Svenskbygderna: Difference between revisions

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{{WIP}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
|native_name                = <small>'''Pharexian:''' ''Kirkjulegt Lýðræði af Fharheckx''<br/>'''Duxnusaric:''' ''Talamh na n-Oileán go Leor''</small>
|conventional_long_name = Svenskbygderna
|conventional_long_name     = Ecclesiastical Theodemocracy of Pharexia
|native_name =  
|common_name                = Pharexia
|image_flag = Flag of Hverland.png
|image_flag                 = PharexianFlag.png  
|alt_flag                    = <!--alt text for flag-->
|alt_flag                    = <!--alt text for flag-->
|image_coat                 = File:SealofPharexia.svg
|image_coat = File:Coat of arms Hverland.png
|alt_coat                    = Coat of Arms
|alt_coat                    =  
|symbol_type                = Coat of Arms
|symbol_type                =  
|national_motto              = "Að búa saman í einingu" <br />"Cónaithe le chéile in aontacht" <br/><small>"To dwell together in unity"</small>
|national_anthem =  
|national_anthem             = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8xM43jCfLw "Morguninn Brýtur/Sosanna na Maidine"] <br/><small>How Firm, a Foundation! ''(State Anthem)''</small><br/> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmkz8LmSGp0 "Gleðidagur/Lá Aoibhinn"] <br/><small>He is the Lord ''(Church Anthem)''</small><br> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXQdTp-R2sw "Á þessum degi gleði og gleði/På denna dag av glädje och glädje"] <br/><small>Now Let us Rejoice ''(Ceremonial Anthem)''
|royal_anthem                = <!--N/A-->
|royal_anthem                = <!--N/A-->
|other_symbol_type          = <!--Another symbol, e.g. Hymn-->
|other_symbol_type          = <!--Another symbol, e.g. Hymn-->
|other_symbol                = <!--another symbol text-->
|other_symbol                = <!--another symbol text-->
|image_map                  = [[file:Map-of-Pharexia.svg|250px]]
|image_map                  = USA Minnesota relief location map.svg
|alt_map                    = <!--alt text for map-->
|size_map                    = 300px
|map_caption                = Map of Pharexia
|alt_map                    = <!--alt text for second map-->
|image_map2                  = <!--Another map, if required-->
|map_caption                =  
|alt_map2                    = <!--alt text for second map-->
|capital = Péturholm
|map_caption2                = <!--Caption to place below second map-->
|religion = Church of Svenskbygderna
|capital                     = [[Brichard Proper|Brichard]]
|largest_settlement          =  
|largest_settlement_type    = <!--Type of settlement if largest settlement not a city-->
|largest_settlement_type    = <!--Type of settlement if largest settlement not a city-->
|official_languages         = [[Pharexian (language)|Pharexian]]{{·}}[[Innfæddur]]
|official_languages = Swedish, English
|national_languages         =  
|national_languages =  
|regional_languages         = [[New Waldensian (language)|New Waldensian]]
|regional_languages =  
|languages_type              = <!--Other type of languages -->
|languages_type              = <!--Other type of languages -->
|languages                  = <!--Other languages list-->
|languages                  =  
|ethnic_groups              =  84% Cörpathia <br/> 8% Dvorxicks <br/> 8% Pencikata
|ethnic_groups              =  47% Swedish <br/>
|ethnic_groups_year          = 2018
24% German<br/>
|demonym                    = Pharexian
15% Norwegian<br/>
|government_type            = {{wp|Theodemocracy|Theodemocracy}}
9% Finnish<br/>
|leader_title2              = {{wp|prime minister|Prime Minister}}
5% Other<br/>
|leader_name2                = [[Prime Minister of Pharexia|Aemilia Signý Argyris]]
|ethnic_groups_year          = 2022
|leader_title1              = {{wp|president|President}}
|demonym                    = Svenskbygdernian
|leader_name1                = [[President of Pharexia|Rang Agnarsdóttir]]
|government_type            = Unitary {{wpl|multi-party}} parliamentary republic with significant elements of {{wpl|direct democracy}}
|leader_title3                = {{wp|Chief Justice}}
|leader_title1              = Prime Minister
|leader_name3            =  [[Lagâleg|Snæbjörn Hárlaugsson]]
|leader_name1                = Sölbrun Hallsdottir
|leader_title4          = Governing parties <small>(2014-2022)</small>
|legislature                = [[Rokthing]]
|leader_name4            =  [[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|AUfC]], [[New Future (Pharexia)|NF]], [[The Ilyçisian Delegation in Pharexia|IDP]]
|legislature                = [[Síðari]]
|upper_house                = [[Síðari#Quorum|Quorum]]
|lower_house                = [[Síðari#House of Delegates|House of Delegates]]
|sovereignty_type            =  
|sovereignty_type            =  
|sovereignty_note            =  
|sovereignty_note            =  
|established_event1          =
|established_date1          =
|established_event2          =
|established_date2          =
|established_event9          =
|established_date9          =
|area_rank                  =  
|area_rank                  =  
|area_magnitude              =  
|area_magnitude              =  
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|area_sq_mi                  = <!-- area in square mi (requires area_km2) -->
|area_sq_mi                  = <!-- area in square mi (requires area_km2) -->
|area_footnote              = <!-- optional footnote for area -->
|area_footnote              = <!-- optional footnote for area -->
|percent_water              =  
|percent_water              =
|area_label                  = <!-- label under "Area" (default: Total) -->
|area_label                  = <!-- label under "Area" (default: Total) -->
|area_label2                = <!-- label below area_label (optional) -->
|area_label2                = <!-- label below area_label (optional) -->
|area_dabodyalign            = <!-- text after area_label2 (optional) -->
|area_dabodyalign            = <!-- text after area_label2 (optional) -->
|population_estimate        = 9,072,293
|population_estimate        = 4,104,926
|population_estimate_rank    =  
|population_estimate_rank    = 178th
|population_estimate_year    = 2017
|population_estimate_year    = 2020
|population_census          =  
|population_census          =  
|population_census_year      =  
|population_census_year      = 2015
|population_density_km2      =
|population_density_km2      = 2.9
|population_density_sq_mi    =
|population_density_sq_mi    =  
|population_density_rank    =
|population_density_rank    =  
|GDP_PPP                    =  
|GDP_PPP                    = $6.9 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank                =  
|GDP_PPP_rank                =  
|GDP_PPP_year                =  
|GDP_PPP_year                = 2020
|GDP_PPP_per_capita          =  
|GDP_PPP_per_capita          = $50,000
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank    =  
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank    =  
|GDP_nominal                = $254.5 billion
|GDP_nominal                =
|GDP_nominal_rank            =  
|GDP_nominal_rank            =  
|GDP_nominal_year            = 2017
|GDP_nominal_year            =
|GDP_nominal_per_capita      = $38,358
|GDP_nominal_per_capita      =
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =  
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =  
|Gini                        = 46.70
|Gini                        = 28.95
|Gini_rank                  =
|Gini_rank                  =
|Gini_year                  = 2017
|Gini_year                  = 2017
|Gini_change                = stable
|Gini_change                = stable
|Gini_category              =
|Gini_category              =
|HDI                        = 0.899
|HDI                        = 0.946
|HDI_rank                    =  
|HDI_rank                    =  
|HDI_year                    = 2017
|HDI_year                    = 2020
|HDI_change                  = increase
|HDI_change                  = increase
|HDI_category                =
|HDI_category                =
|currency                    = Pharexian Sherbornes
|currency                    = Luther Mynt
|currency_code              =
|currency_code              =
|time_zone                  =
|time_zone                  =
Line 95: Line 80:
|time_zone_DST              =
|time_zone_DST              =
|antipodes                  = <!-- countries or islands antipodal to this one-->
|antipodes                  = <!-- countries or islands antipodal to this one-->
|date_format                = <!-- numeric dates (dd-mm-yyyy, yyyy.mm.dd, etc.) plus era (AD, AH, etc.) -->
|date_format                = dd/mm/yy (NG)
|DST_note                    =
|DST_note                    =
|utc_offset_DST              = <!-- +N, where N is number of hours-->
|utc_offset_DST              = <!-- +N, where N is number of hours-->
|drives_on                  = right
|drives_on                  = right
|cctld                      = .phx
|cctld                      = .hv
|iso3166code                = PHX
|iso3166code                = HV
|calling_code                =
|calling_code                = +54
|image_map3                  =
|alt_map3                    =
|alt_map3                    =
|footnotes                  = <!--for any generic non-numbered footnotes-->
|footnotes                  = <!--for any generic non-numbered footnotes-->
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|footnote7                  =
|footnote7                  =
}}
}}
'''Svenskbygderna''' (Swedish: ''Svenskbygderna'') is a country in the upper midwestern region of North America. is located around 300km southeast of {{wpl|Iceland}} and 100km from {{wpl|Norway}}. The capital city is Péturholm. It is home to around 4 million people.


