Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg

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Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg Motto: In Truth We Stand Anthem: O Relevoiure! Official seal of the country.
Vital Information
Capital Largest City	Mobius Corners Mobius Corners
Official Language(s)	English
National Language	None
Denonym	Emeraldsbourgian
Government Prime Minister Deputy Minister	Parliamentary republic Timothy Palmford (MPP) Lacee Stolms (MPP)
Legislature	Parliament
Independence First Albion War Independence declared Albion flees Constitution drafted	from Albion 1786-1797 July 4, 1797 August 1797 July 1798
Population	53,000,596 (2010)
Land area	89,956.34 sq mi.
GDP Total Per capita	Last estimate M50 trillion M68,934
Currency	Mobiums (M)
Drives on the	Right
Calling code	809

The Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg is a country located on Mobius. The national capital is Mobius Corners. The country was founded on July 4, 1797.

History

The modern history of Emeraldsbourg begins circa 1565 A.D., when the Kingdom of Plance conquered what is now the province of Davidenia. Plance installed a royal governor (Leure governeure royale de Colonie in Plench,) in 1572. The Kingdom of Stadionia already laid claim to most of the territory, and declared war on Plance in 1574. The "Ten Years War", as it was called, ended in complete victory for Stadionia. In 1579, the Treaty of Gwhent was signed, and Stadionia ushered in direct control over Emeraldsbourg.

Stadionian Era

The Stadionian Era of colonial Emeraldsbourg lasted from 1579 to 1708. During most of this period, Emeraldsbourg was ruled by different governors, with each one being appointed by the Kings of Stadionia, Horisca IV (1579-1590) and Borleica (1590-1635). The economy was mainly driven by fishing and agriculture. The Stadionians allowed colonists to elect their own representatives to take care of local affairs. Unfortunately, a bloody coup took place in Stadionia around 1639, installing the army into power.

Changes were immediately felt in the colony. Whatever civil liberties and freedoms colonists enjoyed were revoked with the passage of the Emeraldsbourg Colonial Limitations Act of 1641. Militias and police forces were granted nearly unlimited powers in detaining and arresting colonists. The last straw for colonists came in 1697, when the arrest of James Hoyke for publishing a newspaper criticizing the colonial government was made public. Colonists took up arms and began to fight Stadionia for their freedom. The Kingdom of Albion, long time enemies of Stadionia, entered the war in 1703 on the colonists' side. Stadionia surrendered on July 6, 1708, in the town of Alegheny. The surrender ended 129 years of Stadionian rule.

Emeraldsbourg under Albion

The Emeraldsbourgian colonists were unprepared to govern themselves, so they looked to their Albonian allies for help. Albion saw the rich resources and thriving economy of Emeraldsbourg, and used those two reasons as precendents for taking control of Emeraldsbourg itself. King Lockhe II issued numerous decrees; each one tightening control over Emeraldsbourg. On November 26, 1708, the Emeraldsbourg-Albion Imperial Act was passed, placing Emeraldsbourg under Albionian imperial control.

Albion wanted to prevent another rebellion similar to the one that toppled Stadionia's government, so they treated the colonists with respect in the occupation's first years. By 1746, Emeraldsbourg was granted full representation in the Roks Dag, the Albonian parliament. In July 1756, Emeraldsbourg elected its first Prime Minister, John Abhrams, to serve a limited governmental role. Albion severed the last imperial link in 1763 by granting Emeraldsbourg autonomy over all political and social matters, with the exceptions of defense, trade, and foreign relations.

The amount of freedom enjoyed by colonists was short-lived, however. In January 1775, the Nottinghay Incident took place. A general for the Albion Royal 7th Army, Sir John Nottinghay, was shot by Emeraldsbourgian radicals near the trading post of Shuk. The radicals were immediately tried, found guilty, and hanged. Albion was furious. The government believed that Emeraldsbourg had misused their freedoms, and decided to tighten the reins. On February 6, 1779, martial law was declared in Emeraldsbourg. The Emeraldsbourg Colonial Rights Act was repealed in 1781 (eliminating the rights of colonists,) and Albion cut off most of Emeraldsbourg's trade with other countries by 1782. While Albion viewed these acts as a punishment for disobedience, colonists viewed it as a declaration of war.

