The Oan Isles

Serene Realm of the Oan Isles Te Rohe Rangamarie o nga Motuere Oa
Flag of the Oan Isles Coat of arms
Motto: Continue, regardless (Haere me he mutu)
Anthem: 'Heaven, bless the Emperor' (Oa, makaaki te Rangitanga-a-te-Moana
Political map of the Oan Isles
Location	Map
Capital	Tokapa
Largest city	Tauranga a te Toka
Official languages	Oan
Ethnic groups (2020)	Oan
Religion	Mauism
Demonym(s)	Oan
Government	parliamentary democracy under constitutional monarchy
• Monarch	His Serene Majesty, the Emperor of Polynesia, Oahoanu
• Prime Minister	Maui Uye-Ahua
Legislature	National Assembly
Establishment
• Unification of the Oan Isles	1200
• Annexation of the Kohatu Isles	2017
Area
• Total	50,000 km2 (19,000 sq mi)
Population
• 2020 census	12,000,000
• Density	240/km2 (621.6/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2020 estimate
• Total	600 billion KRB
• Per capita	50,000 KRB
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	480 billion KRB
• Per capita	40,000 KRB
Gini (2018)	0.350 low
SDI ((n/a))	0.850 very high
Currency	Kirib (KRB)
Date format	DD/MM/YYYY
Driving side	the left
ISO 3166 code	OAN
Internet TLD	.oan

The Serene Realm of the Oan Isles (Te Rohe Rangamarie a te Motuere Oa) is an independent island nation. It consists of the Home Islands at the confluence of the Morstaybishlian Sea and the Pacific Ocean and the Kohatu Isles which form the boundary of the Morstaybishlian Sea and Caven Sea. Its closest neighbours are Peregrinia and the Morstaybishlian West Pacific Territories. In a compact area of 50,000 square kilometres, the islands are home to diverse geographical landscapes, climactic conditions and biodiversity.

The islands were inhabited by modern humans for thousands of years. Early humans sailed on primitive vessels and spread throughout the Southwest Pacific Ocean and Morstaybishlian Seas, establishing the Polynesian civilization. Around 1000 CE, Ahua the Great united the bronze age Polynesian people of the Home Islands and formed the Oan Isles. The Kohatu Isles were inhabited by unstable Polynesian settlements and were often at the whims of larger Yasterian and Auroran civilization. Around the late 19th century, the Oan Isles lost nearly a third of its territory to Great Morstaybishlia. The nation rebuilt itself in the early 20th century. The Oan Isles was part of the Allied powers in 2017 Auroran-Pacific War, emerging bruised but victorious. In late 2017, the Oan Isles annexed the Kohatu Isles and helped the Kohatu Democratic Movement overthrow the Diamond Authority that ruled them.

Despite failed attempts to establish the Auroran Union, a league of former Allies and democratic nations in Aurora, the Oan Isles joined the United Nations of the Auroran Continent (UNAC). With the government seated in Tokapa, the nation is run as a unitary parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. Although Mauism is the majority and official religion, the Oan Isles is internationally regarded as a full democracy and free nation. The largely ethnically homogenous population of 12 million people (about 9 million of whom live on the Home Islands) consists of the Oan people, a subset of the Polynesian culture. In spite of the lack of natural resources, arable land and hostile neighbours, the Oan Isles became a highly developed upper income militarily strong nation. Through prudent fiscal policies, liberal economic ideology, enduring political stability and high-value innovative manufacturing, export-driven growth and aggressive foreign policy, the nation is considered a great power.

History

Latianburg Insurgency

On April 1, 2017, the Oan Isles requested a purchase of military hardware from Stratarin. In April 2017, a group of terrorists launched an insurgency in Latianburg. Cafe Net, an Oan internet service provider had begun operations in the country. Soldiers from the Oan armed forced were sent to protect the facility. Unfortunately, in spite of their best efforts, Niana Takatunuye (the head of the branch and the sister of the CEO of Cafe Net) was captured by a terrorist called Muttar Mimahid.

On 23 April she was rescued from the Al Jaheed. Furnifoldian soldiers managed to find the Al Jaheed cell, locate and extract Miss Takatunuye. Muttar Mimahid was captured by the Kuthernburg forces. The Oan Isles joined the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth as a result of the events Latianburg. Adam Bly of the Furnifold Times criticised the Oan Isles for using the organisation to advance its interests and promote its will. Maui Uye-Ahua followed up with his own article, criticising the Oan government. On 26 April 2017, the request for military hardware from Stratarin was approved and the hardware was delivered. On 18 May 2017, the Oan Isles reaffirmed relations with Latianburg and Kuthernburg. Oan companies were granted lucrative contracts to operate in those nations especially in telecommunications and information technology, aid was exchange and general ties were improved.

