Duchy of Migorenis
Official Names:
苗光公國 Watatama Konkoku (Vatatamese)
苗光公國 Kungkwek (Sorgunese)
Ethnic Groups:
– Scalies: 63.9%
– Mammals: 19.9%
– Avians: 9.4%
– Marines: 5.6%
– Arthropods: 0.8%
– Others: 0.4%
Religion (1020 est.):
– Irreligion or folk religion: 76.1%
– Madrucism: 10.9%
– Vatatamese animism: 2.6%
– Avecitism: 2.5%
– Srahamti: 1.8%
– Carianism: 1.4%
– Other: 0.2%
– Undeclared: 4.5%
Capital: Maieda
Largest city: Entori
Official languages: Vatatamese, Sorgunese
Recognised minority languages: Chosinyu, Heke, Yellow Imusandi, Red Imusandi
Government:
– Duke: Minkoren no Keidomori
– Prime Minister: Hakigura Sanmai
– Legislature: House of Chancellors
Population: 19,704,177 (1020 est.)
Area: 334,186 km2
Population density: 59.0 /km2
GDP (PPP): US$700.5 billion
GDP (PPP) per capita: US$35,551
HDI: 0.911 very high
EAFDS: Level II
PHI: Very stable
Currencies: Migorenis knife (MGS), Vatatamese yan (VTY)
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +810
Country’s TLD: vt, mi.vt
Migorenis (Vatatamese: 苗光 Minkoren; Sorgunese: Meokwang), officially, the Duchy of Migorenis, is a an independent country of Vata-Tama. Migorenis is bordered by Zadamia to the west, the Sorgunese exclave of Taba to the north, Cyntope to the north, Atimazon to the east, Pataiamae to the southeast, and the Sorgunese exclave of Wahe to the southwest. Migorenis is a constituent country of Vata-Tama, and is the third most populous of the nine independent countries of Vata-Tama. Its capital city is Maieda, and the largest city is Entori.
Migorenis was inhabited by proto-Vatatamese mammalian people groups for thousands of years during the Neolithic area, before being supplanted by the migration of Cormantian scalies during the sixth millennia AV. Vatatamese clan structures emerged, with the oldest being the Henikozan Clan founded in 1750 AV (now extinct). Migorenis’s fertile and arable landscape ensured rapid population growth and trade, culminating in its tributary status to Sorgun by the middle of the Asa Era. Migorenis was the centre of numerous wars and invasions by neighbouring clans and marine states. In 772, the Migorenian clans of Minkoren, Koeyuma, Takazani, Shugon and Watete created the Migorenian Confederation (苗光聯邦). Not all the clans joined the confederation, and in 839, the Migorenis Wars broke out between the pro-confederation and pro-independence clans. On 27 Ferficero 856, the pro-confederation faction established the Duchy of Migorenis, with the head of the Minkoren clan, Izanosara, elected duke of the newly established duchy. Migorenis signed the 890 Treaty of Vatatamese Harmony (渡和條約), but withdrew briefly between 899-905, and again from 915-920 due to disputes over land and political representation. In 926, Migorenis enacted universal racial suffrage, allowing its non-scalie population to vote. Between 934-941, the country briefly became a dictatorship under Banazan Mihei, an army general and head of the Shinhenikozan Clan. When Banazan was overthrown in 941, Migorenis returned to democracy. Between 950-990, the duchy underwent tremendous economic growth. Migorenis became a developed country by 991, and in 996, it joined the Vatatamese Single Currency Initiative (VSCI).
Migorenis is a member of the International Gatrovian League, the Vatatamese Single Currency Initiative, the International Criminal Justice Agreement, Gatrovian Bank, Tea Forum, Cormantian Dialogue, the Algidan Mandatory Agreement, Association of Oceanic States and Marine Wildlife Conservation Agenda. Like other Vatatamese countries, the country is diplomatically represented as Vata-Tama through the Treaty of Vatatamese Harmony, though individual nations may conduct bilateral relations with Migorenis itself.
Etymology
Migorenis is the Vasurisation of the native Sorguno-Vatatamese reading of Minkoren (苗光), which itself is derived from the dominant clan of the same name. The name of the country literally translates as ‘radiate seedling’, named after the arable lands of the Migorenian Plains. Minkoren as a geographic region is attested as early as the Book of Later Quon (circa 327 AV), but was adopted as a clan name in earnest in 479 PV when it was founded by Prince Zuengo, a disgraced member of the Hichono clan.
Some linguists suggest that the name of Migorenis is centuries older than its first attestation in 327 AV. The Book of Penga (920 AV) twice mentions the name: Mhinggulenra (夢武聯露), which is probably a transliteration of a proto-Imusandi word.
