Velikoslavia

Tsardom of Velikoslavia Царство Великославия
Flag Coat of arms
Capital	Kollavik
Largest city	Levograv
Official languages	Velerian
Recognised regional languages	Ludic, Altay, Ostro-Ludzic
Ethnic groups (2018)	Ludic, Various others
Demonym(s)	Velikoslav
Government	Limited Constitutional Monarchy
• Tsar of Velikoslavia	Alexis V
• Statsministris	Grand Prince August Ivanov
Establishment
• Principality of Kollavik	XX
• XX	XX
• XX	XX
• Formation of Velikoslavia	XX
• XX	XX
• XX	XX
Area
• Total	1,462,368 km2 (564,623 sq mi)
Population
• 2020 estimate	60,291,401
GDP (PPP)	2023 estimate
• Total	$1,434,930,392,553
• Per capita	$25,492
GDP (nominal)	2023 estimate
• Total	$745,735,966,403
• Per capita	$12,203
Gini	36.0 medium
HDI	0.800 very high
Currency	Velikoslav Crown
Calling code	13
Internet TLD	.or

The Tsardom of Velikoslavia is a country located in eastern Belisaria in Ajax. It borders Qavarjeri to the northeast, Ludvosiya to the south, Usezoya to the southeast, Zamorodna to the west, and the Nordic Sea to the north. It covers an area of 1,462,368 square kilometers and has a varied climate. The north and northeast contains tundra with long, harsh winters. The southern portions of the nation are more mild with warmer summers brought on by Nordic storm fronts and Lake Kupalnitsa. The nation's capital is Kollavik with Ustengrav, Engels, Vindstokkr, and Valinorsk as some other major metropolitan areas. The largest city is Levograv.

History of human activity in Velikoslavia extends thousands of years with early archeological evidence showing that several Ludite and Skagish tribes came to inhabit the west and central parts of the nation. The north remained largely uninhabited except for local Vanduit and Skagish settlers who ventured north. The Kurevan Lud emerged in the early 700s as the dominant power over the other minor kingdoms. In 954, under the threat of Bayarid invasion, the Kurevan Luds invited Dagan I and his Clan to rule over them from modern day Aureumterra. The center of the nation would eventually shift to Kollavik with the founding of the Principality of Kollavik and Dagan's son opting to move his court south to the city. This would transition to the founding of modern day Velikoslavia by Vitomir I in 1476 when he declared the Velikoslav Empire.

The newly frormed nation eventually conquered vast swaths of Eastern Belisaria and eventually came to encompass all or much of the modern day nations of Usezoya, Ludvosiya, Ostrozava, Drevstran, Neukulturnya, and Zamorodna. In 1770, Velikoslavia entered the Thirty Years War against the Mesogeian Empire, which lasted until 1802. Nearly bankrupt and war weary, the struggling empire was plunged into the Ludvosiyan Revolutionary War, where the southern territories rebelled and formed the modern day state of Ludvosiya. The Velikoslav Civil War began only a few short years later and resulted in the Treaty of Voronze, where Usezoya and Neukulturnya gained independence. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the state adopted Oxidentalist Economics in order to revive its struggling economy. In the 20th century, Velikoslavia was an indirect participant in the First Partisan War and a direct participant in the Second Partisans War. It was also a notable participant and instigator of Operation Valiant against the The Prince of Opsikion.

Velikoslavia is considered a regional power within Belisaria and has a large professional military. Internationally, Velikoslavia ranks mid tier in measurements of democracy, human rights, and freedom of the press but has lower levels of perceived corruption. The Velikoslav economy is tied significantly into its mineral resources, being one of the world's largest producers of crude oil, which is exported via the Trans-Belisarian Pipeline to Ludvosiya, Drevstran, Ostrozava, and other nations around the Kupalnitsan basin and turned into plastics, gasoline, diesel and other resources. The nation is also home to a significant defense industry and is a global leader in arms development, manufacture, and export. Velikoslavia is also home to 40 IBEST World Heritage Sites.

