Schwerdt
From Scandia
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| National Motto • Ingallish | "Ein für Alles, Alle für Eins!" "One for All, All for One!" | ||||
| National Anthem | |||||
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| Official language | Teuvian | ||||
| Founding Date | 30 January 1513 | ||||
| Government • Type • Chancellor | Federal Republic Rolf Erikson | ||||
| Capital | Kapitalstadt | ||||
| Administrative Divisions | Brandenburg, Burghoff, Großberlin, Hesse, Mähren, Östmark, Südmark, Westmark | ||||
| Largest City | Kapitalstadt | ||||
| Area • Total • % water |
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| Population • Total • Growth Rate • Density |
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| GDP • Total • GDP/capita • Growth Rate |
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| Currency |
Reichsmark (ℜ) | ||||
| Time Zones | South Teuvian Time (STT) (SMT +6) | ||||
| Technology Codes • scandianet TLD • Trigraph • Calling Code |
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Schwerdt, officially the Social Republic of Schwerdt (Teuvian: Sozialrepublik Schwerdt), is a country located in southeastern Teuvia, one of the Doranian sub-continents. Schwerdt is bordered to the east by the Cisteuvian Ocean and on the other sides by Turia.
Comprised of 8 states (Länder), Schwerdt is officially a democratic parliamentary federal republic. Presently, however, the parliamentary bodies are suspended following a coup d'etat by Großkommander (Grand Commander) Rolf Erikson, the head of the military high command.
Contents |
History
- Main article: History of Schwerdt
As a state, the Social Republic of Schwerdt is relatively young, dating from 30 January 1513. Nonetheless, its history, and the story of its people and culture, go back for millenia. The road to present-day Schwerdt has been rocky at times, but as the famous Schwerdtan philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, "That which does not destroy us makes us stronger."
Schwerdtan historians generally recognize five major periods in the country's saga. These are: Pre-Cruistian, Pre-Colonial, Colonial, Post-Colonial, and Modern eras. Much research is presently ongoing to confirm and validate the official histories for each of these eras.
Culture
Few generalizations can apply to Schwerdt's diverse cultural makeup. Its peoples speak tens of different languages and dialects, with racial and cultural origins springing from a score of civilisations. Tuevian is the oficial language, but all ethnic groups are encouraged to retain their native tongues and traditions. In addition, citizens must learn Ingallish, the international language of commerce and diplomacy.
Ethnicity and Religions
Many of Schwerdt's holidays and festivals have their roots in the ethnic and religious traditions of our people. The majority of Schwerdtans are Teuvian, representing about 61% of the population. Ethnic Valaneans make up another 22% of the people. Loiriseans, at 7%, and Casatans, with 5%, are the next largest minorities in Schwerdt. Three percent of the population is Talinan. The remainder consists of Sungians and other groups at about 1% each.
Cruisianity is the dominant religious belief system in Schwerdt, at 68%. About half of Cruisians adhere to Catholocism. A significant number of Schwerdtans practice Iudeanism (12%). Another nearly 9% of the population follow Mounist traditions. Kavadians make up just under 4% of the population, with the remainder representing a variety of other religions.
Arts and Media
Literally thousands of artworks, ranging from paintings by old masters to contemporary streetscapes, can be found throughtout Schwerdt. Every region has an active art community.
Better than 1,000 museums provide graphic information about nature and culture, art, science and research, and history. Ancient property of former princely rulers of the regions forms the foundation of many museums of international standing. Many local museums rival the National Galleries of Art in Kapitalstadt.
Dozens of professional theater companies, including opera and ballet, grace Schwerdt's cultural life. The many resident composers provide fresh music for hundreds of musical performers. There are hundreds of orchestras, perhaps best exemplified by the National Philharmonic in Kapitalstadt.
A thriving media industry satisifies public demands for diverse interests in news, information, and entertainment. Private press, radio, and television operate freely alongside the government-sponsored RadioSchwerdt and TV1.
