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= Hephastoria = From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hephastoria, officially the People’s Democratic of Hephastoria, is an island in the north-central Indian Ocean and located at exactly 8°43'02.4"S 78°36'27.8"E. Its closest terrestrial neighbours are Sri Lanka to the North, the Maldives to the West, and Indonesia to the East. The capital city is Alaja.

With 728,500 square kilometres (281,300 sq mi), Hephastoria is the largest sovereign island by area in the Eastern Hemisphere.

History
Hephastoria was first discovered by chief Melkitaman Aistragiv’un of the Jabbarima tribe while on a sailing voyage to India in 1541. The tribe settled and inhabited the island for over two centuries until Dutch explorer Stovelar Wouter van Haarst, on a voyage in 1782 to Hephastoria came across it. After visiting, he brought word back to the Royal Court of the Netherlands about the vast agricultural potential the island possessed.

Intrigued by van Haarst’s talk of already fertile land for growing crops as well as a “suitable workforce” on the island, King Willem I sponsored three ships on an expedition to the island. On these ships were various vassals and planters whose jobs were to “enter into an agreement” with the Natives about working their land and obtaining profit from their produce. However, the tribe refused to negotiate, and the Europeans, refusing to return empty-handed, took over with hostility.

The Dutch colonised the entire island in 1783 and planted various exotic crops such as purple yam, broccoli and pineapple. The indigenous were forced to harvest these crops and worked under intense conditions.

There were some revolts over the course of the colonialism, led by a group called the ‘Katrawarrias.’ They fought for their freedom, and to preserve their heritage and the sanctity of their culture. Many were wounded and killed in battle with the Dutch.

On June 30, 1859, Mont Vuurdiren, after three centuries of dormancy, erupted. It wiped exactly half of the 1,300 inhabitants out and burnt over the farmland. The majority of the remaining Dutch, after seeing no more use for the island at the time, abandoned it.

The Natives remained and cultivated the remnants, and a decade after, the soils were more fertile than before due to the ashes. This led foreigners to settle and invest, particularly those from the South of India.

Independence
The country officially gained independence on November 13, 1860, by signing the “Treaty of Arbitration” with the Dutch Queen Emma (Princess of Waldeck and Pyrmont). The Treaty of Arbitration internationally recognised Hephastoria as a sovereign state and formally acknowledged the country as free of Dutch rule and able to negotiate with other foreign nations for assistance to rebuild after the eruption. The tribal system was restored and Ka’muna Kilkawet, one of the nation’s freedom fighters, became the first chieftess to rule.

Geography
Hephastoria encompasses three geological regions, the largest being  the Forested Region.

Unlabelled- Alatuma River with its tributaries the Alaima (left tributary) and the Saraina (right tributary)

Economy
The terms of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per Capita, Hephastoria is listed as one of the richest islands in the world. Its currency, Hephastoria Dollars is kept at a 1-to-1 with the US dollar. The country’s main economic activity is tourism and the government obtains its revenue from mostly import tariffs and tourism-related taxes, VAT, License fees, property taxes and stamps.

Tourism
The Island remained unpopular to tourists until the 2000s when the filming of “Mission Impossible” and “Aquaman” scenes was done giving the island’s exotic beaches and magnificent sceneries great exposure. Now, tourism accounts for 40% of the GDP and nearly 60% of foreign exchange receipts with import duties and tourism-related taxes accounting for more than 90% of the government revenue. Many tourist resorts in Hephastoria have transformed the island’s economy drastically in recent years creating direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities in other related industries on the islands. The number of resorts on the island has grown from two (2) in 1998 to ninety (90) in 2022 with its population slowly growing and millions of tourists visiting each year.

Fishing
Fishing is one of the dominant and oldest occupations for the people of Hephastoria. Seafood packaging plants have further advanced the growth of the fisheries sector which the government gives precedence. There are fish canning activities and other marine production carried out at strategic parts of the island for export. This engages about 30% of its population and contributes to about 28% of the country’s GDP.

