Vinalia
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United Republic of Vinalia Об'єднана Республіка Віналія Ob'yednana Respublika Vinaliya | |
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 Flag
 Coat of Arms
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Anthem: "Об'єдналися під одним загальним прапором" (tr.) "Ob'yednani pid odnym zahalʹnym praporom" "United under one common flag" | |
| File:MapofVinwithborders.png | |
| Capital | Vinalinsk |
| Largest city | Orlavo |
| Recognised national languages | Soravian, Vinakian |
| Ethnic groups | Metyso 44%
Soravian descent 34% Vinakians 15% Others 7% |
| Demonym(s) | Vinalian |
| Government | Federal Parliamentary Republic |
| Ersnt Rupold | |
| Omelyan Pavlov | |
| Legislature | Vinalian Parliament |
| Senate of the Union | |
| House of the People | |
| Establishment | |
| 1572 | |
• Union with Chistovodia | 1863 |
• Independence from Chistovodia as North and South Vinalia | 1935 |
• Reunification | 1993 |
| Area | |
• Total | 510,917 km2 (197,266 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2020 estimate |  25,878,816 |
• 2014 census | 24,632,731 |
• Density | 50.65/km2 (131.2/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $593.25 billion |
• Per capita | $22,924 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $269.66 billion |
• Per capita | $10,420 |
| HDI (2020) | 0.76714 high |
| Currency | Vinalian Zolota (VZ) |
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Internet TLD | .vn |
Vinalia (Soravian:Віналія; Vinaliya) officially the United Republic of Vinalia (Soravian:Об'єднана Республіка Віналія; Ob'yednana Respublika Vinaliya ) is a sovereign state in Asteria Superior. It borders Chistovodia to the north, the East Arucian Sea to the east, Ardesia to the south, Marchenia to the west. With a total area of 510,917km2, and population of 25,778,816 million people. Vinalia is the smallest country in mainland Asteria Superior. Vinalia's capital is the planned city of Vinalinsk, which became the capital in 2020 after 27 years of a split government between Orlavo (legislative) and Velkarichka (executive, and judiciary).
Inhabited since antiquity by the native Vinakians, the Vinakians are the name given to a collective of 12 different ethnic groups, sharing characteristics with the Zapoyan's of Ardesia, and the Úuchmáan's of Marchenian from where the Vinakian Language is believed to have originated from. The Vinakians usually came under control of larger and more powerful neighbouring states, usually the Zapoyan kingdoms to the south, primarily the Oaexicun Empire in the south.
With the arrival of the Eucleans and the collapse of the Oaexicun Empire, Vinakian tribes seeked independence, and maintained an independent state until 1590 when Soravian explorers and settlers overthrew them following years of colonization in the coast Soravian colonizers flocked to the colony establishing plantations and mining operations by the turn of the century. In 1865 Vinalia sought independence alongside Chistovodia, which resulted in the establishment of the autonomous Vinalian provinces inside Chistovodia.
Vinalia saw under the auspice of Vadym Babych a rapid industrialization and modernisation of Vinalia, primarily in the North where manufacturing exploded do to the abundance of iron and coal deposits, in the South large agricultural plantations kept resemblance of the old colonial regime. Following Babych's death in 1925, Chistovodia began to slowly disintegrate without his central authority, growing radicalisation of the worker culminated in a general strike and revolution in 1928. Northern Vinalian revolutionaries seeking to separate themselves from Babych and his oppressive past, sought independence for the whole of Vinalia and established the People's Republic of Vinalia. Much of Babych's former administration and many fleeing prosecution from the revolutionaries would find refuge in South Vinalia. Repeated Northern attempts to take over the south would fail and in 1935 peace would be signed establishing the Republic of Vinalia.
Both nations would prosper but conflict would erupt between both republics in a period known as the Vinalian Struggle, where both countries would wage 5 wars against one another. Following their defeat in 1975, a period of peace and prosperity came in the north as the state began to break away from it's Socialist allies and liberalized it's economy. In 1987 the final war would see the Southern decisively defeated and democracy returned to South Vinalia after 20 years. Both nations would begin the process of reunification in 1990 and would become a single country in 1993, following 60 years of separation. The nation would devolve itself into a campaign of rebuilding the nation.
Today Vinalia is a federal parliamentary republic, led by a Minister-President. With 10 Provinces, and 3 Federal Districts, the country is divided between two legal entities the Northern Republic of Vinalia, and the Southern Republic, each with it's own devolved parliament. The nation has prospered and is a rapidly growing economy with a gdp of 268 Million and increasing, with a large manufacturing, services, mining, and agricultural sectors. Although low in regards to other Asterian nations in economic, and human development, the nation has been praised for it's stability and development following it's tumultuous history. The nation today is a member of the Organization of Asterian Nations.
Etymology
The name Vinalia comes from the Vinakian word Vinaki which means people. It's believed that upon contact with Soravian explorer Afanasij Orlev who misunderstood what the indigenous population was trying to say. Historians believe that those that greeted the explorer and his settler introduced themselves as Vinaki Axakaqa (People of Axakaqa), but they understood it backwards with Vinaki meaning the name of the region. Orlev decided to unite both words into Vinalia.
History
Pre-History
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The earliest signs of human habitation in Vinalia, can be traced to around 10,000 BCE from stone tools found in archaeological excavations on the Shryoniy river. As with other early humans, these were mostly nomad Hunter-gatherer societies that transversed the lowlands in the search of suitable hunting grounds and game. Around 4,000 BCE the discovery of agriculture had led to the creation of settled societies in the country. It is unknown which specific culture introduced agriculture in the region, if it were the Zapoyan, or the Úuchmáan from neighboring modern Ardesia in the south, as a result of a rudimentary trading network. Early agricultural societies mostly grew beans, maize, and squash, along with several other agricultural products such as tomatoes, and cocoa in lesser quantities.
It is believed that these early settled societies were vastly different culturally than their Zapoyan, and Úuchmáan neighbors in the south from which they had discovered agriculture from, although they shared similar historical traits, these people were commonly divided into 3 major cultures, Proto-Shryoniy located in the south of the country, Proto-Vulna located in the center and north of the country, and Kisharsk culture in the island. These cultures developed mainly along fertile river valleys and coast, and dedicated themselves to agriculture, although warfare was common in this period of history between villages, for control of farmland, and territory. Zapoyan society had slowly expanded through cultural assimilation and conquest, by 1000 BCE most of the Proto-Shryoniy settlements had either been abandoned or been settled by Zapoyans, and primarily in the Juyu Ruwach Mountains Úuchmáans. A similar fate befell the Proto-Vulna, which are believed to have adopted Zapoyan costumes in a much more peaceful manner. The Kisharsk culture remained highly isolated but it is believed that by the year 100 BCE, it had become indistinguishable from its Zapoyan neighbors.
It is believed that the Lyublytas began settling into the modern Nazar Plateau from neighboring Chistovodia around the year 900 BCE, based on evidence from the ancient settlement of Dovhyy Stil "Long Table" which is dated to that era. It is believed that Dovhyy Stil served a trading hub with other Pre-Historic cultures in the Nazar Plateau region, and beyond as items of Zapoyan origin dating to the 3rd century BCE were discovered in Dovhyy Stil.
Pre-Classical Vinakian 800 BCE-10 CE
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The Pre-Classical period of Vinakian history, is dated to the believed establishment of the city Miyaoachitl in southern Vinalia, a Zapoyan city close to the border between modern day Vinalia and Ardesia. Cities began to appear in the country side, as vast structural complexes were constructed, featuring large centrally located ceremonial platforms from which emanated causeways leading outside the city, with residential dwellings on the sides of causeways. Cities tended to be larger and more populous in the south of the country, Zapoyan cities such as Och-Kan, Patli, Akbit and Chorna Skelya are believed to have been established on a period between 800 BCE and 600 BCE, other cities of importance were the Úuchmáan city of Velykhrob, and Ichtaca on the Juyu Ruwach mountains. This cities operated as City-states, that maintained vast inland trading networks with each other and cities in modern Ardesia, they also participated in political struggles and alliances against one another, in a varied and fluid political landscape. Although the city of Och-Kan was seen as the dominant power in the region, as they maintained a vast system of alliances reaching as far north as Ahau-Kin, and Tetuolmecs city states.
The city of Velykhrob is believed to have led the first of numerous attempts at independence and autonomy from the Meyaletun Empire after it had fallen under the influence of the great Úuchmáan empire to the south. It is believed Zapoyan cities such as Och-Kan, and Miyaoachitl were in favor of such conflicts and sided with Velykhrob, to reduce the power and influence of the Meyatelun Empire, around the year 330 BCE. Although it is unclear if Velykhrob upon gaining independence led a war against its former allies around the year 300 BCE, or Och-Kan sought to annex Velykrob themselves. But the city of Yatzil an ally of Miyaoachitl was abandoned by the Zapoyan population before being occupied by Úuchmáan settlers presumably after a peace treaty had been reached around the year 320 BCE. Och-Kan and Velykhrob developed a deep rivalry as a result of this conflict, with both sides mobilizing large sections of the city states, usually divided among Úuchmáan and Zapoyan lines. These conflict defined the politics of the time, although Och-Kan held a considerable advantage in population, economy, and allies over Velykhrob. Around the year 190 BCE, its believed that Och-Kan decisively defeated Velykhrob and destroyed the city. This move cemented Och-Kans hegemony over the south of Vinalia, and received tribute from Yax Mutal in Kisharsk, to Coatlan on the Medved River. The two great cities of Och-Kan and Miyaochitl engaged in warfare, as the latter sought to reduce the power and influence of Och-Kan, although Miyaochitl had been unable to defeat Och-Kan over several wars starting in 150 BCE and ending in 30 BCE, it had reduced the power and influence Och-Kan could wield. Such developments allowed the Úuchmáan cities to seek independence and growth, as numerous cities were constructed on the Juyu Ruwach, further north which benefited from the nutrient rich soil. During this time, the most powerful Úuchmáan city was that of Velykzir, and its believed it worked against Och-Kan but lacked the relevant power to rival the great southern city.
In the north of the country, the city of Itzel was founded along the banks of the Dotsenko river in the north of the country. Itzel grew in power and influence but remained mostly to itself throughout the centuries. It grew to political prominence in the year 15 BCE when it involved itself in wars with Och-Kan over the key political alignment of the cities of Tlacamina, and Mecahua, which served key purposes in the trade routes between north and south. With Itzel winning said conflicts and establishing itself as a dominant city as they received tribute from all cities north of the Bin River, although a period of civil war is thought to have affected Itzel between 5 CE and 50 CE, which weakened it allowing Och-Kan to recoup the losses of influence it had suffered during its conflict with Itzel.
Classical period
Post-Classical period
Oaexicun Empire and the Confederacy
OUTDATED The Oaxicun Empire from the south in modern day Marirana, would in the 13th Century assist the remaining Zapoyan cities against the Úuchmáans, and had by the 13th century fully submitted the region to their control, the Úuchmáans were forced to convert in almost all aspects to the Zapoyans only keeping their language, the Zapoyan minority easily retook control of the region under the Oaexicun. During this time the coastal city of Itzel near modern day Vinalinsk became the largest capital of the region growing to rival the Oaexicun capital of Moctezuma. Growing tension between Itzel and Moctezuma led to conflict inside the empire in the 1300's, as Itzel had grown rich from trade and created fears of another rival to the power of the city. This led to conflict between both cities, it is unclear but by the year 1350 a revitalized Och-Kan joined into the conflict.
