Alsland
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Federal Republic of Alsland | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
 Alsland (dark green) in Euclea (light green and dark grey) and in the Euclean Community (light green). | |
| Capital and largest city | Yndyk |
| Official languages | Dellish Martish |
| Recognised regional languages | Estmerish Holsaten Swathish |
| Ethnic groups | 49.7% Dellish 21.9% Martish 17.3% Holsaten 10.1% Other |
| Religion |
|
| Demonym(s) | Alslandic |
| Government | Federal semi-presidential republic |
| Hepke Veltman | |
• Premier | Liekele Ykema |
| Legislature | Folkssenaat |
| Independence from Valduvia | |
• 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) |  0.937very high |
| Currency | (€) Euclo (EUC) |
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +32 |
| Internet TLD | .aa |
Alsland (Dellish: Aalslân; Martish: Aalsmaa), officially the Federal Republic of Alsland (Dellish: Bûnsrepublyk Aalslân; Martish: Aalsmaa Liitvabariik), is a country in Northern Euclea. It is bordered by Werania to the north, Estmere to the east and Valduvia 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 which forms part of the larger Ynsted metropolitan area with Wottested. The country is comrpised of 2 distinct ethnic communities: the Dellish Community and the Martish Community. The Dellish Community makes up just under 1/2 of the country's population and also is home to the country's political, population and economic centres. The Martish Community retains a distinct identity from the Dellish Community and has a high degree of autonomy and a developed economy. The Holsaten Community is the third largest community in terms of population and also retains a high degree of autonomy from the central government, although the community is officially bilingual between Dellish and the Holsaten language. Other smaller Communities include the Estmerish Community and the Swathish Community.
Alsland was first inhabited by Weranic tribes since antiquity. Alsland was also home to Tenic tribes and Marto-Kantemoshan 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 Duchy of Delland and the Principality of Wottested which were both members of the Rudolphine Confederation. The Amendist Wars saw the country split along religious lines and two separate Dellish identities being formed as a result. The region was entirely annexed by Valduvia in the aftermath of the Ten Years' War.
The existence of the Transneevan Republic during the Euclean Revolution Wars created a unified plurinational cultural identity in the region between Amendist and Catholic Dellanders which further developed during the Industrial Revolution in Alsland. The region remained separate from the rest of Valduvia and declared independence in 1919 which resulted in the large Martish speaking population of Martiland to be transferred to the fledgling state. The 1920 Constitution of Alsland created the country's current federal structure and gave autonomy to the various ethnic groups in the country. Alsland was devastated by the Great War which was partially fought inside its borders. Alsland later joined the Euclean Community in 1955.
Alsland is a federal semi-presidential republic, it has long been regarded as relatively stable and tolerant for its multi-ethnic and multicultural identity. It has a highly developed economy and attracted over 30 million tourists in 2017, it is also a premier destination in Northern Euclea for winter sports owing to its location in the Neeves. The country is a member of the Euclean Community, the Northern Forum, the AEDC, the International Council for Democracy and 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
Valduvication Era (1721–1918)
The region was annexed into the Valduvian Empire and reconstituted as the Kingdom of Delland and Martiland in 1721 as part of the terms of the Congress of Cislania. Helmich VIII of Wottested was crowned as the King of Delland and Martiland the following year. Whilst nominally the monarch of the new Kingdom, in reality the position was entirely subservient to the Valduvian Emperor who continued to hold authority over the region. The new regime was highly unpopular amongst the nobility who were angered at the new centralised government in Lanwjuk and having been separated from the Rudolphine Confederation.
The Kingdom was forced into exile in 1797 by advancing forces of the Weranian Republic during the Euclean Revolutionary Wars. Following the Weranian victory at the Battle of Jenadambja, prominent republican journalist Sier de Leeuw was installed as the leader of the short-lived pro-Weranian Transneevan Republic. De Leeuw modelled the Republic after the Weranian Republic's politics: it adopted the Code of the Rights of Man, the General Code and enshrined plurinationalism into law, thereby granting equality and recognition to the varying ethnic groups in Delland. The Republic was disestablished and incorporated into Werania at De Leeuw's request although he remained a popular cultural figure amongst the Dellish, Martish and Holsaten populations.
Vaduvian rule was re-established after the Treaty of Hochgäu and the previous system of monarchical rule was reintroduced. De Leeuw and other prominent nationalists and republicans were publicly executed in 1804. A crackdown on plurinational ideals popularised by the Transneevan Republic also followed with a ban on pluralist literature, plays and music introduced in 1803. A stricter position on Dellish autonomy was also subsequently pushed for by prominent Valduvian statesmen led by Liberijs Liepiņš. Liepiņš and his allies pushed for the further Valduvication of Alsland, major cities and towns were renamed in Valduvian and the language became the sole official language of the government and higher education in the country.
Valduvication policies were particularly harsh in Holsteen and targeted the Holsaten language such as a ban on its use within the legal system, in commercial business with Delland, Martiland or the rest of Valduvia and within churches. The response in Holsteen was a resurgence in nationalist ideals and the spread of Pan-Weranicism in Holsteen. They were supported by the Dellish and Martish Pluralist Movement which was also becoming increasingly radicalised by the harsh policies of the Valduvian authorities.
