Post by Siple on Sept 26, 2012 18:47:00 GMT -5
People
RP population: 15 million
Demonym: Siplan(s) (pron. sigh-plen)
Races: 87% white, 9% black, 3% Asian, 1% mixed/other
Religions: 62% Christian, 14% atheist/agnostic, 10% spiritual, 7% Jewish, 5%
Buddhist, 2% other
The majority of Siplans share a generally progressive view of society, and cultural liberalism abounds. Many of the people view the government as a means by which the general public is cared for collectively through welfare, education, and healthcare spending. A minority, however, is significantly more conservative, opposing nontraditional lifestyles and calling for a return to the way things once were.
The majority of Siplans are religious, but only around a third of all religious people say that their faith plays a major role in their life. Religion tends to be seen as a private matter, and seldom comes up in public life.
The arts are widely appreciated in Siple. Colt Hall, next to the government district of Siple City, hosts the Siple Philharmonic, the Siple Ballet, the Siple Opera, the Siple National Choir, and the Siple Belly Dance Troupe. The National Art Museum is located next door to Colt Hall, and contains a vast collection of artworks from all ages and all parts of the world, from ancient rock paintings of Australian Aborigines to the latest in contemporary studio art from Manhattan. The outside walls of the museum are dedicated to painters of graffiti, who are seen by most Siplans as artists in their own right.
Siplans are also purchasers of the latest consumer technology and supporters of the sciences. Scientific knowledge tends to be viewed as the most important type of knowledge. A small space program, which deals primarily in research satellites, is based a few miles from Siple City. Public transportation is the main means of vehicular transportation, and on individual islands consists mostly of trams powered by electricity. A system of small airports transports people between the islands of the archipelago.
Most of Siple is too cold for the variety of crops that some countries enjoy, so a great deal of food is imported. Those foods which are grown domestically include cereals, in the warmer northernmost islands, hardier fruits and vegetables, and potatoes. Fishing is a large part of the national economy and seafood forms a major part of local cuisine.
The most popular sport in Siple is soccer. Other forms of football are largely disregarded.