The Kingdom of the Northwest Wind Factbook

[The Northwest Wind]

The Kingdom of the Northwest Wind



Overview

Motto: "To The North"

Capital (and largest city): Port Greenmont

Official Language: English

Demonym: Northwester

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Monarch: Queen Catherine the Second

Chief Executive: Winston Pygmalion

Area: 12,173 Square Kilometers

Population: Estimate of 5,000

Currency: The Crown

[The Northwest Wind]

Geography of Northwest Wind

Area: The Kingdom is formed up by two main islands on either side of the Arcadia sound, plus a smaller island (East Arcadia, West Arcadia and Lookout Island). The total land area of the Kingdom of the Northwest Wind is 12,173 square kilometers with a coastline of 1,288km, indented with good natural harbor sites. The Kingdom claims a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22.2km).

Climate: Surrounded by cool arctic waters, the Kingdom has a cold maritime climate with a narrow temperature range of about 19 degress Celcius in summer and 2 degrees celcius in winter. The average annual rainfall is 600 millimetres. However, humidity and winds are constantly high. Snow is rare, but can occur at anytime of the year with gales being very frequent in the winter months.

Terrain: The Kingdoms terrain is rocky and hilly, with some boggy, undulating plains. Both main islands have mountain ranges, the highest point being Mount Royal on West Arcadia, being 705 meters tall. Mount Edward on East Arcadia is only 5 meters lower.



Flora: There are no native tree species, but there is several species of bushes. Other vegetation consists of grasses and ferns. Tussac grass is found within 300 meters of the coast and averages 2 meters in height.

Fauna: The Northwest Wind is now home to several land mammals such as sheep and reindeer, but the only native terrestrial mammal is the Warrah, a fox like animal. The islands are home to several species of marine mammals that frequent the surrounding waters, as well as bird species. There are no native reptiles or amphibians in the Kingdom but several insects.



Land use: Farmland accounts for 1,123,985 ha, more then 90% of the North West Winds land area. Much of this farm land is dedicated pasture for the thriving sheep farming industry.

Natural Resources: The natural resources of the Kingdom are few but include fish and wildlife.

[The Northwest Wind]

Economy in Northwest Wind

Industries: Sheep farming plays an important role as the main source of income in the Kingdom. Home to over 600,000 sheep, the NWW Kingdom provides quality wool exports and breeding of animals for slaughter. The Merchant Navy is also a key part of the economy, several ships are dedicated solely for the Kingdoms imports and exports. Many more are owned and are operated as a further source of income. Fishing is a large part of the economy as well.


The Merchant Ensign of the Kingdom of the Northwest Winds Merchant Navy

Exports: The Kingdom exports quality wool, finished products or simply stock, as well as animals for slaughter, sheep and reindeer, with seafood slowly becoming a major export as well.

Imports: As a island nation, the Northwest Wind must import several key products in order to continue to thrive. These would include, machinery&equipment, petroleum products, dry foods, steel and building supplies.

Currency: The currency of the Kingdom is the Crown, appearing in both coin and bill form. The coins range in value from .01 Crown, .05, .10, .25, 1.00 Crown and 2.00 Crown. The bills appear is 5 Crowns, 10s, 20s, 50s and 100 Crowns.

[The Northwest Wind]

History of The Kingdom of the Northwest Kingdom

Discovery, Founding and Early Years:
The islands that now compose the Kingdom was originally discovered by an explorer by the name of Isaac Hall, when his ship was washed upon the shores of East Arcadia. In early spring Captain Hall set off in search of new lands to claim for the crown with the ships, the Seacat and the Revenge, with his family, crew and officers families. In Augest of that year, Captain Hall and his fleet were caught in a severe storm, forcing the fleet off course, seperating the ships and forcing Hall, aboard the Seacat, to find refuge. The Seacat managaged to drift under bare masts and find refuge among isles unchartered, successfully harbouring the storm until it blew itself out in the morning.

