The Western IslesBoard

Republic of Martenyika

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The Republic of Martenyika, commonly called Martenyika, is a Republic in southern Argus, The Western Isles. Martenyika covers 480,657 square kilometers (298,666.4 mi²) and has has an estimated population of 26,622,504 as of the year 2021. Martenyika comprises seven provinces, one territory, and one jointly-owned city.

Etymology

DESCRIBE ORIGIN OF NATION NAME

The standard way to refer to a citizen of Martenyika is as a "Martenyikan."

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History

Kessiri Empire (1400-1566)

Although typically divided since ancient times, by the early ## century the Kessiri had formed an empire over much of modern day Martenyika. This was unprecedented in Martenyika at the time, but it didn't last long as the Kessiri struggled to hold down their conquered territories.

Colonial Era (1566-1801)

It wasn’t long before the colonial era began, with Tásztłí/Íszkárí explorers and colonists from modern day Razzgriz arriving in 1566. Tásztł was a Hangate of the Khas-Kirati Empire at this time. Their first major foothold was the settlement of Háloptí located on Martenyika's southernmost peninsula. In 1801 Martenyika was reformed as a Bászá or "Maritime Distirct," and afforded equivalent status to those on the Íszkárí homeland. Even though Martenyika still remained a subject during this time, it enjoyed greater sovereignty, and was capable of participating in elections for Hang of Tásztł.

Independence Era (1801-18??)

The Tásztłí Hangate broke away from the Khas-Kirati Empire in the 1st Central Argus War of 1826, however Martenyika still remained as a partially-sovereign subject of the newly established Íszkárí Confederation. Martenyika wouldn't gain its independence from foreign rule until the middle part of the 19th century. Between 18?? and 18??, The Íszkárí Confederation constructed a canal through western Wellsia to the north, depriving Martenyika of its crucial status as a trading hub between east and west in southern Argus. This caused outrage amongst the Martenyikans and soon led to the peaceful secession of Martenyika from the Confederation on [date], 18??.

Imperial War (NOTE: Incorrect/Outdated)

Main article: Martenyika in the Imperial War

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Martenyikan Civil War

Main article: The Martenyikan Civil War (1970-1976)

The Martenyikan Civil War occurred from 1970-1976 following an increase in tensions between eastern and western Martenyika. When a controversial demonstration ended in the death of 15 protesters on November 3, 1969, easterners engaged in civil disobedience and formed volunteer militias. Hostilities broke out on January 12, 1970 when royal troops tried to arrest political dissidents in eastern Martenyika, and were engaged by eastern militia fighters. The Civil War carried on until the ceasefires of September 1976, and the following Treaty of Harmony in 1977 which began Martenyika's transition towards a republican government.

1994 Revolution and Hazhari War

Main article: 1994 Martenyikan Revolution

The Martenyikan Revolution broke out between October-November of 1994, and resulted in the 1994 Coup which instated Roger Ebanda as President of Martenyika. The revolution helped solve some outstanding political issues for the Martenyikan citizenry, which remained from the 1977 Treaty of Harmony, especially the right of the Martenyikan citizenry to directly vote for their own president. However, it also directly contributed to the outbreak of the Hazhari War. This internal conflict didn't officially end until 2003, with the successful election of Patrice Abebe Njomo as President.

Geography

Martenyika has many different geographical areas, including coastlines, rivers, lakes, mountains, savannas, and a desert. Much of Martenyika's total land area is considered arable and fertile due to the prevalence of lakes and rivers running through northern, central, and southeastern portions of the country. However, hills and mountain ranges divide the terrain, being especially common along coasts and central Martenyika where rivers originate.

Martenyika is well known for its great savannahs, some of which are protected as national or even international parks. The largest savannah is protected by the Royal Savannahs International Park (formerly the Royal Eastern Range), a prodigy of the International Parks and Nature Organization based in Ainslie, The Western Isles.

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Climate

Much of Martenyika experiences two wet seasons and a dry season, running from April-June, October-December and July-September respectively. The beginning of the year, between wet seasons is usually moderate relative to local climate patterns, and is sometimes referred to as a "buffer" season. During this time wetter areas of Martenyika may continue to receive precipitation, although typically less than the preceding and succeeding wet season, while drier areas may experience negligible precipitation and a rise in temperatures. The duration and characteristics of each season can also vary significantly depending on elevation and other geography.

