The dominating features of Shurdington are its rolling hills, known as the 'Spine of Shurdington'. These hills are the source of a unique oolitic limestone, originating from the Jurassic period, which has lent itself to the construction of almost all of the country's buildings. Ranging from honey-coloured in the west to pearly white in the east, Shurdington stone has been long valued by poets and artists. Even when the sun is obscured and the light is cold, Shurdington's walls are still faintly warm and luminous, as if they know the trick of keeping the lost sunlight of centuries glimmering about them.
However, not all of Shurdington is a postcard. Saint Claire is prized as a 'layered city'; first established under Emperor Nerva in 97 AD, over the centuries Shurdington's capital has undergone many dramatic alterations. Now an international city, Saint Claire has developed a prosperous, highly industrialised free-enterprise economy and boasts a robust financial services sector. Home to many international banking and insurance institutions and a widespread mosaic of small and medium-size enterprises such as perfumery, jewellery, electronics, and fashion. The glorious Promenade, built in 1818, is the central shopping district of the capital, an elegant thoroughfare lined by elms and horse chestnut trees with a well-earned reputation as a nostalgic modern hub with smart cafés, shops and bars blending in with the historic facade.
Shurdington is not a signatory to any international conventions on diplomatic and consular practice; however, the Department of External Politics has published guidelines on the arrangements it intends to apply on a reciprocal basis with regard to embassy size and staff regulations:
- Unless by prior agreement, embassies are requested to be staffed by no more than twenty (20) personnel, including administrative and technical staff.
- The premises of the mission, the residence of the staff, and all furnishings, archives, means of transport, and any other property thereon shall be inviolable and immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution. Agents of the Government of Shurdington may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission.
- The Government of Shurdington shall protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity. On this basis, security personnel should not be militarised and limited to two (2) agents.
- The Diplomatic Staff (i.e., Head of Mission, Deputy Head of Mission, and any member of staff holding diplomatic rank, as well as their families) shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. The Government of Shurdington shall treat him with due respect and shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on his person, freedom or dignity.
The Government of Shurdington respectfully requests the following information to aid in the establishment of an embassy. Letters of Credence should be sent by telegram.
- Code: Select all
Name of sending State:
Head of sending State:
Head of Government of sending State:
Minister of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent) of sending State:
Brief outline of sending State's foreign policy:
Head of Mission:
Deputy Head of Mission:
Names and positions of other Diplomatic Staff:
Number and Nature of Administrative and Technical Staff:
Names of family members and private servants accompanying the members of staff of mission:
Equipment and other items being imported for the use of the embassy:
