Silgadin

Grand Duchy of Silgadin Grand-Duché de Silgadin (au) Grond Ducadi da Silgiadina (sg)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: A las barricadas, vaschins! ("To the barricades, peasants!"; Silgadish)
Anthem: Chanson du Drapeau Silgadin ("Song of the Silgadinese Flag"; Audonic)
Capital and largest city	Andlau
Official languages	Audonic, Silgadish
Demonym(s)	Silgadinese
Government	Unitary constitutional monarchy
• Grand Duke	Odo XII
• Prime Minister	Filip Malögia
Legislature	National Council
Independence
• Dissolution of the Holy Audonian Empire	27 December 1824
Population
• 2020 estimate	4,815,330
• 2010 census	4,247,559
Currency	Thaler (SLT)
Internet TLD	.sg

Silgadin (Audonic: Silgadin, Silgadish: Silgiadina), fully the Grand Duchy of Silgadin (Audonic: Grand-Duché de Silgadin, Silgadish: Grond Ducadi da Silgiadina) is a small unitary constitutional monarchy in Belisaria. Silgadin is bordered to the north and west by Lyncanestria, to the east by Messidor Union and to the south by West Merovia. Silgadin is a landlocked country, and neither possesses a navy nor a coastline. The Grand Duchy is located almost entirely in the Atras, a large mountain range that covers large portions of southwestern Belisaria. In the east, the landscape is characterized by the presence of Lake Seil and its valley, the economic and population centre of the country. Silgadin is a bilingual country in which both Silgadiner and Audonic are spoken, as a result of its historical position between the Romance-speaking western and southern Belisaria.

The 19th and 20th centuries in Silgadin were dominated by economic depression and subsequent ethnic violence between Silgadish-speaking Silgiadinaises and Audonic-speaking Silgadinois that was only placated by Merovian intervention to restore order and prevent a Messidorian invasion. A new constitution was drafted, reducing the role of the monarch and economic liberalisation measures were taken to promote growth, which helped Silgadin to phase from a traditional agriculture-based economy to a services-dominated one, especially tourism.

Silgadin is a representative democracy with a constitutional monarchy and universal suffrage. The Grand Duke (currently Odo XII) serves as the head of state and a representative of the grand duchy abroad, however his executive powers are quite limited. The Prime Minister (currently Filip Malögia) serves as head of government, and the National Council (Conseil National, Cussagl Naziunel) serves as Silgadin's legislative body. Silgadin is considered a stable democracy having survive the authoritarian waves of the 1930s and especially the early 1940s, when its governmental structure was menaced by invictist factions, the Messidor Union and internal opposition groups.

Silgadin is an ethnically mixed nation, with two predominant ethnic groups, Audonic-speaking silgadinois and the Silgadish-speaking silgiadinaises. Andlau, Silgadin's capital and seat of both the monarchy and the government is also the most populated city of Silgadin and an important financial and cultural centre.

Etymology

The term English term 'Silgadin' comes from the Audonic adaptation of the original Silgadish term "Silgiadina", meaning 'garden of the [lake] Sil'. Sil is the Silgadish name for the Lake Seil. The exact origin of the name to refer to the area is unknown, although there is consensus that it was already enjoying widespread use by the 9th to 11th centuries to define the northernmost, mountainous regions of Latium.

History

The territory of modern-day Silgadin was first integrated into the ancient Latin Empire in the 1st century CE. It featured several towns during this, including Augusta Marcia (now Marceaux), Aventium (now Aventin), and Argia (now Andlau). This period was prosperous for the population residing around Lake Seil and the Seil Valley. Great wealth passed through the area as the crossroads of the Atras Mountains between the provinces of Audonia Superior and Audonia Inferior. By the 9th century, the area became a frontier region as nearby and invading forces began to push back Latin borders.

Audonians invaded and occupied Silgadin from the Latins, and introduced their language and customs shortly thereafter, though Silgadin retained much of its pre-Audonian identity. Silgadin was organized as a county in the Holy Audonian Empire, created by the first Emperor, Robert I. The County of Silgadin, despite being in the heart of the empire surrounded by larger, more powerful states of the empire, was largely left to its own devices given its relatively remote location in the Atras Mountains.

The County was eventually elevated to a duchy in 1410 by Emperor Henry I, in recognition of Silgadin’s support for his claim to the throne during the War of Audonian Succession. Silgadin prospered thanks to rich mineral resources in the Atras as well as access to fresh water in Lake Seil.

Upon the dissolution of the Empire in 1824, Silgadin became an independent Grand Duchy between the Empire of Lyncanestria to the north and west and the Kingdom of Merovia to the south and east. Since that time Silgadin has attempted to maintain a position of strict neutrality, especially given its border with the Messidor Union to the southeast.

Geography

Maltschesin, an iconic, if small town next to Lake Seil.

Silgadin is located in southwestern Belisaria in the northern hemisphere of the world and is bordered by land by Lyncanestria to the north and west, Messidor Union to the east and West Merovia to south. Silgadin is landlocked, and therefore lacks access to the sea. Most of this water coverage is composed of Lake Seil, the largest lake in the country.

