The Grand Kingdom of Cembria - Factbook

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:46 pm

CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION - PLEASE DO NOT POST, THANK YOU KINDLY!
(Construction might take weeks as I intend to complete it section by section. For advice, comments or spelling/grammar corrections: please telegram me.)
This factbook is best viewed in a 1440 x 900 resolution - for proper alignment.

Table of Content:

General Information
- National Symbols
- World Cencus 2011
History
- Prehistory (Before 800 BCE)
- Classical Antiquity (800 BCE - 412 CE)
  - Migration and the Cemberi
  - Lucavan Era
    - Christianity
- Middle Ages (412 CE - 1517 CE)
  - Early MiddleAges (412 CE - 1020 CE)
  - Black Death (1198 - 1199 CE)
  - High Middle Ages (1020 CE - 1517 CE)
    - Kingdom of Cembria under Alderiquean Rule
    - Kingdom of Cembria under Clovingian Rule
Geography
- Composition and Topography
  - Summary
- Climate & Biodiversity
  - Climate
  - Biodiversity
- Gallery
Government & Politics
- Administrative Divisions
  - Provinces
  - Municipalities & Herreds
- Monarchy
- National Government
  - Executive Branch
    - Council of Ministers
  - Legislative Branch
  - Judicial Branch
- Subnational Government
  - Provincial Politics
    - King's Commissioner
    - States Provincial
    - States Deputed
  - Municipal Politics
    - Mayor
    - City Council
    - Alderman
- Political Parties
  - Political Parties Represented in the States-General
Economy
Military
- Branches
  - Army
  - Navy
  - Air Force
Demographics
Culture
- Sports & Recreation
  - Kayaking & Rowing
    - The University Boat Race
  - Lacrosse
  - Hunting & Trapping
- Music & Literature
  - Music
  - Literature
- Fine Arts
- Philosophy
- Cuisine
  - Apple within Cembrian Gastronomy
  - Traditional Beverages
- Tobacco & Cannabis
Vexillology
- Design & Terminology
- Symbolism
- List of Cembrian Flags
  - National - Regal - Governmental - Military Flags
  - Pennants
  - Provincial Flags
  - Crown Dependencies
Royalty
Crown Dependencies

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:47 pm

General Information

Cembria, officially the Grand Kingdom of Cembria, is a sovereign state located off the midwestern coast of continental West-Caprecia. It spans an archipelago including Cembria (mainland), the Island of St. James, and many smaller islands surrounding the main island. It covers an area of 20,273 square kilometres (7,827 sq mi) and has a population of 4.12 million. The capital and largest city is Calnebridge. The country has no land border and is completely surrounded by the Landaran Sea. The nearest neighbouring countries are the State of Canalk and the Unified Imperial State of Trinea, situated 70 kilometers to the east of Cembria.

Cembria is a unitary parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with King Andrew II as its head of state and Sir Thomas Austin as its Prime Minister. It is a unitary state with administrative subdivisions on two levels known as provinces and municipalities (or herreds). Cembria has extensive reserves of minerals, forests, seafood, fresh water, and hydropower. The country maintains an efficient welfare model with universal health-care, subsidized higher education, and a comprehensive social security system. At the moment, Cembria is a full member of the World Assembly and a supporting nation of the World Anti-Slavery Organisation.

FlagNational Coat of Arms

Motto: 'Merces Sublimis Honorum' (Latin: the high reward of honour)
National Anthem: Royal Hymn
Capital: (and largest city) Calnebridge
Official (de jure) Languages: English
Recognized Regional (de facto) Languages: Latin
Demonym: Cembrian
Establishment: February 26th, 1830
Government: Constitutional Monarchy, Parliamentary Democracy
King (head of state): His Majesty the King, Andrew II de Merode-Hallward
Prime Minister (head of government): Sir Thomas Austin
Legislature: States-General (bicameral)
Upper house: Primary Council
Lower house: Secondary Council
Population: 4,126,300 (2011 census)
Population Density: 201.53 people/km2
Area: 20,273 square kilometres (7,827 sq mi)
Currency: Cembrian Copper (⊄)
Gini Coefficient: 30.8
HDI: 0.887
Drives on the: Right
Internet TLDs: .cem
Calling Code: +016

National Symbols

National Sport: Rowing, Lacrosse
National Animal: Stag (Cervidae)
National Bird:
- National: Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata)
- Royal: Double-Headed Eagle
National Flower: Snowdon Lily (Lloydia Serotina)
National Tree:
- National: Linden Tree (Tilia)
- Royal: Oak
National Fruit: Apple (Malus domestica)
National Dish: Rabbit with prumes, raisins and apple
National Beverage: Pure Malt Whisky, Brown Cembrian Ale
National Instrument: Cello
National Colours: White, Gold, Dark Green

World Cencus 2011

(Last update: March 2011)

Full Nation Name: The Grand Kingdom of Cembria
Official Name: The Grand Kingdom of Cembria
Short Name: Cembria
Nicknames: 'A philosopher's haven', 'Apple Island'
Derogatory names for your nation: N/A
People from your nation are called: Cembrian
Nicknames of the people of your nation: Cem(s)
Derogatory names for the people of your nation: Hubert(s), Twee(s)
Capital City: Calnebridge
Nation's leader(s): His Majesty the King, Andrew II de Merode-Hallward
Roleplay Nation Age: 181 years old
Government type: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy
WA official government category: NY Times Democracy (atm)
WA economy rating: Strong
WA civil rights rating: Excellent
WA political freedoms rating: World Benchmark
Population: 4,126,300 (2011 census)
Birth Rate: 22/1000
Death Rate: 19/1000
Total land area: 20,273 km2 - 7,827 sq mi
Tax rate range: 38%
GDP: $386,234,510,650.23
GDP per capita: $15,870.16
Unemployment rate: 3.37%
Literacy percentage: 99.1%
Population Growth Rate: 0.7%
Average age of citizen: 33.5
Average lifespan of citizen: 74,6 male, 81 female
Religion make-up of population:
57.3% Cembrianism (Protestant Christians)
18.6% Catholicism
02.0% Judaism
24.1% No religion/atheism
Ethnicity make-up of population:
92% Cembrian (Caucasian)
7% Cartavescan (Caucasian)
1% Other
Total Military (in population): 18,223
Do you have compulsory military service: Yes
Percentage of population retired: 16.5%
Percentage of population disabled: 1.8%
Percentage of population non-working homemakers: 4.7%
Do your average people have a place in affecting government: Yes (citizenship and passive suffrage at the age of 18, full suffrage at the age of 21, i.e. eligibility)
Strongest industry: Financial sector, ferrous metallurgy industry
Weakest industry: Armaments Industry
Economic Practices: Free-market system (liberal/capitalist)
How much industry regulation: Low
Does your nation have any forms of slavery: No
Does your nation fight in many wars?: No
On a a scale of 1-10, 10 being extremely involved, how involved is your nation with other nations: 3
Main imports: Electrical and other machinery, chemicals, vehicles, textiles
Main exports: Wood products, agricultural products, machinery, minerals and ferrous metallurgics
Does your nation have a space program: No
Energy sources make-up:
Electricity generated in Cembria is 56% from hydroelectricity and 39% from nuclear power, with 5% of the electricity generated from conventional power sources resulting in a nearly CO2-free electricity-generating network
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being a wasteland, how polluted is your nation: 2
How many colonies does your nation have: de facto two: the Crown Dependencies of Livea and Novi Cembrii
Average number of people in a household in your nation: 4
Have you ever been a member of the WA: Yes
Are you currently a member of the WA: Yes
Has your nation proposed any WA resolutions, if so, give the amount: No
Does your nation have a condemn or commend?: No
Nation's region: Caprecia
How many nations are in your region: 80-90
Is your nation involved in your region?: Limited
How much crime does your nation have?: Barely any crime
Does your nation have companies native to your nation that have also spread to other nations?: No
Do you support the World Census?: Yes

