Ceylonia: Difference between revisions

The first inhabitants of Ceylonia originated from several places, with the most notable being from Northern Crona and the areas surrounding [[Varshan]]. Many indigenous Cronan tribes began establishing hunter-gatherer settlements across the land, which became the first modern settlements throughout the area. These tribes created the framework for modern civilization in Ceylonia. Between 5,000 and 2,000 BCE, the tribes would transition into agrarian societies, taking heavy influence from an unknown higher power, believed to be associated with the ancient [[Tierrador#Aonaali Woqalate|Aonaali Woqalate]], with the traditionally nomadic settlements becoming permanent. Groups of indigenous Cronans, including parts of the Youkafee, Yapokee, Ausakio, Antakee, and Tanakeó began to develop complex feudal systems, the earliest of which. Under the Aonaali banner, the Yapokee Woqalate was formed, using the namesake from the most prominent indigenous tribe, the Yapokee tribe. The Yapokee inhabited most areas around the Baia dos Cocos, which consisted of the most fertile soil throughout modern soil. The Yapokee cultivated many crops, such as rice, maize, wheat and cotton, and traded goods with several other vassals of the Aonaali Woqalate, mostly including minerals extracted from pockets across the bay.

Following the disappearance of the Aonaali Woqalate, the Yapokee Woqalate was severely weakened, as the sole partner of the early nation had been taken out of the picture, there was not a way for the area to thrive as it used to. The subsequent feud between the [[Tierrador#Qabóri Woqalate|Qabóri]] and [[Tierrador#Abio Woqalate|Abio]] Woqalates brought a sense of uncertainty throughout the member tribes of Yapokee. During and after the fall of the Abio Woqalate throughout the first six centuries AD, the Qabóri Woqalate became increasingly imperialistic, subjugating surrounding lands under their banner. The Yapokee, having been stunted by the Aonaali's fall, proved no match for the much more advanced Qabóri military, as they were coerced into flying the Qabóri banner as a group of ''qoyalets'', or provinces. Despite the initial suppression of Ceylonian indigenous culture, the Qabóri government became more lenient towards the tribes within the area, allowing many unique tribal traditions to occur, under the condition that these tribes pledge allegiance to the Qabóri banner whenever necessary. The Qabóri conquest doubled the Woqalate's territory, and gave it an unmatched advantage over the weakened Abio Woqalate.

The increased tensions between the New Yapokee Movement and the Ceylon government would escalate to full on skirmishes in Ceylonian cities. The Tierradorian government, now more stable after the House of Woqelee took power, became more sympathetic towards the NYM rather than the Ceylon government, which dealt a massive blow to the government. While Ceylonia was being supplied arms from the Cartadanian government, it was almost nothing compared to the support from the Qabóri Woqalate to the NYM, especially after the former’s conquest of the [[Western Republic (Crona)|Western Republic]] in the previous decade. On March 6, 1881, three tribes in northwest Ceylonia (Atofee, Chauakee, and Bausiji), declared their independence. This move, supported by Qabór and Istrenya, shocked the government in Santa Maria, and in response, immediately declared war on the tribes, beginning the Ceylon Civil War. Eventually, as the independence movements became stronger, more tribes would declare their independence from Ceylonia. In 1887, newly-elected Ceylon president [[Cesar Tathas]], being of Bausiji descent, sympathized with the movements and even promised to give the tribes partial autonomy if they agreed to end the war. However, the goal of the tribes independence was non-negotiable by their standards, and the war would rage on for another six years. On February 5, 1892, President Tathas would meet with the tribal leaders in Antakee, along with Qabóri [[Woqala of Tierrador|Woqala]] [[Tataía III]], in an agreement which would eventually end the Ceylon Civil War. The terms of the agreement included the establishment of 27 Tribal Nations, in which the borders of these nations would be established with sole consideration to the makeup of the country’s indigenous tribes, along with the addition of the Chamber of Tribal Emissaries to the country’s already bicameral legislature, which would become one of the two most powerful chamber in the Ceylon National Assembly, the other being the Popular National Assembly.  

Ceylonia saw one of the biggest economic boosts in history in the 1970s, with its GDP increasing 20% from 1971 to 1974. The decade was referred to as the ''aniiet dantiund'' (golden decade), due to the country's increased production and distribution of gold in the international market. The nation also saw a massive increase in tourism, as the government became more Occidentalized. The 1980s saw the country building back its relationship with Tierrador. This included reactivating its membership in the South Cronan Economic Area and the newly-established [[Wadičaq Area]]. Chavez would also reform the National Assembly, equally dividing power between the legislature's three branches, rather than the two lower houses holding more power than the Senate.   