With the Seacat damaged by the storm and seperated from the Revenge, Isaac Hall put ashore his crew in the hope of either finding supplies or signaling the Revenge. The landing party however was unable to find the necessary supplies to repair the Seacat and were unable to spot the Revenge or any other ship. Taking stock of his situtation, Hall decided to form a small settlement, which today is the present day capital Port Greenmont, in hope of surviving long enough to be rescued.

Within a week of Port Greenmont being formed, the Revenge limped into the harbour, causing many of the settlers to think they had finally been rescued. Unfortunately when the Revenge had been seperated it had also come under attack from pirates. Successfully fighting them off the Revenge became becalmed for several days before finally discovering the Seacat. With this latest development Captain Hall now delirious with fever gave the order to dismantle the badly damaged ships, build a permanent settlement and declared himself the King of the Kingdom of the Northwest Wind.

The Kingdom survived and remained undiscovered for several years, until the flourishing seal and whaling trade brought ships to the islands in search of both seals and whales, as well as shelter from the oceans worst storms. With these new ships brought with it a source of trade, which King Hall quickly snatched up the chance to strengthen his new Kingdom. He allowed the sealers and whalers to hunt around the Kingdom in exchange for a share of their catch, gold, silver and many other things the Kingdom would have trouble aquiring on their own.

After several of these trades had been completed, King Hall bought passage for several of his men on a passing whaling ship, with simple orders; Get to land, Buy a ship, Return with resources to benefit the Kingdom. Within six months the men returned aboard the Schooner, the Sorceress. On board were several heads of sheeps, bags of seed, dry foods and three familes. These sheeps would eventually form the Kingdoms largest export with the families allowing the settlement to continue to grow.

With the Sorceress continuing to operate its trade route, exporting wool, fish, seal and whale oil and returning with valuable resources to continue to allow the Kingdom to thrive, King Hall created the Merchant Navy. The Kingdom of the Northwest Wind was quick to build up its Merchant Navy purchasing several vessels. With the sudden availability of ships several people set out to explore and map the islands that composed the Kingdom. These expeditions paved the way for further settlements along the coastline.

Unfortunately not long after, King Hall came down with Scarlet Fever, eventually succumbing from the disease. Passing the crown to his son Edward and marking a new chapter for the Kingdom.

Today:
Today the Kingdom of the Northwest Wind is a flourishing microstate, hosting a modest population of 5,000 citizens. Captain Halls decendents still rule over the Kingdom, his great, great, great, great, great grand daughter, Queen Catherine the Second is the current monarch in power

The few heads of sheep that were originally brought to the islands has now grown to 600,000 animals and has become an important source of income for the Kingdoms economy. The Northwest Wind became known for its quality wool exports. In fact the locally produced "Northwester blanket", has became a sought out product due to its quality of manufacturing.

Port Greenmont, the settlement King Hall first established, has become a thriving city and the capital of the Kingdom, as well as the hub of the road network that stretches across the islands. These roads, as well as the government air service, connects the many other towns that have sprung up in the Kingdom.

The future is bright for the citizens of The Northwest Wind, with the coming years promising richs and rewards for the Kingdom. The sky is the limit!

[The Northwest Wind]

Defense Forces of the Northwest Wind
The Royal Northwest Wind Defence Force:
The RNWDF is the locally maintained volunteer defence force of the Kingdom. The RNWDF is organized around a light infantry company with all of ite members volunteers who have civilian jobs when not in uniform. The only two soldiers who are full time is the Commanding Officer and the Sergeant Major. It operates in the sniper/reconnaissance, machine gun and close combat roles as needed. as well it also fulfills the role of a mountain rescue agency for the archipelago.

Royal Northwest Wind Coast Guard:
The RNWCG is responsible for the coastal defense of the Kingdom as well as maritime and aeronautical search and rescue operations. The current fleet consists of two Super Dvora Mk II class patrol boats, which are jointly operated with the Royal Northwest Wind Police Force. These boats are responsible for:
-Enforcement of crown law within the territorial waters and inland waterways of the Kingdom.
-Conducting Search and Rescue services on all territorial waters and inland waterways.
-Mounting armed defence against illegal fishing and enforcing fishing legislation.

