Melvenia

Kingdom of Melvenia Korolevst das Melvenjya (Melvenian)
Flag
Motto: Ob yenidem koro "United by the King"
Anthem: "Oh Ivand, the King"
Capital and largest city	Macrovik
Official languages	Melvenian
Recognised national languages	Melvenian
Ethnic groups (2023)	White (86%) Mixed (6%) Black (2%) Other (6%)
Demonym(s)	Melvenian
Government	Unitary semi-presidentialist constitutional monarchy
• His Majesty the King of Melvenia	Sergui Zarev
• President	Artem Stepanov
• Prime Minister	Ivan Sokorin
Legislature	Duma
• Upper house	House of Lords
• Lower house	House of Commons
Establishment
• United Counties of Trimekev	25 AD
• Grand Duchy of Melvenia	978 AD
• Feudal Union of Trimkovs	1245 AD
• Absolute Kingdom of Melvenia	May 5th, 1492
• First Civil War	June 3rd, 1789
• United States of Melvenia	May 13th, 1795
• Second Civil War	July 1st, 1842
• Absolute Czardom of Melvenia	March 1st, 1850
• Kingdom of Melvenia	December 25th, 1934
• Current Constitution	November 1st, 1936
Population
• 2022 census	27,943,200
GDP (PPP)	2022 estimate
• Total	1.99T (not ranked)
• Per capita	$71,103
GDP (nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	1.86T (not ranked)
• Per capita	$66,589 (not ranked)
Gini (2023)	46 high
HDI (2023)	0.925 very high
Currency	Melvenian Ruble (M₽)
Time zone	UTC 0
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+414
ISO 3166 code	ME
Internet TLD	.me

Melvenia, officially the Melvenian Kingdom (Melvenian: Korolevst das Melvenjya), or the Kingdom of Melvenia, is a country located in Southern Thrismari. Melvenia shares borders with Morrawia to the north-east, Wassilia to the east and Yugoslavia to the south. The country gains maritime access to the Kaldaz Ocean through the Targea Strait, which is the main sea route for Melvenia. Melvenia is composed of 12 provinces, with a total area of x square kilometer (x squares miles). Melvenia has total population of approximately 28 million people, having a pretty low population density of x people per square km. Melvenia is a unitary semi-presidentialist constitutional monarchy with its capital in Macrovik, the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial center; other major urban areas include (x).

The first traces of human presence in what is now Melvenia date back 30,000 years. This area was inhabited relatively recently because it was once very cold. Over time, the climate became more pleasant, encouraging the establishment of the first tribes. By 2000 BC, the first sedentary villages had emerged, marked by notable developments in agriculture, livestock, and metallurgy. The first national entity in the current territory was the United Counties of Trimevek, located in the northwest. However, it wasn't until 978 AD that the first true Melvenian entity, the Grand Duchy of Melvenia, was formed. This duchy lasted for centuries until its transformation into the Absolute Kingdom of Melvenia in 1492. This formation centralized power and began the decline of the feudal system.

This authoritarian monarchical regime lasted until 1795 when the United States of Melvenia was established after three bloody years of civil war. This new regime laid the legal foundations for the current Penal Code and inspired many laws. However, it only lasted until 1842, when landowners and much of the rural population rebelled against the liberal government, triggering another civil war that lasted eight years. By 1850, the landowners had triumphed, leading to the establishment of the Absolute Czardom of Melvenia, a return to a highly authoritarian monarchical regime. This represented significant social regression for Melvenia, as other countries advanced and democratized. This regime lasted until 1934, when Melvenia transitioned to a constitutional monarchy under King Ivank V, influenced by liberals and progressives. In 1936, a new constitution established Melvenia as a semi-presidential constitutional monarchy, blending republican and monarchical elements. This change brought political stability, fostering an environment conducive to modernization. From the mid to late 20th century, Melvenia experienced remarkable economic growth and social progress, becoming one of the wealthiest and most stable countries in the region.

Today, Melvenia is a global economic and commercial centre. It has followed a policy of relative neutrality since the late 20th century, making it attractive to investors and tourists. In 2019, Melvenia received a total of 45 million tourists, a figure that is almost double its population. The nation is a high-income developed country, having one of the highest GDP per capita in all of Anteria.

