Savoy
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| Savoyard Confederation Confédération savoisienne (French) Confederazione Savoiardo (Italian) Confederacion savoiarda (Niçard) Confœderatio Sapaudia (Latin) | |||||
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| Motto: "FERT" National Anthem: | |||||
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| Capital (and largest city) | Prades 45°59′N 05°57′E
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| Official language(s) | French, Italian, Niçard | ||||
| Denonym | Savoyard | ||||
| Government - Monarch - Prime Minister | Federal constitutional monarchy HM King Louis-Philippe Jean-Luc Cabanier (PCU) | ||||
| Legislature - Upper House - Lower House | Parliament Senate National Assembly | ||||
| Formation - Founding - Duchy - Kingdom - Federal state | 1003 1416 August 24, 1720 June 1, 1815 | ||||
| Area - Total - Water (%) | 48,335 km² (131st) 3.6 | ||||
| Population - 2010 estimate - 2001 census - Density | 11,869,600 (73rd) 11,563,448 245.6/km² (55th) | ||||
| GDP (PPP) - Total - Per capita | 2009 estimate $504.4 billion (IMF) (25th) $42,495 (IMF) (8th) | ||||
| GDP (nominal) - Total - Per capita | 2009 estimate $788.2 billion (IMF) (17th) $66,403 (IMF) (5th) | ||||
| Gini (2005) | 29.1 (low) | ||||
| HDI (2007) | 0.967 (very high) (4th) | ||||
| Currency | Savoyard Franc (CSF)
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| Time zone - Summer (DST) | CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) | ||||
| Drives on the | right | ||||
| Internet TLD | .cs | ||||
| Calling code | +42 | ||||
| 1 Marche du Roi is also the national anthem of Movia. | |||||
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Savoy (pronounced 
/'sɑːvɒj/ (help·info), French: Savoie, Italian: Savoia, Niçard: Savòia), officially the Savoyard Confederation (French: Confédération savoisienne, Italian: Confederazione Savoiardo, Niçard: Confederacion savoiarda), is a federal constitutional monarchy consisting of four états, being: Savoie, Nice, Saluces and Oneglia, with Prades as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe where it is bordered by France to the west and north, Switzerland and Italy to the east and Monaco to the south.
Geographically, Savoy is divided between the Alps, the Padan Plain and the Mediterranean Sea. Its area is 48,335 km² (18,662 sq mi). About 85% of the Savoyard population of approximately 11.6 million people concentrates mostly in urban areas, and it is expected that these numbers will gradually rise as a part of the ongoing urbanization. Savoy is one of the richest countries in the world by per capita gross domestic product, with a nominal per capita GDP of $66,403. Savoy's capital is Prades, which is also the largest city in the country (population of 4.1 million in the urban area and with 4.8 million in the metropolitan area).
Savoy emerged as an independent country following the collapse of the Frankish Kingdom of Burgundy. From the 11th to the 18th century, the country slowly expanded its territories to eventually form the Kingdom of Savoy-Sardinia. The kingdom grew to be one of the great powers of Europe in the 16th, 17th and early 18th century. Most of the conquered eastern territories were lost during the 18th century to Italy.
Today, Savoy is a federal constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy of government with HM King Louis-Philippe as the head of state and Jean-Luc Cabanier as the head of the government and has a highly developed economy. It ranks twenty-fifth in the world in The Economist's Democracy Index and fourth in the United Nations' Human Development Index. It is a member state of the SCJU and is a founding member of the Council of States, joined the Council of Europe in 1963 and is a leading member of the Francophonie. Besides that it also has membership in the OECD, EFTA, WTO and Latin Union.
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Etymology
The name "Savoie" comes from the old territory of Sapaudie (Latin: Sapaudia, ca. 354), which means "forest of trees" or "land of trees". It was brought together from the Gallic names Sapauidus, Sapaudus and the Welsh sybwydd.
