NationStates Jolt Archive


World Factbook: Nyuyanguyee, the Kingdom of

Nyuyanguyee
18-05-2004, 03:21
NYUYANGUYEE


Nyuyanguyee is a smattering of tiny islands in the Pacific, near the Equator. It isn’t the easiest place to get around, but its warm, friendly people will always make you feel welcome. Go island-hopping by ferry, stroll into small villages or dive to the magnificent Muyey Caverns; there’s always something fascinating to do.

Facts
Conventional long name: the Kingdom of Nyuyanguyee
Conventional short name: Nyuyanguyee
Local name: Nyuyanguyee A-Egu’se
People: Nyuyangs
Population: 7004
* ethnic Nyuyang (Polynesian) 6988
* ethnic Ribenese 9
* other Oriental 4
* European 3
Languages: Nyu, Ribenese
Capital city: Fe
Currency: nyuyang yon
Government: constitutional monarchy; sovereign nation
Head of state: King Jifayulal
Head of government: Governing Minister Vadururul

Nyuyanguyee is made up of 69 islands, 36 of which are barely more than rocks in the sea, frequently submerged by the tide and too small to figure on any map. The largest island, To, is less than seven kilometres across. The northernmost island, Bamee, is split between Nyuyanguyee and the Protectorate of Ribenese Nyuyanguyee, an overseas territory of Ribenia.

The country has a hot, humid climate most of the year, and the land is essentially flat and grassy, with some rocky outcrops. Nyuyanguyee is very little industrialised, and you will find no buildings more than three levels high. The islands were first discovered by Ribenese explorers, who made no attempt to colonise (except half of Bamee island), and instead protected the country from attempts at colonisation by other powers. The Nyuyang people live a traditional lifestyle, honouring centuries-old customs, with little outside influence.

Getting there
There is an international airport on the island of To; most foreign visitors arrive by air. It is also possible to arrive by sea. Nyuyanguyee’s only terrestrial border is with Ribenese Nyuyanguyee, hardly the most accessible of countries, so there’s little chance of you arriving by land.

Tourists do not require a visa for stays of up to a month, and can enter the country with simply a photo passport valid up to a week after the intended date of departure. Visitors from Ribenia and Ribenese Nyuyanguyee can stay three months without a visa.

Obtaining a student or business visa, or a tourist visa for a long stay, is very easy, and can usually be done through a travel agency, or the nearest Nyuyang or Ribenese embassy or consulate. There is a small departure tax.

Getting around
From Saat International Airport in To island it’s a short drive to the town of Turayga. From there, you can catch a ferry to Fe, the capital city. Regular ferry trips link Fe to the towns of Turayga, Iji and Sal’aen.

Getting anywhere else, however, can be tricky. You would have to rent a boat or ask someone to take you to the more remote islands.

On the islands that have roads, it is possible to rent a car or a bicycle, or to take the bus or a taxi. There are no trains. Within an island, though, almost anything you would want to see is within walking distance if you have no mobility impairment.

Accommodation
A number of pubs, shops and private houses around the country have a room or two to rent. Nyuyangs tend to be friendly, trusting and helpful. There’s a backbackers’ hostel in Turayga (To island), and a hotel with modern conveniences in Fe. There are supermarkets in Fe, Turayga and Iji. The only cybercafes are in Fe and Turayga; the country’s Internet code is .nge.

Attractions
FE
Fe, the capital city, isn’t an island but a town spread over three small islands interconnected by ferries. In Fe you will find the country’s only proper hotel. Other buildings of interest are Parliament House, Fe University and Nyuyanguyee Museum. There are also a number of ministries and embassies. Fe is the central hub of Nyuyanguyee, and anyone travelling by the regular ferry routes will have to stop off here.
This is the most modern town in the country, but the Fesites’ way of life is still very traditional. Homes are often built in great part of wood, with only one level. Some are on the waterside, on stilts. Seaside villages are always worth a stroll. The largest of Fe’s three islands is only a kilometre across.

TO
To is the biggest of Nyuyanguyee’s isles. It houses Saat International Airport, which has only one runway; Fe has no room for a runway, which is why the airport is not in the capital. The main town in To is Turayga, on the sea front, and is as bustling as things get in Nyuyanguyee. The main attraction, though, is the beautiful I’eta Lagoon, a few hundred meters from the airport – a spectacular sight both from the sky and up close.

EMBE
This is the second largest island, populated mostly by tiny villages. There isn’t much to do here except walk around, talk to the indigenous people and take in the sights. The coastal town of Iji, which houses a few embassies, is accessibly via ferry from Fe.

