Factbook and Q&A: the Community of Antarctic Isles

[Antarctic Isles]

The Community of Antarctic Isles
“One of a kind”

Table of contents

1. Introduction
2. History
   1. Settlement era
   2. Invasion era
   3. Pre-modern era
   4. Modern era
3. Politics
   1. Parliament
   2. Government members
   3. Laws
4. Modernization
   1. Primary contact with the world
   2. Technology
5. Geography and Climate
   1. Introduction
   2. Southton Island
   3. Icehold Island
   4. Cod Island
   5. Invasion Island
   6. Whale Island
   7. Brick Island
   8. Thomson Island
   9. Freedom Island
6. Tourism
   1. Introduction
   2. Attractions
7. Other Information
   1. Flag meaning
   2. Notable position holders
   3. The Antarctic Research Institute
8. Questions and Answers (questions are welcome)

A. Introduction
The Community of Antarctic Isles is a group of eight islands located at a latitude of ~61° South, approximately 3,200 kilometres north of the geographic south pole.

Capital	Southton
Official language	English
Government	Direct democracy
Parliament speaker	Todd McMorrison
Total area	308 km2
Population - Density +	3,954 - 12.83 / km2 (2011 census)
Ethnic groups	94.67% natives (white), 5.33% slaves (2011 census)
Main industries	Fishing, whaling
National anthem	In snow, In ice, Isn't it nice? In night, In day, We're doing okay! We're free! We're free! A true democracy.
Currency	Antarctic Dollar (Pegged to the US Dollar)
Internet TLD	.arc (unique to the Isles) .aq (used by all nations in the Antarctic area)
Calling code	8911

[Antarctic Isles]

B. History
Settlement era

The legend tells that the first to arrive on the isles were the "G'qua" people, arriving in wooden sailing boats around 500 CE. It is not clear what has brought them to the isolated area, but some scientists believe that their ships, that were on their way to another area, were blown off course, bringing them to the islands.
Since arriving in the islands, the G'quans had to live a very humble life - climate in the area is merciless, making finding food and preparing for winter the tribe's main occupation. They ate fish and whale, penguin and seal meat, combined with some herbs that grew at the isles, and developed preservation methods in order to keep food for winter. Oil was used for heating, and clothing was made from the animals' skin.
Natural conditions in the islands have made the settlers a consolidated group, working together for one goal: surviving. After several decades of life on the islands, the G'quans finally managed to set up basic infrastructure, improving their living conditions significantly. Among the things they have built were basic stone houses, protecting them from rain and snow, and a small port on each island, making the operation of fishing boats much easier.
For the first time in their history, they have also built a city hall, allowing citizens to meet together and discuss a variety of issues regarding their lives. In 744 CE, the first general meeting was summoned. All residents of the islands came to the city hall, and held democratic voting for the first time. Since then, the country has been democratic, and once a month all of the citizens gathered together and decided on different laws regarding their life.

Invasion era

In 1698, for the first time in more than a thousand years, the G'quans have met foreigners. An explorer's ship from the modern world had arrived in the area, immediately being greeted by the locals. Unfortunately, the foreigners couldn't communicate with the G'quans because they lacked a shared language, and after being hosted on the islands for several days they set sail and left the area.
However, this was not the end of G'quans with the world. Months after the explorers left the islands, a fleet of three warships arrived at the area, intending to gain control of the area. The locals, who didn't have a chance against the invaders, had nothing to do but surrender, not fully understanding the situation. The conquerors didn't intend to kill the natives, but they did take some of their resources - specifically whale oil, which was later sold in their home country. In addition, a few dozens of G'quans were captured as slaves, which were either commanded to serve the invading military personnel or sent to their home country. During the first years of the invasion, many locals died from diseases that have arrived with the foreigners.
After a few years, the locals finally started to understand the invaders' language, English, allowing them to communicate with them. Many G'quans, mainly younger ones, who have been born in to the situation, have started speaking English as a first language, and within a few decades most of the population spoke English as a first language. As years passed, the G'quans' original language was forgotten, but thanks to the use of English alphabet, the locals managed to write down their main cultural rituals and characteristics, preventing them from getting lost forever.