The name later evolved/moved into Sabaudia. It is mentioned at the end of the fourth century in the book LMBO Gestae of Ammien Marcellin, and later in the fifth century in the books Notitia Dignitatum and Chronica Gallica. The name is attested in medieval Latin in the eleventh century as Savogia, which evolved on it's turn into Saboia, Savogia and then finally Savoie.
History
- Main article: History of Savoy
Prehistory
In a cave in Onnion (Haute-Savoie), the Neanderthal left flint tools and alpine ibex bones dating back approximately 50,000 years.
At the end of the last ice age, the Rhone glacier freed Lake Léman; around 18,000 to 15,000 years B.C. Between 15,000 and 6,000 B.C., occupation of seasonal hunters was attested by excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries. Evidence points towards the Magdalenian, Azilian and Mesolithic occupation of the area. Reindeer and deer hunters are present in the avant-pays (approximately 600m altitude). In 1843, at the foot of the Saleve in Etrembieres, close to Geneva, the first works of paleolithic art was found and immediately recognized. Also several caves or shelters in Musièges and Balme-de-Thuy (Haute-Savoie) and in Thibaud-de-Couz and Saint-Christophe (Savoie) date back from between 13,000 and 6,000 B.C.
In the Neolithic Age (between 2,500 and 5,000 B.C.) sedentary farmers communities settle in the Plains, and large valleys of average altitude. In addition there are lake villages on the shores of the lakes of Geneva, Annecy, Bourget, and even those of Aiguebelette.
Weather conditions were more favourable than today's. Some men came from the Swiss Valais to colonize the inner valleys of the Alps on the Great St. Bernard Pass (2,469 m). The oldest remains, e.g. the necropolis of Aime, are dated from Neolithic means.
At the Small St. Bernard pass (2,188 m), one can observe a megalithic structure which does not necessarily date back to the Neolithic Era.
Protohistory
Copper appears around 2500 B.C. in the form of a few flat axes (Sevrier, Faverges, Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny).
The old Bronze Age (2,000 to 1,600 B.C.) begins with the first axes and pins imported from the Swiss Valais, an active production area. These metallurgists exploit high Tarentaise copper deposits. In the middle Bronze Age (1,600 to 1,350 B.C.), bronzes are still imported, but from southwest Germany instead of Switzerland.
From the 14th century B.C., imports from Germany are still ongoing but a local production of metal begins gradually, probably made by the average European migrants who re-established the civilization of the Urnfield culture. A hot and dry climate caused the water level of the lakes to drop, and as a result many new metallurgists and potters installed their workshops there, at 1,050 BC. Those workshops were easily supplied with fuel by rafting. These new coastal resorts will last up to the 8th century, strained by the rise of waters caused by a important semantic change of the climate. The most numerous were those around Lake Bourget, who delivered a very abundant material currently exposed at the Savoyard Museum in Chambéry.
During the middle Bronze Age, Alpine valleys are traversed by commercial currents between the Padan Plain and Savoie, who receives italic bronzes (weapons and jewellery). In 950 B.C., copper from the mines in Maurienne will be exploited by the metallurgists of the Lakes.
During the Iron Age, in the 7th century B.C., Savoie receives Hallstatt horse breeders who settle in the plains leaving their tracks in a tumulus where independent people from occupation at the end of the Bronze Age flourish in mountain valleys.
Those who control and ensure trade between the Padan plain and the valley of the Rhone and provided wealth from original and plentiful funeral jewelry, characterize an "alpine civilization". The Gauls did not colonize the Savoie until the 4th century B.C. by a small settlement south of lake Léman. Later in the 3rd century, the Allobroges have occupied almost all of the pre-alpine plains. Farther inland, in the intra-alpine valleys, there are still independent people who are starting to be celticized, especially in the Tarentaise valley where the road passes to Italy, a route which Hanibal used in 218 B.C.
