Falland

This article is about the Teleon country. For the Aurorum version, see Falland/Aurorum.

Fallish Federation
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Et sic genuflexus Albert rex (Hernician) "And so King Albert knelt"
Anthem: "Our Georgian Rose"
Falland (green) within Calesia (grey)
Capital and largest city	Sydenham
Official languages	Fallish
Ethnic groups (2015)	75.3% Fallish background 24.7% Other background
Religion (2017)	73.3% Gregorianism 23.5% Irreligious 2.8% Others
Demonym(s)	Fallish
Government	Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Monarch	Theresa
• Prime Minister	Karren Shroff
• Speaker of the Advisors	Paul Green
• Speaker of the Deputies	Matthew Hart
• President of the Royal Court	Clive Osamor
Legislature	Federal Parliament
• Upper house	Chamber of Advisors
• Lower house	Chamber of Deputies
Establishment
• Kingdom of Ferland	4 March 1114
• Kingdom of Robindy	19 November 1204
• Fallish Imperial Declaration	13 May 1504
• First Republic	19 July 1858
• Capron Restoration	9 April 1864
• Asplinist Falland	26 October 1926
• Current constitution	7 September 1944
Area
• Total	339,336 km2 (131,018 sq mi)
• Water (%)	0.5
Population
• 2023 estimate	87,647,322
• 2015 census	84,372,472 (6th)
• Density	258.29/km2 (669.0/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2021 estimate
• Total	$3.714 Trillion (3rd)
• Per capita	$42,382
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	$3.504 Trillion (2nd)
• Per capita	$39,982
Gini (2021)	29.8 low
HDI (2022)	0.891 very high
Currency	Fallish guild (ɢ) (FGU)
Time zone	UTC+0 (Central Calesian Time, CCT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (Central Calesian Summer Time, CCST)
Date format	dd-mm-yy
Driving side	left
Calling code	+20
Internet TLD	.fl

Falland, officially the Fallish Federation is a sovereign state in Central Calesia on the southern coast of the Swarin Sea. Falland shares land borders with X in the east, X and Hyacinthe in the south, and Vistulzka in the west. It shares maritime borders with Waldrich and X across the Swarin Sea in the north. Much of the south and west of the country is comprised of the Brelines, whereas the majority of the country is mostly flat and sits on the Fallish Plain belonging to the broader Central Calesian Plain. The country has an area of approximately 339,336 km² (131,018 sq mi), with a population of 87 million. It is the second-most populated country in Calesia and the second-largest in terms of land area behind Hyacinthe. Falland's capital and largest city is Sydenham; other major cities include Hambledon, Kaurwell, Pendleton, Milston, Reidside, and Waxdon.

Modern humans arrived in Falland around 40,000 years ago and was settled primarily by the Falko tribes around the 5th millennium BCE, coming under the Hernician Empire in 219 CE until their retreat during the 5th century which allowed Waldic tribes to settle, forming a collection of kingdoms with the Falko tribes. In 759, Falland was united under the Waldish Empire which ended in 1031 when Hyacintheans invaded from the south. Falland would be ruled by various Hycinthean kingdoms until they were overthrown in 1114 by the Kingdom of Ferland led by Albert I. However, Hyacintheans invaded again in 1198, establishing Robindy in the east while an independent Ferland continued in the west. The Ferlish king were overthrown in 1377 and the Abish Confederation would be established, while Robindy faced numerous challenges both internally and externally, culminating in the start of a civil war in 1342. The Catabole in 1348 and its subsequent crisis put the conflict on hold. Much of Falland's population was killed as a result; the war eventually ended in defeat for the monarch and in 1355, Geoffrey II was forced to sign the Alfredian Charter. In the 15th century, the end of the Dauloux line caused a succession crisis which was resolved by ascendance of X to the throne, forming a personal union between X and Robindy which was reorganised as the Kingdom of Falland. Falland experienced a period of colonial ambition beginning in 1492 with their first colony. In 1504, the Fallish Imperial Declaration was signed by the monarch, officially forming the Fallish Empire.

