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| Motto: "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" | |||||
| National Anthem: เพลงชาติ | |||||
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| Ruler | Abhisit Phanomyong | ||||
| Capital | Saint Victoria | ||||
| Official language(s) | English Mandarin German Thai | ||||
| Government Type | Parliamentary Republic | ||||
| National Religion | Buddhism | ||||
| Team | Green | ||||
| Alliance(s) | Multicolored Cross-X Alliance | ||||
| Area | 396.557 | ||||
| Population | 32,669 citizens | ||||
| Nation Strength | 8,432.110 | ||||
| Currency | Won | ||||
Pacific Orange, officially the Republic of Pacific Orange, is an island country in the Asia Pacific region. It is surrounded on all sides by the Pacific Orange and its nearest neighbours include on the west Pacific Green, on the east Butsili, on the south Full Out Azn and on the north Stalinstan. The nation itself consists of several islands which together form the archipelego making up Pacific Orange. The largest of these - and on which the majority of the population resides - is known as Xuanzang Island ( named after the mythological maritime figure who supposedly first discovered the island somewhere in the 16th century ). Nonetheless, sizeable portions of the population are spread out across the other islands - namely on the Matsu and Lanyu Islands and the New Territories.
Pacific Orange is a parliamentary republic of seven regions, each of which is governed by a regional legislature in addition to the nation's federal authority. The capital city and seat of government is Saint Victoria. As a nation-state, the majority of the country was unified amidst the collapse of the old union of Pacific Blue in 1947, with the New Territories being admitted only later during 1990. It is a member of the Multicolored Cross-X Alliance, and with a population of over 40 000 people, it is one of the larger nations among the MCXA member states.
Official National Information[]
For full article refer to: Pacific Orange Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Republic of Pacific Orangeis an island nation situated in the Asia - Pacific Region based on the principles of laissez faire economics and popular representative rule whose neighbours include the countries of Pacific Green, Full Out Azn and Stalinstan. The capital city of Pacific Orange is Saint Victoria and its current head of state is a President who is elected to serve a 5 year term. The nation strongly believes in the people's right to control business and the idea of individual liberty in general. As a result, the government is less inclined to interfere in the affairs of its citizens though with the rise of global terrorism, the Ministry of the Interior has been granted greater power and control in the interests of national security. Nonethless, Pacific Orange citizens enjoy a relatively high level of freedom and independence along with state funded healthcare, education and welfare benefits. Due to its ex-colonial past, Pacific Orange contains a mixed variety of ethnicities though the majority of its population are either Chinese, English, Thai or German in descent.
Foreign Ministry of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Pacific Orange Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Pacific Orange Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( or more commonly known as the Foreign Ministry ) is responsible for the promotion of Pacific Orange interests abroad as well as the establishment and maintenance of relations between Pacific Orange and other alliances and nations throughout the glove. Its current roles include the facilitation of trade between Pacific Orange and other regional partners and the general fostering of diplomatic goodwill between Pacific Orange and other governments. In addition, the Foreign Ministry is vested with the role of outlining and explaining all major foreign policy decisions undertaken by the current government of the Republic of Pacific Orange and ensuring that all such decisions are fully understood particularly by those individuals, groups and nations affected. As of the present moment, the Foreign Ministry has been authorised to make the following announcement(s):
- Entry into the Multicolored Cross-X Alliance:
The Republic of Pacific Orange is pleased to announce that successful talks with delegates from the Multicolored Cross-X Alliance has led to the government's decision to submit a proposal for the Republic to join the MCXA community. The MCXA in turn has announced its acceptance of the Republic's proposal and thus at the current time, the Republic of Pacific Orange is now an official member of the Multicolored Cross-X Alliance. That said, the government would like to reiterate its desire to maintain good relations with fellow nations in the Grand Global Alliance and stresses that this agreement between the MCXA and Pacific Orange is in no way intended against them.
- Pacific Orange Minister of Foreign Affairs ( dated: 21 / 9 / 07 )
Pacific Orange Weekly News []
For previous Pacific Orange Weekly News issues refer to: Pacific Orange Weekly News Archive
Truce Declared[]
Greentopia, Pacific Green[]
Fighting between government and rebel factions in the war torn country of Pacific Green has ceased today following the conclusion of a Pacific Orange mediated ceasefire agreement between the various parties at a peace conference held today at Pacific Green. Delegates from both sides agreed to refrain from using military action in order to realise their demands, promising to exercise restraint and full committment to the round of further peace talks scheduled to be held in Saint Victoria sometime later this year. Prime Minister Leekpai has hailed this as a "magnificent achievement, one which future generations in Pacific Green can truly be proud of. This marks the beginning of the resumption of the road map to peace and stability in the region."
The guns fall silent in Pacific Green - but will it be enough ?
Closer to home, analysts predict to see the repercussions of this turn of events manifest themselves in the Republic's December parliamentary elections; where many are now expecting Labor and its Pan Red allies to widen their currently razor thin lead over the Pan Blue coalition in both the Senate and Legislative Assembly. Nevertheless, Opposition leader Anthony O'Farrell has warned Pacific Orange voters to exercise caution and restraint: "True the Nationalist Party and our other Pan Blue colleagues wholeheartedly support and celebrate the turn of events in Pacific Green, but all the same I feel that the current domestic issues such as the higher taxation levels and slowing economic growth rate will be a more pressing concern for voters in the upcoming election rather than some diplomatic coup in a rather distant country." The government has laughed off these comments.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal of Pacific Orange troops has continued quietly and without incident. In the rebel stronghold of Moresby - a scene of previously heavy fighting between rebel and Pacific Orange / government forces - the last of the 150 man POSDF contingent pulled out of the town unharmed and unmolested, though under the rebel flag which flew across several buildings along Moresby's main street. Elsewhere, POSDF units have begun officially handing over custody and control to Oosutorian peacekeepers recently arrived in Pacific Green. President Phanomyong is scheduled to attend the main handing over ceremony in Greentopia this evening.
Winds of Change[]
Huskisson, Pacific Orange[]
As the election enters into its final week of campaigning, both sides appear to have made surprising reversals on their party positions. Beginning the week in the traditionally solid Nationalist voting electorate of Hunter in the Central Highlands, Prime Minister Leekpai announced the Pan Red pledge to contribute a further 20 million wons to the national defence budget and another substantial upgrade to the nation's counter terrorism forces in a bid to bolster the Pan Red's normally poor standing amongst voters in the area of national security. "A reelected Pan Red government is the best guarantee of maintaining the Republic's institutions and freedoms amidst the seas of instability and turmoil which currently plague our world," he assured Pacific Orange voters in today's national press club address.
Prime Minister Leekpai displays his control on a bike - can he similarly guide the Pan Red coalition to its sixth successvie victory ?
Similarly, Opposition Leader Anthony O'Farrell was out and about this week in the Labor heartland of Kennington-Smith in the Barras trying to sell the Pan Blue Coalition's arts and culture credentials, certainly a hard task considering the Christian Democrat's long standing hostility towards the Barras' liberal and socialist leanings: "This nation's rich and vibrant cultural legacy was started under a Nationalist government and under a Pan Blue Coalition, the Nationalist party and its partners will continue this heritage for future generations." Such promises were backed up by pledges of some 22 million wons to be invested in a national 'Arts and Cultural Heritage' fund to be set up if the Pan Blue coalition was to win office.
This comes on top of recent figures published by the Pacific Orange Weekly News revealing total Pan Blue spending to the tune of an unrivalled 52 million wons, which has sparked off fears of inflation and interest rate rises. Pan Red pledges have by comparison totalled only 45 million wons. The Chancellor of the Exchequer seized upon this in yesterday's speech as another opportunity to attack the Opposition's economic credentials. "Mr O'Farrell claims to be a 'fiscal conservative', he saturates his public image with the words of 'fiscal conservative', but like most Nationalist party promises, these words and the truth behind them are a little out of synch." Nevertheless, with the Pan Blue and Pan Red Coalitions seperated only by a hair's breadth in the polls ( 46-44 ) as they have been for the whole year, perhaps it will come down to words and promises which will ultimately determine which party wins government for the next three years.
History of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: History of Pacific Orange
The nation of Pacific Orange has experienced a turbulent history of ups and downs filled with memories of authoritarian government, economic depression and spectres of national defeat and humiliation balanced with the joys of democratic reform, times of national prosperity and ultimate victory and national survival in both Great Patriotic Wars.
ARPO troops taking defensive positions during the First Patriotic War
Founded on the 2nd March 1947, by nationalists headed under Pawws, the First Republic saw a weak federation of states unable to handle the pressures of the First Great Patriotic War. National destabilisation even after victory and independence in the first war led to the collapse of the First Republic and the establishment of a stronger federal government in the Second Republic. However, the success with which the Nationalists gained majorities in both Houses of Parliament sowed the seeds for the destruction of the Second Republic as Pawws - riding upon a wave of popularity and military support - extended the power of his presidency with the induction of the Third Republic whereby a powerful presidential body gained the authority to intervene to a greater extent in the affairs of Pacific Orange society.