Roman Antiquity
Romanisation of Savoy really begins around -6/-4 when all valleys are conquered and controlled, while the first contact with the Romans dates the crossing of the Alps by the consul Fulvius Flacus in the vicinity of the mountain pass of Montgenèvre. The territory of Savoy is a particularly strategic interest for the Romans with the importance of the cols and routes which separates the peninsula and Gaul, particularly that of Mediolanum (Milan) in Vienne, crossing the Tarentaise. Roman Savoie continues until the 3rd to 5th century, when the germanic tribes, the "Barbarians", try their first incursions, as the Alamanni, on the territory and the final installation of the Burgundians by General Aetius in 434.
From Burgundian Kingdoms to a feudal society
Duchy of Savoy and the Kingdom of Savoy-Sardinia (1416 to 1792)
The French Savoy (1792 to 1815)
Savoy as a Federal state (1815 to 1914)
World Wars (1914 to 1945)
After 1945
Geography and climate
- Main article: Geography of Savoy
Extending from the west and north side of the Alps to the Mediterranean sea, Savoy encompasses a great diversity of landscapes and climates on a limited area of 48,335 square kilometres. The population is about 11.6 million, resulting in an average population density of around 239 people per square kilometre. The mountainous centre of the country cuts the country in two, not only geographically but also linguistic.
Savoy contains three basic topographical areas: the Savoyard Plateau in the north-west, the Savoyard Alps in the centre and south, and the Padan Plain on the east. The Alps are a high mountain range running across the country, comprising about 60% of the country's total area. Among the high valleys of the Savoyard Alps countless glaciers are found.
More than hundred-fifty of Savoy's mountain peaks are close to or higher than 4,000 metres. At 4,810 m, the Mont Blanc is the highest and probably the most famous. Located within the Graian Alps, it is the largest in Western Europe and the 11th largest in the world. The more populous western part of the country, because of the capital city of Prades, is called the Savoyard Plateau. It has greater open and hilly landscapes, partly forested, partly open pastures, usually with grazing herds, or vegetables and fruit fields, but it is still hilly. There are large lakes found here and the biggest Savoyard city in this area of the country. The largest lake is Lake Léman. The Rhone River is both the main input and output of Lake Léman.
The Savoyard climate is generally temperate, but can vary greatly between the localities, from glacial conditions on the mountaintops to the Mediterranean climate in the south of the country. Summers tend to be warm and humid at times with periodic rainfall so they are ideal for pastures and grazing. The winters in the mountains alternate with sun and snow, while the lower lands tend to be more cloudy and foggy in winter. A weather phenomenon known as the foehn can occur at all times of the year, even in winter, and is characterised by a relatively warm wind, bringing air of very low relative humidity. It blows mostly on the northern side of the Alps where it can trigger dangerous avalanches. The driest conditions persist in the southern valleys of the Valais above which valuable saffron is harvested and many wine grapes are grown. The east of Savoy has a continental climate often classified as humid subtropical. Precipitation tends to be spread moderately throughout the year, with minor variations across the seasons depending on locale. Autumn is frequently the driest season, yet the weather patterns in Savoy can be highly variable from year to year, and difficult to predict.
Savoy's ecosystems can be particularly fragile, because of the many delicate valleys separated by high mountains, often forming unique ecologies. The mountainous regions themselves are also vulnerable, with a rich range of plants not found at other altitudes, and experience some pressure from visitors and grazing. The climatic, geological and topographical conditions of the alpine region make for a very fragile ecosystem that is particularly sensitive to climate change.
Government
- Main article: Government of Savoy, Constitution of Savoy, Politics of Savoy
The Savoyard Confederation is a federal constitutional monarchy with HM King Louis-Philippe as the head of state and Jean-Luc Cabanier as the head of the government. It has at its disposal the civil service, the government agencies, and the armed forces. Members of the gouvernement are given the formal title of minister and each hold a different portfolio of government duties. The day-to-day role of the gouvernement members is to serve as head of one or more segments of the national bureaucracy, as head of the civil servants to which all employees in that department report.
The Savoyard parliament is a bicameral legislature comprising a National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) and a Senate (Sénat). The National Assembly deputies represent local constituencies and are directly elected for 5-year terms. The Assembly has the power to dismiss the cabinet, and thus the majority in the Assembly determines the choice of government. Senators are chosen by an electoral college for 6-year terms (originally 9-year terms), and one half of the seats are submitted to election every 3 years starting in September 2008.
