Faeland http://faeland.wikia.com/wiki/Faeland MediaWiki 1.15.3 first-letter Media Special Talk User User talk Faeland Faeland talk File File talk MediaWiki MediaWiki talk Template Template talk Help Help talk Category Category talk Forum Forum talk Video Video talk User blog User blog comment Blog Blog talk 2086 3987 2009-11-11T02:26:29Z Faeland 1086271 Redirected page to [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]] #REDIRECT [[Democratic_Republic_of_the_Aroës]] 2063 3883 2009-10-14T04:00:52Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'Calá is a city in southern [[Caudian Republic|Cauda]], noted for its clifftop siting and sweeping seascapes. It is one of the more popular tourist destinations for both Faels an…' Calá is a city in southern [[Caudian Republic|Cauda]], noted for its clifftop siting and sweeping seascapes. It is one of the more popular tourist destinations for both Faels and Europeans. [[File:Calá.jpg|thumb|View from Calá north toward Ligustine Bay.]] [[File:Calá2.jpg|thumb|Calá, showing remains of the colonial harbor.]] [[Category:Cities]] [[Category:Cities of Cauda]] [[Category:Caudian Republic]] 2118 4122 2010-01-28T01:10:43Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with '[[File:Cape_finnimund.png|thumb|Cape Finnimund, looking southwest (toward the archipelago).]] [[Category:Geography]]' [[File:Cape_finnimund.png|thumb|Cape Finnimund, looking southwest (toward the archipelago).]] [[Category:Geography]] 2047 3835 2009-09-28T02:38:27Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with ''''Cathír Na Fil''' Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 19XX on the grounds of the town of ----. As well as bei…' '''Cathír Na Fil''' Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 19XX on the grounds of the town of ----. As well as being the capital and residence of the ---- branch of the [[General Government]], it also is home to the government of the [[Kingdom of Faeland]] although the monarch's official seat is the ancient capital of Althone. [[File:Cathir_na_fil.jpg|thumb]] 3836 2009-09-28T02:38:39Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories '''Cathír Na Fil''' Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 19XX on the grounds of the town of ----. As well as being the capital and residence of the ---- branch of the [[General Government]], it also is home to the government of the [[Kingdom of Faeland]] although the monarch's official seat is the ancient capital of Althone. [[File:Cathir_na_fil.jpg|thumb]] [[Category:Capitals]] 3837 2009-09-28T02:38:48Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories '''Cathír Na Fil''' Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 19XX on the grounds of the town of ----. As well as being the capital and residence of the ---- branch of the [[General Government]], it also is home to the government of the [[Kingdom of Faeland]] although the monarch's official seat is the ancient capital of Althone. [[File:Cathir_na_fil.jpg|thumb]] [[Category:Capitals]] [[Category:Cities]] 3838 2009-09-28T02:38:59Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories '''Cathír Na Fil''' Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 19XX on the grounds of the town of ----. As well as being the capital and residence of the ---- branch of the [[General Government]], it also is home to the government of the [[Kingdom of Faeland]] although the monarch's official seat is the ancient capital of Althone. [[File:Cathir_na_fil.jpg|thumb]] [[Category:Capitals]] [[Category:Cities]] [[Category:Kingdom of Faeland]] 3997 2009-11-11T07:41:11Z Faeland 1086271 '''Cathír Na Fil''' Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 19XX on the grounds of the town of ----. As well as being the capital and residence of the ---- branch of the [[General Government]], it also is home to the government of the [[Kingdom of Faeland]] although the monarch's official seat is the ancient capital of Althoan. [[File:Cathir_na_fil.jpg|thumb]] [[Category:Capitals]] [[Category:Cities]] [[Category:Kingdom of Faeland]] 4060 2009-12-02T19:16:27Z Faeland 1086271 '''Cathír Na Fil''' [[File:CNF.jpg|thumb|Downtown Cathír na Fil]] Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 19XX on the grounds of the town of ----. As well as being the capital and residence of the ---- branch of the [[General Government]], it also is home to the government of the [[Kingdom of Faeland]] although the monarch's official seat is the ancient capital of Althoan. [[File:Cathir_na_fil.jpg|thumb]] [[Category:Capitals]] [[Category:Cities]] [[Category:Kingdom of Faeland]] 4165 2010-04-18T23:37:57Z Faeland 1086271 '''Cathír Na Fil''' [[File:CNF.jpg|thumb|Downtown Cathír na Fil]] Cathír Na Fil is the capital of the Federated States of Faeland. It is a modern city constructed in 1958 on the grounds of the town of Dunedin. As well as being the capital and residence of the executive branch of the [[General Government]], it is also 'de facto' home to the government of the [[Kingdom of Faeland]], although the kingdom's official seat is the ancient capital of Althoan. [[File:Cathir_na_fil.jpg|thumb]] Located in the [[Feim River Valley]] in the central portion of the [[Great Faelic Plain]], the city straddles the banks of the [[Feim River]], a major waterway that bisects the island. The city and surrounding areas are designated the [[Capital Region]]. State lands within the region are administered by the [[Capital Commission]]. In 2006, the city had a population of 912,129, the metropolitan area had a 2006 population of 1,830,761. As with other national capitals, the word "Cathír" is also used to refer by metonymy to the country's federal government, especially as opposed to provincial or municipal authorities. As the national capital, Cathír is the offical seat of all three branches of the government. The city also hosts the headquarters of many Fáelish companies such as the Faeland Bank, Apple Faeland, Runner Transportation Systems, and Fael Telecom. The locating of residential buildings around avenues and dividing it into sectors, has sparked a debate and reflection on life in big cities in the 20th century. The city's planned design included specific areas for almost everything, including accommodation, hotels, etc. On the whole it is a small city with a compact design and high density/low population. Cathír Na Fil has a sui generis status in Faeland, given that it is not a municipality within the structure of a [[Member State]]. CNF International Airport is a major airline hub for the rest of the country, connecting the capital to all major cities and many international destinations (mostly Europea nand North African. It is the third most important airport of the F.S.F., in terms of passengers and aircraft movements. [[Category:Capitals]] [[Category:Cities]] [[Category:Kingdom of Faeland]] 2078 3951 2009-11-10T18:34:06Z Faeland 1086271 Redirected page to [[Caudian Republic]] #REDIRECT: [[Caudian Republic]] 2060 3880 2009-10-14T03:55:25Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with '[[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a country ("Page") located in southwestern Faeland occ…' [[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a country ("Page") located in southwestern Faeland occupying much of the [Vincennes Basin]. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Kingdom of Faeland to the north and by the Dominion of Lito to the south and east. The land within the borders of today's Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. During the 16th century, the global empire of Spain began colonization in earnest after large numbers of Basque and Galician fishermen had settled here, largely to increase naval range against her then-foe: England. ==Cities== *[[Porta Viga]] (Capital) *[[Calá]] [[Category:Pages]] 3884 2009-10-14T04:01:19Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories [[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a country ("Page") located in southwestern Faeland occupying much of the [Vincennes Basin]. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Kingdom of Faeland to the north and by the Dominion of Lito to the south and east. The land within the borders of today's Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. During the 16th century, the global empire of Spain began colonization in earnest after large numbers of Basque and Galician fishermen had settled here, largely to increase naval range against her then-foe: England. ==Cities== *[[Porta Viga]] (Capital) *[[Calá]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Caudian Republic]] 3885 2009-10-14T04:05:15Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a country ("Page") located in southwestern Faeland occupying much of the [Vincennes Basin]. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Kingdom of Faeland to the north and by the Dominion of Lito to the south and east. It wholly surrounds the enclave ("Foral") of Santiago de Fuelaterra, perched atop [[Mt. St. James]]. The land within the borders of today's Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. During the 16th century, the global empire of Spain began colonization in earnest after large numbers of Basque and Galician fishermen had settled here, largely to increase naval range against her then-foe: England. ==Cities== *[[Porta Viga]] (Capital) *[[Calá]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Caudian Republic]] 3886 2009-10-14T04:05:57Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a country ("Page") located in southwestern Faeland occupying much of the [Vincennes Basin]. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Kingdom of Faeland to the north and by the Dominion of Lito to the south and east. It wholly surrounds the enclave ("Foral") of [[Santiago de Fuelaterra]], perched atop [[Mt. St. James]]. The land within the borders of today's Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. During the 16th century, the global empire of Spain began colonization in earnest after large numbers of Basque and Galician fishermen had settled here, largely to increase naval range against her then-foe: England. ==Cities== *[[Porta Viga]] (Capital) *[[Calá]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Caudian Republic]] 3950 2009-11-10T18:32:54Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a [[Member State|country]] ("[[Pages and Forals|Page]]") located in southwestern Faeland occupying much of the [Vincennes Basin]. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Kingdom of Faeland to the north and by the Dominion of Lito to the south and east. It wholly surrounds the enclave ("Foral") of [[Santiago de Fuelaterra]], perched atop [[Mt. St. James]]. The land within the borders of today's Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. During the 16th century, the global empire of Spain began colonization in earnest after large numbers of Basque and Galician fishermen had settled here, largely to increase naval range against her then-foe: England. ==Cities== *[[Porta Viga]] (Capital) *[[Calá]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Caudian Republic]] 3973 2009-11-11T01:55:26Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories [[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a [[Member State|country]] ("[[Pages and Forals|Page]]") located in southwestern Faeland occupying much of the [Vincennes Basin]. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Kingdom of Faeland to the north and by the Dominion of Lito to the south and east. It wholly surrounds the enclave ("Foral") of [[Santiago de Fuelaterra]], perched atop [[Mt. St. James]]. The land within the borders of today's Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. During the 16th century, the global empire of Spain began colonization in earnest after large numbers of Basque and Galician fishermen had settled here, largely to increase naval range against her then-foe: England. ==Cities== *[[Porta Viga]] (Capital) *[[Calá]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Caudian Republic]] [[Category:States of Faeland]] 4160 2010-04-18T17:53:51Z Faeland 1086271 /* Cities */ [[File:Cauda_map.png|thumb|The Caudian Republic]] Cauda, officially the Caudian Republic (Spanish: República Caudiana), is a [[Member State|country]] ("[[Pages and Forals|Page]]") located in southwestern Faeland occupying much of the [Vincennes Basin]. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Kingdom of Faeland to the north and by the Dominion of Lito to the south and east. It wholly surrounds the enclave ("Foral") of [[Santiago de Fuelaterra]], perched atop [[Mt. St. James]]. The land within the borders of today's Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. During the 16th century, the global empire of Spain began colonization in earnest after large numbers of Basque and Galician fishermen had settled here, largely to increase naval range against her then-foe: England. ==Cities== *[[Porta Viga]] (Capital) *[[Calá]] *[[San Safio]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Caudian Republic]] [[Category:States of Faeland]] 1997 3673 2009-01-04T07:01:46Z Faeland 1086271 New page: List of cities and towns of the [[Dominion of Litus]]. *[[Hanover]] List of cities and towns of the [[Dominion of Litus]]. *[[Hanover]] 3674 2009-01-04T07:02:38Z Faeland 1086271 List of cities and towns of the [[Dominion of Litus]]. * [[Hanover]] [[Category: Dominion of Litus]] 2070 3906 2009-10-28T04:32:07Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'Due to both its geographical situation which exposes only its western coast and its orographic conditions along this coast, the climate in Faeland is very diverse. Faeland exper…' Due to both its geographical situation which exposes only its western coast and its orographic conditions along this coast, the climate in Faeland is very diverse. Faeland experiences two major climatic types: Oceanic, and Mediterranean, with some smaller variations in the southeast that border on Mediterranean Continental. ===Oceanic=== An oceanic climate prevails in the western and northern parts of the country, from the Faelcas to the northwest region, divided by the wet western coastlines and the relative dryness on the leeward side to the east in the Faelic Plain. Characterized by relatively mild winters and warm but not hot summers. The moderating effects of the sea, however, abate in the inland areas, where temperatures are more extreme than temperatures on the coast. Distance from the Atlantic Ocean also affects precipitation, and there is less rainfall in the east than in the west. The high humidity and the prevailing off-shore winds make fog and mist common in the interior. ===Mediterranean=== The Mediterranean climate region roughly extends from the Aröes archipelago in the west to the XXXX Archipelago in the south on the seaward side of the mountain ranges that parallel the coast. Total rainfall in this region is concentrated mostly in late autumn-winter and spring periods. The rain pattern is often irregular which make drought periods likely. The climate is largely due to the U-shape of mountains hugging coastline and flanked by islands, thus compacting warm water in the region and holding it in place. In the [[Vincennes Basin]], unusual rings of mountains exclude moisture while accepting warm air, thus creating a semi-continental Mediterranean climate. The region is relatively arid and comparable to sub-desert climes. ===Other Variations=== Besides these general, dominant climate forms, there exist some regions that exhibit sub-Alpine features. 2097 4026 2009-11-16T16:35:56Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with '[[File:Corioles.png|thumb|The Corioles Islands]] The '''Corioles''' is a Faelish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about XXX km (XXX mi) from Lisbon and about XXX km (XXX mi) fr…' [[File:Corioles.png|thumb|The Corioles Islands]] The '''Corioles''' is a Faelish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about XXX km (XXX mi) from Lisbon and about XXX km (XXX mi) from the southeast coast of Iceland. The main industries are tourism, sheep herding for wool, and fishing. The six major Coriole islands extend for nearly 20 miles and lie in a northwest-southeast direction. The limited extent of the islands defines an exclusive economic zone of XXX km2 (XXX sq mi). All of the islands have volcanic origins. The mountain of XXX on Pilgrim Island, at 1,351 ft in altitude, is the highest of all the islands. The archipelago forms a [[Corioles Islands Protectorate|protectorate]] of the F.S.F., the only unincorporated territory of the country. Because these once uninhabited, remote islands were settled sporadically over a span of three centuries, their culture, dialect, cuisine and traditions vary considerably from island to island. Farming and fishing are key industries that support the Coriolean economy. Approximately 20,000 Corioles live within the archipelago’s XX square miles. [[Category:Corioles]] 4167 2010-04-21T00:50:19Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Corioles.png|thumb|The Corioles Islands]] The '''Corioles''' is a Faelish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about XXX km (XXX mi) from Lisbon and about XXX km (XXX mi) from the southeast coast of Iceland. The main industries are tourism, sheep herding for wool, and fishing. The six major Coriole islands extend for nearly 20 miles and lie in a northwest-southeast orientation. The limited extent of the islands defines an exclusive economic zone of XXX km2 (XXX sq mi). All of the islands have volcanic origins. The mountain of XXX on Pilgrim Island, at 1,351 ft in altitude, is the highest of all the islands. The archipelago forms a [[Corioles Islands Protectorate|protectorate]] of the F.S.F., the only unincorporated territory of the country. Because these once uninhabited, remote islands were settled sporadically over a span of three centuries, their culture, dialect, cuisine and traditions vary considerably from island to island. Farming and fishing are key industries that support the Coriolean economy. Approximately 20,000 Corioles live within the archipelago’s XX square miles. [[Category:Corioles]] 1985 3657 2008-12-22T15:43:13Z Faeland 1086271 New page: norse-gael.....green nordic cross? norse-gael.....green nordic cross? 3745 2009-01-26T23:14:51Z Faeland 1086271 '''The Aroës''', officially the Democratic Republic of the Aroës is a sovereign country of the FSF, consisting of 100 hundred islands that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean west of the main island of Faeland in the Bay of Biscay. Its total area is roughly 3,000 km² with an estimated population of 330,000. norse-gael.....green nordic cross? 3746 2009-01-26T23:19:50Z Faeland 1086271 The Aroës, officially the '''Democratic Republic of the Aroës''' is a sovereign country of the FSF, consisting of 100 hundred islands and islets that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean west of the main island of Faeland in the Bay of Biscay. Its total area is roughly 3,000 km² with an estimated population of 330,000. 3822 2009-09-26T18:56:07Z Faeland 1086271 The Aroës, officially the '''Democratic Republic of the Aroës''' is a sovereign country of the FSF, consisting of 100 hundred islands and islets that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean west of the main island of Faeland in the Bay of Biscay. Its total area is roughly 3,000 km² with an estimated population of 330,000. [[File:Hekajt.jpg|thumb|Central Hekajt]] [[File:Sëvk.jpg|thumb|Sëvk Harbor]] 3868 2009-09-28T14:53:57Z Faeland 1086271 The Aroës, officially the '''Democratic Republic of the Aroës''' is a sovereign country of the FSF, consisting of 100 hundred islands and islets that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean west of the main island of Faeland in the Bay of Biscay. Its total area is roughly 3,000 km² with an estimated population of 330,000. [[File:Dra.png|thumb]] [[File:Hekajt.jpg|thumb|Central Hekajt]] [[File:Sëvk.jpg|thumb|Sëvk Harbor]] 4035 2009-11-29T19:43:04Z Faeland 1086271 The Aroës, officially the '''Democratic Republic of the Aroës''' is a sovereign country of the FSF, consisting of 100 hundred islands and islets that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean west of the main island of Faeland in the Bay of Biscay. Its total area is roughly 3,000 km² with an estimated population of 330,000. [[File:Dra.png|thumb]] [[File:Hekajt.jpg|thumb|Central Hekajt]] [[File:Sëvk.jpg|thumb|Sëvk Harbor]] [[File:Cape_West.png|thumb|[[Cape West]], opposite the D.R.A.]] 4036 2009-11-29T20:26:18Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Dra.png|thumb]] The Aroës, officially the '''Democratic Republic of the Aroës''' is a sovereign country of the FSF, consisting of over 1000 hundred islands and islets that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the main island of Faeland. Its total area is roughly 3,000 km² with an estimated population of 330,000. The Aroës borders both the [[Aroëse Gulf]] and the [[Álta Ocean]]. The archipelago's strategic importance has led to a long history of seafaring. The last great migration came with the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Norse]], who settled down to control the western approaches to the south of the island. The D.R.A. is a federal democratic republic wherein much authority lies with the smaller administrative subdivisions. The D.R. has state-level government divisions known as [[Ørj]] (lit. ''island'', pl. ''Øry'') and local governments in 324 municipalities. The federal government is a nationally elected council of representatives (the ''Sing'') from each of the Øry. There is no formal constitution, but the Sing is responsible for and to all of the Øry by way of their representatives. A vestige of pre-unification still exists: each ''Sing'' elects a Hertij or Duke, to act as head of state. The D.R.A. has been a member of the [[Faeland|F.S.F.]] since its inception. [[File:Hekajt.jpg|thumb|Central Hekajt]] [[File:Sëvk.jpg|thumb|Sëvk Harbor]] The D.R.A., with a mixed market capitalist economy and a large welfare state, ranks among the world's highest level of income equality. The greater territory of the country is given over to fishing and tourism, but the capital [[Hekajt]] has a strong economy based on shipping. It is estimated that in [[Faeland City]] alone, 98% of shipping is financed or controlled by Aroëse corporations. The large amounts of capital and relatively low population help rank the D.R.A. among the most healthy, educated, and peaceful countries in the world. In particular, the I.T. sector has grown exponentially and a national initiative has brought internet access to every island in the archipelago. The national language, [[Arsk]], is a dialect of Norwegian. [[File:Cape_West.png|thumb|[[Cape West]], opposite the D.R.A.]] 4037 2009-11-29T20:26:58Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories [[File:Dra.png|thumb]] The Aroës, officially the '''Democratic Republic of the Aroës''' is a sovereign country of the FSF, consisting of over 1000 hundred islands and islets that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the main island of Faeland. Its total area is roughly 3,000 km² with an estimated population of 330,000. The Aroës borders both the [[Aroëse Gulf]] and the [[Álta Ocean]]. The archipelago's strategic importance has led to a long history of seafaring. The last great migration came with the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Norse]], who settled down to control the western approaches to the south of the island. The D.R.A. is a federal democratic republic wherein much authority lies with the smaller administrative subdivisions. The D.R. has state-level government divisions known as [[Ørj]] (lit. ''island'', pl. ''Øry'') and local governments in 324 municipalities. The federal government is a nationally elected council of representatives (the ''Sing'') from each of the Øry. There is no formal constitution, but the Sing is responsible for and to all of the Øry by way of their representatives. A vestige of pre-unification still exists: each ''Sing'' elects a Hertij or Duke, to act as head of state. The D.R.A. has been a member of the [[Faeland|F.S.F.]] since its inception. [[File:Hekajt.jpg|thumb|Central Hekajt]] [[File:Sëvk.jpg|thumb|Sëvk Harbor]] The D.R.A., with a mixed market capitalist economy and a large welfare state, ranks among the world's highest level of income equality. The greater territory of the country is given over to fishing and tourism, but the capital [[Hekajt]] has a strong economy based on shipping. It is estimated that in [[Faeland City]] alone, 98% of shipping is financed or controlled by Aroëse corporations. The large amounts of capital and relatively low population help rank the D.R.A. among the most healthy, educated, and peaceful countries in the world. In particular, the I.T. sector has grown exponentially and a national initiative has brought internet access to every island in the archipelago. The national language, [[Arsk]], is a dialect of Norwegian. [[File:Cape_West.png|thumb|[[Cape West]], opposite the D.R.A.]] [[Category:Democratic Republic of the Aroës]] 2110 4098 2010-01-16T19:51:57Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the i…' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. The demography of the Federated States of Faeland is monitored by the General Government. The population of Faeland is approximately 37,578,388. Within Faeland, there is a long history of west to east migrations, primarily due to Continental influence. Since independence, there has been a steady flow to the major cities along the coasts, with the notable exception of Cathír na Fil, which has a booming financial sector. =Major Metropolitan Regions of Faeland= {{main|Metropolitan regions of Faeland}} Faeland has varying definitions for metropolitan status depending on the state. As of 2007 there are 25 cities with a population equal or greater than 100,000. {| class="wikitable" style="border: black 1px fixed"| !City name!!Location!!Description!!Population!!Largest nationalities!!Largest non-citizen ethnic groups |- ||Falcatta ||[[Image:.png|80px]] ||Falcatta is the largest city of the Falcian Republic and its capital. It is officially the oldest city in Faeland, founded during the Julio-Claudian era. ||11.6 million ||Fallos ||Faels, Bretons, Italians |- |} 2073 3919 2009-11-06T21:21:27Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'See also List of Demonyms of Faeland' See also List of Demonyms of Faeland 3991 2009-11-11T03:09:34Z Faeland 1086271 Due to its polyglot and multicultural nature, adjectivals and demonyms for Faeland, its culture, people and language, are moderately complex. For instance, the country's official name is ''Fáel'', but not all of its citizens are Fael-''ish''. =Modern Demonyms= To outsiders, the terms ''Fáel'', Faelish, and Faelander are often interchangeable adjectives for a citizen of the Federated States of Faeland. However, the appropriate blanket term for a citizen of the Federated States is Faelander. As a general purpose adjective for things relating to the country, culture, etc. of the F.S.F., Faelish is acceptable. Within the country, however, Faelish is typically reserved for things relating to the [[Kingdom of Faeland]], its people, or its language. Likewise, a ''Fáel'' is a citizen of the Kingdom of Faeland. Rapidly declining in currency is the term "Faelic" to refer to the same things. Increasingly this is an academic term relating to historical Faelish peoples, cultures, and languages. =Other Demonyms= As mentioned above, Faelic increasingly refers to historic peoples, cultures, languages, and states of the [[Faelish Isles]]; typically before the colonial period and ''always'' indigenous in meaning. So for instance, a kingdom of native Faels existing in the Highlands in the middle ages would be considered Faelic, whereas the cities of the [[Pentapolis]] would not (this is a case where the definitions become murky, as the Pentapolis might not be Faelic, but it is certainly Faelish). When referring to prehistoric or illiterate cultures of Faeland, the terms proto-Faelic and Faeletic are employed (often interchangeably). [[Category:Languages]] 3992 2009-11-11T03:09:51Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories Due to its polyglot and multicultural nature, adjectivals and demonyms for Faeland, its culture, people and language, are moderately complex. For instance, the country's official name is ''Fáel'', but not all of its citizens are Fael-''ish''. =Modern Demonyms= To outsiders, the terms ''Fáel'', Faelish, and Faelander are often interchangeable adjectives for a citizen of the Federated States of Faeland. However, the appropriate blanket term for a citizen of the Federated States is Faelander. As a general purpose adjective for things relating to the country, culture, etc. of the F.S.F., Faelish is acceptable. Within the country, however, Faelish is typically reserved for things relating to the [[Kingdom of Faeland]], its people, or its language. Likewise, a ''Fáel'' is a citizen of the Kingdom of Faeland. Rapidly declining in currency is the term "Faelic" to refer to the same things. Increasingly this is an academic term relating to historical Faelish peoples, cultures, and languages. =Other Demonyms= As mentioned above, Faelic increasingly refers to historic peoples, cultures, languages, and states of the [[Faelish Isles]]; typically before the colonial period and ''always'' indigenous in meaning. So for instance, a kingdom of native Faels existing in the Highlands in the middle ages would be considered Faelic, whereas the cities of the [[Pentapolis]] would not (this is a case where the definitions become murky, as the Pentapolis might not be Faelic, but it is certainly Faelish). When referring to prehistoric or illiterate cultures of Faeland, the terms proto-Faelic and Faeletic are employed (often interchangeably). [[Category:Languages]] [[Category:Culture]] 3993 2009-11-11T03:10:03Z Faeland 1086271 Due to its polyglot and multicultural nature, adjectivals and demonyms for Faeland, its culture, people and language, are moderately complex. For instance, the country's official name is ''Fáel'', but not all of its citizens are Fael-''ish''. =Modern Demonyms= To outsiders, the terms ''Fáel'', Faelish, and Faelander are often interchangeable adjectives for a citizen of the Federated States of Faeland. However, the appropriate blanket term for a citizen of the Federated States is Faelander. As a general purpose adjective for things relating to the country, culture, etc. of the F.S.F., Faelish is acceptable. Within the country, however, Faelish is typically reserved for things relating to the [[Kingdom of Faeland]], its people, or its language. Likewise, a ''Fáel'' is a citizen of the Kingdom of Faeland. Rapidly declining in currency is the term "Faelic" to refer to the same things. Increasingly this is an academic term relating to historical Faelish peoples, cultures, and languages. =Other Demonyms= As mentioned above, Faelic increasingly refers to historic peoples, cultures, languages, and states of the [[Faelish Isles]]; typically before the colonial period and ''always'' indigenous in meaning. So for instance, a kingdom of native Faels existing in the Highlands in the middle ages would be considered Faelic, whereas the cities of the [[Pentapolis]] would not (this is a case where the definitions become murky, as the Pentapolis might not be Faelic, but it is certainly Faelish). When referring to prehistoric or illiterate cultures of Faeland, the terms proto-Faelic and Faeletic are employed (often interchangeably). [[Category:Culture]] 1984 3656 2008-12-22T15:42:20Z Faeland 1086271 New page: The '''Dominion of Litus''' (Lito) is a country occupying an area of Faeland known as [[The Shore]], extending from just south of [[New Norwich]] in the north to the [[Orwel Isles]] in the... The '''Dominion of Litus''' (Lito) is a country occupying an area of Faeland known as [[The Shore]], extending from just south of [[New Norwich]] in the north to the [[Orwel Isles]] in the south. It is bounded on the west by its only neighbor, [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] and on the east and south by the Bay of Biscay. The land occupied by Lito was inhabited for millennia by various aboriginal (Fáel) tribes. Beginning in the 16th century, British expeditions settled the coast and became the nucleus of the population and culture that comprises Lito today. In 1802, a Kingdom of Faeland as part of the United Kingdom. Following civil strife and finally independence in 1925, it formed that became the Dominion of Litus. Unlike most former British colonies, Lito was a functioning member country of the United Kingdom. As such, its internal administration was remodeled on the English system, eschewing the usual federation of provinces. A constitutional monarchy comprising ---, Lito is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, recognizing the British monarch in a special manner as Monarch ''in'' Litus, not ''of'' Litus (''See [[Treaty of London]]''). It is a monolingual and largely homogeneous country, by Fáelandic standards. Technologically advanced and industrialized, Lito maintains a diversified economy that is heavily reliant upon its port facilities and upon trade—particularly with the U.K., France, and Spain, with which Lito has had a long and complex relationship. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Lito''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Dominion of Litus''''' |- |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:|thumb|center|'''Lito''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||English |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} ==History== The Dominion of Litus.....background and eventual modern description... For much of its early life, the Shore was largely overshadowed by the large port of New Norwich, much farther north. The smaller towns that sprang up along the shore were largely the result of ancillary needs ofthe English navy at this point. Mining was a principal activity, as well as many smaller trades like sailmaking etc. Also, many sailor who had jumped ship and faced prosecution in England could find work here, where the Navy barely tread so loong as it received goods. New Norwich was largely a shipyard due to the ease of access to the timber rich hinterlands of Faeland. Largely unchanged until ==Geography== ==Education== ==Economy== ==Defense== Draws largely from the british military tradition, with an emphasis on navy. maybe special deal with the federation... ==Culture== [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] 3672 2009-01-04T07:00:45Z Faeland 1086271 /* Defense */ The '''Dominion of Litus''' (Lito) is a country occupying an area of Faeland known as [[The Shore]], extending from just south of [[New Norwich]] in the north to the [[Orwel Isles]] in the south. It is bounded on the west by its only neighbor, [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] and on the east and south by the Bay of Biscay. The land occupied by Lito was inhabited for millennia by various aboriginal (Fáel) tribes. Beginning in the 16th century, British expeditions settled the coast and became the nucleus of the population and culture that comprises Lito today. In 1802, a Kingdom of Faeland as part of the United Kingdom. Following civil strife and finally independence in 1925, it formed that became the Dominion of Litus. Unlike most former British colonies, Lito was a functioning member country of the United Kingdom. As such, its internal administration was remodeled on the English system, eschewing the usual federation of provinces. A constitutional monarchy comprising ---, Lito is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, recognizing the British monarch in a special manner as Monarch ''in'' Litus, not ''of'' Litus (''See [[Treaty of London]]''). It is a monolingual and largely homogeneous country, by Fáelandic standards. Technologically advanced and industrialized, Lito maintains a diversified economy that is heavily reliant upon its port facilities and upon trade—particularly with the U.K., France, and Spain, with which Lito has had a long and complex relationship. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Lito''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Dominion of Litus''''' |- |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:|thumb|center|'''Lito''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||English |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} ==History== The Dominion of Litus.....background and eventual modern description... For much of its early life, the Shore was largely overshadowed by the large port of New Norwich, much farther north. The smaller towns that sprang up along the shore were largely the result of ancillary needs ofthe English navy at this point. Mining was a principal activity, as well as many smaller trades like sailmaking etc. Also, many sailor who had jumped ship and faced prosecution in England could find work here, where the Navy barely tread so loong as it received goods. New Norwich was largely a shipyard due to the ease of access to the timber rich hinterlands of Faeland. Largely unchanged until ==Geography== ==Education== ==Economy== == Defense == Draws largely from the british military tradition, with an emphasis on navy. maybe special deal with the federation... == See Also == *[[Cities of Lito]] ==Culture== [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] 3675 2009-01-04T07:03:11Z Faeland 1086271 /* Culture */ The '''Dominion of Litus''' (Lito) is a country occupying an area of Faeland known as [[The Shore]], extending from just south of [[New Norwich]] in the north to the [[Orwel Isles]] in the south. It is bounded on the west by its only neighbor, [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] and on the east and south by the Bay of Biscay. The land occupied by Lito was inhabited for millennia by various aboriginal (Fáel) tribes. Beginning in the 16th century, British expeditions settled the coast and became the nucleus of the population and culture that comprises Lito today. In 1802, a Kingdom of Faeland as part of the United Kingdom. Following civil strife and finally independence in 1925, it formed that became the Dominion of Litus. Unlike most former British colonies, Lito was a functioning member country of the United Kingdom. As such, its internal administration was remodeled on the English system, eschewing the usual federation of provinces. A constitutional monarchy comprising ---, Lito is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, recognizing the British monarch in a special manner as Monarch ''in'' Litus, not ''of'' Litus (''See [[Treaty of London]]''). It is a monolingual and largely homogeneous country, by Fáelandic standards. Technologically advanced and industrialized, Lito maintains a diversified economy that is heavily reliant upon its port facilities and upon trade—particularly with the U.K., France, and Spain, with which Lito has had a long and complex relationship. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Lito''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Dominion of Litus''''' |- |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:|thumb|center|'''Lito''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||English |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} ==History== The Dominion of Litus.....background and eventual modern description... For much of its early life, the Shore was largely overshadowed by the large port of New Norwich, much farther north. The smaller towns that sprang up along the shore were largely the result of ancillary needs ofthe English navy at this point. Mining was a principal activity, as well as many smaller trades like sailmaking etc. Also, many sailor who had jumped ship and faced prosecution in England could find work here, where the Navy barely tread so loong as it received goods. New Norwich was largely a shipyard due to the ease of access to the timber rich hinterlands of Faeland. Largely unchanged until ==Geography== ==Education== ==Economy== == Defense == Draws largely from the british military tradition, with an emphasis on navy. maybe special deal with the federation... == See Also == *[[Cities of Lito]] == Culture == [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category: Dominion of Litus]] 3859 2009-09-28T14:43:40Z Faeland 1086271 The '''Dominion of Litus''' (Lito) is a country occupying an area of Faeland known as [[The Shore]], extending from just south of [[New Norwich]] in the north to the [[Orwel Isles]] in the south. It is bounded on the west by its only neighbor, [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] and on the east and south by the Bay of Biscay. [[File:Lito.png|thumb]] The land occupied by Lito was inhabited for millennia by various aboriginal (Fáel) tribes. Beginning in the 16th century, British expeditions settled the coast and became the nucleus of the population and culture that comprises Lito today. In 1802, a Kingdom of Faeland as part of the United Kingdom. Following civil strife and finally independence in 1925, it formed that became the Dominion of Litus. Unlike most former British colonies, Lito was a functioning member country of the United Kingdom. As such, its internal administration was remodeled on the English system, eschewing the usual federation of provinces. A constitutional monarchy comprising ---, Lito is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, recognizing the British monarch in a special manner as Monarch ''in'' Litus, not ''of'' Litus (''See [[Treaty of London]]''). It is a monolingual and largely homogeneous country, by Fáelandic standards. Technologically advanced and industrialized, Lito maintains a diversified economy that is heavily reliant upon its port facilities and upon trade—particularly with the U.K., France, and Spain, with which Lito has had a long and complex relationship. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2 blue" align="right" style="width:30%" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Lito''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Dominion of Litus''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:|thumb|center|'''Lito''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' |(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |English |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |amount |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} ==History== The Dominion of Litus.....background and eventual modern description... For much of its early life, the Shore was largely overshadowed by the large port of New Norwich, much farther north. The smaller towns that sprang up along the shore were largely the result of ancillary needs ofthe English navy at this point. Mining was a principal activity, as well as many smaller trades like sailmaking etc. Also, many sailor who had jumped ship and faced prosecution in England could find work here, where the Navy barely tread so loong as it received goods. New Norwich was largely a shipyard due to the ease of access to the timber rich hinterlands of Faeland. Largely unchanged until ==Geography== ==Education== ==Economy== == Defense == Draws largely from the british military tradition, with an emphasis on navy. maybe special deal with the federation... == See Also == *[[Cities of Lito]] == Culture == [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category: Dominion of Litus]] 4119 2010-01-28T00:58:30Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography */ The '''Dominion of Litus''' (Lito) is a country occupying an area of Faeland known as [[The Shore]], extending from just south of [[New Norwich]] in the north to the [[Orwel Isles]] in the south. It is bounded on the west by its only neighbor, [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] and on the east and south by the Bay of Biscay. [[File:Lito.png|thumb]] The land occupied by Lito was inhabited for millennia by various aboriginal (Fáel) tribes. Beginning in the 16th century, British expeditions settled the coast and became the nucleus of the population and culture that comprises Lito today. In 1802, a Kingdom of Faeland as part of the United Kingdom. Following civil strife and finally independence in 1925, it formed that became the Dominion of Litus. Unlike most former British colonies, Lito was a functioning member country of the United Kingdom. As such, its internal administration was remodeled on the English system, eschewing the usual federation of provinces. A constitutional monarchy comprising ---, Lito is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, recognizing the British monarch in a special manner as Monarch ''in'' Litus, not ''of'' Litus (''See [[Treaty of London]]''). It is a monolingual and largely homogeneous country, by Fáelandic standards. Technologically advanced and industrialized, Lito maintains a diversified economy that is heavily reliant upon its port facilities and upon trade—particularly with the U.K., France, and Spain, with which Lito has had a long and complex relationship. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2 blue" align="right" style="width:30%" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Lito''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Dominion of Litus''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:|thumb|center|'''Lito''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' |(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |English |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |amount |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} ==History== The Dominion of Litus.....background and eventual modern description... For much of its early life, the Shore was largely overshadowed by the large port of New Norwich, much farther north. The smaller towns that sprang up along the shore were largely the result of ancillary needs ofthe English navy at this point. Mining was a principal activity, as well as many smaller trades like sailmaking etc. Also, many sailor who had jumped ship and faced prosecution in England could find work here, where the Navy barely tread so loong as it received goods. New Norwich was largely a shipyard due to the ease of access to the timber rich hinterlands of Faeland. Largely unchanged until ==Geography== Lito's geography is mostly coastal mountains and coastal plains, inhabiting most of [[The Shore]]. It includes the [[Vinesene Archipelago]]. [[File:Canterbury_bay.png|thumb|Canterbury Bay looking towards the Vinesene Archipelago]] ==Education== ==Economy== == Defense == Draws largely from the british military tradition, with an emphasis on navy. maybe special deal with the federation... == See Also == *[[Cities of Lito]] == Culture == [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category: Dominion of Litus]] 2120 4125 2010-01-28T01:24:31Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with '[[File:Drogheda.jpg|thumb|Drogheda, looking east towards the Almuhr.]] The town of ''Drogheda'' sits on the shore of' [[File:Drogheda.jpg|thumb|Drogheda, looking east towards the Almuhr.]] The town of ''Drogheda'' sits on the shore of 4126 2010-01-28T01:25:23Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Drogheda.jpg|thumb|Drogheda, looking east towards the [[Almuhr]].]] The town of ''Drogheda'' sits on the shore of 4127 2010-01-28T01:25:58Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Drogheda.jpg|thumb|Drogheda, looking east towards the [[Mt. Almuhr|Almuhr]].]] The town of ''Drogheda'' sits on the shore of 2112 4104 2010-01-19T09:30:41Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'Faeland (and especially [[Riocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted…' Faeland (and especially [[Riocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted much urban sprawl and declared vast swathes of territory to be closed to development and made national preserves and parks. Where cities and towns fall inside these boundaries, nearly all have restricted growth allowances. 4105 2010-01-19T09:31:11Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland (and especially [[Ríocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted much urban sprawl and declared vast swathes of territory to be closed to development and made national preserves and parks. Where cities and towns fall inside these boundaries, nearly all have restricted growth allowances. 4106 2010-01-19T09:38:36Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland (and especially [[Ríocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted much urban sprawl and declared vast swathes of territory to be closed to development and made national preserves and parks. Where cities and towns fall inside these boundaries, nearly all have restricted growth allowances. In 2004, the Kingdom of Faeland finally convinced its fellow states to cede environmental protection authority to the federal government, and all environmental bureaus were elevated to departments within the Directory's Bureau of the Environment. Along with privileges akin to a department of the interior, this makes the creation of parks and promotion of environmental issues a federal province, outruling state-level institutions and prerogatives. Since 2004, a "Second Greening" has taken place across the FSF, as the other Member States catch up to the Kingdom of Faeland. The number of national preserves and parks in non-Kingdom states has nearly doubled. Based on historical maps, reforestation has been initiated all over the island, bringing back some of the scenic beauty of long deforested countryside. 4107 2010-01-19T09:52:41Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland (and especially [[Ríocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted much urban sprawl and declared vast swathes of territory to be closed to development and made national preserves and parks. Where cities and towns fall inside these boundaries, nearly all have restricted growth allowances. In 2004, the Kingdom of Faeland finally convinced its fellow states to cede environmental protection authority to the federal government, and all environmental bureaus were elevated to departments within the Directory's Bureau of the Environment. Along with privileges akin to a department of the interior, this makes the creation of parks and promotion of environmental issues a federal province, outruling state-level institutions and prerogatives. Since 2004, a "Second Greening" has taken place across the FSF, as the other Member States catch up to the Kingdom of Faeland. The number of national preserves and parks in non-Kingdom states has nearly doubled. Based on historical maps, reforestation has been initiated all over the island, bringing back some of the scenic beauty of long deforested countryside. =Conservationism= Within Faeland, there are various types of natural conservations. These are Federal Parks, which may or may not include restricted internal human habitation and allow camping and other such activities in the natural places; Federal Conservations, which may or may not include enclaves of habitation, but generally allow a more restricted human traffic and license hunters; and finally Federal Preserves, which allow almost no human impact and, in many cases, are attempts to let nature restore itself to create healthy ecosystems. Typically, preserves are the youngest of the "Commons" as they are called, and are typically attempts to roll back the negative impact of human overuse or exploitation of an area. 4108 2010-01-19T10:04:52Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland (and especially [[Ríocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism, in line with its socialist principles. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted much urban sprawl and declared vast swathes of territory to be closed to development and made national preserves and parks. Where cities and towns fall inside these boundaries, nearly all have restricted growth allowances. In 2004, the Kingdom of Faeland finally convinced its fellow states to cede environmental protection authority to the federal government, and all environmental bureaus were elevated to departments within the Directory's Bureau of the Environment. Along with privileges akin to a department of the interior, this makes the creation of parks and promotion of environmental issues a federal province, outruling state-level institutions and prerogatives. Since 2004, a "Second Greening" has taken place across the FSF, as the other Member States catch up to the Kingdom of Faeland. The number of national preserves and parks in non-Kingdom states has nearly doubled. Based on historical maps, reforestation has been initiated all over the island, bringing back some of the scenic beauty of long deforested countryside. =Conservationism= Within Faeland, there are various types of natural conservations. These are Federal Parks, which may or may not include restricted internal human habitation and allow camping and other such activities in the natural places; Federal Conservations, which may or may not include enclaves of habitation, but generally allow a more restricted human traffic limited to scientific study, non-mechanized recreation, and licensed hunting for population control; and finally Federal Preserves, which allow almost no human impact and, in many cases, are attempts to let nature restore itself to create healthy ecosystems. Typically, preserves are the youngest of the "Commons" as they are called, and are typically attempts to roll back the negative impact of human overuse or exploitation of an area. Although some remote communities and farmers have complained, none of the Commons are fenced in, so that animals may migrate freely. Where predatory animals venture out of restricted areas and endanger humans and/or farm animals, hunting is permitted. =The "National L"= The "National L" is the nickname for the Elevated Road System that originally was limited to a few more remote areas of the Fíl. Beginning in 1987, the Kingdom of Faeland enacted legislation that sought to eliminate a major problem for fauna within its various parks and preserves. Where roads bisected these places, they were to be elevated so that animals could migrate freely underneath them, and to reduce the noise pollution for the animals. It is a long and costly process, but has since spread nationwide, and efforts are being made to combine this legislation with carbon-reduction legislation. Some have argued the roads should be re-routed around the parks entirely, while others suggest making electric rails to reduce carbon and noise entirely. Both plans are cost-inhibiting, but are being developed. 4109 2010-01-19T10:07:26Z Faeland 1086271 /* Conservationism */ Faeland (and especially [[Ríocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism, in line with its socialist principles. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted much urban sprawl and declared vast swathes of territory to be closed to development and made national preserves and parks. Where cities and towns fall inside these boundaries, nearly all have restricted growth allowances. In 2004, the Kingdom of Faeland finally convinced its fellow states to cede environmental protection authority to the federal government, and all environmental bureaus were elevated to departments within the Directory's Bureau of the Environment. Along with privileges akin to a department of the interior, this makes the creation of parks and promotion of environmental issues a federal province, outruling state-level institutions and prerogatives. Since 2004, a "Second Greening" has taken place across the FSF, as the other Member States catch up to the Kingdom of Faeland. The number of national preserves and parks in non-Kingdom states has nearly doubled. Based on historical maps, reforestation has been initiated all over the island, bringing back some of the scenic beauty of long deforested countryside. =Conservationism= Within Faeland, there are various types of natural conservations. These are Federal Parks, which may or may not include restricted internal human habitation and allow camping and other such activities in the natural places*; Federal Conservations, which may or may not include enclaves of habitation, but generally allow a more restricted human traffic limited to scientific study, non-mechanized recreation, and licensed hunting for population control; and finally Federal Preserves, which allow almost no human impact and, in many cases, are attempts to let nature restore itself to create healthy ecosystems. Typically, preserves are the youngest of the "Commons" as they are called, and are typically attempts to roll back the negative impact of human overuse or exploitation of an area. Although some remote communities and farmers have complained, none of the Commons are fenced in, so that animals may migrate freely. Where predatory animals venture out of restricted areas and endanger humans and/or farm animals, hunting is permitted. *Parks should not be confused with Federal Sites, which are cultural/historical in nature, and administered by the Ministry of the Interior. =The "National L"= The "National L" is the nickname for the Elevated Road System that originally was limited to a few more remote areas of the Fíl. Beginning in 1987, the Kingdom of Faeland enacted legislation that sought to eliminate a major problem for fauna within its various parks and preserves. Where roads bisected these places, they were to be elevated so that animals could migrate freely underneath them, and to reduce the noise pollution for the animals. It is a long and costly process, but has since spread nationwide, and efforts are being made to combine this legislation with carbon-reduction legislation. Some have argued the roads should be re-routed around the parks entirely, while others suggest making electric rails to reduce carbon and noise entirely. Both plans are cost-inhibiting, but are being developed. 4111 2010-01-19T10:51:58Z Faeland 1086271 /* Conservationism */ Faeland (and especially [[Ríocht Fíl]]) is a leading country in support of environmental issues and conservationism, in line with its socialist principles. Since the 60's especially, the Kingdom of Faeland has halted much urban sprawl and declared vast swathes of territory to be closed to development and made national preserves and parks. Where cities and towns fall inside these boundaries, nearly all have restricted growth allowances. In 2004, the Kingdom of Faeland finally convinced its fellow states to cede environmental protection authority to the federal government, and all environmental bureaus were elevated to departments within the Directory's Bureau of the Environment. Along with privileges akin to a department of the interior, this makes the creation of parks and promotion of environmental issues a federal province, outruling state-level institutions and prerogatives. Since 2004, a "Second Greening" has taken place across the FSF, as the other Member States catch up to the Kingdom of Faeland. The number of national preserves and parks in non-Kingdom states has nearly doubled. Based on historical maps, reforestation has been initiated all over the island, bringing back some of the scenic beauty of long deforested countryside. =Conservationism= [[File:Parks.png|thumb|Parks in Faeland]] Within Faeland, there are various types of natural conservations. These are Federal Parks, which may or may not include restricted internal human habitation and allow camping and other such activities in the natural places*; Federal Conservations, which may or may not include enclaves of habitation, but generally allow a more restricted human traffic limited to scientific study, non-mechanized recreation, and licensed hunting for population control; and finally Federal Preserves, which allow almost no human impact and, in many cases, are attempts to let nature restore itself to create healthy ecosystems. Typically, preserves are the youngest of the "Commons" as they are called, and are typically attempts to roll back the negative impact of human overuse or exploitation of an area. Although some remote communities and farmers have complained, none of the Commons are fenced in, so that animals may migrate freely. Where predatory animals venture out of restricted areas and endanger humans and/or farm animals, hunting is permitted. *Parks should not be confused with Federal Sites, which are cultural/historical in nature, and administered by the Ministry of the Interior. =The "National L"= The "National L" is the nickname for the Elevated Road System that originally was limited to a few more remote areas of the Fíl. Beginning in 1987, the Kingdom of Faeland enacted legislation that sought to eliminate a major problem for fauna within its various parks and preserves. Where roads bisected these places, they were to be elevated so that animals could migrate freely underneath them, and to reduce the noise pollution for the animals. It is a long and costly process, but has since spread nationwide, and efforts are being made to combine this legislation with carbon-reduction legislation. Some have argued the roads should be re-routed around the parks entirely, while others suggest making electric rails to reduce carbon and noise entirely. Both plans are cost-inhibiting, but are being developed. 