Holidia

From Confederacy

The Nation of Holidia (Irish: saoire-aithin)

[[Image:|125px|Flag of Holidia]] [[Image:|110px|Coat of arms of Holidia]] Flag Coat of arms
Motto: For God and Holidia
Anthem: Danny Boy/God Save The Queen/Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldiers Song)
[[Image:|250px|Location of Holidia]]
Capital	Dubfast
Largest city	Greater Dubfast Area (2,760,000 people)
Official language(s)	English (Defacto)/Irish Gaelic/Ulster Scots Gaelic*
Demonym	Holidian
Government Monarch First Minister^ Deputy First Minister^	Constitutional Monarchy Queen Elizabeth II of England Brian Parse Oliver Stewartson
Public Holidays St. Patrick’s Day 12th July May Day	17th March 12th July 1st Monday of May
Area	24,481km2
Population  • 2008 est.  • 2003 census	14,120,000 (3rd) 8,630,297
GDP (PPP)  • Total  • Per capita	{{{GDP_PPP_year}}} estimate {{{GDP_PPP}}} ({{{GDP_PPP_rank}}}) {{{GDP_PPP_per_capita}}} ({{{GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank}}})
GDP (nominal)  • Total  • Per capita	{{{GDP_nominal_year}}} estimate {{{GDP_nominal}}} ({{{GDP_nominal_rank}}}) {{{GDP_nominal_per_capita}}} ({{{GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank}}})
Gini	{{{gini}}}
HDI (2003{{{HDI_year}}})	{{{HDI}}} {{{HDI_rank}}} – {{{HDI_category}}}
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Time zone	Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Internet TLD	.ie/.uk
Calling code	+0144
*- Holidia Has No Official Language but English is most commonly spoke with the Gaelic languages spoken as minority languages ^ Elections pending August/September 2008

The Nation of Holidia (Irish: saoire-aithin) is a relatively new country that gained independence from both the U.K. and Ireland on 27th July 2008. It consists of the old Irish province of Ulster that includes the British constituent country of Northern Ireland and is made up of the nine counties: Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry (Derry), Monaghan and Tyrone. The Nation of Holidia shares a border with The Republic Ireland to the South. This fast-urbanizing Nation has major industries in Agriculture, Linen and Manufacturing. Despite this the Economy is based mainly on the Service Sector – Tourism in particular with many attractive tourist resorts. The Nation Joined the COFR on the 24th July 2008 hoping it will bring great relationships with the other member nations. The joining into the COFR has also been a great boost to the nation’s growing tourism industry.

Contents 1 History 2 Government and Politics 2.1 The Executive 2.2 The Assembly/Departments 3 Economy 4 Airports/Aer Holidia 5 Ports/Maritime 6 Demographics 6.1 Citzenship/Identity 6.2 Immigration 7 Health 8 Culture 8.1 Language 8.1.1 English (Norn Iron) 8.1.2 Irish (Irish Gaelic) Language 8.1.3 Ulster Scots 8.2 Singasong Contest 8.3 Food 8.4 Sports 9 Military 10 Diplomatic Relations 10.1 Embassies in Holidia (Mainly Located in Dubfast unless stated) 10.2 International Organizations

History

Holidia’s early history is that of Northern Ireland/UK/Republic of Ireland. Holidia was for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict between those claiming to represent Nationalists, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, and those claiming to represent Unionists, who are predominantly Protestant. In general, Nationalists wanted Holidia to be unified with the rest of Ireland and Unionists wanted it to remain part of the United Kingdom. Protestants are in the majority in Holidia, though Roman Catholics represent a significant minority. In general, Protestants consider themselves British and Catholics see themselves as Irish but there are some who see themselves as both British and Irish. People from Northern Ireland are entitled to both British and Irish citizenship. The campaigns of violence have become known popularly as The Troubles. The majority of both sides of the community have had no direct involvement in the violent campaigns waged. Since the signing of the Dubfast Agreement in 1998, many of the major paramilitary campaigns have either been on ceasefire or have declared their war to be over. After the country gained acceptance into the COFR the Assembly bombarded the British Government for independence and persuaded them that the country could co-exist with both the Irish and British and could prosper without rule from the British. The nation gained Independence on 27th July 2008

Government and Politics

Holidia operates two chambers

The Executive

The Executive manages major issues - like the cabinent is consisted of the 8 following members the excutive is changed every five years two weeks after the First/DF Minister Elections:
First Minister
Deputy First Minister
Field Marshall in Command of Military
Archbishop of Armagh
Foreign Minister
Internal Affairs Minister
Chief Constable of Police
Fire Officer in Charge
These people are considered to be 'High' government with the most power although they can only pass orders jot Acts of the Assembly without the Assembly's vote.

