[b](THIS WILL BE EDITED AS CHARACTERS AND PLOT THINGS ARE INTRODUCED, BEAR WITH OUR SIDE CHANGING WAYS)[/b] [b]Country name-[/b] The Kingdom of Italy [b]Map-[/b] [img=http://i.infoplease.com/images/mitaly.gif] [b]Background of country- [/b] Italy, birthplace of the Roman Empire and center of the catholic church has juggled from being a great power to a weakened regional power often during its troubled history after independence. A major combatant of The Great War, the Kingdom suffered heavy casualities against the Austrian and German Empires in the Alps, but managed to gain the upper hand and defeat the Austrians outside of Innsbruck in 1919. After which, the war turned to a dull stalemate a few dozen kilometers south of the German town of Rosenheim, where the front would stay until the end of the war. The casualties and strain inflicted on the people and industries of Italy put massive political and social consequences on the state, and several uprisings and revolutions were attempted, but the Kingdom slowly recovered to a respectable status come 1931. Though nowhere near as powerful as it was pre-war, as was the case with many nations. Italy would continue with gradual economic development(mostly centered in getting the southern half on par with the north) and fostering healthy relations with many nations around the Mediterranean Sea. Though it failed in the attempt to purchuse Corsica from France in 1958, and again only ten years later. In 1970, a sudden invasion by the Ottoman Empire struck southern Italy, catching the nation off guard. The Regio Esercito holds the line for as long as able, but begins to falter before Spanish intervention full defeats the Ottoman Empire. One of the Spaniards, Basista, overthrows the Monarchy and institutes a Dictatorship after and rules with an iron fist for several years after cutting ties with Spaion. A civil war that raged from 1976 to 1977 drove him out with Spanish support, and the monarchy was reintroduced. At the cost of a Constitutional Monarchy instead of an Absolute one. The Senate of the Kingdom managing the upper house, and the Chamber of Deputies for the lower house. ------------------------------------- [b]Location-[/b] Southern Europe [b]Area-[/b] 301,338 km2 [b]Maritime Claims-[/b] 12nm [b]Climate-[/b] Thanks to the great longitudinal extension of the peninsula and the mostly mountainous internal conformation, the climate of Italy is highly diverse. In most of the inland northern and central regions, the climate ranges from humid subtropical to humid continental and oceanic. In particular, the climate of the Po valley geographical region is mostly continental, with harsh winters and hot summers. [b]Terrain-[/b] Mostly mountainous with large basins in the north. Also a lot of beachfront. [b]Natural Resources-[/b] Large amounts of arable land and natural gas. [b]Natural Hazards-[/b] Volcanos, avalanches, mafia, and debt. ----------------------------------------------------- [b]Population -[/b] 55,441,000 [b]Major cities by population-[/b] Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin. [b]Nationality-[/b] Italian, Sardinian. [b]Religion-[/b] 89.5% Catholic ------------------------------------ [b]Government Type -[/b] Constitutional Monarchy [b]Capital-[/b] Rome [b]States/Provinces-[/b] 20 regioni [b]Territories-[/b] None at the moment. [b]Flag or Flag Description-[/b] [img=http://i.imgur.com/z248Eba.png] ----------------------------------------------- [b]Military Branches-[/b] Regio Esercito(Royal Army), Regia Marina(Royal Navy), and the Regia Aeronautica(Royal Air Force) [b]Main Battle Tank- P26/55 -[/b] 60mm Front Armor, 50mm side/rear armor, and 20mm top armor. Armed with the 75mm Ansaldo L/34 cannon and 2 8mm Breda 38 machine guns. Powered by a V-12 SPA 342 diesel, 24 litre 330 HP engine, with a power/weight ratio of 11.53 hp/tonne. 40km/h max speed on road, 25km/h max speed offroad. [b]Standard Issue Weapon- Fucile di Fanteria Modello 1961 -[/b] Short recoil operated semi-automatic rifle, holds 12 rounds and loaded by 2 six round stripper clips. Cartridge is a 7.62×63mm. [b]Uniform Color/Pattern-[/b] 'Multiland' Camo standard issue, Vegetata deserto for desert, pine-needle for Alpini. [b]Military Service Age and Requirements-[/b] Must be 18 or older, conscription in wartime. [b]Manpower-[/b] 234,000 standing forces, 298,000 reserve. [b]Naval Size-[/b] 157 total ships - 1 battleship, 9 cruisers, 11 destroyers, 22 frigates, 19 corvettes, 44 fast coastal patrol units, 35 minesweepers, 16 amphibious operations vessels. (I'd like to mention most of these, if not all, are outdated compared to most great power nations.) [b]Air Force Size- 750 combat aircraft.[/b] 150 Mc.205 Veltro fighters, 200 Reggiane Re.2002 Ariete fighters, 100 Fiat G.55 Centauro high altitude interceptors, 100 Savoia-Marchetti SM.91 Heavy Fighter/Bombers, and 200 Savoia-Marchetti SM.84 bombers.