NationStates Jolt Archive

World Factbook Entry for : Vastiva
Location : Antarctica
Capital: Sisu Vaari
Conventional Long Form: The Sultanate of Vastiva
Conventional Short Form: Vastiva
Local Long Form: The Sultan’s Lands
Local Short Form: Vastiva
Time Zone: GMT +2:00
Note: Antarctic conditions make time very flexible. For example, in winter there are two hours at most of semi-sunlight (11 am to 1 pm), while in summer there are two hours of semi-darkness (11pm to 1am).

Area:
total: 2,222,428 sq km
water: 173,900 sq km
land: 2,048,528 sq km

Land Use:
Arable Land: 3.02%
Permanent Crops: 0.03%
Other: 96.95%

Land Boundaries:
Coastline: 4,344 km (does not include indentations or islands)

Maritime Claims:
Territorial Sea: 20 NM
Exclusive Fishing Zone: 300 NM

Climate:
Cold temperate with some areas sub arctic. Inhabited areas are comparatively mild because of the moderating influence of the South Atlantic Current and more then 100,000 lakes heated geothermally. Severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean.

Precipitation can reach up to 27 inches annually on the coast to less then a tenth of an inch in the far South.

Southern region (coldest) ranges from -22F to -126F. Western coast (warmest) ranges from -20F to 72F, with occasional summer temperatures in the high 80s.

Natural Hazards:
Flash Blizzards can occur throughout the local winter season.
Winds on the Southern regions have been recorded up to 200 mph, creating dangerous wind chill situations.
Winds in the coastal regions have been recorded to 95 mph, creating dangerous wind chill situations.
North coastal ice regions are not stable, particularly during local summer. Icebergs form here year round.
Coastal waters may be considered hazardous year round; experience in conditions is necessary.

Terrain: mountainous to low hills, with plains along the northern and western coasts
Lowest point: Lake Naug Drial -4425m
Highest point: Mount Ayyubid 2240m

Note: the ice coating the Southern region has been found to reach a depth of 3,784 meters, but it is not known if this is the deepest the ice can reach.

Natural Resources : iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum, uranium, coal and hydrocarbons, silver, petroleum, natural gas, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, timber, chromite and chromium ore, limestone, precious and semiprecious stones, mineral water, tungsten, antimony, palladium, vanadium, phosphates, tin, salt, arsenic, bauxite, lithium.
Fresh water as icebergs
Significant hydropower.
Significant geothermal power.
Krill, finfish, shellfish, crab, lobster, squid, shark are all commercially fished. Seal and Whale are available, but protected.
Penguins are common in most coastal regions. They are protected by law, occasionally by marriage.
Heavy water is known to exist at far south locations.

Note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of all natural resources

Population: 168 million at last census.

Age Structure
0-16 17.5%
17-65 63.7%
65 and over 18.8%

Median Age
Total: 40.7 years
Male: 39.1 years
Female: 42.2 years

Population Growth Rate: 0.18%

Birth Rate: 10.56 births/1000 population
Death Rate: 9.69 deaths/1000 population
Net Migration Rate: 0.95 migrant(s)/1000 population

Sex Ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.98 male(s)/female

Total Fertility Rate: 1.78 children born/woman

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 80.18 years
male: 78.18 years
female: 82.27 years

Note: Population is mostly concentrated on the western coastal plain as the northern plains are more ice shelf then useable land. Southern plains are mostly uninhabited. Nomadic tribes are known to exist in the far southern regions.

Ethnic Groups
Moorish 42.1%
German 36.2%
Russian 9.8%
Ukranian 7.2%
Sami 3.4%
Laap 0.7%
Romany 0.4%
Other 0.2%

Religions
Islam 30%
Jewish 30%
Deist 28%
Pagan 9%
Other 3%

Languages
Vastiva's population speak several arabic languages, most commonly Moorish variants, and several archaic; Russian, Urdu, Laap, German, Tlingit, Hebrew, Finnish, Sami, and English are also spoken, with English being the "lingua franca".

"Vastivan" is more of a trade tongue then anything else. You might call it a mutual pidgin of all the others, but it has taken on a slight life of it's own.

English is the main trade tongue, though the variant is heavily influenced by culture.

