Vasca

Vasca (or Isola de Vasca) is an island nation (fictional) situated about 700km northwest of Spain, on the outer edges of the Bay of Biscay. The official language of Vasca is Lingua Franca Nova (sometimes simply refereed to as Elefen). Due to its size and geopolitical obscurity Vasca is considered one of the European microstates.

Etymology

The origin of the name Vasca is not entirely clear but seems to have derived from the Vascones tribe. The Spanish word vasca is used to refer to female Basque.

Politics

Administrative Districts

The counties of Vasca (listed alphabetically):

1. Bejeta
2. Braga
3. Delenio
4. Franconia
5. Goros
6. Masada
7. Mosta, La feudo de
8. Ordino
9. La Roca
10. Sanat
11. Verona

Government

La bandera de Vasca

It is a Parliamentary Monarchy. Vasca has a constitutional monarch as Head of State, and an elected parliament which enacts law. It is also a direct democracy, where voters can propose and enact constitutional amendments and legislation independent of the legislature. The current ruler is Prinse Grande Benato II (Grand Prince Bernard the 2^nd)

The reigning Prince is the head of state and represents Vasca in its international relations. The Prince may veto laws adopted by parliament. The Prince can call referenda, propose new legislation, and dissolve parliament, although dissolution of parliament may be subject to a referendum.

Geography

See also: La Jeografia de Vasca

The island is approximately 388 km² (149 mi²). The capital of Vasca is Porto Baia (Bay Port).

The largest metropolitan areas on the island are:

1. Porto Baia (political capital)
2. Marapas (also called Pas de la Mar)
3. Omieda (a remnant of the Umayyad Caliphate)
4. Navaro
5. Beria
6. Acita
7. Capo Arena
8. Raial

Demographics

Vasca conducts a census of population and housing every ten years. The census held in November 2005 counted an estimated 96% of the population. Native Vascans make up the majority of the island. However, there are minorities, the largest of which are French, many of whom are retirees. The population of Vasca as of July 2011 was estimated at 508,000. The population's age composition is similar to the age structure prevalent in the EU. Since 1977 there was observed a trend indicating an aging population, and is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Vascan legislation recognizes both civil and canonical (ecclesiastical) marriages. Annulments by the ecclesiastical and civil courts are unrelated and are not necessarily mutually endorsed.

Languages

~93% of the population speak Elefen, minority languages include, Spanish, French, Basque, and English. Lingua Franca Nova (Elefen) is the constitutional national language of Vasca, having become official, however, only in 1834. Previously, Spanish was the official and cultural language of Vasca. Alongside Elefen, Spanish (imposed by Spain after 1800) is also an official language of the country and hence the laws of the land are enacted both in Elefen and Spanish. However, the Constitution states that if there is any conflict between the Elefen and the Spanish texts of any law, the Elefen text shall prevail. The Constitution also provides for the introduction of another official language; this is due to the prevalence of English in international law and business.

Security and Defense

See also: La Armada de Vasca

Police Corp

Vasca maintains a small but modern and well-equipped internal police force (La Brigada Polisial de Vasca (La Bepeve)), with around 840 police officers supported by civilian assistants. The principal services supplied by the Corps are uniformed community policing, criminal detection, border control, and traffic policing. There are also small specialist units including police dogs, mountain rescue, and bomb disposal.

External Links

• Stories from Porto Baia