Sveltlana

United Republic of Sveltlana Sveltlanan: Förenade Republiken Sväldläna East Gothian: Forente Republikken Sválþland West Gothian: Forenede Republik Svældlæn Viic: Svaaeldlänan Yhdistynyt Tasavalta Weranian: Vereinigte Republik Sväldland
Flag of Sveltlana Flag Seal of the Republic of Sveltlana Seal of the Republic
Motto: För att Lämna Mörkret To Exit the Dark
Anthem: En hammare i en hand A Hammer in One Hand
Sveltlana (dark green) in Euclea (light green and light grey) and in the Euclean Community (light green). Sveltlana (dark green) in Euclea (light green and light grey) and in the Euclean Community (light green).
Capital and largest city	Herfast
Official languages	Sveltlanan
Recognised regional languages	East Gothian, West Gothian, Viic
Ethnic groups (2014)	69.5% Svelts 9 minorities 15.7% Gothians 8.8% Viics 2.2% Weranians 2.1% Kaxakhs 1.0% Negarans 0.3% Estmerians 0.2% Gaullicans 0.1% Wazovians 0.1% Slavonian
Religion	None at federal level
Demonym(s)	Svelt, Sveltlanan
Government	Constitutional Parliamentary Federal Republic
• President	Torvill Reitan
• Chancellor	Eva Reinfeldt
• Speaker of the Riksdag	Elina Ahlund
• Chief Justice	Hådvard Hamlin
Legislature	The Riksdag
• Upper house	House of Jarls
• Lower house	House of Thanes
Independence
• Sveltlanan Civil War	Recognised 1935
Area
• Total	1,685,847 km2 (650,909 sq mi)
Population
• 2014 census	44,502,280
• Density	26.40/km2 (68.4/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	estimate
• Total	$2.21 tr
• Per capita	NS$49,700
Gini (2013)	29.8 low
HDI (2013)	0.889 very high
Currency	Norrdaler (nd) (=100 öre) (NOD)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy B.C.E.; C.E.
Driving side	right
Calling code	+809
ISO 3166 code	SVE
Internet TLD	.sv

Sveltlana (/'svelt.lana/; Sveltlanan: Sväldläna, formerly Sväldland) officially the United Republic of Sveltlana (Sveltlanan: Förenade Republiken Sväldläna) is a sovereign country located in Northern Euclea. Sveltlana is completely surrounded by water, with Raglan being the country's closest neighbor. At about 1,685,847 square kilometres, Sveltlana is the largest country in the Euclean Community by area, with a total population of about 44 million. The temperate south of the country is densely inhabited, although the mountainous north exhibits one of the lowest population densities in Euclea.

In the present, Sveltlana is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary form of democracy. The capital city is Herfast, which, at about 13 million inhabitants, is both the most populous city in the country and one of the most populous cities in the Euclean Community. Executive power is exercised by a government chaired by the President. A Chancellor, however, forms the chief Head of State. Legislative power is vested in a bicameral Riksdag. Sveltlana is a federal state, currently divided into nine states, 49 provinces and approximately 600 municipalities.

Sveltlana holds membership in various prominent international organisations throughout the world, such as the Euclean Community and the Community of Nations. Additionally, the Nine Repubics of Sveltlana are important members in the Nordic Union, an organisation that bridges countries with a common Nordic heritage. The second largest city in Sveltlana, St. Ragnarstad contains the headquarters of several international anti-nuclear proliferation organizations, including the Treaty of St. Ragnarstad.

Etymology

The name Sveltlana originates from two words from Sveltlanan: Sväld and Län, Sväld being the name of the nation and Län meaning state. Therefore, the compound word "Sveltlana" literally means "State of the Svelts". Thus, the real meaning of the country's complete name is the United Republic of the State of the Svelts.

It is important to highlight that the world Sveltlana has only entered use in modern times, in particular from 1927 with the declaration of the United Kingdom of the Svelts. What is now the Sveltlanan subcontinent used to be known alternatively as Sväldland and Stornö, the largest of the islands of the Stothen archipelago. Its people used to be known as Northerners, Norse, or Nords.

There has recently been some controversy over the use of Sveltlana or Förenade Republiken Sväldläna as the name of the country, as the country contains various ethnic groups other than the Svelts, among them the Gothian people and the Viic people. There are few serious proposals for new national names, and fewer still are those that have gained nationwide praise.