'''Pharexia''', officially the '''Ecclesiastical Theodemocracy of Pharexia''' ({{small|pronounced:}} {{IPA|/fərɛziɑ/}}; [[Pharexian (language)|Pharexian]]: ''Kirkjulegt Lýðræði af Fharheckx'' {{small|pronounced:}} {{IPA|[kiɒkju:lɛgd l ʁɛ:i af hɑjɛgss]}}, {{wpl|Irish language|Duxnusaric}}: ''Talamh na n-Oileán go Leor'' {{small|pronounced:}} {{IPA|[ˈfɒːbɔnˀ æˀ kʰʁ̥yˈlænd̥ə]}}, commonly known as the '''Democratic States of Pharexia''', or simply '''Pharexia''', is a {{wp|sovereign}} {{wp|island country}} in the northern [[Tiverrose Ocean]]. The country geographically consists of eight major landmasses and approximately 100 smaller islands. Pharexia has been described both as a {{wp|Theodemocracy|democratic theocracy}} and a {{wp|religious democracy}}. Pharexia consists of 10 wards, each with significantly influential {{wp|Devolution|devolved administrations}}. As of 2019, Pharexia is home to approximately 9.4 million citizens. The capital city of Brichard, located on the southeastern coast, is also the most populated city in the country. The climate of Pharexia is generally subartic, with permafrost common in the northern regions. The northern region of the country, colloquially known as the [[Northern Fringe|Fringe]], is classified as tundra, and temperatures very rarely reach above 0 degrees Celsius.  
Svenskbygderna comes across as a typical Scandinavian-inspired state: it has liberal views towards the LGBT community, gender equality, same-sex marriage, and the death penalty. It is home to a collective bargaining culture, a strong belief in both personal and more specifically digital privacy, a high degree of public safety and a complex social insurance scheme which mixes private and public funding and provision. Svenskbygderna has reluctantly accepted the need for firearms within its uniquely-positioned society. The development of many of Svenskbygderna's significant social reforms have been instigated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Svenskbygderna, which is the official state church of Svenskbygderna. Around 81% of citizens were members of the church in 2021.


Culturally, because of its isolated and heterogenous population, Pharexia demonstrates a cohesive national character more clearly than many countries. That character is attributed to the inhospitable landscape, the constant darkness of its winters, and the reality of death in close-knit northern communities. Consequently, Pharexia is above everything a blend of individualism and egalitarianism. Its people harbor a both a belief in compassion, which can be seen in the state's strong social welfare system, and a belief in the importance of responsibility, reflected by the high GDP per capita and importance of education.
== Demographics ==
Hverland is one of the most racially homogenous societies in North America, with 95% of the population identifying as Northern Europeans.


Socially, Pharexia comes across as an amalgamation of both conservative and liberal ideologies: while it has traditional views towards  abortion and the family, it is home to a strong belief in both personal and more recently digital privacy, a high degree of public safety and a complex social insurance scheme which mixes private and public funding and provision. Pharexia has a unique gun culture among developed countries in terms of the large number of firearms owned by civilians and generally permissive federal regulations. Most {{wp|psychotropic substances}}, such as {{wp|alcohol}}, {{wp|marijuana}}, and {{wp|cocaine}}, and other {{wp|class A drugs}} are illegal and rarely used. Culturally, its attachment to reason and rational thought is evidenced in its [[Pharexian (language)|constructed language]].  
Statisics Hverland is the national statistical institution established in 1905. It's primary responsibility is to collect, process and share data on the economy and society with the public.


Pharexia is currently a mixed government, adhering to both theocratic and democratic principles. The populous is responsible for electing the lower house of the [[Síðari|legislature of Pharexia]], the House of Delegates. Whomever leads the party with the most representation in the chamber is selected as [[Prime Minister of Pharexia|Prime Minister]]. The upper house, known as the Quorum, consists of appointees of both the Church of Pharexia and the President of Pharexia. The Quorum cannot introduce legislation but reviews and amends bills from the House. While it is unable to prevent Bills passing into law, it can delay bills and force the House to reconsider their decisions. The [[President of Pharexia]], who leads the executive branch and the [[Cabinet of Pharexia|cabinet]], is constitutionally required to face election by the populous every eight years.
=== Race ===
White people are the predominant race in Svenskbyderna. Asians (mostly Indians) make up around a half of a percent.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Race
! Numbers
! Percentage
|-
<!-- Logo -->
| {{wpl|White people|White}}
| 4,034,321
| 98.28%
|-
<!-- Logo -->
| {{wpl|Asian people|Asian}}
| 22,166
| 0.54%
|-
<!-- Logo -->
| {{wpl|African Americans|Black}}
| 12,314
| 0.30%
|-
<!-- Logo -->
| All others
| 36,123
| 0.88%
|-
| '''Total'''
<!-- ! (add again if we can find original logos. -->
| '''4,104,926'''
| '''100.0%'''
|}


Tensions within the government are explained by its legislative system, which requires much deliberation before executive action is taken. Decision-making is still a highly proceduralized matter and is made more complex by the country's ten devolved administrations. Still, of late Pharexia has shown patterns in its policies, including both the liberalisation of the economy and the restricting practices that directly violate the teachings of the [[Church of Pharexia]], namely abortion.
=== Languages ===
{{Pie chart
|radius =
|thumb = right
|caption = [[wikipedia:First language|Native languages]] in Hverland
|label1 = [[wikipedia:Swedish language|Swedish]]
|value1 = 80.2
|color1 = #FF9700
|label2 = [[wikipedia:German language|German]]
|value2 = 13.4
|color2 = #1BA400
|label3 = [[wikipedia:Norwegian language|Norwegian]]
|value3 = 3.0
|color3 = #00D2CF
|label4 = [[wikipedia:Finnish language|Finnish]]
|value4 = 1.5
|color4 = #5500FF
|label5 = [[wikipedia:English language|English]]
|value5 = 0.7
|color5 = #D20000
|label6 = Other
|value6 = 1.2
|color6 = White}}
Swedish is the mother tongues of 90.2% citizens, a percentage that has increased from under 60% in 1900. Under the ''Bilingual Languages Act'', Swedish and German had equal status in federal courts, parliament, and in all government institutions. However, this legislation was repealed in 2022, making Swedish the sole official language of the country. The public still has the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive some federal government services in German. As a part of the legislation, all existing online content produced by the government must remain available in German as well as Swedish, but new information will be unilingual. Immigrants who are applying for citizenship must be able to fluently speak Swedish.


Pharexia is an extremely devout country, with an overwhelming majority of citizens adhering to the official state religion, the [[Religion in Pharexia#Church of Pharexia|Ilyçisian Church of Pharexia]]. Its role in Pharexia jurisprudence described in [[Pharexian Common Law]]. Despite the Church's high degree of adherence, Common Law ensures that people of other faiths or none "shall be entitled to practice their creeds and to hold religious services to the extent consistent with morality and public order". According to a recent poll, 90% of citizens say religion is "very important to them", a figure far higher than most developed countries.
The German-speaking community is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the country. They make up majorities in the towns of Uddellefteå, Linberg, Skegård, Båtköping and Grönsås. About 7% of people living in the capital city of Pétursholm listed German as their primary language, but a total of 19% said they were fluent in both German and Swedish.