But the Third Republic was unsuited to protecting democracy within the country and after a series of military coups and a left wing insurrection throughout the 1970's, Pawws announced the formation of a Ministry of the Interior. Concieved of at least initially as a counterweight to the military's power in the Pacific Orange state, the organisation soon become an effective tool in consolidating Pawws' grip over the nation, engaging in the terror and repression of all elements opposed to the Third Republic. However following the 1979 energy crisis and a severe economic recession, public demonstrations against the Republic was ultimately successful in driving Pawws from office and into exile sowing the seeds for the country's transition towards a restoration of democracy with the founding of the Fourth Republic by December 1979.
An army tank sprays on a protest against the military junta in September 1974
The subsequent period of conservative rule oversaw a period of extensive reform - most notably in the drastic decrease in the size and power of the Ministry of the Interior. The establishment of five key semi-privatised conglomerates each overseeing a particular area of the nation's economy was instrumental in consolidating the nation's economic growth throughout the 1980's ensuring that with the restoration of democracy came a period of relative financial prosperity. Unfortunately for the Socialist / Labor coalition, this period of prosperity proved disastrous for their electoral fortunes leading to the collapse of the coalition in the late 1983. Failing to adequately reform as the Labor party had by the elections of 1986, the Socialist Party suffered a massive rift as the radical faction split to form a seperate Socialist Progressive Party to which more moderate elements formally dissolved the Socialist Party and established the Republican Party in reponse.
But the growth of the Pacific Orange economy throughout the 1980's was to have another unpredicted consequence. Seeing the possibility for improving their nation by unification with the Pacific Orange state, several unification movements began to burgeon throughout the late 1980's in the Thai communities of Rayong Saiyan just south of Pacific Orange. Harsh crackdowns by a repressive ... regime on such movements led to a 'Declaration of Principles' by the Pacific Orange parliament whereby military intervention was threatened if the crackdowns did not cease. Ultimately unable to resist both internal and external pressures against his position, ... was forced to flee and in the subsequent elections the unificanionist ... was elected to power setting into motion the train of events leading to the admission of the New Territories and the establishment of the current Pacific Orange state.
Politics of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Politics of Pacific Orange
Pacific Orange politics is conducted according to the principles of representative democracy wherein government and political officials are selected according to a popular vote held at regular intervals under the strict supervision of an independent electoral commission. Each representative is elected by a particular electoral district - known as legislative constituency - whose interests the representative is expected to protect during his/her tenure in parliament. Despite being elected by the people to act in their interests however, representatives retain the freedom to exercise their own judgment as how they see fit though each representative nonetheless realises that it is ultimately the people who judge the legitimacy of each decision. Furthermore, whilst the majority of the nation's political decisions are handled by these representatives, the constitution of Pacific Orange allows in certain instances for popular votes on major policy decisions; though instances of such referenda have been quite rare in the history of Pacific Orange.
Government of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Government of Pacific Orange
For a list of all Pacific Orange Presidents refer to: Presidents of Pacific Orange
The basis of government in Pacific Orange are thoroughly grounded in the principles of seperation of powers, rule of law and protection of liberties. As a result, the Republic of Pacific Orange is arranged into three, distinct and independent entities: the Supreme Court which functions as the nation's judicial authority, the Legislative Assembly and Senate to which the nation's legislative responsibilites are ascribed and the Presidential Administration which is responsible for overseeing the day to day management of the state. Admittedly, the boundary between the latter two - the executive and the legislative - is rather porous at times with members of the higher echelons of the Presidential Administration being selected often from people in the Legislative Assembly or Senate.
Current Pacific Orange Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai addressing the Legislative Assembly
Whilst the ministries which make up the cabinet in government have varied throughout the nation's four republics, the current government structure is as follows. The President acts as the nation's official head of state and is responsible for overseeing the implentation of all laws and resolutions passed by the Houses of Parliament. Within the cabinet itself, the Prime Minister is entrusted with legislative authority and is usually the main decider on the course of government policy, though this is subject to approval by Parliament. Below the Prime Minister is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, granted control over the nation's financial reserves and the federal budget, he/she is responsible for the nation's economy and is traditionally considered as the third most important person in government.
