View source for Mespalia

{{Infobox country
|native_name                 = ''Mechpælæn râcunta'' <small>([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]])</small><br>''Royaume de Mespalie'' <small>({{wpl|French language|French}})</small>
|conventional_long_name      = Kingdom of Mespalia
|common_name                 = Mespalia
|image_flag                  = Mespaliaflag.png
|image_coat                  = Mespaliafinal.png
|symbol_type                 = Coat of arms
|national_motto              = ''Tællæ zinun omi elædæpæ e côltaba''<br>''Ici tu dois vivre et mourir''<br><small>"Here you must live and die"</small>
|national_anthem             = [[Iumala sôiâ meden râta]]<br>''"God Bless Our King"''
|royal_anthem                = [[Rimmin marchi]]<br>''"March of Rimmi"''
|other_symbol_type           =
|other_symbol                =
|image_map                   = Mespaliamap.png|border
|alt_map                     = 
|map_caption                 = Map of Mespalia
|image_map2                  = 
|alt_map2                    = 
|map_caption2                = 
|capital                     = [[Iouzzene]]
|latd=  | latm= | latNS =
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|official_languages          = [[Mespalian language|Mespalian]], {{wpl|French language|French}}
|national_languages          = 
|regional_languages          = {{wpl|Hungarian language|Pannonian}}
|languages_type              =
|languages                   =
|ethnic_groups               =
|ethnic_groups_year          =
|demonym                     = [[Mespalian people|Mespalian]]
|legislature                 = [[Parliament of Mespalia|Parliament]]
|lower_house                 = [[General Assembly (Mespalia)|General Assembly]]
|upper_house                 = [[Assembly of the Estates (Mespalia)|Assembly of the Estates]]
|government_type             = {{wp|unitary state|Unitary}} {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|electoral monarchy}}
|leader_title1               = [[Monarchy of Mespalia|King]]
|leader_name1                = [[Francis V of Mespalia|Francis V]]
|leader_title2               = [[Minister of State of Mespalia|Minister of State]]
|leader_name2                = [[Caleva Tœlaczi]]
|leader_title3               = 
|leader_name3                = 
|sovereignty_type            =
|sovereignty_note            =
|established_event1          = Independence from [[Ainin]]
|established_date1           = 1804
|established_event2          = 
|established_date2           = 
|established_event3          = 
|established_date3           = 
|established_event4          =
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|area_label                  =
|area_label2                 =
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|population_estimate         = 
|population_estimate_rank    = 
|population_estimate_year    =
|population_census           = 35,265,835
|population_census_year      = 2016
|population_density_km2      =
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|GDP_PPP                     =
|GDP_PPP_rank                =
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita          = 
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|GDP_nominal                 = $1,614 billion
|GDP_nominal_rank            =
|GDP_nominal_year            = 
|GDP_nominal_per_capita      = $45,785
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =
|Gini                        = 26.1
|Gini_rank                   = 
|Gini_change                 = increase
|Gini_year                   = 2016
|Gini_category               =
|HDI                         = .897
|HDI_rank                    = 
|HDI_year                    = 2016
|HDI_change                  = increase
|HDI_category                = 
|currency                    = [[Mespalian sampo]]
|currency_code               = Ms
|time_zone                   =
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|date_format                 = dd.mm.yyyy
|DST_note                    =
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|drives_on                   = right
|cctld                       = .ms
|iso3166code                 = MSP
|calling_code                = 92
|image_map3                  =
|alt_map3                    =
|footnotes                   =
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}}

'''Mespalia''' ([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]: ''Mechpælæ'', {{wpl|International Phonetic Alphabet|/'meʃpælæ/}}), officially known as the '''Kingdom of Mespalia''' ([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]: ''Mechpælæn râcunta'', {{wpl|International Phonetic Alphabet|/'meʃpælæn rɑːkuntɑ/}}) is a [[Conitia]]n country in [[Esquarium]]. Located on a small peninsula just north of the [[Tropic of Gemini]], it is the westernmost sovereign state in mainland Conitia. The country is a parliamentary democracy and an {{wpl|electoral monarchy}}, with the head of state being elected amongst the nobility.

Mespalia is inhabited by [[Mespalians]], a [[Nevanic peoples|Nevanic]] people originating from northern Nordania, who settled in present-day Mespalia sometime around 500 BC. In addition, the country has a significant [[Aininians|Aininian]] minority dwelling along the western coast. For most of its early existence, Mespalia consisted of dozens of small, fragmented pagan chiefdoms and principalities. [[Ainin|Kingdom of Ainin]] invaded the area starting in 1141 and by 1145, the entire area of present-day Mespalia had become a semi-autonomous province of Ainin known as the Principality of Mespalia. Aininian power lasted almost seven centuries, until the country declared its independence in 1804 during the aftermath of the [[Aininian Revolution]].

Today, Mespalia is a small Conitian regional power with a robust social market economy and a high standard of living. Mespalian political system is relatively stable, though concerns have been raised by some human rights activists regarding the King's right to interfere in day-to-day running of the state as well as restrictions on voting rights imposed on some groups.

==Etymology==
The Mespalian world for Mespalia, Mechpælæ comes from the Proto-Nevanic words ''mëxe'' meaning land and ''pælæ'' meaning side. The compound can be translated to "land's side", referring to the Mespalia's geographic position on the continental side of the [[Gulf of Mespalia]]. The name can be compared to the Mespalian name for Ainin, ''Særpælæ'', that combines the Proto-Nevanic word ''sær'', or island, with ''pælæ'', meaning "island's side".
==History==
===Prehistory and Latin era===
Archeological findings indicate that humans have lived in present-day Mespalia since 3000BC. [[Lazarenite peoples]] from [[Karazawa]] settled down sometime in 2500BC and also expanded to [[Ainin]]. However, [[Nevanic peoples|Nevanic]] tribes began arriving from the North around 1500C and quickly displaced the Lazarenites. At the same time, Latin colonizers began settling the eastern coast and the Aininian islands.

Mespalia was formally under the [[Latin Republic]] starting from 15BC, though in practice the Republic excercised little control outside of the few coastal cities. At the same time, various Mespalian tribes began organizing various pagan chiefdoms of their own. In practice, this meant that the fragmentation of the Latin Republic that begu in the 4th century affected Mespalia comparatively little.

===Pre-Aininian era===
Immediately after the dissolution of the Latin Republic, Mespalia consisted of countless native states, most of them pagan and tribal in nature, as well as a handful of Aininian free cities and principalities along the coast. Mespalia benefitted from its geographic position where several important trade routes converged. This brought prosperity to the area, but the increased wealth was mostly controlled by the Aininian minority living on the coast. Aininians also used discriminatory laws to expel a significant portion of the native coastal Mespalians further inland, changing the demographical composition of the area.

