United Provinces of Araika

Other: 0.6%

Wholism: 9.5%

Other: 3.9%

The **United Provinces of Araika**, commonly known as **Araika**, is a country in the east of the continent of Naturia. It consists of 15 Provinces, and a Special Capital Province for the city of Alurod. It has a population of 36.4 million people. The most populous city is Waldon with Alurod and Novariso acting as important hubs of commerce, culture, and government.

Around the year 500, two groups, the Ara and Ika, migrated into the region, crossing over the Kine Mountains Range that acts as a natural border for the country. They assimilated into each other, creating the Araikan ethnicity and culture. Numerous states developed, united, and fell apart over the course of the next 1300 years. In 1798, the 15 remaining states decided to create confederation to withstand outside influence, birthing the Araikan Confederation. The confederation lasted for almost 100 years, before the nation fell into civil war between those that wished to create a strong central government and those that wished to maintain or strengthen the provincial aristocracy. Advocates of a greater centralized government won under the leadership of Leon Nichols, who went on to become the first President of the United Provinces of Araika.

His successor, Louis Arwood, maintained an iron grip of the country for 16 years, rigging elections in his favour. The Constitution was greatly amended to give special privileges to the former aristocracy that still last to this day. In 1921, a coalition of opposition groups united under the Araikan Unity Party and successfully overcame Arwood's suppression tactics. Since then, the country has been a successful multi-party democracy.

Araika is a Lower Developed Nation, and has maintain neutrality on the world stage since the end of the Great War. It has the third highest GDP in Naturia, but the second highest GDP per capita. Araika's main rival is the Empire of Spereria which has a comparable economy to the country. Tensions most recently came to a head in the Central Naturian War of 2017-2018 in which Araika saw the war stalemated though its ally, Pasia, saw territory lost. As a result, Araika maintains a well equipped army that ensures the security of the nation.

## Etymology

The name Araika comes from the combination of the two people groups that assimilated into each other to create Araikan culture. The Ara people and the Ika people both moved into the region at the same time and lived peacefully among each other.

## History

### Early Araika

Around 150 CE, Astellian colonists landed on the eastern seaboard of Araika. There, they founded the settlement of Novum Risus in the area of what is now the city of Novariso. However, the settlement was soon abandoned due to constant attacks from the native Ika people. The Astellian colonists moved north into what is now Pasia where they had more success in countering native attacks. By the 4th century CE, the Astellian colonists were culturally distinct from their homeland and where soon known as the Streya. The Streya pushed the Ara people out of Pasia into Ika territory, bringing their Streyan influenced culture with them. By the 7th century CE, the Ara and Ika had assimilated together and became a single group known as Araikans.

The first Araikan polities formed in the northwest near the Streya and were heavily influenced by them. Bara in what is today the Barland province is considered the first Araikan state to have been formed around the year 720 CE. Several more would form during the latter half of the first millennium CE.

### Middle Age Araika

At the turn of the millennium, the idea of a unified Araikan empire was gaining favour among several leaders in various Araikan states. The 1123 declaration of the Streyan Empire further moved certain actors towards that goal. In 1132, the ruler of the city of Halseaton, Richard III, began a campaign aimed at subjugating those around him. By 1150, he had control over the majority of the northwest part of the region and soon planned on invading the south. However, before he could unite the nation under his rule, he was assassinated by one of his advisors. Seeing the power that could come to someone by unifying the country, numerous other rulers sought to unite the region, ushering in the First Unification Wars (1163-1242). In 1232, Elizabeth II was crowned in the medium sized state of Waldon. Through incredible strategy and intrigue, she gained control over the majority of Araika. Ten years later in 1242, Elizabeth II, was successful in uniting the region and was crowned Empress Elizabeth of Araika. Elizabeth's 72 year long reign saw the start of an era of Araikan dominance in the east of Naturia that would last for the next few centuries. Elizabeth would go on to be known as "Elizabeth the Great" or "Elizabeth the Unifier."

### Early Modern Araika

In 1547, traders from Kaira landed at Novariso, now a small town, wishing to open up trade. Underground trading between a local ruler and the Kairan traders led to the exchange of firearms for Araika's precious minerals. These firearms aided in the start of a massive rebellion by those on the east coast against the empire. In 1562 after the beheading of the emperor and the salughter of the entire royal family, Araika descended into chaos and soon fell apart into numerous states. Foreigners took sides in the conflict only leading to the region's devastation, now known as the "Undoing of Araika" (1562-1751). By 1600, nearly 100 states had appeared in the region, constantly warring with each other to the point that the foreigners who had ignited the conflict began to avoid the desolate region. Sources vary on the total cost of the devastation, but the population of Araika was put at nearly 20 million at 1550. By 1650 it was a quarter of that. Over the next nearly two centuries, several alliances emerged and broke in an effort by a single state to assert the dominance that once existed under the Araikan Empire.

