Federal Republic of Polaris


 * Main article: City of Polaris


 * Main article: Polarian SAD Amendment

Polaris, officially the Federal Republic of Polaris or the Polaris SAD, is an autonomous, federated presidential republic bordering Eastshield, The Happyface State, Freezeland, and New Delphis. The country is the third-largest mainland Antarctic nation, and among the most populous on the mainland. The capital of Polaris is Polaris City, which is also its largest urban center.

Federal Republic of Polaris stretches from the Minerva Islands (Puerto Elanor, Santa Cruz, and the Juno Islands) to a land border with New Delphis. Polaris is divided into ten states and two territories, the largest and most populous state being New Westshield. The country has a population of about 71.47 million.

Polaris was initially established in 1913 as an administrative district of the Khanzem regime, known as the Polar Islands. Rapid development and urban sprawl in Polaris City would eventually distinguish Polaris as among the most prosperous and industrious throughout the continent, having supported a thriving manfacturing and transportation sector. By the dissolution of the Water Kingdom, Polaris would eventually find itself in the throes of revolution, allying themselves with the United States of Antarctica to form a new government. Despite this, disillusion continues to grow in Polaris about the trajectory of the Antarctican government, particularly on the antagonism with which the South Pole Council approached government-led economic intervention.

By 2011, Polaris, alongside several other municipalities historically within the Polar Islands District, approached the South Pole Council with the proposal to pursue autonomy for the region, subsumed by a "special administrative district". This would materialize in the form of an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of Antarctica, which was later overwhelmingly approved by the Polarian population.

Polaris presently has a stable, liberal democratic government, under a directorial-presidential system. The Executive Council of Polaris serves as the collective head of state and government, alongside the Legislative Congress of Polaris. As a federation, each of the ten states has their own legislature and governor, and specific powers reserved for them.

The Polarian economy is considered one of the strongest in Antarctica, wielding a GDP second only to the United States of Antarctica, reliant on the financial, natural resources, manufacturing, and high-technology sectors. Polaris ranks high in international assessments on quality of life, education, health, and social mobility.

Khanzem era (1913-1942)
During the Khanzem era, the majority of the present day Federal Republic of Polaris was ruled under the regime of Kingfish, in the Penguin's Republic of the Polar Islands, based in Polaris City at the time. The Kingfish regime was reminiscent of the fascist, far-right ideology of the area at the time, and had elected a General Congress, whose elections, held once every two years were biased in favour of the Khanzem Party, the sole party within the Penguin's Realm that was legal to participate in elections.

During the reign of Kingfish, which had lasted until 1942, following a opular overthrow of the ailing Kingfish regime in Polaris City, much of the present-day infrastructure, such as roads and seaports had been created in order to simulate trade within the territory, which it ultimately did. Although the regime was strictly socialist, it stimulated growth in the agriculture, mining, manufacturing and transportation in the Polar Islands. By 1918, the Khanzem regime had lost ground across Antarctica; and eventually was toppled, with the exception of the Polar Islands, where Khanzem support remained popular among the general Polarian populace.

The banking system of Polaris had also been developed in 1935, with the signage of the National Bank Act by Kingfish, establishing two state-controlled banks, and three joint-venture banks, in which 51% of the banks were held by shareholders. The Polarian National Reserve (then known as the Polar Island Federal Treasury Reserve) had also been established, holding money for creditors within the Polar Islands.

In 1942, the "Liberal Revolution" commenced in Polaris City, with a dramatic rise in taxes from 44% to 76% for all Polarian citizens. Inflation began to rise within the Polar Islands, thus subjecting many Polarians into states of squalor and poverty. The revolution was met with heavy government and military opposition, killing at least 65 penguins and injuring more than 660 during the uprisings, which were mostly peaceful, but had escalated into violence in several regions of the Polar Islands. The regime's leader, Kingfish, had resigned and fled Polaris City, and Water Kingdom rule over the Polar Islands, which was altered to the District of Polaris was created.

Water Kingdom (1942-1990)
The Water Kingdom had assumed power over the newly-created district of Polaris. The socialist shackles placed on the Polarian economy were all but removed in the Polaris SAD. Michael Barrett, the first Governor of the District of Polaris had inititated exploration of the Polarian mountains, in which coal, iron and copper were discovered. The discovery sparked a boom in the Polarian economy and had resulted in hundreds of thousands flocking to Polaris, eager for work. The Polarian government had also held its first fully free democratic elections, every four years. The dominant party system in place in Polaris today began in the 1943 election, in which 75% of the 150 member Assembly of Representatives were PDP members.

Water Kingdom rule had increased Polarian quality-of-life and the country's purchasing power and GDP. More manufacturing jobs had been created as a result of increased economic liberalization, and the amount of those residing in the city had reached 65% by 1955. During the 1960s, the district had achieved even greater autonomy, which transferred foreign affairs and health care to Polarian control, albeit military and monteray policies were still the responsibility of the Water Kingdom government. Though the Polarian population was expected to increase dramatically in the 1960s and 70s, an increase in jobs had slowed the growth rate of Polarians, and had allowed the Polarian government to accept increasing waves of immigrants.

By 1980, Polaris and its capital were one of the economic and cultural powerhouses of the continent, having opened a stock exchange, and was the headquarters of several banks and financial instutions. Culturally speaking, Polaris have introduced several popular culture fads, such as raves and the Reverse movement to the Antarctic cultural scene. Polaris City also became the 3rd largest city in the Antarctic, at 5.5 million residents

With the collapse of the Water Kingdom regime, there came about new challenges for the Polarian government, having no support from the Water Kingdom government, as  the governors representing the Water Kingdom had resigned, following several controversies and heavy public disapproval of the Water Kingdom.

