Rhodevus

The United Sovereign Kingdoms of Rhodevus Koninkrijk Lindenholt (Dutch)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Luctor et Emergo (Latin: I struggle and arise)
Anthem: Waar Sonne en Kreugel Vloeien
Location of Lindenholt within Ventismar indicated with dark green, members of the VU are light green. Location of Lindenholt within Ventismar indicated with dark green, members of the VU are light green.
Capital	Artwingen
Official languages	Dutch
Recognised regional languages	Frisian
Ethnic groups (2017)	89.4% Lindian 10.6% Others
Demonym(s)	Rhodeve
Government	Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Queen	Diana Wolff
• Princess Heir	Sierra Everen-Abra,s
Legislature	States General
Established  Republic of Rhodevus
• Treaty of TBD	5 May, 1715
• Rubinian Monarchy	5 May, 1845
Area
• Total
• Water (%)	too much
Population
• 2018 estimate	85,273,096
• Density
GDP (PPP)	2018 estimate
• Total	High
• Per capita	Enough
HDI (2015)	0.949 very high (6th)
Currency	Rhode (R)
Time zone	UTC+0 (No clue)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (Observed)
	Maximilian Islands do not follow DST
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	the right
Calling code	+398
ISO 3166 code	RDV
Internet TLD	.rdv

The Kingdom of Rhodevus, commonly referred to as just Rhodevus (pronounced /lɪndɜːnhɒlt/), is a Non-Hereditary Absolute Representative Monarchy (see: Rubinian Monarchy) located in Northern Dogmana. It is a large-sized country with a population of around 85.2 million people, most of which live in the country's six provinces and two territories in Dogmana. Around 2.5 million Rhodeve live on the Ile du Fleurs off the coast of Ventismar, giving Rhodevus a maritime border with Makenzie and Athabaska. Around 1 million people live on the Iles du Surete in the Divergian Ocean. Rhodevus proper borders Aznazia to the South.

The country's capital is Kingstown and it's largest city is Quiniac City, with the second largest city being Port joy, which hosts the country's largest sea port. The third largest city is Carpellin.

Lindenholt is one of the founding members of the United Sunalayan Assembly. It is also a founding member of the International Anti-Terror Association, Imperial Formations Treaty and the Rhodeve Commonwealth.Its currency is the Rhode.

Rhodevus has a free market economy, and ranks in the top ten GDP per capitas in the world. It is one of the 10 largest economies in Sunalaya, and is ranked 7th in the human development index with a very high standard of living.

Etymology

FIX The area that is modern-day eastern Lindenholt was known in Latin as Tilia Silvestris. This name, coined by the Ilyesians referred to an area in North Western Ventismar that compromised Western Ripuaria and Eastern Lindenholt. This area was inhabited by Celtic tribes that predominantly lived in forests that are recorded in history to be rich in linden trees.

The Latin name for the area was used during the early middle ages exclusively to refer to Germanic language speaking areas west of French speaking Ripuaria. By this time most of the linden forests had been cut down to make way for pastures and farmland. Regardless of the change in landscape, the area still retained its old name.

The name Lindenholt, which was translated from Latin, would not appear in literature until 1341. It is believed that before this record Guldebond traders would introduce themselves as hailing from the "linden forest" (linden holt in Old Dutch).

Demographics

Population pyramid of Lindenholt, 2017.

According to Linfo's 2017 census, Lindenholt has a population of 73,453,603, of those 33,610,652 people live in the country's thirty largest cities. Lindenholt's population density is around 179 people per square kilometre, although this figure is an average for the entire country. In reality the eastern part of Lindenholt is much more densely populated than the west, which is largely rural.

In 1900 the country had a population of around 34 million people. Over the past 100 years the population had almost doubled, as in 2000 Lindenholt reached a population of almost 70 million. In 2015 Linfo registered a birth rate of 13 births per 1000 inhabitants. Coupled with a positive migration rate, Lindenholt's population has an annual growth rate of 0.6%.

According to Linfo there are 7,811,114 people in Lindenholt of whom at least one parent was not born in Lindenholt. According to estimates of the Lindian LGBTQ movement, there are around 3.8 million self-proclaimed members of the LGBTQ community.

