Kojo
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Republic of Kojo  Kojo Jōbun-Myeru (Kojoshi) Capital: Pyingshum
Population: 40,000,000 (2020) Motto: Jōbun fa, Jōbun lui (By the People, for the People) Anthem: Pāng re Maltyam (March to Glory) |
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Kojo (/ko̞dʒo̞/) is located on the Axian peninsular in south-east Uletha. It borders the Sound of Pa in the south, Ataraxia in the west, UL31a in the north and Pyeokchin in the east. Despite a civilisatory history dating back to the Stone Age, Kojo came into being as a unified nation state only after 1668. It is a parliamentary republic whose democratic character dates back to the revolution of 1828. Although consisting of 13 regions, called iki, political power is concentrated on the national level on one side and the municipalities on the other. Kojo has a dense network of infrastructure for road, rail, water and air transport. With an HDI of 0.903 and a GPD per capita of 57,850 Int$ (PPP, 2021), it is classified as a very highly developed country. Being the only Kojoshi-speaking nation in the world, yet at the same time having been in constant exchange with its neighboring countries, it has developed a culture marked both by unique idiosyncrasies and the incorporation of foreign traits.
Kojo (/ko̞dʒo̞/) ta Uleta so akudyong bue Kottsōchi de nambu. Aku máre Taman'yumi, limbē máre Atarakkusī, kibō máre UL31a, dyong máre Dyokkun aéku kokkyōyu. Karetaki hyeto buntamshandeaki lishi kāwaryuzu, Kojo fa 1668ttari yéri assol'yora'e azaggumyeru kuemere. Demomínzudaeki umki fa 1828ttari hyeto zádang‘u párlekaidaeki jōbunmyeru ku. Iki dash gwoshu 13so gōsaei dash kóntitueyu kāwaryuzu, sēzudaeki pyuesan fa zággaisaē ko munchipalsaē aéku icchonkwaeyu. Kojo bue laidō-, chegicha-, hún'gō- ko aenkamfuhīchon so ikaldon rézo fa nambu. Kojo so HDI fa 0.903, hyoelminkacha pa HAG fa 57,850 Int$ (PPP, 2021tali) ku sokki, Kojo sum song raiyuē ébolpang zággaitsol so alfya hyuém dashkalgaelu. Ashkal so asaso, Kojoshi sum ingamu zággaitsol dash, nōtomzū halfāndaeki zággaitsol mi umkinku ongkwoéshu sokki, Kojo ta asasong yuralchēgwin’gwae ko sochizággai áyunki sum ikkontsudoen fa umkishu tyungbon sum maekkafaeme.
Geography
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|---|---|
| Geography of Kojo | |
| Continent | Uletha (south-eastern) |
| Region | Axian peninsular |
| Population | 40,000,000 (2020) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 267,630 km2 |
| Population density | 150 km2 |
| Major rivers | Kime, PH |
| Time zone | WUT+7:00 (no summer time) |
Overview
The western half of Kojo is characterized by relatively infertile soil and lower precipitation compared to the rest of the country. Originally, the region was covered by bush and forest. However, much of the natural vegetation was cleared in various phases of human settlement from at least the 5th century until the early 20th century. This extensive deforestation led to significant soil erosion, depleting the thin layer of natural humus and further reducing the land's agricultural utility. Today, this area is primarily used for extensive pastoral farming, with reforestation programs initiated in the late 20th century to restore the landscape. The coastal areas of this region are notable for their wide, sandy beaches and mild climate.
In contrast, the Kojolese heartland offers more fertile soil, allowing for intensive agriculture. The fertility of the land, coupled with the presence of navigable rivers, facilitated the transportation of goods even before the advent of railways. As a result, the majority of Kojo's population is concentrated in this region. The deltas of the Kime and Dagwan rivers are part of a unique cultivated landscape, where for millennia, humans have worked to exploit the fertile, irrigated lands while contending with challenges such as storm tides and the region's inaccessibility by land.
The eastern coast, particularly in the region of Cheryuman-iki, features dramatic landscapes where mountains meet the sea. This area experiences some of the highest precipitation levels in Kojo, largely due to winds that bring humid air from the southeast oceans. The region has a pronounced rainy season in early autumn and boasts diverse flora, with a variety of microclimates that support vegetation ranging from Mediterranean to temperate rainforests.
The Kojolese heartland is bordered by low mountain ranges that rise into higher mountains to the north and east. Population and arable land are concentrated along the rivers and streams, while the mountain slopes are predominantly forested, with some areas used for mountain pastures. Above the tree line, the landscape is characterized by scrublands, barren rock, and, on some mountains over 4000 m in elevation in the far north, year-round snow. Many valleys in the northern region were converted into reservoirs during the 20th century, facilitating more effective flood control for rivers flowing toward the lowlands and providing hydroelectric power.
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Topography and Bathymetry
To the north and east, Kojo is bordered by mountain chains. The country's largest river originate here before flowing towards the coast in the south, making Kojo mostly congruent to the watersheds of its largest rivers. However, exceptions to this exist. Namely, in the north-east an area of around 10,000 km² in Pyeokchin drains into the Kime watershed, in the east around Lake Bōli an area of about 3,000 km² in Pyeokchin drains into the Dagwan watershed, and an area of about 2,000 km² in northern Kojo drains towards UL31a.
The Cheers (Kojolese: Chaerbu (Nain), "white wall (mountains") refer to the continental mountain chain reaching from UL27j to UL28h. They divide the East Ulethan peninsular into a northern and southern watershed, the latter of which Kojo is a part of. While this term is also frequently used to refer to just the Kojolese part of the Cheers, the different regions also have more specific names:
- PH: mid-range mountain range spanning the western half of the boundary between Kojo and UL31a.
- PH: section of the Cheers within Nainchok-iki.
- Tachaerbu ("High Cheers"): section of the Cheers within Kyoélnain-iki. Refers exclusively to the area north of the Gwaemsónain to Doikku line.
The south-eastern mountains mark the boundary to Pyeokchin reaching from Doikku to the south-eastern tip of Cheryuman-iki. They lack an historic collective name. In modern times, when referring to this mountain chain at large, one of two names is usually used. While in scientific and legal writing, the name "Kippasōlraeinnain" (mountains of the fault line of the northern Sound of Pa) is used, in everyday speech the term Dyongbu ("east wall") is preferred. Like the Cheers, they span a very large area and contain many different landscapes, hence more local names are used when referring to individual areas:
- Hangkan'nain ("Ore mountains"): northern mid and high-range mountains east of the river Bin from Doikku to the southern border of Kyoélnain-iki.
- Appodaer (Nain) (ethymology unknown): southern border of Kyoélnain-ik to Dagwan breakthrough in Īme.
- Baelyan'yénain or Wokael: Dagwan breakthrough in Īme to Daelfi. The latter is an historic term that sometimes also refers only to the area around Rō.
- Lantsanmol (from Nihonish 嵐山系, Ransankei, "Storm mountains" and -mol for massif): Coastal massif in Cheryuman-iki east of Daelfi.
The above names are mostly used to refer to mountain chains as geological features. When referring to historic regions or holiday destinations, sometimes different names are used or the names refer to slightly different areas. For example, the name of the region Kyoélnain-iki is used when referring to the mountainous north-east of Kojo in general, with no differentiation between wether the Cheers or the Hangkan'nain range is meant. When referring to the mountainous part of Chinyaku-iki along the Dagwan and Jush valleys, the name Appodaer is often used even though the area technically also encompasses parts of the Wokael range.
Climate
Kojo is predominantly situated within a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa), characterized by warm, humid summers and mild winters. The majority of the country's precipitation occurs during the summer months, with July typically being the wettest month. As one moves westward, the climate gradually shifts into a cold steppe climate (BSk), a transition caused by the reduced humidity in the air masses reaching this area from the Sound of Pa to the southeast.
In Kojo's mountainous regions, temperature variations are more pronounced both throughout the year and between day and night compared to the plains. Precipitation in these areas is heavily influenced by local topography, which affects how the air currents from the Sound of Pa release their moisture. Coastal areas experience moderated temperatures due to the influence of the sea. The flat western coastline receives minimal precipitation, whereas the steep eastern coast is subject to more extreme rainfall events, reflecting the varied climatic patterns across the country.
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Human Geography
Kojo's population is heavily concentrated in urban areas, with nearly half of the country's residents living in cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Almost a quarter of the population resides in the capital city alone. The eastern half of Kojo is significantly more densely populated than the western half, primarily due to the presence of rivers flowing from the mountains to the sea, which provide water for year-round agriculture and facilitate the easy transportation of goods. The Kime River and the coastal areas serve as the two most important axes of population concentration, hosting many of the country's major urban centers.
| City name | Inhabitants | Comment | Region | Cosmo City Ranking | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Leisure | Transport | Affordability | |||||
| Pyingshum | 8,600,000 | capital and primate city | Pyingshum-iki | B | A | B | F | |
| Finkyáse | 2,435,600 | second largest urban area | Fóskiman-iki | A | A | B | D | |
| Yoyomi | 1,464,500 | largest city in the east with landmark castle | Wāfyeíkko-iki | B | A | B | D | |
| Jaka | 1,210,000 | largest harbor | Pacchipyan-iki | B | B | B | E | |
| Busakyueng | 840,000 | Kyoélnain-iki | A | B | C | E | ||
| Womenlū | 780,000 | Fóskiman-iki | B | B | B | D | ||
| Kwaengdō | 760,000 | Cheryuman-iki | C | C | C | D | ||
| Wenzū | 650,000 | spa city | Wāfyeíkko-iki | B | C | C | D | |
| Manlung | 590,000 | center for the east | Lainyerō-iki | C | C | B | C | |
| Oreppyo | 580,000 | Lainyerō-iki | C | C | C | B | ||
| Hetta | 440,000 | Pacchipyan-iki | B | C | C | D | ||
| Ántibes | 400,000 | Fóskiman-iki | C | B | C | D | ||
| Kahyuemgúchi | 370,000 | Pyingshum-iki | C | C | C | C | ||
| Nároggul | 355,000 | Degyáhin-Kibaku Yuwantsūm-Shikime-iki | C | C | C | C | ||
| Góhomi | 340,000 | skiing, sanatoriums, and health resorts | Kyoélnain-iki | B | B | C | D | |
| Geryong | 320,000 | Sappaér-iki | D | C | C | B | ||
| Kari | 310,000 | Wāfyeíkko-iki | D | E | C | B | ||
| Arákkanai | 264,000 | Wāfyeíkko-iki | C | B | B | C | ||
| Ojufyeng | 260,000 | Pacchipyan-iki | B | C | B | D | ||
| Rō | 255,000 | historic, holy city of the faith Gitaenhōlyuē | Rō-iki | B | A | D | D | |
| Zúkshi (F. h.) | 235,000 | Fóskiman-iki | C | B | C | D | ||
| Leshfyomi-sul | 225,000 | Degyáhin-Kibaku Yuwantsūm-Shikime-iki | C | B | B | C | ||
| Toefyei | 225,000 | "Kojo's most boring city" | Wāfyeíkko-iki | D | F | C | C | |
| Tsuyenji | 220,000 | expensive summer holiday destination | Cheryuman-iki | C | A | C | E | |
| Kimelíngsan-shu | 215,000 | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | C | D | C | C | ||
| Tamrong | 210,000 | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | C | D | C | C | ||
| Kippa | 205,000 | part of Kime-Yuwan industrial agglomeration | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | D | C | B | B | |
| Formajiá | 200,000 | Pyingshum-iki | B | C | B | D | ||
| Igilaē | 195,000 | seat of the Constitutional Court | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | B | B | A | D | |
| Tinglyū | 194,000 | Chin'yaku-iki | A | A | B | C | ||
| Púlmaerong | 205,000 | part of Kime-Yuwan industrial agglomeration | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | D | C | B | B | |
| Unzai | 165,000 | Kyoélnain-iki | B | C | F | C | ||
| Toribiri | 160,000 | winter sports destination and mining | Nainchok-iki | C | B | D | D | |
| Chin-Jōrin | 150,000 | Nainchok-iki | C | D | C | B | ||
| Īme | 150,000 | Chin'yaku-iki | C | D | D | C | ||
| Hóshumsul | 145,000 | part of Kime-Yuwan industrial agglomeration | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | C | D | C | B | |
| Laófil | 135,000 | Pyingshum-iki | C | E | C | C | ||
| Shangmē | 135,000 | Nainchok-iki | C | C | C | B | ||
| Láoféi | 130,000 | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | D | C | B | C | ||
| Palda | 120,000 | Lainyerō-iki | E | E | C | A | ||
| Rajjihaim | 120,000 | part of Kime-Yuwan industrial agglomeration | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | E | F | C | A | |
| Zúkshi (C. h.) | 115,000 | Cheryuman-iki | C | B | C | C | ||
| Línai | 110,000 | at mouth of pristine mountain lake | Chin'yaku-iki | C | C | C | B | |
| Maikulā | 110,000 | Pyingshum suburb with former royal palace | Pyingshum-iki | B | C | B | C | |
| Makalasueng | 105,000 | Kyoélnain-iki | C | D | B | C | ||
| Jippun | 105,000 | Lainyerō-iki | D | E | D | A | ||
| Duēkain | 105,000 | part of Kime-Yuwan industrial agglomeration | Gyoéng'guffe-iki | D | C | C | B | |
| Kōnil | 100,000 | Lainyerō-iki | C | E | D | B | ||
History
Prehistory
- ca. 7,000 B.C.: Earliest housing and farming facilities date back to this period, indicating the spread of sedentarism from central Uletha to the Axian peninsula.
- Stone Age: Tribal structures existed throughout modern Kojo. Various findings include ancient tools, cave drawings, and primitive clothing, but no recorded writing.
1st Rō-Era (Kon'yo Darasushan)
- 313 A.D.: Earliest known written document in Kojo, describing a sacrificial ritual, marking the beginning of the Kon'yo Age (Kon'yo being the name of the village close to Rō were the documents were found). Discovered in 1796. Newer research suggest it might be up to 200 years older. The fact that the ritual was described in a normative way and with emphasis on what types of fees worshippers had to hand over is proof of the emergence of complex societal structures.
- Until 614: Rō remains the most economically productive center in the region for the coming centuries, forming the first larger urban settlement and excerting cultural influence over most of the eastern half of modern Kojo, yet no direct political power.