Colonial Antarctica (1990-1999)
As STINC control of the Antarctic was decimated, and ultimately defeated by the invading Puffish forces, the Polarian Territory largely languished under the invading Puffish forces, having imposed a mercantilist economic policy on Polaris. Much of the Polar Islands District was segregated into colonies by species, Polaris being divided among the Fords, Chinstraps, and Adelie colonies. As tariffs were raised by the government in Snowdon, rumblings of insurrection echoed throughout Polaris, with various observers at the time noting the broad disaffection felt by Polarians.

As a result, the Polarians were among the first to revolt against the Colonial government, having staged the Joinville uprising in Polaris City that led to several casualities. Polarian leaders, in particular Stanley J. Malherd, a well-known Assemblyman of the time, began to publish various articles and essays for popular consumption in newspapers throughout Polaris, fanning the flames of opposition to the colonial government. Labour issues would further exacerbate the situation, with a prolonged strike of public servants in Polaris, due to issues surrounding compensation and working conditions.

Malherd, alongside several other Polarian leaders, aligned themselves with other revolutionaries. Although this would put Polaris on the trajectory towards representation within the United States of Antarctica, Polarian calls for universal single-payer health care, and the nationalization of several industries would eventually find Polarian officials excluded from constitutional negotiations, much to the chagrin of the Polarian government and public. As a result, the Polaris District was included as a part of Eastshield.

By the formation of the United States of Antarctica, many Polarians remained disillusioned with having been subsumed under Eastshield, which would prevent the implementation of their policies. Polarians, being diffident and deferential to authority, were reluctant to pursue another civil insurrection.

United States of Antarctica (2000-2011)
Under the United States of Antarctica, formed in 2000, the former Polarian territory failed to receive any distinct representation within Polaris due to fundamental disagreements between Polarian officials and other stakeholders in the constitutional negotiations.

As a result, Polaris was governed as a set of 27 counties within Eastshield and The Happyface State, containing the cities of Enderby, Polaris, Penguville, and Snowville most notably. Through the use of various lapses and loopholes contained within the Antarctican and Eastshield constitutions and statutes, Polaris and its other cities managed to implement a broad range of public services, and nationalized several industries. This was rather bothersome to members of the South Pole Council, who saw Polaris' actions largely as an overreach of municipal power. However, it was not until the establishment of BORNE and HOLINESS that Polarian public services would come under greater federal jurisdiction.

Despite its various scuffles with the federal and state governments, Polaris, alongside Enderby, Penguville and Snowville, flourished economically, with greater internal investment and economic growth occurring rapidly across the municipalities. The Antarctican era would also the rise of tourism within the municipalities, given the significant amount of investment that was made towards the construction of hotels, tourist attractions, and resorts across the twenty-seven counties. Manufacturing also saw an increase with industrial superclusters having emerged around Polaris City and Enderby, largely around the aircraft and information technology industries.

Formation of the Polaris SAD (2011-2014)
In 2009, mayors and municipal representatives from fifty-six former Polar Islands District municipalities convened in Puerto Elanor to discuss plans for autonomy, known colloquially as the Palma Hotel Accord, owing to the locale of the conference. The Accord stipulated the desire of the fifty-six municipalities to seek autonomy from the United States of Antarctica, and suggested tepid support for independence later.

Though the Accord was immediately rejected by the South Pole Council in 2010, Polarians remained adamant about obtaining independence. Polarian delegate Diana Dunkin engaged in various backroom negotiations in order to garner the support needed for the amendment. Significant pushback emerged from the Eastshield and Happyface State delegations, who were disconcerted by the prospect of losing significant amounts of their territory.

Civil servants in the Polar District were latently concerned about the ability of Polaris to govern itself. Internal memoranda revealed that senior departmental officials feared the rampant corruption within the Polarian system. In preparation of a potential breakoff, thousands of federal employees and offices were shifted away from Polaris as a result.

In May 2011, Del. Dunkin tabled the constitutional debate to grant Polaris autonomous status, which set off a prolonged debate in the South Pole Council chamber about the merits of the amendment, often leading to protracted, tiring late-night sittings that exhausted many delegates. Public opinion in the United States of Antarctica remained highly split. Eventually, consenus was reached on a final amendment, and in August of that year, the amendment was passed and a referendum organized for the participation of the Polarian public.

In the ensuing referendum, which included a heavy bombardment of pro-autonomy messaging on Polarian media, the vast majority of Polarians turned out, with over 48 million voting. Of them, 98.1% voted for autonomy, while 1.4% voted to remain in the United States. The result was welcomed with jubilation in Polaris and other neighbouring nations, but with ambivalence and latent disappointment in the United States.

The formation of the Polaris SAD was proclaimed in Polaris City on July 25, 2011with an elaborate celebration occurring at the steps of the Polaris Harborfront Center, with the district changing its official name to the "Federal Republic of Polaris", in spite of Polaris' continued attachment to the United States, a change that was greeted with some unease by some Antarctican political observers.

The post-Formation period brought about a "quiet revolution" to various aspects of Polarian life, politics, and society at large. Autonomy provided Polaris with the ability to pursue greater state intervention in the economy, manifest through the nationalization of various industries. The period also brought about substantial reforms to the education system, emphasizing more "progressive" learning for students.

The Polarian economy underwent much growth across various sectors as companies sought to take advantage of the liberalized business climate within Polaris. At the same time, several firms began to flee Polaris out of fear of the implications that a progressive government could have on regulatory regimes, particularly in the services sector. Through this time, immigration to Polaris from other regions of Antarctica spiked rapidly.