Mining
A great percentage of people on the island have been mining in the desert for decades. Gold, diamond, bauxite, and copper were extracted and contributed to over 25% of the islands’ GDP in the early 1980s, however, this has declined in recent years since the boom of the tourism and construction sectors. It now contributes to about 10%.

Logging
This is done for domestic use on the island only since the country aims at protecting and sustaining its forest reserves. The diversity of plants in the forest supports animal life. This contributes significantly to the construction industry since there is no need to import timber.

Agriculture
Hephastoria imports 65% of its food from other countries but its major crops include fruits like Pineapple, apple, orange, cucumber, tomatoes, and other vegetables such as broccoli, purple yam and cauliflower.

Transport
Though there are mostly paved roads on the island, inter-island transportation includes ships, boats, yachts, aeroplanes, jets and cargo planes. There are four main airports on the island that millions of tourists pass through each year, contributing to the rapidly growing economy.

Demographics
Population/Religion

Population averaged around 786,639. Hephastoria is a diverse country,the island includes religions such as Protestant, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Non-religious.

Languages spoken

Languages includes English, Dutch, Hindi, Navajo and Yupik

Culture
Hephastoria has a diverse culture encompassing persons from the three ethnic groups, as well as the mixed-race formed from interrelationships.

The island's customs and festivals have reflected the primary inhabitants: Natives, Europeans (Dutch), and South Indians. Historically, Hephastorian culture arose as Natives, both forced and voluntarily, acclimated to and merged with the dominant Dutch culture. Colonialism erased some of the diversity between diverse Amerindian traditions, promoting the acceptance of Christianity and Dutch colonial norms; some of which have remained. Indian settlers who arrived later and under better conditions were not obliged to any assimilation and were able to immerse major components of their culture, like food, music and attire. Now, Hephastorian culture is a rich blend infused with aspects from all ethnicities residing.

Holidays
Some major observances include: Famous Landmarks


 * Mont Vuurdiren

This volcano is located in the Akapura Forest. The now extinct volcano caused the historic eruption that led to the freedom of the people.


 * Belium Falls

This is located at the mouth of the Alatuma River in the Akapura Rainforest. It is the guardian of our national flower the Heart-Shaped Herb. The water has the ability to provide strength and youthfulness.


 * Obelisk of Aistragiv’un

This monument was erected in order to mark the exact place on the shores of the island where the chief Melkitaman Aistragiv’un first stepped foot on the island

Government & Politics
Although initially a tribal system, over the years, the governing body of the country has evolved into a modern-day democracy.

The parliamentary system has been in effect since 1989, and comprises of thirteen (13) official members:


 * 6 Opposition
 * 6 Cabinet
 * 1 Speaker

The country has two main political parties.


 * People’s Contingency for Change.

Their policies include


 * Raising awareness for Women’s Rights
 * Free Food Provision; a system for poverty-stricken areas
 * Enhancing the Foster-Care System; ensuring the adoption process is thorough yet fast-paced while putting the child’s needs at the forefront


 * Nation’s Federation for Prosperity (NFP)

Their policies include


 * Raising awareness for offences done against the LGBTQIA+ community
 * Promotion of improved sex education systems to reduce teen pregnancy and spread awareness
 * Development of Low-Carbon Strategies and low-cost instalment of solar panels

National Symbols
The National Bird: The Phoenix

Signifies the resilience of the people. The phoenix represents,the country being ‘reborn from the ashes’ similar to the life cycle of a Pheonix

The National Animal: The Sarapuna

This fish is a rarity; being found nowhere else in the world but Hephastoria. With its sabre-toothed fangs, it is also the island’s fearsome protector.

The National Flower: Heart-Shaped Herb

The Heart-Shaped Herb possesses mystical appealing properties, unparalleled to none. It can cure any sickness or disease by drinking its nectar.

The National Flag: Rebirth of Triumph

Symbolises the metaphorical and literal resurrection of the country from the ashes. It encompasses:


 * The National Bird
 * A Torch- the flame symbolises the light of life (a nod to Ancient Native Indians)


 * Yellow X- symbolises perseverance and no surrender


 * Red- symbolises courage; physical and emotional survival
 * Black- symbolises strength and authority