South Torbia
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| Republic of Torbia | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
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| Capital | Manila |
| Largest city | Quezon City |
| Official languages |
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| Ethnic groups |
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| Religion |
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| Demonym | South Torbian |
| Government | Constitutional Republic |
• President | Yi Hyun-joo |
| Legislature | National Assembly of the Republic of Torbia |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 42,375,386 |
| GDP | estimate |
• Total | $1.799 trillion |
| Time zone | GMT +8 |
Contents
Political
The Republic of Torbia, also known as South Torbia, is a constitutional republic that occupies most of the south half of the Island of Luzon, plus Mindoro and numerous other smaller islands. 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 recently rocked the government to its core, creating many questions about the stability and viability of the current republic.
Military
The South Torbian military is primarily a defensive force designed to deter foreign aggression, notably from the Democratic People’s Republic of Torbia (North Torbia) and from other regional powers that might seek to threaten the South Torbian people. South Torbia’s military is modern, and capable of being interoperable with most western militaries. That said, unlike most western militaries, service within the South Torbian Armed Forces is compulsory for all able bodied South Torbians over 18 years old.
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. Though the economy is strong, it has fallen into recession four times in the last ten years. In recent years, South Torbia has worked to expand their human capital through both education and investment. Despite all of their economic success, South Torbia remains reliant on imports due to a limitation in agriculture diversity and natural resources.
Social
While South Torbia still maintains a close connection to its cultural heritage and tradition, it has embraced many aspects of western culture and market capitalism. The economic growth experienced in South Torbia, paired with an increased exposure to global influences, continues to shape the social landscape within South Torbia. Whereas many countries within the region have diverse populations, South Torbia’s relative homogeneity allows it to avoid many of the ethnic and social tensions that occur when different population groups experience urbanization, and increased interactions. That said, South Torbia has been experiencing a cultural evolution as younger generations gain more access to education and global influences. These outside influences create challenges between those Torbian’s who seek to maintain their cultural identity, and those who wish to embrace a more global identity.
Information
South Torbia has a thriving and relatively free information environment. Internet and television media are state-of-the-art, and the most important form of media in South Torbia. South Torbia’s mass media operates with freedom of the press, but an anti-defamation law means journalists must continue to use self-censorship to ensure they do not face harsh penalties from the government on adverse reporting. The internet is the most free form of information media, with social media being the preferred means of expressing individual opinions. South Torbians have access to information from sources around the world.
Infrastructure
While the region’s five major countries have a significant number of rural residents, South Torbia breaks this trend with having roughly 88% of its population living in urban areas. The quality and condition of urban areas can be quite diverse, with some neighborhoods being quite modern while in other areas the infrastructure is clearly outdated and struggling to meet the needs of the dense population. South Torbia experienced rapid urbanization throughout the country in the decades following the Torbian War. While its growing economy initially enabled urban spaces to keep pace with the development required by the growing population, they quickly began running out of open land to develop. As a result of this lack of open land, South Torbian cities began to expand up creating densely populated residential buildings that often exceed 20 floors. While the infrastructure system is certainly stressed, South Torbias’ economy has enabled it to adapt and update its infrastructure, and its overall quality is still among the best in the world in regard to services provided.
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 competitor. 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.
Time
South Torbians follow a cyclic approach to time, believing that all opportunities, like the sun, will set and then rise again later on. South Torbians see time as a set of imbedded cycles: day, season, year, life. The result is a national culture that promotes a deliberate, time-conscious lifestyle focused on politeness to others. Scheduled events are expected to begin on time. Both National and Religious Holidays play an important role in South Torbia, and most businesses shuts down on these days. While day to day life for most South Torbians follows the same Gregorian calendar that is used by the United States, traditions associated with the lunar calendar maintain a degree of cultural significance. South Torbia sits within the South Torbia Time Zone (STTZ), which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); it does 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 too 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. |
| United Torbia | Counter-Insurgency | South Torbia | A pro-government and counter-Communist organization that wants to unite North and South Torbia with a democratically elected government. |