Arona: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox country

|conventional_long_name = Republic of Arona

|government_type =    {{wp|Unitary republic|Unitary}} [[Julian republic]]

|leader_title1 =      President

|leader_title2 =      National Administrator

|leader_title3 =      Chair of the Proprietary Assembly

|legislature =        Proprietary Assembly

|upper_house =         

"Arona" originated as a term in antiquity as the Latinized form of the word "hairouna", or "land of the blessed", in ancient language of the [[Vallos#Tainean_people|Tainean people]]. The meaning behind its appellation is unclear, although it seems to be a term related to the weather or sea conditions enjoyed by the residents of the land rather than any particular characteristic of its people.

==Geography==

==History==

===Provincial history===

From [[1598]] to the 19th century, the Harounan Province existed as a relatively peripheral portion of the Oustec Kingdom and was governed according to typical Oustec fashion, with the King appointing a General Proprietor to govern the province who served at the King's pleasure. Unlike most of the other provinces, Arona was not well designed to serve as a pirate port due to its westward orientation. Instead, it was relatively conventional in its purpose, serving as a strategic land buffer for the more prosperous and valuable northern port cities against the polities of the central third of Vallos. Its position as a strategic buffer meant that, unusually for Oustec, an army general was typically invested as General Proprietor. Its position also meant that Arona's interior received investments from the provincial government, forming one of the best road systems away from the coast in all of Oustec. As part of its mandate, the Harounan Province was given special privilege which would prevent the King from sapping land soldiers from the province for use as sailors, marines, or northern city garrisons.

Arona's position necessitated the development of a land army and militia culture not present or needed in the rest of the Kingdom. In the written record, the notable differences between Arona and the rest of the Kingdom were already noted as of 1702, when the [[Bergendii]] traveler Josèp Magal noted that "its people look for glory on the land, not on the sea...in stone castles, rather than aftcastles, will you find the people of Harounan." Due to its southward military orientation and remoteness from the sea lanes of [[St. Brendan's Strait]], Arona saw little Levantine intervention and Bergendii military action relative to the rest of the Kingdom during the 18th and early 19th century.

In [[1845]], Akule Cornelio became General Proprietor of the Harounan Province. Cornelio continued a relatively antagonistic stance between Oduria and Arona during his time as General Proprietor.

===Oustec collapse and Urcean intervention===

{{Main|Odurian War}}

In [[1858]], the Kingdom of Oustec was suddenly invaded by [[Caphiria]] in reaction to a number of events relating to the unification of [[Burgundie]], with Caphirian forces entering the country on the morning of 18 March. Caphirian forces scored a number of early victories, putting in doubt the longterm viability of Oustec as an independent Kingdom. Burgundie launched a counterinvasion of the Kingdom later in the spring in order to prevent the remaining territory from falling entirely to Caphiria. Both Occidental countries made significant progress into the remaining territory of the Kingdom. Despite extant tensions with the royal government, Harounan forces fought alongside other Oustec regional troops throughout the early phase of the conflict, proving to be competent but unable to resist the overwhelming force presented by Caphiria and Burgundie. It became apparent by July that Oustec would not be able to maintain its independence for long, leading Akule Cornelio to seek alternative options. He met with local political and economic leaders who implored him to pursue independence and neutrality in the ongoing conflict. Cornelio recalled all Harounan-affiliated forces to the province on 28 July, obstensibly to protect against a claimed Burgoignesc attack. On 8 August, he issued a unilateral declaration of independence from Oustec, proclaiming himself King of the new Kingdom of Arona. When it became evident that neither Oustec nor the Occidentals would recognize Arona's independence, he sent a request to the government of [[Urcea]], who had forces relatively nearby in [[New Archduchy]]. [[Riordan VIII]] seized the opportunity to gain a foothold in [[Vallos]] and induced the [[Concilium Daoni]] to formally recognize the Kingdom of Arona on 11 August; forces in New Archduchy were subsequently deployed to Toucari to defend Arona's capital city. On 22 August, Urcea and Arona concluded a treaty recognizing the latter as a loose protectorate of the former. Despite the diplomatic efforts of Urcea, neither Caphiria nor Burgundie would recognize the new state and made no guarantee to steer clear of its territory. Fortunately for Arona, in September the Oustec forces abandoned most of its positions and instead fortified itself in the capital city of Oduria, requiring most Occidental forces to be positioned into a siege. Despite this, skirmishing between Harounan forces with Caphirian and Burgoignesc forces at the periphery continued throughout the war, skirmishing which started to include Urcean forces in mid-1859. The situation approached the possibility of a general war between the three powers before [[Kiravia]] mediated a peace agreement. Arona was eventually recognized as an independent protectorate of Urcea and Oustec was partitioned. King Akule I was recognized as sovereign lord of Arona.