PH-Era (Kyómre Darasushan)
- 614-876
2nd Rō-Era (Gnō Darasushan)
- 876: Local representatives congregate in Rō (Gnō) to establish a unified set of Symvanist teachings and rituals. However, modern historians agree that at the time, the tribes that congregated only accounted for a small minority of the total populace in the region, and that the agreement did not have wide-felt impacts on the religious practices and daily lifes. Instead, it was most likely just a festive side-event to the more politically motivated alliance-building, with its role for Kojolese history being exaggered in the centuries later on.
- Next 300 years: further spiritual and organisational consolidation of Symvanism, its spread across the country, and the (re-)emergence of Rō as the major religious and cultural, and also growingly economic and political centre.
Yoyomi-Era (Yochomryi Darasushan)
- Around 1200: other regions and city start eclipsing the importance of Rō, mostly due to limited arable land around the city and its geographic isolation. Economic and political power decentralises.
- Around 1250: Yoyomi (then Yochomryi), capital of the Zerka kingdom, wins the PH war against PH, which where supported by Rō, marking the symbolic end of Rōlese primacy. Despite the undoubtful dominance of the Zerka kingdom and its capital during the following centuries, many other kingdoms of almost equal status existed. This period is sometimes referred to as the dark age, because albeit general living standards not beign systematically worse compared to the previous age (though large regional and temportal differences should be noted), the 2nd Rō-age produced a much bigger cultural heritage in the form of art, poetry, and spirituality, resulting in that age being viewed as a cultural highpoint in hindsight.
The Thousand Kingdoms' War and Kojolese Unification
- 1620: Beginning of the Thousand Kingdoms' War, escalating from numerous small conflicts. Partly caused by the conflict and partly by unfavorable climate conditions, two great famines forced large parts of the population to relocate between regions, further increasing chaos.
- 1622: Surb Rēkku, King of the Pyilser-kun'a Kingdom seated in Pyingshum, being 20 years old and four years into his reign, marries Nihonese Princess Chihaya Nabunga. The marriage to Nihonese royalty not only had a vast influence on rules and rites in the royal court itself, but also drew, in addition to the already quite extensive court society, a considerable number of Nihonese migrants, accelerating as the Pysiler-krun'a's dominance over the other Kojolese regions solidified. That had a significant impact on the the Kojolese language and culture, evident for example from many loan words, predominantly in the Kēikishi registry.
- until 1668: The Pyilser-krun'a kingdom under Surb Rēkku consistenly expand their kingdom, either by military conquest or by voluntary submission of local chiefs and kings in exchange for local administrative power. In 1668, four years before Surb Rēkku's death at the age of 70, the Kingdom's territory is functionally identical to the modern Kojolese nation state.
High Pyilser-krun'a Dynasty
- 1668-1828: Although the Pyilser-krun'a dynasty ensured their control over the newly acquired territories by instituting feudal lords and controlling instead of replacing local power structures, Pyingshum became the cultural and economic center of the new kingdom. The time since 1668 is therefore sometimes collectively referred to as the "Pyingshum-age" of Kojolese history. Also during this age, the different local cultures and Pyilser-languages that had been mixed by the war, famine and big migration slowly consolidated, resulting in modern Kojo's more uniform culture and language.
1828 until 1834: Revolution and downfall of the monarchy
- 1828: As the first vibe of industrialization swept through the country, social problems became apparent. The emerging urban working class was suffering under their bad living and working conditions. Their ruler's way of spending enormous amounts of money on splendour and luxury was perceived as a sign of incompetence and extravagant at best, and malice at worst. After rising tensions, spread of antimonarchist material such as leaflets and eventually civil-war-like states in some industrial neighbourhoods throughout the country, the worker's uprising eventually overthrew the ruling King Surb-Racchi and his local aristocratic administrations. It was decisive to the success of their undertaking that the military collaborated with them during the last days of the revolution and especially during the raid on the palace. Surb-Racchi was executed, and the following years were marked by a power-struggle between the democratic and partially socialistic movements on one side and the military forces on the other, at times again under civil-war like conditions.
- 1834: After years of unrest, a semi-democratic constitution is proclaimed.
First Constitution
- 1849: It took several years for the effects of the democratic revolution in Pyingshum to spread through the country and reach the more distant regions. One reason was that the new democratic order reinstated some of the local aristocrats previously appointed by the King as governors as a way to calm and control the military throughout the nation. However the new centralistic state did not intend to prolong the tradition of granting the local posts of power to the previous office holder's descendant, but instead aimed for local administrations more closely aligned with the democratically elected national government. Throughout the first decades of the new rule, many reinstated local chiefs tried to resist this slow transfer of power away from hereditary rule and abolition of nobleness, which caused a number of state crisis's and even small armed conflicts. Only in 1859, the last hereditary local ruler was replaced by a bureaucrat appointed by the central government. This achievement was aided by the rapid growth of railways, which, besides now being the driving force behind industrialisation, enabled the government to more effectively control the outskirts of its territories.
- 2nd half of the 19th century: Power further centralised in the capital Pyingshum. Industrialisation now was transforming the economy there and elsewhere at a rapid pace and drew the masses towards the country's growing urban areas. Social norms and ideals were shifting as a consequence. Religious adherence plummeted, and by the turn of the century less than half of the population was describing themselves as active performers of Symvanism.
Second Constitution
- 1939: The political system of the first constitution had evolved in such a way that is was marked by a strong rivalry between the office of president and his Chancellor. As the chancellor had to be approved by parliament, president and chancellor sometimes were from different ends of the political spectrum, and the president would then frequently dissolve parliament and schedule reelections. When between 1928 and 1938 there were a total of 9 re-elections, it was decided that to guarantee a functioning government, there would have to be a major redraft of the political structure. Under the new system, the president was reduced to a merely representative figure with the Chancellor holding most political power. In the same instance, the redraft of the constitution was used to get rid of parts that still alluded to the classist elements relevant during the transition phase of the young democracy and replaced by norms more fitting for the mature republic.
- 1940's: Kojo was not an active battleground in the Great War, but sided with PH and fought battles primarly in PH and PH, resulting in a death toll of XX.XXX.
- 2nd half of the 20th century: being left physically untouched by the war, post-war recovery was rapid. Living standards increased as the economy started transforming from being centered on industrial production to the service industry. With the spread of the automobile, different urban forms and a higher degree of separation between work and home became common.
- 2008: The flooding of Kalaē was the nation's deathliest natural disaster of the 21st century, with an official death toll of 2,268.
Governance
Kojo is a parliamentary and constitutional republic with a centralist state structure, meaning there are no constituent states or provinces with significant autonomy. However, the municipal level enjoys a relatively high degree of independence from the national government compared to other democratic countries. The Constitution of the Republic of Kojo divides the government into three branches: the legislative (parliament), the executive (president, chancellor, and administration), and the judiciary (courts). The "Administration" is often considered a separate, fourth pillar of the republic, as it operates with a degree of continuity and stability, even as elected governments change.
For a detailed description of the country's spatial administrative divisions, see the main article: Administrative divisions of Kojo.
President
The President (Gozóngchō) serves as the head of state and is elected by the presidential convention. The President's role is largely ceremonial, including duties such as being the highest representative of the state, appointing ambassadors, signing laws to formally enact them, and acting as a final check for constitutionality. The President serves a seven-year term and may be re-elected only once. The official residence of the President is the Presidential Mansion (Gozóngchō so Jaesan).
Parliament
Kojo's unicameral parliament, the Jōbunhakke (lit. "People's Assembly"), is the legislative body of the nation. It is elected every four years by the people through a mixed-member proportional representation system. The parliament consists of at least 460 members, with additional leveling mandates depending on the district vote results. The primary responsibilities of the Jōbunhakke include passing laws, electing the Chancellor (Gankakuchō) at the beginning of each new term, and forming one half of the presidential convention that elects the President. In the most recent election in 2022, seven parties surpassed the 5% threshold to gain representation in parliament, though no independent candidates won a district. The election results and subsequent seat allocation are as follows:
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In Kojo's parliamentary system, while laws are debated and ultimately passed by a vote in the main chamber, the bulk of legislative work is conducted in committees (Saekkai). These committees largely correspond to the government's ministries, allowing for specialized and focused deliberation on various aspects of governance. Members of Parliament (MPs) are also organized into groups (Hakkedan), typically aligned with their political party affiliation. The current legislature includes several standing committees, each composed of a specific number of members. These committees are essential for scrutinizing proposed legislation, conducting inquiries, and overseeing government operations. The list of standing committees, along with the number of members in each, is as follows:
- 01: Main Committee, 40 (Zóngsaekkai)
- 02: Petition Committee, 26 (Jōbunittai nijúinde Saekkai)
- 12: Committee for Interior Affairs, 40 (Būla nijúinde Saekkai)
- 13: Committee for External Affairs, 39 (Sotta nijúinde Saekkai)
- 14: Committee for Finances, 40 (Búkinmolno nijúinde Saekkai)
- 16: Legal Committee, 38 (Héngyi nijúinde Saekkai)
- 171: Committee for Labour and Social Affairs, 40 (Gōzo ko Myingsamolno nijúinde Saekkai)
- 172: Committee for Health and Sports, 26 (Yingmálsol ko Taigi nijúinde Saekkai)
- 18: Committee for Economic Affairs, 36 (Kishamolno nijúinde Saekkai)
- 19: Committee for Education and Culture, 36 (Goakyan ko Tsungbon nijúinde Saekkai)
- 20: Committee for Environmental Affairs, 20 (Yultai nijúinde Saekkai)
- 21: Committee for Infrastructure and Energy, 33 (Hīshíbyaeng ko Uzam nijúinde Saekkai)
- 95: Committee for Defense, 28 (Fángri nijúinde Saekkai)
- 97: Committee for Intelligence Services, 9 (Tokapparyuē so Kyanfā nijúinde Saekkai)
Municipalities' Council
Besides the Jōbunhakke, there is another legislative body, the National Municipalities' Council (Zággai Hāmaeltai Kókke, ZHK). It has a unique make up, as it is an assembly of representatives from the municipal level. Every city (sur) and rural district (hibu) casts one vote. The votes can carry different voting power according to the population, depending on the type of vote. Representatives in the ZHK are usually non-political officials of the municipality they represent and are only reimbursed for their travel and other expenses. They are bound to vote as instructed by their municipality's government. For important votes it is common that mayors or other high-ranking local politicians come to Pyingshum to cast their municipality's vote.
The ZHK's approval is needed for laws that change the financial or power relationship between local and the national government as well as changes to the constitution. In all cases when the ZHK does not approve a law proposed by the Jōbunhakke, the Jōbunhakke can schedule a popular vote which in turn can overwrite the ZHK's decision. Since the constitution doesn't provide for any other mean of changing the constitution by popular vote, there have been cases in the past where the ZHK purposefully denied approval to such a law in order to enable a popular vote, even though its members themselves were generally in favour of the change, because the matter was deemed so important that the public should vote on it. The members of the ZHK also elect the second half of the presidential convention, which in turn elects the president.
Because it only has very limited functions, the ZHK is usually not counted as a second chamber of parliament. Historically, the ZHK was never intended by the fathers of the constitution when it was written in 1834. It formed as a sort of common lobbying institution for the municipalities, to represent their interests in national politics. When the constitution was thoroughly reformed in 1939 provisions about the ZHK and the types of laws that needed its consent were codified, but to this day it is not recognised as a second chamber of parliament. After the great fire of 1984 and during the subsequent rebuilding of a part of the government quarter in Gankakuchō-Pang, a representative building was erected for the ZHK just north of the Chancellery.
Chancellor
The Chancellor (Gankakuchō) is the head of government. They are not elected by the people, instead after parliamentary elections the Jōbunhakke elects a Chancellor with a simply majority of its members. Usually, they are leader of the strongest political party in the new government. The Chancellor appoints the rest of the government, most importantly the ministers, by formally suggesting them to the President, who then has to appoint them. The Chancellor is traditionally the single most influential person in politics, since they define the guidelines of inner and foreign policy. Due to historical reasons, they come 3rd after the president and the president of the parliament in official state protocol. This also reflects in the location of the Chancellery (Gankakuchō so Hyosilwe), located in Pyingshum's Gankakuchō-Pang, which is less prominent than those of the presidential mansion or parliament.
The current incubent is 52 year-old Madelaén Sáku (MDK). She was first elected in 2016 and re-elected twice since then. She is the second woman to hold this office after Ushira Tsungmaéi (RK) from 2004 to 2008, and the first one not born a Kojolese citizen; her parents immigrated from Khaiwoon in 1973 when she was 5 years old.
Administration
A rather unique feature of the Kojolese political system is the emphasis on a strict border between the government and "The Administration" (Dáhano). The administration is often cited as the 4th division of power. While the executive branch such as the Chancellor and the Ministers are mostly focused on drafting laws and enacting policy in their respective fields, these policies are then executed by the various national, regional and municipal agencies. Although the various agencies are under the direct control of either the national or respective municipal government(s), they are said to exhibit a life on their own. The way policies are enacted in practicality is strongly shaped by the administration's own way of doing things.
Career paths in the administration usually start in municipal or regional agencies, with aspirants working their way up through the regional or national agencies. Very successful high school or university graduates are also sometimes recruited directly into higher ranks, especially after graduating from the prestigious and hard to get into School of Higher Administration (Kōkumin Ekól). It is estimated that among leadership positions in the regional and national administration (excluding the ministries themselves), ca. 70 % have worked up their way from entry-level positions, 25 % are Kōkumin Ekól graduates and only another 5 % are career changers who have worked outside of the administration for some time. Unlike in a lot of other democracies, the Kojolese constitution knows a number of cases where the passive suffrage is restricted: anyone employed in the national or regional administration cannot run for office in national elections for 5 years after their last day of employment, extending to 10 years for positions of leadership. Similarly, many municipalities also use their constitutional right to institute such regulations on a municipal level.
The following list only includes civil services provided by the national government and its regional embodiments. The municipal administration and their bottom-up counter parts on the regional levels (such as garbage, public order offices, schooling infrastructure, public transportation etc.) as well as agencies not classified as part of the executive (such as the parliament administration or institutions relating to the courts' self-management) are not included. The ministries oversee a lot of different agencies and services, to which they delegate most of the technical work and interaction with the public. Besides drafting laws, the ministries most importantly set policy guidelines for their subordinate agencies. On a regional level, all agencies and services by the national government are also coordinated by the respective region's Prefect, who is appointed by the Chancellor. They are mostly responsible for managing everyday operations, advising the central government on regional matters, coordinating the agencies among each other and with the municipalities administration, appointing important leadership roles, as well as disaster relief and representing the central government in their region.