Frosian War and Meilor Polaris (2014)
The Frosian War represented an era of crisis and disorder for the fledgling autonomous state, disrupting the development of the country in many respects. The invasion of Polaris by Puffalia and Puffarus was a surprise even to the more astute Polarian defence officials. Polarian forces, significantly outnumbered, fought tirelessly against the ravaging invasive forces. However, the sheer magnitude of the invasion force overwhelmed Polarian forces, eventually forcing the government to retreat to the Minerva Islands, whilst Meilor Polaris overtook much of the mainland, including Polaris City.

It may come as a fascinating surprise that according to most Polarians, life continued on as usual within Polaris. Puffalian generals commented on the regimented, hard-working, and relentless nature of Polarian society. The appetite for achievement and service was something the Puffalians took significant advantage of—the bureaucracy and financial services sectors were briefly put to use.

However, some Polarians were not so fortunate. Those without employment or held menial positions were drafted into the ranks of the Puffalian army, with the effects of this policy most pronounced in Wilkes, Barrett and Penguville, which are considered the agricultural centres of the Polarian economy, and the least wealthy among the states. Conscription resulted in thousands of Polarian casualties on the battlefield.

Polarian civilians were often subject to abuse and mistreatment by the Meilor Polaris regime, including thousands of inconspicuous disappearances. It is estimated that 76,000 civilians perished during the Frosian War, and 1,700 remained missing in the aftermath of the war.

The end of the Meilor Polarian regime within a month brought about both euphoria and solemnity among Polarians. Liberal democratic rule was restored, but at the immeasurable cost of lives and families.

To address the grievances of citizens that arose from the war and to rebuild, reconstruct and revitalize Polaris from its wartime damage, President Keats announced the creation of the Joint Committee on Rebuilding and Reconstruction, which focused on allocating $115 billion in Emergency Reconstruction Funding for Polarian infrastructure and social programs, as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the Frosian War (TRCFW), which sought to address personal rights violations that occurred throughout the war. The success of these programs produced a swelling of national pride and confidence, rapidly rebuilding the nation to its former glory. he

Postbellum Polaris
Postbellum Polaris saw mass reconstruction alongside growing internal tensions and disaffection. Though Emergency Reconstruction Funding was a boon to the Polarian economy, which had encountered a severe loss in productivity during the Puffalian occupation, its uneven distribution became a source of resentment among many outside of central Polaris. Much of the Polarian hinterland bore the brunt of Puffalian attacks, though the Greater Polaris City Area was disproportionately awarded a substantial amount of the funding. Many infrastructure projects in eastern and western Polaris, often crucial links to communities in those regions, suffered substantial delays in planning and implementation. Despite this, the deafening, jovial mood of Polarians following liberation subdued this newfound resentment.

These attitudes would be manfiest throughout the campaign and results of the 2016 election, as populist Socialist candidate Brian Baylor garnered a significant amount of support from many blue-collar workers throughout the Polarian hinterland, honing in on some of the mistakes made by the Kratz administration in distributing the ERF allocations evenly throughout Polaris. Despite his efforts, Baylor narrowly lost his bid for a seat on the Executive Council.

On the legislative side, the growing distrust would result in a marginal loss in seats for the Polaris Democratic Party, and the ascendancy of the Socialist Party to official party status in both chambers of the Legislative Congress of Polaris. However, they managed to leave the PDP in control of both houses of Congress.

Catherine Howebrucke, senator from New Westshield and PDP nominee for Executive Council President, was elected by a joint session of the LCP as President of the Executive Council of Polaris, an was sworn into office as the first female President of Polaris in January 2017.

In April 2017, the Joint Standing Committee for Constitutional Affairs was convened for the six-year review of the Constitution of Polaris. Following consultation with various stakeholders and constitutional scholars, the Barnett-Davison Report was submitted to the Executive Council, proposing name changes for Snowville and Penguville states to reduce the bureaucratic difficulties associated with the similarity of names with their respective capitals. Following approval by both legislatures, both proposed names, "Malherd" for Penguville, after the late Polarian intellectual, and "Harnsey" for "Snowville" after the historic county name for that region, these proposals were submitted to the public for approval through two referenda. Both referenda were modestly successful, obtaining 58% and 62% approval from Penguville and Snowville respectively. On January 1, 2018, the name change for both states formally took effect.

Support for statehood among residents in the Polarian territory of Amery Island swelled in mid-2017, as the state grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of control it wielded over natural resources. These sentiments were reinforced with a motion passed in the Amery Island Assembly mandating the territorial government to begin negotiations with their federal counterparts. President Howebrucke was initially reluctant to pursue these negotiations, though assurances of retaining a sizeable amount of federal control over energy export revenues from Governor Craydon eventually convinced Howebrucke to endorse the proposal. In July 2017, the Amery Statehood Act was introduced in the Assembly of Representatives by Representative Asher K. Shard (PDP-NW), with the co-sponsorship of Amery Delegate Winetta Krisoff. The act sought to delineate the parameters of federal-territorial negotiations, and trigger a territorial referendum to admit Amery as a state. It amended the Polaris Federation Act to eliminate the territorial seat on the Executive Council, replacing it with an Amery seat. It also confirmed admission of Amery as a state, barring approval from Amery residents.

Following the legislation's passage and approval by the Executive Council in early September, negotiators from the federal government convened alongside territorial negotiators from Amery Island to arrange how responsibilities and transfer payments will be distributed between both the federal and proposed state government. This culminated in the Tanagoya Report published in December 2017, which contained a new state constitution submitted to the Amery Island Assembly, which upon legislative approval would be submitted to a popular referendum. These findings were approved by the Amery Island Assembly two days later, with a popular referendum held on February 3, 2018. Following an extensive campaign orchestrated by the territorial government in favour of statehood, the new state constitution was accepted by 91% of voters, with a 78% turnout. This activated provisions in the Amery Statehood Act that would admit Amery as Polaris' eleventh state on June 1st, 2018, to provide the territorial government time to transition.