===First Great War===

Arona's position of separation from Urcea put it in an extremely precarious position with the beginning of the [[First Great War]]. Protected only by its small army and the outdated Brenedine Squadron and bordered by [[Caphiria]] and [[Burgundie]], it appeared likely that either or both would take advantage of Urcea's weakness and invade the small Kingdom. Fortunately for Arona, [[Burgundie]] announced its recognition of the claims of [[Patrick III of Urcea|Patrick III]] and [[Caphiria]] that of the authority of the regent FitzRex. As both of these nations feared weakening the authority of their chosen faction within Urcea by seizing one of the nation's overseas territories, both respected the neutrality of Arona and Urcea's nominal claims of protection. Regardless, from [[1897]] through [[1902]], the protectorate was largely defunct, but Urcean influence remained with the presence of the Brenedine Squadron.

With military protection restored, Urcean investment and new economic interests began to flow into the Kingdom in [[1907]]. From the time of the restoration until [[1920]], Arona grew dramatically. An economic revolution occurred functionally overnight with the construction of Arona's first four factories, transforming the largely agrarian realm into an industrializing one. Prudently, the [[Government of Urcea]] decided to retain a light hand on its Vallosi protectorate, relying largely on economic and military incentives to keep it loyal to Urcea.

===Republic established===

Akule II was succeeded by King Elsu I Phillip. The new King's reign began promisingly as a program to benefit the family of miners who had died at work was proposed by the King, but financial difficulties with the program as well as opposition by his ministers scuttled the proposal. On 4 September [[1920]], Elsu attempted to purge his cabinet and install his own men, but half of the ministers refused to accept his authority, leading to most of the government buildings in Toucari being locked down in a state of semi-coup. The King attempted to induce the Brenedine Squadron to intervene on his behalf; although a detachment of marines secured the port area, they would not take direct action in the dispute. Elsu next tried to rally the people to his side, but his calls for a mass demonstration mostly brought out opponents of both the ministry and monarchy. The initially small lukewarm crowds of royalists were soon supplanted by mass demonstrations against both factions of the government, and by 10 September the King had completely lost control of Toucari. Elsu fled to the safety of the Brenedine Squadron and was subsequently induced to sign a document of abdication. Due to his opposition to the current ministry, the King's document unusually authorized the commanding [[Ranks in the Urcean Armed Forces#Field.2C%20Flag%20and%20Staff%20Officers|Návarce]] of the Brenedine Squadron to choose his successor before moving into exile in [[Urcea]], becoming one of the first of the so-called [[The Dispossessed|Dispossessed]]. The Návarce wired [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]] for instructions, and was subsequently told to open negotiations with the demonstrators. Under the leadership of the civil administrator of Toucari, a provisional government was formed until such time that a constitution could be adopted. Having legal authority from the abdication to transfer Aronese sovereignty from one monarch to another, the Návarce agreed to recognize the provisional government as the successor of King Elsu I. Accordingly, on 12 September, the administrator - Guy Enyeto - became Provisional President of Arona. Elections for a constitutional convention were held on 15 October and the convention met for the first time on 1 November 1920.

====Second Great War====

During the [[Second Great War]], Arona declared its neutrality, but due to its association with Urcea it remained involved in the conflict in a peripheral sense. It was briefly under threat of invasion from [[Vespera]], the neighboring possession of [[Caphiria]]. However, Vespera was cut off from [[Sarpedon]] relatively early in the war by [[Cartadania]]n forces in [[Porta Bianca]] and [[Burgundie|Burgoignesc]] forces based in [[Equatorial Ostiecia]]. After being isolated, Caphirian forces in the region switched over into the defensive, which they would remain in for the rest of the conflict. Vespera was overrun by allied forces later in the war. As the invasion of Vespera began, Arona broke its strict pledge of neutrality and allowed allied forces to pass through Aronese territory. As the immediate threat to its sovereignty had subsided, on 1 July [[1937]], Arona declared war on [[Caphiria]]. Aronese participation was largely limited to assuming main occupation duties of Vespera in order to allow allied forces to transfer its forces elsewhere, though a single Aronese infantry regiment participated in the in the [[Ventotene#History|invasion of Ventotene]] in [[1938]]. Like with Vespera, the regiment assumed primary occupation duties of Ventotene on behalf of [[Urcea]] in order to allow it to transfer its forces to other theaters. At the end of the war, Arona received monetary compensation from both sides; from the allies, as a payment for their occupation duties, and from Caphiria as reparations. The compensation payments were relatively significant given the size of the country, and Aronese arms enjoyed significant prestige at home for their successful participation in the conflict. The Second Great War had minimal loss of life and negative impact on Arona, instead providing not only economic benefit but enhanced national unity and identity.

