Surimtak
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| State Motto | ... | ||||
| • Ingliz | Rightly Governed, Rightly Guided, Rightly Generous. | ||||
| State Anthem | ...... ("Beneath Beşi's Blessed Gaze") | ||||
| • Ingliz | {{{nation_anthem_ingliz}}} | ||||
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| Official language | Meroşadik | ||||
| Founding Date | 2018 | ||||
| Government • Type • Kal | |||||
| Capital | Kalumdiri | ||||
| Administrative Divisions | Kingdoms of Benintak, Malikanintak, Mekanütak, Sumdatak, Surimtak | ||||
| Largest City | Talbakan | ||||
| Area • Total • % water |
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| Population • Total • Growth Rate • Density |
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| GDP • Total • GDP/capita • Growth Rate | |||||
| Currency | |||||
| Time Zones | WLT / CCT (AMT -10/-11) | ||||
| Trigraph | STK | ||||
| Calling Code | + | ||||
The Rightly-Guided Empire of Surimtak, more commonly known as Surimtak, is a rising regional power on the Akkalan Peninsula of Inaria, between the Jyaltic Ocean and the Abacean Ocean. It is bordered by Territory 225 to the south and 231 to the east. To the north of Surimtak lie the islands of Qoble, an Antaran outpost, Costa Muerta and Territory 229.
Correctly speaking the Empire is comprised of a number of lesser kingdoms and lands, held by a personal loyalty to the Kal of the Kingdom of Surimtak.
The Surimtakebe have a strong traditional and cultural identity, at least in part due to their own distinctive native interpretation of Arkanism. Governing power rests with the Kal, or Rightly-Guided King, and stratified by class, although these bonds are weakening. There are limited democratic powers at both national and local level, some of which are the result of influence from external powers. The current Kal, the Prince-Regent Salok II Kal-Risulom, is seeking to increase the wealth, prestige and power of his people after years of relative inactivity under his aging uncle, Tamol IV Kal-Risulom.
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Etymology
The nations name is a construction, dating from the latter years of the 19th century. Beginning with a derivation from the verb surü, to bind or tie, it adds the name of Urim, a legendary figure, and ends with the traditional suffix -tak which indicates a geographic place or location. Hence the intention behind the name of Surimtak is best explained as "the place of the union of the children of Urim." The creation of the name itself is usually credited to Kenratik-Polim Sone.
History
- Main Article: History of Surimtak
- See also: Timeline of Surimtakibe History
The origins of the native Akkalians are far from certain, but the first explorers and merchants to reach (and return from) the southern lands of Akkalia in the Pendarian Midsummer brought tales of a human presence awaiting them in the form of dark-skinned natives, already possessing a complex civil society, metal-working, gunpowder and an unintelligible, written script. Their lands, although equable enough, were not notable for any resources that might arouse greed and conquest.
Merchants and adventurers from a number of nations made their presence felt, even as far as a few deliberate plantation ventures, but these never attracted enough support to seriously challenge native dominance of the peninsula. There were plans proposed for at least one intensive and deliberate colonial foundation but worsening weather conditions combined with an economic downturn meant these never came to fruition.
As the Calarian Winter deepened most of the foreign outposts either failed completely or were assimilated into the broader native culture. Occupied with their own troubles in the form of population movements and severe environmental challenge the inhabitants considerably reduced deliberate interaction with outsiders, all but closing the borders to most foreigners. Thus it was that the cultural and political changes which culminated in the birth of modern Surimtak passed largely unnoticed by the outside world.
In place of the patchwork of kingdoms and petty states there rose first a weak confederation and later a more unified entity as the larger kingdoms vied for dominance. The rise of the local variant of Arkanism forged a wider ethnic identity and an understanding that bridged the more traditional boundaries. These years of the twentieth century were not without their growing pains, however, indeed seeing the bloody conflict of the Consolidation Wars, as the Rightly-Guided Kingdom asserted its dominance over what came to be known as the Rightly-Guided Empire, which celebrated its centenary in 2118.
