Arroyo-Abeille

The Federated Union States of Arroyo-Abeille, also known as Arroyo-Abeille, The Union of Arroyo, or simply The Union, is a centralized [wiki] Confederation [wiki] of the Commonwealth of Arroyo and Realm Dominion of Abeille located on the Western coast of Avalonia, covering an area of 2,360,000km (911,201 miles). It borders Tilenno to the South, and the Tethys ocean to the West. The population of the combined Union totals 71 million people spread across both of the federal territories. Arroyo's capital is the special joint Union administered district of Pretzel Rock. Arroyo-Abeille is comprised of diverse and competing languages of mainly and, but all government documents are communicated in Anglic

Arroyo-Abeille was originally consistent of 2 localized colonies from the two friendly monarchist states of (AyG) and (Tip), who founded Arroyo in (date?) and Abeille in (date?), respectively. The two colonial states generally had friendly relations to each other, reliant on cross border trading and exchange of ideas. After Independence was gained peacefully by Arroyo and Abeillue, the 2 new states found themselves in a precarious situation. Both of the nations were much too small and too sparsely populated to coordinate their own governments, and the nations became even more reliant on each other for support.

Eventually faced with the onset of global world tensions, threats of nuclear war, and the threat of the opposed government of Brigantica, the 2 former colonies sought a [Real Union]. The initial idea was modified further to include the idea of a "Permanent Union" in which separation wouldn't be possible, further strengthening the idea of a new national identity. After a public vote run by both separate states, the Union was formed and the Official Decree of Union signed on October 1st, 1981, sworn with the official blessings of Empress Anthea.

Today, Arroyo-Abeille stands as moderate power in Avalonia, boasting a GDP of 2.6 trillion built on a large tech industry that exports shipbuilding technology, airspace software, and automotive manufacturing to many North-South Concordant nations. It has long stood as a regional center along with Koryeo and Brigantica as a center for technologies, arts, and philosophy.

Etymology and pronunciation
The Name Arroyo-Abeille can be broken down into the individual colonial holdings from the empires of AyG and Tip. The AyG colony of Arroyo is so named after the desert terrain and mountainous streams that dotted the landscape found upon settling the land. The name Abeille can be traced back to the Tip colonial holding in the area. Abeille, when translated directly, translates to "Honey Bees". But when translated to the local dialect means "Land of the Honey Bees". This is because of the large population of honey bees that live in the region, and large honey industry that the colony traded as a rare spice.

Prehistory
The oldest traces of human life in the area are approximately (a fuck ton) years old, when nomadic tribes from the plains of Tilenno migrated North in the area of modern day Arroyo. These tribals face many harsh living conditions including the harsh desert heat and sudden, violent storms of the plains area. These people most likely lived hunter-gatherer lives. Not much beyond this is known about the early nomadic tribes, as it is believed they died out around (years) ago. Antiquity and Early Tribal Societies Early records indicate that the first established societies were located around the Azure River Basin during (timeline). These groups, distinct from the culture of Tilenno natives, formed the basis of the native tribes that exist to this day in Arroyo. The first group, The Quetza, originated on the coast of modern (province) at the mouth of the Blue Carrot River. The second, The Whitefoot, originated to the far North and built many communities nestled into the mountainous terrain located there. Records indicate that little to no interaction happened between these groups at this time, mostly because of the harsh terrain and vast distance between the tribes.

Archaeologists have uncovered basic stone tools and pottery from both of these tribes, indicating a stone age culture. Neither the Quetza or the Whitefoot had metal tools, and relied on hunter-gatherer lifestyles to survive. Records uncovered from oral history and archaeological digs indicate that before the arrival of Typiran settlers, both groups were semi-nomadic in nature.

Arrival of settlers
Around (YEAR), imperial ambitions brought great interest in the Avalonian continent as a way to expand control of shipping routes. The land of present Arroyo was surveyed by expeditionary (NAME) in (YEAR) for possible colonial expansion by the Typiran Crown. The land surveyed, around present day Ephraim, was found to be suitable for settlement around the coastal regions. A year later in (YEAR), a small colony of the minority Angleic speakers was established along the river basin there. News of Typiran’s expansion eventually reached the AyG crown, who declared that a settlement be set up at once on the continent as well, mainly to search for potential gold deposits. This colony was established by explorer Martin De Homez in (YEAR) at the modern city of Armonia, Arroyo.

