Nunalik
Worker's Republic of Nunalik Aalaaniaq: 누나알:라:니앋맏다맄 수리샇둒 쿤ᅌᅵ읻숩:빜 Romanisation: Nuna'aallaaniatmattalik Sulisartuq Kunngiitsuuffik Caznian: Delavska Republika Nunalik | |
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 Flag
 State Emblem
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| Motto: Aqaguuppat Aappaluppoq Tomorrow is Red | |
| Anthem: Nunarput Utoqqarsuanngoravit You our Ancient Land | |
| Capital and largest city | Illoqarfik |
| Official languages | Aalaaniaq |
| Recognised national languages | Literary Tuthinan |
| Recognised regional languages | Ostrovan |
| Ethnic groups (2015) | Aalaaniaq 82% Ostrovan 10% Tuthinan 8% |
| Demonym(s) | Nunalikan |
| Government | Single-party Marxist-Leninist state |
• Premier | Qeqqeq Saamika |
• General Secretary of Taanga Siumut | Laaki Qualli |
| Independence | |
| 4 September 1208 ad | |
| 3 January 1960 ad | |
| Population | |
• 2018 census | 8,655,880 |
| GDP (PPP) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $113.32 Billion |
• Per capita | $13,092 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $78 Billion |
• Per capita | $9,012 |
| Gini (2015) |  0.34low |
| HDI (2015) |  0.682medium |
| Currency | Nunalikan Kigut (NLK) |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +69 |
| ISO 3166 code | NLK |
| Internet TLD | .nk |
Nunalik, officially the Workers' Republic of Nunalik (Aalaaniaq: 누나알:라:니앋맏다맄 수리샇둒 쿤ᅌᅵ읻숩:빜, Romanisation: Nuna'aallaaniatmattalik Sulisartuq Kunngiitsuuffik) is a sovereign nation in Esquarium, which shares borders with Ceresnia to the northeast and Razaria to the southeast. Its territory comprises of X square kilometres in Northwest Borea. It has a population of approximately nine million people who mainly inhabit the warmer southern plains.
Geographically Nunalik is unique among nations in Esquarium. Nunalik possesses one of the highest latitudes for any nation in Esquarium, while its capital Illoqarfik is one of the furthest north capital cities in Esquarium. Due to the high latitude of northern Nunalik some parts of the nation experience a phenomenon called white night where the sun never truly sets in summer and where the sun never rises in the depths of winter. This latitude means that much of Nunalik is in a state of perpetual winter, severely limiting domestic agricultural production.
Nunalik's population of approximately nine million is moderately urbanised, with over three million people living in the capital city of Illoqarfik and the surrounding area. This small population and sizable land area means that Nunalik has one of the lowest population densities among nations in Esquarium. Nunalik is divided into two Republics, which are further divided into twelve Kanaartaq, six Okruzi and three metropolitan areas. Despite the Ammaneq reforms of the 90s and the loosening under current Premier Qeqqeq Saamika, Nunalik remains a highly centralised, though nominally federal, state and these subdivisions have little autonomy apart from the Republican legislatures.
It is not known when Nunalik was first settled, but prehistoric artefacts found would suggest that the area was first inhabited by a Proto-Aalaaniaq people some time in the neolithic era. These Proto-Aalaniaq people are likely descended from the Atadamic peoples of Kheratia, although DNA testing has been somewhat inconclusive. For most of its history Nunalik was inhabited by tribes of Aalaaniaqwho kept more or less to themselves and lived hunter-gatherer lifestyles. Society was communal and based around the female shaman, who was the de facto leader of the tribe. There was some limited trade between the Aalaaniaq and outside world from this time until 1138, when a small force of slavic warriors from Razaria landed on the southernmost island of Timmiaqqeqertaq. These slavs, armed with steel weaponry that far outclassed the bone weapons of the Aalaaniaq, won several victories against the local tribes and forged an independent principality. They became known as the Ostrovans (Ostrovan: Ostrvati), a name derived from their word for island, Ostrvo. The Ostrovan Principality eventually took all of Timmiaqqeqertaq, allowing the Aalaaniaq tribes who lived there to maintain their nomadic ways in return for tributes. Trade between the outside world and the Aalaaniaq was now conducted through the Ostrovans, giving them some measure of wealth through the trade of furs and whale products. In 1627, prompted by the rediscovery of Thenhang's notes by a nobleman, the Tuthinans arrived with a fleet and soldiers who easily subjugated the tribespeople who were still armed with little more than bone weapons. The Tuthinans established the city of Myo'hway in southern Anaanaqeqertaq, which was the only town in Aalaaniaq territory the isles at the time, and began trading with both the Aalaaniaq and the Ostrovans. they eventually began exploiting the resources of the island, repressing several revolts by disgruntled Aalaniaq. In the late 1950s a Tuthina weakened by the Great Republican Uprising agreed to an independence deal with socialist revolutionaries led by Puupi Kakatsak, who established the Workers' Republic and ruled until his death in 1986. After his death Nunalik has slowly reformed its socialist system and become a more open society whilst maintaining single party rule under the Taanga Siumut.
History
The first settlement of Nunalik by Homo Sapiens
First discovery by Thenhang
Ostrovan conquests
The Aalaaniaq people, despite inhabiting the entire archipelago, never formed a state or attempted to exert their borders. Eventually, traders from the northern Vitrian states began to trade with the Aalaaniaq in order to get valuable furs and whale products which were rares on the mainland. In 1132, several ships set sail from modern-day Razaria, aiming to establish a trade settlement in the archipelago in order to gain control of the trade in the area. This force was led by Slavoljub Popadić, a petty noble who, according to records at the time, decided upon the mission "whilst in a drunken stupor". Slavoljub's band arrived in southern Timmiaqqeqertaq on the sixth of may and his men immediately encountered a band of Aalaaniaq hunters. Allegedly mistaking the hunters for bears due to their thick furs and strange animal-like yelling, believed to have been a traditional greeting, he ordered his men to shoot the hunters. After their death, he realised his mistake, but by now it was too late to rectify the mistake. He got his band to work constructing a palisade and some basic housing, aiming that they would stay for a time in the north so that he could obtain a reputation as a Nordic explorer before returning. The settlement, near the site of modern-day Břergvaš, was raided several times by Aalaniaq raiding parties but due to their superior technology, the Razarians were able to hold them off.
