Kesslerstaadt

Urban Community of Kesslerstaadt
Flag Coat of arms
Capital	Kesslerstaadt (city-state)
Official languages	English
Ethnic groups	30% Sayongese 24% European 20% Potomiakian 19% Wenchuan 5% Nifonese 3% Other
Religion	25% Baleshian 25% Hinduism 21% Irreligious 20% Islam 7% Christianity 2% Other
Demonym(s)	Kesslerstaadter New Sodomite (pejorative)
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
• President	John Harkness
• Prime Minister	Lumban Reitz
Establishment
• Independence from the Potomiak Sultanate	1962
Area
• Total	719 km2 (278 sq mi)
Population
• 2019 estimate	5,895,600
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (CE)
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.uck

Kesslerstaadt, officially known as the Urban Community of Kesslerstaadt (UCK) is an island city-state located in the Southern Furukuran Sea. A unitary parliamentary constitutional republic, Kesslerstaadt is composed of four islands; of which three are inhabited, with an area of 790 square kilometres (278 sq mi). Land reclamation projects have extended Kesslerstaadt's land area somewhat, notably in the heavily populated West Side. It is positioned south of the Potomiak Sultanate. Due to its extremely socially liberal reputation, it is often referred to derisively internationally as New Sodom after the biblical city of the same name. It is a densely populated country, with an estimated population of 5,895,600 in 2019. Kesslerstaadt is an extremely multicultural nation, with large communities of Sayongese, Europeans, Potomiakians and Wenchuans, as well as various other ethnic groups originating from the nations bordering the Southern Furukuran Sea and western side of the vast Musgorocian Ocean. Owing to its status as a city-state, its population is overwhelmingly urban dwelling, though a few residents live in the main island's hilly interior.

Kesslerstaadt was founded in the seventeenth century by members of the cult known as the Temple of Balesh, who were escaping from persecution in their homeland. Initially split into two settlements named New Sodom and New Gomorrah respectively, they merged together in the eighteenth century to form Kesslerstaadt, named after the founder of the Temple of Balesh, Lucian Kessler. In the 1830s it was annexed by the Empire of Krymark, coinciding with a huge increase in immigration to Kesslerstaadt from surrounding countries. Following the defeat of Krymak by Nifon in the 1950s, the Potomiak Sultanate gained its independence in the Treaty of Minamitsuru. In 1962, following a breakdown in relations between the leadership of the Sultanate and the administration of Kesslerstaadt over the latter's socially liberal attitudes, the city-state broke away and formed the Urban Community of Kesslerstaadt. Under the over forty year leadership of Jakoobus Boshoff, the country experienced a massive economic boom, becoming a major centre of sex tourism and international business. Clashes with the Potomiakian military over territorial issues occurred in 1978 and 1994.

Going into the twenty-first century, Kesslerstaadt has joined many multinational organisations. Among traditionalists and conservatives internationally, it has become notorious as a hub of international crime, prostitution, terrorism, cults, political dissidents, narcotics, sexual promiscuity; and as a result sexually transmitted disease, euthanasia and abortion. Its skyline was once dominated by the Babeel Tower, a nearly kilometre-tall skyscraper that was demolished after being severely damaged by a devastating series of terrorist attacks carried out by the Crown Royal Guard in 2016. A smaller structure now stands in its place.

Etymology

Kesslerstaadt derives its name from the founder of the Temple of Balesh, Lucian Kessler.

History

Early twenty-first century (2000–present)

The skyline of Kesslerstaadt in 2016, shortly before the attack on the Babeel Tower.

In retaliation for attacks conducted by Homofront against SACTO-aligned countries, the Commoner terrorist organisation known as the Crown Royal Guard attacked the Pink Arrow nightclub, Balshaman Temple and Babeel Tower, killing 270 people and wounding 610. The structural integrity of the kilometre tall Babeel Tower was compromised and was subsequently demolished. A smaller tower has since been built in its place.

Politics

Parties and elections

Since independence, the left-wing Social Party of Revolutionaries (SPR) has dominated Kesslerstaadt's politics. The main opposition is the Liberal Republican Party (LRP), which supports free market economics but maintains extremely socially liberal views, much like the SPR. The minor but increasingly influential Men Freedom Party (MFP) also exists and believes in the 'eradication of conservatism' by military action.

Law and criminal justice

Kesslerstaadt primarily uses the civil law legal system, inherited from its time as a colony of Krymark.

The country is known as an important centre of Nifonese Yakuza activity.

Foreign relations

Kesslerstaadt has poor relations with many of its neighbours due to its reputation as an international centre of terrorism, crime, sex, drugs and abortion. These include Potomiak; which it has clashed with in the past, Nifon and Carloso.

Military

A Kesslerstaadter Formidable-class frigate.

Kesslerstaadt has a relatively large military for its size, owing mainly to the tenuous relations between itself and Potomiak and the hostility of regionally influential powers like Nifon and Carloso. As of 2019, it had an active military composed of 72,500 personnel, with an additional 75,100 paramilitary personnel. In reserve it has 312,500 personnel and another 44,000 paramilitary.

