Western Natopia

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Bovic Natopian Empire of the West Western Natopia Western Natopian Empire
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Peace Through Silent Oppression
Anthem: O Great Nation
Map versions	6.7.7 - Present
Capital	Geneva
Largest city	Triegon, Tirlar, Redquill, Blythe, Eadricton, Sileni, Port St. Andre
Official language(s)	Nats Alexandrian Martino
Official religion(s)	Bovinism Alexandrian Nazarenism Melusinianism
Demonym	Natopian
- Adjective	Natopian, Western Natopian
Government	Unitary constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy
- Co-Emperors of Western Natopia	Vadoma I & Edward I
- Chancellor	Ernesto de la Cruz
- Legislature	Frenzy of Western Natopia
Establishment	1707 AN
Area
Population	207,467,977 (1710 AN)
Currency	Natopian natopo (₦)
Calendar
Time zone(s)
Mains electricity
Driving side	right
Track gauge
National website	[1]
National forum	Forum Discord Server
National animal	Domestic goat
National food	Bagels
National drink	Fruit juice
National tree	Moon oak
Abbreviation	WN (two-letter) NAT (FMF abbreviation) NAT-W (unofficial)

The Bovic Natopian Empire of the West, also known as Western Natopia or as the Western Natopian Empire, is a transcontinental country located mainly in Tapfer and Cibola, with several demesnes and territories in the continent of Apollonia and on Istvanistan Island (Neridia). Its eleven demesnes constitute the integral parts of the Empire, housing over 205 million people (as of 1710 AN).

Western Natopia is a unitary parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The co-monarchs, Vadoma I and Edward I, have reigned since 1.12.1709 AN. The capital of the Empire is located in Geneva, currently under reconstruction. The major government institutions are currently temporarily housed in the city of Dos Gardenias, serving as the current administrative center during the reconstruction of Geneva. Its largest city is the former Alexandrian port city of Triegon, a global city and a major financial center with a metropolitan area population of over 10 million. Other major cities include Tirlar, Redquill, Blythe, Eadricton, Sileni, Port St. Andre, Frenzyville, Chancellorsport, and Cape Cran.

The eleven Western Natopian demesnes are Arboria, Whales, Dos Gardenias, Tapfer, Neridia, Saint Andre, Baudrix, Arboria del Sur, Transegale, Mar Sara, and the capital district of Geneva. They each have devolved governments, with powers specifically granted by the imperial legislature, the Frenzy of the Western Natopian Empire.

Western Natopia was born from the division of the Natopian Empire into Eastern Natopia, with its capital in Lindström, and Western Natopia, with its capital in the city of Dos Gardenias. The division was outlined in the Declaration of Lindstrom, ratified by the Frenzy of Eastern Natopia and the Frenzy of Western Natopia in early 1709 AN, and proclaimed jointly by eastern Emperor Nathan III and western Emperor & Empress Vadoma I and Edward I in Lindström on Natopia Day, 23.VIII.1709 AN.

Western Natopia has one of the largest economies by nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and by purchasing power parity (PPP) in Micras. Its strong high-income economy is powered by a resilient manufacturing base, a highly educated and specialized workforce, a highly advanced scientific and technological sector, and strong educational institutions.

Western Natopia is a member of the Micras Cartography Society, Micras Treaty Organization, the Raspur Pact, the Community of Goldfield, and is an observer member of the Euran Economic Union.

History

The history of Western Natopia begins in 1707 AN, when Emperor Nathan III of Natopia divided the Empire into two co-equal viceroyalties, using the River Egale as the main border line. The lands east of the Egale became Eastern Natopia, based in Lindström, and the lands west of the Egale became Western Natopia, based in the city of Dos Gardenias. The division was prompted by the Emperor himself in order to focus his governance and attention on Eastern Natopia. The idea was initially controversial and earned significant backlash, especially in the West, which saw itself as an intricate part of the Natopian Nation. However, with the victory of the national referendum in 1708 AN through decent margins, the division was approved after a sustained national campaign between both sides of the division. The constitutional process that separated and made Eastern Natopia and Western Natopia separate Empires lasted well into 1709 AN.