Auroran-Pacific War

In 26 May 2017, the Al Jaheed attacked Yor and hacked Cafe Net servers in La Rochelle. They virtually shut down the Cafe Net system for much of the world. The scope and impact of the attack led to general alarm about the Al Jaheed's technical expertise, resources and ability to inflict serious damage on Oan interest. On the same day, the Al Jaheed bombed a part of the National Security Service headquarters. Although the damage was quickly repaired, it led to a desire to engage more aggressively with the Al Jaheed. On May 27, 2017, Emperor, Ehe, received the Blue Medal from Kuthernburg on behalf of the brave actions of the Oan armed forces.

This attack was particularly damaging because it damaged the Oan Isles voting infrastructure. The Oan Isles had been a direct democracy that had used an online application to give everyone in the nation the power to vote over laws. The terrorist who conducted the attack was arrested. It was Muttar Mimahid. This attack deeply hurt the nation, but led it to support the former Emperor, Ehe I (known as Ese Ulua to non-Oans). A state of emergency was declared and he was granted sweeping powers to deal with the threat that Al Jaheed posed. On 28 May 2017, Stephen Realua, the former Ambassador of the Oan Isles to the Auroran Continental Assembly, submitted a report to the ACA outlining the threat that Al Jaheed posed and the assertive response that was needed to deal with it, and criticised the ACA for failing to act effectively on the matter. On behalf of the Emperor, he declared that the Oan Isles would invade the Yor Isles (where the Al Jaheed was apparently located and operating from).

On 29 May 2017, Lambertus VII, the High King of the United Kingdom, called a meeting of countries to discuss the coup d'etat in Xagrurg in which the legitimate government was overthrown. They further discussed the fascist alliance formed by the new Xagrurgian government and Ethalria. This group became known as the Allies. Viktor Drugov, the leader of Stratarin, was nearly assassinated at the meeting on June 4, 2017.

Rurin Lukin, his deputy, was killed along with others in the Stratarin line of succession. Mikhail Starikov took on the position of head of state of Stratarin. The Oans, and others were suspicious of this - likening the take over to a coup. Emperor Ehe I was a vocal critic of the South East Pacific Coalition and believed that it ought to be disbanded, but there was fear that Starikov would use a war to achieve that.

On June 8, 2017, assassins from Ethalria killed Thadeus, King of Horales and Crown Prince of Staynes. The attack sent shockwaves throughout the world and further fixed Oan resolve against the Axis powers. The Axis powers was an alliance made up of Xagrurg, Ethalria and Stratarin, against whom the Allies, of which the Oan Isles was a part, fought. On June 10, the Oan Isles sent a request to the Staynish government to invade Xagrurg and sent humanitarian and military aid to Kostoria Obertonia in preparation for a Xagrurgian invasion. On June 11, Caltharus invaded Ethalria.

The Oans undertook a diplomatic assault on Stratarin to isolate and weaken them. On June 12, 2017, the Oan Isles imposed sanctions on Stratarin. When asked for reasons for this action, the Oan Isles cited the alleged coup d'etat, renegation of SEPC laws and other reasons, and imposed further conditions on Stratarin. These were deflected by the Stratarians. The diplomatic tensions culminated in the resignation of Fyodr Lyvov, Minister for Foreign Affairs for Stratarin two days later. Tretrid supported the Oan demands. On June 18, 2017, Ehe I (also known as Ese Ulua) called the leaders of four Atlantian countries to a meeting in La Rochelle to ask for assistance for the war. Mister Leader II of Mexregiona, Bartholomew Smith of Tretrid, King Calvin I of the Atlae Isles and Queen Naomi II of Kuthernburg attended and resolved to lend help. Monoherra Markka IV of Asian Pacific Islands attended as an observer. Another war erupted in Atlantia when various rogue states and former members of the Atlae Isles attempted to cede from the country and join sides with the Axis powers. Only Kuthernburg was eventually able to lend a hand. On 24 June, 2017, an Oan task force was sent from Karaihe (known to foreigners as Crystal City) to assist Kostoria-Obertonia. On the next day, troops were flown into North Yor as part of an assault to reclaim the islands from the Xagrurgian Republic.

