Difference between revisions of "South Torbia"
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==Economic== | ==Economic== | ||
{{Main article|Economic: South Torbia}} | {{Main article|Economic: South Torbia}} | ||
| − | South Torbia | + | South Torbia is a highly developed, mixed-market nation, with a strong economic core, with 60-70% of the economy driven by free-market dynamics. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, South Torbia is one of the world’s largest economies. For three postwar decades, overall real economic growth was impressive - a 10% average in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s, making South Torbia the world’s fastest growing economy in terms of real GDP per capita following World War II. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and the collapse of an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, which required considerable time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued over the last two decades after governmental reform and reduction of much of the previously entrenched bureaucracy. However, the economy has fallen into recession four times in the last ten tears. This pattern echoes a standard structural transition from primary goods into manufacturing and ultimately into services. South Torbia accomplished this transition primarily through labor productivity growth with a focus on exports, expanding their human capital through both education and size of work force. Notably, despite this economic success, South Torbia is still reliant on imports due to a limitation in agriculture diversity and natural resources. |
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| + | In the last five years, South Torbia has had a slight uptick in growth based on the President’s economic revitalization agenda of monetary easing, flexible fiscal policy, and structural reform. Led by the Bank of Torbia’s aggressive monetary easing, South Torbia is making modest progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy. These challenges, coupled with declining trade with Olvana and the potential for a nuclear North Torbia, are immense. The government currently faces the quandary of balancing its efforts to stimulate growth and institute economic reforms with the necessity of addressing its sizable public debt, which stands at 197% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, South Torbia adopted legislation to raise the consumption tax rate gradually. However, the first such increase led to another recession, so the government has postponed further increases. Structural reforms combining a Buddhist ideal of communal happiness and harmony with a military mindset of discipline, hierarchy, and time management are the keys to unlock productivity and strengthening the economy in the long run. | ||
==Social== | ==Social== | ||
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==Infrastructure== | ==Infrastructure== | ||
{{Main article|Infrastructure: South Torbia}} | {{Main article|Infrastructure: South Torbia}} | ||
| − | The South Torbian infrastructure is stressed | + | |
| + | While the region’s five major countries have a significant number of rural residents, South Torbia has over 88 percent of its population living in urban areas. The country contains a mixture of modern cities and primitive rural villages. Modern utilities are found predominantly in the major cities and at reasonable levels throughout the rural countryside. 94 percent of the nation has access to electricity with 98 percent of urban areas and 80 percent of rural areas respectively. 98 percent of South Torbia has access to potable water, while only 90 percent of the nation having access to a sanitation systems (predominantly in the developed urban areas). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The South Torbian infrastructure is stressed based on the rapid urbanization seen throughout the country. Even though the system is stressed it is still among some of the best in the world in regards to services provided (it is operating close to max capacity). Significant emphasis has been placed on the modernizing of the infrastructure in recent years but it continues to be stressed by the rapid urbanization. South Torbia has a robust mass transit system. Several bus companies provide transportation in major cities and to rural areas. Airports range from large international airports that can handle almost any aircraft currently in operation, to small, unimproved dirt strips. Seaports are modern and can handle any modern cargo vessel; most have several dolphin platforms for the offloading of petroleum. The country suffers from high levels of pollution in the urban areas and the government has made policies to combat pollution in urban environments and water supplies. | ||
| + | |||
==Physical Environment== | ==Physical Environment== | ||
{{Main article|Physical Environment: South Torbia}} | {{Main article|Physical Environment: South Torbia}} | ||
Revision as of 14:08, 14 May 2018
DATE Pacific > South Torbia ←You are here
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Contents
Political
The Republic of Torbia (ROT), also called South Torbia, is a constitutional republic that occupies the south half of the Island of Torbia. After centuries of foreign occupation and despotic rule, South Torbia emerged in the late 20th century as one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and today is one of the world’s wealthiest, most stable, and most militarily powerful nations. However, a massive corruption scandal that included the ROT president has recently rocked the ROT government to its core, creating many questions about the stability and viability of the current republic.
Military
Due to South Torbia’s defensive plans and the island terrain, most units in the South Torbian Army are infantry. There are a limited number of other type units including one tank division, one mechanized infantry brigade, and one airborne brigade. The infantry battalions, however, must move on foot or be transported in trucks available to the infantry battalions from a higher command.
Economic
South Torbia is a highly developed, mixed-market nation, with a strong economic core, with 60-70% of the economy driven by free-market dynamics. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, South Torbia is one of the world’s largest economies. For three postwar decades, overall real economic growth was impressive - a 10% average in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s, making South Torbia the world’s fastest growing economy in terms of real GDP per capita following World War II. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and the collapse of an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, which required considerable time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued over the last two decades after governmental reform and reduction of much of the previously entrenched bureaucracy. However, the economy has fallen into recession four times in the last ten tears. This pattern echoes a standard structural transition from primary goods into manufacturing and ultimately into services. South Torbia accomplished this transition primarily through labor productivity growth with a focus on exports, expanding their human capital through both education and size of work force. Notably, despite this economic success, South Torbia is still reliant on imports due to a limitation in agriculture diversity and natural resources.
In the last five years, South Torbia has had a slight uptick in growth based on the President’s economic revitalization agenda of monetary easing, flexible fiscal policy, and structural reform. Led by the Bank of Torbia’s aggressive monetary easing, South Torbia is making modest progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy. These challenges, coupled with declining trade with Olvana and the potential for a nuclear North Torbia, are immense. The government currently faces the quandary of balancing its efforts to stimulate growth and institute economic reforms with the necessity of addressing its sizable public debt, which stands at 197% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, South Torbia adopted legislation to raise the consumption tax rate gradually. However, the first such increase led to another recession, so the government has postponed further increases. Structural reforms combining a Buddhist ideal of communal happiness and harmony with a military mindset of discipline, hierarchy, and time management are the keys to unlock productivity and strengthening the economy in the long run.
