NationStates Jolt Archive


Ghassan Factbook

Ghassan
31-07-2007, 23:10
The Colony of Ghassan

Amarase Aslamii ab Ghassania


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Motto: He who speaks to your face is not a traitor.

Anthem: Battle Symphony of the Republic

Official Languages: Ghassani, English

Area: 600,020 square kilometers
Land: 520,400 square kilometers
Water: 70,620 square kilometers

National Animal: The Fahd, a desert rodent

National Patrons: Imam Khalin Fahrsoi, leader of the Ghassanese Islamic Revolution

Currency: 1 Ruya = 3,507 American Dollars

Geography:

Climate: In the northern region, the climate is arid and dry, with almost complete humidity. The temperatures are blistering in the day, and usually are at around fifty degrees Celsius, but the temperatures drop severely in the night to around twenty degrees. The southeast is known for its temperate beaches, which are understandable cooled by coastline wind currents. The southwest is a mild delta which is known for its cities and dense populations.

Natural Resources: Natural gas reserves, petroleum, coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone, copper, sulfur, zinc, various deposits of stones.

Other Resources: Extensive agricultural areas in the south, which harvest a variety of fruits that include pears, grapes, and other desert fruits. Grains and cereals are also grown here, which are then shipped to the areas that are in need of food because of poor harvesting.

Natural Hazards: Frequent earthquakes, flooding after heavy rain seasons, scorching desert temperatures and sand storms.

Regions: Geographically, the country of Ghassan is divided into four regions, each with their own geography and political atmospheres. The people in each of these regions are just as diverse.

• The Southern Coast- The southern coast is known as a popular destination for tourists and Ghassan traveling personnel. It is a place where the modesty of the Islamic culture clashes with the extremities of Western fashion. Its beaches are vast and filled with resorts and expensive cuisines. It is a place where most Ghassan could never dream of visiting though.

• The Basir Desert- The central region of the country, which is mainly filled with nomads and small pools of water. This region is isolated and hazardous, and only experienced Ghassani dare traverse it. The temperatures here are unbearable, and the humidity will rip through anyone. This is why there are barely any people living in this region.

• The Outlying Areas- This is the arc that surrounds the Basir Desert on the eastern and northern sides of it. These regions are mainly poor, tribal areas, where strict Islamic law is enforced. These regions are extremely impoverished and a poster-child for human rights violations. It is also here that the main colony-resistance takes place. These places are notable for their twisting ravines and cutting mountain passes, which are almost impassable without Ghassani guides.

• The Al-Harith Bay- Comparable to the coastlines, the bay itself is massive enough to house the entire navy. It was here that in the early 1970s that the petroleum was first discovered, setting off an explosive journey to finding the rest. The capital of Al-Harith is an ancient Islamic pilgrimage site, and it houses one of the largest Islamic populations outside of the Middle East. The cities here are largely developed, although each is filled with so many homeless and poor persons, that it is impossible to ignore. It is also here that the government’s headquarters can be found. The population here only makes up a small minority though, as the majority of the people live in the tribal, poor regions.

These four districts also make up the four political parties that are found within the country, although politics are almost unanimously completed by the Al-Harith Bay politicians.

Government:

As a theocratic nation that is under colony status, the government is very unique in certain standards. It is led by a Proconsul, who oversees everything that is decided upon by the two assemblies of the nation. Beside the Proconsul is the Emir Khameh Yasiri, who works with the Proconsul to ensure that the nation upholds its Islamic standards and enforces the laws of Sharia. The Islamic law was first introduced after the Ghassani Islamic Revolution during the early 1980s. The British Londinium assumed power over their new colony in 2012.

Ghassan, therefore, has no formal constitution, as it swears loyalty to the British Londinium constitution, although its Sharia laws can account for what would be its foundation. Stated previously, the government is divided into two assemblies, the Royal Assembly and the House of Harith. Each has their own separate duties, although the two convene every Sunday at the Imperial Parliament to discuss matters that involve both.
The Royal Assembly is made up of officials from British Londinium. For the ten provinces of the nation, each is granted three representatives to the Ghassani government. These three hundred officials have moved from their homes to Ghassan, to manage the recreation of the economy and the infrastructure of the country. Their dealings manage with this operation, and everything it entails. They also deal with the few security forces that are located there and the training of Ghassani military forces.

