Sokala

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The Democratic Republic of Sokala
Flag of Sokala Coat of arms
Motto: Padayon, Sokala! (Onward, Sokala!)
Anthem: "Lakas ng Bayan (Might of the People)"
Sokala's location on Urth
Location	South Eastern Arcturia
Capital and largest city	Bondoc City
Official languages	Staynish Tagisla
Recognised regional languages	Durdneelian Yomian Diyuhan
Ethnic groups (2019)	77% Human 10% Elf 8% Dwarf 5% Nekomimi
Demonym(s)	Sokalan
Member	NSTO OFAC Morstaybishlian Economic Sphere Peacekeeping Forces of Urth
Government	Constitutional semi-presidentialparliamentary republic
• President	Domingo Rolex
• Prime minister	Aruto Matagumpay
•  Speaker of the Lords	Benjamin Lloyd
•  Speaker of the Commons	Teresita Manuel
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	House of Lords
• Lower house	House of Commons
Area
• Total	408,421 km2 (157,692 sq mi)
Population
• 2021 estimate	55,963,430
• 2020 census	54,850,564
• Density	122.42/km2 (317.1/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	709,280,511,820
• Per capita	12,674
Gini (2018)	1.89 low
SDI (2019)	0.81 very high
Currency	Nihils (₦)
Time zone	UTC+2 to +3 (STZ)
Date format	MM/DD/YYYY
Driving side	right
Calling code	+62
ISO 3166 code	SOK
Internet TLD	.sok

The Democratic Republic of Sokala, commonly called Sokala, is a unitary constitutional semi-presidential republic in Arcturia. Situated in the Arcturian Sea, it consits of 11 islands that are broadly categorized between three geographical divisions from north to south: North Sokala, Central Sokala and South Sokala. The capital city and most populous city of Sokala is Bondoc city. Sokala covers 408,421 km² square kilometres and has an estimated population of 50 million people. While mostly Human, there are several communities of Nekomimis, Elves, Dwarves, and Felines.

In prehistoric times, Islander Native from mainland Arcturia migrated to the islands in search of better resources. Following the arrival of Noramous Belth and his small group of Staynish crewmen, the small group of islands became the trader nation of Meri Laulu. During Meri Laulu's time as a nation, waves of Aurorans and Mainland Arcturians arrived. Exchanges with Durakian, Morst and Staynish nations occurred.

In early 1620, King Lambertus V of the Great Morstaybishlian Empire took interest in the three kingdoms. He began preparations for an invasion. By late 1620, the Meri Lauluan Coalition War ignited and led to the defeat of the three kingdoms and consequentially being turned into a Morst colony while Tiaro Tanashiri, Meri Laulu's leader at the time, was arrested and executed a year later. After the Meri Lauluan Coalitions' defeat, the archipelago became a Morstaybishlian colony. During this time, Meri Laulu became a hot spot for merchants from Yasteria, Concord, and Gondwana to exchange and trade goods with Morst traders. Inhabitants of the archipelago became slaves to the Morstaybishlians, with some serving as manual laborers and others serving as troops in the Royal Armed Forces of the Empire during the Great War.

In 1920, Andrew Matagumpay and his forces occupy parts of Sokala in a bid to expel the Morstaybishlians from Sokala and declare independence. Despite fielding a smaller military because of the Great War, Morstaybishlian and Sokalan loyalists resisted the rebellion. Despite heavy losses on both sides, the frontline was unable to move. Recognizing the stalemate, Matagumpay and Morstaybishlian prime minister Orson Klarass agreed to have talks which resulted in recognition of Sokalan independence in September 1920.

Despite Matagumpay's wishes to establish a democratic republic, people were showing support for establishing a monarchy headed by Matagumpay and his clan. This was due to the Matagumpay tribe being one of the descendants of the Tanashiri tribe, the tribe that was the monarchy of Meri Laulu. After a month of debate, Matagumpay established Sokala as a monarchy with the Matagumpay family as its royal family.