On the colony of Manium: German and Arabic are the common languages there, with a good smattering of Sami and Finn.
Note : Colonial troops use mostly German, with some special units using other language families.

Literacy: All citizens learn literacy by age 6 in their "native" tongue and Vastivan, with fluency and literacy in English required by age 13, and usually a fourth language by 16. Most natives speak and read three or more languages.

Government: Sultanate

National Holiday: Laandsfall, May 1st
Note: All inhabitants receive a mandatory 2 week vacation during the local summer, which includes a stay at a spa. These vacations are rotated so no more then 20% of the population is on vacation during any of the ten week summer season.


Vastiva is for the most part a quiet land, where a ramshackle cottage by a lake and a properly stoked sauna is all that's required for happiness. It's a vast expanse of forests and lakes and more forests, punctuated by towns full of people who are genuinely surprised to see tourists.

Bargaining is common for most goods, a service charge is included in restaurants listed prices but tipping is accepted. You have a legal right to walk, cycle, paddle a canoe or even camp almost anywhere in Vastiva; the ability to ski is almost a necessity and the locals enjoy autogyroing as a national pastime.

Vastiva is primarily dependant on oceanic sources for its food supply; arable land is at a premium, only recently increased in usability by massive government funding towards the building of Weyker greenhouses warmed with Antarctican hydrogen-cell heaters.

Vastiva uses the Polar Crown as its international currency; the kruzmark is still used in some places, but is only used internally – international sources are not accepted.

Vastiva accepts as valid any form of “marriage”, and will issue a license to any pair (or more) making a request for such. All forms of polyamory are acceptable both legally and socially, and in fact have a long history.

Sounds good. Is there a history of Vastiva?

Ask, and ye shall receive...

***

The History of the Sultanate of Vastiva

Vastiva was founded in 1113 by the Ayyubid (Moorish) Prince Fafin’ad Sahir’ al-Din. His fleet of ships, having set course for Edessa suffered tragic and unforeseen difficulties as their chief navigator was killed in a freak storm and most of his equipment rendered useless. The fleet sailed onwards, guided by the sole remaining navigator, an apprentice named Kilij Arslan. Unfortunately, Kilij was unskilled and the fleet sailed into a land of inhospitable ice and snow. Supplies exhausted, Fafin was forced to make landfall and search for supplies. Legend has it the Prince had nearly given up hope when he spotted a small golden-furred feline among some scrub brush. Tracking the animal, he came across a small pond, well stocked with fish. His men used nets to gain their fill, saving them from starvation and gaining the animal (now the national animal) its name of Tabu Nekku, or “Lucky Cat”.

Over the next four years, Prince Fafin subjugated several local tribes and bonded them together into a militaristic “nation”. He named himself Sultan, and took pains to expand his control over the region.

Sultan Fafin died in a battle with raiding Vikings, which his men then butchered without prisoners. The Sultanate then passed to his son, Siiking al-Din Shumash.

Over the centuries, Vastiva did nothing spectacular to gain international attention. It’s people became increasingly self-contained, for some hundred years becoming completely isolated from the rest of the world, almost to the point of believing their land was all that existed! This changed in 1615 at the Sultanate of Durin Shi’vash Estioli, who “rediscovered” the neighboring nation of Alvaardland – and promptly subjugated it. This was dimly viewed by Alvaardland’s allies, who declared war on Vastiva, resulting in 10 years of constant guerilla and small-unit combat. Vastiva emerged victorious, three times its original size – and with an economy in complete ruins. Merging the five populations proved too much of a problem for Durin, who abdicated at the point of a scimitar in favor of his cousin, Eola Sinitii al-Din. She had him put into internal banishment in the city of Kjik’kjak and took control of the government. Her reign is most often referred to as the “Red Sultanship”; she killed off roughly 30% of the combined population during her “reorganization and re-education” projects. Vastiva was thrown, kicking and screaming, into the 17th century.

=

During the Second World War, Finnish commandoes blew up the two installations involved in distilling heavy water from its southern landlocked lakes, which in turn insured Nazi Germany would never be able to complete its nuclear projects. The Nazi forces abandoned Vastiva in 1941 as the Eastern Front opened. As a result, Vastiva was used as a depot for the Lend-Lease projects, as a refuge for many thousands fleeing Germany and Nazi extermination (most of whom decided to stay), and as a gold and “liberated goods” repository by the Nazi’s during the latter years of the War.