1990 3662 2008-12-22T15:50:05Z Faeland 1086271 New page: '''Eris''' is the most southerly of the [[Orwel Isles]] and the site of the southernmost point of the FSF. [[image:Eris.jpg|thumb|right|'''Eris''']] '''Eris''' is the most southerly of the [[Orwel Isles]] and the site of the southernmost point of the FSF. [[image:Eris.jpg|thumb|right|'''Eris''']] 3698 2009-01-04T21:10:08Z Faeland 1086271 '''Eris''' is the most southerly of the [[Orwel Isles]] and the site of the southernmost point of the FSF. [[image:Eris.jpg|thumb|right|'''Eris''']] [[Category: Geography]] [[Category: Geogrpahy of Lito]] [[Category: Orwel Isles]] 3701 2009-01-04T21:11:19Z Faeland 1086271 '''Eris''' is the most southerly of the [[Orwel Isles]] and the site of the southernmost point of the FSF. [[image:Eris.jpg|thumb|right|'''Eris''']] [[Category: Geography]] [[Category: Geography of Lito]] [[Category: Orwel Isles]] 1461 3096 2008-11-07T17:54:26Z Default <!-- -------------------------------------- Welcome to the main page of this wiki! -------------------------------------- For information and advice on editing the main page of this wiki, check out "Help:Main page". Hidden comments: Sections between "<!––" and "––>" markers, like this section, are hidden comments. They won't show when the page is saved. Column tags: We strongly recommend you do not remove the <mainpage-column-start /> tags - these keep your page format safe from unexpected breaks. See "Help:Main page column tags" for more info. Protection: Wikia policy advises against the protection of this page unless it is the active target of vandalism. Check out "Help:Protection" for more info. 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Edit me! ------------------------------------------- --> <!-- ---------- Start of left-column - title, contents, help - dynamic width --> <mainpage-leftcolumn-start /> <div style="text-align:center;"><br /><big>'''Welcome to {{SITENAME}}'''</big><br />The wiki about (fill in topic) that [[Help:Editing|anyone can edit]] [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles]] since (Month) (Year) </div> {{HeadingA|Contents &nbsp; <small>([[Special:AllPages|view all pages]])</small>}} {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ; Section title * Add <nowiki>[[links]]</nowiki> to articles here * ... * ... * ... * ... {{col-2}} ; Section title * ... * ... * ... * ... * ... {{col-end}} {{HeadingA|What's new on {{SITENAME}}}} ;Date/title :News text ;Date/title :News text {{HeadingA|Helping out}} To write a new article, just enter the article title in the box below. <inputbox> type=create width=24 break=no buttonlabel=Create new article </inputbox> ; Not sure where to start? * Find out more about the wiki on the '''[[Project:About|About]]''' page. * If you are new to wikis, check out the '''[[Help:Tutorial 1|tutorial]]''', and see [[Help:Contents]]. * Check out '''[[Help:Starting this wiki]]''' if you're setting up the wiki. ; Adding content * Every wiki has two list of articles that need help called '''[[:Category:Article stubs|"Stubs"]]''' and '''[[Special:Wantedpages|"Wanted Articles"]]'''. Don't be shy, get in there. * Uploading [[:Category:Images|images]] is another really easy way to help out - see the '''[[Special:Upload]]''' page! * You can find a list of useful templates on [[:Category:Templates]], some of which are documented on the '''[[Project:Templates|templates project page]]'''. ; Talk and more... * Check out the '''[[Project:Community Portal|community portal]]''' to see what the community is working on, to give feedback or just to say hi. * Or head on over to the '''[[Forum:Index|forums]]''' and coordinate with the community on editing, projects, and more. <mainpage-endcolumn /> <!-- ---------- Start of right-column - featured article, featured media - 300px width --> <mainpage-rightcolumn-start /> {{HeadingB|Featured article}} [[Image:Feature.png|thumb|right|150px]] ''Fill me in with the first paragraph of an article that you wish to feature. Don't forget to include a <nowiki>[[link]]</nowiki> to the article so your visitors can read the whole thing.'' {{HeadingB|Featured media}} [[Image:Feature.png|300px]] ''Use this section to show a featured image, video, or song.'' <mainpage-endcolumn /> <br style="clear:both;" /> __NOTOC__ <!-- This removes the table of contents --> __NOEDITSECTION__ <!-- This removes the section edit links --> [[Category:Browse]] 3646 2008-12-18T15:21:48Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. ==History== ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marked by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx ==Geography, Climate, and Environment== ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal plains surround a central massif, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is Mt. Ryan in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland), which is XXXX ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the north-western and central regions. These areas are largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic green vistas overlooking plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. ===Languages of Faeland=== The term "languages" is used because unlike, Italy, for instance, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation is in fact an import: English. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is hardly widespread and not used outside of the [[Riocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3648 2008-12-18T15:24:34Z Faeland 1086271 &lt;!-- -------------------------------------- Welcome to the main page of this wiki! -------------------------------------- For information and advice on editing the main page of this wiki, check out "Help:Main page". Hidden comments: &nbsp; Sections between "&lt;!––" and "––&gt;" markers, like this section, are hidden comments. They won't show when the page is saved. Column tags: &nbsp; We strongly recommend you do not remove the &lt;mainpage-column-start /&gt; tags - these keep your page format safe from unexpected breaks. See "Help:Main page column tags" for more info. Protection: &nbsp; Wikia policy advises against the protection of this page unless it is the active target of vandalism. Check out "Help:Protection" for more info. Remember, you can find a wide selection of help pages on "Help:Contents"! ------------------------------------------- The main page design code follows. 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Don't forget to include a &lt;nowiki&gt;<nowiki>[[link]]</nowiki>&lt;/nowiki&gt; to the article so your visitors can read the whole thing.<nowiki>''</nowiki> <nowiki>{{HeadingB|Featured media}}</nowiki> <nowiki>[[Image:Feature.png|300px]]</nowiki> <nowiki>''</nowiki>Use this section to show a featured image, video, or song.<nowiki>''</nowiki> &lt;mainpage-endcolumn /&gt; &lt;br style="clear:both;" /&gt; <nowiki>__NOTOC__</nowiki> &lt;!-- This removes the table of contents --&gt; <nowiki>__NOEDITSECTION__</nowiki> &lt;!-- This removes the section edit links --&gt; <nowiki>[[Category:Browse]]</nowiki> 3649 2008-12-18T15:25:05Z Faeland 1086271 <!-- -------------------------------------- Welcome to the main page of this wiki! -------------------------------------- For information and advice on editing the main page of this wiki, check out "Help:Main page". Hidden comments: Sections between "<!––" and "––>" markers, like this section, are hidden comments. 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Edit me! ------------------------------------------- --> <!-- ---------- Start of left-column - title, contents, help - dynamic width --> <mainpage-leftcolumn-start /> <div style="text-align:center;"><br /><big>'''Welcome to {{SITENAME}}'''</big><br />The wiki about (fill in topic) that [[Help:Editing|anyone can edit]] [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles]] since (Month) (Year) </div> {{HeadingA|Contents &nbsp; <small>([[Special:AllPages|view all pages]])</small>}} {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ; Section title * Add <nowiki>[[links]]</nowiki> to articles here * ... * ... * ... * ... {{col-2}} ; Section title * ... * ... * ... * ... * ... {{col-end}} {{HeadingA|What's new on {{SITENAME}}}} ;Date/title :News text ;Date/title :News text {{HeadingA|Helping out}} To write a new article, just enter the article title in the box below. <inputbox> type=create width=24 break=no buttonlabel=Create new article </inputbox> ; Not sure where to start? * Find out more about the wiki on the '''[[Project:About|About]]''' page. * If you are new to wikis, check out the '''[[Help:Tutorial 1|tutorial]]''', and see [[Help:Contents]]. * Check out '''[[Help:Starting this wiki]]''' if you're setting up the wiki. ; Adding content * Every wiki has two list of articles that need help called '''[[:Category:Article stubs|"Stubs"]]''' and '''[[Special:Wantedpages|"Wanted Articles"]]'''. 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Don't forget to include a <nowiki>[[link]]</nowiki> to the article so your visitors can read the whole thing.'' {{HeadingB|Featured media}} [[Image:Feature.png|300px]] ''Use this section to show a featured image, video, or song.'' <mainpage-endcolumn /> <br style="clear:both;" /> __NOTOC__ <!-- This removes the table of contents --> __NOEDITSECTION__ <!-- This removes the section edit links --> [[Category:Browse]] 3651 2008-12-22T15:34:14Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. ==History== ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marked by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx ==Geography, Climate, and Environment== ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal plains surround a central massif, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is Mt. Ryan in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland), which is XXXX ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the north-western and central regions. These areas are largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic green vistas overlooking plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. ===Languages of Faeland=== The term "languages" is used because unlike, Italy, for instance, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation is in fact an import: English. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is hardly widespread and not used outside of the [[Riocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3666 2008-12-22T15:53:37Z Faeland 1086271 /* Languages of Faeland */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. ==History== ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marked by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx ==Geography, Climate, and Environment== ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal plains surround a central massif, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is Mt. Ryan in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland), which is XXXX ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the north-western and central regions. These areas are largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic green vistas overlooking plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === The term "languages" is used because unlike, Italy, for instance, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation is in fact an import: English. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is hardly widespread and not used outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3693 2009-01-04T21:00:47Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. ==History== ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marked by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is Mt. Ryan in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland), which is XXXX ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === The term "languages" is used because unlike, Italy, for instance, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation is in fact an import: English. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is hardly widespread and not used outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3696 2009-01-04T21:04:59Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. ==History== ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marked by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is Mt. Ryan in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland), which is XXXX ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === The term "languages" is used because unlike, Italy, for instance, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation is in fact an import: English. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is hardly widespread and not used outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3705 2009-01-04T21:16:24Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. ==History== ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marked by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === The term "languages" is used because unlike, Italy, for instance, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation is in fact an import: English. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is hardly widespread and not used outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3740 2009-01-21T19:36:59Z Faeland 1086271 /* Languages of Faeland */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. ==History== ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marked by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3742 2009-01-26T18:49:15Z Faeland 1086271 /* History */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {| align="right" style="width:30%" border="2 blue" cellpadding ="3" cellspacing="0" "text-align:center" |+ Country Info |- !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG||ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:'''||(MOTTO) |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:'''||(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:'''||(CAPITAL) |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:'''||(LANGS) |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:'''||Fáel, Faelish, Faelandic |-valign="top" |'''Government:'''||(BULLET TYPE AND VIPs) |-valign="top" |'''Formation:'''||(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:'''||amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:'''||amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:'''||currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:'''||zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:'''||.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== *'''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall *'''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda *'''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito *'''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli *'''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands *'''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== *'''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante *'''[[New Norwich]]''' *'''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix *'''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago *'''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| |- ! State !! Population !! % |- | [[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] || - || - |- | [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] || - || - |- | [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] || - || - |- | [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] || - || - |- | [[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] || - || - |- | [[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] || - || - |- | [[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] || - || - |- | [[New Norwich]] || - || - |- | [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] || - || - |- | [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] || - || - |- | [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] || - || - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3749 2009-02-05T00:13:49Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"| [[image:BayofBiscay.png|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] *[[Federal Chancellor]]: John Doe |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |(BULLET INDEP., CONST., CURRENT CONS.) |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3750 2009-02-05T00:16:22Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"|[[image:BayofBiscay.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"|[[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |*Independence: 1925 *Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3751 2009-02-05T00:19:45Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |* Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |amount |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |currency |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |zone |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3752 2009-02-05T00:23:58Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |amoutn |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3753 2009-02-05T00:32:55Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |(ANTHEM) |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |43,015.55 km² 16,608.4 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3754 2009-02-05T00:37:40Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |43,015.55 km² 16,608.4 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven member states. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3790 2009-02-19T06:46:39Z Faeland 1086271 /* Government */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |43,015.55 km² 16,608.4 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Republic of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3816 2009-09-26T18:37:41Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Pages */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |[[Faelish]], English |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |43,015.55 km² 16,608.4 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population ! % |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3839 2009-09-28T05:56:28Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''''''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]][[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |43,015.55 km² 16,608.4 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3840 2009-09-28T05:57:35Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Free Cities */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''''''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]][[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |43,015.55 km² 16,608.4 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3852 2009-09-28T14:24:58Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |43,015.55 km² 16,608.4 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |18,789,194 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3875 2009-10-05T19:37:17Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''''''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]][[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3876 2009-10-05T19:38:04Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''''''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3877 2009-10-05T19:39:24Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the Vikings); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3887 2009-10-14T04:09:53Z Faeland 1086271 /* History */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 16,607 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 18,789,194 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is an culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the confederation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations, but as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3903 2009-10-28T01:59:27Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''''''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]][[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese and Norwegians are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is a lot of regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3904 2009-10-28T03:21:34Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''''''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]][[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese and Norwegians are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3909 2009-11-06T20:09:03Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' |[[Cathír na Fil]][[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3910 2009-11-06T20:10:02Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" |'''Capital:''''''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3918 2009-11-06T20:57:00Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falx]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3926 2009-11-09T20:28:42Z Faeland 1086271 /* Population */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Forals==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3935 2009-11-10T16:59:30Z Faeland 1086271 /* Member States */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. ==Name== ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. == History == ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. ==Government== ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx == Geography, Climate, and Environment == ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ==Demographics== ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ===Population=== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ===Ethnic Groups=== ===Education=== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. === Languages of Faeland === ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ===Religion=== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Economy== ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. ==Defense== ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. ==Culture== ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ===Literature=== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ===Science=== ===Music=== ===Sport=== 3936 2009-11-10T17:05:57Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== ==Education== ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl|Highlands]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am a Fáel. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3937 2009-11-10T17:10:57Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin, English''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." = Languages of Faeland = ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. =Religion= NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3938 2009-11-10T17:13:40Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |FLAG |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' | ''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3940 2009-11-10T17:31:26Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="2" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |[[File:FSF-flag.png|thumb|National Flag of F.S.F.]] |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' | ''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3942 2009-11-10T17:40:20Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |[[File:FSF-flag.png|thumb|National Flag of F.S.F.]] |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' | ''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3953 2009-11-10T19:08:00Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right" style="width: 30%;" |+ Country Info !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |[[File:FSF-flag.png|thumb|National Flag of F.S.F.]] |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' | ''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3959 2009-11-11T00:52:47Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:10px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white" |'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |[[File:FSF-flag.png|thumb|center|National Flag of F.S.F.]] |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' | ''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3960 2009-11-11T00:59:35Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |[[File:FSF-flag.png|thumb|center|National Flag of the F.S.F.]] |ARMS |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' | ''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3962 2009-11-11T01:23:02Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]] <small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3996 2009-11-11T06:57:59Z Faeland 1086271 /* Government */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]] <small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3998 2009-11-11T07:43:42Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'': [[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 3999 2009-11-11T19:05:07Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin''de facto'': [[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''Government:''' |[[Government of Faeland| Federal Parliamentary Republic]] * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4000 2009-11-11T19:07:21Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |Cedant arma togae. <small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov. |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |''de jure'': [[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin''de facto'': [[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Fáel, Faelish |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' | Federal Parliamentary Republic * [[Federal Chancellor]]: |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' | * Independence: 1925 * Current Constitution: 1935 |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |86,031.1 km² 33,216.8 sq. mi. |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |37,578,388 |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 18,789,194. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falx, Georgetown and [[The Shore]]. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4001 2009-11-11T19:38:51Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br>[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'':<br>[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |halign="center"|<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br>Mr. Black<br>Ms. Red<br>Mr. Orange<br>Mr. Blonde<br>Mr. Purple<br>Mr. Pink<br>Mr. Blue<br>Mrs. Violet<br>Mr. White<br>Mr. Green<br>Mr. Yellow<br>Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br>33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapolis]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4002 2009-11-11T19:40:29Z Faeland 1086271 /* Population */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br>[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin ''de facto'':<br>[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |halign="center"|<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br>Mr. Black<br>Ms. Red<br>Mr. Orange<br>Mr. Blonde<br>Mr. Purple<br>Mr. Pink<br>Mr. Blue<br>Mrs. Violet<br>Mr. White<br>Mr. Green<br>Mr. Yellow<br>Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br>33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4003 2009-11-11T19:41:42Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Bay_of_Biscay_map.jpg|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4006 2009-11-11T21:12:15Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4007 2009-11-12T07:27:49Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4009 2009-11-12T07:45:41Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4023 2009-11-16T15:49:11Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the Corioles Islands in the Mediterranean. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4024 2009-11-16T15:50:36Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4030 2009-11-23T18:56:29Z Faeland 1086271 /* Languages of Faeland */ '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2" style="background:blue; color:white"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4044 2009-12-02T17:55:59Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| [[File:Simple-faeland.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4045 2009-12-02T18:15:26Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4047 2009-12-02T18:25:10Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4049 2009-12-02T18:34:56Z Faeland 1086271 {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. While there is a Fáelish language in use, it is not universal and used rarely outside of the [[Ríocht Fíl]]. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4051 2009-12-02T18:55:56Z Faeland 1086271 /* Languages of Faeland */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelaish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish (language) |Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a secondary language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4052 2009-12-02T18:57:01Z Faeland 1086271 /* Languages of Faeland */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelaish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4055 2009-12-02T19:03:22Z Faeland 1086271 /* Languages of Faeland */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since -theoretically- Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been organized very well. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Usually forces sent on joint expeditionary forces are put under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapolis has provided the bulk of the infantry, Dhíall light and mobile infantry, Fíl the Air Corps, Lito provides all naval support, and the other Pages and Cities provide smaller, specialist contingents. Although small, the army is highly trained, all volunteer, and well-equipped. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4057 2009-12-02T19:09:55Z Faeland 1086271 /* Defense */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4068 2010-01-12T07:33:01Z Faeland 1086271 /* Government */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4069 2010-01-12T07:47:20Z Faeland 1086271 /* Foreign Relations */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathir na Fíl]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4070 2010-01-12T07:47:51Z Faeland 1086271 /* Foreign Relations */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4099 2010-01-18T05:27:15Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ''Main Article: [[Environmentalism in Faeland]]'' Faeland is ranked 3rd in Europe and 9th globally on the Environmental Performance Index. After unification in 1935, the Kingdom of Faeland initiated a far-reaching land reform initiative aimed at dismantling the British plantation system that had been imposed on the interior. As the cultural mores of the 60's began to unfold, the land reform took on an somewhat radical environmentalist character, and ever since the Kingdom has led the way within Faeland in environmental protection, preservation, and restoration. Many of the other states have also begun their own initiatives. As they catch up to the Kingdom's standards, Faeland could likely supersede its European rivals for environmental responsibility. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4145 2010-03-26T15:46:33Z Faeland 1086271 Protected "[[Faeland]]" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite)) [cascading] {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ''Main Article: [[Environmentalism in Faeland]]'' Faeland is ranked 3rd in Europe and 9th globally on the Environmental Performance Index. After unification in 1935, the Kingdom of Faeland initiated a far-reaching land reform initiative aimed at dismantling the British plantation system that had been imposed on the interior. As the cultural mores of the 60's began to unfold, the land reform took on an somewhat radical environmentalist character, and ever since the Kingdom has led the way within Faeland in environmental protection, preservation, and restoration. Many of the other states have also begun their own initiatives. As they catch up to the Kingdom's standards, Faeland could likely supersede its European rivals for environmental responsibility. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== 4146 2010-04-12T03:12:58Z Faeland 1086271 /* Sport */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ''Main Article: [[Environmentalism in Faeland]]'' Faeland is ranked 3rd in Europe and 9th globally on the Environmental Performance Index. After unification in 1935, the Kingdom of Faeland initiated a far-reaching land reform initiative aimed at dismantling the British plantation system that had been imposed on the interior. As the cultural mores of the 60's began to unfold, the land reform took on an somewhat radical environmentalist character, and ever since the Kingdom has led the way within Faeland in environmental protection, preservation, and restoration. Many of the other states have also begun their own initiatives. As they catch up to the Kingdom's standards, Faeland could likely supersede its European rivals for environmental responsibility. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== Popular sports include football, and in certain regions Gaelic football and hurling. Stadio di ???? is the largest stadium in Faeland and was the venue for the 1987 FIFA World Cup final. Faeland also hosts the annual [[Faelish Tour]], a road bicycle race modeled on the three Grand Tours. Faeland is also\ famous for its Cafe Racing Association (the only cafe-style motorcycle racing association in the world). 4166 2010-04-21T00:47:18Z Faeland 1086271 /* Government */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Although ambitious, this bottom heavy framework has had some drawbacks, with sovereign states having the ability to veto "federal" legislation. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]. The articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ''Main Article: [[Environmentalism in Faeland]]'' Faeland is ranked 3rd in Europe and 9th globally on the Environmental Performance Index. After unification in 1935, the Kingdom of Faeland initiated a far-reaching land reform initiative aimed at dismantling the British plantation system that had been imposed on the interior. As the cultural mores of the 60's began to unfold, the land reform took on an somewhat radical environmentalist character, and ever since the Kingdom has led the way within Faeland in environmental protection, preservation, and restoration. Many of the other states have also begun their own initiatives. As they catch up to the Kingdom's standards, Faeland could likely supersede its European rivals for environmental responsibility. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== Popular sports include football, and in certain regions Gaelic football and hurling. Stadio di ???? is the largest stadium in Faeland and was the venue for the 1987 FIFA World Cup final. Faeland also hosts the annual [[Faelish Tour]], a road bicycle race modeled on the three Grand Tours. Faeland is also\ famous for its Cafe Racing Association (the only cafe-style motorcycle racing association in the world). 4168 2010-04-21T00:51:29Z Faeland 1086271 /* Member States */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Although ambitious, this bottom heavy framework has had some drawbacks, with sovereign states having the ability to veto "federal" legislation. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]. The articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals, and a territorial protectorate: the Corioles Islands. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of Faeland is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ''Main Article: [[Environmentalism in Faeland]]'' Faeland is ranked 3rd in Europe and 9th globally on the Environmental Performance Index. After unification in 1935, the Kingdom of Faeland initiated a far-reaching land reform initiative aimed at dismantling the British plantation system that had been imposed on the interior. As the cultural mores of the 60's began to unfold, the land reform took on an somewhat radical environmentalist character, and ever since the Kingdom has led the way within Faeland in environmental protection, preservation, and restoration. Many of the other states have also begun their own initiatives. As they catch up to the Kingdom's standards, Faeland could likely supersede its European rivals for environmental responsibility. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== Popular sports include football, and in certain regions Gaelic football and hurling. Stadio di ???? is the largest stadium in Faeland and was the venue for the 1987 FIFA World Cup final. Faeland also hosts the annual [[Faelish Tour]], a road bicycle race modeled on the three Grand Tours. Faeland is also\ famous for its Cafe Racing Association (the only cafe-style motorcycle racing association in the world). 4169 2010-04-21T00:57:08Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Although ambitious, this bottom heavy framework has had some drawbacks, with sovereign states having the ability to veto "federal" legislation. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]. The articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals, and a territorial protectorate: the Corioles Islands. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of the island of Faeland is [[Cape Finnnimund]]. The southernmost point of the Faelish Isles is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ''Main Article: [[Environmentalism in Faeland]]'' Faeland is ranked 3rd in Europe and 9th globally on the Environmental Performance Index. After unification in 1935, the Kingdom of Faeland initiated a far-reaching land reform initiative aimed at dismantling the British plantation system that had been imposed on the interior. As the cultural mores of the 60's began to unfold, the land reform took on an somewhat radical environmentalist character, and ever since the Kingdom has led the way within Faeland in environmental protection, preservation, and restoration. Many of the other states have also begun their own initiatives. As they catch up to the Kingdom's standards, Faeland could likely supersede its European rivals for environmental responsibility. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== Popular sports include football, and in certain regions Gaelic football and hurling. Stadio di ???? is the largest stadium in Faeland and was the venue for the 1987 FIFA World Cup final. Faeland also hosts the annual [[Faelish Tour]], a road bicycle race modeled on the three Grand Tours. Faeland is also\ famous for its Cafe Racing Association (the only cafe-style motorcycle racing association in the world). 4170 2010-04-21T00:57:22Z Faeland 1086271 /* Geography, Climate, and Environment */ {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !colspan="2"|'''''Fáel''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''Faeland''''' |- !colspan="2"|'''''(Federated States of Faeland)''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:FSF-flag.png|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"|[[Image:Faeland-Emblem.png|75px]]<small>[[Emblem]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small>Cedant arma togae.</small><br /><small>(Let violence surrender to law.)</small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small>Beethoven's 9th Symph., 4th Mov.</small> |- |colspan="2"| [[Image:Europe.png|thumb|center|'''Faeland in Europe''']] |- |colspan="2"| |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' '''Largest City:''' | [[Cathír na Fil]] [[New Norwich]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Languages:''' |<small>''de jure'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Latin </small> <small>''de facto'':<br />[[Faelish Language|Faelish]], Fallo, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaeilge, Norwegian</small> |-valign="top" |'''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People|Demonym]]:''' |Faelander |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Faeland|Government:]]''' |<small>Federal Parliamentary Republic</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small>Faelan Blair</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small>Mr. Brown<br />Mr. Black<br />Ms. Red<br />Mr. Orange<br />Mr. Blonde<br />Mr. Purple<br />Mr. Pink<br />Mr. Blue<br />Mrs. Violet<br />Mr. White<br />Mr. Green<br />Mr. Yellow<br />Mr. Gray</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Independence:</small> <small>Federal State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} '''Faeland''', officially '''Fáel''', is a country in Western Europe. It occupies the entirety of the [[Faeland Island|island of Faeland]] and its smaller surrounding islands, bordered to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea respectively, and to the east and south by the Bay of Biscay, approximately 150 miles from both France and Spain. The territory of the country covers the entirety of the island and the surrounding islets, totaling 33,216 sq. miles and has a temperate seasonal climate. Faelish territory also includes the [[Corioles Islands]] in the North Atlantic. With approximately 37,578,388 inhabitants, it is a rather densely populated country for its size. The island of Faeland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; however, the population remained extremely low and sparse until the 3rd century B.C. Since that time, many different ethnic groups have established a presence. The result is a culturally diverse country that until modern times only rarely saw peace among its inhabitants. Faeland is a federal democratic republic comprised of nearly autonomous states, considered constitutionally to be sovereign and independent of each other. While the states do operate nearly independently, there is much cooperation between all the polities, and citizens of any state are granted full rights to travel to any other member state of the federation. While the constitution provides the only official name as "Fáel" (the ancient indigenous name for the island), a constitutional act provided an official ''description'' of the country as the ''Federated Republics of Faeland'' in 1935, amended in 1955 to the ''Federated States of Faeland'', to account for the re-establishment of a monarchy in one of the member states (cf. [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]]). Faeland is a member of the United Nations but, as a staunchly neutral country, has opted out of inclusion in the European Union. Despite this, it has adopted the Euro, and conforms occasionally to many of the economic practices of the E.U. It should be remembered, however, that where some states may conform, others may not, creating for a patchwork of economic laws (Oddly, free trade ''within'' the country largely negates the ill effects of some states' practices). While some in Faeland see joining the E.U. as a necessity to progress, no steps can be taken until there is unilateral consensus among the member states, which is not easily achieved. The Federated States have a long history of neutrality— they have never been in a state of war internationally since 1925. Faeland comprises several linguistic and cultural regions. Faels, Fallones, Irish, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Norwegians, and French are all present. The Federated States therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (socialism, direct democracy, neutrality) and a proud sense of self-determination for their long-occupied island. The establishment of the Federated States then, was an act of anti-colonialism and sodality more so than nationalism. =Name= ''Main Article: [[Names of Faeland]]'', ''[[Demonyms of the Faelish People]]'' The earliest recorded name for the island of Faeland was listed by the Greek geographer Strabo around 20 A.D. in his ''Geographica'' as "Bounessos," believed to mean something akin to "mountain-island." This name, however, was completely fabricated and never seems to have taken root, as the local inhabitants always called the island "Fáel," from a local word meaning wolf. With the coming of the Roman empire in the 40s A.D., the Emperor Claudius established several colonies of soldiers on the island and created a nominal province called "Gallia Maritima" (Gaul-on-the-Sea). As the empire collapsed, however, Fáel resumed its prominence as a name for the island. The general chaos of the ensuing Dark Ages led to many political entities forming on the island, with relatively few incorporating Fáel into their names. From this point to nearly modern times, Fáel referred exclusively to the island itself and not the states resident. With the coming of the British in the early nineteenth century, the English name "Faeland" became an ever more popular term for the island, and has currency there even today, as English remains a lingua franca for the diverse population. When independence was achieved from the United Kingdom in 1925, the constitution referred to the new country as Fáel. It was thought that this would help forge a common link among all the various ethnicities that currently inhabit the island. Later, by further constitutional acts, the official description of the state was agreed to be the Federated States of Faeland. The wording of the description is meant to imply that the whole of the country is really not in itself a complete body politic, but in fact an amalgam of sovereign and separate nation-states. The federal government sees itself as the administrative apparatus of a federation, not a fused and unitary government for a nation-state. = History = [[File:Faeland.png|thumb|Modern Faeland]] ''Main Article: [[History of Faeland]]'' The History of Faeland can be divided into four major periods based on political developments. The first is the Antique Period, running from prehistoric times until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west (some scholars put the end of the Antique Period nearer to the 10th century A.D. with the coming of the [[History of the Norse in Faeland|Vikings]]); the Medieval Period, following through until the early 16th century; the Colonial Period, which lasted from the first Spanish settlements until independence from the United Kingdom in 1925; and finally the Modern Period, marred by costly Civil War and followed by rapid growth and modernization that continues today. =Government= ''Main Article: [[Government of Faeland]]'' Faeland is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Although ambitious, this bottom heavy framework has had some drawbacks, with sovereign states having the ability to veto "federal" legislation. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]. The articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Member States== [[File:States.png|right]] ''Main Article: [[Member States]]'' Faeland comprises 11 states which are classified as Pages or Forals, and a territorial protectorate: the Corioles Islands. ===The [[Pages and Forals|Pages]]=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The [[Pages and Forals|Forals]]=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx =Foreign Relations= Faeland avoids alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action and has maintained official neutrality since 1935. Faeland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and has recently served as an intermediary between other states. Despite unofficial discourse, Faeland is the only European country to not recognize the United States of America as part of its policy towards nations which it deems have or have operated systems of genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, etc. Interestingly, many American Indian and First Nations tribes have embassies in [[Cathír na Fil]]. =Geography, Climate, and Environment= ''Main Article: [[Geography of Faeland]]'' [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faeland Topography''']] Coastal mountains surround central plains, and the northern of the two largest peninsulas is mountainous nearly to its coast. The highest peak is [[Mt. Ryan]] in the Riocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) at 4,712 ft. The River Verdan, at 320 miles is the longest river in Faeland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Faeland's least arable land lies in the southeastern [[Vincennes Basin]]. This area is largely mountainous and rocky, with dramatic vistas overlooking dry plains. The southernmost point of the island of Faeland is [[Cape Finnnimund|Cape Finnimund]]. The southernmost point of the Faelish Isles is located on [[Eris| Eris Isle]], part of the [[Orwel Isles]] archipelago. ''Main Article: [[Climate of Faeland]]'' The climate is generally one of cool winters and mild summers, with mild winters and warm summers along the southern Biscay coast. There is much regional variation, however, as the island on its western shore borders the Gulf Stream and polar Jet Stream. ''Main Article: [[Environmentalism in Faeland]]'' Faeland is ranked 3rd in Europe and 9th globally on the Environmental Performance Index. After unification in 1935, the Kingdom of Faeland initiated a far-reaching land reform initiative aimed at dismantling the British plantation system that had been imposed on the interior. As the cultural mores of the 60's began to unfold, the land reform took on an somewhat radical environmentalist character, and ever since the Kingdom has led the way within Faeland in environmental protection, preservation, and restoration. Many of the other states have also begun their own initiatives. As they catch up to the Kingdom's standards, Faeland could likely supersede its European rivals for environmental responsibility. =Demographics= ''Main article: [[Demography of Faeland]]'' Census data is collected from all parts of Faeland every ten years. The Directory is responsible for collecting the data from each state within the Federation. How and when the individual states conduct their censuses varies, but all data submitted to the Faelish General Government must be the most recent information available. ==Population== According to the most recent census, the total population of the Federated States of Faeland was 36,986,541. Current population growth is due equally to net immigration and a rising birth rate and increased life expectancy. Estimates revealed that Faeland is now home to more people of pensionable age than children under the age of 16. The population density of Faeland is 436.8/km²; with a particular concentration in Falcatta, New Norwich and [[The Shore]], and Cathír na Fíl. Recent estimates put populations as follows: {| !State !Population !&nbsp;% |- |[[Federated Dhíall| The Dhíall]] | - | - |- |[[Caudian Republic| Cauda]] | - | - |- |[[Dominion of Litus| Lito]] | - | - |- |[[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]] | - | - |- |[[Ríocht Fíl| The Midlands]] | - | - |- |[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| The Aroës]] | - | - |- |[[Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]] | - | - |- |[[New Norwich]] | - | - |- |[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]] | - | - |- |[[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]] | - | - |- |[[Respublica Falciana| Falcatta]] | - | - |} ==Ethnic Groups== =Education= ''Main Article: [[Education in Faeland]]'' Education in Faeland varies widely. All member states are, by right, in control of their own educational systems. While this provides extreme variance in curricula, all of the member states enjoy high literacy rates and excellent school systems. The country has several noted universities, most dating from the 18th and 19th century, but a few from as far back as the late middle ages. Globally, Faeland is known for producing excellent graduates in the fields of environmental research, political science, linguistics, international communications, information technology, and archeology. Less glamorous but equally acknowledged, Faeland has also produced a large number of renowned Classical scholars. =Economy= ''Main Article: [[Economy of Faeland]]'' Faeland is one of the world's wealthier nations, with a high per-capita income, a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Faeland is a mixed market socialized state, ranking lower than the U.S. but higher than most western European nations on the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom. Since the early 1990s, Faeland’s economy has been growing rapidly with low unemployment and large government surpluses on the federal level. Today Faeland closely resembles Canada in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. The economy of the Federated States is modern and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 73% of exports, and employs 32% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Faeland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in the technology sector. =Defense= ''Main Article: [[Military in Faeland]]'' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. =Culture= ''Main articles: [[Culture of Faeland]], [[Freedom of the press in Faeland]], and [[Education in Faeland]]'' Faeland did not exist as a state until the country's unification in 1935. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the island of Faeland, many traditions, customs, and cultural attributes that are now recognized as distinctly Faelish can be identified more accurately by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social separation of these regions, Faeland's internal intercourse is very affable. A native poet once wrote, "At home I am Cadiano ([sic] cf. ''Caudiano''), abroad, I am Fáel." == Languages of Faeland == ''Main article: [[Languages of Faeland]]'' [[File:Knowledge-of-faelish.png|thumb|Knowledge of Faelish]] The term "languages" is used because unlike many countries, Faeland has no unifying common root language that is used across all of its lands. The lingua franca of the nation, English, is in fact an import. The [[Faelish Language|Faelish language]] is native only to [[Ríocht Fíl]], elsewhere it is considered a second language. The [[Organic Law|constitution]] of Faeland states that all languages have equal value and protection, therefore all languages are granted freedom of use and propagation. Even though there are official languages, Faeland has become a virtual archive of languages, with minority communities establishing themselves across the island. ==Religion== NOTES:the government is legally prohibited from recognising any religion (except for legacy statutes like those of military chaplains). Instead, it merely recognises religious organisations, according to formal legal criteria that do not address religious doctrine. Conversely, religious organisations should refrain from intervening in policy-making. Tensions occasionally erupt about alleged discrimination against minorities. ==Literature== The literary traditions represented on the island vary widely, and each region has its own attributes and volume of work that has uniquely contributed to the Faelish corpus. Even though there is a disproportionately high amount of literature produced in the Dhíall, a certain Faelish perspective can be found in the literature of all the states of the island. However, the hybrid flavor is relatively new and the product of recent unification, but which promises a boom in creative output from the country as it learns more about itself as a single culture. ==Science== ==Music== ==Sport== Popular sports include football, and in certain regions Gaelic football and hurling. Stadio di ???? is the largest stadium in Faeland and was the venue for the 1987 FIFA World Cup final. Faeland also hosts the annual [[Faelish Tour]], a road bicycle race modeled on the three Grand Tours. Faeland is also\ famous for its Cafe Racing Association (the only cafe-style motorcycle racing association in the world). 2090 3995 2009-11-11T03:12:09Z Faeland 1086271 moved [[Faeland Island]] to [[Faelish Isles]] #REDIRECT [[Faelish Isles]] 2089 3990 2009-11-11T02:45:41Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'The term '''Faelish''' most often refers to either the language or the people. *[[Faelish Language]] *[[Faelish People]] [[Category:Faelish]]' The term '''Faelish''' most often refers to either the language or the people. *[[Faelish Language]] *[[Faelish People]] [[Category:Faelish]] 2002 3689 2009-01-04T20:46:56Z Faeland 1086271 New page: '''Faeland''' is the larger of the two main islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the... '''Faeland''' is the larger of the two main islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 18.7 million people. It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Faelish Isles. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos. Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3690 2009-01-04T20:51:37Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''' is the larger of the two main islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 18.7 million people. It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Faelish Isles. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3692 2009-01-04T20:57:20Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''' is the larger of the two main islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 18.7 million people. It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Faelish Isles. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). [[image:Faelishisles.png|thumb|right|'''Faelish Isles''']] Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3706 2009-01-04T21:17:43Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''' is the larger of the two main islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 18.7 million people (9th behind Mindanao, Phillipines). It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Faelish Isles. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). [[image:Faelishisles.png|thumb|right|'''Faelish Isles''']] Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3963 2009-11-11T01:24:29Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''' is the larger of the two main islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 18.7 million people (9th behind Mindanao, Phillipines). It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Faelish Isles. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faelish Isles''']] Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3964 2009-11-11T01:26:02Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''' is the largest of the islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 18.7 million people (9th behind Mindanao, Phillipines). It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Federated States of Faeland. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faelish Isles''']] Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3965 2009-11-11T01:28:36Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''' is the largest of the islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 37.5 million people (35th behind Poland). It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Federated States of Faeland. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faelish Isles''']] Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Republic of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3968 2009-11-11T01:31:55Z Faeland 1086271 '''Faeland''' is the largest of the islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 37.5 million people (35th behind Poland). It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Federated States of Faeland. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faelish Isles''']] Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 3994 2009-11-11T03:12:09Z Faeland 1086271 moved [[Faeland Island]] to [[Faelish Isles]] '''Faeland''' is the largest of the islands of the [[Faelish Isles]], the fourth largest island in Europe and the thirteenth largest island in the world. Faeland is also one of the more populated islands on earth, with a population of 37.5 million people (35th behind Poland). It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe, with Ireland to the north, and makes up the largest part of the territory of the Federated States of Faeland. It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets, including two archipelagos ([[Orwel Isles]] and the [[Aroëse Archipelago]]). [[image:Faelandtopo.png|thumb|right|'''Faelish Isles''']] Of the member nations of the FSF, all but one ([[Democratic Republic of the Aroës| Aroës]]) are principally located on the island of Faeland. They are the [[Federated Dhíall| Dhiáll]], [[Caudian Republic| Cauda]], [[Dominion of Litus| Lito]], [[Federation of the Latin Coast| Pentapoli]], the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]], [[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante| Vila do Infante]], [[New Norwich]], [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix| New Aix]], [[Santiago de Fuelaterra| Santiago]], and [[Respublica Falciana| Falx]]. [[Category: Geography]] 2088 3989 2009-11-11T02:44:34Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with '''This article is about the Faelish Language. For other uses of the term, see [[Faelish (disambiguation)]].''' ''This article is about the Faelish Language. For other uses of the term, see [[Faelish (disambiguation)]].'' 