Speke

Republic of Speke Rzeczpospolita Spika (Spekean)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Speke Is Not Yet Lost Jeszcze Spik nie zginęł (Spekean)
Anthem: Dąbrowski's Mazurka Mazurek Dąbrowskiego (Spekean)
The map of Speke, without region borders.
Capital	Sczesczołiszin Sczolisziń
Largest city	Sczesczołiszin
Official languages	Spekean English
Ethnic groups (2022)	Spekean 94.2% Other 5.8%
Demonym(s)	Spekean
Government	Democracy
Area
• Total	507,207 km2 (195,834 sq mi)
Population
• 2022 estimate	37,420,690
• Density	73/km2 (189.1/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2021 estimate
• Total	1.4 Trillion ACU (1.12 Trillion SEK)
• Per capita	37,521 ACU (29,959 SEK)
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	1.4 Trillion ACU (1.11 Trillion SEK)
• Per capita	37,307 ACU (29,788 SEK)
HDI (2022)	0.880 very high
Currency	Sekinar
Time zone	UTC-5
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.pl

The Republic of Speke (Spekean: Rzeczpospolita Spika) is a sovereign state located on the continent of Thuadia within the region of Anteria. It is bordered by Zhousheng and is a member of the Inner Sekidean Union. At 507,207 square kilometers, Speke is a medium-sized nation on Anteria and Thuadia. Its capital city and largest city is Sczesczołiszin. The population of Speke is 37,420,690. Speke is considered a homogenous nation in terms of ethnic groups, with 94.2% of its population being Spekean and the remaining 5.8% being from other ethnic groups. The country has a democratic government and a GDP of 1.4 Trillion ACU.

Culture

Art and literature

Krystyna Kowalska and "Święty Mikołaj i duchy"

Krystyna Kowalska was a renowned Spekean author and one of the greatest writers in Speke's history. She is best known for her novella "Święty Mikołaj i duchy" ("Saint Nicholas and the Spirits"), a beloved holiday classic that has been translated into numerous languages and adapted into various stage and screen productions.

In the late 1800s, Speke was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization, which led to a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor. Kowalska sought to use her writing as a means of social commentary and to inspire change. Through the story of Ebenezer Skroog, a wealthy and miserly businessman who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, Kowalska explored themes of redemption and the true spirit of Christmas. The ghosts, representing the past, present, and future, show Skroog the error of his ways and help him to see the true meaning of Christmas. The novella's message of hope and redemption resonated with readers in Speke and beyond, and it has become a treasured holiday tradition across Anteria.

Economy

Major industries

Speke's major industries include healthcare, technology, science, and aeronautics. The country is a major provider of medicine and equipment for healthcare professionals and systems around Anteria, especially on the continent of Thuadia. It is also home to a large private space company, SpekeX, which specialized in space launches and scientific research, including the development of the Orbitlink satellite internet system, which provides improved internet speeds and access across Anteria. In addition, Speke is a leading researcher in renewable energy, with many companies specializing in this field.

Trade partners

Speke engages in significant trade with nations within the Sekidean Union, particularly with the country of Torvon. Torvon plays a major role in the Spekean automobile industry, with the Torvonese company Departure acquiring the Spekean car manufacturer Bliat in 2022 after it faced financial difficulties. Departure retained the original name of the company, and Bliat continues to be a significant player in the Spekean automobile market. In addition, Speke also trades with Torvon for its cargo sea vessels.

Economic challenges or successes

In the 2000s, the country suffered from widespread corruption, which had a negative impact on the economy and the well-being of the people. This corruption resulted in a lack of investment in important areas such as employment and education, and it also led to a loss of trust in the government and political system. In response to these challenges, the government has implemented a number of anti-corruption initiatives since the late 2000s, including measures to increase transparency and accountability among politicians.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Transportation in Speke plays a crucial role in connecting its citizens and supporting the growth of its economy. The country boasts a comprehensive and integrated transportation network that includes air, water, road, and rail transport.

The public transportation system in Speke is extensive and well-connected, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and efficiency. The capital city is home to the largest network of public transportation, including buses, trams, and metros, making it easy for residents to travel within and between cities. The integration of modern technology has greatly improved the efficiency and convenience of public transportation, with electronic ticketing and real-time information systems being just a few examples.

Speke's railway system is among the most advanced in the world, with over a few thousand kilometers of high-speed rail lines. This has greatly improved the speed and reliability of intercity travel, reducing travel time and making it easier for people to commute between cities. The vast majority of rail lines, over 99%, are electrified, further reducing the country's carbon footprint and promoting sustainable transportation.

The country also has a well-developed air transportation network, with international airports in every major city. Domestic flights are operated by several airlines, providing citizens with access to destinations throughout the country. Additionally, trams play a vital role in urban transportation, with many large cities having extensive tram networks that offer affordable and convenient travel for as low as 0.75 ACU per day.

Space Program

SpekeX

SpekeX's "ION" prototype on the launchpad at the Wielek Launch Complex

SpekeX is a private aerospace and aeronautic company based in the eastern city of Wielek, Speke. Founded in 2002 with the initial goal of colonizing Stratos, a planet with the presence of water in the form of ice but no known biological life, SpekeX has grown and diversified its operations to include a range of other aerospace and aeronautic endeavors. These include the development of reusable rocketry, electric aircraft, and military drones. The company is known for its contributions to the development and advancement of these technologies, and continues to be a leader in the field, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of space exploration and related technologies.

SpekeX has a goal of launching around 3,000 Orbitlink Satellites into Low Anteria Orbit (LAO) around Anteria. As of 2021, the company has already launched over 2,000 of these satellites, which are designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to users across the planet. The success of the Orbitlink satellites has established SpekeX as a leader in the field of satellite-based internet access, and the company continues to work towards expanding and improving its services. The additional 1,000 satellites are intended to further improve the coverage and reliability of the Orbitlink network.

SpekeX has been working on the development of the ION spacecraft for several years, with multiple prototypes and tests conducted to ensure the safety and reliability of the rocket. The company is planning to conduct the first orbital launch of the ION rocket in 2023, which will mark a significant milestone in their efforts to send humans into space. This launch will be a major accomplishment for SpekeX, and the company is currently preparing for future missions, including the possibility of sending a crew to the Caliesia Lunar Outpost in the near future. The ION spacecraft has shown great promise as a reliable and capable vehicle, and SpekeX is confident in its ability to safely transport astronauts to and from Low Anteria Orbit and beyond and is expecting to send the first orbital craft into orbit in 2023.

As a founding member of SPASEK, the joint space agency of the Sekidean Union, Speke has played a significant role in the development and success of the agency. Since 2012, SpekeX has been a part of SPASEK and has made significant contributions to the agency, including the development of new space exploration technologies, the launch and operation of satellites, and various collaborative projects with international space agencies.