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:48 pm

History

Prehistory (Before 800 BCE)

Cembria was originally settled by tribes from western Caprecia. The most current reliable evidence strongly indicates that initial settlement of the main island occurred around 2100 BCE. Traces have been found in the northeast at Catherinia and Sherwick, as well as at the central province of Campinia. Dwellings were made of a combination of tree trunks for the basic structure, mud-clad wickerwork walls, and roofs of thatched reeds or straw. Pottery from this period has been found near Calnebridge. The original settlers quickly exploited the abundant large game in Cembria, such as boar, deer and hare. The descendants of these settlers became known as the Campini, forming a distinct culture of their own. Campine culture gradually underwent change with regional differences. In areas where it was possible to grow rye and grain, agriculture became more important. In the south and west, where steep and rough terrain made farming less profitable, hunting and fishing remained the primary sources of food income.

With the arrival of bronze and iron during the ninth and eighth century BCE warfare also increased in importance, reflecting increased competition for land and other resources. In this period, fortified villages and settlements became more common, although there is debate about the actual frequency of warfare. (Right: harpoons used by early settlers, found at an archeological site near Catherinia, Cameron)

Classical Antiquity (800 BCE - 412 CE)

The Classical Age brought a measure of prosperity to the people living in Cembria. Iron ore was available throughout the country: smiths travelled from small settlement to settlement with bronze and iron, fabricating tools on demand, including axes, knives, pins, arrowheads and swords. There is even evidence of an advanced method of forging that combined the flexibility of iron with the strength of steel. It also was an era which included multiple waves of mass migration that sequentually led to political turmoil and conquest. Eventually the Classical Age was marked by relative political unity and stability under foreign rule, allowing culture and economy to prosper.

Migration and the Cemberi (800 BCE - 38 BCE)

A deteriorating climate in northern and central Caprecia around 800 BCE to 760 BCE and a later and more rapid one around 650 BCE might have triggered migrations. Archeological evidence suggests around 750 BC a relatively uniform Caprecian people known as the Phali migrated from central Caprecia to Cembria, especially to the southern areas. The contemporary southern and western migration of Caprecian groups and the northern expansion of the Campine culture drew these peoples into each other's sphere of influence. The last centuries before the Lucavan invasion saw an influx of Anglophone speaking refugees from central Caprecia (approximately modern day Trinea and Canalk) known as the Cemberi, who were displaced as the Lucavan Empire expanded around 50 BCE. They settled along most of the coastline of eastern Cembria (modern day Campinia and Elso provinces) between about 520 BCE and 143 BCE. By the time this migration was complete, a few general cultural and linguistic groupings such as the Campini and Phali were being absorbed by the Cemberi and emerged as a new homogenuous ethnicity. The Cemberi weren't a unified people - although they did share the same language and religion - but lived apart in separate communities having their own tribal rules. The last century before the Lucavan invasion saw increasing sophistication in Cembrian life. About 100 BCE, iron bars began to be used as currency, while internal trade and trade with continental Caprecia flourished, largely due to Cembria's extensive mineral reserves. Coinage was developed, based on continental types but bearing the names of local Cemberi chieftain.

Lucavan Era (38 BCE - 412 CE)

As the Lucavan Empire expanded westwards, Lucava began to take interest in the Cembrian Isles. This may have been caused by an influx of refugees from Lucavan occupied Caprecia, or Cembria's large mineral reserves. The area north and east of the Calne was conquered by Lucavan forces in a series of campaigns from 38 BCE to 16 BCE. The approximately 450 years of Lucavan rule that followed would profoundly change the country and up until 355 CE, Cembria - as it was named by the Lucavans - enjoyed a time of exceptional peace and prosperity. The Pax Lucava was made possible by the protection of well-defended coastal borders and a slow but peaceful acculturation of the local population. The Lucavans urbanised the territory with numerous settlements and built a network of high-quality roads connecting them. The further development of fishing ports and commercial harbours increased import and export to and fro the Empire.
(Left: Lucavan ruins situated in Calnium, modern day Calnebridge.)

Christianity

Archaeological evidence for Christian communities begins to appear in the third and fourth centuries. Small timber churches are suggested at Lincoln and Sherwick and baptismal fonts have been found at Calnebridge and the coastal Fort at Danborough. Although the governmental hiearchy and Lucavan language weren't adopted easily by the Cembrians, Christianity, however, did get a solid foothold on the Cembrian Isle. Numerous missionaries came from all accros the Empire to Cembria to spread the word of God. Harsh deities and cruel gods were now replaced by the Holy Trinity.

Middle Ages (412 - 1517 CE)

It is in this formative period that Cembria emerged as a unified and political entity, and transformed over several centuries from a diverse, warring and fractuous land of petty kingdoms, into one of Caprecia's most centralised, powerful and richer states.

Early Middle Ages (412 - 1020 CE)

During the time of Lucavan dominance, the south and the western regions were rather remote from the main centres of Lucavanisation. The road system extended into Elso, but the only known significant Lucavan sites are three forts situated in Forfarhed and Turrif. At the beginning of the third century the Lucavan Empire was slowly decading because of corruption and political strive amongst political leaders and military commanders. The economic and social consequences of this decline also influenced the Lucavan-Cembrian society. Defiant chieftain in the south temporarily united to fight the Lucavan establishment. In 412 the Cembrian capital city of Calnium was conquered by Cemberi chief Baldwin the Great, this marked the end of Lucavan dominance in Cembria. The Lucavan Empire on continental Caprecia furthermore collapsed in the fifth century. The christian religion, however, did survive and eventually even excelled the original shamanistic religion of the Cembrian people.