Geography
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Demographics
Surimtak is a remarkably populous nation, and although at a national scale the population density seems rather low, it must be remembered that much of the land area is inhospitable and unsuitable for permanent habitations. The vast Kingdom of Sumdatak which occupies over half the total land area has a population density of a mere 1 person per square kilometre, while the Kingdom of Surimtak has a population density over a 100 times greater.
Population:
- 39,142,880
Age Structure:
- 0-14 years: 21.2%
- 15-64 years: 70.3%
- 65 years and over: 8.5%
Population Growth Rate:
- 0.64%
Net Migration
- 0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex Ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
- total population: 0.98 male(s)/female
Life expectancy
- total population: 72.83 years
- male: 70.51 years
- female: 75.28 years
Nationality
- noun and adjective (of the nation): Surimtakibe (lit. "of Surimtak")
- noun and adjective (of the people): Surimtakebe
- Anutakibe, Çakkalibe, Lakaninülibe, Şarulibe, Sitakibe, Urimibe
Religions
Languages
- Meroşadik (official)
Literacy
- 92.6% (at age 15)
- 94.9% male
- 90.5% female
Culture
Surimtakibe culture in general quite closely reflects the mind-set of the predominant Çakkalibe ethnic group. While often seen as rather cold towards outsiders the Surimtakebe fully embrace the virtues of hospitality and mutuality in their life-styles.
In the domestic environment it is very common to find extended families living in close proximity, if not all as one household. In some cities so many of the population share the same small number of surnames that the regions and districts may (sometimes formally) be known by that surname. Among the more traditional Surimtakebe space can always be found for a relative, or several of them. The more wealthy may have the spare rooms required, but siblings will share accommodation without grumbling, as the need dictates. Beds are usually designed to be turned into bunk accommodation at short notice. It's simply seen as familial duty.
Surimtakibe arts and crafts show a marked preference for the oral and the aural media, rather than the visual (the Nakaru Film Festival notwithstanding). Story-telling and communal singing, chanting and drumming are tremendously popular, and it is a rare individual who will not join in, unashamed and confident, no matter what ability their level. Most of the material is based around well-known folktales, such as story of Urim, with improvisation being encouraged around the general theme.
Native cuisine favours traditional foods, and successful fast food businesses such as Surisnax are firmly based on traditional patterns, rather than outright innovation. Most foods are strongly-flavoured, whether meat or vegetarian in nature, while the Surimtakebe do not shy away from alcohol, with the drink of choice is as likely to be wine as beer.
Religion
The dominant religion practised within the Rightly-Guided Empire is Ganal-Şi Arkanism. Although Arkanism was brought by various visitors and settlers in the colonial era it made little headway against native forms of faith, which were primarily polytheistic or animistic, and organised proselytism reaped few rewards. However, during the relative isolation of the Calarian Winter the writings and subsequent martyrdom of Ganal-Şi, The Holy Witness, who espoused a more inculturated version of Arkanism, rose to a position of popularity and dominance.
Ganal-Şi's primary work, The Compassion of Beşi, stresses the importance of the virtues of Charity and Contemplation alongside the four traditional Arkanist virtues of Hard Work, Duty, Obedience and Thankfulness. The most distinctive features of Surimtakibe Arkanism are the controversial acceptance of Beşi as an acceptable divine name to be used directly for Arkanon, as well as the practice of the thrice daily call to prayer and contemplation which is heard though most of Surimtak.
Ganal-Şi Arkanism has a priveledged status within the empire, and the Kal must be a devout adherent.
Mainstream Arkanism is also practised, besides True Path Arkanism and a number of older, indigenous faiths.