Whilst Valduvian Emperor XX was at the Royal Jenadambja Opera on 13 July 1847, actor Julle Blom attempted to shoot the Emperor but failed and was arrested. Blom's attempt on the Emperor's life sparked a wave of pro-pluralist protests and riots across Delland which quickly spiralled into an armed revolt against the monarchy and Valduvian rule. The revolution itself was crushed after a series of battles between nationalists and the Valduvian army in Yndyk, although the strength and widespread support of the revolution prompted reforms to made and further autonomy was granted to the Kingdom in 1847. Moderate Pluralist Bunne van der Veen became Premier of the new constitutional government in the same year.
Continuing tensions in Holsteen continued and climaxed with the failed 1851 Werdau revolt which aimed to unify Delland, Holsteen and Martiland with the newly established Weranian Confederation. The separatist movement was shortly after revived with the outbreak of the War of the Triple Alliance after Adalbert of Werania's 1852 Ultimatum to unify the Weranic populations of Valduvia into the Weranian Confederation. Werania and Estmere quickly took control of the Kingdom during the opening stages of the War. The regional government split with the pro-independence and radical pluralist factions declaring their allegiance to Werania in June 1852 and attempted to install the pro-Weranian Sotirian IV of Lemmer as the new King of the State. Moderate pluralists continued to support further autonomy and made a deal with the Valduvian government to grant the government further powers after the war. Delland was the site of major battles throughout the war and was retaken by Valduvia by 1853. The ensuing Congress of Torrazza reaffirmed Valduvian rule over the area and did not provide for any territorial exchanges between Delland and Werania.
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Owing to its ties with Estmere and Werania, Delland became the first part of Valduvia to experience significant industrialisation during the industrial revolution. The region quickly became one of the industrial heartlands of the empire. The rapid growth in the Dellish economy sparked a period of mass internal migration of Valduvians to Delland to the distaste of the Dellish establishment who founded the regionalist Dellish People's Party in 1864 to represent the native Alslandic population against the new Valduvian migrant class.
In 1902, regionalist Premier Sebastian Schildknecht was successful in getting the Valduvian government to pass the 1902 Reforms package which included a new electoral reform act, expanding suffrage to all male citizens over 21 and to all literate women with property over the age of 28. The policy of Valduvication was also lessened and expanded aspects of Plurinationalism were included in the Dellish constitution. In reality despite its autonomy and expanded suffrage, Delland had limited power as the Valduvian Emperor and government could still reject any laws and could dissolve the Dellish government at any point without objection.
The Great Collapse hit Delland and Valduvia especially hard, the worsening economic situation saw thousands of businesses collapse and the three largest banks in Delland collapsed near simultaneously leaving hundreds of thousands without their savings and unemployed. The subsequent Airdale War did little to stabilise the situation in Delland which was against the war with Estmere. Rising Dellish casualties, a still unrecovered economy and growing revolutionary politics in Valduvia sparked the 1919 Dellish revolution which initially sought to establish a proper constitutional monarchy in Valduvia including Delland, as was the preferred option for the majority of the Dellish population. However the movement became increasingly radicalised, republican and separatist which prompted King Alof V to abdicate and go into exile in Werania. The Folkssenaat soon after abolished the Dellish monarchy and banned any future attempt at restoration, ending nearly 1000 years of monarchical rule in Delland.
Independence
Delland declared independence on 18 October 1919 and the Provisional Senate of Delland appointed General Siemen Hartmann to become President of the new country. The Provisional Government was initially deeply unpopular and dysfunctional after unilaterally declaring independence which was initially opposed by many in Delland who preferred home rule within Valduvian, the large population of Valduvians and pro-Valduvian Marts in Martiland further complicated the new government's position. On 31 October Hartmann and other former army officers such as Sytse Hof and Raiko Janes led a coup d'état against the Provisional Government and entered negotiations with Valduvian officials on suspending the declaration of independence, however the establishment of a councilist state in Valduvia changed public opinion in Delland. The Levandi-Hartmann agreement between Ilmar Levandi and Hartmann finalised the Alslandic declaration of independence and recognised the provisional border between Valduvia and Alsland, both states would also in turn recognise each other as the legitimate authority in their respective regions.
The new government in Yndyk introduced the 1920 constitution which established Alsland as a federal republic and granted significant autonomy to the country's minorities. The constitution was fiercely opposed by right-wing forces in the Senate who had until then supported Hartmann's government. Whilst the constitution was adopted the Senate stripped the Presidency of most of its powers. Hartmann and the Senate clashed over whether the Senate had the power to do this and Hartmann ordered the Senate to be dissolved and called new elections in 1920 which were won by a centrist coalition led by liberals and sotirian democrats, the new government continued to clash with Hartmann over the powers of the Presidency and declared him unfit to rule in 1921. The Senate instead appointed Erlend Peetre, a liberal nationalist to become President. Peetre in turn appointed fellow liberal Loof Schaafsma to be Premier which established liberal control over the government.
