Xiomera

The Golden Sun Empire of Xiomera
Flag
Motto: As The Sun Rises, So Has Xiomera
Anthem: Cemmanca Cualtiliztli Royal anthem: Ihíio, Itlátol
Xiomera and its neighbors after partition at the end of the Second Xiomeran Civil War
Status	Independent
Capital	Tlālacuetztla
Official languages	Huenyan, English
Recognised national languages	Huenyan, English
Religion	Huenyan indigenous religion
Demonym(s)	Xiomeran
Government	Autocracy, theoretical meritocracy
• Empress	Calhualyana
• Prime Minister	Toquihu
Legislature	Imperial Parliament
Establishment
• Formation of early āltepētl (city-states)	1100 CE
• Unification of Huenya under Xiomeran rule	1387
• Formation of "new" Empire after Second Xiomeran Civil War	2021
Population
• 2020 estimate	83,166,711
• Density	334/km2 (865.1/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2021 estimate
• Total	4.454 trillion
• Per capita	53,571
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	3.780 trillion
• Per capita	45,466
Gini (2021)	31.1 medium
HDI (2021)	0.939 very high
Currency	quetzal (QZL)
Time zone	XST
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right

The Golden Sun Empire of Xiomera is an autocratic state, styled as a meritocracy, in the International Democratic Union. It occupies the eastern half of the landmass known as Huenya in the far southeastern portion of the IDU, in Caxcana.

History

Main article: History of Xiomera

Geography and climate

Xiomera occupies the eastern half of the island of Huenya in the South Xiomeran Sea. The country covers a mostly humid subtropical region. Rainfall is most prevalent from June to September. Xiomera has four distinct seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter. Spring usually lasts from late March to early May, summer from mid-May to early September, autumn from mid-September to early November, and winter from mid-November to mid-March.

Xiomera has three national parks: the Atzaloyan - Montelin Imperial Park north of Tlālacuetztla, the Lake Ehehuani Nature Preserve, and the National Oceanic Preserve based in Saclamantón.

The Xiomeran government, as well as its business sector, have received considerable criticism from around the IDU for their marked disregard for the environment.

Demographics

Population

Xiomera had an estimated population of 83,166,711 as of 2021. The country is noted for its extremely high population density. Most Xiomerans live in urban areas, as the rapid industrialization of the country fueled migration from rural areas. 81.4% of the total population lived in urban areas as of July 2020.

The capital city, Tlālacuetztla, is the country's largest city and chief industrial center, with a population of 13,929,280 in Tlālacuetztla Municipality and 37,468,000 in the greater metropolitan area. The capital is closely tied to the nearby port of Huitzitaca, Xiomera's largest port. Major Xiomeran cities, Tlālacuetztla in particular, suffer from significant issues related to migration and overcrowding, such as strained infrastructure, housing costs and homelessness. By contrast, the rural areas of Xiomera have major issues stemming from their lack of population. Various Xiomeran governments have tried to reverse the trend of urban migration, and renew the flow of population to other areas, with only limited success.

The ethnic Xiomeran group has long held dominance over the economic, social and political life of the country, as the "founders" of the Empire. While the country has been mostly stable for the most part, the second-class status that the Tepiltzin, Itotemoc and Necatli ethnic groups have been subjected to throughout the country's history was the source of continued tension. This tension was one of the secondary causes of the Second Xiomeran Civil War.

Xiomera, in a paradox for a developed nation, has a relatively high fertility rate of 3.903 as of July 2020. The country also has a relatively young population, with the median age of 24.5 years for males and 26 years for females as of July 2020. The Xiomeran cultural preference for larger families, coupled with a longstanding government push to boost the population in order to continue to fuel the consumption-based national economy, are believed to be the reasons for this trend.

Education

Education in Xiomera is a mix of traditional Xiomeran schooling with educational ideas and institutions imported from other countries. All Xiomeran schools are public schools; private schools are not allowed in Xiomera. This stems from traditional Xiomeran tendencies to want oversight over the educational system by the rulers (and later, by the Xiomeran government). Xiomeran schools typically have two branches before one gets to institutions of higher education: the calmecac or the telpochcalli.

