Your Nation's Fact of the Week

[Sulivannia]

(Almost) 200 years since Sulivannia's establishment

Sulivannia's 200th anniversary, as inferred from my signature is Saturday, 21 August 2021. Given the importance of this event, there will be a six-day long weekend from Thursday to Tuesday for this occasion. In the capital, they will be weeks of organisation and preparation for the festivities, as well as the Prime Minister's speech, performances, firework displays, and citizenship awards.

[Zhouran]

In every town and city across Zhouran, various military parades are held by local ZPA units in celebration of different special occasions such as important holidays like National Day or local historical battles and events that happened in a particular town or city (especially given that the Zhouranese civilization is several-millennia old and is one of the very few longest-continuous civilizations left). For National Day and Brave Warrior Day, local parades in various towns and cities nationwide are held when there is no National Day or Brave Warrior Day military parade being held in Ouyang, the national capital. When a military parade for National Day or Brave Warrior Day is held in Ouyang, towns and cities do not hold a military parade. Ouyang is the only place in Zhouran that does not hold local military parades for a historical battle or event compared to towns and cities across the nation. The Brave Warrior Day Military Parade in Ouyang, also referred to as the Brave Warrior Day Grand Military Review, is held every ten years since 1962, while the National Day Military Parade in Ouyang, also referred to as the National Day Patriotic Military Review, is also held every ten years since 1966. As a result, local ZPA units in towns and cities nationwide will hold their own local military parades for National Day and Brave Warrior Day when the main military parades at Ouyang are in recess, but when it is the designated year for the national capital to hold the Brave Warrior Day Grand Military Review or National Day Patriotic Military Review, all towns and cities nationwide do not hold a local military parade.

Military parades in Zhouran vary in size, with those held in smaller towns usually numbering at a few thousand troops while in cities they can range in size from usually around 6,000 to 12,000 in smaller cities to more than 13,000 in bigger cities. Meanwhile, the Brave Warrior Day Grand Military Review and the National Day Patriotic Military Review in Ouyang are not only the largest in Zhouran but in the world also, and due to the large number of troops and vehicles involved, they generally last for a few hours. The troops from units chosen to participate at the military parades in Ouyang are always highly-experienced battle-hardened servicemen & women who have already completed various tours-of-duty abroad, and thus for these courageous & beloved warriors who have risked their lives for the Zhouranese People & Nation by fighting abroad in order to protect Zhouranese interests worldwide, participating at the Brave Warrior Day Grand Military Review or National Day Patriotic Military Review in Ouyang is a high honor as they receive the chance to be reviewed and saluted by Zhouran's high-ranking top stratocratic leadership while their families can watch either by attending in-person or watching live-broadcasts on screen.

Zhouranese military parades follow the Zhouranese military-parade model and thus differ completely from other military parades held by other countries. While foreigners see military parades in Zhouran as a display of the ZPA's strength, discipline and power, and a non-aggressive alternative to the various military expeditionary operations abroad and overseas military-operations-other-than-war (MOOTW) conducted by the ZPA every year, Zhouranese people on the other hand see it instead as a mass sociocultural patriotic celebration of Zhouran's several-millennia old history that is rich in storytelling and war-narratives, a festive commemoration of the Zhouranese people's highly-impassioned warrior culture and fervid martial-ethos, a nationalist observance of Zhouran's victories, achievements and triumph built on the backs of ancestors and loved-ones who have made massive sacrifices for the good of the Zhouranese People & Nation, and the triumphant fanfare and sincere adulation of the Zhouranese people towards their Brilliant & Beloved Tongyehanke Warriors of the Motherland. In a way, military parades in Zhouran are one of the various different ways for the Zhouranese people to immortalize those throughout Zhouran's several-millennia old history who suffered hardship & struggle and gave up their lives for the sake of building a strong, stable and cohesive foundation of unity and prosperity for the Motherland.

Large formations of personnel from the four service-branches of the Zhouranese People's Army in front of the Supreme Hall in National Square during the 2016 National Day Patriotic Military Review, one of the largest military parades on earth that is held every ten years

[Auzkhia]

The Imperial and Royal Air Force Athletic and Acrobatic corps nicknamed the Wunderblitz, is both military and entertainment, most of its members are air force reservists though some active air force members have been on it. Typically, only pegasi comprise it, though flying creatures can sign up in theory, it's just that pegasus acrobatics and racing is not popular among griffons and dragons, who usually see it as superfluous. Wunderblitz shows are popular among many other Pony Auzkhians, but it is an almost near universal spectator sport among pegasi. The fastest pegasi are idolized as demigoddesses or demigods, that's how much it is revered and loved.

However, they have some small competition domestic and abroad, at home it is from civilian organizations that try to compete, often by retired air force members or by those who didn't get in, or some who just wanna be free of military life. It makes for better entertainment and Wunderblitz flyers almost always wins as they are the best of the best.

[Hanovereich]

The first three weeks of an independent Parliament of Hanover saw everybody argue over their motto. Some said it should be “Finimus” (We finish), others said it needed to be “Finire” (To finish), and others wanted a new motto altogether.