==Etymology==
Norwegian is the mother tongue of around 3% of citzens, almost all of whom are decendents of Norwegian immigrants or are immigrants themselves.  
The term "Pharex" is believed to be derived from "Fahreckx", the name of an ancient and believed-to-be extinct flower present in the various mountain ranges of the region. According to the records of the [[Dvorxick|Dvorxick people]], the first known inhabitance of Pharexia, these flowers were used to heal various ailments and illnesses, such as the {{wp|Influenza|annoria virus}}, which killed an estimated 310 society members.


==History==
Over 80% of citizens are fluent in English, and often acts as the auxiliary language between Swedish and non-Swedish speakers. Starting in 1975, English has been taught as a required second language in all schools. While English is not an official lagnauge, most public services offer an English option.
{{Simple Horizontal timeline
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|to={{CURRENTISOYEAR}}
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|row1-1-at=800
|row1-1-text=Vígis
|row1-2-at=1262
|row1-2-text=[[Old Covenant (Iceland)|Old Covenant]]
|row1-3-at=1397
|row1-3-text=[[Kalmar Union]]
|row1-4-at=1523
|row1-4-text=[[Denmark–Norway]]
|row1-5-at=1814
|row1-5-text=[[Treaty of Kiel]]
|row1-5-lift=-1.2em
|row1-5-shift=-7px
|row1-6-at=1874
|row1-6-text=[[Constitution of Iceland|Constitution]]
|row1-7-at=1918
|row1-7-text=[[Danish–Icelandic Act of Union|Sovereignty]]
|row1-7-lift=-1.2em
|row1-7-shift=-7px
|row1-8-at=1960
|row1-8-text=[[European Free Trade Association|EFTA]]
|row2=timeline
|row2-height=3em
|row2-bordertop= 1px solid #000;
|row2-borderbottom= 1px solid #000;
|row2-1-text=[[Settlement of Iceland|Settlement]]
|row2-1-colour=#DDDDDD
|row2-1-to=1124
|row2-2-text=[[Icelandic Commonwealth|Commonwealth]]
|row2-2-colour=#FF8D8D
|row2-2-to=1262
|row2-3-text=[[Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)|Norwegian rule]]
|row2-3-colour=#7FFFD4
|row2-3-to=1397
|row2-4-text=[[Danish overseas colonies|Danish rule]]
|row2-4-colour=#72B8FF
|row2-4-to=1874
|row2-5-text=[[Icelandic independence movement|Home rule]]
|row2-5-colour=#FF91EA
|row2-5-to=1918
|row2-6-text=[[Kingdom of Iceland|King-<br/>dom]]
|row2-6-colour=#EDBB64
|row2-6-to=1944
|row2-7-text=[[Icelandic constitutional referendum, 1944|Republic]]
|row2-7-colour=#A0B1FF
|row3=note
|row3-1-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-1-at=750
|row3-1-text=750
|row3-2-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-2-at=1124
|row3-2-text=1124
|row3-3-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-3-at=1262
|row3-3-text=1262
|row3-4-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-4-at=1397
|row3-4-text=1397
|row3-5-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-5-at=1523
|row3-5-text=1523
|row3-6-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-6-at=1814
|row3-6-text=1814
|row3-7-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-7-at=1874
|row3-7-text=1874
|row3-8-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-8-at=1918
|row3-8-text=1918
|row3-9-arrow=&nbsp;
|row3-9-at=1944
|row3-9-text=1944
}}
===750 to 1124: Settlement and Unionization===
[[file:Olav der Heilige02.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Okwukwe]]


The settlement of Pharexia is generally believed to have begun in the second half of the seventh century, when Dvorxick settlers migrated across the [[ocean]] to the coast Lake Moskenes, located on modern-day [[Holmavíke]]. The reasons for the migration are uncertain, but many historians believe it was because of religious strife and a shortage of arable land in [[Davork]]. Pharexia was unsettled land and could be claimed without conflict with existing inhabitants.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Languages spoken in Hverland
|-
!Language
!Recognized
!Classification
!Fluency
|-
| Swedish
| {{ya}}
| Official–National
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|90.2}}
|-
| English
| {{ya}}
| Curriculum–Foreign
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|80.2}}
|-
| German
| {{ya}}
| Minority–National
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|18.7}}
|-
| Other Scandinavian
| {{na}}
| Unrecognized–Foreign
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|15.0}}
|-
| Polish
| {{na}}
| Unrecognized–Foreign
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|3.0}}
|-
| Ukrainian
| {{na}}
| Unrecognized–Foreign
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|0.9}}
|-
| Yiddish
| {{ya}}
| Minority–Foreign
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|0.6}}
|-
| French
| {{na}}
| Minority–Foreign
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|0.5}}
|-
| Hebrew
| {{na}}
| Minority–Foreign
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Percentage bar|0.2}}
|-
|}


The location provided settlers with an abundance of fish, birds, and small game animals. Big game, including, mammoths and ground sloths, also were attracted to these water sources. The first century of settlement was characterized by hardship and the lack of significant development, due primarily to the chilling temperatures during the winter and lack of the population remained small. Many settlers broke away from the main village to attempt to find better living conditions, although it is unlikely any succeeded, as there is no evidence of any other major settlements outside of southern [[Holmavíke]]. Approximatly fifty years after settlement, individual villages began uniting into larger social units called Vígis. This process, which took place several times independently (reports estimate 13-20), became known as Unionization. As a result, distinct religious and ritualistic cultures emerged, based primarily off of {{wp|subsistence farming}} and local {{wp|trading}}. Like other island cultures, Dvorxick societies were centered on connection with the land but, unlike them, it were adapted to a cold, subartic environment rather than a warm, tropical one. The first recognized and largest known Vígi was Tjarnabyggd, founded on the northern coast of [[Holmavíke]], which is currently the capital and most populated city of the ward.
=== Religion ===
 
{{Pie chart
The years 790 and 811 have traditionally been considered the first years of settlement. However, these sources are largely unreliable in the details they provide about the settlement, and recent research focuses more heavily on archaeological and genetic evidence.
| thumb = right
 
| caption = Religion in Svenskbygderna (2021)
Traditionally, the Age of Settlement is considered to have lasted from 874 to 930, at which point most of the island had been claimed and Alþingi (Althingi), the assembly of the Icelandic Commonwealth, was founded at Þingvellir (Thingvellir).
| label1 = {{Abbr|ELCS|Evangelical Lutheran Church of Svenskbygderna}}
 
| value1 = 89.4
===Medieval History===  
| color1 = DodgerBlue
====The Great Migration====
| label2 = Lutheran Free Churches
====Ayoubian Empire====
| value2 = 3.9
====The War of Redemption====
| color2 = DarkTurquoise
| label3 = Roman Catholic Church
| value3 = 2.2
| color3 = Aquamarine
| label4 = Eastern Orthodox
| value4 = 0.3
| color4 = purple
| label5 = Latter-day Saint
| value5 = 1.1
| color5 = Indigo
| label6 = Other Christian
| value6 = 0.7
| color6 = Pink
| label7 = Jewish
| value7 = 0.4
| color7 = Tomato
| label8 = Other non-Christian
| value8 = 0.5
| color8 = orange
| label9 = Unaffiliated
| value9 = 1.5
| color9 = white
|}}
For much of Svenskbyderna's history, Christianity has dominated the public and private sphere of daily life. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Svenskbyderna (commonly called the State Church) is both the established church in Svenskbyderna as well as the largest denomination of Christianity, with 9 in 10 of the population reported as members. Membership in the State Church has decreased in recent decades. There are several smaller Lutheran churches officially unaffiliated with the Church of Svenskbyderna that an additional 4% of the population affiliates with.


