Sotanabeltz

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Junta Sotanabeltz
Anthem"Salve Regina"
Map of Sotanabeltz
Map of Sotanabeltz
CapitalManresa
Largest city Barcelona
Official languages Latin, English (spoken)
Recognised regional languages Spanish
Ethnic groups 44.4% European/ N.American, 23.2% S.Asian, 14.2% Latino, 9.5% E.Asian/ Pacific Islander, 8.7% sub-Saharan African
Demonym Sotanabeltzan(s)
Government Military dictatorship
 -  Head of state Pope Francis
 -  Head of government Capitán General Fito Nikola
Legislature National Assembly
Establishment
 -  Date of first Charter of Recognition 1540 September 27 
 -  Date of revised Charter of Recognition 1550 July 21 
Area
 -  Total 97,458 km2
37,628 sq mi 
Population
 -  2013 estimate 2,083,588
 -  Density 21.4/km2
55.4/sq mi
GDP (nominal) estimate
 -  Total $74,687 million
 -  Per capita $35,845
Gini30.2
medium
HDI 0.765
high
Currency Sotanabeltz erreala (SB$) (SBE)
Time zone Central European Time (UTC+1)
 -  Summer (DST) Central European Summer Time (UTC+2)
Calling code 218
Internet TLD .jhs

Overview

The Junta Sotanabeltz is a nation on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering the Kingdom of Holland to the north and the ungoverned lands of Spain to the south. Its east coast touches the Balearic Sea and its west coast touches the Bay of Biscay. Sotanabeltz offers a variety of climates and terrain for its residents and others to experience from skiing down ice-capped mountains, quieting down amidst vast tracts of rural farmland, camping in cool forests, or relaxing on clean, warm beaches along the Mediterranean and Atlantic. It is a small country in terms of both area and population, but its residents are educated, cultured, and live comfortably. The many attractions of the country attract over 2 million tourists to Sotanabeltz every year. The government of Sotanabeltz is dominated by the military, though there are some opportunities for democratic activities. The populace is also very devoutly Catholic, which has made it easy to maintain the Roman Catholic Pope as the country's head of state. All adult males are either on active duty, reserve duty, or retired military personnel, enabling the country to not only defend itself from attacks but also to engage in offensive attacks on targets in-theatre. The economy is stable and reliant on small- and medium-sized enterprises, including occupations in primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, and involved in regular international trade. Sotanabeltz also maintains friendly relations with several countries that cover a vast percentage of the global population and area.

History

On September 27, 1540, a group of Sotanabeltzans successfully petitioned the Pope to grant them local autonomy with a Charter of Recognition, thus establishing the Junta Sotanabeltz. A decade later, the charter was amended and has remained unchanged since then. The industrious and ingenious nature of Sotanabeltzans quickly established the self-governing area as a major player in the Roman Empire over the next two centuries.

Death & Resurrection

In the mid-18th Century, other provinces in the Empire started to grow wary of the influence that Sotanabeltzans had accumulated in their own provinces. In 1759, the Roman governor of Portugal severed all ties with Sotanabeltz and began an attack on the Junta. For the next several years, other provinces joined in severing ties with the Junta, further isolating Sotanabeltz and damaging its economy and way of life. Simultaneously, various provincial governors urged Rome to revoke the autonomy of the Junta and revert it back to the jurisdiction of the Province of Spain, which Rome finally did in 1773. Sotanabeltzans either died, emigrated elsewhere, or completely dissociated with their identity as such, having also lost all their livelihoods and property as punishment. For the next four decades, allies of the former Junta continued advocating on its behalf in Rome to reverse this decision. After presenting evidence that the governors had manipulated Rome, and seeing Sotanabeltzans as a potentially key ally in defeating Napoleon, Rome reinstated local jurisdiction of the Sotanabeltzan government in 1814.

Amical Protection of North Germania

After being reinstated, the Sotanabeltzans remained very cautious in order to avoid causing the same conditions that led to their annihilation less than half a century prior. Very few living in the area had any living memory of the former Sotanabeltz, but did their best to continue on in the same fashion as before. In 1848, a populist wave supporting democratic reforms passed through the Empire. As a compromise, the Junta allied with the soon-to-be former Province of Spain and seceded from the Roman Empire, but maintained that the Pope would be the head of state. At the start of 1849, Germanian forces invade Spain by land and by sea. Sotanabeltz reaches an agreement with Germanian forces not to resist and to assist in the occupation if they allow the Junta to maintain its autonomy. The Germanians agree to enter into a relationship of amical protection with the Junta. After eight years of war, Germanian forces complete their invasion of Spain and continue advancing into Portugal with Sotanabeltzan forces enlisting to assist in the invasion in accordance with the agreement, but also as retribution for what Portugal did nearly a century ago.