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Demographics

Population
The Republic of Martenyika is home to an estimated 26,622,504 people within its borders. About 44-45% of the population is believed to be urbanized. Most of the population is distributed across the western half of the nation, where the population density is higher on average compared to eastern Martenyika. Kessa is located near the center of Martenyika, is the capital of the nation, and hosts the various institutions of government such as the Parliament. However Kessa is the second most populous city next to Port Bonare.

Language

French is classified as the official language of the Republic of Martenyika, primarily the language of state. However various Creole style languages are in common usage throughout the nation, several of which are recognized as national languages and based on regional origins. Oftentimes important road signage is written bilingually in French and English.

Religion

Despite the fact that Martenyika is home to many Traditional practitioners and muslims, a large portion of the population identifies as Catholic, or otherwise Christian. An increasing number of men and women have also identified as either Agnostic or Atheistic in recent years.

Traditional religious practitioners are spread all around the nation and vary based on their particular sub-cultures. The interchangeable "Traditional" or "Indigenous" labels can apply equally to traditional Kessiris throughout the Kessa region, traditionalist enclaves in western-central mountains, Hazharis, and many eastern Martenyikans. Although indigenous religion practitioners tend to be located in more rural areas of the nation, many are still large communities in cities like Kessa, Ambojary, Port Bonare, Chasse, and so forth.

The Basilica of Our Queen of Peace in Port Bonare, which first underwent construction in 1957 during the reign of Queen Lucrece, serves as a rallying point for Christianity in Martenyika. The Basilica saw major renovations in 2014, and finished its most recent renovations in late 2020. Small mosques can be found in most cities and especially amongst concentrated muslim enclaves, permitting muslims to engage in prayer-times as required. In contrast to Christianity and Islam, indoor centers of religion such as churches, basilicas, and mosques are rare for traditional religion in Martenyika; personal or localized shrines and gatherings are most common.

Christmas is observed, but generally within the context of Martenyika's traditional festival of Nali (Martenyikan New Year), which goes on around the same time. Martenyikans blend the two celebrations into one synonymous holiday season between December 21st and January 6th. This roughly coincides with the transition from the final wet season of the previous year to a more moderate period, before the next year’s wet season.

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Race
Martenyikans primarily descend from the Numæ, a race of people who originally native to western Wellsia in southern Argus. All of Martenyika's early tribes and cultures such as the Kessiri, Hazhari, Chasseme, etc were sub-branches of the Numæ. Current research suggests that the Hazhari people of present day Hazhariland in northwestern Martenyika are one of the closest groups racially to earlier Numæ than any other group within Martenyika. Even the Uszíāns, who contributed to Martenyika's colonial demographic shift along with Íszkárís in 1566, were Numæ descendants.

Largest Cities

Rank	City	Metro area population	State
1	Port Bonaré	4,057,281	Côte Verte
2	Kessa	2,666,952	Kessa
3	Ambojary	1,894,712	Matelake
4	Zawezi	748,031	Ekatho
5	Chasse	572,240	Bélliers
6	Halopti	441,225	Halopti
7	Kejara	376,202	Kejarana
8	Hena	311,642	Masko
9	Khanya City	189,173	Khanya Island
Rue Nationale, Kessa	Lakeside District, Zawezi	Chasse	Khanya City

Government

Martenyika’s government is split into two distinct branches, the executive branch and Parliament, however the National Court serves as a de facto third branch.

The executive comprises the President, as well as his appointed cabinet of ministers. This includes the Chief Minister of the Republic, as well as subordinate ministers of defense, the interior, and foreign affairs. The parliamentarian branch is primarily made up of the 200 seat Parliament itself along with the Parliamentary Chief who is appointed by the President.

The National Court is a body of five Justices, who may all be appointed by the President of Martenyika if or when their position is vacated. While the Chief Justice of the Republic may automatically be appointed to the position, the other four justices must be approved by the Parliament. The National Court is usually not considered a true third branch of government.

Foreign Relations and Military

The Republic of Martenyika has been seeking cooperative relationships with other nations in The Western Isles as part of its efforts to build and improve its standing on the regional stage. In late 2020 Martenyika entered landmark negotiations to become a founding member of the Western Isles Democratic Alliance (WIDA) and associated Western Isles Democratic Union (WIDU), a significant development for Martenyika's foreign affairs. The union and alliance are intended to promote, preserve, and defend democracy and improve trade relationships.

Martenyika has been a member of the Organization of Regional Cooperation in Argus (ORCA) since YEAR, and hosts the organization's southern HQ, located in Kessa. Although founded after the First Imperial War as a forum to prevent future hostilities, ORCA also has subdivisions focused on interstate crime, human rights, and economic development throughout Argus.