Demographics

Religion

Melvenia is a confessional country that designates Catholicism as the official religion. This status is enshrined in the Constitution of 1936, which grants the Catholic Church certain benefits, including tax exemptions and the requirement to offer Catholic Religion as an official subject in all schools across the country. Despite being a confessional state, Melvenia upholds freedom of conscience and allows individuals to practice any religion they choose. The construction of places of worship for other religions is permitted, as is the display of religious symbols or items of clothing in public.

According to a 2019 survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics, 62.4% of the Melvenian population identifies as Catholic, 23.2% as agnostic or atheist, 10.1% as Protestant, and 4.7% with other religions (mainly Judaism, indigenous religions, and Islam).

Catholicism has been the predominant religion in Melvenia since the late 10th century, following the establishment of the Grand Duchy of Melvenia. This religion has profoundly influenced various aspects of the country, including historical, cultural, and legislative domains. The current Penal Code reflects this influence, incorporating elements from the Old Testament of the Bible. There have been historical conflicts, notably in the 17th century in the southern regions of the country where Protestantism was significant. During this time, the Catholic Church viewed Protestantism as a sect and repressed it.

Until the formation of the United States of Melvenia in 1789, driven by liberal groups, Catholicism remained the official religion. From the early 18th century, although Catholicism continued to be the official religion, other religions began to gain acceptance due to the influence of liberal intellectuals. The Constitution of 1936 recognized freedom of worship and legalized the construction of non-Catholic religious buildings (though such buildings had been constructed clandestinely for centuries).

Today, all religions are legally recognized in Melvenia. Protestantism, along with other religions, enjoys certain legal recognition in provinces where it is the majority religion. However, non-Catholic religions are not exempt from taxes and are not included in the public education curriculum.

Education

Catholic Apostolic University, located in Macrovik

Education in Melvenia is regulated by the Bureau of Education under the 2002 Law on Schools, Institutes, and Universities. This central government jurisdiction is decentralized, and each province has the ability to adapt its educational curriculum within the established legal framework.

Pre-school education is free and optional at the central level (although it is compulsory in some provinces) and is aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 6. Compulsory education begins with Elementary School, which runs from ages 6 to 11. This is followed by Middle School (ages 11 to 14) and High School (ages 14 to 18). Education is required at the national level to be compulsory until age 16, but in some provinces, it can be extended to ages 17 or 18. Education from ages 3 to 18 is free in all public schools, and is offered at low or almost zero prices in some private schools subsidized by provincial governments.

Among Melvenian citizens aged 26 or over, 85.4% have a High School Graduate Certificate, approximately 35.2% of the population hold a Bachelor's Degree, and 10.3% have a Graduate Degree. The literacy rate among the population is 99.7%.

The country's university system consists of numerous institutions, both public and private. Tuition fees for domestic students at public universities range from ACU 2,000 to ACU 8,000 per year, depending on the major. Fees for international students are much higher, ranging from ACU 13,000 to ACU 50,000 per year. Fees at private universities are not regulated but typically range from ACU 15,000 to ACU 60,000 per year. Despite the relatively high costs, there are numerous scholarships and forms of university funding supported by the central and provincial governments. One of the most well-known and widely used loans is the "Prestbek," a low-interest loan that allows students to defer payment of fees until they reach a certain income level from their future job. Melvenia boasts some world-class universities of excellent quality, such as Macrovik University, Gackea Polytechnic University, and the Catholic Apostolic University.

In 2023, Melvenia spent 5.72% of its GDP on education. Of this total expenditure, 55% was spent on primary and secondary education, 35% on higher education, and 5% on pre-school education.

Healthcare

Macrovik Universitary Hospital

Healthcare in Melvenia is largely provided by private sector healthcare facilities and paid for by a combination of public programs, private insurance, and out-of-pocket payments. Melvenia is one of the few developed countries in all of Anteria that does not have universal healthcare, and a considerable portion of the population does not have health insurance. This is reflected in a relatively high mortality rate compared to other countries. Most people access healthcare through private medical insurance, which is usually paid for by both the worker and the employer. There are also some public health insurance programs, such as Medicare (which covers all people over 65 years old and people with disabilities or serious illnesses), Medicaid (which covers people in poverty), and Medimilli (which covers all military members). Provinces also have the ability to create additional medical programs or expand existing national ones to a larger portion of the population. The situation varies greatly between provinces, with the percentage of the insured population ranging from 67% to 100%.

