Cassier

Republic of Cassier République de Cassier
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: "A Mari Usque Ad Mare" (Solarian) "From Sea to Sea"
Anthem: Ô Cassier
Cassier (dark green).
Capital	New Rayenne
Largest city	Andade
Official languages	Gaullican
Ethnic groups	Euclean group (76.9%) Coiusian group (15.9%) Aboriginal group (4.9%) Badawiyan group (1.5%) Other (0.8%)
Demonym(s)	Cassien
Government	Federal parliamentary constitutional republic
• President	Jean Tremblay
Legislature	Parlemant
• Upper house	Sénat
• Lower house	Chambre des communes
Establishment
• Formation	July 1, 1757
• Declaration of Independence	October 14, 1936
Area
•	7,196,305 km2 (2,778,509 sq mi)
Population
• 2018 estimate	39,889,032
• Density	4.25/km2 (11.0/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2018 estimate
• Total	$1.627 trillion
• Per capita	$40,788
HDI (2018)	0.926 very high
Currency	Cassien Denier (CAD) (CAF)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+1
Internet TLD	.ca

Cassier, officially the Republic of Cassier (Gaullican: République de Cassier) is a country in the northern part of Asteria Superior. Extending from the Vehemens Ocean in the west, east to the Lumine Ocean, and northward into the Florian Ocean, Cassier is the largest country in the world by total area, covering an area of over 7.19 million square kilometres. Cassier shares its southern borders with Halland and Chistovodia. Cassier's capital is New Rayenne, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Andade, Sainte-Marie, and Belleview.

As a whole Cassier is sparsely populated, the majority of its land area being dominated by forest and tundra. Cassier's population is primarily centered around urban centers in the south, with over 80 percent of its inhabitants concentrated in large and medium-sized cities. Cassier's climate varies widely, ranging from an arctic climate in the north, to mild temperate zones in the southern regions. The entirity of Cassier experiences four distinct seasons.

Various indigenous peoples have inhabited what is now Cassier for thousands of years before Euclean discovery and colonization. The first explorers arrived in 1488 when Badawiyan navigator Assim Asteris first landed on Île-du-Édouard, Terre-Belle. Beginning in the 16th century various Euclean expeditions explored and would later bring about the settlement of Cassier's west coast. Gaullica would colonize and control much of what is today western Cassier, founding five colonies within Nouvelle-Gaullica or New Gaullica. The Asterian Superior Act of 1757 would confederate the colonies of New Gaullica into the Domain of Cassier which would become one of Gaullica's most valuable colonial possessions. With Gaullican support and a growing population Cassier would begin a period of territorial expansion across northern Asteria Supeior until 1849, acquiring new lands through diplomatic or military means. By the end of the 19th century Cassier encompassed a vast territory which extended across much of Asteria Superior. Industrialisation, an abundance of natural resources combined with plentiful land for settlement provided a signifcant boost to Cassier's economy, attracting immigrants from Euclea and Coius. By 1900 Cassier occupied a unique position within Gaullica's colonial empire, having a singificant amount autonomy and ties to Asterian and Euclean nations. The Declaration of Independence formally severed the last vestiges of legal dependence on Gaullica in the aftermath of the Great War on October 14, 1936 after its ratification by the Cassein national assembly.

Cassier is a federal republic and a representative democracy within a parliamentary system. It ranks highly in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, a product of immigration from many other countries. Cassier has had long and complex relationships with neighbouring Asterian nations and Euclea, which has had a significant impact on its economy and culture.

A developed country, Cassier has a high nominal per capita income as well as a high ranking in Human Development. Its advanced economy is one of largest in the world, accounting for roughly 3% of the world's nominal GDP. Cassier's economy is highly reliant upon the exportation of its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade networks. Cassier is part of several major international and intergovernmental institutions or groupings including the IDC, OAN, and NVO. Following its independence Cassier maintained a policy of armed neutrality; avoiding involvement in international wars while possessing a deterrent force to ward off potential aggressors, however developments in the 1990s has seen Cassier align more closely with its Asterian neighbours and the Euclean Community. Though originally neutral Cassier has consistantly been involved with global efforts in peacekeeping and delivering foreign aid, being a part of and the founder of many humanitarian and intergovernmental organizations such as the CN.