On June 29, 2017, the Oan soldiers took the Rob Matterson Military Hospital in the capital of the Yor Isles. On June 30, 2017, Kuthern and Oan forces failed to take an airbase. On July 10, 2017, a part of the capital city of Yor was successfully taken. On July 11, 2017, the Oans had failed to take a powerplant and 80 soldiers were killed. This caused a great political stir in the Oan Isles. On 15 July, during the Coronation of the Asendavian Kaiser, the new Emperor, Oahoanu, spoke to Erwin Pipua, and they agreed to end the war. On July 16, the Kutherns began the process to declare a ceasefire. On the same day Oan soldiers were evacuated out the area. Of the 7,000 soldiers deployed there, 700 men were killed.

On July 17, 2016, a commission of inquiry was set up to investigate Oan involvement in the war. It mostly cleared the Oan government of guilt. On 20 July 2017, Maui Uye-Ahua submitted a petition for a referendum on the autonomy of the Noan Isles (also known as Konoa in the Oan language).

On August 3, propaganda pamphlets were dropped in Kostoria Obertonia and Xagrurg, encouraging dissent against the Greater Xagrurgian Imperial government. Aid was sent to Yor the next day which was in fact hidden drones. On 5 August 2017 Oan/Kuthern drones attacked three Xagrurgian cities. On 6 August 2017, the referendum was held and autonomy for the Noan Isles (Konoa) was overwhelmingly approved. On the same day, the Oan navy began fighting the remnants of the Xagrurgian navy.

On August 7 2017, the Oan navy sank all but two Xagrurgian ships. On 9 August 2017, a boy was arrested in Asian Pacific Islands for treason. This sparked protests. Oahoanu was sent to mediate. On same day, the Oans blockaded Yor and attacked Nuremkastel in Kostoria Obertonia.

Konoan Autonomy

On 14 August 2017, the deputy head of the Portfolio on Finance and the Economy published a gloomy report on the Oan economy. On the whole, it was expected to and did, indeed, shrink. On August 15, 2017, a law was passed that formally put Noan autonomy into practice. On 16 August 2017, the state of emergency that had given Ehe I and his son Oaloanu sweeping powers since April 2017 was ended. On August 25, 2017, the Noan Territorial Government passed its fundamental law. On 30 August 2017, elections were held for the Noan Territorial Assembly. The Konoan People's Party, led by Maui Uye-Ahua, won resoundingly. On 31 August 2017, was appointed the Leader of the Noan Territorial Government.

Islander and Oan personal union

On 2 September 2017, the Noan, Oan and Islander leaders met in Sanglong to sign a treaty that would unite the crowns of the Oan Isles and the Asian Pacific Islands. On September 5, 2017, the Treaty was signed. On 6 September 2017, the Rangitanga, Oaloanu, became the head of state of both the Oan Isles and the Asian Pacific Islands.

Auroran Union and UNAC

The Oan Isles was bitter that despite the Allied victory over the Axis powers, Xagrurg was not punished. The Oan government felt that the Auroran Continental Assembly had lost its legitimacy and usefulness. It invited Allied countries to a conference in Sani Bursil to form the Auroran Union, a short-lived political, economic and military alliance among Allied states of Aurora. The United Kingdom, Tivot, Tuvaltastan, Blueacia and the Yor Isles agreed to the invitation while Axdel and Emberwood Coast had their apprehensions.

Mass protests from university student-led organisations convinced many Allied countries to view the new alliance in a negative light. They felt that the Auroran Union would entrench post-War divisions and diminish the ability for the Allies to maintain peace throughout out the continent. Moreover the new Union would disrupt free trade, freebtravel and peace. The nations decided to terminate the Auroran Union.

All nations of Aurora, former Allies and Axis power alike, held another summit in which the decided to found the United Nations of the Auroran Continent. They hoped to address the concerns and criticisms of not only the Oan Isles, but of others who found fault with the manner in which the ACA had handled and subsequently brought about the Second Auroran Imperial War. Unfortunately, Xagrurg was still not punished, but the political leadership of the Oan Isles believed that Pan-Auroran political thought could still be useful in preventing future wars.

War of the Kohatu Isles

The Kōhatu Isles (also known as Gemica in Staynish) are a small group of islands south of East Malaysia. They were ruled by a dictatorial one party state called the Diamond Authority (Ka Mana Daimana). The National Liberation Movement (Ka lahui ho'okuu lahui) had organised workshops, boycotts, protests and distributed pamphlets in opposition to the state, but it operated in secrecy and had little impact. After being invited by one of its leaders, Moissanite, Lazuli (Palauokole), a miner, organised a protest in a mine in Agate City ( 'Eka kai), that gained international attention after being seen by Oan investors who went to visit.