Having a predominantly private healthcare system, Melvenia spends a high percentage of its GDP on healthcare, amounting to 13.2%, with a per capita expenditure of ACU 8,638.40. This high expenditure is due to the extensive bureaucracy and the fact that public insurance is provided through a combination of various private insurances that together cover the necessary expenses. However, this high spending is not reflected in the medical data. The average life expectancy stands at 77.43 years, with 73.43 years for men and 80.20 years for women. Melvenia has 2.7 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants and 11.63 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants.

Despite access issues and high costs, healthcare in Melvenia is of very high quality and boasts some of the most modern hospitals in all of Anteria. The country has an excellent hospital infrastructure and is a leader in medical technology and research.

Government

Sergui Zarev, the King of Melvenia

Artem Stepanov, the President

The Kingdom of Melvenia is a monarchy governed by a unitary, representative, and constitutional model according to the 1936 constitution. The king has only symbolic functions, serving as the head of state and the armed forces, being required to ratify the laws passed by Parliament and representing the country abroad. He is assisted in his duties by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President. The constitution establishes three levels of government: the central government, provincial governments, and municipal governments. According to the constitution, the provinces are responsible for enforcing national laws within their territories, collecting taxes to send to the central government, and having certain competencies over health and education. Every six years, each province elects its governor and the members of the Provincial Assemblies through universal suffrage using a "first past the post" system with an electoral college. On the other hand, the municipalities are responsible for implementing local policies, and their representatives are also elected democratically. They are in charge of collecting taxes and then sending them to the provincial government.

The legislative power in the country is represented by the Duma, composed of the House of Commons (lower chamber) and the House of Lords (upper chamber). The Duma is responsible for creating and voting on new laws, approving the annual national budgets, and having the power to remove the Prime Minister. The House of Commons has representatives who are elected every four years by all citizens over the age of 18. There are a total of 501 electoral districts, each represented by one representative. The candidate with the most votes in each district wins the seat, while the others are eliminated. The representatives vote for the President of the Government, who must secure at least 251 votes to be elected. The President, after being appointed, designates the Prime Minister.

The House of Lords' representatives are also elected every four years, concurrently with the House of Commons. The House of Lords can reject proposals from the House of Commons once, sending them back for a second vote. If the proposal is approved again, the House of Lords must pass it. Each province elects 12 representatives regardless of population. The voting system used is Limited Voting.

The executive power is comprised of the President, who appoints the Prime Minister and their cabinet. The President is responsible for effectively implementing the laws passed by the Duma, signing trade and diplomatic agreements, and declaring war.

The most important judicial institution in the country is the Constitutional Court, which consists of 20 judges. Eight are elected by the Duma (four from the lower house and four from the upper house), two are directly appointed by the Prime Minister, and the remaining ten are elected by a vote among all judges in the country. Below the Constitutional Court, in order of importance, are the National Court, Provincial Courts, and local courts, all of which follow a similar election system adapted to their level.

Law

Building of the Constitutional Court, the highest tribunal in Melvenia

Melvenia employs a mixed legal system with a predominant influence of Common Law. The country operates under a Constitution that outlines fundamental laws and specific statutes, such as the Extremely Serious Crimes Act, which defines the conditions under which the death penalty can be applied and mandates its enforcement. Despite these statutory provisions, case law and precedents play a central role, and judges have an active role in interpreting laws and issuing rulings.

The legal tradition in Melvenia combines elements from both Common Law and Civil Law. The Civil Law tradition in Melvenia dates back to the 17th century with the formation of the United States of Melvenia, which initially applied a Civil Law system along with a penal code. Common Law, on the other hand, has deep historical roots in the country, tracing back to the 7th century, and has been influential throughout Melvenia's legal history.

