Velikoslavia
Tsardom of Velikoslavia Царство Великославия | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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 | |
| Capital | Kollavik |
| Largest city | Levograv |
| Official languages | Velerian |
| Recognised regional languages | Ludic, Altay, Ostro-Ludzic |
| Ethnic groups (2018) | Ludic, Various others |
| Demonym(s) | Veliko |
| Government | Limited Constitutional Monarchy |
• Tsar of Velikoslavia | Alexis V |
| Grand Prince August Ivanov | |
| Establishment | |
• Principality of Kollavik | XX |
• XX | XX |
• XX | XX |
• Formation of Velikoslavia | XX |
• XX | XX |
• XX | XX |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,462,368 km2 (564,623 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2020 estimate | 60,291,401 |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $1,434,930,392,553 |
• Per capita | $25,492 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $745,735,966,403 |
• Per capita | $12,203 |
| Gini | 36.0 medium |
| HDI | 0.800 very high |
| Currency | Ropol |
| Calling code | 13 |
| Internet TLD | .or |
The Tsardom of Velikoslavia is a country located in eastern Belisaria in Ajax. It borders Qavarjeri to the northeast, Ludvosiya to the south, Usezoya to the southeast, Zamorodna to the west, and the Nordic Sea to the north. It covers an area of 1,462,368 square kilometers and has a varied climate. The north and northeast contains tundra with long, harsh winters. The southern portions of the nation are more mild with warmer summers brought on by Nordic storm fronts and Lake Kupalnitsa. The nation's capital is Kollavik with Ustengrav, Engels, Vindstokkr, and Valinorsk as some other major metropolitan areas. The largest city is Levograv.
History of human activity in Velikoslavia extends thousands of years with early archeological evidence showing that several Ludite and Skagish tribes came to inhabit the west and central parts of the nation. The north remained largely uninhabited except for local Vanduit and Skagish settlers who ventured north. The Kurevan Lud emerged in the early 700s as the dominant power over the other minor kingdoms. In 954, under the threat of Bayarid invasion, the Kurevan Luds invited Dagan I and his Clan to rule over them from modern day Aureumterra. The center of the nation would eventually shift to Kollavik with the founding of the Principality of Kollavik and Dagan's son opting to move his court south to the city. This would transition to the founding of modern day Velikoslavia by Vitomir I in 1476 when he declared the Velikoslavian Empire.
The newly frormed nation eventually conquered vast swaths of Eastern Belisaria and eventually came to encompass all or much of the modern day nations of Usezoya, Ludvosiya, Ostrozava, Drevstran, Neukulturnya, and Zamorodna. In 1770, Velikoslavia entered the Thirty Years War against the Mesogeian Empire, which lasted until 1802. Nearly bankrupt and war weary, the struggling empire was plunged into the Ludvosiyan Revolutionary War, where the southern territories rebelled and formed the modern day state of Ludvosiya. The Velikoslavian Civil War began only a few short years later and resulted in the Treaty of Voronze, where Usezoya and Neukulturnya gained independence. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the state adopted Oxidentalist Economics in order to revive its struggling economy. In the 20th century, Velikoslavia was an indirect participant in the First Partisan War and a direct participant in the Second Partisans War. It was also a notable participant and instigator of Operation Valiant against the The Prince of Opsikion.
Velikoslavia is considered a regional power within Belisaria and has a large professional military. Internationally, Velikoslavia ranks mid tier in measurements of democracy, human rights, and freedom of the press but has lower levels of perceived corruption. The Velikoslavian economy is tied significantly into its mineral resources, being one of the world's largest producers of crude oil, which is exported via the Trans-Belisarian Pipeline to Ludvosiya, Drevstran, Ostrozava, and other nations around the Kupalnitsan basin and turned into plastics, gasoline, diesel and other resources. The nation is also home to a significant defense industry and is a global leader in arms development, manufacture, and export. Velikoslavia is also home to 40 IBEST World Heritage Sites.
Etymology
According to court texts dated from the 15th century, the name Velikoslavia translates to Land of Great Power and Glory, and was the chosen name for the realm that comprised the Nine Marches and the conquered territories. The name contains the Old Telerian word Veli, which translates to power. The name also borrows the word "slav" from the primary Ludic dialect spoken in Velikoslavia, which translates to glory. The middle syllable, Ko, is a shortened way to say Great in Old Telerian. The name is unique in that it conveys a similar meaning in both spoken dialects of the realm. In the Ludic dialect, it translates to Land of Greater Glory and in Old Telerian, it translates to Land of Power and Glory.