Emboldened by Lazuli's actions, the NLM organised protests and propaganda throughout the country, culminating in a protests in front of the main government building in which people burnt their identity books and proclaimed their support of the Oan Isles. They were met with repression by the state which downgraded diplomatic relations with the Oan Isles. The Oans decided to provide support to the NLM. Together with NLM members, they entreated Opal (Papa), Lazuli's wife, to be the face of the revolution. After destroying her home fleeing to the autonomous Jewelica Island, she agreed.

After cyclone Mable, the Oans offered disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Shortly after the cyclone passed, the NLM led protests in Peridot City on Jewelica Island. Oan soldiers were present officially as observers. The Diamond Authority sent troops and fired live ammunition at the crowd. This precipitated a military response from the Oan Isles expelled Gemican forces from Jewelica and placed the island under military occupation. Given questions around how the invasion was carried out, the Cabinet suspended Locklyn Le Roy as Prime Minister, placing Sylvia Anāute as the acting Prime Minister.

The government stopped the invasion, placed Jewelica under a quarantine and sent military advisers to train the NLM in light of a plan by NLM leader, Sapphire Sardonyx, to turn the NLM into a military force. The government entered into negotiations with the Jewelican Free State to allow the Oan Isles to annex Jewelica. Negotiations broke down after the Diamond Authority conducted air strikes that killed 140 people. The Oan air force retaliated with air strikes on the JFS main building with Gemican forces in Jewelica surrendering to the NLM. NLM occupied and took over the island. The Oan government and the NLM agreed that Jewelica would become an autonomous overseas territory of the Oan Isles.

Princess Consort Aroha and other notable Oan women organised a conference on women empowerment in Jewelica as part of a broad program to integrate Jewelica into Oan political and economic life. The Oan Isles built a military base on island. It declared war on Gemica. Soon after, Gemica was blockaded and broader sanctions were imposed.

Gemica broke its agreement to treat political prisoners humanely when it abandoned the prison in which Lazuli and others were being held. This formed the pretext for a full-scale invasion. During a night attack, they first captured the prison and freed political prisoners. They attacked Gemican forces stationed in villages and towns. After a night of operations, the Diamond Authority capitulated and Gemica was integrated into the Jewelica overseas territory as the Overseas Territory of the Kōhatu Isles.

In the aftermath of the War, the Oan Isles and East Malaysia agreed on joint oil and natural gas exploration in the Caven Sea around and near the Kōhatu Isles and East Gemica Islands (which were part of the territory of East Malaysia). They established a joint venture. The economic fruits of this discovery were so vast that the Oan GDP per capita increased from 34000 KRB to 40000 KRB in just two years.

Geography

Clockwise: the highest mountain - Aoraki Mountain, the longest river - Waikato River, the largest body of water by surface area - Lake Taupo - with a mountain-face carving in the middleground, undersea volcanic vents, one of the most devastating cyclones in recorded history - Cyclone Mable and high-altitude rainforests - also known as the cloud forests.

Oan Isles is located on the planet Urth. The Home Islands lie at the eastern end of the Morstaybishlian and Polynesian Seas, separating them from the Pacific Ocean, between 140°E and 155°E, and between 5°S and 15°S. The Home Islands comprise approximately 33 islands. Its only land border is with the Morstaybishlian West Pacific Territory on Koroimotu. The Kohatu Isles separate the Caven Sea from the Morstaybishlian Sea. They lie to the south and west of Peregrinia and to the east of Justelvard. The Oan Isles has an combined area of approximately 50,000 square kilometres, The home islands make up around 44,000 square kilometres while the Kohatu Isles make up 6,000 square kilometres.

The Oan Isles has an average height above sea level of 50 metres. The lowest point is sea level. The height here is 0 metres above sea level. The highest point is Aoraki Mountain. Most islands are topographically similar. The largest body of fresh water is Lake Taupo. It has a surface area of 340km². The longest river is the Waikato River. It is 200 kilometres long. The biggest island is Toka Island. The Oan Isles has a monsoon jungle climate. It rains for much of the year. It is humid. It is generally warm. This stems from its proximity to the Aequator. It is classified as a tropical monsoon jungle climate. Precipitation averages above 60mm, although it is higher in the monsoon season and lower in the drier months of the year. Extreme weather is not uncommon. Cyclones sometimes occur. For example, Cyclone Mable tore through the area in 2017, causing damage to infrastructure and death to livestock.