The Fallish monarchy was overthrown in 1858, establishing a republic in its place which lasted until the Capron Restoration in 1864. The Fallish Empire reached its zenith during the late-19th century and the expansion of Falland overseas became a a matter of national importance for the government. The industrial revolution in Falland also helped kickstart a period of rapid economic and population growth. Following their defeat in the Second Cuthish War, the Far-right Fallish National Sydicalist Fatherland Party (FNSFP) came to power in 1925, established a totalitarian dictatorship and sparked the Great War in 1934. After the end of the war and a period of Transmedan occupation, Falland was reorganised as a federation.

A constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, Falland has been described as a great power with a strong economy; it is the second-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third-largest economy by PPP in the world. As both an historical and contemporary power in industrial, scientific and technological sectors, it is both one of the world's largest exporters and importers. As a developed country, it offers social security, a universal health care system, and tuition-free university education. Falland is a member of the United Congress, the Nordbund, the W3, the W4, the W20, and the X Economic Partnership.

Etymology

The name "Falland" derives from the Old Fallish term Falkaland, meaning "land of the Falkos". The Falkos were a tribe that settled in Falland sometime during the 5th millennium BCE and was first written down as a name by Hernician explorers and rendered as Falcii. The etymology of the tribal name itself is disputed by scholars. The usage of the term to refer to the land of Falland was solidified following their conquest by the Hernician Empire and the region came under the control of the province of Hernician Falco.

The earliest recorded use of the modern term, as "Falka londe", is in the 8th century book Dunley Chronicles, referring to all "land inhabited by the Fallish people". A romantic name for Falland is Vitland, related to the Waldish name for Falland, Hvittland, named after the white (hvit) Chalk Cliffs of Rainham.

History

Prehistory and antiquity

The first evidence of human habitation in Falland is located in the Merigreen Valley and is dated to around 40,000 years ago and include stone statues, human bones and other such artifacts.

First Republic and Capron Restoration

The Elizabeth Square Declaration formally dissolved the Kingdom of Falland and established a democratic republic

• Angered by increasing corruption, unpopular royally appointed governments & a worsening economic state for the middle and lower classes. A popular revolution in 1850 forces the King to establish a proper constitutional monarchy and full universal male suffrage
• Emergence of the Liberal Party after suffrage enacted, successive liberal governments until 1858 when new king appoints his conservative uncle to PM and begins to roll-back some advances
• Subsequent revolution & Elizabeth Square Declaration which abolishes the monarchy, grants amnesty to the King but orders the imprisonment of the ex-PM
• Royal family flee abroad & declare new state illegitimate
• Ensuing war forces a monarchical restoration in 1858 although constitutional monarchy & universal male suffrage guaranteed
• Colonial expansion & empire
• Industrialism & economic powerhouse
• Liberal governments become increasingly pro-monarchy, rise of the Fallish Republican Party (FRP)
• FRP govt. in 1902 allied w/ left liberals, no parliamentary majority for an abolition but monarchy's popularity remains very low
• FRP ousted after colonial scandal & right Liberals + conservatives + nationalists restored to power
• Socialist Party (SP) foundation and electoral successes
• Foreign cause collapse of liberalism's support & rise of SP & FRP

Post-Second Cuthish War and rise of FNSFP

The Second Cuthish War resulted in a Fallish defeat in 1921, effectively destroyed the incumbent liberal minority government of Robert Venables who tendered his resignation days after the peace agreement. 1921 saw right-wing nationalist elements sweep to victory in both the general and prime ministerial elections and a new right-wing coalition led by Arthur Whybrow of the National Party was formed. Whybrow and his government saw the Fallish defeat as a result of the SP-RPF governments of the past two decades and their inability to prepare the nation for war. He also viewed the instability that had gripped Fallish politics prior to and during the war as a fundamental reason for its defeat and sought to unify the political right under his leadership.

In 1923, the General Coalition was created by the National Party and several others, consisting of national liberals, conservatives and factions of proto-fascists who were united by their anti-liberalism and anti-socialism as well as their support for the monarchy and the army, both institutions which had been placed under threat from the rising socialist, syndicalist and republican groups.