Etymology

While a variety of theories have been postulated for the etymological origins of Cassier, the name is generally accepted to have originated from the Kanosoni word Kaska, a borrowing from the Kwadacha language meaning "black bird people". In 1535, the Ganonsyoni people of the present day Sainte-Marie region used the word, interpreted as "Cassiar", to direct Gaullican explorer Rogerin Dummont further up the Saint Marcus river to the were they believed the Kaska people lived. Dummont's expedition would never reach the lands of the Kaska due to poor climate and geographical obsticles however he would use the word "Cassier" to refer to the upper Saint Marcus and territories further beyond. By 1545 Euclean books and maps had begun referring to the whole of the region along the Saint Marcus river as Cassier.

In the 17th to the mid 18th centuries "Cassier" referred to the areas of New Gaullica along the Saint Marcus river. The colonies of Upper Cassier and Lower Cassier, present day provinces of Monbec and Breloux, encompassed this region and was home to a majority of New Gaullica's population. Upon confederation on July 1, 1757 "Cassier" was adopted as the legal name for the whole of New Gaullica at the Verlois Conference, and the word domain was conferred as the country's title. On October 14, 1936, the term domain was officially discarded according to the Declaration of Independence. The newly established government under its first president Wilfrid Édouard declared that the nation's legal title would officially be the "Republic of Cassier".

History

Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples in present-day Cassier include the First Nations, Boréaliens, and Métis, the last being a mixed-blood people who originated in the mid-17th century when First Nations and Boréalien people married Euclean settlers. The term "Aboriginal" as a collective noun is a specific term used in some legal documents, including within the Cassien constitution.

The native population at the time of the first Euclean settlements is estimated to have been between 300,000 and three million, with a figure of 800,000 generally being accepted by Cassier's Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. As a consequence of Euclean colonization the population of Cassier's indigenous peoples declined by forty to eighty percent, and several groups such as the Meniguls disappearing entirely. The population decline of indigenous Asterians is attributed to several causes including the transfer of diseases to which they had no natural immunity, various conflicts with colonial authorities and settlers, and the loss of land that caused a subsequent collapse of self-sufficiency.

Although not without conflict, early Euclean interactions with First Nations and Boréalien populations were relatively peaceful. First Nations and Métis groups played a critical part in the development of Gaullican colonies in Cassier, particularly for their role in assisting coureur des bois and voyageurs in the exploration of the continent during the Asterian Superior fur trade. Gaullica and indigenous peoples interacted throughout the colonization period, though the Boréaliens in general had more limited interaction due to their geographic isolation. From the late 18th century until the 1980s Cassien authorities had actively sought to assimilate indigenous Asterians into Cassien culture. The forced integration and relocations of many indigenous groups caused an abandonment of many aboriginal cultures and languages in what is widely considered to be a genocide though no serious international condemnations have been made. A period of redress began in 2008 with the appointment of various comissions by provincial and federal governments, however the mistreatment and discrimination of indigenous Cassiens has continued into the present.

Euclean colonization

The first Eucleans to settle in Cassier were mariners from Varienland and Caldia who established seasonal fishing and whaling outposts along the west coast in the 15th century. A combination of factors such as geograpgical distance, a harsh climate, and resistance by natives confined the first Euclean settlers to short-lived seasonal settlements and forts on the coast. In 1534 Gaullican explorer Rogerin Dummont explored much of western Cassier’s coast and major rivers during his first voyage to Asteria. Upon discovering the Gulf of Saint Marcus he planted a 10 meter (33 ft) cross bearing the words “Long Live the Queen of Gaullica”, claiming the land of "Nouvelle-Gaullica", or New Gaullica, in the name of Queen Anne the Financer.