Starting in 1100, the [[Kingdom of Douray]] in the Aininian Isles had begun growing in strength and had begun harrassing the native states as well as the Aininian principalities. The [[Principality of Old Verquinte]] was conquered and annexed in 1108, followed by the annexation of New Verquinte, Sardenne and Lacolle in 1126. By 1140, the Douray together with its annexed principalities began a conquest of remaining Mespalian regions. While these areas were not populated by Aininians, their strategic location as well as important natural resources convinced [[Marc VII]] of Douray that their annexation would be beneficial. The ensuing [[War of Conquest]] lasted until 1142 and ended when the final native chiefdoms in [[Lumeva]] were subjucated. The failure of numerically superior Mespalian tribes to resist the Aininian conquest has later been attributed to lack of unity and co-operation between the various tribes.

===Aininian era===
Following the Aininian conquest, Mespalia was divided into two viceroyalties: The [[Viceroyalty of Verquinte and the Sardennes]] covered the modern provinces of [[Old Verquinte|Old]] and [[New Verquinte]], [[Sardennes]] and portions of [[Suve]] and [[Turu and Churemâ]], while the [[Viceroyalty of Mespalia]] covered the remaining territory. While Aininians formed a majority in the former, in the latter the population was almost exclusively Mespalian who did not speak French. The area also suffered from lawlessness, banditry and lack of investment, while Verquinte and the Sardennes, located on the [[Strait of Mespalia]] flourished and became one of the wealthiest parts of [[Ainin]].

Following the passing of the 1245 [[Charter of Tourres]], Ainin began practicing a policy of Aininization in both viceroyalties. This led to many ethnic Mespalians to changing their names and ceasing to use their language to increase their social status and by 1750, only two thirds of the population knew how to speak [[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]. Ainin was used as the sole language of administration and business, whereas Mespalian was only an oral language whose use was restricted to some religious activities. Mespalians also suffered from a system of X, effectively a form of serfdom, under which native Mespalians where forced to work for free in plantations owned by Aininian nobles. Aininians also founded [[Iouzzene|Cisnelieu]], modern day Iouzzene, as the capital of Verquinte and the Sardennes in 1328.

Several rebellions took place during this time, most notable of these being the [[Cudgel Rebellion]] between 1385 and 1388 and the [[Upper Mespalian Rebellion]] in 1706, during which portions of [[Lomeva]] and [[Neidevæ]] briefly declared independence]]. All of these were bloodily put down by the Aininian military.

===Revolution===
[[Aininian Revolution]] initially affected Mespalia fairly little. The two viceroyalties had always been a backwater of Ainin and there was little revolutionary fervour in the area. Rural Mespalians were mostly uneducated and had been taught not to question their Aininian masters, who in turn were afraid that the revolution could harm their privileged position. The Mespalian viceroyalties thus remained firmly in royalist hands while the republicans slowly gained the upper hand in Ainin.

However, the few Mespalians with high education as well as Aininians receptive to the Mespalian cause began agitating for autonomy, equality between Mespalians and Aininians and unification of the two viceroyalties. Many of them were imprisoned or executed by the Aininian authorities. [[Ransis Râcava]], who would eventually become the first King of Mespalia as [[Francis I]], was imprisoned and sent to a prison in [[Bounesquebourg]] shortly after the revolution began in 1795. These efforts at raising the Mespalians' national consciousness would be vital in securing Mespalian independence a decade later.

Starting in 1799, the royalist forces in [[Vaudale]] had almost been crushed. Defeated, King [[Mathieu IV]] signed the [[Treaty of X]] with the republicans in 1801. The Treaty exiled the King to the Mespalian viceroyalties, but also guaranteed that the new Republic of Ainin would not try to extend its influence over the area. Mathieu left [[X]] on May 14 and arrived in [[Rimmi|Saint-Rémy]] on May 16, 1801. The King set up his court in [[Iouzzene|Cisnelieu]] and for a year, ruled as the King of Ainin from his Mespalian territories. This situation did not last for long, as the Republican forces invaded Mespalia in 1802 in direct violation of the Treaty. Mathieu, who was tipped off about the impending invasion in advance, escaped to [[Montnoir]] together with the entire royal treasury. Republican troops quickly routed the remaining royalist forces and declared the two viceroyalties to be a part of the Republic of Ainin.

[[Image:Independência ou Morte (1888).jpg|thumb|right|340px|Declaration of Independence in Neidevæ on 4 October 1804.]]
===War of Independence===
Initial reception to the republican invasion was mixed. Native Mespalians and liberals hoped that they would gain equal rights under the Republic, while many Aininians were sceptical and afraid of losing their privileges. While the new president, [[X Ruisseau]] declared that Mespalia would become autonomous, this did not occur. In fact, the new regime was even more repressive towards Mespalians than the monarchy. Unification of the two viceroyalties, now called governorates, did not occur, and tens of thousands of Mespalians were arrested while republican troops searched for suspected royalists. Old restrictions on the use of Mespalian language also remained in place. In practice, the two governorates were seen as enemy territory, populated by inferior Mespalians and royalist Aininians.

The new regime was hated by the population. Owing to the education and agitation performed by nationalist Mespalians in the immediate aftermath of the revolution meant that a significant portion of the native Mespalian population was now conscious of their situation. Starting in 1803, isolated attacks against republican troops and officials began to occur. Sabotage and passive resistance also became commonplace, which the Aininian troops responded with execution and imprisonment of suspected enemies. Rather than stop the attacks, these aggressive actions led to increased co-operation and understanding between the Aininian and Mespalian populations.

President [[X]] was forced to call back a significant portion of the troops located in Mespalia back to Ainin in 1804, which in effect meant giving up on attempting to control the mostly Mespalian-inhabited [[Governorate of Mespalia]]. The remaining forces were concentrated in the [[Governorate of Verquinte and the Sardennes]] where most of the Aininian population lived, especially the garrison cities of Cisnelieu and Saint-Rémy. On 4 October 1804, independence of the [[State of Mespalia]] was declared in [[Neidevæ]]. With Verquinte and the Sardennes still under Aininian control, Mespalian troops began advancing south. The troops were commanded by two field marshals: Aininian [[Armand de Monteil]] advanced from the west while Mespalian [[Alexanter Oczi Tœquéllêr]] advanced from the south. De Monteil decisively defeated the forces led by Aininian ''rank'' [[name]] in the [[Battle of Valquise]], while Tœquéllêr advanced to Saint-Rémy and laid siege to the city. When de Monteil's troops arrived to reinforce Tœquéllêr, the governor of the city, [[X]] surrendered. The remnants of the republican troops fled to [[Rânporma]] (then called Porte-de-Liberté) where they would stay, holding on to [[Sardennes]] until Ainin finally recognized Mespalian independence in late 1806.

