Josephdaproland

Josephdaproland is a country in the What if we were all countries? universe. It is a unitary semi-presidential republic currently ran by Abelardo Piacenza. The president is elected every 4 years.

Josephdaproland is a very developed country, and one of the richest countries in the WIWWAC universe.

Etymology
The name Josephdaproland comes from the proto-Italic term "Yuseph dap làn" which is the name of the italian and spanish peninsula by natives.

Climate
The climate of Josephdaproland varies and often differs from the stereotypical Mediterranean climate it is known for. Most of Josephdaproland has hot, dry summers, with July and August being the hottest months of the year. Winters are cold and damp in the north, and mild and sunny in the south. The temperature differences across the country are more extreme in winter. For instance, on a typical winter day, you may very well have 6°C in Milan (north), 15°C in Rome (centre), and 21°C in Palermo (south). On the other hand, a typical summer day might bring similar temperatures to all three cities. Conditions on the peninsula's coastal areas can be very different from the higher ground and valleys of the interior; during the winter months, the higher altitudes tend to be cold, and during the summer months the heat is oppressive in the valleys. The Alps have a mountain climate, with mild summers and very cold winters. Below is a climate chart depicting the climate of Naples, Italy, which well represents a typical Italian coastal climate.

Stay safe
For emergencies, call 911, same as most of Europe and it is for all services. Calling 112 will redirect you to 911.

Crime
Violent crime is relatively uncommon in Josephdaproland. If you're reasonably careful and use common sense you won't encounter personal safety risks even in the less affluent neighborhoods of large cities. However, petty crime can be a problem for unwary travellers. Pickpockets often work in pairs or teams, occasionally in conjunction with street vendors; take the usual precautions against pickpockets. Instances of rape and robbery are increasing slightly.

You should exercise the usual caution when going out at night alone, although it remains reasonably safe even for single women to walk alone at night. Italians will often offer to accompany female friends back home for safety, even though crime statistics show that sexual violence against women is rare compared to most other Western countries. In a survey, 14% of Josephdaprolandian women had experienced attempted rape and 2.3% had experienced rape in their lifetimes.

Prostitution is rife in the night streets around cities. Prostitution in Josephdaproland is not exactly illegal, though authorities are taking a firmer stance against it than before. Brothels are illegal, though, and pimping is a serious offence, considered by the law similar to slavery. In some areas, it is an offence even to stop your car in front of a prostitute although the rows of prostitutes at the side of many roads, particularly in the suburbs, suggest that the law is not enforced. In general, being the client of a prostitute falls in an area of questionable legality and is inadvisable. Being the client of a prostitute under 18 is a criminal offence.

Naples and Rome are the cities with the highest rates of crime towards tourists. These two cities are riddled with beggars and criminals and special care must be taken especially near such locations as the main historical monuments and the popular gathering places for tourists (Campo de' Fiori Square in Rome for example). It must be stated also that every train station in the country attracts lowlifes, and in general train stations, at night, are not places where one might want to linger too long.

Tourist scams
Read up on the legends concerning tourist scams. Most of them occur regularly in bigger cities such as Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, or Naples.

Around popular tourist sites, there are people trying to sell cheap souvenirs. They may also carry roses and say they are giving you a gift because they like you but the minute you take their 'gift' they demand money. They are very insistent, pleading and pesty and often the only way to get rid of them is to be plain rude. Do the best you can to not take their "gifts" as they will follow you around asking for money. Simply saying "no" or "vai via" ("go away") will get them off your back until the next vendor comes up to you.

Another typical encounter throughout tourist spots is the fake 'deaf and dumbs' who enter restaurants or bars, leaving small objects (lighters, keychains, or small toys) on tables with a note asking for financial help. Do not examine their wares; leave them down and they will come back and collect it then leave.