Emeraldsbourg War of Freedom (1783-1796)

Emeraldsbourg did something that colonies had never done before: they declared full-blown war on Albion on March 16, 1783. Under Albionian law, colonies were never allowed control over defense and foreign affairs. Albion reacted quickly and furiously. They declared that any colonist captured by Albion soldiers would be killed without a trial. Norwich Island, the only colonial area that was overseen by Emeraldsbourg, was seized by the Albion Navy in June 1783. Albion began to prepare for three invasions of the mainland. One general described the anger in a letter:

"Albion was determined to keep Emeraldsbourg and punish everyone. They vowed to burn a hellish path of destruction through the countryside and make their former subjects pay. They didn't care about losing or diplomatically finding a solution. They wanted to see the colonists dead or remain Albionian."  -General Ludwig Hohne

Initially, the local colonial militias had very little weaponry, as most weapons were locked in warehouses in Albion to prevent a rebellion. Also, Albion's military made formidable gains in the beginning of the war, taking the town of Kills Quay on March 21, then the village of Hopeneok (160 miles southeast) on April 3. Although Albionian forces did retreat from Hyatt Grove on April 19 after invading on March 18, they quickly took the town of Green Hill to the north. By April 22, the coast and towns within a 121 mile radius of the coast was occupied by Albionian forces. The militia had only one advantage to work in their favor: the summer.

Albion's climate made summers seem cool compared to mainland summers, where temperatures regularly topped 80. Albion was caught off guard, and although the army came to within 10 miles of Alynhel (now known as Connordale,) then the colonial capital, a deadly heat wave killed half of the troops. Militias regrouped and quickly forced the parched troops west. Eventually, Albion retreated. While colonists celebrated, Albion warned them that the war was not over. In 1785, Albion invaded, but this time, they used guerrilla-style tactics. For the colonists, this meant periodic attacks. 1790 saw a front of Albionian soldiers invade from the west, although they were repulased by 1791.

1794 saw a turning point in the war. Plance recognized the colonists in February 1794 as the legitimate government of Emeraldsbourg, established diplomatic relations, and sent aid to the battle-weary militias. Some notable battles, such as the Battle for the High Loo and the Battle of Strutgort, ended in militia victory. In 1795, Plance and the colonists planned one final offensive, Operation Blitz West, to begin the following winter. Albion was given a few months to regroup, and they took back Strutgort in December 1795. The winter was warm, so major operations were able to continue as originally planned. In January 1796, Operation Blitz West was launched.

Operation Blitz West

A small diversionary force was sent to retake Hyatt Grove and Burnie in late January 1796. Albionian soldiers had fortified the towns and surrounding villages, and were prepared for the attacks. Fierce fighting dragged on for weeks, while more localized attacks were staged in other strategic towns. One Plench general said that this was Plan A: to distract Albion and cause enough casualties to open up the west and begin Plan B. Burnie was retaken by local militias in March, but Hyatt Grove became a bloodhaven, even though Albionian troops remained in firm control of the port. In early May 1796, Hyatt Grove was captured by the colonists. Plan B was to be executed by June 3 to allow time to regroup. However, the military leaders were concerned, as the entire operation depended on morale and whether or not Albion can send enough reinforcements to safeguard the coast.

Albion did capture a few soldiers in April 1796 that knew of Blitz West, and although the soldiers underwent merciless interrogation, beatings, and harsh treatment, they remained silent. Accounts in local history records state that the soldiers told Albion of the location of the next six attacks, all on Hyatt Grove, Green Hill and the ports in between. The interrogators were convinced that this was going to happen, and they immediately built up forces near Hyatt Grove. The soldiers lied, and the operation was still a go.

On June 2, one day ahead of schedule, Plan B of Blitz West began. Over 30,000 militia troops, Plench troops, and armed civilians marched west from the banks of the Pescus River to approach the coast and capture Albion. Some troops did make it to the coast, but approximately 76% of those involved in Plan B were shot and killed.