The most common name for institutions with nation-wide scope of action is Kyanfā ("Agency"). Regional institutions under national directive are called Sháchu ("Service"). Agencies which oversee regional services are amended with the prefix "Central" (Zóngshinkyanfā), while Agencies with no oversight over the corresponding regional Services (because they are directly controlled by the ministry as well) usually bear the title "National" (Zággaikyanfā). The aforementioned naming scheme only applies to the administration under the directive of the national government. City departments or offices are usually called buéro, while agencies instituted on the regional level but operating under the directive of the respective region's municipalities are called uelfā. While most agencies and services are referred to using an abbreviation of their full name in everyday use, there are inconsistencies regarding their long-name variants. While some names include grammatical particles to emphasizes their respective grammatical function (Shínchopō sum shárukanyaesói so Kyanfā, lit. "Agency for Protecting the Constitution"), other names do not (Oetsōno Kyanfā, lit. "Migration Agency").
List:
- Office of the Presidential bureau (Gozóngchō so Hyokyanfā, Pyingshum)
- National Auditing Authority (Zággai Búkinshutugēl Sanzyofā, Pyingshum)
- Constitution Protection-Agency (Shínchopō sum shárukanyaesói so Kyanfā (SHSHK), Pyingshum)
- Kojolese Central Bank (Kojo Zóngshin-weibyaeng, Pyingshum)
- National Archive (Zággai Altífōwe, Pyingshum)
- Chancellor (Gankakuchō, Pyingshum)
- The Chancellery (Gankakuchō so Hyosilwe, Pyingshum)
- Office of the Press Secretary
- Officer of State for Digital Affairs
- Officer of State for Relations with the Arkatsum Kingdom
- 13 Prefects (Maekkyosil)
- Ministry of the Interior (Būla so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Agency for Administrative Issues
- Central Police Agency (Atóm'yi Zóngshinkyanfā, Duēkain)
- 13 regional Police Departments
- Central Criminal Prosecution Agency
- 22 Police Academies
- Customs Office
- Agency for Digital Security
- Agency for Meteorology
- National Agency for Monument and Landscape Conservation
- 13 regional Monument and Landscape Conservation Services
- 15 regional Archives
- Agency for Migration (Oetsōno Kyanfā, Kwaengdō)
- National Agency for Civil Protection and Disaster Prevention
- Agency for Technical Assistance
- 11 regional Technical Relief Services
- Central Agency for Spatial Planning, Mapping and Interregional Cooperation (Wamzudamolno, Nomshusói ko Mijidōdaeki Kyakkai Zóngshinkyanfā, Jaka)
- 13 regional Spatial Planning Services
- Agency for Volunteer Service (Kámpō Ashkan Kyanfā, Pyingshum)
- Agency for National Elections (Zággaitsūn Kyanfā, Unzai)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sotta so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Foreign Intelligence Agency (Dózai-Tokapparyuē so Kyanfā (DTK), Pyingshum)
- Agency for the Promotion of Kojolese Culture and Language Abroad
- Embassies of Kojo abroad
- Ministry of Finance (Búkinmolno so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Agency for Financial Services Certification
- National Agency for Taxation (Harkai nijúinde Zággaikyanfā, Hóshumsul)
- 13 regional Taxation Services
- xxx local collection offices (Búkinfā)
- National Agency for Remuneration
- 13 regional Remuneration Services
- National Agency for National Asset Management
- 13 regional Asset Management Services
- Ministry of Defence (Fángri so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Kojolese Military (Kojo so Forsamé, Hittouel)
- Military Counter-Intelligence Agency (Fanglyué-Jōto so Kyanfā (FJK), Pyingshum)
- 2 Universities of the Armed Forces (Forsamé so Ōnagara, Pyingshum and Jaka)
- Agency for Acqusition
- Ministry of Justice (Héngyi so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Agency of Justice (Héngyi so Kyanfā, Pyingshum)
- Central Agency for Consumers' Rights
- 13 regional Consumers' Rights Services
- Public Prosecutor's Agency
- 13 regional Public Prosecution Services
- 12 regional Penitentiary and Resocialisation Services
- Ministry of Labour, Social Issues and Sports (Gōzo, Myingsamolno ko Taigi so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Agency for Work (Ashkan Kyanfā, Púlmaerong)
- Ribal Kecskés Institute for Transmissible Diseases (Ribal Kecskéskaso roenglanzáu Yokkae nijúinde, Pyingshum)
- Central Agency for Public Health
- 12 regional Public Health Services
- Agency for Drug and Medical Services Certification
- Agency for the Advancement of Competitive Sport (Mankaidaeki Taigi so Yaeshittehīchon lui Kyanfā, Jaka)
- 7 regional athletes' contact bureaus
- Agency for Workers' Protection
- Oversight-Agency for the five obligatory insurance services (Hizo Akken sum Elpyaenfi-Kyanfā, Tinglyū)
- Care Agency
- Agency for Family
- Anti-discrimination Agency
- Central Agency for Youth
- 13 regional Youth Services
- Media Inspection Agency
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Trade (Kishamolno ko Jijiyaengmolno so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Agency for Patents and Trademarks
- Agency for Statistics
- Agency for Import and Export Monitoring (Jaka)
- Cartell Agency
- Agency for Food Safety
- Agency for Caration and Standardisation
- Agency for Mining and Pitmen
- Agency for Professional Training
- Agency for Funds Distribution and General Affairs
- Ministry of Education, Innovation and Culture (Goakyan, Líno ko Tsungbon so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Agency for Public Health Education
- Agency for Political Education
- National Library (Zággai Besoegawan, Pyingshum)
- 21 Central Libraries
- 5 National Museums (Jōbun-Showugan, "People's Museum": two in Pyingshum (History, Art), one in XX (Science and Technology), XX (Sport) and Yoyomi (Geology))
- National Agency for the Coordination of Vocational Training
- 13 regional bureaus for the Coordination of Vocational Training
- Agency for Pre-natal care, Daycare and Preschool
- Agency for Primary and Secondary Schooling
- Oversight-Agency for Higher Education
- Central Agency for Archaeology
- 13 regional Archaeology Services
- National Agency for Conservation of the Intangible
- 13 regional Services for Conservation of the Intangible
- Agency for Material Acquisition and Distribution (Sowenlichidoemsol so Mishisói ko Otamishisói lui Kyanfā, Shīmau)
- Kojolese Research Funding Society
- Ministry of the Environment (Yultai so Naelnimyue, Pyingshum)
- Agency for Nuclear Safety and Disposal
- National Agency for Environmental Research
- 13 regional Environment and Sustainability Services
- Central Agency for Woodlands, Ranching, Hunting and Firearms
- 12 regional Forestry and Ranching Services
- 12 regional Hunting Services
- 59 regional Firearm Services
- Central Veterinary and Animal Welfare Examination Agency
- 38 regional Veterinary and Animal Welfare Examination Services
- Ministry of Infrastructure, Communication and Energy (Hīshíbyaeng, Denching ko Uzam so Naelnimyue)
- Aviation Agency (A'érosaē so Kyanfā, Pyingshum)
- Lower Agency for Air Traffic Control "Kojocontrol" (Aensaē Ishkel Bangfā, Pyingshum)
- Lower Agency for Aircraft, Aerodrome and Personnel Certification (Aenlai, A'éropō ko Rinin so Shataeiyusói Bangfā, Pyingshum)
- Agency for Waterways and Shipfare (Hún'gō ko Champyonsaē Kyanfā, Kippa)
- Agency for Roads (Michi Kyanfā, Kippa; research institution)
- National Agency for Planning, Construction and Upkeep of Motorways
- 12 Regional Road Planning, Construction and Upkeep Services
- XX motorway maintenance facilities (Kōfogótsu Zoékasóijo)
- Road Approving Agency (licensed, private company owned by the government)
- Motor Vehicles Admission Board (licensed, private company owned by the government)
- Agency for Railway Infrastructure and Operation (research institution)
- Agency for Railway Certification (licensed, private company owned by the government)
- Kojo Railway Company (Kojo Hyengshō Sanan, non-licensed, private company owned by the government)
- Agency for Signal Communication
- Agency for Post Affairs
- Agency for Energy Production, Subsidies and Emission Certificate Trade
- Agency for dams and Hydroelectricity
- Agency for the Power, Gas and Water Networks
- Central Agency for Communication and Data Networks
- 10 regional Data Networks Services
- Agency for Passenger and Freight Transport (regulatory authority)
- Aviation Agency (A'érosaē so Kyanfā, Pyingshum)
Municipal Level
The Kojolese constitution defines the scope of responsibility for the national government on one hand (handled by the agencies listed above), and the municipalities (surs and in the case of rural areas hibus and Pangs, each with their own respective administration) on the other. In general, laws and regulations are always enforced by the same level that also sets the relevant rules, with some exceptions (most notably devolved duties). The following list give an overview over the competences at the national and local:
Competences of the national level are constitutionally restricted to:
|
Competences of the municipal level (surs, hibus, pangs) encompass everything not assigned to the national government, commonly:
|
The national level can generate income through every mean not reserved to the local level, commonly:
|
The means the municipal level can generate income are constitutionally restricted to:
|
Municipalities' legal rights or obligations can be classified into one of three "classes of sovereignty". A municipality's right to set the rules regarding its own elections (within the democratic principles of the constitution) or veto a change to its boundaries are core principels of municipal sovereignty. No simple law passed at the national level, even if approved by the ZHK, can strip an individual municipality of such rights. The only, though quite hypothetical way to amend this would be a change to the constitution's definition of those core principles.
One step further down the line there are the (simple) constitutionally granted sovereignties. They for example include the types of taxes municipalities can levy or what areas of law and public order they can regulate. To make changes to such issues, a law must pass the Jōbunhakke with a simple majority and the ZHK with a dual majority (both majority of population and entities).
Lastly, there are laws that indirectly affect the municipal level (regulatory and/or financially), but do not infringe on their sovereignties. Those include laws that devolve administrative functions from the national government to the local governments, such as changes to the social welfare system which is in part carried out on the local level by the municipalities. Also, environmental laws that are enforced by municipalities or changes to education standards like requiring Wifi in school buildings would fall in this category. Besides a simple majority in the Jōbunhakke, such laws also need a popular majority in the ZHK (meaning that surs and hibus representing at least half of the Kojolese population approve).
Due to the fact that municipalities are autonomous in regard to their internal affairs, there is wide variety in the way they structure their administration and politics. For example, there is an unmanageable diversity of local electoral law, especially among smaller towns and villages. While every municipality is bound by the democratic principles laid out in the constitution, they are free as to how to embellish them. Among exceptionally small villages it is common to elect a mayor by a majority vote, sometimes with and sometimes without run-offs, and to not have a local council elected alongside. Places that do elect local councils do so using many different kinds of voting procedures, from systems using electoral districts and a first-pass-the-post-approach to mixed-member proportionate party lists systems with multiple transferable candidate and list votes per voter.
Regional Level
Kojo is a centralist state, with elections only taking place at the national and the municipal level. The intermediate regions ("Iki") form a stage for balance of interest and cooperation. The national government's (top-down) Iki-administration is headed by a prefect, who is sent by and represents the central government. The prefects execute the central government's policies in their respective regions and manage the regional services (Sháchu). In the numerous areas overlapping with the municipalities' jurisdiction, the prefect frequently serves as a local negotiator. They are also responsible for imminent relief in the case of catastrophes and are only allowed to leave their Iki when instructed to do so by the central government. On the local side, municipalities coordinate their efforts on the Iki-level bottom-up to voice their interests to the national government and seize synergies. The degree to which this happens varies from region to region: in some, a large regional bureaucracy controlled by the region's municipalities does a lot of everyday administrative tasks, such as transit planning, preservation or healthcare. In others, those matters are dealt with by each individual municipality and their common regional administration only facilitates voluntary coordination and lobbying. For an in-depth explanation, please refer to the main article: Administrative divisions of Kojo.
The following list contains all 13 regions in Kojo with their name, population, size, population density and cities above 100,000 inhabitants (Prefects' seats in bold).
| Name of Iki | Population | Area km² (land) | Pop. Density in./km² | Largest cities | OGF relation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyingshum-iki | 12,169,000 | 11,954 | 1,018 | Pyingshum, Kahyuemgúchi, Formajiá, Laófil, Maikulā | border |
| Kyoélnain-iki | 1,815,000 | 41,170 | 44 | Busakyueng, Góhomi, Unzai, Makalasueng | border |
| Cheryuman-iki | xxx,xxx | 5,884 | xx | Kwaengdō, Tsuyenji, Zúkshi (Cheryuman h.) | border |
| Degyáhin-Kibaku Yuwantsūm-Shikime-iki | xxx,xxx | 10,025 | xx | Nároggul, Leshfyomi-sul | border |
| Nainchok-iki | 955,000 | 36,288 | 26 | Toribiri, Chin-Jōrin, Shangmē | border |
| Sappaér-iki | 678,000 | 7,484 | 91 | Geryong | border |
| Fóskiman-iki | 5,215,000 | 7,920 | 658 | Finkyáse, Womenlū, Ántibes, Zúkshi (Fóskiman h.) | border |
| Lainyerō-iki | 3,105,000 | 104,755 | 30 | Manlung, Oreppyo, Palda, Jippun, Kōnil | border |
| Pacchipyan-iki | 3,249,000 | 3,101 | 1,048 | Jaka, Hetta, Ojufyeng | border |
| Rō-iki | 255,000 | 73 | 3,502.7 | Rō | border |
| Wāfyeíkko-iki | x,xxx,xxx | 17,075 | xx | Yoyomi, Wenzū, Arákkanai, Toefyei | border |
| Chin'yaku-iki | 1,680,000 | 5,655 | 297 | Tinglyū, Īme, Línai | border |
| Gyoéng'guffe-iki | 3,420,000 | 19,876 | 172 | Kimelíngsan-shu, Tamrong, Kippa, Igilaē, Púlmaerong, Hóshumsul, Láoféi, Rajjihaim, Duēkain | border |
Courts
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The courts form the judiciary and are independent. The supreme court and two of five courts of last appeal are situated in the city of Igilaē, with the other three national courts also situated in cities other than the capital Pyingshum, in order to physically represent the independence of the Judiciary from the other branches of government.