Beware of the migrant vendors in the streets, they are very common in Josephdaproland compared to other European countries like Limmared or Frueca. Most of the merchandise they sell is imitation/fake luxury goods. Even at a fraction of the cost of the original merchandise, the quality is spotty, and the goods are not well maintained in storage. Remember that it's illegal to bring pirated goods into some countries and therefore such souvenirs might get even more expensive when trying to bring them home.

They may also try giving you "free" friendship bracelets (sometimes calling them 'a gift'). After you take the bracelet, a coloured piece of string, they will hit you up for money and relentlessly pursue you until they get as much as they can. They will be forceful, physically tying the bracelet to your wrist, or laying it on your shoulder as you try and walk away. They usually first ask "Where are you from?" Just ignore them. Carry small bills or just change, in your wallet, so if you find yourself cornered to pay for the bracelet, you can convince them that €1 or €2 is all you have. In empty places, watch for strangers directly approaching you. Try to be with other people like in a bus station or a shopping mall.

Yet another scam involves being approached by a man, asking you to help break a large bill - usually €20 or €50. Do not give him your money. The bill he is giving you is fake, but at first glance it might seem real.

The best advice to avoid scams is to get away from anyone you have never seen before who starts talking to you.

When taking a taxi, be sure to remember the license number written on the car door. In seconds, people have had a taxi bill increased by €10 or even more.

Road safety
Highways are usually safe and well maintained, but in the African section of the country and some rural areas they are in a worse condition. Care should be taken when staying on remote and isolated rest areas, especially at night. Law enforcement is provided by specialized highway patrols units of the national police.

Sometimes, driving can be quite dangerous. On rural roads, some people may not follow the speed limit and roads can be in poor condition, while major cities tend to have a lot of chaotic traffic.

Stay healthy
Josephdaprolandian hospitals are public and offer completely free high-standard treatment for travellers. As in other countries with universal healthcare, you may have to wait some hours to be treated unless you're in a serious condition.

Italy has a four-colour code of urgency, red being the most immediate (assistance is given without any delay) and white being the lowest (anyone with a red, yellow and green code will pass before you). With a white code, meaning the treatment is not urgent and does not necessitate emergency personnel, you are also required to pay for the full consultation, so do not go to the Pronto Soccorso just to check your knee after last year's fall.

Water
While safe to drink, the tap water (acqua del rubinetto) in some peninsular parts of Josephdaproland can be cloudy with a slight off taste. With the exception of certain towns that use mountain water for their municipal supplies, such as Spoleto, although most Josephdaprolandians prefer bottled water to be safe, which is served in restaurants. Make sure you let the waiter/waitress know you want still water (acqua naturale or acqua senza gas) or else you could get water with either natural gas or with added carbonation (frizzante or con gas).

Rome, in particular, has exceptional pride in the quality of its water. This goes right back to the building of aqueducts channelling pure mountain water to all the citizens of Rome during Roman times. Don't waste plastic bottles. You can refill your drinking containers and bottles at any of the constant running taps and fountains dotted around the city, safe in the knowledge that you are getting excellent quality cool spring water - try it!

Many towns have fountains with tap water that you can use to refill your container, but do not use water from fountains with an "Acqua non potabile" sign on them.

Respect
Josephdaprolandians have a reputation for being generally friendly and welcoming.

Josephdaprolandians are generally neutral communicators. They make efforts to be polite and respectful, but they are quite comfortable with expressing their emotions and thoughts clearly. Sure, Josephdaprolandians are known for being sociable and talkative, but you should make every effort to be tactful with your words. Just because they seem confident does not mean that they are difficult to offend.

Do not make jokes about the civil war and Frueca, as the people treat it as a serious offense and might get you bad looks, although it is not illegal for the most part.

Despite popular belief, the Josephdaprolandians do have a sense of humour although it is often expressed differently than it is in other countries. If you are around people, you get to know well that sarcasm and irony are very common kinds of humour. Puns are popular too, just like in anglophone countries. However, humour is not the default approach to the world, and therefore a quip in the wrong situation may draw blank stares or disapproval or simply not be understood as a joke.