Glanodel

Crowned Republic of Glanodel
Motto: "O le a tatou tumau." "We shall endure."
Recognised national languages	Gaganaiian, English (Equivalent)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+55
ISO 3166 code	GLN
Internet TLD	.gln

Glanodel (Glanish-Lhedwinic: Glanódæl), officially the Glanish Commonwealth (Glanish-Lhedwinic: Glansk Fristatens), is a federal republic in Asura. It consists of 13, semi-autonomous cantons and the city of Vænholm is the seat of the federal government. The country is situated along the Northeast side of the archipelago Lhedwin and is bordered by Navack to the south, the Arctic Ocean to the north and west, and the Asuran Channel to the east. Glanodel is a mostly island, maritime country geographically separated into three areas by Norfeld defining its northern border and Sørfeld defining its southern, spanning an area of 236,326 square kilometres (91,246 sq mi). The Glanish population of 14.8 million, 4.2 million of whom are of a foreign background, is concentrated mostly within its major coastal cities, where the largest Glanish cities are found: among them are the two global cities and economic centers Graylund and Ellesø.

The origins of the modern Glanish culture can be traced back to the emergence of the Dalish tribes at the start of the Iron Age which dominated most of the region now known as Glanodel. As a single, unified country, the nation owes its origins to the establishment of the Kingdom of Glanodel in 1158 with the crowning of King Ögri Vænström. From the 14th to the 17th century, the Northern Renaissance shaped much of modern Glanish political, economic, and social ideology. It also led to the emergence of the nascent, liberal-leaning movement which dominated national policy towards the mid-17th century until the Kingdom joined the union of the United Kingdom of Lhedwin alongside the former Kingdoms of Navack and Crylante. Lhedwinic occupation of Glanodel ended with the nation's liberation by the Grand Alliance in 1899. The subsequent ratifying of the Grundlov (National Constitution) on 5 March 1900, established the Glanish Commonwealth. Facing great challenges following the end of the Great War due in large part to war losses, a majority of the first half of the 20th century was spent on reconstruction, inspiring the name "Reconstruction Era". Glanodel emerged as a dominant manufacturer in the growing world economy throughout the 1930s and 40s. The 1950s saw the empowerment of unions, numerous economic reforms, and unemployment benefits, as well as publicly-funded pensions, universal health care, and greater investments in both public and private education.

In its current form, Glanodel's national legislature is the elected, bicameral Congress of the Commonwealth: composed of the Council of State (Senatet; upper house), presided over by Chancellor David Vestergaard; and the National Council (Nationalråd, lower house), presided over by House Speaker Karla Kruse. Executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet, presided over by President of the Commonwealth Noah Mikkelsen, who serves as the nation's head of state and government.

The Glanish people enjoy one of the highest standards of living and the country ranks highly in numerous comparisons of national performance such as education, healthcare, protection of civil liberties, democratic governance, prosperity and human development. Glanodel is frequently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world and has the world's highest social mobility rate with a high level of income equality and one of the world's highest per capita incomes. Glanodel also has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in Asura, with non-Glanish ethnicities making up roughly 45% of the nation's population. Glanish national identity is rooted in widely shared values of equality, the main inspiration behind its frequent use of referendums. As guaranteed by its Constitution, Glanish citizens reserve the right to freely practice any religion they chose, with Trúathi and Alydianism being the two most commonly practiced religions.

The 21st century saw the rise of Glanodel as a major power in Lhedwinic foreign affairs and a minor power within Asuran politics. Since the nation's rise to economic power in the 1990s, Glanodel has held a consistent place as having the highest per capita income in the world and one of the most economically competitive nations in the world. Glanodel has also emerged as a primary contributor to the 's northern missions, along side Newrey, and is a key proponent in the formation of the Lhedwin Council and the CDN. Glanodel is often referred to by numerous multinational magazines, tourism industries, and news outlets as both one of the world's major "cultural hubs", as well as a "hub of debauchery and indulgence". Glanish cultural achievements are widely known and Glanodel is most commonly known around the world for its famous authors, critically acclaimed musicians and classical orchestras, and its internationally recognizable movies and television shows. In addition, Glanodel is known for having far-libertarian social policies especially in comparison to other developed nations, such as legalized public nudity and even prostitution, as well as a plethora of controlled substances approved for recreational use.

Etymology and name

Linguistic anthropologists still differ on the exact origin of the name "Glanodel" (Glanish: Glanodæl), especially regarding its relationship with the Glanish people and the unified Kingdom of Glanodel. Most historians agree that the name is a compound. While the word's suffix, del (dæl) is widely accepted as a reference to the Glanish lands and is most likely derived from the Old Lhedwinic word for "valley", the first half of the name, glano is the primary subject of debate.

Originally believed to be a devolved form of an early usage of the word glen, which also refers to a "valley" or even "fjord", most historians now believe the word originates from the Old Lhaeraidh term for "clean", glano(s). Around the start of the 10th century, Lhaeraidh traders regularly made excursions into Glanish territory and one of the most notable differences between the two peoples was the fact that Glens seldom engaged in body modification, tattooing, or body painting. Additionally, the fair, pale skin of Lhedwin natives only stood out even more so in contrast to the darker complexion of the Lhaeraidh. Thus, around the middle of the 11th century, Glanaidh became a widely used term among the Lhaeraidh to describe and refer to the people of modern Glanodel. Consisting of the prefix glano ("clean") and the suffix -aidh ("people" or "folk"), the term essentially translated to the "clean people".

By the start of the 14th century, the Lhaeraidh trading network had spread throughout much of the known world and the term became commonly used even outside of Lhaeraidh territories. As a result, historians believe that "Glanaidh" later became commonly used among Glanish traders as well to facilitate trade agreements. Most historians agree the terms Glansk (tr. "Glanish"; "that of Glanish origin") and Glanska (tr. "Glens"; "Glanish people") became widespread by the early 14th century.

History

Main articles: History of Glanodel

Geography

Main Article: Geography of Glanodel

Politics and government

Main articles: Politics of Glanodel, Administrative divisions, Constitution of the Glanish Commonwealth, Congress of the Commonwealth, Federal Government

Foreign relations and international institutions

Main Article: Foreign relations

Military

Main Article: Armed Forces of Glanodel

Economy

Main article: Economy of Glanodel

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Glanodel

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Glanodel