NOTE: This article is about the country of Chernarus that was introduced in ArmA 2. For the terrain of the same name, see Chernarus (terrain). |
Chernarus, officially the Republic of Chernarus, is a country located in the Green Sea region.
History[]
Origins[]
The first settlements in the region date back to 5th century BCE, when the valleys of the Burnaja and Svetlaya were inhabited by a mixture of ancient Skyth tribes and nomadic groups.[7]
What would eventually become the centre of modern Chernarus was founded along the delta of the river Burnaya (as well as along the coast). Divided from the Zagorie region by the Black Mountains ridge, it was at the time under the dominion of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Due to constant raids by marauders from the southwest, the local Slavic population was traditionally tied to Russia for security reasons but acted independently of the Russian monarchy.[7]
Middle Ages[]
At the turn of the 12th century, the local population fell under the control of a dukedom led by a man named Kozlov, who was considered to be the founder of the first Chernarussian state.[8]
For the purpose of protecting vital trade routes though the region which often fell under attack by raiders from the sea and marauders from the north, Kozlov constructed a castle over the peak of the Pik Kozlova mountains. The castle, which was eventually sacked a century later, was named as such in honour of his legacy.[8]
In the 13th century however, Kozlov's Principate was dissolved completely following its destruction at the hands of the Kozub dynasty. Controlled by its ruler, Taras Kozub, Chernarus remained in this state until 1631 CE.[7]
Imperial territory[]
The continued expansion of the Tsardom of Russia in the 17th century would see Chernarus annexed and (willingly) absorbed into the growing empire. Until its transformation into Imperial Russia and subsequent downfall in the 20th century, Chernarus would remain in this state for a total of two more centuries.[7]
Soviet territory[]
In 1917, the Russian Empire collapsed after the February Revolution of 1917. As for Chernarus, its status was reverted to that of an autonomic federal republic, though it remained under the tight control of the Soviet government and was "reformed" into the Chernarussian Autonomic Republic[9], otherwise known formally as the Chernarussian Soviet Socialist Republic (C.S.S.R).[7]
As a client state of the new Soviet Union, Chernarus as a whole underwent massive redevelopment aimed at invigorating the decaying infrastructure. Including the regional capital of Chernogorsk, all undeveloped cities in the Northern Province of South Zagoria were extensively revitalised as a symbol of the Soviet government's industrial advancement.[9][10]
However, many smaller villages were forcibly relocated from their homes and made to reside in the cities or were alternately moved to kolkhozes in the north. Resentment against Soviet control gradually brewed as a result of these actions which were although economically positive, had inflicted extensive damage to the local environment in the coastal cities as a result of the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.[9]
Independence[]
Following its dissolution at the end of the Cold War, Chernarus was among one of the many former client states of the Soviet Union that gained their independence in 1991.[7]
Chernarus was soon accepted as a member of the United Nations.[11] It began to seek closer ties to the West, though being within the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union's successor state, the Russian Federation, necessitated that the independent Chernarus maintain an amicable relationship with the latter.[12]
September Crisis[]
- Main article: Harvest Red
Discontent with the Chernarussian government's initiative to align itself with the West, a political faction originating out of the South Zagoria region (known as the Chernarussian Movement of the Red Star or ChDKZ for short) began to form in protest.[13] The group gathered much traction and support with the northern, pro-Russian minority[14], eventually gathering enough numbers to transition into a fighting force.[15] Anti-government protests and uprisings slowly spread throughout the province, though most are quickly subjugated by security forces.[16]
In late 2009, the ChDKZ launched a full-scale province-wide attack against government forces in what would become known as the "September Crisis". Almost all coastal cities in South Zagoria fall under the organisation's control, from harbours, trade routes, and even government centres and military bases.[17][16]
Coordinated by three warlords, Gregori Lopotev, Mikola Bardak and a man known only by his alias of "Kostey", the renewed offensive succeeds in overrunning much of the province. Government troops are forced into a full retreat, pulling all the way back to a pocket at Zelenogorsk and a small airfield at Balota.[17][18][19]
During a raid on the regional capital of Chernogorsk, the incubment Prime Minister of Chernarus is captured and held hostage by the leader of the group. The ChDKZ demanded the integration of Chernarus into the Russian Federation but was refused by Moscow. In "retaliation", the Chernarussian PM was executed and the ChDKZ leaders declare that the nation would now be known as the so-called "Chernarussian Socialistic Republic".[16][13]
Part of the standing Chernarussian government manages to flee from the country and goes into exile, insisting that they were the only legitimate representatives of the nation while calling on Western countries for assistance. U.S.-led forces are authorised to intervene on the Chernarussian government's behalf and liberate the region from ChDKZ control.[20][21]
Though the intervention ran into several roadblocks along the way (including a temporary withdrawal at the demand of the Russian government), the United States is able to help the Chernarussian government reclaim control over the occupied province after almost a month.[22][23][24][16][25] The insurgency group's leader is ultimately captured, and its power base is permanently crippled.[26][27][28]
Geography[]
Chernarus has a fairly diverse landscape that ranges from the mountainous and rocky coastlines of the South Zagoria region covered by temperate forests[29], to the semi-arid and dry conditions in the west along the border with Takistan.[30]
The biggest cities and industrial heartlands of the country are concentrated along the southern coastline. Inland and situated within deep valleys, forested ridges, or on elevated plateaus with lush meadows, lie mostly remote settlements and small villages.[9]
Its capital city is Novigrad, which is situated at the mouth of the Burnaya River delta.