When a small settlement was established and food sources were prepared, Slavoljub returned home to entice settlers to inhabit his new town. He managed to convince a small number of people to come, swelling the population of the village to 230. Trade ships began to come to the town, which had by now settled their feud with neighbouring Aalaaniaq tribes and were able to trade freely with them and even use the land for their own hunting, bringing in a stable income to the settlement. More people began to move north, seeing the potential to make a living off trade or even to escape from prosecution in a less regulated society in which anyone could make a new life. With this wave of immigrants came koshchunist priests, who established religious buildings and attempted to convert the natives. This faced heavy resistance and proselytisation attempts angered the Aalaaniaq. After a series of small raids, the Koshchunists on the island issued a decree that recognised the Aalaaniaq gods as allies of God. This declaration put them at odds with central religious authorities, a rift that caused the creation of the Northern Koshchunist faith, a sect based in Břergvaš.
The swelling population grew as generations passed and the Ostrvati people, who had by now begun to consider themselves a different people due to cultural and religious differences due to isolation and interbreeding with the Aalaaniaq, turned their eyes to conquest. They raised an army of around a thousand men, equipped with metal weaponry, defeating several Aalaaniaq warbands. They allowed the Aalaaniaq to live in their newly conquered lands in return for a yearly tribute, permitting the Aalaaniaq to continue their nomadic lifestyles in peace. Despite their technological superiority over the Aalaniaq who, despite trade, prefered their traditional weapons, the Ostrvati were unable to expand beyond Timmiaqqeqertaq as the further north they got, the colder the weather until their metal equipment became useless. Between 1270 and 1462, Břergvaš experienced a golden age as trade revenues allowed for the creation of great palaces and other stone buildings. It is believed that in this time there was a period of unusual warmth, which allowed for the expansion of agriculture and quarrying in Ostrvati-held lands. The Črvna Plača and several other important buildings were built in this period. Grand Duke Anaaslav, who ruled from 1345 to 1367, patronised the arts and expanded Ostrvati literature, providing an alternative to the oral traditions that dominated the region. During this time the Northern and Southern Koshchunist churches grew closer again, accepting each other as brothers despite theological dispute.
The expansion of wealth was not to last, however, as the period of warmth receded. Crops failed, resulting in a great famine that decimated the population. Faced with popular discontent, the Grand Duke Arkan II lowered taxes and provided a ration of food to the populace, which stabilised the situation in the short term but severely limited economic potential. The trade in furs became less valuable, causing a slight population decrease. While the situation stabilised itself by 1405, Ostrovia never regained its old heights and descended into a backwater, reliant on trade yet, for the most part, a self-sustaining township that lived off fish. Control over northern Timmiaqqeqertaq was lost in 1456, as the Ostrovian army was not able to keep the Aalaaniaq at bay due to its small number of soldiers. While it did not dissapear completely, Ostrovia lost its place as a cultural centre in the north.
Tuthinan arrival
Imperial era
Independence
Workers' Republic and Kakatsak era
Immediately following independence, Puupi Kakatsak took power as a provisional leader. He declared that Nunalik was now a democratic republic and that elections would be held in a matter of weeks. This short timeframe, combined with a tough application process for aspiring political parties, meant that when the ballots came to be distributed across the nation there were only three options to vote for; the Taanga Siumut, an Ostrovan separatist party, and the Nunalikan Republican Congress, a little known movement who advocated for a republic similar to Ainin. The voting process itself was transparent, as Puupi knew that his party would win easily and hoped to gain international recognition for his rule. When results came back the Taanga Siumut had won 89% of the party vote, whilst Puupi himself had won 93% of the vote for president. This result gave the Taanga Siumut a clear majority in the new state legislature, the Chamber of Deputies. With this majority, the Taanga Siumut were able to pass laws throughout 1960 to consolidate their power, officially declaring the state to be a "Workers' Republic" and choosing a state flag with syndicalist symbolism. Many in the Nunalikan Republican Congress were outraged by these changes, with its leader Ammagaruqnik declaring Puupi to be "A shadow dictator, a man with undeniable thirsts for power and one who will guide our nation into an era of oppressive darkness little different from our colonial past". Nonetheless, Puupi remained extremely popular with the people of Nunalik.
In 1963 a new round of elections was due, according to the original Constitution of the Republic of Nunalik. The Nunalikan Republican Congress boycotted this election in protest against the proposed reforms to the Nunalikan economy that Puupi had suggested, allowing the Taanga Siumut to win every seat in the Chamber of Deputies. With absolute power over the legislature, the Taanga Siumut announced that a new constitution had been drafted, unanimously ratifying it the next day. This constitution, known as the 1963 Worker's Constitution, declared the end of multiparty politics in Nunalik and affirmed the central role of the Taanga Siumut in the governance of the nation. It removed all references to elections or rights to property and free speech, paving the way for Puupi's first set of reforms. The Nunalikan Republican Congress protested these changes and, according to Nunalikan state historians, attempted a putsch to stop the reforms from taking place. Ammagaruqnik was arrested, alongside several other Nunalikan Republican Congress members, and convicted of treason. They were publicly executed in the centre of Republic Square, modern-day Red Square, signifying to any other protestors that Nunalik was under the control of an authoritarian regime.
In 1964 the first set of economic reforms took place, with the collectivisation of all primary and secondary industries into state control. State planning was instituted, with five-year development plans put into place with the aim to rapidly industrialise Nunalik's economy, which had been heavily dependent on subsistence fishing and hunting with the only exports being furs. Trade was expanded with Kheratia, Ceresnia, Namor and Lecia due to ideological similarities, although relations with Tuthina still remained strong out of sheer necessity in the early years. In these first plans, mining activities were begun to access the small amounts of accessable coal and other valuable materials, while geothermal and hydroelectric infrastructure was built with help from foreign nations. Steel manufacturing and light industries were also intensified, especially in the areas around Illoqarfik as this was where the greatest amounts of people were located. In this time, the Taanga Siumut gained a greater influence over the state by gaining control over the nation's military and economic planning. A secret police, the Directorate for the Defense of the Revolution (DDR), was established and began to censor political oppression, with work camps being established to deal with prisoners as state officials believed that Nunalik's population was too small for them not to participate in economic projects.