The National Party government then passed the Lightoller Law named after Home Secretary Philip Lightoller the same year, which meant that the party with the most votes would receive an automatic majority in the Chamber of Deputies and the remaining seats would be divided proportionally. In the ensuing general election, the party won with a large plurality of the popular vote and was thus able to gain the majority bonus. The National party was helped by a decline in the Socialist Party towards the National Syndicalists and Communists who had split off from the party recently.

The Whybrow government in 1924 initially attempted to raise the military’s budget and once again expand the armed forces although anti-war feelings in the public following the Second Cuthish War prevented them from doing this to their full extent. A major economic crash the same year crippled the government which did not wish to cut military expenditure and pursued social austerity policies and attempted to raise finances by printing more money causing inflation to rise rapidly. The rapidly worsening economic situation saw the government, king and industrialists lose faith in Whybrow who resigned in December 1924. Subsequently, Hugh Bethell was asked to lead a new National Party government. Shortly after Bethell’s tenure began, the government was rocked by a general strike declared by Socialist Party aligned trade unions. Whilst the strike was a failure, it saw the Communists seize the moment and launch an armed revolution in Sydenham in January 1925. Whilst fighting was limited to one district in Sydenham and was put down within two days it shook the establishment to its core and effectively destroyed confidence in the new National Party and Bethell. The FNSFP seized on the opportunity to begin streetfights against Communists and Socialists which rapidly turned deadly, the authorities largely turned a blind eye to the FNSFP and only targeted Communist and Socialist paramilitaries.

War Falland

Thomas Peyton-Jones, Prime Minister of Falland (1925-1933)

Edwin Bampfylde, Prime Minister of Falland (1933-1940)

• Far-right Fallish National Sydicalist Fatherland Party (FNSFP) elected in 1925 election, defeating the unpopular liberal government (FNSFP wins only about 20% of the popular vote but a majority of seats bc of a majority bonus system)
• FNSFP Prime Minister Thomas Peyton-Jones begins consolidating power, sidelining his conservative allies and banning the socialist party after a series of anti-govt riots
• Current monarch seeing Asplinism as a more agreeable form of Socialism & attracted to their militarist leanings assents to granting Parliament more powers and giving Peyton-Jones emergency powers
• FNSFP one-party Asplinist state declared, all opposition parties and trade unions are disbanded followed up with a sham election
• Irredentist foreign policy expanded upon and colonial reforms enacted loosening ties with some colonies
• Peyton-Jones is ousted by more radical politicians led by former editor and propaganda minister Edwin Bampfylde
• Bampfylde takes a hard-line expansionist ideology to distract from a faltering economy
• Any potential war turns into a protracted nightmare for Bampfylde who had hoped for a quick victory, Bampfylde takes over planning the war and assumes all war ministries + foreign affairs fearing a potential coup
• Harsh repression of growing opposition movement & govt. becomes more totalitarian
• Massive military defeat causes lines to collapse, major retreats and desertion as well as decimation
• King abdicates in favour of his sister who is placed under strict house arrest
• Bampfylde & leading government officials captured & Falland fully occupied after unconditional surrender

Contemporary period

Independence Day Celebrations after the Braemablair Agreement was signed

• Fallish colonies either granted independence or become international mandates, Sydenham becomes a neutral internationally governed free city whilst Falland is occupied
• Elections to a constitutional assembly see right-wing Progressives (former civil servants etc) & liberals (former establishment) win a majority combined, position of the monarchy secured despite republican grumbling from FRP & SP (election results potentially interfered w/ by occupying powers who disliked the Fallish socialists & republicans for their perceived inability to prevent the FNSFP govt.
• Monarchy referendum passes narrowly although emboldens the Socialist Party who win the first Sydenham elections whilst Falland is still occupied
• Progressive-Socialist-Liberal-Republican national unity govt. created to provide a united front for independence, Sydenham rejoins Falland (neutrality enshrined in constitution)
• Braemablair Agreement allows for Fallish independence although enshrines neutrality & bans all but defensive military action
• Welfare state created by Socialist-Republican govt.
• Cultural community established w/ former colonies
• Economic recover (Miracle on the Kir)
• Return to the international stage
• Modern 'agreeable partner' foreign policy
• Low-birth rate, reliance on immigration & other modern problems

