Zîrkæ

From Scandia

Zîrkæ, People's Republic of

(Flag) (Coat of Arms)
National motto: Tæ librÿt hâlt, læ ændmâç ânphênt. Your liberty ends, where someone else's begins. - Z.H. Mârhö
National anthem: The sun rises over the hills
Where in the world is Zîrkæ?
Official languages	Zîrkænian, Mîrsonian
Capital	Komsomol (1,700,000)
Largest City	Port Zîrkæ (2,400,000)
Government Head of State	Federal Democratic People's Republic President Râtkô Vâlerion
Area - Total - % water	2,267,409 km² (1,417,130 sq.mi.) 4,8%
Population - Total - Growth Rate - Density	229,688,532 (Jan 1 1527) 0,57% 101,3/km²
Establishment of State	Zîrkænian Revolution, 1492
GDP - Total (1527) - GDP/capita - Growth Rate	Σ 7,205,442,138,000 (Cc 9,582,706,043,000) Σ 31,370 (Cc 41,722) 4,2% (1527)
Currency -	Stîrr (Σ) (ZKS) 1 Stîrr = 100 Šêntoç
Time Zones	KMT (SMT-10), WNT (SMT-9)
Technology Codes - scandianet TLD - Trigraph - Calling Code	.za RPZ +41

Zîrkæ (Republikæ Populîç Zîrkæ, RPZ) is a country in western Niveria on the coast of the Cisteuvian Ocean. The country borders Haromszek in the north, Carolina in the south and Higher Teuvia and Albanaudh in the East. On the west coast, the RPZ borders the three enclaves of Rajanan. The country uses a federal system, with the Mîrson Republic having an autonomous status within the republic. The capital is Komsomol.

Contents 1 Climate 2 Cultural Regions 3 Government 4 External Links

Climate

The country has a temperate climate in the coastal regions. The lands further east and the Mîrson Republic have a continental climate, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters (temperatures ranging from 35 °C in summer to -15 °C in winter). The southeastern shores are very popular among tourists for the pretty beaches and warm weather (around 30 °C in summer). The northwest part of the country has a colder, moistier climate. Temperatures hardly ever exeed 25 °C at the hight of summer.

Cultural Regions

The three main climate zones also indicate the three cultural zones. The southern parts of the country have a "Kwasinan attitude" as described by Z.H. Mârhö. The south is also where the largest numbers of people practicing religion can be found.

The northwest parts of the country have more of a "hands-on" mentality and house less arts and culture. Most people work in services or industry and any farmland, if found at all, is used for industrialised farming. The cultural centre of the region is the city of Port Zîrkæ, widely known throughout the country for it's uglyness.

The eastern parts of the country and the Mîrson Republic house far less industry and more traditional agriculture. Zîrkænian cuisine, known throughout Scandia for it's superb sheep's meat is mainly supplied by the Mîrson Republic, where the majority of sheep is still herded in the traditional way; high up in the mountains in summer and in the valleys during winter. The people of the eastern provinces feel like they have less to do with the rest of the country, and apart from an occasional trip to Komsomol few ever leave the region.

The fourth, and usually not counted cultural region in Zîrkæ is the area around the Kâpitæ Dîçtrîktæ Komsomol and the cities on the coast west of Komsomol. It forms the economical heartland of the RPZ. This densly populated area is the most cosmopolitan and urbanised region in the country. Although inhabited by lots of people originally from other places in the RPZ, the cultural differences quickly fade in the metropolitan life of Komsomol and the heartland region.

Government

Zîrkæ is a federal republic. The national government has official authority over the entire country. The Mîrson Republic has an independent status within the RPZ. The country is devided into provinces, with a provincial government which handles most internal affairs. All provinces are devided into munincipalities, the last level of government. Munincipalities are usually cities, towns or a collection of smaller villages.

The Mîrson government is responsible for all but foreign policy and defence, although certain national policies are also followed due to practical reasons. Financially independent, taxes are somewhat lower than in the rest of the country, making it a popular place for rich pensioners, who can enjoy the stunning landscape, the tranquillity and the low taxes.

The Kâpitæ Dîçtrîktæ Komsomol also has a certain independence from the national government, the secretary of large cities policy is officially responsible - the defacto decision making however is done by the City of Komsomol. The secretary only uses his/her influence to call back the Komsomol city government - if nessecary.

External Links

• People's Republic of Zîrkæ official website This website will be replaced with a new version within the next few months.