Language

Rhodevus's national languages are English, French and Native Rhodevan. Schools nationwide teach the language and use it for instructions. English is predominantly spoken in the urbanized South of the country, while French is mainly spoken in the North. Native Rhodevan and its many dialects are spoken throughout the country, especially in rural communities. Informal communication in many rural areas is usually conducted in what is collectively referred to as Gulong , which is a mixture of English, French and Laaban Dialect of Native Rhodevan.

Around 93% of the Lindian population is at least fluent in the English or French languages. With the remaining 7% consisting mostly out of foreigners.

Around 67% of Rhodeve have English as their first language with 28% having French as their first language. The remaining 5% are a mixture of native and international languages.

In a survey by StatsRhodevus in 2016, around 81% of Rhodeve above the age of 18 were conversationally proficient in English and around 55% were sufficient in French. 71% considered themselves bilingual and 39% considered themselves trilingual.

Religion

Religion in Lindenholt
Religion			Percentage
Irreligion			56.1%
Christianity			34.4%
Islam			5.5%
Judaism			1.0%
Other or Unknown			3.0%

Religion in Lindian culture is often regarded as a private matter. Those who adhere to a religion often only practice it at home, or a place of worship. Lindenholt is a secular state, with strong influences from laïcité. While the Lindian constitution guarantees freedom of religion, institutions funded or operated by the state act with a strict neutral religious character. Government employees are not allowed to display or otherwise disclose their religious affiliation. A similar situation exists in publicly funded education, where students and teachers may not visibly display their religious affiliation through wearing religious symbols such as necklaces with a cross, headscarves or a kippa.

Irreligiousness, atheism and agnosticism are on the rise in Lindenholt, and form the largest religious group with nearly 56% of the population declaring themselves as one of the three aforementioned groups. Historically, up until the 1960's, the vast majority of Lindians were either Catholic or Calvinist. Traditionally, the Kreugel, Sonnae and Waads rivers formed a rough border between the Calvinist north and Catholic south, although pockets of both denominations can be found far from the "border". Large cities are usually a roughly equal mix between Catholics and Calvinists as during the industrial revolution people migrated from throughout the country to cities. Similarly, provinces wholly or at least partially reclaimed from the sea are also roughly equally mixed. Here the government made an active effort to populate these newly created lands as diversely as possible.

Starting during the industrialisation period, the urbanisation of Lindenholt led to cities with mixed religious and political backgrounds. Generally, the main zuilen (lit. "pillars") of Lindian society were recognised to be the socialists, liberals, Catholics and Calvinists. Each pillar created their own social institutions such as schools, universities, news papers, radio and television channels, political parties, stores, sport and hobby clubs, and trade unions. Despite often living in mixed neighbourhoods, members of each pillar made use of their own pillar's social institutions. Marriages outside of one's own pillar were taboo, and there was little social interaction between members of differing pillars. This voluntary segregation is the pillarisation of Lindian society.

During the Second World War, members of each pillar had fought and died side-by-side to defend their country. This, along with a new generation of post-war Lindians being wealthier, better educated and more outspoken than their parents made it more likely for them to no longer identify with a specific pillar. The rise of irreligiousness, the rebellious character of youth in the 1960's, a sense of unity instilled during the war and the coming of immigrants eventually brought an end to pillarisation during the 1960's.

Health

Main article: Healthcare in Lindenholt

Lindenholt boasts a healthcare system renown for its standards and quality. The healthcare system is a mixed market system where adults are required by law to obtain private insurance. Children and students are are covered under a tax-payer funded system, although they can obtain extra insurance policies through private insurers as well.

The health insurance industry is well-regulated and government oversight is widespread. Since all Lindians are required by law to obtain basic health insurance via a private insurer, these private insurers are not allowed to discriminate on existing conditions or any other factors. Such distinctions are allowed to be made when it comes to supplementary insurance policies, something which has led to controversies in the past.

Prices for basic health insurance are set by the government, whilst the private sector can decide prices for additional services, coverage and benefits. For instance, basic health insurance only covers care within the Ventismar Union; insurers offer world-wide insurance plans separately for a higher price.

