Pharitaya

Haean Republic of Pharitaya 파국 ภริทยา
Flag Emblem
Motto: "Unity, Light, Truth"
Capital	Seriwon
Largest	Puri Rimbawan
Official languages	Haean, English
Recognised national languages	Johko, Jaebang, Seogurim
Recognised regional languages	6 recognized regional languages
Ethnic groups (2022)	59% Tae 33% Jaebang (Coastal Tae) 19% Johko (Highland Tae) 5% Yugeomae (Midland Tae) 2% Other Tae 27% Kasa 18% Seogurim (Central Kasa) 8% Sura (Coastal Kasa) 7% Haemi 4% Mizu 2% Kaijanese 1% Rén 0.6% Mallacan <1% Other
Religion	Large minority: Celestialism (official), Sasna Thaya, Islam Small minority: Minjian, Neo-Minjian, Christianity
Demonym(s)	Pharitayan
Government	Parliamentary Republic
• Yuhwa	Mi Nayul
• Anuya	Tae Jiheon
• Prime Minister	Suchin Chaiwong (채수진)
Legislature	Parliament of Pharitaya
Establishment
• Kingdom of Pharitaya	842–1398 CE
• Pharitaya and Seogura Provinces of Haesan	1398–1736
• Pharitaya Colony of Opthelia	1736–1977
• Independence from Opthelia	23 May 1977
Area
•	174,270 km2 (67,290 sq mi)
• Water (%)	7.8%
Population
• Estimate	28,309,441
• Census	2020
GDP (PPP)	2022 estimate
• Total	$1.561 trillion
• Per capita	$55,145
GDP (nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	$1.208 trillion
• Per capita	$42,663
Gini (2022)	57.3 high
HDI (2022)	.821 very high
Currency	Eun (은) (PHE)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Pharitaya Standard Time)
Date format	yyyy.mm.dd
Driving side	right
Calling code	+25
Internet TLD	.ph

Pharitaya, officially the Haean Republic of Pharitaya, is a nation in Eastern Hesperida, bordering Misumi to the west, the Slokais Sea to the east, and the Gulf of Haesan to the south. While the nation is nominally a unitary parliamentary republic, in reality the leadership of the Seobhagunnang, or the aristocratic Council of the Seven Houses, dictate most national policy. Parliament is largely considered a puppet of the executive branch, as it has been dominated by the conservative, pro-business Pharitaya National Party (PNP), which is seen as beholden to the Seobhagunnang. The Pharitayan Constitution does not guarantee total separation of powers with checks and balances, and the influence of the Seven Houses is felt throughout political, economic, and social life.

Pharitaya was first unified in 842 by Phra Bat Somdet Khwanchai Chanthahom Phra Chao Yu Hua (Samat I), as a hereditary monarchy known as the Kingdom of Pharitaya. The Kingdom endured many crises, as border wars with their more technologically advanced Mizu neighbors were common. In the late 13th century, a two decades marked by severe flooding weakened the Kingdom, and a line of Haesanite puppet kings were installed. In 1398, Haesan colonized the nation, administering it as the provinces of Pharitaya and Seogura. In the 16th century, a unique power sharing agreement arose between provincial governors and wealthy Haesanite merchant families and business leaders, forming the basis of the Seobhagunnang. When Haesan was colonized by Opthelia, Pharitaya was also taken over and governed semi-autonomously as an Opthelian colony for over 200 years. In 19XX, Pharitaya was granted independence, and it adopted its current Parliamentary system of goverment.