[[Image:Oath of obedience by Prince Pedro 1821.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Rancis Râcava being declared the first king of Mespalia.]]
===19th century===
The new state was formed by a coalition of unlikely allies with wildly different interests: Native Mespalians, mostly uneducated and poor peasants and serfs who comprised about 80% of the population, and Mespalian Aininians, who were wealthy royalist nobles, burghers and large landholders who mostly lived in major cities and along the western coast. Immediately after the declaration of independence, the question of what the form of government should be sprang up. Mespalians favored a republic with universal suffrage, land reform and equal status for the Mespalian language, whereas Aininians wanted to establish a monarchy and hold on to their privileges. To resolve the form of government and to draw a Constitution for the new nation, a [[Mespalian Constitutional Convention|constitutional convention]] was called in 1806.

Both sides had to compromise. Aininians, although in an economically powerful position, were small in number and realized that they could not look down on Mespalians as second-class citizens, especially after the dramatic rise of Mespalian nationalism in the aftermath of the War of Independence. Mespalians on the other hand knew that most of them had little education and even the Mespalian language did not have proper words for most situations that did not involve day-to-day chores. In the end, a compromise solution was agreed upon: Mespalia would become an electoral monarchy, with a National Assembly consisting of nobles and democratically elected delegates would elect the King. Mespalian and French would have equal status, but French would remain the ''de facto'' language of administration. Universal suffrage was guaranteed, but a bicameral parliament would also give representation to nobles. Minor redistribution of land would also occur, primarily from the lands of those people who had supported the republican regime. The [[Constitution of Mespalia]] was finally ratified in [[Iouzzene]] on 4 October, 1807.

The [[Mespalian National Assembly, 1808|first national assembly]] held in 1808 was convened soon after the ratification fo the Constitution. Initially there were over 200 candidates for the new King, but the election soon became a two-man race: [[Ransis Râcava]], a native Mespalian noble who had been imprisoned by the Aininians for opposing both the monarchists and later the republicans and [[Étienne de Mortemart]], an Aininian noble and a wealthy landowner. While most of the nobles supported de Mortemart, the elected delegates overwhelmingly voted for Râcava. In the end, Râcava won the vote by a margin of 19 votes (485-466) and on 20 September 1808, Ransis became the first [[Monarchy of Mespalia|King of Mespalia]], choosing the regnal name of [[Francis I of Mespalia|Francis I]].

[[Image:Schauman shoots Bobrikov.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Assassination of of King Charles I by socialist [[Ârne Chucqala]].]]
Francis I reigned until his death in 1828. He was successful in forging a new, Mespalian identity that consisted of both native Mespalians and Aininians, which is to this day considered to be his greatest achievement. He was succeeded by an Aininian noble and former field marshal [[Edvard I of Mespalia|Edvard I]], who died only nine years later in 1837. In that year's extremely contested election, Francis I's grandson [[Francis II of Mespalia|Francis II]] was elected King. The election caused a small-scale rebellion known as the [[Red Flag Revolt]] by republicans who saw it as a sign of the state becoming a de facto hereditary monarchy. The rebellion was quickly put down, but it initially smeared the new King's reputation as a heavy-handed ruler. He watched over the beginning of industrialization in Mespalia and slowly gained the trust of the population. He reigned for another 34 years until dying in 1871. He was succeeded by [[Francis III of Mespalia|Francis III]], the first native Mespalian king not from the Râcava dynasty, whose greatest accomplishment was switching the official language of administration from French to Mespalian. During his reign, the country almost went to war with [[Ainin]] due to [[Ulcoilo Crisis]], but this was resolved due to skillful negotiations of his Minister of State, [[Costia Tœviliacca]]. Francis' successor, [[Charles I of Mespalia|Charles I]] was elected in 1889 and became a vocal opponent of the rising socialist and republican tendencies among the population. As the head of the [[Church of Mespalia]], he formally excommunicated all Mespalian socialists in 1898. He was assassinated by an anarchist in 1901 and would thereafter be known as Charles the Martyr King.

===20th century===
Charles' successor, [[Edvard II of Mespalia|Edvard II]] took a more moderate approach, negotiating with representatives of the labour movement and granting them representation in the [[National Assembly (Mespalia)|National Assembly]]. At first, his efforts to abolish or decrease the power and privileges of the nobility were hampered by the [[Conservative Party (Mespalia)|conservative]]-dominated Parliament. In 1914, he managed to alter the electoral laws in order to suppress the conservatives by switching the electoral system from first-past-the-post to proportional representation and abolishing the requirement for the Council of State to hold the confidence of the [[Parliament of Mespalia#Assembly of the Estates|Assembly of the Estates]]. Edvard's sudden death in 1915 prevented most of his reforms from being enacted, and his successor, [[Charles II of Mespalia|Charles II]] initially preferred not to intervene in political affairs, in effect maintaining the status quo.

During the early 1920's, Mespalia experienced a severe economic downturn. High unemployment and the miserable situation of destitute tenant farmers and smallholders that led to the rise of both socialist and fascist groups that opposed the traditionalist, monarchist old order. Communists demanded establishment of a republic and nationalization of large estates owned by Aininian Mespalians, a goal shared by the fascist [[League of the Toucan]]. Mespalia was plagued by constant strikes, riots and protests for most of the early 1920s. This culminated in 1925 in an attempt by the League of the Toucan to march on the capital to depose the government. However, urged by his advisors, the King made a personal intervention and rode to the city gates on his horse, demanding the marchers to turn back. They complied, and the League faded into irrelevance soon thereafter.

By the late 1920s and the early 1930s, Mespalia had recovered from the economic downturn, aided by the booming economy of neighbouring Ainin. Mespalia continued to industrialize and modernize during this time and several changes to the Constitution were made, including the reform of the [[National Assembly of Mespalia|National Assembly]] in 1941. The influence of the Aininian upper-class also began to diminish as their large holdings became less and less profitable and the educated native Mespalians began participating in the political scene more actively.

Following the death of Charles IV in 1951, [[Edvard IV]] was elected King. Edvard presided over a time of radical changes in Mespalian society. Peasants and small landholders began to move to the cities, leaving the countryside empty. Women began demanding for the right to vote, civil rights issues regarding structures that discriminated against native Mespalians began to be discussed and radical movements both on the right and the left changed the traditional balance of power. Two national assemblies were held on the issue of female suffrage, in 1960 and 1973, but they were both rejected. 

