Novenad
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Novenad
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| The national flag of Novenad | |||||
| Motto | "Snaga umiro inardu" - Strength in Peace and the People | ||||
| Common Name | Novenad | ||||
| Anthem | Zemlo Syetlost - Land of Light | ||||
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| Demonym | Novenadian | ||||
| Official languages | Kalbanian, Tezan | ||||
| Currency | Novenadian Kinta | ||||
| Politics | |||||
| Capital | Nrida | ||||
| Government | Hybrid Parliamentary-Representative Republic | ||||
| Foundation | 2164 | ||||
| Prime Minister | Renata Kerman | ||||
| Preceded by | New Kalban Republic | ||||
| Demography | |||||
| Ethnicities | 82.4% Kalban 14.6% Tezan 3% Other |
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| Population | 3,531,671 | ||||
| Area | 32,241 km² | ||||
Novenad is a country in Veiid bordering the Minor Baskay Bay to the east, Fortis and Desovo to the south, Irsmuncast to the north, and Atreus to the west. The capital and largest city is Nrida. Novenad has a population of just over 3.5 million people, most of whom live in dense population centers situated in flatter areas. The majority of the population is ethnic Kalbanian. The official languages are Kerbian and Karkow; with 92.3% and 6.6% of the population speaking the first and latter respectively as their primary language. Novenad is situated around a large mountain range, one of the tallest on Kerbin. It also has large fertile plains along the northern and western borders as well as along the Minor Baskay, which form the core of agricultural production. Land cover outside of alpine areas is predominantly grassland and mixed forest.
Novenad is a newly industrialized country, recovering from several decades of authoritarianism and war, with a growing economy and strong workforce. Novenad has a well developed maritime and defense industry, with several major shipping companies. As of 2200, Novenad maintains an official policy of non-interference as a member of the Pan-Veiidic Commonwealth.
Etymology
The name Novenad is a modernization of the Old Kerbian term Nova Nada for a “new beginning” or “new hope”, reflecting the desire to end the turmoil of the past centuries that was a core idea of the new nation. It was chosen by public referendum out of five other proposals in December 2162, and drafted in the new constitution in January 2163. Critics of the name state that it results from a mistranslation, attributing the proper root word to Tezan. Some claim the adoption of the modernized spelling disconnects the country from its past, and the root word should have been used.
Geography
Novenad is located in central Veiid, bordering Desovo, Atreus, Irsmuncast, and Fortis, sharing maritime borders with the latter two in the Minor Baskay Bay. Most of the 32,241 km2 of Novenadian territory is dominated by the Karjina Mountain range, with 16 peaks above 4500 metres above sea level. The highest of these reaches 6144 metres, making it one of the tallest mountains on Kerbin. The capital Nrida is located at the mouth of the Nrida river, which extends from the Minor Baskay Bay inland to the base of Mt. Belgor.
The east and west of Novenad are separated by the Karjina mountain range, which forms a rough horseshoe through the center of the country. To the east and northeast, large fertile plains and valleys on the coast and to the north of the Karjinas give way to the forested mid-alpine regions. Moving westward past the Karjinas, the western steppe occupies the southwestern end of the country, alongside Mt. Bofne.
Climate
Novenad has a temperate climate, due to its location between the 21st and 40th parallels in the southern hemisphere. In the Köppen climate classification, the Karjinian steppes fall mostly under the alpine tundra climate type, while the northern plains are temperate oceanic. The province of Nrida enjoys a wetter climate due to the effects of the Karjinas on atmospheric rivers. Annual mean temperatures in Novenad vary drastically between 22°C in the north to 0°C in the most southern areas. The Karjinas are notably colder, with temperatures at the peaks reaching recorded lows of -52°C, and the mean temperature on the steppes being 4°C.
Biodiversity
Novenad can be divided into four ecoregions: the Karjinian Mixed Forests, the Karjinian Alpine Tundra, the Novenadian Coastal Forests, and the Northern Low Grasslands. Together, these ecoregions are home to 14 species of tree. The more humid coastal forests harbor a variety of broadleaf trees, which along with coastal winds leads to the tree line on the eastern slopes of the Karjinas to be approximately 800m lower. The northern grasslands are mostly arid and grassy valleys and hills, and are home to 312 species of plant, including oatgrass and Koeleria. To the west, the Karjinian Mixed Forests are predominately Veiidic Oak and various conifers, transitioning into hardier species such as Pinus Kalbius further north where the rain shadow of the Karjinas takes effect.