During this time, Puupi Kakatsak was becoming paranoid. In 1969, there were rumours, later proven to have been fabricated by the Chairman of the Directorate for the Defense of the Revolution, that a clique of army officers had been influenced by foreign governments such as Ainin and were planning to sieze power. With relations with Ainin fraught due to Ainin's opposition to whaling, which was important to Aalaaniaq culture and the Nunalikan economy, the situation escalated rapidly and the army officers were publicly executed while Nunalik broke off all remaining ties with Ainin. This event is believed to have been one of the triggering factors in Puupi's dementia and his decision, four years later, to declare himself "Guide of the Nunalikan Revolution".
By 1973, Puupi was suffering from dementia and anxiety. These conditions made his behaviour erratic and prone to overreaction, and with the entire central committee of the Taanga Siumut filled with yes-men and other sycophants there was noone to check his potentially dangerous behaviour. In June of 1973, inspired by the Green Fever carried out by supporters of Antelope Yunglang in Namor, Puupi Kakatsak made a speech to the Plenum of the Taanga Siumut in which he declared that:
"It has come to my attention that there are elements of our society more concerned with their own pockets, with their own lives, than with the final victory of our revolution. It is clear that certain elements of our society, no doubt urged on by the imperialist demons of Ainin and Luziyca, are attempting to mislead the revolution. We need a strong, guiding light to guide us through these troubling fogs. In the past, that role fell to this great party to guide the masses but even it has fallen astray. Members here are mere servants of the enemy, wolves in the skins of muskoxen. We must show these treacherous wolves that we are not mere prey, but great bears. For this reason, I have decided to step up to the position of Guide of our great revolution, to steer it on the true course."
Following this speech, in a movement that had been prepared in advance, young pioneers began rounding up several of the older party members and those who had been vocal in support of reforms. The mass denouncements were quick and the accused were tried quickly in a kangaroo court, with only three of the more than 200 accused being released. The rest were executed, beginning a wave of violence across the country. Every member of the party and of the armed forces was investigated by the Directorate for the Defense of the Revolution, with suspected "counter-revolutionaries" being summarily executed. It is estimated around 750 people were killed in this immediate rush of denounciations. In this period, the economy came under closer state control. Several attempts were made to increase production, with several mass agricultural projects that attempted to plant corn and other cereals failing. The Nunalikan People's Bank was disestablished, as was the Nunalikan Kigut in favour of labour vouchers and food ration cards. Propaganda efforts were increased heavily over this period, with songs composed and posters made to honour Puupi and spread party maxims. All this led to an immense cult of personality surrounding Puupi, which persists to this day.
After nearly ten years of economic sluggishness and fear, Puupi's health was growing weaker and his nephew Adlartok was able to convince him that the goals he had set out to accomplish had been achieved. In September 1983, Puupi declared that the intensification of the revolution was over and that it was securely on its path again. He spent the last three years of his life nominally ruler of the nation, but delegated most of his power to the central committee. At his death on the 5th of October 1986, aged 71, he barely filled any state roles. Following hs death, a year of mourning was declared. He was succeeded by Adlartok, a reformist, who began to rebuild the nation from the damage caused.
Reforms and counter-reforms
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With Adlartok as leader, Nunalikan society began to open up. At the start of the 1987 Plenum of the Taanga Siumut, he spoke about the need for a "modern economic system that could maintain the course of the revolution" while still "remaining competitive with the global world". He spoke about the need to modernise the Nunalikan economy and to allow for private incentives such as private property, which he saw as a necessary part of a dynamic economy. The 80s had been a period of economic stagnation, with the growth of fledgeling sectors such as agriculture stifled and production of consumer goods unable to meet demand, resulting in large lines and shortages. Adlartok hoped that by encouraging a degree of competition in the Nunalikan economy, there could be greater growth of such industries and that this would eventually result in a stronger Nunalikan nation. He christened these reforms the "Allanngortitsineq", or "Change", with a full plan being released in 1988. These reforms legalised the ownership of private property and de-collectivised several industries, most importantly fishing. The most public and dramatic moment of these reforms was the opening of the Red Square Frederick's Fries, the first sight that many Nunalikans had of the outside world. It instantly became a novelty in the nation, with thousands of people coming to Illoqarfik just to see it. The reforms also affected Nunalikan social and political life, with bans on "anti-revolutionary bourgeois cultural activities" such as going to night clubs and other social activities being lifted. Press freedom increased considerably, with the limitation of the Cult of Personality that had been a fixture of Puupi's reign and establishment of satire magazines which were allowed to criticize the government. Adlartok went as far as to allow the Nunalikan Republican Congress to return to the nation and register as a legitimate political party, with the intention to legalise a multi-party democracy. Conscription was lifted, while diplomatic relations with western nations were opened.
These brazen challenges to the status quo were seen as a threat by much of the Taanga Siumut, leading to a conservative pushback witgin the party. Adlartok had hoped to push forwards with reforms to legalise the NRC as a political group and privatize sectors of the economy, but a staunch party opposition informed him that such actions would result in his dismissal. Quiassuaat, the satire magazine, was infiltrated by hardliners and began to criticize the government from a far left angle. Adlartok's reforms were equally divisive to the public. While many saw them as a step in the right direction, if too conservative, others who had grown up in the Correctional Revolution period saw them as a betrayal of Puupi's vision and detested them. For nearly the first time since independence, there was unrest on the streets of Illoqarfik as both liberal and conservative groups protested the direction of the nation. In June, faced with rising tensions, Adlartok attempted to increase the pace of the reforms and declared that Nunalik had to "clear out the old wolves that dragged the pack behind". Liberal protestors rioted in the streets, burning images of Puupi Kakatsak and calling for an end to socialism in Nunalik. Seeing this as a threat, the conservative clique of the Taanga Siumut and hardliners within the Red Worker's Army of Nunalik siezed control of the nation in a coup on the 15th of June. Tanks were deployed into the streets of Illoqarfik, while soldiers arrested and fired on protestors who opposed them. Adlartok was arrested, while the hastily assembled "National Re-Alignment Committee" declared martial law and a state of emergency. All public assembly was banned for six months and publication of independent media ceased. Adlartok and several protest leaders were executed on charges of Treason, with Qeqqeq Saamika selected as the new Premier by the committee. This ended the abortive reform movement for several years.
