Halberdgardia
23-06-2005, 05:21
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/neotheone175/NationStates/Modern%20Tech/HalberdgardianFlag_final.jpg
Halberdgardian Factbook
Background
The Democratic Republic of Halberdgardia was officially founded on May 16th, 2005. Mere months before, approximately five million dissidents from various authoritarian countries escaped their respective homelands to a nearby patch of barren land. In a daring and bold statement to their neighbors, the discontented citizens established the territory as a new country, based on free and democratic principles. This action infuriated the governments of the lands from which Halberdgardia's founders had come, and they threatened the nascent nation with war, one which Halberdgardia was destined to lose. However, this action served as the final straw for the oppressed citizens of those same authoritarian countries, who rose up in general revolt against their oppressors. Those governments collapsed as their countless millions of citizens overwhelmed them, then dispersed to new lands, leaving behind vast swaths of empty territory for the new country of Halberdgardia. The country has slowly expanded its borders since to fill this unoccupied territory.
On August 18th, 2005, the country's name was changed to the Democratic Imperium of Halberdgardia, to better reflect the true nature of the nation.
Geography
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/neotheone175/NationStates/Modern%20Tech/HalberdgardiaMap_final.jpg
Location: NSEarth:The Shattered Continent, a landmass in the northern-central Pacific broken long ago by plate tectonics and controlled exclusively by the nations of the Directorate, the Provincial Territory of Halberdgardian Saharistan (Ribeirão Preto), the Provincial Territory of Halberdgardian Rovonia (Coragem), the Provincial Territory of Halberdgardian Algeristan (Riqueza); Earth NA: Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives; Extraterrestrial: The planets of Anshun, Augusta, Bastion, Concord Dawn, Halifax, Haven (capitol), Libertas (joint colony with Joseph Seal), Oaktier, Velaines, Verona, Vinmar, and Wessex
Area: Total: 21,709,533 sq. km.; Land: 19,240,038 sq. km.; Water: 2,469,495 sq. km.
Comparative Area: Approximately twice the size of the United States
Land Boundaries: Total: 22,356 km.; Border Countries: Transnapastain: 17,786 km.; Kaukolastan: 4570 km.
Coastline: 19,924 km.
Maritime Claims: Territorial Sea: 50 nm; Contiguous Zone: 100 nm; Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 nm; Continental Shelf: Unspecified
Climate: Mostly temperate, but tropical in the south, arctic in the far north, semiarid in the great plains of the west, and arid in the southwest
Terrain: Vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east, tundra in far north
Elevation Extremes: Highest point: Mt. Halberdgardia: 6,255 m; Lowest point: Death Valley: -95 m
Natural Resources: Bauxite, coal, copper, gold, iron, lead, mercury, molybdenum, natural gas, nickel, petroleum, phosphates, potash, silver, timber, tungsten, uranium, zinc
Land Use: Arable land: 20.34%; Permanent crops: 1.22%; Other: 78.44%
Irrigated Land: 407,000 sq km
Natural Hazards: Tsunamis occasionally hit the eastern coast, volcanoes on some of the smaller outlying islands, and major earthquake activity around the western coast; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in some areas of the western coast; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in the extreme northern areas and outlying islands, a major impediment to development
Environment - current issues: Air pollution over major cities, resulting in acid rain; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; somewhat limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; slow and gradual desertification in the west
*Statistics apply only to Halberdgardian mainland, excluding territories and extraterrestrial claims
People
National Population: 602 million
Age Structure: 0-14: 15.5%; 15-65: 74.2%; 66 and above: 10.3%
Population Growth Rate: 1.17%
Birth Rate: 18.14 births/1,000 population
Death Rate: 10.25 deaths/1,000 population
Net Migration Rate: 3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex Ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female; under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female; 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female; 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female; total population: 0.97 male(s)/female
Infant Mortality Rate: total: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births; male: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births; female: 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy at Birth: total population: 84.71 years; male: 83.89 years; female: 86.67 years
Total Fertility Rate: 2.08 children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalance rate: 0.4%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 950,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 14,000
Nationality: noun: Halberdgardian(s); adjective: Halberdgardian
Ethnic Groups: White (77%), black (11%), Asian (6%), mixed race (3%), other (3%)
Main Languages: English (official), Spanish (unofficial), French (unofficial), Italian (unofficial), German (unofficial), Hebrew (unofficial; spoken by some Halberdgardian Jews)
Literacy Rate: Upper class: 100%; middle class: 100%; lower class: 97%
Major Religions: Roman Catholicism (76.5%), Protestantism (13.2%), Judaism (6.3%), Islam (4%)
Government
Conventional Long Form: The Democratic Imperium of Halberdgardia
Conventional Short Form: Halberdgardia
Abbreviated Form(s): (the) D.I.H., Hal, HG
Government Type: Constitutional-based federal republic with strong democratic traditions; three branches of government and checks-and-balances system