Novenad is also home to a variety of fauna, including at least 42 native mammalian species, 188 breeding bird species, over 120 fish species, and 22 reptile and amphibian species as of 2192. One of the more recognizable species is the Karjinian Penyan, a breed of capal notable for its powerful hindquarters and small hooves, allowing it to climb steep slopes and jump up to 16 metres. Of the 32 species of freshwater fish, Vodopa Trout are popular sport for high-mountain fly fishers.
Urban Areas
The urbanization of Novenad was slowed significantly by the series of wars and collapses preceding the formation of the nation. Since 2163, the restoration of national infrastructure allowed the expansion of major cities to continue.
As of 2200, the largest city by population in Novenad is the Nrida urban district, with over 435,000 residents. It spans across both sides of the Nrida river, and is the largest port in Novenad with approximately 2.5 million TEUs of container volume passing through annually. The second largest is Crkovna, another major city built around a port. Crkovna extends inland significantly, although the outskirts have been abandoned since before the Novenadian Revolution.
Politics
Government
Novenad is a hybrid representative democracy and demarchy, and a successor state to the New Kalban Republic. The government of Novenad consists of two major legislative bodies; the Directorial Assembly and the Citizen's Assembly. The Directorial Assembly consists of the prime minister, who is elected directly by the people, and who in turn appoints and oversees National Council members each overseeing a portfolio (Defense, Economics, Education, Foreign Relations, and Agriculture). The prime minister and special council members have a 5 year term, after which another election is called. Every year a referendum is called to give citizens a chance to replace members of council, including the prime minister. The Directorial Assembly proposes legislature and are responsible for steering national and foreign policy in the best interest of the populace. For international decisions, such as declaring war or joining alliances, a nationwide referendum is set up and voted upon by every citizen above the age of 20.
The Citizen's Assembly is a collection of smaller councils of approximately 100 citizens each, randomly selected from the eligible population with a turnover of six months. Each Citizen's Council is responsible for voting on legislature for a portfolio, drafted by the respective Special Council member. Citizen's Councils can also draft & pass legislature on their own as of 2195, as part of Alekandric Yavonov's efforts to transition away from representative democracy entirely.
Several watchdog groups perform routine investigations of politicians, keeping the public informed of their actions while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding the identities of members in order to prevent corruption.
| Prime Minister | Party | Term |
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| Lucijia Berislav | People’s Revolutionaries | 2160 - 2170 |
| Dusan Markovic | Novenad Progressive Democrats | 2170 - 2175 |
| Lidija Radiceva | Novenad Progressive Democrats | 2175 - 2180 |
| Atonchek Jemis | Iron Bloc | 2180 - 2181 |
| Elena Novic | Social Democratic Patrists | 2181 - 2186 |
| Krog | Unaffiliated | 2186 - 2191 |
| Alekandric Yavonov | Novenad Progressive Democrats | 2191 - 2196 |
| Ana Berislav | People's Revolutionaries | 2196 - 2201 |
Subdivisions
Novenad is divided into 12 regions, with 77 districts. All regions and districts have a unique Economics and Statistics System (ESS) identifier, required for the coordination of trade and government support.
| State | ESS Identifier |
|---|---|
| Belkagranic | NVDC |
| Ladnovizen | NVDB |
| Polkopa | NVDA |
| Granika | NVD9 |
| Obala Botasta | NVD8 |
| Tvin Piks | NVD7 |
| Rekaser | NVD6 |
| Karkosa | NVD5 |
| Capelcipel | NVD4 |
| Sodruvde | NVD3 |
| Bofteka | NVD2 |
| Obragenan | NVD1 |
Foreign Relations
Emerging from revolution and internal strife, Novenad's foreign policy has historically been one of non-interventionism, focusing on recovery and strengthening economic ties. This principle shaped a security policy of national defence, with the role of the military being strictly deterrence. Following rising tensions and economic pressure in the 2190s, Novenad joined the Pan-Veiidic Commonwealth as a full member, opening the door to a larger role in the international stage.