Lindenholt has an average life expectancy of almost 82 years, which ranks it as one of the highest in the world. Conversely, the infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world, with 4 deaths in 1000 live births. Currently the principle cause of death is due to malignant tumours and cancers, with cardiovascular diseases being a close second. Obesity, while a serious problem in most of the developed world, has not seen as big a rise in Lindenholt over the past twenty years. In part due to an active culture and successful government programmes encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Education

Main article: Education in Lindenholt

The Lindian constitution describes education as a "fundamental right to every person". All forms of education in Lindenholt are free of charge for students, and students from ages four to sixteen are required to attend school. Lindian schools not only focus on theoretical knowledge and students mastering practical skills, schools are also regarded as a place where children become well rounded adults that are capable of functioning in Lindian society.

The concept of learning at one's own pace and level is central to the Lindian education system. From age twelve, students that will attend middle school are separated in to one of three differing academic levels. Praktijk provides practically skilled students with a pre-vocational education for four years. Lyceum prepares students to attend college after five years. Atheneum takes six years to complete and is meant to prepare gifted students for university.

Most universities are open to the public, however all of them require an atheneum diploma or an equivalent to enrol. Universities usually put their focus on academic achievements and research, whilst colleges are of a more practical character. Whereas a university student will graduate university through a thesis, college students usually graduate on the basis of an internship. Despite the differences, both institutions award graduates with internationally recognised Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

On average Lindian students spend around eighteen to nineteen years in school. On average these years will be divided as follows: two years in kindergarten (ages 2-4), eight years in primary school (4-12), four, five or six years in middle school (12-16, 17 or 18) and three to four years in university, college or vocational education.

History

see: History of the Ile du Fleurs see: History of the Iles du Surete

Prehistoric Rhodevus

Beakerculture artefacts.

The First Republic of Rhodevus

Charles V of Guildelew (1708)

Geography

Climate data for Artwingen (1996–2016 averages)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	17.2 (63.0)	20.4 (68.7)	25.6 (78.1)	32.2 (90.0)	35.6 (96.1)	37.2 (99.0)	38.2 (100.8)	38.6 (101.5)	35.2 (95.4)	30.1 (86.2)	22.0 (71.6)	17.8 (64.0)	38.6 (101.5)
Average high °C (°F)	5.6 (42.1)	6.4 (43.5)	10.0 (50.0)	14.0 (57.2)	18.0 (64.4)	20.4 (68.7)	22.8 (73.0)	22.6 (72.7)	19.1 (66.4)	14.6 (58.3)	9.6 (49.3)	6.1 (43.0)	14.1 (57.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)	3.1 (37.6)	3.3 (37.9)	6.2 (43.2)	9.2 (48.6)	13.1 (55.6)	15.6 (60.1)	17.9 (64.2)	17.5 (63.5)	14.5 (58.1)	10.7 (51.3)	6.7 (44.1)	3.7 (38.7)	10.1 (50.2)
Average low °C (°F)	0.3 (32.5)	0.2 (32.4)	2.3 (36.1)	4.1 (39.4)	7.8 (46.0)	10.5 (50.9)	12.8 (55.0)	12.3 (54.1)	9.9 (49.8)	6.9 (44.4)	3.6 (38.5)	1.0 (33.8)	6.0 (42.8)
Record low °C (°F)	−27.4 (−17.3)	−26.8 (−16.2)	−20.7 (−5.3)	−9.4 (15.1)	−5.4 (22.3)	−1.2 (29.8)	0.7 (33.3)	1.3 (34.3)	−3.7 (25.3)	−8.5 (16.7)	−14.4 (6.1)	−22.3 (−8.1)	−27.4 (−17.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	69.6 (2.74)	55.8 (2.20)	66.8 (2.63)	42.3 (1.67)	61.9 (2.44)	65.6 (2.58)	81.1 (3.19)	72.9 (2.87)	78.1 (3.07)	82.8 (3.26)	79.8 (3.14)	75.8 (2.98)	832.5 (32.78)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	17	14	17	13	14	14	14	14	15	16	18	17	184
Average snowy days (≥ 0 cm)	6	6	4	2	0	—	—	—	—	0	2	5	25
Average relative humidity (%)	87	84	81	75	75	76	77	79	84	86	89	89	82
Mean monthly sunshine hours	62.3	85.7	121.6	173.6	207.2	193.9	206.0	187.7	138.3	112.9	63.0	49.3	1,601.5
Source: linfo.lin/en/weather/artwingen

Administrative divisions

The Kingdom of Rhodevusis divided in to six provinces and two territories, each of which is divided in to a varying number of landscapes. In total there are 86 landscapes with an additional governing body (over-sea-scape) for the Maximillian Islands, raising the number to 87. In turn, each landscape is divided in to a differing amount of municipalities. In total there are 764 municipalities in Lindenholt.