The constitutional court (Shínchopō nijúinde Dattarān, lit. "Supreme court about the constitution", situated in Igilaē) has the last say in all controversies over the constitution. The other courts of last appeal are all responsible for a distinct area of law and can be appealed to by anyone on any legal dispute after going through the lower stages in the court hierarchy. These so called national courts are:
- Tsōbolakān nijúinde Dattarān; supreme court of ordinary jurisdiction; usually concerned with issues of civil or criminal law; Finkyáse
- Búkinmolno nijúinde Dattarān; supreme court of financial jurisdiction; concerned with taxation, customs and public finances; Igilaē; not to be confused with the central auditing authority (Búkinshutugēl Sanzyofā) in Pyingshum
- Gōzomolno nijúinde Dattarān; supreme court of labour jurisdiction; Igilaē
- Myingsamolno nijúinde Dattarān; supreme court of social jurisdiction; Tinglyū
- Tōyo nijúinde Dattarān; supreme court of administrative jurisdiction; concerned with legal disputes over administrative acts, usually between citizens and the state or between different agencies; Láoféi
The lower courts are organised on a regional (Gōsaeidaran) and municipal (Munchipaldaran) level. In the two biggest cities, Pyingshum and Finkyáse, cases of civil law or other (minor) cases can be dealt with at even more local district courts (Shottarān) instead of the municipal court. However, if the court's ruling is appealed, the case then advances to the regional court and is not again heard at the municipal court.
Military
Military expenditure accounts for 2.6 % of the country's GDP. It includes the army (Bánakin), the air force (Óduekin) and the navy (Paushil). Other subdivisions and associated agencies include the medical service, the military counter-intelligence service (Fanglyué-Jōto so Kyanfā, "FJK"), a cyber unit, strategical planning offices and more. The entirety of the armed forces are called "Kojo so Forsamé".
The Bánakin (army) consists of about 35,000 soldiers, which are organised in 52 squadrons called Zóngkai. One or several squadrons are stationed at one of 30 bases (called Kázen), not including small non-military offices for administrative purposes.
The Óduekin (air force) employs around 15,000 soldiers, organized in four tactical units, two transport units (with the one stationed in Pyingshum also having a sub-unit dedicated to government flights), two helicopter units, two ground-based air defence units and two training units. Those units are called pyoéton and are usually stationed on bases adjacent to purely military or mixed-use airports.
About 8,000 soldiers serving in the Paushil (marine) secure Kojolese territorial waters and borders. Custom and sea rescue operations are carried out by different entities. The four marine bases are called Pautang (an otherwise archaic word for harbour) and located in Zúkshi (Cheryuman h.), Jaka, Arákkanai, and PH near Zúkshi (Fóskiman h.).
Emblems
The Kojolese flag, adopted following the democratic revolution in 1834, serves as a powerful national symbol. It features horizontal stripes of blue, gold, and green, separated by white. These colors represent the country's three key landscapes: "water/coast" (blue), "crops/farmland" (gold), and "forest/mountains" (green). On the left side of the flag, a red zig-zag bar symbolizes the bloodshed during the civil war. This design element harks back to the battle banners stained with the blood of both the defeated establishment and the victorious revolutionaries. The flag is used in both official and informal contexts to represent the Kojolese nation.
The state seal of Kojo is reserved for representing the nation in its most formal and official capacities, such as on monuments, special awards, and international treaties. Variations of the state seal are used by the President, Chancellor, and Parliament for significant formal acts, such as appointing ministers, dissolving parliament, or enacting laws. The seal features a duck with a pen and hammer, symbols rooted in mid-19th-century Kojolese history. The pen and hammer represent the intellectuals' righteousness and the industrious determination of the working class, both of which were pivotal groups in the revolution and the establishment of democracy. The duck, Kojo's national animal, was chosen for its agricultural utility—controlling pests, laying eggs, and providing meat and feathers—as well as its humble and balanced nature. This symbolism, along with the national motto "By the People, for the People," underscores the Kojolese Republic's commitment to the common people, in stark contrast to the self-centered and extravagant Kojolese Monarchy. Since the 1960s, the duck has also become a humorous and endearing national symbol, often used as a mascot in visual media and sports.
Kojo's regions, or Ikis, are explicitly prohibited from using their own emblems, as all sovereignty is vested at the national or municipal levels. At the municipal level, rural Pangs, Hibus, and Surs are entitled to adopt their own flags, seals, or other emblems. Most municipalities do so, incorporating significant historical and regional symbolism into their designs. These municipal emblems reflect the diverse cultural heritage and local pride found across Kojo.
Transportation
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|---|---|
| Infrastructure of Kojo | |
| Roadways | |
| • Driving side | Right |
| Railways | |
| • Passing side | Right |
| • Gauge | 1435mm |
| • Electrification | Varies |
| Telephone code | +388 |
| Internet TLD | .ko |
Key Data
At 3.5 trips per day and person, Kojo has a comparatively high average mobility rate. Reasons include high female employment, age distribution and high division of labour. The average length of a commute from home to work is 11.7 km. At 410 passenger cars per 1,000 inhabitants, car ownership in Kojo is lower than in other similarly developed countries. Mode share, that is the share of trips (not traffic volume) undertaken via a specific mode, varies strongly depending on urbanisation and other local factors.
Spatial Planning
Spatial planning encompasses two related tasks: to ensure a spatially comprehensive yet economical supply with public and private goods (from grocery stores and schools to department stores and major hospitals), and to plan the transportation network accordingly. In Kojo, spatial planning is carried out on the national level by the central government, and by the hibus and surs in cooperation with the central government on the regional level.
It is based on the Central Place Theory which categorises settlements into four categories. This categorisation does not say anything about the political status of a settlement, but defines spatial planning goals about what kinds of goods and services should be available in that place. In a second step, there are nationally and regionally defined minimum accessibility thresholds, stating that from any inhabited place, one should be able to reach the nearest place of a given category in a set amount of time. Infrastructure is then planned accordingly. This process is under regular revision, with either transportation links being improved or, if deemed more feasible, placed being recategorised into higher categories to serve an underserved area. The four categories are:
- International Node (Mijizággai Noé): Metropolises that connect the region or nation to the international economy. In Kojo, only Pyingshum, Finkyáse, the Kime-Yuwan-agglomeration, Jaka, and Yoyomi fall into this category. Airfare infrastructure is concentrated on these cities, as well as highly specialised service industries such as consulting.
- Higher Center (Hangshin): Cities that cover periodic needs, which includes amenities such as: cinema, large department store, hospital, a representation of the regional authority, theatre, higher education.
- Basic Center (Sōshin): Covers all necessities of everyday life. This includes for example: comprehensive options for grocery and some retail shopping, post office, bank, representation of the local authority (registering a car, collecting social benefits etc.), police station, library, primary and middle schools, basic medical care.
- Phone Box (Denkan): Covers the basic necessities of everyday life. The name dates back to the early days of the telephone, when the government aimed to ensure that everyone should be able to reach a public telephone in the next village by bicycle. While those are now rendered obsolete by new technologies, places of this category still need to provide residents with a post box, a small shop to purchase the most basic food items, and a bus connection to the nearest basic center at least every other hour.
Road
The road network is hierarchical, with the different types of roads indicating different design standards as well as which layer of government is responsible.
| Class | Naming | Jurisdiction | Link function | Design standard and access | Mapping | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorways Gimbye Kōfogótsu (lit. Gimbye Highclass road) |
G ### | National Agency for Planning, Construction and Upkeep of Motorways (national funding) | Long-distance | At least two lanes per direction with structural center-barrier. Grade-separate. Tolled with some exceptions. 120 km/h, local and temporal restrictions might apply. | Red for three or more lanes per direction (motorway)
Dark orange for two lanes per direction (trunk) |
|
| Other National Roads Dōdaeki Zóngtsūfogótsu (lit. Regional main through road) |
D ### | 12 Regional Road Planning, Construction and Upkeep Services (national funding) | Interregional | At least one wide lane per direction. 50/70/100 km/h. Can exhibit motorway-like design features on heavily used sections. | Orange (primary) | |
| Regional Roads Dōdaeki Tsūfogótsu (lit. Regional through road) |
I ### numbers unique only in each region |
Road Agency of the respective Iki (aggregate municipal funding) | Regional | At least one wide lane per direction. 50/70/100 km/h. In rare cases exhibits motorway-like design features on heavily used sections. | Yellow (secondary) | |
| District Roads Hibu so Tsūfogótsu (lit. District through road) |
H ###, S ### numbers unique only in each Hibu/Sur |
Road Agency of the respective Hibu/Sur (municipal funding) | Link between or through settlements | At least one lane per direction. 30/50/70/100 km/h. | White, bold (tertiary) | |
| Municipal Streets | Differs by municipality | Road Agency of the respective Pang (in Hibus, unless dependent Pang), Sur (in Surs) or Dengshō (in Pyingshum and Finkyáse) (municipal funding) | Access to adjunctive lots, no link function | Must be passable. 10/30/50/70 km/h. | White (unclassified) |
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Motorways (G) are numbered with single, double or three digits. The numbering system is as follows:
- Single digits
- 1 - 9: main motorways for very long distance travel
- Double digits
- 11 - 19: shorter motorways in Pyingshum region
- 20 - 39: additional important long-distance motorways leading towards Pyingshum
- 40 - 59: additional important long-distance motorways not leading towards Pyingshum
- 60 - 69: shorter motorways in the center and south
- 70 - 79: shorter motorways in the west
- 80 - 89: shorter motorways in the east
- 91 - 99: short motorways leading inside the Pyingshum inner belt motorway
- Three digits
- 100: Pyingshum inner belt motorway
- 101 - 189: more shorter motorways in Pyingshum region
- 600 - 689: more shorter motorways in the center and south
- 700 - 789: more shorter motorways in the west
- 800 - 889: more shorter motorways in the east
- 900 - 989: special (as of now, only airport loops)
- X90 - X99: disconnected sections of a main motorway starting with X
Rail
Kojo has a dense and highly utilised railway network with a wide range of passenger rail services and freight operations. They are for the most part operated by state-owned Kojo Hyengshō Sanan ("Kojo Railway Company", KHS). Around 80 % of track-kilometres are electrified. With few exceptions such as mountain railways, railways operate on standard gauge.
