Northa ('Norta')
Northa, officially the Arkic Republic of the Norta, (Northaux: Hsāuzjen T'māni N'rțàj) alternatively rendered Norða, is a country in the Western Arkland (Northal) Islands with territorial possessions on the Dinoranian Continent.
The Mainland Northal Isles are divided into 38 prefectures based on former feudal divisions, with the additional overseas territories run by viceroys and specialized branches of the military (Northaux: Irénri - 'peacekeepers').
Demography and Population
The vast majority of Northal Islanders identify first as Northals, then as a member of one of the 38 regional subgroups to which their family belongs.
Territories
The bulk of the Northal Republic's territories are part of the Western Arkland Islands, in addition to the Orcorica and Kymedhèrei Islands of the Archipelago of the Hand.
The territories of East Transkivedia and Parda Raì are contested between Northa and the Konshau Republic. The rivalry over the regions, containing many Northal-speaking settlements, was a key factor in triggering the ongoing Northal-Konshavan War. Dinoranian Intervention began in October of 1991, while NLC Military Operations against the Konshavans did not commence until March of 1992. The war has granted the Northals enormous gains, including many Konshavan-speaking territories. The Global Party for International Peace has since designated any and all post-1996 Northal Invasions as 'illegal conquests' and subjected the Northal Republic to several economic and diplomatic sanctions.
Military
see also: Northal-Latvark Coalition(NLC).
Left: Banner of the former Northal Empire, now used as a military, naval and colonial flag.
Northa's Military, officially the Guards of the Northal Republic (GNR), is relatively compact, with a focus on a small number of highly trained combat specialists bolstered by overwhelming naval firepower. The Northals reject Latvark Doctrines of Full-scale destruction in favor of highly targeted strategic bombardment, an approach described by Darien XI as 'merciful destruction, compared to that of their neighbors.'
Northa, a historic naval power, is in possession of the world's Second-largest active navy, after Dinorania's ISN.
The Northal military has been extensively trained and influenced by the
Latvark Raiji, mostly due to the several 'Arming-Treaties' (Nyvíve-Irj-Karù) of the Northal-Latvark Coalition.
According to Dinoranian sources, the GNR is composed of 630,000 active servicemen, with 940,000 in reserve, making it the smallest army of a first world nation on Gea.Technological Level
The Northal Republic is a world leader in several fields of research, including but not limited to biotechnology, electronics, materials science, medicine and pharmacology. Northal research efforts are championed by a number of World-renowned Universities taking advantage of the government's lucrative grant system and much foreign investment.
Religion
West Arkic Religion
The Northal Religion shares the Latvark concept of Post-theism.Esperitism
First spread to Northa by Dinoranian Missionaries during the Adhéndi Period, Esperitism is the second largest organized religion, and largest theistic religion in the region. In recent years, due to tensions with the Dinoranian Empire, Northal Esperites have faced persecution and marginalization, culminating in the 1994 Cùrhedé Attacks on Esperite Protestors, when a far-right Arkic Nationalist Group sanctioned an assault on unarmed protestors, resulting in 19 deaths and the hospitalization of 39 protestors. The attacks were denounced by the Esparad of Mankind, the Dinoranian Empire, the Global Party for International Peace, and intellectual groups within Northa.East Arkic Religion
Latvark religious doctrines are still practiced on the Northal Isles, especially in the Eastern Reaches. The Central Body for the Arkic Faithful in Northa answers directly to the High Priest of Vahrek, and is the only overseas body in the Latvark Post-theist Church to do so. East Arkic devotees represent a large and influential minority group, and have been responsible for the NR's increased alignment with the Latvark Raiji, and increased hostility towards the Dinoranian Empire.Foreign Relations
Since the beginning of the Konshau-Kivedia crisis, Northa has suspended diplomatic relations with the Dinoranian Empire, and strengthened its ties with the Latvark Raiji. The Old Alliance, formally known as the Northal-Latvark Coalition, was re-formed on June 12th, 1992.
Agriculture & Industry
Western Arkic peoples have historically farmed sheep and cattle since the dracolithic period. The Northal Islands have produced a number of esteemed breeds of ungulates, including the Kerço breed of sheep, the Wariggu breed of Pig, and the famous Highland Grey breed of goat, whose horns can reach a length of up to 2 feet, and adorn the coats-of-arms of several former Northal Clans, as well as the flag of the Amvélde Prefecture.
Entomoculture
Like many cultures with dracolithic origins, Northals have historically practiced entomophagy, and many traditional communities continue to do so today despite changing international attitudes towards the practice. Culinary circles in the mainland isles continue to utilize insect-based ingredients in many traditional recipes, and there has been a revival of this practice since the 1980s, referred to as Tuannòeny - '(eating of) little meats.'
Diptera
Asi Lake Flies (Chironomus nortii) were widely eaten and used for traditional medicine in the Northal Isles prior to the First Latvark Conquest, when their consumption was discouraged on the grounds that it caused disease. According to surviving Latvark records, Northal farmers held the lakefly in high esteem. It symbolized the ascension to heaven from a watery earthland, and many native Northals went so far as to tattoo its likeness on their temples and shoulders to symbolize
ancestral resurrection.
Hymenoptera
Kurajed Wasps were introduced during the Jidhedo Period by traders from Eastern Dinorania, and are regarded as a delicacy in Northal Cuisine. They are often added to Imīsh (Imisku), a type of coldgrain wine, or used in stews, either ground or whole. The use of the latter as a garnish has been called 'àulai Northelle' (in the Northal Style) in the Dinoranian Culinary Tradition.
Silkworms
The Silk trade in Northa and Lathland has resulted in the breeding of extensive cultivars of Silkworm. Retùn-bred silkworms are highly prized for the iridescent quality ('Setije Nortau') of their silk, and have famously clothed Kurajed and Zeya Emperors including Arcbatha III, the 'Silken King.'
Trade & Transport
Silk remains one of the largest exports of the Northal Republic, generating 8.5 trillion NIS per annum.
Education
The Northal Education system is renowned for its rigor, and it has been described as 'the most competitive academic atmosphere on the planet' by Dinoranian Perspective magazine.
According to national surveys, 87% of the Northal Population hold the equivalent of a college degree.
Infrastructure
The Northal Isles are reticulated by several high-speed, inter-insular railways, most of which are owned and maintained by the NTA. The Arkic Rail and Road (ARR) corporation
The main islands are connected by several hybrid bridges, suited for the passage of most trains as well as automobiles.
Arkic Republic of the Norta
Hsāuzjeo T'māni N'rțàj
Mideveinn Nordans
State Flag, the Nràdkéirtt featuring the Roundel of Nràndis the Great.
Motto: "Sjreédaui Adiû Crátarkcà!"
("Godless, the Arks Bid Farewell!")
National Anthem: Lyrckxe Osvùrmetlaa
National Anthem: Lyrckxe Osvùrmetlaa
Northaux
Low Draconic
Minority languages:
Hraldic
Konsha
Population: 147.3 Million
Ethnic Groups:
Northals 91.6%
Latvarkers 1.4%
Konshavi (in occupied Konshau) 6.01%
North Kivedian Northals (in Transkivedia) 0.9%
Currency: Northal Ishke (NIS)
GDP:
- Total: ÐEI 6.51 Trillion
- Per Capita: ÐEI 44,195
Demonym
Northal
Major Exports
Silk
Coldgrain
Wool
Maize
Lumber
Location
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
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