===Pharexian Renaissance===
Lutheranism in Svenskbyderna is influenced on the Pietist movement of the early 18th century. Pietistic Lutherans emphasize following "biblical divine commands of believers to live a holy life and to strive for holy living. Frugality, humility, restraint, and sense of duty and order are common virtues of Pietistic Lutherans in Svenskbyderna. The second largest Christian denomination in Svenskbyderna is Catholicism, making up 2.2% of the population. About 1% of Svenskbydernians are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and 0.3% are Eastern Orthodox. In total, Christians make up around 98% of the population. Their distribution is spread relatively equally throughout the country, although non-Lutheran Christians are almost entirely exclusive to the capital city.
====Kingdom of the Quorum of the State ====
====Ayoubian War====
===Modern History===


==Geography==
Religion continues to play a significant role in the debate over abortion and physician-assisted suicide in Svenskbyderna. The official Church of Svenskbyderna stance is, "Human life is a sacred gift from God. Elective abortion for personal or social convenience is contrary to the will and the commandments of God. Church members who submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions may lose their membership in the Church". Parties in the Conservative Bloc (Independence Party, Farmer-Labour, Christian Democrats, and New Future) all generally oppose abortion and cite these values as one of their justifications. Among the Left Bloc, the Liberals, Green-Left, Social Democrats, and Social Liberal Party all support some form of legal abortion, although there is disagreement on gestational cutoffs and state-funding for the procedure. Alternative and the People's Party, also members of the Left Bloc, do not support legalized abortion and often vote with the Conservative Bloc on this issue. The Centre Party and National Unity do not have official policy positions on abortion.
A geologically young land, Pharexia is located on the Rutter {{wp|hotspot}}. This location means that the archipelago is highly geologically active with many volcanoes, notably Grimkellsson, Gizursson, Kristensson, and Asgilsson. The catastrophic volcanic eruption of Asgilsson in 1183–1184 caused a famine that killed nearly half of the peninsula's population, and additionally affecting the climate for several years after.


Pharexia has many geysers highly concentrated near the capital which are used as a geothermal power source. By harnessing the many rivers and waterfalls for hydroelectricity, most residents have access to inexpensive hot water, heating, and electricity. The archipelago is composed primarily of basalt, a low-silica lava. Pharexia has thousands of volcanoes while only about 12 remain active systems.
While Lutheranism is officially the state religion, People's Law guarantees religious freedom and upholds equality, no matter one's religious affiliation. In the last census, around 1.5% of the population identified as having no religion.


Akurayri, one of the youngest islands in Pharexia, is part of the [[Pharexian Eastern Ring|Eastern Ring]]. Named after Prime Minister [[Kracukla Akurayri]], it rose above the ocean in a series of volcanic eruptions between 8 November 1895 and 5 June 1896. Now, only scientists researching the growth of new life are allowed to visit the island.
=== Immigration ===
Over recent years, the immigrant population has been growing. In 2021, 8% of the population identifies as foreign-born, with the largest groups originating from Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. However, since 2018, the centre-right government has placed more stringent requirements on obtaining citizenship, including a language fluency requirement.


===Climate===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
The climate is arctic to subarctic, with cool, dry summers and cold, wet winters. The mainland terrain is mostly a flat, but icecap covers approximately half of the country. The majority of the eastern coast is mountainous, barren, and rocky. The lowest elevation is sea level and the highest elevation is the summit of [[WIP]] at 3,694 meters (12,119 ft). The Eastern Ring, home to five islands, was discovered by Börkur Valsson in 1822. They are rich in iron ore, coal, gold, platinum, and uranium.
{{climate chart
|[[ Pharexia]]
|-10|12|0.89
|-8|15|0.90
|5|19|1.61
|20|39|2.84
|24|45|3.72
|29|49|4.48
|37|48|4.40
|35|47|3.89
|30|46|3.56
|24|37|2.82
|12|31|1.85
|6|19|1.13
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
}}
 
===Nature===
Around three-quarters of the mainland (consisting of [[Dalvuk]], [[New Waldensia]], [[Ruscya]], [[Apror]], [[Clayp Thines]], and [[Brichard Proper]]) is barren of vegetation; plant life consists mainly of grassland, which is regularly grazed by livestock. [[Holmavíke]] is home to over 80% of Pharexia's farming due to the rest of the archipelago's harsh climate. The most common tree native to Pharexia is the northern {{wp|Hazel}} (Corylus), which forms forests over much of northern Pharexia (including the [[Northern Fringe]]), along with {{wp|aspens}} (Populus tremula), {{wp|rowans}} (Sorbus aucuparia), {{wp|common junipers}} (Juniperus communis), and other smaller trees, mainly {{wp|willows}}, which are found more commonly on the mainland.
 
When the archipelago was first settled, it was extensively forested, with 80% of the original land covered in trees. In the late 17th century, permanent human settlement greatly disturbed the isolated ecosystem. The forests were heavily exploited over the centuries for firewood and timber. A 1987 government assessment found only 12% of the original forests remained. Deforestation, climatic deterioration, and overgrazing by livestock imported by settlers caused a loss of critical topsoil due to erosion. Today, most farms outside of Holmavíke have been abandoned. Only a few small birch stands now exist in isolated reserves. The issue has recently gained significant attention at the ward and federal level. The environmentalist [[The Écologists (Pharexia)|Écologists]] have put forth several legislative proposals in recent years to halt all remaining logging operations in Pharexia and require all raw wood be imported. The ruling [[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|Conservatives]], while criticizing the proposal as "impractical" and "anti-business", have passed legislation requiring logging companies to replant two trees for every one they cut down.
 
==Government==
{{Main|Síðari}}
[[image:12.Saeimas priekšsēdētāja Ināra Mūrniece (42993645042).jpg|thumb|150px|Prime Minister [[Aemilia Signý Argyris]] ([[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|AUfC]])]]
[[image:Official portrait of Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg crop 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|President [[Rang Agnarsdóttir]] ([[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|AUfC]])]]
The Government of Pharexia is a unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President (Pharexian: Huachtarán) is the head of state and the Prime Minister (Pharexian: Premíeris) is the head of government. The country's government is based on the 1900 constitution [[Pharexian Common Law|Common Law]], which defines how the government's branches work and how they interact with one another, and protects the civil rights of the population. Amendments to the constitution require a 60% majority in the legislature or the approval of 7 out of 10 states, accompanied by a public referendum. The constitution has only been amended twice, once to ban divorce and another to extend free speech to cover online material.
 
Executive power is exercised through the president who appoints by the prime minister and the cabinet. However, the president must have the support of a majority in the Síðari to confirm his or her selection of a government. In order to remove a prime minister or the whole cabinet from power, the president can dismiss them, or the parliament can remove them by a vote of no confidence. Its members are typically chosen from the majority party or coalition.
 
Legislative power is vested in the bicameral legislative chamber of parliament, the [[Síðari]]. The upper chamber is theocratically controlled, while the lower chamber consists of 500 members elected by proportional representation from ten constituencies. The [[2014 Pharexian general election|most recent election]] resulted in an ideologically {{wpl|conservative}} governmental coalition. Currently [[Pharexia#Political Parties|seven parties]] are represented. Parliamentary elections occur at least every eight years.
 
The president, as the head of state, is the commander of the [[Pharexian Armed Forces]], has the power to veto legislation passed by the legislature (which may be overridden by a majority of three fifths), and can dissolve the parliament under certain conditions. Presidential elections occur every eight years. They are conducted via instant run-off.
 
Because the two leaders are elected independently of one another, Pharexia has sometimes experienced periods in which the president and the prime minister are from differing political parties. This is called "bifurcation". Bifurcation can create an effective system of checks and balances or a period of bitter and tense stonewalling, depending on the attitudes of the two leaders, the ideologies of themselves or their parties, or the demands of their constituencies.
 
The judicial branch plays a minor role in politics, apart from the [[Lagâleg]] (Constitutional Tribunal), which can annul laws that violate the freedoms guaranteed in the constitution. The Síðari approves legislative appointees to the Lagâleg made by the President and his or her cabinet.
===Political Parties===
{{Main|Political Parties in Pharexia}}
===Wards===
{{Main|Wards of Pharexia}}
Pharexia is divided into 10 wards. De facto Pharexian wards date back to the founding of the Church of Pharexia in 1765, which were used primarily as ecclesiastical administrative units for the distribution of church resources and personnel. While these wards were originally entirely divorced from the government, in 1930, they began to additionally serve as local government subunits. Since then, they have gained in importance and prominence. Each ward has its own unicameral legislature, and currently has devolved powers relating to taxes, healthcare, and transportation. However, legislation creating devolved parliaments can be repealed or amended by the [[Síðari]] at any time.
 