Etymology

According to court texts dated from the 15th century, the name Velikoslavia translates to Land of Great Power and Glory, and was the chosen name for the realm that comprised the Nine Marches and the conquered territories. The name contains the Old Telerian word Veli, which translates to power. The name also borrows the word "slav" from the primary Ludic dialect spoken in Velikoslavia, which translates to glory. The middle syllable, Ko, is a shortened way to say Great in Old Telerian. The name is unique in that it conveys a similar meaning in both spoken dialects of the realm. In the Ludic dialect, it translates to Land of Greater Glory and in Old Telerian, it translates to Land of Power and Glory.

Geography and Climate

Geography

Velikoslavia's vast landmass stretches over a portion of Eastern Belisaria and the western tip of Ochran. Velikoslavia has two major mountain ranges, one of which bisects the eastern and western portions of the country and the other that runs along the northeastern coastline near Qavajari. The Altairin Mountains in the eastern portion of the country are a volcanically active region and are utilized to extract certain minerals. The Kremnefelsk Mountains, which are situated in the west of the country, bisect the central part of the nation and are mineral rich. Resources such as silver, gold, gemstones, iron, and other minerals are found there and extracted from the region.

Lake Alexandria in the Altairin Mountains

In western Velikoslavia, a humid continental climate allows for four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers, and cold and snowy winters. This region can support many types of crops and serves as a central agricultural region for the nation. Precipitation is also well distributed throughout the year. On the eastern side of the Kremnefelsk Mountains, in a region known as Svefnland, the Subarctic climate begins with extreme seasonal temperature swings. Though many areas have permafrost, making for poorer farming conditions, coastal regions such as around Zernovoygorod and Valinorsk have no permafrost and can be utilized for agricultural practice.

Throughout much of the nation, there are only two distinct seasons, winter and summer; as spring and autumn are usually brief periods of change between extremely low and extremely high temperatures. The coldest month is January (February on the coastline); the warmest is usually July. Great ranges of temperature are typical in eastern Velikoslavia and less typical in the western portion of the nation. Summers can be quite hot, even in the northeast, and a region's proximity to the Nordic Sea and Boreios Sea.

Biodiversity

Velikoslavia contains a fairly diverse ecosystem, including tundra, forest tundra, taiga, and mixed and broadleaf forest. About half of Velikoslavia's territory is forested which sequester a significant amount of carbon dioxide. After the introduction of Oxidentalist economic principles in the 19th century, the government began to take steps to manage and preserve biodiversity within the nation.

Taiga forest in the Sjolund Reserve in central Velikoslavia.

Velikoslav biodiversity includes 5,500 species of vascular plants, 1,000 species of bryophytes, about 2,000 species of lichens, 4,000 species of algae, and 15,000 species of fungi. Fauna is composed of 220 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles, about 20 species of amphibians, 150 species of freshwater fish, approximately 500 species of saltwater fishes, 2 species of cyclostome, and approximately 50,000 invertebrates.

Velikoslavia's entirely natural ecosystems are conserved in nearly 5,000 specially protected natural territories of various statuses, occupying more than 20% of the country's total area. They include 10 biosphere reserves, 15 national parks, and 40 nature reserves. The country has many ecosystems which are still considered intact forest; mainly in the northern taiga areas, and the subarctic tundra.

Government

The government of Velikoslavia is considered a constitutional monarchy, though more democratic states tend to consider it absolute. The formal governing document of the current government is the Universal Pact of Governance, signed into law by Tsar Alexis III in 1854. It established the Tsar as the head of government and head of state, with no other checks and balances on the office. The Synod was given additional power to govern internal affairs and the High Court of Velikoslavia was established to oversee all judicial affairs, centralizing the previously noble appointed courts. The Universal Rights of the Velikoslav Citizen was also adopted into law that same year. It allowed citizens certain human rights and before the courts, a radical departure from earlier methods of justice where nobility could solely preside over and influence trials. The Universal Rights document also established the complete independence of the Common Court system from the Noble Court system and established separate courts for both. Direct intervention by the monarch or other nobility is specifically barred in the context of the Common Court. This is the only limitation placed on the Tsar by either document.

