Difference between revisions of "Raphania"

From Encyclopedia Westarctica
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(added external links)
Line 38: Line 38:
}}
}}


'''Raphania''', also known as '''Raphistan''', officially the '''Grand Emirate of Raphania''', is a [[micronation]] made up of a 1.16 square acre property in north-eastern Arizona and another 0.32 square acre property in southern Arizona. The realm operates as a neo-absolute monarchy and is under the rulership of the properties' owner, the nation's sovereign and founder; Charles, who acts as Grand Emir of Raphania. Due to the state's special status as a separate property legally owned by the monarch both inside and outside of micronationalism and its remote location (thus not entirely being within any local Town or City jurisdiction), the land is able to operate with a high degree of autonomy, bordering on near complete independence, at the whim of the Grand Emir.
'''Raphania''', also known as '''Raphistan''', officially the '''Grand Emirate of Raphania''', is a [[micronation]] made up of a 1.16 square acre property in north-eastern Arizona and another 0.32 square acre property in southern Arizona. The realm operates as a neo-absolute monarchy and is under the rulership of the properties' owner, the nation's sovereign and founder; Charles, who acts as Grand Emir of Raphania.
 
Due to the state's special status as a separate property legally owned by the monarch both inside and outside of micronationalism and its remote location (thus not entirely being within any local Town or City jurisdiction), the land is able to operate with a high degree of autonomy, bordering on near complete independence, at the whim of the Grand Emir.


==Creation==
==Creation==

Revision as of 01:11, 27 October 2022

Grand Emirate of Raphania
Raph Transitional Flag.png

Motto
Better to own than to be owned
Anthem
May we defend Raphania
Arizona
Capital city Goree
Official language(s) English
Short name Raphania
Demonym Raphanian
Government Unitary Neoabsolute Monarchy
- Grand Emir Charles I
- Prime Minister Tony
Legislature Tamenparli
Established 8 April 2022
Area claimed 1.42 acres
Currency Raphanian Shekelder
Time zone Raphanian Standard Time
Patron saint Archangel Raphael

Official website

Raphania, also known as Raphistan, officially the Grand Emirate of Raphania, is a micronation made up of a 1.16 square acre property in north-eastern Arizona and another 0.32 square acre property in southern Arizona. The realm operates as a neo-absolute monarchy and is under the rulership of the properties' owner, the nation's sovereign and founder; Charles, who acts as Grand Emir of Raphania.

Due to the state's special status as a separate property legally owned by the monarch both inside and outside of micronationalism and its remote location (thus not entirely being within any local Town or City jurisdiction), the land is able to operate with a high degree of autonomy, bordering on near complete independence, at the whim of the Grand Emir.

Creation

Raphania's creation was heavily inspired by the experiences of its creator who has been a micronationalist since 2007. As such, the creator's former micronation Phokland as well as the micronation of Dracul, in which he had heavy involvement, played large parts in inspiring the nature and makeup of Raphistan as well as its institutions. Additionally, great inspiration was taken from the Republic of Molossia and the Kingdom of Calsahara, both of which are desert-based micronations operating under a similar mindset to Raphania, that being to portray themselves as a unique project of creativity all the while embracing the eccentric nature of their very existence. To a lesser extend, the Emirate also takes inspiration from the micronation of Vikesland.

The country attributes its name to the Catholic Archangel and Saint Raphael. This was chosen as the angel is Charles' Patron Saint and thus his saint's name in accordance with Catholic tradition.

Following a civil conflict with the previous regime, Raphania's government assumed operation of the nation on 12 April 2022, after the toppling of the regime of the Desert Realm of Raphistan under the leadership of Shah Alexander.

Government

Officially, the government of Raphistan operates under an neo-absolute monarchy with the Grand Emir serving as the head of affairs and Prime Minister (the evolved form of the previous office of the Marshal) operating as a secondary creative adviser and deputy leader within the state.

The nation also possesses an advisory legislative body known as the "Tamenparli" from which the appointed members propose and vote on laws and amendments to be presented to the Grand Emir. It is also from this body that additional Ministers (known within Raphania as "Councilors") are appointed by the Prime Minister and monarch.

Due to the nation's land belonging legally to the monarch and his descendants, the Grand Emir plays an integral role in the functioning of the state. In a practical sense, the Grand Emir acts as the head of government and prime representative of the state to the international community by the principal of "divine right". Because of this, all civil affairs are managed by his office. Additionally, the Grand Emir serves as ceremonial head of the nation's armed forces. The monarch is the final signatory on all legislation and can propose/accept/reject any bills he wishes. With this, the monarch can therefore also appoint and dissolve any member/arm of the government and/or nobility at their discretion (though some moves for democratization are in the works).

Like most monarchies, the office of the Grand Emir is hereditary, passing from parent to eldest child. If a female takes the crown, the title is changed to Grand Emira (the feminized form of the title).

Military

The Raphanian Royal Corps of Discovery (abbreviated to RRCD) serves as Raphania's military/policing body. While the Grand Emir serves as Commander-in-Chief by default, the Supreme Commander of the RRCD is Raphistan's former Marshal Tony the Great who also serves as Prime Minister.

Territory

Petroglyphs on a rock in Al-Aarondad

Raphania is nationally divided into six separate areas of administration; two official territories of land (known as Prefectures) with one (known as the Raphanian Homeland Prefecture) being home to the nation's capital, one consulate (which serves as the de facto administrative center for the nation), two ceremonial provinces and one protectorate. Furthermore, the core territories of land are further divided into two sub-districts each which account for their respective regional capitals.

The sub-divisions which make up the prefectures consist of the regional city of Al-Aarondad, which exists as its own district of jurisdiction, and the remainder of the area, which is known as "The Frontier". Within the Homeland Prefecture, the area is subdivided between the Raphanian capital of Goree and the rest of the land, known as the "The Heartland". The capital's name is taken from the maiden name of the royal consort of Raphania, Emira Sarahann Marie Goree.

Raphania's Royal Consulate General in Arizona (also known as the Royal Compound or Royal Household) is a residence which serves as the home for the royal couple of Raphania, from where, most diplomatic receptions, state celebrations, and day-to-day government activities are conducted.

Foreign Relations

Grand Duke Travis and Grand Emir Charles I at MicroCon 2022

As a nation state Raphania has adopted a foreign policy comparable to other micronational contemporaries, namely in terms of treaties and diplomacy. However, Raphania does, as a gesture of good will, de facto recognize all declared nation-states of the world. Additionally, through the crown and office of the Grand Emir, while no official embassies or consulates from Raphania have been established within any micronation, individual diplomatic envoys are able to routinely be dispatched to speak on the behalf of the monarch and subsequently for the realm.

War with Westarctica

On 26 October 2022, Grand Emir Charles I declared war on Westarctica, citing what he believed was the country's illegal annexation of the Colony of Calsahara.

Grand Duke Travis immediately informed the Minister of Defense and directed the mobilization of the Westarctican Royal Guards in preparation for a full scale invasion of Raphanian territories.

External links