Map	Duchy	Capital	Largest city	Population	Area	Density
Honicholt Weterholt Brusseland Heintsbergen Uilenbergen Kreugelen Sonnemonde Atenland Frêsland Westerland Meijerwaard Heelde Oldeniel
	Honicholt	Beutrecht	Artwingen
	Brusseland	Dorningen	Dorningen
	Weterholt	Stokfort	Stokfort
	Kreugeland	Kreugelerdam	Kreugelerdam
	Heintsbergen	Seigerberg	Seigerberg
	Uilenbergen	Reurink	Reurink
	Atenland	Aten	Aten
	Frêsland	Bêtgum	Bêtgum
	Heelde	Arkasdam	Arkasdam
	Oldeniel	Slothuizen	Slothuizen
	Meijerwaard	Meijerstad	Meijerstad
	Sonnemonde	Frezen	Frezen
	Westerland	Boddewijk	Boddewijk

File:Lindenholt with provinces.svg

Map of Lindenholt displaying provinces

File:Lindenholt with landscapes.svg

Map of Lindenholt displaying landscapes

Politics

Parliament

The Oudeven complex in Artwingen houses the parliament

Lindenholt is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, meaning that the main legislative powers fall in to the hands of the parliament, which is called the States General (Dutch: Staten Generaal). It is a unicameral assembly with 623 representatives that are elected via party-list proportional voting. The States General convenes at the Oudeven in Artwingen. Members of parliament can all propose and vote on proposed legislation and motions, which pass voting when a simple majority is reached.

Parliamentary elections are held every four years, when a sitting cabinet resigns or when a cabinet is removed through a motion of no-confidence. Candidates for a parliamentary seat are put on a ballot list, and elected according to the d'Hondt method. After elections, the largest party can choose to form a coalition and a cabinet in a process called formatie in order to form a government. Lindenholt has a multiparty system, and an outright majority by any party has never occurred in Lindian parliamentary history.

Once a new parliament goes in to session, members of parliament can vote to elect members to the Presidium, which includes the speaker. Each party can put forward two candidates for each of the eighteen available positions, after which members of parliament can vote until there are only two candidates left for each of the eighteen positions. At this point, a coin flip decides which candidate will be awarded the position. Unlike in other countries, members of the parliamentary Presidium retain their status as member of parliament, however they are barred from taking a part in debates whilst exercising their Presidium duties.

Political parties

Composition of parliament

  LVP: 123 seats

  UVD: 114 seats

  VOA: 114 seats

  LAP: 94 seats

  GP: 82 seats

  V'04: 71 seats

  VS: 25 seats

Currently, there are seven parties represented in the Lindian parliament. These parties range from the left to the right in their political ideologies, with their position in parliament symbolising their political stance. While Lindenholt has always been a multiparty democracy, it was only after the pillarisation of Lindian society that such a wide variety of political ideologies were represented in the States General. After the war, Lindian politics made a restart; where the largest and most influential players were the Calvinist (GSP) and Catholic (UVK) Christian democratic parties alongside the social democratic Lindian Labourers Party. A small, yet adequately represented party was the Liberal People's Party which, at the time, was a classical liberal party. During pillarisation, all parties had a loyal and well entrenched voting base, meaning that election results were always roughly the same.

The first large shift in Lindian politics happened in 1964, when members from the Liberal People's Party split off to form their own, centrist political party, the Union of Democrats. They found that the continuous cooperation of the LVP with the conservative UVK and USP had pushed their party to the right. In the subsequent elections the UVD managed to rally students and other social liberals to take part in the elections. During the 1964 elections the UVD became the larger than the LVP, making them kingmakers for the next cabinet. UVD leadership decided to form a government with the left wing Lindian Labourers Party.

