International Democratic UnionBoard

The Republic of Nova Sodor commonly called NSR is a sovereign state in the International Democratic Union.

The NSR is a developed country and is considered to have a high-income economy. It is categorised as very high in the Human Development Index

The NSR is a member of the World Assembly.

It is bordered on the north by OTHER-NATION, on the south by OTHER-NATION, by the east by OTHER-NATION and on the west by OTHER-NATION. NATION covers LAND AREA square kilometers and has has an estimated population of POPULATION. NATION comprises of NUMBER SUBDIVISIONS and NUMBER TERRITORIES.

Etymology

Sudria is the name of a legendary Bear warrior/philosopher who kept the Island safe during the dark ages. It is from this figure that the Island takes her name.

The Bear warrior/philosopher 'Sudria'

The standard way to refer to a citizen of Nova Sodor is as a "Nova Sodorian."

History

Fifteen hundred years ago the Island that became Sodor was peopled by nomadic and warlike tribes. Competition for land and resources was fierce and the tribes were in danger of destroying their own civilization.

Legend tells of the Bear warrior philosopher, Sudria that lived in the great west forest to unite the tribes and and save them from their own shortsightedness. Sudria codified a set of laws by which the people agreed to live by. Sudria's reign lasted for over 100 years until his death in the 6th century. After his passing Sudria's body was taken to a cave in the mountains and cremated. From that day the mountain became known as Cadair Sudria or 'Chair of Sudria'.

After his passing reign over 'Sudria's Land' passed from one ruler to another, each one elected by the 'council of Sudria' and the Island prospered.

Those that lived on the Island called themselves Sudrica.

Politically and technologically Sudria remained in an Iron Age state until the 11th century When the Island was visited by a group of people from the southern sea calling themselves Norams. Accompanied by a well trained military force they made their intent clear - become part of our empire by agreement or by force. The Southern Sudrians made peace and allowed the Norams to establish themselves - they established their capital in the south East and named it Noramby. The Island's name was Noramised to Sodor.

Despite their status as occupiers the Norams were clever enough to incorporate the Sudrica into their feudal system by granting the more compliant and competent Islanders positions of seniority.

They continued to meet fierce resistance however from some Sudrica who retreated into the northern highlands protecting their territory using guerrilla warfare.

Under the Norams Sodor prospered and developed taking her place in the ever developing world.

Over the centuries the Noram Empire faded and Sodor became it's own country. A new ruling class emerged emulating the old Noram aristocracy and guided Sodor into the Industrial revolution. Among these were the Hatts.

This new era saw the development of mining, engineering and the railways. Sodor prospered once more and established herself on the international stage as a mercantile power.

Sometime around the mid 20th century however Sodor once more technologically and politically plateaued. Despite the presence of elected officials the Island was effectively controlled by the aristocracy. With coffers full from recent mercantile endeavours they used the Island as their personal playground and ran the Industries as pastimes and hobbies.

Despite many Sodorians (mostly Southern) being happy with the order the model was unsustainable. Change was needed in Sodor and change was coming.

Max Tylenor, a working class Sodorian, born in the late 20th century to hard working, blue collar parents in the relatively characterless commuter town of Ballahoo left school to take up the unthinkable occupation of freelance travel writer. In this occupation Max would spend time in the most technologically advanced cities, explore long forgotten realms and nations and meet with people that most in his homeland had only read about in books.

During his travels Max also formed his own company 'Intermix'. A multi platform media company that served a young, diverse yet inclusive population. Intermix delivers a mix of news, pop culture and comedy that is both entertaining and topical.

Max returned home to Sodor for the first time in fifteen years to pay his respects to a great aunt and comparing his homeland to the places that he had visited was saddened by what he saw as the cultural stagnation.

Understanding the well intentioned but misguided leadership exhibited by the aristocracy, Tylenor, for the first time in living formed a new political party to contest seats in the Senate - the Progressives.