Sport
Schwerdtans are passionate about their sport. This is reflected not only by the popularity of television broadcasts but also in the fact that there are 87,000 clubs affiliated with the Schwerdter Sportbund (SSB—Schwerdtan Sport Federation). Approximately 15 million people—nearly 25 percent of the entire population—are members of a sport club, and another 7 million people engage in sport activities independent of a club.
König fußball—king football—is the number one sport in Schwerdt. [Reichsliga]] (National League) teams routinely draw over 60,000 fans to home games. Television viewers swell the audience into the millions.
Rising rapidly in popularity is ice hockey. Other popular professional sport include basketball, Formula 1 and motorcycle racing, and handball. Also gaining momentum over the last few years is bicycle racing. The Telekom-sponsored team have been increasingly victorious in international competetion.
More than 5,000 clubs, with nearly 900,000 members, make handball second to fußball in overall popularity. In addition to other sport, such as basketball and volleyball, many Schwerdtans enjoy track, tennis, and winter sports. A recent report found 63% of Schwerdtans participate in a sporting activity regularly. Swimming is highly popular in Schwerdt. Nearly every community have public pools, both indoors and outdoors. Watersport are one of the most engaged-in personal liesure time activities.
Holidays and Festivals
Workers in Schwerdt enjoy liberal annual holiday policies that enable them to spend time with their families and recreating. Leisure activities and travel represent a significant contribution to the Schwerdtan economy overall. Both citizens and foreigners visit the spas, resorts, and historical destinations throughout Schwerdt. In addition, there are thirteen designated public holidays.
Many of Schwerdt's public festivals have their basis in traditions handed down from ancient times. Our modern society has embraced them even if their significance to the society of earlier times is less apparent.
Most festivals are local or regional in scope. Although some festivals are celebrated throughout the land, none are national in scope. While not public holidays, many festivals coincide with designated holidays. Here are some of the more prominant festivals:
- Erntedankfest—celebrates the Autumnal Equinox and the fall harvest (mid-March)
- Winter Solstice—celebrates the start of lengthening days (late June)
- Seefest—celebrates the gift of the ocean and boating (mid-August)
- Karneval—celebrates the Vernal Equinox and start of the spring planting season (mid-September)
- Oktoberfest—celebrates the successful planting of the crops (late October)
- Summer Solstice—celebrates the longest days of the year; runs through the New Year (mid-December)
Federal Government
Established by the Basic Law, the Federal Government consists of executive and parliamentary branches.
Chancellor
The Schwerdtan Chancellor is both head of state and head of government. He is also Commander-in-chief of the Wehrdiensten, the nation's armed forces. As such, and in accordance with the Basic Law, he must be a member of the Military Services and have attained the sature of senior command authority, Grand Commander or higher. Officially, the Chancellor is elected by popular vote of all registered citizens who have attained the age of majority. However, the current Chancellor seized power in a military takeover of the government.
As head of state, the Chancellor has many responsibilities. He represents Schwerdt in international relations and has the power to conclude treaties with foreign states. He also accredits and receives ambassadors and other envoys of diplomatic missions.
Determination of general policy guidelines for the state and oversight of the administration of government are the prerogative of the Chancellor. This is by virtue of his role as head of government. Senior civil servants and judges serve at the discretion of the Chancellor and are appointed by him. One of his most important duties is to sign legislation into law.
Federal Ministries
The Federal Ministries fulfill the Chancellor's policies. Each Federal Ministry has competency in certain aspects of governance. The Ministries fulfill their obligations through their various departments and agencies. Some Ministries also oversee state corporations which are chartered to provide specific services for the common good. Examples include energy generation and distribution, telecommunications, and the post. In recent years, many state corporations have been privatised. The responsible Ministry, nonetheless, retains majority ownership in the former state corporations so the common good can be assured.
The judiciary in Schwerdt is multi-tiered and multi-echeloned. The military judiciary applies only to personnel and locations under the jurisdiction of the Military Services. The Ministry for Justice and Security administers the civil and criminal judiciaries. Matters regarding administrative regulations and other civil transgressions fall to the civil judiciary while violations of laws are criminal matters.