Monarchy and Executive Branch

The monarchy of Velikoslavia was founded by Dagan I, the first monarch of the Principality of Kurev, and has remained ruling over the nation that eventually evolved into Velikoslavia. After the Bayarid war, the Nine Generals were each awarded titles and granted lands and adopted in the Council of Nine to rule under Dagan. This system persisted as the rule of subsequent Tsars transitioned to Reval, then Kovno.

Today, the Velikoslav monarchy is classified as an constitutional monarchy. The Tsar still maintains near unchecked executive power over the government and legislature. Though the position permits a ruler to be the legislative body of the empire above all others, in practice the Procedurate serves as the practical head of government. This was permitted in the Pact, which better defined the Procedurate's powers and permitted him to serve in a legislative capacity. The monarch is capable of proposing and vetoing any legislation as well as casting a vote in favor of anything proposed. In theory, the only way the monarchy's veto may be overridden is via a unanimous vote by the Synod. In practice, however, this cannot happen as the ruling family has historically been a peer and thus is able to vote on a measure and prevent an overriding vote. A monarch is the only official who may declare war though the Synod can petition him to declare war should they so wish.

There are multiple types of defined orders that the monarch may introduce. Imperial Edicts are types of orders which directly relate to changes in the law of the nation that the monarch may desire to happen. These are the highest tier of order with regards to law and affect immediate change, superseding any Synod vote. They are specifically used to change the law or introduce a new law rather than operate within an existing one. Imperial Decrees relate specifically to things within the law that the monarch is decreeing. An example may be granting someone citizenship, which doesn't modify a law but simply utilizes the mechanisms of an existing one. Other executive orders include a Declaration of Relations, which relate specifically to matters regarding diplomatic relations with other states. Orders of War are specifically used to declare war against another state. A Military Issue is the official executive action relating to the military, whether it be to order the drafting of conscripts or perhaps declare the procurement of a new weapon. The Tsar may also issue a dílosi synkatáthesis, or a Declaration of Assent, where he publicly supports an action. This can relate to any sphere of society but typically relates to Synod actions. In other spheres, such a declaration has massive influence. For example, a dílosi synkatáthesis issued with regards to a research project will give the researchers access to significantly more funding from donors who wish to garner favor with the monarch. A dílosi diafonías, or Declaration of Dissent, has the opposite effect and can increase opposition to what it is issued against. The final type of order is a Ministerial Missive, which is an order directly issued to the ministries that comprise the main bureaucratic arm of government.

The monarch is directly aided by the ministries, which follow his directives and carry out his orders as instruments of government. Many sprang from ancient palace traditions. There are fourteen Ministries; the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense and War, the Office of the Treasury, Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Velikograd Court, Office of Transport, the Ministry of Communication and Media, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Cultural Preservation, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry for Welfare of the Pauper, and the Office of Affairs of the Aristocracy. The highest office of the ministries is known as the Statsministris. This official manages all the ministries with the exception of the Ministry of Defense and War. He is allowed to appoint and remove ministers at will provided they do not have the Blessing of the Tsar, which acts as a sort of tenure, removing the Statsministris' ability to sack the official that has the Blessing. The office also typically serves as the hand and will of the monarch within the government ministries, keeping them in line with the orders that the monarch issued. The Statsministris position and power over the ministries has historically resulted in this being one of the most powerful offices in the land.

At the same level of power as the Statsministris is the Grand Marshal, who is fully responsible for the military and all military related affairs. He serves as the head of the Ministry of Defense and War and answers directly to the monarch. This position may remove and appoint military officials at will provided they do not have the Blessing of the Tsar. All military spending and strategy are also approved by the Grand Marshal. Within the Ministry of Defense and War, there are numerous lower ranking officials which he resides over and appoints. The office is most active during war but has historically commanded serious influence in politics during times of war and when the military has been involved in regime changes.