Ignoring the smug grins of the existing politicos recruited a team of business people, engineers and humanitarians to work with him and articulated his vision for the brave new party.

1) An impeccable environment
2) A technologically advanced infrastructure
3) A structured social safety net that emphasised re-integration - not alienation
4) A universal healthcare system
5) A fully integrated world class public transport system
6) A business environment which was conducive to free enterprise
7) A self sustaining country with regards to (organic) food and (renewable) energy production
8) A comprehensive state funded education system
9) Complete overhaul of the political system

He summed his vision up in three words that became the motto of Nova Sodor:

Innovation, enterprise, sustainability.

Despite an initial reticence on the part of the populace Tylenor slowly began to get his message across and whether it was working class Establishmentarians tempted by the new world, Industrialists excited by the prospect of developing the new technologies Tylenor talked about or young Sudrica wanting more than just the old ways membership of the Progressive party grew enough to enable a successful vote that saw it take seats on the Senate.

Change was needed on Sodor and change was coming.

The Progressives have existed now for three years now and wrangle daily in the Senate with the Establishmentarians, Industrialists and Sudrica for the greater good of Nova Sodor

Max Tylenor

Geography

The total area of the (roughly diamond shaped) NSR is approximately 243,610 square kilometres (94,060 sq mi). The country include Misty Isle and some smaller surrounding islands. It lies to the south west of the International Democratic Union

10% of the NSR is forested, 46% used for pastures and 25% cultivated for agriculture.

South West Quadrant

The South West coast is the both the most heavily populated and busiest. An extensive modernisation program instigated by Max Tylenor has seen glass and steel skyscrapers rising up from Tidmouth, Maron (home to the Island's airport), Knapford, Bredham, Wellsworth and Elsbridge.

Tidmouth

Wellsworth Hospital (with its world class VODAIS treatment facility)

Elsbridge sporting arena and multiplex.

Inland from the south west coast lies rich agricultural land and produces much of the Island's organic produce which is exported globally. Extensive renewable energy facilities in this area including wind turbines and a solar farms exist alongside the fertile farm land.

North West Quadrant

A significant portion of the north west quadrant is home to the Island's lush forests where bears (the Island's national animal) frolic freely and the braver adventurers explore. The Nova Sodorian Senate has declared this forest a national park and protected from the prospecting of Nukes4U who claim to have discovered uranium beneath it. This earned Tylenor grudging respect from the Sudrica but enmity from the Smelters.

A bear resident of the great west forest

Harwick, situated on the north west coast is home to the Island's fishing industry which prides itself on producing the famous Sodorian sea trout which is exported globally.

Northern territory

Bleak and hilly the Northern Territory is home to a number of Sudrica settlements and small holdings accessible only by small tracks not suitable for the average city car.

Sudrica dwelling in the Northern highlands

Peel

Just north of the Island's central most point lies Peel. Home to a number of heavy industrial companies it was once envisaged to be the hub of a thriving industrialised Island covered in mines, smelting plants and processing factories.

Now however it lies mostly derelict since the Nova Sodorian Senate withdrew their licences, ended their funding and refused them permission to mine uranium.

Regardless of the last paragraph Peel, as old smelting works are converted into factories and warehouses for the Islands extensive IT industry and not so extensive, yet high quality, auto industry may be undergoing it's own transformation. This has led to a two step approach in the city with die hard smelters resenting those that see have betrayed them by manufacturing and distributing produce of Nova Sodor.

Peel

North East Quadrant

The North west quadrant of the Island is bleak and hilly. The Devil's back mountain range features in this quadrant.

Devil's Back is a popular tourist destination on Nova Sodor and hosts a number of activities including climbing, caving, white water rafting, snow boarding and, in the lower foothills, trekking. A number of mountain lakes discharge their contents to create impressive waterfalls - another tourist draw.