History

Main article: History of Sveltlana

Varangian Age

From the 7th to the early 11th century, the Svelts, Ogoths, Lugoths, and other Norse tribes and kingdoms were collectively known as Varangians, or Vikings. During this age, the Nordic tribes entered a golden age in which they colonized large tracts of land and became rich through trade and commerce. However, they also became infamous through Euclea by their characteristic raids on towns across the continent. The Varangians established several kingdoms outside of their native land, such as Jårnland (Old Norse: Land of Iron) in the west and Vinland (Land of Wine) in the East.

File:SvVarangianRaid.jpg

Impression of a Varangian raid. Notice the tip of a Longship on the background left. The speed and versatility of those vessels largely helped the Vikings dominate the seas.

In 781 C.E., the Varangians established Jårnland in what is now Tykeshire in the High Kingdom. The Iron Realm, as it was known to the natives, rapidly expanded to become one of the foremost military powers in the Caltari isles and often conducted raids against the neighbouring realms. This, unsurprisingly, earned Jårnland the spite of the natives. Nevertheless, the Iron Realm remained the strongest military power in Caltarania for more than a hundred years.

During the Varangian age, these raids and conquests were only possible because of the establishment of certain coalitions in mainland Sveltlana. The effect of these establishments was a general increase in stability in Sveltlana. There were, in total, four coalitions, although their members often fluctuated from one to another (even though, from 701 to 997, these coalitions co-existed in relative peace). These were the Blooded Realm, the Realm of the Shield, the Thunder Realm, and Raglan and its system of client states and vassals.

File:Norse Conquest (Kylaris)-EDITED 2.png

Varangian domains in 997 C.E., at their greatest extent. In green, land directly controlled; in dark grey, areas of heavy activity.

This system collapsed in 997 as Raglan, now Christian, attempted to impose its Hegian faith on the Thunder Realm. In less than four years, Raglan had smashed the Thunder Realm and imposed its faith on the Thunderlands, as well as dissolving the Thunder Realm, annexing some of its members, and forcing the remainder of them to vassalage. The war was followed by another strike on the Realm of the Shield. However, a secret pact drafted with the Blooded Realm came into effect, and eventually the war ended in a stalemate. For 300 years, except for brief lapses of peace, the Norse were locked in a state of internal warfare.

By 1021, the influence exerted on the exterior began to wane. The frequency of raids decreased, and aid supplied to the transoceanic realms decreased radically. This was because the rise of the power and influence of Raglan in Sveltlana began to alarm the viking tribes. The tribes then shifted most of their energy and resources to combat the rise of Raglan rather than to expand the power of their domains, or continue their raids.

Meanwhile, Jårnland had begun to face rising economic and political internal pressure. In an effort to alleviate the economic situation, Harald Eriksson, the last Iron King, decided to increase the frequency of raids on the neighbouring realms. The War of the Three Crowns broke out as a result in December 1065. In February 1066, the Iron Kingdom, devoid of support from the Norse other than a small army led by the warrior-princess Freja Hardrada, was decisively defeated at the battle of Northford Bridge and then promptly collapsed. After the fall of Jårnland, most of the other transoceanic realms overthrew their Nordic overlords. This signalled the end of the Varangian or Viking Age.

Governance

Administrative Divisions

As a federal republic, Sveltlana is divided into Nine largely independent constituent republics. However, the constitution explicitly states the indivisible nature of the Sveltlanan nation.

To view the map of the Provinces of the Country, click here.

Constituent Republics

Nine Republics of Sveltlana

Republic	Abbr.	Capital	Largest city	Government	Population	Total area in km2
Andrast	AN	Empelfort	Empelfort	Församling Andrast	4,468,885	54,498.6
Dalandt	DA	Ardheim	Ardheim	Församling Dalandt	2,910,714	22,219.2
Dunfast	DU	Riksdähl	Riksdähl	Respublikråd Dunfast	4,119,276	152,565.8
Gottmark	GO	Herfast	Herfast	Respublikråd Gottmark	11,963,876	147,702.2
Østergotten	OG	Øvikshavn	Øvikshavn	Folkting	629,431	133,921.6
Savolax	SA	Ragnarstad	Ragnarstad	Respublikråd Savolax	8,757,039	106,793.2
Trondland	TR	Tingstad	Tingstad	Respublikråd Trondland	9,012,649	145,365.3
Vastergotten	VG	Simrihammar	Simrihammar	Folketing	651,595	260,638.0
Weusgard	WE	Harskehavn	Sognvinger	Församling Weusgard	1,988,813	165,734.4