Pharitaya has a diverse economy, led by the finance and energy sectors. Pharitaya has gained infamy for being a major tax haven, as it has a shoestring tax code and scarce government oversight. The government's pro-business leanings and inherent stability have made the nation's largest city, Puri Rimbawan, a hub for the international banking sector. The 1983 discovery of hydrocarbons in Pharitaya's offshore EEZ turbocharged its economic growth, and helped lift millions out of poverty while exacerbating the nation's wealth inequality; Pharitaya is currently rated as the most unequal nation in the IDU. The nation's capital, Seriwon, is currently the world's wealthiest and most expensive city, as those who seek to live in or visit the island city must meet a high, undisclosed, wealth threshold, or otherwise have accrued fame or diplomatic status. Much of the country remains rural and agricultural, with rice, tea, and silk being the amongst the nation's main exports. Poverty rates are low, as extensive government welfare programs provide a baseline quality of life for Pharitayans.

Pharitaya has gained international recognition for its culture in recent years, as the lavish lifestyle of its wealthiest residents has drawn international media attention. In recent years, Pharitaya has also angled at hosting prestigious events, expositions, and conferences to boost its international profile.

Geography & Climate

Pharitaya covers 174,270 km² (67,290 sq mi) in the east of Hesperida, and is typically seen as divided into three distinct regions: mountainous northern foothills, riparian central valleys, and lowland marshes and terraces in the south along the Gulf of Haesan and Slokais Sea. Most of the population of the nation lives on the Chalermphrakiat Peninsula jutting southward into the Gulf, including the major cities of Puri Rimbawan and Jarantasiri. The terraced river valleys of the Johko, Sigyu, and their tributaries are emblematic of the northern portions of the nation, but the far north is too rugged to be agriculturally useful.

Pharitaya has cool, dry winters, and hot, humid, rainy summers. Pharitaya's climate is distinguished by its strong monsoon pattern, lasting from mid-July to early September. The climate is seasonal, with four distinct seasons. The northern foothills usually have cooler summers, classified as Koppen type Dwb, as opposed to type Dwa in most of the rest of the nation. The nation is subject to rare typhoons originating in the North Tenebric Ocean; however, most typhoons far enough north lack the warm water required to strengthen and peter out before reaching Pharitaya, usually arriving as heavy rainfall.

Demographics

Pharitaya has a population of 28,309,441 as of the 2020 census. The population is slightly increasing, driven by high birthrates in its rural areas, although that is mitigated by lower birthrates in its urban areas and an emerging trend of immigration to nations like Haesan and Slokais Islands. Urbanization is accelerating in Pharitaya, as the nation's burgeoning services sector and general wealth of its urban citizens has driven internal migration to cities, especially amongst those with college degrees. The nation's population is divided between urban and rural areas in about a 65/35 split, with very few suburban areas. The nation's largest city, Puri Rimbawan, is responsible for about half the nation's population, with a population of 13,473,606 in its metro area.

Pharitaya is a racially diverse nation. While Haemi hold nearly all executive positions and control the Seobhagunnang, there is a deep tradition of plurality in the nation. The two largest ethnic groups in the nation, the Thaya (Tae) and the Qazzafi (Kasa), have generally peacefully coexisted since Pharitaya's unification under Samat I, but throughout history tensions have arisen over land and religion. Many credit the long, neutral rule of the Seven Houses for maintaining ethnic peace in the nation, although many critics have stressed that the Haemi domination of government has prevented the Thaya and Qazzafi from controlling their own destiny. There is also a significant number of Mizu Pharitayans who have crossed the border, often due to religious differences, as well as Kaijanese and Mallacans who have found a home in the many Muslim communities in the nation.

Religion

Celestialism is the official religion of Pharitaya; however, it is estimated only around 15% of Pharitayans practice the religion. Despite the often authoritarian nature of Pharitaya's government, religious pluralism is accepted, and there is broad religious diversity. The indigenous Sasna Thaya religion, a samsaric belief system in which believers seek enlightenment through meditation, is the most popular religion in the nation, estimated to have about 12 million followers, mainly from those of the Thaya (Tae) ethnicity. Islam is also a major religion in the nation, with many Qazzafi (Kasa) devoutly practicing various forms of Sunni Islam. Most cities and towns with a significant Muslim population, most notably, Puri Rimbawan, will pause for the Muslim call to prayer, and the weekend is generally considered to be Friday and Saturday. Pharitaya hosts a notable Minjian and Neo-Minjian population, especially amongst those of Mizu descent whose ancestors came to Pharitaya to freely practice their religion. Sanctarian Catholicism is practiced by about 2% of the population, a result of missionary work during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Language

