Lachenburg
16-01-2007, 03:22
Die Vaal Vrystaat
The Republic of the Vaal Free State
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/z/za)ovs.jpg
GEDULD EN MOED
I. History:
After arriving in the Cape of Good Hope area, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics in the early 19th Century. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. Over time, such native populations were introduced into the plantation system by wealthy landowners to maximize the profits gained off cash-crops in the reigion.
Meanwhile, the seperate Boer states, in reaction to growing foriegn intervention, banded together under the leadership of Paul Kruger, forming what is today the Vaal Free State. Over time, the Industrial Revolution and continuing influx of diamonds and gold into the Free State's emerging markets have served the Afrikaaners well, significantly raising their standard of living while nearly total isolationism has kept the Free State out of countless debilitating conflicts. However, with global strife on the rise, the future is still very uncertain.
II. Social Information:
Population: 10,505,800
Citizens: 6,408,538
Non-Citizens/Slaves: 4,097,262
Official Language: Afrikaans
State Religion: Dutch Reformed Church
Predominant Languages*: Afrikaans, Dutch, English
Predominant Religious Sects*: Dutch Reformed, Pentecostal, Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic
Literacy:
Whites: 87%
Natives*: N/A
III. Political Information:
Flag of the Republic:
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/z/za-orang.gif
Country Name:
Official Title: Die Vaal Vrystaat [The Republic of the Vaal Free State]
Conventional/Legal Title: Die Vaal Vrystaat [Vaal Free State]
Abbreviation: RVVS
Government Type: Autocratic Republic [Oligarchy]
Seat of Power: Bloemfontein
Constitution: Act of Union [1894], Declaration of Rights & Privileges [1901]
Legal System: Based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; must own an equivalent of 40 ZAR in land to qualify; Whites only
Head of State: Staatspresident Pieter Willem Vorster
Head of Government: Staatspresident Pieter Willem Vorster
Legislature: A unicameral Parliament consisting of Die Volksrad (50 seats; members appointed by state legislatures or predominant landowners).
Judiciary: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; State & County Courts
Administrative Divisions:
States (Staaten): Transvaal, Gauteng, Natal, Free State
Federal Districts: Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein
[More to be added later]
The Republic of the Vaal Free State
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/z/za)ovs.jpg
GEDULD EN MOED
I. History:
After arriving in the Cape of Good Hope area, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics in the early 19th Century. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. Over time, such native populations were introduced into the plantation system by wealthy landowners to maximize the profits gained off cash-crops in the reigion.
Meanwhile, the seperate Boer states, in reaction to growing foriegn intervention, banded together under the leadership of Paul Kruger, forming what is today the Vaal Free State. Over time, the Industrial Revolution and continuing influx of diamonds and gold into the Free State's emerging markets have served the Afrikaaners well, significantly raising their standard of living while nearly total isolationism has kept the Free State out of countless debilitating conflicts. However, with global strife on the rise, the future is still very uncertain.
II. Social Information:
Population: 10,505,800
Citizens: 6,408,538
Non-Citizens/Slaves: 4,097,262
Official Language: Afrikaans
State Religion: Dutch Reformed Church
Predominant Languages*: Afrikaans, Dutch, English
Predominant Religious Sects*: Dutch Reformed, Pentecostal, Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic
Literacy:
Whites: 87%
Natives*: N/A
III. Political Information:
Flag of the Republic:
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/z/za-orang.gif
Country Name:
Official Title: Die Vaal Vrystaat [The Republic of the Vaal Free State]
Conventional/Legal Title: Die Vaal Vrystaat [Vaal Free State]
Abbreviation: RVVS
Government Type: Autocratic Republic [Oligarchy]
Seat of Power: Bloemfontein
Constitution: Act of Union [1894], Declaration of Rights & Privileges [1901]
Legal System: Based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; must own an equivalent of 40 ZAR in land to qualify; Whites only
Head of State: Staatspresident Pieter Willem Vorster
Head of Government: Staatspresident Pieter Willem Vorster
Legislature: A unicameral Parliament consisting of Die Volksrad (50 seats; members appointed by state legislatures or predominant landowners).
Judiciary: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; State & County Courts
Administrative Divisions:
States (Staaten): Transvaal, Gauteng, Natal, Free State
Federal Districts: Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein
[More to be added later]