The Air Corps is the air branch of the RNWCG and operates a DHC-6 Twin Otter providing resupply missions and carries out maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. Two Bell CH-146 Griffons act as multi-role utility helicopters and provide aerial firepower, reconnaissance, search and rescue and aero mobilty tasks for the Kingdom.

[The Northwest Wind]

Government in the Kingdom of the Northwest Wind

Countries Name: The proper name is, The Kingdom of the Northwest Wind, however this is often shortened to simply the Kingdom, the NWW Kingdom or Northwest Wind.

Government Type: The Kingdom of the Northwest Wind is a constitutional monarchy, ruled by Her Majesty, Queen Catherine the Second. Her Chief Executive is Winston Pygmalion. The Chief Executive is appointed by the ruling Monarch, responsible for the efficient and effective management of the Kingdom. He is responsible for the implementation of decisions handed down by the monarch.

Capital City: Port Greenmont is both the capital and only true city in the Kingdom, as well as the main shopping centre and hub of the islands road network. Attractions include Government House and a golfcourse. It is also home to several shops, four pubs, eleven hotels and guesthouses, three restaurants, a fish and chips shop, the main tourist shop and three churches. The Kingdoms only paved runway is also located here. The town hall serves as the post office and law court. The police station contains the only prison (capacity of 13 in the cells). The community centre contains a library, school and the Kingdoms only public swimming pool.



Other Settlements: All the main settlements are built on natural harbours for the sea was the only highway when the Kingdom was originally formed. Anything moved overland had to be dragged across the rough, trackless countryside. Other settlements outside of the capital that boast a sizable population are the towns Bay Point, Brook Bay, Sheffield Bay, Stonewick and Bonnie Circle.

Government House: Government House is both the residence of the monarch as well as the site of the governments head departments.

[The Northwest Wind]

People and Population in Northwest Wind


Total Population: 5,000

Age Structure: The age distribution of the citizens of the Kingdom is skewed towards people of working age (20–60) – 65% as opposed to 21% aged below 20 and 14% aged above 60.

Language: The offical language is English.

Literacy and Education: Education in the Kingdom is free and compulsory up to the end of the academic year when a child reaches age 16. The only secondary school is located in the capital of Port Greenmont.

Medical Care: The NWW Government Health and Social Services Department provides medical and dental care for the Kingdom. The King Isaac Memorial Hospital, located in Port Greenmont, is the Kingdoms only hospital. It holds a doctor practice and surgery, radiology department, dental surgury and emergency facilites.

[The Northwest Wind]

Communications and Transport in Northwest Wind

Number of Televisions and Radios: It is estimated that the islands of the Kingdom are home to 3,000 television sets and 3,000 radio receivers.

Broadcasters: There are 5 terrestrial tv channels, 7 FM and 3 AM radio stations.

Telecommunications: The NWW has a modern telecommunications network, providing fixed line telephones, ADSL and dial-up internet services. Outlaying settlements are provided telephone service by the use of microwave radio.

Transport: There are three general ways in which a person can move through the Kingdom, by road, sea or air.
Road: A road network links all the occupied mainland settlements on East Arcadia. The main roads within Port Greenmont are tarred, all other roads are gravel all-weather roads.


Sea: The NWW Kingdom has 1 seaport, Port Greenmont, on East Arcadia. A regular ferry service links the two main islands, carrying cars, passengers and cargo. Other smaller boats may be chartered in advance.

Air: The Kingdom only has 1 paved runway, the Port Greenmont Airport, used for internal and international flights as well as military purposes. The NWW Government Air Service operates two DHC-2 Beavers, two Britten-Norman Islanders and a DHC-6 Twin Otter. Based and operating only in the Kingdom of the Northwest Wind, it operates non-scheduled passenger services throughout the Kingdom. It is a vital link to the more remote settlements delivering post, vital goods, providing medical services and moving people. It is capable of using the grass airstrips at most settlements. Flight Schedules are broadcasted on the radio every evening.