Etymology and terminology

Sokala originated from the Old Tagisla of "Sokarata" which vaguely translates to "homeland" or "our home". The term was selected by the Morstaybishlians in 1621 in an effort to appease the locals while administering and governing the former territories of the Meri Lauluan Coalition.

History

Prehistory

The discovery of a skull, dubbed the "Unang Bungo", has been identified as the earliest evidence for human settlement in the Sokalan archipelago.

The first inhabitants of the Sokalan archipelago are thought to have come from prehistoric Iphelklori. Boats of a similar structure dating back to 40,000 years ago were unearthed in east Iphelklori as well as in South Sokala. The cause of the migration is unclear but it is speculated that migration of Elves downwards south might've been the cause. Preserved skeletons were also found by Nuesperanzan archaeologists in caves in Nada. The first to be found was the "Unang Bungo" or "The First Skull" in the Nadan cave. Further exploration in the surrounding caves revealed at least 150 preserved skeletons, all of which were human. While most of the skeletons belonged to adult humans aged 30-40, "Unang Bungo" was told to have belonged to a 15-16-year-old male. A crack can be observed in "Unang Bungo"' leading many to speculate on the cause of death. The skeletons resembled the Eastern Civilization skeletons, a mass grave of over 300 skeletons that were as old as "Unang Bungo".

Pre-colonial history (1000 BCE - 1620 CE)

Early states

Lǎo Chéngqū Village was unearthed in 2018 and was estimated to have been built in 900 BCE

A study conducted in 2003 concluded that the Sokalan islands were a hotbed for trade. According to the study, the Sokalan islands originally only had Tagisla and Durdneelian speaking tribes prior to the arrival of traders from Fuso arrived in north-eastern Sokala around 1100 BCE. These traders would later create small trading communities in the coastal areas. An example of these old trading communities is the Lǎo Chéngqū Village found in southern Diyu. Lǎo Chéngqū is believed to be one of the first villages built by Fusoan traders. These trading communities would soon grow to coastal kingdoms with many Tagislan and Durdneelian tribes allying with the newcomers as recorded by the Silangan Tablets, stone slabs inscribed in Old Tagisla detailing the alliance between 15 Tagislan tribes and Lǎo Chéngqū Village. The Fusoan settlements would grow sporadically, growing large enough to even rival Durdneel and the largest Tagislan tribes: the Silangan, Baduyaw, Tagupad, Dumadag, and Meri Laulu tribes. According to Tagislan writing, the Fusoan settlements, now united under "Empire of Diyu" and led by Empress Zhou Xiang, would absorb the over 35 tribal nations since its inception. It would wage numerous wars against the southern Tagislan tribes, most notably the Diyuhan-Silangan War which are estimated to have lasted 50 years.

The Silangan Tablets, dated to be 2750-3000 years old, are stone slabs discovered in Laguna that were recording historical events from wars to diplomacy to even the speculated arrival of Maltervenian traders.

Tagislan tribes are one of the few known civilizations to keep a record of events. Several caves and smooth stones have discovered around Southern Sokala that point towards the Tagislan use of flat stones and caves to record a variety of subjects however by 200 BCE, Tagislans have begun to switch to the use of wooden slabs for record-keeping. Their Diyuhan neighbors to the north had a different way of record keeping. Early Diyuhans discovered a way to create a writable surface called "yídòng shí" or 'mobile stone'. Yídòng shí was actually paper that was made from the bark of the mulberry tree. The bark fibers were broken and pounded into a sheet. Later, the Diyuhans discovered that one could make higher quality paper by adding hemp rags and old fish nets to the mix. The earliest record of this paper-making process is a diary of a Silangan historian, dated 120 CE.