By the 1400s both cities had been decisively defeated and order was restored to the region but not before Úuchmáan revolts in the north had established a Confederacy of city states which banded together to combat the Oaexicun Empire. As the Oaexicun Empire struggled with internal issues from their greater centralization following fears of rebellion from outlying regions, the Confederacy was able to expand it's influence and power, reaching it's peak expansion pre-Euclean arrival sometime in the late 1400's, but the renewed oppressions of the Zapoyans had triggered uprisings and rebellions, and by the turn of the century the Confederacy had lost most of it's gains.
The sudden arrival of the Eucleans to the Oaexicun Empire in 1523, and it's quick collapse following their arrival gave an opportunity for the confederacy to quickly reconquer lost territory and establish itself in the region, the Confederacy which had been able to isolate itself from the collapsing Oaexicun Empire and the Euclean diseases well into the 1540's, the arrival of Poveglian explorers although initially repulsed brought the diseases which had been ravaging the Oaexicuns into the Confederacy decimating it. The Confederacy had by the arrival of the Soravians been reduced to just 15 cities, from which the name the Confederacy of 15 Cities arose.
Establishment of the Calkhun empire sometime somewhere
Soravian colonization
Soravian explorers had made their way across the Lumine in 1565 when Grigori Kosh made his way to Chistovodia to the north of Vinalia. Although Soravia had established a colonial presence in the Asterias it lagged behind in development and economical value from other colonial nations. Expeditions south had been planned, Soravian explorers were keen on finding a passage way to the western colonies of other Euclean powers, the first to launch an expedition south was Afanasij Orlev who set sail from Fort Ruda. Orlev mapped large sections of the Chistovodian coast but with few results and a dwindling stockpile, Orlev made downfall at the mouth of the Medvid River where he established Fort Orlev (which would later become Orlavo. Orlev was the first Soravian to describe the indigenous Vinakians and separate them from other natives encountered in Chistovodia, and suggested the establishment of a second colony for this exact purpose. Orlev would die in Fort Orlev the following year. Grigori Kosh sought to continue the voyage started by Orlev and explored further south establishing some 5 forts on the coasts of the country the most prominent of which was Fort Catherina (Catherinsk), and Fort Ivan (later Ivanovo). Kosh would return north to rule over Chistovodia, the area around Fort Catherina proved to be highly valuable do to the tropical climate which allowed for the growth and cultivation of cash crops primarily sugar. A boom was experienced as settlers travelled from Soravia to Vinalia to work in the growing and prosperous industry growing sugarcane, maize, wheat, among other agricultural items this boom occurred primarily in the south as the north proved to be more difficult to establish agricultural plantations and instead mainly traded in furs as other Soravian holdings in Chistovodia. Although initially friendly towards the foreigners the indigenous population soon began to decline heavily as a result of diseases such as smallpox, and measles, which spread across the intricate trading system of the Calkhun empire and neighboring kingdoms. Josep Mykola on his 1573 expedition to map the Shyroniy river found deserted towns and cities with populations decimated.
The Calkhun empire had by 1578 been reduced to shambles, the rapid spread of disease including a major outbreak of smallpox in Hun-Cane in 1572 and 1576 had decimated its bureaucracy and armed forces. Following the death of his father Teq'un the last emperor of Calkhun launched a great campaign against the Soravian colonizers, some estimate a 20,000 strong army marched from Hun-Cane towards Fort Catherina in the first major indigenous uprising in the Soravian colonies. Teq'un march south was plagued with disease and many of his warriors succumbed to measles after an outbreak occurred in camp, Teq'un himself would die in battle in 1580 after Soravian cavalry ambushed and killed the emperor. Many of Teq'uns warriors and followers either died or were enslaved, the death of its king resulted in what remained of the Calkhun empire succumbing into civil war, Teq'un today is greatly celebrated by the native Vinakian population for his actions against the Soravian colonizers. The Vinakian population would be slowly pushed into the Juyu Ruwach mountains in the coming decades.
The discovery of Copper, Silver, and most importantly gold in the north of the country in the 1610's resulted in mass migrations to the region, as mining enterprises were established all around the country side. This alongside with the successful introduction of tobacco into both north and south resulted in yet another boom in migration as the production of cash crops became the main driver in the Vinalian economy. Large plantations growing cash crops required increasingly large amounts of labor although initially reliant on indentured serfs and indigenous slave workers Soravian merchants soon began to transport Bahian slaves into Vinalia, mainly to work in the sugar industry which had large requirements of labor. A trade system began to develop which would become the backbone of Soravian colonial adventures, a triangular trade as guns, serfs, slaves, and manufactured goods made their way to Vinalia which transported agricultural resources such as coffee, minerals, maize, sugar, and wood to Chistovodia which would convert them into rum, ships, manufactured goods, among other items to transport back to Soravia, this triangle trade proved highly profitable for all involved.
The success of the Yellow Tree War in Chistovodia, was met with great enthusiasm as Vinalian authorities sought to replicate the same process. Large scale fighting against the Vinakian population resumed in 1622, as colonial authorities sought to "clean up" the Chyhyryn river basin, the campaign proved highly demanding in manpower and resources as Vinakian populations were more cohesive than the Batiskas of Chistovodia. Such a long drawn out campaign had left a bitter taste on Soravian authorities and expansion into the interior dragged out in the same manner as expansion in Chistovodia, by 1643 the governor of Vinalia Yakiv Afanasijovych announced that the country had been cleaned up. Vinalia exploration and expansion beyond the Juyu Ruwach mountains was slow do to the hostility of the terrain in the Tziran Desert, and today few people live west of the Juyu Ruwach mountains. Following the exploration of Zalyk explorers west of the Juyu Ruwach, colonial authorities sought to settled "unwanted" populations on the discovered lands with positive migration policies.
Independence and Union with Chistovodia
After achieving independence in 1865 from Soravia following the First Soravian Civil War, Vinalia gained independence from Soravia, but immediately applied to join Chistovodia as a Federal Autonomous state, granting it autonomy regarding some economic, and social policy. This was done to dissuade possible Mariranan interests in the south of the nation, many opposed this move as it was not truly earning the Vinalians independence. The united country quickly came under the control of a military junta led by Vadym Babych in 18xx, perceived as a progressive, and industrialist leader, Babych began the process of industrializing the North of Vinalia along with aiding Soravian landowners in South Vinalia, Babych enjoyed a high popularity in Vinalia do to the vast wealth invested into the region.
With the near immediate emancipation of the serfs upon independence, and the slow reconstruction of Soravia, greatly impacted the Vinalian workforce, specially the agricultural sector. With the start of industrialization many former serfs moved to the north to work on it's expanding industry causing a labor shortage in the south of the country. Many landowners struggled to compete with Northern industries for laborers, and the agricultural sector required subsidizing to continue, the farms which had grown mainly sugar, kokhineal, and rice focused more extensively on Kokhineal which required less manpower than other crops. But the development of artificial textiles threw many new kokhnieal farms into disarray, the prospect of growing Coffee a crop that had a growing market in Euclea and abroad attracted attention from the farmers which sought to grow the crop, however coffee required large amounts of land and laborers and required investment into the Juyu Ruwach mountains where the coffee could be grown perfectly. Colonial authorities established the майно system which granted sizable plots of land to landowners in exchange that they construct the necessary utilities to maintain their plantation, laborers were also provided by the government through a process of day laborers called the Trudivnks. The Trudivnks worked in the plantation and were granted basic items along with housing, which the laborer was required to pay for, with their labor, many Trudivnks were former serfs and indentured slaves which could not obtain another occupation, predatory anti-Vinakian laws in some northern factories forced most Vinakians into predatory Trudivnk contracts which sometimes resulted in debt passed down to children. Former serfs and international workers such as the Gowsas, were granted highly competitive Trudivnk contracts in the hopes of attracting thousands into Vinalia.
By the turn of the century Vinalia was becoming reasonably wealthy, with a thriving industrial sector in the North, but desires to improve the economic situation of laborers in the North saw the establishment of unions, which oversaw strikes organized against the unfair working conditions. The Great Collapse of 1913, saw the agricultural sector of Vinalia the largest at the time crippled by the collapse in foreign trade, immediately concerns arose over the safety of loans given to now bankrupted майно landowners which could now no longer pay. Requests for more support and aid to the landowners was fulfilled in February 1914, with the passing of the Stability Law which saw large sums of money granted to landowners to maintain their crops, which only dwindled the states budget. Many poorer laborers saw their conditions worsen and began organizing strikes throughout the nation demanding better conditions, in October 1914 an agricultural strike and rally in the city of Vevetsia was brutally suppressed by Chistovodian soldiers leaving 15 dead. During this time the Vinalian Committee was established, the committee sought to establish an independent Vinalia. The Vinalian Autonomous Government would in December 1914, with news of worsening conditions in Soravia, defaulted on it's debt, forcing central Chistovodian authorities to intervene. Brutal crackdowns on strikes, primarily in the Black Friday of Orlavo, further angered workers which flocked to the Committee, which maintained strong support in the North but found little headway in the south, as money maintained майно support.
With the 1920 decision to outlaw Union and worker gatherings resulted in the armed uprising of some now banned Unions, this uprisings created tension between the Committee and central authorities do to the Committee's ties to Unions. Following the 1922 Battle of Vunet which saw members of the banned Morechia Hills Union massacred by Chistovodian soldiers, saw the immediate establishment of the Vinalian Council a more radical underground group which sought the forceful removal of Chistovodian control over the country.
Vinalia struggle (1935-1993)
Following independence in a period known as the Vinalian Struggle, saw both Vinalia's engage in a state of animosity and open conflict to overcome the other. The North Vinalia first attempted to take control of the South of the nation in 1933, the First Vinalian Civil War saw both nations accomplish little between 1933 and 1935, when peace was reached after stalemate between the two. Both nations sought support from foreign powers, in an attempt to overtake the other. The native Vinakian population was highly sympathetic of North Vinalia and conducted a guerrilla war against the South under the Vinakian Liberation Front, called the Dirty War. In 1941, the Second Vinalian Civil War between 1941 and 1942 began, and saw the North nearly defeated by a stronger Southern army, which quickly gained large amounts of land, it was only stopped after the involvement of foreign powers in aid of the North. Further Northern attacks, including the Siege of Mollas saw thousands dead, but after some offensives had reconquered lost land in 1942 the war ended inconclusively with Southern forces still occupying large sections of land from the North. A Community of Nations mission maintained a Demilitarized zone between the two following what was stipulated in the Cuanstad Agreements which served as the basis for all subsequent agreements, following peace oppression and war between the South and the VLF intensified. Both nations again with foreign support rebuilt their forces and prepared for an eventual war. Such war would result in the 1955 31 Day War, which saw North Vinalian forces occupying the strategic heights of the Voly Na, and regaining some of the lost territory of the previous war.