The House of Harith is made up of two hundred members, which are elected across the country. One hundred and eleven current members come from the Al-Harith Bay area, with seventy nine members coming from the Southern Coast. The last ten members arrived from the Outlying Areas, with the guerilla leader holding one of these ten. His seat though, remains vacant, as he would be assassinated if he showed up. The House of Harith deals with issues pertaining to the Islamic law and its upholding, and any issue that deals with purely Ghassani affairs. This means that they only supervise things that the British Londinium officials are not involved in. They do get a say in the affairs they don’t manage, and can veto Londinium decisions with a 2/3 vote at the Sunday gathering.

The judiciary system in the country is currently splintered, and it is one of the chief concerns for the incoming colonizers. Previously, judiciary decisions were determined by the two parties involved, with a mediator being sent if need be. For supreme decisions, the House of Harith would become involved, although those cases usually ended in an execution. Punishments for crimes were very Hammurabi-like. Punishments usually fit the crime and were brutal and sadistic.

Current Ghassani Officials-
Dominic Cremona, Proconsul of the Ghassan Colony
Emir Khameh Yasiri, Emirate Official of the Islamic Republic of Ghassan

Economy:

Overview: The economy of Ghassan is struggling to say the least. As the country is destitute, underdeveloped, and constantly wrought with bloodshed, there is little chance for the economy to boom. However, with the recent arrival of British Londinium, their policies have started to see a growth in certain sectors. This, coupled with international assistance, has allowed Ghassan to see a solid macroeconomic recovery in the last decade. With poverty decreasing at a rate not seen since the revolution, the biggest threat to the full recovery of Ghassan is the tribal feuding in the north and the frequent disasters that strike this same area.

As with most countries, the petroleum industry in Ghassan remains steady and bolstered. As Ghassan’s chief exported product, it remains the source of the majority of its income. As more deposits are discovered, and the need for petroleum increases, a dependence on Ghassan’s precious resource may allow for an economic paradise. The remaining question though, is how the money gained from petroleum sales is distributed to the lower classes.

Other major industries in Ghassan include arms manufacturing, and agricultural products. The arms manufacturing industry is largely dominated by expatriates who utilize the labor force of Ghassan. The agricultural industry on the other hand, is administered mainly by Ghassani farmers. The labor force itself numbers at almost the population, as one of the cornerstones of Ghassan’s economy rests on the fact that any able-bodied person works. And while it may come into context for human rights watchers, the use of child labor by Ghassan is strictly beneficial, and the rights for these workers outstrip any other.

Energy: As stated previously, the country’s dependence on the export of petroleum is absolutely necessary. The exportation of petroleum accounts for sixty-percent of the economy, with its main purchasers being Western countries. The country itself depends mainly on alternative energy sources, as it chooses not to keep any of its petroleum sources. Because of this, the country often finds itself at the mercy of power outages and energy shortages.

The only petroleum that is used by the Ghassani people is that used by automobiles, which are commonplace among the cities and surrounding areas, but often shunned by the more primitive peoples of the east and the north. Therefore, the burning of fossil fuels in limited from Ghassan, although with the rises in population, it will only become higher and higher. The petroleum industry is dominated by one company, which is run and funded by the central government. The Ghassan-Petrol, or GP, as it is referred to, deals with all matters of petroleum distribution, whether it be in Ghassan, or abroad.

Arms Manufacturing: Unlike the other two industries, the arms manufacturing industry is small and privatized, filled with hundreds of vying companies and their subsidiaries. The main focus of this industry is harvesting the limited resources of metal and turning them into casings and shells for weapons.