In 1748, the largest and last major war broke out in Araika resulting in only 15 states remaining in the region after its end in 1751. As stability returned to the region, foreign powers, notably from Astellia, Kaira, Belha, and Xiangguo, returned to reap the benefits of the resources available, namely the vast silver deposits discovered. Beginning in 1767, negotiations were held to find a way to prevent foreign dominance of the region. All 15 states agreed to form a confederation that would act on behalf of the entire region on the world stage. The negotiations were finalized in 1798, creating the Araikan Confederation.

### The Araikan Confederation

The Araikan Confederation created the first central government in almost 250 years. Every seven years, rulers of the now provinces would meet to select a Chief Executive who would run the central affairs of the confederation. This was mainly limited to foreign affairs for the first few years of the confederation's existence, but by 1811 numerous other powers were granted including direct control over the capital region of Alurod, a set budget paid out of the treasury of each province, and the ability to coordinate the military of all 15 provinces in the defence of the nation. The timing was impeccable as the Naturian Unification War erupted in 1813, allowing for each province's military to have a clear focus in defending the nation. As a result of the successful defence, the provinces agreed to delegate more powers in regard to military affairs to the central government. Historians agree that this unity assisted in ending the Naturian Unification War in under ten years and let Araika emerge from the conflict rather unscathed.

The confederation would later maintain neutrality in conflicts such as the Spererian Civil War and the Hopa Devolution, with internal affairs proceeding smoothly, until a decision by a majority of the Araikan provinces to hold a constitutional convention to redefine the powers of the central government. As Republicanism gained ground around the world, ten provinces felt it would be best to stay ahead and enact reforms to the confederation. However, three provinces revolted, refusing to be a part of any increase of central power. The rebellion was rushed and the rulers were replaced with sympathetic relatives leading to the Second Constitution of the Araikan Confederation going into effect in 1848. This constitution solidified the new powers gained in the last 50 years and created the Araikan National Assembly. The National Assembly was to give a voice to the citizens of the confederation, but for the most part, only acted in an advisory role. The chief executive was still appointed by the provincial rulers, but now only a simple majority was necessary to confirm them.

For the next 40 years, Araika maintained a policy of neutrality on the continent, which served them well as revolutions and military campaigns began to arise throughout the continent, despite the presence of the Naturian Assembly. However, these thoughts of revolution could not escape the minds of Araikans and by the 1880s, several acts of extremism took place. When the 1889 appointment of a chief executive came up, eight provinces went with a reformist, Leon Nichols, who wished to reform the Araikan government by hopefully having more power delegated to the central government. However, after announcing his plans the next year, most of the provinces that supported him backed down, accusing Nichols of appealing too much to radical elements in society. Nichol's plans would have create a federal state with assemblies in each province and provide for the election of the designated leader by the electorate. in 1891, enough provinces petitioned to have Nichols removed and succeeded, but ignited civil unrest in the nation that soon lead to revolution.

### The Araikan Revolution

On March 12, 1891, five days after Nichol's removal, a massive protest took place in Sidmouthin, located in the Penbeck Province. On the order of the local ruler, Augustus XI O'Malley, the local militia massacred the protesters. Around 6,400 people were killed. In reaction to this the National Assembly which had continuously supported Nichols, asked him to return to power. Soon after the Assembly authorized the military to enter Penbeck and arrest Augustus XI for the murder, however other provincial rulers allied themselves with the province. Three provinces declared themselves allied with the central government: Boshamia, Horizo, and Porburia. Civil War soon broke out between the centralists led by Nichols, and the provincialists led by the rulers of the 12 rebelling provinces.

The civil war lasted for six years, coming to an end in 1897 when the central military captured the city of Kinewen, the last major city of the provincialists. Nichols declared the war over on February 16, 1897 and announced that the National Assembly would begin work on a new constitution based fully in republican values, while also maintaining a federal structure for the government. The National Assembly chose Nichols as the President of the Republic for a term of four years on April 15. The new constitution went into effect on March 12, 1898, ushering a new era for the newly created United Provinces of Araika.