In the 1960s and 1970s, radicals within the [[Socialist Left Party (Mespalia)|Socialist Left Party]], [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Mespalia)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]] and various enviromentalist movements organized protests and acts of civil disobedience, which in turn prompted the rise of a cross-party organization of right-wingers, the [[Mespalian Organization of Patriots]] that attacked the leftist protests. Following a [[April 18 attacks|terrorist attacks]] targeting a railway station and a conservative newspaper and a revenge attack on an office of an anarchist group in 1972, Edvard IV declared a state of emergency, adjourned the Parliament and ordered the arrest of both left-wing and right-wing extremists in what became known as the [[Hot Summer of 1972]]. The state of emergency lasted for three months and were followed by a general election that was won by a coalition of moderate parties and an unofficial {{wpl|gag rule}} was placed on discussing the issues that had caused the events.

Edvard IV died in 1976 and was followed by [[Francis IV]], the fourth member of the Racava dynasty to hold the office. The late 1970s were a time of economic growth in Mespalia, with new industries growing and [[Revontuli]] becoming one of the largest manufacturers of automobiles and aircraft in Esquarium. This period of growth was halted by the [[Recession of 1980]] that led to bankruptcies of two major banks and hundreds of other businesses. However, Mespalia recovered from the recession in the late 1980s, spurred by increased international trade and co-operation.

Mespalia sought membership in the [[Esquarian Community]] in the early 1990's, but the lack of female suffrage caused other nations to reject Mespalian membership. In 1992, a national assembly was held where the issue was discussed for the first time since the 1970s. Since the membership was conditional on approving female suffrage, a majority of the [[24th Mespalian National Assembly]] approved it. Two years later, a new national assembly was called to ratify Mespalia's EC membership, which took place on 1 January 1995.

===Modern times===
Mespalia has faced new issues in the 21st century. The 200-year old Constitution has been called out for being undemocratic and outdated. New populist movements opposing immigration have risen in popularity, while deindustrialization has caused unemployment and social problems in some areas. 

Tensions between the Mespalian Aininians and native Mespalians have also arisen. An increasing separatist movements in [[Sardennes]] and [[New Verquinte]] demanding independence or integration with Ainin have also caused occasional outbursts of violence. Following the [[2014 West Ainin Crisis]], seven Mespalian Aininians were killed in spontaneous outbursts of violence. Segregation of the two groups has become a major issue recently.

==Geography==
===Administrative divisions===
According to the [[Constitution of Mespalia]], the country is an unitary state, though in practice many powers have been devolved to local governments. 

The first-level administrative divisions consists of fifteen '''provinces''' ([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]: ''provencci'') and the '''metropolitan city''' of [[Iouzzene]] ([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]: ''metropolitânilitna'') that also acts as a municipality. Each province has its own provincial assembly that is responsible for issues related to health, social welfare and public transportation.

The provinces are in turn divided into 418 '''municipalities''' ([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]: ''commûne'') that can be divided into '''cities''' ([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]: ''litna'') and '''districts''' ([[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]: ''pîri''), though in practice the division is purely cosmetic. Municipalities are responsible for urban planning, education, utilities and rescue services. 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Map
! Province
! Capital
! Population
! [[General Assembly (Mespalia)|MP's]]
|-
|rowspan=15|{{MespalianProvinces}}
| [[Image:Provinceflag1.png|border|24px]] [[Cârinmâ]]<br><small>''Carinma''</small>
| [[Cârivezi]]
| 1,460,000
| 16
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag2.png|border|24px]] [[Cæizenvirta]]<br><small>''Sept-Fleuves''</small>
| [[Vylævasqué]]
| 1,920,000
| 20
|-
|colspan=2| [[Image:Provinceflag4.png|border|24px]] [[Iouzzene]]<br><small>''Cisnelieu''</small>
| 5,100,000
| 54
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag5.png|border|24px]] [[Lanzi]]<br><small>''Lancy''</small>
| [[Iogensû]]
| 3,140,000
| 33
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag6.png|border|24px]] [[Lomeva]]<br><small>''Lauméva''</small>
| [[Cûzicqo]]
| 950,000
| 10
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag7.png|border|24px]] [[Neidevæ]]<br><small>''Neidevé''</small>
| [[Neidevænlitna]]
| 1,820,000
| 19
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag15.png|border|24px]] [[Outer Montecara]]<br><small>Ulco-Caravôri<br>''Montecara-Extérieure''</small>
| [[Rancqui]]
| 290,000
| 3
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag8.png|border|24px]] [[Pochiamâ]]<br><small>''Pojama''</small>
| [[Viesca]]
| 3,930,000
| 42
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag9.png|border|24px]] [[Sardennes]]<br><small>Sardenmâ<br>''Sardennes''</small>
| [[Rânporma]]
| 710,000
| 8
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag3.png|border|24px]] [[Somme Islands]]<br><small>Sômensârdet<br>''Isles de Somme''</small>
| [[Pychæ Lucia]]
| 590,000
| 6
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag10.png|border|24px]] [[Suve]]<br><small>''Souvé''</small>
| [[Sachela]]
| 3,890,000
| 41
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag11.png|border|24px]] [[Turu and Churemâ]]<br><small>Turu e Churemâ<br>''Turu et Chouréma''</small>
| [[Mûra]]
| 1,830,000
| 19
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag12.png|border|24px]] [[New Verquinte]]<br><small>Ûzi Verecunta<br>''Nouvelle Verquinte''</small>
| [[Rimmi]]
| 4,250,000
| 46
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag13.png|border|24px]] [[Old Verquinte]]<br><small>Vancha Verecunta<br>''Vieille Verquinte''</small>
| [[Chalôna]]
| 1,120,000
| 12
|-
| [[Image:Provinceflag14.png|border|24px]] [[Ylævalta]]<br><small>''Uilévalta''</small>
| [[Chærmæ]]
| 2,090,000
| 22
|}

===Climate===
[[Image:Climate2.png|thumb|250px|Map of climate areas of Mespalia]]
Owing to its varied geography, Mespalia has a very diverse climate ranging from high mountain tundra to subtropical highlands and tropical rainforests.

The northern parts of the country can be classified as having a humid subtropical climate. This cooler climate is influenced by cool northern winds from the [[Hyperborean Sea]] and higher altitudes. During the winter months, even snowfall can even occasionally occur. The interior of the country is classified as subtropical highland, though the weather is mostly similar to the northern part of the country.