The official languages of Pharitaya are Haean and English. Most commercial business in the nation is conducted in English, and most communication in Seriwon within and between the Seven Houses is in Haean. Various Thaya languages, predominantly either Chayfang (Jaebang) or Chawkhea (Johko), are the most spoken in casual conversation; both are recognized as national languages. The most common variant used by Qazzafi Pharitayans, Sukutime (Seogurim), is also a national language. Various other dialects are recognized locally, but they are used by no more than 3% of the population.

Education

The Pharitayan education system has notably improved since the National Education Reform Plan in 1985. Literacy is near universal, and currently 40% of the population holds a college degree, with that number expected to rise over the coming decades. Pre-K, primary, and secondary education are available at no cost, and Pharitayan public education is well regarded internationally, borrowing heavily from the Haesanite exam-based system. Especially in mathematics and other STEM subjects, Pharitaya ranks extraordinarily highly on an IDU-wide scale. Public universities are highly subsidized for Pharitayan citizens, usually only costing the equivalent of a few thousand Sanctarian pounds a year. Private universities are common, and are usually more highly rated than their public ocunterparts, but the cost can be prohibitively expensive for those from lower-class backgrounds as needs-based financial aid is rare.

Pharitayan education has often been regarded as classist, as throughout the educational system those with money can pay for access to better schools, resources, and tutors, without any counterbalancing measures from the government. Additionally, critics have pointed out that those in urban areas often have access to one of the best educations in the IDU, while educational attainment rates in poorer areas like the northern foothills are as poor as some of the least successful nations. Outside observers have also raised the alarm about potential forced cultural assimilation via the educational system as typically only Haean and English are allowed to be spoken inside the classroom, despite Thaya and Qazzafi languages being far more popular in daily use.

Government & Politics

Pharitaya is nominally a unitary parliamentary republic. The Parliament of Pharitaya is a unicameral legislative assembly with 100 members chosen by party list proportional representation with a 5% threshold. Votes in excess of the 5% threshold are used to calculate seat apportionment. All party lists must receive the approval of the Anuya in order to appear on the ballot, and are either approved, approved with candidate strikes, or wholly denied. There are no grounds for appeal of this decision, although new slates for consideration may be submitted up until four weeks before election day. The ruling Pharitaya National Party (PNP) currently holds 98 seats in the Parliament, and their leader, Suchin Chaiwong, is the current Prime Minister and is nominally in charge of the legislative branch. There are parliamentary elections every five years or in the case of a successful vote of no-confidence; there has never been a vote of no-confidence. The HPGI has labeled Pharitayan elections as "not free", and has switched the nation's rating between "light authoritarianism" and "full authoritarianism" over the last ten years.

Executive authority is constitutionally vested in the Seobhagunnang, led by the Heonban, or heads of the Seven Houses. The seven leaders represent their House's interests, usually tied to the industry and portfolio that the House has historically managed. Every four years, the leaders will gather to select a Yuhwa, the Seobhagunnang spokesperson and Pharitayan head of state, and an Anuya, charged with managing legislative affairs. A Heonban can only serve as one of these roles for two consecutive terms, and these positions may be reassigned if five of the Heonban agree to the change. Currently the head of the House of Mi, Mi Nayul, is serving as the Yuhwa, while the head of the House of Tae, Tae Jiheon, is the Anuya. House leaders usually serve for anywhere between 20 and 40 years, and virtually all (greater than 95%) of successors are handpicked as opposed to being selected by primogeniture.

