Tropico's Coat of Arms
The Republic of Tropico is a fictional Caribbean nation in the Tropico game series and serves as the main setting of the game.
History
Ancient ruins give evidence that aboriginal people (most likely the Mayans) were the first inhabitants of the Tropican islands.
Sometime during the 19th century, an European Power decided to establish a small colony on Tropico, having most likely appointed at least one unknown governor to establish the basic infrastructure, minimal food production and some basic housing buildings before the appointment of their last one. The responsible European monarchy is likely to be Spanish, due to the fact of it being the colony's official language, besides cultural influence like the predominance of catholicism.
Shortly after the appointment of the new Governor, the settlement experienced a sudden productive, population, infrastructural, cultural and societal boom on the few following years prior to it developing its own national identity and finally proclaiming its independence from the Crown.
The independence of Tropico allows it's governor to become their first president, solidifying the establishment of a [[dynasty]] that continues to influence the country to this day.
Between it's independence and the beginning of the 20th century, not much is known about Tropico's progress. The only known advancements are minor infrastructure modernization through road paving, and the introduction of cars and trucks by private import. In the early 1900's, El Presidente established close ties with the United States by helping the President of the United States, Rudolf Thompson, helps him through the Great War as a part of the Allies (but with some contacts in the Central Powers) and during the Great Depression.
During World War 2, Tropico remained officially neutral, although its government wasn't above selling foodstuffs and war materials to both the Allied and Axis countries, respectively. It is also during this era that the country experienced it's second and definitive growth spurt, in the form of more advanced industrialization, the introduction of electricity, advanced public services and massive military advancements.
At the beginning of the Cold War, Tropico became a strategic nation in the Caribbean zone. It successfuly juggled foreign policy, and maintained good relationships with both the USA and USSR. Tropico also established good relationships with European countries, China and the Middle East. These various countries helped to spur even more development in Tropico, due in no small part to their own self interests in the resources of the country.
Also during this time, Tropico developed its own tourist industry, starting the development of hotels and other tourist amenities, although it was a ploy to cover up a shady murder case of a powerful person. Today, it is one of the more popular "Spring Break" destinations for college tourists, as well as for eco-tourists.
Also during this time the country continues with it's growth in the form of advanced public services, military additions (most notably a proper navy), the growth of entertainment services (mostly due to tourism) and modernized expansion of industry.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and subsequent end of the Cold War, Tropico has developed stronger ties with the international community, it also supported the War on Terror.
Politics
Tropico's government is largely autocratic. Almost since its foundation, the country has been in almost total control of a Ruling Dynasty, with it's head bearing the title of El Presidente. Depending on certain principles the Head of the Dynasty can rotate among the different members and assume the country's presidency, or stay in power unopposed permanently.
Since its independence, Tropico has had a written Constitution, which is often amended and altered by the Ruling Dynasty as it sees fit. The Constitution regulated the state system (religion, army, economy and environment) and some rights (elections, labor, media and private life).
In 1950, the country has developed a Ministry, with five ministers (Defense, Interior, Education, Economy, Foreign Affairs) and also a Foreign Office to assist the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that the Presidente appoints. However, these positions don't debate over, choose, or pass laws themselves so much as they assist the Presidente in passing laws they want enacted.
Tropico, being officially a republic, holds elections to elect its head of state, at least in theory. Depending on constitutional principles elections, are either held at varying times, Sometimes a successful Presidente can have long mandates without it's people demanding elections- if held at all, or held systematically every four years.
Electoral candidates are always composed by one member of the Ruling Dynasty and a single opposing member of the public. The political system is put in place in such way that if the Dynasty candidate loses the elections the whole family loses power, and is ousted from national politics permanently. There are no term limits on being Presidente, so a very successful (or corrupt) leader can technically remain in power for life.
Tropico is a non-partisan state, with the politics organized in several factions, that operates as heterogeneous platform. The factions have a leader and a spokesperson to the government. The oldest factions are the Communists, Militarists, Religious and the Capitalists.
Tropico has no regulations about politicians being natural-born Tropican citizens, so even first-generation immigrants and foreign experts can become ministers, or even run for the presidency.