Up until the 1980's, Lindenholt would be led by coalition governments of the Lindian Labourers Party and the Union of Democrats. The time period from 1964-1980 is known as the Steegmans-era, where LAP prime minister Albert Steegmans was the longest serving prime minister in Lindian history. It was during this time that the LAP switched from being a traditional social democratic party, campaigning solely for worker's rights and left wing economics, to being a contemporary social democratic party that also fought for civil rights and socially left wing ideals.

Another major shift in the political landscape came in 1980, when the two largest Christian democratic parties (UVK and GSP) merged to form a united Christian democratic party. Lindian society had gotten less religious since the 1960's, when both Christian democratic parties were in charge, and the leaderships of both parties realised that a single party had a greater chance of winning elections. This tactic worked, as the United Ecumenistic Alliance (VOA) saw large successes during the 1980's and 1990's.

In 2004 a fraction of the LVP split off from the party to form Change '04 (V'04). This party, frustrated by the LVP's cooperation with the LAP and UVD, which they deemed to be too left wing, aimed to be a right wing counter movement.

In 2010, when the UVD government decided they would increase the retirement age from 65 to 67, the V'04 party split. While some fiscal conservatives within the party deemed it to be a necessary step in austerity, a somewhat more populist wing of the party decided to split off to form the United Seniors (VS) party, which evolved from a one-issue political movement to a fully fledged right wing populist party.

Cabinet

Main article: Ministries of Lindenholt

Jasper Tulpen is the first LVP prime minister since 1994.

Officially the Council of Ministers (Bewindsorgaan in Dutch), or simply the cabinet, is the main executive body of the Lindian government. Its members consist out of ministers, secretaries, the vice premier and the prime minister. In most circumstances members of the cabinet are elected members of parliament, however the separation of powers in the Lindian constitution prevents MPs from holding cabinet positions. Thus, members of the cabinet temporarily cede their seat to their political party, which selects a member from the party list to fill the minister's seat.

The current cabinet has a total of x ministries that are headed by an equal number of ministers. In addition to the ministers, there are also secretaries which are the head of a secretariat. They take over certain portfolios from their overarching ministry. With the vice premier and prime minister taken in to account, the currently sitting Tulpen I cabinet has x members from three parties.

Royal house

Lindenholt is a constitutional monarchy were the role of the monarch is described by the constitution. The constitution stipulates that the monarch enjoys individual ministerial responsibility, meaning that they cannot be held responsible for their actions. While the government operates in name of the monarch, neither the King nor any member of the royal house hold any political power. In fact, members of the royal house are bound to political neutrality by law.

Nowadays the monarchy functions as a national symbol with the aim of playing a unifying role within Lindian society. Members of the royal house often participate in charity events and represent Lindenholt in international gatherings. The current King's brother is the chairman of the Lindian Cancer Society, while his mother has been a long time member of the World Autism Fund.

The current monarch is King Maximilian IV of Stokfort, and his heir apparent is Prince Maximilian V.

File:MaximilianIV.PNG

Maximilian IV of Stokfort has been King of Lindenholt since 2009.

The Hedge House has served as the official residence of the royal family since 1945.

Local politics

Lindenholt is a unitary state made up of thirteen provinces. The provinces are an administrative layer between the national government and landscapes. The provincial governments deal with matters such as spatial planning, energy, environmental protection, the regional economy and cultural affairs. Elections for provincial councils are held every four years, with political parties represented on the national level being the most represented.

The 86 landscapes of Lindenholt provide areas of the country with more local governance. Where the provinces deal with broad affairs, the landscapes are tasked with issues such as public transport, water management, welfare, agriculture, waste collection, and regional infrastructure. Landscapes have an executive board consisting out of a fixed number of experts (anywhere from 10-50%), with the rest of its members being indirectly elected officials.

The administrative layer closest to the national government in the Maximilian Islands is the so-called Governing Body, though often colloquially named the "Over-sea-scape" (Overzeeschap), as the body functions indistinguishably from a landscape. With the exception that it also takes over roles normally assigned to a provincial government.

Municipalities are the most local public body of Lindenholt. Most urban areas fall under a single municipality, with larger cities consisting out of multiple. In rural areas several villages may band together as a municipality. Every four years inhabitants of a municipality can elect members to their municipal council. Local parties form the backbones of municipal councils, as their knowledge of what themes play locally wins them votes.