Surrender/Independence

Albion now had two concerns. If Hyatt Grove fell, then the port could be used by Plench ships and armed merchant ships to bombard Albion. Also, if Kills Quay fell to the colonists, then that would open up most of the coast for a large-scale invasion. Realizing that defeat was now inevitable, as no reinforcements could be gathered until the fall, General Alfred Winn negotiated a conditional surrender with the colonists. The surrender stated that Emeraldsbourg was to become a free, independent country with control over all affairs by 1797. In addition, Albion would relinquish its claim to any territory taken from Plance and Emeraldsbourg. In return, Albion would be spared from occupation. The day before the signing, July 4, 1797, Emeraldsbourg declared its independence, becoming the free Federal Repbulic of Emeraldsbourg. July 5 saw the signing of the surrender in Kills Quay, and the end of the war. After over 230 years of colonial rule, Emeraldsbourg was a free country.

Early Years

Emeraldsbourg had started the process of drafting a consititution in 1791, but the war delayed any effort to have it ratified. Thus, the new country's first order of business was to finish drafting the constitution. In the interim, however, the country would need to have a short-term solution for funding, a government, and rights and freedoms. To address this concern, the new Transitional Council of Emeraldsbourg passed the Foundation Act in early 1798. This act was to act as the "constitution" until one could be written.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg was ratified on January 16, 1798; a day which is celebrated as "Constitution Day" in the FRE. The Constitution called for a bicameral parliament to serve as the legislative body, a Prime Minister to serve in the role of chief executive, and a new, 8-justice High Court to oversee judicial affairs. The Prime Minister would be advised by the Executive Council. The Constitution also called for the formation of provinces to serve as governments at the secondary level, and counties to serve at the third level.

In the country's early years, the economy was dominated by agriculture, as most of the population lived in rural areas. The capital, Alynhel, was home to almost 97,000 people in 1800. Manufacturing was sporadic, and fishing was confined to coastal areas. Thus, the economy was slow to recover from the war. However, Parliament initiated major reforms in 1801 that liberalized the market and diversified the economy. Within ten years, Emeraldsbourg's economy had recovered and even began to surpass that of its former superiors, Albion.

Plench Civil War

In mid-1813, a civil war broke out in the Republic of Plance. The civil war was a source of major concern for Emeraldsbourg. First, Plance was Emeraldsbourg's first and foremost ally; any change in government could spell trouble. Second, Emeraldsbourg was very weak at the time, so any change in government to a radical, imperialist group would threaten Emeraldsbourg's status as an independent country. Thus, Emeraldsbourg decided to initiate limited combat operations in Plance and fortify border towns. Plance's pro-liberal government won the conflict, and the conservative, anti-Emeraldsbourgian government was dissolved.

Imperialism and the Telegraph

Emeraldsbourg's naval strength was tested against Albion in 1830, when Albion used its navy to bombard the Emeraldsbourg coast. Initially, some ports, such as Hyatt Grove, were heavily damaged and the death toll was high. However, the Parliamentary Navy eventually responded with a bombardment on major Albionian cities in 1832 and 1833. Albion surrendered on January 10, 1834. The signing of the Treaty of Hyatt ended Albion's empire by rewarding all of Albion's colonial possessions to Emeraldsbourg.

Emeraldsbourg did not realize what imperialism meant, as just decades before they were a colony of the country they just beat. However, Parliament opted to assert control over its new territories between 1834 and 1838:

• San Rico & the Leeway Islands (colonized 1834): The three "Home Islands", as they are now known, remained part of Albion under Albion's 1797 surrender. However, by losing the sea skirmish, Albion ceded control to Emeraldsbourg. Self-government was not permitted in the Leeways and San Rico until 1965. To this day, the group of islands remains part of Emeraldsbourg.
• Gurid Island (colonized 1835): Gurid Island, now Westside Island, was occupied by the FRE in mid-1835. Due to a referendum on independence failing to gain enough popular support, Westside Island remains part of Emeraldsbourg.
• Cocoa Island (colonized 1834): Cocoa Island was occupied in 1834 by the Parliamentary Navy. Under the Treaty of Hyatt, Cocoa Island was to become an Emeraldsbourgian colony. However, Emeraldsbourg didn't find any interest in Cocoa Island, and the island was returned to Albion in 1847.
• North Peak Republic (colonized 1835): The North Peak Republic was absorbed into Emeraldsbourg in 1835, and the area now forms Perkins Province.