Geography and Climate
Geography
Velikoslavia's vast landmass stretches over a portion of Eastern Belisaria and the western tip of Ochran. Velikoslavia has two major mountain ranges, one of which bisects the eastern and western portions of the country and the other that runs along the northeastern coastline near Qavajari. The Altairin Mountains in the eastern portion of the country are a volcanically active region and are utilized to extract certain minerals. The Kremnefelsk Mountains, which are situated in the west of the country, bisect the central part of the nation and are mineral rich. Resources such as silver, gold, gemstones, iron, and other minerals are found there and extracted from the region.
In western Velikoslavia, a humid continental climate allows for four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers, and cold and snowy winters. This region can support many types of crops and serves as a central agricultural region for the nation. Percipitation is also well distributed throughout the year. On the eastern side of the Kremnefelsk Mountains, the Subarctic climate begins with extreme seasonal temperature swings. Though many areas have permafrost, making for poorer farming conditions, coastal regions such as around Zernovoygorod and Valinorsk have no permafrost and can be utilized for agricultural practice.
Throughout much of the nation, there are only two distinct seasons, winter and summer; as spring and autumn are usually brief periods of change between extremely low and extremely high temperatures. The coldest month is January (February on the coastline); the warmest is usually July. Great ranges of temperature are typical in eastern Velikoslavia and less typical in the western portion of the nation. Summers can be quite hot, even in the northeast, and a region's proximity to the Nordic Sea and Boreios Sea.
Biodiversity
Velikoslavia contains a fairly diverse ecosystem, including tundra, forest tundra, taiga, and mixed and broadleaf forest. About half of Velikoslavia's territory is forested which sequester a significant amount of carbon dioxide. After the introduction of Oxidentalist economic principles in the 19th century, the government began to take steps to manage and preserve biodiversity within the nation.
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Velikoslavian biodiversity includes 5,500 species of vascular plants, 1,000 species of bryophytes, about 2,000 species of lichens, 4,000 species of algae, and 15,000 species of fungi. Fauna is composed of 220 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles, about 20 species of amphibians, 150 species of freshwater fish, approximately 500 species of saltwater fishes, 2 species of cyclostomata, and approximately 50,000 invertebrates.
Velikoslavia's entirely natural ecosystems are conserved in nearly 5,000 specially protected natural territories of various statuses, occupying more than 20% of the country's total area. They include 10 biosphere reserves, 15 national parks, and 40 nature reserves. The country has many ecosystems which are still considered intact forest; mainly in the northern taiga areas, and the subarctic tundra.
History
Government
The government of Velikoslavia is considered a constitutional monarchy, though more democratic states tend to consider it absolute. The formal governing document of the current government is the Universal Pact of Governance, signed into law by Tsar Alexis III in 1854. It established the Tsar as the head of government and head of state, with no other checks and balances on the office. The Synod was given additional power to govern internal affairs and the High Court of Velikoslavia was established to oversee all judicial affairs, centralizing the previously noble appointed courts. The Universal Rights of the Velikoslavian Citizen was also adopted into law that same year. It allowed citizens certain human rights and before the courts, a radical departure from earlier methods of justice where nobility could solely preside over and influence trials. The Universal Rights document also established the complete independence of the Common Court system from the Noble Court system and established separate courts for both. Direct intervention by the monarch or other nobility is specifically barred in the context of the Common Court. This is the only limitation placed on the Tsar by either document.
Monarchy and Executive Branch
The monarchy of Velikoslavia was founded by Dagan I, the first monarch of the Principality of Kurev, and has remained ruling over the nation that eventually evolved into Velikoslavia. After the Bayarid war, the Nine Generals were each awarded titles and granted lands and adopted in the Council of Nine to rule under Dagan. This system persisted as the rule of subsequent Tsars transitioned to Reval, then Kovno.
Today, the Velikoslavian monarchy is classified as an constitutional monarchy. The Tsar still maintains near unchecked executive power over the government and legislature. Though the position permits a ruler to be the legislative body of the empire above all others, in practice the Procedurate serves as the practical head of government. This was permitted in the Pact, which better defined the Procedurate's powers and permitted him to serve in a legislative capacity. The monarch is capable of proposing and vetoing any legislation as well as casting a vote in favor of anything proposed. In theory, the only way the monarchy's veto may be overridden is via a unanimous vote by the Synod. In practice, however, this cannot happen as the ruling family has historically been a peer and thus is able to vote on a measure and prevent an overriding vote. A monarch is the only official who may declare war though the Synod can petition him to declare war should they so wish.
