New Elkland
The Freelands of New Elkland Elkland | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
 | |
| Capital | Courbagne |
| Official languages | Elklandian |
| Recognised national languages | Maissyian |
| Demonym(s) | Elklander, Elklandian |
| Government | Parliamentary democracy |
| Lionel Pieters | |
| Oltian Demaci | |
| Remzije Seseri | |
| Population | |
• 2020 estimate | 34,812,000 |
| GDP (PPP) | estimate |
• Total | ɐ374.394 billion |
| Date format | mm-dd-yyyy |
The Freelands of New Elkland, more commonly referred to as New Elkland or simply Elkland is a nation located on the continent of Adula, bordered by Durnstaal to the east, Serra Leon to the west, Kossmil to the north, and by the Albarine Sea to the south. It has maritime borders with Artegana, Alonnisosa, and Timeria. The capital, Courbagne, is the administrative center and most populous city in the country at 3.7 million people, as well as the largest port in the nation. The geography in the region is largely flat, with an elevation increase further inland. The border with Durnstaal consists of dense forests in the north, which gradually turn to grassy plains and rocky terrain as it approaches the shore.
Modern humans first arrived in the Elkland Plateau around 35,000 years ago. Elklander cultures and settlements developed on the plateau for tens of thousands of years. In the early eighth century the Vislan Kingdom was conquered by the Emmirian Caliphate. The Muslim rule in the Plateau soon became autonomous from the coastal cities of Courbagne and Altbach. A handful of small Christian pockets in the north were left out of Muslim rule. Over seven centuries, an intermittent southwards expansion of these Christian kingdoms culminated with the Christian seizure of the last Muslim polity in Durnstaal. A process of political conglomeration among the Christian kingdoms also ensued, and the late 15th-century saw the dynastic union of Courbagne in the south and Donelina in the north under the Catholic Monarchs, sometimes considered to be the emergence of Elkland as a unified country. In the modern day, Elkland has been a progressive state on the international stage.
New Elkland is a secular parliamentary democracy with President Lionel Pieters as head of state. It is a major developed country and a high income country, with one of Adula's largest economies by nominal GDP. It is a member of the Coalition of Crown Albatross and many other international organizations such as the Central Adula Mutual Defense Agreement, the Coalition Trade Organization, and the Central Adula Trade Agreement.
History
Prehistory
Modern humans first arrived in the Elkland Plateau around 35,000 years ago. Elklander cultures and settlements developed on the plateau for tens of thousands of years.
Antiquity
In the early eighth century the Vislan Kingdom was conquered by the Emmirian Empire. The Muslim rule in the Plateau soon became autonomous from the coastal cities of Courbagne and Altbach. A handful of small Christian pockets in the north were left out of Muslim rule.
Middle Ages
Over seven centuries, an intermittent southwards expansion of these Christian kingdoms culminated with the Christian seizure of the last Muslim polity in Durnstaal. A process of political conglomeration among the Christian kingdoms also ensued, and the late 15th-century saw the dynastic union of Courbagne in the south and Donelina in the north under the Catholic Monarchs, sometimes considered to be the emergence of Elkland as a unified country.
Modern Era
Geography
For a moderately sized country, much of New Elkland rises into mountains and hills that run in different directions across the length and breadth of its territory. The most extensive mountain ranges are the Elklandian Alps in the north along Wyomia, the Cans Highlands in the east along Serra Leon until it reaches the Albarine Sea, the Novada Highlands in the southeast along the border with Durnstaal, and the Eskanderbeg Mountains in the centre.
Climate
The climate in the country is extremely variable and diverse owing to the differences in latitude, longitude and altitude. New Elkland experiences predominantly a mediterranean and continental climate, with four distinct seasons. Defined by the Köppen classification, it accommodates five major climatic types ranging from mediterranean and subtropical in the western half to oceanic, continental and subarctic in the eastern half of Elkland.
The warmest areas of the country are immediately placed along the Albarine Sea Coasts. On the contrary, the coldest areas are positioned within the northern and eastern highlands. The mean monthly temperature ranges between 2 °C in winter to 25.8 °C in summer. The highest temperature of 43.9 °C (111.0 °F) was recorded in Wolfslach on 18 July 1973. The lowest temperature of −29 °C (−20 °F) was registered in the village of Ehtyllë on 9 January 2017.