Other ministers include the Minister of Foregin affairs, responsible for handling the nation's diplomatic affairs, the Minister of the Interior who maintains the nation's infrastructure, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Labour handling the nation's industrial relations and social welfare schemes and The Minister of Environmental and Social Affairs who oversees all matters pertaining to the nation's environment, health and education. As like all political positions within Pacific Orange, all ministers must retain seats in parliament in order to serve and thus remain answerable to the public - in particular to their electorates to whom they must appeal to in order to remain in power.
Military of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Army of the Republic of Pacific Orange or Republic of Pacific Orange Navy or Republic of Pacific Orange Airforce
Insignia of the Republic of Pacific Orange Self Defense Forces
The Republic of Pacific Orange Self Defense Forces or POSDF is the primary military organisation responsible for the territorial security and defence of Pacific Orange. The President of Pacific Orange serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces, which are subordinate and responsible to the government of Pacific Orange headed by the Prime Minister of Pacific Orange. In this way the POSDF is thus subject to civilian control. Military service of 12 to 24 months is mandatory under the Military Service Act for all male citizens upon turning 21 and is undertaken solely in the interests of maintaining an adequately trained military manpower pool in times of war or national emergency. Nevertheless, this conscription service can be postponed for educational or religious reasons.
The POSDF was established after the end of the Second Great Patriotic War when it was realised that the earlier region by region based military situation was untenable for meeting the Republic's military needs. For most of its history since the time of its inception, the forces have been confined to the islands of Pacific Orange and are generally not permitted to be deployed abroad. In recent years however, troops have been stationed oversees as part of international peacekeeping operations. The self defense forces are administered by the Pacific Orange Ministry of Defence and are composed of three primary banches:
- Army of the Republic of Pacific Orange
- Republic of Pacific Orange Navy
- Republic of Pacific Orange Air Force
Auxiliary services include the Pacific Orange Military Police Forces, the Pacific Orange Coast Guard and the Pacific Orange National Reserves. Aside from the Military Police Forces, these auxilary services are generally subordinate to the interests of the three primary branches during times of war. The Pacific Orange Ministry of Defence headed by a popularly elected Minister of Defence is responsible for the direction of the military of Pacific Orange. The Ministry also has responsibility for the construction and maintenance of all military bases, as well as for developing Pacific Orange military technology and equipment. Currently, the POSDF has some 35 000 military personnel (15 000 of whom are conscripts the rest being full-time active-duty personnel) and 10 000 reservists making it one of the larger military forces in the region.
Intelligence Community of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Central Bureau of Intelligence or Federal Security Agency or Military Inter-Services Office
FSA officers are noted for their impeccable choice of attire
The Intelligence Community of Pacific Orange is the designation given to the complex of organisations responsible for intelligence collection, dissemination, and research for the Republic of Pacific Orange by such means including espionage, communication interception and cryptanalysis. The community fulfills a number of roles in assisting in counter terrorism and nationa defense ranging from giving early warning of impending crises in areas relevant to national security to protecting secrets relating to the nation and acting covertly to influence the outcome of events in favour of national interests. Parliamentary supervision over the Intelligence Community is undertaken by the National Security and Defense Committee of the Pacific Orange Senate, which oversees all matters pertaining to the entire Republic of Pacific Orange Self Defense Forces in conjunction with the Ministry of Defense.
A product of the bureaucratic streamlining which occured alongside the restoration of democratic rule in 1980, the Intelligence Community amalgamated the Ministry of the Interior's Directorate for National Security, the Intelligence Gathering Committee answerable soley to the President, the Navy's Office of Military Intelligence, the Military Inter-Services Office, the Police Force's Federal Counter Espionage Department and the supposedly independent civilian run National Intelligence Organisation ( in reality controlled also by the President ) into the three principal organisations listed below:
- Central Bureau of Intelligence
The Central Bureau of Intelligence or CBI is Pacific Orange's external intelligence agency whose fundamental duty is to supervise and coordinate all international intelligence work. The organisation is thus primarily responsible for areas in national security such as overseas intelligence gathering and analysis, the protection of the nation's foreign interests and the penetration of foreign intelligence agencies. In addition, the bureau runs a range of covert espionage operations overseas under a variety of covers including diplomatic and unofficial. Intelligence gathered during these operations is intended to help Pacific Orange decisionmakers, and all levels, to take informed courses of action. The CBI is a civilian service, though many of its members have previously served in the POSDF as part of the national draft service.