Schaafsma and Peetre introduced and strengthened the system of pillarisation between different groups in Delland as a way to maintain Delland's plurinational identity and to maintain peace between the groups. The new system was successful in this regard as the initial Republic was relatively stable and a proposed return of either the Dellish or Wottesteder monarchies as supported by some conservatives in the Senate was rejected by the government. The government also pursued land reforms to help Athe country's declining agricultural industry which suffered from the declaration of Independence.
In the aftermath of the 1924 election which saw increased agitation from functionalists and councilists, the National Bloc coalition was formed from social democrats, liberals and secular conservatives who together had a slim majority in the Senate. The new bloc led by Schaafsma declared neutrality after the outbreak of the Great War but also began defensive preparations in the event of an invasion of Delland. Schaafsma resigned from office suddenly in 1929 and was instead replaced by social democrat Tsjaable Wouda who represented a faction of the Bloc that was open to Gaullican foreign influence and had good relations with Azmara.
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Gaullica invaded Delland in 1929 to secure a new front against Werania and Estmere. Whilst the initial defence of the Neeves was successful, repeated air raids of Delland cities caused the government to fall apart and for the chain of command to break down. On 12 October the government led by Wouda surrendered whilst a faction led by Villem Mand rejected the surrender to Gaullica and declared a new government from Werania. Wouda's government continued to serve in a civilian capacity until the 1929 Dellish coup d'etat by pro-gaullicans removed Wouda from office. The frontline of the Weranian-Gaullican front was partially inside Delland for the duration of the war which caused thousands of civilian casualties on both sides of the frontline. The defeat of Gaullica and the return of the government in exile marked the end of the Republic of Delland which was dissolved by Mand upon his return and replaced with the Transitional Authority of Alsland.
Great War and modern era
Immediately following the creation of the Transitional Authority, the Senate granted Villem Mand vast emergency powers which he used to suspend the constitution unilaterally and ban collaboratonist organisations in the country. Whilst initially promising a return to the pre-war democratic system, Mand's government became increasingly authoritarian and isolationist, going so far as to reject membership of the United Nations of Euclea. In 1940, anti-rationing demonstrations were suppressed which was condemned by the Community of Nations as well as other east Euclean nations. During campaigning for the 1942 legislative election, members and leaders of the Alslandic Section of the Workers' International (ASAY) which had been the largest and most viable opposition movement were arrested suddenly after falsified reports of a coup attempt were published in the newspapers.
Immediately after the results of the 1942 election showed the National Bloc winning upwards of 70% of the vote the opposition led by ASAY and the ORDE student movement rejected the results. The subsequent ODRE movement led to the collapse of Mand's government and the installation of a government of national unity supported by ASAY. After the movement subsided the 1943 ODRE trials began with many student leaders arrested and imprisoned for sedition. The failure of the ODRE and the betrayal of the movement by ASAY and trade unions were extremely controversial and led to a split within the 'ODRE generation' which divided Alsland. Laas Keuning after becoming Premier formalised the National Bloc into a mass movement consisting of social democrats, liberal forces and secular conservatives and recommitted Alsland to joining the UNE which happened in 1955 when Alsland joined the Euclean Community.
The Valduvian-Weranian War led to a declaration of a state of emergency in Alsland over fears either Werania or Valduvia would invade Alsland to open another front. Despite this there was overwhelming sympathy for Valduvia in Alsland which resulted in ASAY coming close to winning an overall majority in the 1950 election. After the war relations between Alsland and Valduvia were developed and strengthened, Valduvian influence over Alsland also increased significantly during this period and poor relations with Werania and Estmere until Alsland joined the Euclean Community.
The National Bloc government under Kunz Behrmann created the Alslandic welfare state which also included supporting and expanding Alsland's co-operatives which were already extremely prevalent domestically. Behrmann's reforms were backed by ASAY and other councilists who viewed it as popularising the idea of a socialist state. Behrmann also explicitly rejected councilism and tried repeatedly moving ASAY towards the moderate end of the political spectrum which he was successful in by bringing the Section into government officially.
The 1980s recession in Alsland alongside corruption scandals within the National Bloc caused many social democrats and liberals to leave the Bloc especially after right-winger Illimar Rootare became Premier. Rootare tried emulating the success of the National Consolidation Party in Werania which caused many socialists to leave and form new political groups in opposition to him. Rootare and the National Bloc also adopted national conservative and national populist policies throughout the 1990s which culminated in the election of Richard Hauschka and the Humanist Sotirian Union in 1990 election.
In 2005 the World Financial Crisis caused the complete meltdown of the Alslandic banking sector and the election of the first councilist government in the Euclean Community in 2006. Before this unemployment had reached an all-time high of 14% and Alsland was also reportedly close to bankruptcy. The ASAY-led government expanded Alsland's welfare state and tried reviving Alsland's economy which exited recession only in 2009. Alsland remained relatively stable economically until 2021 when the country re-entered recession for the first time since 1999 briefly. The SYFA spying scandal caused the 2022 Alslandic political crisis and the emergence of new political parties.
Geography
- Neighbouring countries
- Area
- Neeves
- Natural resources
Climate
- Climate types
- Average temperature
- Percipitation and sunlight
- Temperature extremes
Neeves
- Neeves mountains
- Mt Verdant
- Other important mountains
Biodiversity
- National parks
- Forests
- Native animals
- Flora
Politics and Government
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The use of the post-war Constitution of Alsland means that Alsland is a federal semi-presidential republic. Alsland is comprised of 5 autonomous Communities and is further divided into 14 provinces each with varying degrees of influence and power.