### Modern History

#### Early 20th Century

Rebuilding after the Revolution was difficult and the years that Nichols spent running the nation during it had taken a toll on him. He enacted numerous measures over the course of his term in office, going on to win the first elections held in 1901. However a major issue that plagued his administration was the continued strife between the former provincial rulers and the new government. Most of them now based in the nearby Kingdoms of Pasia and Spereria, escaped with much of the wealth of their provinces and began using that to fund anti-government guerillas against the new administration. The guerillas succeeded in assassinating the vice president and several members of the cabinet during Nichols' term. Nichols announced in 1904 that he would not seek another term due to health reasons. By the end of his term in 1905, he had led Araika for over 17 years.

Nichols' successor was a general of the revolution, Louis Arwood, who led the Battle of Kinewen. He strengthen authority over the government, by increasing its military strength and created the Secret State Police (SSP), which would arrest those suspected of anti-government activities. Numerous innocent people were arrested and often murdered. Seeing what was happening, Nichols announced that he was interested in seeking another term as President, but died on August 8, 1908 due to a heart attack. With no major challenge and manipulative election measures, Arwood secured a second term and ensured his National Revolutionary Party secured the vast majority of seats in the Assembly.

The next year, Arwood announced changes to be made to the constitution that he believed would end the strife that the nation had suffered since the end of the Revolution. To end the guerilla warfare, he announced that the former aristocracy would receive immunity from the law and all their suspected crimes from the revolution. The most radical change was the establishment of a new constitutional amendment process requiring any change to the constitution would see the appointment of an additional 50 members to the National Assembly for the process of giving the 'Distinguished Families' a voice in the process. This was seen by many as a betrayal of the revolution, but as the fighting and assassinations ended, many began to feel it as a necessary compromise. Some also felt that it did not matter whichever way won out in the end, so long as the attacks stopped.

Arwood would rule until 1921 when a coalition of opposition parties successfully overcame suppression attempts and saw him lose re-election. The aging Arwood did not put up a fight and retired from public life, dying two years later. Matthew Harper was elected President through the Araikan Unity Party, however his administration was difficult as major infighting made the necessary bureaucratic processes near impossible. Things turned for the worst quickly when the world was plunged into a severe economic depression sending millions of Araikans into unemployment and severely damaging the main industries of the nation. Seeking a different direction for the country, Arnold Skye, and a few other members of the left-wing of the party formed a new party called the Liberal Democratic Coalition. The right-wing also withdrew from the party and created the Conservative Unity Party. In a three-way race, Arnold Skye came out on top over his opponents, Thomas Reed and Matthew Harper in the 1925 election.

Skye initiated a record set of programs in his first 100 days aimed at propping up the beleaguered nation. In what was called the State Support Initiative, numerous public works were started and investment in infrastructure soared. Skye's first term in office saw the nationalization of numerous industries and using the income from them to create one of the first modern welfare states. Surprisingly, Skye's re-election was surprisingly narrow due to delayed results from his programs and saw the reduction of his party's seats in the assembly. Nevertheless, he pushed on with his reforms and the start of his second term saw Araika become one of the first nations to successfully emerge from the Global Depression. Skye would go on to win another three terms, seeing the nation through the Great War and defending it from one of the most threatening external threats to its existence in the form of a Caliruesian-Pasian invasion which successfully breached the Kine Mountain Range. Skye would die in 1944 near the end of his fifth term taking the nation from one that was overlooked on the continent to one that was as powerful as its southern neighbour, Belunia.

Skye was succeeded by Richard Lyle who would go on to win the 1945 election in his own right, but after nearly 25 years of LDC rule, the people were looking for change. Additionally a second Global Depression hit in 1948, plunging Araika into a debt crisis that was created by many of Skye's initiatives. A charismatic politician named Dean Lott from the CUP would challenge Lyle in the 1949 election, defeating him and ending the liberal dominance of Araikan politics.

#### Later 20th Century

Lott's Presidency saw the privatization of many of the companies that Skye nationalized in order to get the debt situation under control. Lott also amended the Constitution creating a two term limit for the Presidency. The Second Global Depression was much shorter than the first, although Araika was among the last nations to exit it. Lott would be re-elected in 1953 focusing more on international affairs as communism began spreading throughout the world. Lott would align Araika closely with Astellia. The year before the election saw an intense competition for the nomination of the CUP's candidate with Lott's vice president losing to Charles Granger. Granger would be elected in the 1957 election and continued many of the policies of Lott. However, in 1960 Granger was involved in a sex scandal from his time as an assemblyman. Granger refused to resign but his party refused to re-nominate him as their presidential candidate. Nevertheless the damage was done and George Patterson would be elected, returning the LDC to power.