Pre-modern era

In 1813, over one hundred years after invading, foreign forces have left the islands, following commands from their homeland. Citizens, who were now "civilized" (in the sense of having a modern, semi-western culture), were free again. On the first month of independence, a general meeting was called, setting up a governing body, responsible for the welfare of all citizens.
A constitution was written, a judicial system was set up, and various positions, such as Administrator of Health, Food, and Security were created. Administrators were chosen in democratic elections, and were frequently replaced by others, depending on how well they functioned.
In 1815, a combined military and police force consisting of 75 men and women was created in order to prevent future cases of invasion. Although such a small force couldn't defend the islands from a real attack, it made the citizens feel safer.

Modern era (also named slavery era)

In 1876, a foreign ship was spotted several kilometres offshore the islands. The ship, sailing under a flag the citizens did not identify, advanced towards the isles. Once arriving close enough to Southton, a small boat was sent from the ship, anchoring in the port and asking the locals if the large ship could anchor in it for a few days in order to let its sailors to rest from their long journey.
A general meeting was immediately called, and it was decided to allow the ship to anchor in the port. However, some citizens, who were terrified by possibility of being conquered again, proposed that the foreign sailors would be detained until a final decision regarding the issue would be given. This suggestion was accepted, and upon the arrival of the foreigners, a total 22 men and women, they were taken by the police force to a building near the port, where they were kept under the open eye of several guards.
Meanwhile, discussions in the town hall continued, and after several days, it was decided to keep the foreigners as slaves. Their boat was confiscated, and a small building - a prison, was built. Once the building was ready the foreigners were taken there, and policemen guarded the building day and night. Occasionally, when needed, some of them were taken to do some works, but a lack of manpower wasn't the reason they were taken as slaves. The enslaving of the foreigners made the locals, for the first time after being invaded, feel supremacy of other people.
During the next year, fourteen of the slaves had died in prison. The locals decided to give the remaining slaves slightly better conditions, making sure they don't die too. Each slave was given a small room for his own and a living room was built for their comfort, better food was served to them, and they were generally treated better. The efforts paid out, and none of the slaves died the following year. In fact, one woman had become pregnant, and in 1878 the first slave was born in the country.
Locals, who have found the slaves quite useful, have decided on an policy regarding the enslaving of foreign ships: depending on the ships' size, the number of sailors aboard and the flag the ship is sailing under, it would be decided if it would be captured or not. It was also decided that if a nation would request the release of captured sailors, they would be immediately released, preventing any military actions from being made against the islands. With that being said, it was also decided that ships that announce their intentions to visit the islands (using mail, telegram, etc.) prior to their arrival would be friendly greeted, and no military actions would be made against them.
Since the policy was approved in 1880, seventeen ships were captured by the Antarctic Isles. As of today (2011), 203 slaves are being kept in prison. The majority of them work in the port, under the supervision of guards. The slaves' growth rate is 108%.

[Antarctic Isles]

C. Politics
Parliament

The Isles' parliament consists of all citizens that are older than seventeen, a total of 3,215 people. A parliament meeting is held once a month. Any issue that has been raised by the citizens during the month is discussed in the meeting. Votes are not secret. Parliament meetings are headed by the parliament speaker, who presents every issue and gives citizens permission to speak. Every citizen who wishes to speak must be given the opportunity to do so. The speaker has no additional powers other than directing meetings. The islands' citizens are generally very conservative, and therefore laws passing in parliament are also conservative.
The lack of foreign trade (the community doesn't hold any trading agreements with other nations) has made the islands a self sufficient society, causing each citizen to rely upon others. This has caused the community to become a cooperative: fishermen and hunters gather their catch in public warehouses, and each citizen takes as much food as his family requires. The system has proved itself in the last hundred years - it allows some citizens to work as doctors, policemen, etc; jobs that indirectly improve the society's life.
According to the isles' constitution, a citizen is a "A human being that was born on the island to two citizens". Several children that were born due to relations between citizens and slaves are not considered citizens.

