Bontera
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| State Motto | Entre mares, un tera grande. | ||||
| • Ingliz | Among seas, a grand land. | ||||
| State Anthem | Nos Pais Propre (No Lyrics) | ||||
| • Ingliz | Our Homeland | ||||
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| Official language | Bonteran | ||||
| Founding Date | August 29, 1950 | ||||
| Government • Type • President |
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| Capital | Bonvila | ||||
| Administrative Divisions | 1 National Municipality, 5 Provinces & 1 Oversea Territory | ||||
| Largest City | Bonvila | ||||
| 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 | |||||
| Time Zones | WLT (Western Lusitierran Time) (AMT +10) | ||||
| Trigraph | BON | ||||
| Calling Code | +48 and +82 (Caponova) | ||||
Bontera (Pronounced IPA system: /bontera/), officially the Bonteran Republic, is located in the center of the Lusitierran continent and the east of Kijana Banogan continent due to the Oversea territory of Caponova. Metropolitan Bontera is bordered by Odessa to the northeast, Vasmontio to the Southwest, Cidalian Ocean to the west and Abecean Ocean to the east. Oversea Territory of Caponova is bordered by Cidalian Ocean to the north, Jyaltic Ocean and Territory 111 to the south and Territory 113 to the west.
Contents |
History
Bontera is located in the central isthmus of Lusitierra, it was a natural bridge between the north and the south of Lusitierra. Encounter point among the cultures of the north and of the south, Bontera was born multicultural, even so, it suffered much more influence of the south, mainly of Aspenish Empire (from became independent in 1950).
Government and Politics
Bontera is today a presidential republic divided politically in Provinces and these in Municipalities.
The national government and the provincial governments are divided in three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary and the municipal districts just have the executive.
In addition National level encomprises several "Autonomous Entities" which perform material government tasks but are not formally part of the administration; these are:
- General Attorney Office (Ofisia de Legiste Jeneral)
- Central Bank (Banco Sentral de Bontera)
- Public Function Agencies;
- National Agency for the Environment (Ofisia Nasional per la Ambiente)
- Bonteran Intelligence Agency (Ofisia de Intelijentia Bonteresce)
- and Others.
- Electoral Institute (Instituto Elejial)
- Human Rights Commission (Comisione de Direto Umana)
- Constitutional Court (Corte Constitual)
National Government Structure
Legislative Branch
There are one legislative body in the Bontera: The Parliament (Parlamente). Consists of 415 members directly elected by the citizens (any Bonteran over 18), which basically is entitled to approve every law or decree that comes from the President, is in charge of creating legislation in every competence that is reserved to the government, as well as approving any decree made by the President.
Parliament members are elected every four years, immediate reelection is allowed.
Executive Branch
The President (Presidente) is the Head of State and Government in Bontera. He is elected directly every four years and may be reelected for another consecutive or nonconsecutive term.
The government is made of six Secretariats (Secreterias de Stato) (which correspond to the exclusive competences of the nation) and a large number of Departments. All these positions are appointed by the President with the consent of the Constitutional Court and can be removed by either. The Secretarat Offices plows the following:
- Secretariat of National Affairs (Secreteria de la Cosa Nasional)
- Secretariat of International Affairs (Secreteria de la Cosa Internasional)
- Secretariat of Defense and Public Security (Secreteria de la Defende e Securia Publical)
- Secretariat of Trade and Public Finances (Secreteria de la Comersia e Finasias Publical)
- Secretariat of Transportation and Communications (Secreteria de la Transporta e Comunicia)
- Secretariat of Energy and Natural Resources (Secreteria de la Enerjia e Recursos Naturales)
Judicial Branch
The Superior Tribunal (Judores Superior) is the maximum judicial organ in Bontera. Composed by fifteen members chosen by the Constitutional Court based on a list previously made by the President, it functions as a final instance for all those cases under national jurisdiction. Members are elected every eight years, with no reelection possibility. First instance trial is conducted by Circuit Judge (a circuit is a judicial division), named by the Tribunal to serve a four year period.
Military
- Main article: Military of Bontera
The Bonteran Guard (Garda Bonteresce), are the unified armed forces and is a unique institution somewhere between a Militia and a regular army. It is equipped with mostly modern, sophisticated, and well-maintained weapons systems and equipment.
The environmental commands of the Bonteran Guard, in order of precedence, are:
- Maritime Command (Comanda de Mar)
- Land Force Command (Comanda de Tera)
- Air Command (Comanda de Aira)
The operational commands of the Bonteran Guard are:
- Bonteran Command (Comanda Bonteresce - CB), responsible for all operations within Bontera;
- Boteran Expeditionary Force Command (Comanda de la Misionores Bonteresces - CMB), responsible for operations outside of Bontera;
- Bonteran Special Operations Forces Command (Comanda de la Operas Spesiales Bontereseces - COSB), responsible for special forces operations within Bontera and abroad.
