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Pharexia Pharexian: Fuppgjör
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Motto: "To dwell together in unity" Pharexian: "Að búa saman í einingu""
Anthem: "O, Land of Prosperity and Peace" Pharexian: "Varðstjóri""
Capital	Breíddalsvík
Official languages	Pharexian
Other languages	Icelandic, Swedish, English
Ethnic groups (2019)	79% Pharexian 11% Icelandic 6% Swedish 3% Norwegian 1% Faroese
Religion	Church of Pharexia
Demonym(s)	Pharexian
Government	Unitary multi-party parliamentary republic with significant elements of direct democracy
• President	-
• Prime Minister	-
Legislature	Federal Legislature
Population
• 2020 estimate	230,435 (193rd)
• Density	2.9/km2 (7.5/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2020 estimate
• Total	$6.9 billion
• Per capita	$50,000
Gini (2017)	28.95 low
HDI (2020)	0.926 very high
Currency	Pharexian Mynt
Date format	dd/mm/yy (NG)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+54
ISO 3166 code	PHX
Internet TLD	.px

Pharexia (pronounced: /fərɛziɑ/; Pharexian: Fuppgjör pronounced: [kiɒkju:lɛgd l ʁɛ:i af hɑjɛgss]) is a Nordic nation. The capital city of Breíddalsvík is located ...

Culturally, Pharexia's small population of just over 230,000 demonstrates a cohesive national character. Pharexia is a combination of individualism and egalitarianism. Pharexians are highly agreeable and compassionate people, reflected in the state's strong social welfare system, while also harboring conscientiousness and responsibility, reflected by the high GDP per capita, high level of educational achievement, and more recently significant technological advancements.

Pharexian politics have been described by scholars as an eclectic amalgamation of both conservative and liberal thought: for example, despite having rather restrictive abortion laws, it has relatively liberal LGBT laws. This dichotomy is usually attributed to the rather unique teachings of the state church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pharexia, which has both a high adherence and a large influence over public policy. Pharexia maintains a Nordic social welfare system that provides universal health care and tertiary education for its citizens. Pharexia ranks high in economic, democratic, social stability, and equality. It is consistently ranked as one of the most developed countries in the world and high on the Global Peace Index. The country runs entirely on renewable energy.

Despite the nation being known for its state of neutrality, this has been questioned in recent years, with Pharexia becoming a member of NATO in 2017. Though Pharexia is philosophically and constitutionally a pacifist country, it continues to maintain a minimal defense force that consists of a coast guard and national guard.

Etymology

It is thought that the word Pharexia is derived from an Old Norse word for 'mountain healer', a reference to a medicinal herb found in the country's modern-day western coast. This herb is believed to have been used by native Pharexias to treat influenza, which is known to be an interesting fact used by the tourism industry. The name for Breíddalsvík, the capital city, is thought to have come from an old Icelandic word for 'wooded', a reference to the city’s former densely forested landscape.

Geography

Climate

Pharexia
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.9     18 0     0.9     22 4     1.6     27 9     2.8     35 20     3.7     48 28     4.5     56 39     4.4     50 40     3.9     46 35     3.6     44 30     2.8     37 24     1.9     31 12     1.1     19 4 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     23     −8 −18     23     −6 −16     41     −3 −13     72     2 −7     94     9 −2     114     13 4     112     10 4     99     8 2     90     7 −1     72     3 −4     47     −1 −11     29     −7 −16 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm

Government and politics

Legislature

Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Federal Legislature (Pharexian: Síðari). The chamber consists of the 63 seats. The Federal Legislature possesses the federal government's legislative power, along with the separate constitutional right of citizen's initiative. For a law to pass, it must be passed by a simple majority.

Position	Picture		Name	Party
Prime Minister of Pharexia (Løgmaður)			- DLJ	Conservative Party
Councilor of Defense and Immigration (Innanríkismáladeild)			-	New Future
Councilor of Health and Social Care (-/-/-)			-r DMFPPH	Science–Moderate Party
Councilor of Foreign Affairs (Utanríkismáladeild)			-	Christian Democrats (Pharexia)
Councilor of Culture and Religion (-/-/-)			-	Unaffiliated
Councilor of Finance and Economic Affairs (Fjármálastjóri)			- DLJ	Conservative Party
Councilor of Transport, Infrastructure, the Environment (Velferðarráðuneytið)			-	Liberal Party
Councilor of Justice and Equality (Dómsmálaráðuneytið)			- DLJ	Science–Moderate Party

Judicial

The judicial branch plays a minor role in politics, apart from the High Court of Justice (Pharexia: Réttlæti), which can annul laws that violate the freedoms guaranteed in the constitution.