Government members

Administrator of Security - Jan Heather
Administrator of Food - Anne Natalion
Administrator of Health - Robert Shimx
Administrator of Infrastructure - Michael Sonly

Laws (summarized)

The Isles' judicial system divides crimes into categories:

• Severe Crimes: includes murder, robbery, rape, etc. These crimes are very infrequent. Punishments include cancellation of citizenship, corporal punishment and enslaving.
• Mild crimes: includes theft, causing property damage and causing light injuries intentionally. Punishments include community service, imprisonment and payment of compensation.
• Insignificant crimes: includes defamation, certain pranks, etc. Punishments include payment of compensation or apologizing.

• Consumption, distribution and importation of any type of drug except alcohol are illegal.
• Prostitution is legal, but there are currently no local prostitutes working on the islands. Both male and female slaves serve as prostitutes.
• Fishing and whaling are done under strict regulations. Overfishing and ocean pollution are forbidden, and foreign fishing vessels are not allowed to fish in the isles' Exclusive Economic Zone.
• Abortion, divorce and homosexual relationships are illegal in the community. Polygamy is legal, but rare.
• Foreign ships are forbidden from entering the islands' territorial waters without permission. Actions may be taken against violators of this law. This law is not valid if the ship enters the territorial waters while in distress or danger (e.g. if the ship is about to sink).
• Slave trading within the nation is strictly forbidden. All slaves are considered public property, that may not be transferred to private hands. Importation and exportation of slaves are legal, but only under strict government supervision.

[Antarctic Isles]

D. Modernization
Primary contact with the world

Since the arrival of invaders in 1698, the locals slowly adapted the modern culture, a thing that was very noticeable. Ships that occasionally visited the islands (and were not captured) brought news and information from around the world, including political happenings and scientific discoveries.
Locals were thirst for knowledge, and in 1850, a visiting ship had offered the islanders to regularly send ships to their nation. The ships would carry smoked fish to the foreign country, and will receive books, newspapers and resources in exchange.
It was decided to accept this proposal, and in 1852, after receiving detailed information regarding how to navigate to the nation, a first ship was sent. Upon its return, citizens were satisfied with what they have received, and it was decided to send the ship again. Since then, ships were sent three times an year, leaving during spring and summer and returning just before the harsh winter starts.

Technology

During the many years of contact with the world, various items such as hot clothing and construction tools have been brought to the islands, tremendously improving the locals' lives.
However, the most major development happened in 1975, when a group of sailors, which were on a mission abroad, were given a demonstration of how electricity could be used in the islands. After returning to the islands, they presented the idea of having electricity used on the isles in the general meeting, and it was decided to work towards a new goal: generating electricity in the isles. In 1976, a foreign team of electric engineers and businessmen came to the islands, and signed a deal with the citizens. As a part of the deal, the country the engineers were representing would be given permission to fish in the area for fifteen years, and in return they would install wind and wave power generators in the area.
For the first time in the isles' history, electricity was available for their use. In the next years, many electrical devices, including lamps, electric heaters and refrigerators were brought to the islands, making the locals' life very comfortable, even in international scales. However, foreign fishermen have caused an enormous damage to the isles' waters, mainly due to overfishing, and as soon as the deal has ended, the locals have worked hard to rehabilitate the fish in the area.
In 2001, several hundreds of tonnes of fish were sold to another nation, and in return satellite dishes were installed around the isles, allowing citizens to receive television broadcasts, as well as internet and phone services. This was the last stage in making the community connected to the rest of the world.

[Antarctic Isles]

E. Geography and Climate
The nation is divided into eight islands, lying at a distance of between three and ten kilometres from each other.
Climate is extremely chilly - the cold sea maintains a low temperature year round. Typical daily maximum temperatures are -1°C in winter and 6°C in summer. Winter minimum temperature stands on an average of -7°C. Annual precipitation is usually around 1,400 mm, most of it falling as sleet or snow.

Southton Island

The most highly inhabited island. The island's port is the most developed, and the town hall, were general meetings are held, is located on it. The only school in the Antarctic Islands is also located on the island. The main medical clinic is also positioned on Southton Island.