Subdivisions
Bontera is a republic divided in: 1 National Municipality, 5 Provinces and 1 Oversea Territory.
Provinces
| Province | Area (sq km) | Population | Population density (per sq km) | Capital |
 Punta Ueste
| XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | Anjelica |
 Sentral Bonteresce
| XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | Fortuna |
 Poca Vasmontio
| XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | Vasmoneta |
 Bela Rio
| XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | Site de Bela Rio |
 Norde
| XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | Nordevila |
 Caponova1
| 430,473 | 3,234,564 | 7.5 | Capovila |
| 1. The Oversea Territory. | ||||
Geography and Climate
Bontera is an isthmus in the center of the Lusitierran continent, it has an area of 667,495 km² (257,721 sq mi) and it has a population of 16,418,098inhab. Its climate is tropical deciduous forest with an altitude of approximately 3,000m in the border with Vasmontio. To the east it is Sedemestra Bay (Abecean Ocean), to the west Cidalian Ocean.
Economy
- Main article: Economy of Bontera
| GDP composition by sector | |
|---|---|
| Industry | 55.9% |
| Services | 32.2% |
| Agriculture | 11.9% |
Bontera's economic system nominally operates according to free market principles. However, interests of the business sector and the government are extremely densely interwoven due to the fact that people from the same aristocratic families tend to occur in high places in both spheres; for example, the current Vice-President, Mrs. Selia Borjes, and Armando Borjes, the CEO of CapOlio, Bontera's second largest oil company, are married. Despite obvious 'preferences' in handing out concessions, especially in the construction sector, operations of multinational corporations in Bontera are not excessively hindered, and economic freedom in the country is thought to be reasonably high.
Bontera's comparatively strong economy is highly dependent on the oil industry, accounting for around 45% of the GDP and 65% of the country's total export value. Bontera is thought to have Aurora's one of the largest oil reserves, and its annual oil production is the one of the highest in the world. The largest companies in the oil sector include BonOlio (through BonOlio e Enerjia) and CapOlio.
Other strong sectors of the Bonteran economy include tourism, agriculture, machinery, refined mineral and chemical goods, especially cotton and wheat farming. Tourism is especially developed in the Caponova, with a relatively unspoilt natural environment and superb beaches.
Foreign Relations
- Main article: Foreign Relations of Bontera
The Foreign Relations of Bontera are the primary responsibility of the National Department of Foreign Affairs (Departamento Nasional de Cosa Stranjer - DNCS). DNCS answers directly to the Secretariat of International Affairs .
The Constitution declares the preservation of Bontera's independence and welfare as the supreme objective of Bonteran foreign policy. Below this overarching goal, the Constitution sets five specific foreign policy objectives:
- further the peaceful coexistence of nations;
- promote respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of the law;
- promote Bonteran economic interests abroad;
- alleviate need and poverty in the world;
- promote preservation of natural resources.
These objectives reflect the Bonteran moral obligation to undertake social, economic, and humanitarian activities that contribute to world peace and prosperity. This is manifested by Bonteran bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activity, assistance to developing countries, and support for the extension of international law, particularly humanitarian law.
Traditionally, Bontera is an ally of Vasmontio and it has good relationships with the other nations of the world. The country has no major dispute in its bilateral relations.
Demographics
- Main article: Demographics of Bontera
| Ethnic composition | |
|---|---|
| Bonteran | 88.8% |
| Caponovan | 5.8% |
| Aspenish | 2.0% |
| Odessan | 1.4% |
| Fernandinan | 1.2% |
| Other/unspecified | 0.8% |
As of XXXX, Bontera's population is estimated to be 16,418,098 (w/Cn 19,652,662). Average yearly growth of the population is less than 2.2%, including immigration. Around 68% of Bontera's population lives in towns and cities, which puts its urbanization rate amongst the highest on Aurora. Virtually all urban areas are located on the Metropolitan Bontera, while the population is below 10inhab./km² in Caponova and it is basically rural concentrating mainly in the capital, Capovila.
Life expectancy has staggeringly increased in recent decades in Bontera due to the development of the medical system and social security. At the moment, the average life expectancy at birth is around 70.8 years, 66.86 years for males and 74.74 years for females.
Language
Bonteran (official)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90,98%
male: 92.14%
female: 89.82%
Culture and Society
The cosmopolitan mix and with a lot of Aspenish influence in Bonteran society makes for a rich and diverse culture. The culture of Bontera is quite rich and diversified. Bonteran people is proud of its culture.