Patterson was a more centrist President than either Skye or Lyle and his presidency focused more on foreign affairs due to the outbreak of the Pasian Civil War. The Araikan military was involved in the war for a year until pressure came on to them both internationally and domestically to exit. Despite this Patterson would be re-elected in 1965 seeing focus drawn to the refugee problem from having a neighbour embroiled in conflict. He was succeeded in 1969 by his vice president, Victor Skye, the grandson of former president Arnold Skye, which also saw the election of the first female vice president, Clarissa Rush. Skye was from the left wing of the party and like his grandfather wished to enact several major reforms. He had particular interest in attempting to revise the constitution's aristocratic privileges. However, many of these reforms, namely economic ones, angered the centre of the party. His vice president, who was more to the left than him, also angered the centrists. Skye would see issues in enacting these reforms, but asked Rush to work on recruitment for the next election. The election of 1973 saw an overwhelming victory for the LDC, especially the left wing which nearly had a majority on its own to enact changes. Skye's second term would see the successful ending of the Pasian civil war, however he was assassinated in 1976 by a far-right terrorist who thought he was being influenced by communists. Rush succeeded him but had a difficult time as many members of her party refused to work with her. The LDC would lose the 1977 election to the CUP's Ernest Everett.

The ensuing five years would become the most chaotic moment in Araikan history since the civil war. Differences in ideology of the LDC would see it split in two. The left-wing led by Rush created the Social Democratic Union and the centrists created the United Liberal Alliance. Everett's administration was immensely corrupt and it led to numerous CUP assembly members resigning either in disgrace or in principle. the CUP started out with 121 seats in the National Assembly and in two years that number was down to 77. Many of those that resigned from the CUP stayed in the assembly, vowing to vote against everything Everett proposed. This forced the CUP to make a deal with the ULA who were led by Preston Mark, a power hungry politican, that involved shared rule over the National Assembly. With people extremely dissatisfied with the government, voters would give the SDU its first election win in 1981 electing Clarissa Rush once again as President. But in a horrific turn of events, Rush's presidency would last under a year. In January 1982, the President went missing. Soon body parts emerged all across the nation identified as belonging to Rush. The nation and international community were absolutely shocked and massive protests erupted across the country demanding accountability and change, with some calling for a second revolution. Rush's vice president, Arthur Kaye, succeeded her and sought to stabilize the nation, but struggled over the coarse of his entire term in office. In the 1985 election, Donald Gunn of the CUP was elected.

Gunn's presidency was focused on restoring trust with the Araikan people and his agenda set out to do so. Not to repeat the mistakes of Everett, numerous laws were passed giving strength to independent agencies in their quest to root out corruption in the government. This was popular with the public and Gunn was re-elected in 1989. Gunn did not embark on any ambitious policies but saw the government at the moment as "an opportunity to act as a pilot bringing in a turbulent aircraft full of scared passengers to land." The 1993 election was extremely close, but Grant Hall was elected as the first ULA President.

Grant Hall's presidency saw many centrist liberal policies implemented. However, his most controversial decision was reforming the education system. The curriculum was reformed, but numerous public schools were made private increasing the cost of education. He cut taxes which promoted economic development in the short term. Hall was re-elected in 1997 and made economic growth a priority once again for his second term. In 2000, the economy grew by 13.3%, one of the fastest growth rates in the world, however it increased the amount of income inequality in the nation. Nevertheless, shortly before he left office, the World Banking and Economic Development Institute characterized Araika as a Lower Developed Nation in 2001.

#### 21st Century

The 2001 election saw vice president Cameron Clay against the CUP's Richard Jeffries. The election was even closer than the 1993 and Jeffries ended up winning by less than 5,000 votes. However, the Assembly remained in ULA hands giving Jeffries a difficult time getting things passed. the 2005 election saw a rematch of the 2001 election, and Clay came out on top by a comfortable margin. Clay's administration saw the nation embroiled in a major trade dispute with its neighbour, Spereria, which had raised taxes on Araikan exports. During negotiations, an Araikan soldier was killed patrolling the border. Spereria claimed that he was on their territory, while Araika claimed the opposite, tensions increased and military was deployed to the region, but Astellian mediation would see the situation cool down. Clay was re-elected in 2009 and focused his second term on diversifying the Araikan economy.