A popular expedition managed by Pathfinder Excursions (the Island's largest tour operator) includes a trek through the foot hills, an ascent of Culdee Fell and a caving experience which takes the explorers down into underwater caverns that lie beneath the 'back' and from there a kayak following underground rivers which emerge in a number of places in the foothills.

Sudria Idris in the Devil's Back

The North East quadrant is also home to Sodor's army, Air Force and naval bases as well as an impressive radio telescope array.

Hoo radio telescope arrary

South East Quadrant

The South East Qudrant of Nova Sodor is home to Sodor's old money.

Within the territory are a number of well to do market towns that are home to the Sodorian aristocracy and Middle classes.

The Island's old capital of Noramby is also located in this quadrant.

The Island of Nova Sodor has variable weather that changes from day to day between different regions and within different regions. Consequently it is very difficult to predict or forecast the weather.

Nova Sodor does have four distinct seasons of fairly equal length - spring, summer, autumn and winter. In winter it is colder and wetter and the days are shorter than in summer.

Regional variations

Different parts of the Island experience slightly different regional climates. These can be summarised as:

North West - cool summers, cold winters
North East - cool summers, cold winters
South East - warm summers, mild/cold winters
South West - warm/hot summers, mild winters

Demographics

Population

Nova Sodorians

Living mostly in the Island's south west quadrant Nova Sodorians form about 75% of the Island's population.

With the 85% of the Island's electricity being generated from renewable sources as well as a ban on non bio-degradable plastics and fertilisers environmental awareness is fundamental to being a Nova Sodorian

They are tech savvy perfectly happy using the Island's wide broad band over a number of devices for multiple reasons.

Despite this they are avid outdoors people and are love nothing more than climbing mountains in the Devil's Back, white water rafting back down or surfing on the southern coast.

They are not prolific consumers preferring experiences to things but when they do make purchases they do so in an astute and sophisticated way.

They enjoy kicking back with a glass of wine on a summer's evening and enjoy culture but disdain the stuffier galleries and museums prefering to get hands on.

They are independent and are just as happy behind the wheel or navigating the Island's world class integrated public transport network.

The Sudrica

The Sudrica form about 5% of the Island's population and represent those on the Island who stick to the old ways of doing things. They are hard working and many still believe that Sudria will one day return in the Island's hour of need.

The majority of the Sudrica live in hamlets and isolated cottages scattered across the Island tending to the crafts of days gone by such as basket weaving, small holding and wood chipping.

They have no interest in the modern lifestyles of the Nova Sodorians nor the stifling class system of the Sodorians. That said some Sudrica and coming to see the benefits of the Island wide broadband system as well as the off road capabilities of the Logan Automotive Sudra.

The Sudrica proudly claim they are the inventors of Sudraball - the Island's quirky version of football played with few rules and often no referee.

A game of Sudraball being played

Sodorians

The Sodorians form about 15% of the Island's population and are those that live within the class system established by the aristocracy and the technological environment of the mid 20th century.

The Sodrian way encompasses all social classes from the aristocracy to the working class. If you adhere to the rules laid down by the class system and play your part within it you're a Sodorian.

Many working class Sodorians are being swayed by the life styles and skyscrapers sported by their Nova Sodorian cousins.

Sodorian pastimes range from the gentle to the moderate and at times overlap with the Nova Sodorians in areas such as caving. The Sodorians however have little time for the excessive safety equipment sported by the Nova Sodorians and look upon its use somewhat scornfully.

The Smelters

Smelters are those who worked in heavy industry such as mining and smelting. They form the remaining 5% of the Island's population.

With the Island's need for money becoming ever greater heavy industry was starting gain a foothold and become a major employer. Ironically the presence of smelting was in the process of breaking down the old aristocratic stranglehold but that was before the modernisation program however which favours the industries of IT, Agriculture, Insurance, Retail and Tourism saw their funding dry up and their licences withdrawn.

Language

There are two distinct languages on the Island. Sudric - the Island's old tongue which is now sadly dying out and English. Sudric is a guttural tongue with many unique words.