Arts
The Baroque art (Arte de Ornos) as well as in the music "contaminated" the Bonteran society in all the levels during the century XIX and it extended until the days today. Below, examples of the Baroque art in Bontera:
 The death of the Virgin by Carlos Amado in 1873. |
 The Dances of the Lovers by Carlos Amado in 1885. |
 The City Hall of Bonvila, the capital city of Bontera. |
Cuisine
The Bonteran Cuisine, are considered a Lusitierran delicacy consisting of a variety of fresh vegetarian recipes, salads and stews all seasoned with a flavorsome combination of herbs and spices. One of the most world known Bonteran specialties is called the La Maza, which is a selection of appetisers: olives and cheeses.
As with most Lusitierran cuisines, Bonteran cuisine is considered to be a very balanced, healthy diet.
The cuisine of Bontera is the epitome of the Lusitierran diet. It includes an abundance of starches, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry is eaten more often than red meat, and when red meat is eaten it is usually lamb. It also includes copious amounts of garlic and olive oil-nary a meal goes by in Ragn that does not include these two ingredients. Most often foods are either grilled, baked or sauted in olive oil; butter or cream is rarely used other than in a few desserts. Vegetables are often eaten raw or pickled as well as cooked. While the cuisine of Bontera doesn't boast an entire repertoire of sauces, it focuses on herbs, spices and the freshness of ingredients; the assortment of dishes and combinations are almost limitless. The meals are full of robust, earthy flavors and, like most Lusitierran countries, much of what the Bonteran eat is dictated by the seasons.
Folklore
The Bonteran Folklore was immortalized by Lobato de Monte, ironically, shortly before Bontera's population turned mainly urban. Today these myths are seen more as archetypal Bonteran popular culture, rather than culture itself. Two examples, among many others are:
The Headless Mule (Mulo Sin Testa) is a character of the Bonteran folklore. In most tales, it is the ghost of a woman that has been cursed for her sins (often said to be as concubinate or fornication with a priest) and condemned to turn into a fire-spewing headless mule, galloping through the countryside from Thursday's sundown to Friday's sunrise.
The Lady in White (Dama de Blanca) is the ghost of a young woman who died of childbirth or of violent causes. It appears to the witness as pale white woman wearing a long white dress or a sleeping gown. Usually speechless, the Lady in White will exceptionally talk to witness, in a sad voice, telling the tale of her misfortune.
Music
The music in Bontera is quite developed and popular, the musical style of origin Lusitierran and mainly Bonteran are the Baroque Music.
The jazz is other quite popular musical style in Bontera and it derives of the whole culture of the Baroque music of Bontera.
Baroque Music
Baroque music describes an era and a set of styles of classical music which were in widespread use between approximately 1700 and 1850. The original meaning of "baroque" is "irregular pearl", a strikingly fitting characterization of the architecture of this period; later, the name came to be applied also to its music. Baroque music forms a major portion of the classical music canon. It is widely performed, studied and listened to. It is associated with composers and their works such as Jonas Sebastiano's Fugues, Jorje de Anjos' Hallelujah Chorus, Antonio Vivaldo's Four Seasons. During the period, music theory, diatonic tonality, and imitative counterpoint developed. More elaborate musical ornamentation, as well as changes in musical notation and advances in the way instruments were played also appeared. Baroque music developed an expansion in the size, range and complexity of performance, as well as the establishment of opera as a type of musical performance. Many musical terms and concepts from this era are still in use today. It has general characteristics, unity of emotion, ornamentation, and a contrasting rhythm with improvisation. Its melodies usually had a continuous line moving, terrace dynamics and extensions (either adding to the music or subtracting).
Jazz Music
The Baroque style of music shares many commonalities with jazz. In addition to the small ensembles that most Baroque pieces were intended for (during that time there was no feasible way of generating a 100 piece orchestra), similar to a jazz quartet, most Baroque pieces used a variety of improvisation on the performer's part. A very solid theory background was required to understand figured bass, a notational method for keyboardists to fill out and embellish a bass line. Most baroque music employed figured bass, and consequently no two Baroque-era performances of the same piece were exactly alike.
The most similar aspect of Baroque music and Jazz music is improvisation of the lead instrument. For example, in most Baroque vocal solo pieces, there are two verses. The piece is played/sung through once, straight through, and then played a second time, where the vocalist will improvise ornaments, grace notes and non-harmonic tones. However, in contrast to jazz, neither the original rhythm nor the original notes/melody are altered. Instead, they are appended with improvisation rather than changed with improvisation.
Education
- Main article: Education in Bontera
Religion
Religious beliefs have no special standing under the law and there is no state-sanctioned religion. Nonetheless, most Bonterans profess a faith, primarily Cruisian denominations.
Sports
Sports, particularly football (soccer), are the Bonteran national pastime.