Both Vinalia's would crash again in 1961 in the Third Vinalian Civil War, which saw the North launch a pre-emptive strike against the South, as had been done against them in 1941. The war was characterized by a rapid Northern push regaining all the lost land since 1941, the Siege of Jangorod, and the civilian bombings carried out by both sides resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths. The Siege of Jangorod was among the deadliest battles of the entire conflict, with the city under siege and intensive shelling since the start of the war in November, the surrender of the city the 18th of March broke Southern more and the North was able to launch multiple attacks however by 1962 with a worsening situation in Asteria Superior between Marchenia, and Chistovodia supporting opposing sides of the conflict, peace would be reached between both Vinalia's as foreign support stopped do to the conflict between the both regional powers, the North providing aid to it's Chistovodian allies. The September Coup saw the end of the South Vinalian democratic government with the installation of a military junta led by General Stefan Tretyak, in 1966 the New Nation Movement of Danylo Palij reached leadership of the North following Kirenian ideals of the same time, denouncing religion and other Southern ideals. The Dirty War switched to it's most brutal state as systematic killing of Vinakian populations by the Southern government resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 Vinakians and what is called a Genocide. In the North the radical Episemialist League conducted terror attacks in the North during this period, most prominently those aimed against the Orlavo Metro. The Kotenko brothers would in 1968 organize a coup on Tretyak overthrowing him, with Dmytro Kotenko "the elder" becoming president of the nation.
In 1975 the 31 Day War began after Northern forces invaded the South, initially a Northern rapid advance was experienced but with support from Marirana, the South was able to counter attack inflicting heavy casualties and obtaining large swathes of land, soon the North had been decisively defeated, ending the New Nation movement. The South would undergo a period of political isolation as coverage on the Dirty War brought the reduction of support from Southern allies, the North of Orest Ishkan began a process of economic recovery and reconstruction which was highly contrasted by the economically depressed, and isolated South which was beginning to crumble do to internal strife between the juntas, following the death of Dmytro in 1980 and Artem "the younger" being perceived as weak. Artem would face coups in 1982, 1983, and July and December 1986. In 1987 the South would launch the 12 Day War, which would see a Southern attempt to knock out the North, which it perceived as weaker following reduction expansion of it's army and a perceived worldwide Socialist retreat. Northern forces however were able to resist such attack, and soon launched a counter attack quickly pushing the South inflicting heavy casualties and opening the road to Velkarichka. Facing imminent collapse from inner issues do to large scale democratic protests, and Northern armored columns approaching, the South signed an armistice the 12th of July 1987, with the North. The July Revolution would see the return of Democracy to the South under the leadership of Vladyslava Danylivna, the daughter of a murdered Southern politician in the September Coup of 1962. The Treaty of Vina reached a peace accord between both nations.
Reunification
With the end of the war, and the Treaty of Vina establishing peace, both nations seeked common ground to ensure no further conflict in the region, in 1988 a Partnership was established to further relationships between the two nations. The concept of Vinalian Reunification which had been revived in the North following the downfall of the New Nation, and had regained prevalence, and in the south with both nations now full democracies with little to wager war with grew, the establishment of a Vinalian Unionist Party in both states in 1987 under the leadership of Narlow. In the 1988 elections the Unionist Party would gain large victories in the North and South. The 1989 Reunification referendum would earn in favor of reunification 78% support in the North and 70% in the South.
Reunification between both governments would take until 1993 when the Treaty of Vinalian Reunification or TVR, with the decision to create a new nation, split into two constituent states North and South, along the lines of the Vina Treaty. It was agreed that the branches of government would be split between Orlavo (Legislative), and Velkarichka (Judicial, and Executive) in the south, a new capital was to be found to house all 3 branches in the middle of both states which ultimately became the planned city of Vinalinsk. To ensure proper representation the President and the Minister-President would be split between North and South, along with a constituent parliament following the rules of the federal parliament for the states. The TVR would be signed on the XXXXX of XXXX, to come into effect the following day ending 60 years of separation for both nations. Northern Minister-President Oleksandr Artemovych would become Minister-President with Southern President Vladyslava Danylivna becoming president, until elections next year, where Vladyslava would lead the Unionist party to its first victory and become Minister-President appointing Oleksandr as President.
Vinalia had following reunification large scale poverty and economic inequality in the south, it also found most of the South's infrastructure in a bad state following years of neglect and the civil war. Vinalia at first attempted to bridge the economic gap between both sides through large scale investment programs in the south, but downturn in the North forced Vinalia to seek other routes. Hallandic interests in the country primarily it's mining industry established the first of a series of economic partnerships between both nations in 1998. By the year 2002 Economic downturn had been replaced by a resurgent South which through years of investment had recovered and established itself as a prosperous market for investment by governments in the North. Vinalia has maintained a steady growth and reduced poverty from 30% in 1995, to just 10% in 2005, and reduced income inequality, establishing itself as a low cost prosperous nation, under the guidance of the Unionist Party.
Modern Day
In 2008 for the first time since reunification the Unionist Party would not be the largest party in Parliament instead with the mainly southern Conservative party of Ulyana Hryhorivna surging ahead, maintaining the tradition of the Grand Coalition of the Unionist-Workers-Conservative party intact establishing 7 years of uncontested conservative control. Vinalia under the leadership of Ulyana had begun the process of re-arming of the Army following tensions and the latter Civil War in Marirana, which overwhelmed the immigration system of the nation as large amounts of Zapoyan refugees moved to Vinalia in 2015. The Conservative party opposed such large acceptance of immigrants, while the Workers Party supported the acceptance of refugees to bolster the declining birthrate. Tensions over the issue were the first large scale problem for the Grand Coalition as many announced their intention to leave the Coalition depending on where the quota of immigration was set. Following a Worker's Party friendly quota, parlimentaries of the Conservative Party established the Freedom Party, effectively ending Conservative Party control, and the ascension of the Southern born Turden Najic of the Unionist Party the next year. Turden's leadership would maintain the prosperous conditions of the Ulyana Government, and would in 2018 lead to the largest Unionist victory in history. Turden would step down from leading the party, and Omelyan Pavlov would be elected as Minister-President.
Vinalinsk the planned capital city of Vinalia, established in the Treaty of Reunification had remained a contentious issue, as many believed a split division ensured stability. Under the leadership of Ulyana the building of the city had increased, but funding and delays had moved the movement of government institutions to 2022. Turden in 2015 began the process of replanning the city to reduce costs, and move the opening date to 2020. With the establishment of a new capital the last unfulfilled commitment of the Treaty was completed.
Geography
Vinalia is located between latitudes 19° and 28°N, and longitudes 95° and 107°E in the southeastern portion of Asteria Superior. It borders Chistovodia to its north, the Kosene sea to the northeast, the East Arucian Sea to the east and southeast, Ardesia to the south and southwest, and Marchenia to the west of the country. Vinalia's total area is 510,917 km2 (197,266 sq mi), making it among the smallest countries in the world. Vinalia's coastline with the Kosene Sea and the East Arucian is long and numerous islands exist the largest of which is Kisharsk off Vinalia across the Kisharsk strait and the furthest is the volcanic island of Apostola 175 kilometres (108 miles) in the East Arucian.
Vinalia's borders with its neighbors were mostly defined during the colonial era, its border with Chistovodia stems from an 1800's royal decree which defined the Colonial borders of the Soravian empire. Its border with Ardesia is defined by the X river, while its border with Marchenia was defined in the 1940's following numerous disputes regarding the location of the border.
Vinalia is split in the middle by the Juyu Ruwach mountains which divide the country into two, the lush and fertile lowlands east of the Juyu Ruwach and the more desertlike in the south west of the country and arid in the north as the rain shadow effect is less decisive as the Juyu Ruwach are less elevated the further north you go. The Tziran desert in the southwest of the country is among the driest in the world and it extends into neighboring Marchenia, although few rivers exist west of the Juyu Ruwach some streams exist that empty into salt lakes as the area west of the Juyu Ruwach are an endorheic basin, to the north of the Tziran the Juyu Ruwach reduce in height and lead to arid plains from which the Nazar Plateau rises, the plateau is referred to as a Tablytsya "table" in Soravian, do its flat surface at its highest point it rises to 1,500 m (5,000 ft) above sea level. The southern areas of the country are highly lush and fertile farmlands with dense and thick jungle in a large plain and lowlands. Its tropical weather makes the region highly fertile and is where large quantities of crops are grown and cultivated since the establishment of Vinalia, it features large and navigable rivers such as the Shryoniy (vinalia's longest), and Chyhyryn rivers which provide ample water for agriculture, this region experiences months of humid weather. To its north the hilly areas of the Bin river which historically separated both Vinalia's give way to a more temperate weather with mixed forests appearing in the inner regions of the country with the coastal regions maintaining a humid subtropical climate.
Vinalia's highest point is Mount Vulna at 3760 m (12,336 ft). Mount Vulna is one of some 30 volcanoes in Vinalia, of which only 3 remain active: Hromleten 3,329 m (10,922 ft) which erupts on a constant basis, Vsyki 3,011 m (9,879ft) which last erupted in 2015, and Cathara 2,168 m (7,113 ft) which last erupted in 2021. Vinalia's lowest point is Mertre point -34 m (−112 ft) below sea level which is located inside the Cherisok depression inside the Tziran desert.
Mount Vulna the tallest volcano and mountain in Vinalia.
Panorama of the Juyu Ruwach mountains.
Chudzekal salt flats
Zalani lake with Mount Vulna volcano in the background.
Chyhyryn River on the Juyu Ruwach.
Nazar Plateau a large plateau on the northwestern side of the country.
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Climate
Fauna
Quetzal in Royal Vinalian Biology Center. Vinalias national animal.
Grey Tailed Coyote in the Nazar Plateau.
Vinalian Spiny Tailed Iguana on the banks of the Bin River. Vinalias national Reptile
Tziran Giant horned lizard in Catherinsk Zoo.
Arucian manatee on the Kisharsk strait. Vinalias national Aquatic animal.
Camponotus Nikolai in Catherinsk Zoo.
Hammerhead shark in the Kisharsk strait.
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Vinalia holds a large variety of bio diversity in it's borders with the region besides Marirana in the south also known for it's vast bio diversity. Vinalia holds a large amount of mammal, fish, reptilian, avian, amphibian, and plant species in it's borders. Soravian scientists held large interest on the country and in 1799 established the Royal Vinalian Biology Center in Velkarichka, today the Biology Center is owned and operated by the Vinalian government, and a the largest nature reserve in Vinalia the Royal Vinalian Reserve was established in it's honor in 1999 along the border with Marirana. Large sections specially in the south are classified as Nature Reserves with the largest one outside of the south being the Grey Mountain reserve in the north alongside the border with Chistovodia. The 5 Triangles Reserve off the island of Kisharsk is the largest sea based nature reserve. The Quetzal is native to Vinalia, and inhabits at the foots of the Juyu Ruwach mountains, it alongside the Axolotl are the national animals of Vinalia, the axolotl is native to the lakes surrounding Mount Vulna
The Ministry of Agriculture and the environment has made strides to prevent the illegal hunting of endangered species, which ran rampant in the 60's to 80's and nearly drove the Quetzal to extinction. Following a decree in 1995, wide spread action to defend Vinalia's flora and fauna has resulted in one of the worlds most aggressive anti poaching and reforestation campaigns in the world, with promising results with various species being removed from the endangered species list. Vinalia has been praised internationally for such methods.
