The people of the Voltarum are collectively called the Voltaru. As one can gather from its history, the Voltaru have had rich and exciting society. Below you will find data regarding statistics of these people, insights to their political and religious beliefs, and the names and other details about many important Voltaru people.
Total Population (at Last Census 05/28/05) : 3,100,000,000
The Legislative and Executive BranchesThe government of The Voltarum is run by a group of 13 Chancellors, collectively titled The High Order. Each province of the country elects one person to hold its seat, and likewise, 12 of the chancellors head governmental ministries. Every 5th year, The High Order votes one of its own as the Premier of the High Order, the Executive leader of the Voltarum. Each chancellor must vote based on his or her home provincial decision. The Premier serves as the figurehead of the country, the tie breaking vote in the Order, and the commander-in-chief of the Voltaru Military.
Below are listed the current members of the High Order, in order of succession. The current Premier of the order is Xerco Longbottom, shown here at right. He has served as Premier for an unprecedented 7 terms, and his current approval rating is near 80%. Xerco is also a member of a noble house, and his full title is as follows: High Chancellor Lord Xerco Q. Longbottom
Premier of the High Order
Son of the Fourth House of the Voltaru
The High Order (Voltarum Senate)
Gamma Province Premier Xerco Longbottom Premier of the High Order Theta Province Chancellor Oryn Silverback High Minister of Finance Mu Province Chancellor Vohr Jemstar High Minister of the Interior Epsilon Province Chancellor Avlos Selkirk High Minister of Defense Lambda Province Madam Chancellor Arecia Rainpebble High Minister of Justice Alpha Province Chancellor Pindir Sunfall High Minister of Foreign Affairs Eta Province Madam Chancellor Onaleri Stormbrook High Minister of Education Kappa Province Chancellor Tinaran Warrock High Minister of Health Delta Province Madam Chancellor Gelia Mertig High Minister of Energy Nu Province Madam Chancellor Xanaphia Jassan High Minister of Commerce Iota Province Chancellor Vondel Shafttoe High Minister of Agrilculture Beta Province Chancellor Lignar Twigroot High Minister of Transportation Zeta Province Chancellor Tilias Waterhouse High Minister of Labor
Judicial BranchThe Voltarum Supreme court is intertwined with the other branches with much of the same checks and balances as other countries have. Five Justices make up the supreme court, while each province has its own High Court composed of 3 Justices each. Lower, town based judges also exist. The Voltarum supreme court justices must retired at age 80. Otherwise, there are no requirements or limitations to their appointment or service length. Due to the limited political spectrum of the Voltarum, there has been little controversy in the recent past about appointing judges. The current 5 justices are listed below:
Name Service Record Age Political Viewpoint Justice Koloran Hetrick
(Chief Justice)26 Years, 11 as Chief Justice 79 Democratic Socialist Justice Audrei Iobucci 25 Years 69 Democractic Socialist Justice Granji Vestovo 18 years 58 Independent Justice Solara Harnqua 11 years 56 Communist?/Socialist Justice Castor Frenktop 7 Years 49 Democractic Socialist Additional Names of Importance
There are a few more names of importance one should be familiar with when dealing with the Voltarum. Below is a brief summary of such people:
Name Position Summary Ambassador Lieta Waterhouse Ambassador to the Woodstock Pact A former member of the High Order, the attractive 40 something is currently serving as the liaison to the Woodstock Pact in Sarzonia. She had previously served as the head of the North Sector Naval Base civilian population Ambassador Garil Mecet Ambassador to the United Nations A stark and brash member, who often speaks when others do not wish to hear him. Admiral Ja'rod Kathon Viceroy of the Navy Head of the Navy, the pride of the Voltaru Military. Unilaterally respected throughout the Country. General Hedjtep Kanut Viceroy of the Army/Marines Head of the Ground military of the Voltarum. The 7 Houses of The Voltaru
While the government of the Voltarum has not seen nobility lead it in some time, there are remnants of those times that still exist in Voltaru Society. The most striking example is the existence and acknowledgment of 7 ancient noble houses, said to be the oldest families that still exist inside the country.