The municipal councils elect mayors and aldermen, who in turn form the municipal board. Members of all municipal boards in a landscape in turn elect members to the landscape's executive council.

Foreign relations

Lindenholt maintains diplomatic relations with nearly all countries in Sunalaya, hosting diplomatic missions from all over the world. While Lindenholt pursues a semi-neutral role in diplomacy, it aims to promote democracy world-wide and acts on the world stage to maintain peace and stability. Especially in flashpoint areas in Ventismar such as Eikangaard.

Lindenholt is a founding member of the United Sunalayan Assembly and the Ventismar Union. The relations that Lindenholt maintains with their VU neighbours can be described as the closest diplomatic ties Lindenholt has. Especially considering the VU's common defence, free trade and often common foreign policy aspects. Other than the VU, Lindenholt maintains close relations with MDAA member states such as Sunrisia and the Seven United.

Country	Status	Embassies	Trade agreements	Visa requirements
Allentyr	Allentyr and Lindenholt are both VU members and have a very close relationship.	Yes	VU single market	VU free movement
Aznazia	Aznazia and Lindenholt share a long history and cordial relationship.	Yes	No	Yes
Belantica	Trade deals and associations like REDBUL give Lindenholt and Belantica a warm, friendly relationship.	Yes	VBPD	Yes
Capsland	Capsland and Lindenholt are both VU members and have a very close relationship.	Yes	VU single market	VU free movement
Felsinia	Felsinia and Lindenholt are both VU members and have a very close relationship.	Yes	VU single market	VU free movement
Makenzie and Athabaska	Felsinia and Lindenholt are both VU members.	Yes	VU single market	VU free movement
Ophioneus	Through VU deals Lindenholt and Ophioneus have reached agreements on trade and visa policies.	Yes	VOPD	90 day visa free
Pantorrum	Pantorrum and Lindenholt, both Ventismarien nations share a long history. Pantorrum is also a VU associate member.	Yes	ARPAMS	VU free movement
Rhodevus	Lindenholt and Rhodevus share extensive trade relations and a long history.	Yes	VRPD	Yes
Ripuaria	Ripuaria and Lindenholt are both VU members and have a very close relationship.	Yes	VU single market	VU free movement
North Rukonia	North Rukonia and Lindenholt are both members of the VU.	Yes	VU single market	VU free movement
Seven United	The Seven United and Lindenholt share a close and friendly relationship.	Yes	No	Yes
Sunrisia	Lindenholt and Sunrisia share a longstanding defence relationship. Lindenholt is a MDAA associated state.	Yes	VSWFTA	90 days visa free
Umbrellya	Umbrellya and Lindenholt are both VU members and have a very close relationship.	Yes	VU single market	VU free movement

Military

Reservists are commonly used for low priority tasks like providing temporary security.

A combat engineer mounting a Rasmussen MBT for transit.

Air mobile soldiers doing exercises in the winter.

Main article: Military of Lindenholt

Lindenholt's military consist of four service branches, including the Royal Lindian Land Forces, Royal Lindian Sea Forces, Royal Lindian Air Forces and Royal Lindian Realm Guard. The Realm Guard is tasked with police, security, coast guard and border patrol duties. The Rijkswacht, as it is called in Dutch, does not possess heavy equipment like other branches of the military as it deals mainly with civilian affairs. Although the Rijkswacht has access to assault rifles and armoured personnel carriers it uses them rarely, and units are often equipped with jeeps or SUVs and small machine guns.

Lindenholt's armed forces are effectively an all volunteer force, however military service is still in effect. All men age 17 through 27 are conscripted, however attendance has been suspended until a state of emergency is declared. Those between ages 17 and 27 who willingly report for duty are put through training and assigned to the national reserves. Reservists are compensated for when they are called to preform duties, however once they are demobilised they are not paid. Thus, reservists will have to attend other jobs to make a living.

The Royal Army, Koninklijke Landmacht, is Lindenholt's main defence force on the ground. The Lindian Royal Army is primarily made up out of air mobile and mechanised infantry units, and has a sizeable tank force to back up the mechanised infantry. The Lindian army is well trained and is equipped with modern materiel. It operates within Ventismar and currently is involved in keeping the Umbrelliet border safe from intrusion by Eikengaardan armed groups.

