Poliania

Kingdom of Poliania Владичевство Пољения Vladićevstvo Poljenija
Flag Middle Coat of Arms
Motto: «Одвага а Свобода» "Odvaga a Svoboda" "Courage and Liberty"
Anthem: «Пониже Подваяти Орла» Poniže Podvajati Orla "Under the Double Eagle" Royal anthem: «Владичевскы марш» "Vladićevsky marš" "Royal March"
Location of Poliania (green) in Euclea (grey)
Capital	Tretogor
Largest	Losniza
Official languages	Volynian
Ethnic groups (2020)	65.6% Volynian 14.9% Ilmenian 12.1% Visenian 4.7% Narodyn 2.6% Tavorstri 1% Other
Demonym(s)	Polianian
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Monarchy	Vizimir II
• Minister-President	Eduard Trpimirović
Legislature	Veche
• Upper house	Chamber of Envoys
• Lower house	Chamber of the Land
Formation
• First Kingdom	25 December, 1099
• Empire	30 November, 1855
• First Constitution	19 April, 1869
• Current constitution	26 February, 1936
Area
•	1,239,473 km2 (478,563 sq mi)
Population
• 2020 estimate	76,558,975
• 2015 census	75,256,137
• Density	61.77/km2 (160.0/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2019 estimate
• Total	$2.348 trillion
• Per capita	$30,664
GDP (nominal)	2019 estimate
• Total	$2.058 trillion
• Per capita	$26,884
Gini (2020)	33.6 medium
HDI (2020)	0.888 very high
Currency	Krona (POK/𝒦)
Date format	yyyy-mm-dd (AD)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+96
Internet TLD	.по .po

Poliania (Volynian: Пољения tr. Poljenija), officially the Kingdom of Poliania (Volynian: Владичевство Пољения tr. Vladičevstvo Poljenija), is a sovereign parliamentary constitutional monarchy located in Western Euclea. The nation borders, from clockwise, Narozalica, Radushia, and the Mazdan Sea.

Humans have inhabited Poliania since the Neolithic Era. Various tribes dominated the political scene of Poliania until the 8th century. In the southwest of the country, these tribal polities coalesced into Great Vesemir, a tribal confederation centered around the Principality of Vesemir. During this time, the Marolevic peoples inhabiting Poliania converted to Sotirianity. By the turn of the 12th century, Great Vesemir had transformed itself into the Kingdom of Poliania. Under King Vladislav I, the nascent kingdom rapidly expanded throughout the south of the country. Expansion of the kingdom northwards was ultimated halted in 1321 following a defeat to Nikolai of Lipa. Following the defeat, the country largely became a backwater, however several colonial expeditions resulted in the settlement of Chistovodia. The nation's defeat in the Ten Years' War saw the loss of the Chistovodia and Belgarin to Narozalica. A secondary effect of the war saw Poliania become a subordinate power to the newly formed Narozalic Empire.

In 1852, Poliania entered into an alliance with Werania and would become involved in the War of the Triple Alliance, gaining back Belgarin and other territories the nation lost previously to Narozalica. On 30 November, 1855, two weeks before the end of the war, Alexander IV was proclaimed Emperor of All-Polianians, subsequently founding the Polianian Empire. A Narozalic-inspired republican revolt led to the adoption of a constitution and general liberalisation of Polianian society in 1869. Seeking to contain the new Narozalic Republic, Poliania fostered ties with Gaullica. The Functionalist Patriot Movement won elections in 1920, joining Gaullica as the second Functionalist nation in Euclea. Poliania joined Gaullica on the side of the Entente during the Great War. The nation's loss saw it briefly occupied by Grand Alliance forces, primarily Narozalica, in addition to losing territory to the latter, and a republic was established on 10 March, 1935. This republic was short-lived, and a constitutional referendum held on 26 February, 1938 saw the monarchy restored. Since the foundation of the Euclean Community, Poliania has maintained close ties with East Euclea.

Poliania is officially a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The nation's head of state is the King of Poliania, currently Vizimir II, who has held the title since 1945. The head of government of the nation is the Minister-President of Poliania, currently Ilijana Valčeva, and functions similarly to that of a prime minister in other constitutional monarchies. The nation's legislature is the bicameral Veche, composed of the 120-member Chamber of Envoys and the 533-member lower house, the Chamber of the Land. The largest political party is the Constitutional Democratic Party, which has held a majority in both houses of the Veche since the 2018 elections.

Internationally, Poliania is considered to be a middle power. It is a founding member of the Community of Nations and International Council for Democracy, as well as a member of the International Trade Organization and Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs. With a nominal GDP of approximately $2.06 trillion, Poliania is the Xth richest country in Euclea, and the Yth largest in the world. The country is also the 3rd largest in Euclea, behind Narozalica and Gaullica, with an estimated 2020 population of 76.5 million.

Etymology

The name Poliania is Solarianization of the Volynian name for the country: "Poljenija" (Пољения). The Polianian name is believed to have originated from the Proto-Marolevic poľe, meaning "field." The name "Poliania" is often attributed as a reference to the geography of the nation. The name's first use is attested to the 10th century, when the name was used in a communique between Grand Prince Lubomir III of Vesemir and a vassal. "Poliania" came to refer to the entire nation in 1104 CE, when Great Vesemir transformed into the First Kingdom of Poliania under King Vadislav I.

History

Antiquity

• Inhabited by humans since 15,000 BCE
• Chalcolithic culture first appears ~5000s, evolves into Yamna and eventually Catacomb cultures by 2500s
• Primitive Earth worship (something like Millwood Knights) developed.
• Tribal confederations dominate the political landscape

Middle Ages

• Slavic migrations from Miersa 4-6th centuries
• Migrations displace native Savaders and other groups
• More tribal confederations, this time Slavic. Some tribes become foederati of Arciluco
• !Kievan Rus' (Great Vesemir) formed in 800s, centered around eponymous Principality of Vesemir
• Conversation to Sotirianity in 914
• Zalyk invasions would see Great Vesemir devolve into tributary
• Wars fought, similar to Pavaric-Zalyk Wars seen in Narozalica, against Zalyk Khanates

Kingdom of Poliania

• Vesemir-Zalyk Wars caused Great Vesemir to centralize
• Vesemirian Grand Prince Vladislav I proclaimed "King of Poliania" after conquest of Belolesia in 1121
• Kingdom expanded eastward, conquering former Great Vesemir states that had refused to submit
• Expansion northwards halted by Nikolai of Lipa following Battle of Lakamore in 1321
• Dormancy as Tretogor consolidated newly acquired lands
• Decline of feudalism and transition to absolutism in 15th and 16th centuries
• Some colonialism in Eastern Asteria(?)
• Ten Years' War saw Narozalica annex northern Poliania (Belgarin, parts of Redania) and Asterian colonies
• Euclean Spring sees failed republican revolt put down in 1813
• Alliance with Werania formed, Poliania declares war on Narozalica as Werania declares on Sunrosia, starting the War of the Triple Alliance

Empire of Poliania

• On 30 November, 1855 (~2 weeks before end of War of the Triple Alliance), King Alexander IV proclaimed Emperor of All-Polianians, founds Polianian Empire
• War of the Triple Alliance ends 17 December, 1855. Poliania awarded territory ceded to Narozalica during Congress of Torazza
• Narozalic-inspired Republican revolt in 1867 resulted in the nation adopting its first constitution in 1869
• Mild colonialism(?) Poliania gets legations in X, Y, Z
• Industrialization stuff
• Great Collapse sees ties rekindled between Poliania and Narozalica under Minister-President Ventsislav Vrančev, this would collapse following the election of the Functionalist Patriot Movement in 1920
• Patriot Movement aligned Poliania with Gaullica
• Great War sees Poliania lose Belgarin and parts of northeast Poliania. Nation gets occupied by Narozalica, Werania, and Etruria

Contemporary

• Constitutional referendum in February, 1936 sees monarchy retained
• "De-Functionalization" occurs under Alliance Occupation Government, functionalism et al banned
• Solarian War prematurely ends occupation
• Begins aligning more with East Euclea
• 1980s economic crisis thing sees expansion of the nation's welfare system
• Currently just kind of vibes doing it's own thing, largely echos EC talking points

Geography

Covering an area of 1,239,473 km², Poliania is the second largest nation in Euclea by area, behind its northern neighbor Narozalica. The country is mostly flat and contains large tracts of marshy land, particularly in the north along the border with Radushia.

Poliania's territorial expansion was largely achieved in the 12th century under the reign of the first Polianian King, Vladislav I. Under Vladislav I, the city-states of Great Vesemir, located in the southwest of modern Poliania, united under Vladislav's rule. Vladislav raised an army and pushed eastward, conquering tribal lands that hand previously been foederati under the Empire of Arciluco. Similarly, Vladislav pushed northwards as well, conquering lands from the Zalyk Khanates. Northwards expansion was halted in 1321 by Nikolai of Lipa at the Battle of Lakamore.