Most of the coastal areas have a tropical monsoon climate, with warm temperatures and a rainy season typically lasting from May to November. However, it is difficult to separate the rainy season and the dry season, as these areas have a high precipitation year round, even during the dry season. The far southern part of the country has a tropical rainforest climate, with high precipitation year round and temperatures rarely falling below 25C.

The climate of high altitude mountain areas is classified as having either a humid continental climate or tundra climate, depending on the altitude.

===Ecology===

==Politics==
===Monarchy===
Mespalia is an {{wpl|electoral monarchy}}. The current King is [[Francis V of Mespalia|Francis V]], who has reigned since 1983. Despite being a constitutional monarchy, the King enjoys far more power compared to most other Esquarian monarchs. These powers are broad and consist of executive, legislative and judicial powers that technically break the principle of {{wpl|separation of powers}}. Whether the King can realistically use all of these powers is a matter of debate, although the current King [[Francis V]] has tended to take a more active role in politics compared to his predecessors.

The King is the head of the executive branch and governs through the [[Council of State (Mespalia)|Council of State]], whose members are appointed by him, although they must enjoy the confidence of the [[Parliament of Mespalia#General Assembly|General Assembly of the Parliament of Mespalia]]. In case the Parliament passes a vote of no confidence, members of the Council must resign. The King has the right to veto any legislation passed by Parliament as well as to dissolve or adjourn it for a maximum of six months, as well as to nominate judges, ambassadors and other high officials. All bills must be signed by the King in order to become a law. 

The King's legislative powers include the right to send bills to the Parliament as well as to issue royal decrees, though the latter can be vetoed by a majority of both houses of Parliament. Finally, the King also has the right commute or suspend criminal punishments. Besides these powers, the King also acts as a symbol of Mespalia itself, representing Mespalia abroad and undertaking various ceremonial duties. The King also traditionally acts as a patron of various charity organizations and is the supreme commander of the [[Royal Mespalian Armed Forces]].

Unlike in most other monarchies, the King of Mespalia is not a hereditary position, but an elected one. While the method of election has varied over the years, since 1985 it has been conducted under a complex system of {{wpl|electoral college}}. Under the current system, when the previous King dies or abdicates, the [[National Assembly (Mespalia)|National Assembly]] is summoned to elect a new King. After a candidate gets at least two-thirds of the vote, he is duly elected and crowned as the King of Mespalia. Laws state that the future King must be a native-born Mespalian citizen, male, at least 35 years of age and of noble blood.
===Executive branch===
The executive branch consists of the [[Monarchy of Mespalia|King]], who exercises his powers through the [[Council of State (Mespalia)|Council of State]] whose members are appointed by the King. Though in theory these members can be anyone, in practice the members are all parliamentary deputies. The Council consists of various ministers and is chaired either by the King or the [[Minister of State of Mespalia|Minister of State]]. When the King is unable to attend the meetings, the [[Regent of Mespalia|Regent]], usually some other member of the royal family, attends the meetings on his behalf. Presence of the King or the Regent is necessary for the Council to exercise executive power.

The members of the Council of State must enjoy the confidence of the [[General Assembly (Mespalia)|General Assembly]] of the [[Parliament of Mespalia|Mespalian Parliament]]. If a {{wpl|vote of no confidence}} is passed, the government must by law resign. In this case, the King has a right to appoint a new, caretaker government until a new one is formed.  

{| class="wikitable" align="right" style="float: right" width="250px"
|+[[File:mespaliaparliament.svg|260px]]
|-
|-
| '''Government'''<small><br />{{colorbox|#1376E8}} [[Conservative Party (Mespalia)|Conservative Party]] (90)<br>{{colorbox|#126312}} [[People's Party (Mespalia)|People's Party]] (73)<br>{{colorbox|#00FCD2}} [[Party of the Aininian Minority]] (22)<br></small>
'''Opposition'''<br /><small>{{colorbox|#E60E32}} [[Social Democratic Workers' Party (Mespalia)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]] (97)<br>{{colorbox|#001559}} [[Patriotic League]] (27)<br>{{colorbox|#4FD104}} [[The Greens (Mespalia)|The Greens]] (22)<br />{{colorbox|#F5C400}} [[Liberal Party (Mespalia)|Liberal Party]] (12)<br />{{colorbox|#990000}} [[Socialist Left Party (Mespalia)|Socialist Left Party]] (8)</small>
|}

===Legislative branch===
The legislative function is performed by the bicameral [[Parliament of Mespalia]]. The Parliament is bicameral and consists of the [[General Assembly (Mespalia)|General Assembly]] and the [[Assembly of the Estates (Mespalia)|Assembly of the Estates]]. The General Assembly consists of 350 members known as deputies and is directly elected every four years by Mespalian citizens over the age of 21. Its members are elected from 43 constituencies that each send between five and twelve members to the Assembly using a system of {{wpl|open-list proportional representation}}. The Assembly of the Estates on the other hand consists of 578 nobles whose seats are hereditary and 50 bishops of the [[Church of Mespalia]]. Parliament of Mespalia is an example of imperfect bicameralism, as the General Assembly has far more power compared to the Assembly of the Estates. The latter cannot pass votes of no confidence, nor can it initiate budget bills. It can, however, reject bills passed by the General Assembly.

All bills that are passed by both houses must recieve royal assent before becoming a law. If a bill is refused royal assent, it must be approved with a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly and a majority in the Assembly of the Estates.

In addition, there is an unique legislative institution known as the [[National Assembly (Mespalia)|National Assembly]]. The National Assembly is usually not in session and usually only meets 1-3 times in a decade, most recently in [[Mespalian national assembly, 2015|2015]]. As of 2018, the National Assembly consists of 1,240 members and include all members of the [[Assembly of the Estates (Mespalia)|Assembly of the Estates]], delegates that are both directly elected by the populace and appointed by various charitable and non-profit organizations and interest groups, bishops of the [[Church of Mespalia]], rectors of all Mespalian universities and representatives appointed by the reigning or former Kings. The duties of the National Assembly include electing a new king, altering the Constitution and passing legislation that is considered to be so important that it warrants an opinion from the entire nation. As referendums are banned by the Constitution, the National Assembly is often seen as their Mespalian version.

===Judicial branch===
The Mespalian legal system is based on {{wpl|civil law}}. It relies heavily on written legal code and as such, only the decisions of the Supreme Court carry precedent and no juries are used. Death penalty is in effect and regularly utilized, and courts also have the right to temporarily or permanently strip persons of their civic trust, in effect making them ineligible to vote or to run for office.