Vastiva used its newfound wealth – which was “nationalized” in 1947, after goods known to belong elsewhere were exported to their native lands – to build up its infrastructure. The goodwill generated by its “expatriation” of stolen artworks did allow for much more to be gotten then might have otherwise been possible. This almost started Vastiva on the path to a real economy and a presence in the international community. 1948 and the onset of the “Cold War” caused this project to derail, until by 1955 Vastiva’s hopes of international trade were all but forgotten as it sought to evade domination by Soviet Bloc forces. In 1963, in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, NATO forces secretly exported several B-52 Stratofortress bombers and an undisclosed number of nuclear bombs for use in “Operation : Triplet”. These troops were reinforced with a “loaned” reinforced tank division in 1968 and a large number of “military advisors”; the advisors were then removed in 1970 as Vastiva was “successfully bribed” by Soviet forces and weakly joined the Soviet Bloc in return for two T-10 Heavy Tanks and several T-62 and T-72 main battle tanks.

In 1989, Vastiva officially withdrew from the Soviet Bloc – an act which went virtually unnoticed by the world. Once again, it began a slide into virtual isolationism.

The discovery of vast deposits of uranium in the inhospitable southlands and the sudden death of Sultan Vaada Kivaa al-Din (he choked on his toast before giving a speech - and as was behind the curtain before being introduced, no one saw him drop) changed all of this. In a relative eye blink, Vastiva went from a fourth rate country to one with something everyone wanted. And its national leader went from an old isolationist to a relatively young expansionist, the current ruler, Sultan Sinjin Lefkowitz al-Din. The prior Sultan might have razed all the southern woodlands to get at the mineralogical treasure trove, but the new Sultan was somewhat more interested in ecological welfare. Mining was begun, but as more limited tunneling then the more efficient strip-mining methods. This meant first that the mines have the potential to go on for hundreds of miles, all subterranean. This also meant the ecologies above would remain relatively undisturbed.

When news of a discovery of a “new” continent reached the ears of the Sultan, he immediately dispatched colonists. Vastivas colony (as yet not emirated hence not named, though unofficially named after the colonial capital of Sisu Arshu) has grown to support Vastiva’s space program efforts, currently with one disaster and several dozen successes under their belts.

The continent of Pangea was annexed during the following year, the Sultan’s second of reign.

*bump* for commentary

Very...detailed...

Very...detailed...

If you think that was detailed, you should have seen my entry before the Forum move... My thread was lost... :(

Then again, one of those purges would have lost it anyway.

The following are the measures Vastiva requests when exchanging embassies. They are, of course, negotiable.

***

Embassies are extraterritorial. No member of the host nation may enter the grounds without permission of the Ambassador or representative.

Ambassadors have full diplomatic immunity. They may not be held or detained for any alleged crime; they may be restricted to embassy grounds or expelled from the host nation as “persona non grata” (the latter includes expulsion from the embassy itself).

This immunity covers the Ambassador, their direct family, and up to three staff members (and their direct families) selected by the Ambassador.

The remainder of the Embassy staff and personnel has limited immunity, meaning they can only be charged with felonies or greater. At the time of their detention, the Ambassador must be informed. The Ambassador may choose to have them detained in the Embassy. They must be released for trial by the host nation upon request. The Ambassador may petition for Pardon by the host nation. If this is not requested or is denied, the accused may select any member of the justicary for their defense, at the host nation’s expense.

All embassy personnel are considered representatives of their nation; their actions as such reflect upon their nation.

The Embassy may import two vehicles, which will also be considered extraterritorial. Both vehicles must be accepted by the host nation, and may be searched by the host nation prior to their acceptance. The Ambassador may petition the host nation for additional vehicles.

Helicopters are allowed in addition to those two vehicles, though we note the relative uselessness of such transportation most of the year.

Security staff may consist of no more then thirty troops.
No Chemical, Biological, or Nuclear weapons.
No heavy weapons
No weapons caches.