In 1985, due to his declining health, Chavez would ultimately resign as president of Ceylonia. His successor, [[Tomás Curvaló-Auspik]], would be appointed. Curvaló-Auspik's administration would be marred in controversy, as he oversaw the completely botched prosecutions of those involved in the [[1989 Ceylon bribery scandal]]. Despite this, Curvaló-Auspik would be re-elected in 1990. He would create the [[Ceylon Environmental Impact Mitigation Agency]] (CEIMA) in 1991, which enforced newly-passed environmental legislations from 1991–1994. The [[1993 Tierradorian financial crisis]] saw the collapse of the housing bubble in Ceylonia, leading to the biggest stock market crash in the country's history. In response to this, Curvaló-Auspik passed the [[Lending Act of 1994]], which increased bank lending regulations.

Following the financial crisis, Ceylonia reinstated itself as one of the most developed nations in South Crona. The country co-hosted the [[2004 World Cup of Hockey]] with Tierrador, finishing fourth in the tournament. In 2015, the PpY, led by [[Sabina Teixeira]], took power as the ruling party of the country, where it remains today. Teixeira would resign in 2027, appointing Miguel Sousa as her successor. In 2035, Sousa will attempt to extend the PpY's tenure to 25 years.

The executive branch of Ceylonia consists of the Head of State, called the President, the Head of Government, called the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet of Ministers which is appointed by the Prime Minister upon appointment by the President. The President, currently [[Miguel Sousa]], is elected directly through universal adult suffrage for a five-year term. The President holds the power to dissolve the National Assembly or can challenge it through direct popular referendums or through veto. The President also is able to negotiate and ratify international agreements, and serves as the commander-in-chief of the Ceylon Defense Forces. The Prime Minister is appointed directly by the President after the party he/she leads wins the most the seats in the Popular National Assembly. The Prime Minister mostly focuses on domestic, day-to-day activities, while determining public policy. The current Prime Minister is Amancio Batista, who was appointed in 2033, following the [[Partedaíopascun Yapokee|PpY’s]] victory in the [[2033 Ceylonian general election|2033 elections]].

The Senate is the upper house, and comprises of 144 members. These members are elected by 120,000 officials, mostly delegates of the 36 Qoyaletasembalaí, in an indirect electoral college. The Senate, despite being the upper house, was actually historically considered the weakest branch, as, until the 1980s, every legislation they drafted was required to be ratified and approved by the Chamber of Communities, the Chamber of Emissaries, and the President of Ceylonia, a very difficult process which resulted in very few Senate bills actually becoming Ceylon law. Following the government reforms, the National Assembly became more balanced, and the Senate was given a lot more power, on equal par with the other two houses. The Senate is the only legislative house that is not elected through popular vote.

Ceylonia is separated into twenty-one qoyalets, and two independent cities; the capital city of Santa Maria, located at the northern end of the Baía dos Cocos, and Porto Alegre, the second largest city situated alongside the western border with Tierrador. Under the Ceylon Constitution, the qoyalets have an elected provincial government composed of the Qoyalet Governor and the Qoyaletasembalaí (provincial assembly). The governor constitutes the executive body, proposes budgets, and creates decrees, resolutions, and provincial programs. The Qoyaletasembalaí, the qoyalets' legislative body, debates and votes on budgets, supervises qoyalet elected officials, and is able to hold votes on removing the governor, deputy governor, or any member of the assembly from office if they see fit. The qoyalet governor and the Qoyaletasembalaí serve a term of four years, without immediate reelection. These governments plan regional development, execute public investment projects, promote economic activities, and manage public property. On the same level as the qoyalets are the 27 Ethnic Communities of the country, though their borders are not defined. All 27 Communities are represented in the Chamber of Communities, of which multiple representatives from each nation are sent. The Communities are considered semi-autonomous, and are mostly considered as part of their qoyalets, and must pledge allegiance to that respective qoyalet. The cities of Santa Maria and Porto Alegre is administered by a municipal council, headed by a mayor. The purpose of devolving power to regional and municipal governments was to improve popular participation and give Ceylonians a greater since of community. NGOs played an important role in the decentralization process and still influence local politics, though remain in check under the national government's regulation. Some areas of Ceylonia are defined as metropolitan areas which may overlap political boundaries and extend into several qoyalets. The largest of them, the Santa Maria metropolitan area, is the seventh-largest metropolis in the Cronan continent.

