Group+33-+Information



Country Name: Delta National Republic (DNR)


 * Background and short history: Delta National Republic, commonly known as DNR, is a medium-sized island off the east coast of Africa, a short distance from Somalia. The history of this island is said to begin in the small villages around the delta. Though the name of these villages are unknown, the whole area is reffered to as Urhié, which means river. Since the founding and the early years of this island are unknown (it's that old) there is no known theory of state. One thing that can be traced back in time was the finding of lapis lazuli ( a beautiful stone and the national stone of the island), which was a little over 300 years ago in 1712. The city Lazuli was founded in 1717, five years later. Currently the Island is a monarchy and is ruled by queen Okiemute, who lives in the heart of the island in the largest city, Delta City, with her son prince L.J. who will inherit the throne someday and rule as king.


 * National Anthem:

(Swahili Original Text) Maji ya delta ya anaendesha kwa veins wetu Miti ya miti yetu magrove yanamaanisha nguvu zetu " Ni nchi nzuri ", Mungu mwenyewe kuimba , " Kama delta ya urefu mkubwa " Mungu ni mkuu alitupatia Breeze kutoka fukwe zetu ni ishara ya upendo wake Sisi kumwabudu na kuuliza kwa mkono wake Katika shukrani kwa ajili ya kusaidia kujenga nchi hii nzuri.

(English Translation) The delta's water runs through our veins The wood of our magrove trees signify our strength "What a beautiful land" ,God Himself sang, "Such deltas of great length" God is great He gave us this The breeze from our beaches are His kiss We worship Him and ask for His hand In thanks for helping create this beautiful land.

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 * To see our country's national propoganda check out this presentation:


 * Location- DNR is off the east coast of somalia on coordinates (approximately) 12.425848 degrees latitude and 56.733398 degrees longitude.


 * Map it! [see our map]


 * Capital City: Delta City- the largest city in DNR and located at the heart of the island in the ọrhorhorho desert. (ọrhorhorho means 'hot' in urhobo) Delta City is the most advanced, wealthiest city in DNR with most others being farming, fishing, or mining cities. The city has skyscrapers: the only ones on the island, an amusement park: the only one on the island, the largest airport on the entire island, and most other things you would see in a typical urban city.

~Urhié- (name means river) A cluster of small villages based around the delta. So old it has no official name, Urhié is thought to be birthpace of civilization in the Delta National Republic. In these villages you can find many types of people: from aboriginies and ancestors of the island, to farmers who plant crops on the fertile soil, to fisherman who make a living off of crab fishing. Urhié is a unique city full of culture and tradition. Here you won't find any buildings, besides the huts. Urhié, although old, has still managed to help support the island with its rescources of food and water, making it a vital city on DNR.
 * Other cities:

~Lazuli- A cluster of villages that make up a city in the mountains. This old city supports the economy with its mining and exports of lapis lazuli.

~Uvo kugbé ékpé- (Name, literally translated, means 'Sun And Sand') This city is the island's major tourist spot and second most populated city. It is located on the western edge of the island, right by the beach. Although full of people, Uvo kugbé ékpé, is not neccesarily a modern city like Delta City. The citizens of this city are mainly fishermen who make a living off of catching fish in the ocean. This city is also filled with markets and craftsman with many skills like wood carving, braiding, and basket weaving. Due to the large population, Uvo kugbé ékpé is a culturally diverse place.

~Surrey- A small city off the skirt of the desert and close to both the desert and the Mangrove Jungle. In this area there is both fertile ground and heat making it a good spot to grow plants that grow in warm enviornments. Although not really a major city, Surrey does have a major transportaion line with busses, trains that can take you to the nearby villages that make up Urhié, high speed trains that can take you on the opposite side of the island by Lazuli and Uvo kugbé ékpé, and the second largest airport on the island. (the first being in Delta City)


 * Size- The Delta National Republic, by comparison, is roughly big enough to fit 5 of Hawaii's Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Maui) inside. Check it out!




 * Climate (should match longitude and latitude location)- The climate in the Delta National Republic varies depending on the area. In the desert the climate is hot and dry all the time, even in the winter, with very little rainfall. The climate around the delta is hot //and// humid. There is plenty of rain though. In the mountainous area it is usually cold year round. Snow covers the mountain tops even in mid-summer. In general, however, DNR has a relatively tropical climate since it is an island.


 * Terrain: DNR has a variety of different terrains. Part of the island is abunadant in moutains, which hold the beatiful stone lapis lazuli, which is mined by miners on the island. An ample amount of rivers and deltas flow inside the island (thus the abbreviation for delta in DNR). Forests of mangrove trees grow around these areas and form what is known as 'The Mangrove Jungle'. At the heart of Delta National Reublic lies a large desert called the ọrhorhorho desert. This is the hottest part in DNR with temperatures as high as 105 degrees! The rest of the land is tropical, beach-like with sand, palm trees, and ocean. Here are some pictures of things you'll see in the DNR terrain!


 * Natural Resources:

Lapis Lazuli



Fish

Good Planting Soil

Ample Amounts Of Water


 * Arable Land/amount of land that can be farmed (by %). Arable: 45% This massive amount of farmable landmainly comes from the delta, river area. This area is large as it is. Non-arable: 55% This large amount of non arable land is mainly because of the large desert and the mountainous regions on the island. The only real fertile soil is in the delta. Check out this graph to see the amount of farmable land vs. not farmable land!




 * The Main Environmental Issues:

1. Desertification- This is the degredation of land in specific areas due to climatic variations and human activities. Desertification is a major issue in Delta City and the surrounding desert. The continuous contruction of buildings, and demolition of the already scarce plants has led to insufficient amounts of food for desert animals. The government is trying to stop this by importing more desert-suitable plants.