English on the Island has three distinct dialects:

Sodorian English is generally eloquently spoken although sometimes seemingly in reverse order i.e 'tell me you will' (so basically a bit like Yoda!).

Smelter English which is a gruff and roughly spoken version of the English it is useful for direct and blunt conversations when the need for diplomacy is minimal.

Nova Sodorian English which is less direct than Smelter but less eloquent than Sodorian. It tends to use many modern words and phrases and for this reason is constantly evolving.

Religion

Religion on the Island generally depends upon what socio economic group you form part of.

The Sudrica practice a form of paganism led by the Bear Shamans and also believe that Sudria, will return in the Island's hour of need.

Sodorians are generally devout and attend church each sabbath to worship the 'All seeing Father.' They take the offence of blasphemy very seriously and are prone to look down on those who are not as devout.

Smelters when they worship are likely to do so at churches dedicated to the 'All seeing Father'. Their worship however is less devout than that practiced by the Sodorians and more likely to take the form of making a religious gesture after scoring a goal on the football field.

Nova Sodorians and generally atheists. That said they practice elements of both Hinduism and Taoism during there Tai Chi and Yoga.

Largest Cities

Tidmouth

Market Square in Noramby

Ballahoo

Government

The Nova Sodorian Senate has twelve seats each representing one of the twelve States and each one occupied by the Senator representing the party that won the most number of votes in the previous election.

As per Island tradition the seats are divided equally among representatives of the main parties. these being Progressives, Establishmentarians, Industrialists and Sudrica

The Establishmentarians

An established socially Conservative party popular with the aristocracy, upper middle classes, wealthy land owners, Industrialists and those Sodarians who just want to please their perceived betters.

The Progressives

A new party led by Max Tylenor the progressives are made of disillusioned members of other political groups on the Island.

A combination of the greens, conservatives and Lib Dems

Sudrica

Sudrica represents Sodor's native population who revere the Islands old ways.

Curiously Sudrica have discovered a grudging respect for the Progressives who counter intuitively respect the old ways of the Island whilst encouraging modernisation.

An example of this was the Progressives voting with the Sudrica against the Establishmentarians and Industrialists in protecting the Great West Forest by prohibiting mining there.

Unionists

A party representing the smelters. The Industrialists primary aim is to have their manufacturing licenses re-instated and permission granted to mine for uranium.

They also seek to protect the rights of the working class Sodorian.

They are popular with the working classes particularly in the Industrial towns. Interestingly members of the working class in these areas who do well for themselves may find themselves politically swayed by the Establishmentarians whilst workers tempted into the newer industries of IT and retail tend to be Progressive voters.

The Edwardian Senate house in Suddery where the coalition wrangle on a daily basis

Foreign Relations and Military

The foreign relations of Nova Sodor are oriented chiefly toward developed democratic nations and emerging IDU economies. The country’s major political parties have generally agreed on the broad outlines of foreign policy, and the current coalition government has been active in promoting free trade, nuclear disarmament, and arms control.

The Nova Sodorian Defence Force is small compared to many other countries although it is regarded as very professional. Its overseas duties consist mostly of peacekeeping primarily in the IDU. In the 21st century, peacekeeping detachments have been deployed globally and support forces have also been involved in operations which have included the use special forces.

The Frigate NSS Prowess on a recent anti piracy patrol

Economy

The economy of the NSR is a developed mixed economy with state-ownership in strategic areas of the economy such as public transport. According to the NationStates Tracker, the nominal GDP is $$1,596,210,000,000.00.

The private sector is estimated to constitute 80% of the economy. Unemployment is at 14.81%.

Information technology is currently the nation's largest industry, followed by organic agriculture and sustainable fishing.

NSRs largest Information Technology company is Apex Dynamic Technologies.

