Barikalus

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Emirate of Arbor in Barikalus إمارة أربور في باريكالوس 'imart 'arbur fi barikalus
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Justice and Faith (Arboric: العدل والإيمان)
Anthem:
Map versions	9.4b – 16.6.4 (as Kingdom of Amokolia) 16.6.5 – 16.8.3b (as Frankish Empire) 16.9.0 (as Emirate of Arbor)
Capital	Al-Hamra
Largest city	Madinat al-Fath
Official language(s)	Arboric
Official religion(s)	Craitism
Demonym	Arbor
- Adjective	Arborish
Government	Hereditary monarchy
- Emir أمير‎	Mahmud bin Alsalam
- Grand vizier وزیر اعظم	Mustafa Asada
- Legislature	Majlis al-Imar مجلس الإمارة
Establishment	1504 AN as Amokolia 1678 AN as Francia 1685 AN as Emirate of Arbor
Area	1,015,416 km2
Population	44,670,587 (1692 AN)
Active population	1
Currency	Gold dinar (Arboric: ﺩﻳﻨﺎﺭ ذهبي‎)
Calendar
Time zone(s)	CMT+1,50
Mains electricity
Driving side	right
Track gauge
National website	Nation Portal
National forum	Forum of Arbor
National animal	Camelus dromedarius
National food	Falafel
National drink	Coffee
National tree	Date palm
Abbreviation	EOA and AB

Arbor, officially the Emirate of Arbor in Barikalus (Arboric: إمارة أربور في باريكالوس), is a sovereign nation located in the eastern part of the continent of Apollonia. Strategically located on the Pound Strait, the country shares land borders with Çakaristan to the southwest [and Lac Glacei to the north], and it shares the River Glacei with Hurmu, and shares maritime borders with Çakaristan and Nouvelle Alexandrie. The coast is formed by the Antican Sea on the southwest, the Pond Strait on the southeast and Strait of Pearls on the east. The country surrounds the Gulf of Peace (Arboric: خليج السلام) in which the capital is located on an island. In the Strait of Pearls is the island of Mayurqa (Arboric: مايوركا) located.

Since 1685 AN the Emirate of Arbor has existed, with Emir Mahmud bin Alsalam as hereditary leader of the country. The nation sees itself as a continuation of the earlier Kingdom of Amokolia and the Frankish Empire. Moreover, the population consists for the most part of fugitive citizens of Arcadia, Francia, Helderbourgh and Stormark. As a result, the country is multi-ethnic and multicultural, dominated by an ever-growing fusion of cultures into a common Arborish culture. This is expressed in a common language, Arboric, and conversion to a new religion, Craitism.

Although Al-Hamra is the official capital, many government institutions are located in Madinat al-Fath. Earlier, the country had a strict class policy, granting access based on recognition of other countries and belief in Craitism. Today, only the capital Al-Hamra is restricted and special permission is required.

Name

The name "Arbor" was given to the archipelago during the Storish era. The name is Catologian for 'trees', referring to dense forestation on the islands. With the foundation of the Emirate that name was used for this new state. The name has been transliterated in the Arboric into 'arbur (أربور).

The addition "Barikalus" (Arboric: باريكالوس) means ‘land by the pond’, a reference to Arbor's location on the shore of Pond Strait.

The nickname of the nation is: imart juzur alfirdaws walwahhat alrrayiea (Arboric: إمارة جزر الفردوس والواحات الرائعة), meaning 'the Emirate of paradisiacal islands and delightful oases’.

Geography

Since its expansion in VIII.1686 AN, the emirate acquired a greater diversity of geography. Roughly speaking, it is divided into three geographical regions:

Arbor Isles

The Arbor Isles, Juzur 'Arbur (Arboric: جزر أربور), are seen as lone and mysterious islands on Micras. Previously, the archipelago was known as Terra Firma. There are three main Arbor Isles, surrounded by many smaller islands. Of those smaller islands, the island of Jazirat 'Uwyastar the well-known. This island is artificial to provide sufficient space for the international airport and port.

Area and boundaries of the Arbor Isles:

• Area: 64,368 km²
• Coastline: 312 km

The landscape of the islands is characterised by woodlands, almond trees, fertile plains and often dramatic coastlines with sandy coves separated by craggy cliffs. The highest peak of the islands is Dhurwat Ardiat Thabita (Arboric: ذروة أرضية ثابتة): Peak Terra Firma, located on Jazirat al-Musawa. The mountain is 1,445 metres high on the north side of the island.

