Alsland

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United Provinces of Alsland

Feriene Provinsjes Aalslân (Dellish)
Vereinigte Provinzen von Aalsland (Weranian)
Oned Riches of Alsland (Swathish)
Flag of Alsland
Flag
of Alsland
Coat of arms
Motto: Tegearre (Dellish)
Zusammen (Weranian)
Aneat (Swathish)
Koos (Kirenian)
Together
Anthem: Aalslânsk grûn (Dellish)
Alslandic ground
MediaPlayer.png
Alsland (dark green) in Euclea (light green and dark grey) and in the Euclean Community (light green).
Alsland (dark green) in Euclea (light green and dark grey) and in the Euclean Community (light green).
Capital
and largest city
Yndyk
Official languagesDellish
Weranian
Swathish
Recognised regional languagesKirenian
Estmerish
Ethnic groups
86.3% Alslandic background
13.7% Foreign background
Demonym(s)Alslandic
GovernmentFederal Parliamentary Republic
• President
Hepke Veltman
• Premier
Ottila Möller
Bonne Zijlstra
Vivienne Newman
LegislatureFolkssenaat
Independence from Kirenia
• Declared
1919
• Recognised
1921
Area
• 
46,789 km2 (18,065 sq mi)
• Water (%)
1.2%
Population
• 2020 estimate
11,501,738
• 2019 census
11,384,499
• Density
243/km2 (629.4/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)2020 estimate
• Total
€564.5 Billion
• Per capita
€49,583
GDP (nominal)2020 estimate
• Total
€539.3 Billion
• Per capita
€47,374
Gini (2020)34
medium
HDI (2020)Increase 0.937
very high
Currency(€) Euclo (EUC)
Date formatdd-mm-yyyy
Driving sideright
Calling code+32
Internet TLD.as

Alsland (Dellish: Aalslân; Weranian: Aalsland; Swathish: Alsland) officially the United Provinces of Alsland is a country in Northern Euclea. It is bordered by Werania to the north, Estmere to the east and Kirenia to the west. It covers an area of 46,789 km2 (18,065 sq mi) and has a population of more than 11.5 million. The capital and largest city is Yndyk; other major cities are Wottested, Werdau, Kirchester, Glauchau, Leens, Hurdegaryp, and Ilfracombe. Alsland is divided into 8 autonomous provinces. Delland, Garz, Hamptonshire, Yndyk, Middewald, Fawkhamshire, Zittau and Martiland.

Alsland is home to four distinct communities. The Dellish speaking community are primarily in the centre of the country, the Swathish speaking community in the east of the country, the Weranian speaking community in the north and the Kirenian communities along the border with Kirenia. The smallest native community in Alsland is the Estmerish community in the autonomous region of Burnshire.

Alsland was first inhabited by Weranic tribes since antiquity. Alsland was also home to Tenic tribes and Kirenian peoples. Due to the Neeves mountain range Alsland was isolated from the Solarian Empire. After the collapse of the Solarian Empire various petty kingdoms rose throughout Alsland the most notable being the Kingdom of the Fawkish in the southeast. The petty kingdoms were incorporated into the Rudolphine Confederation. During the Amendist Wars the Alslandic petty kingdoms sided with the Amendist League. The Alslandic petty kingdoms remained with the Rudolphine Confederation until the Ten Years' War when they were annexed by Kirenia.

After the annexation, a Weranian led coalition in Alsland launched the First Alslandic Revolution in 1722. The revolution's aims were to unite the territories annexed by Kirenia into a single independent state and to eventually rejoin Werania however the revolution was defeated. After the War of the Triple Alliance Werania refusing to reincorporate Alsland was seen as a betrayal by the Weranians in Alsland and led to a drop in separatist support. Alsland experienced rapid industrialisation and the cities in Alsland saw massive growth. The rapid industrialisation led to a surge in support for Dellish independence. The 1919 Dellish revolution broke out and as part of the April Revolution in Kirenia. Delland gained independence. Delland was soon invaded by Werania and Estmere but disagreements on the proposed division of Delland led to the establishment of Alsland as a buffer state in 1920. Alsland was invaded and occupied during the Great War. After the Great War Alsland joined the Euclean Community.