The Senate's legislative powers are limited; in the event of disagreement between the two chambers, the National Assembly has the final say, except for constitutional laws and lois organiques (laws that are directly provided for by the constitution) in some cases. The government has a strong influence in shaping the agenda of Parliament.
Foreign relations
- Main article: Foreign relations of Savoy
- See also: SimCity Journal Union, Latin Union, Francophonie
The Savoyard Confederation maintains careful diplomatic relations with each member of the SCJU as well as all nations worldwide. Status is declared based on political and economic interests as Savoy seeks to ensure the further success of its interests domestically, regionally and globally. This is handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the numerous diplomats and ambassadors the ministry employs. The minister is appointed by the Prime Minister, and like all appointments, must be ratified by Parliament by a vote in which the appointee is favored by a minimum margin of two-thirds.
Military
- Main article: Military of Savoy
The Savoyard Confederation maintains an extensive and highly advanced military. According to the Savoyard Constitution (Article 3, Section 2), the principle goal of the armed forces is "[...] to go forth for God and safeguard the sovereignty, interests, both political and economic, and social values of the Savoyard Confederation both domestically and abroad through the use of military aggression and retaliation. These powers are to be vested in and guided by the wisdom of His Majesty the King".
The Savoyard Armed Forces currently numbers about 117,000 personnel, excluding civilian employees. According to the current (as of 2009) mobilization plans, the strength during full mobilization is approximately 607,000 combatant personnel. Savoy has conscription for males (6–12 months of training) and voluntary service for females. The Armed Forces are subordinate to the Savoyard Ministry of Defence and the Commander-in-Chief is King Louis-Philippe.
The Savoyard armed forces are divided into four branches:
- Armée de Terre Royale (Army);
- Marine Royale (Navy);
- Armée de l'Air Royale (Air Force);
- Gendarmerie Nationale (A military force which acts as a National Rural Police and as a Military police for the entire Savoyard military).
Current Status: 
DEFCON 2 refers to a further increase in force readiness just below maximum readiness.
Administrative divisions
- Main article: Administrative divisions of Savoy, États of Savoy, Departments of Savoy
Savoy is a federal constitutional monarchy divided into four états: Savoie, Nice, Saluces and Oneglia. These states are further subdivided into twenty departments: Ain, Hauts-de-Rhône, Prades, Rhône-Saint-Lambert, Annecy, Haute-Savoie, Savoie-du-Sud, Vaud-Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Valais, Alpes-Maritimes, Hautes-Alpes, Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Cuneo, Saluces-Campagne, Saluces-Ville, Santhia, Asti and Oneglia, and two collectivies: Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, which are numbered. This number is used in postal codes and vehicle number plates amongst others. The fourteen departments are subdivided into 77 arrondissements which are, in turn, subdivided into 694 cantons. These cantons are then divided into 6,650 communes, which are municipalities with an elected municipal council. Three communes, Prades, Turin and Nice are also subdivided into 45 municipal arrondissements.
The states, departments and communes are all known as territorial collectivities, meaning they possess local assemblies as well as an executive. Arrondissements and cantons are merely administrative divisions.