The calmecac began in ancient Xiomeran history as schools for the sons of nobles. In these schools, they learned literacy, history, religious rituals, calendrics, geometry, songs and the military arts. They also studied astronomy, theology and statesmanship. This would prepare the nobles' sons for their future roles as leaders, priests or healers. They would also serve as the place of learning for future scholars and artists.

The counterpart to the calmecac, the telpochcalli, taught commoner boys history and religion, agricultural skills and a craft or trade, preparing them for their future lives as workers. After graduation, they would be sent back to their families to begin their working life. Certain telpochcalli specialized in military roles, teaching fighting skills and techniques to particularly athletic or martially-capable boys, before routing them to the army for further training and eventual lives as soldiers.

As Xiomera entered the modern era, the calmecac and telpochcalli evolved into more general-purpose educational institutions. The calmecac became elite schools for highly talented Xiomeran youth in both academic and athletic fields, the equivalent of "gifted and talented" institutions or magnet schools in other countries. They also stopped being exclusive to the sons of the nobility, becoming open both to commoners and to girls as well.

The telpochcalli, for their part, became "standard" public schools for Xiomeran youth of all genders and abilities, teaching a more broad and advanced level of education than in ancient times. In recent years, the line between the calmecac and the telpochcalli has begun to blur with the adoption of curriculum such as STEM education in both institutions.

One important holdover from ancient Xiomeran educational tradition are the special schools reserved especially for children whose attributes make them prime candidates to join the ranks of the Shorn Ones, the elite Xiomeran warriors who serve the royal family. A special kind of calmecac still exists for these young people in the city of Chuaztlapoc, completely separate from the rest of the Xiomeran educational system and run by the Shorn Ones themselves.

Much like the lower levels of education in Xiomera, higher education in Xiomera likewise has two tracks, with two unique types of institutions for each.

The Xiomeran Polytechnic Universities are a system of elite colleges and universities throughout Xiomera, usually located in major cities. As their name indicates, these schools started out as institutes of technology, vocational colleges, engineering schools or schools meant to offer "practical" training. These were the first Western-style colleges in Xiomera, and were launched by the Empress Camaxtica in 1855 as part of her efforts to modernize Xiomera by bringing in Western-style learning. As Xiomera was focused on modernizing its industry and technology during that period, the Polytechnics initially focused solely on those fields.

As time went on, it became clear that Xiomera needed a more diverse set of offerings for its institutions of higher education. Towards the end of her reign, in 1889, Camaxtica launched the other tier of Xiomeran universities, the Imperial University System of Xiomera. The Xiomeran higher educational system was reorganized much along the lines of the the calmecac and the telpochcalli. The Polytechnic Universities became the upper tier of the Xiomeran higher education system, and the Imperial University System a more "accessible" level of education for those who could not gain admittance to the Polytechnics.

Today, the nine Xiomeran Polytechnic Universities serve as the pinnacle of Xiomeran education, with an acceptance rate between 4% to 9% of applicants, depending on the institution. The Polytechnics, despite their misleading name, no longer focus solely on churning out engineers or training workers. They instead provide an exceptionally broad and high-quality education across all fields, and are often seen as the ticket to admission to the higher echelons of Xiomeran political, social and business life. There has been some discussion by leaders of these institutions about dropping the "polytechnic" title, but tradition, history and affection for the name from alumni have prevented that thus far.

By contrast, the 200 Imperial University System institutions are open admission. While their lower status has led to some disdain for degrees from IUS institutions among the elite, the far greater accessibility to a college education through the IUS institutions has been a major driving force behind the high levels of literacy (97.9% literacy rate), college completion (55.5% graduation rate), and overall education and learning among the Xiomeran populace as a whole. IUS institutions offer both 2 and 4 year degrees, and thus serve both as a form of community college and full-fledged university for most Xiomerans.