Modern era
Geography
Nunalik is an archipelago located in the extreme northern limits of the Central Ocean and on the western and southern fringes of the Northern Sea. Most of the islands are similar in geography owing to their proximity to both the West Borean Trench and the Hyperborean Trench, the latter running close to the southeastern coast of Nunalik and the former running close to the southwest. Whilst not directly on tectonic faults, the archipelago sits upon a large area of weak crust, with volcanic activity shaping the island's geography, topography and influencing the native inhabitants. The archipelago consists of seven main islands.
The largest island in the archipelago is Anaanaqeqertaq, or "Mother Island". Aalaaniaq legends say that the island provided them with bountiful food and shelter from winter storms and protected them like a mother. Archaeological evidence suggests that this was the island where the Aalaaniaq first landed and established themselves before spreading out across other islands. Because of the matriarchal nature of Aalaaniaq, the island's name derives from qualities attributed to mothers. The island is largely composed of volcanic deposits from the island's three main volcanoes. Two of the volcanoes are located along the southeastern Ikualaneqqingartaraq, or "Fire Mountain Ridge", a chain of volcanic mountains that runs largely parallel to the southwestern section of the Hyperborean Trench. Mount Ikualaneqanerneq (literally "Fire Breath") is located in the central northwest of the island. It is the highest point in Nunalik, reaching an altitude of 2,094 metres (6,870 feet). Although currently dormant, Mount Ikualaneqanerneq is a significant threat to Nunalik as explosive eruptions have been recorded before, with the last eruption occurring in 1996.
Timmiaqqeqertaq, or "Bird Island", is the second largest island in Nunalik. It is located to the southwest of Anaanaqeqertaq. Like the main island, Timmiaqqeqertaq is volcanic in nature, with high cliffs in the south of the island, likely due to tectonic uplift during major ruptures along the West Borean Trench. These cliffs provide seasonal homes for various seabirds. The interior is similar to the main island, with flat plains and volcanic mountains in the centre of the island. At 1,304 metres (4,278 feet), Mount Akulikitsumikaappoqsermeq (literally "Frequently Melt Ice") is the tallest peak on the island. It too is a volcano, and one of the most active in Nunalik.
Qeqertaqnaakseqineqtunivaakimikitsoq (literally "Island Where the Sun Gives Light") is the third largest island in Nunalik. It is located west of Anaanaqeqertaq. Like the other islands, the geography has the same features: flat coastal plains and volcanic interior mountains. Qeqertaqnaakseqineqtunivaakimikitsoq is known for it's seal and walrus colonies as well as black sand beaches. The tallest point on the island is Mount Kakatsak, named after revolutionary socialist leader and first Premier Puupi Kakatsak. It reaches an altitude of 1,981 metres (6,499 feet) above sea level.
Nunalik has four other main islands. Aaveqqeqertaq (Walrus Island) in the northwest and is the fourth largest island, known for walrus colonies. Kujatetimmiaqqeqertaq (South Bird Island) is located southeast of Timmiaqqeqertaq and is also home to seabird colonies. Siullermikseqineqaallaannariaqqeqertaq (First Sun Light Island) is located to the northeast of Qeqertaqnaakseqineqtunivaakimikitsoq. It is known for having the most easterly point in Nunalik as well as having the longest island name in Nunalik, beating Qeqertaqnaakseqineqtunivaakimikitsoq by two letters. The smallest and most isolated island is Kaajallanneqqeqertaq, or Revolution Island. It was formerly known as Kiserliornartoqqeqertaq, or Loneliness Island due to it's isolation from the rest of the archipelago. It is not permanently inhabited and holds a research station. The island is national park and biological reserve for Hyperborean fauna and flora.
- Gallery
- MountKakatsak.jpg
Mount Kakatsak on the island of Qeqertaqnaakseqineqtunivaakimikitsoq
- RollingTundraHills.jpg
Rolling tundra hills in the interior of Anaanaqeqertaq
- TimmiaqqeqertaqCliffs.jpg
A seabird colony on the cliffs of Timmiaqqeqertaq
- TungujorsaatimeqBayEastShore.jpg
Mountains on the eastern shore of Tungujorsaatimeq Bay in central Anaanaqeqertaq
Climate
Nunalik experiences two climates. Inland areas or those exposed to northerly winds and air flows experience a tundra climate, while more sheltered areas experience a subarctic climate, owing to their exposure to warmer ocean and air currents as well as shelter from air masses from Hyperborea.
Tundra climates can be found on the north-facing areas of Anaanaqeqertaq and Qeqertaqnaakseqineqtunivaakimikitsoq and on the islands of Aaveqqeqertaq, Siullermikseqineqaallaannariaqqeqertaq and Kaajallanneqqeqertaq. Tundra climates typically have long, cold winters and short, cool summers with the latter warm enough to melt snow, but not usually exceeding 10°C (50°F). These climates are hostile to woody vegetation, with regions experiencing a tundra climate typically devoid of trees, with the only vegetation present being small shrubs and grasses. Rainfall is slight, however snowfall is prevalent during winter months.
