Party (In a Coalition))
Social Democrat Party (59 Seats Coalition Partner)
Minor Political Parties
Socialist Left Party (20 Seats)
Maudlandic Independence Party (ten Seats)
Maudland First Party (11 Seats)
Maudland Conservative Party (nine Seats Coalition Partner)
A minor road in MaudlandA train leaving Ny OsloMaudland's
major form of transport is automobiles and snowmobiles, There are three
major roads and several minor roads that are suitable for road
transport and most Maudlandic families own one car. There is also a
railway network that links most of the tourist towns and cities which is
commonly known as the Tourist Express. The other major form of personal
transportation are Snowmobiles which are popular amongst the younger
population and are the only way (Other than the train) to reach some of
the tourist towns.
Maudland
has a large and well-equipped navy and air force, as well as a skilled
but small army, that are capable of defending Maudland, and cooperating
in UN and NATO deployments alongside the Norwegian armed forces.
Currently, Maudland has forces deployed in the following countries:
Maudland's
economy is centered on the extraction and sale of resources. It has
deposits of several rare materials within its territory, which make up
the majority of the countries natural resources. Maudland also has a
thriving industrial sector which is responsible for the creation of
utilities and snowmobiles. There are is also a tourist industry,
centered on the country's wildlife.
Maudland
has close relations with Norway, and Maudlandic goods are sold at a
discounted price to Norway. It is also a member of the Western Bloc and has close relations with the other Scandinavian countries. It also has a close relationship with Santiago.
The Republic of New Swabia (German: Republik Neuschwabenland), also known as New Swabia (Neuschwabenland), is a nation located in Antarctica. New Swabia is the only former German colony to retain the German culture and language. Between 1936 until 1981, the nation was heavily run by the National Socialist German Workers' Party of New Swabia (sometimes referred to as the New Swabian Nazi Party).
The German Empire
began its colonial expansion around the late 19th century. By this time
most of the land on earth had been carved up by the other European
colonial powers, leaving Germany to colonize what little land remained.
In 1899, Germany would land on the Atlantic coast of Antarctica. The
first German settlement on the continent was Neumayer which began as a
small whaling village along the Antarctic coast. The population
increased slowly until large amounts of resources (such as oil and coal)
were discovered nearby in 1902. By 1910, the region had become a highly
important German colony, and was proclaimed German Antarctica.
With the beginning of World War I happening in Europe, the German colony was faced with similar fears at home. Russian East Antarctica had been a big fear for most colonists. At the beginning of the Antarctic campaign in 1916, German Antarctica began growing stronger ties with Central member Santiago. German Antarctica had no direct fighting in the war, but did send troops and supplies for the Santiago front.
With the end of the war came the Treaty of Versailles,
in which Germany gave up all its colonies. German Antarctica became
under British control as the "British West Antarctica" (under similar
cooperation with "British East Antarctica").
Under
British occupation, the German language was greatly discouraged, and a
time-period of "Anglification" began, though it would not take into
affect. The colonists of German decent began protests against occupying
British. By 1933, the German government now under Adolf Hitler would begin support for the region's sovereignty. In 1936, the National Socialist German Workers' Party of New Swabia (NSDAPNS) gained in popularity in the region.
Flag of Fascist New Swabia (1939-1981).On
January 19, 1939, the German-speaking population united to form the
Republic of New Swabia. Unlike the Motherland, New Swabia considered
itself a single-party republic, headed by the New Swabian Nazi Party. It
was proposed by Adolf Hitler to have New Swabia unite with Germany just
as Austria had did years earlier. New Swabia refused to be united with
Germany, but New Swabia would become an ally of Germany and Hitler. Just
days later, Germany and Italy declared recognition of New Swabia.
New
Swabia would retain a strong relationship and support for Germany and
the Axis up until the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, after which New
Swabia would declare neutrality from the war.
With the ending of
the war in 1945, New Swabia and Spain would be the only two fascist
nations remaining. New Swabia received a moderate stream of German
scientists and former officials who see New Swabia as their last hope,
and their repatriation had been bone of contention by the Allies for
years. New Swabia would remain a semi-Nazi nation up until 1950, in
which it officially declares itself a fascist state.
After
Spain's transition into a democracy in the 1970s, New Swabia was left
alone as a fascist state, but even then, the nation was on the verge of
change. Although the NSDAPNS were still determined to maintain control,
the general public were determined to bring freedom to New Swabia
through any means necessary, up to and including violent options. The
leader of the unofficial New Swabia Liberation Party (NSLP), Otto
Dietrich went to Maudland to try and plead with Premier Thobias Mjoen to
organize a Norwegian/Maudlandic invasion that would restore democracy.