The nation has a wide base of natural resources, with the country being home to major deposits of: coal, iron ore, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulphur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, uranium, and arable land.

The Tserovitsa Mountain Range run diagonal from the Lake Min southward.

The landscape of Poliania is flat, characterized by steppe with intermittent breaks of fertile plains and plateaus. Mountains are found in the east of the country, with the nation's largest range, the Tserovitsa, running southwestwards from Lake Min, and contain the majority of the nation's mineral ore deposits. Mount Gero, located in the Tserovitsa, is one of the highest points in Euclea at a height of 3,479 m (11,414 ft). Other important ranges include the Krapets in the northeast and Raliza in the center of the country.

The nation is home to an estimated 12,000 lakes, the largest of which is Lake Meža with an area of 1,082.89 km² (418.11 sq mi)., and thousands of streams. These streams and lakes make up an important feature for human geography, being used as freshwater sources, energy generation, logging purposes, and as general trade routes in historic times. Four major rivers run through the nation: the Kvasy, the Drava, the Piva, and the Vardar. The Kvasy flows northwards into Narozalica, emptying in the Perovo Sea; the Drava and Vardar both flow westward and empty into the Lumine Ocean; and the Piva flows south and empties into the Mazdan Sea. Major tributaries include: the Lom, Vača, and Osam (Kvasy); the Dospat (Drava); and the Arda and Maritsa (Vardar).

Approximately 10% of the country is home to puščas, uninhabited tracts of old-growth forest. These numbers were originally as high as 40% in the 1600s, before logging and deforestation reduced them to their current numbers. Most puščas are crownland, being open to the public as nature preserves and national parks. Forests outside of puščas exist as both broad-leaf forest and taiga. Taiga makes up an estimated 24% of all forest within the country, and is found primarily in the Tserovitsa Range. Broad-leaf forest makes up the remaining 76% and is the primary source of timber for the nation. Conservation efforts, in conjunction with selection cutting, has seen Poliania's forests remain largely intact since the 1960s.

Climate

Poliania has a varied climate ranging from warm-summer mediterranean to subarctic, depending on latitude, elevation, and proximity to the coast. The country's coastal regions have a dry summer climate giving way to oceanic and humid continental in the interior, and polar climate in the nation's mountain regions. The influence of the ocean generally moderates temperature extremes, creating warmer winters and substantially cooler summers in coastal areas.

The cool Polianian current off of the western coast of Euclea creates a warm-dry summer climate (Csa) along the western and southern coasts of the country. The average daily temperature in Presijan, located directly on the Lumine Ocean, did not exceed 70.6°F (21°C) or drop below 57.1°F (14°C) for the entire year of 2019. Karanovo, located 50 km inland, has an average temperature range of 54°F (12°C) to 92°F (33°C). Average precipitation varies for the coast, with the south being drier than the north. The southern Lumine coast receives between 35-45 inches (890-1143 mm) of precipitation annually, while the north Lumine coast region could receive upwards of 55 inches (1400 mm) of precipitation annually.

The interior of Poliania ranges from humid continental (Dfb) to cold-semi arid climate (Bsk). Much of the interior of the country is humid continental, marked by four distinct seasons and even precipitation throughout the entire year. 28 inches (710 mm) to 62 inches (1,600 mm) of precipitation falls annually in the interior, most of it rain. An estimated two-thirds of this precipitation falls between April and November. Weather is heavily influenced by cold air masses moving down from Narozalica and warm air masses coming from the Mazdan Sea. Because of this, temperatures vary across the interior of the country. Average summer day temperatures can vary from as low as 73°F (22°C) in the central highlands, to 85°F (29°C). Nightly lows also vary, and can range from 45°F (7°C) to 67°F (19°C). Like summer, winter temperatures also vary greatly depending on location, with average day temperatures ranging between 18°F (-7°C) and 35°F (1°C); and lows ranging between -2°F (-18°C) and 18°F (-7°C). The northern interior, along the Narozalic border, of the country is cold-semi arid climate, characteristic of steppes. Temperatures here range annually from 84°F (29°C) in the summer months to 34°F (1°C) in the winter. The northern steppe regions receives between 0.78 to 2 inches (20-46 mm) of precipitation annually.

Biodiversity

A herd of zubr in the Bjaloveža National Park.