Client State of the Fourth Reich

In 1927, the national socialist forces officially establish the Fourth Reich of North Germania. Sotanabeltz uses this opportunity to carve out more autonomy for itself and becomes a client state of the Fourth Reich. In 1965, the First Session of the 31st National Assembly convenes and ushers in a new era for Sotanabeltz. The delegates begin a thorough and detailed examination of the laws in the country and make revisions necessary to reconnect Sotanabeltzan society with that from before the 19th Century while at the same time responding to the growing influence of the Fourth Reich on Sotanabeltzans. Fearing these changes diminished the role of the Pope as the head of state and taking advantage of the debilitation of the head of government, a coup d'etat occurred in 1981 that lasted for two years. In an ironic twist of fate, while the Pope had the constitutional authority to disband the new government, he chose not to, which stunned the country. This led to a widespread conspiracy theory that the Pope himself was behind the coup and severely hurt the relationship Sotanabeltzans had with the papacy.

On the 135th anniversary of Spain's existence under Germanian rule, various communist and anarchist groups came together to form the Communist-Anarchist Front in order to expel Germanian authority from the Iberian peninsula. After two years of uprisings, Berlin authorized extraordinary measures of suppression aimed at silencing the Communist-Anarchist Front. While most of the Iberian populace begins to rally behind the Communist-Anarchist Front, Sotanabeltzans remain neutral. At the beginning of 1996, Portugal and Spain officially declare themselves independent of the Fourth Reich of North Germania and confiscate all North Germanian military assets in both states. In an immediate, overnight session the Reichskanzler Kübler authorizes major military action against them. Sotanabeltz retains its neutrality, allowing forces from both sides to pass through its territory with an understanding that violence is not to break out in transit. Berlin applied increasing pressure on the Junta to resist the Iberians, but the Junta would not relent. In November 1996, North Germanian forces decide to revoke its recognition of local autonomy, because the agreement was that Sotanabeltz would aid the Germanian government, not remain neutral. Sotanabeltz responded by closing off its border to Germanian forces and began to actively resist. By the summer of 1998, it became obvious that the Germanians were fighting a losing war and in May 1999 completed its withdrawal of all its troops from Iberia and Sotanabeltz.

Goodrule Front

Within a couple weeks, civil war broke out on the Iberian peninsula, but by mid-June the Goodrule Front emerged as the ultimate victor. Once again the Junta appealed for local autonomy, but the Goodrule Front was not as accommodating as its predecessor. All foreign missions of the Junta were downgraded as economic and cultural offices, losing any diplomatic immunity for its resident and diplomatic corps. Its military was forced to be subsumed into the Goodrule military. Sotanabeltz also had to use the Goodrule currency and fall under the jurisdiction of the Goodrule central bank. However, that was the extent of Goodrule encroachment into the lives of the Sotanabeltzans. Much of the day-to-day lives of ordinary Sotanabeltzans did not see much intrusion from the government of Goodrule at all.

During the first half of 2001, the Cottish Flu Pandemic hits the Iberian peninsula and the government of Goodrule immediately quarantines those infected for processing and extermination. Within four months, the pandemic was eliminated, which took the lives of 15 million people, with about half a million from Sotanabeltz alone. Despite this major demographic setback, Sotanabeltzans devised ways to minimize the economic contraction that naturally comes with such a shock to society. In the first few months of 2010, rebellions erupt in Iberian Peninsula against the Goodrule government. Unlike before, this time Sotanabeltzans vigourously participated in the rebellions as they pushed for independence. On March 23, 2010, the Iberian peninsula, including Sotanabeltz, becomes independent from the Goodrule government.

Geography

Sotanabeltz is a 97,458 sq. km country, which is roughly the size of Kentucky or Indiana, located at the northern end of the Iberian peninsula in southwestern Europe. It also claims waters within 24 nm of its coast. There are very few natural hazards or environmental issues.

Climate

The climate is mostly continental Mediterranean, with exceptions being oceanic in Biskaya, highland in the Pyrenees, and Mediterranean along the eastern coast. The parts of the Biskaya and Iruñea Provinces that form the Atlantic Basin have wet weather all year round and moderate temperatures. Precipitation average is about 120 cm (47.2 in). In the plateaued region of these two provinces, there is a varying degree of the oceanic climate, which causes dry and warm summers and cold and snowy winters.

The Ebro valley has a pure Continental climate, winters are cold and dry and summers very warm and dry, with precipitation peaking in spring and autumn. Precipitation is scarce and irregular, as low as 30 cm (1 ft). The Ebro River continues into Aragoi Province, also resulting in mild winters and hot summers with little annual precipitation. The strong, cold cierzo wind is very common around the Ebro Valley during the autumn and winter.