The Assembly/Departments

There are 36 constituencys in Holidia (LGDs) and the people in that area vote by proportional representation the top two candiates win a seat in the assembly while the top candidate gains the title of Mayor of the constituency. There are 12 departments in the Holidian Assembly they are managed by two people with equal power - a permenant secectary and an elected minister the ministers are appointed to their posts by The Executive but have to have one of the 72 seats in the Assembly. The Departments and their funtion (Some departments overlap responsibilites) are listed below:
Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (The Executive, Internal Affairs, The Executive, Social Development, Media, The COFR)
Office of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Animal Welfare, Fisheries, Farming, Food, Forestry)
Office of the Department of Crime, Justice and Intelligence (Legal System, Police, Intelligence Agencies, Prisons)
Office of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Arts, Canals, Museums, Language, Lottery, Sports)
Office of the Department of Employment and Learning (Education, Higher Education, Benefits, Training, Job Consultation)
Office of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Business, Tourism, Ports, Trade)
Office of the Department of the Environment (Environmental Issues, Transport, Flooding, Sewage/Waste, Planning, National Parks, Beaches, Natural Resources)
Office of the Department of Finance and Personnel (Taxation, Rates, Budget, Payroll, HR, Civil Service, Military Personnel, Public Records)
Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Foreign Affairs, Embassies, Ambassador Relations, The COFR)
Office of the Department of Health, Social Care and Public Safety (Fire, Health Service, Social Services)
Office of the Department of Military and Defence of the Realm (Peacekeeping, Royal Army, SAS, Royal Marines, Navy, Flying Corps)
Office of the Department of Regional Development (Urbanization, Utilities, Transport, Natural Resources, social Development, Planning)

Economy

The Holidian Economy is the amongst the most advanced in Europe. Many huge companies have offices within the country (Mainly in the Capital Dubfast), Holidia has a huge but unfortunately decreasing manufacturing industry that reached its peak in 1910 with building of perhaps the world’s most famous cruise liner – The Titanic, Holidia no longer builds ships but another Manufacturer – Shorts Brothers builds planes and in fact builds parts for Boeing, Airbus and the U.S. air force and is Lagantonard’s major employer. Despite the higher cost of living than the rest of the British Isles the people of the Holidia generally enjoy a high standard of living and are paid more than the rest of Europe. The Economy is divided as follows…
Tourism – 32%
Other Services – 30%
Manufacturing – 19%
Agriculture/Fishing – 14%
Linen (Flax Farming and Linen Manufacturing) – 2%
All Others – 3%

Airports/Aer Holidia

Ports/Maritime

Demographics

Protestants have a slight majority in Holidia, according to the 2003 Census. The make-up of the Holidian Assembly reflects the appeals of the various parties within the population. Of the 72 MA, 41 are Unionists and are 27 Nationalists (the remaining four are classified as "other"). The largest single religious denomination is the Roman Catholic Church, which comprises a plurality, followed by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Church of Ireland (Anglican) and the Methodist Church. The two opposing views of British unionism and Irish nationalism are linked to deeper cultural divisions. Unionists are overwhelmingly Protestant, descendants of mainly Scottish, English, Welsh and Huguenot settlers and indigenous Irishmen who had converted to one of the Protestant denominations. Nationalists are predominantly Catholic and descend from the population predating the settlement, with a minority from Scottish Highlanders as well as some converts from Protestantism. Discrimination against nationalists under the Stormont government (1921–1972) gave rise to the nationalist civil rights movement in the 1960s. Some Unionists argue that any discrimination was not just because of religious or political bigotry, but also the result of more complex socio-economic, socio-political and geographical factors. Whatever the cause, the existence of discrimination, and the manner in which Nationalist anger at it was handled, was a major contributing factor which led to the long-running conflict known as the Troubles. The political unrest went through its most violent phase in recent times between 1968 and 1994.

Citzenship/Identity

People from Holidia are Holidian citizens. The 1998 Dubfast Agreement between the Holidian Assembly/British Government and Irish governments provides that: it is the birthright of all the people of Holidia to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly [the two governments] confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Holidia. As a result of the Agreement, the Constitution of Ireland was amended so that people from Holidia may be regarded as Irish citizens on the same basis as people from any other part of the island of Ireland. With Independence Holidians may hold a British passport until it expires and then must get a Holidian or Irish passport. Neither government, however, extends its citizenship to all persons born in Holidia. Both governments exclude some people born in Holidia (e.g. certain persons born in Holidia neither of whose parents is a Holidian or Irish national).