South Zagoria[]
- Main article: Chernarus (terrain)
Located in the country's north-east at the base of the Black Mountains (bordered to the Russian Federation), South Zagoria is typified by a combination of untouched forests and sprawling countryside farms.
The provincial capital of Chernogorsk is located in this region.
Utes[]
- Main article: Utes
One of the three isolated landmasses located off the coast of Chernarus, Utes is the second largest island (the biggest being Lyuti and smallest Moschnyi). It only consists of a few remote villages and serves as an airfield for use by government forces.
Bystrica[]
- Main article: Bystrica
A semi-autonomous region located near the southern coast, Bystrica is a densely wooded area littered with steep mountainous terrain. A river separates two larger towns with several smaller villages.
Politics[]
Chernarus is governed by a parliamentary system where the elected head of state is led by the office of the Prime Minister and an appointed Chancellor.[31]
One major political party is called the New Deal Party (NDP)[13], which continues to maintain control of the government. Following the September Crisis, the National Party (NAPA) also holds swing in government under the leadership of its representative, Valery Michalkov.[32]
In 2009, the post of PM was chaired by Alexander Baranov from the NDP, with the position of Chancellor being held by an official named Novotny.[13] A Foreign Affairs minister named Dočasný briefly represented the interim government during and after the September Crisis.[31] He would later be replaced by former PM Alexander Baranov's brother who assumed the reins of leadership. Baranov's brother was additionally supported by Chief Cabinet Secretary Jan Haládik.[33]
As of 2035, the identity of their eventual successors is not known.
Armed forces and law enforcement[]
- Main article: Chernarussian Defence Forces
Chernarus maintains a military in the form of the Chernarussian Defence Forces (CDF)[34], which also has a consignment of peacekeepers attached to the United Nations.[35]
Smaller police forces in each province maintain law and order throughout the country. In times of crisis, they can also request for aid from local militias.
Diplomacy[]
As of 2009, Chernarus has maintained friendly diplomatic relations to Western countries and holds particularly close security ties with the United States.[11] Both the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic also share amicable relations with the Chernarussian government; the latter resulting in permission for Czech military forces to assist in reconstruction programmes throughout the South Zagoria and Bystrica regions.[36]
Even after its independence, the government has always held a neutral standpoint towards its northern neighbour, the Russian Federation. In recent years, however, diplomacy between the two governments have strained dramatically with the surge in violence between Russian and Chernarussian ethnic groups.[37][38][39] The revelation of covert Russian support for ChDKZ separatists has further contributed to the downslide in diplomatic relations.[40][41][42]
The current status of the Chernarussian government's alignment to either the East or the West (in the mid 2030s) is not known.
Economy[]
Chernarus operates on an export-based economy. Its main products consist predominately of alcoholic beverages, which are widely consumed both in the Green Sea region as well as throughout the globe.[43]
Other industries include a mining[9], manufacturing, and engineering sector[40], though they only contribute to a minor portion of Chernarus' GDP.
However, in the years following the end of the September Crisis, the export market has begun to stagnate in the face of continued regional tensions in neighbouring Takistan.[44] Less quality-conscious markets have begun shifting towards cheaper American-owned brewers backed by enormous advertising campaigns; further exasperating the state of the market and driving the exports for traditional brewers into the ground.[43]
Chernarus maintains a small arms industry and exports its products to Eastern clientele; the Chinese-led CSAT coalition being amongst the biggest of its customers.[45] The annually run ARMEX international military tradeshow is also held on occasion in Chernarus, and is sponsored by the private Canadian conglomerate Vrana Corp.[46]
Society[]
National anthem[]
Demographics[]
Native Chernarussians consist of the largest demographic in the country. In 2009, this was estimated to stand at a count of approximately 3,000,000.[2]
Ethnic minorities include Chernarussians of Russian descent in the northeastern regions as well as smaller groups of actual Russian dual citizens.[1][47][48] They are vastly outnumbered by native Chernarussians in pure numbers but are still significantly large enough as a group total population-wise (800,000 as of 2009).[2]
Languages[]
The official language is Chernarussian, which itself is a derivative of the Czech language.[49] Chernarussians of Russian descent, predominately those in the South Zagoria region and other areas bordered close to the Russian Federation, are bilingual and can speak fluently in Russian as well.[1]
Very few Chernarussians are capable of speaking English.[1][50][51][52] Those who are able to are mainly government officials and citizens who live in the larger coastal settlements.
Trivia[]
- Its top-level domain code for websites hosted in the country appears to be ".cs".[4]
- Chernarus' history and overall make up is seemingly inspired by a mixture of Eastern European countries, mainly former USSR territories such as the Republic of Georgia and Ukraine.
References[]
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See also[]
Countries in the Armaverse | |
---|---|
Eastern Europe | Livonia • Russian Federation |
North Africa | Argana |
West Africa | North Lombakka • South Lombakka |
Atlantic | Democratic Republic of Sahrani • Independent Republic of Nogova • Kingdom of Sahrani • United Kingdom |
North America | United States of America |
Green Sea | Ardistan • Grozovia • Karzeghistan • Republic of Chernarus • Takistan |
Mediterranean | Atida • Republic of Altis and Stratis |
South Pacific | Horizon Islands Republic |
Microstates | Everon Socialist Republic • Malden |
Countries are listed in order of the region of the globe that they are geographically located in. Italics denote countries that have ceased to exist. NOTE: For a list of minor references to countries that are not shown, please refer to this article. |