Introduction
A stunning paradox in modern politics, the Principality of Taldara is both a new nation and an old one, an amazing blend of older political systems and philosophies and newly-established independence. The first nation to emerge from the chaos in the region of Lerentia, the Taldaran government has been hard at work reorganizing the nation and carving out a place for itself in the world.
Geography
Location: Eastern Lerentia, bordering the Kaarter Sea to the west.
Area: 381,090 sq km
348,672 sq km of land
32418 sq km of water
Comparative Area: Roughly the size of the state of Montana.
Maritime Claims: Territorial Sea: 10 nm
Exclusive Economic Zone: 150 nm
Terrain: Temperate forests to the south, lowlands in the north and west. Highlands towards the east. Bordered on the east by the Etlaus mountain range.
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain wind.
Natural Resources: Coal, natural gas, iron ore, salt, copper, gold, uranium, construction materials, timber, fish, arable land.
Land Use: arable land: 37.81%
permanent crops: 3.09%
other: 60.10%
Natural Hazards: Flooding, avalanches.
Area: 381,090 sq km
348,672 sq km of land
32418 sq km of water
Comparative Area: Roughly the size of the state of Montana.
Maritime Claims: Territorial Sea: 10 nm
Exclusive Economic Zone: 150 nm
Terrain: Temperate forests to the south, lowlands in the north and west. Highlands towards the east. Bordered on the east by the Etlaus mountain range.
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain wind.
Natural Resources: Coal, natural gas, iron ore, salt, copper, gold, uranium, construction materials, timber, fish, arable land.
Land Use: arable land: 37.81%
permanent crops: 3.09%
other: 60.10%
Natural Hazards: Flooding, avalanches.
Economy
Overview: The Taldaran economy is a leading manufacturer of machinery, vehicles, and chemicals in Lerentia, and benefits from a highly-skilled workforce. Though unemployment has slightly-risen since Lerentia's prior collapse, the government is working on addressing this. Taldara is a market economy, though the royal family owns a few companies which are mostly considered to be nationalized. Similarily, numerous noble families in Taldara own businesses, and resemble a mix between political parties and corporate conglomerates.
Gross Domestic Product: $10,227,983,412,546.90
GDP per Capita: $7,058.65 ($19,497.73 Royal Drachmas)
Unemployment Rate: 10.02%
Income Tax Rate: 38%
Industries: Among the region's largest producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles, and weapons.
Exchange Rates: 2.7625 Royal Drachmas = $1
Gross Domestic Product: $10,227,983,412,546.90
GDP per Capita: $7,058.65 ($19,497.73 Royal Drachmas)
Unemployment Rate: 10.02%
Income Tax Rate: 38%
Industries: Among the region's largest producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles, and weapons.
Exchange Rates: 2.7625 Royal Drachmas = $1
History
First settled in the early 900s by a number of germanic peoples, the region known as Taldara, was, at first, home to several native groups. After subduing and assimilating these groups, a monarchy similar to that which the settlers had left behind rose up. Backed by several noble families, Aldus the Great became the first king of Taldara.
However, eight years after his coronation, Aldus was strck down by assassins, leaving his eldest son Francis I to take the throne. He too was murdered. After two more assassinations, the royal family temporarily abdicated the throne until the assassins were drawn out into the open. The conspirators, one of the noble houses, was summarily dismantled, its members executed. Still, from that point on, Taldaran rulers became known as "princes", in an effort to draw less attention than had they been called "king".
Taldara continued for centuries as it had before: in peace and in silence. However, as more nations began to claim the areas around it, it was only a matter of time before there was a clash of cultures. This happened in 1653, when the Kingdom of Thratas enroached upon Taldaran borders. The resulting war, known as the First War (Der Erste Krieg), ended in a Taldaran victory, with the Kingdom of Thratas totally destroyed. Other than inter-House conflicts from time to time, Taldara remained out of most major conflicts, even staying neutral during both World Wars.
In 1955, the Principality of Taldara consolidated with several other nearby nations to form the Bergmann Republic. This constitutional monarchy persisted for several decades. Then, finally, in late 2009, a massive socio-political destablization occured in Lerentia. The result was that many nations, including the Berggman Republic, broke apart. The Principality of Taldara was the first to emerge from the chaos, it's culture still more-or-less intact.
However, eight years after his coronation, Aldus was strck down by assassins, leaving his eldest son Francis I to take the throne. He too was murdered. After two more assassinations, the royal family temporarily abdicated the throne until the assassins were drawn out into the open. The conspirators, one of the noble houses, was summarily dismantled, its members executed. Still, from that point on, Taldaran rulers became known as "princes", in an effort to draw less attention than had they been called "king".
Taldara continued for centuries as it had before: in peace and in silence. However, as more nations began to claim the areas around it, it was only a matter of time before there was a clash of cultures. This happened in 1653, when the Kingdom of Thratas enroached upon Taldaran borders. The resulting war, known as the First War (Der Erste Krieg), ended in a Taldaran victory, with the Kingdom of Thratas totally destroyed. Other than inter-House conflicts from time to time, Taldara remained out of most major conflicts, even staying neutral during both World Wars.