Poliania has a wide range of biodiversity, owing to the varied climate and geography of the country. Phytogeographically, the country falls within the Boreal Kingdom, split between the Circumboreal (West Euclean Province) and the Osogovo Floristic Region. Poliania belongs to four ecoregions: temperate broadleaf and mixed forest, temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands, Solarian forests, woodlands, and scrub, and temperate coniferous forest.

Many animals that have gone extinct elsewhere in Euclea remain extant in Poliania, such as Euclean bison (zubr) and Euclean lynx. Other species include: Euclean beaver, moose, and gray wolf. Game animals such as red deer, roe dee, and wild boar are also common. These species are primarily found in the forested regions of the country, particularly in the southeast-east regions of country. In the West Euclea grasslands, which dominate the northern regions of Poliania, steppe-dwelling animals are often found. These include: ground squirrels, gophers, and other rodents. Along the nation's waterways, otters, martens, and mink are common. Along the Lumine Coast, sea lions, dolphins, purposes, and other marine life can be found.

Various species of deciduous trees and conifers are found in the country. Several species of deciduous oaks, predominantly Etrurian oak and Amathian oak, are found throughout the country. Along the coast, Polianian oak is the most common for the woodlands. Western yellow pine is the dominant conifer for the montane ecoregions. In addition to the conifers, the montane regions are also home to white poplar, several juniper species, and Polianian bristlecone pine. Because of the low level of annual precipitation, few trees are endemic to the steppe regions. Here feathergrass, wormwood, and fescue are the dominant flora.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Governorates of Poliania

Governorates of Poliania with colored regions

The first-order administrative division for the country is the governorate, of which Poliania is divided into 15 of them. For administrative purposes, these governorates are further grouped into six regions, based on historical entities. These regions are not considered to be official administrative units, but are used for the regional division of the nation in a variety of contexts ranging from weather reports, geography, judicial circuits, and business and educational institutions. Poliania's modern governorates were formed in the aftermath of the Great War, and mostly consist of mergers of pre-war administrative divisions. A bill introduced in June, 2020 aims to increase the number of governorates to 18 by creating three governorates for the capital, Tretogor, and the cities of Losniza and Pripek.

Each governorate is determined by the Statute of Autonomy, which acts as the basic law for each governorate. The Statutes determine the name of the governorate, the size of it according to historical and contemporary territory and regional identity, and the rights the governorate enjoys under the 1935 constitution. These documents serve as the governorate's constitution, and follow the same basic layout as the national constitution.

The government of a governorate is three-branched and based on a system of checks and balances like that of the national government. It consists of a legislature, judiciary, and an executive. The legislative assembly must be unicameral, elected by universal suffrage, and elected through Mixed-member proportional representation voting. The judiciary is made up of a supreme court that oversees all the judicial circuits located in the governorate. Governorate supreme courts are subservient to the national supreme court. Governorate executives are made up of a executive council headed by a governor, who is elected directly by the constituents of the governorate.

Redania 1. Lower Redania 2. Upper Redania 3. Mitrova	Siveria 1. Polavia 2. Prisariće 3. Ćuša	Vlodomeria 1. Rupćine 2. Varnice 3. Merenia
Teveriće 1. Teveriće	Vesemir 1. Novići-Heki 2. Orsera 3. Lazine 4. Vesemir	Nava 1. Nava

Politics

Judiciary and law

The Polianian judicial system is based on customary law. It did not develop a case law like those found in common law systems, nor a comprehensive codex like the majority of civil law systems. The nation's constitution guarantees a trial within a reasonable time period. All criminal cases are done via jury trials, where the jury is selected from one's peers. Corporate crimes, land disputes, and familial disputes are done via bench trial.

The maximum penalty that can be enacted by the law is the death penalty. Life sentences are not handed out. The death penalty is often used for only the most heinous of crimes, including but not limited to treason, murder, and espionage and seditious acts. Historically, outlawry was used to carry out the death sentence but this has recently shifted to lethal injection.

The nation's judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and its subsequent constituents. The Supreme Court takes cases that impact the state as a whole. In addition to this duty, the Supreme Court possesses the power of judicial review. It is made up of seven judges, who are nominated by the Minister-President and approved by both houses of the Veche. All sitting members of the Supreme Court serve for life.

File:Policemanrussia.jpg

Police officer in Novigrad.

Beneath the Supreme Court are district courts and corresponding appellate courts, which handle civil and criminal cases and appeals respectively. District courts are headed by a chief magistrate and can be assisted by up to three other magistrates depending on the severity of the case. Simple cases such as applying for a divorce may be handled by notaries or trained office staff. Appeals for rulings are viewed and handled by an Appellate Court, located in each administrative capital. The appellate court consists of a chief magistrate and a number of lay judges.