| Name | Fare | Stopping Pattern | Maximum Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| InterCity
(IC) |
Demand-responsive | Only calls at major cities (usually at least 100,000 inhabitants). Some Sprinter-services offer non-stop connections between major metropolises, skipping even more intermediate stops. | 280/300/320 km/h on dedicated tracks, depending on rolling stock |
| CityConnect
(CC) |
Calls at major cities and regional centers. | 200/250 km/h on dedicated tracks, depending on rolling stock, often lower on tracks shared with freight and regional trains | |
| Kūyú-chegicha Papáchē
(Regional Rail Express, KCP) |
Local transit pricing scheme | Only calls at large towns and the most important stations in major cities. | 160/200 km/h in some exceptions, 250 km/h when using IC tracks |
| Kūyú-chegicha Soémipapáchē
(Regional Rail Semi-Express, KCS) |
KC-like stopping pattern on one and KCP-like stopping pattern on the other part of its route. Usually used in the commuter belt of large cities. | 120/160 km/h, lower on curvy sections | |
| Kūyú-chegicha
(Regional Rail, KC) |
Calls at every stop. | 120 km/h, lower on curvy sections |
IC & CC Services
| Train No. | Terminus | via | Terminus | t/d, dir. | Rolling stock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Kippa ZC, Láoféi IC, Kimelíngsan-shu | Jaka | 7 | (5+5) | |
| 13xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Kippa ZC | Jaka | 8 | (5S+5) | |
| 14xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Kahyuemgúchi, Leshfyomi-sul, Kippa-Púlmaerong | Tamrong | 8 | (3) | |
| 15xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Leshyomi-sul, Kippa ZC, Láoféi IC, Kimelíngsan-shu | Jaka | 9 | (5+5), (3) | |
| 18xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Kippa ZC | Ojufyeng | 4 | (4+4) | |
| 16xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Kippa ZC, Hetta, Womenlū-S. | Finkyáse | 11 | (5S+4) | |
| 17xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Kahyuemgúchi, Leshfyomi-sul, Kippa ZC, Láoféi IC, Hetta, Womenlū-S., Finkyáse | Ántibes | 10 | (4+4) | |
| 20xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Finkyáse, (Ántibes,) | -UL30a- | 24 | (5S+5S) | GoldStar |
| 22xxx | Pyingshum ADC | - | Finkyáse | 8 | (5S+5) | |
| 23xxx | Pyingshum ADC | - | Womenlū ZC | 6 | (5+5) | |
| 24xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Kahyuemgúchi, Nároggul-T. B., Igilaē, Womenlū-S., (Zúkshi (F. h.),) Finkyáse | Ántibes | 15 | (4+4) | |
| 29xxx | Pyingshum ADC | Womenlū-S., Zúkshi (F. h.), Finkyáse, | Ántibes | 6 | (3) | spring and autumn holiday |
| 31xxx | Pyingshum KDC | - | Yoyomi | 24 | (5S+5) | |
| 33xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.), Kwaengdō | Tsuyenji | 8 | (5S+5) | |
| 34xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Formajiá IC, (Tinglyū,) Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.) | Kwaengdō | 17 | (4+4) | |
| 39xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Tinglyū, Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.), Kwaengdō | Tsuyenji | 4 | (3) | spring and autumn holiday |
| 41xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Formajiá IC, Wenzū, Toefyei | Arákkanai | 19 | (3) | |
| 50xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Tinglyū, Namgyeong/남경, Jungpo/중포부, Nagareki/沼浦, Reilusahna/清浦, (Shirukami/荒釜,) (Sahnajima/灣湧) | Sainðaul/作安崎 | 18 | (5S+5S) | Minarajaki |
| 51xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Formajiá IC, Tinglyū, Īme, Kyungwelsul (b. h.), PH/…, PH/… | Namgyeong/남경 | 16 | (5S+5) | Minarajaki |
| 60xxx | -UL30a- | Finkyáse, Jaka, Yoyomi, Kwaengdō | Tsuyenji | 8 | (5S+5) | |
| 61xxx | -UL30a- | (Ántibes,) Finkyáse, Jaka | Yoyomi | 8 | (5S+5S) | |
| 63xxx | Ántibes | Finkyáse, Zúkshi (F. h.), Womenlū-S., Hetta, Jaka, Ojufyeng, Arákkanai, Kari, YYM, Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.) | Kwaengdō | 6 | (4+4) | |
| 64xxx | Finkyáse | Womenlū-S., Hetta, Jaka, Arákkanai, YYM, Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.) | Kwaengdō | 6 | (4+4) | |
| 69xxx | -UL30a- | Ántibes, Finkyáse, (Zúkshi (F. h.),) Womenlū-S., Hetta, Jaka, Arákkanai, YYM, Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.), Kwaengdō | Tsuyenji | 6 | (4+4) | spring and autumn holiday |
| 71xxx | Ántibes | Finkyáse, (Zúkshi (F. h.),) Womenlū-S., (Igilaē,) Nároggul-T. B., Leshfyomi-sul, PSM, Formajiá IC, (Tinglyū,) Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.), Kwaengdō | Tsuyenji | 21 | (4+4) | |
| 73xxx | Finkyáse | Zúkshi (F. h.), Womenlū-S., Nároggul-T. B.,Leshfyomi-sul, PSM, Formajiá IC, Tinglyū, Yoyomi, Zúkshi (c. h.), Kwaengdō | Tsuyenji | 6 | (4+4) | spring and autumn holiday |
| 80xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Buskyueng L., Góhomi | -Pyeokchin- | 8; 16 | (5S+5); (3) | winter holidays |
| 81xxx | Pyingshum KDC | Buskyueng L., Doikku | Góhomi | 6; 12 | (5S+5); (2N) | winter holidays |
| 86xxx | Pyingshum KDC | - | Busakyueng ZC | 18 | (4+4) | |
| 91xxx | Pyingshum LDC | Oreppyo, Kōnil | Manlung | 18 | (3) | |
| ()=some trains, italic = extra seasonal services/trains/carriages | ||||||
| Train No. | Terminus | via | Terminus | t/d, dir. | Rolling stock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170xx | Oreppyo | Nároggul ZC, Púlmaerong, Wenzū | Yoyomi | 9 | (2N+2N) | |
| 180xx | Oreppyo | Nároggul ZC, Kippa, (Wenzū) | Yoyomi | 15 | (2N+2N) | |
| 260xx | Unzai | Línai, Īme, Tinglyū, Wenzū, Toefyei, Pītom, Kimelíngsan-shu | Jaka | 12 | (2N) | |
| 330xx | Pyingshum LDC | Toribiri, -UL31a-, -Samane- | -Luthesia- | 17 | Samane rolling stock | |
| 340xx | Pyingshum LDC | Pyingshum Z.-F., Toribiri, -UL31a-, -Samane- | -Luthesia- | 2 | Samane rolling stock | Night train |
| 360xx | Pyingshum LDC | Pyingshum Z.-F. | Toribiri | 2; 5 | (2N); (2N+2N) | winter holidays |
| 370xx | Kippa-A. | Kippa ZC, Kippa-P., Kimaéchul, Sújoshí, Pyingshum Z.-F. | Toribiri | 2; 5 | (2N+2N); (3) | winter holidays |
| 550xx | Geryong | Manlung, Jippun, Rosshi. (H. h.) | Finkyáse | 18 | (2N) | |
| 560xx | Pyingshum KDC | Pyingshum D. H., Tarappel-Finglyúson | Línai | 6 | (2N) | |
| 750xx | Busakyueng ZC | Tarappel-Finglyúson, Formajiá ZC, Formajiá IC, PSM, Kimaéchul, Kippa-P., Kippa ZC | Kippa-A. | 18 | (2N) | |
| 770xx | Pyingshum LDC | Pyingshum Z.-F., Chin-Jōrin | Shangmē | 14 | (2N) | |
| 780xx | Kippa-A. | Kippa ZC, Kippa-P., Kimaéchul, Sújoshí, Pyingshum Z.-F., Chin-Jōrin | Shangmē | 4 | (2N) | |
| 870xx | Pyingshum KDC | Pyingshum K.-K., Makalasueng, Tsumani, Busakyueng L. | Unzai | 10 | (2N) | |
| 900xx | Pyingshum LDC | (Pyingshum L. H.,) Oreppyo, (Palda,) Geryong | -UL30a- | 13 | (3) | |
| 910xx | Pyingshum LDC | Pyingshum L. H., Oreppyo, Palda | Geryong | 11 | (3) | |
| ()=some trains, italic = extra seasonal services/trains/carriages | ||||||
IC & CC Rolling Stock
KHS employs THC trains (Ataraxian: Train à Haute Célérité, Kojolese: Tōsoryokku Huwochē, lit. "high-speed liner") for its long-distance services. They are produced by the Ataraxian-Kojolese manufacturer CAR. The first train model, the THC 1, was built between 1977 and 1987, but no models remain in use today.
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IC & CC Network History
In the early 1960's, inter-city travel demand grew at a rapid pace. Due to already congested main lines, the railway sector was incapable of competing with cars and airplanes. Environmental but especially economic and geopolitical concerns regarding he dependence on oil imports spurred a political movement to seek a massive upgrade of the railway network. Inspired by similar developments in Izaland, development of high-speed passenger trains and planning for a trunk network began. The first THC train entered service in 1977 (see section above) and the first dedicated high-speed line was opened two years later. Corridors constructed on completely new alignments are referred to "Chinshimchē" (CSC, "new rapid line"), while new tracks that for most part run parallel to existing tracks (i.e., upgrade existing corridors in terms of capacity and/or speed) are referred to as "Chinkōchē" (CKC, "new high(capacity/status) line"). Both CSC and CKC are compatible with the general railway network and especially peripheral branches are frequently used by freight trains or special KCP services. The map to the right provides an overview of the high-speed network and the dates of opening.
The most recent addition is the CKC "Yaére Kime" between Púlmaerong and Pyingshum ADC on the eastern Kime bank. While this line is mostly used by CC and freight trains during regular service, its main motivation was to increase redundancy. In particular, the oldest CKC "Kime", opened in 1979, will have to close down in the 2020s for about 9 months to undergo major maintanance work.
Two extensions are to be opened during the 2020s: In 2026, the CSC A'eropō will be extended from its current end at the CKC "Yaére Kime" and connect directly to the CSC Aku-Limbē, allowing trains from UL30a and Finkyáse to safe around 20 min on their way to Pyingshum International Airport and onward to the east by bypassing Leshfyomi-sul. In 2027, a new alignment between Yoyomi and Rō will be opened, to separate local from long-distance traffic and allow for higher speeds through the Bakkyal valley. North of Rō, in 2029 a base tunnel will prolong this line further north towards lake Bōli. From then on, trains between Pyeokchin and Pyingshum will no longer have to follow the windy alignment along the Jush and Dagwan river past Īme, but will cut straight through the mountains to Yoyomi and connect to existing high-speed lines there. Besides these extensions under construction, there is also planning underway for a new alignment between Arákkanai and Belfe, closing the gap between Arákkanai and Wenzū. If planning and funding proceeds as planned, this extension is likely to open in the late 2030s.
Airfare
Domestic air traffic plays only a minor role in Kojo's transportation system due to the country's size and an attractive road and rail infrastructure. The majority of domestic flights serve as feeder flights for onward international travel. The majority of international air traffic goes through one of the four national airports in Pyingshum, Finkyáse, Jaka and Yoyomi. These airports receive funding from the national government for capital investments, expressing their strategic importance to the nation's international connectivity. The Kime-Yuwan region is the only agglomeration designated as an "international node" in spatial planning whose airport is not classified as a national airport. Its airport, like the other regional airports, are exclusively financed by the ikis and municipalities to boost local competitiveness. In total, Kojolese national and regional airports served 104 million passengers (departing and landing, domestic passengers counted twice) and handled 869,000 aircraft movements in 2019. Besides the four national and eight regional airports there are a large number of small airfields used for leisure (lózipō) or sporadic business flights.
| City(s) | Code | PAX (million passengers) | Freight (thousand tonnes) | Flight mov. | Runways | Gates | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyingshum | PSM | 67.3 | 2,200 | 489,000 | 4 | 165 (94 bridge, 71 bus) | Map | Largest passenger and freight volume |
| Finkyáse | FIN | 10.8 | 340 | 92,000 | 2 | 48 (37 bridge, 11 bus) | Map | |
| Jaka | JAK | 7.1 | 670 | 87,000 | 2 | 32 (TBM) | Map | |
| Yoyomi | YYM | 6.7 | 310 | 71,000 | 3 | 33 (23 bridge, 10 bus) | Map | |
| Púlmaerong, Kippa, Duēkain | KIM | 3.0 | 200 | 38,000 | 1 | 18 (8 bridge, 10 bus) | Map | Focus on LCC and holiday flights |
| Busakyueng | 1.5 | 2 | 18,000 | 1 | ||||
| Kwaengdō | 1.4 | 4 | 17,000 | 1 | ||||
| Womenlū | 1.1 | 0 | 14,000 | 1 | ||||
| Toribiri | 0.9 | 2 | 14,000 | 1 | ||||
| Manlung | 0.9 | 4 | 12,000 | 1 | ||||
| Wenzū | 0.6 | 22 | 8,000 | 1 | ||||
| Oreppyo | 0.4 | 0 | 6,000 | 1 | ||||
| Pyingshum (Longte Puechaésa) | 0.07 | 2 | 33,000 | 1 | - | Map | Mostly charter flights |
KojAir is the largest airline operating in Kojo, and the only native airline of the country. As of 2021, it is the only operator of scheduled domestic flights in Kojo. Pyingshum International Airport is the airline's hub, most long-haul flights depart here. KojAir is a founding member of the OneSky airline alliance.
Shipping
With an extensive coastline of almost 1,000 km and numerous natural and artificial inland waterways, shipping is an integral part of Kojo's transportation network. The nation's largest port in Jaka connects the country's manufacturing industry to the global economy. The largest river, Kime, allows for easy distribution of heavy goods to, from and among the industrial regions. Since the late 19th century, a number of artificial canals connects the Kime river system to Kojo's second largest river system in the east, allowing for continous inland shipping without transfer to seagoing vessels.
Passenger ferries serve as an inexpensive mean to cross the Sound of Pa to neighbouring countries especially for travellers with cars. Besides that, there are a number of both leisure and conventional ferry services on large rivers and lakes. For cruise ships, refer to Kojo#Tourism.
Public Transit
Pyingshum
main article: Pyingshum#Public_Transit
Finkyáse
Kippa
Jaka
Yoyomi
Economy
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| Economy of Kojo | ||||||||||||||||
| Social market economy | ||||||||||||||||
| Currency | Zubi (Z) | |||||||||||||||
| Monetary authority | Kojo Zóngshin-weibyaeng | |||||||||||||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2021 estimate | |||||||||||||||
| • Total | $2.3 trillion | |||||||||||||||
| • Per capita | $57,850 | |||||||||||||||
| HDI (2020) |  0.903very high | |||||||||||||||
| Principal exports | Services, manufactures goods, niche agricultural products | |||||||||||||||
| Principal imports | Electronics, oil, machinery | |||||||||||||||
Industries and sectors | ||||||||||||||||
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Key Data
Kojo has a diversified market economy. The nation's GDP amounts to a total of 2,314,375,000,000 Int$, 57,850 Int$ per capita (PPP, 2021). Its main exports are services, manufactured goods, especially a comparatively small array of highly specialised high-tech niche products, as well as a subset of high-value agricultural products. The primary, secondary and tertiary sector each contribute 1.1 %, 26.6 % and 72.3 % to the economy.
The median income across Kojo is relatively even. Outliers to the top are the capital Pyingshum, Fóskiman-iki around Finkyáse with a very developed service industry and Pacchipyan-iki around the harbour city of Jaka. On the other end, the former industrial heart of the nation, Kippa, is still recovering from far-reaching structural change, and rural areas such as Lainyerō-iki and Degyáhin-iki can be found at the bottom of the table as well because these regions lack large urban centres of over-regional significance. Differences in cost of living readjust these differences to a small degree.
While income is spread relatively even compared to other developed countries (Gini-coefficient: 0.26), wealth is more concentrated (Gini-coefficient: 0.88). There are several reasons for this: the pension entitlements of the pay-as-you-go public pension systems is not accounted for as an individual's asset, a compartively low home-ownership rate (44 %), and a number of long-established wealthy industrialist families who were able to grow their fortunes in part over several centuries. The country's wealthiest family by far is the Dencho family, who all together hold 67 % of shares of Dento, the nation's most highly valued company. Seven members of the family occupy position 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 of the list of the richest people in Kojo.
Currency
The national currency is called "Zubi". There is no further subdivision of the Zubi into a smaller unit. The following tables show all denominations, whether it is a coin or a paper bill, what it portrays on the back and front and what these images are supposed to represent:
| Value | Form | Front | Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coin | Only number for the value | Small tree |
| 2 | Coin | Only number for the value | Small tree |
| 5 | Coin | Only number for the value | Small tree |
| 10 | Coin | Number with Globe in the background, cosmopolitanism | National coat of arms, patriotism |
| 20 | Coin | Number with Globe in the background, cosmopolitanism | National coat of arms, patriotism |
| 50 | Coin | Number with Globe in the background, cosmopolitanism | National coat of arms, patriotism |
| 100 | Bill | Arc of Unity (Dyenféi Kō) in Pyingshum, unity | Scene of Mountains in the background with a river meandering to the foreground, resembling the diversity in Kojo's landscapes (mountains, rivers, semi-desert, forest, farmland, coast) |
| 200 | Bill | Kids in a Kindergarten, pupils in a classroom, students in a lecture, education | Elderly resting in a garden, helping some adults with planting, being cared for, respect for the elderly |
| 500 | Bill | Soldiers in a battlefield, war | Wide landscape with villages scattered across; people come together to celebrate, peace |
| 1,000 | Bill | Ancient cave drawings showing stone tools from the stone age, history | Stylised scientific instruments, progress |
| 5,000 | Bill | King Surb Rēkku, unifier of the country, with his wife "the vein princess" Chihaya Nabun'ga from UL30c, international influence | Map of Kojo, unity and sovereignty |
| 10,000 | Bill | Symbolic group of people, standing for the people's uprising in 1834 and the democratic revolution, democracy | The original copy of the constitution, with key words in large print, core values and constitutionality |
The current exchange rate is 1 Zubi = 0.0435 Int$, 1 Int$ = 23 Z.