Mjoen
promised that he would try to convince the Norwegian Parliament that
the invasion was necessary, but that he would need some evidence of New
Swabian activities in Maudland to convince the King and Parliament to
invade. Therefore, Dietrich decided to organize fake raids into
Maudlandic territory so that, therefore, they would have reason to
invade. Mjoen was able to then convince King Olav V to authorize the
Norwegian intervention, and the bill was passed by the Norwegian
parliament.
Ognia (Ognian: Огнар, Ognar; Russian: Огния, Ogniya; Spanish: Ógnia), officially known as the Ognian Confederation, is a sovereign state located in western Antarctica and southern South America.
The nation is a confederation made up of nine states. The nation first
established in 1972 as a unification of the three Ognian nations, but
would soon expand to include former regions of the Kingdom of K'athar.
The origin of the term "og" is highly uncertain. Most believe it is derived from the naming origin of the Ognaru people
of Antarctica, where the first to colonize the western Antarctic
islands. Ognaru is thought to have derived from a proto-Yaghanic word
meaning the "land of the endless night."
Another possible origin
proposed is that it came out of a joke by the Russians, in which they
named the native and defiant tribes of Russian Antarctica after the
Russian word for fire (ogon'), which was also a joke in comparison with
the Spaniards, who named their natives of similar origin after the
Spanish word for fire (fuego).
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The Kingdom of K'athar
was one of the greatest empires to exist in the southern hemisphere.
Between about 900 until 1903, the Kingdom stretched from the south pole
up to southern South America.
Russian
explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen would make first contact
with the Ogs of the Kingdom of K'athar in 1820. Russian influences in
the region would soon expand. Many wars would be fought between the
Kingdom and Russia up until 1900. By 1900, Russia controlled most of the
continent on the Pacific coast. In March 1903, the Kingdom collapsed.
The flag used by the Og movement, was also used as the unofficial flag of the Confederation.During the 1960s, the "Og movement"
and the ideas of an Ognian reunification grew in popularity was the
major topic of regional politics in the early 1970s. By 1972, the only
three Ognian nations, Gumar, K'athar, and Medquar,
agreed to form a political union between each other. Known as the
Ognian Confederation, it was created to be a loose confederation, not a
true nation. All three states had their own leaders, currencies,
political views, and foreign relations.
The political and ideals of the Ognian Confederation would greatly change in March 1975, when the People's Republic of Aleksandria
broke out into civil war between pro-Bellinsgauzenians and native
Ognians. Despite neither of the Ognian nations or Bellinsgauzenia
getting involved in the war, support would soon shift over to the Ognian
front. Within a month, the pro-Bellinsgauzenians were forced off the
island, and the new nation of I'kranar was established. Within a few months, it would become a state of the Ognian Confederation.
Soon
after, the Og movement broke out all over western Antarctica, causing
the ruling nations in the region to reconsider their position with the
natives. In 1978, the United States allowed an Ognian referendum to be
held in the Republic of Palmeria,
which a majority vote to join Ognia. The United Kingdom was preparing
to have similar referendums to be held in their western Antarctic
territories, which seemed to be a sure win. On April 7, 1979, the
leaders of the [then] six Ognian states met in the city of Quaoar. The
six would officially adopt a unifying constitution for a new nation. The
United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Norway were the first to
recognize the new nation.
In
the early 1980s, all of the Ognian nations had federated together; but
there was still a great deal of former K'atharan land which was not
under the Republic's sovereignty - Tierra del Fuego, which was divided between Argentina and Chile; and the Scotia Sea islands, which were governed by the United Kingdom, and also claimed by Argentina. In mid-1981, following a local referendum, the Scotia Sea islands were peacefully transferred to Ognia by the British Government.
However,
the Argentine government (which was, at this time, a Military Junta)
did not relinquish its claim to the islands when they passed under
Ognian control. As they were now defended by the small, fledgling Ognian
Military, rather than the immensely powerful British Military,
Argentina seized its chance to invade them. In April 1982, Argentina
launched an invasion of the Falkland Islands; and then proceeded to
mount similar attacks on South Georgia and the other Argentine-claimed
islands in the region.
For almost two weeks, the Ognian military
held out against the Argentinians, with varying degrees of success on
each island. After this, a few companies of British Royal Marines were
deployed to aid the Ognian Army; as many of the local civilians still
held British Citizenship.