Rainfall naturally varies from season to season and from year to year. The country receives most of the precipitation in winter months and less in summer months. The average precipitation is about 1,485 millimetres (58.5 inches). The mean annual precipitation ranges between 600 millimetres (24 inches) and 3,000 millimetres (120 inches) depending on geographical location. The northwestern and southeastern highlands receive the intenser amount of precipitation, whilst the northeastern and southwestern highlands as well as the Western Lowlands the more limited amount.
The Elklandian Alps in the far north of the country are considered to be among the most humid regions of Adula, receiving at least 3,100 mm (122.0 in) of rain annually. An expedition from the University of Courbagne discovered four glaciers within these mountains at a relatively low altitude of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), which is almost virtually unheard of for such a equatoral latitude.
Snowfall occurs frequently in winter in the highlands of the country, particularly on the mountains in the north and east, including the Alps and Highlands. Snow also falls on the coastal areas in the southwest almost every winter such as in the Cans Highlands, where it can lie even beyond March.
Biodiversity
A biodiversity hotspot, New Elkland possesses an exceptionally rich and contrasting biodiversity on account of its geographical location at the centre of the Albarine Sea and the great diversity in its climatic, geological and hydrological conditions. Due to remoteness, the mountains and hills of New Elkland are endowed with forests, trees and grasses that are essential to the lives for a wide variety of animals, among others for two of the most endangered species of the country, the lynx and brown bear, as well as the wildcat, gray wolf, red fox, golden jackal, durnstaal vulture, golden eagle, and elk, the latter constituting the national animal of the country and the country's namesake.
The estuaries, wetlands and lakes are extraordinarily important for the greater flamingo, pygmy cormorant and the extremely rare and perhaps the most iconic bird of the country, the dalmatian pelican. Of particular importance are the mediterranean monk seal, loggerhead sea turtle and green sea turtle that use to nest on the country's coastal waters and shores.
Four terrestrial ecoregions exist in the country, specifically southili deciduous forests, Albarine mixed forests, Durnstaal Mountains mixed forests and Alcarres Mountains mixed forests.
Approximately 3,500 different species of plants can be found in New Elkland which refers principally to a Albarine and Adulan character. The country maintains a vibrant tradition of herbal and medicinal practices. At the minimum 300 plants growing locally are used in the preparation of herbs and medicines. The trees within the forests are primarily made up of fir, oak, beech and pine.
Demographics
Religion
Language
Cities
Politics
Legislature
The legislative branch is made up of the Congress of Deputies, a lower house with 350 members, elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve four-year terms, and the Senate, an upper house with 259 seats of which 208 are directly elected by popular vote, using a limited voting method, and the other 51 appointed by the regional legislatures to also serve four-year terms.
President
The executive branch consists of a Council of Secretaries presided over by the President, who is voted in by the members of the lower house during an investiture session and then formally appointed by the Vice-President. The President is the head of state and executive officer of the Government of New Elkland. The government also is helmed by a Vice-President, who is the cheif officer of the Congress of Deputies, deputy secretaries and the rest of secretaries convene at the Council of Secretaries.
Prime Minister
Military
The armed forces of New Elkland are known as the Elkland Armed Forces. Their Commander-in-chief is the Presdient of New Elkland, Lionel Pieters. The next military authorities in line are the Vice-President and the Secretary of Defense.
The Elkland Armed Forces are divided into three branches:
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
Mandatory military conscription was suppressed in 2001. Much of New Elkland's modern day equipment is provided and supplied by the Zamastanian and Emmirian governments, including the Hamilton-class aircraft carrier ENS Ouderlig.
Foreign Relations
New Elkland is a member of the Coalition of Crown Albatross and many other international organizations, most significant being that of the Central Adula Mutual Defense Agreement and the Central Adula Trade Agreement. It hosts sub-regional offices of the C.C.A. in the capital of Courbagne and Trotetten. New Elkland's closest ally is considered to be Durnstaal, with a close shared history, open trade, and an extensive shared border. Other close allies include Austrolis, Alcarres, and Albarine.
Culture
Art
The artistic history of New Elkland has been particularly influenced by a multitude of ancient and medieval people, traditions and religions. It covers a broad spectrum with mediums and disciplines that include painting, pottery, sculpture, ceramics and architecture all of them exemplifying a great variety in style and shape, in different regions and period.
The rise of the Durnstaal and Emmirian Empires in the Middle Ages was accompanied by a corresponding growth in Christian and Islamic art in the lands of New Elkland which are apparent in examples of architecture and mosaics throughout the country. Centuries later, the Elklandian Renaissance proved crucial to the emancipation of the modern Elklandian culture and saw unprecedented developments in all fields of literature and art whereas artists sought to return to the ideals of Impressionism and Romanticism.