Demographics
Languages
The two official languages of Novenad are Kerbian and Karkow, spoken by 70% and 23% of the population respectively. Approximately 6.6% of Novenadians speak Tezan as their native language. Novenad is officially a trilingual country, and as such all three languages are taught throughout primary and secondary education.
Kerbian is a central Veiidic Kalbanian language, similiar to Karkow and Troak. Tezan has more northern roots, but is still part of the Kalban language family. Kerbian and Karkow differ mostly in pronunciation, forming a dialect continuum. In total, an estimated 44 languages are spoken across the country, between regional langauges, immigrant languages, and indigneous Karjinian dialects.
In 2170 the National Cultures Act was passed, recognizing Kerbian, Karkow, and Tezan as common languages for everyday use, as well as official languages for international and governmental contexts.
Education
Formal education in Novenad begins at age 6, followed by 5 years of primary school and 6 years of secondary education. Education is free and compulsory, and curriculum is set and reviewed every 10 years by a special committee formed from the House of Assembly. Following completion of secondary education, students have the option of entering either a tertiary trades program or a university program. The House of Assembly manages the number of openings available for each option based on the outlook of the job market that year. Tertiary education is largely funded by the government, and all inclusive (living expenses & tuition) scholarships are available to those who volunteer for military service.
Universities are generally focused on polytechnics rather than research, largely due to the relatively recent post-revolution industrialization. 34% of permanent residents have a tertiary degree, and 30% have a science related degree. Mining technology, mechanical engineering, materials science, resource management, and nuclear physics are the most popular degrees by percentage of graduates as of 2199.
Religion
The Church of Reformed Patrism and the Veiidic-Baskayn Patrist Church account for 33.2% and 24.7% of the population respectively. 40.4% of the population report no religious affiliation, a number that has been trending upwards since the economic boom in the 2170s. Religion has shaped Novenad significantly over the past 50 years, with the Veiidic-Baskayan Patrist Church backing revolutionaries during the Novenadian Revolution.
Age
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Military
The Novenadian Armed Forces consists of four military branches including the Novenad Air Defense Force, Novenad Defensive Navy, Novenad Continental Forces, and Reclamation Corps. Novenad utilizes universal conscription, meaning all physically and mentally capable citizens are legally obligated to serve between 8 and 14 months in the armed forces between ages 20 and 28. Following their service period, conscripts are placed in the Reclamation Corps until the age of 70. During this period, reservists can be reactivated under emergency circumstance such as natural disasters or a foreign threat.
Following basic training, conscripts are transferred to a specific unit who then trains the conscript in a specific role. Thus, over 75% of conscripts are specially trained for maximum efficacy. Following transfer to reserve service, soldiers are given a unit assignment consistent with their training should they need to be reactivated. It is punishable by law to refuse conscription, and those who do can serve up to two years in prison. All conscripts are paid for their service based on rank and training, and expenses such as food and housing during the service period are provided.
Novenad Air Defense Force (Novenada Vasdu Obran Sila)
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Novenad Continental Force (Novenada Oruzan Sila)
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Reclamation Corps
The Reclamation Corps is the reserve force of Novenad. The Corps was created as a reserve force for the Novenad Armed Forces in 2164, but primarily operates as a public service organization. Members of the Corps are conscripts who have requested to be assigned to the force, and conscripts who have finished their service term and will remain inactive unless called upon for refresher training or in a state of emergency.
Novenad Intelligence Agency (Novenada Obavestana Agencia)
The Novenada Obavestana Agencia (NOA) is Novenad's primary intelligence service. The NOA operates both inside and outside of Novenad to gather intelligence regarding threats to national security, as well as coordinating and performing covert actions.
Special Missions Command (Komand specialne misia)
- Specialne Terensk Operacie (STO) is a branch of Novenadian special forces dedicated to operations in high altitudes, difficult terrain, and cold or harsh environments. STO is tasked with special warfare, special reconnaissance, direct action, and securing facilities in the Karjinas in the event of an invasion by a hostile force.
Economy
Taxation
Taxation in Novenad is a three tiered progressive tax system.
Transport
Significantly investing in transport infrastructure in the formative years following the revolution, Novenad relies heavily on a national railway system built between 2165 and 2177. Additional routes and upgrades to existing railways have been made since to ensure safety and reliability. Multi-track infrastructure allows high-speed passenger rail and slower, heavier cargo trains to operate simultaneously without major scheduling issues, moving a very high volume of goods by rail.
Energy and Infrastructure
As of 2194, Novenad produces 72.1% of its energy from nuclear power, followed by petroleum at 15.3%, renewable sources (10.7%), and natural gas (1.9%). Research into fusion is ongoing, but has mostly stagnated in favour of improving existing fission systems. The Balgred Dam provides most of the renewable power for the coastal cities, augmented by fields of wind turbines in the northern lowlands. National power consumption is low, a cultural holdover from the early 2100s when energy was scarce and intermittent.
Infrastructure was next to nonexistent during the period of post-SFRK collapse, and was mostly rebuilt during the 3 Year Programs prior to the regime shift that triggered the Novenadian Revolution. After 2164, the period of long-missed stability allowed infrastructure to be rebuilt to levels comparable to the rest of Kerbin.
Trade
Novenad maintains open trade relationships internationally, particularly with other member states of the Pan-Veiidic Commonwealth and Fortis. Novenad has a free-trade agreement with Fortis, removing customs barriers and tariffs on the transfer of goods and services between the two countries. The Pan-Veiidic Commonwealth is a single market, with standards on the quality of exports member states are expected to maintain.
Science
Applied sciences is the most developed field of study in Novenad, with ongoing research in environmental sciences, materials science, and energy at the forefront. Theoretical sciences were largely ignored or oppressed under Horvat's regime, and have only recently began to flourish with the completion of the Special Particle Collider.
History
Prehistory
The territory of modern Novenad has been inhabited since the late Paleolithic era, with organized agriculture-based civilizations beginning to form near the Nrida river around 20,000 BCE. These civilizations formed some 2,300 city-states, and were in a state of perpetual war until they were conquered by Krog, the self-titled Lord Emperor of the Known Universe, during his expansion through Veiid. Under his rule, they formed the Veiidic Empire circa 2300 BCE. The Veiidic Empire remained the dominant power in the region for approximately 13 centuries, ruled by the various Krogs in the Krog family line.
Pre-NKR Period
The Veiidic Empire eventually collapsed circa 980 BCE after Krog the 16th got bored and disappeared into the Karjinas, leaving its constituents in disarray for several centuries, before they organized to form Kerbia and Mentonogro. Soon after being formed, the two states fell under the control of the Southern Mercantile Collective and Laythia and remained so until their collapse in 2020. Following this, Kerbia and Mentonogro formed the Kalban Union alongside Behian and Troak. This shortlived republic collapsed in 2034, and in 2045 Kerbia and Mentonogro united to form the Kalban States of Kerbia and Mentonogro. The KSKM lasted through major geopolitical pressures before succumbing to civil war following a coup in 2071. Arising from the instability was the SFRK, a totalitarian state that controlled much of the Kalbans from the late 2070s until its collapse in 2127 triggered one of the most destructive wars in the history of the Kalbans.
New Kalban Republic
In 2138, a military backed government was put in power and immediately began attempting to restore living conditions in what was now the New Kalban Republic to modern standards. This government, led by Cmarko Supcic and backed by his second-in-command Aleksander Varkrimeski, instituted two programs lasting from 2138 to 2148 to restore SFRK era facilities. The first program was very successful, bringing the NKR back to the level of a developing nation.
Between 2144 and 2153, Aleksander Varkrimeski descended into religious fanaticism. Varkrimeski believed that, contrary to the mainstream Patrist view of the Divine as the ancestors of the animals, the Divine were in fact mathematically perfect shapes devoid of the mortal flaws that the animals are defined by. Varkrimeski became convinced that the Divine had turned their backs on Kerbalkind for this grievous misinterpretation, causing the decades of instability that had plagued Veiid, and would not return to aid the Veiidi in the fight against the sea wyrm. As a charismatic leader promising salvation, Varkrimeski soon developed a cult of personality throughout the young, idealistic upper command of the NKR and became the leader of the newly formed New Patrist Movement (NPM).
With Varkrimeski's social influence soon eclipsing the leaders of the current Yellow-Red Coalition (YRC), tensions began to rise in the upper echelons of the NKR. Many other high ranking military officers became loyal to Varkrimeski, while Varkrimeski himself became dissatisfied with the YRC's dismissal of his interpretation of Patrism. In 2152, Varkrimeski began consolidating resources and loyal subordinates into his breakaway military, and convinced other officers who shared his religious views to back him. On the 24th of April in 2153, Varkrimeski stormed the facility acting as the base of operations for the NKR government and took control, declaring himself the Steward of the Throne for the Perfect Divine. Within 5 hours, all resisting elements of the NKR government had been crushed, and all members of the YRC were executed.
After taking power and installing the NPM as the de facto ruling party, Varkrimeski was faced with the fact that his influence didn’t extend very far past the military. His attempts to spread his religious views to the general population were faced with pushback, particularly from the Veiidic-Baskayan church. The YRC and their second Three-Year program were popular with the citizens of the NKR, and many people took to the streets in protest. According to anonymous sources close to Varkrimeski, it was around this time that he had a severe mental breakdown. Varkrimeski announced on national television that he would "purify the religous community of the disgusting infidels who still believe in traditionalism." In the following weeks, Varkrimeski sent his most loyal followers to collect anyone who spread traditionalist thought, and promised punishment to those who helped Traditionalists in any way.
Novenadian Revolution
- Main Article: Novenadian Revolution
Religious persecution, the independent nature of NKR provinces, and socio-economic instability brought on by the sudden change of leadership led to several breakaway states forming. Among these, Novenad split from the NKR at the end of 2153 as a collection of provinces that had political autonomy prior to Varkrimeski's coup. These provinces were able to collect enough support from the elements of the NKR National Army disloyal to Varkrimeski to form their own small military. The Novenadian Revolution officially began Midsummer 2154, after Varkrimeski directed the NKR National Army to retake Novenadian territory. He flatly refused to declare war, which he stated he considered would be recognizing Novenad as a country.
The 1st National Army attacked through a southern pass, but very little fighting actually occurred and both sides stood down to maintain defensive lines after suffering significant losses. The majority of fighting occurred in the Karjinian Plateau, in near constant snow and harsh weather. The Karjinian Plateau is above the snow line for most of the year, getting 1-3 meters yearly. NKR forces were ill-equipped for cold-weather warfare, and expended significant resources in taking the plateau. In November of 2154, Varkrimeski diverted the 1st National Army to the Karjinian Plateau, with the exception of a minimum defensive line. These reinforcements as well as the rising snow line with the onset of summer strengthened morale for the NKR, allowing them to renew their attack and push Novenadian forces out of the Karjinas.
In a fit of hubris, Varkrimeski then turned his sights to the formerly neutral state of Belkagranic & Ladnovizen, and began an assault on their borders. Belkagranic & Ladnovizen had been preparing for an attack since declaring independence, and had close ties with the nation of Belka dating back several decades. This diplomatic relationship brought in significant Belkan support for the Novenadian forces, now united with Belkagranic & Ladnovizen. This support changed the nature of the civil war from asymmetric to symmetric, increasingly in favour of Novenad.
By June of 2155, the 2nd NKR National Army had been backed up to Belgrad, and had achieved air superiority over the NKR. Airstrikes on military hubs were near constant, and the 1st National Army had surrendered. On the 27th of Midsummer, Aleksander Varkrimeski disappeared. Suddenly without leadership or direction, the young and inexperienced command structure collapsed and the 2nd National Army surrendered to Novenadian forces. The civilian population welcomed the end of the war and liberation from the tyranny of Varkrimeski's fanaticism, and mass lynchings of NKR officials took place across the country. Lucija Berislav, a major leader of Novenadian forces during the revolution, took office and proclaimed the day a national holiday, promising a peaceful transition to a democracy as soon as political violence subsided.
Formation of Novenad
Following the Novenadian victory and unification of the former NKR, the Provisional Government of Novenad was put in place and began working to stabilize the nation, restore essential services, and establish a new democratic government. A major action during this time was the establishment of the National Strategic Enterprise Fund, designed to stimulate industries like defense, sustainable natural resource extraction, maritime, and energy. The NSEF directly led to the creation of companies like DeepBlue, Baskay Petroleum, and Ratoskal. Other actions taken include establishment of the Fortis-Novenad Free Trade Zone, pioneered by Lucija Berislav. This agreement was intended to open trade channels with the historically supportive, peaceful, and much richer nation. The Provisional Government also initiated the National Railways project, creating thousands of jobs and stimulating the construction industry. On the symbolic side, the National Identity Referendum was started in July 2157 to let the citizens of the NKR propose and decide on a new name and flag for the country. After two and a half years, the name Novenad was chosen along with the current flag. A week later in 2159, The Provisional Government of Novenad was dissolved in favour of the permanent Government of Novenad, and the first elections and Citizen's Assemblies were held. Under the newly implemented judicial system, many of Aleksander Varkrimeski's senior officials were found guilty of crimes against Kerbalkind, and sentenced to death.
Karjina Reclamation Period
In 2160, the People’s Party was elected to government under Lucijia Berislav on a platform of continuing the Provisional Government’s efforts to help the country recover from the revolution. Their flagship initiative introduced the Reclamation Corps, a force combining demobilized soldiers and unemployed workers charged with rebuilding infrastructure, replanting forests, and assisting with law enforcement and other community concerns. The Reclamation Corps remains active as of 2198 as a volunteer/military reserve, sustained largely through conscription. It is credited as the beginning of the strong Novenadian civic service culture.
4 years later, in 2164, Novenad achieved its first diplomatic breakthrough via the signing of the Fortis-Novenad Free Trade Agreement, which reduced trade barriers and ceded former NKR territory that had been diplomatically claimed by Fortis during the Varkrimeski regime. The agreement included a clause promising that, once national recovery efforts were completed, Novenad would assist Fortis in stabilizing the Minor Baskay region. This agreement marked Novenad’s return to international diplomacy as well as positioning it as a cooperative presence in Veiid. A year later in 2165, Lucijia Berislav won a landslide election, securing her position as Prime Minister for her second and final term. In response to growing cultural tensions, Berislav's government introduced the National Cultures Act to recognize Tezan as an national language during her second term, and providing strict terms for including future languages.
Contemporary Period (2170-Present)
The 2170s saw a marked economic expansion, driven mostly by the stability of the new democratic institutions. Trade with Fortis and other neighbors allowed industry to flourish, crime rates saw a dramatic decline, and quality of life surpassed pre-revolution levels. This period, nicknamed the Soaring '70s, culminated in a housing bubble in coastal cities where rapid urbanization led domestic and international investment companies to begin purchasing real estate en masse. When the bubble burst in 2187, the government quickly stepped in with the Housing Stability act, placing strict limits on foreign ownership and converting unsold "Ghost district" apartments into public housing stock. Other social safety nets were also implemented to cushion households in future fiscal crises.
This economic crisis, along with fears of foreign interference in the Minor Baskay, pushed Novenad to join the Veiidic Commonwealth. Novenad moved to become a formal member in 2192, decided by public referendum with 77.3% for joining the Commonwealth.
In 2197, a group of Neo-Varkrimeskist religious extremists hiding in mines in the Karjinas began a series of terrorist attacks, killing 438 and wounding 87. The group attacked a government facility in Nrida, a high school in Novi Postro, and a courthouse in Balgred before being captured by the 3rd Special Terrain Company. Special Forces. The leader, Ryik Lavesh Bolshavak, was executed by lethal injection on November 12th, 2198, following public calls for the death penalty. This marked the first use of capital punishment since the Revolution.
People's Revolutionary Party leader Ana Berislav was elected to office in 2196, after a campaign promising to lead Novenad into the new century as an essential member of the Commonwealth, and modernize the countries aging infrastructure.
About The Flag
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