Republic of Mastar

Mastar (République de Mastar) is a country located in South-West Aurora inhabitated by around 5 million people (1990). Mastar's capital is Qadam and the country is divided into 10 departments which make up the country. Mastari economy is mainly dominated by tourism and mining.

Qadam (1980)

History

Prehistory

Earliest canine activity in the territory of Mastar can be dated as far back as 50,000 years Before Our Era with the earliest organized culture, called the Martidique Culture, being found in Northern Mastar mountains around 45,000 years BOE. Archeological evidence from the area shows that multiple migrations from South towards North, which might prove the theory that canines originated from the continent of Afar.

Earliest ancestors to contemporary Mastari settled in the country around 7,000 years ago. No evidence of any later away migrations have been found.

Precolonial history

Since antiquity Mastar has been one of the links between West and East with major trade routes passing through the territory. Maritime mercantilism also played a crucial role in the history of Mastar with Al-Qam port being founded in 1082 Before Our Age. The Kingdom of Kum with its capital in what is now the city of Al-Qam was founded by king Karum I in 991 BOE. Ancient Mastari culture then continued flourishing until Kum was invaded by the Ellan Empire in 110 BOE. Mastar remained under Ellan rule until the collapse of the empire in 454 of Our Era.

Mastar then remained divided between various small kingdoms and faiths until Waraniyan conquest forced Mastar to adopt Shafar rule and faith in the year 880. Mastar remained under Waraniyan rule until 1500 when the Renish Empire won in a war against Waraniya and established a colony in Mastar.

Colonial rule

Colony of Qadam was established in 1501 and throughout future years Mastari people underwent a period of Renification in which the native languages were outlawed and Renish customs were mandatory.

Mastar remained a major trade hub under Renish rule all the way until the 19th century when most trade was redirected to the Waraniya Canal constructed in 1859 and colonialists started to prioritarize exotic agroculture, recreation and natural gas extraction.

Early 20th century marked the beginning of Emperor Renard XX's effort to revitalize the colonies in which sought to create a class of educated natives loyal to the colonial rule which could aid the colonists in administration and possible silencing of dissenting voice and independance movements. This decision started the gradual formation of a Mastari intelligentsia class which then in turn reignited the Mastari national identity. By late 1940s various independance movements were formed in Mastar as a result of the end of the Great War and the Renish Empire was increasingly more pressured to adopt the international agenda of decolonization, both internally and externally.

Modern history

Republic of Mastar's history begins in 1950 when the Renish Empire creates the Trust Territory of Mastar in accordance to the United World Organization's decolonization agenda. After the 5 year long period of transition the republic is officially founded on 3rd of August, 1955.

The National Progressive Party won 37 out of 55 seats in the parliament in the elections of 1955 and has remained in power ever since. First Mastari president, Emmanuel Khour, has gained prominence as in Mastari thanks to his socially progressive stance and economic thinking, which helped Mastar stand up from its knees after years of colonial rule.

Mastar was still subjected to neocolonialism and most of natural gas extraction in the country was monopolized by Renish and Mercish conglomerates. Tourism and the discovery of untapped oil reserves in the country paired with rising demand for oil in the world helped the country establish itself as an independent entity. Stability and relatively low taxes on the finances sector helped Mastar become a major banking hub in the region and further increase the economic growth of the country. Early in its history Mastar also sought a neutral foreign policy, however dreams of neutrality were quickly put aside after continuous agression from the Fatamwitte Confederation and Republic of Mastar was forced to align itself with one of the major powers, eventually deciding to lean towards the UFA-aligned sphere.

After Khour's retiring in 1975 and elections the same year Eloise Haddad, the first female president in the region, was elected and swore to continue her predecessors party line and promised to further expand social liberties in the country. NPP enjoyed a comfortable majority in the parliament throughout almoast four decades, passing laws with the opposition being too small to intervene, until the 80's when the people started questioning National Progressive rule after major failures, such as the First Oil War and the Oil Crisis of 1978.

When Mastari oil started to become less appealing for potential foreign buyers after instability of the region which became apparent in the 80's Mastar was forced to expand its list of exports and services. As of now Republic of Mastar is expanding its infrastructure and cutting taxes on shipping in hopes that it will become a trade hub in South-Western Aurora.

Geography

Mastar is a mountainous country located in South-West Aurora. Mastari Mountains run through the middle of the country and divide it into two distinct climates; galleian in the West along the coast and desert in the East. The highest mountain in Mastar is Mount Adélard measuring 3,004 masl in its peak. Mastar territory is around 137,278 km² and its land border measures around 1,745 km.

The Sartar river is the lonest river in Mastar. It runs along the Mastar-Fatamwitte border. Lake Garman, which is located on the Sartar river, is the biggest lake in Mastar, although most of it lies beyond the borders of the country. Mastari coastline measures around 627 km.

Economy

Mastari economy is market-oriented with the government officially subscribing to the Renish doctrine of Dirigisme. The state plans economic development and then "pushes" the market in desired directions through investements and subsidies for private enterprises in desired sectors. Mastar's economy is heavily dominated by oil mining, which has been consistently growing ever since Mastar's independence in 1955, and tourism in addition to being a regional banking hub.