Literature
Cuisine
Throughout the centuries, Elklandian cuisine has been widely influenced by Elklandian culture, geography and history, and as such, different parts of the country enjoy specific regional cuisines. Cooking traditions especially vary between the north and the south, owing to differing topography and climate that essentially contribute to the excellent growth conditions for a wide array of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Elklandians produce and use many varieties of fruits such as lemons, oranges, figs, and most notably, olives, which are perhaps the most important element of Elklandian cooking. Spices and other herbs such as basil, lavender, mint, oregano, rosemary, and thyme are widely used, as are vegetables such as garlic, onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, as well as legumes of all types.
With a coastline along the Albarine Sea, fish, crustaceans, and seafood are a popular and an integral part of the Elklandian diet. Otherwise, lamb is the traditional meat for different holidays and religious festivals for both Christians and Muslims, although poultry, beef, and pork are also in plentiful supply. Tavë kosi ("soured milk casserole") is the national dish of New Elkland, consisting of lamb and rice baked under a thick, tart veil of yogurt. Fërgesë is another national dish, made up of peppers, tomatoes, and cottage cheese. Pite is also popular, a baked pastry with a filling of a mixture of spinach and gjizë (curd) or mish (ground meat).
Petulla, a traditional fried dough, is also a popular speciality, and is served with powdered sugar or feta cheese and different sorts of fruit jams. Flia consists of multiple crêpe-like layers brushed with cream and served with sour cream. Krofne, similar to Berliner doughnuts, are filled with jam, or chocolate and often eaten during cold winter months. Coffee is an integral part of the Elklandian lifestyle. The country has more coffee houses per capita than any other country in the world. Tea is also enjoyed both at home or outside at cafés, bars, or restaurants. Çaj Mali (Sideritis tea) is enormously beloved, and a part of the daily routine for most Elklandians. It is cultivated across Southern New Elkland and noted for its medicinal properties. Black tea with a slice of lemon and sugar, milk, or honey is also popular.
Elklandian wine is also common throughout the country, and has been cultivated for thousands of years. New Elkland has a long and ancient history of wine production, and belongs to the Old World of wine producing countries. Its wine is characterized by its sweet taste and traditionally indigenous varieties.
Music
Elklandian folk music is a prominent part of the national identity, and continues to play a major part in overall Elklandian music. Folk music can be divided into two stylistic groups, mainly the northern Gheg varieties, and southern Lab and Tosk varieties. Northern and southern traditions are contrasted by a rugged tone from the north, and the more relaxed southern form of music. Many songs concern events from Elklandian history and culture, including traditional themes of honour, hospitality, treachery, and revenge.
Contemporary artists Miri Pocoli, Kthjellor Krizi, Ermir Bogdani, and Senela Hisari have achieved international recognition for their music, while soprano Rustem Nuhijio has been described by some as the "world's most acclaimed soprano".
Sports
Association football is by far the most popular sport in New Elkland. The national team has competed succesfully at the international level in competitions like the AFC Nations Cup and the World Cup. New Elkland has won the World Cup twice, in 1978 and 2009. The Elkland Football League (LFE) is the highest tier of professional football, with several of its clubs also performing well in international competitions. Wolfslach-Bauer FC in particular has performed excellently in the AFC Champions Cup, winning in 2018.
Economy
New Elkland's largest trading partners are Durnstaal, Austrolis, Albarine, and Emmiria. The nation's largest exports are agricultural products such as grain and soy, with a significant sector in cattle products, such as dairy, meat, and leather. New Elkland also has a sizable petroleum industry, with most drilling being made from off-shore deposits.
Agriculture
Citrus fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil, and wine, New Elkland's traditional agricultural products, represents 12%, 12%, 24%, 6%, and 4%, respectively, of the country's agricultural production. Because of the changed diet of an increasingly affluent population, there was a notable increase in the consumption of livestock, poultry, and dairy products. Meat production for domestic consumption became the single most important agricultural activity, accounting for 30% of all farm-related production in 2015. Increased attention to livestock was the reason that New Elkland became a net importer of oils and wines, making any grown in Elkland considered a delicacy. Ideal growing conditions, combined with proximity to important central Adulan markets, made citrus fruits and grains New Elkland's leading export. Fresh vegetables and fruits produced through intensive irrigation farming also became important export commodities, as did sunflower seed oil that was produced to compete with the more expensive olive oils in oversupply throughout the East-Central Adulan region.