Although the southern Cemberi chieftain did form an alliance to fight the Lucavans, this union did not last for long. Five years after the conquest of Calnium by Baldwin the Great, Baldwin was assassinated by a rival clan chief. Baldwin's offspring, along with the clans first obedient to Baldwin, were now fighting each other for dominance. Multiple clans and warlords were now ruling a myriad of scattered domains on the Cembrian mainland with iron hand, always sacking and pillaging land and settlements of rival lords. It became a dark age known for its terror and multiple famines and a steady decline of wealth and culture; libraries and institutions built over centuries by the Lucavans were being destroyed in more than a few battles. Over the following centuries this process of political consolidation continued. Ultimately four distinct feudal kingdoms arose and continued to fight each other for dominion. In 1020 this brought about the political unification of Cembria accomplished under Alderic I in 1020 as all these kingdoms were conquered and thus united under one banner. (Right: four kingdoms arose and existed from 831 to 1020 untill Cembrian unification.)

High Middle Ages (1020 - 1517 CE)

This conquest led to the almost total dispossession of the tribal elite and its replacement by a new Cembrian aristocracy, and the coronation of King Alderic I as first king of Cembria. However, the unification of Cembria was not a certainty. For the next five years the king faced a series of rebellions in various parts of the country and a half-hearted Trinean invasion, but he was able to subdue all resistance and establish an enduring regime. Under Alderic I's successors, Alderic II and Pepin I, the kings repeatedly lost and regained control of southern Aradia. Nevertheless, Pepin I the Stout consolidated the kingdom, which remained united thereafter.

Kingdom of Cembria under Alderiquean Rule (1020 - 1251 CE)

The reign of Alderic I and his direct successors represent a reversion in power back from the aristocracy to the monarchical state in Cembria; it was also to see a similar redistribution of legislative power from the Church, again to the monarchical state. At this early stage, however, there is no evidence that the Cembrian Church was able to create a stable administration that Alderic I could use to exercise more effective control over his kingdom,

but it may have contributed to the development of a centralising political and religious ideology among the social elite which sustained and enhanced an increasingly powerful kingship. Especially his grandson, Pepin I the Stout, continued efforts to centralise all authority and dismantle the power of the nobility. Unfortunately King Stephen II - ninth descendant of Alderic I - was not able to carry on this policy. One of the changes he instituted was the feudal system where he gave properties to men with the understanding that they owed him service. This increased the power of the noble families and gave rise to the lesser nobles who controlled most of Cembria. Free peasants lost the traditional rights and privileges they had enjoyed since Alderic I's reign. The king of Cembria had difficulty maintaining control of the kingdom in the face of opposition from the nobility and from the Church. An extended period of strained relations between the crown and the Popes and the Holy See took place, known as the 'archiepiscopal conflicts'. The thireenth century turned into a period of difficulty and saw the temporary collapse of royal authority.
(Right: reliquary of King Alderic I, first King of Cembria.)

Black Death (1198 - 1199 CE)

The pandemic known to history as the Black Death entered in 1198, and caused the death of between a third and more than half of the nation's inhabitants. The Black Death was the first and most severe manifestation probably caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. It arrived on the Cembrian Isles from the province of Cameron. Its first point of entry was the port of Catherinia, where it was first reported in June 1198. It reached Calnebridge in the autumn of that year, and by the next summer it had covered the entire country. By December 1199 the outbreak was mostly over. Though accurate estimates of mortality are difficult to make, the recent trend has been to adjust the estimates upwards. This is the result of recent scholarship's focus on the peasant society – which made up around 90% of the population – rather than the greater landowners and the clergy. While it was previously assumed that one third or less of the population died, today a number around half is generally accepted, though some have suggested an even higher mortality.

Kingdom of Cembria under Clovingian Rule (1251 - 1517 CE)

After the fall of the Alderiquean dynasty, already a new Noble House emerged and seized the throne. As royal power had waned, the nobility forced the new king to grant a charter, considered Cembria's first constitution. On 18th November 1251, at the age of 36, Clovis I was anointed king with the implicit support of the church and nation. His reign (reigned 1251–1270) was rather more successful. Clovis enacted numerous laws strengthening the powers of his government, and he summoned the first officially sanctioned States-General (parliaments) of Cembria. Clovis I spent the remainder of his life putting together a code of laws for the Cembrian realms (former provinces). These codes were used as Cembria's legal code until 1734. This was a significant change from the local law making at the regional assemblies that had been the long-standing tradition. Several methods of determining guilt or innocence were outlawed including trial by ordeal and trial by combat. The Code of Clovis I was approved at meeting of the nobility at Calnebridge in 1270 just prior to Clovis I's death. Because of his position as a great statesman and as a legislator, Clovis I enjoys a central position in Cembrian history. His lineage continued untill the seventeenth century and his descendants have succesfully carried out many reforms: monetary, governmental, military, cultural, and ecclesiastical.

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:48 pm

Geography

Cembria was formed as an island through tectonic activity. It is known as the most mountainous island in the Landaran Sea. The total area of the Constitutional Monarchy of Cembria is approximately 20,273 square kilometres (7,827 sq mi). It consists of the island of Cembria, the southwestern island of St. James, and smaller surrounding islands. It lies between the Thecious Ocean and the Landaran Sea, coming within 70 kilometres (44 mi) of the coast of western Canalk, from which it is separated by the Landaran Sea.

It lies between latutudes 45° and 47° N, and longitudes 13° and 17° E. The 15th meridian east almost corresponds to the middle line of the country in the direction west-east. The geographical centre of Cembria is at the coordinates 46°07'11.8" N and 14°48'55.2" E. Cembria's highest peak is Mt. Bright (1,628 m/5,341 ft); the country's average height above sea level is 557 m (1,827 ft).

Composition & Topography

The majority of Cembrian terrain is hilly or mountainous, with around 82% of the surface 200 m (656 ft) or more above sea level. The Mainland is by far the largest of the islands, and the only mountainous island. A mountain range runs the length of the island, with five peaks over 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). The highest point is Mount Bright at 1,628 metres (5,341 ft) elevation.

Over half of the country (1,186,104 km2/457,957 sq mi) is covered by forests. This makes Cembria the third most forested country in Caprecia. The areas are covered mostly by beech, fir-beech and beech-oak forests and have a relatively high production capacity. Remnants of primeval forests are still to be found, the largest in the Ashton area. Grassland covers 5,593 km2 (2,159 sq mi) and fields and gardens (954 km2/368 sq mi). There are 579 km2 (223 sq mi) of orchards.