Foreign Relations

Nordic Union

Main article: Nordic Union

Military

Main article: Sveltlanan Armed Forces

Economy

Main article: Economy of Sveltlana

Natural resources

Oil

Coal

Copper

Iron

other

Energy

The production of electricity in the country is managed by the Ministry of Electric Production. Sveltlana has been producing surplus energy to power itself since the 1970s, when investment into fission power began to grow considerably. Accordingly, the country has been exporting a part of its power surplus to neighboring countries, such as Glytter. Most of the power produced in the country today is produced by Nuclear and Hydroelectric plants.

File:Energy production in Sveltlana until 2012.png

Energy production in the country in the period 1980-2012. Data supplied by the Ministry of Electric Production.

Since the 1980s, Nuclear energy has been the main power source of Sveltlana. With about 242 TWh being produced (69.5% of the total electricity produced in the country) through Fission processes, Sveltlana is a leader in Nuclear power production in the world. The network operates 26 plants of varying potency, with the largest plant being the Belhorn plant.

The expansive use of nuclear power has fueled domestic and international criticism. Domestically, several parties, most notably the Institutional party, are committed to finding other eco-friendly sources of power. Internationally, states that are less reliant on nuclear power, including a wide array of states within the Euclean Community, remain skeptic of the country's dependence on nuclear plants.

Hydroelectric power is the second-largest source of energy in the country. With a vast amount of rivers surging from the Tridian range in central Sveltlana, Hydroelectric power began to grow in force during the 1950s, but moderate growth has persisted until the present. Hydroelectric power accounts for about 17.0% of total energy production in the country.

Renewable power has seen slow but consistent growth in the country over the last thirty years. With Nuclear power losing the popularity it once had among voters, the Institutional party secured a victory in the 2015 general elections with an agenda that included an ambitious plan to gradually replace several of the older nuclear powerplants in the country with wind and solar plants.

Nonetheless, fossil fuel plants are still employed in the country to supply some degree of power. Currently, plants using fossil fuels account for about 6.3% of the national electricity production. Oil and coal are the main sources of fuel, with a close third being gas. Nearly all parties are strongly opposed to the existence of these plants, and all have various agendas to try to eliminate the few remaining fossil fuel plants in the country.

Notable industries

Intellectual capital

Automotive

Arms

Demographics

The country's population was estimated to be 44,502,280 in the latest census to take place around the country, in 2014. The population as of August 2016 was estimated to be around 44,800,000.

Ethnicity

Main article: Ethnicity in Sveltlana

Sveltlana is a country formed from various ethnic groups, who generally inhabit different zones in the country. The principal ethnic groups in the country are composed of the Sveltlanan people and the Gothian people, both of which are groups now indigenous to Stornö. These two groups are descended from the arrival of a large population of Northern Germanic people, known today as the Norse people, who are estimated to have settled the country around 10,000 years ago.

Ethnicity in Sveltlana
Ethnicity			Percentage
Svelts			76.5%
Gothians			12.7%
Viics			6.8%
Weranians			2.2%
Other			1.8%

In the north live the Viic people, the remnants of those who settled the island before the arrival of the Norse. There is evidence that suggests that Viics have inhabited Stornö for over 18,000 years in the form of prehistoric artifacts discovered around Øvikshavn. There are many theories as of why the Viics lost their hold in the island, but the most academically accepted is that the arrival of the Norse people gradually pushed them to the north of the Tridian range.

The Gothians and Svelts are believed to have been split up as the Norse settled in different parts of the country. Whereas some of the Norse people remained in the temperature south, many pushed north and developed a hardy existence by fishing and sealing in the colder North of the country. Today, Gothians can be distinguished from Svelts by their paler complexion, as well as their universally red hair.

There are large Weranian, Estmerish, and Ghaillish groups in Sveltlana. These are all concentrated around St. Ragnarstad, a city that is noted for its multi-ethnic history. These minorities are the descendants of artisans and craftsmen that were brought into the country during the rule of the Grand Duchy of Raglan; the purpose behind its creation was to create the most advanced and prosperous city in the continent in the mouth of the Lax river.