2124 4147 2010-04-12T03:22:56Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'The Faeligh Tour, also simply known as The Tour, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in [[island o…' The Faeligh Tour, also simply known as The Tour, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in [[island of Faeland|Faeland]]. It is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The most recent winner (2009) is Gianni Campidoglio. 4148 2010-04-12T03:23:06Z Faeland 1086271 The Faeligh Tour, also simply known as The Tour, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in [[island of Faeland|Faeland]]. It is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The most recent winner (2009) is Gianni Campidoglio. 2026 3774 2009-02-11T00:49:46Z Faeland 1086271 New page: The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified st... The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = 3776 2009-02-11T00:52:26Z Faeland 1086271 /* Origins */ The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = 3777 2009-02-11T01:14:31Z Faeland 1086271 The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-100 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. = The Doldrums = 3778 2009-02-11T01:25:50Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Doldrums */ The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-100 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. 3779 2009-02-11T01:28:40Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Doldrums */ The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-100 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. The Second Faelish Army, often called Second Group from its polyglot nature, pushed east toward Litus, where it encountered heavy British resistance, despite having acquired approximately 10,000 volunteers since leaving Althóan. = The war in Litus = 3782 2009-02-11T05:21:52Z Faeland 1086271 [[image:faeland1921.png|thumb|right|Faeland on the eve of revolution.]] The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-100 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. The Second Faelish Army, often called Second Group from its polyglot nature, pushed east toward Litus, where it encountered heavy British resistance, despite having acquired approximately 10,000 volunteers since leaving Althóan. = The war in Litus = 3786 2009-02-11T05:44:37Z Faeland 1086271 [[image:faeland1921.svg|thumb|right|Faeland on the eve of revolution.]] The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-100 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. The Second Faelish Army, often called Second Group from its polyglot nature, pushed east toward Litus, where it encountered heavy British resistance, despite having acquired approximately 10,000 volunteers since leaving Althóan. = The war in Litus = 3787 2009-02-11T05:45:56Z Faeland 1086271 [[image:faeland1921.png|thumb|right|Faeland on the eve of revolution.]] The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-100 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. The Second Faelish Army, often called Second Group from its polyglot nature, pushed east toward Litus, where it encountered heavy British resistance, despite having acquired approximately 10,000 volunteers since leaving Althóan. = The war in Litus = 3826 2009-09-26T19:01:54Z Faeland 1086271 /* Battle of Althóan */ [[image:faeland1921.png|thumb|right|Faeland on the eve of revolution.]] The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-1000 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. [[File:Althoan_fight.jpg|thumb|British troops enter Althóan.]] Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. [[File:Althoan_fight_2.jpg|thumb]] The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. [[File:Althoan_fight_3.jpg|thumb|Unquartered British Troops]] = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. The Second Faelish Army, often called Second Group from its polyglot nature, pushed east toward Litus, where it encountered heavy British resistance, despite having acquired approximately 10,000 volunteers since leaving Althóan. = The war in Litus = 3827 2009-09-26T19:03:22Z Faeland 1086271 /* Battle of Althóan */ [[image:faeland1921.png|thumb|right|Faeland on the eve of revolution.]] The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-1000 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. [[File:Althoan_fight.jpg|thumb|British troops enter Althóan.]] Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. [[File:Althoan_fight_2.jpg|left|thumb]] The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. [[File:Althoan_fight_3.jpg|thumb|Unquartered British Troops]] = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. The Second Faelish Army, often called Second Group from its polyglot nature, pushed east toward Litus, where it encountered heavy British resistance, despite having acquired approximately 10,000 volunteers since leaving Althóan. = The war in Litus = 4072 2010-01-12T10:20:52Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories [[image:faeland1921.png|thumb|right|Faeland on the eve of revolution.]] The '''Faelish War of Independence''' is a term used to describe the initial revolt against British rule in the Faelish Isles and the succeeding internal conflict to establish a unified state. It lasted from February 1921 to October 1935. = Origins = [[image:Vets.jpg|thumb|right|IRA veterans in Kingston]] When the Irish War of Independence began in 1919, Faeland remained peaceful, if tense. As the battles escalated, the IRA saw fit to use the Irish-settled Dhiall region of Faeland as a munitions cache and training base. Only later in the war did the British have the resources to begin allocating troops to thwart this activity, and by then the fight was largely over. Seeing that the British were near capitulation, orders were sent to begin hostilities against occupying forces on Faeland, and as the war drew to a close in Ireland, many IRA soldiers made their way to Faeland to begin a push to liberate the island. In February of 1921 in the city of [[Kilgare]] the [[Faelish Republican Army]] was established, largely composed of Irish veterans. With a stated goal of continuing the fight to purge the British from Celtic lands, the first attacks were made on minor outposts in Kilgare, Kingston and Bell's Wharf. = Initial march to the Kingdom of Faeland = Despite the establishment of an IRA counterpart, native and mixed Faels in both the Dhiall and neighboring Duchy territories formed their own Faelish Independence Battalion to assist the Irish rebels in their advance. This would be repeated in many localized areas of fighting; and politics and names would often overlap and contradict each other. The principal tactic of the combined forces (numbering only around 2,000 irregular soldiers) was to push strait through the British Duchy to the capital in [[Althóan]]. Despite little resistance along the line of advance, the combined FRA-FIB force arrived in the capital haphazardly. It had been a necessary precaution to scatter themselves along a wide front to avoid wholesale capture or ambush. Their arrival in the city was marked by fear on the part of the relatively small British garrison, who stayed in their fortress a full two days before sallying forth to find partisans. == Battle of Althóan == This move allowed the rebel forces to fan out across the city and take up residence in private homes. As it became apparent in the first 48 hours that the British were not likely to attack outright nor arrest civilians, an estimated 500-1000 volunteers joined the ranks of both Faelish forces. Thus strengthened, the FRA were the first to rally themselves for a direct attack. Forming in XXX Park, it was discovered only too late that the British had made the first move. [[File:Althoan_fight.jpg|thumb|British troops enter Althóan.]] Many of the troops scattered across the city to take up firing positions in apartment buildings and pick off enemy soldiers as they could. The British forces under XXXX split themselves in to separate units, and one retreated to reoccupy Fort XXXX in the event of attack by Faelish forces in the rear. [[File:Althoan_fight_2.jpg|left|thumb]] The entire situation quickly deteriorated as both sides sent smaller and smaller units into neighboring buildings, hoping to take up positions in as many places as possible before the opposing forces could. Within days, no one could operate freely outside any structures, and the battle began moving to the rooftops and sewers, as soldiers attempted to surprise their enemies. AS fighting continued, several hundred more volunteers entered the city from neighboring suburbs and towns in an effort to turn the tide. As homes began to refuse British troops quarter, it became apparent that no forces could arrive within time to relieve the situation, and Duke XXXX permitted Gen. XXXX to surrender, on condition that the British troops could withdraw to Litus. Initially this was agreed upon, but soon fighting broke out among Faelish forces as to the fate of the defeated British. Reports came in from the west that British garrisons were consolidating for a move to liberate Althóan, and it was decided that all British troops and administration would be imprisoned in FT. XXX. [[File:Althoan_fight_3.jpg|thumb|Unquartered British Troops]] = The Doldrums = With British troops at their backs and rumors of a force gathering to their west in [[Tharcladda]], the Faelish forces were unable to move. While some argued 'elimination' of the British under their control, after one and half tense weeks, it was decided to leave a garrison in Althóan and sent two detachments forth from the city. The first group, composed mainly of FIB recruits, was sent west to intercept any British reinforcements, while the largely Irish FRA moved for Litus. Both groups were receiving recruits daily and, despite lack of heavy arms, many arrived with rifles and handguns, but little ammunition. The First Faelish Army, as it was called, arrived at [[Muiris]] and began fortifying its position, unsure what level of preparedness the British might have ahead in Tharcladda. The arrival of Portuguese and Spanish volunteers from the south bolstered their strength and supplied limited ammunition. Additionally, it added another political element to the fight, as many of these men were socialists and other political outcasts from the Iberian peninsula. A significant number, as well, were Basque. Reports were vague, but it seemed the British were confined to Tharcladda, but well stocked and likely to move forward. As it turned out, The force at Muiris would endure siege after seige during the war, only relieved by Caudan/Infantine forces. This, however, effectively pinned down the western British forces and provided ample time for the Second Group to advance on Litus, where the fighting was much more brutal. The Second Faelish Army, often called Second Group from its polyglot nature, pushed east toward Litus, where it encountered heavy British resistance, despite having acquired approximately 10,000 volunteers since leaving Althóan. = The war in Litus = [[Category:History]] 2049 3845 2009-09-28T06:32:40Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'With the founding of Falcatta by the II Augusta legion in xxx, leading officers took on the mantle of administration of the city, and in time came to be considered the fathers of…' With the founding of Falcatta by the II Augusta legion in xxx, leading officers took on the mantle of administration of the city, and in time came to be considered the fathers of the city. The families of those principal officers are considered the Major Houses. Over the course of history, other families have gained prominence and been named Patricians of the city as well. Only the four original families can elevate a new family to the rank of Patrician, and only by unanimous decision. This has happened only seventeen times in the city's history. Maiores: * [[Vorena * [[Fasta]] * [[Livia]] * [[Rutilia]] Minores: * [[Termia]] * [[Hasta]] * [[Clipea]] * [[Velita]] * [[Hamata]] * [[Trebia]] * [[Procilla]] * [[Praeco]] * [[Litavicca]] * [[Aenia]] * [[Aufidia]] * [[Ursa]] * [[Gallina]] * [[Fratra]] * [[Latrunav]] * [[Arverna]] * [[Hirtia]] [[Category:People]] [[Category:Falcatta]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Respublica Falciana]] 3846 2009-09-28T06:33:04Z Faeland 1086271 With the founding of Falcatta by the II Augusta legion in xxx, leading officers took on the mantle of administration of the city, and in time came to be considered the fathers of the city. The families of those principal officers are considered the Major Houses. Over the course of history, other families have gained prominence and been named Patricians of the city as well. Only the four original families can elevate a new family to the rank of Patrician, and only by unanimous decision. This has happened only seventeen times in the city's history. Maiores: * [[Vorena]] * [[Fasta]] * [[Livia]] * [[Rutilia]] Minores: * [[Termia]] * [[Hasta]] * [[Clipea]] * [[Velita]] * [[Hamata]] * [[Trebia]] * [[Procilla]] * [[Praeco]] * [[Litavicca]] * [[Aenia]] * [[Aufidia]] * [[Ursa]] * [[Gallina]] * [[Fratra]] * [[Latrunav]] * [[Arverna]] * [[Hirtia]] [[Category:People]] [[Category:Falcatta]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Respublica Falciana]] 3847 2009-09-28T12:51:17Z Faeland 1086271 With the founding of Falcatta by the II Augusta legion in xxx, leading officers took on the mantle of administration of the city, and in time came to be considered the fathers of the city. The families of those principal officers are considered the Major Houses. Over the course of history, other families have gained prominence and been named Patricians of the city as well. Only the four original families can elevate a new family to the rank of Patrician, and only by unanimous decision. This has happened only seventeen times in the city's history. Maiores: * [[Vorena]] * [[Fasta]] * [[Livia]] * [[Rutilia]] Minores: * [[Termia]] * [[Hasta]] * [[Soagria]] * [[Velita]] * [[Hamata]] * [[Trebia]] * [[Procilla]] * [[Praeco]] * [[Litavicca]] * [[Aenia]] * [[Aufidia]] * [[Ursa]] * [[Gallina]] * [[Fratra]] * [[Latrunav]] * [[Arverna]] * [[Hirtia]] [[Category:People]] [[Category:Falcatta]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Respublica Falciana]] 2082 3970 2009-11-11T01:47:07Z Faeland 1086271 Redirected page to [[Faeland]] #REDIRECT [[Faeland]] 2037 3817 2009-09-26T18:38:53Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'Federation of the Latin Coast Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the …' Federation of the Latin Coast Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the hinterland more ably than the principal cities could, and as an acknowledgement of their size and culture. According to Pentapoli's constitution they have the status of colonia, and manage ther own affairs with only token subordination to the other cities. That is, they do not vote on foreign affairs, but all other matters. Other small towns etc., are subject to their respecti 3818 2009-09-26T18:40:15Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories Federation of the Latin Coast Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the hinterland more ably than the principal cities could, and as an acknowledgement of their size and culture. According to Pentapoli's constitution they have the status of colonia, and manage ther own affairs with only token subordination to the other cities. That is, they do not vote on foreign affairs, but all other matters. Other small towns etc., are subject to their respecti [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Federation of the Latin Coast]] 3860 2009-09-28T14:47:17Z Faeland 1086271 Federation of the Latin Coast Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the hinterland more ably than the principal cities could, and as an acknowledgement of their size and culture. According to Pentapoli's constitution they have the status of colonia, and manage their own affairs with only token subordination to the other cities. That is, they do not vote on foreign affairs, but all other matters. Other small towns etc., are subject to their respective Urbs. [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Federation of the Latin Coast]] 3862 2009-09-28T14:48:09Z Faeland 1086271 Pentapolis Federation of the Latin Coast Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the hinterland more ably than the principal cities could, and as an acknowledgement of their size and culture. According to Pentapoli's constitution they have the status of colonia, and manage their own affairs with only token subordination to the other cities. That is, they do not vote on foreign affairs, but all other matters. Other small towns etc., are subject to their respective Urbs. [[File:Pentapoli.png|thumb]] [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Federation of the Latin Coast]] 3863 2009-09-28T14:48:34Z Faeland 1086271 Federation of the Latin Coast Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the hinterland more ably than the principal cities could, and as an acknowledgement of their size and culture. According to Pentapoli's constitution they have the status of colonia, and manage their own affairs with only token subordination to the other cities. That is, they do not vote on foreign affairs, but all other matters. Other small towns etc., are subject to their respective Urbs. [[File:Pentapoli.png|thumb]] [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Federation of the Latin Coast]] [[Category:Pentapolis]] 3864 2009-09-28T14:49:27Z Faeland 1086271 foederatio litus Latinum Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the hinterland more ably than the principal cities could, and as an acknowledgement of their size and culture. According to Pentapoli's constitution they have the status of colonia, and manage their own affairs with only token subordination to the other cities. That is, they do not vote on foreign affairs, but all other matters. Other small towns etc., are subject to their respective Urbs. [[File:Pentapoli.png|thumb]] [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Federation of the Latin Coast]] [[Category:Pentapolis]] 4004 2009-11-11T19:56:37Z Faeland 1086271 foederatio litus Latinum Pentapoli consists of four of the original cities (Falx separated). Civitanova and Codini were allowed to form not agri but "shores" to defend the hinterland more ably than the principal cities could, and as an acknowledgement of their size and culture. According to Pentapoli's constitution they have the status of colonia, and manage their own affairs with only token subordination to the other cities. That is, they do not vote on foreign affairs, but all other matters. Other small towns etc., are subject to their respective Urbs. {|cellspacing="5" style="background:#efefef; float:right; border:15px white; width: 30%;" !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Federation of the Latin Coast''''' |- !style="background:blue; color:white" colspan="2"|'''''Foederatio Litoris Latini''''' |- |align="center"|[[Image:|125px]]<small>[[Flag]]</small> |align="center"| <small>[[Arms]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Motto:''' |<small></small><br /><small></small> |-valign="top" |'''Anthem:''' |<small></small> |- |colspan="2"| [[image:Pentapoli.png|thumb|center|'''Pentapoli''']] |-valign="top" | '''Capital:''' |[[Fucino]] |-valign="top" |'''Official Language:''' |<small>[[Fallo Language|Fallo]]</small> |-valign="top" |'''Demonym:''' |Fallo |-valign="top" |'''[[Government of Pentapoli|Government:]]''' |<small>Direct Democracy, Confederation</small> |-valign="top" |<small>[[Federal Chancellor]]:</small> |<small></small> |-valign="top" |<small>Directors:</small> |<small></small> |-valign="top" |<small>Diet:</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Last Election:</small> |<small>March 10, 2008</small> |-valign="top" |'''Formation:''' |-valign="top" |Traditional: <small>Independence:</small> <small>Member State:</small> |<small>1925</small><br /><small>1935</small> |-valign="top" |'''Area:''' |-valign="top" |<small>Total:</small> |<small>86,031.1 km²<br />33,216.8 sq. mi.</small> |-valign="top" |<small>Water (%):</small> |<small>5.3</small> |-valign="top" |'''Population:''' |-valign="top" |<small>2009 Estimate:</small> |<small>37,578,388</small> |-valign="top" |<small>2006 Census</small> |<small>36,986,541</small> |-valign="top" |'''Currency:''' |Euro |-valign="top" |'''Time Zone:''' |UTC+2 |-valign="top" |'''Internet TLD:''' |.fe |} [[Category:States of Faeland]] [[Category:Pages]] [[Category:Federation of the Latin Coast]] [[Category:Pentapolis]] 2015 3729 2009-01-05T01:21:28Z Faeland 1086271 New page: Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. 4139 2010-01-30T20:35:16Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Gallia-maritima.png|thumb|Gallia Maritima]] Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. 2044 3830 2009-09-28T02:21:23Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with ' That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and u…' That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern itself and determine its own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' The General Government shall consist of three chambers. The Directory shall administer the federation as a whole, including public works, foreign policy, defense, and inter-state relations. The Diet shall ratify legislation brought before it by the Directory. 3831 2009-09-28T02:22:48Z Faeland 1086271 That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern itself and determine its own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' The General Government shall consist of three chambers. The Directory shall administer the federation as a whole, including public works, foreign policy, defense, and inter-state relations. The Diet shall ratify legislation brought before it by the Directory. Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx 3832 2009-09-28T02:23:21Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx 3899 2009-10-27T19:10:34Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Federal Chancellor== ==Diet== ==Directory== ===Member States=== ====The Pages==== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ====The Free Cities==== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx 3900 2009-10-27T19:11:20Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Federal Chancellor== ==Diet== ==Directory== ==Member States== ===The Pages=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The Free Cities=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx 3901 2009-10-27T19:42:04Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. ==Federal Chancellor== The [[Federal Chancellor]] is the head of the [[Directory]], which acts as the general staff of the federal government and is an administrative body. The office of Chancellor is not a popularly-elected position, and is comparable to a chief operations officer. He or she is named from among the Serving Directors, and approved by the Diet. ==Directory== The [[Directory]] is the 11-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Faeland and serves as the collective head of state. As a federation, the federal government sometimes has limited control over certain aspects of governance. For instance, the Federal Communications Service is not a regulatory agency, but a coordinating service between the Communications Departments of the Member States whereas, for example, the Bureau of the Environment has full authority to overrule any similar office of a Member State. While the entire council is responsible for leading the federal administration of Faeland, each Director heads one of the eleven federal executive departments. (Bureau of the Environment, Bureau of Transportation, Bureau of Energy, Foreign Office, Ministry of the Interior, The Federal Treasury, Ministry for the Economy, Federal Justice Service, Federal Defense Ministry, Federal Communications Service, Ministry for Social Welfare. ==Diet== ==Member States== ===The Pages=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The Free Cities=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx 3902 2009-10-28T01:41:31Z Faeland 1086271 Faeland is a federal republic comprised of eleven [[Member State| Member States]]. The system is highly decentralized, and the top level government functions more as a coordinating and administrative body between autonomous regions than as a legislating government. Faeland's political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1935 constitutional document known as the [[Organic Law]]. By calling the document Organic Law, rather than Constitution, the authors expressed the intention that it should be understood as a binding cooperative agreement between sovereign nation-states. Amendments to the Organic Law generally require a three-fifths majority of the [[Diet]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental human rights, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. The [[Federal Chancellor]], is the head of the [[General Government]] and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in parliamentary democracies. Federal legislative power is vested in the [[Diet]] and the [[Directory]], which together form a unique type of legislative body. The Diet is elected through direct elections in the various states, yet abiding proportional representation. The members of the Directory represent the governments of the eleven autonomous states and are generally members of their respective governments. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time (how this is done varies from one state to another). Although laws binding on all members can be created, in general the Diet discusses matters of finance related to funding the initiatives of the Directory, which coordinates internal activities and external relations (e.g. transportation, defense, diplomacy). Matters such as health care, education, taxation, and to some extent even military matters, are generally the province of the autonomous states within the federation. More recently, in 2006 Faeland and all of its member states agreed to bring the government "online." Since then, most elections and legislation can be accessed via the internet, facilitating near universal access to government data and services. Additionally, this has reduced the paper waste of the government significantly. The offices of government are dispersed throughout the capitals of the eleven Member States. ==Federal Chancellor== The [[Federal Chancellor]] is the head of the [[Directory]], which acts as the general staff of the federal government and is an administrative body. The office of Chancellor is not a popularly-elected position, and is comparable to a chief operations officer. He or she is named from among the Serving Directors, and approved by the Diet. ==Directory== The [[Directory]] is the 11-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Faeland and serves as the collective head of state. As a federation, the federal government sometimes has limited control over certain aspects of governance. For instance, the Federal Communications Service is not a regulatory agency, but a coordinating service between the Communications Departments of the Member States whereas, for example, the Bureau of the Environment has full authority to overrule any similar office of a Member State. While the entire council is responsible for leading the federal administration of Faeland, each Director heads one of the eleven federal executive departments. (Bureau of the Environment, Bureau of Transportation, Bureau of Energy, Foreign Office, Ministry of the Interior, The Federal Treasury, Ministry for the Economy, Federal Justice Service, Federal Defense Ministry, Federal Communications Service, Ministry for Social Welfare.) ==Diet== The [[Diet]] is the federal parliament of Faeland. It is made up of two chambers; the Federal Assembly has 100 seats, and the Federal Council has 22 seats. ==Member States== ===The Pages=== * '''[[Federated Dhíall]]''' - The Dhíall * '''[[Caudian Republic]]''' - Cauda * '''[[Dominion of Litus]]''' - Lito * '''[[Federation of the Latin Coast]]''' - Pentapoli * '''[[Ríocht Fíl]]''' - Kingdom of Faeland/Midlands * '''[[Democratic Republic of the Aroës]]''' - Aroës ===The Free Cities=== * '''[[A Cidade Livre do Vila do Infante]]''' - Vila do Infante * '''[[New Norwich]]''' * '''[[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]]''' - New Aix * '''[[Santiago de Fuelaterra]]''' - Santiago * '''[[Respublica Falciana]]''' - Falx 2050 3848 2009-09-28T13:08:47Z Faeland 1086271 Government According to the reckoning of the government of Falciana, the current constitution is in fact a law that sought to organize and streamline an already existing form of administration already in existence. As such, the constitution is named like any other law, being called simply ''lex'' (law) Hamata, after its principal author. The actual text of the constitution can be read [[lex Hamata|here]], but the following article explains the basic form and functions of the government. 3849 2009-09-28T13:09:35Z Faeland 1086271 According to the reckoning of the government of Falciana, the current constitution is in fact a law that sought to organize and streamline an already existing form of administration already in existence. As such, the constitution is named like any other law, being called simply ''lex'' (law) Hamata, after its principal author. The actual text of the constitution can be read [[lex Hamata|here]], but the following article explains the basic form and functions of the government. [[Category:Government]] [[Category:Law]] [[Category:Respublica Falciana]] [[Category:Constitutions]] [[Category:Forals]] 1983 3655 2008-12-22T15:41:04Z Faeland 1086271 New page: The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E.= ==Prehistory== Faeland has been inhabit... The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E.