Opsellia

Opsellia (German: Öpsielland; Opsellian: h'Opcelija), officially known as the Free Opsellian State (German: Freier Stat von Öpsiel; Opsellian: Vanuklani h'Opcelija), is a landlocked sovereign state on the continent of Andoladia. Opsellia is surrounded by Quwalia to the north, and Slevonia to the west. Lake Macrone lies to the south of the country. Opsellia has a population of 3,204,921, making it the 104th-largest country by population worldwide, and the 34th-largest of the countries on the Andoladian continent. Yenland is the country's capital and largest city. Other major cities and towns include Jawado, Zafengi, and Pabaranato.
The Opsellian peoples first settled in the area around 200 thousand years ago, seeking it's geographical location which sat around the River Opcel, where the country's Opsellian name is derived. The concept of an Opsellian country did not come to be until the year 1320, when the Opsellian tribes decided to band together, fearing invasion from the surrounding nations. The country soon entered a period of isolation which lasted around four hundred years. Soon, Opsellia became a powerhouse and began to prosper, with better infrastructure being built and citizens being educated en masse. In the early 1600s, Opsellia converted to Taoism after years of trading with Yangtse.
In 1748, a Millerian trade ship sailing through Andoladia's rivers came across Opsellia while attempting to get to Zain. The captain of the ship, Johan Wickleder von Brillendorf, became interested in the area's resources, and after some debate, the Opsellians agreed to set up their own trade route with Miller. Settlers from Tapanthia soon began arriving around the late 1790s. Opsellia soon gained a parliament in the year 1803, while German became an official language the next year. The Resource War wasn't too effective on Opsellia, mainly because Miller attempted to ensure Opsellia's independence, however Rockland did manage to make some gains, invading and seizing the contents of the Plevibius Mines. Nevertheless, Opsellia flourished as it entered the 20th century, and offered aid to it's surrounding neighbours.
When the Great War started, Opsellia looked poised to support the Allied powers. Jonathia in particular seemed so expectant of Opsellia becoming an Allied power that then-Secretary of State Michael Churchill wrote to Opsellia detailing his "honest support for the nation". By 1941, the United Front were expecting the worst of Opsellia and devised a plan to overthrow the monarchy in the country. After the United Front propped up protests by assassinating a top military general, Opsellia reacted swiftly and violently repressed the angry peoples. This soon led to riots and then the Opsellian Civil War, which on March 8th, 1942, ended in a republican victory. The "Free Opsellian State" was declared while the monarchy escaped to Gallitonia, and Opsellia subsequently joined the war on the UF side. Despite the fact that virtually every other nation on the Andoladian continent supported the Allied war effort, Opsellia saw no fighting on it's soil, and ultimately received little, if anything, from the Treaty of Wollings. Opsellia supported Blostia during the Cold War. In modern times, Opsellia is a functioning democracy, with one of the highest rankings of it's continent on the World Freedom Index.
Opsellia is a developed country. It is a member of the GUIS, however due to internal public opinion, it has declined to join the Central Continents Union.
== Etymology ==
In the native Opsellian language, the country's name "h'Opcelija" can be roughly translated. "Ija" means land, "h'" is an indicator referring to a river (haros), and "Opcel" is the name of the river that runs through the country. Hence, the country's name translates as "the land around the Opcel river".
== See also ==
Category:Opsellia
Category:Countries
Category:Countries in Andoladia
Category:Andoladia