Group+20-+Information

Boogie Woogie Shapes names a multitude of everyday American shapes, which is the most noticeable theme of C.o.S. The Lombardy Poplar is best fit for the national tree of C.o.S because of it's distinct cylindrical shape. The Buttercup has a very common shape that is often seen in flower representations. This is the country's flower because it is so common, everyone will see it. The Red Golden Pheasant is a very unique bird with various colors and designs on its feathers, making it perfect for representing the diversity of C.o.S.
 * Country of Shapes**
 * __Abbreviation__: C.o.S.
 * __Background__: 4 years ago, three French vigilantes broke free of the French government and started their own Communist country. Their followers were told to wear shape masks as to be distinguished and easily identified by the dictators. After going about their business while wearing these shape masks, the dictators named the new country 'Country of Shapes'.
 * __Theory of State__: The Force Theory is the best suiting theory of state for C.O.S because the three dictators migrated to a new land, forcing people to follow them and then obey their rule.
 * __National Anthem__-[] "Boogie Woogie Shapes"
 * __Tree__: Lombardy Poplar:
 * __Flower__: Buttercup
 * __Bird__: Red Golden Pheasant
 * DUE MARCH 3RD- 10 POINTS**


 * __Location__: Country of Shapes is approximately 500 yards from China.
 * __Size__: About the size of Georgia, United States
 * __Climate__: It's always fairly warm in the Country of Shapes. It's climate is very close to the climate of China where as it is unbearably hot in the summer, but is often very chilly in the winter. It is usually pretty humid in C.o.S. but rain is not a very common thing as in Seattle.
 * __Terrain__: Country of Shapes has some mountainous areas, but for the most part is flat, with numerous lakes and rivers.
 * __Natural Resources__: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and zinc.
 * __Arable Land__: About 52.356% of the land in C.o.S. can be farmed. That area is normally in the mountainous parts of the Country of Shapes.
 * __Environmental Issues__: Being as close as it is to China, C.o.S. faces many of the same issues as the Chinese people.
 * Pollution- Air pollution and acid rain are a big problem in C.o.S. because a lot of polluting elements come from China. The air in C.o.S. is very bad to breath because it is dirty from factories nearby. West Triangle suffers the most when it comes to pollution because of their close proximity to China.
 * Flooding- Because all of the rivers run together, flooding occurs regularly. This causes problems with crop production because the water overflows the fields and kills the plants.


 * DUE MARCH 3RD- 20 POINTS**


 * Total Population:
 * 7,719
 * Average Age:
 * 26
 * % of People in Urban Areas:
 * 34%
 * Nationality:
 * Caucasion
 * Religion(s):
 * Christian
 * Buddhist
 * Main Language:
 * English;
 * Sub-Languages:
 * Spanish
 * German
 * Pirate
 * Traditional Dress/Clothing:
 * Togas with shapes on them.
 * Food (most popular meals for all meal sittings):
 * Cheez-its
 * Tacos (Most popular food)
 * Tortillas
 * Major National Holidays:
 * __National Shape Day__- This is the first day of September where our whole country gathers in the Triangle Park (the largest park in C.o.S) and we celebrate a world full of shapes with balloons, good food and partying.
 * __Diamond Day__- On the third day of every other month the men of C.o.S. go and buy their spouses/significant others expensive jewelery often in the shape of a diamond, but the jewelery could also be in another shape.
 * Cultural Norms, Customs, and Taboos:
 * Norms: Parties usually have shape shaped foods. Most places are names after shapes.
 * Customs: Once a year they celebrate the day of the shapes, and have festivals remembering former leaders.
 * Taboos: People of the Country come together dressed as their favorite shapes (kinda like Mardi Gras). Some people tattoo their bodies with shapes to sembolize where they are from.