The Polianian Royal Police is the sole policing service for the country. It is based in the capital of Tretogor and is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. It itself is headed by the National Police Board, headquartered in Tretogor. The Polianian police jurisdiction covers the entirety of the nation, which is split into 197 districts. These districts are based on population density and historical crime rate and can vary in size from an entire county to a single municipality.  

The police's duty is to provide a full spectrum of police services, ranging from patrols and investigations to issuing documents such as passports and ID cards. More specialized and important functions, such as border and airport security, are provided by the Customs Police, an agency under the Ministry of State.

Preservation of national waters falls under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard, an agency of the Ministry of Defense. In times of war, the Coast Guard is placed under the command the Navy.

The correctional system of Poliania is focused principally on rehabilitation and training of the convicted rather than punishment, having undergone numerous incremental changes since the 1800s. The recidivism rate of criminals in Poliania was approximately 34% in 2015.

Culture

Music

A contemporary Polianian Birch trumpet.

The Tretogor Arena is the Poliania's largest concert venue.

In the present, Poliania is the world's third-largest music exporter, surpassed only by Gaullica and X. The Polianian pop band Plus is considered by many the first to gain international exposure and is widely credited with bringing Polianian pop music to the international market.

Poliania has multiple music traditions. Traditional Polianian music, a genre known as Pesnažitja, is, to an extent, a genre comparable to the Gaullican Chanson and Weranic Schlager. This genre is known for having simple melody and rhythm with a straightforward structure of couplets and refrains. Traditional musical instruments include trumpets, simple string instruments, wooden flutes and drums, and are a staple of traditional music. In recent years, many folk artists have added guitars and synthesizers.

The 1960s saw a revival in folk music, producing a vibrant scene of modern folk. Artists such as Viktorija Zekić, Dalibor Matijašević, and Matej Praljak are considered pioneers for their work in developing the Polianian folk rock genres. Since the turn of the millennium, some contemporary pop artists have drawn from the traditional folk music and incorporating elements of modern electronica, pop, and rock in a new genre known as neofolk.

Major Poliania music festivals include: Emerald Beach Music Festival and Losniza Jazz Festival, in Losniza, and the Summer Sun Rock Festival in Breza.

Šime Zagorac, ArorA, and Ljudevit Periša are three popular Polianian DJs with international following.

Contemporary Polianian rock and pop music originated in the 1960s, influenced by music from Gaullica. Lyrics during this time period were almost exclusively written in Volynian, with some tracks also being purely instrumental. Starting in the 1980s, more musicians began working in Gaullican, partly inspired by the immense success of Plus. Today most artists work in Gaullican, although Volynian has been making a resurgence. Since Plus, Polianian musicians have enjoyed prominent international success. The late 1970s and early 1980s gave rise to new wave and synthpop artists, including Stjepan Gasparić, Saša Brala, and Heiko, became widely known in Euclea and Asteria Superior to a lesser extent. Modern pop artists like Ruža, Veronika Lončarveić, and Verica Savić continue to be successful internationally, while new wave and post-punk have influenced the alternative rock scene, exemplified by bands such as Resignation Party and Trinity.

Emerald Beach Music Festival is the world's largest electronic music festival.

Poliania is considered by many to be a pioneer in electronic dance music (EDM), with many "traditional" Polianian styles to become widespread across the world in many forms, from trance and techno to gabber and hardstyle. Poliania boasts as having the most DJs per capita at 28.5 per 100,000 people. Some of the world's best known music DJs come from the country, including Lješ Popadić, Šime Zagorac, Arsic, ArorA, Ljudevit Periša, Kope, and JJ. These DJs also contribute to the world's mainstream pop music, as they frequently collaborate and produce for high-profile international artists. The Emerald Beach Music Festival is the world's largest, by attendance, club festival and is considered by many to be the world's leading and most popular electronic music conference. Other electronic festivals held in Poliania are the Electric Dance Festival and the Tretogor Dance Carnival.

Poliania is one of the most successful competing nations at the Euclovision Song Contest, with a total of four victories (1978, 1999, 2013, 2016), behind leaders Gaullica who have five and tied with Kesselbourg who also have four. In the Euclovision Song Contest each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio; however, no restriction on the nationality of the songwriter or the artist exists which has resulted in countries being represented by songwriters and artist who are not nationals of that country. In recent years Polianian songwriters have been involved in the writing – entirely or partly – of entries from several countries in addition to Poliania.