The judicial branch is constitutionally created as an appellate review system enforcing the law of the land with the power of constitutional review vested in the Court of Final Appeal (CFA). The Court of Final Appeal has seven justices, one selected by each House's Heonban, which must pass a cursory majority approval vote amongst the Seobhagunnang to be appointed. The justices serve at the pleasure of their respective houses, and may be removed by their head of house at any time, for any reason. Lower courts are staffed by direct, partisan elections every five years, currently concurrent with parliamentary elections. Judicial candidates, like legislative ones, must be prescreened by the Anuya. PNP judges currently hold around 94% of judicial positions. International observers have heavily criticized the lack of an independent judiciary, and have called for non-partisan judicial elections, an elimination of prescreening, and a more transparent CFA appointment process, amongst other reforms.

Local politics, while in theory more independent from the Seobhagunnang, often are directly influenced and often controlled by the Council of the Seven Houses, especially in urban areas. Pharitaya has eleven listed regions, but there are no region-wide governmental authorities. Local power is vested in mayors and town councils, and while the Anuya does not automatically review local election candidates, often, local elected officials critical of the Seobhagunnang are jailed on constitutional charges of "endangering the state" and are forcibly removed from office. As such, the vast majority of local offices, around 91%, are held by PNP officials loyal to the system, while most of those who are not are typically members of neutral regional parties that mainly seek to advocate for the economic welfare of their municipality.

International watchdogs consistently rate Pharitaya as very poor on civil liberties. Freedom of the press is virtually non-existent; all 5 major news channels and 21 newspapers of significant following are either directly owned by House aristocrats, or are managed by close allies who carry a House certification. Operating a news organization outside the purview of the Seobhagunnang is considered a criminal offense. Journalists critical of the Seobhagunnang are routinely jailed and imprisoned after show trials. Internet use is heavily surveilled and regulated; most Pharitayans have highly reduced access to internet resources and social media, although those wealthy or influential enough to live in Seriwon have much greater access. CCTV cameras, both privately owned and publicly owned, are prevalent and are routinely used for surveillance purposes. However, religious freedom, many economic freedoms, and protections against race or gender based discrimination are guaranteed and strictly enforced by the government.

Economy

Pharitaya's diversified, mixed economy is a main focus of its national policy, with a GDP per capita (nominal) of $42,663. Pharitaya is listed as a highly developed nation, although it's wealth is spread extraordinarily unequally, with the average income of the richest 10% of Pharitayans 35 times greater than the average income of the poorest 10% of Pharitayans. Many of Pharitaya's largest and internationally recognized corporations, such as Petrotaya, Pharitaya Financial Group (PFG), and Mi Logistics, are directly owned and managed by the aristocratic houses. Increases in education and standard of living, coupled with lax labor and regulatory laws have made Pharitaya a desirable location for foreign direct investment, and its talent pool, especially in economics and computer science, is one of the most affordable and well-regarded in the IDU.

The largest sectors of the Pharitayan economy are services, dominated by the financial sector, as well as energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. The discovery of hydrocarbons in 1983 kickstarted the Pharitayan economic renaissance, transforming it from a poor, agricultural post-colonial state into today's modern, developed economy. Drilling, processing, and refining hydrocarbons, as well as the liquefaction of natural gas, in addition to the Petrotaya corporation which maintains a near monopoly in those sectors, are all under the auspices of the House of San, traditionally in charge of the nation's energy and natural resources. Shortly after the petro revenue allowed for the revitalization of the nation's education, healthcare, and worker training systems, land reforms and the addition of further cuts and loopholes to the tax code made Pharitaya a top destination for the financial services sector, starting the diversification of Pharitaya's economy.

The manufacturing sector, a moderate component of Pharitaya's economy, has been growing in recent years, driven by the nation's abundance of human talent, its lack of regulation, and its close ties to the regional manufacturing hub of Haesan. Pharitaya has emerged as a hub for textiles weaving and processing, driven by the rising cost of labor in Haesan, along with manufacturing of components for consumer goods, electronics, and appliances which are designed and finally assembled in Haesan. Manufacturing is boosted by the nation's positioning on strategic seaways and trade routes, making it a logical stopover point for various intermediate steps in manufacturing processes.