[Zhouran]

Since Zhouran is ethno-culturally Kangyuli and different, with the Zhouranese archipelago being geographically North Asian, Zhouranese cuisine is known to be particularly unique compared to the cuisines of East & Southeast Asia. With Zhouran being one of the oldest continuous civilizations on earth with a rich history spanning several millennia, as well as the fact that the Zhouranese archipelago is simply massive in land size, Zhouranese cuisine is home to a rich variety of different dishes. One of the most interesting aspects about Zhouranese is the heavy usage of various flatbread types, both unleavened and leavened, which is something not found in East & Southeast Asian cuisine.

A Zhouranese leavened flatbread with garlic butter

Breads in general are a staple food in Zhouranese cuisine, with unleavened and leavened flatbreads being the most commonly eaten as it is always consumed with main dishes when eating. Zhouranese unleavened flatbread is popularly eaten as a wrap sandwich when it is in its soft form with its filling commonly consisting of sliced boneless meat such as crispy fried chicken, roast beef or baked bacon, accompanied by vegetables such as shredded lettuce, diced tomato, chopped carrots, sliced pepper, sauteed mushrooms or grilled onions, as well as a sauce including spicy sauces, and other additional condiments including cheese, peanuts, butter, rice, beans and other ingredients. Meanwhile, Zhouranese leavened flatbread is regularly used to scoop sauces or dips and is also commonly used by Zhouranese people as an edible utensil when eating with hands and by scooping various main dishes including spicy stews, cold soured-milk soups and thick meat soups.

[United States of Sarjania]

An entire spaceship factory went up in flames after a manufacturing robot incorrectly assembled a main engine. The engine was tested and the LOX (Liquid Oxygen) blew up, lighting other fuel tanks to fire as well. No one was injured because the factory was fully autonomous.

[Kauzat]

welp, new fact
Kauzatia thought about using pipe bombs as a replacement for grenades.

[Dyrrhonian Isles]

Most of the population are basically descendants of settlers from the Diarcesian dieresis of Palaeodiarcesia.

[Zhouran]

For several decades since its foundation in 1956, the Zhouranese People's Army operates the world's largest arsenal of weaponry and military vehicles that is internationally unmatched with no peers whatsoever, outnumbering even the total firepower of the US, Russia and China combined. The ZPA Ground Force has a diverse line-up of various armored vehicles and operates the most advanced tanks on earth as well as the largest fleet of armored vehicles in total. With several thousands of MBTs, IFVs and APCs that number at the hundred-thousands combined, the ZPA Ground Force is the most heavily-armored heavily-mechanized on earth, playing advantageously to Zhouran's military mindset of Maximum Combined-Arms Full-Spectrum Dominance. Zhouran's extremely-powerful MBTs and other armed vehicle ensure maximum mobility and sheer firepower on the battlefield and total domination over all opponents, like an unstoppable steel tsunami. Meanwhile, the ZPA Air Force and Naval Aviation own a wide range of advanced combat aircraft and both operate the most advanced fighter jets in the world as well as the largest fleet of combat aircraft in total. The ZPA Air Force is the largest airforce in the world, with its total number of combat and non-combat aircraft numbering at the hundred-thousands, while the ZPA Naval Aviation is the world's second largest and operates more combat and non-combat aircraft than the entire US military combined. Given the globally-unrivalled skills of Zhouranese fighter pilots, Zhouran's bleeding-edge fighter jets ensure maximum full-spectrum total air-dominance over friendly and hostile skies. The ZPA Navy is known for operating a wide variety of powerful warships, with strongest emphasis placed on guided-missile destroyers and nuclear-powered submarines. In fact, the ZPA Navy owns more warships than the other five large navies combined, operating hundreds of various heavily-armed warships and hundreds of highly-sophisticated silent conventional and nuclear submarines. The Zhouranese People's Army is outfitted with a highly-immense assortment of bleeding-edge fully-indigenous weapons & state-of-the-art technology that allows them to maintain a massive technological edge over opposing forces. Zhouranese weapons and equipment have been designed to be modular due to strong Zhouranese emphasis on adaptability and flexibility for fluid situations. The Zhouranese are aware that in order for soldiers to be in their peak performance, they must have access to the best arsenal possible since weaker weapons can bring down the potential performances of troops in the field.

[Countesia]

Dogs breeds with physical traits that are proven to be detrimental to their health have been illegal to breed since 2011.

[Bears Armed]

When our people hear yet another claim from Zhouran that that nation has the oldest/biggest/best there is of something or other, they just laugh and quite often sing "Hello, Mary-Sue".

(OOC: Seriously, from my [OOC] viewpoint, you're really over-doing that...)

[Daniel-Franklin]

The Catholic Church remains a sort of quasi-underground focus of cultural resistance among the Francophone citizenry of Daniel-Franklin, which comprise roughly 44% of the population. Anglophones, predominantly Protestant/Evangelical, are far more likely to support the current militaristic theocracy of General Adam Turner, the Supreme Commander. They number approximately 41% of the population, so it's almost a dead-even split between the two main linguistic groups. Francophone conservatives lean more heavily monarchist, favoring the Dauphin just returned from exile over General Turner's regime.