Culture
Most culture in Tropico is imported and appropriated from Latin American, North American and/or European sources. It's hard to tell whether the island's "natives" are actually representing indigenous Tropican culture, or merely putting on a show for tourists. However, some purely Tropican cultural artifacts and events do exist. Tropican-made art is sometimes displayed in museums and the island has been known to celebrate a national day, and it's not unusual for fireworks to be set off by patriotic Tropicans weeks before or after the actual day of celebration. Tropico does have its own local brands of music (like Baja Bachata) and cuisine, however.
Economy
During colonial times Tropico has a majorly agrarian economy, with varied plantations and ranchs forming the bulk of the settlement's employment, though mining and logging operations are also performed. Industry is very basic.
During both World Wars, Tropico began rapid industrialization, allowing the establishment of a more advanced economy, and during the Cold War the Tourist Sector was introduced, along with the modernization of the Entertainment Sector, allowing the country to experience relatively massive income for the first time. The banking, commercial and service sectors all greatly expanded, as well as the development of on and off shore oil drilling. Telecommunications and media also has seen strong development.
In Modern Times the Service Sector is further expanded with the addition of offices.
Due to the Tropican economy being completely state-controlled there is no private sector, requiring Tropico to rely heavily on exports and tourism to mantain a positive treasury.
Nonetheless, the country often receives external aid from the developed world, be it the United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union, the Arab World and the People's Republic of China, among others.
Tropico's exports may include most of the following:
- Advanced industry goods like attires, automobiles, canned goods, cheese, chemicals, cigars, chocolate, electronics, furniture, jewelry, rum, pharmaceuticals and weapons.
- Basic industry goods like cement, clothes, planks and steel.
- Raw resources like bananas, bauxite, coal, cocoa, coffee, corn, cotton, fish, gold, iron, logs, meat, milk, natural gas, oil, papaya, pearls, pineapple, salt, sugar, tobacco, uranium, and wool.
Education
Education in Tropico is free, available to the public, and backed by the State, but non-compulsory.
High School education instructs the people with vocational subjects:
- Basic aestethic design (fashion company)
- Basic Communication (yellow press)
- Botany (hydroponic farm)
- Carpentry (furniture factory)
- Commerce, Mathematics (grocery, supermarket)
- Computing (casino, cinema)
- Military doctrine, Military history (professional army)
- National history (ruins)
- Religion (church, mission)
- Teaching (high school)
- Technical education (general industries)
University education offers a wide variety of careers:
- Accounting, Economic sciences (bank)
- Astronomy (observatory)
- Audiovisual careers (TV station)
- Aviation (airport, aerodrome)
- Bibliography, Literature (library)
- Biology (dolphinarium)
- Diplomacy (white flag and table manners technologies)
- Electronic engineering (electronics factory)
- Energy engineering (power plants: geothermal, tidal, solar, wind, oil refinery)
- Fashion design (fashion company)
- Geology (geothermal PP, tidal PP)
- Goldsmithing (jewelry workshop)
- History (museums)
- Law (legalese technology)
- Medicine (clinic, hospital)
- Military engineering (nuclear submarine)
- Nuclear engineering, Nuclear physics (Nuclear PP, nuclear program)
- Periodism (newspaper)
- Pharmacology, Chemistry (pharmaceutical company)
- Professorship (college)
- Psychology, Psychiatry (asylum)
- Applied science careers (science lab)
- Space engineering (space program)
- Theater (opera house)
- Theology (cathedral, inquisition)
- Military Tactics (generals)
However, Tropican standards often lag behind those of developed nations; there exists some evidence of academic dishonesty and nepotism.
Health
While Tropicans used to use traditional folk methods of curing illness, Tropico has a long history of providing universal healthcare since the times of the Great War in the form of small Clinics. From the half of the 20th century onward reforms are carried out to establish modern and qualified facilities with capacitated personnel on the cities.
Tropico has recently been experimenting with for-profit healthcare and reforms.
Language
The official language of Tropico is Spanish, which is spoken by most inhabitants of the island. English is a secondary language, with immigrants coming in from the UK and a few English speaking islands in the Caribbean. Many American tourists also visit the country, so English is widely spoken in the island. There are also French, German, Italian and Chinese minority communities. Many immigrants have also come in from Spanish speaking countries in Latin America, keeping the country a predominantly Latin one.