Federal laws

Pharexia is home to a belief in personal and more recently digital privacy, a high degree of public safety and a complex social insurance scheme mixing private and public funding. Pharexia has strict gun control laws: a national government safety course must be passed, a special license is required to own a handgun which may only be used for target shooting at a licensed range, semi-automatic firearms have caliber restrictions, while fully automatic firearms are banned entirely. Most psychotropic substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine, and other class A drugs have been decriminalized but are believed to be rarely used.

Politics

Main article: List of political parties in Pharexia

Pharexia is home to a diverse slate of political parties. Pharexia was rated a "full democracy" in 2019.

See last federal election results

Party		Votes	%	±%	Upper Seats	Lower Seats	Upper ±	Lower ±
	Conservative Party	375,380	23.5	7.9pp	17	64	4	18
	Science–Moderate Party	241,201	15.1	0.9pp	15	47	1	3
	Liberal Party	191,683	12.0	1.5pp	9	44	1	8
	Christian Democrats	167,723	10.5	0.3pp	6	30	0	1
	Centre Party	126,191	7.9	0.8pp	1	25	0	2
	Greens–Left	115,010	7.2	0.2pp	5	22	0	0
	New Future	99,036	6.2	1.1pp	8	17	3	6
	Dignity–Solidarity Party	70,284	4.4	2.0pp	1	8	2	4
	Forward	63,894	4.0	6.6pp	0	11	1	14
	Kamraterna	43,128	2.7	0.5pp	1	1	0	1
	Other/unaffiliated	103,828	6.4	0.2pp	0	6	0	1
Invalid/blank votes		15,974	–	–	–	–	–
Total		1,597,364	100	–	63	277	–	–
Registered voters/turnout		2,047,902	78.0	–	–	–	–	–

Canton	ID	Region	Community	Head Executive
Beisjørdia	BE	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Tarja Vänskä
Breíddalsvík	BR	Northern	Bi-lingual	Heike Reynder
Cestëur	CE	Southern	Astellian-speaking	Arsenio Ratti
Dybołl	DY	Southern	Astellian-speaking	Moise Pisani
Feldehamdevikia	FE	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Tuomas Mustonen
Gæcadoia	GA	Eastern	Valian-speaking	Benedikt Svenson
Haugliveria	HA	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Ferdinanda Orsini
Heselsalevikki	HE	Northern	Bi-lingual	Katharen Anadottir
Kvikaberdurvatn	HV	Eastern	Valian-speaking	Asløg Jennýsdottir
Lanvikalur	LK	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Ragnhild Ernadottir
Lofogengenlok	LO	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Queen Melisende III
Lanvivo	LV	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Ofelia Ratti
Marnehus	MA	Southern	Valian-speaking	Francois De Ouserad
Osbakhogeria	OS	Southern	Astellian-speaking	Luciana Ardiconi
Reika Grav	RG	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Severo Acardi
Salderia	SA	Southern	Valian-speaking	Anna Takala
Sorjord	SJ	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Rasmus Beck
Sorogavela	SO	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Kirsikka Peura
Stobyglikagil	ST	Eastern	Valian-speaking	Nikolaj Jonson
Trelmoenesia	TR	Northern	Pharexian-speaking	Tua Farver
Vopeidrim	VO	Southern	Astellian-speaking	Uwe Matthiessen

Defense

The military of Pharexia consists solely of the Coast Guard (Pharexian: Varnirliðið) which patrols Pharexian waters. The country is one of few who has no standing army.

The Coast Guard is based upon a small core of professional volunteers. If necessary, it can field up to 200,000 soldiers of fighting age in the case of a ground invasion. For obvious reasons, this is unsustainable in any other situation, and so the regular strength of the Coast Guard is closer to 20,000 professionals and militia. The military's role is purely defensive. They have yet to engage in battle either overseas or within the Pharexia.

Economy

Economically, Pharexia is a competitive and highly liberalized, open market economy. Most Pharexian enterprises are privately owned and market-oriented. This is combined with a strong welfare state. Pharexia has generous maternity/paternity leave, government-funded job training, and a free healthcare system. While public spending was estimated to be 25% of GDP in 2019, this percent has been stedily declining for nearly five decades. Public-held debt has more than halved from 50% of GDP to 22%. Much of this is because private companies are now able to provide public goods by competing for contracts alongside public providers (such as in healthcare and education). Since the major wave of liberalization in the mid-1940's, savings haven't changed much and there is still continued debate about if private firms are able to the same quality as public-run services. However, since the fall of the Communist government of Pharexia's state-run economy in 1899, standard of living, life expentency, and self-reported happiness has increased substantially.

The Pharexian economy is heavily reliant on both imports and foreign investment. Global shocks are apt to have a disproportionate effect on Pharexia, therefore. Pharexia has no significant natural resources apart from fish, sheep, and cherries, and has a high degree of economic specialisation.

