Aeroe

Republic of Aeroe
Motto: ""
Anthem: Ærø Oh Ærø
Capital.	Marstal
Largest City.	Marstal
Official languages	Danish
Recognized regional languages
Demonym	Aeroeic
Plural	Aeroeic
Government  - President	Republic HP Kromann
FormationRepublic of Aeroe	January 1, 1975
Population  - 2009 census .	32,309
GDP (PPP)  - Total  - Per capita	2009 estimate $976 million $70.000
Currency	Kroner ($)
Drives on the	Right
Internet TLD	.æø

Aeroe oficially Republic of Aeroe (Danish: Republikken Ærø) is a small island nation located in the baltic sea, just south of Scandinavia. It has an area of 113,51 km² and consists of 14 inhabited islands with a total population of 32.000 people.

Aeroe was until 1975 a part of Denmark, but became independent when Denmark joined the European Union.

History

The Museum Town of Ærøskøbing

In 1972, when the people of Denmark voted yes to join the European Communities, a movement arose on the island of Aeroe. The movement was called "Movement for an independent Aeroe (Bevægelsen for et uafhængigt Ærø). The movement was against Danish memebership of the EC, and the goal was to declare their independence from Denmark. In 1973 the plans was further expaned as several Danish Baltic Sea islands joined the movement. In mid 1974 a constitution was signed by leaders of the movement, one member from each island. On January 1 1975 Aeroe and the isles declared themselves independent from Denmark under the name Republic of Aeroe and the isles. Soon after their independence, many private companies in Scandinavia, Germany and the Baltics moved to Aeroe because of the very low company taxes at that time.

In 1978 the Fairytale Casino opened. It was the first of many government owned casinos, in the present-day casino area of Marstal.

In 1980 Ærøskøbing, the old market town of Aeroe was closed down, and residents was forced to move. Most of them moved to Store Rise, Dunkær and Olde on the middle of Aeroe Island. In 1981 Ærøskøbing was opened as a museum town with houses dating back to the early 16th century.

In 1995 it was decided that Aeroe by 2000 should be 100 percent self-sufficient in renewable energy, in the same yar the solar heating plant was build in Marstal. It was, and still is the largest in the world.

The solar heating plant in Marstal

In 1997 the Drejø Tourist Island was opened with tourist areas, hotels and an amusement park.

Through the 00'es Aeroe is still growing strong with more citizens every year and many tourists visiting the many attractions, casinos, beaches and the amusementparks of Drejø, søby and Avernakø.

Government & Politics

There are two levels of government in Aeroe; The National Government and the Local Governments. The local governments are represented in all the municipals of Aero, and elections are every four years. The National government is a unicameral government with 55 members elected for a four year term. Citizens sixteen years or older are eligible to vote in all election, and citizens eighteen years or older are eligible to stand for election.

The Head of State is the President, elected for a period of four years. The president approves the Head of Government, the statesminister, suggested by the members of parliament, and the other ministers suggested by the statesminister. The President must approve new laws before they can come in to action. He also represent the country on official visits to other countries.

Politics/Beliefs

• Freedom of speech: YES
• Freedom of religion: YES
• Church and state: DIVIDED
• Gay marriage: YES
• Gay adoption: YES
• Abortion: YES
• Death Penalty: NO
• Gun Rights: NO
• Freedom of Press: YES
• Right to protest: YES
• Minimum driving age: 18
• Voting age: 16
• Age of candidacy: 18
• Drinking age: 18
• Age of consent: 15
• Age of criminal responsibility: 12
• Age of majority: 18

Economics

The currency of Aeroe is the Aeroeic Krone.

The tourist sector contributes over fifty percent of Aeroe's GDP, with more than 3.3 million tourists visiting in 2010.[11] Other key industries are banking, electronics, and renewable energies. The main agricultural products are cereals, pork and beef.

Taxation

The corporate profits tax rate in Aeroe is 19 percent. Capital gains are subject to a five percent tax; interest is subject to a 13 percent withholding tax.

Transportation

There are two ways of getting to Aeroe. The first is by one of the ferries sailing from United Kingdom of Scandinavia and Germany. Another way is by air to the Aeroe International Airport in Graasten Nor in the middle of the main island. Most of the planes going to Aeroe have to land in Germany, and then visitors are transported by smaller planes to the main island.

From the Main Island, ferries are connecting the smaller islands.

Only biocars and electrical cars are allowed in Aeroe. Tourists can rent cars and bikes several places around the country.

Culture

Holidays and Events

Date	Holiday	Danish Name	Remarks
January 1st	New Year's Day	Nytårsdag	Celebration of the new year.
January 6th	Holy three Kings Day	Helligtrekongersdag	Celebrated by "Masks" visiting their neighbours
Seven weeks before Easter	shrovetide	Fastelavn	An Aeroic Carnival
Sunday before Easter	Palm Sunday	Palmesøndag	Celebrating Jesus reaching Jerusalem
Thursday before Easter	Maundy Thursday	Skærtorsdag	Celebrating jesus' last supper
Friday before Easter	Good Friday	Langfredag
Saturday before Easter	Easter Saturday	Påskelørdag	Celebrated by going to the beaches boiling eggs
Easter Sunday	Easter Sunday	Påskesøndag
Easter Monday	Easter Monday	2. Påskedag
April 1st	Aprils Fools day	1. April	The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, enemies and neighbours, or sending them on fools' errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible.
May 1st	Labor day	Arbejdernes Kampdag	Left-wing policial day. Many people try to get a day off this day, and some even have it in their employment contract. A few people attend political meetings, though many - especially young people - meet at the sites of the political meetings to drink beer and other alcoholic beverages.
June 23rd	Saint Johns Eve	Sankt Hans Aften	Pre-Christianity celebration day, celebrating summer solstice on June 24. Sankt Hans (Johannes) is the Danish name of St. John the Baptist. The day is celebrated with a bonfire on the evening before.
October 31	Halloween	Allehelgensaften	According to superstition, the 31th of October is the night when witches, ghosts and dark forces are set loose to disgrace the saints celebrated on the following Allehelgensdag.
December 24th	Christmas eve	Juleaften	The celebration of Christmas in Aeroe starts in the evening, traditionally with a christmas tree, exchanging presents and having dinner with the family.
December 25th	1st day of Christmas	1. juledag
December 26th	2nd day of christmas	2. juledag
December 31st	New Years Eve	Nytårsaften	Mostly celebrated with friends and family. The President traditionally holds a televised speech at 6:00 PM. Midnight is celebrated with champagne, kransekage (lit. translated, ringcake)— an almond cake consisting of increasingly smaller and smaller rings stacked one on top of each other, creating an upside down cone form— and private displays of fireworks.