Religion

Xiomera tends to be a secular nation, with 67.2% of the population identifying as non-religious. Of those Xiomerans that do follow a specific faith, the breakdown is as follows: 23.9% indigenous Huenyan religion (Teotzin); 3.2% Christianity; 1.5% Islam; 1.4% Buddhism; 1.1% Hinduism; 1.0% Judaism; 0.6% Other. While most Xiomerans no longer follow a religious path, the indigenous Huenyan religion still serves as a source of legitimacy and authority within Xiomeran society. The indigenous Huenyan religion also still serves as a source of cultural identity and pride within Xiomeran society, with even many "non-religious" Xiomerans still believing at least some aspects of it.

The Huenyan indigenous faith is a polytheistic religion based around a pantheon of major and minor deities. The most significant deities are Tlaloc (rain god, deity of water); Quetzalcoatl (god of wind, the link between the earth and the sky), Tezcatlipoca (deity of cosmic struggle) and Huītzilōpōchtli (deity of the sun, and god of war). Huītzilōpōchtli serves as the preeminent deity in the Huenyan religion and is also linked to the Xiomeran ruling lineage. Any Xiomeran Emperor or Empress must be seen as having the "mandate of Huītzilōpōchtli" in order to rule.

Government and legal system

The Xiomeran government saw a major overhaul after the Second Xiomeran Civil War, in the reforms of the "New Empire" under Empress Calhualyana. Under the current political structure, the Empress theoretically shares power with the elected Prime Minister and the 630-seat Imperial Parliament. In reality, the Empress holds near-supreme power, with the "elected" positions dominated by members of the loyalist Xiomeran Citizens' Party. The XCP serves as a major bulwark of the power of the Throne, supporting the Empress with virtually unswerving loyalty. The Prime Minister's Cabinet leads the ministries of the government, reporting to the Prime Minister, who answers to the Empress. Xiomeran politicians are elected every four years, in elections strictly managed by the XCP.

The Xiomeran judicial system consists of multiple courts with differing levels of jurisdiction. Trial courts (teccalli) hear civil and criminal cases. Appellate courts (tlaxitlán) review appeals from the teccalli. The cihuacoatl, as chief justice, reviews appeals from the tlaxitlán. The cihuacoatl determines the verdict and his decision can only be appealed to the huey tlatoani and cihuacoatl of all Xiomera. The two serve as a final "supreme court" of appeal and are not obligated to hear any appeal from lower courts. If they do accept an appeal, their ruling is final. This "supreme court" also has absolute right to intervene at any time with a final verdict on any cases or appeals that they deem "vital to the Imperial interest."

The Xiomeran Court System maintains its own constabulary that works with local and national police to serve summons and make arrests for noncompliance with those summons.

While judges are appointed, they must also complete an apprenticeship program that involves observing court proceedings and taking tests to measure their knowledge of Xiomeran law. Judges are retained or removed from office on the same six-year cycle as all other Xiomeran officials.

The Xiomeran judiciary is policed by a special branch of the national civil service to ensure honesty, ethical practice and impartiality. Xiomeran judges who breach legal or ethical lines are removed from office, and can also face fines, imprisonment, or even execution for severe breaches of the law.

In most other respects, the Xiomeran legal system is similar to other countries. Double jeopardy is not allowed, trials are required to occur in a timely fashion, and the accused have the right to have attorneys assist them. All cases are tried publicly, and under oath. The main difference from other countries is that trial by jury does not exist in Xiomera.

Citizens vs. Residents

Xiomera maintains a two-tier system of citizenship that divides those residing in the Empire into two classes: Citizens and Residents.

Citizens are those Xiomerans who enjoy the privileges of full Imperial citizenship. This includes the right to vote, to hold public office, and to hold government positions. This also includes access to the free healthcare and college education that are guaranteed by the Empire. Citizens also enjoy a lower income tax rate, at an average of ten percent.