Government
Migorenis is an independent, sovereign, yet constituent country of Vata-Tama under the Treaty of Vatatamese Harmony. The current Constitution of 967 reaffirms the independence of Migorenis and its government, while explicitly acknowledges its status as a tributary state of Sorgun under article 2.2, and is obligated to send annual tributes to Sorgun.
The government takes the framework of a constitutional monarchy, with the duke its head of state, and the prime minister the head of government. The current duke is Prince Keidomori who has been duke since 992. The legislature is the unicameral House of Chancellors, an elected body with elections held once every four years. Prior to 890, the clans of Migorenis wielded overwhelming power in its politics. Today, the 178 registered clans of Migorenis have little to no formal political power, though their influence remains manifested through businesses conglomerates, political parties, factions, education, civil service and law.
Since 970, the country has been dominated by the Democratic Nationalist Front (DNF) and Party for Equality and Prosperity (PEP), of which the former represents the interest of businesses, clans, and libertarian policies, while the latter espouses socialist policies, welfare state, worker rights, and the reduction in influence of the clans, their associations and businesses.
Foreign relations
Migorenian international representation comes in two forms: national (where Migorenis represents itself as an independent sovereign country) and supranational (where Migorenis is represented through Vata-Tama). Most countries engage with Migorenis through Vata-Tama, though a few countries, such as the other Vatatamese states, Algida Republic and Sorgun treat Migorenis as its own sovereign entity.
As tributary state of Sorgun, Migorenis is obligated to pay annual tribute to Sorgun.
Migorenis’s relations with its fellow Vatatamese neighbours have historically been tense. Between 880-930, the country, through the competing interests of its clans, had numerous border disputes with Atimazon, Sorgun and Zadamia. The unifying effect of the Treaty of Vatatamese Harmony warmed relations over time. In Oghus of 933, Migorenis established formal diplomatic relations with Atimazon and Zadamia after confirming the border between the two countries. In 946, the Province of Wahe (which was populated by mostly Vatatamese dragons) was transferred to Sorgun, becoming an exclave of the dragon empire, placating and dramatically improving Migorenis-Sorgun relations.
Migorenis has traditionally, and still is, been a sceptic of Vatatamese unity. Along with Zadamia and Idzamora, Migorenis’s significant non-scalie minority (particularly mammalian minorities) have been opposed to Vatatamese unification. In Migorenis alone, even scalie clans, including the Hatamora clan (a powerful clan of green grass lizard, and proprietors of Hatamora Corporation KK) have been, to this day, opponents to unification primarily on business grounds. In a 1018 survey conducted the Taemon City University Department of Sociology, however, over 40% of respondents in Migorenis expressed support for Vatatamese unification against 31% favouring the status quo and 21% against (8% did not know). The challenges towards unification remains a contentious and divisive topic that transcends economic, political and cultural grievances.
Defence
As a member of the Vata-Tama Mutual Defence Pack (VMDP), Migorenis is responsible for contributing part of its military defence spending and manpower to the United Vata-Tama Armed Forces (UVAF). Its two indigenous branches, the Migorenis Army and Navy, have since 961 been handed over to the UVAF. Migorenis’s only independent branches of its defence force include the Migorenian Marine Corps, Migorenian Coastguards and the Migorenian Intelligence Gathering and Special Operations Unit (or simply Ninja Force) which work in tandem with other domestic and Vatatamese military branches.
Like other Vatatamese states, Migorenis is a close ally of Sorgun. As part of the tributary system, Migorenis is under obligation by the Sorgunese Armed Forces to protect it from foreign invasions, except by those of other fellow Vatatamese states. In 982, the joint Vatatamese-Sorgunese ISB Hedemo Naval Base was opened in the outskirts of Gumei, further entrenching Migorenis relations with Sorgun. Like many other Vatatamese states, Migorenis purchases a majority of its arms from Sorgun, and stations over 6,000 Sorgunese troops on its soil.
As of 1019, Migorenis’s defence spending amounted to ¥185 billion (US$617 million), down from ¥200 billion from 1018.
Judiciary and law enforcement
The supreme law of the country is the Constitution of Migorenis, while supplementary laws are provided by various Vatatamese treaties and legislation through the Vatatamese Assembly. The Supreme Court of Migorenis is the highest court in the country, outranking provincial and municipal courts. The Supreme Court is charged with constitutional and judicial review, as well as the dismissal and impeachment of government officials. Migorenis law is derived from Sorgunese Civil law.
