Kandara

Sovereign and Independent People's Republic of Kandara Kandhera
Flag Coat of Arms
National Symbol: The King of the Savannah Anthropomorphization of the strength of the Kandi
Location of Kandara
Capital	Kabinsiro
Largest city	Port of Bomonba
Official languages	Kandaro, Burgoignesc language
Ethnic groups	Primarily Kandi
Religion	Shia Islam, or Mercantile Reform Protestantism in a 60/40 split
Demonym(s)	Kandari (noun) Kandaran (adjective) Kandarans (plural)
Government	Kraterocracy
• Admiral-General	Stephan Mojalefa
Establishment
• Great Rebellion of Slavery Bay	1795
Area
•	1,515,583.34 km2 (585,170.00 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	18,476,480
• Density	12.191/km2 (31.6/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	$32,389,269,440
• Per capita	$1,753
Currency	Common Middle Sea Florin (CMS ƒ)

Kandara, officially the Sovereign and Independent People's Republic of Kandara, is categorized as a least developed country nation in central Audonia. It is bound by the Aab-e-Farus in the east, Jazee in the northwest, Kagazi in the north, and Shanjin and Ankivara in the east. It is known as the world's only kraterocracy run by a violent military regime led by Admiral-General Stephan Mojalefa.

It is a member of the League of Nations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and many other international organizations, but is not an active participant, rather an aide recipient.

It is a command economy focused on raw resource extraction and export, under the watchful eye of Burgundie whose companies have a massive stake in the country's economic activity. Despite its status as a failed state, it is an active member in the Middle seas region's economic activity due primarily to the sheer size of its mineral wealth.

Many scholars have criticized its economic governance and politics, arguing that it is merely a client of the Burgoignesc thalattocracy's economic and cultural might.

The people of Kandara are predominantly culturally Kandi, speak Kandaro, and most practice Shia Islam, or Mercantile Reform Protestantism in a 60/40 split.

Geography

Topograpic map of Kandara

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  Kandaran coast
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  Kandaran coastal plain
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  Farming in the interior
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  Kandaran highlands
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  Fishing village
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  "The Scrub" of the coastal plains

Climate

Further information: Prevailing Winds

Because of its location, at the eastern end of the tradewinds, Kandara is exceptionally arid. Any moisture from the interior plains of the Dolong region of Audonia catching in the Kinkasendjo mountains before it reaches the Kandara coastal plains.

Government and politics

The core of the Kandaran Kraterocracy lies with its warlords. These individuals, typically hailing from prominent Kandaran families or having risen through the ranks of the military, command heavily armed militias. The size and influence of a warlord is directly tied to the strength of their militia. Through force of arms, they control territory, extract resources, and levy taxes on the populace within their domain. Their loyalty to the central government, often referred to as the High Council, is tenuous at best, often shifting based on perceived advantage or immediate threats.

The High Council is situated in the capital of Kabinsiro and is composed of representatives from each warlord. The Council serves as a forum for negotiation, dispute resolution, and the establishment of internal truces. Agreements are reached through a combination of persuasion, veiled threats, and occasional bursts of open hostility. The Council's power is limited, relying heavily on the cooperation of individual warlords. They can attempt to broker deals, facilitate trade agreements, and even levy a nominal national tax, but enforcement relies on the will and whim of each warlord.

Despite the decentralized nature of power, Kandara does possess a few key institutions that exert a degree of influence.

Office of the Admiral-General: Currently held by Stephan Mojalefa, the Office of the Admiral-General is the highest position in the country and presides over all of the national affairs of the state. The Admiral-General is the head of state and the head of government, such as it is, in Kandara. There are no elections for the position, it is taken and held by force by a warlord. Stephan Mojalefa is the warlord from Cote d'Or district.

The Army National of Kandara (ANK): A relatively small and poorly equipped force, the ANK serves as the official national army. Composed primarily of conscripts, the ANK's primary role is to defend the nation from external threats. However, its effectiveness is hampered by limited resources, outdated equipment, and occasional loyalty conflicts, as some warlords view the ANK with suspicion.

The Ministry of Resource Management: This ministry, theoretically responsible for overseeing the exploitation of Kandara's natural resources, holds limited actual power. While it attempts to establish quotas and regulations, enforcement relies on cooperation from warlords who control the actual mining and extraction operations. Corruption within the Ministry further undermines its effectiveness. It's one true influential aspect is brokering deals overseas for exporting Kandarans goods and resources. It also controls the ports which it does relatively well and with a lower level of corruption than most other transactions in the country.

The Kandaran Supreme Court: Located in Kabinsiro, the Supreme Court is intended to be the highest judicial authority in Kandara. However, its reach is limited by the power of the warlords. Judgments are only enforceable within the territory controlled by a cooperative warlord. In areas under strong warlord control, local courts, often influenced by the warlord's will, hold greater sway.