Subarctic climates can be found in the more sheltered areas of Nunalik. These include the central, southern and southeastern coasts of Anaanaqeqertaq as well as the inner shores of Tungujorsaatimeq Bay, which is sheltered by mountains on both sides. The climate is also present on Timmiaqqeqertaq, Kujatetimmiaqqeqertaq, and extreme southwestern Qeqertaqnaakseqineqtunivaakimikitsoq. Subarctic climates are typically much milder than polar and tundra climate and give rise to more precipitation and warmer temperatures. Winters are also milder due to the influence of slightly warmer seas off the coast of southern Nunalik, with high temperatures averaging at or just above freezing. Summers can be mild to warm, with the warmest days reaching as high as 25°C (77°F). Snowfall can reach these areas during winter but generally do not reach the snowfall levels as seen in more exposed or higher altitude areas.
Because of it's northerly latitude, Nunalik experiences unique climate features. Areas north of the Hyperborean Circle experience between three and four weeks of constant sunlight during summer, with areas below the circle experiencing two weeks of sunlight. Conversely, these areas receive similar numbers of weeks in total darkness at the height of winter. In addition, the Nunalik low is a common feature during winter months. It is a semi-permanent cyclonic low that sits just to the west of the islands. This often brings strong winds and snow to many parts of the country during winter. In addition, the remnants of tropical cyclones from southeastern Nordania that enter the low often strengthen again and impact northwestern Borea, bringing frigid temperatures and record snowfalls. The fringes of these storms often impact southern Nunalik bringing extreme blizzard conditions.
Sea ice is a major feature of winters in Nunalik. However, due to climate change, there is less sea ice, making supplying Nunalik during winter months by sea much easier. Currently northern islands such as Kaajallanneqqeqertaq and Siullermikseqineqaallaannariaqqeqertaq are locked in sea ice for three to four months before the ice retreats. More southern areas, including the northern shores of Anaanaqeqertaq and in Tungujorsaatimeq Bay are also affected by sea ice, but this lasts a lot less longer, typically between six weeks to two months. The sea ice in these areas is also less thick, but still poses a danger to ships that do not have ice-strengthened hulls.
Environment
Much of Nunalik consists of tundra, as the soil underneath is largely permafrost or permanently frozen. Most of the flora that grows in the tundra are usually small, hardy plants or mosses and lichens. The depth of the frozen soil means it's impossible for trees to grow. Despite the lack of vegetation, two plants that produce edible berries can be found. The black bearberry is edible and is often used by the Aalaaniaq in medicinal remedies. The crowberry is used primarily in cooking, and can be used in pies and jams. Both of these berries also provide sustenance for various mammal species, including bears and reindeer.
Approximately 38 species of mammals are present in Nunalik, the largest of these being the polar bear. Species like caribou, reindeer and muskoxen are present on most of the islands and can be found where there is an abundance of shrubs and plants. Nunalik's national animal, the reindeer, is present in both wild populations as well as being domestically farmed. Reindeer provide antlers, hides, meat, milk and are used for pulling sleds and sleighs. Whales form an important part of the Aalaaniaq diet as well as part of their traditional lifestyles and religion. All of the whale is used by the Aalaaniaq and beached whales are often blessed by a traditional shaman before the whale is stripped of usable flesh and bones.
Around 162 species of birds can be found in Nunalik, with the absolute majority of them being seasonal visitors. Many species of birds fly north to breed. Among the many birds that breed in Nunalik are the snow goose, the emperor goose, the tundra swan and the Hyperborean tern. Various seabirds nest along the coast, including seagulls, jaegers, puffins, and petrels. The snowy owl is one of the most famous of the predatory birds in Nunalik, and it is considered to be a night spirit in Aalaaniaq mythology.
Nunalik is devoid of reptilians such as snakes and lizards because they are unable to survive freezing winters and the mild summers. One species of frog, the Template:Wwpl, can be found in sheltered areas in southern Nunalik, predominantly on Kujatetimmiaqqeqertaq, where the relatively mild climate and the presence of bogs and wetlands creates the right breeding environment for the amphibians tp thrive.
Politics and Government
The Workers' Republic of Nunalik is a highly centralised one-party state. It is self-described as a constitutionally socialist state ruled by the Taanga Siumut, the only legal political party who control almost every aspect of politics within Nunalik as part of their constitutional role as "guide of the revolution". Despite this, liberalisation in social life has allowed for a moderately free press.
The official position of the head of state is the Premier, who is elected by the central committee of the Taanga Siumut for life or until either retirement or dismissal. The role carries almost complete executive and legislative power, but the Premier can be dismissed by the central committee of the Taanga Siumut upon a two-thirds majority vote if the general Secretary deems them to have compromised the principles of the revolution. For this reason, the position cannot be held by the General Secretary, a move made after the death of Puupi Kakatsak due to his unrestricted power and the negative effects it had on Nualik towards the end of his life. The premier is also required to represent Nunalik in international affairs.
The main legislative organ is the Council of the People's Deputies, an assembly of 120 unelected delegates selected from the Taanga Siumut. Seats are reserved for Union leaders and military officials, which has led to the assembly being labeled as a technocratic institution by many commentators. The delegates are selected by the Central Committee of the Taanga Siumut, with very little input from the general populace. Despite this, the delegates are usually selected based upon popularity as well as loyalty and skill. The Council can pass laws and maintains the government on a daily basis but is unable to overrule the Premier.
Nunalik operates on a legal system based upon socialist legal systems such as Lecia's, with influence from Ainin's republican judicial system and on traditional Aalaaniaq society. Trials are always conducted by a jury and lawyers are provided by the state to the prosecution and defence.
Military
The Red Workers' Army of Nunalik (RWAN) is the armed forces of Nunalik. It was founded on the 23rd of December 1959, less than a month before Nunalikan independence from Tuthina, as the armed wing of the Taanga Siumut and has served as the national military since the original Nunalikan Constitution was signed in 1961. It is under the control of the Premier of Nunalik, who is the nominal head but does not hold a military rank. The highest ranking officer is the People's Marshall.
Branches of the RWAN include the Red Guards (RWANRG), who fulfil the role of a ground force, the Air Force (RWANAF) and the Navy (RWANN). There is also the Popular Mobilisation Brigades, a paramilitary organisation organised at a union level by labour syndicates in Nunalik that comes under the jurisdiction of the Taanga Siumut.