Law
Main article: National Police
Tropico's judicial system is very streamlined. El Presidente can put arrest warrants out on anyone they wish and the police will capture and detain the person without a trial, sometimes in labor camps. Once in prison, El Presidente is unable to pardon or free a prisoner until his sentence is over.
Police don't necessarily need an order to capture anyone they actually see committing a crime, such as known criminals, crime lords and resistance leaders. Though Tropico lacks facilities for capital punishment, El Presidente can have anyone they wish executed by the military.
Tropico also has a national Intelligence Service that uses Police Stations as bases, the agency reveals information about rebel activities, active crime lords, political leaders, and who they all are. Their activities can be expanded by establishing a Secret Police and putting hidden cameras.
Tropican police officers are armed and will handle violent situations such as uprisings with Tropico's SWAT teams.
Media
Tropico's Media is often factional and biased, though there are cases of specific stations being truly unbiased. Access is free and backed by the State.
Since colonial times Tropico has it's own Newspaper called "El Correo Tropical" with branches varying in factionalization and education requirements, granting relative freedom of opinion and liberty.
There are also Radio Stations and TV Stations, both with high requirements to work in and are introduced to Tropico through the Cold War. Radio also tends to be factionalized like the newspaper. TV signals are not as biased as the other media, instead focusing on telemarketing and entertainment channels.
Notably, every island has a 24 hour radio station either run out of the palace called Tropico News Today (or TNT) or out of a specific tabern called "The Jolly Roger" (hosted by Lulu).
On the turn of the 21st Century the Internet is brought to the country, though acces is often limited to the urban areas. There is the possibility of a Free Wi-Fi network being in the works.
Military
Main article: Armed Forces of Tropico
Tropico's military is a self-defense force intended to protect the island from the threat of rebels and foreign invasion. The military consists of an army of infantry, tanks, APCs, a nuclear submarine and a small air force stationed on an aircraft carrier. Typically, Tropican soldiers are paid professionals, though the country sometimes conscripts civilians or allows them to organize into reserves of militias.
The structure of the military is very simple, with soldiers being lead by generals (or SWAT members, who are given the same power) who take orders from El Presidente. No other military ranks are known, though El Presidente occasionally awards military officers with medals. These medals are largely meaningless and meant just to boost military morale.
There are rumors that Tropico has or is developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent against foreign invasion.
Relations
Trough the ages Tropico's international connections vary greatly, it's first contact being The Crown until gaining independence, then establishing formal diplomatic relations with both the Allies and the Axis. Then most of the Cold War is spent with international connections with the USA and the USSR, both of whom hotly contest the nation for its resources and location. In the turn of the 21th century Tropico maintains formal ties with the United States, along with Russia, with the addition of the European Union, the Middle East and China.
Society
Tropico's society is a rather unique case:
On the one hand the population in general has always followed lazy, non-serious work ethics and is fairly destigmatisized on corruption and/or petty crimes (like pickpocketing).
But on the other hand it's been historicaly recorded that since Colonial Times equal work access to both sexes in all areas of work was and is still second nature to Tropico (something most of the world would not apply until a century later). Also, since early 20th century Tropican society has enjoyed an openness on sexuality and sexual matters that would not come to the Developed World until half a century later.
Climate
The Tropican islands enjoy tropical weather, warm temperatures are present all year, but usually not so extreme as to experience scorching hot weather. Precipitations are common enough to ensure good productivity for crops and fertile pastures for livestock.
Still, there are also times where precipitations slow down enough to permit very hot temperatures, leading to droughts.
The territory is also located in a zone where tornadoes are likely to occur.
Religion
Tropico's official religion is Roman Catholic Christianity: catholic missions, churches and cathedrals attest to this. Whatever socio-political ideologies they may have, all Tropicans are united as a fiercely religious people who demand a place of worship to achieve happiness. Consequently, religious faction leaders who represents them are highly influential. On one occasion when the Pope visited Tropico, he liked it there so much he refused to leave! Tropican Catholicism is unique in that it has a special ruling that allows Tropican clergy to marry.
According to references to local shamans and buildings, Voodoo is also a minor faith in Tropico.