Agriculture: The majority of the land around the Al-Harith Bay is suitable for agricultural purposes, which is utilized. This area was first realized for such purposes when agriculture was first developed, and it has remained an area of high productivity up to the present years. The main harvests are grains and cereals, which are then packaged in adjoining facilities and shipped towards the regions that they are needed in. Ghassan relies on barely any imported food, although many of its fruits are exported to other countries.

The agricultural sector is also dominated by a single company, known as Ghassani Foodstuffs Inc., a privatized company that is owned by one of the richest men in the country. He revolutionized the farming industry by creating a standardized irrigation system that brings water from nearby lakes to the farms and orchards of the region. It was because of this that he earned his monopoly on the industry, allowing him to effectively produce one of the largest private enterprises in the country.

Besides the grains that are produced in the area, the Al-Harith Bay is world-renowned for its specialty fruits. The Ghassani Pear is one of the most savoring tastes for any Ghassani, and that has transferred over into the rest of the world. The exports for this fruit alone are becoming increasingly large.

Communications:

Telephones:

Main Lines in Use: 5,167,023
Mobile Cellular: 10,010,205
Mobile Satellite: Data Unavailable

Radio: The government runs the radio and television systems firmly. The radio is run through a central office, which relays its messages through hubs located in the country. The radio is defiantly the highest owned product by Ghassani families, including in the areas of the north and east. The government has a total of three hundred channels, ranging from news broadcasts, to musical selections, and international speakers. While many of these are censored and changed to fit certain standards, the radio is an important tool in the country.

Television: The television industry, as small as it may be, is also run by a subsidiary of the Ghassani government. There are only around one hundred channels accessible to most of the television owners, which only number in the low millions. Only about one sixth of the population own a television set, and the majority of these are shared between families. The television channels range from sports and news, to children’s shows and dramas. Each of these heavily enforces Islamic thinking and support for the government.

With the recent Londinium colonization, the television has received an overhaul, adding around another hundred channels for the Londinium staff that is now in Ghassan. The television now features these international channels, although they are only accessible in a very small number of places.

Internet: Internet lines and connections can mainly be found in the south and the west, and it is used predominantly by Ghassani businessmen and foreigners. This means that there is a high dependence on internet cafés, rather than personal computers. There are also designated business centers that allow the users to access the internet. The internet itself though, is highly criticized by the newspapers and the government as being blasphemous to Islam and critical of the Ghassani regime.

Printed Communications: The newspapers, like all the other media, are run by the government and the Londinium officials. It enforces Islamic thinking, colonization, and the progress that the new government is making. The main newspaper, The Ghassani Tribune, is circulated throughout the country and is the main periodical. Other newspapers feature more outlandish thinking, and are subsequently banned from printing and distribution.

Magazines from across the globe also find their home in Ghassan, although the majority of them are from Arab countries. The few Westerner magazines are privately shipped to homes owned by foreigners and are encouraged not to be further passed along.

Transport:

Air Transport: Ghassan has fourteen airports, with three of them featuring international destinations. These three are Al-Farid in the destitute north, Fakhri City in the south, and Al-Harith, the capital. These three boast destinations to many different countries, and these are probably one of the safest flights to take in Ghassan.

Air travel in Ghassan is shabby and undesirable. The planes are often missing vital pieces, and for some reason, there are no policies dictating airplane regulations. Because of this, the airplanes are often secondhand as well, after having been used for many years by more developed nations. And although the petroleum used to fly them is abundant, many of them fail to even make it off the runway.

Motorways: Ghassan’s motorways are extremely underdeveloped, and at best can be called paved dirtways. Even in the capital, the streets are nothing more than highly compacted dirt that turns to slop and mush at the first sign of moisture. And while millions of dollars have gone towards improving these conditions, the only concrete streets are found in the south where the tourism is the largest export. As the majority of Ghassani people still use camels and non-vehicular transports, it is not uncommon to see an animal pathway more populated than a highway.