Agriculture, while employing over a third of Pharitayans, only contributes about 10% of the nation's GDP. Rice is the main staple crop of Pharitaya, and rice terraces comprise the largest single use of Pharitayan land. Pharitaya is also a major producer of tea, and is a key producer of white and green varieties to be blended for mass consumption, mainly processed by corporations in Haesan or Opthelia. Specialized types of black tea, adapted for the cooler climate of Pharitaya's northern latitude, are staple to many of the nation's most important beverages, and boutique varieties of Pharitayan black and white teas fetch some of the highest prices per lot on the open market due to the nation's unique terroir. Pharitaya is the IDU's largest producer of silk per capita, with a gross quantity of 21,273 tonnes, a material traditionally used for textiles in both the Haemin and Thaya traditions. Pharitaya has scarce mineral resources other than its offshore hydrocarbon reserves, and mining has never been a significant proportion of its economy. However, fishing and pearl diving have long been important to the nation, and in rural areas, fishing is still a common profession, especially amongst the elderly.

Pharitaya has long been criticized by labor rights activists for its lack of worker protections: unions are illegal, there is no minimum wage, and worker safety legislation is scarce. That severe lack of worker protections, along with concerns about political freedom, led Pharitaya to be one of the only applicant nations to have ever been rejected by the Global Development Investment Bank, with its 2021 application denied by a majority of the member states. The nation has also faced international scrutiny as an infamous tax haven, with little government oversight on foreign money, and a net tax rate often at 0% for the wealthiest individuals. This fact, combined with cheap service labor, dazzling architecture and artificial islands financed by petro dollars, and the exclusivity that comes with the wealth restrictions on property in Seriwon, has made Pharitaya a notable gathering place for the IDU's ultra-rich.

Energy & Infrastructure

As a major exporter of hydrocarbons, the vast majority of Pharitaya's energy needs come from combusting fossil fuels. About 65% of Pharitaya's energy is produced from natural gas, 25% comes from oil power plants, and the balance comes from a variety of renewable sources, largely hydropower but also including small solar and wind facilities and a single nuclear power plant. Climate activist groups such as Climate Alliance Lauchenoiria have criticized the government for doing relatively little to embrace the green transition and accuse the nation of continuing the global proliferation of fossil fuel consumption. The Seobhagunnang has so far only advocated for a shift to phase out its more inefficient oil power plants and nearly entirely transition to natural gas; the nation has advocated for natural gas as a component of a "green future" at international conferences as well as in its economic plan "New Pharitaya 2030".

Pharitaya's infrastructure, at least in the Chalermphrakiat Peninsula and lowlands, is sophisticated and developed. Highway infrastructure is critical to the nation, which has been effectively linked by roadways and causeways since the "Future Vision Infrastructure Plan" in the 1990s. Railway infrastructure is well developed and connects most cities of a significant population. High speed railways are under development internally, but an international line that connects Seimei, Misumi to Puri Rimbawan in a little under four hours via Saikane and Jarantasiri sees millions of annual passengers. Urban public transportation usually consists of bus lines; however, Puri Rimbawan has one of the most extensive, and most highly rated, metro systems in the IDU, and Jarantasiri is famous for its above ground tram lines. Intercity ferries are common, as well as water taxis in many riparian urban areas.

Pharitaya is also known for its track record of ambitious infrastructure projects. Much of the land in Seriwon has been reclaimed in recent decades as artificial islands supporting luxury towers, villas, casinos, and other entertainment venues. Pharitaya has also constructed monumental stadiums and world class athletic facilities as part of its "Sporting Hub Pharitaya" initiative, in the hopes of eventually hosting a continental or international competition. Puri Rimbawan and Seriwon are also home to modern architectural marvels, as the Seobhagunnang has promised extensive support to those designers who bring innovative ideas to their cities.