WIP
Khwarezmia World Factbook
Contents
1. Brief Introduction
2. Government Structure and Politics
3. Military
4. People and Population
5. Economy
6. History
7. Communications
8. Geography
1. Brief Introduction
Khwarezmia is in the process of emerging from a period of enforced isolation. For three decades the island of Khwarezmia has been shielded from outside
The pressures of managing a colossal population in a state of isolation from outside influence and support have dominated and shaped every aspect of Khwarezmian society and culture. The government is omnipresent, and to first observations seems dictatorial and undemocratic. The peculiar political system of Khwarezmia developed under the dual influences of liberal democratic conscience and the inflexible pragmatic realities of isolation and population. The result is a society where individualism is almost non-existent and civil liberties are seriously curbed by the exigencies of isolation and population, yet the people are active, enlightened and erudite and enjoy a relatively high standard of living (75 per cent of those born die in old age) compared to other societies of similar political construction.
A note on the country’s name. ‘Khwarezmia’ is the spelling I was using when I created the nation on NS way back when. Since then I have changed the default spelling to ‘Qarezmiya’. There are three spelling/language variations that I have invented for the country, and Khwarezmia reflects a non-standard spelling (‘Khrinis’). For RP’s sake, I’ve concluded that the rest of the world uses Khwarezmian/Khrinisian spelling because that was in vogue before it went into isolation, whereas Qarezmiyans themselves use Qarezmiyan/Qorvin spelling. A real world example would be ‘Finnish’ and ‘Suomi’.
2. Government Structure and Politics
Short-hand: Khwarezmia/Qarezmiya
Long-hand: The Incorporated Dominions of Transqarezmiya
Head of State: Her Majesty Pithriqi III
Chairman-Vizier: Diskhabel Marz
Secretary to the Exterior: Qasmyr Fay
Secretary to the Interior: Maqsimilian Qonqord.
Chief of Ministry for Military Security: General Arter Mangaden.
The highest authority in Khwarezmia rests in the Throne, currently occupied by Her Majesty Pithriqi III. However, the de facto power rests in the Permanent Committee for the Emergency.
The government structure is organised according to a five-part state security complex. Individual aspects of government such as education and healthcare are implemented by specific departments within one of five ministries. Each ministry is headed by an Oversight Committee, individually responsible for societal, military, environmental, economic and political security. For example, the Ministry for Societal Security includes the departments of education, transport and healthcare. Government is further subdivided into regional offices in each of the major cities.
Following the nation’s return from isolation, two Secretariats have been formed; the Secretariat for the Interior and the Secretariat for the Exterior, mandated to liaise between government departments and overseas agents.
Khwarezmia is by and large democratic; individuals are elected to their positions. Those who participate (executive, departmental or from the population at large) in the elections depends on the particular position. Although there are differing political schools of thought, elected political parties do not exist in Khwarezmia.
3. Military – The Qarezmiyan Guard
Seven per cent of the nation’s GDP is allocated to military expenditure. The military is organised according to a militarily posture. There are four branches: Army, Air Corps, Navy and Territorial Militia.
Total manpower: 6 million (0.1 per cent of population).
Professional army: 500,000.
Paramilitary (Territorial Militia): 5.5 million.
Citizens eligible for military service: 3,000 million (est.)
4. People & Population
Population: 5,854 million (last updated 29th January 2012).
Languages: Qarezmiyan, (Khrinisian and Elmar are also recognised languages).
Ethnic groups: Qorvin, Khrinis, Elmirion.
5. Economy
Strongest exportable good: knowledge.
Highest demand for import: food.
Currency: Qarezmiyan Spoon
The simplest way to understand the Khwarezmian economy is to consider that the government is the economy. The tax rate is set at 90 per cent of income, and the public sector accounts for 86 per cent of Khwarezmia’s GDP.
Distribution of Khwarezmian Government Expenditure
Education: 28%
Law & Order: 26%
Environment: 18%
Social Policy: 8%
Public Transport: 8%
Defence: 7%
Healthcare: 5%
Welfare: 1%
It follows therefore, that on paper the largest sector of the nation’s economy is education, accounting for around a quarter of the economy. However, in practice many in education spend time on placements, or in research for practical applications.
Khwarezmia’s economy is entirely self-sustaining. The Government intervened heavily in the pre-existing capitalist free-market and the majority of companies are state owned. Industries, such as agriculture, which are normally privately operated are dominated by Government influence, where it became essential to oversee the adequate provision of food for the nation.
6. History
The nation of Khwarezmia is the formation and unification of seven city-states; Qarezmiya, Pedtratoriya, the islands of Krof, Maryiarti, Anedriya, Ariqhin and Thorzen.
7. Communications
Main broadcasters: QBS (Qarezmiyan Broadcasting Service – state radio and television), MTT (Mountain Top Television - independent), HMR (Her Majesty’s Radio – privately owned with royal patronage). Local private broadcasters.
Internet domain: .qrz
8. Geography
Total area: 9,743,575 km2
Total coastline: 36,000 km (est.)
Land borders: none.
Climate: Temperate.