Main article: Martenyikan Defense Forces

There are about 196,000 personnel in the Martenyikan Defense Forces (MDF), with the vast majority of those serving in the Army at over 180,000. The MDF is made up of the Army, Navy, and Air Force all organized under the Ministry of Defense. Martenyikan forces prioritize national defense and internal stability, with the primary mission of preserving the sovereignty of the republic. A limited draft conscripts a portion of the military aged populace into basic training and service for 12 months. Women are allowed to serve in all three branches but are not able to become Mountaineers or Commandos in the Army.

The MDF regularly supports national law enforcement efforts, most notably through anti-piracy patrols and strikes against organized criminal enterprises. The army, especially parts of the national guard and the mountaineers, have been involved in a number of these operations since 2020. In mid-2022, President Maxime Zubele authorized the deployment of troops to northern Martenyika along the border with Veldhaven, following attacks on law enforcement by heavily armed poachers in that region.

Economy

Martenyika is considered a developing nation and "tiger economy" within The Western Isles. It's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and corresponding GDPpc (Per Capita) are amongst the lowest in the region, however Martenyika is currently in the midst of an economic renaissance. GDP growth was high in 2020, coming in at 10.70%. At the same rate (10.69%) the GDP continued to rise through 2021 to $98,287,849, and surpassed the $100 Billion mark in 2022. As a result the per capita GDP rose to $3,992, but will likely pass $4,000 by 2023.

The economy of Martenyika depends in large part on primary industries such as mining and agriculture, but has also devoted significant effort towards developing other sectors such as transportation, tourism, and technology. Domestic processing industry is limited, so the nation relies heavily on exporting raw materials and importing finished products. Coffee, tea, spices, tobacco, cocoa, honey, salt, cotton, coal, zinc, copper, bauxite, cobalt, and other products serve as Martenyika's common exports.

Notable companies were established between 2019-2020, especially transportation and tourism-oriented companies such as Frederick Mubako AirLux (Mubako AirLux as of February 2021), Kessa Inshore, and Lotus Sea Star International.

The government blames black markets and organized crime for many economic issues within Martenyika, and is actively trying to stop various forms of smuggling. Additionally, export tax evasion leads to significant shortfalls in government revenue annually. This happens when exporting businesses under declare the value of certain items to the Martenyikan government, selling them for full price but incurring lower taxes. The government also blames export tax evasion for holding back greater growth.

Culture
See article: Popular Martenyikan Dishes

One of the most important parts of culture in Martenyika is Nali. It is an ancient festival celebrating the harvest, ancestors, the transition to a new year, as well as agricultural, animal, and human fertility. Nali is an incredibly vibrant time in Martenyika. Ancestral celebrations are usually held between December 21-December 24th, when religious Martenyikans consider the birth of Jesus as a transition towards new life and a new year. Most Nali customs after December 25th profess gratitude for the preceding year, and focus on hope for the next. Nali river festivals are frequently held on the evenings after Christmas, to show gratitude for the rivers' lifegiving qualities.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure of all kinds is most heavily concentrated in the collective west-central half of Martenyika, while portions of eastern Martenyika and the northwest lack many facets of modern infrastructure. The government is attempting to improve Martenyika's rural infrastructure, however dirt roads and paths are still common outside of towns and cities and corresponding highways. These highways as well as railroads connect Martenyika's most notable population centers. One of the most common forms of transportation throught Martenyika is by official taxi, hired rides, and hitchhiking. Ridesharing via mobile apps is also growing in popularity, mostly in large cities.

Martenyikan rail lines offer limited passenger service due to the fact that special priority is given to commercial trains. In fact, freight trains often accept passengers in Martenyika. Passenger rail has emphasized intercity travel, but strides are being made towards more modern commuter-driven rail in metropolitan areas, even though the costs for such infrastructural upgrades are often questioned.

Bush pilots regularly transport light cargo and passengers between rural regions of Martenyika and connect them to major cities with airports. Unpaved airstrips are still common outside of large cities. Private air is oftentimes the quickest way to move around different regions of Martenyika, but it can also be costly for rural residents and service can vary depending on local conditions.

Waterways are an integral part of Martenyika's infrastructure, oftentimes acting like thoroughfares for passengers and goods alike. Ferries and barges offer a reliable and economical way to travel long distances throughout Martenyika utilizing its network of rivers and lakes. Martenyikans have made use of the nation's waterways for centuries, however passenger ferries and river cruises have become increasingly popular as a result of tourism.

Energy
DESCRIBE ENERGY

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