Asteria: Difference between revisions

==Economy and Infrastructure==

===Industries and Sectors===

Asteria's economy transformed from a primarily agricultural economy into a dynamic high-tech state. Most of Asteria's exports were agricultural in nature before the Asteria Civil War and the Second Great War. Products such as rice, wheat, fruits such as oranges, lemons, and peaches, and animal products such as beef and honey were essential products in the pre-independence period, and all still have a role to this day, beef, honey, and rice still being large sectors of the economy. Older industries such as whaling, the fur trade, and logging fell out by the time of the Civil War. With the discovery of natural gas, the whaling industry collapsed. Conservation efforts following the war also led to a ban on the fur trade, and logging was severely limited as nearly two-thirds of the nation's forests were cut down. However, this pales in comparison to one of the largest industries, natural rubber. The trees that produce rubber are found on the Arrayan Islands and in the marshes of the Lower Counties provide for one of the largest sources of rubber in Crona, and remains the lifeblood of much of the nation's economy. Webster, one of the larger towns in the Lower Counties, is even nicknamed "Rubber City" as it was the home of [[Webster Trading Company]], one of the industry giants. Other products such as cotton and tobacco are also present in the Lower Counties.

===Technology===

Although Asteria has become an innovator on the world stage for war materiel and personal computing, it has become a net importer of new ideas and innovations, especially as it relates to advancements on new forms of energy. The [[Walker Institute]] was created in the early-1960s to bring in new ideas from abroad into the private sector, and to create jobs related to those industries. Due to Asteria's stubborn and isolationist nature, they are often behind the curve when adopting new technologies, and will often use older and more obsolete technologies. However, when it comes to the internet and defense systems, Asteria is widely seen as world-class, with new annual developments announced regularly. More often than not, Asterian technology is not utilized by its own citizens, with efforts to bring it to fruition often aimed at foreign markets in Levantia and Sarpedon.

==Military==

The [[Asteria Defense Force]] is well known throughout the world for being a small but effective force, with a dedicated citizenry ready to serve if called. Founded in 1826 by Joseph Marshall as the Colonial Army, the formal structure was established following independence. On August 15, 1836, two months following independence, the Armed Forces of Asteria was founded and divided into three distinct branches, the [[Army of Asteria]], [[Navy of Asteria]], and the largest, the [[Home Guard of Asteria]]. The [[Air Force of Asteria]] was created in 1925 during the early stages of the Asteria Civil War. All four branches are part of the Department of Defense, and are under the direct command of the President of Asteria. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are widely seen as the professional arm of Asteria's armed forces, with approximately 255,750 active duty members in all three branches. The Home Guard, which during peacetime is managed at a county level, has approximately 1,753,285 members all between the ages of eighteen and ninety-seven at its oldest. Membership in the Home Guard is seen as a rite of passage for young Asterians, especially young men. As most Asterian families own firearms, the Home Guard provides monthly training, exercises, and lessons from the ADF. Although on paper this force is strong, two-thirds of the members in times of war are largely meant to help augment civil defense forces and police, with only an additional 530,893 Home Guard members expected to go into active duty in wartime.