 * DUE MARCH 17TH- 20 POINTS**

> > >> The reason trapezoids were chosen as paper money lies behind our ancestor's belongings. When the three discoverers of C.o.S first arrived, all they had was paper. As they started to trade with the locals, they cut the paper into trapezoids because trapezoids were the most unique shape at the time. Eventually, the people became under the impression that the paper trapezoids had value and it became the currency of the country. Soon after the currency was established, people wanted smaller units of money for smaller purchases. A newcomer to the island brought with him silver and bronze from China, which the original founders shaped into cones, since it was another unique shape at the time. It all stuck amongst the locals and ended up becoming the form of payment in the C.o.S.
 * C.o.S functions with a mixed economy. Our countries economy is doing well and only about three hundred people in C.o.S are below the poverty line. Money flows smoothly throughout our country and there is no recession and there has not been in the C.o.S's history.
 * The country's GDP is $88.6 billion.
 * Our GDP per capita is $11,478,170.74
 * C.o.S's growth rate is currently growing, despite the United States' current recession. Our total (the past two years added up) growth rate from past two years is 9.67%.
 * Labor Force by Occupation:
 * Agricultural-44.2%
 * Industrial- 24.2%
 * Service- 31.6%
 * Unemployment rate: 4.2%
 * 9% of C.o.S's population is below the poverty line.
 * Lowest Class: 15%
 * Middle Class: 48%
 * High Class: 37%
 * Inflation rate: 5.7%
 * Instead of regular US dollars, C.o.S uses trapezoids as paper money and small cones for coins. In relation to US money, a single trapezoid is worth 5 US dollars. A red trapezoid is worth 5 US dollars, a blue trapezoid is worth 10 US dollars, a pink trapezoid is worth 20 US dollars and a green trapezoid is worth 50 US dollars.[[image:C.o.S_Currency_Chart.JPG width="552" height="321"]]

[|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mx5HBl9yzk&feature=youtube_gdat]


 * Agricultural products:
 * Rice
 * Corn
 * Wheat
 * Fish (Though the fish are often mutated because of pollution from China.)
 * Industries:
 * Energy production plants
 * Tourism
 * Mining (Drilling)
 * Major Exports:
 * Coal
 * Rice
 * Corn
 * Zinc
 * Major imports:
 * Plastic Products
 * Aluminum
 * Technological Products
 * Fruits (coconuts, papaya, bananas, etc.)
 * Silver and Bronze Ores
 * Major trading partners (exports)
 * China
 * United States
 * Japan
 * Thailand
 * Major trading partners (imports)
 * United States
 * China
 * Chile
 * Japan




 * DUE APRIL 10TH- 100 POINTS**

Our states are shown above ^ They are:
 * Government type: Democracy
 * Federal Power Distribution
 * Presidential
 * In C.o.S, our subdivisions of power are states.
 * Trapezoid
 * Pentagon
 * West Triangle
 * East Triangle
 * Our country was established in 1995 right after the war between East and West Triangle. They used to just be triangle, but then they fought and split up.
 * Our branches of government are;
 * Sphere Branch:**
 * Since C.o.S. is a democracy, we have an election similar to the U.S.A.'s. The citizens of C.o.S nominate who they think would best run our country. The top three nominees are then announced as the candidates in the running for president. If a candidate does not want to be president he or she can either make absolutely sure they don't get nominated or they drop out of the running a minimum of thirty days before election day. Once the three candidates are finalized, the campaigning starts and that goes on for about a month. Then, on the third day of June, every C.o.S citizen ages 16+ can vote. The winner of the election is not announced until July 10 however, just in case a candidate decides to drop out of the election. Because of how much trouble that causes though, if a candidate drops out, they get fined $500 and aren't allowed to run for another governmental position ever again in the Country of Shapes.
 * There aren't many government jobs available. People vote for the president and then other people apply for secretary of the president, vice president, treasurer and presidential security. Rarely do too many people apply for one of those jobs, but in the event there are too many people applying, the winner of the presidential election, (the president) selects who gets the government job they want.
 * There is no presidential cabinet, just the president and the few other governmental positions that work under the president directly.
 * Similar to the United States, C.o.S has multiple political parties. However instead of Democratic and Republican, they are named the Pyrimads and the Rectangular Prisms. Wealthier people that are very religious and believe strongly in global warming tend to vote for the Pyramid party in elections. They feel strongly that the government should tax more and that there should be no seperation of church and state. People that aren't as wealthy and think that global warming is a myth, believe more in what the Rectangular Prisms have to say. The think there should be a seperation of church and state and that the wealthier you are, the more you should be taxes and visa versa. Pyramids tend to be "pro-choice" believing that abortion should remain legal and up to the woman while Rectangular Prisms believe in "pro-life" saying abortion should be illegal. Rectangular Prisms also believe in gay right while Pyramids think gay marriage should be illegal all across the country. Election time is always crazy in C.o.S.
 * The Rectangular Prisms are currently in power. Our president Llionel Square and he will remain president for the next three years because presidents serve one six year term in their life.
 * __RECTANGULAR PRISMS__** vs. **__PYRAMIDS__**
 * Rhombus Branch:**
 * C.o.S has a large legislative body made up of three parts. There are the 1-D, 2-D, and the 3-D parts that make our body. 1-D passes laws and employs police, firemen, etc. in C.o.S, 2-D makes the laws for 1-D to pass, they work hand in hand with the president and vice president. 3-D keeps the other "D's" in check, making sure that they stay legal and only pass laws that will benefit all of C.o.S.
 * C.o.S has 5 legislative chambers.
 * Half-Moon Branch:**
 * Our political parties are the Rectangular Prisms and the Pyramids. The Rectangular Prisms are the political party in power in C.o.S.
 * Our courts are structured with a sixteen man jury, three baliffs, and a judge. The judge doesn't come into the courtroom until after the offender makes his plea. Instead, the judge watches the trial from the other room over a TV while the defender and plantiff argue to the jury. Other than that, our courts and trials are very similar to that of the US. However, all courts are equal in power, not one is more powerful than the other. And our court rooms are shaped like an octagon.