= ==Prehistory== Faeland has been inhabited since Neolithic times. In the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to display traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hoardes suggest that trade with the Britons may have occurred as well. ==Roman Era== Before the Roman “[[Roman Faeland|conquest]],” urbanization on the island was almost non-existent. Rather, large ‘’oppida’’ type trading posts existed along the continental facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the relatively primitive tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. ===Christianity Arrives=== As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). ==Late Antiquity== With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. =The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512= At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present= When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3671 2008-12-30T20:06:21Z Faeland 1086271 /* Roman Era */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E.= ==Prehistory== Faeland has been inhabited since Neolithic times. In the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to display traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hoardes suggest that trade with the Britons may have occurred as well. == Roman Era == Before the Roman “[[Roman Faeland|conquest]],” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large ‘’oppida’’ type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the relatively primitive tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. === Christianity Arrives === As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). ==Late Antiquity== With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. =The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512= At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present= When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3680 2009-01-04T17:36:34Z Faeland 1086271 The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Neolithic times. In the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to display traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hoardes suggest that trade with the Britons may have occurred as well. == Roman Era == ''Main article: [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the relatively primitive tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the twentieth century]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3681 2009-01-04T17:57:59Z Faeland 1086271 /* Prehistory */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to display traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Roman Era == ''Main article: [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the relatively primitive tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the twentieth century]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3685 2009-01-04T18:07:13Z Faeland 1086271 /* Prehistory */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to incorporate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Roman Era == ''Main article: [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the relatively primitive tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the twentieth century]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3686 2009-01-04T18:08:04Z Faeland 1086271 /* Roman Era */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to incorporate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the relatively primitive tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the twentieth century]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3688 2009-01-04T19:20:34Z Faeland 1086271 /* Ancient Faeland */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to incorporate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the twentieth century]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3722 2009-01-05T00:13:16Z Faeland 1086271 The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to incorporate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the twentieth century]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. With the creation of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified in 1955 to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3773 2009-02-11T00:23:03Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Modern Period: 1925 to the Present */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to incorporate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The citizens of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3780 2009-02-11T02:02:50Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to incorporate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3792 2009-02-19T07:08:51Z Faeland 1086271 /* Ancient Faeland */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but short-lived native civilizations, in the 5th century B.C.E., the inhabitants began to incorporate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3870 2009-10-02T04:51:55Z Faeland 1086271 /* Prehistory */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shockwaves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Aroës Isles, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to immigrate to the mainland (primarily in what would become Dhíall). More Viking bases were established along the coasts adjacent to France and Spain. The history of the island until the middle of the Renaissance is largely a story of the strife between the Faelo-Roman settlements of the northeast, the native Fáels of the interior, and the recently settled Vikings. This coupled with religious strife (Faeland was largely non-Christian well into the 17th century, despite a crusade) left the island relatively unfettered by Continental affairs. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3889 2009-10-14T04:27:01Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhiall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emmigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3894 2009-10-14T04:39:24Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, Faeland remained largely untouched by the invasions, and its political and cultural landscape were still largely unchanged since Hadrianic times. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falx could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhiall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emmigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3920 2009-11-09T19:28:20Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. === Christianity Arrives === ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire. While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled province increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50% increase) during the 5th and 6th centuries. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3921 2009-11-09T19:29:53Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 700 C.E. */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3922 2009-11-09T19:34:34Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Medieval Period: ca. 700 - 1512 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. = The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E. = == Prehistory == ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. == Ancient Faeland == ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' === Late Antiquity === With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== == Christianity Arrives == ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). === The Viking Age === [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. = The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 = ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. = The Modern Period: Independence = ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. = The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present = With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3923 2009-11-09T19:48:37Z Faeland 1086271 The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3924 2009-11-09T20:20:29Z Faeland 1086271 /* The "Alan Invasion" */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness. A bishopric was only created in Falx in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3925 2009-11-09T20:27:09Z Faeland 1086271 /* Christianity Arrives */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3927 2009-11-09T20:42:40Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Viking Age */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 3983 2009-11-11T02:21:11Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 4073 2010-01-12T10:24:35Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession, when the Spanish surrender of the island to the British left France on Faeland with no allies. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 4074 2010-01-12T10:34:50Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.jpg|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession. When the Spanish surrendered its territory on the island to French, conflict with the British seemed inevitable. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 4075 2010-01-12T10:38:44Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.png|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession. When the Spanish surrendered its territory on the island to French, conflict with the British seemed inevitable. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 4078 2010-01-12T10:43:20Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.png|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession. When the Spanish surrendered its territory on the island to French, conflict with the British seemed inevitable. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 4080 2010-01-12T10:57:01Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925 */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' [[File:Elizabethan.png|thumb|Elizabethan Faeland]] As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.png|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession. When the Spanish surrendered its territory on the island to French, conflict with the British seemed inevitable. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no official involvement in World War II. Various free units, however, were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies. And some minor naval engagements and shore skirmishes did take place as the Germans considered taking the island. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 4103 2010-01-19T08:35:37Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' [[File:Elizabethan.png|thumb|Elizabethan Faeland]] As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.png|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession. When the Spanish surrendered its territory on the island to French, conflict with the British seemed inevitable. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== Only a year after independence, civil war erupted in Spain. Cauda, with strong ties to the country, was naturally inclined to participate. A weak federal Faeland could do little to stop regular and irregular troops from going off to fight the Francoist forces, and many Caudian units (along with a lesser amount of other Faels) went off to help the Republican cause, fighting mostly from Basque Country or from safe-houses in Gascony. Although there was limited support for the Nationalist cause in Cauda, no more than a handful of combatants managed to leave and fight (and all individually). In fact, there was much violence in Cauda over the matter as the Caudian governments' sympathy for the Republican cause led to non-interference when Nationalist sympathizers were accosted. ''(See [[Faeland in the Spanish Civil War]])'' As well as the Caudians, some Irish Faels went to Spain specifically to fight the Blueshirts. When they were went home by Franco, the Irish Faels sought out their Caudian comrades and assisted them in their fight. Faeland is a neutral country, and as such had no intention of participating in World War II. Nazi Germany however saw the island as a potential threat and repeatedly bombed and attacked the shore, seeking to establish safe ports for u-boats. Despite official neutrality, various free units were independently raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies with unofficial support from the federal government. Some members of the Directory sought to provide bases for the Allies, but it was feared this would lead to more intense bombing from the Germans, who were focused on the fight for British skies. Nevertheless, the western approaches were heavily patrolled and the far coast was a safe haven for many convoys during the war. With all the neutrality, many Faels had ties to the Continent, including a large Jewish population. With Allied help, an independent decoy invasion was planned to attack Brittany, but the attempt was deemed suicidal due to the distance between the coasts. Nevertheless, after the D-Day landings, the Faels sailed to the Breton shores and sought out Allied troops and French Resistance, providing aid where they could. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 4158 2010-04-14T03:46:06Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present */ The '''History of Faeland''' spans several centuries, from the Late Iron Age until modern times. =The Antique Period: Prehistory to ca. 400 C.E.= ==Prehistory== ''Main article: [[Prehistoric Faeland]]'' [[File:Paleofael.png|thumb|Paleolithic Cultures]] Faeland has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Despite many strong but relatively short-lived native civilizations, in the 3rd century B.C.E., the inhabitants begin to demonstrate traits associated with the La Tène culture from mainland Europe, as well as rapid cultural homogenization across the island. Coastal trade flourished between Faeland and its neighbors in what would become France and Spain, and some coin hordes suggest that trade with the Britons occurred as well. = Ancient Faeland = ''Main article: [[Ancient Faeland]] & [[Roman Faeland]]'' [[image:tribes.png|thumb|right|'''Pre-Roman Tribes''']] Before the Roman “conquest,” urbanization on the island was limited. Rather, large oppida-type trading posts existed along the Continent-facing coast, and a handful of hinterland trading centers/tribal strongholds followed migratory paths to the interior. During the Gallic Wars, Caesar raised a legion specifically to subdue any threats on the island, but full scale invasion was never possible. Legend reports that when the Roman emperor Claudius completed his conquest of Britain, it was Caractacus who suggested that the emperor settle his troops on the fertile northern coastal plains of Faeland. Thus followed the brief visit of Claudius to the island (the only emperor to do so besides Hadrian) and the creation of the new Senatorial Gallia Maritima province. While a formal territory of the empire, affective Roman control rarely extended past the principal five military colonies of the northeast. Military operations into the interior were mostly of a preemptive nature, and never secured further bases inland. Despite its Senatorial status, the province was often under the command of a Prefect, as the only military units were auxiliaries drawn from the colonists and assimilated natives. The need for more men under arms was lessened further when Hadrian visited the island and ordered a second wall (the first being in Britain) constructed, which the tribal warriors found to be an affective deterrent. Because of the limited intrusion of the Romans, and the fact that they were an effective deterrent to other invasions (the Roman Empire absorbed most migrations until its collapse in the 5th century CE), La Tène culture survived intact longer in Faeland than anywhere else. = The Medieval Period: ca. 400 - 1512 = ''Main article: [[Faeland in the Middle Ages]]'' == Late Antiquity == With the collapse of the Western Empire and the relentless Barbarian Invasions, Faeland became a last redoubt for many Gallo-Roman families. The attraction of greater wealth around the Mediterranean led to many a tribe passing over the island in their marches into the empire (with the exception of the so-called "Alans"). While the numbers are difficult to determine, it is known that the population of the walled [[province]] increased considerably (estimates range from 30%-50%) during the 5th and 6th centuries. ==The "Alan Invasion"== Originally a Sarmatian tribe from the Caucasus, the "Alans" known to Faeland were a largely assimilated group of people from Armorica and Brettany who migrated to Faeland under pressure from first Syagrius and then the Franks. Ethnically they were of Gallo-Roman and Alani stock, but their language reflected more of the latter than the former. ===Origins=== Around 370, the Alans were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Suebi in their invasion of Roman Gaul. Another group of Alans, led by Goar, crossed the Rhine at the same time, but immediately joined the Romans and settled in Gaul. In Gaul, the Alans were settled by the Roman Magister Militum Aetius in several areas, notably around Orléans and Valentia. Under Goar's successor Sangiban, the Alans of Orléans played a critical role in repelling the invasion of Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. After the 5th century, however, the Alans of Gaul were subsumed in the territorial struggles between the Franks and the Visigoths, and ceased to have an independent existence. Flavius Aetius settled large numbers of Alans in and around Armorica in order to quell unrest. Later, when Syagrius was fighting to keep the Franks at bay in his rump province of Gaul, many "Alan" horsemen from the west were sent to Faeland to settle and send back supplies and horses. Ultimately, Syagrius was assassinated and the Franks assumed control of the territory the Alans had settled. ===Settlement=== As Frankish power grew, many Alan-descended people saw Faeland as an opportunity to escape Frankish service. They migrated in great numbers, and with such varied backgrounds that upon settling, most quickly absorbed the local language. ===Kingdom=== Many of the Alans settled at the confluence of the X and X Rivers, where they founded the city Aln. Shortly thereafter, a Kingdom of Aln was established. With the relatively friendliness of the Latin Coast to the north, The new kingdom sought expansion into the heartland of the island, encountering the local kingdoms and battling them one by one. By 1400, the kingdom had largely shifted its way inland, and Aln itself was largely a backwater border town. The capital long since having followed the royal court, which was now deep in the interior, at [[Althóan]], and based largely in the Faelic Plain. ==Christianity Arrives== ''Main article: [[History of Christianity in Faeland]]'' As a backwater territory, the tide of Christianity rose slowly in Faeland, to such a degree that it was largely considered a haven for pagans and heretics alike. The Aroës islands in particular were prized by monks for their remoteness, as was the Dhíall shore. A bishopric was only created in Falcatta in 698 C.E., the island previously having been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nantes (in France). However, the Pentapolis saw the religion to be under the control of the barbarian kingdoms and did little to help the spread of the faith. Because of this, much of the spread of Christianity was undertaken by lay ascetics. Indeed, the other major political force of medieval Faeland, the Kingdom of Aln (later the medieval Kingdom of Faeland) had only token representation both to and from the Vatican. == The Viking Age == [[File:Viking1.jpg|thumb|First Viking Invasions]] At the dawning of the Viking Age, northern Faeland remained largely untouched by the Great Migrations of Germanic peoples, who had overrun much of the Roman Empire. In fact, it had become such a bastion of Western learning that it had drawn the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw the island as seething with paganism. But before the new Bishop of Falcatta could begin to consolidate control over the island, the first recorded raids of the Norsemen began, which, like the rest of Europe, sent shock waves through Faeland. The Pentapolis was assaulted on numerous occasions, but in large part managed to hold off its assailants. Rebuffed, the Viking marauders often turned to the easy pickings of the Dhíall, densely packed with relatively defenseless monasteries. The attacks forced many of the monks to emigrate to the interior (primarily in what would become the Kingdom of Faeland). Viking camps were established along the the Atlantic coast and heavily in the Aroës archipelago. ''See [[History of the Norse in Faeland]]''. == The Nantes Crusade == (So named for the port of exit of the expedition, not its target) =The Colonial Period: 1512 - 1925= ''Main articles: [[Early Modern Faeland]] & [[Demesne Faeland]] (19th century)'' [[File:Elizabethan.png|thumb|Elizabethan Faeland]] As the Age of Exploration began, interest in Faeland was renewed on the Continent. First Spain, via the Basque fishermen who set up small villages, and then England both vied for control of the island, only escalating as the two powers built up fleets that would eventually clash with each other. For Spain, Faeland was a stepping stone to control of the British Isles; and for England, Faeland represented a port through which they might equalize their colonial prowess to that of Spain, already established in the Americas. [[File:Pre7years.png|thumb|Faeland just before the Seven Years War]] France only came in later, as an attempt to make a place for her shipping, and managed very modest success until the War of the Spanish Succession. When the Spanish surrendered its territory on the island to French, conflict with the British seemed inevitable. Though fighting was fierce and the French did hold out, the Seven Years War ended with the final ceding of all French territory on the island. Although Great Britain possessed only a few other colonies on the island, the 1763 Treaty of Paris saw Great Britain recognized as the sole authority in Faeland. (''See [[History of the British in Faeland]]'') Relatively peaceful seas and problems with her American colonies meant that Faeland saw little further development from the British until the end of the 18th century. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris that evicted the British from the 13 colonies, Loyalist expatriates arrived in droves and helped expedite the colonial aspirations of King George III in Faeland. A capital, Georgetown, was founded, and a governor appointed to the Crown Colony of Faeland. The loyal subjects of the colony had only been made more so by the American Revolution, and incessantly petitioned the throne to be made a proper part of the kingdom. To attract more nobles to the island, a Faelandic Parliament was established at Georgetown in 1791, along with a land-rich [[Duchy of Faeland|Duchy]] extending far into the under-developed highlands of Faeland. As France appeared more and more on the verge of collapse, massive supplies were cached on the island, and it became increasingly important as a base of operations for the Royal Navy. Immediately following the English-Irish Acts of Union, in 1802 the Faelandic Parliament followed suit, passing a measure that recognized the King of Great Britain as the King of Faeland. In the meantime, the Duke of Faeland was an absentee landlord, and had established many lesser nobles in Georgetown, granting them large estates in the highlands. In 1804 the English Parliament in turn passed an Act of Union, creating a [[British Kingdom of Faeland|Kingdom of Faeland]] along the southeast coast, and at once joining it to the crown of the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Duchy of Faeland continued to exist as an extraterritorial fief of the U.K., but as time went on, it was treated more and more as colonial territory. Large tracts would be stripped from the Duchy to form Crown possessions for one purpose or another. After the Napoleonic Wars, immigration to Faeland from England slowed to a trickle. But, as the Great Famine swept Ireland, the Irish began to flood the northern shores of Faeland. It was this large Irish population that would help fuel independence from the U.K. in the immediate wake of the Irish War of Independence. =The Modern Period: Independence= ==Revolution and Civil War== ''Main article: [[Faelish War of Independence]]'' When tensions in Ireland flared into war in 1919, Faelish independence had hitherto not been a foregone conclusion. In the Pentapolis, there had always been a smoldering resentment of British rule. The United Kingdom, however, had been prudent enough to make a protectorate of the cities and largely stayed out of their affairs. In the Spanish speaking Caudia region, the local people had largely been left with their traditional institutions intact. By this time, the local Fáels of the interior had largely mixed with all the other populations, and at any rate had never been overly abused by the British government to foment rebellion. The British hand had always been strongest in the Kingdom of Faeland, where it ruled a strongly English population. But, for the most part, despite having spread their language across the island, most of the inhabitants were not of English descent. So, when the Irish arrived en masse in the Dhíall, they took their sentiments with them all over the island. Particularly to the farms of the Duchy (highlands) and to the docks of Georgetown and other cities of the kingdom. The I.R.A. had firmly established munitions caches in Dhíall, and, to a limited extent, in the Kingdom. Starting in 1921, partly to assist their Irish brethren, the Dhíall rose in revolt and established a Faelish Republican Army, which made direct for the Kingdom of Faeland, the seat of British authority in Faeland. Ironically, most of the fighting in this war of independence was localized to this area, which was by and large loyal to the U.K. Further insurrections occurred in Caudia and the Pentapolis, but these were nowhere near as violent. The Dhíall was mostly untouched by the war, though reprisal Royal Navy bombardments did occur. Caudia experienced a mass exodus of British nationals, to the point that the Spanish population fortified its border and simply waited out the war in a more passive role. In 1921, with the Anglo-Irish Treaty in place, it was obvious that the British would soon have more forces to commit to battle. The decisive moment arrived in 1924, when the forces of the Pentapolis sallied from their lands and marched to relieve the siege of the F.R.A. forces in Georgetown. Seeing that the situation could only get bloodier, all sides agreed to negotiations. March 10, 1925 concluded discussions with the [[Treaty of London]]. In the confusion of rebellion, several entities had declared themselves independent from the U.K. independently. Rather than negotiate with all of them, the United Kingdom agreed to grant total independence to the polities in federation, with special dispensation that the former Kingdom of Faeland be admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Faeland rejected this measure in an island wide referendum, and it was decided to abolish the Kingdom (King George V officially abdicated the throne) and allow a Dominion of Litus to remain. It would be allowed to join the Commonwealth peacefully, but not recognize the English monarch as King of Faeland, but as Monarch in the Dominion of Litus. Following British evacuation, the pressing issue for Faeland concerned unification. Having just ousted a foreign ruler, no one state would submit to the other. Summit after summit was held in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as the leaders sought aid in finding a workable compromise. In the meantime, the various provisional governments coagulated and solidified into proper nation-states. The major exception was Litus, whose Anglo-Saxon population was convulsing under harsh treatment from its Dhíalleen military junta. Georgetown was continually rocked by terrorist attacks from one side or the other. Having formed a Provisional Alliance for the duration of the unification talks, all of the states swore non-aggression and mutual defense pacts with one another. The Alliance threatened to breakdown in 1933 when, in an effort to curb attacks in its own cities, the Pentapolis occupied northern Litus, threatening to evict all Dhíalleen in the country. As the opposing sides in Litus battled each other, some had based themselves in the occupied cities of the northeast, eventually the attacks spread there. At another summit in New York, it was decided that the Dhíalleen Irish had a definite homeland in the Dhíall, and should return or peaceably take up residence in Litus. A coalition force entered the Dominion and held new elections. Knowing that the returns would be favorable to the Anglo-Saxons, a large proportion of the Dhíalleen migrated back to their pre-war homes. In 1935 a constitution was ratified by all the member countries creating the Federated Republics of Faeland. ==The Modern Period: 1935 to the Present== Only a year after independence, civil war erupted in Spain. Cauda, with strong ties to the country, was naturally inclined to participate. A weak federal Faeland could do little to stop regular and irregular troops from going off to fight the Francoist forces, and many Caudian units (along with a lesser amount of other Faels) went off to help the Republican cause, fighting mostly from Basque Country or from safe-houses in Gascony. Although there was limited support for the Nationalist cause in Cauda, no more than a handful of combatants managed to leave and fight (and all individually). In fact, there was much violence in Cauda over the matter as the Caudian governments' sympathy for the Republican cause led to non-interference when Nationalist sympathizers were accosted. ''(See [[Faeland in the Spanish Civil War]])'' As well as the Caudians, some Irish Faels went to Spain specifically to fight the Blueshirts. When they were went home by Franco, the Irish Faels sought out their Caudian comrades and assisted them in their fight. Faeland is a neutral country, and as such did not wish to participate in World War II. Nazi Germany however saw the island as a potential threat and repeatedly bombed and attacked the shore, seeking to establish safe ports for u-boats. Despite official neutrality, various naval units were \raised, trained, and volunteered for service with the allies with support from the Fáelish government. A [[Battle of the Bay|major theater]] of the Battle of the Atlantic developed along Faeland's eastern and southern coasts. Some members of the Directory sought to provide bases for the Allies, but it was feared this would lead to more intense bombing from the Germans, who were focused on the fight for British skies. Nevertheless, the western approaches were heavily patrolled and the