Every ten years, the Church and the federal [[Pharexian Legislature|legislature]] audit and re-allocate resources to reflect the changes in population and demographics.
[[file:Wards of Pharexia.svg|thumb|right|300px|Wards of Pharexia]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! Ward !! ID !! Population # !! Population % !! Governor/Party !! Ward ID !! Parliamentarians
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:AprorFlag.png|23px]] [[Apror]] || AP || 913,580 || 10.07% || Remi Dupont ([[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|AUfC]]) || 6 || 50
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:BrichardProperFlag.png|23px]] [[Brichard Proper]] || BP || 1,637,549 || 18.05% || Jules Fongemie ([[Science Party (Pharexia)|SPP]]) || 8 || 90
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:Clayp Thines Flag.png|23px]] [[Clayp Thines]] || CT || 1,392,597 || 15.35% || Valgeir Eðvaldsson ([[Science Party (Pharexia)|SPP]]) || 7 || 77
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:DalvukFlag.png|23px]] [[Dalvuk]] || DV || 872,755 || 9.62% || Sigurgeir Ákason ([[New Future (Pharexia)|NF]]) || 3 || 48
|-
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:PharexianFlag.png|23px]] [[Holmavíke]] || HM || 996,513 || 10.98% || Oddur Þórlaugarson ([[The Ilyçisian Delegation in Pharexia|IDP]]) || 10 || 55
! Rank
! Country of birth
! Percent (2020)
! Percent (2000)
|-
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:PharexianFlag.png|23px]] [[New Waldensia]] || NW || 1,252,884 || 13.81% || Kolbrún Ásgeirsdóttir ([[Science Party (Pharexia)|SPP]]) || 4 || 69
| 1.
| {{flag|Svenskbygderna}}
| 76.21%
| 79.45%
|-
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:PharexianFlag.png|23px]] [[Ruscya]] || RU || 626,895 || 6.91% || Páley Valberg ([[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|AUfC]]) || 5 || 35
| 2.
| [[File:Flag of Sweden.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Sweden}}
| 10.14%
| 12.10%
|-
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:PharexianFlag.png|23px]] [[Stavíxs]] || ST || 245,859 || 2.71% || Clarimunda Brisette ([[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|AUfC]]) || 9 || 14
| 3.
| [[File:Flag of Germany.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Germany}}
| 5.23%
| 4.93%
|-
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:Uxbridbury Flag.png|23px]] [[Uxbridbury]] || UX || 358,089 || 3.95% || Sólbjört Magnúsdóttir ([[The Ilyçisian Delegation in Pharexia|IDP]]) || 1 || 20
| 4.
| [[File:Flag of Norway.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Norway}}
| 2.71%
| 1.53%
|-
|-
| style="border-right:0;"| [[File:Flag of Cairhien.svg|23px]] [[Victorium]] || VI || 775,681 || 8.55% || Bernharð Arason ([[A Union for Conservatism (Pharexia)|AUfC]]) || 2 || 43
| 5.
| [[File:Flag of Finland.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Finland}}
| 1.97%
| 1.13%
|-
|-
 
| 6.
|}
| [[File:Flag of Denmark.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Denmark}}
 
| 1.11%
==Economy==
| 0.32%
 
==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[file:S1 1.JPG|thumb|right|200px|National Road A1 in [[Victorium|Jäklaustur, Victorium]]]]
Transportation in Pharexia is facilitated by road, air, rail, and waterways (via boats). The vast majority of passenger travel occurs by cycling or automobile for shorter distances, and railroad or bus for longer distances. In descending order, most cargoes travel by railroad, truck, pipeline, or boat; air shipping is typically used only for perishables and premium express shipments.
 
Driving in Pharexia is a frequent occurrence, with the majority of Pharexians owning private automobiles. Each ward has the authority to set its own traffic laws and issue driving licenses, although these laws are largely the same and licenses from other ward are respected throughout the country. Pharexians drive on the right side of the road. There are numerous regulations on driving behavior, including speed limits, passing regulations, and seat belt requirements. Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or marijuana is illegal in all jurisdictions within Pharexia.
 
The overwhelming majority of roads in Pharexia are owned and maintained by either the federal or ward governments. National Highways ([[Pharexian (language)|Pharexian]]: ''Ajóðveginum''), defined as controlled-access roads spanning 2 or more wards, are federally maintained and subject to federal regulations. Expressways - controlled-access roads existing entirely within a single ward - are built and maintained by the ward and are likewise subject to regulations set forth by the ward. In addition, there are many local roads, generally serving remote or insular locations.
====Cycling====
[[file:Fietssnelweg De Liemers Westervoortse brug (2).jpg|thumb|left|200px|A bicycle highway in Brichard Proper]]
Cycling is a common mode of transport throughout Pharexia, with 25% of the people listing the bicycle as their most frequent mode of transport on a typical day as opposed to the car by 50% and public transport by 21%. Cycling has a modal share of 23% of all trips (urban and rural) nationwide.] In Brichard Proper, this is even higher, which has 48%. Several smaller cities exceed that still: for instance, Dijúpivogur, the capitial of [[Uxbridbury]], recorded 56%. This high frequency of bicycle travel is enabled by excellent cycling infrastructure such as cycle paths, cycle tracks, protected intersections, ample bicycle parking and by making cycling routes shorter, quicker and more direct than car routes.
 
===Energy===
===Water supply and sanitation===
==Demographics==
{| class="infobox" style="text-align:center; width:97%; margin-right:10px; font-size:85%; background:#E6E6FA"
 
! colspan="10" style="font-size: 140%; padding:0.3em 0; line-height:1.2em;" | Largest cities and towns in [[Pharexia]] (2017 census)
 
|-
|-
! rowspan=26 width=17% |  
| 7.
[[File:BNF et l'UPMC vues de la Tour Saint-Jacques, Paris août 2014.jpg|150px]]<br>[[Brichard (city)|Brichard]]<br>
| [[File:Flag of England.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|England}}
[[File:CAF Urbos 3 n°818 GINKO Battant.jpg|150px]]<br>[[Montlin Mantenaé]]<br>
| 0.68%
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=2% | &nbsp;
| 0.10%
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=15% | City
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=5% | Population
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=10% | State
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=2% | &nbsp;
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=15% | City
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=5% | Population
! align=left style="background:#f5f5f5;" width=10% | State
! rowspan=26 width=17% |
[[File:Caen France (28).JPG|150px]]<br>[[Sønderburg]]<br>
[[File:Panorama Niort.jpg|150px]]<br>[[Sønderburg]]<br>
 