The legend of the 7 houses, most often told to children as bedtime stories, goes something like this: Many millennia ago, the land of the Voltaru was a horrible, wretched place, filled with evil, mistrust, famine, war, and all that was bad about the world. One day, at the climax of a great battle, a ship landed on the shores of the country, at what now is the city of Jassan. The ship carried 7 people, each with the famous last name all children now knew. These 7 people proceeded to help lead the Voltaru away from death and destruction, and toward a happier, more peaceful coexistence. The story, of course, has absolutely no truth to it, as history has recorded Ulfgar Warcrown as the focal point to the forming of the present Voltarum state. It still makes for a good story, however.
All 7 of these houses are considered nobility, all very rich, in wealth and land, and all given special governmental "courtesies." Each house is led by the oldest male, and as such the house can only continue as long as a suitable male heir exists. This obvious sexism is somehow still tolerated in Voltaru society. Many younger houses have tried to join this elite unofficial "club of seven," but have popularly been turned down.
Traditional customs for each house hold certain letters sacred for first names. Each member of these houses are referred to as "Lords" or "Ladies" of their house. In addition, for hundreds of years, members of the seven families were forbidden to inter-marry. This has been relaxed over the last few generations, however.
The House of Jassan - 1st House of the Voltarum
- Head: Lord Xavier Jassan
- Other Key Players: Lady Xanaphia Jassan, High Minister of Commerce, member of the High Order
- Home Province: Nu
- Sacred Letter: X
- Crest Colors: Red and Orange
The house of Jassan is by far the oldest and most respected house in the Voltarum. The largest city in the country is named after this house, and is considered by many one of the most advanced and beautiful cities in the known world. The house has stayed relatively small, but is very powerful due to its age.The House of Vektori - 2nd House of the Voltarum
- Head: Lady Neira Vektori
- Home Province: Theta
- Sacred Letter: N
- Crest Colors: Blue and Silver
The House of Vektori is near death, as the only surviving male was killed 2 years ago in a tragic accident. The only surviving member, his young daughter, Neira, now is the official head of the house. Upon her passing, the house will dissolve.The House of Hention - 3rd House of the Voltarum
- Head: Lord Kovlim Hention
- Home Province: Beta
- Sacred Letter: K
- Crest Colors: Green and Black
The House of Hention is regarded as the wealthiest of the 7 houses, and, some say, as a result they are also the least respected. Many feel the current heads of the house are dishonest, and as a result a general mistrust has developed in regards to their dealings.The House of Longbottom - 4th House of the Voltarum
- Head: Lord Quzko Longbottom
- Other Key Players: Lord Xerco Longbottom, Premier of the High Order
- Home Province: Gamma
- Sacred Letter: Q
- Crest Colors: Yellow and Purple
The House of Longbottom is greatly respected, second only to the House of Jassan. Although he does not lead his house, Xerco is the current head of the High Order and political leader of the country. He has served in this position for 35 years. The major ice shelf off the Voltarum's shores is named after his brother, the head of this House.The House of Kathon - 5th House of the Voltarum
- Head: Lord Juf'ko Kathon
- Other Key Players: Lord Ja'rod Kathon, Viceroy of the Navy
- Home Province: Nu
- Sacred Letter: J (an apostrophe has also been adopted in the last few generations)
- Crest Colors: Dark Blue and Brown
The House of Kathon is a small, but influential house. It has a history of military service, with much of its lineage serving as commanders of various aspects of the Voltaru military. The current leader of the Voltaru Navy is a son of this House.The House of Eikhonal - 6th House of the Voltarum
- Head: Lady Wibuun Eikhonal
- Home Province: Epsilon
- Sacred Letter: W
- Crest Colors: Cyan and White
The house of Eikhonal is currently led by the elder female, Lady Wibuun, as her late husband passed away at an early age. The only remaining male heirs are all under 16, the traditional age of ascension. The eldest is nearly a year away from becoming Head of the House.The House of Nekret - 7th House of the Voltarum
- Head: Lord Zillik Nekret
- Other Key players: Lord Zantir Nekret, star hookball goalie.
- Home Province: Kappa
- Sacred Letter: Z
- Crest Colors: Dark Red and Black
The youngest of the houses is also considered the most young in attitude. Often forgetful of their noble upbringing, several high members of this house have been arrested or even worse, publicly embarrassed, by their often drunken deeds. Nevertheless, the name is still held with great respect and popularity, and Lord Zillik Nekret is often said to be the wisest man in Antarctica, if not the world. His youngest son, Zantir, has shunned noble life and is currently a star Hookball player for his home province. The stunning home of House Nekret is situated on the outskirts of the mighty Cerberus Glacier.STATISTICS
Age Distribution:
0-19 = 25%
20-44 = 34%
45-64 = 23%
>65 = 18%
Ethnic Groups:
- The Voltarum has been lucky in its history regarding racial strife. Many people attribute this to its socialists routes. While there is a high majority of whites, the country has never suffered from any major racial segregation or issues.