There are multiple types of defined orders that the monarch may introduce. Imperial Edicts are types of orders which directly relate to changes in the law of the nation that the monarch may desire to happen. These are the highest tier of order with regards to law and affect immediate change, superseding any Synod vote. They are specifically used to change the law or introduce a new law rather than operate within an existing one. Imperial Decrees relate specifically to things within the law that the monarch is decreeing. An example may be granting someone citizenship, which doesn't modify a law but simply utilizes the mechanisms of an existing one. Other executive orders include a Declaration of Relations, which relate specifically to matters regarding diplomatic relations with other states. Orders of War are specifically used to declare war against another state. A Military Issue is the official executive action relating to the military, whether it be to order the drafting of conscripts or perhaps declare the procurement of a new weapon. The Tsar may also issue a dílosi synkatáthesis, or a Declaration of Assent, where he publicly supports an action. This can relate to any sphere of society but typically relates to Synod actions. In other spheres, such a declaration has massive influence. For example, a dílosi synkatáthesis issued with regards to a research project will give the researchers access to significantly more funding from donors who wish to garner favor with the monarch. A dílosi diafonías, or Declaration of Dissent, has the opposite effect and can increase opposition to what it is issued against. The final type of order is a Ministerial Missive, which is an order directly issued to the ministries that comprise the main bureaucratic arm of government.
The monarch is directly aided by the ministries, which follow his directives and carry out his orders as instruments of government. Many sprang from ancient palace traditions. There are eleven Ministries; the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense and War, the Office of the Treasury, Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Velikograd Court, Office of Transport, the Ministry of Communication and Media, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Cultural Preservation, and the Office of Affairs of the Aristocracy. The highest office of the ministries is known as the Statsministris. This official manages all the ministries with the exception of the Ministry of Defense and War. He is allowed to appoint and remove ministers at will provided they do not have the Blessing of the Tsar, which acts as a sort of tenure, removing the Statsministris' ability to sack the official that has the Blessing. The office also typically serves as the hand and will of the monarch within the government ministries, keeping them in line with the orders that the monarch issued. The Statsministris position and power over the ministries has historically resulted in this being one of the most powerful offices in the land.
At the same level of power as the Statsministris is the Grand Marshal, who is fully responsible for the military and all military related affairs. He serves as the head of the Ministry of Defense and War and answers directly to the monarch. This position may remove and appoint military officials at will provided they do not have the Blessing of the Tsar. All military spending and strategy are also approved by the Grand Marshal. Within the Ministry of Defense and War, there are numerous lower ranking officials which he resides over and appoints. The office is most active during war but has historically commanded serious influence in politics during times of war and when the military has been involved in regime changes.
Grand Synod
The Grand Synod is one of the oldest government institutions in Velikoslavia, dating back to its formation in 1089 as an advisory body for the ruler. The office of the Procedurate was created in 1145 as the emperor's representative in the Synod. Historically, the Procedurate controlled the monarch's vote, giving him enormous power. This system was reformed by the Universal Pact of Governance, which removed control of the vote from the Procedurate and declared that the office would instead be appointed by the party of the Synod that controlled the most seats.
The Grand Synod consists of 620 seats, 120 of which are occupied by life deputies. Life deputies are considered those who hold a peerage. Other life Synod seats may be appointed by those granted single grant titles or other honors. The Pact guaranteed that 120 seats were to always be life deputies unless additional peerages were granted, which may come with a life seat. The remaining 500 seats are elected and are voted in via the 500 governmental districts of Velikoslavia that are single-member electoral districts. Elections are held every two years.
Fylkes and Landed Gentry
Though their role as the sole government in their lands was severely limited by the Pact, some nobility still play a key part in governing their lands. Direct rule ceased under the Pact and instead, lands were subdivided within the former system of fief governances into Fylkes (counties), and governed by a Fylke Council. Individual Fylke Councils were established under the prior lords who governed them and via elections held with the locals. This turned individual counties into their own governed communities with widely varying laws and ordinances. In certain counties, the lord still remains heavily involved in the government while in others, the people chose to limit the lord's influence to varying degrees. Some lords were voted into ceremonial roles. All lords are permitted to have a voice on the Fylke council in their realm and attend meetings but many have no sway or power over the council.