Capital City: NSEarth: Washington, D.C.; Earth NA: London, England Extraterrestrial: Haven
Administrative Divisions: Five; North Halberdgardia, East Halberdgardia, South Halberdgardia, West Halberdgardia, District of Columbia
Independence: May 16th, 2005
Constitution: May 16th, 2005
National Holidays: January 1st: New Year's; Third Sunday of April: Easter; May 16th: Independence Day; May 22nd: V-S (Victory Saharistan) Day [Saharistan War]; July 4th: Memorial Day; August 14th: Presidents Day; Third Sunday of November: Thanksgiving Day; December 25th: Christmas Day
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Major Political Parties: National Conservative Party (right-wing majority party), National Libertarian Party (left-wing opposition party)
Other Political Parties: Green Party (centrist minority party), Halberdgardian Independent Party (right-wing minority party), National Communist Party (radical left-wing minority party), National Social Democratic Party (left-wing minority party)
International Organization Participation: The Anti-WMD Club, the Coalition of Anti-Terrorist Powers, the Commonwealth of Independent Nations, the Commonwealth of Sovereign Nations, the Directorate Alliance, the Intergalactic Trade Hub, the NDS Missile Shield Program, the Saharistan War Coalition, the Saharistan Alliance Treaty Association, the Union of Nations for the Advancement of Educational Quality
Flag Description: A square, black flag, featuring a depiction of the national animal, the Halberdgardian falcon, in the center.
Executive Branch:
Chief of State and Head of Government: President Kir Kanos
Cabinet:
Department of Agriculture: Secretary Nathaniel Downing
Department of Commerce: Secretary Brian Monahan
Department of Defense: Secretary Randy Schrader
Department of Education: Secretary Justin Campbell
Department of Energy: Secretary Robin Metzer
Department of Health & Human Services: Secretary Kerri Richards
Department of Homeland Security: Secretary Hunter Cressman
Department of Housing & Urban Development: Secretary Roxanne Sullivan
Department of the Interior: Secretary Stephen Thompson
Department of Justice: Secretary Samuel Kirkland
Department of Labor: Secretary Marshall Sloan
Department of State: Secretary Kenix Kil
Department of Transportation: Secretary Stacy Greene
Department of the Treasury: Secretary Nina Vertlib
Department of Veterans Affairs: Secretary Kent Sanforth
Cabinet-Rank Members:
The Vice President: Vance Rhodes
Office of Management and Budget: Cameron Blackburn
Environmental Protection Agency: Walker Rumbaugh
Presidential Residence Chief of Staff: Vince Sommers
Halberdgardian Trade Representative: Ambassador Damien Armitage
Office of National Drug Control Policy: Stephan Barrett
Legislative Branch:
Bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; twenty members are elected from each administrative district by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (200 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
Judicial Branch:
Halberdgardian Supreme Court (its nine Justices are appointed for life on condition of good behavior by the President with confirmation by the Senate); Halberdgardian Courts of Appeal; Halberdgardian District Courts; Halberdgardian County Courts
Major Diplomatic Personnel
Secretary of State: Kenix Kil
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the Anti-WMD Club (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=420156&page=1&pp=15): Luciano Priebe
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Canbida: Nevil Marcotte
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Czechoslovakia-, Joseph Seal and Wars World: Carl Rodolfo
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the Directorate (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/14160/page=display_region/region=the_directorate): Kenneth Hawkins
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Euroslavia: (Position unfilled, pending establishment of diplomatic relations with Euroslavia)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Fatus Maximus: Julian Logue
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Freetruth: Jonathan Baum
Halberdgardian Ambassador to HailandKill: Richard Powell
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Insatiable Curiosity: (position unfilled, pending further diplomatic relations with Insatiable Curiosity)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the International Allied Defense Federation (IADF): Ambassador Nevil Clavain
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Leafanistan: Malcolm Kimmons
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Majeristan: Isaac Pierce
Halberdgardian Ambassador to McKagan: David Kemerer
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Muesilania: Neil Hamilton
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Pacitalia: Santiago Sanborn
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Praetonia: (Position unfilled, pending establishment of diplomatic relations with Praetonia)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Roman Republic: Thurman Cornell
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Sarzonia: (Position unfilled, pending establishment of diplomatic relations with Sarzonia)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Southeastasia: Harmon Coveney
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Space Union: Raymond Haynes
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Steinbrech: Bryant Isemann
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Tannenmille: Warren Fleming
Halberdgardian Ambassador to The Macabees: Stephan Cavalet