Summary

Geographical regions:
A: Western Highlands
B: Mid-Eastern Midlands
Lakes, rivers and waterways:
1: Calne River (Calne Valley)
2: Cam River (Camlake)
3: Rhine
3: Arth (Arth River Valley)
Plains:
I: Sherwick Peninsula
II: Centre
III: Ashton Woodland

Climate & Biodiversity

Climate

Cembria has a maritime temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but its climate varies from cool temperate in the north to a gently warmer climate in the south. The climate is also affected by the seasonal winds that blow from the Caprecian continent to the ocean in winters and vice versa in summers. The generally humid, temperate climate exhibits marked seasonal variation celebrated in art and literature, as well as regional variations ranging from cool in Cameron and northern Penwith to almost subtropical in St. James and Elso. Climate also varies with altitude and with location on the Thecious Ocean or on the Landaran Sea. Northeastern Cembria has cool summers but long, mild to cold winters, often with heavy snow. Southwest Cembria often has warm, humid summers and mild winters.

The average winter temperature in Cembria is 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) and the average summer temperature is 22.0 °C (71.6 °F). The year average for temperature is 14.3 degrees celsius. The hottest average temperature is in August with 26.3 degrees Celsius. The average year preciparation is 1799 millimeters.

Biodiversity

Although Cembria is a small country, there is an exceptionally wide variety of habitats. In the south are the high Aradian Alphens, and in the north stand the Aradian Hills. There is also a small area of the Sherwick plain and the peninsula. Much of central Cembria is characterised by wide forests and grasslands, a habitat containing diverse flora and fauna.

58.5% Of the country is covered by forests making it the third most forested country in Caprecia. The forests are an important natural resource, but logging is kept to a minimum, as Cembrians also value their forests for the preservation of natural diversity, for enriching the soil and cleansing the water and air, for the social and economic benefits of recreation and tourism, and for the natural beauty they give to the landscape. In the interior of the country are typical Central Caprecian forests, predominantly oak and beech. In the mountains, spruce, fir, and pine are more common. The tree line is at 1,100 to 1,300 metres (or 3,608 to 4,265 ft). The linden tree, also common in Cembrian forests, is a national symbol.

In the Alphens, flowers such as snowdon lilies (national flower), various gentians, edelweiss (the symbol of mountaineering), primroses, and native orchids are found. The country's fauna includes marmots, ibex, and sheep. There are numerous deer, boar, and hares. The edible dormouse is often found in the many lush beech forests. Trapping these animals is a long tradition and is a part of the national identity. Some important carnivores include the Caprecian lynx, wild cats and foxes (especially the red fox). There are also hedgehogs, martens, and snakes such as grass snakes. As of March 2005, Cembria also has a limited population of wolves and around four hundred brown bears.

There is a wide variety of birds, such as the Tawny Owl, the Long-eared Owl, the Eagle Owl, hawks, and Booted Eagles. Various other birds of prey have been recorded, as well as a growing number of ravens, crows and magpies migrating into Central Cembria where they thrive. Other birds include Thrush, Wagtails, Woodpeckers and the White Stork.
(Right: Cembria's national symbols: the Deer Stag, the Snowdon Lily and the Booted Eagle.)

Gallery

Images and scenery related to wildlife, biodiversity and geographic elements of the Grand Kingdom of Cembria.

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:49 pm

Government & Politics

According to the Constitution of Cembria, which was adopted on 26th February 1830, respectively, Cembria is a unitary constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliamentary system of government, where in the King of Cembria is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. Power is separated between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, as defined by the Constitution, which serves as the country's supreme legal document. Politics and governance are characterised by an effort to achieve broad consensus on important issues, within both the political community and society as a whole.
(Right: the Palace of State which houses the States-General, the bicameral parliament.)

His Majesty, King Andrew II is head of state of Cembria as well as of two other independent Crown Dependencies. As stipulated in the Constitution, the monarch is not answerable for their actions, and their person is sacrosanct. The Monarch officially retains executive power, however, following the introduction of a parliamentary system of government, the duties of the Monarch have since become strictly representative and ceremonial, such as the formal appointment and dismissal of the Prime Minister and other ministers in the executive government. Accordingly, the Monarch is commander-in-chief of the Cembrian armed forces, supreme authority in the National Protestant Church of Cembria, and serves as chief diplomatic official abroad and a symbol of unity.

In practice, the executive power is formed by the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers, which also includes the Prime Minister. The Cabinet consists usually of thirteen to eighteen ministers and a varying number of state secretaries. Legislative authority is vested in the States-General, the bicameral parliament made up of the Primary Council (upper house) and Secondary Council (lower house). Judicial authority lies with the courts of justice.

Administrative Divisions

Cembria is divided into five provinces and a total of 28 municipalities. The new provinces were created on 1st January 2007 as part of the 2007 Municipal Reform to replace the country's traditional twelve counties. At the same time, smaller municipalities and communes were merged into larger units, cutting the number of municipalities from 76 to 28. Most of the new municipalities have a population of at least 20,000 people, although a few exceptions were made to this rule.

The Crown Dependencies of Novi Cembrii and Livea have autonomous status and are de facto independent nations.

Provinces

A Cembrian province represents the administrative layer in between the national government and the local municipalities, having the responsibility for matters of subnational or regional importance. The government of each province consists of three major parts: the States Provincial which is the provincial parliament elected every four years. Elected from its members are the States Deputed, a college charged with most executive tasks, presided by the King's Commissioner appointed by the Crown.

There are currently five provinces:

Province	Provincial Capital
Cameron	Catherinia
Campinia	Calnebridge
Elso	Huffington
Lysnowith	Calneborne
Penwith	St. Adrian

Municipalities & Herreds

In most cases, the city borders are coterminous with the borders of their respective municipalities. Often, city municipalities include large non-built up areas; for example, Calnebridge municipality contains large forests, located north and southeast of the city, and over half of Suffolkherred consists of mountainous areas and multiple villages. In most cases, the municipalities are the smallest administrative subdivisions, but in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, on initiative of the local council, sub-municipal administrative entities with elected councils may be created. Based on a subdivision made for the 1947 census, there are ca. 2,400 quarters, subdivided in ca. 11,000 neighbourhoods. Municipalities with a total population less than 20,000 are commonly given the status of 'herred'.