Military Services
Schwerdt has multi-functional combat-capable forces that are prepared for the broad range of tasks assigned to them. The primary purpose of the Military Services (Teuvian: Wehrdiensten) is to protect Schwerdt from direct military threat.
A unique feature of Schwerdt's military is it's organization under the unified command concept. While most of the world's militaries are structured along environmental lines—army, navy, and air force—Schwerdt's military is organized along functional or geographic lines. This facilitates use combined arms and so-called joint operations because they represent the normal course in Schwerdt.
Economy
Schwerdt has developed a socially responsible market economy. This system rejects both the laissez-faire doctrine and government intervention in business and investment decisions. The Basic Law, which guarantees private enterprise and private property, stipulates that these basic rights be exercised for the public good.
The state plays a mainly regulatory role in the market economy. It creates the general conditions for market processes. The foundation of Schwerdt's economic policy is to ensure stable prices, a high level of employment, and a balance of foreign trade under conditions of steady, adequate growth.
Currency
The Reichsmark (ℜ) is the basic currency in Schwerdt. It is available in 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100 Reichsmark notes and 1 and 5 Reichsmark coins. One hundred pfennigs equal 1 Reichsmark. There are 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 pfennig coins.
While having some currency is beneficial, most people in Schwerdt transact business using the Reichskennkarte, called the R-karte. The debit feature of the national identification card accesses funds in the individual's deposit account. The R-karte can be used for nearly everything, from buying a newspaper to taking public transit to obtaining goods and services. Visitors to Schwerdt can use the debit feature of the R-karte by opening a deposit account at any Schwerdtan-chartered bank or if their financial institution is a member of FUNDS (Financial Union of National Deposit Banks Service).
The Schwerdtan economic system discourages the use of consumer credit except for major purchases. As a result, most merchants and services do not accept credit cards. Travelers may visit a chartered financial institution to make use of credit card services. Traveler's cheques in Reichsmark denominations may be used in Schwerdt the same as cash. The proliferation of the R-karte, however, makes the traveler's cheque less convenient and less secure.
Taxes, Customs, and Duties
Schwerdt's personal tax structure is oriented on the equalisation of income. At the same time, the scheme seeks to encourage individual effort and accomplishment. These two objectives often seem at cross purposes. Yet, both are essential to the success of Schwerdt's social market economy.
Major components of the personal tax system are the personal income tax and retail sales taxes. Income taxes are levied on employment wages using a progressive scale. The sales tax is charged for all goods sold except food, clothing, medicines, and housing.
Taxes on business concerns provide the largest share of funding for Schwerdt's progressive social wellbeing programs. The value-added tax (VAT) is levied on the amount of value added to goods and services at each step of the business process. Enterprises also pay tax on profits.
All material brought into Schwerdt is subject to customs, duties, and import taxes. Generally, personal use items are exempt. There is a surcharge on customs, duties, and import taxes for items left undeclared. In this regard, it is usually preferrable to declare an item rather than have the item discovered during parcel inspection. Current tariffs are available at frontier crossing points, consular offices, and most travel booking firms.
Foreign Relations
Schwerdt is very active in Scandian affairs and actively seeks exchanges of diplomats at the ambassadorial level. Schwerdt is one of the four original signatories to the Alliance for Combined Trade and Defense (ACT-D).
As a people, Schwerdtans tend to be rather generous to those in need. As such, the Schwerdtan Blue Shield is very active, both domestically and internationally.
External Links
Alera: Limor & Limadistan | Sarawak
Teuvia: Bhedulia | Gaelyca | Nordafsudic Union | Schwerdt | Strathclyde | Sunamia | Turia
Thesia: Anastatunon | Australis | Darivia | Illusia | Kantu | New Ingalland | Thesia
Valanan: Ængelnia | Appias | Elmira | Kassaten | Labella | Lacrosse-Michardie | Medinat Tzion | Taereoca | Valania