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the Union of Nations for the Advancement of Educational Quality (UNAEQ) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=430722): Lawrence Pratt
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Willink: Vincent McKendrick
Allied Nations
The United Socialist States of Czechoslovakia- (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Czechoslovakia-)
The Nations of the Directorate (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/34501/page=display_region/region=the_directorate)
The Republic of HailandKill (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=HailandKill)
The Imperial Seal Democracy of Joseph Seal (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Joseph%20Seal)
The Glorious Republic of Leafanistan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Leafanistan)
The Republic of Majeristan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Majeristan)
The Republic of McKagan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=McKagan)
The Federation of Muesilania (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Muesilania)
The Sikh Republic of Space Union (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Space%20Union)
The Republic of Steinbrech (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/72195/page=display_nation/nation=steinbrech)
The Sucellan Governance of Tannenmille (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Tannenmille)
The Empire of the Golden Throne of The Macabees (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=The%20Macabees)
The United Nations of Wars World (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/65358/page=display_nation/nation=wars_world)
The People's Republic of Willink (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Willink)
Friendly Nations
The United States of Allemande (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Allemande)
The Republic of Canbida (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Canbida)
The United States of Credonia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Credonia)
The Democratic Republic of Fatus Maximus (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Fatus%20Maximus)
The Confederacy of Freetruth (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Freetruth)
The Dominion of Insatiable Curiosity (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Insatiable%20Curiosity)
The Capitalist Republic of Pacitalia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Pacitalia)
The Democratic Imperium of Praetonia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Praetonia)
The Totalitarian Dictatorship of Roman Republic (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Roman&20Republic)
The Incorporated States of Sarzonia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation=Sarzonia)
Hostile Nations
The Terrorist Organization of Global Jihad (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Global%20Jihad)
The Democratic Republic of Letokia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Letokia)
Economy
GDP: $15,873,795,300,566.34
GDP - real growth rate: 5.5%
GDP - per capita: $31,625.37
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.9%; industry: 21.7%; services: 77.4%
Labor force: 237.7 million (including unemployed)
Labor force - by occupation: farming, forestry, and fishing: 1.7%; manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts: 22.7%; managerial, professional, and technical: 34.9%; sales and office: 25.5%; other services: 15.3% note: figures exclude the unemployed
Population below poverty line: 1.4%
Unemployment rate: 2.55%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8%; highest 10%: 35.5%
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5%
Investment (gross fixed): 17.5% of GDP
Budget: revenues: $11,079,549,237,487.50; expenditures: $10,747,162,760,362.88
Public debt: 60% of GDP
Agriculture - products: Wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish
Industries: Petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, arms, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5%
Electricity - production: 5.239 trillion kWh
Electricity - consumption: 5.013 trillion kWh
Electricity - exports: 226 billion kWh
Electricity - imports: 36.23 billion kWh
Oil - production: 15.8 million bbl/day
Oil - consumption: 25.65 million bbl/day
Oil - exports: 4.92 million bbl/day
Oil - imports: 9.85 million bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves: 30.59 billion bbl
Natural gas - production: 770.5 billion cu m
Natural gas - consumption: 867.2 billion cu m
Natural gas - exports: 11.16 billion cu m
Natural gas - imports: 96.7 billion cu m
Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.195 trillion cu m
Exports: $2,256,171,232,442.33
Exports - commodities: Agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn): 9.2%; industrial supplies (organic chemicals): 26.8%; capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment): 45.0%; consumer goods (automobiles, medicines): 19.0%
Exports - partners: McKagan: 25%; Leafanistan: 22%; Transnapastain: 10%; Kaukolastan: 10%; Space Union: 9%; Tannenmille: 7%; Praetonia: 6%; Sarzonia: 6%; Credonia: 5%
Imports: $2,271,354,331,680.00
Imports - commodities: Agricultural products: 5.9%; industrial supplies: 31.9% (crude oil 8.2%); capital goods: 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery); consumer goods: 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys)
Imports - Partners: Leafanistan: 26%; McKagan: 24%; Transnapastain: 13%; Kaukolastan: 12%; Space Union: 8%; Tannenmille: 6%; Praetonia: 5%; Sarzonia: 4%; Credonia: 2%
Trade Deficit: $15,183,099,237.67
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $114.78 billion
Debt - external: $1.04 trillion
Economic aid - donor: $12.5 billion