ADT Group plc, trading as Apex, is a Nova Sodorian multinational telecommunications services company with head offices in Tidmouth. It has operations in around 170 countries. Its Apex Global Services division supplies telecoms services to corporate and government customers worldwide, and its Apex Consumer division supplies landline and mobile telephony, broadband, and subscription television services in Nova Sodor to around 18 million customers.

ADT's origins date back to the founding of the Eastern Electric Company in 1846 which developed a nationwide communications network.

Apex Corporate head quarters in Tidmouth

Apex design team responsible for digitising the Government archives.

Tourism is also of fundamental importance to the Nova Sodorian economy and an estimated 32,000,000 visitors will pass through passport control annually within the next few years.

The hanging gardens of Tidmouth - a major tourist attraction

Worthy of note is the small yet significant automotive industry comprising of just one company - Logan.

Logan was founded in 2003 by a group of engineers in Tidmouth who wanted to prove that electric cars could be better than gasoline-powered cars. With instant torque, incredible power, and zero emissions, Logan's products would be cars without compromise. Each new generation would be increasingly affordable, helping the company work towards its mission: to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable transport.

Logan sold over 75,000 units for the first time last year and despite being expensive due to their built in technology and 5 star safety construction they received unrivalled feedback from the global motoring public.

Logan's range includes sports, sedans, pick up trucks, SUVs and cargo trucks.

The Logan Sudria Pick Up truck

Culture

Music

Music on Nova Sodor is an eclectic business.

Mainstream pop music played constantly by the corporate backed radio stations has its stronghold in the 'novan' cities of Tidmouth, Wellsworth, Maron and Elsbridge.

Home grown music tends to be more classic rock and features heavily in the culture of Islanders living in and around Castle, Maithwaite, Arlesdale and Ulfstead.

Sodorians living in the Island's South East tend to favour types ranging from classical through to pop from the 1960's. Jazz is also popular on this part of the Island.

Sudrica in the northern highlands generally have more traditional tastes and generally listen to old tribal music made using a variety of instruments including the bagpipes and the and the fiddle. That said the Sudrican youth are more frequently catching the latest tunes being played on Tidmouth 105FM or indeed downloading pop music using the Island's wide broadband network.

Sport

Sport on Nova Sodor takes many forms.

From Sudra ball played by the Sudrica in the north through to the more extreme activities such as white water rafting, jet ski-ing, surfing and snowboarding as practiced by the Nova Sodorians in the south west there is sure to be an activity to whet your appetite.

Food

In comparison to the Sudricans preference for freshly killed game and the Sodorians love of meat, potatoes and two veg the culinary tastes of the Nova Sodorians is most definitely eclectic.

Following the ban on pesticides and a serious commitment to sustainable fishing all food produced on the Island is delicious, organic and sustainable.

Organic farming Nova Sodor style

The most popular cuisines among Nova Sodorians are Italian, Mexican and SoCal and with the highest quality dishes being made up from delicious organic ingredients they are have become popular around the world and form a significant export market for the Island.

Infrastructure

Transport

Visitors arriving at Sodor by air are likely to do so via Maron Airport. Although the Island's biggest airport the facility is still dated an in need of overhaul. The Senate are currently considering options on this topic.

Sodor airport currently

Nova Sodor possesses an extensive and integrated bus and rail public transportation network.

A0 Pacific 'Gordon class' express leaving Tidmouth's state of the art railway hub

Despite this network some of Nova Sodor's population still use personal cars to commute - although not yet law the majority of these vehicles are electric or at least hybrid designs.

The Senate is currently considering options for a extended Mag Lev system.

Energy

Renewable sources— wind and solar —provide effectively all of Nova Sodor's electricity and around 85% of the nation's total primary energy consumption. Most of the remainder consisting of imported oil products used in transportation and in the fishing fleet.

Ffarquhar field solar farm

In order provide effective recharging for the electric cars which dominate public automobile usage Tidmouth Automotive have constructed several thousand recharge stations across the Island.

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