Oan Isles was formed millions of years ago from movement in the Urth's tectonic plates particularly the Pacific and Yasteria Major tectonic plates. The mineral composition of the island reflects this process. Most of the islands are geologically similar due to the uniformity of the process by which they were formed. Most of the rock is igneous rock. Over millions of years, undersea volcanoes spewed forth millions of tonnes of lava that hardened to form the islands. Kōa has generally fertile soil. Various minerals are present in the ground, particularly feldspars, quartz, micas, amphibole and olivine.

Biodiversity

Clockwise: the largest bird in the world - Giant moa bird, the national bird - the Spix macaw, the largest ray in the world - manta ray, coral reef, one of the tallest trees in the world - the Kahikatea, the national tree - the silver fern, and the national flower - the orchid

The Oan Isles has a large amount of animal, plant and fungal species. Some of these are only found on Oan Isles. There are rainforests, wetlands, sand dune islands, pseudo-alpine and thicket biomes. The biodiversity of Oan Isles faces many challenges. Deforestation for housing and farmland threatens forests and the organisms that live in them. Pollution from industries also poses a risk to the organisms. Kōa is very close to the equator. It is often very humid, rainy and hot. Vegetation thrives under these conditions. Most of the country is covered by rainforests. There are numerous tree ferns such as Ponga (or silver fern), Mamaku or Tuakura. There are numerous conifers such as Kauri, Kahikatea and Manoao. There are numerous flowering trees such as Akeake, Kanono and Hīnau.

There are many birds. Birds are the dominant non-human warm blooded animals. There are flightless birds such as kiwi, cassowary and the moa. There are numerous flying birds such as Haast's eagle, tropicbirds, toroa (or albatross), Takapu (a type of gannet), Karuhiruhi (a type of cormorant), Putangitangi (a type of duck), ibis, spoonbill, Torea (a type of oystercatcher), pheasant, Tuturuatu (a type of plover) and Weka (a type of crake). There are numerous reptiles and amphibians. There are reptiles such as tuatara, Oligosoma (skinks such as aorangi, kakahu, tatahi, small eared, small-scaled, spotted, shore, green and moko) and geckos (almost all of which are viviparous such as kawekaweau, takitimu, green, jewelled, common, forest and black eyed). There are numerous frogs of the Leiopelma genus such as the hamiltoni, horchstetteri, pakeka and waitomo. There are few indigenous terrestrial mammals and these are the kurī dog, kiore rat, and three types of bats: short-tailed, lesser short-tailed and long-tailed. Almost all other mammals are domestic animals.

There are many marine animals. There warm blooded animals such as whales, dolphins and porpoises. There are many types of crabs, lobster, shrimp and prawns. There are many types of rays. There are many types of Moray eels. There are many types of salt water fish such as herring, haddock, pilchards, hake, tuna, sailfish, and angelfish. There are many types of freshwater fish such as elephantnose, pufferfish, catfish, butterflyfish, bushfish, mudfish and lungfish.

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Oan Isles

From left to right: former Emperor Ehe, reigning Emperor Oahoanu, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Locklyn Le Roy, incumbent Prime Minister and former Governor of the Konoa Semi-Autonomous Region Maui Uye-Ahua

The political system of the Oan Isles takes place in the framework of a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The Constitution of the Oan Isles (Ture Ture o nga Motuere Oa) is the fundamental law of the country. It vests immense power in the Crown of Polynesia. The hereditary Emperor of Polynesia, who is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is constrained by democratic traditions in the exercise of his powers. Thus, he is a largely symbolic figure head with reserve powers in case of an emergency. The reigning Emperor is Oahoanu who succeeded his father, Emperor Ehe, in 2017. All monarchs are direct descendants of Ahua the Great, who is credited as the founder of the Oan Isles and of the Mauist religion.

The Emperor appoints the Council of Elders to advise him on the exercise of royal powers. The Council of Ministers is a sub-structure of the Council of Elders. It forms the executive branch of the government. It consists of Ministers of the Crown, the most powerful of whom is the Prime Minister. Because the Prime Minister is usually the most influential politician in the National Assembly, the chair of the Council of Ministers and wields the power to direct the work of the executive branch, the Prime Minister is the de facto head of government and most powerful political figure in the country. The incumbent Prime Minister is Maui Uye Ahua, who succeeded Locklyn Le Roy in 2017 following political disarray in the ruling party at the time.