The head of state of Alsland is the President, who is directly elected every four years in a two-round system between the two-most voted for candidates in the first round unless a candidate wins a majority in the first round. Compared to other nations the President of Alsland is relatively powerful and has the authority to dissolve the Folkssenaat, veto laws passed by it and prior to 1996 the President had the ability to represent Alsland in foreign affairs. The head of government is the Premier of Alsland who is selected and appointed by the President to form and lead the government.
The government may be dismissed by the President if the Folkssenaat is not sitting or with the agreement of the Folkssenaat through a motion of no confidence. The Constitution of Alsland is contradictory in the powers of the President to dissolve the government without the Folkssenaat's consent as well as other aspects of the President's role.
The Folkssenaat is the national senate of Alsland and is comprised of two chambers: the elected lower house with the same name with 201 members and serves for a maximum 4 year term. The upper house is the indirectly elected Federal Council with 96 members and is chosen by community legislatures. The Federal Council has limited powers compared to the Folkssenaat which can override Federal Council vetoes. The modern Federal Council serves to ensure the rights of Alsland's different ethnic groups are upheld in laws passed by the Folkssenaat and to examine changes to the constitution. In 2023 the Federal Council approved a motion to begin a constitutional convention to write a new national constitution.
The Constitutional Court of Alsland (Oppermachtichrjochtbank/Ülemkohus) has the ability to reject any law passed by the Folkssenaat that violates the Constitution. The Supreme Court also hears impeachment trials for public officials and approves a removal from office if a majority of judges agree. The Court's membership is appointed by the President in agreement by the Folkssenaat and the independent body for electing judges. Since Alsland joined the Euclean Community it is subject to judgements passed by the Euclean Court of Justice.
Political culture
Historically the National Bloc — a coalition of reformist socialists, liberals and secular conservatives — was the governing and largest party in Alsland from its inception in 1924 until 1990 when the party's traditional coalition collapsed in the face of unpopular right-wing leaders, a failed attempt at modernising the party and a reinvigorated opposition force. However the party has led the government twice more between 2004 to 2006 and 2018 to 2020. As a result of Alsland's political culture which favours big-tent coalitions of parties in government, the party has been a member of every government with the exception of three since it was founded.
The Alslandic Section of the Workers' International (ASAY) has historically been the second most popular party in Alsland but has throughout its history been the largest in terms of membership. It is currently the largest councilist party in Alsland and the Euclean Community in terms of membership. ASAY remains significantly more moderate than its councilist counterparts in other countries and frequently cooperates with Alsland's social democrats and sotirian democrats.
Between 1990 and 2006, Alsland was governed by the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP), Humanist Sotirian Union (HSU), Democratic Party of Alsland (DPA) and the National Bloc in a coalition that was referred to as the Bloc coalition for its resemblance to the pre-1990 composition of the National Bloc and its Sotirian coalition partners.
The DPA was deregistered in 2008 after a corruption investigation involving its leader and then President of Alsland Viljo Soosaar in 2006 who as of 2023 is the only President of Alsland to have been impeached and removed from office. In response, former DPA members led by Liekele Ykema founded the Liveable Alsland party which largely took over the mantle as the primary liberal party of Alsland. Meanwhile the SDAP experienced a period of significant electoral decline between 2002 and 2006 when it declined from 35 seats in the Folkssenaat to just 6. Many centrist members of the SDAP formed their own breakaway party — the Progressive Alliance — which eclipsed the party as the dominant party of the Alslandic centre-left after 2014.
The National Rally was historically the dominant party of the right-wing in Alsland and was the second largest party in Alsland in 2006. It subsequently suffered an electoral decline and was refounded as the Orange Party in 2021 which achieved electoral success in 2022 when the party won 31 seats.
Owing to its multi-ethnic state status, Alsland has various minority parties to represent different ethnic groups in Alsland. The largest is the Martish People's Party (MRP) which runs candidates in the Martish Community. Many different national parties run separate sister parties in the Martish community to expand their appeal although the MRP has traditionally been the largest in the Community. The Holsaten People's Electoral List (HVWL) was founded to represent the Holsaten minority in Alsland and traces its origins back to the Pan-Weranicist Delland—Werania Party which advocated for a merger into the Weranian Confederation. The modern party rejects separatism and is a proponent of Alsland's plurinational identity. Similarly the Swathish People's Party (SFP) and Estmerish Alliance (EA) were both founded to represent the Swathish Community and Estmerish Community in Alsland respectively.
Communities, Provinces and Municipalities
The country is divided into 5 distinct linguistic communities which each exercise significant amounts of autonomy and have power over language and cultural affairs amongst others. In order of size they are; the Dellish Community also referred to as Delland, the Martish Community also referred to as Martiland, the Swathish Community also known as Upper Swerdia, the Holsaten Community also known as Holsteen and the Estmerish Community in Alsland which is commonly referred to as the Burnshire region. Each community corresponds to a different cultural group in Alsland. The different communities operate under the system of an assymmetric federalism which grants the Martish Community the most autonomy from the federal government whilst the Holsaten Community is highly integrated with the Dellish Community. The different communities also have limited foreign relations, notably between the Swathish and Estmerish Communities and the Estmerish State of Swerdia.