Emeraldsbourg viewed imperialism as a very "interesting" business. Parliament immediately reformed its foreign policy toward one of imperialist intention and a role of "keeper of the peace". Ten years of militarization culminated in the acquisition of 25,000,000 square mi. of new territory, 45 million people, and countless natural resources. The quick, and often costly acquisition of such territory led to the creation of a new Ministry of Colonial Affairs, which was responsible for maintaining control over the colonies and territories. The invention of the Mobian telegraph in 1859 enabled speedy communication, and Emeraldsbourg began a project to connect its entire empire with telegraph cables. By 1874, 98% of the empire was covered with telegraph lines.

For the remainder of the 19th century, Emeraldsbourg maintained control over its empire, and eventually saw that the empire couldn't be firmly controlled by Parliament for long. Beginning in 1892 with Bong Nong, certain colonies were granted Upper Colony status; the people of such colonies were granted self-government and control over all affairs, with the exception of defense and foreign relations.

Klestov: Part I

By 1909, the Kingdom of Klestov, an absolute monarchy in the East, endured a bloody coup to overthrow the royal family and install a new democratic government. The royal family was overthrown, but a new socialist government came to power in 1911. Baswhaica, a country to the south of Klestov, installed a communist dictatorship. Baswhaica accidentally bombed four cities in Krvystan (then an Emeraldsbourg colony) in 1912, leading to the deaths of 2,900. Emeraldsbourg declared war on Baswhaica on December 6, 1912, beginning the Seven Lakes War. The Emeraldsbourg declaration of war included those territories that were administered by the Ministry of Colonial Affairs. Klestov declared war on Emeraldsbourg, Scootania, and Plance in early 1913. Baswhaica, with Klestovian support, quickly occupied Eastern territories that belonged to Scootania and Emeraldsbourg.

Most of the war was fought in the Far Eastern territories of Mobius. In June 1917, a peace treaty was signed after Emeraldsbourg, Plance, and Sccotania lost the war. Emeraldsbourg had to give up rights to Krvystan.

Panic of 1916

Four "panics" occurred in 1895, 1899, and 1916. The Panic of 1916, partially caused by a complete shutdown of the agriculture sector, ruined Emeraldsbourg's economy. The unemployment rate rose to about 31.3%, the highest since the colonial era. Although Parliamentary reforms came in 1919 and 1920, it was only after M89.1 billion in spending cuts and reallocation that people went back to work. By 1923, the Panic had ended, with the unemployment rate nosediving to 3.4%. However, the poor response to the Panic of 1916 would hurt many MPs' chances of reelection in 1924. Only 4 of the 239 MPs that were in office in 1916 would be reelected. In the midst of the Panic, however, radio broadcasting began when an impoverished man broadcast a 30-second song over station RCELS, now RECC-FM 102.7, in late 1921.

Klestov: Part II

At the end of the Seven Lakes War, Klestov was in physical, mental, and economic ruins. Although they won the war, they paid the price in the form of 9,089,000 casualties and a large, multi-billion dollar debt. While socialist reforms in the 1920s did help boost recovery, many Klestovians wanted change. The democratic government in Klestov was overthrown in a bloody coup in 1931, and a hardline communist dictatorship headed by Joseph Breaz took over. The Breaz government immediately began to "improve" the country and restart the economy. Breaz also resolved to rearm the people and force conscriptions. The small nation had a military force of over 2,000,000 active and reserve troops by 1935. Klestov militarized the Srecef River valley in 1936 and conquered Krvystan and Baswhaica in 1937. These moves prompted Scootania and the formerly neutral nation of Great Nechten to send troops on reconnaissance missions there in 1937. Most of them were massacred in 1938, and Klestov declared war on December 1, 1938. This action began the Second Klestovian War.

Scootania, Great Nechten, Station Square, Plance, and Albion all declared war on Klestov in 1939. Emeraldsbourg, having lost a world war before, decided to stay out of the conflict at first. Parliament asked for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. In 1940, a group of warplanes bombed Plench cities. This move worried Emeraldsbourg, as one target, the town of Alscaire, was only 97 miles north of the border. Unfortunately, the FRE could not stay out for too long. Klestov decided to bomb tiny villages and the countryside of northern Emeraldsbourg to tell them to stay out of the conflict. The fall 1940 bombing of Davidson claimed 4,938 lives and injured another 1,000. Prairie Hill was also bombed, but the death toll was very low. An angered and unified Emeraldsbourg declared war on December 5, 1940. Almost immediately, Plench and Emeraldsbourgian forces drove north, demolishing Klestovian forces. They liberated Plance City, the capital, in early 1942. Albion's forces declared a protectorate over Station Square in case Klestov decided to take over the city. The supposed invasion never came to fruition.