After another week of assaults and
counter-assaults, the Ognian forces received news that a group of
pro-Ognian activists in Tierra del Fuego (where Ognians were the main
ethnic group) had begun rebelling against the Argentine government. The Scotia Sea Task Force
(SSTF; the joint Ognian–British military presence in the area) diverted
a large portion of its troops to assist the rebels in Tierra del Fuego.
By
early May, the SSTF had secured all of the Scotia islands, returned
them to Ognian control, and established a few small British military
bases on several islands, for defense. Tierra del Fuego was also under
occupation by SSTF forces (which the Fuegians almost unanimously
supported); but the SSTF didn't have enough power over the area to fully
transfer it to Ognia.
Ognia has four official languages: Ognian, the country's most common language; as well as English, Russian, and Spanish, reflecting the languages of Ognia's ethnic minorities. Norwegian is co-official on Peter I Island, a single municipality of the state of Ikranar. The island is a former Norwegian colony, and has a high proportion of Norwegian-speaking citizens.
While
officially a secular nation, Ognians generally practice Ognian
Shamanism, Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism. Ognian Shamanism
denies the existence of a supreme being or beings and instead focuses
on shaman-like characters who possess supernatural capabilities (e.g.
can control weather) and insights about what awaits humans after they
die. There have been 29 accepted shamans, with the unknown 30th shaman
whose coming heralds the end of the world.
Some have calculated
that this "final shaman" is scheduled to reveal himself on or around the
2012 Winter Equinox, in line with other 2012 "Doomsday" predictions;
but these claims have been widely discredited, especially by members of
the Shamanist faith.
As the Russians slowly conquered the Kingdom
of K'athar, the Russian Orthodox Church sent missionaries to spread
Christianity among the Ognian people. Even after Russian rule ended, the
Orthodox Christianity remained strong among the Ognians. In 1920,
Ognian bishops broke from the Russian Orthodox Church and formed the
Ognian Orthodox Church, to avoid criticism of being puppets of the
Russians. The Ognian Orthdox Chuch is located in Daingeloog.
Roman
Catholic missionaries from Chile and Argentina preached among the
Kingdom K’athar prior to the Russian conquest of the nation. The
Salesians of Don Bosco ministered to indigenous peoples interred on
Dawson Island in order for Europeans to mine the local gold. As
knowledge of Antarctica became widespread, various Salesian preachers
visited the native kingdoms establishing Catholic communities that still
exist today.
Santiagan Republic of Berkner Bay República Santiagana de la Bahía de Berkner Timeline: Great White South OTL equivalent: Berkner Island, Pensacola Island, and surrounding area.
Santiago is a republic occupying the islands and coastline of Berkner Bay in Antarctica, bordering Maudland to the northeast, the United Republic to the east, and Byrdia to the south. Santiago also shares a maritime border with Ognia, to the west. Other than Indigenous Antarctic nations (such as the Kingdom of K'athar and the Kilaiye Confederacy), Santiago was the first independent country on the Continent.
During the congress which wrote the country's first constitution, there were two prominent proposals for the country's name. The Chilean settlers supported "Santiago",
a common name for the region with unclear origins. The Chileans claimed
that the name (which translates as "Saint James") was religious in
nature, but the Argentines opposed it on the grounds that the name is shared by the capital of Chile. The Argentine counterproposal was to name the country after "Berkner Bay",
the geographic region it occupies. This name was also problematic, as
it emphasized the British discovery of the region: Berkner Bay is named
after its discoverer, the English explorer James Berkner.
Ultimately, Santiago's first constitution gave its official name as la República de Santiago de la Bahía de Berkner, meaning Saint James' Republic of Berkner Bay. There are multiple Saints named "James" in Christianity, but the constitution specified James the Just, the first Bishop of Jerusalem, as Santiago's namesake.
In Spanish, the country has always been referred to most commonly as "Santiago", except in Chile,
where the terms "Bahía de Berkner", "Santiago Antártico" and more
recently "RDS", an abbreviation for "República de Santiago" are
preferred for practical reasons. In many English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and British Antarctica,
"Berkner Bay" and "Saint James" were the most commonly-used names for
the country until the 1950s, when "Santiago" became more common as a
result of improving Santiago—Commonwealth relations. In the United States, "Saint James" was occasionally used in early texts, but "Santiago" had become commonplace by the time of World War I, partially as a result of the writings of Lionel Palmer, who always referred to the country as "Santiago".