Alsland is further divided into 14 Provinces. The provinces of Alsland each are members of a community and each province has a high level of autonomy with their own governments, legislatures and constitutions. The most populated province is X with X inhabitants. The largest province by area is Martiland. Holsteen is the smallest province by area but has the highest population density of every province.
Local authorities—Municipalities—which are the lowest level of administrative division in Alsland. As of the 2001 Municipal reform which doubled the amount of municipalities there are over 300 in Alsland. Municipalities in Alsland are in control of social care, schools, housing and planning and waste collection as well as other local services. In about half of municipalities legislative authority is exercised by a public meeting of all registered voters in the Municipality which is the only form of direct democracy in Alsland. Municipalities are financed through direct taxes collected by each Community government and these vary between each Community with the highest rates being paid in Delland and Swerdia.
Foreign relations
Foreign relations of Alsland are handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Alsland maintains embassies and consulates in most countries around the world. Yndyk is home to several dozen foreign embassies.
Alsland has been a member of the Euclean Community since 1955. Alslandic policy towards the EC has become progressively more euclofederalist. Successive Alslandic governments have endorsed plans for a single EC army and backed further integration of EC member states. During Bonne Zijlstra's tenure as President of the Euclean Community, Alsland's linguistic diversity was frequently used as a model for a potential united Euclean state. Within the EC, Alsland has frequently aligned itself with smaller member states such as Azmara, Borland, Caldia, Hennehouwe and Kesselbourg. Alsland has a particularly strong relation with Azmara and Borland which has led to the term "Alsbora" to be used when referring to the three countries collectively.
Alsland has a unique relationship with Valduvia. Alsland has generally more positive relations with the country and post-independence had a pro-Valduvian foreign policy particularly after the Estmerish-Weranian invasion and occupation of Delland. The Valduvian-Weranian war led to an outbreak of ethnic violence in Alsland such as the 1950 Rahu riots which left several people dead. Overtime Alslandic foreign policy has drifted towards eastern Euclea however Alsland maintains strong relations with Valduvia and other MASSOR member states. Following the Great War, Alsland rejected membership of the Euclean Common Defence Treaty Organisation owing to its policy of neutrality and maintaining good relations with Valduvia whilst also maintaining positive relations with Estmere and Werania.
Furthermore, Alsland is a founding member of the Community of Nations and the International Council for Democracy. It is also a member of the Association for Economic Development and Cooperation (AEDC), the International Trade Organization (ITO), the Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs (GIFA) and the Estmerish Community.
Armed Forces
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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 Federaalleger (ground forces), the Federaleloftmacht (air force) and the Federalegarde (home guard). A period of conscription is mandatory for all men, since 2018 women have also been drafted. However after the Valduvian civil war many choose not to serve their period of conscription for one of several reasons. In 2015 only 13% of men eligible to be conscripted served in the army.
The President is the commander in chief of the Alslandic armed forces, since 2018 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
Infrastructure
As of 2020, 48% of Alsland's energy production came from nuclear power and other renewable sources. Nuclear power is Alsland's largest source of electricity. Despite this in 2012, the liberal led government backed a proposal by the green party to phase out nuclear power by 2035. The move was criticised by other environmental groups and sparked backlash against the government. Despite this subsequent governments have affirmed the timeline of phasing out nuclear power in Alsland. Anti-nuclear activists also blocked the construction of a nuclear power plant in 2011.
Due to Alsland's central location in Northern Euclea it is a transport hub between several neighbouring states. The motorway system in Alsland, the Autodyk in Dellish, the Autobahn in Weranian and the Kiirtee in Valduvia, spans the entire country. The Autodyk spans 1,747 km (1,086 mi) across Alsland and spreads across each province in the country. Each section of the Autodyk is operated and managed by the province it is in. Alsrail, the national rail transport operator is the most used form of public transportation in Alsland, it also connects with neighbouring countries and the Euclostar network. There are over X km (X mi) of rail track in Alsland. Since 2017, cycling infrastructure has seen a large expansion notably in the Yndyk Province. This has coincided with a federal campaign to promote cycling in Alsland. As of 2020 there are 218 km of cycling lanes in Yndyk making it the Xth most bike-friendly city. On average 153,211 or 24% of Yndyk's population now commute to work via bike.
The largest airports in Alsland are Wottested-Yndyk International Airport, Yndyk City Airport and Leofham International Airport. Over 26,000,000 passengers flew through Wottested-Yndyk International Airport in 2020 making it the Xth busiest airport in Euclea.