Area	34 km2
Population	1,013

Icehold Island

Considered as the administrative headquarters of the community. The small army/police base is located here, and most of the slaves are housed here.

Area	57 km2
Population	320

Cod Island

Although being the largest in terms of area, Cod Island is almost uninhabited, due to its difficult terrain. The island is the southernmost in the community.

Area	98 km2
Population	26

Invasion Island

Served as the invaders' base during the time they were in the area. During the invasion, none of the locals lived on it, but later, many inhabited it, mainly because of the developed infrastructure the foreigners have left on it.

Area	32 km2
Population	811

Whale Island

For many years, whaling expeditions were launched from this island, giving it its name. Nowadays, whaling boats depart from all islands.

Area	15 km2
Population	467

Brick Island

The ground in this island is slightly different than in other islands, making it an ideal location for the quarry, where stones are extracted. These stones are used to build houses across the community.

Area	23 km2
Population	589

Thomson Island

For years, only one family, the Thomsons, have lived here. During the last century, several other families also moved here. The community's only pub, 'The Thomson', is located here.

Area	11 km2
Population	135

Freedom Island

This is where the locals celebrated the departure of the foreign invaders. A small greenhouse is located here, providing the citizens with a little bit of vegetables.

Area	38 km2
Population	242

[Antarctic Isles]

F. Tourism
In a general meeting on January 2005 it was decided to promote tourism to the isles. Since arrival is only available by sea (there are no airports in the isles), several foreign cruise ships companies were contacted. They were offered to sail to the islands, paying the locals some of their profits. Three companies agreed, and it was decided that each would send up to three boats annually, bringing approximately 8,000 tourists to the islands.

Attractions

During their stay, tourists are offered to participate in various activities unique to the area, including:

• Whaling in traditional boats.
• Cold water swimming, a sport widely practised in the isles (see also: 1st International Cold Water Swimming Championship - held in the Isles).
• Eating traditional food, including fish, whale, penguin and seal meat and edible seaweed.
• A visit to the National History Museum, where many items from the nation's past are displayed, and the Nature Museum, which features many Antarctic animals' bones and models.
• Bath in the Natural Hot Water Springs, where water rich with minerals flows from deep under the ground, and enjoy relaxing spa services given by our professional slaves.

[Antarctic Isles]

G. Other Information
Flag meaning

The flag is coloured blue, representing the ocean surrounding the isles. The stars in it represent the eight islands that make the nation. Darker blue area of the flag, where stars are not visible, represents winter, when daylight hours reach a minimum of around five hours. Slightly lighter blue represents long days during summer - reaching a maximal length of almost nineteen hours.
Only dark colours are used in the flag, representing the harsh weather in the area during both winter and summer.

Notable position holders

Parliament Speaker - Prof. Todd McMorrison
Manager of Ports - Tycho Icicle
Chief Slaver - Isabella Heartful
Antarctic Missions Adviser - Dr. Mark Lambhill
Manager of Warehouses - Dr. Lynda Bighat

The Antarctic Research Institute

Founded in 1998, the Antarctic Research Institute (ARI) is the largest academic institute devoted to the study of polar sciences (including Oceanobiology, Climatology, Glaciology, Geology and Ecology) located in the Antarctic region, but outside Antarctica itself. It employs over a hundred local scientists and a few dozens of foreign experts.
The institute serves as a base for missions heading to Antarctica - scientists often visit ARI in order to pass basic trainings that are essential for their stay in the continent.

[Antarctic Isles]

Reserved

[Antarctic Isles]

Questions and Answers
Please feel free to submit any questions regarding the nation.

Why do your people choose to live in such inhospitable areas?

However we commend your legal system and determination to modernise.

The Isles are the citizens' homeland and they're used the climate. As in other places, some choose to immigrate to another country, but the grand majority of the population prefers staying in its home country.

Q1: Is there any support among the citizenry for amending the Constitution to allow the children of citizen/slave pairings to have citizenship?

There is some support to this proposition - approximately 15% of voters voted for last time it was discussed - but the majority of citizens is highly against it. The main reason for the citizenry's opposition is that without parental testing - which aren't normally done in the Isles - it can't be known if the child was born to two slaves or a slave and a citizen.