Administrative divisions

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• Rhodainia
• Cote d'Or
• Capital District
• Mituzori
• Baklemba
• Upper Arumami
• Lower Arumami
• Nkama
• Gabo
• Kasaimi
• Great Rwentumba

Military

Army National of Kandara

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Traditional state military with traditional weapons and equipment contracts with respected overseas countries, namely Burgundie, Urcea, and Yonderre. Mixed of mechanized and unmechanized forces with some air support. Fully logistically supplied by the state. It has 17,000 full time soldiers and a ready reserve of 68,000. It is divided into the 1st Armored Division (active), 2nd Infantry Division (Reserve), 3rd Infantry Division (Reserve), and the Force Publique (a division level unit that serves as the state gendarmerie). The 1st Armored Division is comprised of the 3rd Regiment Hussars, 1st Regiment of Foot, 9th Regiment of the Line, and the Grand Garrison Artillery Battery. The Force Publique is a 27,000 strong mobile gendarmerie that serves to maintain public order and to patrol the highways.

The Army also maintains an air contingent with a fighter-bomber wing, a transport wing, and a reconnaissance/COIN wing.

Maritime Gendarmerie of Kandara

The Maritime Gendarmerie of Kandara (Burg: Gendarmerie Maritime de Kandara (GMK)) operates 3 frigate divisions each consisting of one frigate and 3 smaller craft, typically patrol boats or missile boats. The country operates one diesel electric submarine, but it is more for show then a combat capable warship. The GMK also operates 6 independent littoral patrol boats for search and rescue, harbor patrol, and drug interdiction.

Warlord forces

Kando Lalrissian's Army of God

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Religiously-based militia, numbering around 5,000 soldiers, supported by proxy from large external states using intermediary buyers.

People's Liberation Army of Gabo

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Regional socialist independence army for the region of Gabo. There are around 7,000 soldiers almost entirely mechanized in technicals.

General Fully Clothed's Janjaweed

Cult of personality around General Fully Clothed (ne Othiamba Adiwuor). numbering around 450 soldiers, based on the season.

Loko Haram-Bey

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Anti-occidental, Burgophobia Islamist militia, numbering around 2,500. Mix of partisan irregular infantry and technical-mounted attack squads

Society

Self-reported ethnic origin in Kandara (2030)

  Kandi (41.4%)

  Etti (19.8%)

  Makuwa (11.8%)

  Zoulu (8.2%)

  Occidental (7.9%)

  other/multi-ethnic (18.9%)

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  A big ole' Kandaran baby

Art

Storytelling is a cornerstone of Kandaran life. Griots, communal storytellers in the same tradition as medieval Occidental bards, preserve the history and myths of their tribes with tales of heroism, folly, marriages, lifes, and deaths of key figures. These stories are not just for entertainment; they are the codification of tradition, passing down knowledge of survival skills, tribal history, and moral codes of the tribes in which they are told. Art too, serves as a powerful medium for cultural expression of the Kandari people. Among the unique art styles of Kandara, sand paintings, depicting scenes of daily life, spiritual beliefs, and historical events are the most internationally recognized and enduring symbol of Kandaran art. Sculptures carved from ebony or weathered stone depicting revered ancestors and mythical creatures that populated the pre-Islamic and pre-Christian Kandaran pantheon, these figures have made a return to the Kandaran art scene in the latter half of the 20th century, especially during and after Operation Kipling when some Burgoignesc and Urcean soldiers brought some of the ancient statues back and they made a splash in those countries art scenes in the late 60s.

Religion

Self-reported religious affiliation in Kandara (2030)

  Shia Islam (60.5%)

  Animist/traditional religions (13.8%)

  Mercantile Reform Protestantism (9.3%)

  Sunni Islam (8.5%)

  Patriarchate of Marand (5.8%)

  other/irreligious (1.1%)

Religion in Kandara is a complex reflection of the nation's violent and colonial history. The majority adhere to Shia Islam, a vestige of the area's domination by the Oduniyyad Caliphate. Mosques, serve as centers not just for prayer, but also for education and social gatherings, especially in the interior. However, a significant minority practices Mercantile Reform Protestantism, a faith introduced by the Burgoignesc colonizers. Simple white clapboard churches, testaments to a bygone era of colonial dominance, stand as stark reminders of a troubled past, and stand in direct contrast to the massive and opulent mosques. While religious tolerance is generally practiced, tensions occasionally flare, particularly in competition for influence within the government or control of resource-rich areas. Almost 6% of the population are members of the Patriarchate of Marand a uniquely Audonian Christian sect. 13.8% practice animism or shamanism, especially in the northern areas where the Queendom of Santasi was strong.