Finance contributes to around 25% of the economy, by far the largest single sector. It is based around a strong banking sector which is a mix between secrecy and strict regulation, and social responsibility. Banking secrecy laws are extensive and enforced strictly. Research and development makes up around 12% of the economy and is geared primarily towards high-value and high-tech electronics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and armaments. Armament development accounts for 4% of the economy, directed primarily towards moderately sophisticated equipment designed to match but not exceed the capabilities of foreign-made products. Ship-building accounts for 4% of the economy as well, and works in close conjunction with the armaments industry. Luxury goods account for 3% of the economy. A lot of it is not designed for export (such as tailors) and others are usually small artisans rather than large chains (watchmakers and fashion). Tourism accounts for 7% of the economy, and this is split between 'cultural tourists' who come for the history and odd culture of Pharexia, and 'luxury tourists' who come to visit the wine bars and stay in luxury hotels. Brewing and distilling accounts for 4% of the economy and is based around ale, rye whiskey, gin and unique Pharexian beverages. Energy production accounts for 6% of the economy and is focused on dynamic tidal, hydro-electric and geothermal. The majority of this energy is used to power Pharexia itself as the government strives for energy self-sufficiency. Greater export potential comes from the physical power-generation appliances and designs. The remaining 18% is primarily service sector jobs or small-scale manufacturing of high-value high-tech goods.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Cycling has long been a part of Pharexian life

Transportation in Pharexia is facilitated by road, air, rail, and waterways (via boats). The vast majority of passenger travel occurs by cycling or automobile for shorter distances, and railroad or bus for longer distances.

Driving in Pharexia is a frequent occurrence, with approximately 60% of Pharexians owning private automobiles. Each canton has the authority to set its own traffic laws and issue driving licenses, although these laws have largely been the same since the 1960's. Licenses from other state are respected throughout the country. Pharexians drive on the right side of the road. There are numerous regulations on driving behavior, including speed limits, passing regulations, and seat belt requirements. Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or marijuana is illegal in all jurisdictions within Pharexia.

Most roads in Pharexia are owned and maintained by the federal government. There are many local roads, generally serving the many of the remote or insular locations of Pharexia.

Healthcare

Pharexia's flagship hopsital, Breíddalsvík University Health Centre

Pharexia has a single-payer, universal healthcare system. The system was adopted in 1970 as a part of the creation of the welfare state in Pharexia. It is managed centrally by the Councilor of Health and Social Care, and at the local level by 5 health boards elected every five years by the general populace.

The healthcare system is funded via federal income tax, and it is the largest recipient of money from the federal budget, with around 10% of the entire Pharexian GDP being spent on healthcare. This funding has led to an efficient, well-maintained, well-staffed healthcare system free at the point of use. PHS is thus admired by many, and recent polls in Pharexia have shown that over 85% of the population is supportive of the system.

Mental health has received increased attention in Pharexia in recent years, with mental health funding being increased in response to increased openness around mental health in Pharexia. Recent research has found that significant proportions of Pharexians suffer from conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Education

Both public and private schools exist in the Pharexian Federation. Education is compulsory: federal law ensures that all children attend school until they are at least 18 years old and provides for them to attend further education beyond that age. Schooling does, however, start later than many countries, at 5 years old.

In general Pharexian schools try to instill a desire to learn for the sake of learning, and to pursue what one is interested in simply because it is interesting. A premium is placed on social interaction and emotional awareness, particularly at younger ages, where long break times are included in the school day and much outdoor activity is encouraged. Sports and general physical fitness grows to take up a large part of the timetable in later school years, partly for philosophical reasons but also because Pharexia's competitive economy requires a high level of fitness.

Schools are able to give religious instruction according to the beliefs of their religion. It also preserves the right of teachers not to give religious instruction if they so choose, and for parents or guardians to decide whether or not their child will receive such instruction. In general, religious instruction is common simply as a means of broadening the minds of students and teaching them the value of approaching life and other situations from multiple perspectives. This accounts, in part, for the high degree of religiousness amongst the population.

Almost all classes are conducted in Pharexian as a standard. Foreign language classes tend to be conducted in the relevant language being taught, depending on the level of the students. This is encouraged as a way of improving Arthuria's ability to interact on the global stage, as Pharexian is spoken almost exclusively by Pharexians only.

Typically, the summer school day lasts from 0800 to 1400, with variation depending on schools. In the winter months, due to extreme temperatures, the school day may start at 0900 and last until 1600 instead, or simply be shortened. Schooldays tend to run from Monday to Friday, so that various religions which take Saturday and Sunday may observe their religious obligations.

Break periods are seen as a vital part of developing students' social skills and emotional awareness, and in all-but extreme circumstances they are required to go outside in these times. In earlier years, break periods take up a large portion of a student's day, to be gradually replaced by physical fitness as their school career progresses.