Governorates

Main article: Governorates of Velikoslavia

Governorate map of Velikoslavia

Governornates of Velikoslavia

Name	Cities		Population	Officials
	Capital	Largest	2022 census	Governor	Peer
Stenmaerk	Levograv		6,254,263	Nicholas Repnin	House Repnin
Kollavik	Kollavik		4,037,138	XX	XX
Saxahvall	Volskur	Nizgorod	3,521,458	XX	XX
Vindsmaerch	Orskulgraav	Vindstokkr	4,248,621	XX	XX
Atley	Isengrav	Rylsk	5,245,212	XX	XX
Kollsvik	Zarinsk		2,541,896	XX	XX
Langadalr	Bakal		2,365,147	XX	XX
Skorravik	Anadyr		1,254,841	XX	XX
Ozyolsk	Grodno		2,548,413	XX	XX
Myrka	Vesengorsk		2,541,474	XX	XX
Geitland	Angarsk		1,524,865	XX	XX
Gamlastrond	Kaminogorosk		1,458,561	XX	XX
Jokulsdalr	Ashenfel		852,456	XX	XX
Abamovsk	Amalfel	Galinos	2,021,485	XX	XX
Naralsk	Divinsk		1,520,455	XX	XX
Kyshov	Sysert		2,014,584	XX	XX
Alerapul	Fjalnir	Kerch	1,254,056	XX	XX
Oremki	Drezna		758,245	XX	XX
Volgontsovo	Bithyniagorod	Kaluga	3,254,814	XX	XX
Almekutsk	Nolisnk	Voronze	2,154,893	XX	XX
Kirilensk	Ringe	Bilund	584,256	XX	XX
Vsevopul	Engels		1,524,853	XX	XX
Magnipul	Makarov		854,756	XX	XX
Yekateyevsk	Furmanov		458,965	XX	XX
Pavlopul	Glazov		458,624	XX	XX
Vidnoysk	Novstongrod		325,474	XX	XX
Chapargan	Orikun		654,844	XX	XX
Grenmarr	Kusa		102,547	XX	XX
Eyrarfell	Marks		152,456	XX	XX
Dynskogar	Kamyshin		254,185	XX	XX
Ulandzhik	Inza		52,458	XX	XX
Laugar	Lemvig		65,245	XX	XX
Hellisdalr	Fensmark	Vitesk	452,548	XX	XX
Arktion	Ostrov		89,524	XX	XX
Khivo	Severostrelesk		45,284	XX	XX
Komsogadan	Perevoz		32,545	XX	XX
Eliversk	Neman		254,185	XX	XX
Ryadimir	Vyska		10,068	XX	XX
Ryakan	Novorzhev		25,408	XX	XX
Berelchik	Rostov		125,846	XX	XX
Khavsk	Vystok		251,456	XX	XX
Minukala	Salair		24,584	XX	XX
Bravsk	Uren		245,841	XX	XX
Iskiluga	Yemva		10,547	XX	XX
Ozyogarsk	Aars		80,245	XX	XX
Kirolensk	Velsk		8,245	XX	XX
Kodovo	Ringe		35,214	XX	XX
Kolorzhinsk	Ikast		105,425	XX	XX
Sibakhan	Valinorsk		1,024,574	XX	XX
Kumezino	Sursk		52,458	XX	XX
Magarodvinsk	Hobro		35,244	XX	XX
Jorundarholt	Brande		15,245	XX	XX
Aletroitsk	Kurlinsk		105,985	XX	XX
Zladnoye	Tobolsk		1,025	XX	XX
Chukolt	Chukotka		254,845	XX	XX
Shikov	Shikotan		25,458	XX	XX
Valashnir	Kunashir		18,245	XX	XX
Vologdar	Boyakir		20,545	XX	XX
Vorotov	Zernovoyogorod		79,261	XX	XX

Grand Synod

Main article: Grand Synod of Velikoslavia

The Grand Synod is one of the oldest government institutions in Velikoslavia, dating back to its formation in 1089 as an advisory body for the ruler. The office of the Procedurate was created in 1145 as the emperor's representative in the Synod. Historically, the Procedurate controlled the monarch's vote, giving him enormous power. This system was reformed by the Universal Pact of Governance, which removed control of the vote from the Procedurate and declared that the office would instead be appointed by the party of the Synod that controlled the most seats.