Primary Sector
The flat, irrigated croplands in the east of the country allow for intense and almost year-round agriculture. The western part in turn is mostly used for extensive pasture farming. The mountains in the north and east are used for forestry. While fishery takes place along the whole coastline, the eastern region of Cheryuman-iki accounts for about 40 % of catch volume and 60 % of catch value due to the nutrition-rich waters and some high-value seafoods found in the area such as lobsters and oysters.
The mining industry consists of two major branches: in central Kojo, coalfields have played an important role in the country's industrialisation. Despite growing environmental concerns, competition from oversea markets and reserves running out over the last decades,a handful of coal mines is still active, mostly open pits providing coal for power plants and industrial applications. In the mountainous areas, especially between Busakyueng and Línai, several metal ores and other minerals have been mined since centuries and continue to be so. In terms of fossile fuels, rare metals and earths and other minerals, Kojo is dependent on imports.
Secondary Sector
Kojo's manufacturing sector is slightly stronger than in most other highly developed countries, yet still far less pronounced than the tertiary sector. Besides construction, vehicles and machinery, chemicals and pharmaceutics as well as food products are the most important industries. A number of niche products where Kojolese companies are among the world's leading are especially relevant for exports, such as capital goods, high-value household appliances and bio-technical products.
Tertiary Sector
The service sector is the largest employer and contributor to the nation's GDP. Public services such as schools, health, administration, police etc. combined make up the largest portion in terms of employment and value added, followed by trade/transport/hospitality, corporate services, research and development, and real estate. Especially in terms of digital and cultural services such as media, Kojo is a net importer. In finance and tourism, imports and exports break roughly even, with large sums of money flowing both in and out of the country due to its strong global integration. In corporate services such as consulting and training, but also in research and development, Kojo shows a strong export surplus.
Energy
Final energy consumption refers to the amount of energy utilized directly by end-users, without accounting for losses that occur during production at power plants or transmission. This consumption encompasses all forms of economic and personal activities, including heating buildings, lighting, transportation of people and goods, industrial processes, and more. The term "energy" in this context includes not only electricity but also other energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas. In comparison to other developed economies, Kojo maintains a relatively robust energy-intensive industrial base. This industrial sector, along with household consumption, constitutes the majority of the country’s final energy consumption. The heavy industry sector is particularly responsible for significant coal and gas usage. For households, non-electric energy consumption is primarily driven by heating needs, while the remaining energy use is roughly equally divided between air conditioning and other applications.
Despite approximately half of Kojo’s vehicle fleet and the majority of public transportation being electrified, oil products continue to account for over half of the energy consumption in the transport sector. Kojo lacks domestic natural gas reserves, necessitating nearly all of its supply to be imported, primarily through pipelines from PH, with a smaller portion arriving via LNG shipping. Similarly, the country relies almost entirely on imports for its oil supply, which is predominantly delivered through its ports. While Kojo trades coal and electricity with neighboring countries, the balance of imports and exports in these sectors is roughly equal.
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8% of electricity production at the various sources is lost during transmission. Renewable sources make up around 74% of electricity production, or 86% including nuclear energy. Wind (especially offshore) and solar alone make up 60% of production, with hydropower, gas, and coal being important compensators during times of little wind and sunshine. The load factors of each source differ due to availability, operation and their strategic use for grid stability: Nuclear power plants take a long time to ramp up or down and are expensive to build and operate, so they mostly run at full load unless they are taken down for maintenance. For wind and solar energy to reach a load factor of 100%, the wind would have to blow at the ideal strength and the sun would have to be at its zenith for 24 hours every day of the year, which is impossible. Inbetween those two extremes, coal, gas and oil as well as hydro and biomass are used to adjust electricity production to consumption throughout the day and year, since their electricity production can be controlled at a short notice. Hydropower in particular plays an important role, because many dams can also be used as pumped-storage power plants, meaning when other sources overproduce, they can use excess power from the grid to pump water uphill and use to to run its generators at a later point in time. The electricity used and generated during such a cycle does not count towards the net electricity production of hydro in the table below.
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-Text powerplants-
Tourism
Due to a wide variety of landscapes and cities, Kojo attracts numerous tourists from abroad and the country itself. In 2019, a total of 24 million travellers from abroad visited Kojo. They spent an average of 3.4 nights per visit, amounting to 81.6 million overnight stays. International travellers spent a total of 125.66 billion Int$, or 1,540 Int$ on average per night and guest (the average is inflated by a small number of affluent visitors who purchase expensive luxury and consumer products). An international traveller is defined as someone coming from abroad who stays for at least one night. Kojolese nationals undertook 189 million travels in total, 85 % of which (161 million) where inside the nation. On each inland trip they spent on average 4.4 nights away from home, or 707 million overnight stays in total. The difference to international visitors is largely due to the fact that a large portion of the national travel is leisure holiday; most national business travellers return home on the same day. On the other hand, international guests have a high share of business travellers staying only one or two nights, or city tourists that also stay only a handful of nights.
There are four distinct holiday seasons arising from the country's climate. From late March to mid June, medium temperatures and little rainfall means agreeable conditions for beach vacations on the western and eastern coast or city trips. Due to this and a five week school holiday, this is the busiest holiday season. During the hot and humid summer from mid June to late August, especially city dwellers will often go on short hiking retreats in the north, where humidity is lower, or to the western coast, where the ocean offers some cooling and the rainy season is not very strong. September, October, and November largely mirror the conditions during the spring and are hence also popular for beach vacations on either coast or general travel. During the winter months from December to February, temperatures are chilly throughout most of the country. Of the little travel that still takes place, most is concentrated on a few expensive skiing resort towns in the far north.
Education and Research
Schooling
In total, there are around 4,150,000 pupils in Kojo, with around 340,000 pupils entering and leaving the schooling system each year. For under 3 year-olds, the care system is under complete control of the municipalities, meaning costs and quality vary strongly between regions. Around a third of children under the age of 3 are looked after in such daycares. Most parents (~85 %) send their 3-6 year-olds to public kindergarten, which is free nationwide. Visiting a school is also free and up to the age of 16 mandatory. From the age of 5 1/2 to 6 1/2, children enter Káurēbi (primary school), which lasts 5 years. From grade 6 to 9 (4 more years) the pupils then visit Midirēbi (middle school). After middle school, the around 15 year old students decide whether they want to enter Zukkyamlu (vocational school) or continue to Shōminagara (similar to high school with a more academic focus), if they have an adequate grade average in year 8 and 9 and the final exams.
At a vocational school, students are introduced to job life by doing an apprenticeship and visiting school on a 20 % to 80 %-basis at the same time. Depending on the chosen training, they leave the Zukkyamlu after 2 to 4 years to enter the regular work force. Students who went to Zukkyamlu are not banned from university however. Especially in recent years it became more and more common to visit evening schools which allow Zukkyamlu graduates to enrol in university programmes fitting their practical training and job life.
Students who choose to attend Shōminagara pass through another 3 years of education, before they choose whether they now want to leave school and enter the work force with the option of visiting a limited number of subjects at university later on after a few years of job experience, or remain in school for 1 last years (grade 13). After finishing that last years and passing the end of the year exam in year 13, students are allowed to every subject universities offer, sometimes though limited by a certain average-grade threshold for very popular or demanding subjects. This score is calculated by weighting the results of year 12 at 1/4, the results of year 13 at 1/3 and the results of the final exam at 5/12.
Students are playfully introduced to a first foreign language from 3rd to 5th grade in Káurēbi (Primary school), usually Ingerish. From grade 6 to 9 the pupils then visit Midirēbi (Middle School) where they continue their foreign language from primary school and also choose a second foreign language. Students going to a Zukkyamlu for vocational training can take language courses depending on their field of training, usually with a stronger focus on in-job application. At Shōminagara the amount of language classes a student takes varies between 1 and 3 depending on the course of study. Some private and especially international schools form exceptions.
To cater to particularly gifted children, "special schools" (Mashkal Shōminagara or in some cases Mashkal Zukkyamlu) are established throughout the country which specialise on a specific field of study. Pupils commute to these schools from across the region and in some cases nation or stay in the schools' boarding homes. Around 2 % of post-middle-school-students attend those special schools, which require specific examinations at the end of 9th grade.
| Name | Location | Students | Specialisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Place (tbm) | xxx | xxxxx |
| Akkime hakki Mashkal Zukkyamlu | Pyingshum, Dachiya-dasu-Pang | 960 | culinary, gastronomy, hospitality |
| Alne'anum Mashkal Shōminagara | Pyingshum, Lamtyaichi-Pang | 530 | history, social sciences |
| Kolkai "Ron'gál Fendi" | Pyingshum, Daiamondoshi-Pang | 750 | arts and humanities |
| "Arkal Toisen" Mashkal Shōminagara | Pyingshum, Senjahi-Pang | 360 | performing arts |
| Man bue Han'garashōminagara | Pyingshum, Man-Pang | 860 | Mathematics, Sciences, Technology |
| Mashkal Shōminagara "Leander Breu" | Pyingshum, Dachiya-dasu-Pang | 640 | Sciences |
| Mashkal Zukkyamlu "Koerben Osanīsan" | Pyingshum, Kūtokkyaen-Pang | 250 | Ceramics, pottery, masonry and other handicraft |
| Mashkal Shōminagara "Kolchaim" | Pyingshum, PH-Pang | 820 | Sports |
| Mashkal Shōminagara "Yassun Breuer" | Pyingshum, Lí-Pang | 1320 | pedagogy, humanities |
| Mezoérushi Chin Mashkal Shōminagara | Pyingshum, Kū Mezoérushi-Pang | 1320 | Mathematics, Sciences |
| Rōcchael de Mashkal Shōminagara | Pyingshum, Kūtokkyaen-Pang | 770 | Mathematics |
| St. Byingzan Mashkal Shōminagara | Pyingshum, Agunas-Pang | 820 | entrepeneurship, law, philosophy and management |
| St. Shalmoin Hakkyonal Mashkal Zukkyamlu | Busakyueng | 490 | leathercraft, clockmaking, shoemaking, locksmith |
| Yisra'al Yētekelshōminagara | Pyingshum, Mádoka-Fil-Pang | 1130 | Ancient and modern languages |
School holidays are oriented around national holidays as well as the travel seasons. The school year starts in May, after a five week holiday. After just about a month of school, for June Solstice, a one week break is given. In late August, another two week summer break takes place. A three week "harvest holiday" in October stems from the times where many children had to help bring in the harvest, but nowadays is just another popular vacationing season. Finally, from late December to early January a two week winter holiday encompasses December Solstice, Christmas, and New Year.
Higher Education
Public universities (Ōnagara) are generally tuition free. About 10 % of students study at private universities which charge tuitions, however their degrees are usually slightly less sought-after than degrees from public universities. Besides normal public and private universities, there are also a handful of special institutions under direct control of the government with special tasks, such as the Kōkumin Ekól (School of Higher Administration) or the Ginken Sobul (Institute for Free Research).
Most subjects are either offered on a Būmal (Bachelor, usually 3 years) and Zangákka (Masters, an additional 2 years) basis, or in some cases are only offered as a straight 5 years programme resulting in the title Rōka (Diploma). Students studying towards their first Būmal are classified as Undergraduates, students studying towards their first Zangákka are referred to as Graduates, and researchers with a Zangákka or Rōka degree working towards an Ōkarong (PhD) or similar are identified as Doctorals.
The following list contains all institutions of tertiary education in Kojo:
| City | Name | Location | Date | Students | General Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finkyáse | Finkyáse Ōnagara | Various campi | 1584 | 82,000 | |
| Jaka | Chuso Azugáki-Folajji | North of New Town | 1786 | 27,050 | Very autochthonous uni with 4 competing houses, focused on sport |
| Jaka | Forsamé so Ōnagara - Jaka | PH | 1942 | 1,300 | One of two universities of the armed forces. |
| Jaka | Tampo-Joelgue Ōnagara | New town north of main station | 1806 | 15,650 | |
| Hóshumsul | Kime Gigyōnagara | (Node TBA) Revitalised harbour area in the Old Northern Harbour | 1976 | 38,600 | |
| Kippa | Kippa Ōnagara | (Node TBA) Former Musical College | 1959 | 39,900 | |
| Pyingshum | Abita Ekól | Byoengwe-Pang | 1887 | 8,200 | Private. Medicine, business, biology. |
| Pyingshum | Doldae Ōnagara | -Pang, Kibō-Dengshō | 2,200 | The only other (public) sport university in Kojo besides the well renown Chuso Azugáki-Folajji. | |
| Pyingshum | Forsamé so Ōnagara - Pyingshum | PH | 1971 | 2,100 | One of two universities of the armed forces. Spread over two campi, Gaerié and Kanfel. |
| Pyingshum | Ginken Sobul | Building in the heart of Daiamondoshi-Pang | 1710/1877 | N.A. | Special elite institution for post-doctoral research with no teaching responsibilities. |
| Pyingshum | Ginjin Ōnagara | Various campi | 1677/1837/1894 | 256,900 | Largest Kojolese university |
| Pyingshum | Kōkumin Ekól | Building in the heart of Daiamondoshi-Pang | 1850 | 150 | Elite school for the administration |
| Pyingshum | Maeltsu Ōnagara | Raketéchonshae-Pang, Mezoérushi-Dengshō | 1962 | 9,800 | Private. Medical care, therapy and similar |
| Pyingshum | Maffyu-Taeldong Ōnagara | Dosō-Pang, Sasu-so-kyaeng-Dengshō | 4,000 | Private art and design school | |
| Pyingshum | School of International Business Studies Pyingshum | Gankakuchō-Pang, Dosyaeng-Dengshō | 4,600 | Private, IBS and related subjects | |
| Pyingshum | Yoelwe Aensaē Ōnagara | [1]Lyaesh'uel Zyendō hakki-Pang, Porāgu-Dengshō | 1982 | 3,200 | Private, aviation related courses |
| Byucchi (near Pyingshum) | Pyingshum Polihan'gara | Byucchi | 1960 | 17,050 | Polytechnical College with suburban campus |
| Rō | Rō Tōchuekyana Ōnagara | xx,xxx | |||
| Yoyomi | Yoyomi Gigyōnagara | PH | 1935 | 22,000 | |
| Yoyomi | Yoyomi Ōnagara | PH | 1888 | 34,000 | |
| Field | Number of students | % of students |
|---|---|---|
| social/business sc., law, economics | 30.1 | |
| health & soc. services | 18.8 | |
| engineering, manufacturing & construction | 18.2 | |
| arts and humanities | 12.0 | |
| nat. sciences, math &IT | 11.5 | |
| teacher-training | 9.3 |
BMS University Ranking
BMS University Ranking is an annual publication of university rankings and related publications by Bāraen ko Myanlyi so Sáratta (BMS, "Bāraen and Myanlyi's Rankings"). It is very influential and by far the most quoted source for higher education and research ranking in Kojo.