The Lindian army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world, and has been in existence in various forms since the formation of Lindenholt as a country. Although large parts of it still depended on mercenaries, some units were permanent. The largest of which was the Lindian Marine Corps who were tasked with protecting trade ships that sailed to the orient. After the establishment of the Kingdom of Lindenholt the army was wholly transformed in to being a conscription based army. In 1940 the Lindian army was beaten by invading forces of the Second World War and the only surviving units were volunteers who escaped to Capsland, or expeditionary forces in countries that were not occupied. In 2003 the army was reformed yet again to be a professional army and to no longer rely on conscripts.

The navy, Koninklijke Zeemacht, is Lindenholt's main defence force on the seas. Its primary duties are the defence of Lindenholt's territorial waters and the defence of Lindian trade shipping. Lindenholt has a sizeable fleet, with modern equipment. The navy mainly employs guided missile destroyers and maintains a fleet of frigates. The first modern Maximilian Class corvettes have also been commissioned in 2015 to assist the ageing fleet stationed in the Maximilian Islands.

The air force, Koninklijke Luchtmacht provides air to air, air to ground and other air related capabilities, such as logistics for the Lindian military. Lindenholt's air force was founded after the Second World War, when the army's Air Reconnaissance Service (Lucht Verkennings Dienst), Air Combat Unit (Luchtgevechtseenheid) and the navy's Nautical Air Service (Maritieme Lucht Dienst) were merged.

Lindenholt, next to developing their own weaponry, also imports military equipment from other countries. Allentyr being the largest supplier; followed by Aznazia. Domestic suppliers include Aerobus, Dekkers and Bouwer.

Culture

Media

Freedom of the press and media is guaranteed by the Constitution of Lindenholt. This has allowed for the development of a free, diverse and sometimes assertive media landscape. Despite pillarisation ending in the 1970's, its effects are still visible in newspapers, television and radio broadcasters.

The government finances, but exerts no direct influence over, the Lindian public broadcaster (Rijksomroep, often shortened to RO). The public broadcaster has three main television channels (RO1, RO2 and RO3) that are freely available to all households with access to television (>99% of Lindian households). RO1 is reserved for bi-hourly news broadcasts, talkshows and sports. RO2 is primarily used for series, documentaries and has a more varied broadcasting schedule. RO3 is aimed at younger audiences, with its own news broadcast aimed at children and programming whose audience ranges from toddlers to adolescents.

With the exception of the public news broadcasts (journaal), no television or radio programmes are produced by the public broadcaster. Instead, television and radio programmes are wholly produced by private (though often government subsidised) broadcasters and aired on the RO channels. Airing time is dictated by the amount of members this broadcaster has. These broadcasters are a leftover from the pillarisation of Lindenholt with each pillar having their own broadcaster.

Logo	Television channel	Public / Private	Description	Audience share
Logo	Rijksomroep 1 (RO1)	Public	News broadcasts, election broadcasts, talkshows	42%
Logo	Algemene Lindiaanse Televisie 2 (ALT4)	Private	News broadcasts, entertainment	31%
Logo	Rijksomroep 2 (RO2)	Public	Entertainment, documentary	22.5%
Logo	Rijksomroep 3 (RO3)	Public	Youth entertainment	20%
Logo	cba	to	finish	this

Completely private broadcasters that do not receive government funding also exist. Private broadcasters make up about 40% of the audience share on television. Despite public TV having the majority of audience share, around 70% of the radio audiences listens primarily to private radio stations.

Similarly to television and radio, news papers are still influenced by their pillarised past. Just as is the case elsewhere in the world, interest in printed newspaper issues are declining. In recent years this has led to the end or fusion of several prominent newspapers. While most newspapers continue to print their paper editions, some of them have made a complete switch to digital issues, the most notable example of which is the Artwinger Courant, which is the most subscribed newspaper in Lindenholt and the most popular source of English-language Lindian news in the world. News collecting and summarising news sites, such as Vandaag.lin have also gained popularity. They source their news from several sources and condense it for their audience. Satirical and often controversial news sites such as Knofloker Courant and the rebellious satirical right wing news site Nieuw.lin have also seen a rise in popularity.