[Antarctic Isles]

Information regarding The Antarctic Research Institute was added. See G. Other Information.

OOC: Questions and comments are more than welcome. I'd appreciate any feedback on my work

[Polar Islandstates]

The Federation of Polar Islandstates would be delighted to send a team of scientists to the ARI. We have world leaders in the fields of oceanography, glaciology, and especially geology,and would be more than happy to collaborate on research projects.

[Antarctic Isles]

The Federation of Polar Islandstates;
We would be honoured to host the scientists for as long as they would wish. A house has been prepared for them in Southton Island. As mentioned in this topic, arrival is only possible by sea - detailed maps and longitude/latitude have been sent for your convenience.

We hope that scientific cooperation between our nations would be productive and worthwhile.

Signed,
Todd McMorrison, Parliament Speaker.

[Polar Islandstates]

Agreed. The offer is naturally extended in the other direction. Should any of your diplomats, scientists or engineers ever seek to learn from our icebreakers and shipping lane maintenance craft that have been so crucial to the development of our nation, or even of how we managed to set up airports and all-weather railways in our harsh climates then we would be honoured to host them on a tour.

Here's to a prosperous and enlightening partnership between our nations.

Petter Rasmussen
Foreign Secretary

[Antarctic Isles]

Antarctic Times
Summarized edition.
Wednesday Mar 08, 2011, #19522.

International
A group of internationally famous scientists from Polar Islandstates will visit the ARI. Together with the local scientists, they will perform various researches.
A group of local scientists are now preparing for a journey to the Polar Islandstates, where they will meet colleagues from a parallel institute.

Finance
The local currency, named until now, for historical reasons, the Guirk, has been renamed to the 'Antarctic Dollar' in yesterday's meeting. 2,773 voted for, 215 against, and 27 citizens were not present in the meeting. The Antarctic Dollar's value will remain pegged to the US Dollar, as was with the Guirk.

[Antarctic Isles]

National anthem and flag meaning were added to the factbook.

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Questions and comments are welcome...

[Antarctic Isles]

Bump for questions. Don't the 2966 (!) words* I've written deserve a few comments?

*According to MS word, didn't count on my own...

[Antarctic Isles]

Bump for questions.

[Kalumba]

Why do your people choose to live in such inhospitable areas?

However we commend your legal system and determination to modernise.

[Antarctic Isles]

Why do your people choose to live in such inhospitable areas?

However we commend your legal system and determination to modernise.

The Isles are the citizens' homeland and they're used the climate. As in other places, some choose to immigrate to another country, but the grand majority of the population prefers staying in its home country.

[Antarctic Isles]

OOC: I've added anchors to all topics, making the table of contents much more detailed.
I'd appreciate any questions about the nation...

[Vecherd]

OOC: I think your factbook is very good, I must say. I read the whole without lousing interest.

Many people in Vecherd likes the courage of the Antarctic Isles and the traditional way of life you keep. Further more we would like too, if possible to open a "research station" in the Antarctic Isles. Where we can research on Arctic weather. It would be nothing more than a family living in a normal house, where one of the parents are a scientist. We would happily pay for this. - Foreign Minister, Tom Goldberg.

[Antarctic Isles]

OOC: Glad you liked it.
IC:
The people of Antarctic Isles are always happy to cooperate with foreign citizens when it comes to science, and therefore the ARI would happily host a family from Vecherd, free of charge. The family will be given a house, food, and kids will be sent to school if the family wishes.
Sincerely,
Prof. Todd McMorrison

[Vecherd]

We thank you very much for this, the designated family consists of six people, two parents and four children. All they children would very much like to go to the local school. Even though you them to live in your nation free of charge, we still hope we can return the favor in one way or another. Maybe some kind of military alliance, were we offer you protection? - Tom Goldberg.

[Antarctic Isles]

While our nation is safe and can protect its borders, we appreciate your offer and will contact you if any help is needed.
-Prof. Todd McMorrison, parliament speaker.

[Antarctic Isles]

Bump for comments and questions.