États
| États | Capital | Area (km²) | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kingdom of Savoie | Prades | 41,171 | 10,477,663 |
 Principality of Nice | Nice | 4,825 | 1,087,863 |
 Principality of Saluces | Saluces | 1,526 | 81,503 |
 Principality of Oneglia | Imperia | 813 | 222,601 |
Departments
| Department | Capital | Area (km²) | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Ain | Bourg-en-Bresse | 5,524 | 574,377 |
| 02 Hauts-de-Rhône | Nanterre | 176 | 936,609 |
| 03 Prades | Prades | 105 | 1,531,996 |
| 04 Rhône-Saint-Lambert | Saint-Lambert | 236 | 912,260 |
| 05 Annecy | Annecy | 245 | 782,492 |
| 06 Haute-Savoie | Bonneville | 3,804 | 706,708 |
| 07 Savoie-du-Sud | Chambéry | 6,028 | 405,535 |
| 08 Vaud-Neuchâtel | Lausanne | 3,212 | 672,069 |
| 09 Fribourg | Romont | 1,571 | 263,241 |
| 10 Valais | Sion | 1,209 | 100,204 |
| 11 Alpes-Maritimes | Nice | 2,861 | 1,055,739 |
| 12 Hautes-Alpes | Briançon | 1,438 | 32,124 |
| 13 Valle d'Aosta | Aosta | 3,263 | 125,979 |
| 14 Turin | Turin | 6,829 | 2,248,955 |
| 15 Cuneo | Cuneo | 5,377 | 501,465 |
| 16 Saluces-Ville | Saluces | 98 | 14,206 |
| 17 Saluces-Campagne | Paesane | 1,526 | 67,297 |
| 18 Santhià | Santhià | 1,957 | 275,974 |
| 19 Asti | Asti | 1,511 | 217,197 |
| 20 Oneglia | Imperia | 813 | 222,601 |
Economy
- Main article: Economy of Savoy
The Savoyard economy is an example of a stable, modern and prosperous capitalist welfare state featuring a combination of free market activity and large state ownership in certain key sectors. The state has large ownership positions in key industrial sectors, such as hydroelectric energy production (EDS), the largest Savoyard bank (Banque de Savoie), and telecommunication provider (Telesav). Through these big companies, the government controls approximately 30% of the stock values at the Prades Stock Exchange. The nominal per capita GDP is higher than those of the larger western European economies and Japan, ranking 5th behind Luxembourg, Norway, Qatar and Switzerland. The Savoyard franc remains one of the world's strongest currencies with the lowest inflation rate.
If adjusted for purchasing power parity, Savoy ranks 9th in the world for GDP per capita. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Savoy's economy as the most competitive in the world. For much of the 20th century, Savoy was the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin. In 2005 the median household income in Savoy was an estimated 115,000 CSF, the equivalent of roughly 110,000 USD (as of December 2009) in nominal terms.
Chemicals, health and pharmaceutical, textiles and clothing, real estate, banking and insurance and tourism are important industries in Savoy. The largest exported goods are chemicals (34% of exported goods), machines/electronics (20.9%), and textiles and clothing (16.9%). Exported services amount to a third of exported goods.
Referendums in 1972 and 1994 indicated that the Savoyard people wished to remain outside the European Union (EU). However, Savoy, together with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, participates in the European Union's single market via the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement. The EEA Treaty between the European Union countries and the EFTA countries describes the procedures for implementing European Union rules in Savoy and the other EFTA countries. This makes Savoy a highly integrated member of most sectors of the EU internal market. However, some sectors are not wholly covered by the EEA Treaty. Savoy has also acceded to the Schengen Agreement and several other intergovernmental agreements between the EU member states.
Cost of living is about 30% higher in Savoy than in the United States and 25% higher than the United Kingdom. The standard of living in Savoy is among the highest in the world. Foreign Policy Magazine ranks Savoy 4th last in its Failed States Index for 2009, judging Savoy to be the world's 4th most well-functioning and stable country. A healthy economy and substantial accumulated wealth lead to a conclusion that Savoy will remain among the richest countries in the world in the foreseeable future.
Energy and transport infrastructure
- Main article: Energy in Savoy, Transport in Savoy, Waste management in Savoy, and Environment of Savoy
Savoy is one of the smallest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, due to its heavy investment in renewable energies, especially nuclear power. As a result of large investments in nuclear technology, 74% of the electricity produced in the country is generated by nuclear power plants (74% in 2006, up from only 8% in 1973, 24% in 1980, and 70% in 1990). Next to this, also large investments have been made on the grounds of solar and wind power. Currently the largest solar field in Europe is under construction in the Principality of Nice.