The Palace of Putangitangi in Tokapa, Tokamotu, is the workplace and official residence of the Emperor of Polynesia

The legislative branch consists of the National Assembly. It is composed of the Emperor, Council of the People and the Council of Chiefs. The Council of Chiefs consists of all the hereditary traditional leaders in the country and has an advisory role. The Council of the People is democratically elected every four years and wields all the real political power. The Emperor promulgates laws and has the power to dissolve the Council of the People.

The Kohatu Isles and the Noan Isles, which sit in the Caven Sea and in the northern Home Islands respectively, have an elected Territorial Assembly which has the power to make laws on a few areas such as schools, hospitals and parks. The Emperor appoints their respective Governors who chair and appoint a regional Executive Council to carry out the law. The Kohatu Isles were guaranteed semi-autonomy upon annexation to the Oan Isles while the Noan Isles received autonomy following a protest movement in that part of the country in 2017.

The judiciary interprets and applies the law. The final court of appeal is the Supreme Court. The Commission on Judicial Appointments recommends candidates for judicial posts to the Prime Minister and Council of the People - in turn the Emperor. The highest judge is the Chief Justice. Magistrate Courts are courts of first instance for most cases, with the intensity of the cases increasing the higher the rank of the court.

Foreign affairs

The Prime Minister oversees foreign relations. He is advised on foreign policy by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, currently Arana Marama. The Emperor receives the accreditations of foreign ambassadors and has symbolic precedence over all Oan officials in diplomatic protocol. Faced with a lack of natural resources, the threat of invasion and economic competition from other nations, the country adopted multilateralism and pacifism in the latter half of the 20th century. This policy was supplanted by strategic interventionism, expansionism and selective allegiance in 2017. The nation's foreign policy focuses on building alliances with and defending the shard interests of capitalist democratic monarchies.

After the Auroran-Pacific War, the Oan Isles called for Allied nations to leave the then-Auroran Continental Assembly and join the Auroran Union. It quickly faded and the Oan Isles joined the United Nations of the Auroran Continent. It is also a member of the Intercontinental Regional Security Accords. The country's closest allies are Great Morstaybishlia, Kuthernburg and Tuvaltastan (and their respective spheres of influence). The country maintains cordial relations with Tivot, South Hills, Emberwood Coast, Tretrid, the Atlae Isles, Gordic Council and Mexregiona. The Matriarchy of Ethalria was once considered an enemy but, after its partition, relations with Faethalria, Thalria and the North Ethalrian Confederacy have been mild, but suspicious. Once a cordial partner, Stratarin is considered an enemy.

Military

Clockwise: Ahua the Great class destroyer, Leopard 2 main battle tank, F-35 fighter jet, Oan Elite Infantry Battalion

The Oan Defence Forces (Te Kaha Kōrero a te Motuere Oa) comprises the military of the Oan Isles. As the Emperor is the commander in chief of the armed forces, he has the power to declare war. In practice, the Prime Minister has supreme political oversight of the armed forces. The Minister of Defence, General Oahuoa Uye, advises the government on defence policy and runs the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Department of Foreign Affairs administers the daily affairs of the armed forces. The Chief of Defence Staff is the highest ranking professional officer of the armed forces. The primary objective of the armed forces is to protect the Oan Isles and its allies and advance their interests abroad. It consists of the Oan Navy, the Oan Air Force and the Oan Army.

The country spends 35 billion KRB on defence. 5 billion KRB of this amount is military aid from Great Morstaybishlia. The remaining 30 billion KRB comes from the country’s budget and makes up 6% to 7% of annual GDP. The country has a total manpower of 200,000 soldiers, but the professional military consists of 90,000 officers. The country has an innovative and internationally reputable domestic arms manufacturing industry. It imports weapons from Great Morstaybishlia and Kuthernburg and formerly imported weapons from Stratarin. As an island nation, it has invested in its navy to protect its territory and project power. With the ability to carry out combat at high sea in surrounding oceans in more than one threatre at once, it is considered a green-water naval power. When coupled with military bases on the Kohatu Isles in the Morstaybishlian Sea, Indigo Islands in the Azure Sea and in the deep Pacific Ocean, the military has immense force projection power. Having fought and won major international conflicts such as the Latianburg Insurgency, Auroran-Pacific War and War of the Kohatu Isles, the armed forces is considered highly experienced and battle-ready.