Alsland is a liberal democracy with a mixed market economy; Alsland's welfare state also provides subsidised Education and Healthcare. The country is considered to have a 'very high' and has a High average income. The country is a member of the Euclean Community, the Northern Forum, the AEDC, ECDTO, the International Council for Democracyand the Community of Nations.

Etymology

  • Weranic tribe
  • Usage post-Revolution
  • Alternate names

History

Weranic tribes

  • Immigration into Alsland
  • Solarians

Early Middle ages

  • Petty Kingdoms
  • Kingdom of the Fawkish

Middle ages

  • James the Great and Fawkish domination
  • Rudolphine Confederation
  • Amendist War

Kirenian rule

  • Annexation following 10 Years war
  • Alslandic revolution
  • "Der Verrat"
  • Rapid industrialisation
  • Resurgence of separatism
The Leens Massacre was a catalyst in Alslandic independence.

As unrest within Kirenia grew, nationalistic sentiment also grew in Delland. Pro-independence figures from Delland met with separatists in Hamptonshire and Zittau in 1916 to discuss any future attempt at independence for the provinces. Although support for independence grew it steadied out. At the same time, worsening economic conditions in the city of Leens led to factory workers walking out over a period of two weeks grinding the cities industries to a halt. On 13 June 1918 as the general strike turned into a protest, Kirenian troops fired upon the workers and 16 people were killed in the shooting and the panic that followed. When news of the massacre spread around Delland there was widespread anger at the Kirenian troops in Leens. Nationalist politicians such as Siemen Hartmann, the leader of the Dellish Independence Movement, a nationalist party in Delland capitalised on the outrage and a large pro-independence demonstration was held in Yndyk which turned into a riot. 4 Rioters were killed and support for Dellish separatism grew. Hartmann and other separatist politicians were arrested on 11 January, 1917 in connection with organising the Yndyk riot. Hartmann was charged with Sedition and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Hartmann's arrest and conviction led to widespread anger and demonstrations broke out across the province. 3 Kirenians and 5 Dellish protesters were killed in the riots and a general strike was called in Delland. In response to the violence the Province was placed under martial law from 20 January to 11 February.

Following Hartmann's arrest his deputy, Rudolf Witteveen, became the leader of the Dellish National Movement. Whilst the party was banned it was still active and organised underground meetings. An arrest warrant was placed on Witteveen in August 1918 and Witteveen was forced to flee the province. With Witteveen gone, the Nationalist movements slowly became inactive and a crackdown on nationalist sentiment was introduced.

On 12 April 1919, Juhan VII, the King of Kirenia was assassinated. His suspected assassin was apprehended near Rahu attempting to flee to Delland. He was executed shortly after his arrest without a trial or a confession leading many to believe he was innocent. Juhan's assassination and the rumoured connections to Dellish separatism led to increased censorship and a further crackdown on Dellish separatist movements. 593 people were arrested during the crackdown and dozens were executed. The crackdown had the opposite effect with many beginning to support the independence movements. Peaceful demonstrations began in Delland on 18 October 1919 although many were arrested. The demonstrations turned violent and the Pro-Kirenian police forces and army were ordered to retreat from Wottested. In response to this, Hartmann and many other prominent nationalists were freed from prisons on 24 October 1919. Various pro-independence Militia's were set up in Delland. On 31 October 1919, Hartmann and other prominent nationalists announced the Declaration of Dellish Independence on the steps of the Wottested courthouse.

Independence

The areas claimed by the Republic of Delland

Following the Declaration of Independence, Hartmann was declared President of the Republic of Delland. Hartmann's first act was to declare that all able bodied young men should join a militia and protect Delland. Due to the geography in the area the Kirenian response was limited although garrisons were established in Yndyk and Leens. The Battle of Rikertsted in December 1919 proved to be a major defeat for the Separatist militias with dozens dying and the city remaining Kirenian. At this point, Dellish civilians outside Delland in Kirenia began returning to the Province to escape being ostracised in Kirenia. Over 300,000 people began entering Delland causing a major problem for the Dellish independence forces and the Kirenian forces. Fighting in the conflict largely subsided as both sides tried to deal with the Refugee problem.

