Gasaria

Free State of Gasaria Свободное Государство Гасария
Flag Coat of arms
Map of Gasaria in the Wider Realms (including Solon)
Largest	Sashaslav
Official languages	Gasarian
Recognized languages	Common Gaso-Common Tasian
Ethnic groups (2024)	62% Gasarians 13% Tasians 8% Olegrians 5% "mixed" 4% Novdons 3% Calays 5% other
Demonym(s)	Gasarian
Government
• President	Anton Convic
• Secretary	Liya Stoyu
Legislature	State Congress
Independence from the Federate Union
• Kingdom of Gasaria	7th century C
• Federate Union federal state	1855
• Free State of Gasaria	1968
• Current constitution	1969
Population
• 2024 estimate	~7,000,000
HDI (2024)	0.699 medium
Currency	Mark
Internet TLD	/ga

Gasaria (Gasarian: Гасария: romanized: Gasariya), officially the Free State of Gasaria, is a country in the Eastern realms. It lies the southern shore of the Eastern peninsula, with sprawling valleys inland culminating into the Esbir mountains. The country's capital and largest city is Sashaslav, with its second-largest city Olograd on the southeastern coast. It is bordered by Khersia to the northeast, Novdon to the southwest, and the Federate Union to the northwest.

Evidence of human activity in Gasaria dates back to the Early era. During the Classical era, Gasaria was inhabited by various Eastern groups and states where Sancity arose. Classical societies declined when Gasaria entered into dark ages beginning in the 3rd century S, whereafter the Eastern Empire arose and existed between the 4th and 6th centuries, although the extent of its grandeur is dubious and fabled. The first King of Gasaria proclaimed his state after a victory against Tasia.

Gasaria existed as an independent kingdom for centuries until it capitulated to the Federate movement in the Eastern War, later becoming a unit of the Federate Union in 1855. The State of Gasaria was a constituent country of the Federate Union until the Slowdown led to the Popular Uprisings of 1968. The continuous Federate Union invaded an independent Gasaria in 1976, with the subsequent Federate-Gasarian War devastating both sides, until Federate forces withdrew in 1988 following the Eastern Accord. The Federate Union launched a renewed attack on Solon in 1994, occupying parts of Solon province, with the conflict stalling in 1995 following the Solon Terms which established the Free State Alliance. The northern portion of Solon continues to be occupied by the Federate Union, and the two sides continue to skirmish in low-intensity clashes.

Gasaria is a presidential republic with an elected president as head of state. The State Congress is the country's unicameral parliament. The Gasarian nationstate, ethnic minorities and immigrants form a third of the population and multiculturalism is enriched in statute. Gasarian is the official and national language; Tasian, Common, and Gaso-Common are recognized languages. The Gasarian Armed Forces are the state's military; Narodarmiya and Solon Defence Force are the largest paramilitaries. Its border with the Federate Union is closed and militarized. Gasaria and its armed entities are engaged in the Solon war and internal conflict.

Gasaria is a developing country with an upper-middle-income economy largely focused on services, followed by industry—especially energy—and agriculture. Gasaria is a member of the Free State Association since 1979. A democratic state, crime and corruption remain significant issues.

History

The historical timeline of Gasaria is steeped in antiquity, tracing back evidence of human activity to the Early era. Flourishing during the Classical era, Gasaria was the location of Eastern groups and states, witnessing the rise of the Sancity within its borders. However, the splendor of Classical societies waned as Gasaria plunged into a period of obscurity, commonly referred to as the Dark Ages, commencing in the 3rd century S. From this shadow emerged the enigmatic Eastern Empire, which stood from the 4th to the 6th centuries, although historical accounts of its grandeur remain shrouded in ambiguity and legend. It was during this transformative era that the inaugural King of Gasaria proclaimed the inception of his state, marking a pivotal moment in Gasarian history catalyzed by a triumphant victory against Tasia.

The nation stood as an independent kingdom until the tumultuous Federate-Gasarian War culminated in its capitulation to the Federate Union in 1855. Subsequently, Gasaria became a constituent country within the Federate Union, a status that persisted until 1968, when a wave of Popular Uprisings reshaped the nation's destiny. The first president of an independent Gsaria was Vanya Semenov. The fragile peace was disrupted as the Federate Union launched a consequential invasion in 1976, forcefully occupying and annexing the Solon province. The subsequent years witnessed a turbulent period marked by occupation and sporadic conflicts until the withdrawal of the Union's forces in 1988 following the Eastern Accord. Despite the withdrawal, the region remained a focal point of strife, as the Federate Union resumed attacks on Solon in 1994, perpetuating sporadic incursions and strikes in the area, perpetuating a lingering era of instability.