Geography

• 

  Chalk Cliffs near Rainham

• 

  Braemablair National Park

• 

  Lake TBD in Lilledel

• 

  Mountains in the southern Brelines

• 

  Harthpike Mountain in Solland is the tallest mountain in Falland

Biodiversity

The Fallish bear is the national animal of Falland due to its cultural significance.

With one of the highest floral biodiversity in Calesia, 48,000 species of plants have been recorded in Falland, representing roughly X of all Calesian flora. Falland's forests serve as a hotbed of floral diversity. Additionally, Falland recieves species from X to the east, X to the west, as well as X to the south, with Falland's Brelines also contributing to habitat diversity. Falland is divided into four terrestrial ecoregions: the Swarin mixed forests, Blackwood mixed forests, Sollish mixed forests, and the Breline conifer and mixed forests.

Falland's indigenous plant species and subspecies are numbered in the 15,000s which includes the Rutland violet, Merrigreen rose, Pendleton whitebeam, Marsford eyebright, and the White brome. In addition, Falland has many botanical gardens, some of which are known outside the country. Fallish gardens are stylistically based on symmetry, axial geometry and on the principle of imposing order over nature. It has influenced the history of gardening especially X gardening.

In terms of fauna, it is juxtaposed by Falland's floral diversity, having only about 17,800 species of animals. Their indigenous animal species also consists of slightly over 7,000 species, including the Coxwick wren, Fallish bear, Yellow-bellied toad, Barnesham vole, Dunley pot beetle, Rothhampton snail, as well as 75 mammal species, 213 bird species, 412 reptile species, 83 amphibian species, 258 fish species; and 5,929 insect species. The Merrigreen rose, also known as the Georgian rose is the national flower of Falland while the Fallish bear is the national animal.

The 12 national parks in Falland include the Harthpike National Park, the Chalk Cliff Area National Park, the St Mawes National Park, the Milston Lagoon National Parks, the Stennen National Park, the Hairhill National Park, the Burford Forest National Park, the East Breline National Park, the Barnesley Forest National Park, Exmouth National Park, Braemablair National Park and the Breadborough National Park. There are also 4 nature reserves, 82 nature parks, and more than 400 zoos and animal parks. The Sydenham Zoo, which opened in 1864, is the second oldest but largest in Falland, and claims one of the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.

Politics and government

Main article: Politics of Falland

Theresa
Queen of the Fallish since 1976

Karren Shroff
Prime Minister since 2020

Current Structure of the Chamber of Deputies
Structure
Seats	810
Political groups	Liberal Bloc (508)   Progressive Party (235)   Liberal Party (117)   Green Party (104)   Democratic Party (52) People's Bloc (299)   Socialist Party (115)   New Falland Party (124)   Republican Party (29)   Red-Green Movement (17)   NWPF (9)   Victory Party (6) Unaligned (2)   Social Democratic Party (2)

Falland is a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy, and a federation with Theresa at the top as Queen of the Fallish. The country has maintained its constitution since the establishment of the Fallish Federation in 1944. It is one of the oldest federation in the world, in which power is divided between the central and state, free city, and territory governments. The Fallish political system combines elements derived from the Alfredian Charter and its successors (constitutional monarchy, a bicameral parliament, and strong party discipline), and the political model of X (federalism).

The government is separated into three branches:

• Executive: Led by the Prime Minister who also leads the Cabinet of Falland, consisting of 21 members and headed by the Minister of Civil Affairs.
• Legislature: Represented by the bicameral Federal Parliament, comprising the Chamber of Advisors, and the Chamber of Deputies.
• Judiciary: Represented by the Royal Court of Falland and other federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the monarch on advice of the Cabinet and Prime Minister.

