Panau

The Republic of Panau, or just Panau, is an island nation in the Malay Peninsula. The nation is made up of dozens of big-to-small islands in a square formation. The islands were discovered by the Dutch in 1649, and colonized accordingly. It was a vital trade hub in the east, and served as halfway stop between India and Australia. The current government of Panau is a military dictatorship, and is currently ruled by Pandak Panay, preceding his father, Pandak Panay Sr..

Etymology
The English language name, comes from Malay Panau, "Ringworm". The country today, in a negative manner, is referred to as, The Ringworm Nation, which is also seen as an insult if said near a Panauan citizen. Panau is the name of the country, and also the entire island collection. It is also A Location in the game Just Cause 2

First Settlements
Along with Singapore, the first recorded settlements were in the 2nd century AD. The islands were an outpost of the Sumatran Srivijaya empire. They, in turn used the settlement as a trading post. However eventually that declined, and today there are very few remnants of the old Temasek in Panau, archaeologists have uncovered artifacts of that and other settlements under the watchful eye of the current Panauan government.

Dutch Rule
Capital: De Rode

On 2 April 1649, a Dutch explorer, Jan van Riebeeck, in his time in India, found Panau on a routine trading mission to Jakarta, Indonesia. At first, he ignored the islands and went on to do his business in Jakarta, however, on his way back, their ship, De Rode Vos got damaged, and they were forced to land on Panau. The crew were forced to remain there for two week, awaiting rescue, however found something astonishing.

For the first time in van Riebeeck's life, he saw deserts, snow capped mountains, and lush jungles, all in one place. The islands of Panau have that diversity. Immediately the islands became of great importance to the Dutch East India Company, and they ordered for a halfway station, and small colony to be set up. Eventually van Riebeeck was called back to the Netherlands and later went on to colonize South Africa. The new commander in charge was Koos Le Roux, a Dutch-French explorer hired by the company to establish a successful halfway station.

British Rule
Capital: New London

With sparks from the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars, the British also went in to secure their place in the east. Sir Richard Boye led a small army of British soldiers onto Panau and rid the Dutch. He gave the current settlers three options, 1) Fight the overwhelming British, 2) Stay on Panau and continue their lives without getting in the way of the British, or 3) Evacuate the islands and leave the British. Most of the population chose to stay on Panau and continue their lives there, however a large minority also chose to leave, and return to the Netherlands.

The British then held on to Panau for over a hundred years, and continued to use it as a trading hub, many commanders and governors came and went. Early in the 1900's, the now-native Panauans became hungry for independence and begun small unsuccessful revolutions, to rid the English. So the Series of Panauan Independence Wars began. These wars went down in history for their number, and short lengths. However, in 1957, the ninth Panaun Independence War saw Panau through to sovereignty.

Independence
In the 1900's, a series of nine independence wars began with the Grand Independence War, or the First Independence War. This war was very unsuccessful because of the small number of citizens who took part. After that, every couple of years after a peace-signing, another group of citizens began a independence war, and brought more and more people with them, however they were all also unsuccessful.

The 8th Independence War almost brought the British to their knees, but with reinforcements arriving from Singapore, the British narrowly won this war, Sir Karl Thommy, governor at that time, was also killed in that war. Later, on 2 January 1957, the ninth and last revolutionary war, saw the end of the British occupation of Panau. This war was started by Dahari Panay, and he took almost a third of the island's native residents with him, and attacked the British fort. They quickly overwhelmed the fortress and seized control, thereafter they attacked the unsuspecting capital city, New London.

After a month of fighting, in early February, the British and Panauan citizens signed an agreement, which stated that the British will help Dahari Panay build Panau to his liking, and will, upon his order vacate the islands. The British, after helping the economy and infrastructure of Panau, left in 1982. At that time, Dahari's son, Vasan Panay had taken the rule of Panau, instantly declaring that Panau is a Unitary presidential republic. In 1985, he officially declared that the rule of Panau will continue in the Panay family.