On 27 January 1920, Councilists in Kirenia issued the Creation of the Kirenian Republic. Hartmann and other Pro-independene figures met with Councilist leaders in March 1920 and the Levandi-Hartmann agreement was formalised in which the Councilists would agree to recognise Delland as an independent state and Delland would recognise the councilists as the only legitimate government in Kirenia. Dellish militia's moved to occupy the entire province and establish a proper government.

Following the country's de-facto independence from Kirenia, it was still largely unrecognised by the international community, most notably the Weranian and Estmerish governments did not recognise the state as independent. Over a period of time from the Levandi-Hartmann agreement to July 1920 tensions rose within the Weranian provinces of Garz and Zittau, at the same time tensions also rose in Hamptonshire and Fawkhamshire.

The invasion of Alsland saw fighting primarily in the Kirchester area.

On 7 July 1920, Estmerish troops crossed the border at several locations in Hamptonshire and Fawkhamshire and advanced towards the provincial borders. Initial reports suggested it was a full-scale invasion and the newly formed Federale striidkrêften were organised to defend strategic locations in the country. Small skirmishes broke out in Hamptonshire however the intervention was largely peaceful.

Shortly after the Estmerish invasion, Weranian troops also crossed the border. The Weranian invasion was more peaceful than the Estmerish invasion. Werdau was occupied within a week. Alslandic law enforcement in the occupied areas were told to cooperate with the Weranians and Estmerish to not provoke a conflict. The Alslandic government agreed to open talks with both sides to resolve the occupation.

The X conference began in TBD to resolve the issue with Weranian and Estmerish representatives demanding the annexation of majority Weranian and majority Swathish provinces into their respective countries. The conference ended with no resolution due to a disagreement over what would be annexed. The occupation continued until October 1920 when the Second X conference called for the establishment of Alsland as a buffer state between Werania and Kirenia and no territory would be annexed. The 1920 Constitution formally renamed Delland into Alsland to appease the various minorities in the country. The agreement also established Alsland's federal system.

Following the Second X conference, Estmere and Werania both recognised Alsland as an independent nation with other nations following suit shortly after this. Alsland became one of the smallest countries in Euclea and was geographically isolated from it's neighbours.

In 1922, Siemen Hartmann was implicated in a major corruption allegation and resigned. Hartmann's resignation was also fuelled by his worsening health and increasing tensions between the country's communities. Hartmann's resignation caused the Folkssenaat to dissolve itself and call new elections. Hartmann died from a blood infection in 1924 and was given a state funeral and a state of mourning for 5 days.

On August 2, 1929 Alsland was invaded by Gaullica as part of the Great War. Initial defences held briefly and evacuations in Southern Hamptonshire were designed to minimise casualties. However Gaullican advances caused the Alslandic defence to collapse and much of the country fell under Gaullican occupation. The north-east of the country remained under Weranian occupation to prevent a Gaullican invasion of Werania. Premier Tsjaable Wouda was allowed to serve as the head of a civilian government in Yndyk.

20 days after the invasion, members of the DFK, took Wouda hostage and forced him to resign and appoint Sarbe Hoeksma as Premier. Wouda agreed and went into hiding with his family. Following the coup many members of Folkssenaat resigned or fled to Werania or Kirenia, Hoeksma replaced them with members of the Popular Party. The Popular Party controlled Folkssenaat granted Hoeksma emergency powers which he used to suspend the constitution.

Kirenian and Alslandic resistance fighters preparing to enter Wottested in 1934

On XX XX 1934, Kirenian forces crossed the Kirenia-Alsland border and began moving through Alsland with the Government in-exile's permission. The Alsland campaign was bloody and the city of Wottested suffered heavy damage in the Battle of Wottested. Following the Battle of Wottested which ended in a Kirenian victory, the Alslandic resistance with Grand Alliance support, began several large scale uprisings, most notably the Kirchester Uprising when the city and surrounding areas surrendered to resistance forces. The city was then subject to shelling by Entente forces in Alsland. The Alslandic Government led by Hoeksma surrendered shortly after the Battle of Yndyk. Hoeksma attempted suicide in captivity but failed and was put on trial and executed in Alsland's post-war trials.