Language

Main article: Language in Sveltlana

By a large margin, the Sveltlanan language is the most common language in the country. It is universally spoken as a primary language throughout the South and East, with a smaller distribution in the North and East. The language is also spoken as an L2 tongue by nearly everyone living in the country, including the Gothian and Viic minorities. Nonetheless, Gothian is still largely spoken in both East and West Gothia, while Viic is the primary language of the provinces located throughout the Tridian range.

Mother Tongue in Sveltlana
Mother Tongue			Percentage
Sveltlanan			81.9%
Gothian			11.4%
Viic			6.7%

The Gothian and Sveltlanan languages split up as the Norse settled in different parts of the country. Whereas some remained in the temperature south, many pushed north and developed a hardy existence by fishing and sealing in the colder North. Contact with other Germanic cultures made the Sveltlanan language remain closer in style and appearance to the other Germanic languages around the Österrak Channel, while the Gothian language developed independently for thousands of years during its isolated existence.

The Viic language is slowly being lost, being gradually replaced by Sveltlanan, which is regarded as being both easier to learn, more useful in the country, and having a greater influence within Euclea and the Nordic Union than its regional counterpart. It is for that purpose that the government authorized a committee in 1986 — the Committee for the Preservation of the Viic Linguistic Heritage — to study and protect the small, vulnerable language.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Sveltlana

Religion in Sveltlana (2014 census)

  Fornsen (50.9%)

  Unaffiliated (30.6%)

  Hegianism (13.1%)

  Other Sotirianity (2.4%)

  Other faiths (2.1%)

  Did not state (0.9%)

Most of what is known of religion today in Sveltlana comes from the latest census, in 2014, in which, coincidentally, the section inquiring on religious beliefs saw significant change. The option of "unknown" was removed, seeing as in the census before that (in 2008), less than 0.5% of respondents answered with that question. Additionally, the option to defer from stating one's religion also began to be provided, although a comparatively small amount of respondents selected this option.

The largest creed followed in the present in the country, according to the official 2014 census, is Fornsen: nearly 51% of the nation follows the religion. Fornsen, Sveltlanan for "old way," is a loosely defined religion which is focused on the practice of Neo-paganism. Over the last few hundred years, the unorganized religion evolved organically with those that followed it. The republic with the highest amount of Fornsen followers was, by far, Trondland, where nearly 80% of inhabitants follow the religion. Fornsen is least concentrated in Gottmark, the heartland of Raglan for hundreds of years, where Hegianistic Sotirianity remains dominant.

Hegianism, brought to the country by Raglan, began with the arrival of Hegios in the island. His preaching was, after a bloody and turbulent period, accepted throughout the small island. As the territorial holdings of Raglan continued to grow during the country's expansion, Hegianism grew with it. Under the tutelage of Raglan, Stornö was first united under the Holy Nordic Empire, a religious organ with the clear purpose of bringing religious stability to the Nordic isles.

Today, Hegianism has lost much of its former influence. There is no consensus as to why this is the case, but many Hegians have fallen into irreligious practices ever since the end of the Holy Nordic Empire. For example, a statistical analysis of the country in 1936 found that approximately 54% of Svelts followed Fornsen, while 37% followed Hegianism.

During the unstable years that followed the independence of the Second Republic in 1935, Hegianism, which was seen by many Svelts as a long-standing form of tyranny over the Sveltlanan people, was formally banned by the government, and Hegianist churches throughout Gottmark, Savolax, and Dunfast, the areas most loyal to the Raglanese crown during the Sveltlanan Civil War were persecuted with special zeal. Indeed, the persecution of the religion only ceased in the country with the Siegfried Amendment of 1941, an agreement orchestrated by the Estmerish-born Charles Siegfried that brought total religious freedom to the island for the first time in its history.

Culture

Sveltlana is a very traditional country, with age-old customs still fresh and visible throughout the Nordic nation.

Traditional dress

Main article: Traditional dress in Sveltlana

Traditional dress, called the Bunad in Sveltlana, is the most notable example of Sveltlanan Apparel. In lively colours including blue, green, and red, Bunad patterns often represent ancient families or clans, and patterns are passed down through families that span hundreds of years.

File:Svelt women with traditional dress Septemberfest.jpg

Svelts in Bunad attending Septemberfest.