The country's current official name, la República Santiagana de la Bahía de Berkner (the Santiagan Republic of Berkner Bay), was first proposed by then-PresidentBenito Zapata in 1962. However, any change to the country's name must be ratified by the House of Delegates,
and throughout his entire 10-year Presidency, Zapata never even put an
official proposal to the House. For over 30 years, his proposal was
forgotten, until his grandson Jefe Zapata
(another President) finally put it to the House in 1998, and it passed
with little opposition. The reasons for the change (which removes the
reference to Saint James) were to emphasize that Santiago is now an
officially secular nation, tolerant of all faiths, and to honor the
memory of Benito Zapata, who remains one of the country's most respected
Presidents.
The country's islands were never inhabited by Antarctic Natives, though they did occasionally use them as a hunting ground. Some of the land near the Byrdia border was K'atharan, while Santiago's north-east (the region near the Maudlandic border) was home to the Kaiws Nation, a major group of Kilaiye people. These Antarctic Natives remain a significant portion of the population. President Okha Shinin, who led the country from 1986 until 1996, was a Kilaiye.
Russian
and British presences were established on Antarctica during the 1820s,
though only the Russians were remotely close to modern-day Santiagano
territory. Russian settlement began on the tip of the Grahamland
peninsula, though this colony was small, and was considered unimportant;
so most of the Russian colonial effort was focussed on the
Bellinsgauzenia area, across the continent from Santiago. Starting in
1834 (the First Russian-K'atharan War), Russian expansion in the area increased, and by 1886, the Russian Empire claimed much of modern-day Santiago.
Conversely,
in the 1870s, the British began trying to claim as much Antarctic land
as they could; and by the late 19th century they were also claiming much
of Santiago. With the establishment of German and Scandinavian colonies in the 1890s, the British finalised the borders of their claims on the Continent.
By
this time, Chile and Argentina had also invested in Colonization
efforts in Antarctica; which quickly became the largest in the Santiago
area. The Russian claim was administered from Russian West Antarctica;
the British from British Interior Antarctica; and the Chilean and
Argentine claims had no central government.
Between roughly
1886-1900, there was a series of unofficial, un-military clashes in the
area between British, Russian, Chilean and Argentine colonists; known as
the Berkner Land War.
PresidentMiguel Suárez (left) with Russian West AntarcticGovernorNikolai Gorchakov, 1906.At
the turn of the 20th Century, the four countries were still undecided
about the area; though the British seemed like they would soon dominate
the area. The vast Hispanic majority of the area were worried at the
prospect of becoming a British colony, so the Chileans and Argentines
banded together to declare the region independent (it was impossible to
unify the population in favour of joining either Argentina or Chile). Miguel Suárez,
a Chilean, emerged as a prominent leader, and led the movement for
independence; and in 1901 an interim government was established, with
Suárez as President.
The British and Russians soon relinquished
their claims, realising that their own colonists were a tiny force, with
no legitimate claim to the area (or any real chance of securing it).
Delegates from Suárez's government, led by Luciano Hernandez II,
visited Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, and proved to both
governments that their country was well-established and independent of
foreign powers.
At the outbreak of World War I, Santiago and Norwegian Antarctica were the only neutral areas. The German colony of New Swabia was the only Central-aligned area, and the rest of the continent was controlled by the Allied nations of Britain, Russia and France.
However, Santiago had been bettering its relations with Germany,
Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire for years before the War began;
and on September 1st, President Esteban Sanchez signed the September Agreement with Ministers István Tisza and Karl von Stürgkh of Austria-Hungary.
This
brought the country into the War on the side of the Central Powers; and
Santiago immediately began mobilizing troops to fight against the
encroaching Russian and British troops. Due to the small Central
presence on the continent, the majority of Santiago's combat was
focussed on defense, though Santiagan troops also fought in British Interior Antarctica, New Swabia and Russian West Antarctica, where they aided the Katharan Liberation Army, a paramilitary AIP-nationalist group.
Though
there was some opposition to the War in Santiago, the Antarctic
campaign remained comparatively small-scale for several months, so this
opposition was also limited. In early 1915, the Allies began to step up
their offensive, and the Santiagan Military stepped up its defenses in
response. This further increased the anti-War movement, especially among
members of the Military - Colonel (and future President) Francisco Bodega
later wrote: "We began to realize - almost universally - that there was
not one among us who could explain what it was we were killing and
dying for".
In May of that year, Bodega and six other officers led a mutiny
against the Military high command; which was continued by supportive
Civilians in the form of a general strike. Sanchez' government attempted
to pacify the rebels, and were quickly forced to resort to violence (it
is a matter of great dispute whether the Military or the Rebels
initiated the combat). After over five months of what was effectively a
Civil War, Bodega's rebels stormed the government building and Sanchez
surrendered his office.