The Ōnagara so Sōbolsáratta ("General Overview Ranking of Universities", OS) ranks the top-20 universities in Kojo on a yearly basis. Its publication is of general interest in Kojo and often commented on even in national news. The ranking is calculated in a similar fashion to the field and subject rankings, however overall campus facilities, extracurricular activities, international reputation and more are also taken into consideration with a weight of 25 %. For 2020 the ranking went as follows:
| University Ranking (overall) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ginjin Ōnagara (Pyingshum) |
| 2 | Chuso Azugáki-Folajji (Jaka) |
| 3 | Rō Tōchuekyana Ōnagara |
| 4 | Finkyáse PH |
| 5 | Kime Gigyōnagara (Hóshumsul) |
| 6 | Yoyomi Ōnagara |
| 7 | Īme PH |
| 8 | Góhomi PH |
| 9 | Igilaē Uni PH |
| 10 | Kwaengdō Ōnagara |
A small number of special institutions with limited public access are not included, for example the National Administration School or military academies. Because sport and P.E. is not assessed as a subject or represented in a field, the Chuso Azugáki-Folajji in Jaka does not show up in the field or subject ranking, despite being the centre of an Elite Research Cluster and the second best university overall.
BMS also publishes a more nuanced Field and Subject Ranking (Dómaen so Sáratta & Senka so Sáratta). The universities are assessed on 6 points for each field and subject:
- number/quality of published scientific papers (20 %)
- employer/recruiter reputation (20 %)
- campus and research facilities (20 %)
- local connectivity to private businesses and research facilities, e.g. third-party funds (20 %)
- student-teacher ratio (10 %)
- share of international lectures and students in that field (10 %)
Because often there are several degree programs at a university falling under one subject, the winner of a field overall is not always the university with the best-placed subjects individually. For example, although Ginjin Ōnagara VI doesn't rank as the very best in any Natural Science, because it has a very solid standing across all engineering and natural sciences it still ranks as the third best overall. In 2017 the ranking went as follows:
| Field Ranking + Subject Ranking | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Field, Subject | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Natural Science | Kime Gigyōnagara (Hóshumsul) | Unzai PH | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Mathematics, Science and Engineering) |
| Mathematics | Unzai PH | Finkyáse Ōnagara | |
| Physics | Yoyomi Gigyōnagara | ||
| Chemistry | Kime Gigyōnagara (Hóshumsul) | ||
| Biology | Hetta PH | ||
| Engineering | Kime Gigyōnagara (Hóshumsul) | ||
| IT/Computer Science | Unzai PH | Finkyáse Ōnagara | |
| Human Sciences | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Education, Pedagogy and Human Sciences) | Finkyáse Ōnagara | Rō Tōchuekyana Ōnagara |
| Anthropology | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Education, Pedagogy and Human Sciences) | ||
| Linguistics | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Languages, International Affairs and Culture Studies) | ||
| Culture Sciences | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Languages, International Affairs and Culture Studies) | ||
| History | Rō Tōchuekyana Ōnagara | ||
| Literature&Philosophy | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Literature, History and Philosophy) | ||
| Social Sciences | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Politics and Social Sciences) | ||
| Politics | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Politics and Social Sciences) | ||
| Pedagogy | Yoyomi Ōnagara | ||
| Social Work | Geryong PH | ||
| Medicine&Psychology | Góhomi PH | Yoyomi Ōnagara | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Medicine) |
| Medicine | Góhomi PH | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Medicine) | |
| Psychology | Yoyomi Ōnagara | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Medicine) | |
| Organisational Studies | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Law and Business) | Igilaē PH | |
| Law | Igilaē PH | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Law and Business) | Kwaengdō Ōnagara |
| Business Studies | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Law and Business) | Busakyueng PH | Tampo-Joelgue Ōnagara (Jaka) |
| Economics | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Law and Business) | ||
| Public Administration | |||
| Arts | Finkyáse Ōnagara | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Art, Music and Design) | |
| Performing Arts | Finkyáse Ōnagara | Yoyomi Ōnagara | |
| Architecture | Kwaengdō Ōnagara | ||
| Painting | |||
| Design | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Art, Music and Design) | ||
To recognise highly competitive and specialised study, research and business clusters, BMS has classified nine outstanding Elite Clusters in Kojo, each associated with a university, that are at the spearhead of international research and education in their field. Characteristics are, amongst others, a large amount of private capital, local business networks, international student and lecturer body, and in general an outstanding reputation on the national and international level. These clusters are, in alphabetical order of their city:
| City | Cluster name (Ingerish) | Associated Research Facili(es) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Góhomi | Cancer and Hereditary Disease Research and Treatment Centre | Góhomi Uni PH | |
| Finkyáse | International Fine and Performing Arts Collaborative | Finkyáse Uni PH | |
| Hetta | Hetta Research Cluster for Bioengineering | Hetta Uni PH | |
| Igilaē | Igilaē Committee for Kojolese and International Constitutional Law and Jurisdiction | Igilaē Uni PH | Igilaē is also seat of Kojo's highest courts. |
| Jaka | Competitive Sport, Education and Research Region Kime Delta | Chuso Azugáki-Folajji | Very autochthonous |
| Hóshumsul | Mechanical Engineering Education and Research Cluster Kippa | Kime Gigyōnagara | The region is Kojo's traditional manufacturing centres; also leads BMS field ranking for "Science and Engineering" |
| Wenzū | Dento high-precision engineering research and development cluster | Wenzū Uni PH | Dento is Kojo's most valued single company, and high-precision engineering is arguably the most important export commodity |
| Pyingshum | Combined Intercultural Communication and Research Institutions | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Languages, International Affairs and Culture Studies) | Focused on the study of foreign cultures, languages, and cross-cultural understanding |
| Pyingshum | Ginjin Centre for Domestic and International Business and Economics | Ginjin Ōnagara (F. of Law and Business) | |
| Rō | Kojolese Classical and Theological Studies Research Assoziation | Rō Tōchuekyana Ōnagara | In Rō the ancient Kojolese belief system is still worshipped |
| Unzai | Unzai Advanced Theoretical Mathematics Research Cluster | Unzai Uni PH |
Research and Development
There are three main pillars for research and development conducted in Kojo: universities, the private sector and research institutions that are funded by public and private money to varying degrees.
At universities, research is being conducted in the form of theses writing and research projects funded either by public research grants or private enterprises etc. The BMS University Ranking endorses outstanding research clusters associated with specific universities.
Many large technology companies also operate private research and development subdivisions, aiming more at applied science than basic research, to improve their products and efficiency. Especially when dealing with highly sensitive matters that are at high risk of being divulged to competitors, the research of often exclusively conducted in-house and kept secret until patents are secured.
Lastly, there are a number of private research institutions, which are usually specialised on certain fields of expertise. They usually cooperate with companies, universities or apply for research grants or private projects. Besides a small number of unaffiliated or loosely cooperating research institutions, many belong to one of Kojo's three big science associations:
- Gaminchāsal-Ríkinassol, xx institutes mostly focused on applied science, such as manufacturing, pharmaceutical, computer science and more. 30 % publicly funded.
- Arákkanai: Sumaron Han'gara nijúinde Gaminchāsalkaso (Gaminchasal Institute for underwater technology)
- PH
- Todei-Fússan-Ríkinwúhakkai, xx institutes mostly focused on basic science such as particle physics, space travel, mathematics and more. Emerged out of the consolidation of the Todei and Fússan institutes. 70 % publicly funded .
- Jaka: Engshōka nijúinde Todei-Fússankaso (Todei-Fússan Institute for Meteorology)
- PH
- Gaeryong-Wúhakkai, xx institutes mostly focused on topics regarding the humanities. Named after an Historian. 78 % publicly funded
- PH
- PH
Population
Demographics
 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics of Kojo | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demonym | Kojolese | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Official languages | Kojoshi | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Recognized minority languages | Ataraxian Valonian (Sappaér-iki) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Religion | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Literacy |  98.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life expectancy |  79 (male) 82 (female) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The birth rate is 1.56 children per women, less than the 2.1 needed for a maintaining the current population. However, since decades the total population has remained mostly constant due to immigration outnumbering emigration. The average age is 43. The incarceration rate is 72 people / 100,000 inhabitants. Religion and ethnicity are not recorded during the national cencus. Hence, only worshippers affiliated with a registered religious community are known to statistics. It is assumed that about 4.5 % and 4 % of the population self-identifies as Christic or Irfan respectively.
Migration
The largest migrant communities in Kojo mostly immigrated from neighbouring countries, from northern Archanta, and from developing central Ulethan countries.
Religion
The native Kojolese religion is called Gitaenhōlyuē (from ancient Rōlese "gitenaly", "knowledge"), or Symvanism in Ingerish (from ancient Greek [ogf-vers?] "συμβάν" "symván", "event, happening"). Since the 18th century, the Kojolese faith had been in decline. Only about 0.6 % of the population (~1/4 of a million people) still pray to traditional Kojolese Gods and Goddesses. A notable exception is the city of Rō, where 37 % (~70,000) of the city's population still claim to adhere to this faith. Out of the 6.8 % of the total population who claim to "attend to a religion", the other 6.2 % are people with migration background that still hold the believe of their home country or parents. Christic denominations make up the largest collective, with 3,6 % of the population adhering to a Christic faith. Around 2 % of the population adhere to an Irfan faith.
The origins of the Symvanist faith are difficult to pin down. Its roots can be traced back as early as some tribal rites and traditions in the 2nd and 3rd century A.D. The oldest written records are from the 9th century, and the centralist organised religious community can be traced back to about the same time. There are three basic theological principles (called Shukkyubu) of the faith:
- the idea that the universe spontaneously came into existence (with the creation of earth by Gods and Goddesses following later on)
- that Gods and Goddesses are representations of fundamental principles of nature
- the concept of veneration of events and places (and saints associated with them), especially in regards to noble human values.
Gitaenhōlyuē knows seven ministries (Hartolifūgen, also known as sacraments). The sacraments in their current form have been established mostly unchanged since about 400 years. Strictly speaking they do not need to be carried out by church officials but usually are. It's considered especially desireable to carry out each ministry at a temple dedicated to that ceremony. They are seen as important rituals to mark major transformations in life. Traces can be found in contemporary non-religious Kojolese culture as well, most notably at birth, marriage and death.
- Baptism (Yeritatyaitchi): a ceremony where the newborn is ritually washed. It is similar to a christening, however in the Symvanist rite name giving plays no role. Many temples that fall into this 1st ministry are located at special water sources or wells.
- Confirmation (Jínchō): carried out on youths around the age of 14. It forms the completion of a two-months-period of teaching about the Symvanist faith carried out by a layperson. The young believer is then, after their conscious decision, ritually welcomed to the Symvanist church. Shrines of the 2nd Ministry are often associated with deeds of loyalty, fidelity and faithfulness.
- Remission (Kōkai): begins with a meditation of the sinner, who then writes their deeds out on paper and what they did to reimburse the aggrieved. They then proceed to burn these notes, usually in special fire places in the appropriate temple, and hope that the Gods grant forgiveness. It is one of two Sacraments that are not dedicated to a specific and single point in life.
- Marriage (Harsanīgi): Symvanism places high value on the ritualised bonding between a man and a woman. However, quite opposite to other customs, marriages need to occur after a child is born. The father and the mother then, together with their first child (later children are automatically included, although sometimes separate rituals are held for them as well), create a "family". It is important to note that every individual is only allowed to be in one of these "families" at any given time, meaning children leave their parents Harsanīgi when and only when they themselves marry. When a spouse dies, the other partner then may marry another partner, who then becomes the parent of the other's children. Similarly, when an orphan lost both parents, a couple may adopt it by including it in their (or founding a new) family. These differences to other Ulethan cultures still reflect in modern Kojolese family law, although the necessity to bear kids to form a civil union no longer exists. Temples where Symvanist weddings are held are usually unsurprisingly dedicated to events relating to close family bounds, loyalty, love, fertility or good fortune.
- PH
- Wake (Arkanāl): describes a period of 2 days and two nights (with exceptions made for victims of epidemics to reduce the risk of spreading the disease further or in situations of war), during which the deceased is kept on display in a shrine. This time is meant to give family and friends, but also neighbours and other acquaintances the chance to bid farewell to the defunct, who is often laid into an open casket. Temples of the 6th Ministry are often, but not always, close to cemeteries and relate to various events connected to death, grief, ascension or communication with ancestors.
- Intercession (Chūsai, archaic Barélhosutān): the second of the two Sacraments not carried out at a specific point in life. Describes the formal act of sending wishes to spirits, comparable to praying. This is done in a ritual similar to remissions, but instead of burning, believers soak their pieces of paper with their wishes on them in water so that they dissolve. The resulting mud is then spread on beds on the temple ground, and flowers or trees are planted in them. The petitioner may come back and water the soil to boost their request. Though there are specific shrines dedicated to this practice, the ritual is also commonly performed at all other types of shrines (with some exceptions where there simply is no space). Many shrines of the 7th Ministry are located next to other important shrines, where the Intercession of believers to the spirit of the original shrine has been "proven" over time to be fulfilled with a high likelihood.