To further aid in conservation efforts, in 2015 Vinalia recognized 3 other animals as having official status, as national animals just like the Quetzal, this animals were: the Axolotl which was named national Amphibian; the Arucian manatee which was named National Aquatic animal; and the Vinalian Spiny Tailed Iguana as the national Reptile. Such efforts have been met with great success, as greater exposure of this animals have helped in conservation efforts.
Flora
Government
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Vinalia is a federal, parlimentary, and representative republic. Vinalia is made up of three constituent states, the Republic of North Vinalia, the Republic of South Vinalia, and the Vinalinsk capital district. Federal legislative power is vested on the Bicameral Vinalian Parliament made up of the Senate of the Union (Сенат Союзу; Senat Soyuzu) which is the upper house, and the House of the People (Будинок народу; Budynok Narodu) which is the lower house of parliament. The Senate of the Union is a 39 seat chamber with each province and Federal district assigned 3 members each, which are elected by closed list proportional representation. The House of the People is a 185 member assembly elected by the same method, each province and federal district is allocated a seat based on population, seats are added based on the province or district with the smallest population. The state Parliaments of both North and South work in a similar manner to the House of the People, with seats allocated by population at the discretion of the state, the North Vinalian Parliament is made up of 262 members, and the Southern Parliament is made up of 148 seats. The Capital district of Vinalinsk does not yet have its own Parliament, as it will be elected in the 2021 General election, but it is to consist of 7 members. The Vinalia political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1994 constitution known as the загальне право (Common Law). Amendments generally require a two-thirds majority of both houses of Parliament along with the state legislatures of its constituent states; the fundamental principles of the constitution, as expressed in the articles guaranteeing peace, unity, human dignity, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the rule of law, are valid in perpetuity.
The President, currently Ersnt Rupold, is the head of state and invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the Senate of the Union, by a simple majority. The second-highest official and the head of government is the Minister-President, who is appointed by the House of the People after being elected by the party or coalition with the most seats in the Vinalian Parliament. The Minister-President, currently Omelyan Pavlov, is the head of government and exercises executive power through their Cabinet. By constitutional law, the President and Minister-President may not be from the same constituent state to ensure fairness, this requirement has been met with the election of a new president whenever the issue has appeared.
Since reunification the Unionist Party has dominated politics in the country, it has been involved in all governments in Vinalia to some capacity, the other two major parties are those of the Workers Party, and the Conservative Party, which enjoy great support in North and South Vinalia respectively. All 3 parties have since 2015 worked in a Grand Coalition together, under the leadership of Unionist Minister-Presidents.
Political Divisions
Vinalia was historically been split between various kingdoms and city states, its linguistical and cultural diversity made it hard for strong central authorities to emerge in a system that did not rely upon a federation structure. Colonial Vinalia maintained a strong central authority located on the city of Velkarichka, but it struggled to maintain rule and order on its Northern territories which had maintained close commercial, and cultural ties with Chistovodia. Upon joining Chistovodia, the Vinalian Assembly was created to represent the Vinalian provinces in an attempt to maintain the previous colonial administration this time from the city of Orlavo. The Vinalian Provinces numbered up to 30 by 1930, in an attempt by the Chistovodian federal government to reduce the cohesion and unity of the assembly which had increasingly found itself against the federal government in Misto Myru, and the increasing calls from Vinalians for independence. Upon the official separation of Vinalia as two states, one based in Velkarichka taking inspiration from Pre-Chistovodian times, and another in Orlavo which under control of the Workers International saw itself closer with Chistovodia and the identity it had created dating back to colonial times. The reunification of both Vinalia's in 1993 and the creation of the new republic highlighted the differences both states had been cultivating basically since their establishment in colonial times.
Vinalia is made up of three constituent states, the Republic of North Vinalia (the former People's Republic of Vinalia), the Republic of South Vinalia (the former Republic of Vinalia), and the Vinalinsk capital district. Each of the 3 constituent states elect their own state parliaments, and state courts, this state parliaments and courts reserve various rights in regards to federal legislature and processes, they elect a speaker which acts as head of state of the individual republic and is a member of the Minister-presidents cabinet. Each of the states aside from the federal Unified republic, have 5 provinces, and 1 federal district, which are the capitals of both states (Orlavo and Velkarichka respectively), each province elects a governor by plurality to serve 4 year terms, as are members to the state congress. Following this provinces are further divided into municipalities, counties in the case of Vinalinsk, and Wards in the case Velkarichka, this subdivisions elect their own major in the south and Vinalinsk, while in the north a municipal council is elected which elects a major from its ranks every year for its 4 year terms. Vinalia is split into 393 municipal-level subdivisions.
| Name | Capital | Population | Constituent state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlavo Federal District | Orlavo | 2,122,521 | North |
| North Juyu Ruwach | Rubizhne | 302,743 | North |
| Rigalia | Morechia | 3,527,112 | North |
| Zamara | Chervona | 3,959,215 | North |
| North Bin | Casimirsk | 2,617,053 | North |
| Zdavro | Artemove | 664,631 | North |
| Velkarichka Federal District | Velkarichka | 1,951,125 | South |
| Chyhyryn | Catherinsk | 1,061,730 | South |
| South Juyu Ruwach | Irshava | 134,600 | South |
| Shyroniy | New Samistopol | 4,711,060 | South |
| Kisharsk | Ivanovo | 596,732 | South |
| South Bin | Tajinsk | 2,633,057 | South |
| Vinalinsk Capital District | Vinalinsk | 351,152 | Capital |
Military
The People’s Defence Force is tasked with the defence of Vinalian Sovereignty and interests, it’s divided into the People's Army, People’s Navy, People’s Air Force, and the People’s Guard. The People’s Guard is a provincial level unit under the command of Provincial Governors. Although the Army has been fully professional since 1993, the People’s Guard relies on Conscripts to fulfill its role, this is to ensure that there will always be a 50/50 split between Northerners and Southerners, but Military Service is not required of those conscripted with civil duty jobs available. Vinalia has undergone rapid demilitarization from the Civil War going from around 750,000 between both Vinalia’s to some 40,000 plus 35,000 People’s Guard, for a total of 75,000, plus 50,000 reservists. By law expenditure may not exceed 1.8% of GDP in peacetime, unless approved by both houses of Parliament and the Constituent state Houses.
The Vinalian Army the largest of the 4 branches with some 30,000 personnel, the Vinalian Army is well equipped do to large stocks of weaponry from the Civil War, and foreign acquired equipment. The Vinalian Airforce is well equipped with Vinalian made, and foreign bought planes, specially Soravian bought. Vinalia acquired the G-7 aircraft from Soravia in 2021. The Vinalian Navy has seen considerable growth as the government aims to establish a competent navy for the nation, with some 25 vessels. The People's guard serve as a reserve component of the army, but are not classified in the General Reserve of some 50,000 men.
Vinalia has contributed to Community of Nations peacekeeping missions, as a repayment to the multiple missions held in Vinalia. Vinalia has stated it's intention to maintain at the minimum 200 peacekeepers deployed worldwide at any given time, as a commitment to peace and the organization. Vinalian peacekeepers have been active in X, since X.
Vinalia during the civil war developed a strong local military industry, locally producing licensed products from other nations. The TYI-80 is locally produced being in production since 1980 in Northern Vinalia, based on Chistovodian and Kirenian models. Following the civil war Vinalian exportation of military equipment accounted for an average of 10% of all Vinalian exports between 1993-1995, as large scales of mechanized equipment, aircraft, and small arms were sold, today the nation maintains strict control of military exportation, with only limited exports of the TYI-80 allowed.
Foreign Relations
Vinalia maintains close economic, military, and cultural ties with Chistovodia do to their shared heritage along with being it's main trading partner. Vinalia maintains close cultural, and economic ties with Soravia do to their shared colonial past. Ties with other socialist nations such as Kirenia, Dezevau, and Maracao are maintained with various previous programs regarding scholarships between AIS nation established in the North still continued, with some 500 scholarships offered to Vinalian students primarily from Kirenia. Vinalia maintains economic and trading agreements with the AFDC, along with ASTRA, with which the nation has sought closer ties since the 2000's. Vinalia maintains ties with both East Miersa, and West Miersa, citing the common struggles with reunifying two separate nations, as Vinalia experienced before it's reunification. Vinalia is also a member of the OAN, calling for the neutrality of the organization. Vinalia by law may not enter into Military Alliances nor maintain military agreements. Vinalia is currently a member of the Community of Nations Security Committee on the 2021-2023 Asterian North seat.
Vinalia maintains its position against Nuclear weaponry and has supported and proposed numerous Community of Nation attempts at nuclear disarmament, having announced its denunciation on the development, usage, and keeping of the weaponry, Vinalia is also a major proponent on varying laws regarding the rules of war, primarily the weaponry used. Vinalia has also renounced to the utilization and development of varying types of weaponry such as landmines, chemical weapons and other chemical products such as tear gas and pepper spray. Vinalia has contributed to CN peacekeeping missions and goodwill missions in numerous Bahian nations.
Law enforcement
Public security is constitutionally enacted at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, each of which has different prerogatives and responsibilities. Municipal level police departments are primarily in charge of law enforcement, and bar certain duties conduct most policing. Provincial level law enforcement is centered primarily in the People's Guard which provide primarily riot control duties, along with policing in areas where municipal level law enforcement are unable to police, and some level of search and rescue in some instances. Federal law enforcement relies on the Federal Police which performs specialized duties primarily policing of federal buildings, other duties befall on the special tactical unit of the STSP which performs several other missions such as counter-terrorism, and hostage rescue. Its prosecution wing investigates and prosecutes those accused of crimes at the federal level primarily drug, and arms trafficking, espionage, bank robberies, among others. All law enforcement reports to the Ministry of the Interior.
After an increase in crime and general low confidence in law enforcement during the 1990's and 2000's, Minister-President Ulyana Hryhorivna introduced in 2009 various reforms that streamlined the job of the police and defined the roles of the 3 levels of police, to reduce delays and logistical issues. Such reforms were met with great success and the effectiveness of law enforcement and its operations have increased, although crime remains an issue in some areas.
Demographics
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1870 | 4,000,000 | — |
| 1890 | 4,920,000 | +23.0% |
| 1900 | 5,962,000 | +21.2% |
| 1910 | 7,000,000 | +17.4% |
| 1920 | 9,000,000 | +28.6% |
| 1946 (North) | 13,400,000 | +48.9% |
| 1954 (South) | 14,560,000 | +8.7% |
| 1960 (South) | 14,953,742 | +2.7% |
| 1967 (North) | 15,926,267 | +6.5% |
| 1975 (South) | 17,377,000 | +9.1% |
| 1981 (North) | 17,636,000 | +1.5% |
| 1990 (North) | 18,500,000 | +4.9% |
| 1994 | 19,950,637 | +7.8% |
| 2004 | 22,330,527 | +11.9% |
| 2014 | 24,632,731 | +10.3% |
| Source: Ministry of the Interior | ||
The historical population of Vinalia, has always been a common issue. Although censuses had existed during the Soravian colonization, various discrepancies existed in the counting, which made them unreliable. The first census which is usually considered of best quality, was during the 1870 Census of Chistovodia, where the population was marked at 4 million. Chistovodia conducted another census in 1890, and conducted one every 10 years until 1930, when no census took place. The split of both Vinalias created a problem, as both states conducted census arbitrarily, and without conjunction of each other. Although South Vinalia had conducted a census in 1938, North Vinalia didn't conduct one until 1946, when South Vinalia conducted its own census again after having deemed the 1938 census inconclusive following war time gains. War time divisions and issues of consistency plagued censuses conducted by both states, the following table is the official count by the Ministry of the Interior, which combines official data from both sides. The country that conducted the census on that year is marked, although data is unreliable.