Silgadin is a very mountainous country as it is located within the Atras mountains which cross southwestern Belisaria. The Atras cover most of the country save for the Seil Valley in the east which opens up onto the Central Belisarian Plains in Lyncanestria and the Messidor Union. The tallest mountains in Silgadin can be found in the centre-west part of the country. Mont Framboise is the tallest mountain in Silgadin at 3,770 metres (12,370 feet) above sea level. Silgadin's mountains are one of its most important natural assets, offering some of the best mountaineering and skiing anywhere in the world.

The Seil Valley in the east of the country connects Lake Seil with the plains of northern Merovia. The valley has historically been an important trade route in and out of Silgadin as it was one of the few passages that remained open year round. The area was formed several thousand years ago during the last ice age when the valley was filled with an ancient glacier. Global warming resulted in the melting of the glacier and the formation of the lake within the valley. Lake Seil also has a moderating influence on the local climate, often creating a temperature inversion that can shroud the surrounding mountains in clouds for weeks.

Dozens of small streams and rivers flow down the mountains in Silgadin, often into lakes or larger rivers. The Seil River is the largest and longest river in the country, starting in the southeast close to the border with Merovia and draining into Lake Seil. This waterway was an important source of water and power for the early industrial workshops in Silgadin and in recent years has become essential for the generation of hydroelectricity.

Climate

A multitude of climates are found within Silgadin. These are influenced primarily by the geography and by the latitude of the country. The primary climate found in most areas of the country is humid continental climate which is characterized by four seasons with large seasonal temperature differences, though the summers tend to be cooler than those found in the south and the winters colder as well.

Most of the populated valleys and flat areas, especially around Lake Seil are under the influence of an oceanic climate. These areas typically experience all four distinct seasons and have ample amounts of annual rainfall. The climate generally becomes milder in the extreme south of Silgadin, where it is influenced more by the warm, humid winds blowing off the Merovian Plains. Often these winds bring with them the weather systems which deliver the majority of the precipitation which falls over southern Silgadin. Thunderstorms are frequent during the summer months when humidity and warm temperatures combine with cool air from the Atras Mountains. Temperatures in these regions vary between an average minimum of -3.9°C during winter and an average maximum of 23°C during summer.

Winter can bring large amounts of snow to most of the country, although some places can remain without snow all winter due to the Foehn effect of northerly winds off the Atras Mountains. Heavy snowfall often blocks roads and railway lines through mountain passes as well as create avalanche hazards. Since the 1990's, the government has been actively working to control avalanches and mitigate the effects of heavy snowfalls during winter. In some parts of the country, freezing temperatures can last until mid-March.

The highest recorded temperature in Silgadin is 41.2°C, observed on July 22, 2003. The lowest recorded temperature is -41.9°C, observed on December 19, 1987.

Biodiversity

The Golden eagle is the national symbol of Silgadin.

Although Silgadin is a small country, a large variety of bird, animal, insect and fish species can be found within the country. Most of these species have adapted to live within the mountainous environments of the Atras Mountains.

Notable mammal species found in Silgadin include the brown bear, of which less than 100 individuals remain in the country and the Belisarian lynx, which is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. Common canids found in Silgadin include red foxes and grey wolves, the latter of which is listed as a protected species despite populations becoming a hazard to livestock in recent years. Substantial populations of red deer, ibex and chamois can be found across Silgadin, with the latter two species found to be most plentiful in the mountain regions.

Silgadin's national symbol, the golden eagle, can be found across Silgadin but is especially prevalent in the mountains at moderate to high altitudes. It is one of five eagle species to be found in Silgadin. Other predatory birds found in Silgadin include ospreys and the Peregrine falcon, the latter of which has become adapted to living in urban and semi-urban environments.

Grass snakes are one of the most widespread and commonly seen reptile species in Silgadin. Reptiles are seldom found at higher altitudes due to the extreme temperatures and generally cooler weather. One of the most notable of the snake species present in Silgadin is the Belisarian pit viper which is responsible for the majority of snakebite victims admitted to hospitals around Silgadin each year.

Politics

The Conseil Nationalt (Silgadinois) or Cussagl Naziunel (Silgadish) is the unicameral parliament of Silgadin.

Silgadin is a parliamentary democracy under the framework of a constitutional monarchy. The institutional framework, the role of the monarchy as well as a series of transcribed rights and duties of the citizens are laid down by the 1956 Constitution, a text heavily influenced by Lyncanestrian constitutional doctrines, accompanied by a series of unwritten legal principles, of a customary character dating back as far as the 12th century, in what is known as the Silgadinese mos maiorum.