Sport

Cycling is not just a sport; it's a mode of transportation.

There is no officially defined national sport of Lindenholt, however according to a survey conducted by Vandaag.lin the most popular practised sport is association football. Football is also the sport that is most watched on television. Around 18% of respondents claiming to practice a sport at least weekly reported they play hockey, whereas 52% of answers on the survey were for football. 10% of respondents play tennis on a weekly basis. The remaining 30% was split between a multitude of different sports.

The Lindian Secretariat for Sports estimates that around 53% of Lindians between the ages of 18 and 24 are part of some sort of sports association. This number is even higher for ages 12 through 18, with a percentage of 68%. This can be attributed to the Lindian education system taking great measures to promote sports, especially team sports, seeing them as an important instrument for a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Culturally sports that are typically Lindian are ice skating, cycling and korfball. Korfball was a popular sport until it lost its popularity over the course of the 20th century, in favour of football. Ice skating and cycling are still widely practised in their respective seasons.

Cuisine

Traditional Lindian meal of boiled vegetables, meat, gravy and potatoes.

Stroopwafels

Lindian cuisine is best described as rustic, largely shaped from its location and the historical needs of labourers and farmers. Lindenholt's location makes it so that grains, potatoes, dairy, fish and meats play a large role in the kitchen as ingredients. Stroopwafels are known around the world to be typically Lindian, though the choice of pastries and desserts is not limited to just that. Ingredients for desserts are largely based on Lindenholt's location, with semolina puddings being a common dessert as well as dairy based vla. Vlaai pies from Heintsbergen province are also commonly eaten.

Vast pastures have allowed a well-ingrained dairy culture to develop. On average a single Lindian drinks 50 litres of milk eats around 20 kilograms of cheese on a yearly basis. Lindian cheeses, popular across the globe are a large part of culinary culture. Cheese is traditionally eaten on a sandwich (boterham) or as a snack in the form of small cubes; usually accompanied by sausages such as liverwurst.

Fried foods enjoy large amounts of popularity among Lindians. Croquettes, bitterballen and chips being the most iconic. Chips are thicker than the international standard, and can be eaten with a multitude of sauces, the most popular of which being mayonnaise. Lindenholt's colonial empire has also brought oriental styles of food, such as satay, to the dinner table. A patat oorlog, chips served with satay sauce, is a good example of this mix of east and west. Being surrounded by ocean also made fish a food for the masses. Battered and fried fish like kibbeling and visfriet are traditional snacks, usually eaten and served at marketplaces.

Other popular dishes with fish range from simple snacks like Stokfortse Nieuwe, raw brined herring served with onions, to somewhat more complicated dishes such as Oldeniel's traditional mussels, oysters and smoked eels.

Breakfasts are simple and usually only involve whole grain bread (volkoren) topped with cold cuts, cheese or sweet toppings such as hagelslag, chocolate spreads, peanut butter or thick apple syrup. Gingerbread, called ontbijtkoek, and currant buns (krentenbol) are also a common sight on breakfast tables. Both are usually topped with butter before eating. In recent years eating corn flakes or other breakfast cereals has gained popularity as well. Common breakfast drinks include milk, tea, coffee and fruit juices.

Lunch is more diverse as it can include similar items eaten during breakfast like whole grain bread topped with cheese, cold cuts or sweet toppings. However it can also be of a more caloric character and include fried snacks like croquettes, fried fish and chips. Soups are also often served as lunch.

Dinner, served around 6 PM in most cases, is a lot less intricate than other Ventismarien cultures. Traditional home dinners only have a main course, omitting any appetisers and dessert. Although tea, coffee and something that would typically be considered dessert is usually served several hours after dinner. This simplicity is part of Calvinist culture that most of Lindenholt adhered to. Southern areas that were more influenced by Catholicism have a more elaborate style of eating that does involve multiple courses.

Main courses are mostly season based, with foods usually eaten around the time that they would be harvested. Winters feature pea soup called snert and dishes like stamppot, whilst spring usually features a lot of asparagus dishes. Stereotypically the Lindian main course consists out of boiled potatoes (whole or mashed), any type of meat (beef, pork, poultry, less often mutton or lamb), a sauce or gravy and boiled vegetables.

External links

• Rhodevus's NationStates web page