La Sape

Further: La Sape

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  Kabange in 1935, credited with bringing La Sape into the spotlight.
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La Sape, an abbreviation based on the phrase "Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People" (Burg: Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes) and hinting to the Burgoignesc slang word sape which means "clothes" or sapé, which means "dressed up". An adherent of La Sape is known as a sapeure or, if female, as a sapix. The movement embodies the elegance in style and manners of colonial predecessor dandies. It is a subculture that is unique to Kandarans and the Kandaran diaspora, although it is related to other fopish styles in that it is a modern offshoot of Burgoignesc dandyism.

Architecture

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  Mid-20th century residential architecture
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  Great Mosque of Ta'kongwe
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  Fort St. George, built in 1599 by Bergendii colonists
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  Fort St. Christopher, built in 1605 by Bergendii colonists
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  Modern housing style
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  Jumaiya Mosque in Kabinsiro
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  Traditional brich-built home in the interior
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  Occidental-influenced urban architecture
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  Many buildings in Kandara are built of cinderblock construction with a stucco exterior
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  Remnants of the communist regime remain, especially in the universities built during their short reign

Much of the ancient surviving architecture in Kandara is comprised of the Islamic architectural style brought by the Oduniyyad Caliphate. Much of these are religious buildings like mosques and masjid and other are government buildings primarily in the large urban settlements that would become the cities along the coasts. In the early modern period, architectural influences came primarily from the Occidental world, especially the styles in Burgundie. These Levantine styles persisted and even after the collapse of the Burgoignesc colonial empire and a resurgence of Occidental architectural motifs became the norm, especially in the late 20th century, after Operation Kipling. However, in the 1990s until now there has been a revival of more classical building methods, local building materials, architectural motifs reminiscent of both Siphosti and Islamic styles of the past. While most urban cores reflect the more Occidental styles of the late 20th century and early 21st century, other less densely populated areas are much more visually reminiscent of historical Siphosti architectural styles.

Economy

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the major employment activities in Kandara and are the largest economic sector in the country. They contribute more than 65% to the national GDP from domestic distribution and exports to other parts of the continent of Audonia. 7.3 million tons of maize; 4.9 million tons of sorghum; 4.2 million tons of wheat; 2.1 million tons of barley; 1.8 million tons of sweet potato; 1.4 million tons of okra; 1.3 million tons of yam; 988 thousand tons of broad bean; 982 thousand tons of millet; 743 thousand tons of potato; 515 thousand tons of chick pea; 508 thousand tons of banana; 470 thousand tons of coffee; 446 thousand tons of cabbage; 374 thousand tons of pea; 322 thousand tons of onion; 301 thousand tons of sesame seed; 294 thousand tons of bell pepper; 172 thousand tons of lentil; 144 thousand tons of rice; 143 thousand tons of peanut; 140 thousand tons of cotton; 124 thousand tons of garlic; 102 thousand tons of mango; (including mangosteen; and guava); 101 thousand tons of linseed;

TV and Film

Because of its total lack of regulation and the incredibly low cost of labor Kandara's interior desert has been used as the set for many TV shows and films. This has become a particularly valuable revenue source for some of the interior warlords who have enjoyed a strong relationship with the Occidental film industry since the start of the 21st century. Post-apocalyptic films in particular because of their lower budgets on average tend to enjoy filming in Kandara's deserts. The first three films that set this trajectory in motion were "A Youth and his pup" (1973), "Intergalactic Battles" (1977), and "Angry Mat" (1987).

Mining sector

The Kinkasendjo Mountains have the greatest concentration of mineral riches, where mining has been occuring for centuries. Opal, emeralds, and gold are the key mined resources through Kandaran history. But the colonial era cast a long shadow over the Kinkasendjo mountian mining communities. The Burgoignesc, with their steely resolve and insatiable greed, tore into the mountainsides with an early industrial fury. Coal to power the engines of empire, became the new obsession. Entire villages were uprooted, slaves forced into the darkness of the new and massive mines. Today, mines many co-owned by Kandaro-Burgoignesc firms, mine coal, opals, gemstones, kaolin, iron ore, and tantalum in the Kinkasendjo. They employ 120,390 people and are the lifeblood of the communities that have been built up around them. Most cities and towns in the Kinkasendjo are attached to mines or to the rail junctions built in the 40s and 50s to connect the mines to the coast. The largest of these cities and towns are Emeraudeville, Binkara, Kayongo, Wambundu, and Pwetzo.