 * DUE APRIL 21ST - 100 POINTS**

*Tax Revenue
 * Property Tax- $75,892,423.91
 * Income Tax- $61,637,382.02
 * Sales Tax-$37,253,973.67


 *  ** Mandatory Spending Items ** ||  ** Discretionary Spending Items **  ||
 * Health Care/Soldier Benefits || A bigger house for the leaders of C.o.S. (: ||
 * Housing || More land ||
 * Transportation || Imports that aren’t essential to the countries’ well-being ||
 * Resources/Nation-wide Utilities || Technology ||
 * Education (Funding programs to help get every child in school) || Social Security ||
 * DUE MAY 13th- 50 POINTS**



*Must have at least 2—one political and one economic. Be sure to thoroughly explain the issue and the reasons for your country's position.
 * 1) No racism what-so-ever. Prosecutors will be fined a //MINIMUM// of $5,000 and could face a possible punishment of up to 18 months in the prison of C.o.S (you do __not__ want to end up there.) Prison of C.o.S = ):
 * 2) C.o.S holds its citizens to a higher standard and expects good conduct amongst everyone, but especially the younger crowd. No vandalism will be tolerated in the Country of Shapes. If you're going to make the mess, be prepared to clean it up and clean out your piggy bank to pay the $100-$650 fine that comes along with any form of town destruction.
 * 3) All teenagers must attend school from grades K-12. No dropping out will be accepted. Believe me, we understand how tough school can be, but it only benefits the children in the long run, and they are our future after all.
 * 4) Public intoxication... don't do it! Drunk driving and drugs only make you look bad and reflect poorly on our country. Let's appear to others as the wholesome, intelligent people we are.
 * 5) As fine and loving citizens of C.o.S, we treat not only people, but nature and animals with great respect. Any recyclable material should be recycled and stray animals should be taken into your home or to the pound. Keeping animals off the street and in a warm, caring environment makes us look better as a whole and honestly, it feels great to help out an animal in need.
 * 6) No bullying! Cyber or physical or emotional or mental or indirect bullying or vague bullying. None. Don't do it.
 * 7) No abortion, gay rights or marijuana legalization protests within 100 ft. of a Chuck E. Cheese. (We don't need our future exposed to things like that. Ethics, people.)
 * 8) All women must shave their legs. That should go without saying.
 * 9) Anybody 15 and older is eligible to attain a driver's licence but any child under 18 must drive a sphere car.
 * 10) We are accepting of all religions and no citizen of C.o.S should be shunned because of their religious and political views.
 * DUE MAY 13th- 50 POINTS**


 * OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT ( NOT EXTRA CREDIT) WILL COUNT AS GRADE IF DONE**
 * DUE MAY 16th- 30 POINTS**


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