Sport
- Main article: Surimtakibe Sport
There are a variety of sports played in Surimtak, and although the Çakkalibe preference is towards team sports there are a number of more traditionally individual pursuits where excellence is to be found. Of team sports Field Hockey is probably the most popular, but closely followed by the Surimtakibe passion for Polo, a non-native sport that is one of the few events to visibly excite large segments of the population. Lacrosse is popular enough to sustain a professional league and Rugby has made considerable progress in recent years. In more individualistic pursuits Archery, Pool, Shooting and Triathlon are favoured, reflecting the national psyche.
Maybe surprisingly, given the latitude, traditional winter sports are not especially popular, with the only real exceptions being Biathlon and Figure Skating. The Surimtakibe treat the winter cold as a serious matter for survival, and not for trivial matters such as sport!
Government and Politics
- Main Article: Government of Surimtak
Most political commentators refer to Surimtak as a Monarchic Oligarchy, although a growing number of academics, within Surimtak itself, see it as a true Constitutional Monarchy. Power is largely held by a self-selecting minority (the Noble and the Honoured), of whom the supreme representative and authority is the Kal or Rightly-Guided King. No formal, complete, written constitution exists, although there is a combination of well-established set of traditions, precedents and some formal agreements (the foremost of which are the Urimik Statutes). In many cases these are not legally binding and the Kal is free to govern and to appoint those he sees fit to positions of authority.
Suffrage
Suffrage is variable, by both constituent kingdom and polmat, typically 21 years, and with an income requirement. In some cases there are different conditions applying to different genders. Elections primarily affect local, rather than national governance: although each kingdom (and the Empire as a whole) possesses a popular Assembly, known as The Council of Voice, there is very little real power invested within them. At present the Noble and the Honoured are not entitled to vote, and are understood as having direct or indirect connection to the apparatus of government by virtue of their social rank.
Executive
The Kal is both Head of State and Head of Government, although the level of day to day engagement with matters of state tends to vary with each successive monarch. After the marginalisation of royal influence and the neglect of Tamol IV Kal-Risulom the current Kal is notable for his serious and intense engagement with matters of governance.
The Kal is assisted by a largely hand-picked Council of State, traditionally drawn from the Nobled and the Honoured from The Assembly of Nobles, and more recently supplemented by a small number of members drawn from The Council of Voice.
Legislature
The will of the Kal, tradition and precedent are interpreted and codified by the Council of Law, a body drawn from The Assembly of Nobles, The Council of Voice and the individuals favoured by the reigning Kal.
Judiciary
tbc
Economy
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Tourism
Current Issues
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Foreign Relations
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Communications
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Print Media
Broadcast Media
Military
The armed forces of Empire of Surimtak are divided into three arms, the Regal Army, the Regal Navy and the Regal Air Force. All three arms have reservists available in case of need, in addition to the locally available Polmat Militia. Further to these forces are the Loyal Forces, Surimtakibe units that they are personally beholden to the Kal as Head of State, not to any structure of government. These traditional forces form a significant deterrent to any possible military coup or civilian attempt to seize power.
 Topics in The Rightly-Guided Empire of Surimtak
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| Culture | Art | Cinema | Clothing | Cuisine | Education | Gambling | National Holidays | Languages | Literature | Media | Music | Philosophy | Religion | Sport |
| Economy | Administrative Divisions | Agriculture | Corporations | Currency | Mining | Infrastructure | Tourism | Trade |
| Geography | Cities | Climate | Ethnic Groups | Maps | Regions | Rivers and Lakes |
| Government | Constitutional Base | Figures | Foreign Embassies |
| History | Archeology | Prehistory | The City Leagues | Early Kingdoms | The Dominion of the Sons of Urim | The Meroşadik Co-Dominion | The Compassionate Revolution | The Consolidation Wars | Rightly-Guided Empire | Recent History | Kals of Surimtak |
| National Identity | Anthem | Coat of Arms | Flag | Motto |
| Politics | Citizenship | Political Parties | Politicians |
| Other | Driving Regulation | Human Rights | Naming Conventions | National Laws and Policies | Societal Issues Comparison |
