People's Republic of Antarctica
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The People's Republic of Antarctica was founded on 18 August 2010 by an individual living in California. Although the country claimed land amounting to an area greater than that of most macronations, it was not recognised by other countries. However the United Nations was notified of its declaration of independence. The Nation has no permanent population, and can thus be considered a micronation.
History
A former Republic was founded in November 2004, a month which also saw the election of its first two Presidents and its first Prime Minister. The Republic (later renamed the International Republic) did well until around April 2005, where it gradually went downhill before folding completely in around the summer of 2005.
Politics
As the name suggests, Antarctica is a people's republic. Supreme power is given to the citizens of the Nation. The voice of the people is Parliament, headed by the Ambassador, who aids the President in the running of the country. Parliament's Six members change every 8 years, and the term of Presidency is set a one 4 year term only.). The Nation is a federally governed Nation. The Republic does not have states. At the present time at least, the Parliament is to be run outside of the country. The People's Republic of Antarctica is currently administered from California, United States of America.
Geography
See also Wikipedia article.
Marie Byrd Land is the portion of West Antarctica lying east of the Ross Ice Shelf and the Ross Sea and south of the Pacific Ocean, extending eastward approximately to a line between the head of the Ross Ice Shelf and Eights Coast. It stretches between 158°W and 103°24'W. The inclusion of the area between the Rockefeller Plateau and Eights Coast is based upon the leading role of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd in the exploration of this area. The name was originally applied by Admiral Byrd in 1929, in honor of his wife, to the northwestern part of the area, the part that was explored in that year.[1]
Because of its remoteness, even by Antarctic standards, most of Marie Byrd Land (the portion east of 150°W) had not been claimed by any sovereign nation. With an area of 1,610,000 km² (including Eights Coast, immediately east of Marie Byrd Land). In 1939, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt instructed members of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition to take steps to claim some of Antarctica as territory. Although this appears to have been done by members of this and subsequent expeditions, these do not appear to have been formalized prior to 1959, when the Antarctic Treaty System was set up.
Antarctica's terrain is about 98% continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock. Its natural resources (iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, as well as coal and hydrocarbons) are unexploited. None of Antarctica's land is irrigated or given any particular use by humans as of date.
The warmest places in the country are along the coast in January, when the temperature averages slightly above freezing point. Western Antarctica is warmer than Eastern Antarctica due to its higher elevation; the most moderate climate being on the Antarctic Peninsula. Natural hazards include gravity-driven winds, blizzards, cyclones and volcanism. The biggest environmental issue is the ozone hole over much of the continent.
Economy
At present, there is limited land sales on the continent. Possible commercial ventures include fishing, scientific research, and tourism; concerns over the environment will limit industry. The basic unit of Antarctic currency is the Euro.
Demographics
The present population of the Republic varies between 100-1000 scientists over the course of one year, (they come from a variety of nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty). All citizens of the Peoples Republic are scattered throughout the world. Land owners, and oppressed citizens of other countries may apply for citizenship and the benefits this brings, including those scientists already living on the continent. Antarcticans are allowed to be nationals of other countries, however citizenship must be renounced
The National Languages are listed as both English and Spanish.
Official Passports are expected to be available by Jan. 2011
The New Government requires that all children under the age of 18 must attend some form of formal education in either of the two National languages. Home schooling is accepted if from an accredited institution.
Culture
Due to its young age, Antarctica has no specific culture as yet. Other national symbols include the flag, and the national bird, the penguin.
Miscellaneous Topics
There is no international telephone calling code. The People's Republic of Antartica has nothing to do with 'the People's Republic of Antarctica' in John Calvin Batchelor's 1983 novel.
The Peoples Republic of Antarctica has not as yet signed the Antartic Treaty, which aims to preserve the continent for scientific purpose and forbids military action (as a result of this, the Republic has has no army), but aims to follow the treaty, as well as aid in the signing of new treaties. In the event of citizens of the People's Republic inhabiting the continent, there would be minimal interference with scientific activity. Indeed, one of the People's Republic's primary aims may be to aid research.
A citizen of Antarctica is an Antartican, but the general adjective used to refer to the country should be 'Antarctic'. Alternatively, Antarctican may be used in this context also.
The declaration of the People's Republic of Antarctica
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind, and the preservation of the land in which they govern requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted by the people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the people, --That whenever any Form of Government might become destructive to our rights, and to our land, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect the Safety of all, and Happiness. We see as a people that International use of our lands should not be changed as well as treaties that have long been established with our friends in government.
The history of the present occupation of our land is a history of careful control to our environment. This being said, all present occupations shall be granted permanent occupancy upon received surveyed plats of the occupied zones only. These permanent occupancies shall only be revocable upon misuse of our resources.
We, therefore, the Representatives of The Peoples Republic of Antarctica, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of this land, solemnly publish and declare, That this United Nation is, and of Right ought to be Free an Independent Nation; we are Absolved from all Allegiance to any Nation, and that all political connection between them and the nations of the world, shall and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as a Free and Independent Nation, we have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent Nations may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
As a new nation, our government is at risk to the corruptions and infectious pathways that many prior nations have fallen subject to. This being said, Our nation shall protect the right’s and decisions of our population. It is our right as a people to vote upon any and all major Laws, amendments, commerce and trade agreements, and treaties. The role of our government shall only be for the protection of our lands and of our people. Our nation shall not impose, nor shall it ever any form of income tax to our citizens. Our nation shall not impose a sales tax over the amount of 7% of the whole amount nor shall it ever. Our country shall however enforce taxation of Importation and the use and occupation of our territories and waters in the amount voted upon my our nation’s people. Our country shall be free and forever shall be free of all export taxations for as long as we are a Nation under God.
The People's Republic of Antarctica's Flag