Currency: Dollar; 1 dollar = $1.5335
Fiscal Year: October 1 through September 30
Communications
Telephones--Landlines in Use: 461,729,900
Telephones--Cellular Phones in Use: 452,374,000
Telephone System: General assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system; Domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country; International: country code--175; 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations--61 Intelsat, 5 Intersputnik, and 4 Inmarsat
Television Broadcast Stations: More than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks - HNBC, HBC, HCBS, HFOX, and HPBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems)
Internet Country Code: .hal
Internet Hosts: 415,053,729
Internet Users: 475 million
Transportation
Railways: total: 485,475 km; standard gauge: 264,106 km 1.435-m gauge; maglev: 221,369 km maglev track
Highways: total: 12,787,206 km; paved: 10,360,106 km (including 148,812 km of expressways); unpaved: 2,427,100 km
Waterways: 82,018 km (38,624 km used for commerce)
Pipelines: petroleum products: 489,240 km; natural gas: 1,097,330 km
Ports and harbors: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Coronet, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo
Airports: 29,714
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10,256; over 3,047 m: 376; 2,438 to 3,047 m: 422; 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2,750; 914 to 1,523 m:4,766; under 914 m: 1,922
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19,458; over 3,047 m: 2; 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14; 1,524 to 2,437 m: 320; 914 to 1,523 m: 3,436; under 914 m: 15,686
Heliports: 310
Military
Military Branches: Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy)
Military Manpower--Age of Obligation: 18 years of age
Military Manpower--Availability: males age 18-49: 135,485,758
Military Manpower--Fit for Military Service: males age 18-49: 115,372,675
Military Manpower--Reaching Military Age Annually: 4,827,746
Military Manpower--Current Size: 15,040,000
Military Expenditures--Dollar Figure: $3,344,988,160,805.76
Military Expenditures--Percent of GDP: 17.5%
Miltary and Military Intelligence Agencies
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: General Ethan Hawker
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: General Richard Coveney
Chief of Staff of the Air Force: General Charles Henley
Head of Air Force Intelligence: Lt. General Shayne Hozier
Chief of Staff of the Army: General Frederick Strickland
Head of Army Intelligence: Lt. General Dominic Mercer
Commandant of the Marine Corps: General Darrell Seidner
Head of Marine Corps Intelligence: Lt. General Isaac Kline
Chief of Naval Operations: Admiral Ben Cordell
Head of Naval Intelligence: Rear Admiral Shane Carbaugh
Note: Like the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Halberdgardian Joint Chiefs of Staff serve to ensure the readiness of their respective military services. The Joint Chiefs of Staff also act in an advisory military capacity for the President and the Secretary of Defense, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff acting as the chief military advisor to the President. Unlike the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, however, the Halberdgardian Joint Chiefs of Staff actually do have operational control over their respective branches, making them the top commanding officers of their respective branches under the Secretary of Defense.
Special Operations Forces
Head of Halberdgardian Special Operations Forces (HSOF): General Derrick Briggs
HSOF Component Commands
Head of Army Special Forces Command [HASOC; consists of Green Berets, 101st Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (101st SOAR(A)) "Night Stalkers", 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D) "Delta Force"]: General Ethan Clarke
Head of Air Force Special Forces Command [HAFSOC; consists of Air Commandos]: General Nathaniel Kiefer
Head of Joint Special Operations Command [HJSOC; a joint headquarters designed to study special operations requirements and techniques, ensure interoperability and equipment standardization, plan and conduct joint special operations exercises and training, and develop joint special operations tactics]: General William Pratt
Head of Marine Corps Special Forces [HMCSF; consists of Marine Corps Force Recon (FORECON), Marine Corps Detachment One, Halberdgardian Special Operations Command (MCHSOCOM Detachment One)]: General Frederick Altman
Head of Naval Special Warfare Command [HNSWC; consists of SEALs]: Admiral Laurence Schofield
Other Military Personnel
CINCSAR (Commander-in-Chief, Saharistan): General Randall Laurenzi
Halberdgardian Strategic Missile Command (HSMC; oversees NBC arsenal): General Shawn Drennan
Domestic and International Intelligence Agencies
Director of Central Intelligence (DCI; head of Halberdgardian Intelligence Community [HIC] and Halberdgardian Central Intelligence Agency [HCIA]): Director Donovan Whitling
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (DDCI): Director Dominic Hatcher
Head of HCIA Special Activities Division (SAD): Director Eric Vaughn
Halberdgardian Defense Intelligence Agency (HDIA): Director Robert Stanfield
Halberdgardian Federal Bureau of Investigation (HFBI): Director Lawrence Newman
Halberdgardian National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (HNGA): Director Christopher Vorrasi
Halberdgardian National Reconnaissance Organization (HNRO): Director Dante Rodacker
Halberdgardian National Security Agency (HNSA): Director Lance Edwards
Halberdgardian-Designed Technologies
Charlatan-class exploratory spacecraft (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=428641)
[OOC: Constructive criticism/suggestions are welcome.]