 
|-
| align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 1 ||align=left | '''[[Brichard (city)|Brichard]]''' || align=left | 796,077  || align=left | [[Brichard Proper|BP]] || align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 6 ||align=left | '''[[Kattinge (town)|Kattinge]]''' || align=left | 33,768  || align=left | [[Kattinge]]
|-
|-
| align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 2 ||align=left | '''[[Vopnafjordur]]''' || align=left |  505,498  || align=left | [[Clayp Thines|CT]] || align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 7 ||align=left | '''[[Haverslev (town)|Haverslev]]''' || align=left | 32,183 || align=left | [[Haverslev]]
| 8.
| [[File:Flag of Iceland.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Iceland}}
| 0.51%
| 0.23%
|-
|-
| align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 3 ||align=left | '''[[Laugarki]]''' || align=left | 301,293  || align=left | [[Brichard Proper|BP]] || align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 8 || align=left | '''[[Nybergen]]''' || align=left | 29,183  || align=left | [[Haverslev]]
| 9.
| [[File:Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Faroe Islands}}
| 0.44%
| 0.01%
|-
|-
| align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 4 ||align=left | '''[[Montlin Mantenaé]]''' || align=left | 281,291 || align=left | [[New Waldensia|NW]] || align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 9 ||align=left | '''[[Keuruu]]''' || align=left | 28,701  || align=left | [[Särmäki]]
| 10.
| [[File:Flag of Scotland.svg|border|23px]] {{wpl|Scotland}}
| 0.31%
| 0.01%
|-
|-
| align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 5 ||align=left | '''[[Skjerstad]]''' || align=left | 197,384  || align=left | [[Apror|AP]] || align=center style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 10 ||align=left | '''[[Florø]]''' || align=left | 28,001 || align=left | [[Stavrup]]
| 11.
| All others
| 0.69%
| 0.19%
|}
|}
===Language===
===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in Pharexia}}
{{bar box
|title=<center>Religion in Pharexia</center>
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1= <center>Religion</center>
|right1= <center>Percentage</center>
|float=right
|width=330px
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Church of Pharexia]]|Orange|82.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion in Pharexia#Reformed Church of Ilyçisia|Reformed Ilyçisia]]|Gold|6.9}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion in Pharexia#Church of Sigógót|Church of Sigógót]]|LightGreen|5.7}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion in Pharexia#Waldeneçois ï Eaglais|Church of Waldeneçois]]|LimeGreen|2.0}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion in Pharexia#Vrybosni|Vrybosni]]|DodgerBlue|1.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion in Pharexia#Khartreuse|Khartreuse]]|Purple|1.1}}
{{bar percent|{{wpl|Irreligion|No religion}}|black|1.0}}
}}
[[file:Sofia kyrka January 2013.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Front of Brichard City Chapel, built in 1659]]
Religion in Pharexia is remarkable in its high adherence level compared to other developed countries. For much of Pharexia's history, the [[Ilyçisianism|Ilyçisian]] religion has dominated the public and private sphere of daily life, with nearly 95% of Pharexia identifying with the religion in the 2019 census. The largest denomination is the [[Church of Pharexia]], formally known as the Ilyçisian Church of Pharexia (ICP), which accounts for 83% of the population and three-forths of all Ilyçisians. The Church is governed by the Ilyçisian Congregation in Pharexia, which acts as a representative democracy, with each federal ward electing an amount of members proportional to the amount of members in that diocese to the religious body's regulatory organization. The Church is considered more liberal when compared to the other operating Ilyçisian denominations in Pharexia. For example, the church believes that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality and that same-sex relations are normal and should be accepted within society, and openly performs same-sex marriage ceremonies.
The distribution of Ilyçisians is spread relatively equally throughout the country. With the exception of Uxbridbury and New Waldensia, the average percentage of Ilyçisians in each ward stands at approximately 90%. Uxbridbury Ward is the headquarters of the Church of Pharexia and approximately 99% of residents are members. The ward of New Waldensia, which has had an active political and religious independence movement since the 1950s, has the lowest membership ratio with less than 10% adherence. 


Among people who identify as Ilyçisians themselves, 83% of them attend weekly religious services, a figure much higher than other religious people in the country.
== Administrative districts ==
Hverland is composed of 21 municipalities, The main tasks of the municipalities are regional planning, education, and emergency services. In addition, the public health services are usually organized on the basis of regions. Three municipalities, known collectively known as the Grundaríslands, have a special status within Hverland and have a much higher degree of autonomy than the others, with their own collective parliament and local laws, due to its unique history and the fact that the overwhelming majority of its people are Icelandic Hverlanders who speak Icelandic. Icelandic is rarely spoken outside of the Grundaríslands and does not have official status on the mainland (although has national minority recognition). The population of the Grundaríslands was 13,772 in 2021, or 4.5% of Hverland's total population.


Lagging far behind the Church of Pharexia, the [[Religion in Pharexia#Reformed Church of Ilyçisia|Reformed Church of Ilyçisia]] is the second most adhered to denomination in Pharexia, with approximately 7% of the population identifying as a member. The Church was founded after a succession crisis early after the foundation of Ilyçisianism and was known as the Reorganized Church of Pharexia from 1777 to 1925. Members are now known as "reformists". They are considered far more conservative than the Church of Pharexia, both in terms of doctrine and in the political leanings of members. They strongly oppose legalized same-sex marriage. Church history is very important to Reformists, and the Church owns three of the four largest libraries in Pharexia. Members are distributed quite equally throughout Pharexia.
== Economy ==
Economically, Hverland might typically be thought of as a socialist state: incredibly generous paternity leave, government-funded job training for the unemployed, and free healthcare. But underlying these interventionist policies is a core of liberal economics. Public spending is 23% of GDP, but this has been in decline for nearly two decades and is continuing its downward trend. In the same period, public debt has more than halved from 70% of GDP to 34% thanks to a shift in the budget from an 11% deficit to a 0.8% surplus. A lot of this has come about by allowing private companies to provide public goods by competing for contracts alongside public providers. What this sort of system amounts to is not the free market guiding the public sector, but being allowed to contribute to a well-developed welfare state. Since the initial wave of liberalisation efficiency savings haven't budged much and there is continued debate about whether private firms provide the same quality as public-run services. In essence, Hverland attempts to balance a competitive business environment with a high level of public provision of goods and services. It does not do so by sticking rigidly to the traditional free-market vs. planned economy dichotomy, but by focusing on the ends it wants to achieve (such as a higher quality of life, happiness and individual autonomy, among others) and determining which means will best accomplish them.


The [[Religion in Pharexia#Church of Sigógót|Church of Sigógót]], is an Ilyçisian {{wpl|reformation|reformationist}} church that was founded by former Brichard Proper governor [[Briito Aptar]] in 1945 and is practiced almost exclusively in the capital ward. The Church was formally organized during the mayor's tenure and he was strongly criticized by both the Church of Pharexia and many public figures as using his position to publicly sponsor his church. The name Sigógót originates from the Hidda, referencing a great reformation movement lead by a man named Sigógót Byzantyine. As of 2018, nearly half of Brichard citizens identify as "Sigógóts".
Hverland's political system is well suited to this economic approach. Human capital is at the centre of the government's economic agenda, and its directorial democratic institutions offer an atmosphere of trust and stability which facilitates continued safe investment. Society's egalitarian nature and easy mobility further reassures Hverlanders of the system's success and ensures their support for it. While the state does employ around 30% of the labour force, the focus of policy is on individual autonomy within an open economy rather than on state direction. This is why the private sector has been brought back into state policy after clumsy top-down planning of the mid-to-late 20th century. As one example of 'intelligent government', Hverland uses a form of 'flexicurity' that allows firms to sack employees with considerable ease, but then uses government resources and facilities to provide these unemployed citizens with generous benefits and considerable assistance in finding new work. Similarly, the government uses resources to invest in innovation within problem areas, rather than trying to solve those problems through taxes which historically proved ineffective within Hverland. Essentially, the government tends to turn political projects into business plans. In other areas, such as education, the government refuses to consider private involvement, but in these cases tends to offer a considerable degree of autonomy to the local providers rather than centrally-directing efforts.


Religion plays a significant role in the debate over [[Abortion in Aeia|abortion]] and {{wp|physician-assisted suicide}} in Phareixa. The official Church of Pharexia stance is, "Life, the experiences we gain from being a part of the world and of humanity, are necessary and essential to spiritual fulfillment. One cannot be expected to appreciate the gift of Paradise without understanding why Paradise is a gift." This position is generally referred to as the "Value of Life" and as a result, has made opposition to suicide and abortion major issues within most Ilyçisian political platforms.  
In the 1990s, Hverland suffered a deep recession following the collapse of a telecommunications bubble The government's long-term response has been to encourage a wider range of vocational courses throughout the education system and to support graduates in creating diverse start-ups through a venture-capital fund. The fund is controlled by the Federal Technological Innovation Agency, which works alongside large businesses to provide support and advice to high-potential start-ups. This example is simply to show that innovation and entrepreneurism are strongly encouraged in the Hverlandic economic system. Its flaws are twofold: (1) many start-ups remain small in scale, or (2) they move abroad when they do begin to significantly expand. Recent government efforts to counter these problems have seen corporation tax reduced from 32% to 25%, and there is talk of further cuts.
 
While Ilyçisianism is officially the state religion, the [[Pharexian Common Law|Common Law]] guarantees religious freedom and upholds equality, no matter one's religious affiliation. In the last census, only 1% of the population identified as having no religion, a proportion that has held relatively steady over the past twenty years. This is in stark contrast to the increasing secularity of other industrialized countries. A released in 2016 indicated that 89% of Pharexians would refuse to vote for an atheist as president, up from 82% and 85% in 1987 and 1999 respectively. Research shows that candidates that are perceived to be religious are considered more trustworthy.
 