After the end of the Great War, much of Alsland was in ruins and 28,374 Alslanders had been killed during the occupation and liberation of Alsland. After the Great War, the 1936 Constitution of Alsland was adopted via referendum which led to the reforming of the Federal system and the adoption of Swathish and Weranian as co-official languages of Alsland. Kirenian did not gain any official status until 1951 when Martiland became a Province.

During the Kirenian-Weranian War, the provinces of Garz, Zittau and Martiland were all put under martial law to prevent any violent spillovers into Alsland. Several violent clashes in Northern Martiland between the police, ethnic Kirenians and ethnic Weranians caused a further crackdown on civil liberties in the area. After the treaty of Rayenne, many of the restrictions were ended however much of Martiland remained under military occupation by Alsland. The Folkssenaat agreed to suspend Alslandic neutrality after the Rayenne Treaty which eventually led to Alsland joined the Euclean Community in 1955 alongside several other North Euclean states.

The 1975-76 Martiland strikes were put down by police leaving 8 dead.

Stability in Martiland decreased throughout the 1960s and several protests broke out in the province, all of which suffered a harsh crackdown by Alslandic authorities. The Martish economy entered a major recession in 1974 and the Folkssennat revoked the Martish Assembly's legislative power and implemented several reforms which cut the minimum wage in the province and increased work hours in an attempt to stimulate the economy. A general strike was called in Martiland in late 1975. On April 22, 1976 the Definsjemacht was authorised to quell demonstrations in Rahu which led to 8 demonstrators being killed. 28 demonstrators and 3 soldiers being injured. In the following weeks it was confirmed that Premier Urseltsje Van Der Hoek had ordered the crackdown. The subsequent backlash led to her resignation.

A reconciliation effort was launched to end the violence in Martiland, violence from Martish separatists quelled during the reconciliation effort and Martiland was granted increased autonomy from Alsland.

The adoption of the Euclo in 1995 was regarded in Alsland as chaotic and led to a series of nationwide protests spurred on by a brief rise in support for right wing populism. The 'Euclogaos' protests led to a series of internal government reforms within Alsland as a result and the resignation of several senior politicians.

The great recession in 2005 led to the worst recession in Alsland since the end of the Great War, a wave of demonstrations broke out and led to the election of the far-left Worker's Party in 2005. Following 2005, Alsland's neoliberal economic system was reformed and replaced gradually with a stronger welfare state along with a higher level of taxation.

Geography

  • Neighbouring countries
  • Area
  • Neeves
  • Natural resources

Climate

  • Climate types
  • Average temperature
  • Percipitation and sunlight
  • Temperature extremes

Neeves

Mount Verdant is the tallest mountain in Alsland and it shares the mountain with Estmere
  • Neeves mountains
  • Mt Verdant
  • Other important mountains

Biodiversity

  • National parks
  • Forests
  • Native animals
  • Flora

Politics and Government

Government

Alsland is a federal, parliamentary, republic. Legislative power is vested in the Folkssenaat. The Folkssenaat is elected via the Party-list proportional representation system.

Alsland's political system operated under the framework laid out in the 1920 Alslandic constitution. Amendments to the constitution require a 2/3rds majority of the Folkssenaat to become law. The constitutions articles enshrining Human rights, the federal system, the rule of law and the separation of powers cannot be changed at all.

Alsland's President, is currently Hepke Veltman who is the head of state and has representative responsibilities. The role of President is largely ceremonial since the 2010 Amendment after Onne Monsma removed Jabik Nieuwenhuis as Premier in a move largely seen as illegal and under pressure from the leader of the opposition Jochen Schünemann. Both were forced to leave office following the scandal.

The Premier of Alsland, currently Otilla Möller is the head of government and is appointed by the President and the Folkssenaat. The Premier is usually the leader of the largest party in the Folkssenaat or a Bloc's candidate for Premier. The Premier exercises executive power through their Cabinet.

Since 1962, Alslandic politics have been dominated by the National Bloc and the Progressive Alliance which are the two political blocs within Alsland. So far every Premier since their creation excluding Jabik Nieuwenhuis has been a member of the blocs. Outside of the Blocs the Left Miscellaneous, Centrist Miscellaneous, Nationalist Miscellaneous and Right Miscellaneous parties exist. These are political parties that are not members of either bloc. In 2021 the Together for the Republic bloc was founded after an agreement by centrist parties as an alternative to the two main blocs in Alsland.

