Factbook: The Federation of Cyrelia
Introduction
The Federation of Cyrelia consists of four small States, or "families" in the native tongue, that form an island off the coast of the mainland continent. The four States are named Cardathan, Varangia, Fjorn and Radha. The States adhere to laws and regulations passed by the secular Federal Government of Cyrelia.
Geography
Cyrelia holds a beautiful and stunning landscape, the environmentally friendly policies of the Federation's government and technology keeping the landscape clean and untainted.Cardathan has the largest area of land and is situated in the centre of the island, it does not have a coastline but down its eastern border runs the largest mountain range [The Roldanes] in all of Cyrelia. This is not only the where the capital of Cardathan [Cyrene] stands, but the same city is also the capital of Cyrelia and its federal government. The other three States are smaller and surround Cardathan, each holds a coastline. Fjorn is situated in the north of the region, it is famed for its large forests and raging rivers. It is also coldest in Fjorn. Varangia and Radha share similar landscape, however Radha shares the Roldanes with Cardathan and enjoys the warmest climate in Cyrelia.
History
Before the Federation, each state was its own religious dictatorship: the "families" separated by religious division and zeal. While the individual States ran themselves well, the religious fundamentalism brought the different States in to many small wars over time. This antagonistic relationship boiled and brewed until a great war raged between the four States, millions died from all sides and many believed this would be the end of all the States. Eventually, after fourteen years of fighting, the four great leaders of the different States met to discuss how to end such suffering. The first agreement was peace, of course, but the four leaders knew that in order to prevent such calamity from happening again the traditions of rule must change. After three years of negotiation, and five referendums held between all of the four States: the four States agreed to join under the democratic rule of a collection of peoples from all States. Thus the Federation was born, a democratic instituion responsible for the well being of all four States. There was another agreement, that in order to prevent such religious fundamentalism from bringing conflict to the four States the Federation must be secular as a government. Each "family" still retains its own religious beliefs, however the Federal government does not recognise any individual religion as tantamount nor does it tolerate religious impostion on those who do not wish for it. Now the Federation prospers, maintaining peace, cohesion and cooperation between the once distinct member States.
Economics
Cyrelia's economy is that of free market capitalism. It is thriving, and the tax rate is substantially high.
Military
The Federation has a small professional army [The Armed Federal Services], and also enforces a compulsory military service from members of all four states of a particular age [The Armed National Services]. None of the States have an army loyal only to them, the two armed forces consist of members of all states and these armed forces swear alliegance to the Federation above all others. The armed forces rely on technology and professional ability rather than numbers, and as such the professional army [The Armed Federal Services] enjoy access to what can be considered "elite" equipment and training. The Federal Navy is, again, small but technologically advanced. The Federal Airforce is tiny, and deployed almost entirely as part of the Federal Navy [although there are air bases situated in each state].
Government and Politics
1. Political Structure
Cyrelia is a representative democracy, it has an unwritten constitution with a written bill of human rights. The electoral systems in place use a First Past the Post system. The Federal Parliament consists of eight hundred seats, split equally between the four member States. There are five political parties in the Federal Parliament, three of which are significantly large and influential. If a party collects a certain number of seats then it can form a government, should no party reach the margin required then a coalition must be formed between the party with the most seats and one other party.There are also "independant" candidates that stand for and often win seats. This government, or the executive, then acts on its party[s] mandate and passes laws through majority votes in the entire federal parliament, the legislative. The legislative also appoints a second collection of representative individuals comprising of experts from all fields of business, academics and so forth. This group is the second part of the legislative and can "reject" a passed bill up to three times with suggestions and alterations for the main body of the Federal Parliament to consider, it is important to note that the main and elected body of the Federal Parliament and the Federal Government is more important and powerful than this second body: they [the Federal Parliament/Federal Government] pass legislation whereas the second body simply analyse and regulate such legislation.
Each State also has its own Assembly, comprising of one hundred and twenty members each. These utilise a Proportional Representation electoral system and have certain secondary and tertiary powers. They are still subservient to the Federal Parliament and the Federal Government, and the two supervening bodies can overrule legislation passed by the State Assemblies.
2. The Constitution
The constitution is unwritten, and is defined by the Federal Parliament under law. There are many documents detailing the legal constitution of Cyrelia dating from its formation to the modern day. The only collected, entrenched and truly "written" part of the constitution is that of Cyrelia's human rights. Here are some examples of some of the rights of Cyrelia's citizens:
All Members of the Federation are born Equal,
All Members of the Federation hold The Right to Work,
All Members of the Federation hold The Right to Vote,
All Members of the Federation hold The Right to a Fair Trial,
Members of the Federation hold The Right to Stand for Election, excepting those who would represent extremist ideologies,
All Members of the Federation hold The Right to Life,
All Members of the Federation hold The Right to an Education,
All Members of the Federation hold The Right to an Abortion,
All Members of the Federation have Freedom of Thought,
All Members of the Federation have Freedom of Speech,
All Members of the Federation have Freedom of Religion,
All Members of the Federation have Freedom of Sexuality,
All Members of the Federation have Freedom of Assembly and Association,
All Members of the Federation have Freedom from Discrimination and Persecution.
Each State also has its own laws and constitutions, these are in line with and subservient to the overlying constitution of the Federation.
Population
The last statistics indicated that the population numbered around nine hundred and forty million.