Bodega met with leaders of the Liberal Party - the country's only remaining major party, after the collapse of the National Party
following Sanchez' defeat - and established an interim government run
by the Rebel officers, the strike organizers, and the Liberal Party.
This provisional administration immediately declared itself neutral in
the War, and signed peace with all of the Allied nations. German
soldiers stationed in Santiago were allowed to return to New Swabia
peacefully.
Bodega soon established his own political party, the Santiagano People's Party,
and an election was held a few weeks later to determine who would
finish Sanchez' term. Bodega won this election, and went on to win the
following election, which was held the next year, in line with the
normal schedule of Santiagan elections.
Immigration
to Santiago began increasing in the 20's and 30's, mostly from other
Hispanophone regions (especially Spain and South America; though
Mexicans and Central Americans also arrived), bringing with them various
cultures and traditions.
Following World War I, Santiagan politics began to quickly drift towards the Left, and Socialist parties began to dominate. The Spanish Civil War
(between Spanish Republicans and Spanish Nationalists) had a phenomenal
impact on Santiago; as almost the entire population strongly supported
the leftist Republicans, and as the League of Nations had prevented
countries from joining the War, a Santiagan International Brigade (the
Bodega Brigade, named for Francisco Bodega,
a former President and national hero) was established. Over 1,000
Santiagans joined the Battalion; which became some of the very first
support which the Republicans received throughout the war (only Poland
sent earlier aid).
With the Republicans' defeat by the
Nationalists in 1939, the Bodega Brigade was shipped back to Santiago
(having lost over 400 men over the course of the conflict); one of the
last Brigades to leave Spain. Santiago immediately declared that any and
all Spanish Republican refugees would be welcome within its borders,
and began severing Diplomatic links with Franco's Spain.
In 1940,
the Republican Government-in-Exile began operating from Santiago; and to
this day, Spanish Republican and International Brigade flags fly
outside Santiago's Capital Building in San Martín.
During the Spanish Civil War, Santiago's relations with pro-Nationalist nations (especially Bellinsgauzenia) became increasingly tense, culminating in a War against Bellinsgauzenia, beginning in 1939 and lasting until mid-1943. World War II in Antarctica was brief. New Swabia,
a small ex-German colony which had effectively become a Nazi puppet
state, was the only significant Axis presence on the Continent; and
other than Santiago, Bellinsgauzenia and Ognia, the rest of the
continent was controlled by Allied nations. New Swabia fought a small
campaign until 1941, when it withdrew from the war after the USA joined
the Allies. Santiago declared its support for the Allies, but didn't
declare war on Germany, Italy or Japan until 1945, long after the
Antarctic Campaign was over. Even when Santiago did join the war, it
made little contribution to the war effort (like many countries who joined the War so late, Santiago's declaration of war was mostly symbolic).
Santiago
occupies a large strip of land along the coast of Berkner Bay, as well
as the various nearby islands, where the majority of the population
live.
The islands of Berkner Bay vary greatly in size, from the
massive Berkner, Korff and Henry; down to the tiny rock outcrops such as
Albatross Island. The larger islands, for the most part, have craggy,
fjord-like coasts; which give way to tundra further inland. Much of the
country's eastern-most (which are also it's southern-most) areas are
south of the tree-line, meaning that no trees grow; and that ferns
dominate the flora in these parts. In fact, trees are comparatively rare
even North of the tree-line, except on Berkner Island and the country's
extreme North, where several forests exist.
Santiago is a unitary republic consisting of eight separate States. Upon foundation in 1901, there were only three states: Berkner, which covered Berkner Island; Esparcidia, which covered most of the country's lesser islands; and Nueva Patagonia, which covered the mainland areas and nearby islands.
The city of San Martín (formerly part of Berkner) became its own state in 1948; the Islas Meridionales were separated from Esparcidia in 1958; Pensacola, a large mining area, was made independent of Nueva Patagonia in 1965; the traditional homeland of the Kaiws Nation (formerly part of Nueva Patagonia) was granted statehood in 1973; and Ubézice, a small ethnic enclave of Russians and Ognians, was granted statehood in 1990.
States are governed by Estadistas, a term which roughly translates as "Statesman".
Composition of the House by party. PPS: Red PL: Gold PS: Blue PV: Green POS: Dark RedSantiago operates a Presidential system, whereby the President
is both the Head of State and Head of Government. Democracy has been
enforced since the country's foundation in 1901, but election-rigging
has occasionally been an issue for the country.