Monarchy

The King of Cembria is the constitutional head of the state and holds office for life. The duties of the king are laid out by the Constitution and other laws enforced under it. As titular head of state, the King plays a ceremonial and symbolic role in the nation. His main political function as head of state is in the formation of government and in the legislative process. He has to co-sign every law to make it valid. The monarch is also ex officio chair of the Council of Ministers, which advises the cabinet on every piece of legislation and is the final court for administrative law. Although the monarch takes these functions seriously, he refrains from exerting his power in these positions. The King also plays a central role in the formation of a cabinet after general elections or a cabinet crisis. Since coalition cabinets of two or more parties are the rule, this process has influence on government policy for years to come. He appoints the (in)formateur, who chairs the formation talks, after consulting the leaders of all parties represented in parliament. When the formation talks have been concluded the King formally appoints the cabinet. Because this advice is a matter of public record, the King can not easily take a direction which is contrary to the advice of a majority in parliament. On the other hand, what is actually talked about behind the closed doors of the palace is not known. When a cabinet falls, the Prime Minister has to request the King to dismiss the cabinet.

The present monarch is His Majesty, King Andrew II. The heir apparent is Prince Albert, his eldest son. (Right: King Andrew II)

National Government

The Government of the Grand Kingdom of Cembria is - as stated before - divided into three branches: the constitution lists the basic civil and social rights of the citizens and it describes the position and function of the institutions that have executive, legislative and judiciary power. The executive and judicial branches operate primarily at the national level, although various ministries in the executive branch also carry out local functions: politics take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a decentralised unitary state.

Executive Branch

Cembria is a constitutional monarchy since 1830, where the King has mainly symbolic power, and has been governed by members of the House of de Merode-Hallward ever since. The functions of the King, Andrew II, are mainly ceremonial, but he has influence as the symbol of national unity. Although the constitution of 1830 grants important executive powers to the King, these are always exercised by the Council of Ministers in the name of the King (King's Council, or cabinet). The King is also High Protector of the National Protestant Church of Cembria (the state church) and symbolically Supreme Commander of the Cembrian armed forces.

His Majesty's Government, or the Government of the Grand Kingdom of Cembria, is the central government of Cembria. The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who selects the other members of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister and the other most senior Ministers belong to the supreme decision-making committee, known as the Council of Ministers. The Council members advise the monarch as members of the Privy Council. They also exercise power directly as leaders of the Government Ministries.

Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers is the executive council of His Majesty's Government, formed by all the ministers. This executive council initiates laws and policy. The Council of Ministers is distinct from the Cabinet which also includes state secretaries. State secretaries do not attend the Council of Ministers unless they are requested to do so and they do not have voting rights.

The Council of Ministers normally convenes every week, usually on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. at the Royal Palace (the Room of Treaties), Calnebridge. It makes decisions by means of collegiate governance. All ministers, including the Prime Minister, are (theoretically) equal. These meetings are chaired by the Prime Minister. Behind the closed doors, ministers can freely debate proposed decisions and express their opinion on any aspect of Cabinet policy. Generally much effort is put into reaching relative consensus on any decision. A process of voting within the Council does exist, but is hardly ever used.

Together with the King the Council of Ministers forms His Majesty's Government, also known as the Crown, which makes all the major decisions. In practice the King does not participate in the daily decision-making of government, although he is kept up to date by weekly visits (on Tuesday) of the Prime Minister. The Constitution does not clearly speak of Cabinet, but instead only of the Council of Ministers and Government.

The executive consists of a number of government departments known as Ministries. These departments are led by a cabinet member and known as Minister for the relevant department or portfolio. In theory all Ministers are equal and may not command or be commanded by a fellow minister. Constitutional practice does however dictate, that the Prime Minister is primus inter pares, first among equals.

A department acts as the secretariat to the Minister. Its functions comprises overall planning, development and strategic guidance on the entire area of responsibility of the Minister. The Ministers' decisions are carried out by the permanent and politically neutral civil service within the department.

Legislative Branch

The States-General of the Grand Kingdom of Cembria performs the legislative functions of the State. As a parliament, it is at the centre of the political system and is the supreme and ultimate legislative body answerable to no one. It operates within the confines of the Constitution. The Prime Minister, and His Majesty's Government in general, are drawn from parliament through the application of the parliamentary principle (there must not be a majority against the government). The government is answerable to parliament through the principle of parliamentary control (question hour, general debates and the passing of resolutions/motions).

It consists of two chambers, the more important of which is the directly elected Secondary Council (the lower house): it has 169 seats which are filled through elections using a party-list proportional representation. The Secondary Council is the main chamber of parliament, where discussion of proposed legislation and review of the actions of the cabinet takes place. Both the Council of Ministers and the Secondary Council itself have the right to propose legislation; the Secondary Council discusses it and, if adopted by a majority, sends it on to the Primary Council (the upper house). It is also responsible for the first round of selection for judges to the Supreme Court of Cembria. The maximum term is four years.
The Primary Council (the upper house) is elected indirectly by members of provincial legislatures. It currently has 55 members, elected by the members of the five States-Provincial (provincial councils) every four years. Unlike the politically more significant Secondary Council, it meets only one day a week. Its members tend to be veteran politicians or part-time politicians at the national level, often having other roles. It has the right to accept or reject legislative proposals, but not to amend them or to initiate legislation. Members of the Primary Council are elected indirectly through the States-Provincial, which in turn are elected by the people of embria every four years. The States-Provincial work in the same way as the Secondary Council. After elections for the States-Provincial, their new membership elects people to take a seat in the Primary Council.
(Left: the Secondary Council during a plenary debate.)

The meeting rooms of the States-General are at the Palace of State in Calnebridge. The States-General meets in joint session at least once a year, at the opening of the parliamentary year. On special occasions, such as when the States-General vote on a marriage of a member of the royal house, when a king is inaugurated or when a member of the royal house dies, both houses also meet in a joint session, with the President of the Primary Council presiding. The rest of the time, the two chambers sit separately.

Constitutionally, all functions of the parliament are given to both houses, except for the rights of initiative and amendment. In practice, however, the Secondary Council has these functions, as the Primary Council meets only one day a week. The Joint Session also appoints the monarch if there is no heir to the throne and the regent is unable to exercise his or her powers.

States-General of the Grand Kingdom of Cembria
52nd legislature, ordinary session 2008 - 2012

Type
Type:Bicameral
Houses:
Primary Council (upper house)
Secondary Council (lower house)
Leadership
President of the Primary Council: Duke Connan Howard, (GL) since 8th June 2008
President of the Secondary Council: Alicia Bennington, (GL) since 8th June 2008
Structure
Members: 224
Primary Council (55)
Secondary Council (169)

Political Parties:
Government coalition
Green Liberals (PC: 15 | SC: 40)
Liberal Democrats (PC: 12 | SC: 38)
Social Liberal Party (PC: 9 | SC: 27)
Opposition parties
Democratic Movement (PC: 10 | SC: 33)
Social Democratic Party (PC: 9 | SC: 26)
Cembrian Popular Party (PC: 0 | SC: 5)
Elections
Latest elections: April 17th 2008

Judicial Branch

The Cembrian Supreme Court is the highest civil and criminal court responsible for the administration of justice in Cembria. In accordance with the Constitution, all judicial authority is vested in the courts of justice. The constitution also provides that only judges of the court may pass judgements, whereas parliamentary commissions may only investigate. All judicial appointments are made by the Government. Judges nominally are appointed for life but actually retire at age 70.