Halberdgardian Factbook
Background
The Democratic Republic of Halberdgardia was officially founded on May 16th, 2005. Mere months before, approximately five million dissidents from various authoritarian countries escaped their respective homelands to a nearby patch of barren land. In a daring and bold statement to their neighbors, the discontented citizens established the territory as a new country, based on free and democratic principles. This action infuriated the governments of the lands from which Halberdgardia's founders had come, and they threatened the nascent nation with war, one which Halberdgardia was destined to lose. However, this action served as the final straw for the oppressed citizens of those same authoritarian countries, who rose up in general revolt against their oppressors. Those governments collapsed as their countless millions of citizens overwhelmed them, then dispersed to new lands, leaving behind vast swaths of empty territory for the new country of Halberdgardia. The country has slowly expanded its borders since to fill this unoccupied territory.
On August 18th, 2005, the country's name was changed to the Democratic Imperium of Halberdgardia, to better reflect the true nature of the nation.
Geography
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/neotheone175/NationStates/Modern%20Tech/HalberdgardiaMap_final.jpg
Location: NSEarth:The Shattered Continent, a landmass in the northern-central Pacific broken long ago by plate tectonics and controlled exclusively by the nations of the Directorate, the Provincial Territory of Halberdgardian Saharistan (Ribeirão Preto), the Provincial Territory of Halberdgardian Rovonia (Coragem), the Provincial Territory of Halberdgardian Algeristan (Riqueza); Earth NA: Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives; Extraterrestrial: The planets of Anshun, Augusta, Bastion, Concord Dawn, Halifax, Haven (capitol), Libertas (joint colony with Joseph Seal), Oaktier, Velaines, Verona, Vinmar, and Wessex
Area: Total: 21,709,533 sq. km.; Land: 19,240,038 sq. km.; Water: 2,469,495 sq. km.
Comparative Area: Approximately twice the size of the United States
Land Boundaries: Total: 22,356 km.; Border Countries: Transnapastain: 17,786 km.; Kaukolastan: 4570 km.
Coastline: 19,924 km.
Maritime Claims: Territorial Sea: 50 nm; Contiguous Zone: 100 nm; Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 nm; Continental Shelf: Unspecified
Climate: Mostly temperate, but tropical in the south, arctic in the far north, semiarid in the great plains of the west, and arid in the southwest
Terrain: Vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east, tundra in far north
Elevation Extremes: Highest point: Mt. Halberdgardia: 6,255 m; Lowest point: Death Valley: -95 m
Natural Resources: Bauxite, coal, copper, gold, iron, lead, mercury, molybdenum, natural gas, nickel, petroleum, phosphates, potash, silver, timber, tungsten, uranium, zinc
Land Use: Arable land: 20.34%; Permanent crops: 1.22%; Other: 78.44%
Irrigated Land: 407,000 sq km
Natural Hazards: Tsunamis occasionally hit the eastern coast, volcanoes on some of the smaller outlying islands, and major earthquake activity around the western coast; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in some areas of the western coast; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in the extreme northern areas and outlying islands, a major impediment to development
Environment - current issues: Air pollution over major cities, resulting in acid rain; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; somewhat limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; slow and gradual desertification in the west
*Statistics apply only to Halberdgardian mainland, excluding territories and extraterrestrial claims
People
National Population: 602 million
Age Structure: 0-14: 15.5%; 15-65: 74.2%; 66 and above: 10.3%
Population Growth Rate: 1.17%
Birth Rate: 18.14 births/1,000 population
Death Rate: 10.25 deaths/1,000 population
Net Migration Rate: 3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex Ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female; under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female; 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female; 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female; total population: 0.97 male(s)/female
Infant Mortality Rate: total: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births; male: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births; female: 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy at Birth: total population: 84.71 years; male: 83.89 years; female: 86.67 years
Total Fertility Rate: 2.08 children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalance rate: 0.4%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 950,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 14,000
Nationality: noun: Halberdgardian(s); adjective: Halberdgardian
Ethnic Groups: White (77%), black (11%), Asian (6%), mixed race (3%), other (3%)
Main Languages: English (official), Spanish (unofficial), French (unofficial), Italian (unofficial), German (unofficial), Hebrew (unofficial; spoken by some Halberdgardian Jews)
Literacy Rate: Upper class: 100%; middle class: 100%; lower class: 97%
Major Religions: Roman Catholicism (76.5%), Protestantism (13.2%), Judaism (6.3%), Islam (4%)
Government
Conventional Long Form: The Democratic Imperium of Halberdgardia
Conventional Short Form: Halberdgardia
Abbreviated Form(s): (the) D.I.H., Hal, HG
Government Type: Constitutional-based federal republic with strong democratic traditions; three branches of government and checks-and-balances system