Nunalik has one of the smaller armed forces in Esquarium due to the nation's small size and lack of natural resources. To augment numbers, there is a policy of conscription where all able-bodied men and women must serve for at least 12 months within one of the branches of the RWAN and receive training. This policy also helps Nunalikans gain strength and necessary survival skills for the harsh climate. Nunalik has a moderately sized navy for its size, with a large fleet of patrol vessels to patrol Nunalikan territorial waters. Its air force is very small, with a small amount of aircraft and low funding. Nunalik purchases most of its military equipment from nations in the Internationale and from Tuthina
Foreign Relations
Nunalik's foreign policy has been one of relative isolation for much of its history. Following independence from Tuthina in the 60s, Nunalik has maintained close ties with Tuthina while staying isolated from many other nations within the Tuthinan sphere of influence. It has historically had cordial relations with leftist nations such as Lecia, Namor and, until 1989, the Ceresnian People's Republic. Its policies have been guided more by ideological bias than practical realpolitik, which has damaged Nunalik's international export capability. In the modern day, Nunalik is a member of the Tengkong and has expressed interest in joining the International Forum for Developing States on an ideological basis. relations with western nations such as Ainin have soured in recent times since the adoption of the Whaling treaty which is seen as a breach of state sovereignty and attack on Aalaniaq traditions by the Nunalikan government.
Nunalik maintains nominal ties with almost every nation in Esquarium, but only holds established bilateral relations with a minority of these nations. Its foreign involvement in organisations such as the International League is an exception to the policy of isolationism, as Nunalik holds a seat on the security council of this organisation.
Economy
The Nunalikan economy is organised into a model that combines both syndicalist and socialist ideals. At the local level, the economy is run by labour syndicates that are democratically run and which maintain the day to day running of economic infrastructure. These syndicates are subservient to the state-owned economic companies, which function similarly to the unions in Lecia but are run directly by the Taanga Siumut instead of through direct democracy. Workers are legally obliged to join their local syndicate as well as the umbrella Union of Nunalikan Workers, which represents the working population of Nunalik and as it elects ten members to the People's Assembly this is a possible way for Independents to enter politics in Nunalik, though this has never happened.
The economy is centrally planned, with private enterprise only permitted in areas such as fishing and hunting and even in these fields it is heavily restricted. Economic planning is first decided at a general level by the Central Economic Committee, a 60 member assembly composed of Taanga Siumut apparatchiks who decide national economic priorities on an ideological level. Once the base framework of a Seven-year plan is decided, it is handed to the more technocratic central committees of the economic companies who then formulate a practical plan around the base framework of the seven-year plan including quotas and goals that must be met. Once this is done this information is given back to the Central Economic Committee, given approval and passed to the People's Assembly to be ratified. At any stage of this process the Premier or Central Committee of the Taanga Siumut can block the plan and force changes to be made to the document.
Energy
The majority (76%) of Nunalik's electricity is generated through the burning of coal, with hydroelectricity (13%) and oil (11%) producing the remainder. Nunalikan authorities have been pushing for an expansion of Hydroelectrical plants due to the abundance of rivers and other water flows that can be harnessed, but due to the high cost of establishing such facilities progress has been slow. Projects such as the construction of the Aqalasu Dam have also been affected by heavy snows which have damaged construction equipment. The Central Committee for Energy Production and Distribution (CCEPD) have predicted that electricity usage will increase by around 8% over the next five years, as Nunalik's infrastructure develops and more people have access to electricity.
Nunalik has a very large proven coal reserve, with 62,092 million tonnes proven to exist in 2016, the majority of this is centred on the islands of Siullermikseqineqaallaannariaqqeqertaq, Anaanaqeqertaq and Timmiaqqeqertaq where intense mining operations are conducted. The extraction of coal is a central part of the Nunalikan economy, with coal exports making up 35% of Nunalik's overseas exports. The entire Nunalikan coal industry is run by IUN (inuiaqatigiinnut tunngasoq nukissaq), the state-run national coal company.
The 2016 CCEPD report into natural resources in Nunalik discovered 298,762 bbl worth of oil reserves in Nunalik and the surrounding waters, as well as minimal amounts of natural gas. These come under the ownership of the IUN, who have established several oil rigs in Nunalikan waters. Oil extraction is relatively underdeveloped in Nunalik, this has been a focus of the CCEPD 5 year plan to strengthen Nunalik's energy supply in order to prevent the frequent power cuts that take place.
Industry
One of the most industrialised nations in the world, Nunalik has a large industrial sector necessitated by its lack of an agricultural sector. It consists primarily of heavy industry such as the smelting of several metals which are mined in the nation and their manufacture into usable products. An example of this is the Kasuttagaq Steelworks, which takes iron mined in Nunalik and converts it into sheet metal and other essential mechanical components. Another major heavy industry is shipbuilding, which is carried out in the Aamaartitsivik Shipyard in southern Illofarqik. Shipbuilding has a long history in Nunalik, starting with the traditional kayaks of the Aalaaniaq people. Nowadays, the ships made are mainly transport ferries and other economically important vessels which are based on older Tuthinan vessels with modifications to account for the icy seas that surround Nunalik. Nunalik also maintains a significant amount of light industry such as textile manufacturing centred in Illofarqik and a large amount of food processing of seafood products. These industries contribute mainly to the Nunalikan internal market, as part of Nunalik's policy of self-sufficiency. Nunalik is almost entirely self-sufficient in industrial areas, making its own machinery and other goods.
The Industrial sector is managed by the Central Committee for Industrial Production and Growth in accordance with the directives of the Central Economic Committee and run by the Union of Nunalikan Industrial Workers. Seven-year plans decide its overall direction and all production goals are decided by the Central Committee for Industrial Production and Growth, but in day to day operation and localised planning the union is responsible for operations. Most industrial plants are fully worker-controlled, practicing workplace democracy. Safety standards are some of the highest in the region, allowing industrial workers high working conditions. The Nunalikan industrial sector has seen a steady 4% growth over the last 14 years, as operations are expanded in key areas to keep up with population growth.