Demographics
- Population density
- Population growth and population pyramid
- Average age
Migrants
- Immigration
- Largest migrant communities
- Restrictions on non-EC immigration
- % of foreign born Alslandic citizens
Werania- Template:Country data Estmere
Valduvia
Hennehouwe
Gaullica
Piraea
Mabifia
Etruria
Zorasan
Shangea
Largest cities
| Rank | Province | Pop. | Rank | Province | Pop. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Yndyk  Wottested |
1 | Yndyk | Yndyk | 1,382,111 | 11 | Schöberg | Wahnerschloss | 80,238 | .jpg) Rahu  Lanwjuk |
| 2 | Wottested | Wottested | 1,283,391 | 12 | Herne | The Herne | 64,438 | ||
| 3 | Rahu | Martiland | X | 13 | Valtsjerke | Upper Delland | 52,173 | ||
| 4 | Lanwjuk | Cleves | 256,382 | 14 | Leens | Aldtsjerk | 51,774 | ||
| 5 | Werdau | Wahnerschloss | 207,998 | 15 | Lemmer | Upper Swerdia | 48,372 | ||
| 6 | Hurdegaryp | Middewald | 158,455 | 16 | Osgarburgh | Der Lemer | 51,304 | ||
| 7 | Wolvegea | Upper Delland | 131,748 | 17 | Ureterp | Aldtsjerk | 31,245 | ||
| 8 | Ljoudoarp | Jonkersland | 121,803 | 18 | Newick | Burnshire | 30,382 | ||
| 9 | Kuresuu | Lanekirk | 102,374 | 19 | Paiski | Martiland | 28,472 | ||
| 10 | Urebosk | Aldtsjerk | 91,382 | 20 | Rikertsted | Yndyk | 23,932 | ||
Language
Alsland has two federally recognised languages: Dellish which is by far the most spoken language in the country and Martish which is spoken by the country's Martish population. Alongside the two federally recognised, 3 other languages are recognised in specific locations in the country and are recognised as "languages of regional importance" which mandates federal officials as well as selected regional and local officials in these areas provide services in the language. These languages are: Estmerish spoken by the Estmerish Community in Alsland, Holsaten which is spoken in Holsteen and is sometimes considered to be a dialect of Weranian but is recognised by Alsland as a separate language and Swathish which is spoken in Upper Swerdia. All federal services are required to provide translations into every language. Speeches to the Folkssenaat are required to be translated by translators. Broadcasts in minority languages are required by law for the Alslandic News and Radio service and other regional public broadcasters, other private and foreign broadcasters are required to provide subtitles into each language by law.
As of 2019, ~55% of Alslanders were native Dellish speakers and spoke the language at home; ~21% were native Martish speakers; ~2.4% were native Swathish speakers; ~12.2% were native Holsaten speakers; ~2.1% were native Estmerish speakers and ~6.4% spoke a range of other languages at home regularly. Gaullican was the most spoken foreign language in Alsland although significant minorities of Piraean, Vespasian and Putonghuan speakers exist.
Many areas of Alsland are recognised as multilingual; whilst Holsaten is the official language of Holsteen it has a large population of Dellish speakers and both have co-equal status in the region. The entire Ynsted metropolitan area has also become increasingly multilingual through internal migration which has shaped the country's internal demographics. The Sleat region in Swerdia has a majority Dellish speaking population despite being inside the Swathish Community, other linguistic exclaves exist across the country.
Alslandic students are required to learn at least 3 languages in schools until the age of 16. These generally include two 'domestic' languages – most often Dellish and Martish – and one 'foreign' language which is usually Gaullican. Schools in Burnshire, Holsteen and Upper Swerdia also teach the minority languages alongside one other 'domestic' language. Consequentially, most Alslanders also claim to be proficient in two or more languages. According to the 2019 Federal census, 96% of adults were polyglots which is the highest rate of multilingual speakers per capita in the world. Most Alslanders also claim to speak more than one language on a daily basis in either the education system, employment or communication with others.
Religion
Alsland is a secular state has no official state religion and the Constitution of Alsland guarantees freedom of religion for citizens in the country. In 2019, 47% of the country follows any form of Sotirianity; 20% claim to follow Solarian Catholicism, 19% follow various forms of Amendism, 5% of the adult population are Witterites and 2% follow other forms of Sotirianity. The largest single church in Alsland is the Kasperite Transneevan Reformed Church (THT/TRK) which most self-identifying Amendists are members of. The THT has experienced a continual decline in membership from its peak in 1929 when 70% of the total adult population of Alsland were registered members, in 2019 that number was down to 18% of the total adult population. Approximately 37% of the country claims to be irreligious which is the second highest rate in Northern Euclea after Caldia.
Sotirianity was introduced to Alsland during the 9th century, the region of Alsland was mostly Catholic until the Amendist Reaction which took hold in Upper Swerdia and eastern Delland as well as Martiland led to Alsland being the site of numerous battles during the Amendist Wars. After the Amendist Wars Alsland became split 60-40 between Amendists in Swerdia, Martiland and Wottested whilst Catholicism remained the dominant denomination in Holsteen and western Delland. After the region was annexed by Valduvia following the Ten Years' War Alsland remained split along the lines of religion which continued until the Trans-Neeven Republic when a key policy of the Republic was creating a shared identity between Amendists and Catholics in Alsland. After the end of the War of the Triple Alliance the Republic was reincorporated into Estmere and Valduvia although the shared identity remained strong even until the Dellish revolution and the independence of Alsland. After the Great War the number of people professing to be irreligious has grown exponentially. As a result of this the Amendist majority in Alsland became a minority and in 2019 Catholics outnumbered Amendists for the first time in Alsland.