By contrast, Residents are only guaranteed the basic civil and legal rights the Imperial government chooses to afford them. They are not allowed to vote, hold any public office, or hold any government job or position. They are not granted free healthcare or college education, and pay standard tax rates.

Being convicted of a political crime, or a crime against the state, renders someone permanently ineligible for Citizen status. In addition, being a repeat criminal offender (regardless of offense) also renders someone permanently ineligible for Citizen status.

Xiomerans are assessed yearly by the Imperial Citizenship and Naturalization Agency (ICNA) on their birth date to determine their citizenship status. They are graded on a 100-point scale known as the ICNA Rating. Factors that raise one's grade include their ISBR rating, prior or current military service, documented history of successful entrepreneurship or business participation, membership in the Xiomeran Citizens' Party, history of national or other community service, and assessments from the Ministry of Loyalty. Recommendations from XCP leaders, military or police officials, religious leaders of the Teotzin, elected officials and Imperial ministerial figures are also considered as part of the overall process.

Social Credit Score

While the Ministry of Security takes the lead in determining citizenship status, the Ministry of Loyalty handles another aspect of how Xiomerans are assessed as "good" or "bad" citizens. The Ministry, working with Xiomera's Information Security Technology Corporation (ISTC), administers the Imperial Social Behavior Rating (ISBR) assigned to each person in the Empire. Colloquially known as the "social credit score", the ISBR is a centralized collection of local, district and nationwide data, amalgamated into an overall rating. Financial and criminal records are used to determine the ISBR. Records of voting and civic participation, social media data, and even spending patterns and shopping trends are also assessed as part of the ISBR. The ISBR, like the ICNA Rating, is on a 100-point scale. A high ISBR affords Xiomerans preferred status for public and financial services, discounts and tax breaks. A low ISBR can result in restrictions on public services and credit, travel restrictions, and public shaming on the Ministry of Security "ISBR Warning List". The ICNA Rating and the ISBR are often used together to provide public and private entities alike an overall assessment of a Xiomeran's "trustworthiness".

Military

The Xiomeran Imperial Armed Forces are the defense force of Xiomera. The Armed Forces fall under the command of the Ministry of Defense, which in turn falls under the command of the Empress and the Imperial Parliament. Civilian control of the military is maintained via this chain of command. Xiomera maintains a large and well-funded military (3.7% of GDP in 2019).

The Xiomeran Imperial Army composes the ground forces of the Xiomeran military, with the exception of special forces. Total troop strength is 505,000. The Imperial Army also maintains 2800 main battle tanks, 2900 armored fighting vehicles, 6000 artillery pieces, 250 rocket launchers, 80 guided missile systems, and 810 helicopters of various types.

The Xiomeran Imperial Navy is the naval defense branch of the Xiomeran military, and is also responsible for maintaining shore defenses such as artillery, anti-air and anti-ship missiles, and shoreline defensive installations. The Xiomeran Navy has a total personnel strength of 90,000 personnel. The Navy maintains a 310-ship fleet and also operates 190 mobile ASBMs and various shore defenses, as well as a naval aviation force of 875 aircraft across all types.

The Xiomeran Imperial Air Force is the aerial defense branch of the Xiomeran military, and is also responsible for the Imperial Strategic Rocket Corps and Imperial space-based operations. The Xiomeran Air Force has a total personnel strength of 77,324. It had a total inventory of 906 aircraft of all types in service as of September 2020, and also operates a fleet of drones.

The Xiomeran Special Forces consist of two groups. The Warriors of Tezcatlipōca are the first branch of the Imperial Special Forces. Named for the Huenyan "invisible god" representing "the silent night winds, and thunderous war", this branch of the Special Forces takes after their namesake Tezcatlipōca by utilizing stealth and secrecy to deliver unexpected and shattering blows to the enemies of the Empire. The total troop complement of this branch is 18,000 troops.