White = 71%
Asian = 17%
Black = 8%
Hispanic = 3%
Birth/Death Ratios:
Birth Rate: 9.42 births/1000 population
Death Rate: 8.69 deaths/1000 populationLife Expectancy at Birth:
total population: 80.32 years
male: 79.42 years
female: 81.21 years
Sex Ratio:
At birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/femaleTotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female
Total Fertility Rate: 1.98 children born/woman
Political Affiliations:
Democratic Socialists of the Voltarum (DSV) = 67%
- The Voltarum has been a Democratic Socialist state for much of its existence. MOst of the country is affiliate with this party, and currently 12 out of the 13 members of the High Order are members of this party (the 13th is Independent)Voltaru Communist Party (VCP) = 17%
- Communism was once at the height of the government of the Voltarum, but over the generations many have moved over to the DSV. No major government officials belong to this party, however several Provinces are led by members of the VCP. While they are not able to completely introduce communist ideals, several aspects have been affected. THis group would most likely be affiliated as Leninism.The Voltaru Libertarians (TVL) = 6%
- A small fringe group still holds true to this ideology, although they hold no places of political leadership.International Capitalizt Party (ICP) = 5%
- A new group, gaining momentum, they look for the Voltarum to expand in territory, trade, and economic development. and consumption.
Languages:
- The Voltarum's official language is Volti, which is a very old language best described as a mixture of Greek and Russian (The Voltarum is known for its weird combinations). The language has fallen out of common use, however, and most people speak English (called common to many Voltaru) as their first language. There is also a sizable amount of speakers of Japanese (partly due to the countries neighbor Japanese Antarctica) and Spanish. All Voltaru children are required to be fluent in Volti, Common, and a third language of their choosing.
Voltaru First Languages:
Common (English) = 73 %
Volti = 22 %
Japanese = 3 %
Spanish = 1%
Religious Affiliations:
The Voltarum is a very non religious state. As such, churches/temples are normally only found in large cities. In addition, religious people, particularly zealous ones, are sometimes criticized for their views.
Strong Atheist = 42%
Apathetic Agnostics = 22%
Weak Agnostics = 18%
Strong Agnostics = 7%
Weak Atheist = 5%
Christianity = 4%
Judaism = 1%
Diet:
Due to its large fishing industry, all kinds of seafood are staples in any Voltaru diet. Herring and salmon in particular are eaten in great excess. Pingweener recipe Herring Milkshakes are huge sellers as well. Fish is usually eaten at least once a day. Recently, polar bear meat has become popular, because of its low price and abundance.
Other than this, the diet is not very different than most other peoples. There is a strong aversion to fried foods, especially meat and potatoes, as it is seen as a "lazy" way to cook. Vegetables are a must for every evening meal, as any Voltaru will tell you that they are lucky to have them at all, so they must eat them while they are here.
Wine is found at almost every dinner table across the country, and is seen as a celebratory spirit rather than an intoxicative beverage. Likli Vineyards has been in existence for several decades, and their indoor facilities make some of the most exquisite wines in the region. Beer is also very popular, and the lager Sintoli is a major export of the country.
The Voltaru take pride in their cooking, and their ability to enjoy a meal. As a result, The Voltarum outputs hundreds of gourmet chefs each year. Many restaurants in the larger cities are internationally known and regarded as some of the best places to eat in the world.
National Holidays:
The Voltarum celebrates many national holidays.
- The Ascention of the Voltaru (Voltarum Independence Day) = April 3rd.
- National Winery Day (A celebration of the intoxicative sort) = October 25th.
- The Summer Solstice (National Holiday) = December 22nd.
- K'alarok Day (Memorial Day) = June 30th
- D'alai Celebration (Non-Religious Christmas) = September 1st
- New Years Day = January 1st
Miscellaneous Facts:
National Sport: Hookball - a subtle combination of rugby and jai alai
Sacred Number: 13 - unlucky to many other cultures, the number 13 is sacred (although not holy!) to the Voltaru people.
National Animal: Electric Sloth