2. Eutrophication- This is the addition of artificial or natural substances (nitrates, phosphates...) through fertalizes or sewage. This leads to a great increase of phytoplankton in waters which in turn leads to phenomenon like hypoxia, the depletion of oxygen in the water. This is bad because it decreases the amount of fish in the water. Eutrophication is common in the delta region on DNR. Here, many villagers farm crops in the banks' fertile soil. They use fertalizers to help their plants grow. Sometimes runoff fertilizer gets in the water. To combat this problem the government is trying to find a solution to runoff.


 * Total Population: Around 750,000 inhabitants


 * Average age: About 50% of the inhabitants in DNR are between the ages of 33-72 years old.


 * Nationality (what are your people called?): The people of DNR are referred to as Deltas. (Delta=singular)


 * Religion: Catholic/ Anglican/Baptist/Redeem Christan Church of Lord/African Traditional Belief


 * Language(s): Urohbo, Swahili, Pigin English, Condo, Bengan


 * Traditional dress/clothing: gele wrap ,skirt and blouse, buba rapa, stanta, suga



~//Here is a quick video of Okiemute briefely describing the clothing in the picture above!// media type="file" key="Group 33_WMV V9.wmv" width="399" height="399" align="center"


 * Food: Here are some pictures of DNR's, heavily african based, most popular meals.












 * Major National Holidays:

1. May 29 is the Delta National Republic Independence Day. This is the day that the country became a totally independent island instead of a part of the Somalia

2. August 2 is known as Inaguration Day: the day when the popular queen Okiemute and her charming son L.J. entered the offical office to rule the island of DNR as a monarchy.


 * Cultural Norms, Customs, and Taboos (must have at least 2 of each)

Cultural Norms: 1. Knowing how to cook traditional African meals by the age of 7

2. (For children growing up in the Mangrove Jungle area) Knowing how to fish and catch mangrove crabs with poles, nets, spears, and their bare hands.

Customs: 1. In the Delta National Republic it is a custom for everyone to have a noticable mark on your body (typically the wrist or the neck) that tells you apart from other Deltas. The mark is made by bleaching a small area of the skin into a object or animal and given to every child when they turn 3. The mark is not only the differenciate in everybody, but also it is their 'spiritual advisor' and typically the mark symbolizes their personality. For example if a woman had the mark of a lioness that would mean that she is of royal descent and it represents the moon, femeninity, and a fierce mother.

2. It is a custom in DNR for most children to be schooled at home. In DNR education is //not// free nor is it required by law. Public school systems are only found in the capital city so everywhere else education must be given by willing citizens or by the parents of the children (if they want to and if they are even educated) The higher your education the higher your social status is. Uneducated people are generally less wealthy an popular than those who have an education.

Taboos: 1. The pinky finger is taboo in DNR. To Deltas it basically means what the midde finger means to us. Pinky promises are not made in DNR. Instead 'middle finger' promises are made. When holding a cup if your pinky finger is sticking out you will be arrested if caught. Flicking out ones pinky finger to another person is considerred very offensive and it is a criminal offense.



2. Fur coats are another taboo in DNR. Fur coats are made from animals and since animals are held at a high prestige in DNR, the killing of one for the sake of clothing is a crime punishable of a heavy fine, a long-term prison sentence, or even death. In DNR animals are only killed to feed. Even then an apologetic ritual for the killed animal is performed to ward off any 'angry spirit' that may be lurking after death.





and explanation. population numbers!) years?) production)
 * Overview of economic system and current economic challenges (provide clear description
 * GDP (overall real GDP expressed in US dollars)
 * GDP per capita (also expressed in US dollars—make sure this coincides with your
 * GDP growth rate (is economy growing or slowing? At what rate from previous two
 * Labor force by occupation (% agricultural; % industrial; % service)
 * Unemployment rate
 * % population below the poverty line
 * Income distribution
 * Inflation rate (compare to previous two years)
 * Name of currency
 * Exchange rate to US dollar
 * Agricultural products (must have at least 3—must coincide with geography)
 * Industries (must have at least 3—must coincide with natural resources)
 * Major exports (must have at least 3—must coincide with agricultural and industrial
 * Major imports (must have at least 5)
 * Main trading partners (must coincide with what you are exporting and importing)

DUE APRIL 10TH- 100 POINTS



Executive: Legislative: are total numbers and why of participants? Judicial: Are there additional branches? If so- what are thy and how are they chosen? -Do a few dominate? If so- what are they? And why?
 * Government type (must match economic system)
 * Unitary or Federal power distribution?
 * Parliamentary or Presidential?
 * Subdivisions of Power (i.e. States/Providences/Parish)?
 * Current Govenment established in?
 * Legal System
 * Branches of Government?
 * How the election process occurs
 * How many? jobs/functions of each
 * How chosen?
 * Cabinet, if so who and what are the cabinet positions?
 * What political party is currently in power?
 * If there is a legislative body, detail what kind of house structure exists and what
 * What political party is currently in power?
 * How many chambers?
 * How are the courts structured?
 * Is there a court that has more power than the other?
 * Political Parties

DUE APRIL 21ST - 100 POINTS

system you chose) -Top 5 mandatory spending items -Top 5 discretionary spending items
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DUE MAY 3RD- 50 POINTS




 * Write a set of at least 10 rules/laws/standards of human right you desire for your country.

DUE MAY 9th- 50 POINTS

issue and the reasons for your country's position.
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DUE MAY 9th- 30 POINTS

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