There are three separate, hierarchical levels in the Mespalian judicial system as well as on various special courts. The [[Supreme Court of Mespalia]] acts as the supreme court of the land and consists of 12 judges. Four of its members are nominated by the King, four by the General Assembly and four by the Assembly of the Estates, and they serve 10-year terms which are renewable once. Below the Supreme Court are 18 Courts of Appeal and 292 Crown Courts. In addition, there are separate courts for labour disputes (Labour Court) and market law and competition disputes (Market Court).

===Military===
The [[Royal Mespalian Armed Forces]] is responsible for the defense of Mespalia. It consists of four branches: [[Royal Mespalian Army]], [[Royal Mespalian Navy]], [[Royal Mespalian Air Force]] and the [[Royal Mespalian Gendarmerie]], although during peacetime the Royal Mespalian Gendarmerie is a de facto under the control of the Ministry of Interior and its troops are not included in the total troop strength. Excluding the Gendarmerie, RMAF has a total strength of 69,000 active personnel.

RMAF practices conscription, and every Mespalian male over the age of 18 is required to serve between 6 and 18 months in the military. 100,000 conscripts serve in the military at any given time, and the Armed Forces officially has an reserve of 7,065,000 men.

==Economy==
Mespalia is a highly developed nation with a {{wpl|market economy}} and a relatively high GDP. However, both the poverty rate and levels of inequality are slightly higher than in neighbouring Conitian countries. The national currency is the [[Mespalian sampo]], which is further subdivided into 100 arjanttes. 

Mespalia's main exports are chemicals, electrical goods, foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and wood products. The largest trade partner is [[Ainin]], which accounts for 29% of all Mespalian exports and 21% of imports. Other major trade partners include [[Champenia]], [[Hagieria and Agrilan]], [[Namor]], [[Ordennya]]. Being a member of the [[Esquarian Community]], Mespalia is also a part of the common market.

===Energy===
Mespalia produces 76% of its energy from nuclear power. This is due to an aggressive campaign in the late 1980s and early 1990s to replace aging coal power plants with more environmentally friendly alternatives. The second largest source of electricity is hydroelectricity. However, during the 2000's there has been an increasing trend to remove old dams to restore aquatic environments that the dams have destroyed. 

The remaining 8% of Mespalia's energy is produced using fossil fuels, mostly coal. In 2016, Mespalia pledged to close down all of its remaining coal power plants by 2026.

===Transport===
Due to Mespalia's high population density in the non-mountainous areas, the country has a well-developed transportation network consisting of a dense network of highways, railways and airports.

Around 85% of the railways are operated by the state-owned [[Royal Mespalian Railways]], while the rest, mostly commuter railways, smaller non-electrified and narrow gauge routes are owned by private companies or by municipal or provincial authorities. The pride of the railway network is a high-speed rail network that connects [[Iouzzene]] and [[Rimmi]] with the northern cities of [[Chærmæ]], [[Vylævasqué]] and [[Viesca]]. An eastern extension that would connect the network to [[Ainin]] via a tunnel under the [[Strait of Mespalia]] with branches to [[Chalôna]] and [[Rânporma]] has been in the planning stages since the 1980s.

The highway system consists of a network of free primary and secondary roads and a system of toll motorways that require motorists to purchase a vignette. The vignette system was introduced in 1999 to fund the construction of the [[Trans-Salpa Connection]], a collection of bridges and tunnels that would connect [[Pochiamâ]] with [[Lomeva]].

For its relatively small size, Mespalia has a dense network of regional airports, mostly located in major cities or in areas that are difficult to reach by road or rail. The national carrier is [[Royal Mespalian Airlines]], known also by its acronym "MERI". 

{{Pie chart
|caption=Ethnic composition of Mespalia
|other = yes
|label1 = [[Mespalians]]     |value1 = 83.2 |color1 = darkblue
|label2 = [[Mespalian Aininians]]       |value2 = 13.6 |color2 = darkgreen
|label3 = [[Pannonians]]               |value3 = 1.4 |color3 = darkred
}}
==Demographics==
According to the Mespalian government, the Mespalian nation consists of three indigenous people groups. Native [[Mespalians]], form approximately 83% of the population and are also the largest. They are a [[Nevanic peoples|Nevanic]] people group who originate from northern [[Nordania]] and speak [[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]. The second largest group, [[Mespalian Aininians]] form 13% of the population. They are descendants of {{wpl|French language|French}} speaking Aininians who migrated to Mespalia at the same time as native Mespalians. Their population is concentrated along the southeastern coastal areas in the provinces of [[Sardennes]] and [[Old Verquinte]], where they form a majority and the cities of [[Iouzzene]] and [[Rimmi]]. The third group, [[Pannonians]] are also the smallest. Distantly related to native Mespalians, they are a Nevanic people who  live in the mountains of [[Lomeva]] and form around 1,5% of the total population. The remaining 2% consists of various non-indigenous groups, including migrants from [[Nautasia]].
===Language===
Mespalia has two official languages, [[Mespalian language|Mespalian]] and {{wpl|French language|French}}, and one recognized regional language, [[Pannonian language|Pannonian]].

Historically, French was the language of administration and the language of interethnic communication. Meanwhile, Mespalian was an oral language mostly used at home. Beginning in the mid-1800's, Mespalian slowly started to take over this role and in 1874, Mespalian became the main language used in administration governmental affairs.

Today, all Mespalians must study both national languages. All municipalities are classified as unilingual Mespalian-speaking, unilingual French-speaking or billingual: a municipality is considered to be unilingual if less than 10% of its population speaks the other official language. While state administration has to provide services in both Mespalian and French, in local administration only bilingual municipalities have this requirement.

{{bar box
|title=<center>Religion in Mespalia</center>
|titlebar=lightblue
|left1= <center>Religion</center>
|right1= <center>Percentage</center>
|float=left
|width=300px
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Saturnism]]|darkblue|76.8}}
{{bar percent|Irreligious|grey|18.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Apostolic Catholicism|Christianity]]|darkred|2.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Txoism]]|purple|1.2}}
{{bar percent|{{wp|Islam}}|darkgreen|0.8}}
{{bar percent|Other religion|black|0.5}}
}}
===Religion===
The national religion of Mespalia is [[Saturnism]], professed by 77% of the population. Despite this, the [[Constitution of Mespalia]] guarantees full freedom of religion. Besides Saturnism, other religions such as [[Apostolic Catholicism|Christianity]], [[Txoism]] and {{wpl|Islam}} are professed by 4.6% of the population, mostly by recent immigrants. Around 18% of the population has no religious affiliation.