Western Natopia holds a rich and diverse history, intertwined with the fates of many nations: Natopia, Alexandria, Nouvelle Alexandrie, Shireroth, Rio Grande, San Martin, Anthelia, Gotzborg, among many others. Its lands and people reflect that rich history, forming a large and interconnected multiethnic Empire.

Division of the Natopian Empire

The division of the Natopian Empire began in early 1707 AN, when the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation was officially divided into two co-equal viceroyalties divided along the Egale river. The Natopian lands west of the Egale river became Western Natopia. The Natopian lands east of the Egale river became Eastern Natopia. Initially, the division of the Empire was an administrative distinction to help Nathan III administer the Empire. It was in this process when Emperor Nathan III realized that he preferred to make the division permanent and split the greater Natopian Empire to govern Eastern Natopia on his own. the division in order to better govern the east by himself. The demesnes east of the River Egale were organized into Eastern Natopia, based in Lindstrom, and the demesnes west of the river became Western Natopia, based in Triegon, Tirlar, and Dos Gardenias. A national referendum in all of Natopia finalized and approved the plans for the division, the Declaration of Lindstrom, in 1708 AN. The continued negotiations and the constitutional process that separated the Natopian Empire into two states lasted into early 1710 AN, with negotiations and work being conducted at the remaining shared, national governance institutions: the Imperial Council of Natopia and the Imperial Government of Natopia.

Viceroyalty of Western Natopia

From 1707 AN to early 1709 AN, Western Natopia was known as the "Viceroyalty of the Bovic Lands West of the River Egale". During this time, Western Natopia was a subnational division of the greater Natopian Empire, ruled by Emperor Nathan III. The rule of Western Natopia was conferred by Nathan III to his daughter Vadoma I and to her husband Edward I of Alexandria. During this time, the nascent Western Natopia government focused on establishing its own independent institutions and a new national code of law and regulations and negotiating arrangements for a future and eventual separation (which led to the Declaration of Lindstrom) from Eastern Natopia.

During the time Western Natopia was a viceroyalty, special economic grants and funding were provided by a large Natopian Division Equalization Fund (NDEF), established by Emperor Nathan III and the Imperial Council of Natopia, to help pay for assistance to workers, retirees, and businesses for disruptions and losses due to the division. A special temporary tax of 2% was added to corporate taxes and 1% to personal income taxes was implemented in Western and Eastern Natopia to help fund the NDEF and its operations.

Bovic Natopian Empire of the West

With the signing and final ratification of the Declaration of Lindstrom in 1709 AN, Vadoma I and Edward I accede to the newly established throne of Western Natopia as co-Emperors. From this moment onwards, Western Natopia charted a path as a sovereign nation in the world of Micras. The Proclamation of Dos Gardenias is issued by the Co-Emperors soon after the final ratification of the Declaration of Lindstrom in 1709 AN, which established the Transitional Government of Western Natopia.

As an independent nation, Western Natopia has had to contend with the Recession of 1709 and its first international military conflict, the Lanzerwaldian-Whaler War.

Lanzerwaldian-Whaler War

The Lanzerwaldian-Whaler War was a conflict that fought out between Republic of the United Cities in the Lanzerwald and the Western Natopian Empire and primarily the fough near the latter's demesne, the Principality of Whales, in the continent of Cibola. The war broke out after Lanzerwald expanded its territory to include the entire region north of Whales, essentially preventing Whales' access to the Cibolan interior.

The conflict lasted from 10.XII.1709 AN to 13.V.1710 AN, ending when the parties agreed that Lanzerwald would cede the territory west of Moorheim to Western Natopia, and Western Natopia would cede the area surrounding Zaddi's Bay to Lanzerwald. The parties also agreed that they would not blame each other for the war, but that the former Lord of Mandible Hill, Timur Osman von Szintakuszima would be held responsible for all damages and loss of life caused by the war, was to be tried first in Whales, and afterwards in Lanzerwald for his crimes. Both nations signed the peace treaty on 13.V.1710 AN.