Alsland has the highest percentage of its total population who identify as Witterites who comprise of approximately 5.4% of the adult population in 2019. This population is highest in Holsteen and Delland as well as amongst ethnic Valduvians. The high population of Witterites is notable in Yndyk where they make up 17.7% of the city's total adult population and are the largest Sotirian community in the city. Since 1989 the Witterite church has been the only Sotirian church in Alsland to see a consistent growth in its claimed members whilst other Sotirian churches have experienced a rapid decline in their membership during the same period.
According to a 2017 poll, 34% of Alslanders said they believe there is a God, 28% believe there is some sort of spirit or life-force. 36% responded by saying they did not believe there was a god or any sort of spirit or life-force, 2% did not answer the poll. According to the same survey, church attendance in Alsland had fallen to an all time low of only 9% of Alslanders claiming they attended church on a regular basis which is down from 24% in 1993.
Health
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Healthcare in Alsland is a publicly funded universal health care system financed by government backed mandatory national health insurance where the government manages and regulates healthcare from public and private institutions. Prior to the 2008 Healthcare reform act, health insurance in Alsland was mandatory and it was illegal for private health insurance companies to refuse insurance to anyone. Since the reform Alsland's already adequate healthcare sector has become one of the best in the Euclean Community and it was ranked as the best in the EC in 2014. The country spends 12.4% of its GDP on healthcare annually which is one of the highest rates in Euclea. In 2019, 72% of Alsland's healthcare system was covered by government funded agencies. Responsibility for healthcare is exercised through the federal government which funds the system as well as Community governments who have limited powers over healthcare.
According to a 2021 study, Alsland has a very high life expectancy of 79.24 years for men and 83.77 years for women. The same study also recorded a fertility rate of 1.39 births per woman in Alsland. According to the Community of Nations Commission for Disease Prevention & Health, there are 2.98 physicians per 1000 inhabitants although this number varies between each region of Alsland with Delland having the highest number of physicians per 1000 inhabitants and Upper Swerdia having the least number of physicians in all of Northern Euclea, the Commission criticised healthcare inequalities present between different regions in its final report. Obesity is one of the biggest health issues in Alsland like much of the rest of the developed world, 19.4% of people in Alsland are considered to be obese and childhood obesity rates have increased since the 1970s.
In 2019, the Swathish Community legalised Euthanasia and became the first area in Alsland to do so. The legalisation had first been proposed federally in 2017 although these plans were never implemented. Euthanasia is legal if the patient requests it, the patient is suffering and their condition is not expected to improve, the patient is at least 17 years old and if an independent committee of review approves the request. It is also legal for doctors to refuse to carry out euthanasia in which case another willing doctor will be asked to carry out the process. Shortly after the legalisation the Supreme Court of Alsland ruled that patients in other regions wishing to be euthanised were allowed to travel to the region for the service.
Education
Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 to 16 and is regulated by the Department of Education although the curriculum differs between each community who also operate separate exam boards and oversight authorities. Compulsory education is free in Alsland if a student attends a public school, however independent schools also operate in Alsland. Between the ages of 6 and 12 or Grades 1 to 6, students attend Primary School which offers a basic curriculum which is similar nationwide. Students aged 13 to 16 or Grades 7 to 10 attend unified secondary schools in everywhere but Holsteen where secondary education is split into Lower Secondary and Higher Secondary. In Grade 10, students sit the mandatory 'Advanced certification of education examination' (ASUE/FZB/16+L).
After their final secondary examinations students can choose to enrol in a gymnasium which teaches students between the ages of 17 and 18. After completing their course, students will sit the 'National Gymnasium Certification examination'. Trade schools are also a popular form of post-secondary education in Alsland and provide students a vocational education. Gymnasiums and Trade schools are partially funded by both the federal and community level governments.
Tertiary education in Alsland is subsidised by the Alslandic government to make it affordable for Alslandic students. The largest university in Alsland is the University of Yndyk which has over 30,000 enrolled students across its campuses. As of 2021, 17.1% of students in tertiary education in Alsland are international students with most being from countries neighbouring Alsland or EC member states.
Culture
Art
Mart Mets' 1822 Neevan Springtime is a notable early piece of Impressionist artwork.
Nelis Meyer's 2002 Abstract painting of the Loykensbrêge district is an example of modern abstract paintings.
The Jeenke Painting at the Yndyk Art Museum is an example of watercolour painting by an unknown artist.
A 18th century depiction of the Ten Years' War in Alsland referred to as the De slach fan 'e dea painting.
Lunch in a Francescite Osteria by Solke van der Meulen is displayed at the National Gallery of Alsland.
- Famous artists over time
- Notable art pieces
- Art museums
Literature
Music
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Music in Alsland has traditionally taken influences from its neighbouring states to create a unique blend which was particularly influential during the Rudolphine Era. Owing to its position at the crossroads of Northern Euclea, Alsland was home to numerous famous composers and musicians throughout its history including Witterite composer Hans Wyss who was born and lived in Yndyk for most of his life and helped establish the Yndyk Philharmonic in 1867, Fop Blaauw from Wottested, Sjierk Kuipers, Neenske Abma, Ivari Peetre, Albert Heuser and Matz Traube. Yndyk's rapid growth in influence during the 19th century was at times attributed to its concentration of musical composers.