Diamonds, tantalum, gold, coal, iron ore are mined in the Mituzori Mountains, in the northwest of the country. Because these deposits were not fully reaslized until the 20th century mechanization and open-pit mines are more common in these mines. While undeniably more efficient than the methods of the older shaft mines in the Kinkasendjo Mountains, the Mituzori operations remain a far cry from the sophisticated marvels employed in other parts of the world. Technology, though present, is outdated, its limitations a constant reminder of Kandara's struggle as a least developed country. There are six major company towns built around mines of the same names: Zinkolobwe, Tshimbubwe, Monkbwalu, Masono, Oui K'nda, and Idjwino.

The vast coastal plains hold sprawling salt flats and Kandara's salt industry is as old as civilization itself. Today, industrial salt farms extract almost a million tons of salt each year. The resulting product, while plentiful, is unrefined, lacking the purity demanded by international culinary markets. Much of it is exported for industrial uses or sent to other countries for further processing. A significant portion of the salt is used in the countries massive but very environmental harful soda ash manufacturing industry.

Infrastructure

Air

Kendara has two main international airports Kabinsiro International Airport and Cote d'Or International Jetport. These two serve as the primary international travel departure and destinations. Kabinsiro is the primary civilian entrepot for the country while Cote d'Or International Jetport service primarily as the receiving airport for high ranking government and commercial passengers. Cote d'Or was built in 2012 when the current president took office is a way to invest in his own community and region. It was designed to serve private and charter jets and is not large enough for large commercial carrier airframes. Kabinsiro was built in the late 1960s during Oeration Kipling as a military transportation hub which began to serve commercial passengers in 1973. It has seen numerous runway expansions especially in the 1980s early 2000s and most recently in 2029. It operates daily flights to major hubs in adonia and beyond and disable to serve all airframe sizes with the exception of some of the largest.

Due to the inequitable division of resources and wealth in the country and a very poor road maintenance program many warlords and government officials have small bush plans that they use to travel between disc brake communities. These planes are outfitted with very large tires and so can land on any patch of desert ground.

Rail

Kandara uses Standard gauge, 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) as most of its rail infrastructure has been under the auspices of Burgundie and its sphere of influence in the Middle seas region, who all use that rail gauge. Rail is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure and one area where all of the warlords can agree that a unified approach is important. The country has 1.7 million km of standard gauge rail and about 37% of that is double rail. Because of the harsh conditions in the interior desert most of the rail itself is not electrified and so diesel locomotives do the majority of the work. However along the coast in between the major cities there has been some effort in the 21st century to electrify the rail corridors by 2030 there are approximately 2,500 km of electrified rail on the western seaboard. In the upper mountains because of the heavy loads pulled by the rail cars again diesels are the primary mode of power generation because it was determined that the amount of power needed in an overhead electrified system would not be feasible with the ability of the countries to maintain the infrastructure.

Rail is also a primary mode of transportation for passengers as well with 60% of all rail being passenger and freight rail capable major transportation hubs between the cities and the mining towns in the interior see the most traffic with approximately 2.7 million trips a year booked through these services.

Roads

Car ownership in Kandara is exceedingly rare with only the most elite government officials and corporate magnates owning cars. They typically own entire convoys of cars due to the volatile nature of inter-provincial travel under heavily armed guard. Because of this road infrastructure is not highly prioritized in the country with the exception of for commercial and industrial uses. The majority of Kandara's roads are unpaved and many of them are just traditional tracks throughout the arid landscape. In the 1940s and '50s many main arteries were created and paved between oasises and communities across the desert and along some of the major river basins. However due to the extreme environment and current government system many of these roads have fallen into extreme disrepair or been completely comfort over by sands and no longer formally exist. However along the coastline there are two major arteries the first called Government highway 1 and the second is trunk road 985 which connects the major port cities and hubs along the coast these two roads run primarily in parallel about 50 km apart from each other one of them being reserved for truck traffic and the other being a military road that is used in peacetime by civilian and commercial traffic. Because of the importance of the mining communities in the mountain areas, the mountain roads are typically better maintained due to foreign investment. These roads are typically paved with good drainage but are used primarily for commercial and industrial truck traffic. There are some civilian roads that can be used by commuters but they are often tolled and due to corruption usage can be fairly low because tolls can be exorbitant.

Louage

A louage is a minibus shared taxi in many parts of Daria that were colonized by Burgundie. In Burgoignesc, the name means "rental." Departing only when filled with passengers not at specific times, they can be hired at stations. Louage ply set routes, and fares are set by the government. In contrast to other share taxis in Audonia, louage are sparsely decorated. Louages use a color-coding system to show customers what type of transport they provide and the destination of the vehicle. Louages with red lettering travel from one state to another, blue travel from city to city within a state, and yellow serves rural locales. Fares are purchased from ticket agents who walk throughout the louage stations or stands. Typical vehicles include: the MILCAR Jornalero, the TerreRaubeuer Valliant 130, and the CTC M237-07.

See also

• Burgoignesc thalattocracy
• Middle seas region