The Grand Synod consists of 620 seats, 120 of which are occupied by life deputies. Life deputies are considered those who hold a peerage. Other life Synod seats may be appointed by those granted single grant titles or other honors. The Pact guaranteed that 120 seats were to always be life deputies unless additional peerages were granted, which may come with a life seat. The remaining 500 seats are elected and are voted in via the 500 governmental districts of Velikoslavia that are single-member electoral districts. Elections are held every two years.

Fylkes and Landed Gentry

Though their role as the sole government in their lands was severely limited by the Pact, some nobility still play a key part in governing their lands. Direct rule ceased under the Pact and instead, lands were subdivided within the former system of fief governances into Fylkes (counties), and governed by a Fylke Council. Individual Fylke Councils were established under the prior lords who governed them and via elections held with the locals. This turned individual counties into their own governed communities with widely varying laws and ordinances. In certain counties, the lord still remains heavily involved in the government while in others, the people chose to limit the lord's influence to varying degrees. Some lords were voted into ceremonial roles. All lords are permitted to have a voice on the Fylke council in their realm and attend meetings but many have no sway or power over the council.

Law

Main article: Law in Velikoslavia

Velikoslav law extends from the Statue of Governance of the Velikoslav Empire, which was drafted and issued by Nicholas I and dozens of reformist campaign leaders in 1972 after renewed calls for a reformation of the Synod, and signed by them all. Statues, like the Code of Measures and Laws and the Table of Ascension, are the primary sources of Velikoslav law.

Military

The Grand Armed Forces of Velikoslavia are divided into the Grand Army of Velikoslavia, the Grand Navy of Velikoslavia, and the Grand Air Force of Velikoslavia. There are also two independent arms of service: the Imperial Velikoslav Marines and the Coastal Guard. As of 2021, the military has 201,200 personnel, and around 150,000 reserve personnel. In 2022, it was one of the world's largest arms exporters, and has a large and mostly indigenous defense industry, producing most of its own equipment.

Pantral Camel, a military truck designed and manufactured in Velikoslavia.

Foreign Relations

Velikoslavia has maintained close historic relations with Mesogeia since the two nations signed the Valinorsk Pact in 1872 aimed at countering both nation's prinmary enemy, Ludvosiya. Though relations are still less than cordial, both Ludvosiya and Velikoslavia maintain an active trading relationship and diplomatic dialogue. Ever since the end of the neutrality in Ostrozava, both nations have maintained cordial relations, but events like the Gadir Crisis have recently placed new strain on both nations. Relations with Usezoya, Nekukturnya, Zamorodna, and Pueramaa and Lumisaari remain cordial.

Economy

Velikoslavia has a mixed economy, with significant amounts of mineral resources chiefly mined in the Kremnefelsk Mountains in central Velikoslavia. Another key mining area is eastern Velikoslavia near the arctic circle, where significant resource extraction takes place. In 2020, the service sector contributed to 54% of the economy, which was a 3% increase from the previous year. The nation had an unemployment rate of 4% in 2020, owing to measures that has recently boosted the Veliko economy such as increased trade with Ludvosiya. It has a labor force of 42 million people, many of which have become involved in the steadily growing service sector. Velikoslavia is notably a large exporter of oil and natural gas as well as other petroleum products. It has four notable pipelines, which send crude oil and other fuel products into neighboring Ludvosiya and into other nations along Lake Kupalnitsa, notably Drevstran where petroleum products are key for the plastic production industry. Velikoslavia is a significant global exporter and importer.

In 2022, Velikoslavia recorded a high trade surplus worth $59 billion. The service sector contributes around 60% of the total GDP, industry 30%, and agriculture 10%. Exports account for 47% of national output. The top exports of Velikoslavia are steel, timber, petroleum products, chemical goods, weapons, vehicles, and various manufactured goods.

Velikoslavia is rich in timber, salt, uranium, iron, oil, and gold. Energy is sourced predominantly by nuclear power (80%), followed fossil fuels (5%), and renewable energy (15%). A heavy investor in nuclear power, Velikoslavia possesses a large and well developed nuclear power grid. A pioneer of the lead-bismuth fast reactor, it was one of the first states to adopt nuclear power widespread. As of 2022, there are plans to replace the remaining fossil fuel generation with additional renewable and nuclear energy.