In 1535 under orders from the Gaullican crown Rogerin Dummont founded what would become Monbec City as the first permanent Gaullican settlement in Cassier. Among the colonists of New Gaullica three distinct groups would develop; Cassiens who exclusively settled the Saint Marcus valley, Chicadiens that settled the present day Terre-Neuve archipelago and Gulf of Chicadie, then fur traders and missionaries explored further inland. Gaullican explorer Nathan de Beaumont arrived in 1603 explored deeper inland in search of an interior route to the Lumine ocean. While he failed to cross the continent his expedition discovered gold in the upper Saint Marcus watershed and Lake Beaumont, causing an influx of settlers into the interior. A dwindling Asterian Superior beaver population combined with the large increase in Euclean colonists following the discovery of gold created tensions between the colonies and many indigenous peoples. By 1665 the majority of aboriginal nations were in a state of war against each other, fighting over the few remaining areas with beaver populations and Euclean settlements. These conflicts would culminate in the Fur Wars which saw New Gaullica and aligned tribes fight decisively defeat a coalition of resisting tribes in Upper Cassier. The Fur Wars resulted in the burning of dozens of native villages followed by a forced migration to the north and east. This relocation would prove to only be a temporary solution as Euclean settlers continued to aggressively push further inland. Conflicts between and against the Asterian tribes would remain an ever present threat for the next two centuries, however none would be on a similar scale seen in the Fur Wars.

Unsuited for the more profitable cash crop plantations found further south, New Gaullica's economy would be restricted to mining, timber, and the fur trade. Despite ample land suitable for settlement and the discovery of gold New Gaullica's population would remain below 30,000. With competing colonial powers with larger and more profiable colonies endeavouring to assert their dominance in the Asterias Gaullica's claims to the interior would remain teneuous. Starting in the 1680s the colonial government began issuing land grants in Upper Cassier and the regions surrounding Lake Beaumont. Though much of the land issued in these grants were often large expanses of untamed wilderness the prospect of a new life was appealing to many hopeful Gaullicans and other Euclean immigrants. Other incentives were given to colonists already inhabiting New Gaullica that sought to encourage settlers to have larger families. In the decades between the 1691 and the 1731 colonial policies encouraging population growth and aggressive settlement would cause the population of New Gaullica to more than triple. The rising numbers of colonists further increased the demand for land in the east, driving settlers further inland. This growth would also result in the first generation of colonists that were predomiantly born in New Gaullica, laying the foundation for what would develop into the Cassien identity.

In 1729 Gaullica's victory in the Gilded Wars redefined New Gaullica's southern boundaries and secured its claims to Lake Beaumont and surrounding areas from competing Euclean powers. As a result New Gaullica's colonists welcomed Gaullica's newfound dominance over Asteria Superior. New Gaullica was viewed as Gaullica's premier colony due to shared cultural and lingustic ties which was a source of great pride among colonists. The number of settlers settling the eastern interior of New Gaullica decreased between 1731 and 1764, with most Gaullicans desiring to settle in the newly acquired and more profitable possessions in the south. Despite Gaullican hegemony disputes over land and territory between the colonies of New Gaullica and the former Estermish possessions to the south would continue. Generally these feuds were resolved in New Gaullica's favour, generating outrage among non-Gaullicans.

On July 1, 1757 representitives from the five colonies of New Gaullica would gather in Verlois to discuss the future of the colonies within Gaullica's empire. The Verlois Conference would culiminate in the ratification Gaullican Asterian Superior Act of 1757 which confederated the colonies of Upper Cassier, Lower Cassier, Nouvelle-Sylvagne, Chicadia, and Terre-Neuve into the Domain of Cassier. The term domain was chosen to distinguish Cassier from the other colonies of the Gaullican empire. This confederation emerged from multiple impulses: Gaullica wanted the New Gaullica to defend itself and allow it to focus more of its resources elsewhere; a newfound Gaullican-Cassien nationalism sought to unite the colonies into one dominion within the Gaullican empire, dominated by the Gaullican language and culture; and fears of encroachment by non-Gaullican settlers northward. On a political level there was a desire for the creation of a local "responsible" government that could solve disputes and deadlocks between the colonies of New Gaullica, and their replacement with provincial legislatures in a confederation.

Post confederation

The establishment of the confederation of the five colonies within the Domain of Cassier satsified the growing number of colonists who desired a greater say in matters of government policy for a time. Cassier's colonial government would be organized in a bicameral parliamentary system which, while granting Cassiens the ability to elect their own representitives to the legislative branch, would have strong oversight via an appointed govenor from the Metropole in the executive. The govenor of Cassier acted as the final executive authority in the king's sted, having the power to veto any piece of legislation passed by the parliament with the intent of maintaining Gaullican interests. This lead to a delicate balance of power between legislative and executive branches of government that would cause an increasing amount of unrest. Two political factions would emerge during this period; the Whigs and the Torries. Whigs generally held a liberal ideology and sought to continue increasing Cassier's autonomy, while Torries comprised of more conservative and traditional elements of Cassien society.