- Federal Security Agency
The Federal Security Agency or FSA is Pacific Orange's main domestic intelligence agency responsible for internal security and counter terrorism / espionage. The agency's main duties range from domestic surveillance activities to preventing foreign intelligence organisations from successfully gathering aintelligence against the Republic and investigating all government agencies, including that of the military, for crimes affecting national security. It is also responsible for protecting and securing documents, materials and facilities related to the nation's security and the monitoring of all subversive activity within the nation. A civilian service, the FSA does not have direct police powers but the creation of a Liason Department with the Ministry of the Interior enables it to work closely with law enforcement in order to carry out arrests, do searches with a warrant, etc.
- Military Inter-Services Office
After the poor performance of Pacific Orange's military intelligence during the September Invasion of 1967, the Military Inter-Services Office or MISO was created to handle and oversee intelligence sharing and coordination between the different military branches and other domestic security agencies as well as assume principal responsibility for external and domestic intelligence collection. The office's broad powers allowed the MISO to actively intervene in politics and during the 1970's, it played a crucial role in suppressing Pacific Orange liberalist dissent. The advent of democracy in the Pacific Orange has seen many of the duties and powers of the MISO curtailed, in response to public criticisms about past abuses, and the organisation now is responsible soley for intelligence matters pertaining to the POSDF.
Economy of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Economy of Pacific Orange
Soft White Wheat seen here being grown in the Central Highlands. Soft and light coloured, it is ideally suited for the temperate, moist conditions of the region.
The economy of Pacific Orange is based mostly on its wheat and lumber industries, whose further development is overseen by the partly state run Pacific Orange Wheatboard and Vosges Lumber Company respectively. Nonetheless, the nation's economic viability is not solely dependant on both sectors and throughout the latter half of the twentieth century - as the country underwent successive periods of modernisation - the production of manufactured goods and technology has played and continues to play an integral role in the steady growth of the Pacific Orange economy. Indeed the nation's early investments in developing and maintaining working harbours and more recently an interstate transit system has allowed for the easy movement of materials both into, within and out of the country; thereby enabling Pacific Orange to successfully cultivate healthy trade relations with both regional and global partners.
Recently, the nation has expanded into developing its financial sectors with the establishment of several private banking corporations independent from the government owned Pacific Orange Commercial Bank. Whilst still in their relative infancy, early successes suggest hopeful signs that such corporations will be able to assist in the near future with the country's development. Nonethless, the nation's admission into the Multicolored Cross-X Alliance trading bloc has played an enormous role in the nation's recent economic booms. The influx of agricultural products such as cattle, pigs, sugar, spices, fish and marble coupled with industrial materials ( eg. marble, iron and aluminium )and not to mention valuable minerals like gems has fed Pacific Orange's burgeoning beer, fast food and construction sectors of the economy in addition to the already reasonably well developed wheat and lumber fields. Similarly, the fostering of friendly trade relations within the network has found new markets for Pacific Orange industries - particularly its technology industry during the nation's early years - and thus new sources of revenue with which to fund the nation's economic growth.
Softwood lumber being processed at a lumber mill in the Schauinsland. Relatively fast growing, softwood is one of Pacific Orange's most popular wood types.
In terms of economic policy, the nation under the governing "Pan Red" coalition remains committed to pursuing a policy of semi nationalisation / semi privatisation particularly in industries with large amounts of national assets for example, the wheat and lumber industries. Under the current federal policy, the government continues to retain a sizeable stake ( circa 40% ) in all five major corporations responsible for overseeing the development of a particular field of the economy. The corporations are given state approved monopolies over their respective sectors and in return are bound by contract to employ a certain percentage of the Pacific Orange population and pay - arguably - higher taxes than on average. Nonetheless, the government claims that such semi socialist policies have produced the nation's current economic success.
As of current, Pacific Orange is considered a "growing, mostly developed and established nation" and its citizens enjoy on average daily incomes in excess of $200.00 per day as well as a relatively high literacy rate in the region of 100%.
Demography of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Demography of Pacific Orange
Modern living trends in Saint Victoria
Of the 50 000 people estimated to be living in Pacific Orange, most are now believed to have descended from Asian immigrants, the majority from China and Southeast Asia. Pacific Orange's population has quadrupled since the end of the First Great Patriotic War due to an ambitious immigration programme wherein immigrants were lured into the country by promises of government funded travel to and settlement within the country. Whilst such a policy was abandoned following the Second Great Patriotic War, almost 10 000 of the total population settled in the country as new immigrants meaning at least one out of five Pacific Orange citizens were born overseas. In 2007, the four largest ethnic groups of Pacific Orange were English ( 32% ), Chinese ( 26% ), Thai ( 22% ) and German ( 11 % ) and hence English, Chinese, Thai and German are the official languages of the Pacific Orange State.