Such lack of consistent and reliable information, led to the 1994 Vinalian census, which for the first time, counted all countries inhabitants, at 19.95 million people. A census has been conducted every 10 years after that, in 2004 22.33 million peoples lived in the country, while in 2014 that number had jumped to 24.63 million. Today its estimated some 25.878 million people live in the country. Another census is to be conducted on 2024. Vinalias population makes it the smallest country in mainland Asteria Superior. Vinalia holds a population density of 50.65/km2 (131.2/sq mi), with a life expectancy of 72.6 years. Most of the population lives in Urban areas with some 51% living in urban areas, the largest of which is Orlavo in the north with a metropolitan population of 2.12 million people, and Velkarichka in the south with 1.95 million people.
Ethnic groups
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The biggest demographic group are those of mixed Euclean, and Vinakian descent, making up 44% of the population. At second are those of Soravian Descent at 34%, who trace their heritage to serfs which arrived to Vinalia from the Soravian Empire throughout the colonization of Vinalia. Following them are the Vinakians at 15% which make up the native population of Vinalia prior to colonisation, Vinakians can be divided into 5 major groups divided by culture and language, the largest group being the {wp|Kʼicheʼ_people|Apjai}} at 45% of all Vinakians. Finally at 7% a wide variety of descents can be traced, the largest of this are those of Bahian descent, which claim heritage from slaves brought to Vinalia large Bahian descendant communities have been formed with numerous claiming direct heritage to various ethnic groups in Bahia. Another group are those descendants of the Gowsa from Southeast Coius, which migrated to primarily Southern Vinalia in the 19th and 20th centuries to work in agriculture, and the mining sector. Today some 60,000 people claim heritage from the 5,000-8,000 original immigrants which remained in Vinalia, primarily from Dezevau. Zalyk populations in Vinalia, have been on the receiving end of numerous discriminatory policies in its history, although very few live in Vinalia, they have been seen as the face of discriminatory policies along with the indigenous Vinakians and Vinalians of Zalykian descent are vocal supporters of greater equality in Vinalia. Other important groups that reside in Vinalia include Senrians, Xiadongese, Gaullicans, Etrurians, Lavanans, among others.
Health
Vinalia has a Universal health care system, which can trace it's history to North Vinalia's policies which established a universal system in 1938, the North's system was adopted upon reunification to serve as the basis for it's implementation in South Vinalia, where health coverage was provided mostly by private entities with government owned hospitals lagging behind and located mostly in the rural regions of the country. Vinalia maintains basic universal insurance for all people, other plans exist which expand the range by which the insurance can be maintained, this insurance is applicable for private and public institutions in the country. Vinalia has been praised for it's advanced health system, which stands as highly developed for a nation of it's size and economic power. Spending on the health system accounts for about 7% of the gdp of the nation, life expectancy in Vinalia stands at about 72.6 years which stands under the global average but has seen a steady increase over the years.
Upon reunification Des nutrition and undernourishment were the main health concern areas for the Ministry of health and were only resolved in 1997, after the government improved the state of rural food distribution, and established multiple clinics in the country side. It has also moved to reduce the amount of cultural and natural medicine in the country, with the establishment of some 3,000 small and mid sized clinics in areas where coverage is considered lacking or insufficient. Vaccination campaigns throughout the country, have raised vaccination rates, tropical diseases have suffered a steady decline, some diseases such as Typhoid Fever have been all but eradicated. Vinalian programs attract foreign internationals to study health related subjects in the country, to improve it's doctor-citizen ratio recommended by international health organizations which reached the average recommended by the organization in 2008. Vinalia has also earmarked technological growth as one of the necessary pillars of the system with Vinalian hospitals in urban cities being considered highly developed, the country has in the area of Cardiovascular disease (CVD), been a leading figure in development of technologies to combat the disease, with the Orlavo National Heart Hospital being marked as one of the leading hospitals in regards to CVD around the world.
Vinalian Mental Health coverage is considered as among the best in the world, mainly do to efforts of Northern politicians to reduce the levels of "Combat Fatigue" in soldiers and civilians caught in war zones. Studies conducted after the wars established higher than normal levels of Mood Disorders primarily in Vinakian populations directly affected by the genocide, and populations subjected to long sieges or bombings. Such discoveries pushed authorities to expand mental health access to all Vinalian citizens, and has been marked as among the leading methods of managing the subject. Tough restrictions on tobacco products along with extensive treatment options, have reduced the amount of smokers from 33% in 1999, to around 20% in 2015, to positive effect in the Vinalian healthcare sector as a slight decrease in pulmonary disease and other respiratory ailments can be attributed to the reduction in smokers, Vinalian citizens were among the lowest in the world to develop lung cancer.
Education
Literacy rates in the country have grown to about 98% of the population, an increase from 78% in 1993, this do to large scale government investment in rural schooling primarily Vinakian areas. Over 1,000 institutions were built throughout the country between 1993 and 1997, which helped the literacy rate in the country. Education in Vinalia is split between public and private institutions with some 30% assisting private institutions, most private institutions specialize in the teaching of foreign languages primarily Gaullican and Estmerish and are sought after for their academic achievements. Vinalian school years run from September to June, schooling is mandatory for all 12 years of primary and secondary education, with the option for an additional 2 years in specialized schools existing. Some of this specialized schools are considered to be pre-university education and are mostly private institutions found in rural areas educating in areas such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and woodworking. All Vinalian students must take a standardized National Education Test, or NET which questions on a variety of subjects including Mathematics, History, Biology, Chemistry, and Soravian.
In Vinalia 10 public universities exist: the University of Vulaninsk, University of Catherinsk, University of Chervona, University of Morechia, University of Jangorod, University of Casimirsk, University of North Orlavo, University of Orlavo, University of Velkarichka, and the University of New Samistopol. Along with 3 private universities: The University of Bin, the Episemialist University of Chervona, University of the Interior, and the University of the Sciences. The University of New Samistopol was established in 1693 and is among the oldest in the Asterias, closely followed by the University of Orlavo in 1711. The University of Jangorod was established in 2001, and has grown to be among the most prestigious institutions in Vinalia. The private University of the Interior was the first university to be established in Vinalinsk, when it opened its doors in 2019. Vinalian institutions run numerous programs in other developing states with the goal of attracting foreign students to Vinalia, with the intention of making them remain in the country, Medicine, STEM, and Technology related areas have been specially targeted by institutions with some 68% of students staying in Vinalia after completing their studies, with many pursuing further education and many entering the job market in Vinalia.
Religion
The 2014 census registered that ranking first at 57% (14.04 million) were registered members of the Episemialist Church, ranking second at 32% (7.88 million) are declared as having no religion, ranking third at 4% (985,309) as being members of the Solarian Catholic Church, with 7% (1.72 million) people being members of other religions such as Badi, Irfan, numerous Amendist denominations, Atudism, including indigenous beliefs.
Religion in the country can trace its root to indigenous beliefs, dating back to the earliest establishments of civilization. Zapoyan city states developed intricate belief systems with a varied system of interconnected beliefs and temples throughout the land. Zapoyan temples were usually the best built structures in a given city, and most Zapoyan buildings still standing are temples, some dating back to the 3rd century CE. Although most of the belief system has been lost, certain practices and beliefs are maintained by the indigenous population, who mostly incorporate elements of the Episemialist teachings with local culture and beliefs.
With Soravian colonization came the conversion, some times forcefully of the indigenous population. Episemialist missionaries made their way to Vinalia and the Soravian colonies to convert indigenous workers inside plantations and farms in Vinalia, following the Yellow Tree war and continued colonial expansion brought colonial churches into the inland territories to further spread Episemialist beliefs in the country. Religion was incredibly important for settlers, large numbers of indentured servants found common relationships and friendships in church, which became central to the life of a colonist. Colonial authorities both in Velkarichka, Orlavo, and Samistopol sought to strengthen ties between the colonial population and the home country through religion. Churches in Vinalia were usually modeled or inspired on churches back in Soravia. The original Church of St. Hippodalia in Orlavo can be dated back to 1650, which was built in inspiration of the Meredosia Cathedral in Uzyn, the oldest continuous church in Vinalia is that of St. Catherina which dates back to 1670 in Catherinsk and was inspired on the Udatsyi Cathedral, Patovatra.
The independence of Chistovodia, a certain distancing from the Episemialist church in Soravia began to occur, as the central government establishing itself as a secular state, but it struggled to truly separate church and state. The rise of the Workers International in both Chistovodia and North Vinalia, was marked by a clear rhetoric that emphasized secular structures, and separation of church and state. While Chistovodia and North Vinalia saw an establishment in strong secular structures, South Vinalia sought to establish itself in a way which could not cause the Episemialist church to move against it. The church and the South Vinalian Republic struggled for control, but church influence had reduced by the 50's, before a stronger emphasis in the north for the establishment of state atheism, with the New Nation Movement. The New Nation Movement made it basically illegal to practice any religion in North Vinalia, causing a rebirth in South Vinalian religious movements which sought to establish itself as different from the atheist North.
Following reunification, large numbers of North Vinalians moved away from state mandated atheism, which although had relaxed since the 70's, still didnt enjoy the freedoms of earlier. Today Vinalia holds a relevant Irreligious minority, which is mostly localized in the former People's Republic with 92% (7.25 million) of irreligious citizens, with only 8% (630,597) in the South. Today Vinalia is a strong secular state, although religion does play a large role in people's life, although its been declining in urban areas, while it enjoys great attendance and importance in more Vinakian and rural areas.
A small Catholic Solarian minority exists in the country, mainly as a result of Ardesian missionaries which have moved into the country following the 90's. Their great success comes mainly from rejection of Episemialist traditional beliefs for new beliefs, it has slowly been increasing in registered members since the 90s. Small minorities of Badists exist in the country, mainly as a result of Gowsas which made their way into Vinalia, although its a small minority, they're strong close knitted communities. Which have had success in attracting followers from outside the descendants of Gowsas. Other small minorities such as Irfanics, numerous Amendists, and Atudites exist in the country, mostly from migrant groups that settled on the country.
Language
By law, Vinalia may not maintain an official language, although Soravian is the de facto national language as its spoken by up to 98% of population, with 20.4 million First language speakers. Although Vinalian Soravian is relatively similar to Chistovodian Soravian, and Soravian from Euclea, some differences do exist. Primarily stronger pronunciation of the Ж (Zhe), and O letters when speaking, some word choices also differ in Vinalian Soravian...
Vinalia holds a relatively large population that does not speak Soravian as a first language, up to 17% or 4.18 million people speak up to 25 recognized languages, recognized under the Law of Languages of 2010. Vinalian law recognizes 4 major linguistic groups in the country, in parentheses are total number of speakers: Those of Euclean origin numbering 4 among them Soravian (24.14 million), Zalyk (276,000), and Luzelese (251,000). Those of Vinalian-Zapoyan origin numbering 8 including Zapoyan (3.26 million), Cora (267,000), and Huichol (201,000). Those of Úuchmáan origin numbering 12 among them Apjai (1.61 million), Quejua (900,000), and Mam (750,000). The final group is that of Lyublytas origin, with the only language recognized being Damayan (56,000). The average Vinalian is bilingual, but its not uncommon for one to be trilingual. Indigenous Vinalian languages have had dwindling first language speakers, and a general decline in total speakers as Soravian or other Euclean languages have been favored instead, the government has attempted since 2000 to preserve this languages and their heritage with mixed results. The government has sought to work alongside the Institute for Social Linguistics in a variety of programs ranging from radio stations to printed newspapers for the preservation and protection of indigenous linguistical heritage.