Water Travel: Ghassani’s boats are nothing more than a hodgepodge of bolted metal that somehow floats on water. Because of this, at a sign of tempest or heavy waves, the boats break apart and leave the passengers drowning in the depths of the sea. Because of this, water travel is used mainly by the poor, who have no other option than risking their lives in return for a safer journey home.

Rail Systems: The railways are systems that have long been developed, often cited as the highlight of the Ghassani transportation system. The system stretches across the entire country, and although it is only in use for industries and the transportation of goods, many people find themselves hopping on and off at certain points. And, while many countries have begun to shift away from the rail system in choice for faster transportation, the Ghassani people continue to utilize their rail systems.

Transport Dangers: The Ghassani countryside is a dangerous place to be as a Ghassani, even more-so as a foreigner. Caravans headed anywhere are often manned by extended families, whose brothers serve as gunman and whose sisters serve as lookouts. The dangers themselves include a wide variety of vicious creatures, and thieves and bandits looking to score loot. The biggest danger though, lies in the Ghassani Liberation Movement, or the GLM, who ravage the north and the east scrounging for supplies, weapons, and fresh recruits.

People:

Population: 10,020,763

Nationality: noun=Ghassani(s) adjective=Ghassani

Age Structure:• 0-14 years - 34%
• 15-64 years – 62%
• 65 and over – 4%

Population Growth Rate: 4.892%

Life Expectancy:
• Total Population – 49 years
• Male – 48 years
• Female – 50 years

Major Infectious Diseases:• Risk- extremely high
• Food and waterborne diseases- typhoid fever, hepatitis A and E, other diarrheal diseases
• Vectorborne diseases- malaria, in some regions
• Other- rabies (more prevalent in the countryside, and around industrial areas of cities)

Religions: Islam 85% (98% Sunni, 2% Shi’a), Various Tribal Religions 13%, Christianity and Judaism 2%.

Languages: Ghassani (traditional) 23%, Ghassani Arabic 27%, English 44%, Other 6%

Culture:

Ghassan’s culture is highly diversified, and it’s cooking, fashion, art, architecture and music are testament to this fact. Each of these draw heavy inspiration from Islamic culture and Arab styles, with traditional Ghassani mixed into the fray as well.

Cooking:

Ghassani chefs have always been known for their Arab-influence, and it continues to this day. Ghassani meals are usually eaten around a lowered table surrounded by feather-cushions. A meal-plan for one day is laid out below:

Breakfast:
Breakfast is a very quick affair, providing only enough energy as what is needed. As members of families leave early when it is still dark for work, then breakfast is mostly quick and effortless. A typical breakfast includes- Ghassani coffee, cut Ghassani fruit (predominantly citrus), small bowl of yoghurt.

Mid-morning:
As the day becomes hotter, men, especially workers, find it necessary to replenish their energy around ten o’clock. Jerky and other dried meats are usually consumed, along with Ghassani coffee or water.

Lunch:
Noontime is the hottest of the day, and it is when the workers return to their homes where the meal is prepared for them by their wife or their mother. A lunch is filling, but not overwhelming and it may consist of: spiced, stewed vegetables, rice mixed with rice or meat and water or coffee. Fruits are also served on a platter as a sort of after-lunch dessert.

Afternoon:
As the work-day begins to wane, the man prepares for dinner. As he returns home, he is treated to a special mixture called sahrin, which is a drink that supposedly opens up one’s stomach for the meal ahead. It tastes like sugared water.

Dinner & Dessert:
Dinner in Ghassan is a grand affair, and mass quantities of lamb and chicken are consumed, along with Ghassani coffee. Tea is also unavoidable, usually served with the desserts at the end. On Saturdays and Sundays, the lamb is replaced with fish, and the meals become more extravagant. Peppers are certainly used, along with a myriad of flavored rice. While vegetables are sometimes served, the only ones that are common are eggplant, onions, and cucumbers.

Dessert usually involves two dishes, a fried dough called yasin and a rice pudding. The Baklava pastry is also commonplace, and dessert is served with fruit juices for the children and tea for the adults.

