Baatharz
| al-Imārāt al-Baatharz Emirate of Baatharz | |||
| |||
| Motto: None | |||
| Anthem: None | |||
| |||
| Map versions | 3.5.0 - 6.8.5; 12.1 - 13.9.8; 14.2.4 - present | ||
| Capital | Baathshahr | ||
| Largest city | Riyan | ||
| Official language(s) | English, Arabic The latter is primarily ceremonial | ||
| Official religion(s) | |||
| Demonym | Baatharzi | ||
| - Adjective | Baatharzi | ||
| Government | Monarchy | ||
| - Shâhanshâh | Truvus Roshnâm Shâh | ||
| - Emir of Baatharz | Amir Shervanis | ||
| - Legislature | None | ||
| Establishment | 10 September 2000 | ||
| Area | 9,728,732 km² | ||
| Population | Unknown | ||
| Active population | 1 | ||
| Currency | None | ||
| Calendar | |||
| Time zone(s) | |||
| Mains electricity | |||
| Driving side | |||
| Track gauge | |||
| National website | www.babkha.com | ||
| National forum | babkha.com/forum/ | ||
| National animal | Camelus dromedarius | ||
| National food | Mishi waroq'inab | ||
| National drink | None | ||
| National tree | Euran cedar (Cedrus eurani) | ||
| Abbreviation | BAB | ||
Baatharz, officially the Emirate of Baatharz is a nation occupying the northeastern tip of Eura. It is part of the Imperial State of Babkha and is bordered by Ashkenatzi Mahoz HaSephardim to the northwest, and Antican Parvatvana to the north. The Emirate is the only Arabic portion of Babkha (which is predominantly Persian) and represents the only major cultural distinction within the Kingdom.
History
Baatharz began its life as a small micronation known as the Republic of Bathland, founded by one Thomas Mountain (also spelled Mountian) circa 2000. Mountain joined Babkha as one of its earliest citizens, and soon allowed Bathland to become a protectorate. By 2002 Mountain had departed from Babkha but Bathland remained a protectorate, first under the leadership of George Nantell, and later Umra Khan, where it became a center of Islamic Socialism. Under the reign of Shah Ardashir Khan Osmani, Bathland was annexed outright to the kingdom and became a satrapy. After this, Bathland fell into a state of inactivity and was all but forgotten save as a rural province of Babkha. In August of 2003, Amir Shervanis joined Babkha upon the invitation of the Shah and was appointed Satrap of Bathland. Shervanis immediately undertook a vast reorganization of the state and laid out a cultural framework that continues to exist today. Bathland was first officially made an Arabic state, a stark contrast to the rest of Persian Babkha, and even today the only Arab portion of the kingdom. It was also at this time that its name was changed from Bathland to the Arabic equivalent we now know as Baatharz (Baath meaning Renaissance + arz meaning land). This was indeed fitting considering that Baatharz did undertake a cultural renaissance. The arts prospered, and Shervanis became head of Babkha's grand cultural institution, the Dar Al Fanun, which was relocated to Baathshahr. Baatharz continued contributing to Babkhan culture, establishing education centers, developing graphic arts, breeding sandworms, and numerous other developments. Baatharz also spearheaded Babkha's membership in the Micronational Cartography Society and was a key player in the re-conquest of the south-western lands that would eventually become Zsharra.
After the collapse of the Babkhan kingdom, portions of Eura were claimed and settled by foreign powers. Among these was Antica, which proceeded to lay claim to a considerable portion of former Baatharzi territory. With the return to normality of the Babkhan monarchy and its re-assertion of control over most of Eura, Baatharz was left as only a small fragment along the Antican colony's southern border. The Shervanis dynasty has since re-located to Zsharra where they have become Emirs over that state and now manage the remnants of Baatharz with the long-term objective of eventually restoring the state to its former glory. In October of 2010, Antica voted to grant Baatharz (known in Antica as Eranistan) independence, whereupon it was formally annexed to Babkha and much of Baatharz's former lands regained. The Shervanis dynasty has since returned from Zsharra to Baathshahr in order to lead the reconstruction of the Emirate.
Government and politics
For many years, Baatharz maintained its own autonomous government and was granted the right to elect its own government and conduct its own internal affairs; with only foreign, military, and judicial affairs directed by Babkha. During this time the government was based on the Republican model initiated during the Republic of Bathland era, and general elections were held to appoint a Behtarin Vazir, or Prime Minister. With the full incorporation of Baatharz into Babkha around 2004, the autonomous government was dissolved in lieu of the more practical provincial government of an Emirate.
Foreign relations and military
Foreign relations and military affairs are administered by the Babkhan government.
Culture
The cultural background of the original Republic of Bathland was ambiguous at best. Bathland's founder, Thomas Mountian, left little documentation on what he intended for the state besides a few vague documents. That the region was literally named for a bathtub was evidenced by the original flag, which had a tub-shaped ellipse in the center. So it came to be that when Amir Shervanis was appointed Satrap in 2003, he inherited a veritable blank slate. The inspiration for transforming Bathland into an Arabic-cultured state came from ancient Yemen and the Kingdom (or Queendom) of Sheba, as well as Shervanis' own Lebanese background. Much of the original imagery presented to the public was photographs of sites and cities in Yemen. Over the years however this has become much more generalized, and Baatharz has come to encompass inspirations from across the Arab world and even from other media, such as Frank Herbert's Dune novels.
Economy
During Baatharz's time as an independent state in association with Babkha, the nation did have its own currency known as the rial. However, since full incorporation into the Kingdom, the Baatharzi economy has since been united with that of Babkha.