Gaullican is spoken by 15% of the population as a second tongue and has been considered applicable to be recognized as a Vinalian language under the current law, but the addition of yet another Euclean language has been met with resistance. Gaullican importance and geographical closeness to Gaullican speaking countries have resulted in great interest in the language, various Gaullican schools have been established on the country, the most prominent of which is the Catherinsk Academy of Gaullican Arts which teaches exclusively in Gaullican. Other languages of importance in the country include Estmerish, Xiaodongese, [[Dezevau|Ziba}}, and Senrian mostly from immigrant communities that have settled in the country.
Immigration
Cities
| Largest urban centers by population | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Settlement | Population |
| ||||
| 1 | Orlavo | 2,122,521 | |||||
| 2 | Velkarichka | 1,951,125 | |||||
| 3 | Chervona | 869,377 | |||||
| 4 | Catherinsk | 663,356 | |||||
| 5 | New Samistopol | 662,753 | |||||
| 6 | Casimirsk | 533,152 | |||||
| 7 | Morechia | 500,152 | |||||
| 6 | Jangorod | 473,152 | |||||
| 9 | Vinalinsk | 351,152 | |||||
| 10 | Vulaninsk | 213,631 | |||||
Economy
Vinalia is a mixed economy with private and public enterprises. Vinalia is a developing country, with a relatively poor economy when compared with the rest of the Asteria's, but it has showcased strong economic growth, and recovery from the 2005 Crisis, posting good economic growth around 4% and peaking at 6% in 2014. With a GDP of $269 million nominal ($593 million PPP), one of the lowest in the Asterias, with a GDP per capita of just $10,420 nominal ($22,924 PPP), among the lowest in the region.
Vinalia has a strong manufacturing sector most notably it's auto manufacturing, agriculture remains an important area of the economy with it being 35% of it's exports, but it has been on decline as the services and manufacturing sectors have been benefited by increased government support. Mining along with oil drilling are conducted by publicly owned companies, alongside the construction industry where the Government maintains a strong presence. Vinalia has shown growth by it's stability and attraction to foreign investment, as many companies previously based in Marirana have moved to Vinalia to avoid the civil war and instability of the country, while still obtaining low production costs. Vinalia's main exports are manufactured goods such as cars, airplane parts, among others, natural resources such as Iron, coal, Uranium, lithium and Phosphorus, agricultural products such as sugar, coffee, bananas, and others.
The Vinalian auto industry is heavily protected by tariffs, and favorable laws. The Red Coast Auto Company makes up about 73% of all car manufacturing in the nation, where foreign brands struggle to enter as just 15% of cars sold between 2015-2019 were foreign made. Red Coast is the largest company in the country and employs over 650,000 people over a variety of activities from airplane manufactory, to steel making, to retail. Red Coast has been described as having a quasi-monopoly in some markets in Vinalia, and has seen little growth outside of the nation do to tough restrictions and inspections.
Agriculture
Agriculture has historically been a central part of Vinakian and Vinalian societies, Vinalias colonial history is heavily ingrained in agriculture, specially in the growing of cash crop such as Sugarcane, Kokhineal, Coffee, Rice, Corn, Cotton, among others, as they were the primary drivers in Colonial Vinalia, although the prominence of cash crops in the Vinalian economy have slowly dwindled, primarily in the north where Industry and Manufactory has replaced Agriculture, as the primary economic activity, it remains an important sector in the economy primarily in the south. Where changes in the global consumption of agricultural products can have deep effects on the economy. Agricultural output has historically been primarily aimed at exportation, as Vinalia did not have the means to use this products nationally, with the foundation of Chistovodia Vinalian products were crucial in the start of industrialization in the country. Focus on exportation continued during the Republic of South Vinalia, while much of the North which had historically been of reduced agricultural output, focused on growing for its local industries and populations. Since reunification, the Agricultural sector has seen an increase in output for both domestic and foreign markets. Vinalias main agricultural exports are Coffee, Sugarcane, Bananas, Cotton, Wheat and Beans. Vinalian farmers grow hundreds of agricultural products from Pinneapples to Rubber, allowing them to utilize their fertile soil year round with Crop rotation techniques. Although most farms and farmers grow crops for their eventual sale, numerous subsistence farmers exist in the country primarily in the Juyu Ruwach mountains, where poverty restraints many from following other professions or migrate towards the cities.
Most farmers in the country are smallholders, and they're responsible for most of the agricultural output in the country. Although for most of its history strong Plantations made up most of the Vinalian agricultural sector, following independence policies regarding land distribution were implemented across the country, primarily in the north, and were of great aid to the population in allowing for better economic opportunities. Such policies did not take great effect in the south until the 1960's where the Renewal Party of Stefan Danylivna sought to distribute land to the white South Vinalian middle class. Today smallholders represent a majority mainly as a result of government initiatives from the government of Minister-President Svyatoslav Lyashenko, which distributed land from large estates and aided in the splitting of plots to aid farm workers in establishing their own farms. Such initiatives were greatly successful, and have allowed primarily Vinakian populations to settle in the flatlands and grow various crops. Crops such as sugarcane where historically only grown by large estates, but have since the 2000s been grown increasingly by smallholders in the south of the country.
Livestock keeping is another important agricultural activity. Vinalian farmers keep Cows, Pigs, Chickens, and Goats, in the fertile flatlands in the south of the country. Vinalian ranchers hold a long and rich history of keeping livestock in the country, and numerous long running farms exist in the countries. Vinalian farmers grow a variety of Animal products, such as Cheese, Hides, Meat, Milk, among other products. Vinalian Beef is renown for its taste, and is considered among the best in the world, special Vinalian cuts such as Dovhyp (довгий стовп; dovhyy stovp) are a staple of Vinalian cuisine and enjoy vast exportation across the world. Vinalian meat is highly sought after, and it enjoys vast exportation worldwide.
Mining
Aside from agriculture, mining in Vinalia has always been a key factor in its economy. Vinalia mines a wide array of minerals most prominently, coal, iron, copper, uranium, silver, zinc, among others, Soravian authorities heavily invested in the mining sector and provided the necessary resources including forced labour from both indentured servants and indigenous populations to provide for the mining sector. Coal is the most abundant mineral in the country with most of its reserves in the north of the country, Vinalia at one point was among the highest producers of per capita of coal and was a major supplier of both Soravia and Chistovodia, such vast reserves of coal allowed the rapid industrialization of the north of the country. Following independence from Soravia large mineral companies controlled in monopoly the mining rights of Vinalian minerals, such conglomerates remain to this day among the most powerful entities in the Vinalian economy, with the mining giant Yellow light holdings (Жовте світло Холдинг; Kholdynhy zhovtoho svitla) holding a monopoly in the mining of iron, copper, and the growing industry of potash mining. The privatization of former North Vinalian state owned enterprises has only increased the power of mineral conglomerates, with the Soravian majority owned United Vinalian Uranium Company (Об'єднана віналійська уранова компанія; Ob'yednana vinaliysʹka uranova kompaniya) controlling 78% of Vinalian Uranium production, and 83% of its known reserves.
The impact of mining has been felt greatly in the environment and the indigenous population which are accustomed to being used in the mineral industry, government attempts and regulation have reduced the problem but its believed that violations are still carried out periodically in the mining industry, including unsafe working conditions, pollution of local water supplies, and delayed wages. Such issues have been raised by international organization but implementation of reform has been slow. Large scale protests in 2014 were started over the plans to open an open pit zinc mine in the Juyu Ruwach mountains which would had seen the destruction of several acres of rainforest near an Úuchmáan archeological site, following several resignations the project was successfully scaled down. Vinalia's growing interest in expanding its mineral sector has come headfirst against indigenous and environmental opposition, which demand change to the industry.
Manufacturing
Science
Tourism
Vinalia has seen since reunification a major explosion in the tourism sector, and has become an important source of revenue and employment for the population. In 2017, Vinalia was visited by up to 8.7 million tourists, mostly from Soravia, and Chistovodia followed by other Euclean states and Asterian countries. Vinalia has seen a steady increase in tourism arrivals and revenue since 2008, between 2017 and 2019 it was estimated that an additional 50,000 tourists arrived to Vinalia from the previous year. Vinalia each year ranks higher in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, which measures the attractiveness of the country to foreign tourists. Tourism allows the Vinalian government and financial institutions greater access to foreign exchange. Employment in the tourism industry has been a great aid for rural communities, tourism is seen greatly positively by rural populations which benefit from its revenue, while urban populations find delays and overcrowding as a result of tourism an unwanted side effect to greater tourism numebers.
Vinalia offers many attractions, its beaches are highly popular with Euclean visitors, with numerous beach resorts both locally and foreign owned established in its coastlines, numerous resorts can be found north of Catherinsk, and Casimirsk. During the summer travel season, large concerts and parties can be found in resorts, this is aided by large cruise ships which dock at this ports. The cruise industry has greatly expaned in the country thanks to government support, and tax incentivies. Vinalia has sought to expand into the Ecotourism business, with large scale investments and environmental protection measures put in place, large ecotourist centers can be found near ruins most notably Vaj Taj Archeological Park, and natural landmarks such as the Royal Vinalian Reserve, Semuc Champey, Mt. Vulna, the Juyu Ruwach mountains, Chudzekal salt flats, Cenotes, among other sites of natural importance.
The colonial architecture of cities such as Catherinsk, Vulaninsk, and New Samistopol have also been a great driving factor in attracting foreign tourists. Tourists greatly increase during religious holidays such as Nativity, Maslenitsa, and St. Nikolai's Day, where crowds gather in the historical city centers for festivities and other related activities. Although relatively small, Episemialist pilgrimage occurs to numerous sites in the country most prominently the Church of St. Hippodalia in Orlavo.
Transportation
Transportation and infrastructure have been a focal point of the Vinalian government since it's inception. In Vinalia there currently exist 4 international airports. The Dunas International Airport in Orlavo is the largest airport in Vinalia after opening in 2019 replacing the Serpukhov Memorial International Airport as the major international airport for the city of Orlavo as Serpukhov will serve only domestic flights. Other important international airports include Kila International Airport in Velkarichka, and Chervona Union International Airport in Chervona. serving as the number 2 and 3 largest airports in Vinalia. Unity International Airport on the outskirts of Vinalisk is expected to become the hub of travel in Vinalia once it opens in early 2020, with it's expectation of handling major international as well as domestic connections. Vinalia's national carrier and largest airline by passengers is Vinalian Airlines, although other airlines such as Armadillo Air, and Svitlopero Air exist in the country, and fly to numerous destinations in both Vinalia and across the Asterias. Vinalia operates mainly with Soravian airlines for trans-oceanic flights into Euclea, although the government has sought for Vinalian airlines to fly such long-haul routes, although progress has been limited.