Geography

Vlad Valley, 2018.

Gasaria is located in the Eastern realms of the Wider Realm and has a southern coastline with sprawling valleys to the north. Its mountainous northern terrain is a natural border wiith the Federate Union and Novdon.

Sashaslav and Olograd are the metropolises of Gasaria.

Government and politics

Main articles: politics of Gasaria and government of Gasaria

Gasara is a unitary presidential republic. Its constitution is the supreme law and defines the government as composed of the executive, judiciary, and legislature. The president, elected every six years, is the head of state and chairs the Free State Council. The State Congress is the unicameral legislature of Gasaria.

The Constitution since 1969 specifies Gasaria as the nationstate of Gasarians. Since 1972, the Statute of State Multiculturalism, among other provisions, guarantees a commitment to multiculturalism―non-ethnic Gasarians form a third of the population.

Administrative divisions

Gasaria is divided into 9 provinces. Apart from Solon, each province elects a legislative assembly responsible for regional governance and deliverance of civil services. Their role is defined in the constitution.

The Solon province is governed by the Solon Military-Civilian Council—the International Organization and international community regard the Solon Civilian Council (currently in-exile) as the legitimate authority of the demilitarized region. Regardless, Gasarian paramilitaries operate in Solon and engage with Federate forces as part of the ongoing Solon war.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Gasaria

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the state's foreign policy, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Initially a declared neutral state at independence, Gasaria since 1995 is part of the Free State Alliance and is associated with the Democratic League. Gasaria participates in the Organization of Nations and the Eastern Democracy Forum.

Gasaria is militarily allied with neighbouring Khersia under the Free State Alliance and Free State Association, established in 1995 and 2000 respectively. Along with Novdon, all three states seceded from the Federate Union during the Poular Uprisings during the onset of the Slowdown. During the 1976–1988 war with the Federate Union, the ensuing migrant crisis negatively affected relations Gasaria's relations with its neighbours. However following the Solon Terms, the three states pursued integration. Khersia and Novdon refusing to defend Solon has caused modern tension.

Since secession from the Federate Union in 1968, the two countries have maintained tense to outright hostile relations. The two countries fought conflicts in 1968 and 1976 to 1988. Gasaria and the Federate Union have held formal relations since 1988 but have been in a limited state of war since 1994 due to the Solon conflict. The creation of the Free State Alliance following the Solon Terms with Khersia in 1995 stalled large-scale military operations but hostilities remain. The Federate–Gasarian border is one the most fortified borders in the world. Gasaria and the Federate Union have held peace summits in 2002, 2019, and 2023.

Military

Main articles: Gasarian Armed Forces and Gasarian paramilitaries

The Gasarian Armed Forces serve as the primary military organization of Gasaria, tasked with ensuring the states's security and defence. It is composed of the army, navy, and air force. The modern military was established in 1969. The Military Council is the chief government agency responsible for oversight of national defence; it is chaired by the commander-in-chief (the President), the Minister of Defence, and the Secretary of Defence (the Secretary of the State Congress).

Alongside formal military branches, Gasaria supports paramilitary organizations in Solon, notably the Narodarmiya and the Solon Defence Force. The Narodarmiya, the largest of such groups, supports the Gasarian traditional forces in border security and emergency operations domestically.

Civil and political rights

Human rights in Gasaria are guaranteed in its constitution.

Political parties supporting the Neo-Federate movement were banned in 1976, immediately after the start of the Federate-Gasarian War.

The Federate Union routinely criticizes the Gasarian government's alleged support of paramilitaries claiming brutality and mistreatment of ethnic Tasians in Solon.

The Independent Organization since 1980 has alleged media and "deep-state" corruption puts political opposition at a disadvantage, although elections are generally regarded as free and fair.

Economy

Gasaria's economy currently relies heavily on its resource sector, notably energy, while also incorporating agriculture alongside nascent manufacturing and service industries. Agriculture is an important sector, with crops like wheat, barley, sunflowers, maize, and a variety of fruits forming the backbone of local cultivation.