On the Far Eastern Front, Klestovian forces ravaged the countryside of Scootania, but that country never surrendered. By 1943, Emeraldsbourg, Plance, Scootania, Great Nechten, Albion and Bong Nong forces "squished" Klestov from the east and west; Scootanian forces took the capital, Klestov City, around 0200 hours on January 2, 1944. Klestov surrendered on January 4. The winning countries decided to occupy Klestov until 1952, when a true democratic government took power. The occupation ended on June 5, 1952, and Klestov became a republic. A non-aggressive, communist government took over in 1955. The war saw bombings in Emeraldsbourg. Klestov's infamous "Bombing Runs" of 1941 and 1942 became a symbol of the tragic war, and although the PAF shot down the majority of the planes, the planes did bomb major cities, including Mobius Corners.

Post-war Emeraldsbourg

The remainder of the 1940s saw a rapid reconstruction effort in Plance and Emeraldsbourg. The two countries provided assistance to each other, establishing closer ties. The 1940s and 1950s saw major technological advances come to the FRE. In 1949, Emeraldsbourg's first television broadcast was made: a 2 minute long speech was broadcast from a transmitter in Oldham by ETCM-TV, part of the Emeraldsbourg Television Corporation (ETC). ETC would hold a monopoly on television broadcasts until 1983. The BreezeWay system was built between 1947 and 1961, making transport easier. High-speed rail came in 1967, and the first glass skyscraper was built in West Allis in 1963.

The old system of provinces had been abolished in 1919 to save money during the Panic. Emeraldsbourg decided that the system of a federal government and counties at the second level was too dysfunctional, so provinces were reestablished in 1949. Emeraldsbourg declared war on Albion in 1951 to begin the Cocoa Island War, a conflict that lasted 4 months. Albion surrendered on May 9. The Treaty of Flowers, signed on May 6, 1951, forced Albion's realignment as Echidna Country, an independent republic with indestructible trade and diplomatic links with Emeraldsbourg. After the war, Emeraldsbourg declared itself a neutral country; the FRE would not fight in anymore wars except in self-defense and with UMC (United Mobian Coalition) approval. Emeraldsbourg witnessed an economic boom in the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in Emeraldsbourg obtaining a per capita GDP of M46,934 by 1984.

Rebellion of 2009

Emeraldsbourg used the "self-defense" section of its neutrality declaration as a justification to fight against the militarily and tactically superior Glacian Nation in 2009. Martial law was declared in some areas and the border was closed. At first, the FRE's intervention was criticized as "stupid". After the Second Klestovian War, Emeraldsbourg undertook a domestic policy of disarmament, reducing its armed forces from 4,900,000 men in 1946 to 720,900 men and women by 1970. The Rebellion forced Emeraldsbourg to build up its military strength, reaching 2,200,000 men and women by December 2009. The Glacian Nation inflicted heavy losses on the FRE, culminating in the total annihilation of the Emerald Coast and the unsuccessful March to Glacier Peak. Both sides eventually agreed to a peace treaty, and rebuilding began immediately. The ordinances in the Mobius Corners suburb of Stewburt, largely the cause of the Rebellion, were revoked by Parliament and the federal government declared federal rule in the city. The federal rule in Stewburt continues to today.

The Rebellion had many effects on Emeraldsbourgian society. To this day, Emeraldsbourgians have a noticeable anti-Glacian sentiment. The rapid militarization of the FRE will, according to the government, help protect Emeraldsbourg in the case of another conflict.

Government

The seal of the FRE, created in 1940.

The Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg is a parliamentary republic. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg calls for a federal government that is to be divided into three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive. The legislative branch is the Emeraldsbourg Parliament. The Parliament is legally a bicameral legislature, as set forth in the Constitution. The two houses are the House of Legislators and the Emerald Council. The House of Legislators is considered the lower house of Parliament. The H.L. has 200 members: 150 members represent constituents on the Mainland, 45 represent the territories of Emeraldsbourg, and 5 represent the armed forces. Previously, the armed forces had no representation in Parliament until 1901, when it was decided to give the military limited representation to prevent any possible coups. H.L. members are elected every 3 years. The Emerald Council is the upper house of Parliament; it is composed of 100 members: 70 members represent constituents on the Mainland, 28 members represent territories, and 2 members are from the armed forces. Council members are elected every 5 years.