Fashion:

Ghassan’s fashion is very clashing. At one point, businessmen walk around in suits that were made by famous designers and others wear traditional clothing that covers them in very specific regions, designated by Islamic law. There is a contrast between the Westerners who wear lavish jewelry and the Muslims who do not wear anything gold or copious. Turbans are very common, especially in the heat of summertime, and they are worn by almost all native Ghassani.

Women’s clothing is very controversial. The native Muslim Ghassani wear Burqas in public, and remove it only when they are in their household. Many of the younger girls of Ghassani descent wear only chadors, which are cloaks that cover their bodies. Niqabs are also not uncommon, and all of these are in accordance with the government’s upholding of khimar. The Western travelers in the country need a temporary permit to wear their own clothing, which is often considered immodest and blasphemous.

Architecture/Art:

Ghassani architecture and art are influenced by the Islamic architecture and art. Like in many other places, Ghassani art is decorative and used as murals in housing. It depicts geometric, floral, Arabesque and calligraphic designs. As with tradition, Ghassani art does not include pictures of humans, because of the belief that this leads to idolatry.

Ghassani architecture is based on the belief that Allah’s power is infinite and that his buildings should express such infinity. Large domes, minarets, courtyards, and gardens are all used to express this meaning. The insides are decorated with Ghassani art, and geometric designs. Every building contains a prayer niche which faces Mecca, for use at the designated times. Bright colors are also emphasized, as are fountains in central areas. The Ghassani bazaar is also famous for being so massive that it will stretch miles, and leave cities almost unable to navigate.

Music:

The music of Ghassan is known for its distinct layering. There are two layers of Ghassani music, contemporary and traditional. Both use the same instruments of drums, gongs, rebabs, ouds, shehnais and an innumerable number of others. Traditional music sounds more like hymns and praises, while contemporary music is more pop-like, with a Western flavor.

Al-Harith is also home to a breed of Islamic hip-hop, which is gaining popularity for its use of slang and originality. And although each of these musical genres differs, their messages all resonating praise towards Allah.

Sport:

While sports such as baseball and basketball find themselves popular among younger generations, the most obvious Ghassani sport is football. The game is played in primary schools and throughout the colleges, and while there is no pro-level circuit in the country itself, the country manages a single team that competes against other countries and clubs.

And because there are no other teams in conference, every Ghassani, young and old, support their national team. The Ghassani National Team competes across the globe, and whenever they are playing, it is as if the country stops until the game is over. If there is a win then the country erupts into cheers and celebrations, and if they do not, the next day is mournful and morose, and filled with excuses and speeches about how the other team cheated.

The current starting lineup is as follows:
GK - Karim Yushua
DF - Husni Kamil
DF - Firdaus Mahiri
DF - Qadir Asad
DF - Tahir Abdul-Hamid
MF - Mehmood Houssam
MF - Suhail Waqar
MF – Asif Zahir
FW - Abdul Wasim
FW - Ebrahim Izz-ud-Din
FW - Malak Ziyad (Captain)

Al-Tammaqar Stadium is in the heart of downtown Al-Harith, in a short distance walk from both the capital building and many other attractions. It has a capacity of seventy-five thousand, and when there are not football matches there, it is used for student championships. It is most often crowded on weekends, and during game-days, it is surrounded by flocks of bazaars and merchandising tents.

Besides this, Ghassan also has many rugby teams and cricket teams, both of which are very popular, especially among older generations. These sports though, are deemed more traditional in comparison to other sports.

Military:

The Ghassani Military is divided into three main divisions, each with specific details. These three divisions are such:

• The Ghassani Armed Forces
• The Ghassani Navy Guard
• The Ghassani Air Battalions

Each completes the task that is usually associated with their branch. The Armed Forces are in charge of keeping peace within the borders of the country, and are currently engaged with the forces of the Ghassani Liberation Movement in the northern province and the east to a lesser extent. The Navy Guard manages the oil refineries in the Northern Basim Sea, and sees to their protection. They are also in charge of managing naval assaults when needed. The Air Battalions, although under-funded and very mismanaged, provided scouting and reconnaissance mainly for the Armed Forces.