Melvenia's judicial system is highly unified and centralized. The Constitutional Court is the highest court, followed by the National Court, the Provincial Courts, and the Local Court. Legal proceedings generally start in the Local Court, with appeals moving through the higher courts until they reach the Constitutional Court, which has the final authority.

Although Melvenia is a confessional country with Catholicism as its official religion, religious law has not influenced the legal system since the enactment of the Constitution of 1936. Historically, the Catholic Church had a significant impact on the laws, opposing women's suffrage and penalizing "anti-clerical conduct," including homosexuality, blasphemy, and sodomy. However, these religious influences were removed with the legalization of women's suffrage and homosexuality in the 1936 Constitution, the introduction of same-sex civil unions in 2005, and the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2020.

Melvenia guarantees broad freedom of expression, with hate speech laws being relatively mild and enforced only in extreme cases. Nonetheless, the country imposes severe penalties for serious crimes such as murder, rape, and drug trafficking. While there is no "automatic conviction" for these offenses, they often result in the death penalty in many cases. This practice has faced criticism from human rights organizations, which argue that the death penalty is immoral, unethical, and irreversible. Despite this, capital punishment remains widely supported by 70% of the population according to a 2022 survey, reflecting a long-standing tradition of capital punishment in the country dating back to the Middle Ages.

Economy

Aerial view of Macrovik's Financial District

Melvenia has a high-income, mixed-market economy characterized by remarkable diversification and high economic freedom. The country experienced significant economic growth throughout the 20th century and is currently one of the leading economies in southern Thismari and all of Anteria, with one of the highest GDP per capita and median household income in the region.

The economy of Melvenia is highly diversified, with the service sector dominating at 78.8% of the total economy and accounting for 79.15% of all jobs. The industrial, mining, and manufacturing sector contributes 18.7% to the economy, making Melvenia a major producer of gold, iron, copper, diamonds, zinc, uranium, and other minerals. Agriculture, livestock, and fishing make up 2.5% of the economy, with Melvenia's agricultural sector being one of the most productive and technologically advanced in its region.

Melvenia is strongly oriented towards exports, which account for 25% of its GDP. Most economic activity is concentrated in the southwestern part of the country, which hosts numerous national and international companies. The main export products include vehicles, machinery parts, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum, processed minerals and derivatives and steel.

Since the 1930s, the Melvenian government has implemented a series of policies known as "Kongloneza." These policies involved creating semi-private companies with government and private ownership. Each company specialized in a particular sector, such as mining, manufacturing, or agriculture, and benefited from privileges such as lower taxes and protectionist measures. These companies formed alliances and developed production chains with high added value, focusing on exports. This approach fueled significant economic growth and positioned Melvenia as a highly competitive economy in its region.

By the 1980s, with the economy well-developed, many of these companies were fully privatized. The country began to reduce tariffs and open up to international competition. The government's role in the economy diminished, retaining control mainly over strategic sectors like telecommunications and energy. As a result, Melvenia established itself as one of the wealthiest countries globally, characterized by high levels of economic freedom, innovation, and financial stability.

Energy

One of the biggest coal plants in the country, located in the south of Melvenia

Melvenia has a stable energy production system well-adapted to the country's needs, with a high per capita consumption of 8,911.46 kWh. The country generates all of its electricity domestically without the need for imports. Energy production is predominantly managed by private companies, while the National Energy Distributor Company oversees regulation and distribution throughout Melvenia. Given that the country is a significant producer of fossil fuels, which are relatively inexpensive, approximately 65% of energy is produced from fossil fuels, mainly coal and natural gas.

Renewable energy has seen substantial growth over the past 30 years, particularly in hydro and wind power. It now accounts for 29% of total energy production and is expected to continue expanding. Nuclear energy contributes 6% of the total energy supply. This source of energy has never been too popular, and has faced numerous criticisms from environmental groups.

Since the 1990s, with increasing awareness of climate change, the share of energy produced from renewable sources has surged from 2% in 1995 to nearly 30% today. A target has been set to achieve 60% renewable energy by 2050. The rapid expansion of the renewable energy sector is generating high-quality jobs and establishing Melvenia as a leading global benchmark in this field.