The Constitution states that Parliament has the sole rights to pass and amend legislation, declare war, appropriate and amend the federal budget, bring federal officials to trial, override vetos, and amend federal resolutions. Another lesser used right of Parliament is the right to declare martial law. While the Prime Minister can implement a state of emergency, only Parliament can bring the country under martial law. Parliament can also amend the federal tax code, which provides a framework for federal and some territorial taxes.

The executive branch is headed by a Prime Minister, who acts as the country's chief executive. The Prime Minister is elected every 5 years. He is the executive commander of the armed forces, and can send troops in limited roles to different areas. The Prime Minister, according to the Constitution, has the sole rights to sign temporary federal orders, dissolve federal courts, appoint governors in imperial territories, appoint High Court judges, reorganize his Board of Advisors, abolish or merge federal agencies, and sign/veto legislation. When Parliament declares martial law in the territories, the President can enact his own imperial legislation with the approval of the Emerald Council. The current Prime Minister is Timothy Palmford. In the event that the Prime Minister cannot serve, the deputy Prime Minister would become the Prime Minister. The Board of Advisors is a group of citizens who advise the Prime Minister, similar to a cabinet in other countries. The BOA of 2011 is composed of 20 members, each representing a different federal agency.

The judicial branch is composed of the ten Federal Case Courts, the Federal Appeal Court and the High Court of Emeraldsbourg. At the lowest level, the Federal Case Courts are responsible for hearing cases that involve violations of parliamentary law, federal tax codes, and matters between provinces. In the event of an appeal, the Appeal Court in West Allis will try to come to a decision. Should the Appeal Court's decision be appealed by the plaintiff or the defendant, the High Court would probably hear the case. All cases are reviewed; some cases that are appealed to the High Court are not heard. In this case, the Appeal Court's decision is considered final. High Court cases involve 8 justices which are appointed by the Prime Minister. The High Court's decisions are not considered verdicts, as there is no jury. Instead, decisions are issued, which detail the High Court's final decision on a case. High Court decisions are final unless they involve international law.

There are other federal courts which handle other matters. Military cases are tried in the tribunal justice system. Territorial cases are treated as provincial cases, but unlike provinces, the Federal Case Courts serve as the highest courts.

Administrative Divisions

The Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg is divided into eleven provinces and four insular island territories, all of which are in the Emerald Sea. The secondary level of government was the county from 1919-1949, when the provinces were reestablished. In the table below, all provinces are listed, along with territories in italics.

Name	Abbreviation	Population (2010)	Capital	Largest City
Olympia	OM	9,293,483	Emeraldsville	Emeraldsville
Seaside	SE	18,093,485	Mobibu	Parkview
Alexander	AX	6,793,003	Alexandertown	Alexandertown
Perkins	PK	3,098,593	Perkins City	North Peak
Salem	SL	7,023,291	Salemsville	Stewartstown
Allis	AI	14,993,200	Trussville	West Allis
Owisoga	OW	8,000,029	Owisagan	Owisagan
Rogers	RG	2,692,938	Prairie Hill	Prairie Hill
Medial	MJ	5,004,394	Medialtown	Joshowici
Midlands	ML	22,394,302	Midlandsville	Mobius Corners
Oshawa	OS	4,999,594	Oshawa City	Oshawa City
San Rico	SR	3,000,012	En Rico	En Rico
Leeway Islands	LW	2,304,000	Grand Leeway	Lorasburg
Loka Toka Island*	LT	100*	None*	None*
Westside Island	WS	955,431	Westsburg	Port of Dohaica

* - Loka Toka Island is a resort island owned by Scooter the Hedgehog. Nevertheless, it is considered part of the FRE. There are no cities; it is a resort island, and the permanent population of 100 are marine scientists.