Provinces

Alsland is comprised of 8 autonomous provinces which all but Yndyk and Martiland having been provinces since the country's creation. Martiland became a province in 1925 and Yndyk separated from Delland in 1994 via referendum in the city.

Map Name Administrative centre Population Head of Government
Provinces of Alsland
Delland Wottested 1,893,707 Imma Hoogland (KP)
Fawkhamshire Ilfracombe 1,250,773 Tristan Perry (SDF)
Garz Werdau 1,847,382 Matilda Rheingold (OVP)
Hamptonshire Kirchester 1,748,225 Chlodwich Freeman (SF)
Martiland Rahu 993,228 Ahto Malk (KPP)
Middewald Hurdegaryp 1,010,436 Eildert Van Der Werff (Ind)
Yndyk Rivierwâl 1,200,227 Japik Minnema (YSA)
Zittau Glauchau 1,522,770 Konrad Dünhaupt (SU)

Law

  • Supreme court
  • Rehabilitation
  • Crime rate

Foreign relations

  • International organisations
  • Euclofederalism
  • Relationship with Kirenia and MASSOR
  • Foreign aid

Armed Forces

Alslandic soldiers during an ECDTO exercise in Fawkhamshire in 2016

The Alslandic Defence force (Definsjemacht) currently numbers 28,000 active personnel. In 2020 the defence budget was set at €5.932 Billion (1.1% of Alsland's GDP). The Definsjemacht is split into 3 branches, the Federaal leger (ground forces), the Federale loftmacht (air force) and the Federale garde (home guard). Until 1968, Military service was compulsory for Alslandic men at age 18 but this was changed and since 1970 the Definsjemacht has operated on a purely voluntary service unless in wartime when conscription may be reintroduced.

The President of Alsland is the commander in chief of the Alslandic armed forces, since 2015 this has been Hepke Veltman. The Secretary of Defence is usually a former or current member of the Armed Forces. The last conflict Alsland was involved in militarily was the Great War however the Definsjemacht has been deployed on several occasions since then most notably in 1975 during the Martiland Strikes and in 1995 during the Euclogaos protests. It was deployed most recently in 2021 after the Yndyk train bombing as part of a broad scheme to help law enforcement prevent future terrorist attacks. Definsjemacht soldiers have since been spotted at key transport hubs such as train stations and airports.

Economy

  • Brief description
  • Adoption of the Euclo (Euclogaos)
  • Notable exports/imports
  • Financial centres

Financial

  • Yndyk stock exchange
  • Financial & services sector

Tourism

  • Annual visitors
  • Skiing
  • Cultural sites

Transport

  • Alsrail network
  • Airports
  • Roads & Ryksweis
  • Promotion of cycling

Demographics

  • Population density
  • Population growth and population pyramid
  • Average age
  • Average height

Migrants

  • Immigration
  • Largest migrant communities
  • Restrictions on non-EC immigration
  • % of foreign born Alslandic citizens

Largest cities

Language

Languages in Alsland by native speakers as of 2020.

  Dellish (34%)
  Weranian (28.3%)
  Swathish (22.3%)
  Kirenian (8.9%)
  Estmerish (1.1%)
  Other (5.4%)

Alsland has three official languages and one regional language: Dellish, Weranian and Swathish. Kirenian is mainly spoke in Martiland. At the last census the Dellish language was the largest with 34% of Alslanders speaking it as their first language. 28% said they spoke Weranian as their first language and 23% said they spoke Swathish as their first language.

The number of Dellish speakers is about 3,870,729 mainly in the provinces of Delland, Yndyk and Middewald. The number of Weranian speakers is about 3,221,813 mainly in the Garz and Zittau provinces. The province of Wottested has a large number of Weranian speakers in the north. The number of Swathish speakers was 2,663,972 at the last census. The Swathish language is mainly spoken in the Fawkhamshire and Hamptonshire provinces along the border with Estmere. Kirenian speakers numbered 1,013,220 at the last census. Almost all of them residing in Martiland or small areas of Middewald and Yndyk. Kirenian was widely spoken during Kirenia's rule of Alsland although it's usage has declined following independence.

Both Alslandic Weranian and Alslandic Swathish have minor vocabulary differences from the languages spoken in their respective countries.