Meri Lauluan Coalition War

See also: Meri Lauluan Coalition War

Colonial rule (1620-1920)

Formation of Sokala and Colonial rule

The former territories of Meri Laulu, Empire of Diyu, and Kingdom of Durdneel were put into one administration. The colonies, under the name of Sokala or officially "Sokalan Islands", was governed from the islands of Oileáin Iontacha, basing themselves in the Oileáin Iontacha Colonial Governance Office. The name Sokala was derived from the Old Tagisla of "Sokarata" which meant "homeland". It was meant to unite the archipelago under one name. The Morststaybishlian Empire would rule over the archipelago for 200 years. During that time, natives were used by the Morsts for physical labor. They would be sent with expeditionary ships as physical laborers as the natives were very skilled in carpentry and masonry. In 1689, Natives would be sent to help Captain Kerden establish what would soon be called Queensport. For the following years, the natives would total up to 25% of Queensport’s population as more and more Lauluans were sent to build up the settlement and help construct a military naval port and other important buildings. In 1694, Caven forces attacked the Staynish port during which all the natives were conscripted and were forced to fight off the Caven soldiers. Unfortunately, Caven soldiers were more superior in numbers and equipment and slaughtered the Queensport population. Queensport would later be declared a Caven trading port. After receiving news of the Queensport’s defeat, Commodore Kerden, previously Captain, would be sent along with 2000 Morst soldiers and 800 conscripted natives. In a very short battle, Queensport would be retaken by Morst forces with very few casualties while most Caven soldiers died with only one Caven ship managing to escape. After the Battle of Queensport, The natives would see little to no participation in what would be the Caven Wars. During the Caven Wars, Native men were commonly employed as construction workers and shipbuilders while the women were employed as farmers and maids of the royal family.

Sokalan War of Independence

See also: Sokalan War of Independence

After the Great War, Morstaybishlia's military presence in the archipelago weakened and despite being granted home rule by Morstaybishlia, the various peoples that resided within the archipelago were vying for independence. In 1920, native tribes lead by Andrew Matagumpay took over the cities of Seibhu, the then capital of Sokala, and the neighboring city of Bondoc. Clashes between Matagumpay's forces and the forces of the Sokalan government and Morstaybishlia occurred throughout Sokala. Despite 7 weeks of fighting resulting in heavy losses, the frontline ceased to move and resulted in a stalemate. Talks were launched between Matagumpay and Orson Klarass, the prime minister of Morstaybishlia. After a week of back and forth, an agreement was formed. In exchange for Morstaybishlia keeping the city of Sontoc, Nada Naval Base, and Betho Air Base under Morst control for 75 years, Sokalan independence recognized by Morstaybishlia as an independent nation.

Geography

The thirteen provinces of Sokala occupy a combined area of 408,421 km2 (157,692 mi²).

Climate

Sokala's climates are mainly tropical monsoon and tropical savanna. Northern Sokala has tropical monsoon as its climate while Southern Sokala, with the exception of Mimaropa, has a tropical savanna climate. Mimaropa's climate is a temperate climate, boasting a no dry season and a hot summer.

Government and Politics

See also: Politics of Sokala

Sokala is a Federal semi-presidential parliamentary democratic republic with strong democratic traditions. The Constitution of the First Republic was approved by referendum on 1 January 2001. The politics of Sokala take place in an organized framework of a semi-presidential, representative, and democratic republic whereby the president is the head of state and government while an appointed prime minister acts as their second-in-command within a pluriform multi-party system. This system revolves around three separate and sovereign yet interdependent branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Executive power is exercised by the government under the leadership of the president. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the bicameral Parliament: the House of Lords (the upper house) and the House of Commons (the lower house). Judicial power is vested in the courts with the Supreme Court as the highest judicial body. The President of the Republic, currently Domingo Rolex, is the head of state and government, elected directly by universal adult suffrage for a 4-year term (formerly 2 years). The Prime Minister, currently Aruto Matagumpay, is the co-head of government, appointed by the President of the Republic. The president can be removed from the parliament with a vote of no confidence. On the occasion that the president is removed from office, the prime minister can assume the duties of the president. The Sokalan parliament is the bicameral legislative body of Sokala. Its lower house is the House of Commons while the upper house is the House of Lords.