far coast was a safe haven for many convoys during the war. With all the neutrality, many Faels had ties to the Continent, including a large Jewish population. With Allied help, an independent decoy invasion was planned to attack Brittany, but the attempt was deemed suicidal due to the distance between the coasts. Nevertheless, after the D-Day landings, the Faels sailed to the Breton shores and sought out Allied troops and French Resistance, providing aid where they could. ''(See [[Faeland in World War II]])'' With the creation in 1955 of the Ríocht Fíl (Kingdom of Faeland) in the highlands in former Duchy territory, the name was modified to the Federated States of Faeland. This however is only a description, as the only name used in the constitution is “Fáel.” In modern times Faeland has been at the forefront of social development in Western Europe, as well as taking the lead in more ecological energy production and consumption. [[Category:History]] 1995 3669 2008-12-22T15:58:46Z Faeland 1086271 New page: Of all the European cultures and countries to colonize Fealand, the British have had the most enduring imprint and are the only other country in history to have had sole possession of the ... Of all the European cultures and countries to colonize Fealand, the British have had the most enduring imprint and are the only other country in history to have had sole possession of the island, although the British have traditionally had the strongest ties to [[The Shore]]. Beginning in the 16th Century, English and then British domination varied widely in both cultural and political terms until March 10, 1925 with the Treaty of London. In some respects, due to the status of the [[Dominion of Litus]], the U.K. still has political and cultural ties to the island. ==Early Period: New Norwich and the Coast== (16th cent establishment of a port in new norwich, smaller ports, docks, depots, caches, settlements along the southeastern coast. known colloquially as the shore, but in maps "litus anglicorum") ==Colonial Period== When colonial governing began in proper fashion, along with settlement in earnest by both British subjects and returning Loyalists from the Americas. At this point we see the crown taking more interest, A Duchy created, a Parliament to attract merchants, and a rather large maritime trade between mother country and colony. ==Regal Period== Beginning in 1802, enough subjects had settled to begin resenting the harsh treatment of the rampaging Duchy to request the formation of a proper union with the UK, creating a Kingdom of Faeland. The Kingdom however, only included the shore (the rest of the island was hardly British, and New Norwich MPs opted out, and remained part of the Crown Colony Faeland, and enjoyed acting as the de facto seat of the Duchy, the Duchy existed outside of the borders for the most part, with little territory within the Kingdom. Although the Duchy did not exist everywhere, effectively he was the dominant political figure island wide, and Faeland saw much environmental pillaging at this time. Cauda being the exception, as the largely Spanish population tended to be left alone, and the craggy lands weren't considered overly lucrative. Essentially Faeland was a venn diagram. The entirety was the Crown colony of Faeland, ruled by the Crown through a regent, usually the Duke of Faeland, From this was carved the Kingdom, ruled as part of the UK proper. The Duchy crossed borders from the olony into tkingdom, but not overly so. And finally the Spanish "cauda" was left largely to fend for themselves... ==Late Regal== Tracing it's roots back to the Great Irish Potato Famine, the late regal period of colonization was largely a product of the growth of Irish nationalism at the beginning of the 20th century. At this point, Irish in the Dhíall reflected their cousins' actions across the Channel, as well as inspiring local minorities on the island to begin protesting British rule. Among these the Latin, French, Spanish, and native Fáel became increasingly hostile. Culminating in civil unrest and eventual independence (''See [[Treaty of London]]''). [[Category: History]] 3781 2009-02-11T02:33:32Z Faeland 1086271 /* Regal Period */ Of all the European cultures and countries to colonize Fealand, the British have had the most enduring imprint and are the only other country in history to have had sole possession of the island, although the British have traditionally had the strongest ties to [[The Shore]]. Beginning in the 16th Century, English and then British domination varied widely in both cultural and political terms until March 10, 1925 with the Treaty of London. In some respects, due to the status of the [[Dominion of Litus]], the U.K. still has political and cultural ties to the island. ==Early Period: New Norwich and the Coast== (16th cent establishment of a port in new norwich, smaller ports, docks, depots, caches, settlements along the southeastern coast. known colloquially as the shore, but in maps "litus anglicorum") ==Colonial Period== When colonial governing began in proper fashion, along with settlement in earnest by both British subjects and returning Loyalists from the Americas. At this point we see the crown taking more interest, A Duchy created, a Parliament to attract merchants, and a rather large maritime trade between mother country and colony. ==Regal Period== Beginning in 1802, enough subjects had settled to begin resenting the harsh treatment of the rampaging Duchy to request the formation of a proper union with the UK, creating a Kingdom of Faeland. The Kingdom however, only included the shore (the rest of the island was hardly British, and New Norwich MPs opted out, and remained part of the Crown Colony Faeland, and enjoyed acting as the de facto seat of the Duchy (whose official capital was [[Althóan]]), the Duchy existed outside of the borders for the most part, with little territory within the Kingdom. Although the Duchy did not exist everywhere, effectively he was the dominant political figure island wide, and Faeland saw much environmental pillaging at this time. Cauda being the exception, as the largely Spanish population tended to be left alone, and the craggy lands weren't considered overly lucrative. Essentially Faeland was a venn diagram. The entirety was the Crown colony of Faeland, ruled by the Crown through a regent, usually the Duke of Faeland, From this was carved the Kingdom, ruled as part of the UK proper. The Duchy crossed borders from the olony into tkingdom, but not overly so. And finally the Spanish "cauda" was left largely to fend for themselves... ==Late Regal== Tracing it's roots back to the Great Irish Potato Famine, the late regal period of colonization was largely a product of the growth of Irish nationalism at the beginning of the 20th century. At this point, Irish in the Dhíall reflected their cousins' actions across the Channel, as well as inspiring local minorities on the island to begin protesting British rule. Among these the Latin, French, Spanish, and native Fáel became increasingly hostile. Culminating in civil unrest and eventual independence (''See [[Treaty of London]]''). [[Category: History]] 2083 3977 2009-11-11T02:10:48Z Faeland 1086271 Redirected page to [[Ríocht Fíl]] #REDIRECT [[Ríocht Fíl]] 2019 3741 2009-01-21T20:54:46Z Faeland 1086271 New page: A multitude of '''languages''' are spoken in Faeland. According to the last census, English and Faelish are the preferred languages of most of the population. However it should be noted th... A multitude of '''languages''' are spoken in Faeland. According to the last census, English and Faelish are the preferred languages of most of the population. However it should be noted that while English is spoken by most residents of the island as either a first or second language, Faelish is largely restricted to the Kingdom of Faeland. English and Faelish are recognized by the FSF as "official languages," which means that all laws of the federal government are enacted in both English and Faelish and that federal government services are required to be available in both languages. There are many large language groups besides these two languages, but the near universal understanding of English and the native prominence of Faelish have served to make these two the only officially recognized tongues. The four most widely-spoken non-official languages are Fallo (%), Spanish (), Portuguese (), and French (). There are also significant populations of Irish, Basque, Danish, and Breton speaking peoples, as well as multiple intertwining Creoles. == Native Languages == ''Main article: [[Faelish Language| Faelish]] The Faelic languages are descended from Proto-Faelic, a branch of the greater Celtic language family. The term "Faelic" was used to describe this language group by English settlers in the 16th century, having been used much earlier by Roman writers to describe tribes of the island. For most of the island's history, Faelic was spoken across the island, from the Bay of Biscay to the Atlantic. Today, Faelic languages are limited to the Kingdom of Faeland where a standardized version exists, as well as pockets of speakers within other FSF countries, which often exist as Creoles. Most speakers of Faelish are fiercely proud of their linguistic heritage, although many are fluent in English as well. == English == ''Main article: [[English Language in Faeland]] English and Faelish are both official languages of the Federated States of Faeland. Historically, English was the sole official language of Faeland during the Demesne from XXXX to 19XX, although its use was not widespread outside [[The Shore]] and government. From 19XX onwards, English became a lingua franca across the island as the polyglot countries began to unify into the FSF. == Continental Languages == ''Main article: [[European Languages in Faeland]]'' [[Category: Languages]] 3872 2009-10-02T05:02:52Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Languages.png|thumb|Languages of Faeland]] A multitude of '''languages''' are spoken in Faeland. According to the last census, English and Faelish are the preferred languages of most of the population. However it should be noted that while English is spoken by most residents of the island as either a first or second language, Faelish is largely restricted to the Kingdom of Faeland. English and Faelish are recognized by the FSF as "official languages," which means that all laws of the federal government are enacted in both English and Faelish and that federal government services are required to be available in both languages. There are many large language groups besides these two languages, but the near universal understanding of English and the native prominence of Faelish have served to make these two the only officially recognized tongues. The four most widely-spoken non-official languages are Fallo (%), Spanish (), Portuguese (), and French (). There are also significant populations of Irish, Basque, Danish, and Breton speaking peoples, as well as multiple intertwining Creoles. == Native Languages == ''Main article: [[Faelish Language| Faelish]]'' The Faelic languages are descended from Proto-Faelic, a branch of the greater Celtic language family. The term "Faelic" was used to describe this language group by English settlers in the 16th century, having been used much earlier by Roman writers to describe tribes of the island. For most of the island's history, Faelic was spoken across the island, from the Bay of Biscay to the Atlantic. Today, Faelic languages are limited to the Kingdom of Faeland where a standardized version exists, as well as pockets of speakers within other FSF countries, which often exist as Creoles. Most speakers of Faelish are fiercely proud of their linguistic heritage, although many are fluent in English as well. == English == ''Main article: [[English Language in Faeland]]'' English and Faelish are both official languages of the Federated States of Faeland. Historically, English was the sole official language of Faeland during the Demesne from XXXX to 19XX, although its use was not widespread outside [[The Shore]] and government. From 19XX onwards, English became a lingua franca across the island as the polyglot countries began to unify into the FSF. == Continental Languages == ''Main article: [[European Languages in Faeland]]'' [[Category: Languages]] 4031 2009-11-23T19:17:33Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Languages.png|thumb|Languages of Faeland]] A multitude of '''languages''' are spoken in Faeland. According to the last census, English and Faelish are the primary languages of most of the population. However it should be noted that while English is spoken by most residents of the island as either a first or second language, Faelish is largely restricted to the Kingdom of Faeland. There are many large language groups besides these two languages, but the near universal understanding of English and the native prominence of Faelish have served to make these two most widely understood. Faeland's two official languages are the native [[Faelish Language|Faelish]] and Latin. The four most widely-spoken non-official languages are Fallo (%), Irish (), English (), and Spanish (). There are also significant populations of Irish, Basque, Danish, and Breton speaking peoples, as well as multiple intertwining Creoles. == Native Languages == ''Main article: [[Faelish Language| Faelish]]'' The Faelic languages are descended from Proto-Faelic, a branch of the greater Celtic language family. The term "Faelic" was used to describe this language group by English settlers in the 16th century, having been used much earlier by Roman writers to describe tribes of the island. For most of the island's history, Faelic was spoken across the island, from the Bay of Biscay to the Atlantic. Today, Faelic languages are limited to the Kingdom of Faeland where a standardized version exists, as well as pockets of speakers within other FSF countries, which often exist as Creoles. Most speakers of Faelish are fiercely proud of their linguistic heritage, although many are fluent in English as well. == English == ''Main article: [[English Language in Faeland]]'' Historically, English was the sole official language of Faeland during the Demesne from XXXX to 19XX, although its use was not widespread outside [[The Shore]] and government. From 19XX onwards, English became a lingua franca across the island as the polyglot countries began to unify into the FSF. == Continental Languages == ''Main article: [[European Languages in Faeland]]'' [[Category: Languages]] 4033 2009-11-23T20:52:47Z Faeland 1086271 [[File:Languages.png|thumb|Languages of Faeland]] A multitude of '''languages''' are spoken in Faeland. According to the last census, English and Faelish are the primary languages of most of the population. However it should be noted that while English is spoken by most residents of the island as either a first or second language, Faelish is largely restricted to the Kingdom of Faeland. There are many large language groups besides these two languages, but the near universal understanding of English and the native prominence of Faelish have served to make these two most widely understood. Faeland's two official languages are the native [[Faelish Language|Faelish]] and Latin. The four most widely-spoken non-official languages are Fallo (%), Irish (), English (), and Galician (). There are also significant populations of Irish, Basque, Danish, Provençal, and Breton speaking peoples, as well as multiple intertwining Creoles. == Native Languages == ''Main article: [[Faelish Language| Faelish]]'' The Faelic languages are descended from Proto-Faelic, a branch of the greater Celtic language family. The term "Faelic" was used to describe this language group by English settlers in the 16th century, having been used much earlier by Roman writers to describe tribes of the island. For most of the island's history, Faelic was spoken across the island, from the Bay of Biscay to the Atlantic. Today, Faelic languages are limited to the Kingdom of Faeland where a standardized version exists, as well as pockets of speakers within other FSF countries, which often exist as Creoles. Most speakers of Faelish are fiercely proud of their linguistic heritage, although many are fluent in English as well. == English == ''Main article: [[English Language in Faeland]]'' Historically, English was the sole official language of Faeland during the Demesne from XXXX to 19XX, although its use was not widespread outside [[The Shore]] and government. From 19XX onwards, English became a lingua franca across the island as the polyglot countries began to unify into the FSF. == Continental Languages == ''Main article: [[European Languages in Faeland]]'' [[Category: Languages]] 2017 3737 2009-01-05T01:51:26Z Faeland 1086271 New page: The '''Latin Coast''' is the name for the heavily Romanized territory of the historical Roman province of [[Gallia Maritima]]. Although the area has since been under many different governm... The '''Latin Coast''' is the name for the heavily Romanized territory of the historical Roman province of [[Gallia Maritima]]. Although the area has since been under many different governments, the name has remained as a legacy to the enduring "Latinity" of the local population. 3738 2009-01-05T01:52:32Z Faeland 1086271 The '''Latin Coast''' is the name for the heavily Romanized territory of the historical Roman province of [[Gallia Maritima]]. Although the area has since been under many different governments, the name has remained as a legacy to the enduring "Latinity" of the local population. [[image:Latincoast.png|thumb|right|'''The Latin Coast''']] 2085 3981 2009-11-11T02:18:55Z Faeland 1086271 moved [[Member State]] to [[Member States]] #REDIRECT [[Member States]] 2075 3944 2009-11-10T17:55:19Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'Member States (often written as the common noun member states, or, more infrequently "Pages & Forals") is a collective term used to refer to the Pages: Ríocht Fil, Cauda, Aroës…' Member States (often written as the common noun member states, or, more infrequently "Pages & Forals") is a collective term used to refer to the Pages: Ríocht Fil, Cauda, Aroës, Dhíall, Lito, and Pentapolis, and the Forals: Villa do Infante, Santiago de Fuelaterra, New Aix, New Norwich, and Falcatta, which together form the Federated States of Faeland. It is most commonly heard in political contexts, when referring to the [[Government of Faeland|Federal Council]]. 3948 2009-11-10T18:31:26Z Faeland 1086271 Adding categories Member States (often written as the common noun member states, or, more infrequently "Pages & Forals") is a collective term used to refer to the Pages: Ríocht Fil, Cauda, Aroës, Dhíall, Lito, and Pentapolis, and the Forals: Villa do Infante, Santiago de Fuelaterra, New Aix, New Norwich, and Falcatta, which together form the Federated States of Faeland. It is most commonly heard in political contexts, when referring to the [[Government of Faeland|Federal Council]]. [[Category:Politics]] 3980 2009-11-11T02:18:55Z Faeland 1086271 moved [[Member State]] to [[Member States]] Member States (often written as the common noun member states, or, more infrequently "Pages & Forals") is a collective term used to refer to the Pages: Ríocht Fil, Cauda, Aroës, Dhíall, Lito, and Pentapolis, and the Forals: Villa do Infante, Santiago de Fuelaterra, New Aix, New Norwich, and Falcatta, which together form the Federated States of Faeland. It is most commonly heard in political contexts, when referring to the [[Government of Faeland|Federal Council]]. [[Category:Politics]] 2111 4100 2010-01-18T20:05:02Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with 'The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. It is officially called '''Common Protection'''. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure…' The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. It is officially called '''Common Protection'''. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. According to the Organic Law, no [[member state]] may raise its own military force without authorization from the [[Directory]] (there are many small units which legally exist, however). =Purpose and Tasks= As defined by the Organic Law, the purpose of the Common Protection is to prevent armed conflicts of any kind, preserve the sovereignty of Faeland and all her Member States, and secure the continuing existence and integrity of the Federated States. Its primary tasks are to detect and repel any trespass into the sovereign territories of the F.S.F., international missions in the area of crises-control and humanitarian capacities, and participation in "total defence" in cooperation with civilian resources and finally maintain a sizable force to execute these tasks at all times. =Branches= The military forces of Faeland are divided into three branches called "commands". *[[Land Command]] *[[Sea Command]] *[[Air Command]] Each command has a special jurisdiction of physical military operation as well as close links logistically with the other commands. While the various groups that make up each command are responsible for their own training, supply, administration, etc., there is mutual assistance wherever possible. For instance, most air support for the Land Command is provided by the Air Command, instead of having the land forces produce their own fleet. ==The Land Command== Although the total number of infantry soldiers is comparatively low, there are a disproportionately high number of vertically integrated regiments. Each State provides a regiment, but strength and duties vary considerably. While most regiments account for the entire population of a member state, some states, such as the Kingdom and Pentapoli, have more than one regiment, with traditional recruiting grounds within their own borders. Some regiments have different names in their native languages, and organizational structures that work within but are not descended from the regimental system. The regiments are (with origin in parentheses): purpose [estimated strength] *Faelish Rifle Regiment (Fíl) - tactical (and mechanized) infantry [12,000] *Drogheda Regiment (Fíl) - amphibious infantry [1,500] *2nd Highland Ranger Regiment (Fíl) - specialized infantry [1,000] *Royal Irish Regiment (Fíl) - tactical infantry [800] *Larnic-Murchadh Cavalry Regiment (Fíl) - armoured infantry [1,000] *King's Regiment (Fíl) - airborne infantry [400] *The Latin Guards ''(Quattuor Legiones, The Four Legions)'' (Pentapoli) - tactical (and mechanized) infantry [9,000] *Dhíalleen Army ''(Arm na Dhíalleann)'' (Dhíall) - tactical infantry [1,000] *The Roman Guards ''(Exercitus, The Army)'' (Falcatta) - tactical and amphibious infantry [1,000] *North Shore Regiment (Lito) - tactical infantry [2,000] *Hanover Regiment (Lito) - specialized infantry [500] *Caudian Regiment ''(Ejercito de Cauda, Army of Cauda)'' (Cauda) - mechanized infantry [1,000] *St. James Regiment ''Corpo Médico da Armada, Army Medical Corps'' (Santiago & Villa do Infante) - medical support [500] *aroes *new aix 4101 2010-01-18T20:05:40Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Land Command */ The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. It is officially called '''Common Protection'''. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. According to the Organic Law, no [[member state]] may raise its own military force without authorization from the [[Directory]] (there are many small units which legally exist, however). =Purpose and Tasks= As defined by the Organic Law, the purpose of the Common Protection is to prevent armed conflicts of any kind, preserve the sovereignty of Faeland and all her Member States, and secure the continuing existence and integrity of the Federated States. Its primary tasks are to detect and repel any trespass into the sovereign territories of the F.S.F., international missions in the area of crises-control and humanitarian capacities, and participation in "total defence" in cooperation with civilian resources and finally maintain a sizable force to execute these tasks at all times. =Branches= The military forces of Faeland are divided into three branches called "commands". *[[Land Command]] *[[Sea Command]] *[[Air Command]] Each command has a special jurisdiction of physical military operation as well as close links logistically with the other commands. While the various groups that make up each command are responsible for their own training, supply, administration, etc., there is mutual assistance wherever possible. For instance, most air support for the Land Command is provided by the Air Command, instead of having the land forces produce their own fleet. ==The Land Command== Although the total number of infantry soldiers is comparatively low, there are a disproportionately high number of vertically integrated regiments. Each State provides a regiment, but strength and duties vary considerably. While most regiments account for the entire population of a member state, some states, such as the Kingdom and Pentapoli, have more than one regiment, with traditional recruiting grounds within their own borders. Some regiments have different names in their native languages, and organizational structures that work within but are not descended from the regimental system. The regiments are (with origin in parentheses): purpose [estimated strength] *Faelish Rifle Regiment (Fíl) - tactical (and mechanized) infantry [12,000] *Drogheda Regiment (Fíl) - amphibious infantry [1,500] *2nd Highland Ranger Regiment (Fíl) - specialized infantry [1,000] *Royal Irish Regiment (Fíl) - tactical infantry [800] *Larnic-Murchadh Cavalry Regiment (Fíl) - armoured infantry [1,000] *King's Regiment (Fíl) - airborne infantry [400] *The Latin Guards ''(Quattuor Legiones, The Four Legions)'' (Pentapoli) - tactical (and mechanized) infantry [9,000] *Dhíalleen Army ''(Arm na Dhíalleann)'' (Dhíall) - tactical infantry [1,000] *The Roman Guards ''(Exercitus, The Army)'' (Falcatta) - tactical and amphibious infantry [1,000] *North Shore Regiment (Lito) - tactical infantry [2,000] *Hanover Regiment (Lito) - specialized infantry [500] *Caudian Regiment ''(Ejercito de Cauda, Army of Cauda)'' (Cauda) - mechanized infantry [1,000] *St. James Regiment ''(Corpo Médico da Armada, Army Medical Corps)'' (Santiago & Villa do Infante) - medical support [500] *aroes *new aix 4102 2010-01-18T20:07:45Z Faeland 1086271 /* The Land Command */ The national defense of Faeland is the responsibility of the Directory. It is officially called '''Common Protection'''. Since Faeland is neutral, the top level command structure has not been tested thoroughly in wartime. Each state contributes either money or trained forces to the collective military, with the chiefs of staff being the top level military commanders of the respective nations, headed by the current Chancellor. How well this command structure would work in a large scale conflict has not been tested. Men and materiel sent on joint expeditionary forces are often placed under the command of an allied officer. Administratively, each state supplies a "regiment," independent in supply, command and training, to the national force. Historically, the Pentapoli and Fíl have provided the bulk of the infantry, Lito and Falx the bulk of the naval forces. According to the Organic Law, no [[member state]] may raise its own military force without authorization from the [[Directory]] (there are many small units which legally exist, however). =Purpose and Tasks= As defined by the Organic Law, the purpose of the Common Protection is to prevent armed conflicts of any kind, preserve the sovereignty of Faeland and all her Member States, and secure the continuing existence and integrity of the Federated States. Its primary tasks are to detect and repel any trespass into the sovereign territories of the F.S.F., international missions in the area of crises-control and humanitarian capacities, and participation in "total defence" in cooperation with civilian resources and finally maintain a sizable force to execute these tasks at all times. =Branches= The military forces of Faeland are divided into three branches called "commands". *[[Land Command]] *[[Sea Command]] *[[Air Command]] Each command has a special jurisdiction of physical military operation as well as close links logistically with the other commands. While the various groups that make up each command are responsible for their own training, supply, administration, etc., there is mutual assistance wherever possible. For instance, most air support for the Land Command is provided by the Air Command, instead of having the land forces produce their own fleet. ==The Land Command== Although the total number of infantry soldiers is comparatively low, there are a disproportionately high number of vertically integrated regiments. Each State provides a regiment, but strength and duties vary considerably. While most regiments account for the entire population of a member state, some states, such as the Kingdom and Pentapoli, have more than one regiment, with traditional recruiting grounds within their own borders. Some regiments have different names in their native languages, and organizational structures that work within but are not descended from the regimental system. The regiments are (with origin in parentheses): purpose [estimated strength] *Faelish Rifle Regiment (Fíl & New Norwich) - tactical (and mechanized) infantry [15,000] *Drogheda Regiment (Fíl) - amphibious infantry [1,500] *2nd Highland Ranger Regiment (Fíl) - specialized infantry [1,000] *Royal Irish Regiment (Fíl) - tactical infantry [800] *Larnic-Murchadh Cavalry Regiment (Fíl) - armoured infantry [1,000] *King's Regiment (Fíl) - airborne infantry [400] *The Latin Guards ''(Quattuor Legiones, The Four Legions)'' (Pentapoli) - tactical (and mechanized) infantry [9,000] *Dhíalleen Army ''(Arm na Dhíalleann)'' (Dhíall) - tactical infantry [1,000] *The Roman Guards ''(Exercitus, The Army)'' (Falcatta) - tactical and amphibious infantry [1,000] *North Shore Regiment (Lito) - tactical infantry [2,000] *Hanover Regiment (Lito) - specialized infantry [500] *Caudian Regiment ''(Ejercito de Cauda, Army of Cauda)'' (Cauda) - mechanized infantry [1,000] *St. James Regiment ''(Corpo Médico da Armada, Army Medical Corps)'' (Santiago & Villa do Infante) - medical support [500] *aroes *new aix 2010 3707 2009-01-04T21:28:59Z Faeland 1086271 New page: '''Ryan''' is the highest mountain in the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]] and, therefore, in all of the FSF, and specifically the [[Fiacla Mountains]]. It's name is derived