Legislative
The Legislative Congress of Polaris acts as the legislative branch of Polarian government, and is tasked with the creation of legislation. Legislative Congress of Polaris, which are the Senate (upper house) and the Assembly of Representatives, serving as the lower house. The Assembly of Representatives comprises of 380 single-seat constituencies, elected through an alternative vote method. The Assembly of Representatives is the origin of almost all bills enacted by the Legislative Congress. The Assembly is the only chamber that may vote to override a veto by the Executive Council. Impeachment of EC Councillors and President is also done through the Assembly. The Senate, is the upper body of the legislature, however, the Assembly of Representatives has more legislative power. The Senate is made up of 120 elected senator, elected from 120 senatorial districts, distributed proportionate to each state's population. The Senate assists in the review and reconsideration of legislation, and is often noted for the detailed reports and investigations it engages in throughout the legislative session.

Executive
Under the Polarian system, executive powers are reposed in the Executive Council of Polaris. The body comprises of eleven executive councillors, one appointed for each state, and one for the territories-at-large. The EC is led by the President, who exercises certain powers, such as the ability to veto decisions made by the Council. The President is elected through a current popular vote that occurs during a general election. Each of the other executive councillors are provided with a certain portfolio to oversee, that normally corresponds with a federal department or agency.

The Executive Council further oversees three central agencies to the Polarian government, namely the Bureau of the Civil Chancellor, which oversees all federal departments, agencies, public corporations, and the civil service; the Secretariat to the Council, which manages the political engagements of the Council, and the Office of the Treasury, which acts as the principal employer of the federal government, and manages government procurement and purchasing. The Polarian public service is presently led by Civil Chancellor Timothy Gooding Cochrane (2014-).

Judicial
The court of final appeal in Polaris is the Supreme Court of the Republic, a nine-member court based in Polaris City. Within government, the judicial branch is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of laws. The decisions of the Supreme Court of the Republic are binding on Polarian common law. Its judicial opinions produce important precedent within Polarian law. The current Chief Justice of the SCR is Thomas Erbridge Galderson, appointed in 2014. Justices to the Supreme Court serve a life term that is limited to the age of eighty.

Inferior courts in Polaris are divided into state courts, which typically handle civil matters, and federal courts, which ajudicate criminal and administrative prosecutions. In addition, these bodies are complemented by administrative adjudicators and panels, which render administrative decisions. Polaris, unlike the United States of Antarctica, possesses a federal Polarian Criminal Code, a lasting vestige of Waterian influence within Polarian jurisprudence today.

State governments
Unlike the federal government, Polarian state legislatures and executives operate in a parliamentary system through the concept of responsible government, where the legislature is tied to the executive, an arrangement similar to that of Puffle'and. The Governor and Cabinet are taken from the elected representatives. Convention dictates that the party with the most seats forms the government, with the leader of the party serving as the Governor. The governing party must maintain the "confidence of the Assembly", that is the support of a majority of Assembly members, in order to remain in power. Losing the confidence of the Assembly will typically trigger an election.

State governments use a parliamentary system under an agreement reached between the negotiators for the federal and state governments in the Constitution of Polaris that enables states to establish their own systems of governance without interference from the federal government. Although not formally agreed to, all states adopted the Solace Accord, which establishes the present system of parliamentary democracy within each of the states.

States in themselves have numerous responsibilities, including education, health care, agriculture, municipal affairs, natural resources, and highways. Federal and state governments will often negotiate for internal transfers, where the federal government will provide a state with grants to support various fiscal and social programs the state administers.

Each of the state governors participates in an annual Federal Conference to discuss pressing issues related to interstate and federal-state relations, including trade, health care, education, and defense.

Political parties
As of July 2017, there are three mainstream political factions in Polaris. The political divisions in Polaris are excessively polarized, with an expansive number of liberals, moderates and far-rightists.

The party currently in power is the Polaris Democratic Party, a center-left party which dominates both Houses of Congress and the EAC. The Party traces its origins to the First Polarian Revolution in 1942, which overthrew the nefarious, conservative regime of Kingfish. Since then, the party has retained broad-based support throughout most states in Polaris. The City of Polaris, along with Aquarius, was also the only city in Antarctica to have a partisan legislature, until the Council's dissolution on July 24, 2011. The Party is headquartered in the Polaris Capitol District, at Hemisphere Square.

The Socialist Party, a far-left socialist political party, represented by 11 seats in the Senate and 61 in the Assembly of Representatives. The party was formed as a break-off faction from the mainstream PDP, by far-leftists and socialists, who were frequently looked down upon in their own caucus. The SP has three goals, which are to create a single-party socialist state, fair rights for all and to dissolve all social classes. The members of the SP total 832,353 registered voters, and enjoys significant support in manufacturing-based states such as Barrett, Wilkes and Hampton.

The Green Alliance is an ecologically-driven, left-leaning party that focuses on sustainability and environment issues. The party has some, albeit insignficant support in the Senate with 4 seats, and the Assembly with 11 seats.

Defense
The responsibility of the defense of the Polarian Republic was relinquished by the United States of Antarctica in the PSADA itself. The SAD Amendment prohibited Polaris to raise its own military, as well. Being the dirty, corrupt tricksters they were, the Polarians found a brilliant loophole. They would get someone else to defend them!