In 980, the Vatatamese Penal Code was enacted into law in Migorenis, replacing the 943 Migorenian Penal Code. Nevertheless, local amendments, addenda and differences in interpretation have made application of the Vatatamese Penal Code somewhat problematic. In 983, when then Deputy Prime Minister Echiko Manza was accused with embezzlement (on account of his offshore assets mounting to billions of Sorgunese Yan), Migorenis interpretation of the Vatatamese Penal Code resulted in his acquittal, despite Pataiamae courts interpretating otherwise.
Law enforcement is conducted through the Migorenis Ducal Constabulary and Police Force (MDCPF). The MDCPF is divided into two branches: policing and prison services. The Migorenis police has jurisdiction over the entirety of Migorenis, in addition to a few border towns in Pataiamae and Zadamia which overlaps with other police jurisdiction. Like many Vatatamese law enforcement agencies, the Migorenis Police are amongst the most trusted institutions in the country. Crime rates are low, and police are almost always unarmed.
Human Rights
Migorenis signed the Vatatamese Human Rights Accord in 971, and the state has continued to defend the constitutional values of human rights since. Freedom of information, speech and assembly are respected, and Migorenians generally express high trust in their institutions.
Like the rest of Vata-Tama, Migorenis experiences significant political lobbying and influence from the clans. While laws and legislation have limited the powers of the clans, and have constitutionally precluded them from participation in politics and civil administration, clans continue to support and campaign for various political parties for gains. According to a 1013 study conducted by the Entori Institute of Business and Economics, clan participation in the Migorenis political system, especially through the Democratic Nationalist Front (DNF), is correlated with a 10 percentage point decrease in voter turnout amongst ordinary citizens. Since the 980s, voter turnout in elections have remained constant between 35-45%, making Migorenis voters one of the least politically active in all of Vata-Tama.
Internet censorship is virtually non-existent. Nevertheless, in 1012, the Migorenis Department of Telecommunications and Media led an internet crackdown of website deemed ‘dangerous to society’, mostly recruitment websites hosted by syndicate organisations (locally known as yakuza), forums selling illegal drugs and religious extremist blogs.
Economy
Migorenis is a robust free-market developed economy with a EAFDS Level II rating. The country’s has a large manufacturing sector, enhanced by technological innovations and a skilled workforce. Migorenis’s economy is largely export driven, with up to 40% of the workforce employed in export-oriented businesses. The GDP (PPP) of Migorenis as of 1019 is 700.5 billion, and has a GDP per capita (PPP) of US$35,551.
Travel
Getting in
Migorenis is a member of the Treaty of Vatatamese Harmony, and as such, entering Migorenis entitles travels to border-free travel to virtually any part of Vata-Tama, including the areas of Vata-Tama that are under Sorgunese sovereignty. All countries listed as EAFDS Level I or Level II (including all countries of the Saiai Coast) are allowed to enter Vata-Tama visa free for up to 90 days visa-free. Thus, if one is from a developed country, entering Vata-Tama without a visa should not be a problem. Countries that are Level III and Level IV on the EAFDS are required to apply an e-visa in advance which can be done online via the Vatatamese Immigration Services. However, those from Level V countries are required to book an appointment at a Vatatamese diplomatic mission for security clearance and questioning.
By air
Migorenis is primarily served by Entori-Hasogi International Airport (EHA) which hosts daily flights from major cities around the world, including Baeticia, Vasur, Rixopolis, Seringola, Nocha, Phogros, Zardan, Tougium, Pedauyint, Gyrostia, Qoshimka, Pa’uqama, Vern City, Godesterrium, Dekshalli, Pravatipura, Goenka Phanxoun, Jama, Rathës, Sentun and Angous.
Other regional airports that take international flights include Maieda Capital City International Airport (MDN), Zunuhi-Namzadon (ZNZ), and Yakajunuri New Airport (YKU) but they primarily serve flights from other parts of Vata-Tama in addition to Cormantia and Algida.
By sea
Migorenis has an extensive coastline and fairly laxed shoreline security, making arrival to Migorenis by boat, submarine, or swimming relatively easy. However, like most countries, entering by sea requires one to go through legal port of entries. You are required to report to the nearest immigration centre or police station if you are swimming on shore; this includes Vatatamese citizens who could immigration e-kiosks dotted in coastal towns and cities.
By train
Migorenis can be accessed by train from other neighbouring states via Vatatamese Rail, one of the most sophisticated and punctual train systems in the world. Trains run from Zadamia, the exclaves of Sorgun, Cyntope, Atimazon and Pataiamae. Fares are competitive and are accompanied by excellent customer service, free WiFi, quiet cabins and free flow of food and drinks. The busiest route is the Midaeko Bay Line which runs between the cities of Taemona and Entori. It takes around 2 hours to get from one city to the other, and the views are spectacular.