Alslandic folk music was extensively documented by musicians in the early 19th century and some folk songs continue to be known today although many have fallen out of use. Many elements of traditional folk music in Alsland were lost as part of the Valduvication of Alsland policies introduced in the 19th century and folk music was suppressed in public leading to its decline. Aspects of traditional folk music did survive however as noted through the recognition of the Gehamerde swietferske as the National Instrument of Alsland.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, music in Alsland took significant influences from Werania and Estmere with styles such as schlager, rock and Euclodance becoming popularised as a result of increasing cultural influence from Estmere and Werania. The music of the band Helder took influences from the growing progressive rock style in Estmere in the late 20th century and became the most popular Alslandic music band of the period having sold 14 million records. Electronic dance music took influences from several different styles of music in the 1990s when it took off in popularity and was primarily popularised in Alsland by the band Projektorskerm who were active during the millennium.
In 2015 the Electropop band Interscape from the Estmerish Community in Alsland became popular worldwide with their debut album One which reached the top of the charts in several Euclean countries and Alsland. The band saw further successes in 2017, 2019 and 2023 with further album releases, their most recent album release Modern Influences was their best selling album selling as of 2023 and the best selling album for an Alslandic musician or band ever. As of 2022 the band had a combined total of 96 million streams.
Alsland has competed in the Euclovision Song Contest since 1966 where it has competed in every year with the exception of 1987. Alsland has won the contest twice in 1986 and 2017 respectively hosted the contest as a result in 1987 and 2018 respectively.
Media
Sport
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The most popular sports in Alsland are skiing, football, snowboarding and ice hockey. Cycling as well as tennis are also popular sports in Alsland. The country is famous for its winter sports venues which attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually during the winter months, the country is a popular skiing destination in Euclea, in 2019 over 10 million people visited Alsland's skiing slopes making it the most visited winter sports destination in Northern Euclea.
Ice hockey is considered the national pasttime of Alsland and is recognised as the official sport of Alsland. The Federal Ice Hockey League (FIHK) is the most watched sporting championship in Alsland and comprises of 26 teams from across Alsland; in 2022 the final of the league between Noardwâl Wottested and Súdwâl Wottested attracted a record 5.4 million viewers both within Alsland and globally. The Alsland men's national ice hockey team is regarded as one of the most successful in the world and has been ranked as the world's no.1 Ice Hockey team on numerous occasions. Likewise the Alsland women's national ice hockey team is also one of the best women's ice hockey teams globally.
Association football is another popular sport in Alsland. The Esimenediviis is the top league of professional Football in Alsland and is the second most popular sporting league in Alsland. The league has clubs from across Alsland and its most successful clubs historically are BSV Werdau and FSO Yndyk which have both won the league 9 times in their histories. The Alsland national football team has been successful at various points in its history although it has never won a world cup it has won regional contests recently.
Rugby union is a popular sport particularly in the Dellish Community. The sport's popularity has grown recently although it lags behind the popularity of several winter sports and association football in the country.
Historically, Alsland has had many successful tennis players of whom are considered to be some of the greatest players in history. Former tennis duo Marek Looke, Oda Jansen as well as Sjard Talsma are some of the most notable tennis players recently and have all been ranked as the world no.1 at some point in their respective careers. Talsma alone has won numerous Grand Slam titles in his career and is the most successful active Alslandic tennis player. At the 2022 Summer Invictus Games in Verlois Talsma and Laurenske Jansen-Looke won a gold medal in the mixed doubles event.
Alsland has participated in every Invictus Games since its inception with the exception of 1930, 1934 and 1946. Historically Alsland has been most successful in the Winter Invictus Games than the Summer Invictus games, the country ranks highly in terms of medals won during the Winter Invictus games. The country has never hosted an Invictus games before although both Wottested and Werdau have attempted bids for the Summer Invictus games in 1978 and 2006 respectively. The country has made several bids for the Winter Invictus games although these bids were all withdrawn due to public opposition. The country was host to the 2016 Youth Winter Invictus games in Leofham where Alslandic athletes won the most medals.
Cuisine
- Most popular dishes
- Local dishes
- National dish
Holidays
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| 1 January | New Year's Day | Nijjiersdei |  |
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| 12 February | Patriot's day | Patriotten dei | |
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| 2 March | Swathish Language Day | Svạþiṡc lẏdenn dạg | Held annually to celebrate the Swathish identity | |
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| Changeable | Easter | Peaske | |
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| Changeable | Easter monday | Peaske moandei | |
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| 22 April | Remembrance Day | Mälestuspäeva | Held annually following the Rahu Massacre |
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| 1 May | Labour Day | Dei fan de Arbeid | |
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| 30 July | Saint Alfhard's day | Tag des Heiligen Alfhard | Celebrates the patron saint of Garz and Zittau | |
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| 18 October | Freedom Day | Frijheidsdei | Celebrates the 1919 original declaration of Dellish independence | |
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| 22 November | Constitution Day | Grûnwetdei | |
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| 24 December | Nativity's eve | Krystjûn | |
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| 25 December | Nativity | Krystfeest | |
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| 31 December | New Year's eve | Âldjiersjûn | |
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