The Cembrian system of courts is based on a unified structure, in which there are no special or constitutional courts of law, as well as no formal division within the courts. As a rule, all courts of law may adjudicate disputes in legal areas such as civil, labour, administrative and constitutional law as well as criminal justice. Judicial action against ministers and/or former ministers, in cases surrounding their dealings as minister, are however handled by a Court of Impeachment of the Realm, composed of Supreme Court judges and members of parliament. The Court of Indictment and Revision handles complaints regarding procedure, disqualification of judges etc. brought by the users of the courts, against the courts.
(Right: the Supreme Court House.)

Proceedings are oral in general and open to the public in the lower courts, and always oral in the Supreme Court. Media transmissions from within the court are prohibited, unless allowed by the presiding judge.

Subnational Government

Provincial Politics

Regional government in Cembria is formed by five provinces. Provinces are responsible for spatial planning, health policy and recreation, within the bounds prescribed by the national government. Furthermore they oversee the policy and finances of municipalities. The executive power is in hands of the King's Commissioner and the College of the States Deputed. The King's Commissioner is appointed by the national Cabinet and responsible to the Minister of the Interior. Members of the States Deputed are appointed by, and responsible to the provincial legislature, the States Provincial, which is elected by direct suffrage.

King's Commissioner

The King's Commissioner chairs both the States Deputed and the States Provincial. He is a member of the States Deputed and often has his own portfolios, often including safety and public order. He also has a representative role, as the head of the provincial government. He is appointed by the national government fo a renewable six year term. When a vacancy occurs the States Provincial express their preferences to the Minister of the Interior. All Commissioners are member of a national political party, but they are expected to exercise their office in a non partisan fashion.

States Provincial

The States Provincial (SP) is the elected assembly of the provinces. Its main role is laying down the guidelines for the policy of the States Deputed and exercising control over its execution by the States Deputed. The States Provincial are elected four yearly by the general population. All major political parties contest in the election and most of them are represented in each States Provincial. All citizens in a province have the right to vote and almost all citizens can be elected, ministers and state secretaries in the national government are barred from standing in elections as well as King's Commissioners and civil servants employed by the province. The number of members of States Provincial depends on the number of inhabitants. After the elections the parties in the states elected the States Deputed. Moreover the States Provincial also elect the Primary Council of the national parliament on the first day of a new term.

States Deputed

The States Deputed (SD) are executive councillors of the province. Together with the King's Commissioner they form the Council of the Commissioner and States Deputed, which is the executive council of the province. States Deputed are elected by the States Provincial. The members of the States Deputed all have their own competence on which they prepare, coordinate and plan policy and legislation for the States Provincial and execute legisation. The States Deputed have the duty to inform the States Provincial on all aspects of their policy. The States Deputed functions a collegial body and most decisions are taken by consensus.

Municipal Politics

Local government is formed by 28 large municipalities or herreds. Municipalities are responsible for education, spatial planning and social security, within the bounds prescribed by the national and provincial government. They are governed by the College of Mayor and Aldermen. The Mayor is appointed by the national Cabinet and responsible to the Minister of the Interior. The Aldermen are appointed by, and responsible to the Municipal Council, which is elected by direct suffrage. Additionally many larger municipalities have a Municipal Chamber of Audit which oversees the finances of the municipality. Moreover the larger municipalities are often further divided in boroughs.

Mayor

The mayor chairs both the Council of Mayor and Aldermen and the City Council. He is a member of the Council of Mayor and Aldermen and has his own portfolios, often including safety and public order. He also has a representative role, as the head of the municipal government. He is appointed by the national government for a renewable six year term. When a vacancy occurs the City Council and King's Commissioner express their preferences to the Minister of the Interior. The Minister generally follows the preferences of the council. Almost all mayors are member of a national political party, but they are expected to exercise their office in a non partisan fashion.

City Council

The City Council is the elected assembly of the municipality. Its main role is laying down the guidelines for the policy of the Council of Mayor and Aldermen and exercising oversight over the implementation of policy by the council of mayor and aldermen. The City Council are elected four yearly by the general population. All citizens and foreigners who live in Cembria for at least four years in a municipality have the right to vote and almost all citizens can be elected, ministers and state secretaries in the national government are barred from standing in elections as well as mayors and civil servants employed by the municipality. The number of Members of City Council depends on the number of inhabitants. After the elections the parties in the states elect the aldermen.

Alderman

The Alderman together with the mayor form the Council of Mayor and Aldermen. This is the executive council of the municipalities, which implements policy. The members of the Council of Mayor and Aldermen all have their own portfolio on which they prepare, coordinate and plan policy and legislation for the City Council and implement legisation. The Council of Mayor and Aldermen have the duty to inform the City Council on all aspects of their policy. It functions a collegial body and most decisions are taken by consensus. An alderman will lose his position if the city council adopts a motion of no-confidence against him. Aldermen are elected by the City Council. They cannot be member of the City Council, although often aldermen used to be members of the city council.

Political Parties

Cembria has a multiparty system with currently sixparties represented in parliament. The three oldest and in history most influential parties are the Social Democratic Party (former Cembrian Socialist Worker's Party), the Democratic Movement (former Christian People's Movement) and the Liberal Democrats (former Liberal Party). However, demographics have been in favor of other and younger parties, which has led to a constant process of policy development and gradual renewal amongst the four old parties.

None of the parties have exactly the same organisation. It is however common for a party to have: an annual convention which approves manifestos and elects party chairmen; a board of leaders; an assembly of representatives as well as a number of local branches with their own organization. In most cases the party members in parliament form their own group with autonomy to develop and promote party politics in parliament and between elections.

Parties Represented in the States-General

Parties NOT Represented in the States-General

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:50 pm

Economy

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:50 pm

Military

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:51 pm

Demographics

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:52 pm

Culture

Cembria has long been a centre of cultural innovation. Calnebridge, the mainland and its multiple outlying islands have a wide range of folk traditions. Its culture has been influenced by many factors including the nation's island status and its history as a western liberal democracy, colonial power, and the nation's vision on independence and self-sufficiency; preserving elements of distinctive traditions, customs and symbolism. Cembrian literature is popular, in particular the fables and poems which were written during the High Middle Ages. Cembria has been described as characterised by egalitarianism, statism, paternalism, and collectivism combined with openness to certain aspects of international culture. Lutheranism, trade unionism, and self-reliance are aspects that have been associated with Cembrian mentality.