Overview of the three main islands:

Island	Fonetic name	Name in Common Language	Land area (km2)
جزيرة الحرية	Jazirat Alhuriya	Liberty Island	11,520
جزيرة المساواة	Jazirat Almusawa	Equality Island	37,800
جزيرة الأخوة	Jazirat Al'ukhua	Fraternity Island	15,048

The easternmost of the three main islands, Jazirat Al'ukhua, lies 768 km west of South Island of the Keltia continent.

Isles of the Fortunate and North Island

This geographical region is treated as one for topographical reasons, but the physical geographies of the Isles of the Fortunate and North Island are completely different. Only the Arbor area on North Island is relatively small compared to other geographical regions.

Isles of the Fortunate

Juzur al-Mahzuzin (Arboric: جزر المحظوظين): isles of the fortunate

Area and boundaries of the Isles of the Fortunate:

• Area: 131,688 km²
• Coastline: 3,180 km

North Island

Jazirat al-Shamalia (Arboric: الجزيرة الشمالية): north island, or Jazirat Kiltik al-Shamalia (Arboric: جزيرة كيلتيك الشمالية): Keltic north island.

Area and boundaries of the North Island:

• Area: 14,112 km²
• Bordering The Green: 312 km
• Coastline: 120 km

Western Territories

The area of Arbor on the continent of Keltia has so far no separate designation, but is often called the al-Manatiq al-Gharbia (Arboric: المناطق الغربية): western territories. In addition to a portion on the continent, the area also includes the coastal islands.

Area and boundaries of the Western Territories:

• Area: 805,248 km²
• Border nations:
  • Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union: 348 km
  • The Green: 768 km
• Coastline: 7,884 km

An elongated mountain range, Jibal al-Ahmar (Arboric: جبال الأحمر): the Red Mountains, running from west to east, parallel to the coast of the Sea of Storms. The mountain range is interrupted by a large bay, Dabab al-Sabah (Arboric: ضباب الصباح): Morning Mist Bay. As a result, the mountain range is also referred to as the Western Red Mountains, Jibal al-Ahmar al-Gharbia (Arboric: جبال الأحمرالغربية) and the Eastern Red Mountains, Jibal al-Ahmar al-Sharqia (Arboric: جبال الأحمر الشرقية).

South of the Red Mountains lies a fertile coastal strip, Qitae al-Bahr (Arboric: قطاع البحر): Sea strip, with many ports. This has become one of the most urbanised and densely populated areas of the western territories. The Eastern Red Mountains reach to the sea, to the south-easternmost cape marking the formal boundary between the Sea of Storms and the Eastern Ocean.

The Red Mountains also form the monsoon border. The annual rainy season, the monsoon (Arboric: موسم), remains south of the mountain range. This means that there is almost no rain north of the mountain range, only wadis (Arboric: وَادِي‎) are filled by the monsoon rains. The interior is therefore a desert area, where oases can be found here and there. Summer storms in the sandy desert can cause heavy sand and dust storms, which even blow the sand over the Red Mountains on the coastal strip.

Off the coast are several islands, the largest of which is Mayurqa (Arboric: مايوركا): large island. The sea between the islands and the mainland is called al-Bahr al-Mutawasit (Arboric: البحر المتوسط): Middle Sea. Despite the great connections with the Sea of Storms and the Eastern Ocean, the coasts of the Middle Sea enjoy a Mediterranean climate. This is due to the fact that the ocean currents pass east and south of the coastal islands. The rise of the monsoon cools the warm climate and brings much needed rain. The Middle Sea is relatively shallow, so the sea is rich in coral reefs.

Overview of the largest islands, from west to east:

Island	Fonetic name	Name in Common Language	Land area (km2)
جزيرة الأسود	Jazirat al-Aswad	Black Island	33,192
جزيرة طويلة	Jazirat Tawila	Long Island	9,432
مايوركا	Mayurqa	Larger Island	70,056
منورقة‎	Manûrqa	Smaller Island	4,968
جزيرة الماعز	Jazirat al-Maeiz	Goat island	15,552
جزيرة قرطبة	Jazirat Qurtuba	Qurtuba Island	31,176
الجزيرة الخضراء الجنوبية	al-Jazeera al-Khadra al-Janubia	Southern Green Island	32,760
الجزيرة الخضراء الشمالية	al-Jazeera al-Khadra al-Shamalia	Northern Green Island	9,288

Besides these islands there are many smaller islands, such as the Juzur Nafijatur (Arboric: جزر نافيجاتور): Navigator Islands, southeast of Manûrqa.

