Theocracy of Xochimechatl

Theocracy of Xochimechatl
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Xochimechatl?
The Theocracy of Xochimechatl is an independent state located in what is generally known in the outside world as Maritimia. Xochimechatl consists of two main islands, being Xochimechatl itself plus the considerably smaller island of Iromina. Xochimechatl was formerly known to the world as Couatl, but this name is no longer used for international dealings (although it is retained within Xochimechatl itself).
How does Xochimechatl's government work?
The Xochimechatlan government is a theocracy, which means that it is governed by religious authorities. However, since no particular temple or church dominates in Xochimechatl, the theocracy is in fact joint rule by the nine largest temples of the island. The leader of each temple takes a place on the Council of Theocrats, which is the governing body of Xochimechatl, and expresses their temple's viewpoint on any issues that the Council is required to judge. One of these Theocrats will be appointed by vote of the Council to the position of High Theocrat. The High Theocrat serves as both head of state and head of government, although still retains only one vote in the Council, and cannot go against Council decisions once they have been made.
What sort of civil service does Xochimechatl have?
The closest thing to a civil service in the traditional sense in Xochimechatl is what is known as the Office of the Mepilizatl. The Mepilizatl is an impartial official not associated with any of the temples, and is charged with the task of implementing any decisions that the Council agrees upon. The Office of the Mepilizatl, therefore, is the closest thing that Xochimechatl has to a civil service. On the whole, however, the Xochimechatlan central government does not interfere much within its borders, and so the Office of the Mepilizatl is quite small.
What is Xochimechatl's legal system like?
There is no code of laws in place in the Theocracy of Xochimechatl. Essentially, the actions of any Xochimechatlan citizen are their own responsibility, and any law or enforcement of law is made by smaller groups (most cities, for example, have their own laws and police forces, and so the fact that there is no standardized legal system does not make the country lawless). The only regulations made by the Council of Theocrats concern Xochimechatl's dealings with the outside world, and the actual sovereignty of Xochimechatl. The absense of a central code of laws in Xochimechatl is partly due to Xochimechatl's philosophy of non-interference by the government and partly due to the inability of the various temples represented on the Council of Theocrats to reach a consensus on many key issues.
How large is Xochimechatl?
The Theocracy of Xochimechatl has a total land area of approximately 17,500 square kilometres. This is significantly smaller than most states in Vexillium.
What sort of climate does Xochimechatl have?
Xochimechatl is essentially tropical, being located moderately close to the equator. While temperatures are variable, they are generally warm.
What is Xochimechatl's population?
The last census of Xochimechatl reported a population of approximately five million. However, due to the relatively unorganized nature of the island, accurate measurements are somewhat difficult. The figure of five million is believed to be correct, however.
What ethnic groups are present in Xochimechatl?
Depending upon definitions, there are two main ethnic groups in Xochimechatl. These are the Xochimechatlans themselves and the Lilianis. The Lilianis are colonists, mostly Lendians, who arrived in the island some centuries ago, and are the minority, while the Xochimechatlans are the indigenous majority. Problems exist with this classification, however, as the Xochimechatlan people are actually composed of two rather distinct peoples who have slowly merged over time, being the "true" Xochimechatlans (often called the Chicouatl) and the Chitec. These peoples have many differences (although they are still related), but the long period of union between the two has blurred the boundary, making it easier for the two to be considered one. This gives quite a range of appearances for the Xochimechatl ethnicity. Other more minor ethnic groups found in Xochimechatl are the Irominans (a people who occupy the small island to the east of Xochimechatl proper, and who are distantly related to the Xochimechatl) and the Maritimians (an unrelated people who arrived in Xochimechatl in small numbers from the main Maritim chain, especially during the time in which Xochimechatl was an autonomous region within the United People's Republic of the Maritim Islnds).
What languages are spoken in Xochimechatl?
The primary languages of Xochimechatl are Xochimechatlan, Chitec, and Lendian. Xochimechatlan and Chitec are distantly related, but are not mutually intelligible, and Lendian is a Liliani-based language brought to Xochimechatl by the colonists that still reside here. Xochimechatl is the language of government, and the vast majority of Xochimechatl's citizens speak this language, but inhabitants of Chitec or the Lendian-inhabited regions will almost certainly speak their own language as well. Study of languages other than these three is limited - few Xochimechatlans would speak Ingallish, for example. Most business is conducted in Lendian, mostly due to the fact that the Lendian regions of Xochimechatl are the richest and most well developed, and due to the ongoing trade links with former FCLR nations. Once, the Irominan people spoke their own language, but this is now extinct, although there have been efforts to revive it for purposes of cultural preservation.

The Theocracy of Xochimechatl is a fictional state on the world of Vexillium.