So they did: following the relinquishment, the Defense and Protection Treaty, signed by Snowzerland, Castilla and the government of the Federal Republic of Polaris, ensures the defense of Polaris officially under the jurisdiction of the militaries of the two nations. The Snoss and Castillan forces utilize six military bases spread over the coast and inland of the Polarian Republic. The headquarters of the stationed troops is on Colina Helvetica, a district bordering Ciudad Vieja, a 232.4 mile milutary base, containing a four-runway airbase, a 18-ship port and barracks for 185,500 troops. The Polarian Republic, in total, has 401,627 Snoss and Castillan troops, commanded by Snoss General Franz Stuttgart, and Castillan General Pepe De Los Santos. The relationship between the Polarian hosts and the Castillan and Snoss military is very close, and trade frequently with one another. The Coalition has 1275 naval fleet, 6,887 aircraft and 11,822 tanks, as well as 11,222 artilery tanks, all manned and under control of the two nations, rather than Polaris itself.

This is one of the few times that the two vicious rivals have ever agreed to cooperate.

Polaris National Guard
The Polarian Republic, however, operates an independent paramilitary force, the Polaris National Guard, that is tasked with maintaining peace and public order, enforcing federal law and conducting investigations into criminal activities under federal jurisdiction. At present, the PNG maintains a command of 54,650 officers, alongside 2,340 civilian officers. The PNG is a subsidiary agency of the Polaris Department of Defense.

The PNG maintains a diverse fleet of land, air, and sea vehicles used to conduct paramilitary operations where necessary. This includes approximately 2,100 police vehicles, 270 armoured light trucks, 85 light tanks, 35 helicopters, and 15 executive jets.

Polaris National Intelligence Bureau
The Polaris National Intelligence Bureau operates as a quasi-independent agency of the Department of Defense. The PNIB is the central intelligence-gathering agency of Polaris, and is engaged in collecting, processing, and analyzing information with regard to national security on behalf of the federal government. The present Director of the PNIB is Daniel Seinel, serving alongside Deputy Director Alden Aparro.

The PNIB employs an estimated 9,855 employees, and cooperates significantly with other intelligence agencies throughout the continent. The agency is based in Polaris City, and has regional offices throughout Polaris.

Foreign relations
Polaris is recognized throughout the continent as an "influence power", helping to pursue and broker resolutions to various international conflicts. The country is a member of the United Antarctic Nations, and has been periodically chosen as part of major international security, trade, and personal rights committees. Polaris City serves as the headquarters for the Antarctic Cities and Municipalities Association, the Council on the Environment, and the Continental Center for Pluralism & Diversity. Much of Polarian foreign policy has sought to advocate for the preservation of peace, egalitarianism, and economic liberalization. Some critics, particularly in Antarctican academia, criticize the "hypocritical and disingenuous" nature of these sorts of objectives. Regardless, the Polarian government remains one of the largest benefactors of foreign aid, through the International Development Agency of Polaris (IDAP), and the Continental Opportunities Agency (COA).

Much of Polarian foreign relations attempts to cultivate free trade and stronger commercial relationships between individual countries and multilateral entities. The purpose of pursuing these deals is largely to appease the Polarian financial services and heavy industry segment, which relies on strong Polarian trade surpluses. This has manifested in the AU-Polaris Free Trade Agreement (2012), the Calada-Polaris Free Trade Agreement (2013), alongside current efforts to pursue liberalized trade with the Asiapelago, Shops Island, and the United States of Antarctica. Many Polarian diplomats have expressed strong interest in forming common markets and increased customs integration with other economies. As a result, Polaris maintains Polaris International Trade & Commerce Offices in urban centers throughout the continent.

Among the more important relationships for Polaris is that with the United States of Antarctica. Although relations with the United States have been rather guarded, and at times awkward since the establishment of the Polaris SAD, these perceived tensions gloss over the teeming economic relationship that exists between the two nations, amounting to nearly $12 billion in economic activity per day, amounting to nearly 25% of Polarian GDP, in addition to the vast movement of people across borders through air and land points of entry. At present, the busiest commercial air route in Antarctica is between Polaris City and South Pole City, amounting to nearly 50 daily departures. Though political rhetoric during the United States presidential election by Conservative candidate Donad Tenorio threatened to derail Antarctican-Polarian relations for several decades, the United States and Polaris have expressed interest in deepening their economic ties through the optimization of customs processing, in addition to integrated defense systems. Most notably, the United States provide significant assistance to Polaris in rebuilding following the Frosian War.

Polaris maintains a broad network of diplomatic missions throughout Antarctica, numbering 88 as of 2017, with 80 foreign diplomatic missions having presence in Polaris. Nations without an embassy in Polaris often accredit representation to a diplomatic mission in South Pole City or to a protecting power. The nation with the most Polarian diplomatic outposts is the United States, with sixteen Consulates-General, nineteen Consulates, and two Consular Offices. The Polarian Foreign Service (PFS) employs nearly 13,500 diplomats across the continent under the Department of Continental Affairs.

Geography
The Federal Republic of Polaris is spread over a multitude of landforms, in range from a vast, wide plain, to a a lush, subtropical mountain range on Santa Cruz Island, as well as the expanse of calm seas in the Two2 Annex. Polaris, the capital and namesake was built both on the shores of Eastshield, on the Polaris Barrier Islands, on Polaris Island, and the Wickcher Plains.

Polaris Island is incredibly flat in it's terrain, yet has a deep, strong foundation of bedrock to support tall, ambitious skyscrapers. Polaris Island is 45.5 square miles in size, and is home to 2.15 million residents. The Island was created by a rise in sea levels, which created many islands in Polaris today. The North and Sputh banks of the Polaris River are also flat, and secure the same bedrock mass as that of Polaris Island. The Polaris Barrier Islands, however, are mostly sand and seabed, as they were reformed barrier islands created in the 1940s.