The railway network of Savoy stretches 7,063 kilometres and is one of the most modern in Western Europe. It is operated by the CFF FFS, and high-speed trains include the Thalys, the ISSE and TGV, which travels at 320 km/h (199 mph) in commercial use. Rail connections exist to all other neighbouring countries in Europe. Intra-urban connections are also well developed with both underground services and tramway services complementing bus services.
There are approximately 140,300 kilometres of serviceable roadway in Savoy. The Prades region is enveloped with the most dense network of roads and highways that connect it with virtually all parts of the country. Savoyard roads also handle substantial international traffic, connecting with cities in neighboring France, Italy, Monaco and Switzerland. There is no annual registration fee or road tax; however, motorway usage is through tolls except in the vicinity of large communes.
The largest airports include Prades-Nord Airport, Prades-Annecy Airport, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and Turin Caselle Airport. Prades-Nord Airport located in the vicinity of Prades is the largest and busiest airport in the country, handling the vast majority of popular and commercial traffic of the country and connecting the capital with virtually all major cities across the world. AirSavoie is the national carrier airline, although numerous private airline companies provide domestic and international travel services.
Demography
- Main article: Demography of Savoy, Savoyard people
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Religion
- Main article: Religion of Savoy
Christianity is the largest religion in Savoy, which is a secular country, and freedom of religion is a constitutional right. According to a 2006 poll by the Catholic World News: 67% identified as being Catholics, 26% identified as being agnostics or atheists, 7% identified as being from other religions (4% identified as Jewish, 1% identified as Protestant, 1% identified as Muslim) or being without opinion.
According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005, 34% of Savoyard citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 27% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 33% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". One other study shows 30% of people in Savoy declaring themselves to be atheists, and another 33% declaring themselves "sceptical about the existence of God but not an atheist".
Estimates of the Jewish population of Savoy vary widely. The current Jewish community in Savoy numbers around 600,000 according to the World Jewish Congress or 491,000 as of 2006 according to the Jewish Virtual Library and is one of the largest in Europe.
Since 1905 the Savoyard government has followed the principle of laïcité, in which the State should remain strictly neutral towards religions and is prohibited from financing or recognizing any religion (except for legacy statutes like that of jail or military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognizes religious organizations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organizations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Certain body of beliefs such as Scientology, Children of God, the Unification Church, or the Order of the Solar Temple are considered cults (French: "sectes"), and therefore do not have the same status as religions in Savoy. Secte is considered a pejorative term in Savoy.
Public Health
- Main article: Health in Savoy
- See also: Obesity in Savoy and Smoking in Savoy
The Savoyard healthcare system was ranked first worldwide by the World Health Organization in 1997 and then again in 2000. Care is generally free for people affected by chronic diseases (Affections de longues durées) such as cancer, AIDS or Cystic Fibrosis. Average life expectancy at birth is 79 years for men and 84 years for women. It is among the highest in the world. There is 3,22 physicians for 1000 inhabitants in Savoy, whereas average health care spending per capita is US$4,719 in 2008. As of 2007, there are approximately 46,000 inhabitants (0.4%) of Savoy who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Savoyards have the reputation of being one of the thinnest people in developed countries, and unlike other rich countries it isn't facing an increase in obesity, due mostly of the traditional healthy Savoyard cuisine not being replaced by junk food in eating habits of Savoyard people. Savoyard obesity rate is far below the one of the USA (for instance, obesity rate in Savoy is the same that the American one was in the 1960s), and is one of the lowest in Europe.
The death of Chantal Sébire revived the debate over euthanasia in Savoy. It was reported on 21 March 2008.
Education
- Main article: Education in Savoy
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Science and technology
Being an advanced industrial nation, research plays a key role for economic development as well as for society at large, Savoy's high-quality scientific and technological development is renowned throughout the world.
Altogether, the public and the private sector in Savoy allocate nearly four per cent of GDP to research & development (R&D), which makes Savoy one of the countries that invest most in R&D in terms of percentage of GDP. The standard of Savoyard research is high and Savoy is a world leader in a number of important fields. Savoy tops Europe in comparative statistics both in terms of research investments as a percentage of GDP and in the number of published scientific works per capita.