Theresa rules as Queen of the Fallish and serves as head of state. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Karren Shroff who is elected for 4-year terms and is allowed to serve a maximum of two terms via Direct voting. At the subdivisional level, the Prime Minister is represented by the vice governors in states and vice mayors in free cities. They are appointed by the Prime Minister on advice from the Cabinet and the head of their respective subdivisions. The current Prime Minister is Karren Shroff who served since 2020. In 2024, Shroff was re-elected, continuing the Liberal bloc's hold on power in Falland.

In the Chamber of Advisors (upper house), there are X advisors, a hereditary position inherited through specific lineages or granted by the monarchy or prime minister to specific individuals on advice of the Chamber of Deputies. The upper house is headed by the Speaker of the Advisors, currently Paul Green and is voted into office by the members of the Chamber from among themselves for 5-year terms for a maximum of three terms. The Chamber of Deputies (lower house) has 810 members elected from single-member electoral divisions, commonly known as "electorates" or "seats", allocated to states on the basis of population, with each of the current subdivisions (excluding Free Cities) guaranteed an average of 34 seats. The lower house has a maximum term of four years which runs parallel to the Prime Ministeral election cycle, it is the duration of terms since 1960, before this, elections were held once every two years. The incumbent Speaker of the Deputies is Matthew Hart. Usually, the speaker is elected by members of the lower house for 5-year terms and are allowed to serve multiple terms.

Falland's electoral system uses Direct voting for all lower house elections. Voting is compulsory for all enrolled citizens 18 years and over in almost every jurisdiction apart from Lewland. The party with majority support in the Chamber of Deputies forms the government and its leader is typically elected as Prime Minister although exceptions to this have occurred in the past.

There are two major political blocs in Falland: the Liberal Bloc in the Government, and the People's Bloc as the Opposition. The Liberal Bloc is led primarily by the Progressive Party with 235 seats, they are partnered with the Liberal, the Green Party, and the Democratic Party which holds 117, 104 and 52 seats respectively. The People's Bloc is headed by the Socialist Party with 115 seats and the New Falland Party with 124 seats with four other minority parties included in the bloc including the Republican and Red-Green Movement, National Workers, and Victory Parties, possessing 29, 17, 9, and 6 seats respectively. Since 2024, there is also one unaligned party known as the Social Democratic Party with 2 seats. Since 2008, no independent deputies have been elected to the Chamber of Deputies.

The judiciary of Falland is headed by the Royal Court of Falland which serves as the highest court in Falland. It is headed by the President of the Royal Court, currently Clive Osamor, and answers to the executive branch of the government. It is also responsible for interpreting and applying the law in the country. At the subdivisional level, the judiciary is represented by the supreme courts which all subdivisions possess. There are a total of 2,688 county judges in the judiciary of Falland, 261 subdivisional judges, and 48 national judges.

States of Falland

Main article: Subdivisions of Falland

Map	State	Capital city	Largest city	Population (2023)
	Subdivision
	Astinford	Dorchester	Dorchester	4,652,883
	Blackwoodshire	Stanninghall	Burford	1,082,065
	Barnesham	Pedinton	Pedinton	4,220,056
	Braelyneshire	Spencing	Harthpike	4,111,850
	Briarborough	Bolton-on-the-Wolds	Campden	4,220,056
	Burnsworth	Huntingdon	Whiterock	4,544,676
	Colbury	Dronfield-on-Sea	Hensea	1,947,718
	Duncanland	Great Bosworth	Rainham	4,549,212
	Fissier	Farnham	Eastwood	1,192,202
	Grantset	Coxwick	Coxwick	5,734,948
	Hambledonshire	Hambledon	Hambledon	5,951,361
	Highwater	Highbridge	St Mawes	1,623,099
	Kaurwell	—	—	541,033
	Laneford	Exmouth	Exmouth	2,705,164
	Lewland	Barnsley	North Petherton	4,328,262
	Marsford	Blackpool	Buckington	5,626,742
	Merrigreen	Loughborough	Loughborough	2,273,339
	Milston	—	—	324,620
	Milstonshire	Dunley	Dunley	3,895,436
	Pendleton	—	—	327,203
	Pendletonshire	Rushden	Rushden	4,220,056
	Perrys	Rothhampton	Rothhampton	3,462,610
	Queensbridge	Epping	Newcastle-on-Lyme	3,889,322
	Reesthorpe	Cinderford	Evestone	3,354,404
	Reidside	—	—	216,413
	Rutland	Braemablair	Braemablair	1,623,100
	Sydenham	—	—	1,065,653
	West Robindy	Stenhill	Hinckley	2,596,958
	Wexdon	—	—	220,079
	Wilkenfield	Needham Market	Needham Market	3,354,404
	Falland	Sydenham	Sydenham	87,647,322

