Wazheganon
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Federated Commonwealth of Walzenia | |
|---|---|
Coat of Arms
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Motto: "Ënnert de Trëttoir, d'Strand." "Beneath the pavement, the beach." | |
| Political Map of Walzenia Political Map of Walzenia | |
| Capital | Moienrout |
| Largest city | Lenzneuve |
| Official languages | none at the federal level |
| Recognised national languages | |
| Recognised regional languages | |
| Ethnic groups | List of ethnicities
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| Religion | List of religions
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| Demonym(s) | Walzer (noun) Waltch (adjective) |
| Government | Libertarian socialist federated semi-direct democracy |
• Secretary-General | Aaa |
• Presiding Speaker | Aaa |
| Legislature | Commonwealth Congress |
| General Committee | |
| Commonwealth Congress | |
| Independence from Ottonia | |
| July 6th, 1711 | |
| August 18th, 1724 | |
| July 8th, 1924 | |
| June 18th, 1953 | |
| Area | |
• Total area | 1,854,816 km2 (716,148 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 11 |
| Population | |
• 2020 census | 47,703,216 |
• Density | 25.71/km2 (66.6/sq mi) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $1,403,905,646,880 |
• Per capita | $29,430 |
| Gini (2015) |  12.7low |
| HDI (2015) |  0.816very high |
| Currency | Waltch guilder (Wƒ) (WZG) |
| Time zone | UTC -4 to -5 |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +48 |
| Internet TLD | .wz |
Walzenia (/wɔːlˈzɛnˌiə/ wal-ZEN-ee-ə, -ZEN-yuh) , officially the Federated Commonwealth of Walzenia, is a country in northeastern Norumbia. Its 27 states cover an area of approximately 1,854,816 square kilometers (716,148 square miles), situated between the Sea of Dakmoor in the north and northeast, North Thalassian Ocean in the southeast, Habbakuk Bay in the west, and bordering Placeholderland in the south. The capital of Walzenia is Moienrout, and its population of 47,703,216 people live mostly in the region surrounding the lake Kitchigami and the Saint Anne River, with its largest city, Lenzenueve, forming the core of a megalopolis whose other notable cities include Zurin, Jubeugon, Moienrout, Hannes, and Minouche. Walzenia is a highly multicultural country, with approximately 30% of Walzenia's population being of indigenous ancestry and another 20% being of non-Belisarian descent.
Various indigenous peoples inhabited what is now Walzenia for thousands of years before Belisarian colonization. Four major indigenous polities, the Odachiimikaan, ruled the region and repelled Ottonian incursions as early as the 12th century, with records of their formation dating back to at least the 9th century. Following the Great Lake War in the late 16th century, the Odachiimikaans' weakened state allowed the Ottonians to gain a foothold along the eastern coast and populate it with persecuted Niederaulish minorities. Walzenia was formed when this colony gained its independence in 1721, at which point it began gradually absorbing the remaining indigenous polities in the region through both diplomacy and warfare, reaching its modern borders by 1873. The Waltzing Coups dominated Waltch politics for most of the 19th century, causing significant political turmoil and popular unrest. Beginning in the 1880s, the country saw a series of socialist reforms which ultimately culminated in the Second Waltch Revolution and Waltch Civil War from 1919-1924. Afterwards, Walzenia experienced a series of smaller revolutionary waves and coups before finally galvanizing into the contemporary political structure in 1953. Significant reforms in pursuit of decolonization took place in the 1970s.
Walzenia is a libertarian socialist federation in the communalist tendency, with a unicameral legislature which elects a steering committee to carry out executive functions, as part of a system of council democracy. It possesses an advanced manufacturing-service economy revolving around foodstuffs, wood and paper products, telecommunications, and tourism. Walzenia ranks highly international measurements of civil liberties, government transparency, economic freedom, education, and quality of life. It is a regional power and a member of several international organizations and alliances, including the Forum of Nations, Joint Space Agency, Kiso Pact, and <<NorumbiaOrg>>.
Etymology
The origins of the name Walzenia are historically obscure. Its Waltch translation, Valzenjia, entered into common usage as an informal name for the eastern coast of the modern country in the early 17th century and was adopted as the official name of the of the country upon independence in 1721.
One prominent origin theory, arising in the 19th century but now not typically accepted among historians, is that the name is derived from the House of Avaler, a Brasbourger noble family that played a significant part in Belisarian colonization and creation of the first independent Waltch republic. However, evidence of a highly similar name, Valzia, also used in reference to the east coast, can be found as early as 1512, nearly a century before Luther Avaler first traveled to Norumbia, and was used in the maps as early as 1563.
As a result, the theory most agreed upon by historians is that the name comes from that of 15th century explorer Dietrich Valza, who was notable for his northerly and inland expeditions in Norumbia. The name entered into common usage among Niederaulish colonists in the decades following Valza's voyages, eventually evolving into Valzenjia, which was then first anglicized into Walzenia in the appendix of Armand Weber's popular 1601 atlas. The demonym of "Waltch" is thus believed to derive from the word Valzisch, which was used by Niederaulish settlers to differentiate themselves from Ottonians as early as 1620.
This name is historically contentious but remains in both official and colloquial use in most places. Some groups claim that the word Waltch as a nationwide demonym marginalizes some minority groups, especially the indigenous First Nations, who did not willingly adopt the Waltch language, or who feel that the name Waltch describes historical white Belisarian colonizers and not other minority groups.
Proposed alternatives to Walzenia include Maschinaw, Kitchigami, and North Norumbia. A bill that would officially change the country's English name to Kitchigami (Waltch: Kischigamie) was considered several times by Congress in the 1970s, but ultimately not passed. No significant efforts to rename the country have received federal consideration since.
Geography
Walzenia comprises the northeastern corner of Norumbia, occupying approximately 1,854,816 square kilometers (716,148 square miles) lying approximately between latitudes 48° and 72°N and longitudes 76° and 103°W. Despite its position and cool climate, no part of mainland Walzenia lies above the Arctic Circle - the only part Waltch territory extending so far north are the islands of St. Joseph Land and Kuuganajuk in the state of Zanirach. Although Walzenia is a peninsular country, surrounded by Habbakuk Bay in the west, the Sea of Dakmoor in the north, and the North Thalassan Ocean in the east, it is rarely conceived of as such in economic and political contexts. It shares a border with Placeholderland in the south, and a maritime border with Ghant in the northeast.
The geography of Walzenia is dominated by the Kitchigami basin. Kitchigami, also called Lake Sovereign, is the fourth largest freshwater lake in the world and one of the deepest, with a surface area of approximately 64,352 square kilometers (24,846 square miles) and a maximum depth of 706 meters (2,316 feet). Its watershed encompasses the majority of mainland Walzenia, with thousands of rivers feeding into the lake; the longest of these is the Mineschoosch River, which flows over 1,133 kilometers (704 miles) from northern Zanirach to the Opal Bay of southern Kitchigami, near the city of Endijon. The basin is a breadbasket and home to over 30 million people. Kitchigami flows out to the east into the Saint Anne River, which, standing 40 kilometers (25 miles) at its widest point, is one of the widest rivers in the world. The Saint Anne flows in a northeasterly direction out into the Annesienne Gulf, which is the largest estuary in the world; not including the estuary, it is approximately 252 kilometers (157 miles) long.
Areas of Walzenia that are not part of the Kitchigami basin are typically separated from it by highlands and mountains, which form the bowl which allows the basin to exist. The Adéron Mountains, whose highest peak is Martinshéich at 1533 meters (5029 feet), run all along the east coast from Versiere in the north to Starmera in the south. They are separated from the larger and more rugged Osawanon Mountains by the Matagamon Valley. The Osawanons, whose highest peak is Mont Nacheu at 2,037 meters (6683 feet), run south to southwest, primarily along the southern border, from Jenasie in the north to Wireia in the southwest. The third major mountain range in the country, and the tallest, are the Chiboschan Mountains, whose highest peak is the Donnerbierg at 2,694 meters (8,839 feet); this is also the highest point in Walzenia. The Chiboschans run all along the west coast, from the north coast to the southern border.
The northern half of the country is mostly comprised of prairies, tundra, and bogs.
Climate and ecology
Walzenia is dominated by a humid continental climate, of the warm-summer variety on the east coast and the hot-summer variety in much of the interior. Cold air flows in from the Habbakuk Bay and the Arctic while warm air arrives from the warm Kayamuca stream in the Thalassan Ocean, producing dynamic and frequently extreme weather patterns. Kitchigami produces a strong moderating effect on much of its watershed, but heavy and frequent lake-effect snow is common in the winters, where snow can remain on the ground for as long as six months. Summers are typically warm and mild, although heatwaves are not uncommon. This zone is home to the famous Annesienne Northwoods and Lotharian forests, and features exceptional agricultural conditions. The west coast has a primarily mild, rainy oceanic climate that sees little variation throughout the year, and is dominated by temperate rainforests and montane forests.
The rest of the country experiences much harsher conditions:
The northern half of the country, north of Kitchigami, almost exclusively has a boreal climate, with a tundra zone along the north coast and arctic islands. Taiga forests and cold swamps host Walzenia's most iconic megafauna, the pygmy forest mastodon and greater hodag.
The Prairies occupy much of the area between Kitchigami and the Chiboschan Mountains. This region is exceedingly flat, frequently arid, and features very cold and harsh winters and very hot and humid summers. Wind speeds are often very high, especially in winter. The coldest temperature in Waltch history was recorded on the Prairie in Reding, Hachiwara on February 9th, 1991, at -63°C (-81.4°F), and the record hottest temperature was recorded 200 kilometers away in Gieltgras, Wattland, measuring 45°C (113 °F) on August 22nd, 2015.
The last major climate zone is the Chiboschan mountain range, which consists primarily of montane conifer forests, and cold desert and boreal/hemiboreal microclimates.
The Donnerbierg, seen from a distance, is the highest peak in the Chiboschan mountain range and highest point in Walzenia, standing at 2,694 m (8,839 ft).
The lakeshore of Kitchigami, also called Lake Sovereign, is a popular domestic and international tourist destination and an important economic hub.
- Pygmy forest mastodon.png
The pygmy forest mastodon, once critically endangered, has recovered in the past century and is an iconic mascot of northern Walzenia.
In many places in Walzenia, architecture attempts to conform to the landscape or create a new, organic one in a sustainable fashion.
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History
Main article: History of Walzenia
Indigenous peoples
Evidence of human habitation in what is now Walzenia dates back to at least 11,000 BCE. Archaeological records suggest that trade networks spanning the Kitchigami basin and coast of Habbakuk Bay were common as early as 1000 BCE, with evidence of copper mined from northern Maschoda being found as far away as the Enyaman coast in artifacts dated to approximately that period. Historically, these groups lived in complex, settled societies which utilized both agriculture and hunting-gathering. The first organized polities to rose to prominence in the region in the early 9th century, organically growing and shrinking as part of a system of patronage and ritualism. Their status and power was solidified by the 12th century as they proved successful in defending against Ottonian and Mutulese incursions. The introduction of firearms by Mutulese and Belisarian traders led to an increased period of centralization and ritual warfare.
This period resulted in the rise of the Niiwo-odachiimikaan (singular: odachiimikaa). This is an Oniegamé term invented in the 17th century, vaguely translating to "the Four Big Lands/Countries"; their contemporaneous names varied considerably from source to source, but typically espoused the concept of an alliance or confederation more so than the kingdoms that Belisarian colonizers thought of them as. The Odachiimikaan were powerful quasi-states organized mostly along linguistic lines, and were dominated by what are today the most numerous indigenous peoples in Walzenia: the Masenatau, Oniegamé, Otoléia, and Hitena. These stateoids were typically formed towards the ends of monopolizing the trade of furs, gold, and metals, which were used to purchase firearms and other manufactured goods from Belisarians.
This culminated in the Great Lake War, also called the Great Kitchigami War, from 1558 to 1571, which saw unprecedented mobilization and bloodshed between a coalition of the Oniegamé and Masenatau and a coalition of the Otoléia and Hitena. Although the conflict began over beaver-hunting grounds in modern Sangwenae, it quickly escalated into a coordinated campaign throughout the Kitchigami basin. The Otoléia were defeated and forced to vacate all territory east of the Osawanon Mountains and north of the Saint Anne River, while the Hitena were largely absorbed by the Masenatau or else driven westward into the prairies, marking the beginning of the Hitena Gokekjaneną and dissolving their odachiimikaa.
Ottonian colonization
The Great Lake War vastly weakened all parties, even the victors. High-end estimates indicate that as much as 20% of the total population of the Kitchigami basin may have perished in this period due to fighting, ethnic cleansing, and famine. The resulting economic downturn allowed Tyrrslander merchants and prospectors, who had been limited to small trading outposts along the coast since the 1500s, to seize territory from the drastically weakened Otoléia in the Aderon Wars from 1609 to 1634, ensuring a powerful, permanent position in the region. The colonies introduced a policy of resettlement, in which the Otoléia and other indigenous peoples in the region were forcibly relocated away from arable land and navigable rivers, making room for Belisarian settlers.
These settlers were primarily Brasbourgish refugees from Staalmark, fleeing due to religious and linguistic persecution, who were welcomed by the Tyrrslandic crown and promptly sent to Norumbia in large numbers as laborers and leefer vum bësch in exchange for land and nominal self-governance. Many Brasbourgers adopted the idea of the virbestëmmt rjochten (destined rights), believing that, as they and many other {{Niederaulish people were historically blocked from self-rule in Belisaria, their expulsion from Staalmark was a way of God rewarding them with a new, autonomous homeland in Norumbia. This idea spread among other groups back in Norumbia and encouraged an early, significant exodus of Nideraulish groups from Belisaria to the Norumbian colonie. These colonists formed the basis of what would develop into the Belisarian Walzers, and the modern Waltch language is primarily descended from the many Middle Niederaulish dialects spoken by them. By the beginning of the 17th century, these colonies began to consolidate all throughout the east coast and Annesienne Gulf and became colloquially known as the Ten Colonies (Zéng Kolonien) or Sovereign Colonies (Souverän Kolonien), the latter in reference to Lake Sovereign but officially discouraged by the Tyrrslandic crown due to its implications of independence.
From 1621-27, the Colonies waged the Annesienne War against a coalition of the Otoléia and Oniegamé, securing both sides of the Saint Anne River and signing the Treaty of Moienrout, which guaranteed the rights of Tyrrslandic traders throughout the Kitchigami basin and opened up most of the Osawanon Mountains east of Kitchigami to settlement.
Following this defeat for the indigenous peoples, the odachiimikaan began finding ways to adapt to their new situation. The Otoléia, finding most of their traditional lands under Tyrrslandic sovereignty, began adopting many Ottonian practices, such as private property, centralized government, and Christianity in an attempt dissuade the settlers from forcibly removing them. This would eventually culminate in the formation of the Taigon Republic in 1715. The Oniegamé Odachiimikaa, fearing a similar fate, reorganized around the concept of a prolonged war in the hills and forests north of Kitchigami, forming gichiwininiwag ("great bands") - confederated bands larger than traditional tribal units, capable of amassing the manpower and resources necessary to wage war against the colonizers, while remaining decentralized and independent of leaders. Most Oniegamé tribes, occupying much of what is now northern Walzenia, would remain functionally independent for over two more centuries, only beginning to federate into Walzenia following the beginning of major socialist reforms in the late 1800. The Hitena remained largely removed from the politics and conflicts of the Kitchigami basin, with no organized governments arising among the diaspora until the middle of the 18th century.
The Masenatau Odachiimikaa, which had been neutral during the conflict, began a process of internal reforms, spearheaded by Chief Auschaiew of the Machnachwa band. Auschaiew had become knowledgeable of Ottonian culture early in life, even traveling Belisaria, where he was exposed to the literature, politics, and history of the colonizers. He used this experience to ingratiate himself to colonial officials and adapt Masenatau culture to changing conditions. Auschaiew convinced the odachiimikaa's council to formalize their structure into a written constitution, founding a federal republic - the Masenatau Republic (Masenaehtaenaew-māwacēhnetaw) - in 1707, which federated with the Avalerian Republic in 1743. Auschaiew also arranged, with the help of Ghantish and Tsurushimese interests, for the establishment of the first indigenous foundries and manufactories, allowing the Masenatau to manufacture their own complex goods in large quantities, affording them economic independence from the colonizers. Although it superficially resembled the Belisarian notion of a republic, unlike its contemporary in Taigon, the Masenatau Republic more thoroughly adapted the concept to indigenous culture and ideals, namely: the vast majority of land was still held communally, with ownership based on usufruct; women were granted suffrage from the outset of the republic; and the economy was based in a form of indigenous socialism. This state had a strong influence on the creation of the Avalerian Republic's federal structure, and eventually its socialist movement, and so Auschaiew is well-regarded among most Walzers as a revered founding father.
In the 1670s, the Ten Colonies were a major participant in the Battle of the Thalassian, a prolonged maritime conflict between Tyrrsland and Ghant. While the Colonies incurred only minor losses compared to Tyrrsland, the Norumbian theater saw heavy combat between Ghant-aligned indigenous forces and Waltch colonists. Tyrrsland lost the war and, while it retained hold of its Norumbian colonies, incurred heavy losses. Seeking to recoup its losses and more directly combat Ghantish influence in Norumbia, the Tyrrslandic crown began more aggressively enforcing its polices over the Ten Colonies and increasing its military presence there, causing the colonists to react with ever increasing agitation and indignation. By the mid-17th century, the Colonies had begun forming a distinct national identity based around their Niederaulish language, Protestantism, and general separation from Tyrrsland, and, when faced with an increasingly hands-on stance by the Tyrrlandic crown, began agitating for increased sovereignty and even independence.
Avalerian Republic
Dancing Coups period
Waltch Socialist Republic
Union of Walzenia
Commonwealth
Government and politics
Chancellor
Stettholder
Walzenia is a federal, libertarian socialist council republic. Federal executive and legislative powers are combined together and vested in the Commonwealth Congress, a unicameral body under a delegate model of representation. Congress vests executive power in a General Committee, empowered to act on Congress's behalf in coordinating Federal Public Services, as well as making decisions when it is not in session or during emergencies. Congressional representatives are elected via popular vote at the cantonal-level every two years, although specific electoral systems vary widely. The Stettholder is the presiding officer of Congress, overseeing debates and votes, and is elected by the membership. The Stettholder also serves on the General Committee as a liaison and watchdog for the legislature.
The secretary-general of the General Committee is considered the de facto Chancellor of Walzenia and the highest-ranking Waltch official, presiding presides over Committee meetings and carrying out certain representative functions that, in other countries, are the business of the head of state. In urgent situations where a Committee decision cannot be made in time, the chancellor is empowered to act on behalf of the whole Committee. Apart from that, though, the chancellor is a first among equals, having no power above and beyond the other members. The General Committee typically consists of 23 members, at minimum, including the Stettholder and the commissioners of the Federal Public Services (of which the the Chancellor is one), with the possibility of additional ad hoc members being approved by Congress. The Committee is appointed by Congress every two years following elections; a Chancellor is appointed at the beginning of every year, with a term limit of five years; Committee members in general are limited to ten years.
Since the 1970s, Waltch politics has been characterized by three large parties - called the Big Three, or Fire (due to their identifying colors), Parties: the <Marxist?/Trotskyist?> All-Socialist Front (ASF); the <libertarian-marxist?>/councilist Councils for Unity and Democracy (RED); and the market socialist Social Alliance (SAZ). The Big Three are big tent parties with significant ideological overlap, but nonetheless are dedicated to specific Leftist tendencies. They have historically governed together in grand coalitions, although other coalitions are not unheard of. There are four other parties represented at a federal level: Debenindizo (IND), an indigenous rights party; Black Block (ZWB), an anarchist organization pushing for greater decentralization; Ecological Consensus (EKO), an environmentalist party advocating social ecology, and Geocrats for Development and Independence (GEO), a geolibertarian party. The current government is formed by a coalition of the ASF and RED, headed by Chancellor Theodosia Wolff and Stettholder Minegan Kovarich,
Downtown Moienrout is dominated by the Commonwealth Commons, a district of government buildings, cultural centers, and public spaces.
The Cravatte Building in Moienrout is the official office and part-time residence of the General Committee.
The Congresgebai is the meeting place of the Commonwealth Congress.
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Law
Foreign relations
Military
Economy
Culture
Forms of address
Since 1920s, Mr. and Mrs. (Mnr. [maneer] and Mfr. [mafrou]) have fallen out of common usage in Waltch society. Formal, official settings typically use the gender-neutral terms comrade (kameraad, Kmr.) or, more often, since the 1970s, naschet (Nas.). The term naschet was coined by indigenous socialist groups in the late 19th century, created from the Masenatau words nētekaeh and neqat, gendered terms referring to a friend or companion.
Comrade or naschet may still be used as forms of address in informal or casual settings, but other terms are generally more common. Neighbor (nobuur/buur) is frequently used for acquaintances and colleagues, while brother/sister/sibling (broder/suster/zibbe) are often used for close friends. The word friend (frënd) is an intermediate, flexible term.
