Grand Angland
Kingdom of Grand Angland | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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Motto: "Hic manebimus optime" "Here we will remain, most excellently" | |
Anthem: "Forever Angland" Royal anthem: "God Save The King" | |
 Grand Angland | |
| Status | Sovereign State |
| Location | Osirin Ocean |
| Capital | Blackshore 55 34 67 |
| Official languages | English |
| Recognised national languages | English |
| Ethnic groups (2019) | 100% White Anglish |
| Religion (2019) | 60% Christian
32.4% Irreligious 7.6% Unknown |
| Demonym(s) | Anglish . Angle |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | King William I |
• Prime Minister | Douglas Kendrick |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| House of Lords | |
| House of Commons | |
| Sovereign Nation-State | |
• Amalgamation of the four areas | 2007 |
• Establishment of ruling monarchy | 2010 |
• Establishment of central parliament | 2011 |
| Area | |
• Total | 313,884 km2 (121,191 sq mi) (1st) |
• Water (%) | 1.52 |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 41,159,213 (1st) |
• 2021 census | 41,159,213 |
• Density | 314.36/km2 (814.2/sq mi) (1st) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | £134,789 million (1st) |
• Per capita | £2,383 (1st) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | £134,789 million (1st) |
• Per capita | £2,383 (1st) |
| Gini (2022) | 32 medium · 1st |
| HDI (2022) |  0.953very high · 1st |
| Currency | Grand Anglish Pound (GAP) |
| Time zone | GMT |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (AST) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +999 |
| Internet TLD | .ga |
WORK IN PROGRESS
The Kingdom of Grand Angland, commonly known as Grand Angland or Angland, is a sovereign country and part of an island range located in the region of Osiris. It includes the largest island of Angland, the similarly large island of Areland; as well as the Isle of Fogg and the Isle of Providence. Angland itself lends its name to the nation-state given its status as largest and lead island. The nearest neighbour is Aldorria - itself a colony of Grand Angland. The rest of Grand Angland is surrounded by the Osiran Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the north, the Anglish Channel to the west and the Foggish Straight between the islands and to the south. Grand Angland, as a result, including all parts, has the seventh longest coastline in Osiris. The 121,192 square miles are home to 41,159,213 Angles.
Grand Angland itself is a unitary parliamentary democracy, styled on the "Westminster" form of government, with an active constitutional monarchy. The monarchy is headed up by King William I, being the official monarch since the establishment of Grand Angland in 2011, though his reign in Angland alone predates this by a disputed period of time. The capital city is Blackshore, the focal point of the Anglish Empire and the largest city within Grand Angland with a population of 6.3 million. Its second city and back-up capital is Boston, whilst other major cities and settlements include Chasington, Darrington and Wintoncester.
Grand Angland is politically a unitary and central state, based in Blackshore, though there is a degree of devolution spread across the nation through its counties. Each county has a "county town" that hosts a county council, whilst each county itself is also sub-divided into boroughs, governed by a borough council. The responsibilities that each tier have are clearly defined and enshrined within Anglish law, though unlike many other modern nations, there is relatively little significant power devolved to county and borough councils - they are more focused on local, parochial issues. Central power and cross-county harmonisation are key principles within the Anglish political set-up. Both the Isles of Fogg and Providence have county status under the unified Grand Angland. Unification itself, from being four separate regions each with overseas territories, into the current unified Grand Angland occurred over four years between January 2007 and May 2011. The growing Anglish Empire, which initially comprised of the combined overseas territories of Angland, Areland, Fogg and Providence, now consist of the overseas territories of Grand Angland. These territories fall under four different categories, dependent upon their relationship with Grand Angland - Colony Status, Dominion Status, Crown Dependency or Anglish Overseas Territory. All territories have however, in effect, lie under the responsibility and power (to varying degrees) of Grand Angland. There is a clear trend of cultural, economic and political integration between Grand Angland and its Empire.
The landmass of Grand Angland is predominantly made up of low hills and plains, though towards the north and west there is some more mountainous territory (such as in the Crown District, Brecknock Beacons, Himring Hills and the Nightly Hills) to contrast with the flatter southern and central regions.
Grand Angland is ranked highly in terms of economic development, human development and political development. Within the Anglish Empire itself it leads every economic and human development index possibly. Within the globe it has an economy defined as "frighteningly efficient"; with it being developed and in general, growing. It is a high-income economy with high levels of income across the board and low-levels of income inequality. Grand Angland is an industrialised nation and though not a global or even regional power, wields reasonable influence through its military power, its economic and political influence, along with its cultural contributions to the Anglish Empire. Grand Angland has embraced both nuclear power and nuclear weaponry, though conversely refrains from allowing domestic usage of internet connection. It is a current member of the World Assembly (WA), since joining in 2019 and has stressed continued support for the Anglish Empire to be WA-authorised. A lasting aspect of Douglas Kendrick's premiership was Grand Angland's dedication to the international community - seen through Grand Angland's membership of the Imperial Conference, The Embassy Programme, the FANI Index, the ILI, Reichsburg Free Trade Agreement, the Environmental Conservation Organisation, the New Treaty and the Council of Free Market Economies.
Etymology
The Kingdom of Grand Angland was formally created with the 2007 Act of Union between the independent nation-states of Angland, Fogg and Providence; though the practical process of amalgamation took around four years in total. The stated reasoning behind the name was that it reflected Angland's status as the biggest constituent part of the Kingdom, "made Grand by the additions of Areland, Fogg and Providence. On the whole, public opinion is satisfied with the arrangement but there is low-level dissent amongst people within Areland, Fogg and Providence whom would prefer a more balanced title. Internationally there can also be a diverse range of variations of the name - as some people will just use the title "Grand Angland" or "Angland"; the latter being the formal name for Angland before the unification.
As a follow-on from the low-level dissent in the aforementioned paragraph the other continuation from the pre-unification years is that there are groups of people that still see Angland, Areland, Fogg and Providence as countries - as opposed to the legal state of Grand Angland being the sovereign country. There is no specific legal guidance as to the states and their classification - The Grand Angland government considers the terms to be historic and cultural as opposed to holding any political value. In different contexts they are classified as regions, constituent countries or areas. Within the isles of Fogg and Providence using specific terms can be political or seen as indicative of unionist or separatist intent. In general the terms "Grand Angland" refers to the nation, the landmass of Angland, Areland Fogg, Providence or any combination therein. It is and has become the "catch-all" phrase that the vast majority of people use to describe the area, governance and political status.
The term "Angland" can also be used as a catch-all phrase, though this is usually in a historical context or as a shortened form of "Grand Angland", a trait that is commonly covered by disclaimers as such use can be seen as incendiary towards the peoples of Fogg and Providence; building on existing issues about the political union and the exclusion of their reference in the national name. The Grand Angland government uses the official title of the Kingdom of Grand Angland on all documentation and dispatches but takes a more accommodating approach to a variety of phrases - recognising that during a time of political upheaval and turmoil there will be a period of confusion and mixed-messages. It also sees the need for convenience and ease of language. This is why possessions of Grand Angland (such as embassies, documents, decisions etc) are denoted to be "Anglish" as opposed to "Grand Anglish". This directive however does increase the possibility for legally incorrect referencing of the Grand Angland government by some parties.
In terms of denonyms - Grand Angland is somewhat unique in that it still abides by monarchical rule to the extent that its people are deemed "Anglish subjects" rather than "Anglish citizens". More colloquially Anglish people can be referred to as "Anglanders" (by extension Arelanders, Foggers and Providentials) but this is never found amongst any official documentation (domestic or internationally). This set of denonyms is used to discuss issues of possession and nationality - it is by far the most common denonym, over alternatives such as "Anglon".
