1. Geography
The United Kingdom of West Arlington is a coastal nation in Southern Europe. France shares the Kingdom’s Northern border, Monaco to the West, Italy and the Republic of Arlington (fabricated nation) border the Kingdom to the East, and the Mediterranean Sea forms the Kingdom’s Southern border. The coastline runs for approximately 350 km.
The islands of Bexley, Albany and Powell are under the Kingdom, and are all within 15 km of the coast of West Arlington. The northern region of the Kingdom is mountainous with part of the Alpes contained within the West Arlington border. The rest of the Kingdom is similar to neighboring nations; river valleys, basins, and plateaus. The climate is that of the Mediterranean region; dry hot summers, cool wet winters. The highest point in the Kingdom is Montare Tresscariglio at 4000 meters (13,123 ft).
Natural Resources are: Coal, iron, marble, pumice, and timber
The largest environmental issue in the Kingdom is the pollution from the Mediterranean Sea reaching the shores of the Kingdom.
2. Economy
Total GDP: $210 billion USD
GDP per capita: $21,000
7% of the population lives below the poverty line with a 6.5% unemployment rate
Taxes:
15% income tax on individuals and a 10% income tax on corporations.
Municipalities within the Kingdom reserve the right to further tax individuals, but the total rate in one municipality may not exceed 20%. The National Government also reserves the right to collect 5% of what the municipalities collect on taxes.
The National Government’s annual budget is $250 billion USD.
Largest Industries: Wine Production, Marble Production, Tourism and Weapons Production
Much of West Arlington is powered by nuclear energy and natural gas. With very little oil production in the Kingdom, most of it is imported from the Middle East (Saudi Arabia), and Algeria.
Imports: Oil, Automobiles, Machinery, Chemicals
Biggest Import Partners: Italy (17.9%), France (11.7%), Germany (8.3%), United Kingdom (6.9%), Spain (6.8%), USA (5.1%), China PRC (4.3%).
Exports: Marble, Wine, Weapons/Defense Contracts, Aircraft and equipment (Airbus)
Biggest Export Partners: USA (14.3%), Italy (8.7%), Spain (8.3%), France (7.8%), Belgium (7.6%), UK (5.8%), Netherlands (4.2%) Germany (14.9%), Spain (9.3%)
The currency of West Arlington is the Arling. 1 Arling = $1.78 USD ; 1 Arling = 1.33 Euro
3. History
In 1505, The Kingdom of Arlington was established as a separate nation from the Kingdom of Sardinia. From 1505 to 1865, Arlington existed as an independent Monarchy with the St. Clair family ruling since 1710. In 1861, a unifying Italian Kingdom declared war on the Kingdom of Arlington, and by 1865, Arlington had been fully annexed into the Italian Kingdom which had completely controlled the Italian Peninsula.
Then in 1945 at the end of World War II, when the Italian Republic was formed, Arlington declared independence from Italy, thus establishing the Republic of Arlington. For 40 years, the Republic was ruled by Prime Ministers and Parliament. In 1986, a coup d’état orchestrated by Col. Bartolomeo Ginesi ended the Republic, and the People’s Republic of Arlington was formed, and the young Colonel ruled as Dictator from 1986 until 2007 when the Italian supported rebels overthrew Ginesi.
For one year, from November 2007 until November 2008, Arlington was ruled by more than a dozen leaders, until the people were given the opportunity to establish their new government. In the eastern provinces, the people voted for a democratic government, while the people of the western provinces voted for the Monarchy to be re-established. After many more months, the people of Arlington agreed to split the nation into two. The west would now become the United Kingdom of Arlington, as it united the western provinces, and the historical island kingdoms of Bexley, Albany and Powell. The eastern provinces thus became the Republic of Arlington.
The split is being regarded as a political split rather than a physical geographic split. Citizens of either nation are free to move about between each nation as they please. The only major differences between the two nations are the tax laws, and government/political structure.
4. Military
The branches of the West Arlington Military are as follows:
- WA Army (Tot: 475,000 ; Ava: 315,000)
- WA Air Force (335,000 ; 250,000)
- WA Navy (180,000 ; 95,000)
- WA Royal Guards (10,000 ; 3,000)
Total: 1,000,000 ; Ava: 663,000
Approximately 10% of the total West Arlington population serves in the military. There is a one-year service requirement for men 18 years and older.
Military expenditure is approximately 20% of the National Government’s budget.
Declared Allies: France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, United States
Declared Enemies: None
5. Government and Political Structure
Country Name:
Official – The United Kingdoms of West Arlington, Bexley, Albany and Powell
Common/Short – The United Kingdom of West Arlington ; WA
Government Type: Monarchy
Capital City: Sardegna di Comprezzio (Pop. 3,530,000)
Provinces: La Capitale ; Pico di Firanzia ; Alimopazzi ; Bethalia ; Medicciglia ; Correano ; Pompa Imperia ; Bexley ; Albany ; Powell
Major Cities:
- Colombia (Pop. 2,800,000)
- Tulermo (1,500,000)
- Villa di Porto (1,230,000)
- Cincinazzi (800,000)
Date of Independence from the Kingdom of Sardinia: June 22, 1505
Date of Independence from Italian Republic: December 2, 1945
Date of Monarchy Re-Establishment: May 1, 2009
National Holidays:
January 1 – New Years Day
March (1st Monday) – Worker’s Day
April (1st Sunday) – Green Day/Environment Day/Earth Day
May 1 – Monarchy Day
June 22 – Independence Day
July 3 – King’s Birthday
September (1st Saturday) – Friendship Day
October (1st Sunday) – Green Day/Environment Day/Earth Day
October (1st Monday) – Worker’s Day
December 2 – Freedom Day
Constitution: Written in 1504, ratified in 1604, 1704, 1804, 1945, 1985, then in 2008 the 1985 ratifications eliminated.
Judicial System: Paramount Court - 4 Magistrates, 1 Supreme Magistrate
Monarch System:
1. King/Queen
2. Prince/Princess (Ranked by oldest to youngest children of the King and Queen)
3. Duke/Duchess (Ranked by oldest to youngest siblings of the Monarch in power)
4. Count/Countess (Ranked by oldest to youngest siblings of the Monarch in power’s spouse)
5. Baron/Baroness (Members of the Royal Court, members of the Royal Council)
Parliament System: “Royal Council”
1. Signore di Consulari (“Council Leader”)
a. Elected by the Council Members, approved by the King
b. May represent a political party
2. Barons/Baroness’ – Council Members
a. Three elected from each province by the people
b. One term is five years
c. No limit to amount of terms served
d. May serve in a political party
e. As of June 2011, 30 Council Members serve in the Royal Council
Political Parties:
- National Monarch Party
- National Conservative Party
- National Arlingtonian Republican-Democratic Party
Current member numbers:
- NMP ; 25 members of the Royal Council
- NCP ; 3 members of the Royal Council
- NARDP ; 1 members of the Royal Council
West Arlington is a member of the following:
- World Health Organization
- European Union
- United Nations
- Human Rights Organization
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Mediterranean States Trade Agreement
6. People and Population
Total Population: 12,300,000
Median Age: 33
Population Growth Rate: 2.33%
Life Expectancy: 83
Nationality: Arlingtonian
Ethnic Groups: Italians, French, German
Religions: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism
Languages: Italian and French are both official. English is secondary
Literacy: 88%