Religion

Formal religious affiliation in Pharexia (2020)

  Church of Pharexia (65.47%)

  Free Lutheran Church in Beisjørdia (4.75%)

  Lutheran Church of Heselsalevikki (3.98%)

  Independent Lutheran Congregation (1.89%)

  Catholic Church (7.98%)

  Eastern Orthodox Church (1.05%)

  LDS Church (0.76%)

  Other Christian (2.05%)

  Buddhism (0.62%)

  Hinduism (0.35%)

  Judaism (0.13%)

  Other (0.31%)

  No religion (10.66%)

Ilyçisianism

Main article: Lutheranism

For much of Pharexia's history, Christianity has dominated the public and private sphere of daily life. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pharexia (Pharexian: Fuðursvæðikirkja, often abbreviated as the ELCP, is both the established church in Pharexia as well as the largest denomination of Christianity, with nearly 65% of the population reported as members. However, membership in the KHF has decreased in recent decades. There are several smaller Lutheran churches officially unaffiliated with the Church of Pharexia that an additional 15% of the population affiliates with, although these churches are also reporting declines in attendance.

Pharexian Lutheranism (Pharexian: Þórar) and Christianity have a complex theological, historical, and sociological relationship. Þórar has been described by non-Pharexian scholars as a distinct denomination of Christianity separate from mainstream Lutheranism. For example, while Þórars consider the Bible to be scripture, they do not believe in inerrancy or literalism like most Lutherans do. Þórar theology argues that interpreting Christian scripture must be informed by scholarship (particularly from psychological, evolutionary, and existential perspectives). Perhaps the largest distinction is that most Þórars do not profess a belief in a celestial being. Rather, Þórars believe that theism has lost credibility as a valid conception of God's true nature. Such a belief is commonly referred to as Þórar atheism. Þórar atheism is a form of cultural Christianity and ethics system drawing its beliefs and practices from Jesus Christ’s life and teachings as recorded in the Bible and other sources, whilst rejecting supernatural claims of Christianity. In 2005, the book Believing in a God Who Does Not Exist: Manifesto of An Atheist Minister, KHF pastor Hendrikse describes that Þórar Lutherans believe "God is for me not a being but a word for what can happen between people. Someone says to you, for example, 'I will not abandon you', and then makes those words come true. It would be perfectly alright to call that [relationship] God". Hendrikse's views are widely shared among both clergy and church members. Pharexian Lutheranism is typically classified as a liberal denomination. For example, the Church of Pharexia has long supported gay and lesbian rights. Weekly Þórar services do not revolve around worship but rather focuses on deconstructing ancient scripture to extract out philosophical, ethical and theological wisdom that can be applied to the modern day. There is also a strong emphasis on community and fellowship.

The second largest Christian denomination in Pharexia is Catholicism, making up nearly 8% of the population. Among people who identify as Catholic, 45% of them attend weekly religious services, a figure much higher than other religious people in the country. There is also a sizeable Eastern Orthodox and Latter-day Saint population living in Pharexia. In total, Christians make up around 83% of the population. Their distribution is spread relatively equally throughout the country.

Influence of religion

A KHF church in Haugliveria.

Religion continues to play a significant role in the debate over abortion and physician-assisted suicide in Phareixa. The official Church of Pharexia stance is, "Life, the experiences we gain from being a part of the world and of humanity, are necessary and essential to spiritual fulfillment." This position is shared by most Christians. The Conservative Party, New Future, and the Christian Democrats all generally oppose abortion and cite these values as one of their justifications.

While Lutheranism is officially the state religion, People's Law guarantees religious freedom and upholds equality, no matter one's religious affiliation. In the last census, only around 10% of the population identified as having no religion, despite nearly 80% of the country answering that they "do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force". This strangely makes Pharexia one of the most religious and secular countries in the world. A poll released in 2016 indicated that only 42% of Pharexians would vote for an openly theistic candidate. This is up slightly from 36% and 40% in 1987 and 1999 respectively.

Statistics

According to a 2016 poll:
• 8% of Pharexian citizens responded that "they believe there is a God".
• 16% responded that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force".
• 62% responded that "they don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".
• 14% gave no response.

According to 2018 data from annual social-cultural study, 40 percent of Pharexians responded with "No" to the question to the question "Do you believe in God?", while 6 percent said "Yes" and 54 percent said that either they did not know or that the question was “difficult to answer”. Follow up questionnaires have found that while over 80% of Pharexians do not believe in a "literal, celestial supreme being", nearly 75% believe that they believe in a "higher order or calling" that is "synonymous with the idea of God". The survey also showed that 7-in-10 Pharexians say religion is an important part of their lives.