===Ethnicity===
{{Pie chart
| caption = Racial Makeup of the Pharexia (2015 census)
| label1 = {{wp|Mixed-race}}
| value1 = 33.7
| color1 = Purple
| label2 = -
| value2 = 26.4
| color2 = LightGray
| label3 = -
| value3 = 16.5
| color3 = Brown
| label4 = -
| value4 = 10.2
| color4 = Yellow
| label5 = -
| value5 = 5.3
| color5 = Gold
| label6 = -
| value6 = 3.4
| color6 = Orange
| label7 = -
| value7 = 2.11
| color7 = Red
| label8 = Other
| value8 = 2.39
| color8 = Black
}}


==Culture==
== Culture ==  
The culture of Pharexia is rich and varied as well as being known for its literary heritage which began in the 16th century. Other traditional arts include craftsmanship, silversmithing, and wood carving. The Brichard-Capitol area has several professional theatres, a symphony orchestra, an opera and many art galleries, bookstores, cinemas and museums. Pharexia's literacy rate is among the highest in the world, accredited to the importance placed on reading religious scripture. A love of literature, art, and other intellectual pursuits is widespread.
Hverlandic culture is often seen to have arisen as a fusion of the Swedish, Norwegian, and Icelandic elements. While Hverlandic attitudes around most cultural issues tend to be quite liberal like the rest of Scandinavia, one area where the nation is a notable outlier relates to sexual morality – sexual relations outside marriage are controversial and promiscuity is looked down upon. Social scientists disagree on why this taboo exists.


Hverlandic music has had long folk and popular traditions. Hverlandic folk music is believed to have started with the setting of poetry and Christian and Lutheran prayers to musical backing, for group entertainment and worship, and of purely instrumental tracks played at social gatherings for entertainment, often featuring group dancing. Traditional instruments that these were played on generally consist of pipes and fiddles.


The fusion of these folk ballads and instrumental dance pieces with the work songs found by many in the cities led to popular music in the late 19th century; performers turned away from the poetic or religious lyrics of traditional folk music towards singing about every day issues many of its singers faced, such as the hardships of labour or romantic pursuits; many would start performing these songs at bars in Pétursfjord, gaining larger audiences. In the modern day, these styles of music have grown into Hverlandic styles of schlager, which in the modern day has seen many electronic influences, yet the ballads detailing people's ordinary lives still persist.


Hverlandic philosophy has developed as a particularly rich field over the years, with philosophers exploring many questions within the subject within their works. Notably, Hverlanders have done much to explore the philosophy of Lutheranism, its implications on the world, and the development of Hverlandic Lutheranism; much of this philosophy has had a great influence on the policies of Hverlandic governments in both a religious and secular form.


{{Template:Pharexian topics}}
== International ==
Despite the nation being known for its state of neutrality, this has been questioned in recent years, with Hverland becoming a member of {{wpl|NATO}} in 2017. Though Hverland is philosophically and constitutionally a pacifist country, it continues to maintain a minimal defense force that consists of a coast guard and national guard. Hverland is also a member of the UN, OECD, and the Nordic Council. Hverland ranks high in economic, democratic, social stability, and equality. It is consistently ranked as one of the most developed countries in the world and high on the {{wpl|Global Peace Index}}. The country runs entirely on {{wpl|renewable energy}}.

Latest revision as of 02:21, 8 October 2022

Svenskbygderna
Flag of Svenskbygderna
Flag
of Svenskbygderna
Coat of arms
USA Minnesota relief location map.svg
CapitalPéturholm
Official languagesSwedish, English
Ethnic groups
(2022)
47% Swedish

24% German
15% Norwegian
9% Finnish

5% Other
Religion
Church of Svenskbygderna
Demonym(s)Svenskbygdernian
GovernmentUnitary multi-party parliamentary republic with significant elements of direct democracy
• Prime Minister
Sölbrun Hallsdottir
LegislatureRokthing
Population
• 2020 estimate
4,104,926 (178th)
• Density
2.9/km2 (7.5/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)2020 estimate
• Total
$6.9 billion
• Per capita
$50,000
Gini (2017)28.95
low
HDI (2020)Increase 0.946
very high
CurrencyLuther Mynt
Date formatdd/mm/yy (NG)
Driving sideright
Calling code+54
ISO 3166 codeHV
Internet TLD.hv

Svenskbygderna (Swedish: Svenskbygderna) is a country in the upper midwestern region of North America. is located around 300km southeast of Iceland and 100km from Norway. The capital city is Péturholm. It is home to around 4 million people.

Svenskbygderna comes across as a typical Scandinavian-inspired state: it has liberal views towards the LGBT community, gender equality, same-sex marriage, and the death penalty. It is home to a collective bargaining culture, a strong belief in both personal and more specifically digital privacy, a high degree of public safety and a complex social insurance scheme which mixes private and public funding and provision. Svenskbygderna has reluctantly accepted the need for firearms within its uniquely-positioned society. The development of many of Svenskbygderna's significant social reforms have been instigated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Svenskbygderna, which is the official state church of Svenskbygderna. Around 81% of citizens were members of the church in 2021.

Demographics

Hverland is one of the most racially homogenous societies in North America, with 95% of the population identifying as Northern Europeans.

Statisics Hverland is the national statistical institution established in 1905. It's primary responsibility is to collect, process and share data on the economy and society with the public.

Race

White people are the predominant race in Svenskbyderna. Asians (mostly Indians) make up around a half of a percent.

Race Numbers Percentage
White 4,034,321 98.28%
Asian 22,166 0.54%
Black 12,314 0.30%
All others 36,123 0.88%
Total 4,104,926 100.0%

Languages

Native languages in Hverland

  Swedish (80.2%)
  German (13.4%)
  Norwegian (3.0%)
  Finnish (1.5%)
  English (0.7%)
  Other (1.2%)

Swedish is the mother tongues of 90.2% citizens, a percentage that has increased from under 60% in 1900. Under the Bilingual Languages Act, Swedish and German had equal status in federal courts, parliament, and in all government institutions. However, this legislation was repealed in 2022, making Swedish the sole official language of the country. The public still has the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive some federal government services in German. As a part of the legislation, all existing online content produced by the government must remain available in German as well as Swedish, but new information will be unilingual. Immigrants who are applying for citizenship must be able to fluently speak Swedish.

The German-speaking community is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the country. They make up majorities in the towns of Uddellefteå, Linberg, Skegård, Båtköping and Grönsås. About 7% of people living in the capital city of Pétursholm listed German as their primary language, but a total of 19% said they were fluent in both German and Swedish.

Norwegian is the mother tongue of around 3% of citzens, almost all of whom are decendents of Norwegian immigrants or are immigrants themselves.

Over 80% of citizens are fluent in English, and often acts as the auxiliary language between Swedish and non-Swedish speakers. Starting in 1975, English has been taught as a required second language in all schools. While English is not an official lagnauge, most public services offer an English option.

Languages spoken in Hverland
Language Recognized Classification Fluency
Swedish Yes Official–National
90.2%
English Yes Curriculum–Foreign
80.2%
German Yes Minority–National
18.7%
Other Scandinavian No Unrecognized–Foreign
15.0%
Polish No Unrecognized–Foreign
3.0%
Ukrainian No Unrecognized–Foreign
0.9%
Yiddish Yes Minority–Foreign
0.6%
French No Minority–Foreign
0.5%
Hebrew No Minority–Foreign
0.2%

Religion

Religion in Svenskbygderna (2021)

  ELCS (89.4%)
  Lutheran Free Churches (3.9%)
  Roman Catholic Church (2.2%)
  Eastern Orthodox (0.3%)
  Latter-day Saint (1.1%)
  Other Christian (0.7%)
  Jewish (0.4%)
  Other non-Christian (0.5%)
  Unaffiliated (1.5%)

For much of Svenskbyderna's history, Christianity has dominated the public and private sphere of daily life. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Svenskbyderna (commonly called the State Church) is both the established church in Svenskbyderna as well as the largest denomination of Christianity, with 9 in 10 of the population reported as members. Membership in the State Church has decreased in recent decades. There are several smaller Lutheran churches officially unaffiliated with the Church of Svenskbyderna that an additional 4% of the population affiliates with.