Economy

Clockwise: the largest and busiest container port - Port of Tauranga a te Toka - and the central business district in the background, the largest and busiest airport - Tokapa International Airport, the Waikato Hydroelectric Dam, the Kokorutaone Nuclear Power Plant, Tokapa to Tauranga a te Toka Magnetic Levitation Train, one of the Anapa Public Electric Buses

The economic system of the Oan Isles takes place in the framework of a mixed economy. While the government intervenes in the economy through high tax rates, a wide social safety net and private sector regulation, private property is respect and the factors of production are controlled through free market forces. Total economic output stands at a nominal GDP of 480 billion KRB (600 billion KRB in PPP terms). With a nominal GDP per capita of 40,000 KRB (PPP GDP per capita of 50,000 KRB), the Oan Isles is considered a post-industrial highly developed upper income economy. After the annexation of the Kohatu Isles and the discovery of fossil fuels, the Oan economy has grown at an average rate of 6% annually, among the highest in the region.

The economy maintains a substantial annual balance of payments account of 5 billion KRB. Prior to the discovery of fossil fuels, the debt to GDP ratio was high, but has now declined. With stable accounts and prudent financial management, the economy is a net lender and major exporter of goods and services. The country's biggest exports are fossil fuels, lumber, fish, high value-added manufactured goods like military hardware, optic fibres and semi-conductors. With only a quarter of the land being arable, the country is a net importer of food and its major imports include raw materials and motor vehicles. As an export driven market, its largest trade partners are in Aurora and to a lesser extent Novaris and Concord. As a developed economy, the service sector makes up a substantial share of economic output, with financial services, information technology services, tourism and transshipment being the largest components.

Infrastructure

As an island nation, the primary mode of transport is by air and sea. Thus, there are several small airports and seaports connecting the country. The largest airport is the Tokapa International Airport on the island of Tokamotu. The port of Tauranga a te Toka is among the busiest container ports in the Auroran region. The main form of land transportation is by rail or bus. Because of the mountainous terrain, the construction of roads is challenging and expensive. Furthermore, the high population density in habitable areas of the country results in congestion and high air pollution. Thus, the country has prioritized public transport as the main form of transport. The fastest rail line is the Tokapa to Tauranga a te Toka maglev line at around 400km per hour. On average a commute in any of the 8 major Home Islands takes 40 minutes or less.

The Oan Isles is a net energy exporter and has a healthy energy mix. Fossil fuels, nuclear energy and hydroelectric power provide a roughly equal share of the nation's energy needs. Because the country is prone to flooding due to monsoon storms, the nation has an extensive network of canals and levees to mitigate the effects of high rainfall. Due to its small area, the country does not have large natural lakes. Thus, rain-fed artificial reservoirs provide most of the country’s water needs. High rates of urbanisation have led to a high concentration of water delivery infrastructure.

Demographics

Language

The Oan language, Te Reo Oa, is the official language and most widely spoken first language. Although the standard written form of the Oan language is the dialect spoken on the Rock Island (Tokamotu), over a dozen known dialects exists on other islands. Naturalised citizens, permanent residents and expatriate workers speak foreign languages, the most prominent of which are Islander, Staynish (Codexian), and the Kōhatuan language (Ōlelo Kōhatu).

Religion

Sacred Mauist Shrine

The most widely practiced religion is a branch of Abrahamism, called Mauism that was syncretized with indigenous folk religions. It holds that there is one almighty creator, Atea, who assigned the angel/god Maui to protect the Oan Isles and people of Oan descent. It is followed by Jubliakism, a branch of Abrahamism which originated in Morstaybishlia and the indigenous folk religions of the Islander and Kōhatu people. A large portion of the population is irreligious.

Ethnic groups

The largest ethnic group are the indigenous Oan people (Te Iwi Oa), who comprise the largest branch of the West Polynesian group. It is further divided into tribes, which originated on the major islands of the Oan archipelago. Kōhatuans (Kama'āina Kōhatu) and Islanders form the largest group of Polynesians. The largest group of expatriates come from Auroran countries and the Kuthernburg Commonwealth.

Healthcare

The Ministry of Health provides public healthcare. Citizens and permanent residents make compulsory contributions through a monthly tax to the Universal Health Insurance Scheme. The UHIS pays for primary healthcare and emergency treatment for all residents including refugees and foreign workers. Private medical insurance schemes and healthcare facilities exist and are available for all, but are mostly taken by middle and upper class residents.

Education

Primary and secondary education, provided mostly through co-educational non-boarding secular schools. Although education policy arises from the Ministry of Education, the Board of Education has independence and ample discretion in the management of public schools and development of the curriculum. Oan schools are known for their academic rigour and holistic approach to education, offering adequate preparation for the International School Leaving Exams which provides successful candidates with an internationally recognised and accredited certification that offers entry into Oan institutions of higher education. With Oan students being ranked among the best in the world for performance in mathematics and language, the system is broadly considered a success.