The 2013 election saw the election of Joseph Arwood, great-great grandson of Louis Arwood elected on the CUP ticket. The election resulted in numerous protests, even though the election commission found nothing wrong with the voting process. Arwood's administration saw an increase in military spending during his first term, which again caused protests as Araika entered a recession in 2015. Austerity measures were soon implemented, but military spending was maintained. Arwood nearly lost his renomination for the party, but another incident on the border would lead to the population re-evaluating the situation. Arwood was re-elected in 2017 promising to slightly reduce military spending which he did that summer. However Spereria launched a full attack on its neighbours of Pasia, Rocrofa, and Araika plunging the nation into war. The war lasted 4 months and ended in January 2018 with Araika exiting the war with minimal losses despite its allies losing territory. Arwood's popularity skyrocketed and led to the election of his vice president, Kenneth Cole in 2021. Cole's election in 2021, would see foreign affairs made a priority and the tepid relationship with Spereria formed in the Treaty of Charre become a key issue.

Cole would run for re-election in 2025 but lost to Francis Kelly of the ULA. Kelly's administration focused on social progress opportunity. Kelly's administration also dealt with a border incident on the Spererian border, ensuring that tensions between the two nations would not flare up dramatically. Economically, Araika was hit hard by restrictions placed on Araikan goods by the South Grosso Economic Community, usual customers of Araikan manufactured goods. The situation snowballed into an economic crisis with major firms in the country filing for bankruptcy. The government sought to bail these businesses out but was criticized for failing to adequately the people suffering the most. By 2028, the unemployment rate in Araika was 27% and GDP had dropped to a 15 year low.

The 2029 election saw the election of the SDU's Oliver Wheele and was their first presidential victory in almost 50 years. Wheele quickly set out to address the economic crisis implementing direct stimulus checks to the beleaguered population to increase economic activity. This was quite successful and Araika reported positive economic growth for the first time since 2026. Although slow, progress was made and the population approved significantly of Wheele's efforts. However, before Araika could fully enjoy its newfound economic growth, President Wheele was assassinated in Novariso less than 2 years into his term. His Vice President, Theresa Newton, was also injured in the attack leaving control of the nation for a few days to the Speaker of the National Assembly Sonia Wells who acted as President. Major protests erupted across the country with many comparing the assassination to that of the last elected SDU leader.

Upon recovering from her injuries, Newton was inaugurated as President and set out to stabilize the country. An investigation into the attack revealed links to members of the Distinguished Families, resulting in Newton focusing her energy into constitutional reform and stripping the old aristocracy of their privileges. After decades of failed attempts, the constitution was successfully amended in 2032, removing the privieges enjoyed by the Distinguished Families once and for all. Newton became extremely popular as a result of this and was successful in winning the 2033 election in her own right, capturing a majority of the popular vote for the first time since Victor Skye in 1973.

## Geography

Araika has a vast geography with the Kine Mountain Range to the west receding in height as it reaches the coast. The country has a generally temperate yet humid climate along the coast, but becomes drier as you move inland. The largest city Waldon is located inland at the confluence of the Ashworth and Elizabeth Rivers. The second largest city, Novariso, is located on the Eastern coast where the Elizabeth River exits into the ocean, while the capital, Alurod, near on the Northern Coast but on the Ashworth River.

## Government and Politics

### Government

Araika is a federal republic consisting of 15 provinces and a special capital province. The government operates on a system of checks and balances with three major branches: the legislative, executive, and the judiciary. All branches of the federal government are located in Alurod's Unity Plaza.

The legislative branch consists of the National Assembly. It is the lawmaking body of the nation and can impeach other members of the federal government. The National Assembly is led by a speaker who is elected among the body's 250 members.

The executive branch consists of the president and their cabinet. The president is head of state and the commander-in-chief of the military. They are also responsible for proposing an annual budget and can veto laws. Members of cabinet are nominated by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly.

The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and various lower courts. The judicial branch interprets laws in accordance with the constitution and overturns laws found in breach of it. Justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly.

## Demographics

### Population

As of 2020, Araika has a population of 36,395,713 people. Araika is an extremely homogeneous society with Araikan being the primary ethnic group. Over 95% of people identify with this group. The next largest ethnic group are the Slovanians who are mainly immigrants from neighbouring Spereria. Belunians and Hopans make up the majority of the remaining ethnic groups in the country.

### Religion

The largest religion in Araika is Naturianism which is the majority religion of all nations on the continent. The next largest religion is Wholism which spread in certain areas of the country during the initial contact with imperial powers. Solidarianism has a small but dedicated following largely based in the southwest of the country. Approximately 35% of Araikans state that they do not follow a religion, making Araika the most irreligious country on the planet.