The military age is twenty-one years of age, but this has been waived often during times of conflict, as the need for recruits becomes increasingly dire. At the current age, the military is numbered at around six hundred thousand, and as the conflict in the disputed regions intensifies, it is understandable going to increase.

Past conflicts that the Ghassani Military has been engaged in:

• The Second World War (1942-1945)- Although it was only a small force, the lives of the soldiers that fought for the Allies in the Second World War are immortalized in the eyes of Ghassan. The five thousand that fought across Eastern Europe are forever remembered by a monument in the capital, and they are known throughout the country for their valor.

• The Ghassani Islamic Revolution (1983-1985)- It was during this time that the former monarchy was overturned in favor of an Islamic republic. These years were filled with tribulation, and atrocities committed on both of the sides, and in the end, the reformers won, supported by the Ghassani military. The former King and his wife were beheaded in front of the newly elected officials on September 2, 1985.

• The Ghassani Liberation Quelling (2010-present)- In the year 2010, a guerilla known as Muquat started the Ghassani Liberation Movement in favor of upturning the Islamic republic in favor of a benevolent dictatorship. To establish this, he took his forces from neighboring countries and pillaged and slaughtered Ghassani villages, seeking recruits to his cause. And while the government increases their actions, with every step they take, Muquat takes one in return. With the arrival of the Londinium colonization in 2012, people across the nation hope for the end to the conflict.

Disputes/International Credibility:

Ghassan remains a centerpiece for human rights violations, and its international credibility remains at a low point. Groups such as Amnesty International call for the country to take action before it becomes uncontrollable, and the United Nation Security Council has begun to discuss sending peacekeepers to the country. International assistance flows in like water, and the money is sometimes used to improve conditions, although a majority of the time it is just take for personal benefit.

A few of the abuses are listed below, although their extent remains largely unexplored, as Ghassani officials largely refuse to admit outside observers to measure the damage.

• Child Labor- while the government insists it is used in consistence with ancient Ghassani traditions, the use of child labor is largely criticized by outside sources.

• Poverty- the poverty rate for Ghassanis is one of the highest in the world. It is because of this, that the country has begun to try and improve their living conditions and opportunities for employment. This is one of the areas of abuse that the government has responded to.

• Improper Treatment of Prisoners/Torture- although the Islamic law forbids it, the government has gone to extreme measures to extract information about rebel movements in their country. This punishment is very extensive, and was explored by one prisoner in his memoirs, Tales of Ghassan, the Silent Abuse.

• Freedom of Speech and Religion- the government has largely been involved in silencing their critics, mainly those in their country, and persecuting those who choose to practice other religions. While the punishment remains largely humane, this denying is wrong.

• Atrocities- during the Islamic Revolution, and now during the Liberation Movement, the government has approved of atrocities, including genocide towards certain tribes and mass murders of enemies of state. They have even gone so far as to arm other groups, which has led to even more revolts after the first has been stemmed.

• Absence of a Developed Judicial System- in the north and the east, the absence of a judicial system, allows feuding to be settled in barbaric and inhumane ways. The use of torture and punishment are largely undocumented, but acknowledged by the government.

International Relationships:

The Colony of Ghassan is a colony of British Londinium, and therefore, retains a fairly good relationship with that country. British Londinium manages an extensive compound in Al-Harith, surrounded by armed guards and armored cars. Their arrival has been met with heavy disapproval from the tribes of the north and east, which now flock to the banner of the GLM, to overthrow this new colonization.

British Londinium’s Embassy Location and Officials Found There-

Ghassan also manages a relationship with the Liberal Imperium of Kirav, which maintains an embassy themselves in the capital. They are staunch allies of Ghassan, and their engineers try to rebuild the infrastructure that was so poorly built to begin with. Their trade also helps to aid the economy.

Kirav’s Embassy Location and Officials Found There-

OOC:

Al-Harith (coming soon):

History (coming soon):

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