Defense

Main article: Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg/Military

Defense for the Federal Republic of Emeraldsbourg is considered complex and somewhat centralized. All defense operations are carried out from Central Command, which is headquartered in Collegeville. The Emeraldsbourg Armed Forces & Corps (EAFC) is the army. They are responsible for ground operations. After the 2009 Rebellion, the EAFC emerged with advanced weaponry and communications equipment. The EAFC is divided into four primary units: Midland Corps, Front Line Corps, Engineer Corps and Cavalries. The EAFC, although sufficient enough on the ground, is supplemented by other military divisions: the Parliamentary Air Force (PAF), which provides comprehensive air support; the Parliamentary Navy, which is responsible for maritime military operations; Spezial Ops, which maintains futuristic technology and handles special missions; and Medical and Residential Corps, which maintains living facilities for troops and provides them with state of the art medical care. The budget for the military is set by Parliament. The military can also take over civilian government in areas where martial law is declared.

Economy

Emeraldsbourg's economy is highly diversified. In colonial times, the economy was mainly dependent on agriculture, namely corn, rice, and soybeans. Fishing and pearling were popular along the coast; while fishing is still a popular economic and recreational activity on the coast, pearling has declined since the 1980s. On the mainland, agriculture is still popular. The primary crops grown in the country are corn, beans, vegetables, and wheat in the Allis River valley. Emeraldsbourg also has a strong sense of industry, as manufacturing is one of the primary activities near urban areas. 59% of the country's factories can be found along a corridor from West Allis to Mobius Corners. The FRE's unemployment rate is low, at a mere 5.1% as of February 2011.

In recent years, MPP governments have placed an important emphasis on recreation and technology. In 1987, the "Silicon Strip" was created in the cities of Wolfington, Belmont, Emeraldsville, and Milner. The Strip is home to major electronic companies, including Emfone, a major producer and manufacturer of cell phones and telecommunications equipment. It is estimated that 69% of Emeraldsbourg's jobs are centered in the manufacturing, research, and technology fields alone. Agriculture and construction jobs have since declined.

Standard of Living

Emeraldsbourg has a very high standard of living, fueled in part by very high taxes paid by the wealthy and a lack of dependence on oil. The average price for ethanol gasoline is under M2.00 ($1.95) at most times. Infrastructure in Emeraldsbourg is highly developed and maintained, with blackouts highly uncommon. The heavy usage of renewable energy, taxes that vary based on income, and adequate education contribute to the fact that Emeraldsbourg is ranked in the top 15 on the Mobian Living Index, an index that measure's a country's standard of living.

Culture

Media

Emeraldsbourg's media sources are highly diversified; the Constitution grants freedom of the press. Radio and television are the two primary mass media mediums in the country, with newspapers having a lesser impact.

Television

Television broadcasts in Emeraldsbourg began in mid-1949 with the launch of ETCM-TV, the Mobius Corners affiliate of the Emeraldsbourg Television Corporation (ETC), the country's public broadcaster. The ETC's coverage would reach the other major cities by 1961, and by 1965, 99% of the country was covered with television broadcasts. Parliament initially banned any private ownership of television stations to prevent the ETC from failing in its first years, as it was feared that viewers could turn to private stations and view better programs. In 1983, the ban was lifted. Since 2011, a television license fee has been levied by Parliament, which is used to fund the public broadcaster, ETC.

As of April 2011, four major television broadcasters operate in Emeraldsbourg:

• The Emeraldsbourg Television Corporation (ETC) (Rating Rank: #2): The ETC is the country's primary public broadcaster, owned by the Government of Emeraldsbourg. Funded by a television license fee (since 2011; TTCable subscribers exempt), the ETC is one of two broadcasters that do not air advertisements of any kind. In Spring 2011, the ETC reorganized itself into three channels: ETC1 (general interest and news programs), ETC-S (sports), and ETC Kids. Each province has up to 3 ETC offices, which provide local news and some local programming to local viewers.
• The Prower Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) (Rating Rank: #1): Launched in its present form in 2009, the PBC is a de facto public broadcaster. The PBC is owned and operated by Procom.
• MobiMedia (Rating Rank: #3): The pioneer private television network, MobiMedia was founded in 1983. MobiMedia rose from the ashes of the dead Public Television Act (1949); when the act expired, private broadcasts commenced. MobiMedia is owned and operated by the MM Corporation.
• MOTV (Rating Rank: #4): MOTV launched in 1991 as the second private television network. Although MOTV covers more of Emeraldsbourg than the other broadcasters, its ratings are very low as programming on PBC, MobiMedia and ETC are of better quality.