[Greater Angelus]

It is often remarked by outsiders that Angelus's matriarchal social hierarchy and the near-dearth of men in leadership positions has resulted in Angelan men being effeminate in traits and presentation. Of course, truth rarely conforms to sweeping generalizations (with a pronounced machismo culture among social and occupational classes that skew towards male majorities), but there are certain social niches that allow Angelan men much more freedom in feminine presentation, helped by the lack of strict social norms against male femininity seen in other cultures.

[Republica Federal de Catalunya]

Motorways sections are designed to serve as paved road runways in case of need.

[Hasmonean Judea]

Women are forbidden to wear pants or shorts in Hasmonean Judea, as the Torah forbids women to wear men’s clothing. Culottes are still a matter for debate, so some worldly women make a point of wearing them.

[Gupta Bharat]

It is a crime to slaughter cattle without a special permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and the local Health Board.

[Reorganized Sweden]

The new military junta has refused to even comment on any plans to hold elections anytime soon. After all, the country still needs to recover from the destruction of Stockholm, its former capital, and the near extinction of the royal House of Bernadotte.

[Republica Federal de Catalunya]

The first divorce law dates from 1930. The divorce law was abolished by the fascist collaborationist regime and restored by the post war Government in 1947.

[The Imagination Animals]

People can be sent to the BND Logo of Doom for 3rd murder. Even though it is not mandated by law, it is considered when the death penalty isn't

[Greater Angelus]

Angelus gained independence from the Kazmiri Empire - officially, the Imperial State of Great Kazimir - in 1971, in large part due to the tenacious guerrilla tactics of the Angelan nationalist army, but several other major factors also came into play: the decline of the Kazmiri Empire throughout the century, internal disputes including a massive peasant rebellion, and the devastating and much larger scale civil war between the present-day Free City of Corravien and the Imperial Army. All these factors contributed to war fatigue within the empire and the eventual decision to withdraw entirely from Angelus proper - though with the reorganized and semi-recognized Imperial Colonial Authority still claiming control over the Human-settled areas of Aichelle.

Angelus was supposed to be the small but exemplary model colony for Kazimir, producing numerous extractive resources and agricultural goods, a model colony city in Adragenia, and an example of imperial diligence and responsible rule over foreign "barbaric" peoples. Of course, the Imperial Army's actions in Angelus - forced labor, mass executions, extensive racial-based repression - deemed necessary to keep the local populace in line resulted, especially in the latter half of the century of the Angelan War of Liberation, increasing international condemnation and eventually internal opposition to the war effort.

[Martenyika]

Some things that may be legal most of the time in Martenyika (if with other restrictions) are illegal during the festival season of Nali, such as flag burning or abortion (barring maternal mortality)

[Daniel-Franklin]

New legislation has prohibited women from living alone or with roommates, making it virtually impossible now for ladies to escape their family households prior to marriage, or at least that was the intent. Ostensibly, this was done to eliminate unlicensed brothels (licensed bordellos are exempt from such laws), but its real effect was to reduce or eradicate the autonomy or independence that single young women often gained from living by themselves or with roommates. Landlords are no longer permitted to lease to female tenants directly, either, only to male heads of households. The new Households and Families Act essentially abolishes even the prospect of female heads of households. Young women are to live under either a male relative's rule or authority...or a husband's. Not on their own.

Further legislation also forbids women to have credit cards without male co-signers, prohibits single women from having individual savings or checking accounts without a male co-depositor, and lists several trades or occupations denied to women, as well as forbidding the use of pantsuits or dress slacks by women.

[The Cult of Xil]

Most executive and legislative decisions in the Cult are made by daily referendums made possible through a hyper-efficient and streamlined direct democratic system, itself augmented by AI and automated systems. Some decisions are, however, too important to be decided in such a long time, and so there exists auxiliary bodies such as the Council of Faith, smaller regional leaders, and the Highest Orator (though he's more of a mouthpiece than an actual ruler).

[Hasmonean Judea]

The Hasmonean dynasty's third monarch, Queen Salome Alexandra, is one of just two women who have ever ruled Judea/Judah, the other being Queen Athaliah in pre-Exile times. All present Kings and High Priests are direct descendants of her through her husband, King Alexander Jannaeus.

[Hispania Major]

The nuclear-powered battlecruiser, also known as the heavy-duty cruiser (crucero de tarea pesada), is the backbone of the Imperial Spanish Armada. With a length of 250 m (820 ft), it's similar in size to the US Navy's Iowa-class battleships, and is heavily armed with guns and missiles. Nuclear propulsion allows these ships to be at sea for virtually unlimited amounts of time, restricted only by the availability of food and supplies. This is very essential for the Spanish Empire, a realm that spans multiple continents, from Europe to America to Africa to Asia.