Belwark

A wealthy country of Mining and Industry, famous for its forges and oil. Belwark has been one of Stofiote's strongest allies for many years but with the recent election of The Belwark Nationalist Party the country has entered a period of isolationism. Very few now know what goes on inside its borders, but all countries now watch to see what it does next.

Demographics

Population

The population of Belwark is predominately Dwarven and human thanks to its early history as a mining colony, but there is fairly little discrimination here, as most citizens of Belwark have a don't pester me and I won't pester you attitude about them, meaning just about any race gets along well enough here. The country certainly doesn't boast nearly the same level of diversity as Stofiote but it is certainly better than The Kolvat Empire. Unlike both countries; however, Belwark's population is on a steady rise with 2.97 children being born per household. This is because of its booming industrial economy and superb trade/ relations which keep it prosperous.

Demographics By Province

As a much smaller country than Stofiote, Belwark is divided into only 3 provinces. The boarders of these provinces are drawn based on the minerals that are most prevalent in that region or by the mountains that separate them. Each of these provinces is relatively the same, containing one major city which lives at the base of a mountain where the region's first mine was established, these cities are where most of society has gathered over time in Belwark. Otherwise, Belwark is simple a series of smaller towns and empty space filled with oil refineries. Due to Belwark's dependency on oil and coal, it is much dirtier and the skies are far more clouded with smog.
Beltham This Province is most notable for its abundance of Iron ore and is the sight of Belwark's first colony, Estahlt, which is now its second largest city as well as the capital. Estahlt is the cite of the vast majority of Belwark's forges and the city prides itself on being able to craft anything from small jewelry to weapons with no rival. Good work is afforded here, but it is also highly skilled worked, despite this 36% of Belwark's population calls this region home meaning you'll always be able to find a forge that's up and running even late into the night.
Gelleg Gelleg is the province of gold and the reason for GP becoming the continental standard. Belwark's largest city, Orruc, exists here and the city is perhaps its largest cultural hub as well with many of the non-dwarven/ human races existing here and a sizable nightlife to boot. Though the people of Belwark pride themselves on their hard work even they understand that sometimes you need to play hard too. Every night skybusses galore fly into the city filled with citizens ready to enjoy it's clubs, its food, and its shows, and 43% of Belwarks have decided why let the party stop and established roots here.
Firvund Firvund isn't actually known for any substantial mineral its people happen to have been mining for years but, is instead one of the first sites of oil and the establishing region of many of Bewark's factories. Here some of the best and cheapest manufacturing in all of Urdic is done. This is the youngest and there for the smallest settlement with 21% of Belwark's population existing here, but many refugees and people in desperate need of work flee here as it offers many opportunities that any Belwark citizen above the poverty line would refuse to do themselves as a result of the abysmal pay.

Religion

There is a blend of many different religious beliefs here.

Government

Belwark runs on a Democratic Oligarchy. Simply put only citizen that have been qualified have the power to vote here. Many classes as well as a long intensive test is what it takes to afford this privilege. This means that all though only 33% of the population can vote those who are able to are far more knowledgeable on the government and all elections has a near 100% turn out. This keeps a proper balance of power between the people and the politicians, or at least that's the way it seems. The parties will often deliberate over a law and then pass a vote on it. If over 75% of a congress agree on a law it is automatically passed however, any less and voting on the law opens to the people.

Political Divisions:

There are 4 major political parties competing in Belwark. The Unity Party, Mining Party, Belwark Nationalist Party, and The Green Party, each has their own goals and values which are carefully reflected by the individuals which each party admits.
Unity Party This is the hyper socialist party. They value high taxes, especial on businesses, and wide sweeping welfare programs. There legacy thus far has been several programs such as aid for the elderly and mandatory health insurance provided by every and all companies. These are perhaps the two best working socialist programs. Though in the Firvund province hospitals are fairly over run thanks to the rampant health issues of the region caused by the poor work conditions, but industries can not afford to pay their workers more or improve conditions because they are required to cover the excessive health expenses.
Mining Party The Labor party wants to be able to afford more rights for those in factories, forges, and mines. In a more democratic government they'd be pretty powerful but because only 33% of Belwark's population can vote and very few of those individuals are from Firvund The Mining Party doesn't really gain to much attention. Though it has managed to get more hospitals built in Firvund. Even still health conditions run rampant there.
Belwark Nationalist Party The current ruling party this country has cut all reliance on countries such as Stofiote by ending their military occupation in the country and have made it very clear other countries that they wish not be disturbed via their new closed door policy. Anyone non-citizen who has not gone through the requisite paperwork can not enter the boarders.
Green Party The Green party wishes to end all use of oil and coal and instead rely on steam energy. However, this view is incredibly unpopular as it means that they'd be buying all their energy from Stofiote. This goal is now even more infeasible thanks to the recent election of The Belwark Nationalist Party.