The eastern coast (including Barcelonés-Maresme, Bartzelona, Begues, and Vallès Provinces and portions of Manresa and Tarragona Provinces) features a Mediterranean climate, with summers being dry and hot with sea breezes and winters being mild and humid. A little inland (including most of Manresa and the middle of Tarragona) there is a continental Mediterranean climate like the Ebro Valley with hotter and drier summers and cooler nights than at the coast. Fog is not uncommon in valleys and plains; it can be especially persistent, with freezing drizzle episodes and subzero temperatures during winter, along the Segre and in other river valleys.

In the Pyrenees, the amount of precipitation the range receives, including rain and snow, is much greater in the western than in the eastern Pyrenees because of the moist air that blows in from the Atlantic Ocean over the Bay of Biscay. Temperatures are range from cold to very cold in winter and cool in summer in the Pyrenees and the Iberian range. Rainfall is also increasingly higher in mountain areas, especially in the high Pyrenees. The snow-line varies in different parts of the Pyrenees from about 2,700 to 2,800 m above sea level.

Terrain

The northern parts of the country are mountainous, running from Biskaya through Manresa Provinces, including the Pyrenees Range serving as a natural border. The vast part of the country are lowlands, including the Ebro River Valley. The eastern part of the country is coastland. The country's natural resources include arable land, renewable energy sources (such as hydropower, wind, and solar), as well as large deposits of iron ore and coal.

People & Society

Culture is one of the main tourist draws to Sotanabeltz, whether it is sport, film, music, art & literature, cuisine, or heritage sites. Cultural norms are heavily influenced by Western Christianity, namely the Roman Catholic Church. Within the past couple decades there has been a growing liberalisation of the attitudes among those on the eastern coast as more tourists have flooded into the country and increased wealth and leisure time has allowed an increasing number of Sotanabeltzans to vacation abroad. It is still, however, a cultural norm for curfew to be in place from 11pm-5am daily, during which all those not on duty for emergency or national security occupations are unable to be legally outside their homes.

Demographics

Sotanabeltz is a very diverse country, with no single race making up the majority. 44.4% of Sotanabeltzans are descendants of those from North America, Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East, 23.2% from South Asia, 14.2% from Latin America, 9.5% from East Asia or the Pacific Islands, and 8.7% from Africa. Within these racial groups, however, it is clear that those in the first grouping (i.e. Europeans et al.) are mostly over the age of 65 years old. Along with those from Latin America and East Asia/Pacific Islands, these racial groups are fueling the "graying" of Sotanabeltzan society. The population of South Asians and Africans have experienced growth in the past 30 years and is projected to continue to do so, slowing down though not reversing the population decline of Sotanabeltz. The population peaked in the 1960s, exceeding 4.5 million, but in the past half century has declined to just over 2 million. Part of this decline was due to the Cottish Flu epidemic, during which around half a million Sotanabeltzans perished. Overall, the population over the age of 65 exceeds 20%, which also poses a serious threat to future economic growth.

Everyone born within the borders of the country are automatically Sotanabeltzan nationals, not citizens. Nationals have access to all social services and carry all the responsibilities of citizens. However, only (some) citizens are allowed to vote and to serve in certain government/military offices. The government only grants a man citizenship if he demonstrates proficiency in a skill that contributes positively to society a few years after completing military service. The government also grants a woman citizenship if she marries a male citizen or her husband becomes a citizen during their marriage.

Language

Given the diverse ethnic backgrounds of Sotanabeltzans, the official language of the government is Latin. However, the lingua franca is English, although Spanish is a prevalent regional language as well. Beginning in the 1960s, the educational system in Sotanabeltz has been conducted in English while maintaining Latin courses during secondary education. Most first-generation immigrants, however, retain their native languages and learn basic English for interactions outside of the home.

Education

Private schools provide pre-secondary education (P/K-5th grade) and both they and families with children attending school receive tax breaks from the government. Institutions of secondary education are all public and segregated by sex. The government also provides free vocational education for girls who have completed secondary education. During those two years boys undergo military training, thus ensuring that all youth are involved in something upon attaining the age of majority (20). As adults, men continue their military service in various capacities.

Sport

Football is the national pastime and sport, with competition between Los Cráneos (San Hugo) and Las Cruces (Barcelona). The Sotanabeltzan national football team is also a major player in European football. The two football stadia host many matches against other European teams and almost always sell out. Due to the nature of conscription requirements, all footballers also tend to be on active duty.