For males, a Bunad often comprises a long set of heavy trousers that reaches over the navel. Heavy buttons, usually brass, connect it to a chest-piece made of the same material. Both elements are richly decorated in patterns of all shapes, colours and designs. Underneath, a long-sleeved white shirt is worn. More traditional Male Bunaden feature swords that hang at the side, but the practice of wearing swords in Bunaden has largely fallen out of practice.

For females, a Bunad most often comprises a vest and a skirt, although designs for female Bunaden are much more varied than those of Males. Rather than being dark or black, vests and skirts are often colourful, and feature elaborate decoration in patterns and other shapes. Females also wear a long-sleeved white blouse. The head remains uncovered, with more traditional wearers respecting the tradition of putting one's hair in a simple braid.

Folding back one's sleeves to the elbow is, traditionally, an indicator that the wearer of said Bunad is already quite drunk.

Alcoholic beverages

Main article: Alcohol in Sveltlana

Beer is highly popular in Sveltlana, and is by far the most popular alcoholic drink in the country. Svelts are the heaviest drinkers of Beer in the world, with the average Svelt drinking about 120 litres of the beverage every year. Pilsner is the most common type of beer in Sveltlana, and the market is dominated by both locally brewed brands, such as Stjärna Artois, and foreign breweries, such as the notoriously popular Teutonian Teutoner.

Large amounts of beer are drunk in Septemberfest, a period spanning approximately 3 weeks that accounts for approximately 30% of beer consumption in the country. In the traditional celebration, men and women go to the streets in traditional clothing and proceed to drink large amounts of the alcoholic beverage. The celebration attracts notorious touristic attention, and fellow beer-drinkers in Euclea, such as Teutonians, often attend Septemberfest en masse.

However, other drinks otherwise popular in Euclea, such as Wine, are unpopular in Sveltlana. Vodka is quite unpopular as well, as are other liquors such as Brandy and Rum. However, Whiskey, particularly Scotch, remains popular among older Svelts, and is imported in large quantities from the High Kingdom.

Art

Main article: Sveltlanan art

Prior to the Renaissance

File:Rembrand's old man.jpg

Rembrand's "Old Man," 1660.

In the 16 and 17th centuries, the Holy Nordic Emperors became important patrons of art. Dozens of important artists immigrated into Sveltlana under the payroll of the Emperors of such caliber as Rembrand Harmenn von Risjsner, a Flamian painter who became famous for his experimentation with shadows, and Diego de Velázquez, whose work 'Den Melinen' is today a priceless wonder.

Art flourished throughout the Golden age of Raglan, a period of time roughly encompassing the years 1590-1721. During this time, a host of massive projects were constructed all over the country. It is from this period of time that most of the immigrant artists from all over Euclea arrived in the country, settling first in Herfast near the imperial court, which provided ample patronage, all the way to the courts of the Jarls in what is now Trondland and Eastern Sveltlana.

Nevertheless, by the turn of the 17th century, the arts began to flourish in the city of St. Ragnarstad, as much pay was reserved for artists through the years 1700-1780, eight decades after St. Ragnarstad was established at the mouth of the river Lax to celebrate the coming of a new century in 1700. As a result, St. Ragnarstad is known to be the capital of the traditional arts in the country, with the museum Det Stort Museum being one of the largest art museums not only in Euclea, but the world.

Architecture

Main article: Sveltlanan architecture

Prior to the Renaissance

Music

Main article: Sveltlanan music

Music in Sveltlana is fairly important, and is enjoyed throughout the year in most traditional festivals. Traditional instruments include the fiddle, strings ensembles, and the drums — as well as more Nordic instruments, such as Nordic wooden pipes, lutes, and drunken singing.

File:Eddard Grieg.jpg

Eddard Grieg, composer of excellent romantic music.

In modern times, Sveltlana has produced large numbers of famous DJs and sound editors. Sveltlana forms a core area of musical activity in Euclea, and many musical festivals are held in the country during the Summer. Herfast has been the venue of many concerts of modern artists, and is known to be the musical capital of Euclea. The city includes more than two dozen concert venues, as well as theaters where musicals are common.

The most famous composer of classical music is Eddard Grieg, famous for works of his such as the opera Per Gyent, which includes such famous compositions as In the King's Mountain Hall.

See also

File:Gottmark in Sveltlana.png

WIP.