History

See also the Timeline of Arbor

Arbor Spring

In the disastrous year of 1685, the very young Franco-Batavian Empire shook its foundations. A plot to overthrow the Kaiser von Francia and King of Batavia was carried out. At the same time, the ancient High Realm of Stormark fell and disappeared from Micras. A power vacuum arose.

On the way to Batavian Cibola, Arkadius Frederik Gustavus of Vinandy was poisoned. A bottle of whiskey he received from a loyal friend contained poison. This put the Kaiser in a coma. Because the Imperial Frankish Guard had not checked this bottle, a power struggle arose with the Tassity Mansabdar. The plane with the Kaiser and his family was therefore flown to the Arbor Isles. That archipelago was a jarldom of Stormark, which had not long before been granted to the Kaiser.

The chaos was complete when communication with the outside world was cut off. The Frankish Empire became ungovernable because the Kaiser and the Regent were missing. The Chancellor was shot, the Amokolian Highlanders turned against the Franks. In Batavia it was still possible to keep the country together on the continent of Benacia. But Arcadia, Batavian Cibola and Helderbourgh ceased to exist.

The remaining loyal troops of the Tassity Mansabdar together with the loyal Imperial Frankish Army formed a new force: the Muharibu Alhuriya (Arboric: محاربو الحرية). To protect their Kaiser, the Arbor Isles were isolated and cut off from the outside world. This created a new state, which sees itself as the only legitimate successor to the Frankish Empire: the Emirate of Arbor. The comatose Kaiser was declared an emir. He was given the name: Mahmud bin Alsalam, meaning: the praiseworthy son of peace.

The news of the emirate's foundation became known all over Micras, causing the stateless and former Stormarkians to hope for a safe haven. The central person they hoped for is the emirate. Her Storish roots are obvious, but for the Normans felt connected to her because she was their Imperial Chieftain. Together with the Jorviks, the Normans organized an armada of ships to sail as many people as possible to the Arbor Isles. The local militia, consisting mainly of former soldiers, had gained control of all kinds of weaponry. Among them were ships, submarines, fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, etc. Weapons were also collected from other former Storish areas, only what was left behind was destroyed.

The rumours that an armada was on its way to Arbor were not believed. Too unlikely. But it turned out to be true. Hundreds of ships of all sizes sailed the Arbor Isles. When they arrived, they were received by the Emira herself. The refugees were grateful that they were allowed to come, but also declared that they would no longer appear in public as skyclad. Micras is too unsafe for such a free expression.

With the prospect of the Kaiseress becoming a stateholder, the fugitive community of Froyalaners was alarmed. Some young people wanted to take up arms in order to obtain freedom by force. But this was not strategically feasible and did not have the support of the entire community. The reports about the armada and its shelter in the Emirate gave hope. In a petition, the Froyalan community asked for support to leave for Arbor. The Grand Vizier announced that the refugees were welcome, after which he sent ships to the Corprian Archipelago to explore a residential area there.

That same day the Grand Vizier was told that an alien ship had arrived in the port of Jazirat 'Uwyastar. This ship brought representatives of the lost tribes of the Torosh and Souf. They came to plead for the favour of the Emir to include their homeland into the Emirate. An expeditionary corps was sent out to explore the tribes' land. In this way the borders were determined and the area was annexed by the Emirate. The area was referred to as al-Manatiq al-Gharbia (Arboric: المناطق الغربية): western territories. This expansion forced the isolation and access policy to be changed, because the strict policy could not be maintained.

On 3.VIII.1687 AN the Emir awoke from his coma. When the news of the coma became known, people celebrated all over the Emirate. The Emir is alive and awake!

Move to Apollonia

See also Rhythm_of_hips

In 1694 AN the whole country moved to the continent of Apollonia. The vast majority of people have no memory of this. In a mysterious way, this transformation took place without hurting anyone or being worse. All buildings and houses moved with them undamaged, only their arrangement and location changed. The capital Al-Hamra was a medium-sized city, but today it is located on a small island off the coast in the Gulf of Peace. Access to the capital is still limited, while the rest of the country is open for visits.