Arts & Entertainment

The film industry in Sotanabeltz experienced a major boom in the past 15 years. This "Golden Age" of film has produced many internationally-acclaimed films for the global market. This period also launched the Barcelona Film Festival as one of the biggest annual film festivals in Europe. As a result of the major successes of the domestic film industry, restrictions on the number of foreign films allowed annually to be released in the nation has been lifted, although restrictions on the content of imported foreign films have remained in place.

Radio programming is also a major source of entertainment, with diverse (live or pre-recorded) radio shows broadcasting daily from 5am-11pm.

Jazz is currently the form of popular music in Sotanabeltz. While most music is in English, there are also a handful of Spanish-language jazz artists that are commercially very successful. Sotanabeltzan music has also found a reliable market in the broader European continent.

Government

The government of the Junta Sotanabeltz is a unitary state under military rule, whereby elections are limited to certain offices (see below sections for information on elections in executive and legislative branches).

The head of state is the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and does not reside in the territory of Sotanabeltz. The Pope as head of state is not involved in the governance of the country, except approving the National Assembly’s election of Capitáns General and accepting the resignation requests of Capitáns General. However, he has unlimited powers regarding the governance (or existence) of Sotanabeltz. The Pope also continues to advise the government on international priorities of the Church.

Administrative Divisions

The capital is the City of Manresa. The country is divided into nine provinces: Biskaya, Iruñea, Aragoi, Tarragona, Manresa, Begues, Vallès, Barcelonés-Maresme, and Bartzelona. There are also eight cities, each totaling over 10,000 persons: San Hugo, San Bruno, Pamplona, San Antelmo, Zaragoza, Manresa, Montserrat, and Barcelona. Smaller settlements are towns (5,000-10,000 persons each) and villages (fewer than 5,000 persons each). There is a heavy population concentrated around Barcelona, totaling about 500,000 in that metropolis.

Province Area (sq. km) Population Major settlements Ethnic breakdown
Biskaya 5,325 270,445 San Hugo 49.9% E.Asian/Pacific Islander, 38.2% European/N.American, 4.7% S.Asian, 7.1% Latino
Iruñea 12,300 251,430 Pamplona, San Antelmo, San Bruno 49.7% Latino, 29.7% European/N.American, 20.3% S.Asian, 0.4% E.Asian/Pacific Islander
Aragoi 47,719 237,190 Zaragosa 50.1% African, 49.9% S.Asian
Tarragona 18,453 231,169 Lérida (town) 50.2% S.Asian, 34.1% European/N.American, 13.3% African, 2.1% Latino, 0.3% E.Asian/Pacific Islander
Manresa 10,418 231,058 Manresa, Montserrat 50.0% S.Asian, 42.6% European/N.American, 3.6% Latino, 3.4% African, 0.4% E.Asian/Pacific Islander
Begues 1,264 174,589 Subirats (town) 63.0% European/N.American, 29.9% Latino, 3.6% E.Asian/Pacific Islander, 2.9% S.Asian, 0.7% African
Vallès 1,437 192,469 Terrassa (town) 67.8% European/N.American, 26.3% Latino, 3.1% E.Asian/Pacific Islander, 2.7% S.Asian
Barcelonés-Maresme 454 244,290 Mataró (town) 89.2% European/N.American, 10.0% E.Asian, 0.5% S.Asian, 0.3% African
Bartzelona 88 250,948 Barcelona 44.4% European/N.American, 23.2% S.Asian, 14.2% Latino, 9.5% E.Asian/Pacific Islander, 8.7% African

Executive Branch

The Capitán General is the head of the government and military. He is elected by the National Assembly, confirmed by the Pope, and serves for life. As the head of government he does not enact legislation, but is tasked with carrying out the implementation of the laws. He also directly appoints the province Teniente, of which there are nine, and the municipal Alférez. Mayors of towns are appointed by the governor whose province the town resides. Citizens in each province (or city if selecting a mayor) can collectively submit three candidates to the Capitán General for openings for teniente, as well a well-documented case for each. The Capitán General then selects one of the three or asks the citizens to submit another list of three candidates.

The Generalate

The General Council consists of twelve people, four of whom are known as Advisors. These four are selected by the National Assembly at the same time it elects the Capitán General. The other eight, known as Counsellors, are appointed by the Capitán General and serve at his pleasure. Among these twelve, there must be at least one from each of the nine provinces. The Capitán General also appoints an Exhorter, who serves as a confidant (though not part of the General Council) to ensure that the Capitán General’s actions are not imprudent.

The General Curia is a separate entity from the General Council and serves as a cabinet. It is headed by the Adjutant General and the Vice-Adjutant, who coordinate the works of the Curia. The General Curia is divided into three levels: secretariats, councils, and offices.