The Warriors of Huītzilōpōchtli are the second branch of the Imperial Special Forces. They take their name from the patron god of the Xiomerans, the god of the sun and of war. Unlike their counterparts in the Warriors of Tezcatlipōca, the Warriors of Huītzilōpōchtli are always clearly out in the open, first into battle when the Empire goes to war. Never hiding or shrinking from a fight, they are the embodiment of Xiomeran martial spirit and power. The total troop complement of this branch is 18,000 troops.

Xiomera has been rumored to have a nuclear weapons capability since 1987, and many experts have noted that its arsenal of ballistic missiles would be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead as well as the conventional warheads that are already known to exist. The Xiomeran Government has never formally confirmed a nuclear capacity, but has also never formally denied it, either. Rumors also continue to exist that Xiomera may possess other WMDs as a last-ditch defensive measure.

The Xiomeran military utilizes solely domestic-produced weapons systems, mainly produced by the Coatōn Corporation and Coltec Corporation.

Economy

Xiomera is a developed country with a high-income economy and is one of the most industrialized economies in the IDU. Xiomera is especially respected for the quality of its manufactured goods and electronics. The Xiomeran economy is geared both around domestic consumption and export to other nations. Since its mass adoption of modern manufacturing and industralization in the 1850s, Xiomera has seen itself as the "nation that makes things" and the "store to the world". The modernization of the Empire, which began during that period, has leveraged massive investments in education to transform the country from a backwater state to an economic powerhouse in a remarkably short period. The Xiomeran economy, by its very nature, is highly dependent on international trade.

Xiomera's industrial sector has a very large capacity and is one of the most technologically advanced in the IDU. The Xiomeran industrial sector makes up approximately 27.5% of the nation's GDP. Extensive robotics and automation provide an additional boost to Xiomeran manufacturing capabilities. Xiomera is also a leading nation in scientific research, through its two university systems and the private sector, as well as government research firms. In total, approximately 700,000 researchers share a 130 billion quetzal research and development budget

The Xiomeran economy is dominated by massive industrial conglomerates known as necuiltonolli. These huge corporations often have highly complex, interlocking business relationships which make it extremely hard to ever break them up or regulate them. Xiomeran governments, for the most part, engage in little to no oversight of the business community, believing in a mantra of "totally free trade". The Second Xiomeran Civil War was sparked, in part, by the efforts of the Empress Yauhmi to begin more closely regulating, and taxing, the Xiomeran business community. More recently, the souring trade relations between Xiomera and other nations in the aftermath of Empress Calhualyana's rise to power have begun to alarm some Xiomeran businesspeople.

Xiomeran capitalism has sometimes been described as "predatory" and even "rapacious", particularly by critics from less capitalist countries and from opposition groups within Xiomera itself. The motto "competition is everything, everything is competition", coined by the Emperor Achcauhyotl, has since been widely adopted as the mantra of the Xiomeran business community.

Infrastructure

Xiomera has a highly developed and advanced transport network. The country maintains an extensive network of high speed railways, highways, air routes, bus routes and ferry services. The country maintains 755,000 miles of roadway, including 34,000 miles of national highways and 5,000 miles of special "high-speed" highways with no speed limits.

The national transit service, Zaca, provides frequent rail service to all major Xiomeran cities, as well as most regional centers. Bus lines connect smaller cities and rural areas to the rail network. The Zaca rail system includes 1,485 miles of high-speed railways connecting major cities.

The nation's largest airport, Ocatzcal International Airport in Tlālacuetztla, served 87,098,683 passengers in 2018. There are also airports in most large to medium-sized Xiomeran cities, as well as heliports. There are 175 airports in the country.

Despite its environmentally unfriendly reputation, Xiomera is a major producer of nuclear power. 31% of the nation's electricity is derived from nuclear power. Much of the remaining capacity is generated by natural gas and coal, although the country has begun exploring the expansion of wind, solar and hydropower sources.

Xiomera has an extensive and well-developed high-speed Internet infrastructure, with public wi-fi networks deployed in most major Xiomeran cities. Much of the country's economy and culture is centered around online technology. While online access is widespread in Xiomera, the frequent monitoring of online communications and censorship practiced by the government is often seen as a hindrance.