In 1955, the Principality of Taldara consolidated with several other nearby nations to form the Bergmann Republic. This constitutional monarchy persisted for several decades. Then, finally, in late 2009, a massive socio-political destablization occured in Lerentia. The result was that many nations, including the Berggman Republic, broke apart. The Principality of Taldara was the first to emerge from the chaos, it's culture still more-or-less intact.
Military
Branches: Army (Prinzenheer), Navy (Taldaraa Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftjäger), Royal Guard (Königlicher Waachter), Home Guard (Haussoldaten).
Military Service Age and Obligation: Compulsory 1-year long training at 18, mandatory 2-week-long traing course every 3 years. Occasional drafts during wartime.
Manpower: 28,980,000 during peacetime, 72,450,000 during wartime.
Military Expenditures: $1,122,620,673,837.66 (27% of national budget).
Military Service Age and Obligation: Compulsory 1-year long training at 18, mandatory 2-week-long traing course every 3 years. Occasional drafts during wartime.
Manpower: 28,980,000 during peacetime, 72,450,000 during wartime.
Military Expenditures: $1,122,620,673,837.66 (27% of national budget).
Government
Conventional Long Form: The Principality of Taldara
Conventional Short Form: Taldara
Local Long Form: Der Fürstentaam dessen Taldaraa
Local Short Form: Taldaraa
Government Type: Absolute Monarchy/ Aristocratic Oligarchy
Capital City: Katlas
Administrative Divisions: 5 districts (Rhibeter, Ferdal, Jakaam, Ervde, Veglaas)
Major Cities: Kerwitz, Berdaal, Naus, Erlutz
National Holiday: Prince's Day (October 30th)
Legal System: Civil Law system with indigenous concepts. No judicial review.
Executive Branch: Crown Prince Otto van Zetter I (2001-Present)
Legislative/ Judicial Branch: Convention of 12 hoble families, called the Great Houses. While the Great Houses cannot make any laws or edicts, they may veto any edict the Crown Prince makes, for a time-frame of five days after it is announced. These vetos are done by simple voting, one vote per Great House attending, with a majority of at least 3/4ths.
Sufferage: None in the democratic sense. However, families who own large tracts of land, own numerous businesses, or otherwise contribute to Taldara's well-being in a significant manner may be granted noblity.
International Involvement: None or very little. Taldara concerns itself with Taldara and the other nations in the region of Lerentia, and has no plans to join the WA at this time.
UN Description: Libertarian Police State
Conventional Short Form: Taldara
Local Long Form: Der Fürstentaam dessen Taldaraa
Local Short Form: Taldaraa
Government Type: Absolute Monarchy/ Aristocratic Oligarchy
Capital City: Katlas
Administrative Divisions: 5 districts (Rhibeter, Ferdal, Jakaam, Ervde, Veglaas)
Major Cities: Kerwitz, Berdaal, Naus, Erlutz
National Holiday: Prince's Day (October 30th)
Legal System: Civil Law system with indigenous concepts. No judicial review.
Executive Branch: Crown Prince Otto van Zetter I (2001-Present)
Legislative/ Judicial Branch: Convention of 12 hoble families, called the Great Houses. While the Great Houses cannot make any laws or edicts, they may veto any edict the Crown Prince makes, for a time-frame of five days after it is announced. These vetos are done by simple voting, one vote per Great House attending, with a majority of at least 3/4ths.
Sufferage: None in the democratic sense. However, families who own large tracts of land, own numerous businesses, or otherwise contribute to Taldara's well-being in a significant manner may be granted noblity.
International Involvement: None or very little. Taldara concerns itself with Taldara and the other nations in the region of Lerentia, and has no plans to join the WA at this time.
UN Description: Libertarian Police State
People and Population
Population: 1,449,000,000
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 13.7%
15-64 years: 66.1%
65 years and over: 20.3%
Median Age (Total): 34.7 years.
Nationality: Noun: Taldaran(s)
Adjective: Taldaran
Religions: Protestant: 36%, Taldaran Catholic: 28%, Roman Catholic: 22%, Jewish: 5.1%, Other/ None: 8.9%
Languages: Taldaran, German, English
Literacy: Defined as age 15 and over can read and write.
Male: 99%
Female: 99%
Overall: 99%
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 13.7%
15-64 years: 66.1%
65 years and over: 20.3%
Median Age (Total): 34.7 years.
Nationality: Noun: Taldaran(s)
Adjective: Taldaran
Religions: Protestant: 36%, Taldaran Catholic: 28%, Roman Catholic: 22%, Jewish: 5.1%, Other/ None: 8.9%
Languages: Taldaran, German, English
Literacy: Defined as age 15 and over can read and write.
Male: 99%
Female: 99%
Overall: 99%