There are three Secretariats: Treasury and Justice, Military Police, and Decorations and Merits. The Secretariat of the Treasury and Justice oversees finances and civilian legal matters. The Secretariat of Military Police is concerned with all legal matters within the military/government. The Secretariat of Decorations and Merits oversees the process of awarding merits to citizens posthumously.

There are five Councils: Foreign Affairs, Industry, Interior, Higher Education, and Education. The Council of Foreign Affairs promotes the culture of Sotanabeltz and diplomacy abroad. The Council of Industry facilitates collaboration between public and private, military and civilian sectors, including trade, energy, and tourism. The Council of the Interior manages all issues relating to social well-being and ecology. The Council of Higher Education and Council of Education are responsible for educational institutions in the country, with the latter focusing on secondary education (Grades 6-12).

There are six Offices: Communication & Public Relations, Archives, Library of the Curia, Tax Administration, Development Cooperation, and Spirituality & Living. The Office of Communication & Public Relations is in charge of releasing information from the General Curia to members of the military or the general populace as well as conveying information from them to the Capitán General. The Archives manages and controls access to all important documents/records the General Curia generates. The Library of the Curia keeps a collection of all literature and media concerning Sotanabeltz. The Office of Tax Administration is the revenue service for the country. The Office of Development Cooperation manages all humanitarian efforts internationally and in response to national emergencies. The Office of Spirituality & Living coordinates programs that seek to continually enrich the spiritual lives of residents so as to instill better moral living.

Current Officials of the General Curia

  • Adjutant General: Ignacio Mascarenhas
  • Secretary of the Treasury and Justice: Carlos Gray
  • Secretary of Military Police: Benoît Mendoza
  • Secretary of Decorations and Merits: Antonio Lindeijer
  • President of Foreign Affairs: Milán Blaszczak
  • President of Industry: Tomás Žust
  • President of the Interior: Xavier Álvarez
  • President of Higher Education: Miguel Mesa
  • President of Education: José Alberto Garanzini
  • Prefect of Communication & Public Relations: Roy Sebastian Bellucci
  • Prefect of the Archives: Norman MacCuarta
  • Prefect of the Library of the Curia: Ernesto Serrano
  • Prefect of the Tax Administration: Jorge Eduardo González
  • Prefect of Development Cooperation: Raúl Martinez
  • Prefect of Spirituality & Living: Eduard Witwer

Legislative Branch

The National Assembly is the highest authority in the government, superseding even the authority of the Capitán General. The National Assembly is both an electoral college and a legislature. It does not meet regularly and only gathers to elect a new Capitán General or at the request of the Capitán General. It is composed of 144 members, with each province having a proportional number of delegates based on its population. Currently, each province is allocated 16 delegates. The incumbent teniente automatically has a seat in the National Assembly and can appoint up to 1/3 of the remaining seats. The other 2/3 of the seats are elected by popular vote; as long as one is a male national (citizenship not required) over the age of 30, one is eligible to be elected as a delegate. The Capitán General has always been (though not necessarily) elected from among the delegates of the National Assembly. Each time the National Assembly is gathered, there must be a new election of delegates, although any gathering may be separated into various sessions without holding a new election of delegates.

Judicial Branch

This branch of government does not exist separately, but resides in the Secretariat of Military Police (for matters within the military and government) and in the Secretariat for the Treasury and Justice (for matters regarding civilians). The Capitán General also has the power to overrule any verdict the Secretariats reach.

Constitution & Legal System

The Constitution has been in place since the establishment of the country almost 500 years ago, with certain sections becoming obsolete or clarified in the accompanying Supplementary Standards document. The Constitution is separate from the Charter of Recognition, which only the pope may alter. The Charter of Recognition mentions the Constitution of Sotanabeltz as having much authority to govern the country. The legal system is a civil law system. Suffrage is for male nationals 25 years or older.

National Holidays, Symbols, and Anthem

There are several national holidays, during which all non-emergency, non-national security employees are required by law to abstain from work (exception for religious occupations): all Sundays, Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas (December 25 – January 6), Father’s Day (March 19), Easter (varies, holiday starts the evening of the Thursday prior and lasts through the Sunday after Easter), Ascension (sixth Thursday after Easter), Corpus Christi (three weeks after Ascension), Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29), National Day (July 31 – August 2), Mother’s Day (August 15), and All Saints’ Day (November 1).

The national symbol is a cross with its base resting on the center of the diameter of a circle with its top and arms sticking up above the circumference of the circle. Above the cross are seven five-point stars arranged in a semicircle formation. It represents the national motto, “Stat crux dum volvitur orbis” (The Cross is steady while the world is turning).