As in other constitutional monarchies, the positions of head of state and head of government are separate. The position of head of state is held by the members of the House of Hauet, and is passed by male-preference cognatic primogeniture. The current Grand Duke is Odo XII, who succeeded his father, Grand Duke Alphonse III, in 1972. The powers of the monarch are very limited, both by law and custom, and the position is largely ceremonial and considered a politically figurehead. Legally, the monarch is the nominal commander-in-chief and he also has the power of veto over legislative decisions and to dissolve the National Council. However, these powers have not been used since 1873 and 1905 respectively.

The actual executive power is vested on the Prime Minister (Audonic: Premier ministre, Silgadish: President dal Cussegl da Ministers), the head of government. The Prime Minister presides over the Council of Ministers (Audonic: Conseil Nationalt, Silgadish: Cussegl da Ministers), naming its members and controlling its collective agenda. The Prime Minister is named by the monarch and then requires the support of the National Council to form its government and take the post. The Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister as well as the individual ministers are all answerable and accountable to the National Council, that may retire its support to the government with a non-confidence vote. The current Prime Minister is Filip Malögia, a member of the centre-right Christian Social Union (UCS/CSU).

The legislative branch of government is formed by the unicameral National Council (Audonic: Conseil Nationalt, Silgadish: Cussagl Naziunel). The National Council is formed by 250 members elected through single transferable vote directly by the population in the 51 different constituencies of the country. The National Council is elected every 4 years, although by-elections happen during the parliamentary term if a deputy dies, resigns or is recalled by its constituents. The legislature is the sole depository of the national sovereignty, and besides exercising control of the government, it also passes budgets, declares war and ratifies treaties. Historically, the Silgadinese legislature was bicameral, however, the upper chamber was abolished in 1986, as it was a solely appointed chamber, representing the nobility.

Party discipline in Silgadin is weak, because of the electoral system and political culture, and as a result, the different Silgadinese parties have difficulties imposing their will, increasing the possibility of government instability.

The Silgadinese judiciary is formed by the Supreme Court (Audonic: Cour suprême, Silgadish: Drettüra suprema) at the national level as well as provincial courts. The legal system of Silgadin is mixed, as customary law, known as mos mairoum, applies to the law of obligations as well as family law. The traditional Silgadinese laws still maintain considerable influence on the codified aspects of law. The legal system when referring to criminal, administrative and labour law is codified and based on the Lyncanestrian civil law, on the basis of legal codes developed and passed by the legislature. Even so, judges in Silgadin have more freedom to interpret the law than their counterparts in other, more purist civil law countries.

Military

Main articles: Silgadinese Army and National Militia

Soldiers of the Terz Regiment da chatschadurs in training exercises close to the Messidorian border.

Silgadin lacks a navy as well as an independent air force, and as a result, the Silgadinese military is formed by the the Silgadinese Army (Audonic: Armée de Terre, Silgadish: Armada Silgiadina) as well as the National Militia (Audonic: Milice National, Silgadish: Milissa naziunala), a gendarmerie. The commander-in-chief of the military is the Grand Duke of Silgadin, currently Odo XII, however the actual control of the military lies with the Minister of National Defence, Gaston Meigen and the Commander of the Army, Louis Cadieu. The Silgadinese Army is in a relatively high state of alert, because of traditional border incidents and the volatile relationship with Messidor Union. As a result, Silgadin spends around 6% of its GDP, or $7.11 billion on the Army.

Silgadin's security and strategy is based on the Andlau Treaty of 1991, whereby the sovereignty of Silgadin is to be guaranteed by Merovia, which would come to the rescue of the country in case of attack. This was necessary to prevent any Messidorian invasion as the small size of the Silgadinese Army made it impossible to protect itself alone. As a result, alongside the Silgadinese Army, two divisions of the Merovian Army are stationed in Silgadin to ensure its safety.

The Silgadinese Army (Audonian: Armée de Terre, Silgadish: Armada silgiadina) is small, formed by 45,130 soldiers in military roles and further 5,300 in non-combat, administrative roles. Of these 45,130 soldiers, slightly below 40,000 are active and the rest are in reserve. The Army also contains an air wing, that operates a small fleet of 80 planes, including several ACM-3 Vipère fighter.

The National Militia (Audonian: Milice National, Silgadish: Milissa naziunala) is a para-military gerndarmerie force with over 26,000 members. The National Militia is under the joint authority of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Governance. Although officially a part of the military structure, the National Militia's main duties are strictly civil, and include patrolling Silgadin's countryside and the highways and main roads outside the cities. However, its training is militarist and is not very different from that of members of the Army, and as a result in case of needs, the National Militia can be called to military duty to support the Army.

Economy

Skyline of Porta nova, Andlau's financial centre. The sight is a symbol of Silgadin's economic growth since the 1980s.

Silgadin is a developed economy with one of Belisaria’s highest growth rates. The Silgadinese economy is powered by high government spending on modern technologies as well as low taxation that has encouraged the development of a large domestic banking sector. Tourism is the largest single sector of the Silgadinese economy, accounting for slightly over 12% of the economy with diverse options, including winter tourism as well as a large offer of spas.

The Silgadinese currency is the Silgadinese thaler