Government and politics
The government of Panau is a Unitary Presidential Republic, with Pandak Panay as the president. There is two political Dominant party in Panau, the socialist, the Panauan People's Party, or PPP and the democracy, the Panau National Party, or PNP. However there are several "rebel" groups also playing a large role in the country's politics, such as the Panauan Liberation Front, or PLF, the government's biggest opponent.

Foreign Relations
Here are some of the Republic's most important foreign relations:

United Nations
The Republic and the United Nations do not maintain good relationships. At a U.N. summit, several trading embargoes were announced by countries such as the United States and France. The United Nations has ceased general communication with Panau, and encouraged its members to do the same.

North Korea
Panau and North Korea enjoy very good relations, because of their almost identical situations (politics etc). These two countries have good trading systems in place, as well as several MPPs (mutual protection pacts).

Geography and climate
Below you can find a geographical map of the Republic of Panau: Click to enlarge.

Climate
As read in the previous heading, it can be seen that Panau is one of the world's most diverse countries. In the southwest is the Lautan Lama Desert, which is blazingly warm. In the north and northwest the Berawa Besar Mountains are one of the northern hemisphere's coldest peaks, with mount Berawa Besar as the highest. The rest of Panau is mostly a lush tropical jungle, which of course has a tropical climate.

Military
The Republic of Panau's armed forces is collectively named the Panauan People's Army, or PPA.The President acting as commander-and-chief. The entire nation is sealed by the military, meaning there are countless roadblocks and house-to-house searches. The military acts as the police force, coast-guard, and most of the country's other forces, such as ATC controllers.

The force as a whole is not that big at all, however, if the country is provoked, it can release a very deadly and lethal nuclear arsenal any place in the world. The islands of Panau are cluttered with small military outposts, communication stations, and huge military bases, many of which include a deep mountain bunker.

Religion
The Muslims have the majority of the religion demographics in the Republic of Panau, with 79% of the population. Next in line come the Protestants who have 8% of the population. The rest vary between Catholic,Hinduism and Buddhism. Religion has been a major role-player in the society of the Republic. The majority of the government is also Muslim. Panau is one of the religious hubs of the Malay peninsula, with places of worship every few kilometers.

Cuisine
Main Article: Panauan Cuisine

Panauan cuisine reflects the multicultural aspects of Panau. Various ethnic groups in Panau have their own dishes, but many dishes in Panau are derived from multiple ethnic influences. Food preparation differs from place to place, even though they are all cooking the same food. Different preparations have different taste and decoration, but generally the ingredients used are the same.

Media
Media in Panau is completely controlled by the government.

Internet
The Internet in the Republic of Panau, is mostly controlled by the Panauan government, and is heavily censored, including the ban of several movements's websites against the Panauan government. The government has also filtered search engines such as Google and Yahoo, however one of the only ways to access these sites is through an advanced proxy, such as TOR.

All personal computers sold which are sold in the Republic, have (mandatory) been configured that the Panau News Network, or PNN, website, is the homepage.

Broadcasting
Broadcasting in Panau, is, as well as the internet, mostly controlled by the government. Most, if not all outside news is censored, and all programs and broadcasts must be approved by high levels of government before they can take to the television. Panau Broadcasting Center is the only broadcasting agency in the Republic, and has a monopoly to forthcome any foreign broadcasting companies expanding to Panau.

The Panau News Network can interrupt any show or program to spread their news, or negatively, governmental propaganda. Most citizens of Panau don't even have a television in their possession, because of the high poor-levels. All broadcasting ceases in Panau at 01:00 in the morning with the anthem at the ending. Broadcasting resumes at 06:00 later that morning.

Sport
Sports and games in Panau is one of the events which have been strengthen the relationship between the multiracial people. Sports and games in Panau consisting of various types such as water sports, racing, sports in field, traditional games, racquet sports and is done by people of various age levels. Until today, sports in Panau has become a major activity in the local universities where they often perform an annual sports or recreational activities between universities and colleges merely to inculcate the spirit of cooperation and the spirit to win a competition and meet each other and thus strengthen the relationship between one another.