Religion

Alsland is a secular state although most of the country identify with various forms of Sotirianity. Other religions in Alsland include TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD and TBD.

At the last census approximately 48% of Alslanders were irreligious including Atheism and Agnostic. 46% identified as some form of Sotirianity and 6% identified as a different religion. According to a recent poll conducted in 2018, 39% of Alslanders said "they believe there is a God", 18% said "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 43% said "they do not believe there is a god or spiritual life form."

Health

The Siemen Hartmann Memorial Hospital is the largest in Alsland.

Alslanders on average enjoy a good quality of health. Most estimates have the country's life expectancy at 82 years. Death in Alsland is mainly due to Heart conditions and other natural causes however Non-Natural causes of death are the primary cause of deaths between Alslanders from ages 18 to 32.

Alsland has a Universal health care system which has been running since the end of the Great War. Private Hospitals however exist and sometimes receive government subsidies.

Euthanasia is legal in Alsland following a referendum in 2013. The first person to be Euthanised in Alsland took place in early 2014. The topic is highly controversial within the country due to concerns about assisted suicide with major federal politicians calling for an end to Euthanasia including former Premier, Lilliana Elliott.  

Education

An example of the 2017 FUE exam paper in Yndyk.

Education is compulsory from ages 6-18 for Alslanders.

Primary education is from ages 6-12 and is split into 6 grades. Children in 6th grade are required to take the NUW exam at age 12 to determine whether they can progress to Secondary education. Based on their results in the NUW exams, children are given a selection of several secondary schools in their area.

Secondary education in Alsland is mandatory from ages 12-18 and is split into 6 grades from 7th grade to 12th grade. Some secondary schools are divided into Junior schools and Senior schools. Junior schools are open to children aged 12-15 and senior schools are open to ages 15-18. In 12th grade all Students are required to take the FUE examinations. The FUE examinations are used to decide if a student can enrol in Post-Secondary education.

Alsland has a high level of enrolment in Post-Secondary education, about 45% of all students progress onto Post-Secondary education making Alsland the Xth in the world for highest post-secondary enrolment.

Notable universities in Alsland include Glauchau University, University of Yndyk, the Heme Rodenhuis - Hurdegaryp institute, University of Wottested and the University of Kirchester all typically rank as the top 5 universities within Alsland. Alslandic universities have a high percentage of international students typically from neighbouring countries, approximately 15% of all tertiary enrolments in Alslandic universities come from international students.

Culture

Art

Heme Rodenhuis painted dozens of notable paintings during his lifetime.
  • Famous artists over time
  • Notable art pieces
  • Art museums

Literature

  • Notable authors
  • Notable pieces of Alslandic literature over time

Music

  • Local music
  • Classical music
  • Modern music & famous artists

Film and television

  • Famous directors
  • Notable Alslandic movies
  • Notable TV works

Sport

Alsland has a renowned history in Skiing competitions

The most popular sports in Alsland are Skiing, Football, Snowboarding and Ice hockey. Sports like football and rugby are more popular in the north and flatter areas of the country whilst sports like skiing and snowboarding are more popular in the Neeves mountain range.

Alsland's main football league is the Federale kompetysje which has 22 teams. The largest football stadium in Alsland is the Yk Van Der Plaats Stadion in Yndyk which is home to the TBD football team. Notable Alslandic football players include Tsjiete Bleeker, Rayk Feigenspan, Ryt Cnossen, Kilian Slesinger and Edda Handmann.

The Federal Ice Hockey League (FIHK) is the most watched sporting championship in Alsland and is most popular in the Neeves mountain area due to it's climate. The Alslandic men's national ice hockey team is one of the best teams in Euclea. The most successful ice hockey team in Alsland is Ilfracombe which to date has won the FIHK 16 times in its 82 year history.

Rugby is also popular in the north-west of Alsland, whilst the Alslandic men's rugby team has not won the Rugby World Cup in it's history it has produced notable players such as Bendert Walstra and Kaljo Klavan. The official rugby championship in Alsland, the National Rugby Union (NRU) has been operating since 1939 is still popular particularly in Garz, Zittau and Martiland.

Cuisine

  • Most popular dishes
  • Local dishes
  • National dish