Higher institutions of education are among the foremost institutions in tertiary education and research. They offer admittance to foreign students and attract talented and renowned academics from around the world. The most prestigious among them are the University of La Rochelle (Whare Wanaga a Tokapa) and the National University of the Oan Isles (Whare Wanaga Iwi to Motuere Oa). Oan institutions excel in health, electronics, robotics, geological and oceanographic research.

Urbanisation

Over 80% of the population inhabit towns and cities. High population density and competition for resources and opportunities has made the cost of living of Oan cities very high. Nonetheless, people enjoy high standards of living. Cities and towns have committed to and implemented programs to increase green spaces and control carbon emission. The largest city is the Port of the Rock (known as Tauranga a te Toka and Kokoru with 2 million people), and La Rochelle (also known as Tokapa with 1 million people). The remaining top ten cities take up 75% of the population alone, with smaller towns housing the remaining 5% of the population that dwells in urban areas. Smaller islands such as the Sand Dune Islands house most of the rural population.

Culture

Dress and appearance

Oan woman in traditional attire

Oan people usually let their hair grow long, wearing it lose or in a bun. They sometimes put a comb or pin through it. This is usually made of wood or whale bone. It is typically decorated with carvings which usually include swirly forms reminiscent of clouds or waves. Some people also wear feathers in their hair. Males often have extensive intricate tattoos over their face, chest and arms. These are called moko. Females usually only have a tattoo under the lips and over the chin and like to wear black lipstick.

Both men and women wear skirts and dresses. Dresses typically go across the chest, leaving the neck and shoulders exposed. Men sometimes wear skirts that expose their buttocks. Skirts are typically worn with a wide belt. Skirts and dresses typically have geometric patterns such as chevrons repeated. People sometimes wear mantles and cloaks. These cloaks and mantles can be made from the feathers kiwi bird or moa bird. Fabrics are usually made from flax. Earth, potash rock, plant resin or other dyes.

Social norms and everyday life

Oan Traditional outdoor festival/celebration

Most Oan people live in the cities. As people moved from the farms and villages to the towns and cities, their lifestyles became more fast-paced. Despite the abundance and accessibility of resources and opportunities, commercialism and competition for promotions and business opportunities increased. People became more educated. As a result, most households became monogamous with parents having, on average, one to three children.

There is a relatively high cost of living in the cities, so many people stay in apartments or lease townhouses. Middle-class and upper-class people are able to enjoy life in quiet suburban spaces. Cities offer many amenities that make life more convenient such as shops and public transport and have easy access to entertainment such as pubs, theatres and museums.

In Oan society people who are intimate or familiar greet each other by pressing their noses against one another. Women and men are treated equally. Men and women share equally in domestic tasks. Children are taught to respect their elders and become independent at a young age. Elders occupy places of esteem in society. Oans are generally friendly, polite and courteous. Oans have strong cultural and spiritual links. They often pray and meditate in private and in public as individuals or groups. They partake in many ceremonies and rituals such as lighting incense and offering crop sacrifices to honour the dead. They have many festivals and feasts such as annual parades of young people who have been initiated into adulthood.

Sports

Oan national rugby union team performing the traditional haka war chant

The Oan Isles has a large number of sports fans, players and teams. Some of the leagues are internationally rated in their respective disciplines. The biggest sport, by far, is rugby. The Oan Isles produces many international players, participates and does very well in international tournaments and has world-class venues and training facilities dedicated to the sport. The second is boxing. Oans typically enjoy water sports. These include canoeing. Open sea and river rapid canoeing are popular. Canoeing was use by the ancient people to voyage between islands. Voyagers turned this into a sport that has survived until now. Oans also enjoy surfing, diving, sailing, wind-surfing and competitive swimming. They also enjoy sports such as competitive tree-climbing, mountain-climbing and stick fighting.

Arts and Performance

Oans enjoy open air live shows such as outdoor theatre and choral music. Theatre arose from the ancient past-time where people would gather around a fire to tell stories and sing. Theatre often employs music, dance and poetry. Oan music typically involves singing particular in groups. There is often very little instrumental accompaniment. Of the few instruments that are used, woodwind or percussive instruments appear most often. Oans have a war chant called a haka. This war chant was used in the ancient days to instill fear in the enemy. It is now a form of cultural expression and is commonly used by the Oan national rugby team before a match. There is a rich culture of carving and tapestry. Homes are often decorated with intricate carvings on panels and poles. Tapestries are often hung in people's homes.