The impressive amount of the bedrock allows Polarians to reach new heights with supertall skyscrapers. Polaris, has no swamp-like areas, allowing safe commercial development. The Polarian Republic also contains a reasonable number of lakes, totalling to 237.These lakes are the main source of water and sanitation for all of the Polarian Republic, and provide hydroelectric power as well. The total amount of water in the Polarian Republic is 4.6% of the Total land area, exclusive of internal waterways. Snowville located to the north is partially built on a white limestone cliff, and is referred to as the Snowy Bluffs. Therefore, this divides the city into the Lower City and Upper City, interconnected by a steep railway and roads as well. Snowville's Lower City, has a total square area of 121 sq. miles, and is where the majority if the Snowvillian populace is concentrated. The Upper City is 54 feet straight upwards, as Snowville's Lower City is made up if a hill that slants towards the seaport. The cliff is usually inconspicuous, as it is barricaded by tall skyscrapers.

Thr Juno Islands, with it's southeast end located near Polaris are a chain of flat, sandy islands, totalling thirty-seven. They all possess an area of 121.4 sq. miles, and is home to 1.5 million residents. The Juno Islands were created by a rise in sea levels over 4 million years ago. Prior to the creation of the islands, there layed an isthumus-like peninsula, which was very mountainous in terrain. The rocks in the area were formed over 375 million years ago, and created a series of fold mountains. However, as the Antarctic plate was spliting, the mountains started to decrease in height, and over time became no more. Flash floods and rain permanently flooded the southeast parts of the islands, but a rise in sea levels allowed the manifestation of newer islands to the northwest. The Juno Islands have a stable bedrock foundation, and can support the weight of heavy skyscrapers and towers built in the cities of Solace and Mistral. The Juno Islands have deep-chanelled waterways, allowing large vessels to use the internal waterways as a shipping route.

These deep-channeled waterways were created by the valleys hat the mountains had created in the past. The Juno Islands are known to be one of the most beautiful islands throughout all of the Polarian Republic, and has a network of highways and tunnels connecting Polaris to Puerto Elanor. Alternately, travelling to across the ocean in the Two2 Annex makes for a scenic boating adventure.

Economy
The economy of Polaris the second-largest in all of Antarctica, with a GDP of approximately $14.9 trillion as of 2016. The economy relies heavily on trade with other Antarctic nations. Polaris is a mixed economy with the second-highest ratio of GDP per capita in Antarctica, second only to Shops Island. Income disparity in Polaris is slightly high, against higher costs of living within Polaris. Despite this, disposable household income in Polaris remains among the highest among Antarctic economies. Unemployment in Polaris remains low at 5.9% as of 2017.

Polaris enjoys a strong credit rating of BBB from the Jones Holiness Index. It is known for its widespread deficit spending, which currently comprises a debt-to-GDP ratio of 39% as of 2016. Many conservative analysts fear that if the Polarian economy ever ceases to grow, it could trigger a massive sovereign debt crisis.

To sustain its trade-heavy economy, Polaris has sought to craft a multitude of free trade agreements with individual nations or common markets within the continent. Notable agreements presently in force include the Polaris-AU Free Trade Agreement, and the Polaris-Calada Free Trade Agreement, which have contributed positively to the economies of the countries participating in them.

The Polarian economy relies significantly on its financial services, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and technology sectors. Although financial services are a major boon to economic activity, it is worth noting that banks themselves typically do not have their legal headquarters in Polaris, citing the rampant white-collar crime that occurs within Polarian banks and financial institutions. The Commercial Bank Act contains provisions that allow banks to adhere to the laws of the country in which they are legally headquartered, allowing various financial institutions to operate within the Polarian economy without being subject to its flawed regulatory regimes. The strength of the Polarian financial services sector has enabled the rapid rise of the Polaris Stock Exchange, which has the third largest market capitalization in Antarctica behind the SOuth Pole City and Club Penguin stock exchanges.

The manufacturing sector in Polaris is especially strong in Hampton, New Westshield, Wilkes, and Snowville. Although Polarian manufacturing includes common consumer commodities, the high quality of employment capital within the Polarian economy has enabled the country to distinguish itself as a leader in aircraft, automobile, weaponry, and consumer electronics manufacturing. This trend was also spurred with heavy government investment in technological superclusters in Snowville, Wilkes, and Hampton which have been able to further research, development and innovation in the manufacturing sector. Aircraft manufacturer Snowing maintains two plants in Kernaghan, NW and Glanell, WK respectively. As a complement to the mining sector in Polaris, various steel mills and foundries have been established in and around Polaris City, Vanceton, and Snowville.

Mining, notably of iron, copper, zinc, and titanium, continues to thrive in southern Penguville, and Barrett. Polarian mines, owing to advancements in extraction technology are among the most productive in the continent, exporting a substantial amount of them to foreign partners. Efforts are being undertaken to explore more terrain for rare earth minerals.

Southern New Westshield, Hampton, Enderby and northern Penguville are known for its strong agricultural sectors, with important commodities produced within it include wheat, barley, oats, and corn, which are used for domestic consumption and industrial applications. Coastal regions such as the Minerva Islands and Penguville are noted for their vibrant aquacultural and fishery operations, which often contribute to seasonal unemployment within these regions. Although the majority of Polarian agricultural output is consumed domestically, a large portion is exported to the United States, Freezeland, Southern Ocean City and the AU.

Healthcare
Health care in Federal Republic of Polaris is provided through a single-payer public system administered through state health departments. Polarian health care is overseen by the federally-appointed HOLINESS bureau, whose mandate is to ensure that the Polarian public health care system can deliver health services to its citizens effectively, efficiently, and equitably. The federal government of Polaris maintains the Department of Health to establish common standards and objectives for each state, and distribute federal health transfers to each of the states.