Capital City: NSEarth: Washington, D.C.; Earth NA: London, England Extraterrestrial: Haven
Administrative Divisions: Five; North Halberdgardia, East Halberdgardia, South Halberdgardia, West Halberdgardia, District of Columbia
Independence: May 16th, 2005
Constitution: May 16th, 2005
National Holidays: January 1st: New Year's; Third Sunday of April: Easter; May 16th: Independence Day; May 22nd: V-S (Victory Saharistan) Day [Saharistan War]; July 4th: Memorial Day; August 14th: Presidents Day; Third Sunday of November: Thanksgiving Day; December 25th: Christmas Day
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Major Political Parties: National Conservative Party (right-wing majority party), National Libertarian Party (left-wing opposition party)
Other Political Parties: Green Party (centrist minority party), Halberdgardian Independent Party (right-wing minority party), National Communist Party (radical left-wing minority party), National Social Democratic Party (left-wing minority party)
International Organization Participation: The Anti-WMD Club, the Coalition of Anti-Terrorist Powers, the Commonwealth of Independent Nations, the Commonwealth of Sovereign Nations, the Directorate Alliance, the Intergalactic Trade Hub, the NDS Missile Shield Program, the Saharistan War Coalition, the Saharistan Alliance Treaty Association, the Union of Nations for the Advancement of Educational Quality
Flag Description: A square, black flag, featuring a depiction of the national animal, the Halberdgardian falcon, in the center.
Executive Branch:
Chief of State and Head of Government: President Kir Kanos
Cabinet:
Department of Agriculture: Secretary Nathaniel Downing
Department of Commerce: Secretary Brian Monahan
Department of Defense: Secretary Randy Schrader
Department of Education: Secretary Justin Campbell
Department of Energy: Secretary Robin Metzer
Department of Health & Human Services: Secretary Kerri Richards
Department of Homeland Security: Secretary Hunter Cressman
Department of Housing & Urban Development: Secretary Roxanne Sullivan
Department of the Interior: Secretary Stephen Thompson
Department of Justice: Secretary Samuel Kirkland
Department of Labor: Secretary Marshall Sloan
Department of State: Secretary Kenix Kil
Department of Transportation: Secretary Stacy Greene
Department of the Treasury: Secretary Nina Vertlib
Department of Veterans Affairs: Secretary Kent Sanforth
Cabinet-Rank Members:
The Vice President: Vance Rhodes
Office of Management and Budget: Cameron Blackburn
Environmental Protection Agency: Walker Rumbaugh
Presidential Residence Chief of Staff: Vince Sommers
Halberdgardian Trade Representative: Ambassador Damien Armitage
Office of National Drug Control Policy: Stephan Barrett
Legislative Branch:
Bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; twenty members are elected from each administrative district by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (200 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
Judicial Branch:
Halberdgardian Supreme Court (its nine Justices are appointed for life on condition of good behavior by the President with confirmation by the Senate); Halberdgardian Courts of Appeal; Halberdgardian District Courts; Halberdgardian County Courts
Major Diplomatic Personnel
Secretary of State: Kenix Kil
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the Anti-WMD Club (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=420156&page=1&pp=15): Luciano Priebe
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Canbida: Nevil Marcotte
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Czechoslovakia-, Joseph Seal and Wars World: Carl Rodolfo
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the Directorate (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/14160/page=display_region/region=the_directorate): Kenneth Hawkins
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Euroslavia: (Position unfilled, pending establishment of diplomatic relations with Euroslavia)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Fatus Maximus: Julian Logue
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Freetruth: Jonathan Baum
Halberdgardian Ambassador to HailandKill: Richard Powell
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Insatiable Curiosity: (position unfilled, pending further diplomatic relations with Insatiable Curiosity)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the International Allied Defense Federation (IADF): Ambassador Nevil Clavain
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Leafanistan: Malcolm Kimmons
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Majeristan: Isaac Pierce
Halberdgardian Ambassador to McKagan: David Kemerer
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Muesilania: Neil Hamilton
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Pacitalia: Santiago Sanborn
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Praetonia: (Position unfilled, pending establishment of diplomatic relations with Praetonia)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Roman Republic: Thurman Cornell
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Sarzonia: (Position unfilled, pending establishment of diplomatic relations with Sarzonia)
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Southeastasia: Harmon Coveney
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Space Union: Raymond Haynes
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Steinbrech: Bryant Isemann
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Tannenmille: Warren Fleming
Halberdgardian Ambassador to The Macabees: Stephan Cavalet
Halberdgardian Ambassador to the Union of Nations for the Advancement of Educational Quality (UNAEQ) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=430722): Lawrence Pratt