However according to the 2005 census, English is the only language spoken at home for almost 70% of the population with the next most common languages spoken at home being Chinese at 12% and Thai at 8%. That said, it should be noted that a considerable proportion of the population is bilingual - especially among first and second generation immigrant families - which helps to explain the discrepancy between the percentage of English speaking people within the population and the proportion of people with English speaking backgrounds. Nonetheless under the cultural initiative programs implemented under the current education reforms, all school students are required to learn another language in addition to English and the government provides a large amount of federal grants to encourage the development of foreign language skills within the rest of the Pacific Orange population. At the present, the most popular languages studied besides English are French, Korean, Chinese and German.
Typical urban scenery in San Ming
Pacific Orange is a strictly secular state and thus has no state religion. Nonetheless, the 2005 census recorded that over 50% of the population ascribe to the Buddhist faith ( with a slight majority identifying themselves with the Mahayana branch over the Theravada form ) with just under 40% identifying themselves as Christian: predominantly either as Roman Catholic or Anglican. But like with many modernised countries today, the level of active participation in religious activities is much lower than the numbers suggested by the census with weekly attendances at temples or churches estimated at only 4 000, or about 8% of the population.
Pacific Orange boasts a high level of literacy of over 90%, well above the global standard. This is due primarily to the education policy currently in place within Pacific Orange. School attendance is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 - 18 years, with students being required to pass two sets of public examinations before being allowed to graduate and leave school. Government grants have been established to support Pacific Orange's 5 major schools and 2 universities, though many more private colleges and institutions have been established and recieve too government funding though to a lesser degree. In addition to universities, Pacific Orange operates a system of vocational training colleges where many trades conduct apprenticeships in order to train new tradespeople for the nation's employmee pool. Approximately 60% of Pacific Orange students advance to university following the completion of their 12th year of schooling and the percentage of Pacific Orange citizens between the ages of 21 - 65 with either a vocational or tertiary degree is amongst the highest in the region.
Culture of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Culture of Pacific Orange
Pacific Orange Exhibition Centre built in 1968 at Huskisson to house the nation's cultural works
The culture of Pacific Orange is diverse, reflecting regional and ethnic differences as well as the influence of recent immigration. Pacific Orange culture has played an important role within the nation and any perceived decline in cultural status is a matter of national concern. Indeed cultural issues are arguably more integrated in the body politic than elsewhere with each regional administration maintaing its own civil authority pertaining to cultural matters regarding that region. There are many regional cultures, linked to the various ethnic groups residing within Pacific Orange; for example English, Han Chinese, Thai and German. The official policy was for a long time to suppress local native customs, but it has relaxed to a great extent.
However, since the first Chinese settlements in the late 16th century and following the colonisation of the main islands by Europeans beginning from the 18th century, the primary basis of Pacific Orange culture has been a mix of Anglo-Saxon / ethnic Chinese traditions and customs. However over the past twenty years following the influx of large numbers of Thai immigrants after the admission of the New Territories in 1992, Pacific Orange ulture has been strongly influenced by Thai culture as well as modern overseas pop culture (particularly television and cinema) as the nation continues to undergo a process of modernisation.
In terms of artistic culture, the cultural nationalism programs initiated under the Bell presidency and undertaken for the most part by recent Labor governments has seen a flowering and flourishing of freedom and artistic licence in the pursuit of art; in particular within the Barras region, the traditional cultural heartland of the nation. Cultural landmarks achieved so far under this scheme includes São Francisco de Assis Church and the Ville Contemporaine Both not surprisingly have been declared national heritage sites by the current Labor government.
Tourism Board of Pacific Orange[]
For full article refer to: Tourism Board of Pacific Orange
Saint Victoria's Liberty Square is an iconic attraction for many tourists coming to Pacific Orange
The Republic of Pacific Orange offers a range of sights and sounds for visitors to explore and to enjoy. The sheer diversity in landscapes and environments means that the nation will have something for everyone, be it shopping in the hustle and bustle of the Island District, or a wilderness experience amidst the alpine forests of the Schauinsland, or a scenic stroll or cruise along the beaches and reefs of the Barras to the north. Indeed there is no other place in the world as diverse and unique as Pacific Orange. In order to assist travellers in experiencing the best which Pacific Orange has to offer, the government operates the Tourism Board of Pacific Orange located at Huskisson in the Barras but with offices situated throughout the rest of the country including all the regional capitals. Hotels, restaurants and other locations and events recommended by the Tourism Board are thus generally considered to be amongst the best within the country.