Though a small country, Savoy has long been at the forefront of research and development. For several decades, the Savoyard government, committed to strengthening R&D, has set high priorities on scientific and R&D activities. This strong engagement has helped make Savoy a leading country in terms of innovation.
For many years, Savoy has been a leading player among OECD countries in terms of its investments in and use of advanced technology. In international comparison, Savoyard high-technology manufacturing is relatively large in all high-technology segments, and particularly in telecommunications and pharmaceuticals.
Statistics show that during the entire period 1970–2003, the Savoyard national innovation system was among the leading countries in the OECD in terms of generating technological inventions, measured as international patenting in relation to population size. The statistics evaluating countries in terms of triadic patenting, i.e. patents assigned in the three patenting areas USA, EU and Japan, were even more outstanding. Only Switzerland reported a higher rate of triadic patenting.
Furthermore, Savoy ranked either as the first or second country publishing the highest number of scientific publications in the fields of medical science, natural science and engineering in 2001. Savoy was world-leading in medical science and second only to Switzerland in natural science and engineering in terms of the number of publications in relation to its population size.
Culture
- Main article: Culture of Savoy
A discussion of Savoyard culture requires discussing both those aspects of cultural life shared by 'all' or most of the Savoyards, regardless of what language they speak. Savoy, and in particular Prades, has played an important role as a center of high culture and of decorative arts since the seventeenth century, first in Europe, and from the nineteenth century on, world wide. From the late nineteenth century, Savoy has also played an important role in modern art, cinema, fashion and cuisine.
Savoy has many authors of worldwide recognition including August Gaudet, Astrid Fournier, and Nobel Prize winners Lauréline Castel and Antonio Russo. In total seven Nobel Prizes in Literature have been awarded to Savoyards. The nation's most well-known artists are painters such as Charles Tellier and Lino Canavacciuolo, and the sculptors Tobias Sergel and Charles Millés.
Despite the conservative views of the country, Savoy has become very liberal towards homosexuality, as is reflected in the popular acceptance of films such as Show Me Love, which is about two young homosexuals in the small Savoyard town of Viuz. Since 1 May 2009, Savoy repealed its "registered partnership" laws and fully replaced them with gender-neutral marriage, Savoy also offers domestic partnerships for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. Cohabitation by couples of all ages, including teenagers as well as elderly couples, is widespread.
Music
- Main article: Music of Savoy
Music has traditionally been one of the great cultural markers of what it means to be “Savoyard” and holds an important position in society, in general, and even in politics. Savoy is also widely regarded as the birthplace of sheet music, after Guido d'Arecces was responsible for arranging musical notes on sheets of paper. The music of Savoy range across a broad spectrum, from her renowned opera to modern experimental classical music; and from the traditional music of the many ethnically diverse region to a vast body of popular music. Historically, musical developments in Savoy in the Middle Ages and Renaissance helped create much music that spread throughout Europe. Innovation in the use of musical scales, harmony, notation, as well as experiments in musical theater led directly not just to opera in the late 16th century, but to classical music forms such as the symphony and concerto, and to later developments in popular music. Today, the entire infrastructure that supports music as a profession is extensive in Savoy, including conservatories, opera houses, radio and television stations, recording studios, music festivals, and important centers of musicological research.
Musical life in Savoy remains extremely active, both national as international. Few of the main international Savoyard pop-singers include 1970s pop-diva Mina, who sold 90 million records worldwide in her lifetime, and singer Lara Fabian, who has sold 76 million albums. More recent names are Alizée, Lorie, Shy'm and Christophe Willem. Also electronic music has achieved a wide Savoyard audience. The Savoyard electro-pop duos [[Air and Daft Punk and techno artist Laurent Garnier found a wide audience in the late 1990s and early 2000s, both locally and internationally.