Diplomatic relations have been re-established and normalized with Lanzerwald since late 1711 AN.

Recession of 1709

Food shocks stemming from supply chain disruptions in Ransenar and Nouvelle Alexandrie, economic uncertainty around the secret negotiations to divide the Natopian Empire, and growing consumer demand consistently outpacing supply led to a spike increase in inflation in Natopia. Furthermore, the costs of housing, food, transportation, and fuel went up consistently across many Raspur Pact economies, leading to a ripple effect that further fueled inflation. Further disruptions in Ransenar and in Lyrica due to the Great Vanic Revolt all contributed to trade and industrial activity contracting in Western Natopia. This caused a fall in GDP in several successive quarters that also hit Nouvelle Alexandrie, Ransenar, Eastern Natopia, and Constancia. Shortages of key consumer goods and food further drove prices of daily staples upward.

Rising inflation in Western Natopia started in 1709 AN where the annual rate of inflation jumped to 5%, way above the average inflation rate in the previous years of only 2.1% per year. In the lead-up to the Natopian division, the Natopian government maintained tremendous outlays in military services and was believed to contribute significantly to the rising inflation. Added to this, accelerating consumption activity leading up to the Natopian division, high spending, and monetary expansionary incentives, demand accelerated at a faster speed than supply, causing the latter unable to accommodate the demand.

Government and politics

Executive

Military

The military situation in the Cibolan portions of Western Natopia is informed by the obligations of the realm that came with membership of the Raspur Pact, inherited after the division of the Natopian Empire, and the legacy of the Lanzerwaldian-Whaler War, the latter of which played a heavy role in determining the posture of forces in Western Natopia towards the neighbouring powers of the Lanzerwald and the Mondosphere. The chief lesson of the war was that locally-raised militias, the demesnal defence forces, would have to be significantly bolstered in order to support the garrisons of the Natopian Defense Force so as to enable them to hold out for long enough to allow allied forces to arrive in theatre to throw back the aggressor forces.

Economy

Western Natopia has a social market economy with a highly skilled labor force, a low level of corruption, and a high level of innovation. The Western Natopian economy is among the largest exporters and importers of goods in all of Micras and has the largest economy in the continent of Cibola. It is also among the largest economies of Micras by GDP and by PPP. The service sector contributes approximately 68% of the total GDP, industry 31%, and agriculture 2% as of 1711 AN. The unemployment rate, published by the West Natopian Bureau of Economic Research, amounts to 4.8% (1711 AN). This reflects an improvement from the spike in unemployment experienced during the Recession of 1709 (peak was in late 1710 AN, where it reached 8.7%). The Western Natopian economy is generally regarded as free, innovative, dynamic and business-friendly. Due to its location, vast territorial holdings, and importance in the Raspur Pact, Western Natopia attracts a large amount of foreign investment. It has a skilled workforce, advanced infrastructure, and zero-tolerance against corruption.

Western Natopia is part of the Raspur Pact, a large international free trade defense alliance, and shares a common currency with Eastern Natopia, the Natopian natopo. The Natopian natopo is the de facto reserve currency of the Raspur Pact, known for its durability, strength, and value in the alliance. Between both Natopias, there is an advanced common market that can count well more than 390 million consumers. The monetary policy of Western Natopia is set by a shared economic body, the Imperial Bank of the Natopian Nation. The Declaration of Lindstrom binds Western Natopia and Eastern Natopia in common defense, economic, and political bodies, the principal one being the Imperial Council of Natopia. The Imperial Council oversees the Natopian Defense Force, directs the common foreign and economic policies, and handles other common tasks such as land management and other necessary internatopian regulations.