The national anthem is the Salve Regina:
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevæ,
ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos
ad nos converte;
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Religion

The official religion is Roman Catholicism, although all residents are free to worship any established religion. However, to acquire citizenship requires that one be a fully-initiated Roman Catholic. The country contains the Archdiocese of Montserrat and the Diocese of Pamplona. The seat of the Most Rev. Joseph D'Souza, Archbishop of Montserrat, is at the Basilica Cathedral of La Virgen de Montserrat. The archdiocese itself governs the parishes in the provinces of Barcelonés-Maresme, Bartzelona, Begues, Manresa, Tarragona, and Vallès. There are 94 priests in active ministry as well as one auxiliary bishop serving over 1.35 million Catholics. The seat of the Most Rev. George Boniface Toppo, Bishop of Pamplona, is at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Way. The diocese covers the provinces of: Aragoi, Biskaya, and Iruñea. There are 50 priests in active ministry and one auxiliary bishop serving over 730,000 Catholics.

Military

The Sotanabeltzan military comprises of three main branches: Army, Navy, and Air Force. There are 46,243 men on active duty, not including the men undergoing military training. Overall, there are 368,984 men between the ages of 16-49 fit for military duty and ready to respond to any national emergencies. As a result of all male citizens having undergone extensive military training, it is widespread practice for each male citizen to have firearms such as the MP7A1 and SIG SG 540 in his home (with proper registration and licensing).

Army

The Army has the fewest members on active duty of the three branches, but in wartime the amount can grow to over 238,000. During the initial two years of military training, there are over 13,000 males in the army training division. In addition to the equipment below, the Army is also producing surface-to-surface missiles that can deliver conventional warheads up to 1,700 km.

Armoured Vehicles

  • Challenger 2 main battle tank (38)
  • Challenger Armoured recovery vehicle (40)
  • Chieftain tank-MK-5 (27)
  • M60A1 (60)
  • M60A3 (93)
  • M88A-1 Recovery (11)
  • M728 Recovery (31)
  • B1 Centauro with 120 mm gun (Hitfact) (9)
  • Mowag Piranha 8x8 LAV's (175)
  • Panhard VBL (132) including 8 with BGM-71 TOW ATGM Missile launcher.
  • Panhard VAB 4x4 &6x6 including 6 with 2RM 120mm heavy mortar\ 6 VAB-VCI and 8 VAB-VTT (56)
  • Fahd APC (31-100)
  • WZ-551B (50)
  • HMMWV Hummer
  • Commando MK-III 4x4 (100)
  • FV101 Scorpion (97)
  • FV103 Spartan (34)
  • FV105 Sultan (31)
  • FV106 Samson (30)
  • Alvis Stormer (9)
  • Alvis Saladin (38)
  • Saxon (22)
  • Cadillac Gage Commando (20)
  • VBC-90 (19)

Trucks

  • MAN TAG heavy trucks
  • ACMAT VLA 6x6
  • ACMAT VLRA 4x4
  • Landrover 4x4

Artillery

  • Type-90A 122mm MRLs (12)
  • G6 howitzers (24)
  • M-109A2 (15)
  • L118 Light Gun (39)
  • Type 59-1 (12)
  • M46 130mm Gun (15)
  • FH-70 (12)
  • 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30) (30)
  • L16 81mm Mortar
  • M-102 105mm Howitzer (36)
  • Brandt 120mm mortar (12)
  • 2R2M 120mm SP\on VAB mortar (14)
  • M-30 107mm mortar-SP\on M-106A-2 APCs (12)
  • BGM-71F TOW-2B ATGMs (18)launchers\562 missiles
  • BGM-71A\C Improved TOW ATGMs 26 launchers\220 missiles
  • FGM-148 ATGMs 30 launchers\250 missiles
  • Milan ATGMs 32-50 launchers
  • LAW MK-80 Light ATRLs
  • RPG-7V Light ATRLs

Surface-to-Air Missiles

  • Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon GDF-007 (10)
  • Skyguard-AD system (Aspide SAMs+Oerlikon GDF-002 35mm twin AAGs)
  • Bofors 40mm gun
  • VDAA 2x20mm SP-AAGs (9)
  • ZU-23 2x23mm AAGs (4-5)
  • M-167A2 VADS 20mm AAG
  • SHORAR radar system (2)
  • Blindfire radar systems for Rapier missiles (18)
  • Skyguard-radar systems for Skyguard A\D systems (5)
  • Cymbeline artillery location radar (3)
  • Tigercat SAMs
  • Avenger SP-air defense system-on order (18)
  • Rapier MK-2\Jernas SAMs (5) launchers\600 Rapier-1+ 800 Rapier-2 missiles
  • Mistral anti-aircraft missile (54) launchers\230 missiles
  • Blowpipe MANPADs-200 missiles
  • Javelin MANPADs (30) launchers\280 missiles
  • SA-7 Grail MANPADs (34)
  • NASAMS
  • THAAD anti-missile system