Because there are still people with a memory of Keltian Arbor, there is a split in society. More and more people are calling for people with these memories to be labelled psychologically ill. Only the Emir and Emira also have memories of Keltian Arbor.

The border between the two countries has been agreed with the new northern neighbour. A treaty with that country is expected soon. By treaty Bur Astir (Port Esther) was transferred to Hurmu.

Demography

Before 1685 there were approximately 10.5 million people living on the Arbor Isles. When the Frankish Kaiser fled to the islands and then the emirate was founded, a large stream of refugees came to the islands to seek refuge. The refugees mainly come from Arcadia, Francia and Stormark.

	1685	1686	1687	1688	1689	1690	1691	1692
Arcadian Batavians	9,076,313	9,218,811	9,338,656	9,465,661	9,618,059	9,629,601	9,641,156	9,652,726
Arbors	10,816,562	10,986,382	11,129,205	11,280,562	11,462,179	11,485,103	11,508,074	11,531,090
Franks	1,352,139	1,373,368	1,391,221	1,410,142	1,432,845	1,434,851	1,436,860	1,438,871
Helderbourghers	929,462	944,055	956,327	969,333	984,940	986,122	987,305	988,490
Jorviks	7,382,543	7,498,449	7,595,929	7,699,233	7,823,191	7,838,837	7,854,515	7,870,224
Normandians	6,331,250	6,430,651	6,514,249	6,602,843	6,709,149	6,722,567	6,736,012	6,749,484
Portogeese	24,233	24,613	24,933	25,273	25,679	25,710	25,741	25,772
Providians	6,014,688	6,109,119	6,188,537	6,272,701	6,373,692	6,387,077	6,400,490	6,413,931
Total	41,927,190	42,585,447	43,139,058	43,725,749	44,429,733	44,509,868	44,590,153	44,670,587

Government

For as long as the Emir is in a coma and unable to rule, the Emirate is ruled by the Grand Vizier and the Muharibu Alhuriya. The Emira is involved in the government of the country and is seen as the representative of the Emir. Although a constitution has not yet been adopted, the Majlis Al'imar (Assembly of the Emirate) is in the process of being set up.

Emir

The Emir of Arbor (Arboric: أمير أربور) is the monarch and the head of state. The Emir was appointed to the foundation of the emirate by the Muharibu Alhuriya. The then Kaiser von Francia was renamed Mahmud bin Alsalam.

Royal family

The royal family consists of the people who are the first line in relation to the Emir. Tragically, the Emir's family has disintegrated. The children of his first wife are left behind in Batavia and are under the tutelage of Benjamin Cambernon. His second wife and their children are with the Emir. They form the formal royal family of Arbor:

• Mahmud bin Alsalam (96), His Majesty the Emir
• Fatima bin Alsalam - bint Halbyurn (100), Her Majesty the Emira
• Hakim bin Alsalam (56)
• Atiya bint Alsalam (56)
• Aisha bint Alsalam (54)
• Nur bint Alsalam (54)
• Farhan bin Alsalam (52)
• Astīr bint Alsalam (52)

• 

  Mahmud bin Alsalam

• 

  Fatima bin Alsalam - bint Halbyurn

Grand Vizier

The Grand Vizier (Arboric: وزیر اعظم) is the head of government. At the time when the Emir was still in a coma, the Grand Vizier was also defacto the head of state. Since its awakening the role as Head of State is formally that of the Emir. The current and first Grand Vizier is Mustafa Asada, the Sawar of the Tassity Mansabdar.

The debate on the role and function of the Grand Vizier is still ongoing. The question remains unanswered as to whether the function is electable by direct or indirect election, or whether the Emir de Grand Vizier is appointed by nomination or not.

Majlis Al'imar

The Majlis Al'imar (Arboric: مجلس الإمارة) is the parliament of the Emirate. Elections to this parliament are scheduled for 1688 AN. Like many government institutions, the Majlis Al'imar will be based in Madinat al-Fath.

Culture

Stories

The Emirate of Arbor, as well as its predecessors, plays a role in the story series "The Micras Chessboard" and the "Tales of the Emira". These stories support or extend the description of the history of the Emirate.

• 

  The Micras Chessboard

• 

  Tales of the Emira