Lutheranism in Svenskbyderna is influenced on the Pietist movement of the early 18th century. Pietistic Lutherans emphasize following "biblical divine commands of believers to live a holy life and to strive for holy living. Frugality, humility, restraint, and sense of duty and order are common virtues of Pietistic Lutherans in Svenskbyderna. The second largest Christian denomination in Svenskbyderna is Catholicism, making up 2.2% of the population. About 1% of Svenskbydernians are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and 0.3% are Eastern Orthodox. In total, Christians make up around 98% of the population. Their distribution is spread relatively equally throughout the country, although non-Lutheran Christians are almost entirely exclusive to the capital city.

Religion continues to play a significant role in the debate over abortion and physician-assisted suicide in Svenskbyderna. The official Church of Svenskbyderna stance is, "Human life is a sacred gift from God. Elective abortion for personal or social convenience is contrary to the will and the commandments of God. Church members who submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions may lose their membership in the Church". Parties in the Conservative Bloc (Independence Party, Farmer-Labour, Christian Democrats, and New Future) all generally oppose abortion and cite these values as one of their justifications. Among the Left Bloc, the Liberals, Green-Left, Social Democrats, and Social Liberal Party all support some form of legal abortion, although there is disagreement on gestational cutoffs and state-funding for the procedure. Alternative and the People's Party, also members of the Left Bloc, do not support legalized abortion and often vote with the Conservative Bloc on this issue. The Centre Party and National Unity do not have official policy positions on abortion.

While Lutheranism is officially the state religion, People's Law guarantees religious freedom and upholds equality, no matter one's religious affiliation. In the last census, around 1.5% of the population identified as having no religion.

Immigration

Over recent years, the immigrant population has been growing. In 2021, 8% of the population identifies as foreign-born, with the largest groups originating from Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. However, since 2018, the centre-right government has placed more stringent requirements on obtaining citizenship, including a language fluency requirement.

Rank Country of birth Percent (2020) Percent (2000)
1.  Svenskbygderna 76.21% 79.45%
2. Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 10.14% 12.10%
3. Flag of Germany.svg Germany 5.23% 4.93%
4. Flag of Norway.svg Norway 2.71% 1.53%
5. Flag of Finland.svg Finland 1.97% 1.13%
6. Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 1.11% 0.32%
7. Flag of England.svg England 0.68% 0.10%
8. Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland 0.51% 0.23%
9. Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg Faroe Islands 0.44% 0.01%
10. Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 0.31% 0.01%
11. All others 0.69% 0.19%

Administrative districts

Hverland is composed of 21 municipalities, The main tasks of the municipalities are regional planning, education, and emergency services. In addition, the public health services are usually organized on the basis of regions. Three municipalities, known collectively known as the Grundaríslands, have a special status within Hverland and have a much higher degree of autonomy than the others, with their own collective parliament and local laws, due to its unique history and the fact that the overwhelming majority of its people are Icelandic Hverlanders who speak Icelandic. Icelandic is rarely spoken outside of the Grundaríslands and does not have official status on the mainland (although has national minority recognition). The population of the Grundaríslands was 13,772 in 2021, or 4.5% of Hverland's total population.

Economy

Economically, Hverland might typically be thought of as a socialist state: incredibly generous paternity leave, government-funded job training for the unemployed, and free healthcare. But underlying these interventionist policies is a core of liberal economics. Public spending is 23% of GDP, but this has been in decline for nearly two decades and is continuing its downward trend. In the same period, public debt has more than halved from 70% of GDP to 34% thanks to a shift in the budget from an 11% deficit to a 0.8% surplus. A lot of this has come about by allowing private companies to provide public goods by competing for contracts alongside public providers. What this sort of system amounts to is not the free market guiding the public sector, but being allowed to contribute to a well-developed welfare state. Since the initial wave of liberalisation efficiency savings haven't budged much and there is continued debate about whether private firms provide the same quality as public-run services. In essence, Hverland attempts to balance a competitive business environment with a high level of public provision of goods and services. It does not do so by sticking rigidly to the traditional free-market vs. planned economy dichotomy, but by focusing on the ends it wants to achieve (such as a higher quality of life, happiness and individual autonomy, among others) and determining which means will best accomplish them.

Hverland's political system is well suited to this economic approach. Human capital is at the centre of the government's economic agenda, and its directorial democratic institutions offer an atmosphere of trust and stability which facilitates continued safe investment. Society's egalitarian nature and easy mobility further reassures Hverlanders of the system's success and ensures their support for it. While the state does employ around 30% of the labour force, the focus of policy is on individual autonomy within an open economy rather than on state direction. This is why the private sector has been brought back into state policy after clumsy top-down planning of the mid-to-late 20th century. As one example of 'intelligent government', Hverland uses a form of 'flexicurity' that allows firms to sack employees with considerable ease, but then uses government resources and facilities to provide these unemployed citizens with generous benefits and considerable assistance in finding new work. Similarly, the government uses resources to invest in innovation within problem areas, rather than trying to solve those problems through taxes which historically proved ineffective within Hverland. Essentially, the government tends to turn political projects into business plans. In other areas, such as education, the government refuses to consider private involvement, but in these cases tends to offer a considerable degree of autonomy to the local providers rather than centrally-directing efforts.

In the 1990s, Hverland suffered a deep recession following the collapse of a telecommunications bubble The government's long-term response has been to encourage a wider range of vocational courses throughout the education system and to support graduates in creating diverse start-ups through a venture-capital fund. The fund is controlled by the Federal Technological Innovation Agency, which works alongside large businesses to provide support and advice to high-potential start-ups. This example is simply to show that innovation and entrepreneurism are strongly encouraged in the Hverlandic economic system. Its flaws are twofold: (1) many start-ups remain small in scale, or (2) they move abroad when they do begin to significantly expand. Recent government efforts to counter these problems have seen corporation tax reduced from 32% to 25%, and there is talk of further cuts.

Culture

Hverlandic culture is often seen to have arisen as a fusion of the Swedish, Norwegian, and Icelandic elements. While Hverlandic attitudes around most cultural issues tend to be quite liberal like the rest of Scandinavia, one area where the nation is a notable outlier relates to sexual morality – sexual relations outside marriage are controversial and promiscuity is looked down upon. Social scientists disagree on why this taboo exists.

Hverlandic music has had long folk and popular traditions. Hverlandic folk music is believed to have started with the setting of poetry and Christian and Lutheran prayers to musical backing, for group entertainment and worship, and of purely instrumental tracks played at social gatherings for entertainment, often featuring group dancing. Traditional instruments that these were played on generally consist of pipes and fiddles.

The fusion of these folk ballads and instrumental dance pieces with the work songs found by many in the cities led to popular music in the late 19th century; performers turned away from the poetic or religious lyrics of traditional folk music towards singing about every day issues many of its singers faced, such as the hardships of labour or romantic pursuits; many would start performing these songs at bars in Pétursfjord, gaining larger audiences. In the modern day, these styles of music have grown into Hverlandic styles of schlager, which in the modern day has seen many electronic influences, yet the ballads detailing people's ordinary lives still persist.

Hverlandic philosophy has developed as a particularly rich field over the years, with philosophers exploring many questions within the subject within their works. Notably, Hverlanders have done much to explore the philosophy of Lutheranism, its implications on the world, and the development of Hverlandic Lutheranism; much of this philosophy has had a great influence on the policies of Hverlandic governments in both a religious and secular form.

International

Despite the nation being known for its state of neutrality, this has been questioned in recent years, with Hverland becoming a member of NATO in 2017. Though Hverland is philosophically and constitutionally a pacifist country, it continues to maintain a minimal defense force that consists of a coast guard and national guard. Hverland is also a member of the UN, OECD, and the Nordic Council. Hverland ranks high in economic, democratic, social stability, and equality. It is consistently ranked as one of the most developed countries in the world and high on the Global Peace Index. The country runs entirely on renewable energy.