The primary responsibility of the Tourism Board is to advertise and promote Pacific Orange as a tourist destination worldwide, and to enhance the experiences of its visitors once they have arrived. It also maintains the Quality Tourism Services (QTS) scheme that guarantees high quality standards of Pacific Orange products, services, shops and restaurants.The role the Tourism Board thus plays in maximising the social and economics contributions that tourism makes to the community of Pacific Orange, makes it an integral part of Pacific Orange's efforts to carve out a niche as a distinctive, world class and most desired destination. The Tourism Board works in conjunction with the Pacific Orange Tourism Commission, which is tasked by the government to map out tourism policy and strategy. Both organisations are government funded and operated, coming under the direction of the Minister of Arts and Culture.
The Pacific Orange tourism industry has grown rapidly since the Tourism Board was set up in 1985. In 2007 alone, there were some 40 000 visitors: more than double the number of tourists in the 1960's and 1970's combined. Still on the 18th October 2007, the Minister of Arts and Culture unveiled the Tourism Board of Pacific Orange's bold targets to doubling visitor arrivals to 80 000 by 2017. As a result, the board now oversees all aspects of tourism, including resource allocation and long-term strategic planning in addition to providing travel agent licensing and tourist guide training. It has since established offices around the globe to promote Pacific Orange's destination abroad.
Natural Geography and Climate[]
For full article refer to: Tourism Board of Pacific Orange
Dreamy tropical scenery on the Barras coastline
The archipelago of Pacific Orange is located in East Asia, some 120km off the coast of mainland Stalinstan, to the north of Butsili and Pacific Green and south west of Ooosutoria. It is bound on all sides by the Pacific Ocean. The main island of Xuanzang is ... km long and ... km wide and is characterised by the contrasts between its southern tip consisting mostly of rugged mountains, gentler rolling plains in its centre and vast expanse of flat land to the north which finally opens out to beaches and the sea. Pacific Orange's highest point is the Pratyek at 3952 metres; the world's eighteenth highest peak. The Samyaksam river runs from the northern to the southern tips of the island and is a product of the volcanic action which has helped to create much of the Pacific Orange landscape. Two much smaller islands - the Matsu and Lanyu Islands - lie to the west of Xuanzang. Much less rugged than the 'mainland', both these islands boast high residential densities. To the south of Xuanzang is the New Territories - a medley of mostly uninhabited islands. The largest of these - the island city of Silom - is home to most Pacific Orange's ethnic Thai population.
Most of the country's agriculture takes place in the centre of the Xuanzang island where the terrain is less rugged and the soils relatively fertile, enriched by minerals deposited by previous volcanic activity. However, much of the land itself is largely arable with just under 60% of the main island devoted to some sort form of agriculture primarily in the harvesting of wheat with small sections devoted to cattle rearing and barley ( for beer making ). Furthermore, the cooler environments of the islands to the south of Xuanzang - namely those situated in the New Territories - makes them ideal for the growing of sugar beet from which raw sugar can be harvested.
More temperate landscapes of the Schauinsland
Pacific Orange's climate is varied. The climate in the northern part of the archipelago is marine tropical and in the early months of the year has a monsoon season. During the summer, hazards such as tropical cyclones and floods are common in the area. However for much of the rest of the year, it boasts a high level of sunshine and general good weather envied by the rest of the nation. The southern sections by contrast experiences a much drier maritime temperate climate with cool winters and warm summers. It is thus generally considered the more appealing area to live.
The ecosystem of Pacific Orange is perhaps unique within the region. Whilst most marsupial species endemic to the archipelago were wiped out by the influx of settlers and foreign pests and disease, much of the archipelago's natural vegetation remains - particularly amongst the uninhabited islands of the southern areas. Furthermore, conservation programs carried under successive Pacific Orange governments has seen a recent surge back in the numbers of native flora and fauna particularly as efforts have been made to promote more environmentally sustainable agricultural techniques. Talbot National Park located on the mountainous southernmost side of the Schauinsland is a superb location for spotting much of Pacific Orange's endemic wildlife and has many good examples of the birds, water buffalo and other fauna which used to populate the rest of Xuanzang.
