Nordenland

Nordenland (Nordenic: Noræge), officially the Kingdom of Nordenland, is a Nordic country located in the North Atlantic, with a population of approximately 9.5 million as of 2024. The kingdom includes the mainland as well as Snøland (Iceland), Fårholmene (Faroe Islands), and Grønland (Greenland). The remote Arctic territories of Jan Mayen and Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of Nordenland. Additionally, Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic is a dependency, though not formally part of the kingdom. Nordenland maintains territorial claims over portions of Antarctica, specifically Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land. The capital and largest city is Kalda.

Nordenland has a total area of approximately 2.2 million square kilometers (850,000 sq mi). The mainland is situated along the eastern North Atlantic, featuring an extensive coastline, fjords, and mountainous terrain. Queen Helena III of the House of Glücksburg is the current monarch, and Elisabeth Marie Debakke has served as Prime Minister since 2022. As a unitary state with a constitutional monarchy, Nordenland divides its government functions among the parliament, the cabinet, and the supreme court, in accordance with its 1814 constitution.

The unified kingdom of Nordenland emerged during the Viking Age, maintaining continuity through various historical periods. During the Kalmar Union, Nordenland was closely aligned with other Scandinavian nations. The kingdom declared neutrality during the First World War and again during the Second World War, though it was occupied by Nazi Germany in 1940. The government operated in exile, supporting Allied forces until Nordenland’s liberation at the end of the war.

Nordenland is administratively divided into counties and municipalities, with distinct levels of self-governance for the indigenous communities in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The country maintains strong diplomatic and economic ties with the European Union, the United States, and NATO allies, and is a member of the United Nations, Nordic Council, WTO, OECD, and Schengen Area.

The country upholds the Nordic welfare model, which provides universal healthcare and a comprehensive social security system rooted in egalitarian principles. Nordenland’s economy is bolstered by abundant natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, minerals, fisheries, and fresh water. The nation is a global leader in renewable energy, particularly in wind and hydropower, and is a significant producer of oil and natural gas, particularly from North Sea reserves. Its high per-capita income ranks among the world’s highest, and its economic policies focus on environmental sustainability, resource stewardship, and welfare.

Etymology

Main article: Etymology of Nordenland

The name Nordenland originates from Old Norse norðr (north) and land (land), meaning "land of the north." The term was used to describe the region’s northern location in relation to other parts of Europe. In historical Anglo-Saxon texts, the region was referred to as Norþweg ("northern way") and later as Norðmanna land ("land of the northmen"). These terms were used to describe the seafaring routes along the North Atlantic coast and the people inhabiting the region.

Opening of Ohthere's Old English account, translated: "Ohthere told his lord Ælfrede king that he lived northmost of all Norse…"

There is some debate regarding whether the native name shares the same etymology as the English forms. The prevailing theory is that norðr, the Old Norse cognate of "north," forms the root of Norðrvegr ("northern way"). This referred to the sailing route along the coastline of Nordenland, contrasting with other directional terms in Old Norse, such as suðrvegar ("southern way") for Germany and austrvegr ("eastern way") for the Baltic Sea region.

Politics and government

Queen of Nordenland, Helena III (reigning since 20 December 2018)

Main articles: Politics of Nordenland and Law of Nordenland

See also: 2022 Nordenic parliamentary election

The Royal Palace in Kalda

Nordenland is regarded as one of the world’s most advanced democracies and states of justice. Since the early 2010s, Nordenland has been ranked as the world’s most democratic country by the Democracy Index.

According to the Constitution of Nordenland, which was adopted on 17 May 1814, and inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, Nordenland is a unitary constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. In this system, the Queen of Nordenland serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. Power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, as defined by the Constitution, which remains the supreme legal document of the Kingdom.

Although the monarch officially retains executive power, the parliamentary system has made the monarch’s duties largely ceremonial and representative. The monarch is the commander-in-chief of the Nordenic Defense Force, serves as the chief diplomatic representative abroad, and acts as a symbol of national unity. Queen Helena III of Nordenland, of the House of Glücksburg, ascended to the throne in 2018, becoming the first female monarch of the Kingdom since the 17th century. Crown Prince Eirik, the heir to the throne, is next in line for the crown.