The President
heads the executive branch of government, which also contains the
Cabinet - a group of seven Ministers, who are selected directly by the
President. Any major decision (eg. Declaration of War) made by the
Cabinet must be ratified by the House of Delegates.
The Santiago House of Delegates
is the legislative branch of government. It has 122 members
(delegates), who are elected by local districts; and is presided over by
the Chief Delegate, who is elected by the delegates themselves, meaning this position is usually held by the leader of the majority party.
There
are four significant Santiagan Political Parties (ie. those with seats
in the House of Delegates). Currently, the People's Party control the
legislation, as they have a plurality of seats.
Santiago's major
parties are generally considered to fit into two "alliances" (parties
with similar ideologies who often caucus together to gain larger
majorities): the Liberals and the Greens form the Progressive Coalition; and the PPS and the Santiago Party form the Populist Coalition.
The main Santiagan Parties:
Contemporary
Partido Liberal (PL; Liberal Party) - est. 1902; Center-Left, Liberal
With political, cultural and economic links to both Latin America and Antarctica,
Santiago has been called an "anomaly" in terms of it's position in
global politics. However, despite being part of both regions, it is also
distant from each: geographically from Latin America and linguistically
from Antarctica. Much of Santiago's foreign policy is influenced by its
"middleman nations" — Argentina and Chile for Latin America; and Maudland and New Swabia for Antarctica.
Santiago,
operates a Social-Capitalist economy, whereby private businesses
dominate most industries, but Government regulation is greater than in
many Western countries. However, the Government only uses its full
regulatory powers in certain industries – notably mining. Some
industries have been heavily nationalized, such as transport,
healthcare, and the postal service; while some industries are almost
completely privatized, such as small-scale retail (i.e. small local
businesses).
Like many Antarctic nations, Santiago's economy
relies more on Primary and Secondary industries than the rest of the
Developed World; though Tertiary industries are still the most common.
Santiago
is usually affected by Global economic trends; for example: the economy
boomed through the 1920s; and then plummeted during the Great
Depression. The current Global Recession is also affecting the country;
though many economists say it is now on the road to recovery.
While the rest of Latin America's economies are either emerging markets or newly industrialized; Santiago's proximity to the more developed Antarctica, as well its close trading relationship with Maudland – and, by extension, Norway
and the rest of Scandinavia (one of the most developed regions in the
world) – has brought the country more in line with newly developed
countries such as the Four Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan).
From the period of roughly 1994-2008, Santiago, Ognia and New Swabia
underwent an economic boom comparable to the ones in Ireland, East
Asia, the Balkans, Dubai, Turkey and the Baltic States at around the
same period. During this boom, they were referred to as the Three Polar Tigers.
Like much of Antarctica, Santiago's energy policies were drastically affected by the Green Revolution
of the mid-1980s. Prior to this, the country relied heavily on fuels
such as oil and natural gas, which are found in abundance in some areas
of Antarctica; but after the Green Revolution, alternative energy
sources were sought. In the summer months, solar energy is a common
choice, but this becomes impractical during winter, when some regions of
the country can go days without sunlight.
Due to the country's
largely coastal geography, tidal power and other forms of
hydroelectricity are by far the most common types of alternative energy
employed in Santiago. The country has a few geothermal plants, though
these contribute little to the overall energy supply.
The Populist Coalition (the People's Party and the Santiago Party) have pledged their support for the development of more nuclear power plants in the country, citing successes in France and nearby Bellinsgauzenia; but this has been strongly opposed by their opponents, the Progressive Coalition (the Greens and the Liberals), and has yet to be implemented by the government.
Education in Santiago is divided into four levels, only two of which are mandatory:
Preschool (nivel preescolar)
– children under 5 years. This level is optional, and consists of only
one grade, which is not considered part of the overall grade system.
Primary education (enseñanza primaria) – ages 5-13. This level is mandatory, and covers grades 1-8.
Secondary education (enseñanza secundaria) – ages 13-18. This level is mandatory, and covers grades 9-12.
From
grade 11, students can specialize in one of three educational areas
(though they still have a few classes in the other areas):
Scientific major: specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.
Humanities major: specializing in Spanish, history, philosophy and foreign languages.
Professional studies: training in electronics, mechanics, or some other "technical" area; in preparation for employment straight after high school.
University (universidad) – for higher, degree-level education.