Social
The island of Torbia remained largely homogenous both ethnically and linguistically throughout its history, despite repeated invasions and occupations by various foreign entities. A close-held Torbian ethnic identity is one of the most significant long-term consequences of these occupations; this ultimately resulted in widespread migration throughout the island, but relatively little emigration or immigration. The Torbian War created a mass migration event as both families and individuals moved north or south depending on political affiliations and family connections. The Torbian War also created a significant refugee crisis, with over 500,000 Torbians seeking asylum in other nations around the region.
Information
The Republic of Torbia, also known as South Torbia, has a thriving and relatively free media environment, with freedom of speech and loyalty to the country. South Torbian Information Warfare (INFOWAR) capabilities will continue to grow in both equipment and training of personnel, and will rely on Western nations to help continue the modernization of this capability. Internet and television are state of the art and the most important form of media in South Torbia.
Infrastructure
While the region’s five major countries have a significant number of rural residents, South Torbia has over 88 percent of its population living in urban areas. The country contains a mixture of modern cities and primitive rural villages. Modern utilities are found predominantly in the major cities and at reasonable levels throughout the rural countryside. 94 percent of the nation has access to electricity with 98 percent of urban areas and 80 percent of rural areas respectively. 98 percent of South Torbia has access to potable water, while only 90 percent of the nation having access to a sanitation systems (predominantly in the developed urban areas).
The South Torbian infrastructure is stressed based on the rapid urbanization seen throughout the country. Even though the system is stressed it is still among some of the best in the world in regards to services provided (it is operating close to max capacity). Significant emphasis has been placed on the modernizing of the infrastructure in recent years but it continues to be stressed by the rapid urbanization. South Torbia has a robust mass transit system. Several bus companies provide transportation in major cities and to rural areas. Airports range from large international airports that can handle almost any aircraft currently in operation, to small, unimproved dirt strips. Seaports are modern and can handle any modern cargo vessel; most have several dolphin platforms for the offloading of petroleum. The country suffers from high levels of pollution in the urban areas and the government has made policies to combat pollution in urban environments and water supplies.
Physical Environment
South Torbia is a small country located in an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean. It shares maritime borders with Belesia and Gabal, and a land border with North Torbia—its primary regional opponent. The country’s terrain varies from high, forested, rugged mountains to flat lowland plains used for agriculture; while the former create obstacles for transport, they are not insurmountable. Both vegetation and climate are tropical in nature. Troops must deal with extreme temperatures and humidity throughout the lowlands, and high altitudes in the mountains. Frequent rains will hamper operations and maneuverability, as will seasonal cloud cover. Multiple natural hazards exist, resulting from the country’s geology, weather, native wildlife, and human activity; these have the potential to complicate missions.
Time
South Torbians have developed a two-tier approach to time management; social events and business with friends or locals tend to be geared more to the polychronic (the tendency to perform several tasks concurrently) approach; Business with ‘outsiders’ is considered much more formal and every attempt is made to stick to the monochronic (the preference is to perform tasks in sequence) approach. One thing they do understand is that 'time is money'.
South Torbia sits within the the South Torbia Time Zone (STTZ) which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); they do not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Significant Non-State Threat Actors and Conditions
| Group Name | Type | Country | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tantoco Cartel | Criminal | Multiple | The Tantoco Cartel was founded in the Republic of Torbia, it also operates in the largest cities of Olvana. The Tantoco Cartel is involved in almost every type of criminal activity imaginable: drug and weapons smuggling, extortion, motor vehicle theft, illegal gambling, money laundering, counterfeiting, and murder-for-hire The Olvana government is serious about bribery as some senior government leaders have been forced to resign or imprisoned when caught taking bribes. |
| South Torbian Communist Army | Insurgency | South Torbia | The South Torbian Communist Army (TCA) is probably less than 1,000 actual fighters, but they may have many more supporters throughout the country. Their expressed intent is to establish a communist country based on the Marxist model, the same goal as stated by the South Torbian Communist Party (TCP). The TCP claims that their group has no connection to the TCA, but there are probably some members that belong to both organizations. |
| Islamic Torbian Army | Insurgency | South Torbia | The Islamic Torbian Army (ITA) began on Mindoro as a movement to convert the country into an Islamic Republic. The ITA has expanded to many parts of South Torbia, especially those that contain a large number of Muslims. Since the ITA normally attacks non-Muslims, most other Muslims remain neutral or provide tacit support to the ITA. |
| Osongco Syndicate | Criminal | South Torbia | The Osongco Syndicate is a large-scale criminal network that is based on the island of Mindoro in Bongabong led by Zikri Osongco. Osongco may sometimes work with the Tantoco Cartel, but it is not part of the latter. Tantoco leaves Osongco alone as long as he confines his activities to Mindoro. The Osongco Syndicate is primarily involved in stolen goods and smuggling, but will not hesitate to delve into other areas on the island that can make the organization money such as extortion or even bank robbery, especially those that do not practice the Muslim faith. Some Muslims see Osongco as a modern-day Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. |
| DATE Pacific Quick Links . | |
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| Belesia | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| Gabal | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| North Torbia | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| Olvana | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| South Torbia | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| Other | Non-State Threat Actors and Conditions |