Republican ideals from Gaullica's other Asterian colonies became especially popular to many Cassiens, especially among the more radical Whigs. These Whigs began to publish pro-republican panthlets and newspapers with the intent of spreading these new ideas to the Cassien population. These Whigs sought to raise awareness of the uneven relationship between Cassiens and their colonial overlords increased following the implimentation of "Intolerable Taxes". Demonstrations protesting the "unfair" colonial policies took place in several cities which often resulted in outbreaks of violence. Seeking to quell the growing unrest many pro-republican Whigs were arrested and had their publicians banned in 1763 for "disturbing the peace". The arrest of these Whigs sparked outrage among many sympathetic liberials and radicals who saw the government's actions as an unfair violation of their rights as free men. While more moderate Whigs called for calm amidst as tensions between radicals increased, many would begin to organize themselves in the months leading up to the Asterian War of Secession until eventually openly rebelling against Gaullican authority in the Patriote Movement.

The Patriotes were a coalition of various colonists with varying backgrounds that were unified under the belief that Gaullica had violated Cassier's principle of responsible government. At first the extent of the Patriotes' goals differed among its supporters until eventually coalescing under the idea that Cassier must sever its connection with Gaullica and obtain complete independence. Despite lacking the popular support that their revolutionary counterparts to the south recieved the Patriotes achieved increasing amounts of success under the leadership of general Vivien Gérin-Lajoie. The Patriotes recieve a devastating blow following the Battle of Louiseville on December 31, 1769 resulting in the death of general Lajoie and the Patriote's primary forces scattered. This defeat marked the end of the Patriotes posing any credible threat to Gaullican rule in Cassier. Many supporters were forced to flee south where they would comtinue to carry on the movement, but most were arrested and executed for treason. Despite the decesive blow to Cassier's independence movement the Patriotes would become immortalized as martyrs in the eyes of many, though serious discussion regarding independence would not reemerge for several decades.

The ultimate seccessionist victory in 1771 would greatly diminish Gaullica's power in Asteria Superior and have wide reaching ramifications in Cassier's demographics and politics. Though Gaullica would retain possession over Cassier the domain's security was again at risk from the newly independent nations of Halland and Nuxica to the south. From 1767 to 1791 over XX,000 Gaullican loyalists from the new republics would migrate to Cassier, significantly increasing the population. As Cassier sought to resettle the loyalists tensions over the ill-defined border region with Halland would result in the Beaver Wars, a series of conflicts between Hallandic and Cassien settlers over disputed territory in Upper Cassier. The first of these conflicts resulted in a decesive Cassien defeat and a significant loss of land in Upper Cassier. In 177X the First Monbec Conference saw representitives from Cassier's provinces, members of parliament and figures from Gaullica's former possessions in the south would gather in Monbec City in response to Hallandic encroachment northwards. After much deliberation the delegates present came to the conclusion that in the absence of Gaullican hegemony in the Asterias the 1757 Gaullican Asterian Superior Act required reforms in order to preserve Cassier's position within the Gaullican empire.

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Geography and climate

Cassier encompasses much of the continent of Asteria Superior, sharing land borders with the Lorcania, Nuxica, and Chervolesia to the south. Cassier stretches from the Vehemens Ocean in the west to the Lumine Ocean in the east; to the north lies the Florian Ocean. Svobinsk is to the northeast which shares a maritime boundary in Hailett's Sea. By total area (including its waters), Cassier is the largest country in the world.

Cassier is home to one of the Asteria Superior's northernmost settlements, Cassien Forces Station Balise, on the northern tip of Daucourt Island – the closest point to the North Pole outside of Svobinsk. Much of the Cassien Arctic is covered by ice and permafrost due to polar currents that create a much colder climate than other nations at the same latitudes. Cassier has the longest coastline in the world, with a total length of xxx,xxx kilometres (xxx,xxx mi).

Since the end of the last glacial period, Cassier has consisted of eight distinct forest regions, including extensive boreal forest on the Cassien Shield. 42 percent of the land acreage of Canada is covered by forests, approximately 8 percent of the world's forested land, made up mostly of spruce, poplar and pine. Cassier has over 2,000,000 lakes—563 greater than 100 km2 (39 sq mi)—which is more than any other country, containing much of the world's fresh water as well as the geographically massive Lake Beaumont - a remnant of the most recent ice age glaciation and the largest body of freshwater in the world. There are numerous also fresh-water glaciers in the Eastern Mountains and the Coast Mountains.