Halberdgardian Ambassador to Willink: Vincent McKendrick
Allied Nations
The United Socialist States of Czechoslovakia- (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Czechoslovakia-)
The Nations of the Directorate (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/34501/page=display_region/region=the_directorate)
The Republic of HailandKill (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=HailandKill)
The Imperial Seal Democracy of Joseph Seal (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Joseph%20Seal)
The Glorious Republic of Leafanistan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Leafanistan)
The Republic of Majeristan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Majeristan)
The Republic of McKagan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=McKagan)
The Federation of Muesilania (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Muesilania)
The Sikh Republic of Space Union (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Space%20Union)
The Republic of Steinbrech (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/72195/page=display_nation/nation=steinbrech)
The Sucellan Governance of Tannenmille (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Tannenmille)
The Empire of the Golden Throne of The Macabees (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=The%20Macabees)
The United Nations of Wars World (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/65358/page=display_nation/nation=wars_world)
The People's Republic of Willink (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Willink)
Friendly Nations
The United States of Allemande (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Allemande)
The Republic of Canbida (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Canbida)
The United States of Credonia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Credonia)
The Democratic Republic of Fatus Maximus (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Fatus%20Maximus)
The Confederacy of Freetruth (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Freetruth)
The Dominion of Insatiable Curiosity (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Insatiable%20Curiosity)
The Capitalist Republic of Pacitalia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Pacitalia)
The Democratic Imperium of Praetonia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Praetonia)
The Totalitarian Dictatorship of Roman Republic (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Roman&20Republic)
The Incorporated States of Sarzonia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation=Sarzonia)
Hostile Nations
The Terrorist Organization of Global Jihad (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Global%20Jihad)
The Democratic Republic of Letokia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=Letokia)
Economy
GDP: $15,873,795,300,566.34
GDP - real growth rate: 5.5%
GDP - per capita: $31,625.37
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.9%; industry: 21.7%; services: 77.4%
Labor force: 237.7 million (including unemployed)
Labor force - by occupation: farming, forestry, and fishing: 1.7%; manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts: 22.7%; managerial, professional, and technical: 34.9%; sales and office: 25.5%; other services: 15.3% note: figures exclude the unemployed
Population below poverty line: 1.4%
Unemployment rate: 2.55%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8%; highest 10%: 35.5%
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5%
Investment (gross fixed): 17.5% of GDP
Budget: revenues: $11,079,549,237,487.50; expenditures: $10,747,162,760,362.88
Public debt: 60% of GDP
Agriculture - products: Wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish
Industries: Petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, arms, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5%
Electricity - production: 5.239 trillion kWh
Electricity - consumption: 5.013 trillion kWh
Electricity - exports: 226 billion kWh
Electricity - imports: 36.23 billion kWh
Oil - production: 15.8 million bbl/day
Oil - consumption: 25.65 million bbl/day
Oil - exports: 4.92 million bbl/day
Oil - imports: 9.85 million bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves: 30.59 billion bbl
Natural gas - production: 770.5 billion cu m
Natural gas - consumption: 867.2 billion cu m
Natural gas - exports: 11.16 billion cu m
Natural gas - imports: 96.7 billion cu m
Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.195 trillion cu m
Exports: $2,256,171,232,442.33
Exports - commodities: Agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn): 9.2%; industrial supplies (organic chemicals): 26.8%; capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment): 45.0%; consumer goods (automobiles, medicines): 19.0%
Exports - partners: McKagan: 25%; Leafanistan: 22%; Transnapastain: 10%; Kaukolastan: 10%; Space Union: 9%; Tannenmille: 7%; Praetonia: 6%; Sarzonia: 6%; Credonia: 5%
Imports: $2,271,354,331,680.00
Imports - commodities: Agricultural products: 5.9%; industrial supplies: 31.9% (crude oil 8.2%); capital goods: 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery); consumer goods: 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys)
Imports - Partners: Leafanistan: 26%; McKagan: 24%; Transnapastain: 13%; Kaukolastan: 12%; Space Union: 8%; Tannenmille: 6%; Praetonia: 5%; Sarzonia: 4%; Credonia: 2%
Trade Deficit: $15,183,099,237.67
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $114.78 billion
Debt - external: $1.04 trillion
Economic aid - donor: $12.5 billion
Currency: Dollar; 1 dollar = $1.5335
Fiscal Year: October 1 through September 30