The cabinet is traditionally drawn from members of the ruling party or coalition and from both legislative houses, the cabinet being responsible to both. Executive power is exercised by the president and prime minister and cabinet, all of whom are sworn into the Inner Circle of Sokala, and become Ministers of the Republic. For elections to the House of Commons, the UK is divided into 500 constituencies,[208] each electing a single member of parliament (MP) by ranked-choice voting. General elections occur every 4 years while parliamentary elections occur every 2 years. Elections are administered by an independent Commission on Elections every four years starting 2001. Held every first Monday of November, the winners in the elections take office on the following fourth week of January. Local government is produced by local government units from the individual provinces, cities, towns, and districts. Local government units enjoy autonomy, gathering funding from both local tax revenues and national government allocations.

Foreign Relations

Diplomatic relations of Sokala

  Sokala

  Countries that have diplomatic relations with Sokala

  Countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Sokala

  Disputed territories

  Unrecognized states

  Unclaimed land

Sokala has an established structure of foreign relations. It is a member of the International Forum. Almost all countries have embassies in Bondoc and many have consulates around the country. Likewise, nearly all nations host Sokalan diplomatic missions. However, Iphelklori, Rodenia, New Puntalia, Stratarin, and the Veridian Union do not have formal diplomatic relations with Sokala. It is a member of the OFAC, NSTO, Union of Commonwealth Alliances, Morstaybishlian Economic Sphere, and the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth.

Sokala has "Special Relationship" statuses with Karishkanov and Alksearia, assuring each other diplomatic, economic, and military partnership. It also has strong ties with Yadylika, Nuesperanza, Vivancantadia, South Peragen, Tennabroch Empire, Osterlicsh, New Puntalia, Meagharia, and Kuthernburg. It works closely with fellow OFAC members on military, security and economic issues, resulting in several bi-lateral and multi-lateral treaties.

Sokala currently exercises full international defense authority and responsibility for Yadylika through the Yadylikan Protection Act of 1945.

Military

See also: Armed Forces of Sokala

The GSS Belth partaking in the Central Arcturian Alliance military exercises

The president is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Sokala and appoints its leaders, the minister of national defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Ministry of National Defense administers four of the five service branches, which are made up of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The Mainland Defense Force, also a branch of the armed forces is administered by the Ministry of Interior Security and Defense in peacetime and by the Ministry of National Defense in wartime. In 2019, all five branches of the Armed Forces reported 500,000 personnel on active duty. The Reserves and Mainland Defense Force brought the total number of troops to 2 million. The Ministry of National Defense also employed about 500,000 civilians, not including contractors.

Tension between Sokala and Iphelklori has resulted in military service in Sokala being required by law through mandatory conscription. Every Sokalan that turns 18 is required to serve for two years. The Sokalan army has 2,500 tanks in operation, including the Morstaybishlian-built Colonarius mk1 and Colonarius mk2 main battle tanks, which form the backbone of the Sokalan army's mechanized armor and infantry forces. A sizable arsenal of many artillery systems, including 1,700 self-propelled howitzers and 680 helicopters and UAVs of numerous types, are assembled to provide additional fire, reconnaissance, and logistics support.

The Sokalan navy made its first blue-water naval fleet in 1973 through the formation of the First Fleet, which includes a battle group of Leo-class destroyers, Aries-class amphibious assault ship, Libra-class cruisers, and Taurus-class frigates, which is equipped with the latest baseline of Zodiac fleet-defense system that allows the ships to track and destroy multiple cruise missiles and ballistic missiles simultaneously, forming an integral part of Sokala's indigenous missile defense umbrella against the Iphelklorian military's missile threat.

Sokala spent $60 billion (₦ 67,415,730,337.08) on its military in 2019. At 5% of GDP, the rate was among the highest in the world. Defense spending plays a major role in science and technology investment, with roughly one third of Sokalan research and development funded by the Ministry of National Defense. Defense's share of the overall Sokalan economy has generally declined in recent decades, from First Crusades peak of 13.1% of GDP in the 1930s to 5% of GDP in 2019.

Demographics

Major cities and towns

Sokala is a moderately urbanized country with 40% of the country still being categorized as rural. Laguna and Santa Rosa is considered to be the most urbanized while Yomi, Nada, and Meymarropa being the most rural.