User:DUSTY669211/Imperial Republic of Antarctica
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The Imperial Penguin's Republic of the Continent of Antarctica, known informally as the Imperial Republic of Antarctica, the Republic of Antarctica, or simply Antarctica, is perhaps the most recently founded sovereign nation in the world. The nation's Declaration of Independence was written between 23:00 18 December and 1:00 19 December 2006 UTC, and formally approved and signed by nearly 40 signatories around 18:00 20 December. Many signatories saw the document as a "poetic dossier... whose lines stir patriotism and support within the soul."
The government is split into three branches: the Imperium, the Ministries, and the State. A Viceroy administrates each. The actual area of governance is split into three states: the Duchy of West Antarctica, the Duchy of East Antarctica, and the South Seas Barony.
Although the Antarctic Treaty prohibits the creation of any claims to land in Antarctica after 1959, the Republic's government states that
"We had no say in this international agreement, and are not bound to comply with its regulations."
It is yet to be known what the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat has to say about the new government.
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[edit] International Status
Although no formal report has been given, the Viceroys of the Ministries and Imperium have shown interest in proclaiming permanent neutrality, much like modern Switzerland. The Viceroy of State has yet to agree with this, and a document stating this has yet to be produced.
[edit] Divisions and Powers of Government
- The Imperium is "the main and highest branch of [the] new nation." It is the branch of government that "creates laws and ordinances." The Viceroy of the Imperium, who is the highest political leader in the nation, administrates it.
- The Ministries are a group of several ministries that make up one branch of the government. They are the branches of government that make sure laws passed by the imperium are properly carried out and upheld in the territories. The Viceroy of the Ministries administrates it.
- The State is the branch of government "responsible for the welfare and administration of all Antarctic territories." It is split in two duchies and one barony. The Viceroy of State administrates it.
- The Duchy of East Antarctica is defined as "all Antarctica land territories in the Eastern Hemisphere under the Greenwich Prime Meridian." The Duke of East Antarctica administrates it. It is the largest land territory in the Republic, being nearly twice the size of West Antarctica.
- The Duchy of West Antarctica is defined as "all Antarctic land territories in the Western Hemisphere under the Greenwich Prime Meridian." The Duke of West Antarctica administrates it.
- The Barony of the South Seas is defined as "all sea territories below the 60° south line of latitude." The Baron of the South Seas administrates it.
[edit] Geography of Territories
The geological study of Antarctica has been greatly hindered by the fact that nearly all of the continent is permanently covered with a thick layer of ice. However, new techniques such as remote sensing have begun to reveal the structures beneath the ice.
Geologically, West Antarctica closely resembles the Andes of South America.[1] The Antarctic Peninsula was formed by uplift and metamorphism of sea-bed sediments during the late Paleozoic and the early Mesozoic eras. This sediment uplift was accompanied by igneous intrusions and volcanism. The most common rocks in West Antarctica are andesite and rhyolite volcanics formed during the Jurassic Period. There is also evidence of volcanic activity, even after the ice sheet had formed, in Marie Byrd Land and Alexander Island. The only anomalous area of West Antarctica is the Ellsworth Mountains region, where the stratigraphy is more similar to the eastern part of the continent.
East Antarctica is geologically very old, dating from the Precambrian era, with some rocks formed more than 3 billion years ago. It is composed of a metamorphic and igneous platform which is the basis of the continental shield. On top of this base are various more modern rocks, such as sandstones, limestones, coal and shales laid down during the Devonian and Jurassic periods to form the Transantarctic Mountains. In coastal areas such as Shackleton Range and Victoria Land some faulting has occurred.
The main mineral resource known on the continent is coal.[2] It was first recorded near the Beardmore Glacier by Frank Wild on the Nimrod Expedition, and now low-grade coal is known across many parts of the Transantarctic Mountains. The Prince Charles Mountains contain significant deposits of iron ore. The most valuable resources of Antarctica lie offshore, namely the oil and natural gas fields found in the Ross Sea in 1973. Exploitation of all mineral resources is banned until 2048 by the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
The total area of all land territories is 14,000,000 km², making it the second largest country in the world. Russia is the largest, being 17,075,400 km².
[edit] Official Flags, Mottoes, Animals, Etc
Although the government has not made any official flags, they say it is "a priority." They do, however, say the the penguin is their official bird and the seal is their official mammal. The flag of West Antarctica will be a green-striped snake with three red "feathers" on its head on a white field, and the phrase "TEAM MAMBA" in black letters at the top. The motto "Semper in Fredvs" (Latin for "Always in Fred", short for "Always Trust in Fred") has been suggested, but not formally adopted.