Communications
Telephones--Landlines in Use: 461,729,900
Telephones--Cellular Phones in Use: 452,374,000
Telephone System: General assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system; Domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country; International: country code--175; 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations--61 Intelsat, 5 Intersputnik, and 4 Inmarsat
Television Broadcast Stations: More than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks - HNBC, HBC, HCBS, HFOX, and HPBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems)
Internet Country Code: .hal
Internet Hosts: 415,053,729
Internet Users: 475 million
Transportation
Railways: total: 485,475 km; standard gauge: 264,106 km 1.435-m gauge; maglev: 221,369 km maglev track
Highways: total: 12,787,206 km; paved: 10,360,106 km (including 148,812 km of expressways); unpaved: 2,427,100 km
Waterways: 82,018 km (38,624 km used for commerce)
Pipelines: petroleum products: 489,240 km; natural gas: 1,097,330 km
Ports and harbors: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Coronet, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo
Airports: 29,714
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10,256; over 3,047 m: 376; 2,438 to 3,047 m: 422; 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2,750; 914 to 1,523 m:4,766; under 914 m: 1,922
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19,458; over 3,047 m: 2; 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14; 1,524 to 2,437 m: 320; 914 to 1,523 m: 3,436; under 914 m: 15,686
Heliports: 310
Military
Military Branches: Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy)
Military Manpower--Age of Obligation: 18 years of age
Military Manpower--Availability: males age 18-49: 135,485,758
Military Manpower--Fit for Military Service: males age 18-49: 115,372,675
Military Manpower--Reaching Military Age Annually: 4,827,746
Military Manpower--Current Size: 15,040,000
Military Expenditures--Dollar Figure: $3,344,988,160,805.76
Military Expenditures--Percent of GDP: 17.5%
Miltary and Military Intelligence Agencies
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: General Ethan Hawker
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: General Richard Coveney
Chief of Staff of the Air Force: General Charles Henley
Head of Air Force Intelligence: Lt. General Shayne Hozier
Chief of Staff of the Army: General Frederick Strickland
Head of Army Intelligence: Lt. General Dominic Mercer
Commandant of the Marine Corps: General Darrell Seidner
Head of Marine Corps Intelligence: Lt. General Isaac Kline
Chief of Naval Operations: Admiral Ben Cordell
Head of Naval Intelligence: Rear Admiral Shane Carbaugh
Note: Like the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Halberdgardian Joint Chiefs of Staff serve to ensure the readiness of their respective military services. The Joint Chiefs of Staff also act in an advisory military capacity for the President and the Secretary of Defense, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff acting as the chief military advisor to the President. Unlike the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, however, the Halberdgardian Joint Chiefs of Staff actually do have operational control over their respective branches, making them the top commanding officers of their respective branches under the Secretary of Defense.
Special Operations Forces
Head of Halberdgardian Special Operations Forces (HSOF): General Derrick Briggs
HSOF Component Commands
Head of Army Special Forces Command [HASOC; consists of Green Berets, 101st Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (101st SOAR(A)) "Night Stalkers", 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D) "Delta Force"]: General Ethan Clarke
Head of Air Force Special Forces Command [HAFSOC; consists of Air Commandos]: General Nathaniel Kiefer
Head of Joint Special Operations Command [HJSOC; a joint headquarters designed to study special operations requirements and techniques, ensure interoperability and equipment standardization, plan and conduct joint special operations exercises and training, and develop joint special operations tactics]: General William Pratt
Head of Marine Corps Special Forces [HMCSF; consists of Marine Corps Force Recon (FORECON), Marine Corps Detachment One, Halberdgardian Special Operations Command (MCHSOCOM Detachment One)]: General Frederick Altman
Head of Naval Special Warfare Command [HNSWC; consists of SEALs]: Admiral Laurence Schofield
Other Military Personnel
CINCSAR (Commander-in-Chief, Saharistan): General Randall Laurenzi
Halberdgardian Strategic Missile Command (HSMC; oversees NBC arsenal): General Shawn Drennan
Domestic and International Intelligence Agencies
Director of Central Intelligence (DCI; head of Halberdgardian Intelligence Community [HIC] and Halberdgardian Central Intelligence Agency [HCIA]): Director Donovan Whitling
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (DDCI): Director Dominic Hatcher
Head of HCIA Special Activities Division (SAD): Director Eric Vaughn
Halberdgardian Defense Intelligence Agency (HDIA): Director Robert Stanfield
Halberdgardian Federal Bureau of Investigation (HFBI): Director Lawrence Newman
Halberdgardian National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (HNGA): Director Christopher Vorrasi
Halberdgardian National Reconnaissance Organization (HNRO): Director Dante Rodacker
Halberdgardian National Security Agency (HNSA): Director Lance Edwards
Halberdgardian-Designed Technologies
Charlatan-class exploratory spacecraft (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=428641)
[OOC: Constructive criticism/suggestions are welcome.]