50 percent of companies belong to the middle class, small and medium-sized enterprises, which are mostly family-owned. The other 50 percent belong to the nobility or aristocracy, with a large number of higher ranked nobles owning and maintaining high profit and high revenue enterprises.

Infrastructure

Main article: Energy in Velikoslavia

Velikoslavia has a modern high speed and regular speed rail network which was significantly built up in early 2005 via several multi year contracts with the Charnean company Taynayat Tazolizabo Mamalatan, who aided the Imperial Transportation Ministry in working with the two major Velikoslav rail companies, XXX and XXX, to upgrade and expand aging cold war era rail infrastructure. In recent years, the nation has been working to upgrade aging infrastructure in more remote areas. Historically, the more populous western portion of the nation has been the more favored region for new projects and infrastructure upgrades. The Synod has in recent years worked to correct this discrepancy with new initiatives such as the Infrastructure Rejuvenation Program of 2016 where in significant resources were offered to

Demographics

Population

According to the official statistical body of Velikoslavia, the Office of Statistical Records, the country's total population in 2022 was 60,291,401. The birth rate in 2022 stood at 29.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, which was consistent with similar data from earlier censuses. The mortality rate held steadily at 9.2 per 1000 inhabitants. Estimates from 2018 show this trend so far holding steadily with previous years.

Ethnicity in Velikoslavia
Ethnicity			Percent
Brilok			40.8%
Skagish/Telerian			30.6%
Ludic			20.7%
Chukot			5.3%
Ostrozavan			1.5%
Other			1.1%

Velikoslav society has changed over the last several decades, showing a decrease in birth rates from the last statistical year of the 20th century (1998). The fertility rate of 4.56 is above replacement levels, with the median age remaining around 25.2 years. In 2020, 19.3 percent of the population were 65 years old and older, 60.2 percent between the ages of 15 and 64 years old, and 21.7% percent were 14 years old and younger. By 2022, the proportion of the population age 15-64 rose while 14 years and younger and 65 years and older decreased by 4% each respectively. As of 2022, there are 40,801,401 citizens between 18 and 65, while 10,490,000 citizens are between 0-18, and 10,080,000 citizens are 65+.

Marriage rates rose slightly from 75 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2012 to 77 per 1,000 in 2022. Moreover, divorce rates have seen an decrease from 79.8 per 1,000 marriages in 2012 to 70.1 per 1,000 marriages in 2022. As of 2020, roughly 30% of the population were of an ethnic Skagish origin, with 40% of the population ethnically Brilok, and the remaining portion divided between primarily Ludic and other ethnicities.

Population of Velikoslavia by Age (rounded numbers)
Religion			Percent
0-18			17%
18-65			68%
65+			15%

Religion

According to a national religious poll, 74% of Velikoslav citizens responded that they "believe in a God". According to other sources, 40.6% of Velikoslavs describe themselves as "very religious". The survey also found that 10.5% never attend a church or temple.

The Decree On Matters of Religion issued in 1106 denotes the Eastern Orthodox Church as the primary state church of Velikoslavia. However, it does not mandate any sort of religious adherence among the nobility or the general population and there are two distinct camps amongst the population, based on adherence to Perateian/Latin doctrine. Church adherents makes up roughly 85% of the population. Roughly two thirds of this number identified themselves as practicing Christians who regularly attended church. According to census information, 40.5% of this number described themselves as "very religious", keeping Christian laws and practices and citing them as a primary influence for their worldview and decisions.

Other Christian groups present in the nation are the Aletheic Church with a significant number of adherents. The largest Alethic community is based in Levograv at the Grand Church where the Archbishop of Levograv serves as the highest ranking Alethic clergyman in the country.

In the wake of the Fahrani Civil War, a significant Azdarin community of 10,294 Fahrani refugees have made their home in Bakal, where they were resettled after fleeing the conflict. In June of 2021, Alexis V approved a request by the Azdarin community in the city to construct a temple that would allow them to worship within the confines of the city of Bakal.