Santiago's two most prestigious universities are the National University and the Demaurell Institute,
which have been called "Santiago's Oxbridge". The National University
is state-operated, and has campuses in all of the country's major
cities; while the Demaurell Institute is privately owned, with its main
campus in San Martín and another in Kaiws.
The country also has several other colleges, most of which are also located in the capital.
Santiago's
culture is influenced by the culture of the citizens' ancestry. There
are several elements of Latin American culture, primarily inherited
through Chile and Argentina; while the Spanish and other more recent
immigrants have also imported their own cultures. Many aspects of the
country's indigenous peoples have also had an impact on Santiagan culture
Sport
in Santiago is more oriented towards singular, outdoor sports;
particularly fishing, hiking, hunting and sailing. Team sports are also
popular, especially association football (soccer), baseball and cricket;
all of which have a major Santiagan national team. Other significant
sports in the country include tennis, skiing, rugby, and golf.
The late 1950s saw the development of a comparatively large film industry in Santiago, with the appearance of the urbano genre — a type of pulp action films based around the Santiagan Crime War. Urbano
films were produced in large numbers from the late 1950s until the mid
1970s, when interest in the genre plummeted following the end of the
Crime War. Most of them were considered "B-movies" of poor quality, and
many have now been lost, although some of the most successful Santiagan
films of this period did receive limited international success,
predominantly in other parts of Latin America.
After the 1970s, Santiago lost much of its film industry, although a small independent scene continues to exist in San Martín. In recent years, Roberto Nanclares
has become the most successful director in the country's history,
having directed the two most critically acclaimed films Santiago has
ever produced: Those Who Fell (2006), set during the Winter Uprising; and Emmanuel (2010), a biopic of Emmanuel Peláez.
Both of Nanclares' films have been historical dramas about significant
figures in Santiagan history, and have been filmed with a distinct cinéma vérité style. Nanclares has announced an upcoming film entitled Diarquía, about the rivalry between José Guerrero and Rafael Zavala, which he has described as "lighter" than his previous work.
The United Republic of New Devon and New Ingria (Russian: Соединённая Республика Нового Девона и Новой Ингрии, Soyedinyonnaya Respublika Novogo Devona i Novoy Ingrii); also known as the United Republic, abbreviated as the U.R.N.D.N.I. or simply the U.R., and historically referred to as New Devon; is a federation made up of two republics located in eastern Antarctica.
New Devon is one of the most ethnically challenged nations in the
southern hemisphere, with a strong division between the English-speaking
north and the Russian-speaking south.
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Flag of the Dominion of New Devon (1948-1989).After
the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, the United Kingdom grew
interested in claiming former Russian colonies in order to expand
Britain's power on the continent. By 1920, the Viceroyalty of Yugosiberia was officially annexed by the United Kingdom. With the United States claiming New Irkutsk (modern day Byrdia)
and the remaining Russian colonies fighting back, this was as far as
Britain could go in Antarctica. In 1932, the newly claimed British
regions were combined with the United Province of New Devon to form the
Dominion of New Devon. The Russian-speaking regions of New Devon went
through a period of "forced Anglanization."
During World War II, New Devon and Eduarda acted as the buffer states between Nazi New Swabia and Axis-supporting Bellinsgauzenia.
By
the early 1980s, the existence of New Devon as a nation was brought
into question. During the late 1970s, the pro-Bellinsgauzenian movement,
lead by the Russian Continental Army (RCA), began a wave of terrorism within New Devon and Eduarda.
In northern New Devon, the ideals of self determination and political
identity were put into question. Though claiming to be independent, the
people felt divided between Eduarda and the British Empire.
Though Eduardian-New Devonian relationship was favorable, the political
similarities made New Devon fell more like a dependency of Eduarda than
an equal member.
Former President Elmo Focker.A republican movement (lead by newcomer Elmo Focker)
gained strong support by the New Devonians, and would lead to more
unrest for the nation. By 1985, the Dominion of New Devon held a
referendum on the future status. In a stunning turn, 97% of the voters
voted for a political change in the nation. Between 1986 until the final
referendum to be held in 1989, several movements came out on the future
of New Devon. One of the proposals (which was favored by the RCA)
proposed splitting up New Devon between the Russian-speaking and the
English-speaking. The Russian-speaking provinces would join
Bellinsgauzenia as oblasts, while the English-speaking provinces could
become regions within Eduarda, or remain under their own government. The
second proposal (favored by the republicans) proposed forming New Devon
into a confederate republic, in which English and Russian were the
official languages, and each province worked as separate entities within
a federal government.