Small Arms

  • Browning Hi-Power MK-2 Pistol
  • SIG Sauer P226
  • S&W M38
  • INSAS Standard Assault Rifle
  • Steyr AUG Service Rifle
  • M16A1/A2/A4 Service rifle
  • M4 carbine
  • Bushmaster Carbon 15
  • SIG SG 540
  • FN FAL 50-00/L1A1
  • H&K G3
  • FN Minimi SAW
  • FN MAG Machine gun
  • M2 BrowningHB Machine gun
  • M203 grenade launcher
  • M79 grenade launcher
  • PCMVMF
  • Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
  • Barrett M82
  • H&K MP5A3
  • H&K MP7A1
  • Sterling MK-IV (L2A3)

Navy

The Navy has 23,122 men on active duty, though the numbers can grow to over 66,000 in wartime. During the initial two years of military training, there are almost 4,000 males in the navy training division.

Ships

  • Khareef-class corvettes (3)
  • Qahir-class corvettes (2)
  • Al-Bushra-class patrol vessels (3)
  • Al-Ofouq-class patrol vessels (4)
  • amphibious transport vessel (1)
  • amphibious landing ship, tank (1)
  • general-purpose logistics amphibious assault ship (1)

Missiles

  • 50 VT-1Crotale NG SAMs
  • 162 Exocet MM-40 (122 Block-1+ 40 Block-2)
  • Exocet MM-38
  • Harpoon_(missile) Block-II
  • Mica-SAM

Electronics

  • MASS Ship protection system
  • 3x SMART-S MK-II Ship sensors
  • 2x MW-8 Air search radar
  • 5x Sting fire control radar
  • 2x DRBV-51C fire control radar
  • 3x RA-20S air search radar
  • 4x 9LV radar
  • 3x CEROS-200 radar

Air Force

The Air Force has 22,558 men on active duty, though the numbers can grow to over 64,000 in wartime. During the initial two years of military training, there are over 3,500 males in the airborne training division.

Aircraft

  • Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (24)
  • Eurofighter Typhoon (12)
  • BAe Hawk 203 (11)
  • Lockheed C-130 Hercules (6)
  • Dornier Do 228-100 (2)
  • Douglas DC-3 (1) for regional diplomatic travel
  • Boeing 757 (1) for long-distance diplomatic travel
  • EADS CASA C-295 (8)
  • BAe Hawk 103 (4)
  • Hawk 128 (Hawk T2) (8)
  • PAC Super MFI-17 Mushshak (7)
  • Pilatus PC-9M (12)
  • AgustaWestland AW139 (10)
  • Bell 206B JetRanger (5)
  • Bell 214 (5) & 214ST (6)
  • Bell HH-1H Iroquois (20)
  • Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec (3)
  • Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma (6)
  • NHI NH90 (20)
  • Westland Super Lynx (15)

Air-to-Air Missiles

  • 70 MBDA R.550 Magic
  • 550 AIM-9P\L Sidewinder
  • 50 AIM-120 AMRAAM
  • 310 AIM-9M Sidewinder

Air-to-Ground Missiles

  • 20 AGM-84D
  • 80 AGM-65D\G Maverick

Bombs

  • BL-755
  • GBU-31\38
  • (84) JDAM (GBU-13\32)
  • Paveway-II (150) (GBU-10\12\16)
  • CBU-97 SFW350 (50)

Avionics/Pods

  • 2 TARS
  • 7 Sniper AN-AAQ-33
  • AN-ALE-47
  • AN-ALQ-211
  • JHMCS Pilot helmet
  • Topowl
  • TWE
  • 12 AN\APG-66 combat aircraft radars (for F-16C\D)

Target drones

  • 53 TTL BTT-3 Banshee

Radars

  • AR-15
  • 4x S-713 Martello 3-D
  • 2x S-600
  • 1x Watchman

Training

All males ages 18 and older are required to be in the military, either on active or reserve duty. Active duty is defined as undergoing training or having employment that directly relates to national security. Reserve duty is defined as having employment that does not directly relate to national security, but may be called into active duty in times of national emergency or war.

Upon graduating from secondary education, all males report to their local military training facility for two-years of intensive training. They start off as a Soldado/Marinero, becoming Soldado/Marinero de Primera after one year.

