Malkyer
07-04-2006, 23:21
Official Name: South African Republic
Common Name: Transvaal (lit. "beyond the Vaal)
State Religion: Calvinism (Dutch Reformed Church)
Population: 90,000 (est. includes Dutch and other Europeans; Africans estimated at close to 300,000)
Principal Languages: Dutch (official), Setswana, Sepedi, English
Flag of the ZAR (http://www.praag.co.za/za-trans.gif)
Map of the ZAR [outlined in green] (http://www.antiquemapsandprints.com/SCANSB/b-1733.jpg)
Background
The Voortrekkers, or pioneers, crossed the Vaal river in 1838, seeking to escape the British dominion over the Cape of Good Hope. They brought with them their language, their religion, and their stern commitment to one another. In 1852, the British Crown signed the Sand River Agreement with the farming families in the area, and the South African Republic achieved international recognition as an indepedent republic. After numerous wars with the Zulu and Xhosa peoples, the Boers have achieved something of a peace with the Africans, and are not at the moment in fear of attack. The Boer republic is marked by a strong mutual devotion between citizens. The South African republic is not as industrialized as Europe or North America, relying instead on a largely agrarian economy.
Important Persons
President Thomas Francois Burgers
Commandant-General Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger
Diplomacy
The ZAR maintains close relations with its sister republics of Natalia and the Orange Free State. Britain also maintains a diplomatic mission in Pretoria. Few other nations have official diplomatic relations with the ZAR, but Great Britain, Belglium, France, the United States, the German Empire, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Russia have recognized the ZAR's independent status.
Relations with Great Britain are tense, but no more so than usual. The Orange Free State, which has little "bad blood" between itself and Britain, is often used as a mediator in meetings between the Republic and the Empire.
Economy
The ZAR is currently undergoing some economic hardships, but the Republic is in general prosperous with a growing economy, based largely on agriculture.
Transvaal Economy:
Agriculture - Good (Entire Country)
Industry - Moderate (Northern Interior), Poor (South, West, North)
Natural Resources - Poor (Entire Country)
Infrastructure - Moderate/Poor (Entire Country)
Trade - Moderate (Britain, Germany)
Currency Stability - Horrible (Barter / British Pound - Pound loosing value, more Barters than usual)
Labor Relations - Good (non-industrial economy)
Military
The standing army of the ZAR consists of only one regiment, the Transvaal Staatsartillerie. However, the Republic does maintain a large militia system, based on rural "kommandos," groups of farmers who organize into irregular cavalry forces who emphasis stealth and marksmanship over numbers or raw power. Fighting along the frontier against hostile African tribes has kept the fighting edge of the kommandos up.
Transvaal Army:
1st Regiment, Transvaal Staatsartillerie
Johannesburg Kommando
Pretoria Kommando
Messina Kommando
Potchefstroom Kommando
Vryburg Kommando
Veereniging Kommando
Pietersburg Kommando
Common Name: Transvaal (lit. "beyond the Vaal)
State Religion: Calvinism (Dutch Reformed Church)
Population: 90,000 (est. includes Dutch and other Europeans; Africans estimated at close to 300,000)
Principal Languages: Dutch (official), Setswana, Sepedi, English
Flag of the ZAR (http://www.praag.co.za/za-trans.gif)
Map of the ZAR [outlined in green] (http://www.antiquemapsandprints.com/SCANSB/b-1733.jpg)
Background
The Voortrekkers, or pioneers, crossed the Vaal river in 1838, seeking to escape the British dominion over the Cape of Good Hope. They brought with them their language, their religion, and their stern commitment to one another. In 1852, the British Crown signed the Sand River Agreement with the farming families in the area, and the South African Republic achieved international recognition as an indepedent republic. After numerous wars with the Zulu and Xhosa peoples, the Boers have achieved something of a peace with the Africans, and are not at the moment in fear of attack. The Boer republic is marked by a strong mutual devotion between citizens. The South African republic is not as industrialized as Europe or North America, relying instead on a largely agrarian economy.
Important Persons
President Thomas Francois Burgers
Commandant-General Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger
Diplomacy
The ZAR maintains close relations with its sister republics of Natalia and the Orange Free State. Britain also maintains a diplomatic mission in Pretoria. Few other nations have official diplomatic relations with the ZAR, but Great Britain, Belglium, France, the United States, the German Empire, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Russia have recognized the ZAR's independent status.
Relations with Great Britain are tense, but no more so than usual. The Orange Free State, which has little "bad blood" between itself and Britain, is often used as a mediator in meetings between the Republic and the Empire.
Economy
The ZAR is currently undergoing some economic hardships, but the Republic is in general prosperous with a growing economy, based largely on agriculture.
Transvaal Economy:
Agriculture - Good (Entire Country)
Industry - Moderate (Northern Interior), Poor (South, West, North)
Natural Resources - Poor (Entire Country)
Infrastructure - Moderate/Poor (Entire Country)
Trade - Moderate (Britain, Germany)
Currency Stability - Horrible (Barter / British Pound - Pound loosing value, more Barters than usual)
Labor Relations - Good (non-industrial economy)
Military
The standing army of the ZAR consists of only one regiment, the Transvaal Staatsartillerie. However, the Republic does maintain a large militia system, based on rural "kommandos," groups of farmers who organize into irregular cavalry forces who emphasis stealth and marksmanship over numbers or raw power. Fighting along the frontier against hostile African tribes has kept the fighting edge of the kommandos up.
Transvaal Army:
1st Regiment, Transvaal Staatsartillerie
Johannesburg Kommando
Pretoria Kommando
Messina Kommando
Potchefstroom Kommando
Vryburg Kommando
Veereniging Kommando
Pietersburg Kommando