Each state administers its own Public Health Insurance Scheme (PHIS), which residents of each state receive at birth, or within thirty-days of moving to the state. Polarians that require medical services in other states are required to bill the PHIS of their residence, rather than that of the state in which they are receiving treatment. This is often necessary for specialized operations and procedures only available in certain states. Specialized medical services outside of Polaris require special approval, and are typically employed for rare medical operations or emergencies abroad.

Polarian rural residents further benefit from the Rural Health Equity Benefit, introduced in 2012, which reduces the cost of medicine, medical transport, and equipment for residents in rural areas more than 125 kilometers from a standard hospital.

It is important to note that Polarian health care only extends to primary care and pharmaceuticals, with the latter receiving coverage only in 2014 following an amendment to the Polaris Federal Health Act. Many employers provide coverage for other health care expenses through employee benefits, alongside other private insurance schemes. For more vulnerable groups, such as children, seniors, and low-income individuals, partial coverage is accorded to dentistry, vision care, physiotherapy, or psychiatry.

As of 2014, private health clinics, with the exception of dental, vision cares, physiotherapy, or psychiatric offices are prohibited from operating within Polaris. The remaining private hospitals in Polaris, which beforehand were for-profit institutions, were dissolved into non-profit organizations.

Education
The Federal Republic of Polaris provides free, public education through state education departments overseen by the federal Department of Education and the federally-appointed BORNE, a vestige of pre-autonomy Polaris that continues to monitor the activities of the education sector in Polaris. The system serves students from pre-Kindergarten to Grade 13, though provides significant subsidies to students in higher educational institutions. The education system in Polaris is considered to be high-quality and efficient in comparison with other Antarctic countries.

Although states are tasked with administering education, curricula are developed by the federal Department of Education, ensuring that standards are consistent across the states and territories. Within states, schools are administered through school boards, that cover a specific geographic areas. The largest school district in Polaris is the Polaris City Central Metropolitan School Board, comprised of 475 elementary schools, and 115 secondary schools, and acts as one of four school districts serving Polaris City proper. Many Polarian secondary schools contain specialized programs for students, including vocational training, in addition to arts and athletics specialization programs.

Higher education is considerably important within Polaris, with nearly 59% of the national workforce holding a post-secondary degree. Universities and colleges in Polaris, with the exception of semanaries and other religious institutes, are administered as public institutions that receive funding from each state. This has allowed for a significant reduction in overhead costs and administrative fees, ] leading to a significant reduction in tuition. By federal law, all states are required to offer a State Student Financial Assistance Scheme (SSFAS), providing grants and low-interest loans to lower-income students and families. Unlike the USA, Polaris distinguishes "university" from "college", the former being more theory-intensive, the latter more practical, career-based. The largest post-secondary institution in Polaris is the University of Polaris in Polaris City, a comprehensive research university that serves a student population of nearly 75,000.

Sports
Sports in the FR Polaris are somewhat popular, notably basketball, hockey and football.Sports have never really intergrated into Polarian culture like that of the USA. Sports were only brought to the Polarian Republic by influence of the USA. Polaris posseses seventeen major sports teams, most of them being in Polaris City and Enderby City. However, there are no Polaris-exclusive sports leagues. Polaris is also the host of several international sporting events, including the 1999 International Track Championships, the 2002 Winter Antarctic Olympics, the 2005 Continental Games, and the 2007 USA National Games. Polaris is also the home of several famous athletes, many of whom won several gold medals.

Nevertheless, sports fan numbers are significantly declining. This may be a result of economic increase in Polaris, andemguins focusing less on leisure and more on their jobs. In baseball alone, Regular attendance of Polaris Metros jumped from 54,000 to 21,000, over a 50% decrease. The Polaris Pines, have increased in attendance, having a 45% increase. Polaris also maintains 56 stadiums, the principal stadium able to hold 110,000 penguins.

Cuisine
Polarian cuisine is heavily influenced from that of the United States, Freezeland, and those of other immigrant populations to Polaris. As a coastal nation that has historically relied on fisheries, seafood forms an essential component of the Polarian palate. Notable Polarian comfort foods in mainland Polaris include salmon rolls (sandwiches with flaked salmon and coleslaw), Junonian cod steak, and Tuna Cornallais, a casserole-like dish hailing from western Polaris.

Cuisine in the Minerva Islands (Juno Islands, Santa Cruz, and Puerto Elanor) is noted for the Spanish flair within its dishes, which tend to be spicier than mainland dishes. Popular dishes from the region include Paella Manteca and Tarta de Solacia.

Music
Music in Polaris takes after Antarctican, Freezelandian, and Puffish musical traditions, and remains an important component of the Polarian entertainment industry, producing nearly $3.75 billion in GDP. The country contains a variety of recording studios and music associations that support the art nationwide.

Much of Polarian music has centred around the vibrant party culture of Polaris City, a noted centre for raves, music festivals, and concerts. Electronic dance music and alternative rock have become staples of Polarian music, with numerous high-profile Polarian artists in those genres. This has been conducive to success for Polarian musicians on music charts across Antarctica since 2011. Rap has also emerged as a favourite among Polarian youth, particularly in major urban centres.

Despite the youthful image that dominates Polarian music, Polaris City, Millsburg, Enderby City and Penguville are renowned for their symphony orchestras, chamber choirs, and opera companies, that help to proliferate more refined music, such as classical and opera for Polarians. However, this sort of genre is typically reserved for the upper echelons of Polarian society.

Media
Polaris has a well-developed, thriving media sector, and is renowned for its contributions to broadcasting, entertainment, and journalism throughout Antarctica. The Polarian media sector is heavily influenced by that of the United States of Antarctica, but has nonetheless been able to distinguish itself as a leader in the media sector. The Polarian media sector is responsible for nearly $750 billion in direct economic activity each year. The majority of television and film production studios are situated in Polaris City and Enderby City, with Puerto Elanor rising to be a center for Spanish-language media.