In October 1989, the referendum
was held. With a close race, 69% of the votes favored keeping New Devon
together, but in a republican confederation. On December 26, 1989, the
constitution of the Union of New Devon was signed (commonly called the
Boxing Day Constitution). The United Kingdom and Eduarda would recognize
this in 1990. New Devon officially left the British Imperial
Confederation in March 1990.
An atlas of the UR.The
United Republic is a federation made up of two republics and one
autonomous republic. In 1998, several counties of New Devon with a
Kilaiye majority voted to secede from New Devon to form an autonomous
republic.
The flag of the Kingdom of K'athar.The Kingdom of K'athar
was a former nation in western Antarctica with nominal colonies in
Tierra del Fuego. In 1903, the Kingdom was broken apart into several
states within Russian West Antarctica.
K'athar's origin is traced back to the legendary rule of Omn In'saik, also referred to as Sha'k Mot At'aiy,
the "High King." During the peak of the High King's rule, K'atharans
are said to have controlled territory as far north as Tierra del Fuego (Shi'om hak Mun) and as far south as the deep interior of Antarctica (Shi'om hak Atas'aiy).
While the High King may or may not have been real, K'athar certainly
was, although it shrank considerably in the 14th and 15th century due to
the rise of the Ognaru people, whose innovative style of warfare and ability to assimilate into other cultures made them the dominant Antarctican culture.
Few
kingdoms had as much difficulty dealing with Russian colonists as the
K'atharans, who led several wars known as the Native Wars (1834, 1861,
1873, 1890) as the scope of Russian expansion grew considerably.
Finally, in 1890, the last K'athar king of the house of Ina'shaiy, Saik
Eda'ain, was killed in the Battle of Bitiva by Russian soldiers under
the command of Yuri Makov.
With the death of the last king, a
civil war of sorts began in K'athar - the victory in 1893 was Shi'mok
Se'leiy, who converted to Russian Orthodoxy and allowed Russian settlers
to enter his fiefdom. The other K'atharan nobles revolted in 1896,
causing an even more violent conflict. Eventually, Ognian leadership
managed to seize control of the K'atharan city of Im'souy, and brokered a
deal with the Russians.
Much
of the local tribes would begin to loose ties with the others, and
would begin to form their own nations states. In 1900, East K'athar was
ceded to Russian East Antarctica (know known as Bellinsgauzenia.
In 1903, K'athar was officially disbanded without a king and without
independence, and West K'athar became broken apart into several nation
states within Russian West Antarctica. In 1920, these nation states
would expand their influences to include most of the former Russian
territories in West Antarctica after the collapse of the Russian Empire.
The Kingdom would once again unite under the Ognian Republic in 1972.
The Ross Dependency was a dependent region of Antarctica that was under administration of New Zealand.
Originally a part of Russian Antarctica, New Zealand claimed - and
subsequently settled - after the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917.
The territory was officially established in 1923. The territory took
its name from Sir James Clark Ross, who discovered the Ross Sea.
The
main infrastructure of the Ross Dependency was centered on McMurdo
Island and the Balleny Islands, which are off the coast of Bellinsgauzenia.
The "mainland" portion only had a few settlements that support the
government of the Ross Dependency and New Zealand. Beginning in the
1980s, the Russian Continental Army
(RCA) has spread a wave of terrorism in the former Russian colonies in
order to re-establish Russian rule. The continued civil unrest in both
New Devon and the Ross Dependency has lead the Ross Dependency
dissolving and being absorbed by Bellinsgauzenia.
Despite
the massive Russian control in the region of the Ross Sea, the United
Kingdom was able to claim the Balleny Islands and McMurdo Island. In
1923, the two islands were combined with the former Viceroyalty of Transantarctica to form the Ross Dependency.
The Ross Dependency provided troops to fight New Swabia during World War II.
The following Great White South page is a proposal.It has not been ratified and is therefore not currently part of the Great White South timeline. You are welcome to correct any errors and/or comment on the talk page. If you add this template to an article, please don't forget to mention this proposal on the main discussion page.
Vereenigde Zuid-Indische Compagnie (VZC) Dutch Antarctica Timeline: Great White South
Dutch Antarctica (Dutch: Nederlandse Antarctica), officially the United South Indies Company (Dutch: Vereenigde Zuid-Indische Compagnie) was a Dutch colony on the East coast of Antarctica.
Originally settled by Dutch East Indies
sailors, the colony quickly grew out to the lakes off the coast of
Antarctica. The colony was maintained by strong trade from the East
Indies, but was eventually taken over by Russian colonists in the War of Midnight Coast.
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