Energy

Main article: Energy in Gasaria

Gasaria is one of the largest exporters of energy in the Wider Realms owing to large oil and gas deposits within its territory. Energy plays a large role in the politics of Gasaria, and forms an enourmous section of its economy. Nefcom, a state-owned enterprise, is the largest energy company.

Transport

Gasaria's transportation system has been shaped over centuries within its strategic location of connecting the Eastern Sea to the inland of the Eastern realms. The Port of Olograd is one of the largest in the Eastern realms and facilitates Gasaria's maritime connections with the Southern and Western realms. The Avtostrada is the country's national highway road system. Gasarian Railways is the national passenger and cargo railway service.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Gasaria

Largest cities

Sashaslav is the capital and largest city of Gasaria. Olograd is the second-largest city and largest on the coast.

Education

Public education in Gasaria is the responsibility of the Ministry. Private education is common amongst middle class and non-ethnic Gasarians. Education is compulsory in Gasaria for pupils under the age of 16―in practice, an estimated 27% of eligible children and youth have no education. Gasarian is the language of instruction. Common is the most commonly taught second language, followed by Tasian and Olegrian.

Sashaslav University, established in 1822, is the oldest and largest university in Gasaria. Dozens of private colleges operate in Gasaria.

Languages

The official language of Gasaria is Gasarian. The official script is the Eastern script. It is spoken by a vast majority of the country and is the legislative, judicial, and administrative language of the state. Gasarian is the national language of Gasaria and is classified as part of the Eastern languages. It is relatively homogeneous throughout the country but has been historically influenced by neighbouring Eastern languages, primarily Tasian. These influences are reflected in various aspects of its vocabulary, syntax, and phonetics. Gasarian is the native language of 67% of Gasaria residents, and is spoken by 76% of the population including second- and third-language speakers.

Common, and furthermore Gaso-Common, is the most commonly learned second language in Gasaria—both are recognized languages in statute since 1984. The Gasarian government promotes bilingualism, using both Gasarian and Common for public communications, official publications, and signage to accommodate the country's linguistic diversity. In educational systems, Common is taught as a second language in most schools, aiming to prepare students for both domestic and international interactions. Common is spoken as an additional language by 55% of the population; the vast majority of residents in Sashaslav and Olograd speak Common.

Tasian is a recognized language and is widely spoken as a second language in urban areas alongside Common. It is also spoken in northern predominately Tasian communities and in urban pockets by Tasian diaspora.

Religion

Sancity is the most common religious doctrine adhered to in Gasaria, primarily the Eastern Sect.

Society and safety

Ruins of a Sancity temple in Solon, 2009.

According to the Independent Organization, Gasaria is "partly free" with elections considered generally "free and fair".

Gasaria is ranked "somewhat unsafe" due to internal conflict and crime. Transportation enterprises commonly employ armed security. Home security is a prominent industry among Gasaria's upper-class. About one-third of the adult population is armed.

Alcohol consumption and purchase is heavily restricted; 41 (13 in Sashaslav) establishments are licenced to serve alcoholic beverages and Gasogklo is the state-owned sole-legal retailer. The black market of alcohol and other illicit commodities remains significant. Tobacco is an influential agricultural industry, with Gasaria's high rate of smoking creating the present public health situation.

Gasarian citizens can travel and obtain a passport issued by the Ministry of Public Affairs.

Culture

Gasarian culture finds its essence deeply rooted in the ethos and traditions of Eastern peoples, sharing historic roots with other nations of the Eastern realms. Gasarian identity and nationhood has been attested by Gasarian literature since the 8th century. Gasarian customs are heavily informed by Eastern Sancity, the dominant religion in the country. Influences from both the East and West are reflected in the country's architecture, music, and art. Ethnic Gasarians form a narrow majority of the population, with significant populations of ethnic minorities influencing the broader culture of Gasaria. Folklore and superstition remains influentially present and popular in contemporary Gasarian life.

Cuisine

Kotlety v blinchike is a staple street food in Gasarian cities.

Cinema

The Sashaslav International Film Festival occurs in late October to early November.

Literature

Gasarian literature originated in Old Gasarian from the onset of the Kingdom of Gasaria.

See also

• Free State Association