Both colonies ran into supply and logistical issues within a year of their respective founding. The Armonia colony, located to the South in a very dry and humid climate, ran into substantial issues with farming and hunting. AyG livestock, especially sheep, were unable to cope with the lack of lands to graze. Mass starvation was common. To the North, the Typiran colony contended with rocky landscapes and lack of grazing lands as well, but fared much better on farming then New Harmony. Despite royal decree barring both colonial societies from interacting, the relative close proximity of the colonies and the general remoteness from their respective homelands led to rampant illegal trade and travel between the two colonies for survival.

Over the next 10 years, both colonials began to take route. Both Typiran and AyG were unable to stem the trade between the two colonies, and AyG became disinterested with the lack of gold in the immediate area, but kept the colony as a relatively safe port in the area. The Typiran settlements found much greater success, the location of fertile lands with the assistance of the Whitefoot in the area, the colony expanded at a much greater pace.

Colonial History and Independence
Much of Arroyo’s colonial history was marked with simple, streamline expansion with little outside interest from the rest of the world. The location of these colonies were disappointing for controlling sealanes, as most trade gravitated North and away from the range of Typiran ships. However the land was much more vital for political leverage and as a port of refuge for ships attempting to cross the Tethys Ocean, leading to a boom in trade and income of the colonies. Eventually, in (YEAR), both Typiran and AyG signed the New World Cooperation Accords, allowing official government backed trade and travel between the two colonies.

The 19th century was marked with much Eastward expansion as the two colonies spread, leading to the discovery of the Central Cradle, a vast swath of relatively warm rolling prairies ripe for farming and cattle, as well as the vast central impenetrable deserts. Upon hitting these deserts, explorers and settlers realized they could go no further, a “great barrier” had been reached, and by 1890, the era of expansion was over. However with the finding of large fertile farmlands and token gold deposits along the Blue Carrot River, both colonies once again experienced a massive economic boom.

Nearing the 20th century, both colonies were building a singular distinct culture different from both AyG and Typiran, and a push for more direct local rule was becoming popular. Typiran Empress Ingel allowed the Typiran colony, now formally named Abeille, to formally and peacefully secede from Typiran on April 6th, 1850, and the declining AyG allowed the now named Arroyo to secede on December 8th of that same year. Both new nations began building international relations, but were officially neutral in both (WW1) and (WW2). Both new nation’s political systems were carry overs from colonial history, with a planned command economy and limited variation in political parties.

Contemporary Period
With the end of the Grand Campaigns, both Arroyo and Abeille became increasingly worried by the rapid expansion of communism. Both Arroyo and Abeille were dealing with minor insurrections by interior settlers rebelling for independence under a direct democracy style seen in nearby Brigantica. Fearing League intervention, both Arroyo and Abeille, now with a very distinct and close cultural and financial relationship, sought to merge into a Union.

The idea of a Union was first proposed by Arroyo’s leading Prosperity Party, which cited the lack of coordinated trade and similar political and cultural climates as catalysts for an equal Union. The idea was met positively from Abeille’s Frontier Party, but argued a Union would require an equal representation from both parties. Rapidly, as popularity and a massive “United Together” campaign grew in size, Arroyo formally announced that it would seek a Union with Abeille in 1979. A year later, Abeille signed a memorandum of understanding stating it’s desire to seek a Union with Arroyo. To ensure that international intervention was avoided, a highly publicized vote was held in 1980 to formally enter a Union. By 1981, Arroyo and Abeille had both formally ratified the new Constitution, and on October 1st, 1981 an official ceremony was held which formally flew the flag of Arroyo-Abeille over the newly combined administrative city of Pretzel Rock. On October 21st, the Diamondback Party took control of both the newly established Senate and both the House of Arroyo and House of Abeille through the elections, and immediately set about creating a unified sense of nationalism under the “2 Nations, 1 Flag” policy. This policy included efforts to break apart social living communities in both nations and spread them out to far flung infrastructure projects and improvement plans.

Geography
The geography of Arroyo-Abeille can be broken down into 3 distinct areas; The far North dominated by large rocky snow capped mountain ranges, the Midwest dominated by large coasts and large rolling plains, and the large desert that dominates most of the South and East of the nation. By land volume, Arroyo-Abeille occupies 911201 square miles on the East of the Avalonian Continent.