The National Railroad Commission of Vinalia or NRCV, is a direct successor to the Northern National Train Committee, which had established in North Vinalia a vast system of public owned passenger train services, with over 75% of the population utilizing passenger train in the North to commute by 1980, freight was equally handled through railroads with 65% of all freight being moved by cargo trains. The Southern train system was more lacking with only minor passenger services between the major cities, and with large amounts of freight being moved through a system of roads. Since unification the NRCV has expanded the rail system by over 1000 km's of track mainly in the south of the nation.
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Vinalia operates a vast motorway netwok which in contrast as rail transportation, most construction has focused in building road networks in the north, motorways are divided into 3 categories the M Category is the highest and 4 roads hold such distinction primarily in the South, the T category is found in 8 roads, while the Y category is found in 15 roads. The M1 connecting Orlavo-Velkarichka through Vinalinsk is the most transited motorway in the country, with it's 6 lanes. Vinalia holds a varieties of ports with the ports of Orlavo, Chervona, New Samistopol, Catherinsk, and Casimirsk being the major ports of the nation, with Orlavo, and New Samistopol sharing similar amounts of freight transported.
Following reunification large scale infrastructure projects were launched with the goal of improving and rebuilding the now combined transport system. Around 20 billion have been invested by the government since 1993 into projects aimed at improving it's infrastructure and are the reason for such large expansion experienced in the country. The Національний план інфраструктури (National Infrastructure Plan) NIP, which ended in 2015, after having taken 22 years to fulfill. Another NIP is expected to expand further on the national infrastructure, with plans for the expansion of the countries rail system, and the introduction of possible High-Speed Rail into the country. With the proposed Orlavo-Vinalinsk-Velkarichka link expected to serve as the central piece to the new plan, using Senrian high speed train technology. The NRCV seeks to establish in the future 3 Coast-Interior links one going from New Samistopol to Velkarichka, another from Casimirsk-Vinalinsk-Jangorod, and a Chervona-Orlavo-Morechia link.
Energy
Vinalia consumes 49,000 GW*h per year, which is covered about half with Nuclear power at 47%, with 38% being fossil fuel power plants mainly natural gas, and Coal with 65% and 30% respectively, with Oil providing 5%. Renewable sources provide for the remaining 15% with 60% being wind, 20% solar, 15% hydro, and 5% geothermal power.
Vinalia owns and operates the Cirnan Nuclear Power plant with 2 reactors near New Samistopol, and partially owns the Chisvin Nuclear Power Plant in Chistovodia with 4 reactors, where Vinalia is entitled to 25% of the produced energy per its agreement with the Chistovodian government, which stands from the North Vinalian government since the plant was first built in 1981. Vinalia began construction of the 2 reactor Cirnan Nuclear Power Plant in 2005, with help from Chistovodia it entered service in 2012. Vinalia has expressed interest in further increasing it's reliance on nuclear power, with the intention to build a further 2 reactors in Cirnan in 2015, to become 100% nuclear and be able to sell electricity to other Asterian nations, but the motion was defeated. Currently Vinalia is looking to build a 3rd reactor in Cirnan mainly to replace Vinalias 25% share in Chisvin. Vinalia utilizes Heavy-water reactors, acquiring most of it's heavy water from Chistovodia, while its nuclear waste is stored on site for up to 10 years it also operates a joint long term storage facility alongside Chistovodia which was built in the 1990's. Vinalia is among the worlds highest consumers of nuclear power as their nations power supplier.
Vinalia maintains a production of 40,000 barrels of oil per day mostly from oil fields in the Kosene Sea, which had remained largely undeveloped since their discovery in the early 70's. Vinalia's oil is managed by the state owned Natsionalʹna spilka benzyniv (National Petrol Union), the company controls 2 refineries, and 40% of Vinalias filling stations. Vinalia is a net importer of oil with its main sellers being Chistovodia and Soravia. Since 2012 45% of Vinalia's oil was bought from Soravia. Vinalia is a net exporter of natural gas and has been since the year 2000, most of it is mined from the Kosene sea.
Vinalia completed the retirement of large potions of mainly oil power plants in 2012, and has in it's goal the reduction of fossil fuel powered plants from 35% to 5% in 2050, with debate over whether the needed makeup will be through nuclear or renewable resources. Vinalia imports all of it's natural gas from Chistovodia, while it utilizes locally mined coal for it's power plants. Vinalia has invested in renewable resources, mainly wind power as it operates offshore wind farms, solar has been a sector of great interest as it's share in the powergrid grew from 5% in 2010, to 20% by 2020, this due in large part to private sector investment, in January 2020, the Ministry of Energy announced it's intentions to install solar panels in over 50,000 houses by 2030.
Culture
Painting
Painting is one of the oldest arts in Vinalia. It can trace its history to Cave paintings found in the Chyhyryn river basin caves, with the oldest dated to 7500 years ago. Painting was an important art in latter civilizations and societies, and is clear that it remained a relevant art form during the centuries. Paintings have been found for both of Vinalias major civilizations mainly in the form of intricate mural designs in Úuchmáan cities such as Colel, Ixazalvoh, Velykhrob, and Velykzir. Zapoyan codices such as the Codex Morechia were a popular form of painting in Zapoyan times, and the discovery of such codices has proven to be invaluable to showcasing the history, mythology, and culture of the Zapoyan people.
The colonial era of Vinalia was exemplified by a continuation of movements and trends in Soravia, which were brought through time into Vinalia. Painting focused mainly on depicting the life of wealthy landowners in the country, and religious imagery. Vinalian art remained closely tied to Soravian art throughout the 16th and mid 17th centuries, truly proper Vinalian art did not emerge until 1663 when Vinalian artists owing to the inspiration brought on by the Vespasian Baroque in neighboring Ardesia began. Vinalian artists experimented on styles and techniques, and gave rise to a unique Vinalian style during the late 17th century and early 18th century. The Etrurian Revolution, and Asterian revolutionary fever and conflict in the continent made Soravian authorities fear the spread of revolutionary ideas, which prompted a stop to Vinalian art. Vinalian painters focused on a revitalized interest in Soravia, and a return to Soravian artistic movements and ideas. The expansion of Realism, in Soravia found great success in Vinalia, where the style focused a shift in the attitudes of Vinalians which remained under Euclean control while their neighbors had sought independence. Catherine Beaumonoirs travels to Asterias in 1839, became a watershed moment for Vinalia as it cemented realism at the forefront of Vinalian art. Dario Salino, became Vinalias most renown painter in 1640, a close associate of Catherine Beaumonoir, he helped establish the New Samistopol School of arts in 1846 which became Vinalias most important artistic school. Important artists of this period and the New Samistopol school include Rostyslav Pasternak, Marina Oziabloi, and Ivashko Kromin.
Vinalian art flourished following independence, with Vinalian artists enjoying the freedom to explore the greater artistic movements of the era, such as Romanticism. This independence was short lived however as the rise of Vadym Babych, forced Vinalian Artistic movements to move in line with the vision of the government. Such attitudes prevailed until the Chistovodian Civil War, and the Independence of both Vinalias. North Vinalian favored the wider Socialist artistic movement, while South Vinalia enjoyed a revival of the arts and joined the Soravian establishment in the development of Dadaism, Fauvism, and Futurism. Vinalian artists joined a wider Asterian Artistic movement which was critical of the socio-economic structures, and politics of Great war and Post-war Asterias, Vinalian artists grew critical of both North and South Vinalia during the 40's and 50's such stances were increasingly met negatively by the authorities in the increasing Democratic backsliding republic of South Vinalia, fear of Censorship, and punishment for being critical of the government resulted in numerous Vinalian artists and painters seeking refugee in exile, or moving underground. Vinalian artists found themselves better connected with artistic movements and ideas abroad, Surrealism, and Expressionism became popular in the Vinalian artistic diaspora, who with the safety of exile were able to explore much more critical concepts in refutation of what they saw as growing authoritarianism back home. Key artists during this time were Yosyp Tychinka, Leonid Marshalkov, Daria Briukho, Antonina Malupin, Ostap Ochiuriushka, and Badiul Borysov. All of whom experienced some sort of censorship or exile as a result of the Vinalian governments during their life.
Vinalian Reunification and the end of censorship and punishment at the end of the 1980's allowed the return of Vinalian painters from exile and obscurity. Their new found freedom and the return of Vinalian exiles from primarily Euclea, allowed Vinalia to enter the contemporary movements of the time most prominently Modernism, and latter Postmodernism. Vinalian painting focused on the horrors experienced during the near 60 years of the Vinalian Struggle as did most of the Vinalian Post-Civil war artistic movement, the 21st century has seen the exploration of other subjects and concepts by new artists, along with a revival of interest in Indigenous arts and concepts.
The most prominent art gallery in Vinalia is that of the Orlavo Artistic Community, holding the largest collection of Vinalian art in the world. The Velkarichka Museum of the Artist, is another important artistic gallery in the country. The Vinalian government has historically been proactive in the acquisition and display of Vinalian art, a practice that continues today in the Vinalian Hall of the republic, and other publicly funded art galleries.
Architecture
Cuisine
Vinalian cuisine is a mixture of Vinakian, and Soravian cuisine. Few dishes define the country as it's cuisine is highly regional with many types of dishes being exclusive to specific regions, but the main difference exists between the coastal and inner regions of the country. In the coastal regions dishes involving fish and other marine creatures are popular, most notably Rybhu and it's variations which incorporate a fish soup with a specially made sauce, this sauce differs from region to region on its composition and ingredients, but usually is a distinctive bitter taste. In the central regions specially the highlands consumption of Frikace a dish usually made with chicken, pork, or beef, vegetables, and fricassee in a soup is common. It's common as a side dish to consume Lystivo a dough with filling, thats wrapped and cooked in banana leaves, along with beans. For holidays it is common for large feasts to be held, with the serving of primarily grilled food primarily beef, and poultry and grilled vegetables.
Indigenous communities hold distinct culinary traditions, which remain mostly isolated from one another, the consumption of beans, Frikace, Lystivo, and Rybhu are most likely originally from Vinakian tradition. Vinakian communities consume much the same as their ancestors, consuming beans and Korzhyks along with vegetables. Vinakian diet has been seen as lacking in variety which has led to issues with Malnutrition, most prominently in children where a varied consumption of nutrients is more critical. The government has introduced numerous initiatives to aid in this issue, primarily in providing families with more varied options of food to plant, as most are subsistence farmers, such efforts have been praised for the reduction of malnutrition and other diseases.
Vinalians prefer to drink liquor, although consumption of wine and beer has increased in the country. The consumption of spirits primarily Vodka was a tradition brought by Soravian settlers, although initially all vodka was imported causing great strain on the economy of the colony, vodka was usually traded with indigenous populations for furs and other items, to counter this issue, the creation of other spirits out of wheat lead to the creation of Horilka. Horilka became widely sought after in the colony, but health concerns lead to several attempts by colonial authorities to reduce the consumption of Horilka, today Horilka is consumed in social events but has lost its importance to vodka both locally made and imported. The growing of wine in Vinalia is a practice traced back to the 1800s when Vinakian farmers began growing grapes for the production of wine on advice of priests, although its production is small. Vinalian wines are highly sought after specially in Soravia where Vinalian wine is seen as a commodity. Most wine is grown and processed on the Bin river region, the growing economic prosperity in the country has seen many change from drinking vodka to wine, other imported wines enjoy circulation in the country, primarily from countries like Etruria and Paretia. Beer has also grown in popularity, primarily as a result of Chistovodian culinary changes which moved towards beer, today several breweries exist in the country but most of its beer is imported from its northern neighbor.
Clothing
Music
Music in Vinalia is a mix of Vinakian and Euclean sounds, the national instrument is the Marimba a Vinakian instrument which has become synonymous with Vinalia. Bands involving the marimba alongside other instruments are quite common in Vinalia, being an usual sight upon social events such as weddings, parties, funerals, etc. Flutes are also extensively used and employed in the country, the flute has been incorporated into Episemialist proceedings. Euclean pop music is highly famous in Vinalia, specially among the youth, with numerous Euclean artists primarily those from Soravian holding large followings in the nation.
Literature
Literature in Vinalia is rich with many renown authors the most notable of which are the Arturivna sisters Nina, and Oksana both world renown authors for their writings during the warring years, their books "Winter in Bir", "A tale of 10 wife's", and "100 Leagues from you" are registered by the National Vinalian Museum of the Arts and are of mandatory reading in schools throughout the nation. Other important authors are Ikal Peruski, Polina Myroslavivna, Nazar Leont, and Chac Sulai. The National Museum of the Arts has over 1,350 books by national Authors, alongside 400 poems, it includes a small section of 30 books and 5 poems written by foreign authors or by exiled Vinalians, this include all of Ikal Peruski's literary work of 7 books which were written while in exile in Gaullica. His most famous work being that of "Dumb Dumb" a book criticising the split between both Vinalia's, written in 1957.
Cinema
Vinalia maintains a small homegrown film industry, inherited from Northern and Southern propaganda films. On average it produces between 3-6 feature films per year. Vinalia's most well known productions are One Hundred Leagues from you (Сто ліг від вас; Sto lih vid vas), and Dumb Dumb (німий німий; Tupyy Tupyy), which came to prominence after winning the Montecara Film Festival in 1969, and 1991 respectively. They're both adaptations of the written books from the Arturivna sisters and Ikal Peruski, of the same names. Other films of importance include the 2000's Red Rose (Червона роза; Chervona roza), the 2015 Broken Arrow (Зламана стріла; Zlamana strila), and 2019 Ladies in the River (Дами в річці; Damy v richtsi). Themes explored in movies regularly feature the Vinalian Civil War as is the case for One Hundred Leagues from you, Dumb Dumb, and Red Rose, along with other Social issues such as racism in Ladies in the River. Although movies such as Broken Arrow have delved into other genres such as science fiction, and Cyberpunk, successfully. Short film has grown in importance and remark in the country, numerous short films are created throughout the year, most prominently the first Vinalian animated short film Your Hair (Ваше волосся; Vashe volossya) which released in 2018, and received numerous awards abroad.
Vinalias most prestigious film festival is the Catherinsk Film Festival, first established in 1954, it was revolutionary as it allowed the showing of both Northern and Southern films, allowing it to take a truly Vinalian identity. All Vinalian movies that have enjoyed international release have been presented in the film festival. Other festivals include the Velkarichka school of Animation festival, and the Ministry of Culture Annual showing of Vinalian film.
Media
As of March 2021, there are there are twenty nationwide free-to-air television channels, Armadillo Group operates 7, Red Coast Media operates 5, the Vinalian Ministry of Culture and Sports operates 4, with the last 4 channels distributed among 4 other companies. The Ministry of culture operates simultaneous broadcasts of the National Broadcasting Company (Національна телерадіокомпанія; Natsionalʹna teleradiokompaniya) on 3 of its 4 channels, but each channel uses a different language Soravian, Apjai, and Quejua are the 3 languages used on broadcasting. These are the only nationwide non-Soravian channels. Numerous other regional and local television channels exist, but are owned primarily by Armadillo Group, Red Coast Media, and the Ministry of Culture and Sports which primarily broadcasts local channels in local languages. A government initiative in 2011 sought to privatize this non-Soravian broadcasts similar to the radio but found no success, in 2017 it was deemed by law that such channels existed to incorporate the Vinakian population into the country. Numerous media providers provide access to Soravian, and Euclean media mainly through satellite, although internet access has allowed greater consumption of foreign media. There are up to 500 radio stations in Vinalia, also majority owned by Armadillo Group, and Red Coast Media. The Ministry of Culture maintains successful subsidies and support of non-Soravian broadcasts, at the local level and numerous non-Soravian broadcasts can be found in up to 15 languages across the country, including 10 Vinakian languages.
There are over 100 newspapers, and close to 500 magazines published in the country. The most prestigious and sold daily newspaper in the country is Free Press (Вільна преса;Vilʹna presa), which is widely read across the country, and has been the recipient of numerous international awards. Other newspapers of note include Our Newspaper (Наша газета; Nasha hazeta), Independent (Незалежний; Nezalezhnyy), and 21st Century Citizen (Громадянин 21 століття; Hromadyanyn 21 stolittya). The 5th largest daily newspaper in the country is the entirely Online newspaper Informed Citizen (Інформований громадянин; Informovanyy hromadyanyn), online newspapers have had incredible success in the country since 2010 as a result of greater access to the internet, all major Vinalian newspapers enjoy considerable online presence.
Sports
Sports in Vinalia are a common past time for the people, the government subsidizes public sports in Sporting Clubs for children and adults alike, in the North Workers Clubs persist from their Socialist origins in the 1940's. A national sporting week is held the week after reunification day after the first iteration in Jangorod 1996, also known as the Vinallian Invictus Games. As many sporting events are held, including the Novikov Cup Finals, the National Basketball Championship League finals, the Vinalian Marathon, the Vinalian Athletics combine, and the National Swimming Competition, are held in back to back days in the hosting city of that years Vinalian Sporting Competition. Vinalinsk is to host the week in 2020, and Catherinsk in 2021, following Jangorod's 5th host in 2019.
Football is the most popular sport in Vinalia with some 350,000 people being part of the Football Sporting Clubs as of 2019. The top football league is the Vinalian Superliga which was established in 1999 following the merger of the top Northern and Southern Leagues the First League, and the Sporting League respectively. The Superliga consists of 14 teams, with the biggest clubs being that of the Orlavo Red Stars, Velkarichka F.C., and Chervona Coyotes who combined have won 14 out of 20 cups, strong rivalries exist between Orlavo Red Stars and Velkarichka F.C.. The second tier league is that of the Super Combine with 20 teams, and the third tier is the United League with 40 teams. The top 8 teams in the Superliga, top 7 in the Super Combine, and the top 5 teams of the United League classify to the Novikov Cup. The national team plays in the National Stadium in Velkarichka.
The Orlavo Falcons of the Asterian Hockey League were established in 1992 and are the only professional Ice Hockey team in Vinalia, the Vinalian Hockey League is considered an amateur league and has 8 teams throughout Vinalia, with the Chervona Foragers being the most dominant team in the league with 6 titles. The Vinalian National Hockey team plays in the Orlavo Dome, and is currently a member of the 1B Division. Basketball is another important sport, as 100,000 people play the sport in Sporting Clubs, the only Basketball League is that of the National Basketball Championship League with 20 teams established in 1995, following incorporation of the Southern Basketball Super League with the disbanding Northern Vinalian Basketball League. The Velkarichka Flying Lemurs have won 9 out of 24 championships with their rivals the Chervona Bulls having won 7 championships. Other sports played in the country include Baseball, Volleyball, Tennis, Swimming, Wrestling, among others.
Vinalia has participated in all Summer Invictus Games since 19XX, when both Vinalias participated on the competition. Vinalia first participated as a united nation in 199X. Vinalia has won 15 gold medals since unification, although all 3 Vinalian entities to participate in the games have won 48 gold medals combined. The 15 unified gold medals have come from strong Vinalian disciplines, such as Fencing (4), Athletics (4), Taekwondo (3), Swimming (2), and Archery (2). Vinalia's most successful athletes are Fencer Ivanna Holovko, and Taekwondoist Yaroslav Yakovenko each with 2 gold medals, and 5 total medals. In total all 3 teams have won 102 medals, with unified Vinalia winning 30. Vinalian participation in the Winter games, has been limited historically, the unified team and Northern team have participated a total of 8 times, using primarily dual citizens with other nations such as Soravia and Chistovodia, Soravian-Vinalian Luger Maksym Chernyak represented South Vinalia 3 times, the most by any Vinalian athlete in the winter games. The most recent appearance was the Vinalian-Gaullican Freestyle skier Yehor Colbert in Haussimont 2016.
Holidays
| Date | Name | Native Name | Public Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Новий рік;Novyy rik |  |
Celebration of the new year. |
| January 2–5 | Nativity Holiday | Свято Різдва; Svyato Rizdva |  |
|
| January 6 | Nativity's Eve | Святвечір; Svyatvechir | |
Day before the Nativity. |
| January 7 | Nativity | Різдво; Rizdvo | |
Celebration of the birth of Jesus Sotiras |
| January 8 | Boxing Day | День боксу; Den' boksu | |
Day after the Nativity. |
| January 19 | Epiphany | Водохреща; Vodokhreshcha | |
Celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. |
| February 14 | Valentine's Day | день святого Валентина;denʹ svyatoho Valentyna | |
|
| March 11 | Maslenitsa | Маслениця; Maslenytsya | |
|
| moveable Friday | Good Friday | Хороша п'ятниця; Khorosha p'yatnytsya | |
|
| moveable Sunday | Easter Sunday | Пасхальна неділя; Paskhal'na nedilya | |
|
| moveable Monday | Easter Monday | Пасхальна понеділок; Paskhal'na ponedilok | |
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| May 1 | International Workers' Day | Міжнародний день працівників;Mizhnarodnyy denʹ trudyashchykh | |
Celebrate the workers of Vinalia. |
| May 5 | Separation day | День розлуки;Denʹ rozluky | |
Commemorate the separation of Vinalia from Chistovodia. |
| July 12 | Peace Day | день миру;Denʹ myru | |
Celebrate peace in Vinalia, following the Treaty of Vina which ended the 10 Day War in 1987. |
| July 25 | Reunification Day | День возз’єднання;Denʹ vozzʺyednannya | |
Celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Vinalian Reunification, reunifying North and South Vinalia |
| August 3 | Celebration of Sport in Vinalia day | Святкування спорту у день Віналії;Svyatkuvannya sportu u denʹ Vinaliyi | |
Celebrate sport, and it's history in Vinalia |
| August 25 | Brasva | Брасва; brasva | |
Originally Soravian holiday commemorating Marolevic culture across the world. |
| September 1 | Independence Day | день Незалежності;Denʹ Nezalezhnosti | |
Celebrate the independence of Vinalia as part of Chistovodia from Soravia. |
| October 5 | People's Day | день людей;Narodnyy denʹ | |
Celebration of the people of Vinalia primarily the native Vinakians. |
| October 19 | St. Nikolai's Day | День святого Миколая; Den' svyatoho Mykolaya | |
Celebration commemorating the ascension of Nikolai of Lipa to the throne of Pavatria. |
| November 27 | Armed Forces Day | День збройних сил;Denʹ zbroynykh syl | |
Celebration of the Armed Forces of Vinalia |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve | Переддень Нового року;Pereddenʹ Novoho roku | |
Day before the new year. |