Known for its large manufacturing capacity, the defense, shipbuilding, foodstuff, electronic, and consumer goods industries in Western Natopia are regarded as among the most competitive and innovative in the Raspur Pact and are likely among the largest in all of Micras by production. The top ten exports of Western Natopia are natural gas, petroleum, machinery, chemical goods, jewelry, electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, arms, transport equipment, basic metals, food products, rubber, and plastics.

Some of the largest companies in all of Micras are based in Western Natopia or at least maintain a commercial presence in Western Natopia. Some well-known Western Natopian companies that are international brands are Dingo Enterprises, Saint Andre Trading Company, Neridia Defense Industries, Neridian Resources Company, Trade Board of Normark, Frenzyville Motors, the International Bank of Natopia, Filippos' Bagels, Transegale Trading Company, among many others. The cities of Tirlar, Triegon, Dos Gardenias, Thaleia, Eadricton, Geneva, and Sileni are all hubs for small to medium startup companies, with each city's local economic environment usually including specializations in specific economic sectors. The city of Triegon has become the leading location for finance in the country, becoming a key location for venture capital-funded firms. Western Natopia is recognized for its multitude of specialized small and medium enterprises, each representing large sections of global markets through the Raspur Pact.

Research and development efforts form an integral part of the West Natopian economy. Key research institutions in Western Natopia include the University of Frenzyville's Nathan III Polytechnical and Engineering Institute (N3PEI), the Association for Medical and Bioscience Research, and the National Applied Sciences Society, the Dos Gardenias School of Medicine, the DEC's Institute for Aerospace Research, and the Bovic Non-Profit Research Institute. Many of the institutions that drive most of the research and development efforts in the Western Natopian economy are private. However, the government of Western Natopia retains large research and development capabilities on its own, through several government agencies and government-owned corporations.

Infrastructure

Western Natopia's key territorial positions in the continents of Cibola, Tapfer, Apollonia, and in Neridia have made it a transport hub. Its road network is among the densest in all of Micras. The intercity train networks serve major cities as well as destinations in neighboring countries with speeds up to 300 km/h (190 mph). The largest Western Natopian airports are Triegon International Airport, Kaiser Redquill I International Airport, Francis Joseph II International Airport, and the Tirlar International Cosmodrome. The ports of Triegon, Redquill, Eadricton, Graveacre, and St. Andre are among some of the largest and most important ports in the world and in the Raspur Pact.

Water supply and sanitation in Western Natopia

The utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection of water resources in Arboria is subject to the control and regulation of the Arborian government through the Water Commission, which has the duty and responsibility to ensure that the people have safe and clean water to drink, as well as to help secure the water needed for industry, agriculture, and other economic activities, and to ensure proper desalination and sewerage management. It is also charged to undertake the construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, and construction and rehabilitation of existing water catchment facilities. The Water Commission was established by A Decree of The Princess of Arboria in Council on 8.VI.1684.

Energy

Electricity

Power generation and distribution within the Principality of Arboria is the responsibility of the Arboria Principality Power Corporation, a state corporation chartered via A Decree of The Princess of Arboria in Council on III.17.1704.

Defense

• ESB Electromagnetic
• Luix-Satyria Scientific-Production Association LLC
• Neridia Defense Industries

Shipping and transportation

Alongside the reinvigoration of transport infrastructure in the Principality of Arboria by the incorporation of the West Natopian Shipping Corporation on III.13.1704, the Transegale Railway Corporation on III.14.1704, the Arboria del Sur Railway Corporation on III.15.1704, and the Mar Sara Railway Corporation on III.15.1704, the Northern Arboria Railway Corporation was incorporated to finally bring the Arborian-Senyan Railway project into fruition on III.16.1704.

The Big Three

• SATCo;
• Kerularios & Company;
• Transegale Trading Company.

Culture

Sports

• Micras Chovgan-Tzykanion-Polo Federation

See also

• Natopia;
• Eastern Natopia;
• Division of the Natopian Empire;
• Declaration of Lindstrom;
• Imperial Council of Natopia.