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) may have been the first inhabitants of the Tropican islands. The Mayans established an offshore colony on Tropico around 1000 AD, and succeeded in building a small settlement complete with a pyramid temple dedicated to their god Imizu. The colony was short lived and abandoned after a few decades, possibly due to crop failures, and a small population of Arawak and Taino Indians established small settlements some years afterwards.
The Island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in March 1493, and the first contact did not go well, ending in intense warfare between the Natives and the Spanish conquistadores in the following years. This resulted in the majority of the Native population getting wiped out by Spanish, and the survivors were turned into slaves to work for the Spaniards, most notably in agriculture. The Natives intermarried with the Spanish colonists, and their descendants are the Mestizo Tropicans who came to predominate the population of the island.
in 1712, the English Buccaneer, Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) invaded the Island with a small flotilla of pirate ships, and killed the Spanish governor, Eduardo Valdez. Blackbeard then proclaimed himself to be "Lord Protector" of the island, and began to systematically enslave and terrorize the population in order to help support his pirate activities. Blackbeard used the island as a base from which to commit piracy against Spanish and French merchant ships, with the full patronage of England. Various shipyards and other production and defensive facilities were built to support Blackbeard's pirate fleet. This period was infamous in Tropican history as being one of complete anarchy and terror, with the pirates randomly killing and terrorizing people in order to keep them in submission. torture and various other atrocities were carried out on the population. Captives were also brought in from other ships and Caribbean settlements as slave labor for the pirates, and any rich nobles captured were held for huge ransoms. Some Tropicans managed to we escape the island on makeshift rafts, risking summary execution by the Pirates if they were caught.
The Spanish finally sailed a large fleet under Admiral Juan Rodriguez to liberate the island from the Pirates in 1714. A fierce battle between the Spanish frigates and Blackbeard's pirate fleet erupted just outside the main harbor on May 13th, leading to heavy losses on both sides. The Spanish fleet prevailed over the pirate ships, and the small pirate fortress defending the island was destroyed from Spanish bombardment an hour later. The Spanish the landed troops on the beach shore, and intense fighting between the Spanish and pirate troops ended in a Spanish victory, reclaiming the main port of San Lopez and forcing Blackbeard to flee the island. Most of the colonists captured by the Pirates were returned to their original settlements, and most of the local Tropicans, so traumatized by the horrible events of the previous two years, opted to leave the island for good, mostly to Mexico. Only about a third of the original population stayed, and the small island remained severely underpopulated in the following years.
Colonists started arriving gain from Spain and other Latin American locales in the early 1800's, helping to bolster the population of the floundering island colony. Governor Raymundo Guzman had been tasked to establishing the basic infrastructure prior to the appointment of Luis Santiago.
Shortly after the appointment of the new Governor, the settlement experienced a sudden productive, population, infrastructural and societal boom on the few following years prior to it developing its own national identity. Agricultural, mining, forestry and other basic primary industries were greatly developed and expanded in the following decades, as well as the development of infrastructure, education, religion and culture.
The independence of Tropico allowed the Governor Rafael Santiago to become their first president, solidifying the establishment of a dynasty that continues to influence the country to this day. the Spanish-American war had enabled the Island to break ties with Spain, along with Cuba and Puerto Rico. The United States sent in its Marines to free the island from Spanish rule, enabling it to declare independence.
Although Tropico had gained its independence from Spain following the Spanish-American War of 1898, with the recognition and support of the United States, Mexico has long claimed the island as part of its territory. This is due in part because the island was part of the Vice Royalty of New Spain from the 1500's to the early 1800's, when Mexico had declared its independence. Although Spain had granted independence to Mexico, and various other Latin American nations, it refused to give up the small island, due in part to the desire of the islanders to not want to fall under the domination of mainland Mexico. Mexico has also claimed the island due to the extensive Mayan ruins found on it, thus having historical ties to the mainland, and the close geographical proximity to the Mayan peninsula, 108 miles due east from the coastline. Tropicans, however, have long felt a nationalist desire to be Tropicanos, not Mexicanos, having a distinct culture and identity. Although Mexico maintains the territorial claim to the island even today, and has often made political overtures to bring the island back into the fold, Tropico fiercely refuses to give up its independence.
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 pavimentation and the introduction of cars and trucks by private importation. In the 190ss, El Presidente becomes friends with 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. In this time, Tropico gets a civil war, with the official government forces against the rebel Isla Rojo's self-declared President, in which emerges victorious.
During World War 2, Tropico sides with The Axis. However, never suffered of the consequences of the Axis' defeat, thanks to his secret links in the Allies' nations.
It is also during this era that the country experiences it's second and definitive growth spurt in the form of a more advanced industrialization, the introduction of electricity, advanced public services and military advancements.
At the beginning of the Cold War, Tropico becomes a strategic nation in the Caribbean zone, and it suffers some tension because of the tentative of a nuclear attack by the USA, became more near to the USSR.
During the 1950s, Tropico becomes a tourist paradise, although it's a ploy to cover up a shady murder case of a powerful person.
Also during this time the country continues with it's growth in the form of advanced public services, advanced military additions, expansion of entertainment services (mostly due to tourism) and minor additions to industry.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and subsequent end of the Cold War, Tropico supports 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 it's 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, environment) and some rights (vote, labor, information, private life).
In 1950, the country has developed a Ministry, with five minister (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 it's 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 (and so resulting in game over). 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 politcs organized in several factions, that operates as heterogeneous platform. The factions have a leader and a spokesperson to the government. The oldest factions are Communists, Militarists, Religious and the Capitalists.
Tropico has no regulations about politicians being natural-born Tropican citizens, even first-generation immigrants and foreign experts can become ministers or run for the presidency.
Culture
Most culture in Tropico is imported and appropriated from American 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, around which its not unusual for fireworks to be set off by patriotic Tropicans weeks before or after the actual day of celebration.
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 industrializes, allowing the establishment of a more advanced economy, and during the Cold War the Tourist Sector is introduced along with the modernization of the Entertainment Sector, allowing the country to experience relatively massive income for the first time.
In Modern Times the Service Sector is introduced 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.
None-the-less the country often recieves external aid from the developed world, be it the United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union, the Arab Union, the People's Republic of China, among others.
- Tropico's exports include
- Advanced industry goods like canned goods, cheese, attires, furniture, pharmaceuticals, chocolate, cigars, electronics, jewelry, automotives and rum.
- Basic industry goods like clothes, planks, and steel.
- Raw resources like bananas, cocoa, coffee, corn, cotton, pineapple, sugar, tobacco, meat, milk, wool, logs, pearls, oil, natural gas, fish, coal, bauxite, iron, gold and uranium.
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)
- 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)
- 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)
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 automatically spoken by all immigrants to the island. English may be a secondary language to a part of the population due to the tourist sector. Tourists speak in their native language.
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 baked 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, 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 the 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 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 the Catholic Church 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.