from ancie... '''Ryan''' is the highest mountain in the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]] and, therefore, in all of the FSF, and specifically the [[Fiacla Mountains]]. It's name is derived from ancient legends pertaining to the creation stories of the native Faels. [[Category: Geography]] [[Category: Geography of Ríocht Fíl]] 3709 2009-01-04T21:31:59Z Faeland 1086271 '''Ryan''' is the highest mountain in the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]] and, therefore, in all of the FSF, and specifically the [[Fiacla Mountains]]. It's name is derived from ancient legends pertaining to the creation stories of the native Faels. [[image:Mtryanlocation.png|thumb|right|'''Location of Mt. Ryan''']] [[Category: Geography]] [[Category: Geography of Ríocht Fíl]] 3711 2009-01-04T21:38:36Z Faeland 1086271 '''Ryan''' is the highest mountain in the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]] and, therefore, in all of the FSF, and specifically the [[Fiacla Mountains]]. It's name is derived from ancient legends pertaining to the creation stories of the native Faels. [[image:Mtryanlocation.png|thumb|right|'''Location of Mt. Ryan''']][[image:Mtryan.JPG|thumb|right|'''Mt. Ryan''']] [[Category: Geography]] [[Category: Geography of Ríocht Fíl]] 3712 2009-01-04T21:40:39Z Faeland 1086271 '''Ryan''' is the highest mountain in the [[Ríocht Fíl| Kingdom of Faeland]] and, therefore, in all of the FSF, and specifically the [[Fiacla Mountains]]. It's name is derived from ancient legends pertaining to the creation stories of the native Faels. [[image:Mtryanlocation.png|thumb|right|'''Location of Mt. Ryan''']] [[image:Mtryan.JPG|thumb|right|'''Mt. Ryan, showing vegetation nearly to peak.''']] [[Category: Geography]] [[Category: Geography of Ríocht Fíl]] 2076 3946 2009-11-10T18:16:08Z Faeland 1086271 Redirected page to [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]] #REDIRECT [[Principauté de Nouvel Aix]] 1986 3658 2008-12-22T15:44:20Z Faeland 1086271 New page: Famed as the home of the DeLarge Wristlet Watch Company. Has a large Dutch community since WWII Famed as the home of the DeLarge Wristlet Watch Company. Has a large Dutch community since WWII 3743 2009-01-26T19:58:55Z Faeland 1086271 '''New Norwich''' is a microstate located on the eastern shore at the confluence of the X, X, and X rivers (XX Delta) of Faeland and is a member of the FSF. Officially called New Norwich, the name also refers to the city itself. It has a population of , and is one of the most densely populated areas in Faeland. Beginning as a shipbuilding harbor, New Norwich became a crown colony of the United Kingdom in XXXX, and remained so until after the Treaty of London. Renowned as the "New York of Faeland", New Norwich is one of the Europe's leading financial capitals, a major business and cultural hub. Its identity as a cosmopolitan center is reflected in its cuisine, cinema, music and traditions, and although the population is predominantly English-speaking, residents and expatriates abound from all parts of Faeland and Europe; and more recently the U.S. and Canada. Following the severance of ties with the U.K., New Norwich suffered drastically during the Civil War, becoming a target for Hiberno-Faelish action, despite opting out of Litus' nationhood. Since World War II, New Norwich's standard of living has risen dramatically due to foreign direct investment and a state-led drive to increase tourism and foster business development, primarily in the banking and finance sectors. The [[New Norwich Charter]] established the government of the country as a unicameral democracy in 19XX. The City of New Norwich assumed complete control of the government and now administers in a unitary fashion. The [[Metropolitan Council]] is elected every X years, and in turn elect the New Norwich City Council as an executive body with a President-Mayor. Famed as the home of the DeLarge Wristlet Watch Company. Has a large Dutch community since WWII 3744 2009-01-26T20:05:07Z Faeland 1086271 '''New Norwich''' is a microstate located on the eastern shore at the confluence of the X and X rivers (XX Delta) of Faeland and is a member of the FSF. Officially called New Norwich, the name also refers to the city itself. It has a population of , and is one of the most densely populated areas in Faeland. Beginning as a shipbuilding harbor, New Norwich became a crown colony of the United Kingdom in XXXX, and remained so until after the Treaty of London. Renowned as the "New York of Faeland", New Norwich is one of the Europe's leading financial capitals, a major business and cultural hub. Its identity as a cosmopolitan center is reflected in its cuisine, cinema, music and traditions, and although the population is predominantly English-speaking, residents and expatriates abound from all parts of Faeland and Europe; and more recently the U.S. and Canada. Following the severance from the U.K., New Norwich suffered drastically during the Civil War, becoming a target for Hiberno-Faelish action, despite opting out of Litus' nationhood. Since World War II, New Norwich's standard of living has risen dramatically due to foreign direct investment and a state-led drive to increase tourism and foster business development, primarily in the banking and finance sectors. The [[New Norwich Charter]] established the government of the country as a unicameral democracy in 19XX. The City of New Norwich assumed complete control of the government and now administers in a unitary fashion. The [[Metropolitan Council]] is elected every X years, and in turn elect the New Norwich City Council as an executive body with a President-Mayor. Famed as the home of the DeLarge Wristlet Watch Company. Has a large Dutch community since WWII 3766 2009-02-10T23:20:14Z Faeland 1086271 '''New Norwich''' is a microstate located on the eastern shore at the confluence of the X and X rivers (XX Delta) of Faeland and is a member of the FSF. Officially called New Norwich, the name also refers to the city itself. It has a population of , and is one of the most densely populated areas in Faeland. [[Image:newnorwich.png|thumb|250px|right|New Norwich and environs.]] Beginning as a shipbuilding harbor, New Norwich became a crown colony of the United Kingdom in XXXX, and remained so until after the Treaty of London. Renowned as the "New York of Faeland", New Norwich is one of the Europe's leading financial capitals, a major business and cultural hub. Its identity as a cosmopolitan center is reflected in its cuisine, cinema, music and traditions, and although the population is predominantly English-speaking, residents and expatriates abound from all parts of Faeland and Europe; and more recently the U.S. and Canada. Following the severance from the U.K., New Norwich suffered drastically during the Civil War, becoming a target for Hiberno-Faelish action, despite opting out of Litus' nationhood. Since World War II, New Norwich's standard of living has risen dramatically due to foreign direct investment and a state-led drive to increase tourism and foster business development, primarily in the banking and finance sectors. The [[New Norwich Charter]] established the government of the country as a unicameral democracy in 19XX. The City of New Norwich assumed complete control of the government and now administers in a unitary fashion. The [[Metropolitan Council]] is elected every X years, and in turn elect the New Norwich City Council as an executive body with a President-Mayor. Famed as the home of the DeLarge Wristlet Watch Company. Has a large Dutch community since WWII 2045 3833 2009-09-28T02:24:52Z Faeland 1086271 Created page with ' ''Organic Law'' The text herein is the Organic Law, or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland. That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dign…' ''Organic Law'' The text herein is the Organic Law, or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland. That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern itself and determine its own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' The General Government shall consist of three chambers. The Directory shall administer the federation as a whole, including public works, foreign policy, defense, and inter-state relations. The Diet shall ratify legislation brought before it by the Directory. [[Category:Law]] 3945 2009-11-10T17:56:54Z Faeland 1086271 ''Organic Law'' The text herein is the Organic Law, or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland. That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' The General Government shall consist of two parts. The Directory shall administer the federation as a whole, including public works, foreign policy, defense, and inter-state relations. The Diet shall ratify legislation brought before it by the Directory. [[Category:Law]] 4140 2010-02-11T04:36:27Z Faeland 1086271 The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. [[Category:Law]] 4141 2010-02-11T05:44:20Z Faeland 1086271 The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. ==Article X== [[Category:Law]] 4142 2010-02-11T18:36:01Z 70.147.15.254 /* Article X */ The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. ==Article X== All citizenshave the right to move about the [[Member States]] freely, to be inviolate in their homes and property. [[Category:Law]] 4149 2010-04-12T17:00:27Z Faeland 1086271 /* Article X */ The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. ==Article X== All citizens have the right to move about the [[Member States]] freely, to be inviolate in their homes and property. [[Category:Law]] 4150 2010-04-12T17:32:21Z Faeland 1086271 /* Article X */ The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. ==Article X== All citizens have the right to move about the [[Member States]] freely, to be inviolate in their homes and property. ==Article XI== Land, natural resources and means of production may for the purpose of socialisation be transferred to public ownership or other forms of public enterprise by a law that determines the nature and extent of compensation. ==Article XII== In any matter of concurrent authority, whenever any law of a State conflicts with the law of the the General Government, the law of the State shall prevail. Where the General Government is prescribed eminent domain in this document, this Article is not affective. ==Article XIII== (1) No Fáel may be deprived of his citizenship. Citizenship may be lost only pursuant to a law, and against the will of the person affected only if he does not become stateless as a result. (2) No Fáel may be extradited to a foreign country. The law may provide otherwise for extraditions to a member state of the European Union or to an international court, provided that the rule of law is observed. ==Article XIIV== (1) Persons persecuted on political grounds shall have the right of asylum. (2) Paragraph (1) of this Article may not be invoked by a person who enters the federal territory from a member state of the European Communities or from another third state in which application of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is assured. The states outside the European Communities to which the criteria of the first sentence of this paragraph apply shall be specified by a law requiring the con- sent of the General Government. In the cases specified in the first sentence of this paragraph, measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be implemented without regard to any legal challenge that may have been instituted against them. (3) By a law requiring the consent of the General Government, states may be specified in which, on the basis of their laws, enforcement practices and general political conditions, it can be safely concluded that neither political persecution nor inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment exists. It shall be presumed that a foreigner from such a state is not persecuted, unless he presents evidence justifying the conclusion that, contrary to this presumption, he is persecuted on political grounds. (4) In the cases specified by paragraph (3) of this Article and in other cases that are plainly unfounded or considered to be plainly unfounded, the implementation of measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be suspended by a court only if serious doubts exist as to their legality; the scope of review may be limited, and tardy objections may be disregarded. Details shall be determined by a law. [[Category:Law]] 4151 2010-04-12T17:45:06Z Faeland 1086271 /* Article XIIV */ The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. ==Article X== All citizens have the right to move about the [[Member States]] freely, to be inviolate in their homes and property. ==Article XI== Land, natural resources and means of production may for the purpose of socialisation be transferred to public ownership or other forms of public enterprise by a law that determines the nature and extent of compensation. ==Article XII== In any matter of concurrent authority, whenever any law of a State conflicts with the law of the the General Government, the law of the State shall prevail. Where the General Government is prescribed eminent domain in this document, this Article is not affective. ==Article XIII== (1) No Fáel may be deprived of his citizenship. Citizenship may be lost only pursuant to a law, and against the will of the person affected only if he does not become stateless as a result. (2) No Fáel may be extradited to a foreign country. The law may provide otherwise for extraditions to a member state of the European Union or to an international court, provided that the rule of law is observed. ==Article XIV== (1) Persons persecuted on political grounds shall have the right of asylum. (2) Paragraph (1) of this Article may not be invoked by a person who enters the federal territory from a member state of the European Communities or from another third state in which application of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is assured. The states outside the European Communities to which the criteria of the first sentence of this paragraph apply shall be specified by a law requiring the con- sent of the General Government. In the cases specified in the first sentence of this paragraph, measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be implemented without regard to any legal challenge that may have been instituted against them. (3) By a law requiring the consent of the General Government, states may be specified in which, on the basis of their laws, enforcement practices and general political conditions, it can be safely concluded that neither political persecution nor inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment exists. It shall be presumed that a foreigner from such a state is not persecuted, unless he presents evidence justifying the conclusion that, contrary to this presumption, he is persecuted on political grounds. (4) In the cases specified by paragraph (3) of this Article and in other cases that are plainly unfounded or considered to be plainly unfounded, the implementation of measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be suspended by a court only if serious doubts exist as to their legality; the scope of review may be limited, and tardy objections may be disregarded. Details shall be determined by a law. ==Article XV== Every person shall have the right individually or jointly with others to address written requests or complaints to competent authorities and to the legislature. ==Article XVI== [[Category:Law]] 4152 2010-04-12T19:07:23Z Faeland 1086271 /* Article XVI */ The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. ==Article X== All citizens have the right to move about the [[Member States]] freely, to be inviolate in their homes and property. ==Article XI== Land, natural resources and means of production may for the purpose of socialisation be transferred to public ownership or other forms of public enterprise by a law that determines the nature and extent of compensation. ==Article XII== In any matter of concurrent authority, whenever any law of a State conflicts with the law of the the General Government, the law of the State shall prevail. Where the General Government is prescribed eminent domain in this document, this Article is not affective. ==Article XIII== (1) No Fáel may be deprived of his citizenship. Citizenship may be lost only pursuant to a law, and against the will of the person affected only if he does not become stateless as a result. (2) No Fáel may be extradited to a foreign country. The law may provide otherwise for extraditions to a member state of the European Union or to an international court, provided that the rule of law is observed. ==Article XIV== (1) Persons persecuted on political grounds shall have the right of asylum. (2) Paragraph (1) of this Article may not be invoked by a person who enters the federal territory from a member state of the European Communities or from another third state in which application of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is assured. The states outside the European Communities to which the criteria of the first sentence of this paragraph apply shall be specified by a law requiring the con- sent of the General Government. In the cases specified in the first sentence of this paragraph, measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be implemented without regard to any legal challenge that may have been instituted against them. (3) By a law requiring the consent of the General Government, states may be specified in which, on the basis of their laws, enforcement practices and general political conditions, it can be safely concluded that neither political persecution nor inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment exists. It shall be presumed that a foreigner from such a state is not persecuted, unless he presents evidence justifying the conclusion that, contrary to this presumption, he is persecuted on political grounds. (4) In the cases specified by paragraph (3) of this Article and in other cases that are plainly unfounded or considered to be plainly unfounded, the implementation of measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be suspended by a court only if serious doubts exist as to their legality; the scope of review may be limited, and tardy objections may be disregarded. Details shall be determined by a law. ==Article XV== Every person shall have the right individually or jointly with others to address written requests or complaints to competent authorities and to the legislature. ==Article XVI== (1) Fáel is a democratic, socialist federation. (2) All power of state is derived from the consensual membership of the States and from the people. It shall be exercised by the people through the specific legislative, executive, and judicial bodies. (3) The legislature shall be bound by constitutional provisions, the executives by law, and the judiciary by moral devotion to justice. (4) All Fáels have the right to resist any person seeking to subvert this constitutional order. [[Category:Law]] 4153 2010-04-13T02:20:34Z Faeland 1086271 /* Article XVI */ The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the authority of this or any state. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. The state therefore cannot violate the natural right that all men who show peaceful conduct shall be allowed safe conduct. No man shall judge himself or others where he stands to profit in any way, trial by jury of peers is indefatigable. That no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred or contempt of another. That every man strive to accommodate himself to the rest. These basic rights shall bind the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as directly applicable law. ==Article II== Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others. Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. Freedom of the person shall be inviolable. These rights may be interfered with only pursuant to a law. ==Article III== All persons are equal before the law. Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for men and women and take steps to eliminate disadvantages. No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, age, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability. ==Article IV== Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable. The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No person shall be compelled against his conscience to render military service involving the use of arms. ==Article V== Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his or her opinions in any media without hindrance. Freedom of the press and freedom of broadcast is guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal protection. Arts and sciences, research and teaching shall be provided by the state, at various levels. ==Article VI== The family shall enjoy the special protection of the state. The care and upbringing of children is the natural right of parents and a duty primarily incumbent upon them. The state shall watch over them in the performance of this duty. Children may be separated from their families against the will of their parents or guardians only pursuant to a law, and only if the parents or guardians fail in their duties or the children are otherwise in danger of serious neglect. Every mother shall be entitled to the protection and care of the community. Children born outside of marriage shall be provided by legislation with the same opportunities for physical and mental development and for their position in society as are enjoyed by those born within marriage. Marriage is a social and/or religious institution, the state relinquishes any involvement in its creation or dissolution. ==Article VII== The education system is the responsibility of the Member States, and the right to establish private schools is guaranteed. Religious indoctrination is the province of families and clerics, and as such shall not be a part of the curriculum of any public education institution, this excludes theological and historical, sociological study of religion. ==Article IIX== All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior notification or permission. In the case of outdoor assemblies, this right may be restricted by or pursuant to a law. ==Article IX== All citizens have the right to form corporations and other associations. Associations whose aims or activities contravene the criminal laws, or that are directed against the public good are prohibited. The right to form associations to safeguard and improve working and economic conditions shall be guaranteed to every individual and to every occupation or profession. ==Article X== All citizens have the right to move about the [[Member States]] freely, to be inviolate in their homes and property. ==Article XI== Land, natural resources and means of production may for the purpose of socialisation be transferred to public ownership or other forms of public enterprise by a law that determines the nature and extent of compensation. ==Article XII== In any matter of concurrent authority, whenever any law of a State conflicts with the law of the the General Government, the law of the State shall prevail. Where the General Government is prescribed eminent domain in this document, this Article is not affective. ==Article XIII== (1) No Fáel may be deprived of his citizenship. Citizenship may be lost only pursuant to a law, and against the will of the person affected only if he does not become stateless as a result. (2) No Fáel may be extradited to a foreign country. The law may provide otherwise for extraditions to a member state of the European Union or to an international court, provided that the rule of law is observed. ==Article XIV== (1) Persons persecuted on political grounds shall have the right of asylum. (2) Paragraph (1) of this Article may not be invoked by a person who enters the federal territory from a member state of the European Communities or from another third state in which application of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is assured. The states outside the European Communities to which the criteria of the first sentence of this paragraph apply shall be specified by a law requiring the con- sent of the General Government. In the cases specified in the first sentence of this paragraph, measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be implemented without regard to any legal challenge that may have been instituted against them. (3) By a law requiring the consent of the General Government, states may be specified in which, on the basis of their laws, enforcement practices and general political conditions, it can be safely concluded that neither political persecution nor inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment exists. It shall be presumed that a foreigner from such a state is not persecuted, unless he presents evidence justifying the conclusion that, contrary to this presumption, he is persecuted on political grounds. (4) In the cases specified by paragraph (3) of this Article and in other cases that are plainly unfounded or considered to be plainly unfounded, the implementation of measures to terminate an applicant’s stay may be suspended by a court only if serious doubts exist as to their legality; the scope of review may be limited, and tardy objections may be disregarded. Details shall be determined by a law. ==Article XV== Every person shall have the right individually or jointly with others to address written requests or complaints to competent authorities and to the legislature. ==Article XVI== (1) Fáel is a democratic, socialist federation. (2) All power of state is derived from the consensual membership of the States and from the people. It shall be exercised by the people through the specific legislative, executive, and judicial bodies. (3) The legislature shall be bound by constitutional provisions, the executives by law, and the judiciary by moral devotion to justice. (4) All Fáels have the right to resist any person seeking to subvert this constitutional order. (5) Mindful of our place in the ecosystem and our great responsibility to it, for its great bounty that we owe, and for our future generations, the state shall protect the natural foundations of the Earth, and all its life by legislation, and executive and judicial action, with respect to sustainability where our encroachment stretches too far. ==Article XVII== (1) Political parties may participate in the spread of political ideas. They may be freely established. Their internal organisation must conform to democratic principles. They must publicly account for their assets and for the sources and use of their funds. (2) Political parties cannot campaign or directly field candidates for office, nor may a candidate affiliate himself with a party during election or occupation of an office. ==Article XVIII== The capital of Fáel is Cathír na Fil. ==Article IXX== The flag of Fáel is horizontal bands of white, green, and red. ==Article XX== (1) The constitutional order in the Pages and Forals must conform to the principles of a democratic and social state governed by the rule of law, within the meaning of this Organic Law. In each Page or Foral the people shall be represented by a body chosen in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections. In municipalities a local assembly may take the place of an elected body. (2) The Federation shall guarantee that the constitutional order of the Member States conforms to the basic rights and to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article. ==Article XXI== Except as otherwise provided or permitted by this Organic Law, the exercise of state powers and the discharge of state functions is a matter for the Pages and Forals. ==Article XXII== Law of a Member State takes precedence over Fáelish Law, except where prescribed in this document. With respect to the environment, social welfare, the interior, justice, and the Fáelish treasury, Fáelish Law takes precedence over Law of a Member State. ==Article XXIII== Relations with foreign states shall be conducted by Fáel. Before the conclusion of a treaty affecting the special circumstances of a Member State, that Member State shall be consulted in timely fashion. Insofar as the Member States have power to legislate, they may conclude treaties with foreign states with the consent of the Directory. ==Article XXIV== (1) Every Fáelish citizen shall have in every Member State the same human and civil rights. (2) Political rights shall be prescribed by the Member States where they don't impinge any of the basic rights set forth for all citizens in this Organic Law. No Fáelish citizen shall be deemed an alien in any Member State. (3) Neither the enjoyment of civil and political rights, nor eligibility for public office, nor rights acquired in the public service shall be dependent upon religious affiliation in Fáel or any Member State. No one may be disadvantaged by reason of adherence or non-adherence to a particular religious denomination or philosophical creed. (4) The exercise of sovereign authority on a regular basis shall, as a rule, be entrusted to members of the public service who stand in a relationship of service and loyalty defined by public law. (5) The law governing the public service shall be regulated and developed with due regard to the traditional principles of the professional civil service. [[Category:Law]] 4154 2010-04-13T02:36:33Z Faeland 1086271 /* Article XXIV */ The '''Organic Law''' of the Federated States of Faeland is the constitution of Faeland. It was formally approved by plebiscite on 10 March 1935, and, with the signature of the heads of the [[Member States]], came into effect on 15 March 1935 as the constitution of the Federated States. The document explicitly states that it is to be read as a strict document, if certain powers of state and government are not listed, they do not exist. However, as an ''organic'' document, it is subject to amendment. =The Law= ''The text herein is the '''Organic Law''', or constitution of the Federated States of Faeland.'' ==Preamble== That the dignity and freedom of all humans is guaranteed, and the dignity and sovereignty of the island of Fáel is upheld, we do create this government for the protection and unity of the people and polities of Fáel. The Faelish people declare an indefeasible and sovereign right to govern themselves and determine their own future. This Organic Law calls for the establishment of a General Government, so called herein, of Fáel, or the 'Federated States of Faeland.' ==Article I== Human dignity and natural rights exist above the