Law
Velikoslavian law extends from the Statue of Governance of the Velikoslavian Empire, which was drafted and issued by Nicholas I and dozens of reformist campaign leaders in 1972 after renewed calls for a reformation of the Synod, and signed by them all. Statues, like the Code of Measures and Laws and the Table of Ascension, are the primary sources of Velikoslavian law.
Military
The Grand Armed Forces of Velikoslavia are divided into the Grand Army of Velikoslavia, the Grand Navy of Velikoslavia, and the Grand Air Force of Velikoslavia. There are also two independent arms of service: the Imperial Velikoslavian Marines and the Coastal Guard. As of 2021, the military has 201,200 personnel, and around 150,000 reserve personnel. In 2022, it was one of the world's largest arms exporters, and has a large and mostly indigenous defense industry, producing most of its own equipment.
Foreign Relations
Velikoslavia has maintained close historic relations with Mesogeia since the two nations signed the Valinorsk Pact in 1872 aimed at countering both nation's prinmary enemy, Ludvosiya. Though relations are still less than cordial, both Ludvosiya and Velikoslavia maintain an active trading relationship and diplomatic dialogue. Ever since the end of the neutrality in Ostrozava, both nations have maintained cordial relations, but events like the Gadir Crisis have recently placed new strain on both nations. Relations with Usezoya, Nekukturnya, Zamorodna, and Pueramaa and Lumisaari remain cordial.
Economy
Velikoslavia has a mixed economy, with significant amounts of mineral resources chiefly mined in the Kremnefelsk Mountains in central Velikoslavia. Another key mining area is eastern Velikoslavia near the arctic circle, where significant resource extraction takes place. In 2020, the service sector contributed to 54% of the economy, which was a 3% increase from the previous year. The nation had an unemployment rate of 4% in 2020, owing to measures that has recently boosted the Veliko economy such as increased trade with Ludvosiya. It has a labor force of 42 million people, many of which have become involved in the steadily growing service sector. Velikoslavia is notably a large exporter of oil and natural gas as well as other petroleum products. It has four notable pipelines, which send crude oil and other fuel products into neighboring Ludvosiya and into other nations along Lake Kupalnitsa, notably Drevstran where petroleum products are key for the plastic production industry. Velikoslavia is a significant global exporter and importer.
Infrastructure
Velikoslavia has a modern high speed and regular speed rail network which was significantly built up in early 2005 via several multi year contracts with the Charnean company Taynayat Tazolizabo Mamalatan, who aided the Imperial Transportation Ministry in working with the two major Velikoslavian rail companies, XXX and XXX, to upgrade and expand aging cold war era rail infrastructure. In recent years, the nation has been working to upgrade aging infrastructure in more remote areas. Historically, the more populous western portion of the nation has been the more favored region for new projects and infrastructure upgrades. The Synod has in recent years worked to correct this discrepancy with new initiatives such as the Infrastructure Rejuvenation Program of 2016 where in significant resources were offered to
Science and Technology
Agricultural
Conservation
Other Industries
Culture
Architecture
Visual Art
Cuisine
Media
Demographics
Population
According to the official statistical body of Velikoslavia, the Office of Statistical Records, the country's total population in 2022 was 60,291,401. The birth rate in 2022 stood at 29.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, which was consistent with similar data from earlier censuses. The mortality rate held steadily at 9.2 per 1000 inhabitants. Estimates from 2018 show this trend so far holding steadily with previous years.
Velikoslavian society has changed over the last several decades, showing a decrease in birth rates from the last statistical year of the 20th century (1998). The fertility rate of 4.56 is above replacement levels, with the median age remaining around 25.2 years. In 2020, 19.3 percent of the population were 65 years old and older, 60.2 percent between the ages of 15 and 64 years old, and 21.7% percent were 14 years old and younger. By 2022, the proportion of the population age 15-64 rose while 14 years and younger and 65 years and older decreased by 4% each respectively. As of 2022, there are 40,801,401 citizens between 18 and 65, while 10,490,000 citizens are between 0-18, and 10,080,000 citizens are 65+.
Marriage rates rose slightly from 75 per 1,000 inhabitants in 20120 to 77 per 1,000 in 2022. Moreover, divorce rates have seen an decrease from 79.8 per 1,000 marriages in 2012 to 70.1 per 1,000 marriages in 2022.
Cities
Religion
Official Aletheic Church nation and EO