Sports & Recreation

A variety of sports are played on professional level, with top international successes in lacrosse, badminton, association football, ice hockey, rowing, swimming, and athletics. Lacrosse gained popularity at the beginning of the twentieth century. After 1950, ice hockey, badminton and association football have become popular among the populace, and from the mid 1970s onward, winter sports. Since 1992, Cembrian Olympians have won 58 medals, including 22 gold medals. Aside sports, many recreational activies such as falconry, hunting, hiking, board games and recreational sailing are being practiced.

Kayaking & Rowing

Cembria is a leading rowing nation. Geographically speaking, it is a craggy island with steep and rough terrain. Cembrians are known for their prowess at canoeing, mainly kayaking and rowing. The presence of the ocean, four major rivers (the Calne, the Cam, the Rhine and the Arth) and a major lake (Lake Cam) give excellent opportunities to practice these sports. Cembrian oarspeople have brought numerous successes, including 22 Olympic medals (11 gold) for rowing and 18 medals (8 gold) for canoeing. Often boasting many wins each year in the Junior World Rowing Championships. In the under 23's age level, Cembria often field a strong team. Often medalling in the women's events.
(Right: National Team during the K4-sprint.)

The University Boat Race

The event generally known as "The Boat Race" is a rowing race in Elso between the Calnebridge University Boat Club and the Catholic University of Huffington Boat Club, rowed between competing eights each spring on the Cam in Forfarhed. It takes place generally on the last Saturday of March or the first Saturday of April. The formal title of the event is the University Boat Race, and it is also known as the Boat Race and the Calnebridge and Huffington Boat Race. The race is governed by a Joint Understanding between Calnebridge and Huffington University Boat Clubs.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a team sport played using a small solid rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh designed to catch and hold the lacrosse ball. Offensively, the objective of the game is to score by shooting the ball into an opponent's goal, using the lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball to do so. Defensively, the objective is to keep the opposing team from scoring and to dispossess them of the ball through the use of stick checking and body contact or positioning.
The Cembrian Lacrosse Association, founded in 1911, is the governing body of lacrosse in Cembria. It conducts national junior and senior championship tournaments for men and women in both field and indoor lacrosse. The National Lacrosse League is a professional indoor lacrosse league, with franchises in Cembria and Novi Cembrii. Great achievements in Cembrian Lacrosse are recognized by the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
(Left: youngsters playing outdour Lacrosse.)

Hunting & Trapping

Hunting and shooting have been practised for many centuries in Cembria and, in some areas, are a major part of national rural culture. Deer hunting and the shooting of game birds, in particular pheasant, is a popular sport, on large, traditional driven shoots on estates and on small-scale rough shoots. Hunting should not be confused with the traditional methods. Hunting with dogs (including hunting for deer, mink and hare coursing) was banned by the Protection of Wild Mammals Act in 2002. Regulation of hunting is primarily regulated by provincial law; additional regulations are imposed through national environmental law in the case of migratory birds and endangered species.

Regulations vary widely from province to province, and govern the areas, time periods, techniques and methods by which specific game animals may be hunted, as long as these aren't in violation with national legislation. Some provinces make a distinction between protected species and unprotected species for which there are no hunting regulations. Hunters of protected species require a hunting license in all provinces, for which completion of a hunting safety course is a prerequisite. Typically game animals are divided into several categories for regulatory purposes.

Music & Literature

Music

Various styles of music are popular in Cembria, from the indigenous folk music to heavy metal. The wide general interest in music and musical activities can be seen from the membership of the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe, the national music federation for choral societies, brass bands, music schools, theatrical societies, folklore associations and instrumental groups. Some 420 societies with over 19,000 individual members are currently represented by the organization. The two main venues for classical music are the Regal State concert hall, home to the philharmonic orchestra, and the Grand Theatre of Cembria with frequent performances of opera and ballet. Cembria's internationally recognized soloists include violinist Alice Suffolkx, cellists Sir David Miller and Nick Cohen, and pianist Cedric Caruso.

The cello is commonly accepted to be the national instrument, most favoured by classical music fans and musical experts.
(Right: the young musician Nick Cohen playing the cello.)

Literature

Cembria's best-known classical works of literature are the Monk's Fables, prose epics set in the High Middle Ages. The most famous of these is the Traveller's Truth, about an epic blood feud. Originating in the 14th century, rhyming epic poems were popular into the 19th century, when the development of new literary forms was provoked by the influential, National-Romantic writer Dan Brackwell.

In the beginning of the nineteenth century, there was a linguistic and literary revival. Romanticism arrived and was dominant especially during the 1830s, in the work of poets like Sir Frederick Chedwick (1786–1841) and Dan Brackwell (1807–1845). Brackwell, also the first writer of modern Cembrian short stories, influenced Anna Jane Flaherty (1818–68), who, in 1850, published the first Cembrian novel, and so she is considered the mother of the modern Cembrian novel. Edward d'Hovell (1823–1891), better known by his pen-name Festina Lente, is considered the national poet. Along with Michael Gray, he is an outstanding figure in the history of Cembrian literature, writing poetry in traditional Cembrian English. Another influential writer was Batty Weber (1860–1940) who worked both as a journalist and as an author of short stories, novels, plays and poems, contributing much to the development of Cembrian culture.

Fine Arts

Contributions to painting and architecture have been especially rich. The Early Cembrian, the Renaissance and Baroque painting and major examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture are milestones in the history of art. While the 15th century's art in the Cembrian Isles is dominated by the religious paintings of Peter Swallow, the 16th century is characterized by a broader panel of styles such as Alexander Eyre's landscape paintings and Albert Lombard's representation of the antique. Though the Baroque style of Tim Grisham and Anthony Merode flourished in the early 17th century, it gradually declined thereafter.
(Right: Alexander Eyre's 'The Harvest'.)

Philosophy

Some writers, like d'Hovell and Weber, are known also as philosophers, while many more authors are known primarily for their philosophical works. Cembria is famous for the tradition of "Empiricism", a branch of the philosophy of knowledge that states that only knowledge verified by experience is valid, and "Concious Thought", sometimes referred to as the 'School of Common Sense'. The most famous philosophers of Cembrian Empiricism are Ethan Locke, Sir George Wivern and Charles Fisher, while James Dunhall, James Beckett and William Harolly were major exponents of the "common sense" school. Cembrian philosophy was always marked by deep connection to literature and interest in creativity, society, politics and nationalism; cosmos and religion were other primary subjects.