JENV
This remote island is home to Nyuyanguyee’s fourth largest town, Sal’aen, and has some of the country’s nicest beaches.

TALA
Tala, a tiny island, is devoted mainly to the Nyuyang National Nature Reserve, and is very little visited by ferries. You need special permission, and a guide, to visit the Nature Reserve – the only reason why anyone would want to go to Tala – but that’s easily obtainable.

NYUYANG NATIONAL MARITIME RESERVE
The Reserve is made up of four small islands and their surrounding waters, near To. It’s difficultly accessible, and you need special authorisation, and a guide.

MUYEY CAVERNS
Though they aren’t easy to reach, the Caverns are Nyuyanguyee’s main wonder. They are an undersea network of breathtakingly lovely, sparkling, gem-encrusted caves. You will have to rent diving equipment, with or without a guide, to visit them. The Caverns are several kilometres out at sea from any of the main islands.

BAMEE
Bamee is a tiny island in the north of the country, just three hundred meters across at its largest – which also happens to be the border line with Ribenese Nyuyanguyee. There are no towns, only four villages (on the Nyuyang side, the south-east half of the island), and no way to get there except via a few rare ferry trips or by renting a boat or hitching a ride.



RIBENESE NYUYANGUYEE

WARNING!
The country has recently been the stage of a political change. Ribenese Nyuyanguyee is officially a dependent territory of the Compassionate Queendom of Ribenia, but the people have, a few days ago, unilaterally conducted elections (illegal under Ribenese law) and proclaimed their country to henceforth be a communist state. The inhabitants wish to remain merely semi-autonomous, and still recognise Queen Ayane as head of state; they have proclaimed the country to be "the People’s Queendom of Ribenese Nyuyanguyee".

The change was made without bloodshed or violence, but the Ribenese government is considering declaring the island off-limits to tourists until the situation is resolved, and any prospective visitor would do well to check recent political developments.

Facts
Conventional long name: the Protectorate of Ribenese Nyuyanguyee (official); the People’s Queendom of Ribenese Nyuyanguyee (local)
Conventional short name: Ribenese Nyuyanguyee
People: Ribenese Nyuyangs
Population: 27
* ethnic Ribenese 15
* ethnic Nyuyang 11
* African 1
Languages: Ribenese, Nyu
Capital city: Koa Village
Currency: ribenese yon
Government: absolute monarchy, protectorate of Ribenia (official); communist monarchy not recognised by the monarch (de facto)
Head of state: Queen Ayane Yoshiyama
Head of government: undecided at present; the local government has stated all decisions will be made by national vote

Getting there
There is no airport in Ribenese Nyuyanguyee. You can reach the country by sea, or fly into Nyuyanguyee then hitch a boat ride to Bamee and cross the border by land. The border is virtually unguarded along most of its three hundred metre length; there is a checkpoint where the border intersects the only road going across the island. Whether on foot or by car, this is the only legal way to enter by land.

Ribenese law applies, officially at least, as it is unclear whether the new communist regime will be installing new laws for visitors. As it stands, tourists may enter for up to a month with merely a valid passport, as long as the expiry date is a week or more after the intended date of departure. For any stay longer than a month, you will need a visa. Visitors from Nyuyanguyee and Shadostan may stay three months without a visa. Visitors from Ribenia may stay indefinitely without a visa, as long as their passport remains valid.

It is not possible to obtain a student visa. If you are travelling for business purposes, or are a tourist intending to stay in Ribenese Nyuyanguyee for more than a month, you will need a visa valid for entry in Ribenia; it will allow you to enter Ribenese Nyuyanguyee.

The only requisite for all visitors is proof of accommodation.

Getting around
There’s nothing difficult about getting around; the country is tiny. It’s just under a hundred metres by road from Koa Village, on the seafront, the only village in the country, to the border checkpoint inland. The road leads only out of the country. Quite simply, there’s nowhere to go except Koa Village, though you can wander the half-island on foot and bathe in the sea at leisure.

Accommodation
There is one small hotel with half a dozen rooms, but don’t except anything in the way of modern conveniences. Ribenese Nyuyanguyee is not a tourist destination, and Ribenese Nyuyangs aren’t used to seeing visitors – though they will usually be very welcoming. There’s also a cybercafe; the country’s Internet code is .rng

Attractions
Outside Koa Village, a tiny, traditional village which acts as capital, it’s small beaches and flat grassland. There are Ribenese army barracks near the border, and you are allowed to walk up close, but not to enter. Currently, the barracks are not in use.