Transport
There is very little of a transport system in Nunalik, with the harsh conditions and lack of resources over hard terrain severely limiting the penetration of roads. Nunalik is unique in Esquarium for its lack of any paved roads outside of Illofarqik and other major towns, a policy resulting from the infrastructure costs of building roads across the country heavily outweighing any possible benefits. The overland roads on islands such as Anaanaqeqertaq and Timmiaqqeqertaq are dirt tracks that link the isolated townships to major industrial centres. In addition, there are very few tunnels, leading to the routes often being long and winding. Overland travel is often undertaken on minibusses which are operated by Tuttorpak, the road based branch of the Nunalikan Transport Company. These minibuses, nicknamed "Tutts", are renowned for serial lateness and unreliability. They often break down on the tough roads, leading to a high road fatality rate in Nunalik. Due to the fact that Nunalik is an archipelago, there is very little of a rail system as bridge construction costs would again outweigh any benefits. The only rail links are between major mining operations on Siullermikseqineqaallaannariaqqeqertaq and the port of Aamarsuarsiorfik, as the sheer volume of resources extracted necessitates mass transport.
By far the most commonly used methods of transport between towns in Nunalik, for both personal travel and economic transport, are aircraft and ferries. Most inland settlements have an airstrip to allow for the takeoff of light aircraft, while larger townships have larger runways in order to allow for the transportation of economic goods by air with larger aircraft. All aircraft involved in domestic travel are owned by Tuluatsiaq, the aerial branch of the Nunalikan Transport Company. Tuluatsiaq's fleet is comprised of 1970s era aircraft from Tuthina and Namor and is known for its minimalist service. International flights run by Tuluatsiaq often lack amenities like entertainment screens and even food. The other main transport method is travelling by ferry. Seaside townships have ports which are serviced by Qajaq, the seabourne branch of the Nunalikan Transport Company. These ferries are able to link the disparate islands of the Nunalikan archipelago and are among the most reliable of transport methods in Nunalik, despite the difficulties posed by sea ice during the winter months. Many of the ferries are locally manufactured in Illofarqik based on variations of older Tuthinan models, with some imported. The Nunalikan ferries are widely known for their free fares and comfort when compared to other methods of transport, though this is relative to other options in Nunalik and therefore they are still uncomfortable to western tourists.
Demographics
Education
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Nunalik is a moderately educated nation, with the vast majority of the population having completed some form of formal education. Education in Nunalik is compulsory for all citizens for 11 years, starting at the age of 5, and is split into two stages; primary and preparatory. Pupils in Nunalik start in a primary faculty at the age of 5 and study here for six years, followed by five years in a preparatory institution. Primary students learn basic numeracy and literacy, as well as foreign languages and history, in order to give them a solid base of education that can be then specialised at preparatory. At the preparatory level, the schooling specialises as students are allowed to choose their specialisation based on either the STEM fields, social sciences not limited to politics, international relations and history, and general career education for people who do not intend to go into further study. After Preparatory, the students serve a year mandatory military service where they learn other skills. Following military service, the students are free to enter the workplace or continue their education at a university.
The Nunalikan education system is entirely state-run and is free for all citizens of Nunalik. The system comes under the control of the Central Comittee for the People's Education with heavy input from the Syndicate of Educators, who set individual curricula based around the general framework of the National curriculum in order to allow for regional variations. Teaching is conducted in both Aalaaniaq and Ostrovan, but in Ostrovan areas Aalaaniaq is a compulsory secondary subject. The academic day runs from 8 in the morning to four in the evening, with breaks from 10:30 to 11:30 and 01:00 to 02:00. All schools are Co-Ed, with both female and male students, and have uniforms.
Nunalik's education system has faced heavy criticism over perceived ideological conditioning of the youth, due to its highly politically sanitised version of history and strict adherence to the Taanga Siumut line over issues. Students, for example, are taught about figures such as Puupi Kakatsak in entirely positive ways and rarely encounter criticism of the regime even regarding political repression. Much of the political education is very supportive of the regime and students are encouraged to follow socialist doctrine and lifestyles. Patriotic measures like a pledge of allegiance to the Taanga Siumut and the Worker's Republic are extremely common, as are flag-raising ceremonies and the performance of ideological songs such as the Nunalikan national anthem.
Religion
Nunalik is a religiously homogenous nation with over 85% of the population followers of Upperisaat, the state-sponsored unification of traditional Aalaaniaq shamanism. This faith was formed by the Tuthinan colonial administration, who sought to stabilise their colony and allow it to be ruled easier. The second most common religion is Kamism, which was propagated by the Tuthinan administration and maintains a large following among the Tuthinan diaspora in Nunalik. Irreligion makes up most of the remainder of the population, but atheism is comparatively rare in Nunalik compared to other socialist countries as Upperisaat is government-sponsored and shares many values in common with secular humanism while allowing Aalaaniaqs to maintain their traditions.
The government of Nunalik is officially secular, but has sponsored Upperisaat as a method of maintaining national traditions and as a means to unify the nation. Religion is viewed as a firmly personal belief, helped by the fact that Upperisaat does not have churches and religion is done at private shrines. In pre-colonial Nunalik shamanesses formed a rudimentary government but since colonial times religion has had a very small influence on national policy.
Culture
Nunalik has two main cultures, Aalaaniaq and Ostrovan, which share several features but have many differences. Of the two Aalaaniaq culture is the most widespread and is more famous internationally, due to its elevation during the reign of Puupi Kakatsak and focal role in foreign tourist experiences. This has led to it being mistakenly known as "Nunalikan culture", a term that is not officially used as it does not give recognition to the diverse cultural heritage of Ostrovia. The two cultures do share several features, however, such as a focus on nature and artistic expression. Both have a very rich oral tradition, caused by the late arrival of literacy to the Aalaaniaq people and lack of paper needed for the creation of literature.