The political and economic integration of Galib, in addition to the military and strategic concerns poised by the Occidental Cold War, would become the dominant concern of the Aronese state for the remainder of the 20th century. Although small, the population and land area were still significant relative to Arona's smaller size. The Occidental Cold War exacerbated the issue, as from [[1962]] through [[1971]] opponents of the Aronese government received funds and arms from [[Caphiria]]. The Aronese military struggled, at times, to contain the threat, requiring occasional assistance from the [[Urcea|Urcean]] [[Royal Marine Corps (Urcea)|Royal Marine Corps]]. By [[1970]], the major ringleaders of the resistance movement were captured, splintering the group and precipitating the end of Caphirian support for the project the next year. On the advice of the [[Government of Urcea|Urcean government]], the Aronese government issued blanket pardons to resistance fighters and leaders on 1 May [[1972]]. The pardons, along with new social programs specifically intended to alleviate poverty on the island, decreased tensions significantly. 1 May is celebrated on Galib as the "Healing Day" holiday. By [[1980]], Galib's politics were largely integrated into Arona's, but significant efforts to integrate the island economically - including both a difference in basic logistical systems as well as the island's relative poverty - would remain a top policy issue well into the early 2000s.

====Post-Cold War====

==Government==

Arona utilizes a {{wp|common law}} system, and accordingly the nation's top appellate court - the Republican Tribunal - is an important institution for the upholding and interpretation of the law and constitution.

The Aronese government generally has poor relations with most other nations in [[Vallos]]. The Aronese people were surveyed in [[2031]], with the poll indicating that only 11% of Aronans have a favorable view of [[Almadaria]] and only 15% having a favorable view of [[Takatta Loa]]. Accordingly, the government generally treats those nations with suspicion, especially given their stance against the Aronese protectorate. The Aronan government and people have positive views of [[Urcea]] and mixed views on [[Burgundie]], with more decidedly negative views on the people of [[Equatorial Ostiecia]] than the Burgoignesc metropole. Besides Urcea, Arona enjoys its best foreign relationship with [[Rumahoki]], and most Aronese government leaders believe Rumahoki sees Arona as a peer.

===Executive===

The National Administrator has more significant limitations than the Urcean [[Procurator]], as he has no official role within the legislature. However, he is head of the treasury and controls the expenditure of funds, and consequently, has oversight of the cabinet. The National Administrator also has authority over the Aronese military. The National Administrator is elected nationwide, serving four year terms for a maximum of three terms, following the same election cycle as the Proprietary Assembly. The Aronese government is unique among [[Julian republic]]s in that its chief executive - the National Administrator - is far weaker than any other Julian style state. Domestically, there has been a strong minority movement for reform of the constitution, eliminating the Administrator and dividing his responsibilities between the President and Chair, thus making Arona a more traditional {{wp|Semi-presidential republic|semi-presidential republic}}.

===Legislature===

===Politics===

==Culture==

Due to its establishment as a military frontier, the Aronese people strongly identify with the notion of "citizen soldiers" and militia defense of one's homeland. For this reason, the arm of a man with an axe serves as the national flag of Arona. As part of this tradition, firearms ownership in Arona is extremely high, at a rate of 43.2 guns per 100 residents as of [[2030]]. Firearms are a major part of the life and culture of rural Aronese especially, with shooting competitions and gunshows being part of most major festivals and fairs.

== Demographics ==

==Economy==

Arona's infrastructure is considered by international observers to be in fair condition. The only major international airport in Arona is in Toucari, which also hosts the nation's major seaport. Arona's single major highway, the six-lane ''National Course'' runs west to east from Toucari to the eastern border, with smaller roads branching off to reach other destinations inland. Railways connect all major cities as well, with ''NatioTrans'' serving as Arona's public transportation system.  

==Military==

[[Category: Vallos]]

{{Template:Award winning article}}

[[Category:2023 Award winning pages]]