Transfer of Power

In Belwark individuals are not voted in. Instead, it is entire parties. When a party is voted in it automatically fills half of all congressional seats and is referred to as, The Majority Party. The rest of the congressional seats are voted upon individually first by the parties who rank what percentage of the respective parties valued the individual. If over 75% of The Majority Party or two non-ruling parties value an individual they are automatically given a seat; however, if that is not the case citizens have the opportunity to cast their pick. A party will typically hold majority for one decade, but it can happen over time that another party begins to grow inside congress and steal the majority from a party that was elected in.

Foreign Relations

Belwark has had incredibly healthy foreign relations with Stofiote as well as all its surrounding allies, but with the election of the Belwark Nationalist Party, they have now entered a period of isolationism. They still do engage in a healthy amount of trade as their lifestyle depends on it, but they have pulled out of all political interactions, policy, and deal-making.

Military

As an outsourcing country, Belwark's army used to be controlled by Stofiote, but Stofiote's military has been forced out as a result of Belwark's recent isolationism.

Defences

Belwark is currently protected by their isolationism. Any unannounced visitors are dealt with using discretionary force. There also exists a series of strategically placed land mines which serve the purpose of alerting the military of intruders but also deterring said intruders.

Industry & Trade

Once incredibly Rural, Belwark became a beacon of civilization after they discovered the mineral deposits in their mountains. This was about the time the Dwarven population spiked. With this rise in workers and valuable minerals, Belwark's GDP was on the rise. So, the country began building forges and for a time they were Urdic's most profitable economy until they began mining too much and their currency was completely debased. Since this time Belwarks primary economy has been its forges and industry. All countries come to them for manufacturing because of their cheap prices thanks to the currency they now intentionally debase. This has been what's kept Belwark wealthy and now with their fairly recent discovery of oil, they have been one of the major advances of technology in the region.

Income, Wealth, and Poverty

The lowest members of society, which are the industrial workers, typically make about the same amount of GP. As you start to move up through the socio-economic latter each rung makes more money than the last. Despite to Belwark's several large industries, there isn't an incredibly large disparity of wealth between the highest members of society and everyone else. In fact, most of the country's income goes straight back to society to work on infrastructure, health and support social programs.

Infrastructure

Transportation:

Belwark was actually the creator of the original Skybus blueprint before Stofioite took it and innovated it to better fit their steam-powered society. Zoom Tubes, however, were not something that was ever able to properly implement. Their limited version of the Zoom Tube only exists within certain industrial districts.
Tains Since it's early history Belwark has had a well-established connection of train routes. However, in the current era with the existence of Skybuses people with decent income hardly travel by train anymore. They are predominantly used to transfer goods as well as for international travel to near by countries as Belwark no longer lets any of its Skybusses leave its borders meaning they can not facilitate international travel.

Energy

Belwark is one of Ethrun's only locations where oil is naturally occurring. As a result, this is what the majority of their infrastructure runs on, making the air they're less than pleasant. Oil used to be a major export for them and is still used in the Country of Ashola, but Stofiote and its surrounding allies found and discovered the potential of steam energy. Meaning Belwark doesn't make nearly as much money off of it. Selling only to Ashola and nearby allies.

Assets

Education

Belwark's education system is one that heavily reflects their industrial lifestyle. They wake up early for school. Move from class to class by the bell of the day and they have a plethora of topics they learn. Before moving onto Secondary school, which is much the same as primary school, and then heading into the workforce or heading to university to get better less dirty work.

Continent: Urdic
Location Type: National Territory
Government: Democratic Oligarchy

Majority Party: Belwark Nationalist

Party Head: Wimbel Hanz

Population: 288,321,765
Total GDP: 17 Trillion GP
Magic Dependence: Low

Ethnic Groups:

• 25.2% Dwarven

• 18.12% Human

• 15% Cyclops

• 12.64%Gnomes

• 12.07%Half-Elf

• 10.23% Hybrids

• 6.75%Elven

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