Sudervik
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
Kingdom of Sudervik Koninkrijk Sudervik | |
|---|---|
.png) Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: Kracht uit de zee! | |
| Anthem: "Our Island" | |
| Capital and largest city | Vollenhove |
| Official languages | Dutch |
| Recognised regional languages | Danish, Low Saxon, Frisian |
| Ethnic groups | Dutch, Dane, Frisian, Saxon |
| Demonym(s) | Suderviker |
| Government | Semi-Constitutional Monarchy |
• King | Adalbert IX |
• Prime Minister | Rikkert Fleer |
| Legislature | Parliament of Sudervik |
| Establishment | |
• Early Feudal Age | Vollenhove-Walswick Union |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 28,822,000 |
| Currency | Sudervik Florin |
Sudervik, officially the Kingdom of Sudervik is a sovereign island-state located in what is called the Süd Depths within the Islingfait Sea. Sudervik is the foremost constitutional monarchy in the known world, encompassing the island of Sudervik, the sister islands of Larceth, Oldrin and Walswick, the dependent islands of Cardlow, Lonwell, Tollant, Allerdurn and Osby, and a number of smaller islands officially under the jurisdiction of Sudervik. The islands have a total area of about 287,640 square kilometres with a population of 28 million. The Kingdom of Sudervik is not a federation; it is a collection of one sovereign state and many dependent territories and satellite states united under its monarch. However, due to their separate historical and cultural identities, these parts of the realm have always felt disassociated with Sudervik proper. Viceroys and governors have assumed administrative responsibilities in many distant islands, acting as personal representatives of the monarch.
The Kingdom of Sudervik started to consolidate during the early feudal age of the island, when the Lord Protector of the City of Vollenhove, Eldert Vollenhoven, had entered into a dynastic union with the island of Walswick several miles off the coast, with Walswick being the lesser partner in the personal union. Eldert was the son of the sovereign Grand Princess Amira Dumont of Walswick and the Lord Protector Kevan Vollenhoven of the city-state of Vollenhove. Upon succession of both titles, Eldert inherited both Vollenhove and Walswick, but it wasn’t until his son Nicolaas succeeded him that the Kingdom of Sudervik was officially created. Thereafter, Sudervik increasingly became a hegemonic power in its region, exerting influence over smaller island realms nearby and coastal territories.
Sudervik has been in a period of technological and cultural stagnation, appearing to be stuck in the late 17th to mid 18th century. There is no explanation as to why such a phenomenon has occured, and the population of Sudervik is unaware of the stagnation.
Etymology
The name Sudervik originates from a cryptic and exticnt pre-historic language of the first settlers of the island, which is now only known as Ancient Suderviker. The name Sudervik can be roughly translated to "Vines of the Süd". This translation has been an argument of speculation among linguists, but the most most widely accepted hypothesis for "Vines of the Süd" is the first description of the island the early settlers had came up with, likely taking note of the lush coastline and vines growing on the fjords and cliffs.
History
Work in Progress
Geography
Sudervik is located in the Süd Depths within the Islingfait Sea. Most of the island is represented by forested hilly landscapes. Almost all of the island is covered by taiga, the coniferous forest dominated by pine, spruce, fir and larch. Some portions in the middle of the island are devoid of trees and covered by rocky mountain ranges. In the floodplains of the rivers, there are meadows. A number of areas on the island have been designated as Royal Preserves, protected natural areas for use of the royal family only. Along the rock-bound coast are lighthouses, beaches, fishing villages, and thousands of offshore islands. There are jagged rocks and cliffs and many bays and inlets. Geologists describe this type of landscape as a "drowned coast", where a rising sea level has invaded former land features, creating bays out of valleys and islands out of mountain tops.
There are a large number of wild animals present on the island, with the most common being reindeer, coyotes, foxes, pine squirrels and beavers. Sudervik is home to a great number of birds including Golden Eagles, Cardinals, Bluebirds, and Westland Petrels. Many species of fish live in the ocean waters surrounding the island, and the fishing industry is a major part of the economy, including commercial whaling.
Climate
The climate of Sudervik is humid continental climate and a cool summer subtype. Surface water temperatures around the island reach a summer average of 12 °C (54 °F) inshore and 9 °C (48 °F) offshore to winter lows of −1 °C (30 °F) inshore and 2 °C (36 °F) offshore. The sea keeps winter temperatures slightly higher and summer temperatures a little lower on the coast than inland. The maritime climate produces more variable weather, ample precipitation in a variety of forms, greater humidity, lower visibility, more clouds, less sunshine, and higher winds than a continental climate. Light to heavy fog is a common and near daily occurance on the island.
Politics and government
The Kingdom of Sudervik is a semi-constitutional monarchy. The reigning monarch is the head of state, the incumbent being King Adalbert IX. The monarch is the ultimate head of state and is, at least nominally or symbolically, advised by parliament.
The King is the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the kingdom and all dependent territories, and has near absolute authority over the Royal Armed Forces, the bureaucracy, and the entire kingdom and regions itself. The King has sole power to appoint, dismiss, approve, and supervise the regional governors and Viceroys. The King also has the power to organize and declare the budget, economy, taxes, and trade, order the Parliament into session, dismiss it from meeting at will, declare its agenda, and propose, reject, and initiate all Parliamentary bills. The King also controls, supervises, and disbands the Courts and has the final judicial say. As such, the Kings mere word is enough for the Royal hierarchy to enact his will. Despite all this, the monarch usually goes through the proper channels and conducts the necessary formalities to enact his will.
The Parliament of Sudervik, formally known as the His Majesty's Royal Parliament, has its powers limited by the monarchy. The parliament is comprised of several political parties, with dominant party being the Nationale Volkspartij. The monarch holds the ability to veto bills and appoint officials. Most day-to-day administrative duties lie in the hands of the Council of State, headed by the Prime Minister. In practice the monarch wields a large amount of influence over government policies and national opinion, due to general widespread popularity. No major conflict has ever arisen between parliament and the monarch, due to the dominance of the Nationale Volkspartij. As a result, the monarch effectively controls government policies. The other largest political parties include the Liberale Partij (Liberal Party) and Vaderlandpartij (Fatherland Party).
The republican movement has existed since the foundation of the commonwealth, and is generally associated with the Liberale Partij, the largest opposition in Parliament. However, it has gained little influence and traction, due to the monarchy's widespread popularity and the stability many citizens feel it gives the country. Three citizen-sponsored referenda on the issue have been held, in 1949, 1955 and 1959; all failed, although the republican vote in 1955 exceeded 30%. It was only after the immense cost of a power shift in the government following the death of Stephen IV that the republican movement grew in popularity.
Military
Sudervik's military, officially His Majesty's Royal Defence Forces, Sudervik Defence Forces or SDF, is organised into the Royal Ground Security Service, Royal Naval Security Service, Royal Peacekeepers and Joint Support Service branches. As of the last census, the SDF has a strength of 200,000 active soldiers and 60,000 civilians. Reservists are available to the armed forces and participate in defence exercises and deployments abroad. Military service is compulsory for men at age 18 and are required to servce one year. The Royal Peacekeepers have around 90,000 active members. They serve as a gendarmerie tasked with maintaining order throughout the nation. During peacetime, each constituency has it's own Head Peacekeeper who is the commander of the district's respective garrison. Their duties consist of arresting political dissidents, rebels, and other lawbreakers. Peacekeepers form the bulk of both law enforcement and the military of Sudervik as they serve as foot soldiers and police.