Cassier is geologically active, having many earthquakes and potentially active volcanoes, notably Mount Carpentier massif, Mount Bérengère, Mount Brunelle massif, and the Mount Constance volcanic complex.

Average winter and summer high temperatures across Cassier vary from region to region. Winters are generally harsh in the majority of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces, which experience a continental climate, where daily average temperatures are near −15 °C (5 °F), but can drop below −40 °C (−40 °F) with severe wind chills. In most inland regions, snow can cover the ground for almost six months of the year, while in parts of the north snow can persist year-round. The east coast has a temperate climate, with a mild and rainy winter. On the west and east coasts, average high temperatures are generally in the low 20s °C (70s °F), while between the coasts, the average summer high temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), with temperatures in some interior locations rarely exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).

Politics and Government

Cassier is described as a "full democracy", with a tradition of liberalism, and an egalitarian, moderate political ideology. An emphasis on social justice has been a distinguishing element of Cassier's political culture. Peace, order, and good government, alongside an implied bill of rights are founding principles of the Cassien government.

At the federal level, Cassier has been dominated by three major parties, the far left Labour Party, the centre-left Liberal Party, and the centre-right Conservative Party. The historically predominant Liberal Party position themselves at the centre of the Cassien political spectrum, with the Conservative Party positioned on the right and the Labour Party occupying the left. Far-right politics have never been a prominent force in Cassien society while far-leftists movements have gained some support historically, though few have ever exerted a real influence in federal politics. Four parties had representatives elected to the federal parliament in the 201X election—the Liberal Party, who currently form the government; the Conservative Party, who are the official opposition; the Labour Party; and the Green Party of Cassier.

Demographics

The 2016 Cassien Census indicated a total population of 39,889,032, an increase of around 5.0 percent over the 2011 figure. The main driver of population growth in Cassier is predominately immigration, with over a million immigrants arriving in Cassier between 2011 and 2016.

Cassier has one of the highest immigration rates per-capita in the world, spurred by economic policies. The general public, as well as the major political parties, have been supportive of the current level of immigration. Immigrants to Cassier have originate from a variety of different regions and countries, with most arriving from Coius and Asteria Inferior. The recent waves of immigrants settled mostly in major urban areas such as Andade, Sainte-Marie and Barnier.

Cassier's population density, at 4.25 inhabitants per square kilometre, the lowest in the world. About four-fifths of the population lives within 200 kilometres of the border with Halland and . The most densely populated part of the country, accounting for nearly 50 percent, is the Saint-Marcus Corridor in Monbec and Breloux residing mostly within the Saint-Marcus basin.

Largest urban centers by population
Andade Belleview	#	Settlement	Population	#	Settlement	Population	Sainte-Marie Barnier
	1	Andade	TBD	11	Verlois	TBD
	2	Sainte-Marie	TBD	12	Saint-Célestin	TBD
	3	Belleview	TBD	13	Cheboctoc	TBD
	4	Barnier	TBD	14	Dummontville	TBD
	5	Armeins	TBD	15	Kennebago	TBD
	6	Nouvelle-Rayenne	TBD	16	Lavelle	TBD
	7	Bougainville	TBD	17	Keeseekoose	TBD
	8	Monbec	TBD	18	Val Albert	TBD
	9	Nanowin	TBD	19	Saint-Élie	TBD
	10	Rougemont	TBD	20	Senneterre	TBD

Culture

Sports

The roots of organized sports in Cassier date back to the 1770s. Cassier’s official national sports are ice hockey and lacrosse. Other sports such as golf, soccer, baseball, tennis, skiing, badminton, volleyball, cycling, swimming, bowling, rugby union, canoeing, equestrian, squash and the study of martial arts are widely enjoyed by much of the population recreationally.

Cassier shares several major professional sports leagues with its neighbours. Cassien teams in these leagues include nine franchises in the Asterian Hockey League, as well as several !Major League Soccer teams and the Cassier men's national soccer team, at least one team in !Major League Baseball, and the !National Basketball Association. Other popular professional sports in Cassier include football, which is played in the Cassien Football League, National Lacrosse League lacrosse, and curling.