Immigration

Holidia, according to the Constitution of the Confederacy of Free Regions, of which it is part, accepts all kinds of immigrants. However, Holidia does not extends its citizenship to all persons even if born in Holidia. (e.g. certain persons born in Holidia neither of whose parents is a Holidian or Irish national). Skilled workers may gain visas more easily than unskilled workers and can apply for citzenship after 2 years of working there. Unskilled workers cannot gain citzenship and can only hold a visa for 3 years and then must go back to their country. The only exception is that of thosewho have gained assylum in Holidia and cannot return to their country. The open border with the Republic of Ireland also poses immigration problems although immigrants cannot get a job as all workers must be registered.

Health

Culture

Language

There are no offcial languages in Holidia at the current moment these are the native languages spoken by the people. Other languages like Chineese Urdu and Polish are used in majority but of they are not reconised as these languages are not spoken enough as a first language of the nationals

English (Norn Iron)

The Mid Ulster dialect of English spoken in Holidia shows influence from Scotland, with the use of such Scots words as wee for 'little' and aye for 'yes'. Some jocularly call this dialect phonetically by the name Norn Iron. There are supposedly some minute differences in pronunciation between Protestants and Catholics, the best known of which is the name of the letter h, which Protestants tend to pronounce as "aitch", as in British English, and Catholics tend to pronounce as "haitch", as in Hiberno-English. However, geography is a much more important determinant of dialect than ethnic background. English is spoken as a first language by 98% of the Holidian population, Irish and Ulster Scots (one of the dialects of the Scots language), sometimes known as Ullans, have recognition as "part of the cultural wealth of Holidia”

Irish (Irish Gaelic) Language

The Irish language is the native language of the whole island of Ireland.30% of Holidians can speak fluently and 42% claim some knowledge of the language Despite these figures only 0.4% of the population claim to speak it as their first language. It was spoken predominantly throughout what is now Holidia prior to the settlement of Protestants from Great Britain in the 17th Century. Most placenames throughout the country are anglicised versions of their Gaelic originals. These Gaelic placenames include thousands of lanes, roads, townlands, towns, villages and all of its modern cities. Examples include Shankill- derived from Sean Cill and Lough Neagh- derived from Loch nEathach.In Holidia the Irish language has long been associated with Irish nationalism, however this association only developed gradually. The language was seen as a common heritage and indeed the object of affection by many prominent 19th century Protestant republicans and Protestant unionists. Verbally there are 3 main dialects in the island of Ireland - Ulster, Munster and Connaught. Speakers of each dialect often find others difficult to understand. Speakers in Holidia are naturally from the Ulster dialect. The early years of the 20th century, the language became a political football throughout Ireland as Republican activists became increasing linked with it. In the 20th century, the language became in Unionist eyes increasingly polarised for political ends and many in that community would blame Sinn Féin in this regard. After Ireland was partitioned, the language was largely rejected in the education system of the new Holidia. It is argued that the predominant use of the English language may have served to exacerbate the Troubles.

Ulster Scots

Ulster Scots comprises varieties of the Scots language spoken in Holidia. Aodán Mac Poilín states that "While most argue that Ulster-Scots is a dialect or variant of Scots, some have argued or implied that Ulster-Scots is a separate language from Scots. The case for Ulster-Scots being a distinct language, made at a time when the status of Scots itself was insecure, is so bizarre that it is unlikely to have been a linguistic argument." Approximately 2% of the population claim to speak Ulster Scots, however the number speaking it as their main language in their home is negligible. Classes at colleges can now be taken but for a native English speaker "[the language] is comparatively accessible, and even at its most intense can be understood fairly easily with the help of a glossary."

Singasong Contest

The Shalman Empire introduced the Singasong contest to the Confederacy of Free Regions in 2008. The first contest will be held in Bjork, the second biggest city of the Empire, on September 10th, 2008. Holidia has submitted – Snow Patrol with their song You Could Be Happy.

Food

Sports

Military

Diplomatic Relations

Embassies in Holidia (Mainly Located in Dubfast unless stated)

International Organizations

The Government is part of the following organizations:

Confederacy of Free Regions (COFR)
Candidate Country for the European Union (EU)