Republic of Yari

Yari (Republic of Yari) is a country located in North-Eastern Afar inhabitated by around 23 million people (1990). Yari's capital is Edelwen and the country is divided into 10 subdivisions called districts. Other major cities: Mashtar, Bayar, Cormon, Willis Bay, Luend, Nampal, Shafar, Bluecove and Fetherden. Country's economy is mainly dominated by tourism, agriculture and mining.

History

Origins

Yari and its name was already known in ancient times. The term "Yari" reffered to the land between the river of Mel and the Waraniyan Mountain Range. Most notable figure in Yari history from that time is the King Dahur I under who's reign (176-132 BOE) Yari pushed its borders past the Eastern mountains and conquered what is now known as Waraniya. However this golden age did not last long and Yari Empire eventually collapsed in 54 BOE due to outside pressure and invasions before subsequent detoriation of the nation throughou following centuries.

Yari then had to face subjugation under various foreign powers. First under Shafar rule after a foreign invasion in 882 OE, then under Western Mel clans after their conquest in 10th century until Yari was eventually colonized by Mercland in 1501 OE. Subsequentially Yari culture and native beliefs slowly vanished under foreign influences. This process was further progressed by Mercish colonization during which Yari faced harsh oppression and genoicide.

Modern history (1960-1979)

Yari eventually gained independance from Mercland on 30th of October, 1960 and monarchy under the Fahurite dynasty was restored with Fahur IV situated on the throne. The period of his reign called the Fahur Decades is marked by revived Yari cultural life, widespread corruption, underdevelopment and poverty caused by the king's lavish life. Fahur was also seen as nothing more than a puppet installed by Mercland to control the country and allow foreign conglomerates to exploit the nation's resources. Some social progress was achieved during his reign, including the establishemnt of the first Yari university and the creation of the constitution, however population's discontent caused by Fahur's governing grew over time.

Anti-Monarchist sentiments only grew stronger after the First Yari-Nebanese War of 1978 in which Yari suffered a huge defeat due to king's overreliance on Western material support. Yari was eventually forced to secede the Mel-Hafar strip to the Eikai-backed regime of Nebay. Because of this defeat Fahur was now seen as incompetent not only by the civilians but also by the military and internal opposition quickly arose in the government.

After the "December Incident" in which Yari police fired at peaceful protesters a faction within the military used this opportunity and launched a succesful coup which overthrew the Fahur's government on 15th of December 1979 in an event now known as the Young Officers Coup. A wave of protests in support of the coup washed over the country and the Revolutionary Command launched a widespread "de-Fahurization" campaign over following months.

Modern History (1980-Present)

Rodion Cheref, a colonel who studied in Aurora, quickly rose to power within the Revolutionary Command and was eventually elected to be the first president of Yari, first within the command and then in a popular vote. Cheref quickly sidelined his opposition and aligned Yari towards the East and established a Socialist type of governance by nationalizing all foreign assets within the country and introducing worker self-management to the country along with greatly expanding social liberties and curbing all dissent. The new government swore to establish Yari as an independent state, nevertheless that did not stop them from receiving political and economic aid from SUA.

The coup coincided with the discovery of substantial amounts of Oil reserves in Norther deserts of Yari. The new govenment quickly drafted the first 5-year plan in accordance to which Yari taken foreign loans to buy mining equipment before establishing its oil extraction industry. On top of that Cheref also introduced a land reform which abolished the semi-feudal agricultural system and gave farmers direct ownership of the land they worked on. Yari's tourism potential was also finally recognized with the construction of tourism industry with Nampal Sandstone Temples and the Edelwen Lazurite Palace being officially written on UWO's Protected World Heritage List.

Literacy rose from 20% in 1980 to 90% in 1990 and Cheref's government oversaw the construction of various public facilities, such as the Mashtar Dam, and prefab housing. Despite everything cultural life of Yari still continued to develop with various events such as the International Week for Peace 1985 were organised in the country which only fueled tourism even more.

Peace did not last for long and Nebay, angered by the flooding of farmlands caused by the consutruction of Mashtar Dam, continued their aggresive politics against Yari, including the funding of anti-Socialist groups within Yari, which led to the Second Yari-Nebanase War after the Haftani Independence Front backed by Nebay and Eikai launched an uprising in the Mashtar region and Nebay launched an invasion with the pretext of liberating afore mentioned region in 1991. Yari quickly repelled the Nebanese invasion and crushed the HIF with the military support of Aurora and modern miilitary techniques which overpowered the antiquated Nebanese military tactics.

As of now Yari is focused on repaying previously taken loans, increasing the standard of life in the country and rebuilding regions which suffered the most due to the war.

Geography

Yari is dominated by tropical forests with substantial amounts of plains in the South-East and deserts in the North-East with the Waraniya mountains passing through the country. Yari's climate goes from subtropical in the North to tropical in the South. The biggest river in Yari is Mel which is also a border between Yari and the Republic of the Mel. Three biggest lakes in Yari are; Wen, Wetel and the Mashtar Reservoir.

Economy

Yari economy is a mix of commanded economy with worker self-managment where big to medium businesses are nationalized while private enterprise exists in form of agriculture and small businesses. Yari is mainly dominated by mining, agriculture and tourism. It's economic growth is estimated to be around 6-8% and its debt to GDP is around moderate 40%.