In the case of conflict between the nations, the embassy staff will be allowed to leave unmolested, unhindered, and under guard from embassy grounds to their transport. Embassy grounds will be sealed by the host nation.

Embassy personnel may not carry weapons outside of Embassy grounds.

Diplomatic Pouch (size of a regulation briefcase) may not be searched or molested. It may be externally scanned to prove the nonexistance of radiological, biological, or chemical weapons or samples.

Quick facts on Vastiva

*Vastiva follows Arab basic culture - VERY strong hospitality, polite speech - with overtones of Russian and Germanic patterns - loyalty in clannishness or by military patterns, competitive backstabbers when it comes to business, strong art appreciation (homemade goods and crafts are lusted after as luxury goods, whereas what we would consider luxury (Wedgewood china, for example) is valued less. Mass produced is considered "common", regardless of quality).
*"Nice" is a martial art to these people. Particularly with 'outsiders'.
*Duels are legal. In the southern regions, duels are common.
*Police have the right to shoot you. They also have snipers to shoot those fleeing the scene.
*Cameras are EVERYWHERE. Being "off camera" means you're home with the shades drawn.
*"Vandalism" is legal except where prohibited, and as a result, 'vandals' became artists who rabidly protect their 'turf'.
*Visitors are considered 'guests'; at worst, you'll be treated like an ignorant cousin.
*Citizenship? Well, you can immigrate but the structure of society will prevent inroads for a time. Military service is a good plus here, particularly officer rank or - even better- sergenthood.
*Recycling is manditory. Evergreens are common. Pollution is unknown (vehicles use LNG, not petroleum, except where absolutely necessary)
*Don't even THINK about killing a Tabu Nekku (national animal). The pride in this creature - and superstitions about it - make the attempt lethal. As in "They'll skin you, THEN they'll call the police, THEN you'll be painfully executed and fed to the sharks - if you're lucky".
*Traffic on interstates is sparse - most people use the public transportation (mag-lev trains). Within cities, public trans is most common, some vehicular traffic and some people walking.
*Autogyros and helicopters are common when weather permits. During summer, they're a nuisance as everyone will be using theirs.
*Most buildings are coated in gloss-kote (hydrophobic treatment) or under Weyker domes. Snow falls off.
*Wind? Lots, except in summer and in some areas. Can get up to 200mph during mid-winter.
*Most people wear C-TCODs (think "cell phone" and "PDA" - or look at Finnish modern culture).
*5000 channels on cable. This comes with living here. Everything is on.

More, just ask.

Why don't you put this on NSwiki?

Why don't you put this on NSwiki?

Hmmm... perhaps when I'm done with it.

Foreign Embassies (Vastiva maintains sister embassy in their capital)
(Nova Hope maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Hammerite Sanctur maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Ottoman Khaif Empire maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari and consulate in Nassanuella)
#(Last Patriots maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
#(Binexx Island maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(IDF maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Camewot maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
#(British Morocco maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Cullenus maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Praetoria maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Free Marlton maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Sharina maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
*(Sharina maintains Consulate in Sisu Arshu)
(Inkana maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Granzi maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Mac Cumhail maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Modern Texas maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
#(Tanagondaria maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
#(Achelonia maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Endenia maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Esth maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Nypolina maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(FCD maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Greenmanbry maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Skibereen maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Aquinium maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Hamptonshire maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)
(Lemieuxstad maintains Embassy in Sisu Vaari)

* = additional consulates present
# = Defunct

*Special Note*

An individual working outside all day in Antarctic conditions (during daylight conditions) requires upwards of five thousand calories per day, just to maintain. Under darkness conditions, that number nearly doubles to eight thousand calories per day.

As such, Vastivans are used to having two hour lunches as a standard. There is no such thing as "fast food" in Vastiva, mostly as the citizens consider cooking an art, and support their arts fanatically.

In Vastiva, a premier chef has the same status as a first-rank celebrity in the US.

OOC: "Oh, Wiki you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, hey Wiki! Hey Wiki!"

Moving this to the NS Wiki slowly but surely

*bumpers*

Wikified?

*whispers* Mention the only outsider to ever learn Vastivan was from Camel Eaters *whispers*