Jews fleeing persecution have also historically made their way north to Velikoslavia from other nearby places. There are 43,029 Jews in Velikoslavia which are centered around the city of Engels where they were settled. Alexis I permitted and provided assistance for Jewish settlement in the city and Velikoslav Jews have a portion of the city that they call home known as the Jewish Quarter of Engels.

Healthcare

The Velikoslav system of hospices, called X, dates from medieval times. These are funded via a combination of state funding and private religious charities. Since the 1880s, reforms and provisions have ensured a more balanced health care system. Health insurance coverage is provided by a wide variety of private corporations and a state programs for certain vulnerable demographics. According to the World Health Committee, the Velikoslav health care system was 45% government-funded and 55% privately funded as of 2022. Life expectancy is roughly 81 years for men and 87 years for women, and the infant mortality rate has remained very low. (4 per 1,000 live births).

In 2020, the principal cause of death was cardiovascular disease, at 41%, followed by malignant tumours, at 26%. According to a 2020 survey, 18% of Velikoslav adults are regular smokers.

Languages

The first textual evidence of the Ludic language dates back to 10th BC spoken by Ludic tribesman that lives in the area, which eventually developed language and learning. Veliko Ludic was a widely spoken language would eventually become the official parlance of the Velikoslav Empire. Old Telerian, a dialect from the original Skagish clans that settled in the nation at the behest of the Luds, remains the primary language of the upper class. The language came to be called Veliko Ludic as it spread around eastern Belisaria.

Velikoslavia is relatively homogeneous in linguistic terms, with a large majority of the native population using Veliko Ludic as the official academic and business language. In academic circles, Perateian is sometimes spoken as the official academic dialect. Aristocrats are typically multilingual and speak Old Telerian as well as Perateian and Veliko Ludic. Many Velikoslav citizens are bilingual, knowing Veliko Ludic and another language as it is a requirement to take second language courses in school.

The other main spoken language is Old Telerian. It is spoken solely in upper class and middle class circles and is only one of many language choices in state schools. In wealthier private schools where noble children are educated, it is a requirement with every student required to have a grasp on the language prior to graduation. This is simply because the language is required to deal with high society in Velikoslavia. Old Telerian is used exclusively in most aristocratic circles and many nobles only speak Veliko Ludic when dealing with those of lower social class. Knowing both languages is typically a way to gain respect within noble circles and be considered well born.

Near the eastern borders there are also some Ochran dialect speaking groups, speaking Qavajari languages. The Jewish community in Velikoslavia has traditionally spoke Yisraeli Hebrew, today maintained by a few thousand speakers. In certain small communities where the large majority or all of the population are Jews, they have been allowed to place dual street signs and other important information in their own language.

Education

Many Tsars have had a long tradition of valuing and investing in education, which was upheld as a high societal value from the founding of the Velikoslav Empire onward. The first Velikoslav institution described as a university was founded in fifth-century Kollavik and has operated in various forms ever since.

Compulsory education in Velikoslavia comprises four levels of education. Nursery schools are popular but not compulsory. Transitionary Schools, which function like Kindergartens, are compulsory for any child above four years of age. Children start primary school aged six and remain there for six years. Attendance at secondary school starts at age 12 and lasts for three years. After secondary school, students attend prepatory schools for three years where they are prepared for either university or a vocational program. These schools teach life skills as well as educational skills.

Alternatives to state education are generally privately funded boarding schools or other private institutions. These schools are equipped to offer all levels of education throughout the student's school career from primary school to university and are generally attended by nobility and wealthy commoners. The most famous is the Gilded Academy though numerous others also exist. Velikoslav aristocratic schools often teach specific courses designed to train up future heirs of offices, businesses, and other institutions that the children of the elite will inherit.

Since 1996, the education system gas provided special kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools for people with special needs or difficulties in learning during an education policy revision issued by the Synod. There are also specialist schools offering musical, theological, and physical education.

Velikoslavia has a high literacy rate of 95.1%, it is one of the more literate countries in the world. This is considered to be because of the mandatory educational policy which has been in place since 1896.