Military
Arroyo-Abeille operates one of the most unconventional militaries in Anterra, with most of its military theory being dominated by the concept of engaging in and surviving a nuclear war. Because of this theory, Arroyo-Abeille’s military is split into two branches. Arroyo Strategic Assets Command (ASAC) and Arroyo Tactical Assets Command (ATAC). ASAC is the branch responsible for conducting warfare at the strategic level, and encompases land, air, and sea assets capable of achieving this goal. ASAC focuses on employing weapons such as strategic bombers, interceptor aircraft, large scale naval/coastal defense craft, and pentomic light infantry. ATAC forces are geared towards tactical warfare, and contain more conventional units such as mechanized/armored units, small sea craft, strike aircraft, and helicopters.

Because of this unconventional military layout, the leadership system is considered complex. Both ASAC and ATAC are both controlled by separate command structures. These command structures are both intertwined and controlled by a 13 strong joint military committee that is hand selected by the Chancellor’s recommendation and approved by the Senate by simple majority. Below this committee lies the direct chain of command for each area of warfare. For example, ASAC has a command system for Air, Land, and Sea assets. This is the same for ATAC. Each area of warfare is overseen by a general that has accumulated the most seniority or has secured a recommendation by the Senate or Chancellor.

Arroyo’s dispersed warfare concept has led to a massive downsizing in manpower in recent years. As of 2020 there were 760,000 active duty soldiers. However, Arroyo-Abeille boasts a 2.6 million man reserve. This large reserve force, mostly composed of conscripts, is designed as a military police force tasked with reconstruction and peace keeping after a nuclear conflict. Arroyo’s Tactical Assets command is further involved in peacekeeping efforts and obligations with the Tiperyn Realm Defense.

Political System
Arroyo-Abeille is considered internationally to be a classic example of an indirect, imperfect democracy. Although both Arroyo and Abeille officially have open democratic elections, the large popularity of the Diamondback party has effectively made it a one party democracy. Under the “2 Nation, 1 Flag” policy, social structures and older cultural systems were either destroyed or disrupted by government ordered 1 year conscription for military or infrastructure projects. Initially this caused a sharp drop in popularity among the party, however with the increase in economic output and intense nationalism campaigns, the Diamondback party has held a steady 70-80% approval rating among the citizens, although these numbers are disputed by outside sources.

Formally, under the Charter of Union that binds both Arroyo and Abeille, the Typiran crown is recognized as the head of state. This is outlined under the Memoriam of Understanding section in which Arroyo agreed to recognize the Typiran monarchy over the AyG monarchy in return for accepting a less powerful central governmental system. Both nations still exist as separate entities under this union, with each nation getting a House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. A chancellor is then elected by the current majority party who can then enact Official Decrees and act as a mediator for the Senate. Laws are enacted at the National Level by both Houses, but need to comply with Senatorial passed laws at the Union Level.

Each nation is then further broken down into States, which act as localized governments divided by economic/demographic consideration. Because Arroyo and Abellie both practice direct-vote systems, political balancing is often not considered. States in the Commonwealth of Arroyo include: Ensenada, Baja, and Leon. States in the Realm Dominion of Abeille include: Honfleur, Chartres, and Troyes.

Foreign Relations
Arroyo-Abeille is a member of the North-South Concordant, and is one of it’s main nuclear deterrents in Avalonia. Arroyo relies heavily on the alliance for economic and political assistance. In particular, both Kaya and Tiperyn have major sway over Arroyo’s foreign policy in matters such as the softening of stances on communist nations. However, Arroyo still takes a hard line stance on nuclear warfare, and this has been a major point of contention among the alliance nations.

Arroyo is also a member of the Realm Compact, which is a loose voluntary organization of former Tiperyn colonial holdings. Through this shared colonial history, Arroyo was able to form relationships with New Valentina and SiWallqanqa, among others. Outside of Avalonia, Arroyo has an extremely strong relation with Austrasia, with whom it shares and cooperates on a number of military and civilian projects.

Arroyo is actively hostile to nations affiliated with the League of Free Nations, due to numerous fundamental ideological and economic differences as well as perceived interventionism by League nations. Although Arroyo has taken a defensive posture at the cost of power projection, Arroyo still contests League nations and League agendas on every possible front.

Culture
Arroyo’s cultural mindset has been shaped by a “fend for yourself” mentality that was forged during the early 17th century. The people of Arroyo have been described as pseudo “worker-bees” by outside observations, sacrificing a lot of their personal well being for a regional identity. This is thought to be a result of the massive relocation efforts during the founding of the Union.