Preservation
| Buildings&Objects | Intangible | Landscapes&Nature Reserves | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN Taē so Zaráng AN World heritage |
Assigned by the Assembly of Nations. | ||
| Azaggudaeki Gántsu National Treasure |
Azaggudaeki Tsungbondaeki Kuttuem National Cultural Custom |
Azaggudaeki Shárukanyaelorau Ferapū/Tasha National Protected Reservate/Landscape |
Unconditional efforts for preservation. Assigned by national Parliament and Government. |
| Émino Tsungbondaeki Gukyaei Outstanding Cultural Property |
High national efforts for preservation. Assigned by national Parliament and Government. | ||
| Zóngmo Tsungbondaeki Gukyaei Important Cultural Property |
Maecchaē Tsungbondaeki Kuttuem Great Cultural Custom |
Dōdaeki Shárukanyaelorau Ferapū/Tasha Regional Protected Reservate/Landscape |
Some public efforts for preservation. Assigned by respective regional administration (municipal). |
| Genji Tsungbondaeki Gukyaei Local Cultural Property |
Local subsidies might be granted to private owners, but mostly restrictive measures against alteration or demolition. Assigned by municipality. | ||
National Treasures and Cultural Properties:
Protected Landscapes and Nature Reserves:
- Kime Daelta Bōhoguyam - Azaggudaeki Shárukanyaelorau Ferapū (Jaka)
- Joenji Kaezī - Azaggudaeki Shárukanyaelorau Ferapū
- Kime Lawazaē - Dōdaeki Shárukanyaelorau Ferapū (Jaka)
- Palandashae Tsungkuttuemchi - Dōdaeki Shárukanyaelorau Tasha (Kwaengdō)
Protected Cultural Customs:
Food
Media
Television is widely spread in Kojo as a medium of entertainment and information. There is a public and a large number of private broadcasters, many of whom broadcast on more than one channel:
- KT1 (Kojo so Telébizyon ara, "Kojolese Television One"), the country's biggest broadcaster, is a private media conglomerate that dates back to 1942, making its main channel the second oldest TV channel in the country and the oldest still in operation. The company's various channels generate a combined 26 % of all viewership in Kojolese TV. Its headquarters are situated in Gaerié so-Pang, Pyingshum. Its channels cover a broad range of topics, from light entertainment to high culture and political news.
- YKT (Yaére Kojo so Telébizyon, "Second Kojolese Television") is a public broadcaster and the second largest by viewership. It was instituted in 1961 as a separate entity from already existing public radio, as it was believed that two independently organized public broadcasting companies were needed to ensure unbiased news overage and reciprocal control. The viewership share is estimated to be 23 %. The broadcaster's headquarter is situated in Ojufyeng, with a large studio for coverage from the capital in Gankakuchō-Pang, Pyingshum.
- BKCH (Byoenbi Kojo so Chúngko, "General Kojo radio communication") provides public radio stations, both national and local, as well as Kojo's international radio station KR1. BKCH's radio channels account for around two thirds of national radio listenership. BKCH was founded by the government in 1947. The broadcasting agency keeps a studio inside the Humenyamin Chezi complex in Daiamondoshi-Pang, Pyingshum, next to the ministry of interior and with the main studio looking out onto the Jōbunhakke. The agency's main administration however is seated in Yoyomi. BKCH offers a limited number of online live video broadcasts, which have been rising in popularity and are a matter of ongoing legal dispute with the other public broadcasting company YKT.
- ...
There are several daily and weekly newspapers being circulated nationwide. The most important ones are:
- TuR, a daily newspaper with a focus on boulevard, general interest and scandals. Kanjen Group.
- Urban ("The Friday"), a weekly newspaper with focus on politics, society and economics, with slight lean to the political right. Urban Publishing Company.
- Kalbum, a daily newspaper with focus on politics, society and economics, with slight lean to the political left and strong commentary. Kanjen Group.
- ...
Holidays
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Kojolese holidays and festivals are traditionally dominated by the symvanist solar calender. With rising irreligiousity, many of those experienced a shift in customs, however they are still widely observed. Since the middle of the 20th century, internationally known holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day or Easter have experienced rising prominence to varying degrees, but are to this day usually not considered national holidays (days off work for the whole country, marked in grey in the table below). The same applies to customs brought to Kojo by immigrant communities. Besides a small number of national holidays, many holidays and festivities are local customs celebrated only in specific cities or regions.
| Name | Date | Local | Customs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chin'nen New Year |
01.01. | Kojo | According to internationally used Gregorian Calender. Became a National Holiday in 1965. |
| Gwosúmain March Equinox |
20.03. | Kojo | Least intensively observed holiday of the four solar holidays. Local customs varying. |
| PH Carnival |
3 consecutive days after the first new moon after the March Equinox | Yoyomi | Celebrating the end of winter with costumes, exuberant parties and parades. |
| Osopyáfi Easter |
22.03~25.04. | Kojo | Observed strictly only by Christics, commercial referencing in whole society |
| Fúshizan Labour Day |
01.05. | Kojo | Only holiday that is made up for by a free Monday if it falls on a weekend. |
| PH
PH |
07.05. | Kojo | -Major war- |
| Hidemain/Himan June Solstice |
20./21.06. | Kojo | Celebrated mostly outdoors, such as concerts, fireworks etc. Cultural Climax of the year, just before the start of the rain season. |
| Jōbunmyeru so Zan’ne Republic Day |
03.08. | Kojo | Since both the overthrow of the Pyilser-Krun'a dynasty and the proclamation of the first constitution took place in winter, the August third was chosen as the national holiday in 1842, formally to commermorate the formation of the constitutional council that drafted the first constitution. The second constitution of 1939 was purposefully proclaimed on August the third. |
| Kyoenilzan September Equinox |
23.09. | Kojo | Customs connect to old Symvanist rides praying to the Gods for a good harvest. |
| Taigi so Zan’ne Sport Day |
31.09. | Kojo | For grades 1 to 6 and 8, a nation-wide athletics competition takes place. In other classes, individual sporting events take place. While techincally a day off, employers and coworkrers are also encouraged to organize or participate in sporting events. Seniors organize mass Tai-Chi and Yoga events in parks. |
| Wōmain December Solstice |
21./22.12. | Kojo | In comparison to PH much more domestic and family oriented, similar to Christmas in Christic countries including gift-giving, savory meals and attending religious services. Increasing mixture with Christmas-related customs. |
| Gyōdaenzan Christmas |
24.-26.12. | Kojo | While christmas itself is not observed as a holiday, many international christmas customs such as gift-giving have been transferred to the December Solstice a couple of days prior. |
Peculiarities
- Nowadays, Kojo uses the internationally known 24-hour-system to divide the day into hours, minutes and seconds. It became widespread with the expansion of the railway network, which from its inception operated on this more "modern" system. Up to the late 19th century however, a traditional Kojolese system was used. In that system, not midnight, but sunrise was used as the reference point. From the moment of sunrise, shilpas (the equivalent of hours) were counted. One shilpa is equal to one 10th of the duration from sunrise to sunset on the winter solstice. After sunset, the shilpa-count starts at zero again, counting the "dark" shilpas. As a result, the amount of day- and night-shilpas in a day changes throughout the year. Also, a shilpa would be longer in northern regions than in the south, as summer days are longer the higher the latitude. The counting system is therefore not used for exact time measuring in the modern world, however traces survived in the form of proverbs or set expressions.
- Because of the different wedding-culture describes in Kojo#Religion, last names in Kojo are not inherited. Once a new Harsanīgi is formed, the couple decides on a new last name for them and their children called nálnūm (literally "chosen name"). As a result, Kojo today has one of the most diverse ranges of last names, as couples can choose traditional or religiously meaningful names as well as neologisms. The choice of the "chosen name" is regarded as one of the most important step stones in live and is often seen as very telling in regards to the choosing couple's character. Despite the overall non-religiousness of the Kojolese people, the ceremonial foundation of a Harsanīgi and the proclamation of a new last name is one of the traditional rites that has retained a high degree of practice and prestige. Since 1989 there are legal provisions that allow couples who marry to choose one of the partners' as their new common last name instead of choosing a nálnūm. This option was introduced to accomodate foreign residents and immigrants, but is also used by around 5 % of the native population.
Language
Kojolese, or Kojoshi, is the national language of Kojo. It developed from the Pyilser dialect spoken around the center-north of the country and is the only living language of the Kimo-Axian language family. Since 1701, the Romantian script is used in writing instead of the previously used Pyilser alphabet and Meilanese characters imported via UL30c.
History
Phonology
Standard Kojolese has eight vowels and 22 consonants. Every vowel can either be realised unmarked, pitched (indicated by an acute diacritic, ◌́) or long (indicated by a makron diacritic, ◌̄).
orange: non-final |
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Syllables adhere to one of the following patterns (V = vowel, K = non-final consonant, M = versatile consonant):
- V ("o")
- KV ("po")
- MV ("no")
- VM ("on")
- KVM ("pon")
- MVM ("non")
The glottal /ʔ/ usually precedes every syllable-initiating vowel, but is not regarded as a separate consonant in this syllable scheme; for example, in the place name "Kim'eru", /kim.ʔe̞.ɾɯ/ would count as KV.V.KV. When a syllable ending with a vowel is followed by a syllable starting with a vowel, under specific circumstances the glottal is not realised and the syllables merge in spoken language, namely when the sylabbles are part of what is consideres to be a single, meaning-carrying word part, like "kai" in "kaijōmengwe" (for "come together" in " event hall"). In this case, the word is pronounced /käi.dʒo̞:.me̞ŋ.we̞/ instead of /kä.ʔi.dʒo̞:.me̞ŋ.we̞/. This does not affect the formal sylabble pattern however which remains KV.V.KV.MVK.KV. The same goes for loan words such as "maeil" ("E-Mail", /mɛjl/ instead of /mɛ.ʔil/). Exceptions to this rule exist however, such as "a'éropō" ("airport", loand word from Valonian, /ʔä.ʔe̞.ɾɯ.po̞:/). The glottal always precedes a syllable initiating vowel when the previous syllable is part of a different word or word component such as in "osoingamsói" ("responsibility", /ʔo̞.so̞.ʔin.gäm.so̞i/). The glottal marks the separation between the oso-prefix and the rest of the word, while the final /i/ has no trouble merging with the /so̞/ since it is part of the same word part.
The letter Y (/j/) plays a dual role. It can act as a normal non-final consonant, like in "Yoyomi" (/jo̞.jo̞.mi/). When following a syllable-initial consonant however, it palatalises the consonant and is not counted as a separate consonant in the syllable-scheme, like in "Pyingshum" (/pjiŋ.ɕɯm/, KVM.MVM). Similarly, the consonant clusters "kw-" and "gw-" are interpreted as a single (non-final) consonant (/kʷ/ and /gʷ/).
Apostrophies (') are used to to mark syllables boundaries when the pronounciation would otherwise be inconclusive. This can be the case when it would be otherwise unclear if "ue", "ae" or "oe" are supposed to be pronounced as mutated or separate vowels ("a'éropō"), if "ng" is pronounced as /ŋ/ or a syllable ending with n and the next starting with g ("fan’goel", /fän.gøl/ instead of /fäŋ.ʔøl/), or if a "y" palatises or is a consonant in its own right ("Taman'yumi", /tä.män.jɯ.mi/ instead of /tä.mä.njɯ.mi/).
Distribution and Dialects
Registries
Spoken and written Kojolese knows three distinct registries, that is styles of speech depending on the communicative situation. They vary in the type of vocabular and grammatical features used and convey different tones of ambiguity and formality.
Tanōikishi ("acquainted registry") is the least formal style of speech and used among friends and family members. It is characterised by a high degree of ambiguity by omitting parts of speech conveyed by context and using words with a broad range of meaning. It features the least amount of loanwords from Valonian and Nihonese, however since the middle of the 20th century an increasing influence of Ingerish can be observed.
Kēikishi ("formal registry") is the polite form used either with strangers or with familiar people in formal settings (such as teachers). In tone with its formal nature, usually no parts of speech are omitted and there are several grammatical and lexical features for expressing various degrees of gratitude or social hierarchy. It features comparatively many Nihonese loan words, dating back to the early High Pyilser-Krun'a Dynasty when the Nihonese court of Chihaya Nabunga excerted strong influence on Kojolese aristocratic culture.
Rikaikishi ("scientific registry") is used in legal and scientific writing and speech. Its grammatical features do not allow for ambiguity unless explicitly marked as such. As a result, it employs a wider range of grammatical features and a more nuanced vocabulary than the other two registries. Due to the strong influence of the Valonians on the Kojolese legal system there are a lot of Valonian loanwords. Even native speakers first get into contact with Rikaikishi during Middle School and have to actively study it in order to take full command of the registry. While it allows for a very clear and information-rich style of communication, such as in scientific studies, laws or contracts, it is also criticised for creating a barrier for the less educated. This is particularly challenging when for example legal terms have a different or sometimes even opposite meaning to what a similar expression would mean in one of the other registries.
Vocabulary and Grammar
For a dictionary and an in-depth explanation of grammatical features, please refer to the main article.
Diplomatic Relations
Other Nations
| Country | Embassy in Kojo | Notes | Kojolese embassy abroad | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Al-Kaza | Pyingshum | No active owner? | City (no node defined) | |
 Antharia
|
Pyingshum | Barradin | ||
 Ardisphere
|
Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| Template:Balam-Utz | Pyingshum | Motul; to be mapped | ||
| Belphenia
|
Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
 Bloenland
|
Pyingshum | To be mapped (no node defined) | ||
| To be mapped (no node defined) | To be mapped (no node defined) | |||
| To be mapped (no node defined) | To be mapped (no node defined) | |||
| Broceliande
|
Pyingshum | Valoris | ||
 Canterra
|
Pyingshum | Nautecove | ||
 Drabantia
|
Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
 Eshein
|
Pyingshum | Noy Tyrinn | ||
| Template:Fawltryncham | Pyingshum | Whangiora | ||
 Izaland
|
Pyingshum | Additional office space elsewhere | Sainðaul | |
| Yoyomi (Consulate) | Panaireki (Consulate) | |||
| Finkyáse (Consulate) | City (no node defined) | |||
 Federal States
|
Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
 Khaiwoon
|
Pyingshum | Khaiwoon | ||
 Kofuku
|
Pyingshum∈⊾ | Bako-Huz | ||
 Latina
|
Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
 Leresso
|
Pyingshum | Aludres | ||
 Mauretia
|
Pyingshum | Iola | ||
 Mergania
|
Pyingshum | Freistat | ||
 Neberly
|
Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| Template:Neo Delta | Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| Oéshkaernain | Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| Template:Østermark | Pyingshum | Mynninghamn | ||
| Template:Pretany | Pyingshum | Succeeded by Prettania? | City (no node defined) | |
| Template:Rémnokkälja | Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| Template:Remsfalen | Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| Template:Samiloor | Pyingshum | Carispoole | ||
 Semanya
|
Pyingshum | To be mapped (no node defined) | ||
| Template:Tárasses | Consulate | Viejo Tárasses | ||
 Vodeo
|
Pyingshum | To be mapped (no node defined) | ||
| UL30a | Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| Finkyáse (Consulate) | City (no node defined) | |||
| City (Consulate) (no node defined) | City (no node defined) | |||
| UL30c | Pyingshum | City (no node defined) | ||
| City (Consulate) (no node defined) | City (no node defined) | |||
| Yoyomi (Consulate) | City (no node defined) |
Available buildings: