Olmeria: Difference between revisions
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|established_date2 = | |established_date2 = | ||
|area_rank = | |area_rank = | ||
|area = | |area = | ||
|population_estimate = 24 Million | |population_estimate = 24 Million | ||
|population_census = [[2030]] = 23,964,337 | |population_census = [[2030]] = 23,964,337 | ||
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|calling_code = [[+22]] | |calling_code = [[+22]] | ||
}} | |area_km2=195,751.30|population_density_km2=122.42}} | ||
'''Olmeria''', officially the '''Democratic Republic of Olmeria''' ([[Cordish]]: ''Demokratica Rendǿ Olmeria''), is a island nation in the far reaching northern Continent of [[Kiroborea]], although it is widely considered to be geopolitically closer to northern [[Levantia]] and the [[Ultmar]] region. Sitting on the north coast of the [[Sea of Nordska|Sea of Nordska,]] Olmeria has no permanent land borders, but is connected to the [[Arctic]] to its north by seasonal ice for much of the year. To the south, the island of [[Weiss Insel]] (FI) can be found across the [[Olmerian Straights]] before reaching mainland [[Fiannria]] and the port city and capital of [[Brídhavn]] on the southern Nordska coast. Due west, around 2,500 km of ocean separate Olmeria from it's most culturally similar neighbour [[Vithinja]]. Between the two lies the isle of [[Vonein]] followed by the northeast coast of [[Caergwynn]], roughly 2,000km from the Olmerian coast. To the east, little is found besides the expansive [[Levantine Ocean]], although if travelling far enough one will eventually reach the [[Sea of Capelan]] and later the west coast of [[Crona]]. | '''Olmeria''', officially the '''Democratic Republic of Olmeria''' ([[Cordish]]: ''Demokratica Rendǿ Olmeria''), is a island nation in the far reaching northern Continent of [[Kiroborea]], although it is widely considered to be geopolitically closer to northern [[Levantia]] and the [[Ultmar]] region. Sitting on the north coast of the [[Sea of Nordska|Sea of Nordska,]] Olmeria has no permanent land borders, but is connected to the [[Arctic]] to its north by seasonal ice for much of the year. To the south, the island of [[Weiss Insel]] (FI) can be found across the [[Olmerian Straights]] before reaching mainland [[Fiannria]] and the port city and capital of [[Brídhavn]] on the southern Nordska coast. Due west, around 2,500 km of ocean separate Olmeria from it's most culturally similar neighbour [[Vithinja]]. Between the two lies the isle of [[Vonein]] followed by the northeast coast of [[Caergwynn]], roughly 2,000km from the Olmerian coast. To the east, little is found besides the expansive [[Levantine Ocean]], although if travelling far enough one will eventually reach the [[Sea of Capelan]] and later the west coast of [[Crona]]. | ||
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The postfix -eria had experienced a surge in popularity from around 750 onwards, particularly amongst the warrior class, where warriors began to use the term "upheria" to describe feelings of adrenaline and hysteria associated with combat. This trend spread quickly amongst the lower class divisions affecting many existing words such as "but seemingly failed to influences the law-making classes until the mid 9th Century. | The postfix -eria had experienced a surge in popularity from around 750 onwards, particularly amongst the warrior class, where warriors began to use the term "upheria" to describe feelings of adrenaline and hysteria associated with combat. This trend spread quickly amongst the lower class divisions affecting many existing words such as "but seemingly failed to influences the law-making classes until the mid 9th Century. | ||
The term Olmeria itself can first be seen in in writings from the Great Chieftain [[Marco Reud]] in 856. Reud writes about the loss off "Olmeria" in the national community, seemingly referring to unity or national spirit. His use of the postfix -eria is the first such recorded example outside of soldiers and their families. Presumably Reud had picked up the trend from his men (who he was famously close to) and was attempting encapture the idea of "oneness" or "feeling of being one" by using a postfix that had become so commonly associated with such abstract concepts. | The term Olmeria itself can first be seen in in writings from the Great Chieftain [[Marco Reud]] in 856. Reud writes about the loss off "Olmeria" in the national community, seemingly referring to unity or national spirit. His use of the postfix -eria is the first such recorded example outside of soldiers and their families. Presumably Reud had picked up the trend from his men (who he was famously close to) and was attempting to encapture the idea of "oneness" or "feeling of being one" by using a postfix that had become so commonly associated with such abstract concepts. | ||
The concept of "Olmeria" was not regularly revisited over the next few centuries until it came to the official establishment of the nation sometime in | The concept of "Olmeria" was not regularly revisited over the next few centuries until it came to the official establishment of the nation sometime in 1062. At this point, senior chieftains and intellectuals revisited Reud's work looking for inspiration from the nations history to embed into the [[1st Constitution (Olmeria)|1st Constitution]] (a fact easily noted by historians for the clear annotations in the margins of many copies of Reud's works). What they found instead was a solution to the long running debate over the name of the newly established nation, one which had been raging for almost 3 years as various historic tribes and families vied to have their titles acknowledged in the modern country (a fact which lead several early drafts of the nation name to be over 3 pages in length). The idea of "Olmeria" or "Oneness" appealed greatly to those leaders and intellectuals who desperately craved a clean sheet from the simultaneously troubled, violent and stagnant early history of the land. In fact the contemporary chronicler [[Loke Åberg]] (who was also a senior advisor in the Council of Chieftains) noted how "the incessant roar of conflict that have plagued these halls for so many months were, so suddenly, cut to silence by the shouts of one, junior, advisor, who cried at the topmost end of his voice that he had found the perfect solution". Little more is known about the exact events that immediately followed this but drafts of the constitution dated just a few days later began to use Olmeria in the title and text, suggesting the response was at least close to unanimously in favour of the new name. | ||
Curiously, following the adoption of Olmeria as the nations title, the use of postfix -eria once again dropped | Curiously, following the adoption of Olmeria as the nations title, the use of postfix -eria once again dropped off a cliff and is now rarely, if ever, seen in the modern Cordish language. | ||
As for which of the early words were the true predecessors to Olmeria, there are more schools of thought than people in the country to believe them. Many Olmerian historians argue the differences in meaning between "Olne" and "Olm" were substantial enough that, despite the phonetic similarities, it's impossible for the world to have evolved so quickly, thereby discounting Olne as a legitimate predecessor. They say it's plausible that the pronunciation of "Elmne" could have lead to a rapid change in spelling over just a few centuries with little change in meaning. | As for which of the early words were the true predecessors to Olmeria, there are more schools of thought than people in the country to believe them. Many Olmerian historians argue the differences in meaning between "Olne" and "Olm" were substantial enough that, despite the phonetic similarities, it's impossible for the world to have evolved so quickly, thereby discounting Olne as a legitimate predecessor. They say it's plausible that the pronunciation of "Elmne" could have lead to a rapid change in spelling over just a few centuries with little change in meaning. | ||
However other historians argue that such a change in spelling is itself impossible, discounting "Elmne" as a legitimate predecessor. Many suggest that in the ancient world the meaning of "violent collision" would be closer than a | However other historians argue that such a change in spelling is itself impossible, discounting "Elmne" as a legitimate predecessor. Many suggest that in the ancient world the meaning of "violent collision" would be closer than a contemporary audience may imagine, given much of the religious imagery of the time focussed on worship by throwing rocks at idols to establish some sort of spiritual connection. While little is known about the old faiths to confirm this, it is plausible that the association between collision and spiritual worship allowed "Olne" to develop it's meaning faster than many other words at the time. Others suggest there was a reference to a senior deity as "The Great One" or similar, once again associating the two concepts. This is, however, contradicted heavily by the fact use of the word Olme to mean the numerical value one was not predominant in its early use, or in fact until much later in the 2nd millennia. | ||
Yet more historians are on the fence, claiming that the phonetics, meaning and spelling of both origins combined to eventually result in the world "Olm". They argue the lack of recordings from the time suggest a literacy rate so low that any level of meaningful change in the language would almost certainly be passed on verbally, suggesting the similarly sounding words could have become confused with each other, with the resulting term adopting the phonetically logical spelling "Olne" along with the unified meaning. Historians in this category still hold widely split views on what proportion of influence each word held over the final meaning. | Yet more historians are on the fence, claiming that the phonetics, meaning and spelling of both origins combined to eventually result in the world "Olm". They argue the lack of recordings from the time suggest a literacy rate so low that any level of meaningful change in the language would almost certainly be passed on verbally, suggesting the similarly sounding words could have become confused with each other, with the resulting term adopting the phonetically logical spelling "Olne" along with the unified meaning. Historians in this category still hold widely split views on what proportion of influence each word held over the final meaning. | ||
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=== The Great Chieftains === | === The Great Chieftains === | ||
Small scale tribal conflicts over the early years of Tarsan settlement began to settle into something much more organised around 150 BC, when, driven by a need for co-operation in the brutally harsh conditions, smaller tribes began forming alliances stretching far beyond the fleeting military ones made during the early tribal conflicts. Gradually, the tribes became so interlinked that after 100 or so years (c.50 BC), they had pretty much merged into 5 distinct tribes around Tarsa, each claiming their own lands and ruling according to their own laws and customs. Each of these became ruled by one "Great Chieftain", a term gradually adopted at the time. The next 600 and more years became defined by side deals, hostile negotiations, and outright conflict between these 5 chieftains and their descendants. In 512 AD the chieftains signed the [[Early Constitution (Olmeria)|Early Constitution]], unifying the tribes in a confederation that would eventually become Olmeria. While internal conflicts | Small scale tribal conflicts over the early years of Tarsan settlement began to settle into something much more organised around 150 BC, when, driven by a need for co-operation in the brutally harsh conditions, smaller tribes began forming alliances stretching far beyond the fleeting military ones made during the early tribal conflicts. Gradually, the tribes became so interlinked that after 100 or so years (c.50 BC), they had pretty much merged into 5 distinct tribes around Tarsa, each claiming their own lands and ruling according to their own laws and customs. Each of these became ruled by one "Great Chieftain", a term gradually adopted at the time. The next 600 and more years became defined by side deals, hostile negotiations, and outright conflict between these 5 chieftains and their descendants. In 512 AD the chieftains signed the [[Early Constitution (Olmeria)|Early Constitution]], unifying the tribes in a confederation that would eventually become Olmeria. While internal and external conflicts continued, as the tribes kept large parts of their autonomy, the power of the Chieftains began to naturally decline, tamed by their 4, equal, counterparts. Additionally, from around 600 AD, democratic tribal councils began spread in popularity, slowly reducing the Chieftain's role to that of a diplomatic figurehead. This didn't, however stop them remaining at least somewhat influential until the final, formal unification of the nation under the name "Olmeria" in 1062. | ||
===Mass Immigration=== | ===Mass Immigration=== | ||
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===Establishment and Early Years=== | ===Establishment and Early Years=== | ||
The formal unification of tribes in Tarsa came in 1062, after more than half a century of informal agreements blurred tribal classifications to the extent it no longer made sense for the country to remain divided. However, while the need for unification was mutually agreed by senior tribal members | |||
===The Civil Wars=== | ===The Civil Wars=== | ||
===The Colonisation=== | ===The Colonisation=== | ||
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''Main Article: [[Olmerian Politics]]'' | ''Main Article: [[Olmerian Politics]]'' | ||
Olmeria is a Unicameral Democratic Republic, divided into the executive [[Council of Chiefs]] (presided over by the [[President of Olmeria]]), and legislative body [[The People's Senate]]. The nation is split into | Olmeria is a Unicameral Democratic Republic, divided into the executive [[Council of Chiefs]] (presided over by the [[President of Olmeria]]), and legislative body [[The People's Senate]]. The nation is split into 100 Multi-Member Constituencies which elect representatives according to the STV voting system. Olmeria also has 82 [[Administrative Districts of Olmeria|administrative districts]] managed by regional and local councils, including 4 metropolitan zones. General elections are held after every set 4 year term to elect the Senate and President, while local elections are held annually (excluding General Election years) with 1/3 of councillors up for election each time. | ||
===The President=== | ===The President=== | ||
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The democratically elected post of [[The President of Olmeria|President of Olmeria]] combines the traditional roles and duties of both the Head of State and Head of Government, meaning the President is responsible for a combination of executive legislative decisions and ceremonial and diplomatic representation of the nation. The president is elected concordantly with the legislative body as the leader and representative of a certain political party. | The democratically elected post of [[The President of Olmeria|President of Olmeria]] combines the traditional roles and duties of both the Head of State and Head of Government, meaning the President is responsible for a combination of executive legislative decisions and ceremonial and diplomatic representation of the nation. The president is elected concordantly with the legislative body as the leader and representative of a certain political party. | ||
While the president can be deemed the highest power in the state, in accordance with the [[2nd Olmerian Constitution]] the power of the President is fully accountable to veto by the Council of Chiefs and People's Senate by a series of constitutional safeguards. Any one President is limited to a maximum of four consecutive terms in office and a total of 6 in their lifetime. | While the president can be deemed the highest power in the state, in accordance with the [[Second Constitution of Olmeria|2nd Olmerian Constitution]] the power of the President is fully accountable to veto by the Council of Chiefs and People's Senate by a series of constitutional safeguards. Any one President is limited to a maximum of four consecutive terms in office and a total of 6 in their lifetime. | ||
Olmeria has had a total of XX Presidents since the post was adopted in XXXX. The current President of Olmeria is [[Këil Frieden|President Këil Frieden]]. | Olmeria has had a total of XX Presidents since the post was adopted in XXXX. The current President of Olmeria is [[Këil Frieden|President Këil Frieden]]. | ||
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''Main Article: [[Administrative Districts of Olmeria]]'' | ''Main Article: [[Administrative Districts of Olmeria]]'' | ||
Local government in Olmeria is organised into two tiers. Upper tier authorities consist of regional boards presiding over the the nations 16 official provinces, usually encompassing a substantial area, and metropolitan councils presiding over the nations 4 designated metropolitan zones. These authorities hold responsibility for enacting government initiatives, allocating money for larger spending projects, and managing province wide networks such as high speed rail links. Lower tier authorities sit underneath their relevant upper tier authority, and consist of | Local government in Olmeria is organised into two tiers. Upper tier authorities consist of regional boards presiding over the the nations 16 official provinces, usually encompassing a substantial area, and metropolitan councils presiding over the nations 4 designated metropolitan zones. These authorities hold responsibility for enacting government initiatives, allocating money for larger spending projects, and managing province wide networks such as high speed rail links. Lower tier authorities sit underneath their relevant upper tier authority, and consist of district, town and city councils presiding over much smaller local municipalities. These authorities are responsible for more menial management of local affairs such as road maintenance and local public transport. Special cases occur regarding Metropolitan zones, as there are no lower tier authorities beneath, and the whole zone remains under the singular Metropolitan council. | ||
Local government below these two tiers, such as borough, small town and village councils, are not considered part of the national government structure and as such are named "[[Sub-state Authorities (Olmeria)|sub-state authorities]]". | |||
There are 20 upper tier authorities in Olmeria, and | There are 20 upper tier authorities in Olmeria, and 72 lower tier authorities, making a total of 92 governmental administrative districts. These districts are run by elected councillors, or regional representatives (shorthand: regional reps) in the case of regional boards, and metropolitan councillors in the case of metropolitan councils. | ||
===Politics=== | ===Politics=== | ||
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==== History ==== | ==== History ==== | ||
Historically, Olmeria used to operate a [[:en:First-past-the-post_voting|First Past the Post (FPTP)]] voting system, a well known system renowned for it's tendency to create a two party system. As such, the nations political landscape for the first X centuries after the formal establishment of the democratic system, were defined predominantly by the competition between the center-left [[Unity Party]] and the more extreme socialist [[Olmerian Socialist Union|Olmerian Socialist Union (OSU)]], which dominated party politics for more than XXX years. In | Historically, Olmeria used to operate a [[:en:First-past-the-post_voting|First Past the Post (FPTP)]] voting system, a well known system renowned for it's tendency to create a two party system. As such, the nations political landscape for the first X centuries after the formal establishment of the democratic system, were defined predominantly by the competition between the center-left [[Unity Party]] and the more extreme socialist [[Olmerian Socialist Union|Olmerian Socialist Union (OSU)]], which dominated party politics for more than XXX years. In 1970, Olmeria transitioned to the revolutionary STV voting system (pioneered by political philosopher [[Wilhelm Svensson]]), threatening the dominance of these two parties. Over the following decade, following widely split senates, both parties went on to form long-term parliamentary agreements, with the Unity party adopting the [[Liberal Party (Olmeria)|Liberal Party]], and later the [[Christian Democratic Union (Olmeria)|CDU]], to form the more centrist [[Unity Coalition (Olmeria)|Unity Coalition]], and the OSU joining with the original [[1st Olmerian Workers Party|Olmerian Workers Party]] (now reformed under the same name), and the [[Trade Union Socialist Congress (Olmeria)|TUSC]] to form the similarly left wing [[Progress Coalition (Olmeria)|Progress Coalition]]. | ||
==== Modern Political Landscape ==== | ==== Modern Political Landscape ==== | ||
[[File:Olmerian Senate 2031.png|thumb|The make-up of the People's Senate following the 2031 elections]] | [[File:Olmerian Senate 2031.png|thumb|The make-up of the People's Senate following the 2031 elections]] | ||
Now, due to the use of highly proportional voting system single transferable vote (STV), Olmerian politics are nuanced and variable, usually relying on some form of power sharing agreement. In fact in the XX years since the modern voting system was adopted, only | Now, due to the use of highly proportional voting system single transferable vote (STV), Olmerian politics are nuanced and variable, usually relying on some form of power sharing agreement. In fact in the XX years since the modern voting system was adopted, only 1 government has ruled with an outright majority, with this being by the [[Progress Coalition (Olmeria)|Progress Coalition]], following it's inaugural election success in 1978. | ||
The biggest parties in the current Senate are the [[Unity Coalition|Unity]] and [[Progress Coalition|Progress]] | The biggest parties in the current Senate are the [[Unity Coalition (Olmeria)|Unity]] and [[Progress Coalition (Olmeria)|Progress Coalitions]], with the liberal [[Justice Party (Olmeria)|Justice Party]] and conservative [[Jönsson Pact]] also holding significant presence. After winning the most seats in the 2031 elections, the Unity Coalition is currently the major partner in a centrist coalition government with the [[Justice Party (Olmeria)|Justice Party]], together holding a 44 seat majority in the Senate. [[Këil Frieden|President Këil Frieden]], Speaker [[Orvar Göransson|Prs Orvar Göransson]] and 11 of the 15 appointed chiefs are all Unity Party Senators, while Great Chieftain [[Esmë Droido|Chf Esmë Droido]] and 3 other chiefs represent the Justice Party. | ||
Current smaller parties holding seats in the Senate include the reformed far-left [[2nd Olmerian Workers Party|Olmerian Workers Party (OWP)]], the far-right [[Olmerian Nationalist Party|Olmerian Nationalist Party (ONP)]], the [[Centrist Party (Olmeria)|Centrist Party]], the [[Green Party (Olmeria)|Green Party]], and the [[Christian Party for the Reform of Olmeria|CPRO]]. | Current smaller parties holding seats in the Senate include the reformed far-left [[2nd Olmerian Workers Party|Olmerian Workers Party (OWP)]], the far-right [[Olmerian Nationalist Party|Olmerian Nationalist Party (ONP)]], the [[Centrist Party (Olmeria)|Centrist Party]], the [[Green Party (Olmeria)|Green Party]], and the [[Christian Party for the Reform of Olmeria|CPRO]]. | ||
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==== Lower Legal Framework ==== | ==== Lower Legal Framework ==== | ||
Beneath the SCO, Olmeria's court system is divided into two distinct, parallel systems ruling over administrative and general (civil and criminal) matters respectively. All criminal and civil cases will in most circumstances first be referred to a local district court for review, of which there are more than 50 in the country. If the case is low-level it will be heard and ruled on in the district court. If it is a more serious criminal or civil offence, the case will be passed on to a regional court (of which there are 16), and heard and | Beneath the SCO, Olmeria's court system is divided into two distinct, parallel systems ruling over administrative and general (civil and criminal) matters respectively. All criminal and civil cases will in most circumstances first be referred to a local district court for review, of which there are more than 50 in the country. If the case is low-level it will be heard and ruled on in the district court. If it is a more serious criminal or civil offence, the case will be passed on to a regional court (of which there are 16), and heard and ruled on there. If the case is appealed, the court of appeal will review the case and determine if there is enough evidence for an appeal. If they deem there is enough evidence, the case will be heard again in the court of appeal and a new verdict reached on whether or not to uphold the original sentence. Very serious or contentious cases and appeals not eligible for Supreme Court consideration are heard by the [[High Court of Olmeria]]. Cases can only be appealed to the Supreme Court if they are deemed to have no precedent in current legislature<ref>[[Olmeria Legislation|Olmerian Legislation]]</ref> or common law<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_law</ref>. | ||
==== Laws ==== | ==== Laws ==== | ||
Olmeria's laws are reasonably liberal as a results of successive centrist and left leaning governments, and although criticism of them is very vocal amongst certain right wing groups, the general public perspective has always been reasonably in support of progressive, contemporary laws. The country prides itself on a generally open and welcoming culture, with relaxed immigration and tourism laws, tolerance of other cultures, and government protected rights for individuals of all backgrounds coming to the country. Non-heterosexual relationships have been legal in Olmeria since 1963, and gay marriage was formerly legalised in 1982 with the Freedom of Sexuality<ref>Known widely as the FoS Act</ref> Act <ref>[[LBGT+ Rights in Olmeria]]</ref>. This same act banned conversion therapy in all its forms, and later amendments have formally entrenched the right of gay couples to adopt children, express their sexuality openly in public, and not to face discrimination as a result of their sexuality. The Inclusion Act (1991) explicitly extended these rights to all members of the LGBTQ+ community, although the exact nature of transgender rights remain a contentious issue in contemporary Olmerian politics. | Olmeria's laws are reasonably liberal as a results of successive centrist and left leaning governments, and although criticism of them is very vocal amongst certain right wing groups, the general public perspective has always been reasonably in support of progressive, contemporary laws. The country prides itself on a generally open and welcoming culture, with relaxed immigration and tourism laws, tolerance of other cultures, and government protected rights for individuals of all backgrounds coming to the country. Non-heterosexual relationships have been legal in Olmeria since 1963, and gay marriage was formerly legalised in 1982 with the Freedom of Sexuality<ref>Known widely as the FoS Act</ref> Act <ref>[[LBGT+ Rights in Olmeria]]</ref>. This same act banned conversion therapy in all its forms, and later amendments have formally entrenched the right of gay couples to adopt children, express their sexuality openly in public, and not to face discrimination as a result of their sexuality. The Inclusion Act (1991) explicitly extended these rights to all members of the LGBTQ+ community, although the exact nature of transgender rights remain a contentious issue in contemporary Olmerian politics. | ||
Olmeria was the first country to abolish the death penalty, with capital and corporal punishment in all forms having been outlawed in Olmeria since | Olmeria was the first country to abolish the death penalty, with capital and corporal punishment in all forms having been outlawed in Olmeria since 1954<ref>[[Life, Rights and Liberty Act 1954 (Olmeria)]]</ref>, although in practice the last such execution was 2 decades earlier. Punishment in general is lenient compared to much of the world, with a focus on incarceration for reform and protection<ref>[[Prison Reform Act 2011 (Olmeria)]]</ref><ref>[[Olmerian Prison System]]</ref> rather than punishment. | ||
The [[Second Constitution of Olmeria]] provides an absolute legislative framework for the operation of government, the judiciary and the executive. The constitution can be amended only by 2/3rds majority in the Senate. | |||
==Demographics== | ==Demographics== | ||
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==Culture and Society== | ==Culture and Society== | ||
''What do your people do, and what are they like?'' | ''What do your people do, and what are they like?'' | ||
===Education=== | |||
Olmeria's formal state education system is non-linear, with multiple points where option is given to students to decide on their future paths of education. While optional earlier education exists, all children must start school in Lillë-bas Sköle<ref>''Literally - "Little Person School"''</ref> at the age of 4 years old, where they stay for three years learning very basic reading and writing and numeracy, and where the foundations of general learning and development principles are laid. At the age of 7, children move up to Förstskap Sköle<ref>''Literally - "First Step School"''</ref> , where they study for 4 years learning rudimentary literacy and numeracy, alongside science, geography and history, and then some of music, languages and technology depending on the school. As Lillë-bas and Förstskap Sköle are often combined into one institution, many children move schools for the first time at the age of 11, when they move up to Hövdsköle<ref>''Literally - "Mainschool"'' </ref>. Here students study what is know as the "Induction Years", where for two years they must take lessons in science, maths, cordish, history, geography, modern foreign languages (at schools discretion), art, music, theatre, technology and sports. After these two year, at the age of 13, students have to opportunity to narrow down their learning by choosing a combination of 7-11 academic (OSEC<ref>Olmerian Secondary Education Certificate</ref>'s) and vocational (PTSQ's<ref>Professional and Technical Secondary Qualification</ref>) qualifications, including mandatory subjects maths, cordish and combined sciences. Students may also leave Hövdsköle at this point, or at any time during the next two years of study, to attend a technical or professional college, however this is somewhat rare and only a few such colleges accept students of this age. Students study these selected subjects for three years until the age of 16, when they sit final exams/submit coursework for their selected subjects and receive relevant grades and qualifications. Here, students choose between remaining at Hövdsköle for a further two years to study for a General Standard/Advanced Diploma (GSD or GAD), moving to a focussed academic college to study for specific Standard or Advanced Diplomas, or leaving to a technical or professional college to study for PTAQ's, apprenticeships or Technical Standard/Advanced Diplomas (TSD/TAD's). University in Olmeria is known as Háskóli<ref>''Litterally: Place of Endeavour''</ref>. | === Education === | ||
Olmeria's formal state education system is non-linear, with multiple points where option is given to students to decide on their future paths of education. While optional earlier education exists, all children must start school in Lillë-bas Sköle<ref>''Literally - "Little Person School"''</ref> at the age of 4 years old, where they stay for three years learning very basic reading and writing and numeracy, and where the foundations of general learning and development principles are laid. At the age of 7, children move up to Förstskap Sköle<ref>''Literally - "First Step School"''</ref> , where they study for 4 years learning rudimentary literacy and numeracy, alongside science, geography and history, and then some of music, languages and technology depending on the school. As Lillë-bas and Förstskap Sköle are often combined into one institution, many children move schools for the first time at the age of 11, when they move up to Hövdsköle<ref>''Literally - "Mainschool"'' </ref>. Here students study what is know as the "Induction Years", where for two years they must take lessons in science, maths, cordish, history, geography, modern foreign languages (at schools discretion), art, music, theatre, technology and sports. After these two year, at the age of 13, students have to opportunity to narrow down their learning by choosing a combination of 7-11 academic (OSEC<ref>Olmerian Secondary Education Certificate</ref>'s) and vocational (PTSQ's<ref>Professional and Technical Secondary Qualification</ref>) qualifications, including mandatory subjects maths, cordish and combined sciences. Students may also leave Hövdsköle at this point, or at any time during the next two years of study, to attend a technical or professional college, however this is somewhat rare and only a few such colleges accept students of this age. Students study these selected subjects for three years until the age of 16, when they sit final exams/submit coursework for their selected subjects and receive relevant grades and qualifications. Here, students choose between remaining at Hövdsköle for a further two years to study for a General Standard/Advanced Diploma ([[General Diploma (Olmeria)|GSD]] or [[General Diploma (Olmeria)|GAD]]), moving to a focussed academic college to study for specific Standard or Advanced Diplomas, or leaving to a technical or professional college to study for PTAQ's, apprenticeships or Technical Standard/Advanced Diplomas (TSD/TAD's). University in Olmeria is known as Háskóli<ref>''Litterally: Place of Endeavour''</ref>. | |||
===Attitudes and worldview=== | ===Attitudes and worldview=== | ||
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Olmeria, despite it's size, is a proud, and successful (although never dominant) sporting nation. The nation has senior professional divisions and a national team in 6 major team sports, in addition to being well renowned for it's prowess in winter sport competitions, particularly track events and biathlon skiing. In fact, Olmeria is the birthplace of the first winter track sport, bobsleigh, invented in peculiar circumstances in XXXX. Since it's independence in XXXX, several Olmerian athletes have gained substantial status and fame within their fields, most recognisably bobsleigh captain and later TV personality [[Melker Bergius]], footballer [[Olle Aberg]] and F1 driver [[Viktor Stenström]]. | Olmeria, despite it's size, is a proud, and successful (although never dominant) sporting nation. The nation has senior professional divisions and a national team in 6 major team sports, in addition to being well renowned for it's prowess in winter sport competitions, particularly track events and biathlon skiing. In fact, Olmeria is the birthplace of the first winter track sport, bobsleigh, invented in peculiar circumstances in XXXX. Since it's independence in XXXX, several Olmerian athletes have gained substantial status and fame within their fields, most recognisably bobsleigh captain and later TV personality [[Melker Bergius]], footballer [[Olle Aberg]] and F1 driver [[Viktor Stenström]]. | ||
The sporting industry in Olmeria, and the media sector that goes alongside it, is estimated to be worth around [[The Lund|Ⱡ]]1.5bn. Sponsorship and television rights play a large part in the commercial factor of this revenue, however the majority still comes from grassroots purchases of matchday tickets and sporting equipment by the Olmerian populace. Football (aka soccer in some regions of the world) is the most popular sport both in terms of viewing figures and commercial success, with ice hockey a close competitor for household viewership. In fact the rivalry between the two sports is so strong that most Olmerians watch and follow just one of the [[Olmerian Hockey League|OHL]] and the [[Første Liga]] (although this feud doesn't extend to international competitions, which garner the support of the whole nation). | The sporting industry in Olmeria, and the media sector that goes alongside it, is estimated to be worth around [[The Lund|Ⱡ]]1.5bn. Sponsorship and television rights play a large part in the commercial factor of this revenue, however the majority still comes from grassroots purchases of matchday tickets and sporting equipment by the Olmerian populace. Football (aka soccer in some regions of the world) is the most popular sport both in terms of viewing figures and commercial success, with ice hockey a close competitor for household viewership. In fact the rivalry between the two sports is so strong that most Olmerians watch and follow just one of the [[Olmerian Hockey League|OHL]] and the [[Første Liga (Olmeria)|Første Liga]] (although this feud doesn't extend to international competitions, which garner the support of the whole nation). | ||
==== '''Football''' ==== | ==== '''Football''' ==== | ||
Football is the largest sport in Olmeria, and watched regularly by many households in the nation. Olmeria's reputable top division is the [[Første Liga]] (english: top league), followed by the [[Lëiga Liga|Lëiga Lige]]<ref>''English: Leaders League''</ref>, and then the [[Liga Olme]]<ref>''English: League One''</ref> and [[Liga Gret]]<ref>''English: League Two''</ref>. Below this Olmeria has a reasonably substantial community of so called non league football, with one national [[Liga Nul]] <ref>''Literally the "Nothing League"''</ref>, and then around 4-7 more tiers of officially recognised football depending on the specific region. | Football is the largest sport in Olmeria, and watched regularly by many households in the nation. Olmeria's reputable top division is the [[Første Liga (Olmeria)|Første Liga]] (english: top league), followed by the [[Lëiga Liga|Lëiga Lige]]<ref>''English: Leaders League''</ref>, and then the [[Liga Olme]]<ref>''English: League One''</ref> and [[Liga Gret]]<ref>''English: League Two''</ref>. Below this Olmeria has a reasonably substantial community of so called non league football, with one national [[Liga Nul]] <ref>''Literally the "Nothing League"''</ref>, and then around 4-7 more tiers of officially recognised football depending on the specific region. | ||
Olmeria's national team is proficient, if not widely successful, internationally. The nationwide fan base can at the very least be said to be incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to the sport and nation when it comes to international competitions, with the Olmerian ultras infamous enough to be dubbed "[[The Thunderheads]]" by both Olmerians and opposition supporters alike. | Olmeria's national team is proficient, if not widely successful, internationally. The nationwide fan base can at the very least be said to be incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to the sport and nation when it comes to international competitions, with the Olmerian ultras infamous enough to be dubbed "[[The Thunderheads]]" by both Olmerians and opposition supporters alike. | ||
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''How advanced is your country? Is it an innovator, or does it largely import new developments?'' | ''How advanced is your country? Is it an innovator, or does it largely import new developments?'' | ||
==Military== | ==Military== | ||
'' | Olmeria's military forces are divided into 4 branches, overseen by the [[Olmerian Military Commission|Olmerian Military Commission (OMC)]]: | ||
* the [[Olmerian Army|Army]] | |||
* the [[Olmerian Navy|Navy]], inc. the [[Olmerian Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] | |||
* the [[Olmerian Airforce|Airforce]] | |||
* [[Olmerian Special Forces|Special Operational Forces]] (OSOF) | |||
For the entirety of it's existence, the Navy has naturally been the biggest Olmerian force, and the primary source of defence in the country. As of 2034, the Navy consisted of 193 commissioned warships, including 2 aircraft carriers, 8 submarines (of which 3 are nuclear powered), 15 destroyers, 18 corvettes, 8 frigates, 3 cruisers 20 landing vessels and 121 high speed combat vessels. The NSF (Navy Support Force), also consists of 63 support vessels including minesweepers, minelayers, signal intelligence, operational command centres, patrol boats, salvage vessels and training ships. There are 23,450 active personnel in the Navy (plus an additional 8,620 marines), and 3,420 reservists. | |||
By comparison, the Army is much smaller, and largely a volunteer defence force. It consists of only 7,590 active serving personnel, including units of light infantry, air assault, mechanised infantry, heavy infantry and support (engineers, medical etc). The army also has a total of around 580,000 available reserves, the large majority of which are [[Standard Reserve (Olmeria)|Standard Reservists]], meaning they received the mandatory 6 or 12 month military training upon turning 18. There are also around 32,000 more highly trained [[Volunteer Reserve (Olmeria)|Volunteer Reservists]], who voluntarily opt to undergo regular military training alongside a civilian job, and 12,430 [[Professional Reserve (Olmeria)|Professional Reservists]], who are retired serving personnel or those on long term leave (6 months or more). This makes a total of over 600,000 army reserves that can be called upon in case of an invasion or other serious threat, although such event has not occurred since the creation of the armed forces. | |||
The Airforce is moderately sized and highly advanced. | |||
OSOF, the Olmerian Special Operational Forces, is a small, highly specialised, branch consisting of technical units designed for non-standard warfare and defence operations. It consists of the SOAF (Special Operational Airforce), SOGF (Special Operational Ground Force) and SOMF (Special Operational Marine Force), in addition to the renowned cross discipline Ranger Division (nicknamed the Night Squad on account of it's prowess at covert operations). Figures for the size of the force are hard to find, as it is highly secretive, but estimates put the combined forces at around 1,200 personnel. OSOF are used regularly outside of conflicts to support counter terrorism police, run covert operations in rival nations, run hostage evacuations of Olmerian citizens, assassinations or captures of high value targets, counter insurgency and intelligence. | |||
The OMC is a politically neutral government body and the chair or deputy-chair sits on the Council of Chiefs as a specialist military advisor, and have traditionally have had substantial influence on decisions made by the council on matters of potential conflict. The OMC are responsible for all operational management of the 4 branches of the military, meaning they oversee the deployment of forces, hiring of senior military staff, and military strategy. Devolved departments of the OMC include the Military Justice Department (MJD), Cohesion Department (CD) and Military Support Department (MSD), in addition to departments for each of the military branches, each of which is further subdivided into divisions for specialist areas like medical or mechanical units. | |||
The MJD are responsible for upholding military law, and ruling on the behaviours, verdicts and punishments of generals if a serving member makes a complaint/appeal. The CD are responsible for ensuring effective co-operation between branches, both by facilitating communication and planning joint branch strategy, in the aim of optimising the effectiveness of operations involving two or more of the branches. The MSD are responsible for military support units and equipment that don't fit under the traditional divisions. This includes management of Olmeria's moderate (non-nuclear) ICBM stock, along with other missile and anti-missile units. They also oversee the work of support units in all the branches, and are responsible for organising medical support and aid outside of the branches (eg. home based military hospitals, post deployment care, serious medical cases, mental health training and support). | |||
The Department for Military Affairs is a separate, much smaller, government department, led by a politically affiliated minister, who represent the interests of the military in the Senate, and organise the governmental side of Military Affairs. They hold authority over executive military decisions and general strategy (beneath the President), but are usually not heavily involved in small-scale strategy management and organisation. | |||
== Notes == | |||
[[Category: IXWB]] | [[Category: IXWB]] | ||
[[Category: Countries]] | [[Category: Countries]] | ||
[[Category: Levantia]] | [[Category: Levantia]] | ||
[[Category: Olmeria]] | [[Category: Olmeria]] | ||