Saturnism arrived in Mespalia together with the [[Latin Republic]] in the 2nd century BC and has been the dominant religion ever since. It quickly displaced the previous pagan religions practiced by native Mespalians, of which very little of which is known today. Mespalia was fully Saturnized by the mid-500's and for almost two millenia formed an integral part of the [[Pontificate of Ainin]]. However, after the independence of Mespalia the Pontificate of Ainin was divided, with Mespalia with the exception of the provinces of [[Old Verquinte]], [[New Verquinte]] and [[Suve]] forming the new [[Pontificate of Mespalia]] while the three French Aininian provinces remained with Ainin. The three provinces remaining with the Pontificate of Ainin remains a divisive issue: many nationalists would like to include the three provinces within the Pontificate of Mespalia, while others either support the status quo or wish to form an entirely new Pontificate out of the three provinces.
===Health===
Mespalia has an universal multi-payer healthcare system that consists of a national, state-funded health insurance that is supplemented by various private health insurances. In certain cases, individuals can opt-out of the state health insurance and get full coverage from private companies. 67% of the health industry is publicly funded, while the remainder is funded privately

Life expectancy is 76 for men and 80 for women, while the infant mortality rate is low at 5 per 1,000 live births. In 2012, [[Parliament of Mespalia]] passed a bill making it illegal not to vaccinate children.

In 2000, Mespalia begun a 30-year program to completely abolish smoking in the country. This began with an annual 5% increase in tobacco tax, reaching 125% in 2025 after which the sale of tobacco would be completely banned. In 2010, the sale of tobacco was banned to those who would turn 18 that year, meaning that people born after 1992 cannot legally purchase tobacco products. 
===Education===
Education in Mespalia consists of both public and private schools. Around 80% of children attend public schools, while the rest opt for private alternatives. While public education is free, private schools are allowed to levy tuition fees. School attendance is compulsory until the age of 18.

Children enter a two-year preschool at the age of 4 and then go to a primary school for six years. At the age of 12, children are separated to three different types of schools according to their academic performance: 
*'''Academic Track''' consists of a 3-year middle school and a 3-year {{wpl|gymnasium (school)|gymnasium}}. At the end of their studies pupils complete the {{wpl|matriculation examination}} which gives them the right to attend university. The academic track is meant for gifted children and prepares them for university education.
*'''Vocational Track''' consists of a six-year vocational school that prepares pupils for a vocational education. After three years, pupils can either seek an apprenticeship or finish their education at school. 
*'''General School''' is a mix of the two and consists of a three-year general school where pupils learn both vocational and academic skills. After three years, pupils with good grades may advance to gymnasiums, while the rest can seek apprenticeships or attend a vocational school.

After completing their matriculation examinations, students can either choose to attend university or head to a three-year {{wpl|polytechnic}}, a tertiary institution that is also open to pupils who have completed an apprenticeship.

Mespalia has 97 universities, the oldest of which, the [[University of Rimmi]], was founded by Aininians in 1680. Publicly-owned universities have nominal tuition fees of around 1000-2000 dollars a year, but are quite selective, whereas private universities can either be selective or open to everyone who has passed their matriculation examination.
===Largest cities===
{{Largest cities
| name         = Largest cities in Mespalia
| country      = Kingdom of Mespalia
| stat_ref     = 
| list_by_pop  = 
| class        = nav
| div_name     = Province
| div_link     =

|city_1 = Iouzzene
|div_1 = Iouzzene
|pop_1 = 5,107,000
|img_1 = Vista de Lisboa.jpg

|city_2 = Rimmi
|div_2 = New Verquinte
|pop_2 = 2,387,000
|img_2 = Marseille 20160813 20.jpg

|city_3 = Viesca
|div_3 = Pochiamâ
|pop_3 = 1,265,000
|img_3 = Full Milan skyline from Duomo roof.jpg

|city_4 = Vylævasqué 
|div_4 = Cæizenvirta
|pop_4 = 828,000
|img_4 = Bordeaux place de la bourse with tram.JPG

|city_5 = Neidevænlitna
|div_5 = Neidevæ
|pop_5 = 756,000
|img_5 = 

|city_6 = Cârivezi
|div_6 = Cârinmâ
|pop_6 = 704,000
|img_6 = 

|city_7 = Chærmæ 
|div_7 = Ylævalta
|pop_7 = 689,000
|img_7 = 

|city_8 = Pochianporma
|div_8 = Pochianmâ
|pop_8 = 616,000
|img_8 = 

|city_9 = Sachela
|div_9 = Suve
|pop_9 = 589,000
|img_9 = 

|city_10 = Iogensû
|div_10 = Lanzi
|pop_10 = 577,000
|img_10 = 

|city_11 = Mûra
|div_11 = Turu e Churemâ
|pop_11 = 570,000
|img_11 = 

|city_12 = Tervaluoto
|div_12 = Lanzi
|pop_12 = 577,000
|img_12 = 

|city_13 = Varcava
|div_13 = Suve
|pop_13 = 510,000
|img_13 = 

|city_14 = Mærquængi
|div_14 = New  Verquinte
|pop_14 = 427,000
|img_14 = 

|city_15 = Rânporma
|div_15 = Sardennes
|pop_15 = 405,000
|img_15 = 

|city_16 = Chalôna (Chalons)
|div_16 = Old Verquinte
|pop_16 = 286,000
|img_16 = Saint-Nazaire.jpg

|city_17 = Narva
|div_17 = Pochiamâ
|pop_17 = 235,000
|img_17 = 

|city_18 = Rancqui
|div_18 = Outer Montecara
|pop_18 = 222,000
|img_18 = 

|city_19 = Cûzicqo
|div_19 = Lomeva
|pop_19 = 192,000
|img_19 = 

|city_20 = Pychæ Lucia
|div_20 = Somme Islands
|pop_20 = 180,000
|img_20 = 

}}

==Culture==
Mespalian culture is an unique blend of both Aininian and Native Mespalian traditions, and has historically been influenced by many other regional cultures in the Lazarene Sea region.
===Architecture===
Mespalian architecture has been shaped by its mountainous geography and hot and humid climate, as well as by Aininian influence. {{wpl|Romanesque architecture|Romanesque}} and {{wpl|gothic architecture}} were historically dominant during the Aininian period, and were later superseded by {{wpl|Baroque architecture|baroque}}. Neobaroque style remained popular after the War Independence and was seen as an authentically Mespalian form of architecture. Later in the century, {{wpl|Art Nouveau}} became popular.

The rise of {{wpl|Art Deco}} and {{wpl|modernist architecture}} became popular in the early 1900s, and greatly upset the more traditional architects. King [[Charles II of Mespalia|Charles II]] issued a royal decree prohibiting the use of state funds to build buildings in modernist forms of architecture. This degree has been repeated by every monarch elected since, and was followed by [[Albert I of Mespalia|Albert I]]'s similar degree that banned buildings whose styles clash with the general architectonic style of the surrounding area. 