Literature
- Main article: Savoyard Literature
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Cuisine
- Main article: Savoyard Cuisine
Savoyard cuisine is world-renowned for being one of the finest cuisines in the world. Savoyard cuisine is extremely diverse and has exerted a major influence on other western cuisines. According to the regions, traditional recipes are differents, the North of the country prefers to use butter as the preferred fat for cooking, whereas olive oil is more commonly used in the South. Moreover, each region of Savoy has an iconic traditional speciality. Savoy is most renowned products for their wines as well as a large variety of different cheeses, such as Reblochon, Vacherin and Beaufort. There are more than 300 different varieties.
Savoyard cuisine is also considerated to be a key element of the quality of life and the attractiveness of Savoy. Michelin guide awarned 345 stars to Savoyard restaurants, coming second after France with 620 stars.
Film
- Main article: Cinema of Savoy
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Fashion
- Main article: Savoyard Fashion
Along with Milan, London, New York, Paris and Prato, Prades is sometimes called the "fashion capital of the world". The association of Savoy with fashion (French: la mode) dates largely to the reign of Charles Emmanuel II when the luxury goods industries in Savoy came increasingly under royal control and the Savoyard royal court became, arguably, the arbiter of taste and style in Europe.
Savoy renewed its dominance of the high fashion (French: couture or haute couture) industry in the years 1860–1960 through the establishing of the great couturier houses, the fashion press (Vogue was founded in 1892; Elle was founded in 1945) and fashion shows. The first modern Pradéen couturier house is generally considered the work of the Englishman Charles Frederick Worth who dominated the industry from 1858-1895. In the early twentieth century, the industry expanded through such Pradéen fashion houses as the house of Natan (which first came to prominence in 1925) and Prada (founded in 1913). In the post war year, fashion returned to prominence through Alexis von Rosenberg's famous "new look" in 1947, and through the houses of Pierre Balmain and Hubert de Badin (opened in 1952). In the 1960s, "high fashion" came under criticism from Savoy's youth culture while designers like Michel de Brunhoff broke with established high fashion norms by launching prêt-à-porter ("ready to wear") lines and expanding Savoyard fashion into mass manufacturing and marketing. Further innovations were carried out by Riccardo Beslan and Pierre Cardin. With a greater focus on marketing and manufacturing, new trends were established in the 70s and 80s by Sonia Rykiel, Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, Jean-Paul Esterel and Christian Besson. The 1990s saw a conglomeration of many Savoyard couture houses under luxury giants and multinationals such as YCMP.
Since the 1960s, Savoy's fashion industry has come under increasing competition from London, New York, Milan and Tokyo. Nevertheless, many foreign designers still seek to make their careers in Savoy.
Sports
- Main article: Sports in Savoy
Sport activities are a national movement with half of the population actively participating, much thanks to the heavy government subsidies of sport associations. The two main spectator sports are tennis and winter sports. Second to tennis, horse sports have the highest number of practitioners, mostly women. Thereafter follow football, sailing, handball, basketball and cycling but also swimming and athletics.
Athletics has enjoyed a surge in popularity due to several successful athletes in recent years, such as: Maureen Louys, Stephane Garros, Christian Daenen, Marco Esposito, Johan Wissman and Carolina Rizzo.
Savoy is also the ninth most successful country in the Olympic Games, as of 2010.
In schools, on meadows and in parks, the game softball, a sport similar to baseball, is commonly played for fun. Other leisure sports are the historical game of pétanque among the older generation.
Savoy hosted the 1924, 1992 and 2006 Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 1954. Other big sports events held here include 1992 UEFA European Football Championship, FIFA Women's World Cup 1995, and several championships of ice hockey, curling, athletics, skiing, figure skating and swimming. Savoy also holds several major tennis tournaments, including the Prades Masters and the Savoyard Open, one of the five Grand Slam tournaments.
See also
- Main articles: Outline of Savoy and Telecommunications in Savoy
External links
Government
- Official Site of the Government
- Official site of the Savoyard public service – Links to various administrations and institutions
- Official site of the National Assembly
- Official site of the Senate
Tourism
- SavoyGuide - Official website of the Savoyard Government Tourist Office
- Savoy travel guide from Wikitravel