Administrative Geography[]
For full article refer to: Tourism Board of Pacific Orange
Administrative Areas of Pacific Orange: 1. The Schauinsland, 2. The Central Highlands, 3. The Capitol District, 4. The Barras, 5. Matsu Island District, 6. Lanyu Island District, 7. The New Territories
1. The Schauinsland
Regional Capital: Gatenby
Originally settled by German revolutionaries fleeing persecution in the old world, the Schauinsland remains a rural, idyllic getaway dominated by the harsh but impressive Vosges mountains though increasingly under threat by the mechanical hand of industrialisation. Consisting primarily of villages scattered throughout the countryside, its capital Gatenby is the only city in the region to have a population exceeding 5000 in population. The region contains much of Pacific Orange's lumber reserves
2. The Central Highlands
Regional Capital: Franklin
The Central Highlands are the agricultural heartland of Pacific Orange. Due to its volcanic geological past and the frequency of moist, easterly winds, this region enjoys the highest amounts of rainfall and soil productivity rates in the entire country. Despite its rugged, mountainous terrain, this region features perhaps the most intensive land cultivation in the entire country. The bulk of Pacific Orange's grain comes from this region. Similarly, owing to the rich, volcanic soils, the region boasts some of the best wines produced within the country with the most of the nation's wine along with the best coming from this region.
3. The Capitol District
Regional / National Capital: Saint Victoria
The Capitol District is the political hub of Pacific Orange. The nation's capital, which doubles also as the regional capital, is located here. Having been the amongst the first areas of Pacific Orange to be settled during the early 1800's, this province boasts the largest population - approximately 10 000 in late 2006 - and is considered to be the financial powerhouse of the country. Indeed it is estimated that over 70% of all the nation's financial transactions are conducted in this province alone.
4. The Barras
Regional Capital: Huskisson
The Barras boasts the largest amount of sunshine and good weather in the entire nation along with a burgeoning tourism sector. Of all foreigners coming to Pacific Orange, more than 60% visit the Barras. Referred to often as the hub of liberalism within the nation, the Barras enjoys a flourishing and vibrant artistic culture which has produced such works such as the São Francisco de Assis Church and the Ville Contemporaine. The Pacific Orange Institute for Social Research is located here.
5. Matsu Island / Aberdeen Island
Regional Capital: Kaisheng
One of the two most heavily industrialised regions in the entire of Pacific Orange ( the other being Matsu's sister island Lanyu island ), Matsu Island holds the honour of having the highest concentration of steelworks and automobile factories within the nation. Settled originally by Chinese sailors sometime during the seventeenth century and thus long before the inhabitation of the main land, Matsu Island maintains a strong and distinctive Chinese culture clearly evident during celebrations such as Chinese New Year. Not surprisingly, the island is named after the Taoist goddess Matsu - the patron saint of all sailors and fishermen. Whilst technically and administratively a seperate region to Lanyu Island, the close proximity of both islands to each other ( not to mention their similar populations and origins ) means that the Matsu and Lanyu Island Districts are often collectively referred to as "The Island District."
6. Lanyu Island / Elisabeth Island
Regional Capital: San Ming
The other half of "The Island District", Lanyu was settled at roughly the same time as Matsu as part of a common seafaring culture. Thus like its sister island, Lanyu boasts a flourishing Chinese culture. One of the fruits bearing from Pacific Orange's period of intensive modernisation during the 1980's, the region is the industrial powerhouse of the nation producing close to 40% of all of Pacific Orange's manufactured goods. Pacific Orange's main armanents company - the semi nationalised Morgenroete Armanents Corporation - maintains both its headquarters and majority of its processing plants here.
7. The New Territories
Regional Capital: Silom
The New Territories are the most recent additions to the Pacific Orange nation following a plebiscite in which the majority of its inhabitants voted in favour of dissolving the former state of Rayong Saiyan and uniting with the Pacific Orange state. In contrast to most other regions, the population of the New Territories remains for the most part exclusively Thai with a rate of emigration far exceeding that of immigration into the region. As a result, the region is perhaps unique in the whole of Pacific Orange in that stringent anti-emigration laws have been implemented in a bid to minimise the decline in the regional population. By far the least developed of all the provinces, it has been designated a special administrative and economic zone by the government and is currently in a process of rapid industrial growth. Like the Schauninsland, the region contains sizeable remnants of old forest growth.