Cuisine

Cembria's natural larder of game, dairy, fish, fruit, and vegetables is the integral factor in traditional cooking, with a high reliance on simplicity and a lack of spices from abroad, which were often very expensive. The potato eventually formed the basis of many traditional dishes after its introduction in the 16th century. Cembria is famous for its many meat, poultry and game dishes such as rabbit with prumes, raisins and apple, roast venison and roast pheasant. It also has several regional varieties, including Elsish and Camerian cuisine, which each have developed their own regional or local dishes, many of which are geographically defined.
(Right: Cembria's national dish, rabbit with prumes, raisins and apple.)

Modern Cembrian cuisine is a style of cooking which fully emerged in the late 1970s, and has become increasingly popular. It uses high-quality local ingredients, preparing them in ways which combine traditional recipes with modern innovations. It is not generally a nostalgic movement, although there are some efforts to re-introduce pre-20th-century recipes. Ingredients not native to the islands, particularly herbs and spices, are frequently added to traditional dishes (echoing the highly spiced nature of much Cembrian food in the medieval era).

The Apple within Cembrian Gastronomy

The apple (malus domestica) as a nation symbol, thus has a special status within Cembrian society and gastronomy. It is not only appreciated as a fruit, but it is also a key ingredient in many traditional national and regional dishes and beverages. Pastries such as apple cake and apple pie are very popular in south and central Cembria. Beverages such as common apple juice, apple tea and even a great variety of apple liquors are well appreciated throughout the country. Apples are particularly cultivated in the southeast of the mainland, where many farmers have additional apple orchards.

Traditional Beverages

Pure malt whisky is the official national beverage of Cembria but additionally Cembria has many (originally) regional beverages;

apple brandy, with the most famous being Cambremer
a myriad of beers (dark ale, blond ale, ...)

(Above: popular national beverages, Cambremer apple brandy, St. Wilkes brown ale and a collection of pure malt whiskies.)

Tobacco & Cannabis

The use of tobacco and cannabis are legal but are strictly regulated by the government. Grass shops are establishments where the sale of cannabis and tobacco for personal consumption by the public is tolerated by the local authorities. Under the drug policy of Cembria, the sale of cannabis products in small quantities is allowed by 'licensed' grass shops. The majority of these grass shops also serve drinks and food. The shops are not allowed to serve alcohol or other drugs, and risk closure if they are found to be selling soft drugs to minors, hard drugs or selling alcohol without a license. Cannabis is commonly consumed by drinking marihuanna tea (orally) or by smoking cannabis. Cannabis use, by legislation, may only occur on the premises of licensed grass shops or at private property; not in the presence of any minor. In order to protect the health of people working in the catering industry, a ban on smoking came into force on 1st June 2007. As from that date, smoking is no longer allowed in hotels, discos and restaurants. In pubs where only drinks are served, consumers may still smoke tobacco.

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:52 pm

Vexillology

Design & Terminology

The national flag of Cembria features three equal horizontal bands of white (top), gold, and dark green, with the Cembrian Lesser Coat of Arms located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and gold bands. The coat of arms is a shield with the image of the Royal Double-Headed Eagle, Cembria's monarchic symbol, in dark green against a white background at the centre. The Double-Headed Eagle is also the family crest of the Royal family de Merode-Hallward, the great Cembrian dynastic house since the late 18th century. The flag's proportion is 1:2.

Civil flag and state ensign

Variant of the flag: war flagVariant of the flag: naval ensign

The flag is designated as the national flag in the National Flag Act, which was promulgated and became effective on June 20, 1839. With the National Flag Act the current dimensions (1:2) and colours (white, gold and dark green) are determined. Throughout history flags and banners are commonly displayed vertically instead being flown horizontally. In order to prevent the populace of desecrating the flag by wrongfully hanging it sidewards, a correct vertical variant of the flag has been designed. Nowadays, a 3:1 variant and a 2:1 variant of the flag are availlable.

Symbolism

The three national colours (white, gold and dark green) are derived from the Greater Coat of Arms (Royal Crest). White represents the nation's strive for peace and purity; and is also a symbol of tolerance. Gold stands for prosperity and the country's mineral and cultural richness. Dark green is de facto the regal colour and therefore represents the monarchy. It also commonly seen as the colour to resemble the nation's overall rural and forestial character. The Lesser Coat of Arms (National Crest) symbolises the rule of the monarchy and its duty to safeguard the nation and the populace.

List of Cembrian Flags

National - Regal - Governmental - Military Flags

Flag	Use	Description
	National flag: civil and state flag and ensign	Tricolour of white, gold, dark green with the national coat of arms
	Royal Standard: represents the King of Cembria	A tricolour saltire of gold, white, dark green covered by the national coat of arms
	King's Personal Standard: may be used aside the Royal Standard	A regal purple flag with King Andrew II's personal coat of arms
	Prime Minister's Standard: represents the Prime Minister of Cembria	Tricolour cross of gold, white and dark green covered by the national coat of arms
	Ministerial Flag: represents a Member of the States-General	Tricolour of gold, white and dark green covered by the national coat of arms
	Military Flag: represents the King's Royal Army (land component)	Vertical tricolour of white, gold and darkgreen with the national coat of arms
	Naval Ensign: represents the Royal Navy (sea component)	Diagonal tricolour of white, gold and dark green with the national coat of arms
	Air Ensign: represents the Royal Air Force (air component)	Diagonal tricolour of white, gold and dark green with the national coat of arms
	Naval Jack	Spear-tailed square tricolour of white, gold and dark green
	Flag of the National Cembrian Protestant Church	Dark green field with a white greek cross
	Flag of the National Cembrian Post	Horizontal tricolour of white, gold, dark green with a centered gold postal horn
	Vertical National Flag	Vertical tricolour of white, gold, dark green with the national coat of arms (2:1)
	National Banner	Vertical tricolour of white, gold, dark green with the national coat of arms (3:1)

Pennants

Flag	Use
	Naval Pennant
	Regal PennantNational Pennant

Provincial Flags

Flag	Province
	Cameron
	Campinia
	Elso
	Lysnowith
	Penwith

Crown Dependencies

Flag	Dominion
	Novi Cembrii
	Livea

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:53 pm

Royalty

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:53 pm

Crown Dependencies

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:54 pm

- Reserved for future topics.

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:54 pm

- Reserved for future topics.

by **Cembria** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:54 pm

- Reserved for future topics.

by **Cembria** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:59 pm

- Reserved for future topics.

by **Cembria** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:51 am

Currently updated (12/04/11):

Geography completed!
Vexillology completed!
History under construction!

by **Cembria** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:24 am

Currently updated (14/04/11):

Government & Politics completed!
History under construction!

by **Cembria** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 7:48 am

Currently updated (21/04/11):

Culture section completed
History still under construction!
New section added: Crown Dependencies