Upon reaching the age of majority, they rise to the rank of Cabo, and begin their undergraduate studies in liberal arts. Over these three years, they rise to through the ranks of Cabo Primero and Cabo Major while maintaining some military training during their studies.

Then the man becomes a Sargento as he begins four years of graduate studies. During this time, men can choose from a variety of fields depending on what they wish their occupation to be and rise through the rank of Sargento Primero.

After a man completes his formal education, he becomes a Brigada and begins to work as an apprentice in his chosen profession. Usually after a couple years he has made progress and is promoted to Subteniente and then in another two years finishes his apprenticeship and becomes a journeyman, which comes with the rank of Suboficial Mayor.

The journeyman years as a Suboficial Mayor does not have a definitive timeline and depends on how the man is able to master the skills. Only when the government feels like the man can make a positive contribution to society does it offer him the rank of Caballero Cadete and citizenship. At this point the man either continues on active duty or is re-classified as being on reserve duty. In order to be appointed as an Alférez (Second lieutenant, equivalent to city mayor), Teniente (Lieutenant, equivalent to governor), or Capitán General, a man must hold at least the rank of Caballero Cadete.

Economy

The economy of Sotanabeltz is healthy with a GDP of nearly $75 billion and a per capita GDP of almost $36,000. The primary sector drives the economy of the interior provinces while the coastal provinces rely primarily on the secondary and tertiary sectors. The economy itself is a mixed economy, dominated by worker-owned small and medium enterprises. Large/multinational corporations face a large amount of regulations and taxation, causing many such enterprises to find ways to remain a SME or to completely withdraw from Sotanabeltz. There is often a strong partnership between the private and public sectors, especially in providing social services. The currency is the Sotanabeltz erreala.

Agriculture

corn, beets, cereal & forage crops, fruit orchards, sunflowers, rapeseed, prevail, vegetable crops, cheese, asparagus, piquillo peppers, wine, wheat, barley, rye, fruit, grapes, poultry, pigs, sheep, cattle, goats

Industries

agriculture, canned foods, livestock, iron ore, coal, steel, shipbuilding, renewable energy, machinery, tourism & services

Exports & Imports

Sotanabeltz exports mainly foodstuffs and imports mainly consumer goods, machinery and equipment, and fuels. Its trading partners include those in the Mediterranean area, Europe, across the Atlantic, and along the western coast of Africa.

Transportation

Almost all Sotanabeltzans rely on public transit for transportation, because they rarely travel outside of their home provinces. There is a national railway that connects San Hugo with Barcelona. There is one coast-to-coast train in each direction every day as well as three express trains in each direction on weekdays. Most of the national roads are used solely by the military to transport troops and materials and for facilitating inter-province trade. The major highway, El Camino, runs parallel to the express train route and after getting into Barcelona and San Hugo, turns north to the border with the Kingdom of Holland. There is also a thoroughfare heading southwest out of Zaragoza towards the unorganised lands of Spain.

Another major connection to the international community, particularly Senatus Populusque Romae, the Empire of Apilonia, and other destinations in the Mediterranean is from the seaport at Barcelona. This is also the major seaport for all trade to/from the Mediterranean. The port at San Hugo is the major seaport for trans-Atlantic trade as well as for passenger travel to northern Europe.

There is only one civilian air field in Sotanabeltz: the Barcelona International Airport. Almost all passengers departing and arriving are international tourists from the region. There is also one scheduled cargo plane landing and departure daily. Due to the short runway (3000 m), the airport cannot accommodate larger aircraft, which limits the nonstop destinations available from Sotanabeltz.

Diplomatic Missions

The Government of Sotanabeltz maintains resident missions in each of the countries below, with the bolded cities indicating embassies and the unbolded cities indicating consulates. The years following each city indicate the first establishment of diplomatic representations. Economic and cultural offices may have been established in these cities earlier and may also be present in countries not listed below. The embassies of other countries in Sotanabeltz are either situated in the capital (Manresa) or Barcelona.

  • Empire of Apilonia: Tangier (2012)
  • Central European Federation: Wroclaw (1722), Katowice (1722), Krakow (1722), Prague (1951), Bratislava (1951)
  • Realm of Cotland: Oslo (1956)
  • Kingdom of Holland: Amsterdam (1730), Lyon (1540), Paris (1540), Berlin (1721), Frankfurt (1721), Hamburg (1721), Munich (1721), Rhine-Ruhr (1721), Stuttgart (1721)
  • Republic of the Khorsuni Nation: Verela (2008)
  • Empire of Layarteb: Layarteb City (1983), Dublin (1995)
  • Senatus Populusque Romae: Rome (1540), Milan (1815), Naples (1815), Turin (1815), Zurich (1733)