Ceylonia has a total road network of about {{convert|531000|km|mi}}. According to the [[Ceylon Department of Transportation]] (CeyDOT), the Ceylon road network is valued at about $110 billion. The road system in Ceylonia is mainly centralized, with several highways running east-to-west and connecting Santa Maria to other cities on the west coast such as Porto Alegre, Antakee, Novo Sierra, and Saqauwee, as well as several communities in the south and east. The road system in Santa Maria is the densest network in the country, with paved roads connecting the city to virtually every area of Ceylonia. Ceylon roads also handle substantial international traffic, connecting with cities in neighboring Tierrador and [[The Cape]] at the numerous border crossing checkpoints. Historically, most of the national highways were privately-owned. However, due to the inconsistency with maintenance leading to poor quality in rural areas, along with ridiculously-high toll costs, the highway system eventually received higher government subsidization, and the CeyDOT eventually took control of most of the paved road system within the nation.

Rail transport is an important element of the country's transport infrastructure. All major cities in Ceylonia are connected by a vast rail transit system. Ceylon Freight Rail mainly operates freight services while HSC operates high-speed passenger commuter services. CeyDOT oversees all rail transit, passenger and freight, and it is one of the most profitable sectors for the organization, generating 38% of the department's total revenue. The Grand National Station in Santa Maria is the largest rail terminus in the country, and the majority of passenger rail services begin or end in said station. As of 2029, Ceylonia has about 6,000km of high speed tracks, and HSC operates high speed passenger rail services connecting the cities of Santa Maria, Porto Alegre, Antakee, Saqauwee, and Novo Sierra. The most popular route is from Santa Maria to Porto Alegre, serving close to 2 million passengers per year.

There are 41 public airports in Ceylonia. The busiest one is the Santa Maria International Airport, which served about 45 million passengers in 2031, being one of the busiest airports in Crona. The Porto Alegre Harbor International Airport is located adjacent to the Porto Alegre National Harbor, and is a close second to Santa Maria as the busiest airport, serving 43 million passengers. Most passenger traffic from the Porto Alegre airport typically consists of cruise passengers. Other main airports are located in Antakee, Saqauwee, Novo Sierra, and Terrasol.

Ceylonia has one official language, the [[Yapokee language]]. [[Cartadanian language|Cartadanian]], and [[Qabóri language|Qabóri]] are considered to be national languages. It is estimated that over 84% of the country’s population is bilingual. Along with the three aforementioned languages, Ceylonia recognizes 38 different linguistic groups, including the 27 tribal languages spoken in the devolved tribal nations of the country. Besides Yapokee, [[Lahunatl]] is the most widely spoken of these tribal languages, with over 1.4 million speakers, all within the borders of the Lahunatl tribal nation, closely followed by the [[Kashakee]], [[Oscaja]], [[Chauakee]], and [[Bausiji]] languages. Ceylonia is the only Lusophonic nation in Crona, with it being used by about 17 million Ceylonians. Despite the many different linguistic groups, Yapokee is considered the “standard language” for all day-to-day activities within the country, and it is required that every student learn the language upon entering school, with the option to learn either Qabóri or Cartadanian in later grades, with most students choosing the latter language due to the vast colonial history with Cartadania.

Ceylonian literature is heavily influenced by both Qabóri and Cartadanian literature, due to the country’s colonial history with both nations. Historical Yapokee poet [[Ayba Shui]] (1124–1167), was one of the most well-known literary geniuses of Ceylonian history, and wrote close to 700 poems throughout his career. Modern Ceylonian literature is rooted in neoclassic styles. Some of the most well-known modern Ceylonian writers include [[Gláucio Nascimento]], [[Valter Câmara]], [[Waki Saiša]], [[Eliana Brito]], and [[Helena Valente]].

Traditional Ceylonian folk music is one of the most popular genres throughout the country. Besides that, Ceylonian music encompasses a wide variety of different genres. Similar to Tierradorian [[tuqasai]] music, traditional Ceylonian music consists of instruments such as ukuleles, flutes, drums, tambourines, and more recently, acoustic guitars and accordions. Some notable folk performers from Ceylonia include [[Pio Castro]], [[Atanór Bascaôt]], [[Socí Kaîas]], and [[Manoela Barros]]. Similar to traditional music, Ceylon pop music is also on the rise, particularly from Tierrador and Occidental Crona. Along with most popular South Cronan pop singers/bands, many Lusophonic Ceylon-based pop singers have been on the rise since the late 1980s. Artists with international recognition in Ceylonia include Cartadanian pop artist [[Adriana Dutra]], along with many Ceylon artists, including [[Constância Costa]], [[Ustai Tapis]], [[Miguel Arás]], and [[Óscar Leite]].