Thanks to these efforts, Mespalia has become the Esquarian capital of {{wpl|neotraditionalist architecture}} and {{wpl|New Urbanism}}, with the [[National University of Architecture]] being one of the most famous architectural schools in the region.

===Visual arts===
Mespalia has a long history in visual arts. Though most first Mespalian painters were Aininian, during the renaissance many Mespalian painters, including [[Lalli Montaia]] and [[Viliari Tœvaltari]] became famous, with the latter becoming a court painter in the Aininian royal court.

During the War of Independence and the decades that followed, {{wpl|national romanticism|national romantic}} paintings became popular. National artist of Mespalia, [[Axeli Toivas]] painted several of his well-known national romanticist paintings during this period. The advent of the 20th century brought more modernist painters to the scene, though as with architecture, these were shunned by the King and the government and thus found little public support for their careers.

Much like with architecture, today Mespalia is considered by many to be the capital of realist and neotraditionalist forms of art. Realist painters receive generous subsidies from the government and private charities, while modernist and postmodernist artists are forced to either sell their creations abroad or switch to more traditional art styles.
===Literature===
Until the nineteenth century, very few books were published in [[Mespalian language|Mespalian]]; with the exception of government documents, religious literature and some other exceptions, nearly everything was written in French. Following Mespalian independence in 1806, increasing numbers of Mespalian authors started to write their books in Mespalian.

The national author of Mespalia is [[Chyværi Rasantaia]], who wrote the seven-part [[National History of the Mespalian People]] from 1838 until 1851. The book tells a half-fictionalized story of the Mespalian people's history, from the creation of the world to present day. It has several small stories of both fictional and actual individuals as well as more factual portions that resemble a dictionary.

Today, Mespalian literature is written in both Mespalian and French and is popular both in Mespalia and abroad.
===Cuisine===
Mespalian cuisine has been heavily influenced by the tropical and subtropical climates of the country as well as by mountainous geography with little arable land and abundance of rivers with freshwater fish. Spices are used sparingly, as precious arable land was rarely used for spice cultivation. Aininian cuisine has historically had strong influence on Mespalian cuisine as well.

Corn is the main staple crop and is used in nearly all Mespalian dishes. ''Maiccelaipa'' or leavened cornbread is usually served with every meal. Another common crop is rice that can be easily cultivated on steep mountainside terraces.

Tropical fruits like mangoes, bananas, pineapples, citrus fruits and coconuts are also frequently used in many dishes and as fruit juice. Fruits are often paired with seafood like shrimp along the coast and {{wpl|arapaima|chauqui fish}} along major rivers, and poultry further inland. The national dish of Mespalia is ''chauquipata'', consisting of grilled chauqui fish served with maiccelaipa, rice and various spices.

''Caleia'' is a native Mespalian alcoholic liquor made from sugarcanes and citrus fruits and vanilla. It is often served as dessert. Non-alcoholic fruit juices are also popular.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, new crops like potatoes and wheat slowly gained prominence and are now commonly used in Mespalian cuisine. Influence from Northern Conitian countries has been especially strong, and a fusion cuisine combining Northern Conitian and Mespalian ingredients has been gaining in popularity. Meanwhile, Mespalian cuisine has slowly become more popular abroad, with Mespalian restaurants opening and operating in many Esquarian countries. 
===Media===
Constitution of Mespalia guarantees freedom of speech and press, and Mespalia has a vibrant media sector with hundreds of newspapers and TV channels. However, there are some limitations; criticism of the reigning King is often self-censored by major media, and strict {{wpl|Lèse-majesté}} laws prohibit insults against the King.

The state-owned [[RATEM]] broadcasts six channels; four in [[Mespalian language|Mespalian]] and two in {{wpl|French language|French}}. In addition, four major companies operate several TV channels, with their flagship channels being [[TV3]], [[Telemes 4]], [[VTV]] and [[Le Six]].

While there are local newspapers, Mespalian newspapers are mostly divided by ideological spectrum, with multiple different versions being printed in different cities. Mespalia's main daily broadsheet newspapers are liberal [[Mâmme]] and conservative [[Mechpælæn Actualitêtit]], while their French language counterparts include the liberal [[Le Mespalien]] and conservative [[La Couronne]]. Tabloids are also popular, with the social democratic [[Pæivæjurnali]] and right-wing [[Iltaposte]] being the most popular Mespalian language ones, while the largest French tabloids include the liberal [[Aujourd'hui en Mespalie]] and conservative [[L'Avenir National]]. There are also two nationwide socialist newspapers, the Mespalian [[Rachvachen Æni]] and French [[Le Républicain]]

===Sports===
The national sport of Mespalia is football, with the annual [[National Cup of Mespalia]] being the most popular sports event of the year. The [[Mespalian national football team]], also known as the Toucans, has taken part in the [[Esquarian Cup]] ever since the competition began.

The five largest football clubs are Native Mespalian [[Iouzzene Râllinen VC]], [[Viesca VC]] and [[Nasônali VC Rimmi]]; and Mespalian Aininian [[FC Verquinte]] and [[ASR Cisnelieu]], which are known as the Big Five. The winner of the National Cup has been one of these five teams since 1951, when [[Neidevæ SVC]] managed to defeat Iouzzene Râllinen VC.

Besides football, Mespalia has also managed to achieve success in surfing, fencing, rowing and athletics. 
===Public holidays===
Mespalia has 17 national, public holidays. 

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Date !! Holiday !! Remarks
|-
| 1 January || New Year's Day ||
|-
| 6 January || Epiphany ||
|-
| ''Varies'' || Good Friday || The Friday before Easter Sunday
|-
| ''Varies'' || Easter Sunday ||
|-
| ''Varies'' || Easter Monday || 
|-
| 1 May || May Day ||
|-
| ''Varies'' || Ascension Day || 39 days after Easter Sunday
|-
| ''Varies'' || Pentecost || 49 days after Easter Sunday
|-
| 24 June || Summer Solstice || 
|-
| 17 July || King's Birthday || Varies depending on the King; was 19 January before 2010
|-
| 15 August || Armed Forces and Veterans' Day ||
|-
| 4 October || Independence Day ||
|-
| 1 November || All Saints' Day ||
|-
| 24 December || Christmas Eve ||
|-
| 25 December || Christmas Day ||
|-
| 26 December || Boxing Day ||
|-
| ''Varies'' || St. Stephen's Day ||
|}

[[Category:Esquarium]]
[[Category:Mespalia]]