The Polarian domestic broadcasting market is dominated by four major English networks: CBN (Continental Broadcasting Network), ART (Antarctic Radio-Television), APEX, and the publicly-owned Polaris National Broadcasting System (PNBS), and one Spanish network, Polaricanal. The networks are also producers of a range of entertainment, public affairs, and educational programming that are frequently aired in international markets. Notable programs include the critically-acclaimed historical miniseries "A History of the Antarctic". Television and radio remain a vital aspect of Polarian culture, providing Polarians with a conduit to entertain and inform people across the Antarctic.

Polaris is also noted for its specialization in print publications, including newspapers and magazines. The largest newspaper in circulation in the Polarian domestic market is the Polaris Compass-Review, at nearly 620,000 daily. Polarian news media is particularly notable for its eloquent, informative, though often convoluted journalistic style.It also receives criticism in its overt progressive bias, which has been challenged by many conservative commentators within and outside Polaris. Other notable publications include The Polarian, National Political, and the Enderby Chronicle-Standard.

With the advent of digital media, the Polarian media sector has been able to adapt well into the realities of a digitized marketplace. Polarian government subsidies habe been increasingly directed towards the entertainment and business software industries, which have begun to sprout in Polaris City and Penguville.

Demographics
As of 2017, Polaris has a population of 71.47 million individuals, not including the territories, which account for another 163,750 individuals. From the last census, the Polarian population grew by a modest 3.2%, primarily owing to increased immigration. The most populous city is Polaris City at 11.75 million, and the most populous state is New Westshield at 19.3 million.

Species makeup
According to the Bureau of Statistics, the Federal Republic of Polaris has the following species makeup. The plurality of residents in Polaris are Adelie Penguins (39%), following by King and Emperor penguins.

Historically, the proportion of Adelie Penguins has been higher, though immigration from other countries in Antarctica has drastically changed this.


 * Adelie Penguin (38.75%)
 * King Penguin (20.24%)
 * Emperor Penguin (18.20%)
 * High Penguin (4.97%)
 * Mixed & Other Penguin (10.20%)
 * Puffle (4.4%)
 * Other Species (2.46%)

Road
Highways and roads within Polaris are a shared responsibility between the federal Department of Transport, state transportation agencies and municipal governments. There are currently 13,800 miles of highway within Polaris. The City of Polaris currently has the most freeways and expressways totaling to about 12. The main arterial highway in Polaris is the PH 5, or Polarian Highway Five, and travels 921 kilometres from the New Delphian border to the outskirts of Enderby City. Highways in Polaris are the third-most popular means of transportation in Polaris, only to be passed by rail and air travel. Municipal roads and parkways are managed by the cities and municipalities themselves. Inter-city bus travel within Polaris is also prominent, with two major bus companies, EagleBus and ZoomWays being the top competitors within the industry. Polarian law also requires highways to be resurfaced every eight to twelve years.Polaris uses it's former Antarctic highways as its main route for PH 5. Currently, there are 56 PH Highways in the Polarian Republic, numbers from 1 to 56. The number of these highways is set to increase as Polaris continue to invest heavily in transportation infrastructure.!

Air
One of the more widely-used transportation systems within Polaris is air travel. Inter-city air travel between Enderby City, Polaris City, Penguville, and Snowville are the most active air routes in the country, and are given the moniker: "The Coastal Hop". Air travel within Polaris is considered to be inexpensive, with the subsidization of Polarian-based CP Airways, Air Antarctic and SkyJet Airways. The subsidization if these companies slash the price of Polarian air fares by 55%. Polaris City also employs Polaris Helicopter Airways, joint-venture of the Government of Polaris and SkyJet Airways, and offers helicopter services, which are usually 6.75 Polarian Dollars per ride, provide post-haste service from the suburbs to many if Polaris' helipads. The main international gateway to Polaris is Polaris-City International Airport, located in the Polaris Barrier Islands. Other airports such as Snowville Regional Airport, Penguville Regional Airport and Enderby City International Airport also have domestic and international operations within their facilities. All airports within the Polarian Republic are managed by the Department of Transport's  Polaris Airports Authority.

Rail
Passenger rail transport in Polaris is overseen by the Department of Transportation, through PARTA. PARTA offers subsidized intercity rail services between major Polarian urban centers. Notable passenger rail services include The Islander, which serves the Juno Islands, Santa Cruz, and Puerto Elanor, and the Polaris Express, which serves coastal mainland Polaris. Nearly 21 million trips are taken on PARTA's services annually.

Sea
Polaris is highly remarked for it's expansive sea port, as it is located in a prime area, and is used as a transit point between South Pole City and the ports of the Ninja Archipelago, Calada, and to Club Penguin. The Port of Polaris City alone is the largest port in Antarctica in terms of containerization, handling 21.2 million PEUs in 2010. The Port of Polaris is divided into five divisions, the Port of Polaris City, the Port of Penguville, Enderby City Marine Terminal, The Port of Puerto Elanor and the Port of Snowville. The largest of the ports is the Port of Polaris City, with Penguville, Snowville and Enderby City following suit. The Port of Polaris handles approximately one-third of all Antarctic oil shipments, due to the large, vast oil reserve abreast to Puerto Elanor, almost one-fourth of all container shipments within the continent. The Ports, respectively are for economic reasons, as Polaris does not lack any natural resources, none needs to be shipped into the Polarian Republic. Passenger travel only accounts for 3.3% of all Polarian marine traffic, and are used by commuters. Cruise ships are also based in and around Polaris as well.