History
Pre-Unification
Accounts of life on the Anglish Isles prior to the unification differ because of the quality and diversity of sources that existed within the four pre-unification kingdoms. It is generally thought that the earliest human life was recorded within the Anglish Isles around 40,000 years ago - derived from evidence found in caves and the age of corpses occasionally found. The original Anglish settlers were homogeneous and encompassing much of the raw characteristics of the modern Anglish race. Within Angland itself, the majority of landscape at the time was woodland and as a result many of the Anglish settlers were hunter-gatherers, living in small tribes within the forest - very insular and rarely coming across other tribes. On the occasions tribes did meet there would frequently be dispute and aggression between them. However, over time as local tribes began to become accustomed with one another social patterns evolved for a widening community - incorporating a shared language, equal ambitions and combined industry. As this progressed tribes became villages, villages became towns and towns became cities. Eventually, the south-east branched into forming a regional feudal structure with Lords controlling areas of land the communities that reside within them - it is believed that that the House of Beauclerc (currently represented by King William I) originates from this community. Once the monarchy claimed control of these region, it spread its influence throughout Angland with conquest and conscription. Certain older parts of the Anglish Empire (such as Aldorria for example) were also colonised during this time, making them colonies of Angland before they became colonies of Grand Angland.
The development of the Isles of Fogg and Providence was a little different, partly due to them being much smaller landmasses than Angland. These Isles were subject to international conquer and dispute, as opposed to internal dispute. The same settlers that arrived in Angland 40,000 years ago also arrived and settled in Fogg and Providence. However, with Fogg and Providence being perfectly located between the Osiran mainland, Angland itself and a variety of other islands and nations in the region it became an ideal target for other peoples, pirates and settlers. There were conflicts between the initial settlers and Aldorrian pirates, Osiran ramblers and Kurtish seaman. Over many centuries there were different victors and settlers, creating an intermingling of different races to create the modern peoples of Fogg and Providence. Due to the various settlers appearing racially very similar, this rich multi-cultural history is known through education and cultural practices that remain as opposed to any visual evidence.
Meanwhile the settlers on the Isle of Areland arrived at a very similar time to their counterparts in Angland, Fogg and Providence; but they travelled from a distant northern settlement - Octavia. Historians and academics have spent decades trying to unearth how it came to be that all four parts of Grand Angland were discovered and inhabited at a very similar time with the travellers coming from two separate destinations but as of the moment there can be no clarity as to whether there was a cause or if it was solely coincidence. The defining aspect of the settlers in Areland is that they were highly religious, coming from a fractured religious nation and so there were many religious disputes amongst themselves. These issues are still occasionally seen in some aspects of their societies but it is never a significant enough issue to warrant political attention. Unlike Angland, Areland is a slightly smaller landmass and so there was no need for control of the entire land to gradually be taken - the leaders of the settlers automatically assumed control by all accounts.
For the final 2000 years before unification there was little in the way of defensive international conquest - the monarchies and rulers of the Four Kingdoms followed their own journies and had plenty of domestic issues to overcome but there was very little in the way of foreign threats. The Anglish monarchy did propose multiple personal unions and combinations, especially after the Anglish Civil War - these were invariably rejected out of hand by the counterpart monarchies.
There have also been multiple moments of tension between the Four Kingdoms, punctuating a general period of calm relations between the three. The earlier mentioned Anglish Civil war combined a similar time period to the Second Foggish Famine and an attempt by the Anglish establishment to annexe Areland. This led to a series of inter-connected civil and international wars that created a chain of events that mark the history of each of the four constituent states. Outside of the Grand Angland there was little defensive conquest but there was plenty in the field of Anglish sailors turning to piracy.
Most of the above took place between 1300-1650. The 200 years following 1650 were crucial for the Kingdom of Angland. It was during this time that many of it's parliamentary procedures were developed, it's constitution around this and how the reformed monarchy would fit inside the system. Its banking and economic infrastructure grew rapidly through a period of industrialisation. Civic rights and duties were developed, a clear and transparent armed forces structure was also implemented. Many of the features developed in Angland during this time shape the political, economic and legal structures that now assist in governing Grant Angland as many of the policies and institutions carried through unification were pre-existing in Angland as opposed to Areland, Fogg or Providence.
Alongside the previous attempts by the Anglish monarchy to create a personal union, there were at least four political attempts to form a union between 1800-1950, all of which proved unsuccessful. The 2007 Act of Union was ratified and led the formation of the Kingdom of Grand Angland.
Unification
The unification of Grand Angland arose from a combination of domestic development leading to recognition of collective benefits, unique crises in individual component states and an intensive spell of negotiation.