Aalaaniaq culture is ancient and unique globally, sharing some features with other cultures in terms of its affinity with nature and animals, but has been shaped by the isolation that the Aalaaniaq people have faced both from Borea and the rest of Esquarium. Aalaaniaq have historically had a symbiotic relationship with the natural world, which has shaped their views of nature to one of mutual respect. The Aalaaniaq are a hunting people, relying on hunted food to sustain themselves, but also pray to idols of these animals in reverence. The most culturally significant of all hunts to the Aalaaniaq is the whale hunt, where all of the males in a village paddle out on their qajaqs after the spotting of a whale pod in order to kill enough whales to feed the village for months. The Aalaaniaq people have also had a tradition of story-telling, with tales of heroes, religious myths and hunting stories being passed on over the generations by specialised storytellers. The role of women in Aalaaniaq culture is also unique, often described as a matriarchal society due to their importance in social and religious matters. In traditional Aalaaniaq clans, the leader was a shamaness who fulfilled the role of a familial patriarch. Collectivism is another feature prevalent in Aalaaniaq society, a trait that has formed the base of Taanga Siumut ideology for many years.
Ostrovan culture is unique as well. While it shares many common features with the Razarians, from whom the Ostrovans are directly related, nearly a millennium of isolation from the mainland has resulted in many changes. It is often seen as a hybrid between Vitrian and Aalaaniaq cultures, with elements of both being very prominent. Ostrovan society is far more stationary than the nomadic Aalaaniaq, resulting in a greater focus on traditional arts than on hunting and fishing. The relationship between the Ostrovans and nature is less focused on animals, as the Ostrovans do not follow the same animalistic religion as the Aalaaniaq, but places a great importance on the sea and land. Ostrovan society, while more egalitarian than many other vitrian peoples, still has deeply entrenched gender roles in which the man provides for the family and the woman stays at home. Koshchunism has played a key role in the development of Ostrovan culture as well.
Art
Traditional Aalaaniaq art is often split into two main areas, painting and carving. Carving has been part of Aalaaniaq culture for millennia, attested by the sheer volume of carved artefacts that have been found across the archipelago. It has fulfilled many roles in Aalaaniaq society, from glorifying the dead and recording stories of great hunts to making toys and jewellery. Carvings are usually made from whalebone or walrus tusk, though wood and even human bone have been used at times. Carving is commonly associated with Upperisaat rituals and even witchcraft, as it is believed that images of demonic spirits can be enchanted to bring both blessings and curses to the targetted individual if the idol is blessed with certain spells. An example of this is the tupilaq, a monster that was used to curse individuals. Today, while the mystical aspect of Aalaaniaq carving has become less prominent, Aalaaniaq carving is an important cultural tradition for the Aalaaniaq people and is recognised by the Nunalikan government as a national treasure. Carvings make common souvenirs for foreign tourists, being sold at official stores and directly by shamanesses and artisans.
Painting has been another aspect of Aalaaniaq art, though it has not got the same cultural history as carving. Painting in Nunalik is traditionally done by artists using traditional berry dies and mud based paints, although blood carried a far more symbolic power. In the modern day these methods are still widely used, but modern paints have become widespread especially in the educated scene in Illofarqik. Traditional paintings were used to tell the stories of heroic hunts and were painted on the sides of yurts, where they would be illuminated by the fire. In the modern day, paintings are often used by the government to present propaganda versions of the nation's history, comparing the actions of the Taanga Siumut to those of the heroes of old.
Cuisine
The Cuisine of Nunalik is often regarded as one of the more unappealing by global food critics, due to its lack of variety and dependence on fish. There is no staple crop that can survive the harsh cold temperature and almost constant frost, meaning that conventional staples like bread or rice are only feasible with imports. This has had a marked effect on Nunalikan cuisine, leading to a diet composed almost entirely of fish, meat, dairy products and the small amounts of berries that are able to survive. The uniformity of these conditions and decades of centrally administered food distribution have meant that there is very little regional variation in cuisine, making Nunalikan cuisine one of the most standardised in the world.
As periods of scarcity are common, preservation techniques such as salting are often used to extend the life of meat and fish. Commonly consumed animals include Whale, Hyperborean hare, Hyperborean cod, Reindeer, Hyperborean salmon and Goose. A key part of the Nunalikan diet is Muktuk, a meal made from whale blubber that provides a natural source of Vitamin C. This allows the Aalaaniaq to ward off complications that result from Vitamin C deficiency such as scurvy.
Sports
Sport is a highly popular pastime in Nunalik, with government-sponsored programs in place to get young people involved in sport and widespread opportunities within Nunalikan society to take part. The most popular sport in Nunalik is Biathlon. Biathlon is often regarded as Nunalik's best sport, as it is the sport in which Nunalikan athletes have achieved the greatest amount of success on the international stage. Biathlon involves skiing and target shooting, which are both widespread skills in Nunalik due to the focus on asymmetrical warfare in snowy conditions present in the mandatory conscription programs in Nunalik. This has led to a major focus on the sport in schooling, which benefits Nunalik's international sporting reputation and provides more able soldiers. The most successful Nunalikan athlete of all time has been the biathlete Kingudlerk Aippaq, who won several gold medals in the sport in the 1980s and 1990s.
Other popular sports in Nunalik include; Basketball and Futsal which have a widespread following due to their simplicity and indoor fields as the climate of Nunalik is not conducive to outdoor sports, especially in the winter. Futsal teams are present in almost every township and there are several tiers of domestic leagues. The top tier is the NunaFut league, which has twenty teams and is broadcast on state television. The NunaFut league is one of the longest-running and most established futsal leagues in Esquarium, as Futsal is not a widely followed sport in most nations. The most successful teams in the NunaFut league include Dynamo Illofarqik and the Siullermikseqineqaallaannariaqqeqertaq Seals, who have both won the competition 9 times. The Nunalikan national futsal team has attained a measure of success in international competitions, reaching the quarterfinals in 1998 and 2006. The Nunalikan basketball league is similarly sized, but the Nunalikan basketball team has been far less successful than the futsal team due to the popularity of the sport overseas. Football is also played, and while it is not as popular as futsal it has been growing in popularity after several sealed stadiums were constructed in the early 21st century. The Nunalikan national football team, nicknamed "Aarluit" (killer whales), have competed in the Coupe d'Esquarium several times but have never progressed further than the group stages.