Falland is divided into 29 subdivisions. Of these administrative divisions, 23 are States and 6 are Free Cities. Each State has a varying level of autonomy, separate legislatures and governments and separate constitutions.

Foreign relations

Ministry of External Affairs head office in Sydenham

Military

Fallish soldiers on a live fire exercise in Briarborough near Bolton-on-the-Wolds.

The Fallish Armed Forces is split into four branches: the Fallish Army, the Fallish Navy, the Fallish Air Force and the Civil Guard, the latter of which being the largest of the four branches and focuses on internal security. They are managed by the Ministry of Defence and controlled by the National Defence Council of the Fallish Federation which itself is overseen by the Minister of Defence, while the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is the Monarch of Falland. Military expenditure is at approximately 1.53% of the total GDP of Falland, a figure which has stayed relatively similar since the end of the Six-Day War in 1999. As of August 2024, the Fallish Armed Forces has a strength of 193,329 active personnel and 93,290 in reserve.

Since 1998 women may serve in all functions of service without restriction. Prior to 2005, Falland operated a system of limited conscription although this was abolished due to falling recruitment numbers, opposition from youth leaders as well as the Socialist Party's own electoral promises. Falland is also constitutionally prohibited from developing or having any weapons of mass destruction be located on Fallish territory. The Fallish military has about 5,000 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of international peacekeeping missions, including about 1,230 in Ruthen, 900 in X, and 1,520 in X.

Culture

Media

Headquarters of the Evening Wire in Hambledon.

Falland historically possessed a large association with print newspapers, with the Sydenham Eye standing as one of the oldest in the world, established in 1669. However, in recent years, there have been a shift away from physical newspapers towards cable and digital platforms. In 1990, about 55.4% of the Fallish people read the physical newspaper regularly while 34.7% used the internet to do so, but by 2010, only 17.5% of the population continued to consume traditional newspapers while cable and internet access for news have rose to roughly 73.2%. Major newspapers produced in Falland that have also achieved international circulation include the Daily Times, The Watchman, Breline News, Wexdon Telegraph, and the Fallish Morning Post. Major journals and magazines that have also done the same include the Financial Prophet, The Analyser, Good Telegram, and The Postmaster.

Television and radio remain prevalent forms of media consumption, particularly in rural areas, where access to the internet remains slow. Sydenham and Hambledon dominate the television and radio industry, with many of these companies based in the two cities. There are a total of 12 major television broadcasting companies in Falland, the oldest being the Evening Wire with EWTV which was launched in 1951. Since the 1970s, the Fallish government has also participated in joint ventures with companies such as Richardson Networks with Channel 8 Falland, and Almellon with FNTVC. Radio broadcasting meanwhile, is a nationalised sector in Falland, overseen by the Fallish Radio Service (FRS) since 1963 due to several scandals involving private radio stations in the preceding years. The Fallish Radio Service operates numerous stations. Among the most popular are FRS One and FRS Two. The Milston Broadcasting Company was the oldest radio company, established in 1913.

As of 2021, roughly 83% of the population utilises the Internet, a figure that has grown exponentially ever since the introduction of broadband Internet services in the early 2000s. Falland also has one of the largest video game industry in the world, behind X and X, being home to several internationally known gaming companies which include Richardson Games, Gears Interactives, Maxwell Interactive Entertainment, and YellowCo Entertainment.