It also possesses a sizeable navy, including six submarines, six frigates, six corvettes and various other smaller vessels. Kesslerstaadt also has an air force.

Economy

Kesslerstaadt's economy is dominated by sex tourism, fuelled by the hundreds of nightclubs and brothels that dot the city. Its most famous nightclub, Pink Arrow, is itself one of the largest in the world. The legalisation and commercialisation of all narcotic substances has also made it a popular destination for tourists.

Historically, manufacturing was an important element of Kesslerstaadt's economy, however it has declined hugely since independence. Much of this was centred on the second largest island, close to Potomiak, and has been the centre of disputes between the two countries. Many factories here lie abandoned and the island has now become a slum area, largely populated by Potomiakian immigrants. Despite the decline of manufacturing, the defence industry continues to grow in importance.

International business and finance is also an important element of the Kesserstaadter economy. Russel Financial was based in Kesslerstaadt. Foreign investment is also an integral part of the economy. Primary industry is nearly non existent due to the extremely urban nature of the country.

Demographics

With a a fertility rate of 0.8 children per woman, Kesslerstaadt has one of the lowest birth rates in the world and has increasingly relied on immigration to stop its population from collapsing.

Ethnic groups

Kesslerstaadt is extremely ethnically diverse. The largest group is the Sayongese at 30%, followed by Europeans at 24%, Potomiakians at 20%, Wenchuans at 19% and Nifonese at 5%. 3% identified as other ethnicities.

Religion

Religion in Kesslerstaadt

  Baleshian (25%)

  Hinduism (25%)

  Irreligious (21%)

  Islam (20%)

  Christianity (7%)

  Other (2%)

As of 2019, it is estimated that Kesslerstaadt's population was 25% Baleshian, 25% Hindu, 21% Irreligious, 20% Muslim and 7% Christian, while the remaining 2% were of other religions. The Kesslerstaadters descending from the original Dutch settlers are mostly Baleshian or irreligious, while the Sayongese largely identify as Hindu. Potomiakian migrants nearly universally describe themselves as Muslim. Wenchuans are generally irreligious. Most Christians in Kesslerstaadt are Nifonese and are members of various Kogyokist congregations. Other minority religions present in Kesslerstaadt include Buddhism, Jainism and Bahaism.

Migration

Immigration to Kesslerstaadt has been a major driver behind population growth since the foundation of New Sodom and New Gomorrah in the seventeenth century. Since independence, however, the nature of immigration has changed significantly, mainly to compensate for the country's abysmally low fertility rate. Starting in the 1960s, large numbers of Sayongese, Potomiakians, Wenchuans and Nifonese have immigrated to Kesslerstaadt. Potomiakians, in large part due to their Muslim faith, have suffered discrimination and persecution and constitute much of the working class. They often inhabit the poorest parts of Kesslerstaadt, especially the slum areas. Most Sayongese are not actually citizens, but rather students and foreign workers who spend several months at a time studying or working in Kesslerstaadt before returning home.

Education

Primary, secondary and tertiary education is provided free of charge in Kesslerstaadt. It is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 16.

Healthcare

Kesslerstaadt has a publicly funded health system. Abortion is legal on request at any point in pregnancy. As a result, it is often the destination of choice for women internationally who cannot get an abortion in their home countries and go abroad to procure one. It is estimated that up to 20 million abortions are carried out in Kesslerstaadt ever year. Due to the scale of the demand, a large facility called the 'abortionplex' has been built, featuring night clubs, a shopping centre and various recreational services and attractions, in addition to providing abortions. Euthanasia is also legal on request, with no restrictions as to age. Many come to Kesslerstaadt seeking assisted suicide in one of the city's dedicated centres, often referred to as 'Euthanasia Emporiums'.

Since the 1980s, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have become a major problem in Kesslerstaadt, including HIV/AIDS. This has largely been a result of the sexually promiscuous nature of Kesslerstaadter society, the extreme prevalence of prostitution and the huge importance of sex tourism to the economy. As of 2019, it was estimated that up to 60% of the adult Kesslerstaadter population has some form of STD. Because of this, the governments of certain countries, including Carloso, have placed restrictions on their citizens travelling to Kesslerstaadt, including mandatory STD screening upon return. The Kesslerstaadter public health system provides antiviral drugs free of charge to both citizens and non-citizens in an attempt to mitigate the debilitating effects of the HIV virus.

Culture

Kesslerstaadt is a major centre of LGBT culture, and hosts some of the largest pride parades in the world.

External links

• Terror hits New Sodom! — Nifon Today

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Kesslerstaadt is consistently ravaged by STD epidemics and is a centre of international terrorism and crime. Carlosian authorities reserve the right to refuse entry to all individuals returning from Kesslerstaadt, either directly or indirectly. Civilian travel is strongly discouraged.