Ustio

Usti National Flag

Ustio is a former Belkan protectorate, recently having seceded from the nation, to become it's own sovereign republic.

## History

### Before Belka (1600s-1800s)

Though it was one of the Belkan states that emerged from the Dark Ages, the Republic of Ustio had not enjoyed the protection of the Belkan Knights that states like North Belka and South Belka enjoyed. Sapin and Ratio annexed more and more territory from Ustio over time, whether through war or purchase. In the 1800s, Ustio begged its "fatherland" of Belka to help protect its borders. Belka obliged and intervened. Faced with the threat of engaging a growing military power like Belka, Sapin and Ratio backed down, returning the land to Ustio. The grateful republic joined the Belkan Empire.

### Forging Ahead (1988-1994)

During Belka’s campaign of expansionism, the living conditions within certain parts of the nation had decreased, the people had little or no say in what the government did and unrest was beginning to spread.

It wasn’t until 1987 in which the Belkan Leadership had decided to hold a Federal Law Review to re-evaluate their effectiveness to run the country and act accordingly.

A southeastern Belkan state, a member of the Belkan Federation, had begun to grow weary of the Osean Federation. The state was rich in natural resources (oil, steel, and iron to name a few), which were used by Belka to spur on their industrial boom of the early and mid 80's. However, did not see much of the profit of mining and oil drilling, since those things were regulated by the Belkan Federals in Sudentor. Around this time the northeastern state of Belka broke away, declared themselves independent and joined with Fato to become the Fato Federation.

This caused an uneasiness between the southeastern Belkan state and Belka and finally resulted in the state breaking away. This state was then known as the Republic of Ustio.

Belka’s economy took a large down-fall after this and the newly seated extremists of the deadly and unreasonable Rald Party in the Belkan Cabinet, threatened Ustio with action if they did not return to the Federation. Ustio chose not to return to them, despite the consequence of their decision.

## Description

Ustio has an amazingly diverse climate for its small size. Ustio has a mountain belt that runs through the country. This has created alpine and tundra conditions in the south, where the mountain range is. In the north, around B7R, the climate seems more arid, forming the craggy canyons that we see. The capital, Directus, is fairly temperate.

### Politics

Like most other countries in Strangereal, Ustio is a Democratic Republic, holding routine elections for public, municipal, and federal officials in the government.

## Armed Forces

### Air Force

#### 6th Air division

* 17th Cargo Squadron "Halo"
* 14th Air Force Unit "Lancer"
* 27th Air Force Unit "Fenrir"
* 66th Air Force Unit "Galm"
* 72nd Air Force Unit "Caravan"
* 93rd Air Force Unit "Altair"

## Notable Locations

* Airspace B7R "The Round Table"
* Directus (Capital)
* Solis Ortus
* Valais Air Base

## Trivia

* Ustio appears to take the role of both Switzerland, as well as Poland from a WWII standpoint.