Ostania

is a large country that borders the east of Westalis and the main setting of the SPY x FAMILY series. The capital city of Ostania is Berlint.
== Overview ==
Despite sustaining heavy damages in the war with Westalis, Ostania has largely maintained their wartime policies, even while struggling against the tides of modernity. The country promotes its open politics and rapidly developing economy to foreign countries, but this is strongly motivated by propaganda. Its security organization openly promotes the arrest of those who spread unfavorable information and facts to other countries, and free speech is strictly controlled. However, as long as one does not transmit information that is detrimental to the state or embarrass it, the people of the country can live normal lives with a high level of security and can freely take up jobs and study, depending on their abilities.
== History ==
Going back many years in the past, Ostania has always had enmity with its neighboring country of Westalis (possibly due to cultural and political differences) and eventually decided to wage war against it. About 47 years ago, even students at Eden Academy appeared to be taking mandatory military training courses, and students who seemingly boycotted the courses could have been punished for sedition. Ostania continued its path for war, and two and a half years later, soldiers and military vehicles could be seen roaming around the streets of Berlint. Around this time, the parliament decided to lower the minimum draft age by two years, and even teachers were deferred from being drafted into the war. Meanwhile, anti-Westalis propaganda was being spread across Ostania through its radio programs and likely through other means.
As the war continued, Ostania participated in many battles, with some being held over the Southern Islands. Many lives would be lost during these battles, including Henry Henderson's cousin.
At some point, Ostania and Westalis would stop fighting and agreed to a pact that would end conflicts between them. However, shortly before the invasion of Westalis, the Ostanian Foreign Minister was reported to state that the pact was being reconsidered. While the actual start of this second war is still unclear, the initial invasion of Westalis's eastern provinces by the Ostanian Army with the bombing of Luwen appear to be what started it. The war was long and brutal, claiming more lives of soldiers and innocent civilians. During this time, Ostania began human experimentations and even had a project funded by the National Unity Party to produce highly intelligent animals for military purposes, knowledge that is currently being kept secret from the public. Thanks to the efforts of key figures like Colonel Erik Zacharis meeting with Westalian diplomats, a truce was achieved and the war eventually came to a close. With the new government taking over from the National Unity Party, activities like the experimentations would be stopped.
== Politics ==
By the time Luwen was invaded by Ostania and thus starting the war, the National Unity Party, a hardliner against Westalis, was the ruling political party of Ostania. The government was led by Prime Minister Chapman, who was later succeeded by Donovan Desmond. By the end of the war, the National Unity Party was deposed from the ruling position and replaced by a dovish party to be in charge of the state administration, resulting in a truce with Westalis. Despite this new age of peace, tensions between the countries were still hot, and thus began a new conflict in the form of a cold war.
Over ten years after the war, Ostania appears to be taking a conciliatory approach with Westalis, with groups like the Nationalist Party appearing to work toward this path. Foreign ministers from both countries have also made official meetings with one another for peace talks, intending to normalize diplomatic relations. However, there are many Ostanian citizens who do not seek reconciliation, leading to a situation where it is difficult to predict when their discontent will erupt. Some high-ranking Ostanian officials have even gone as far as making unlawful restrictions on exports to Westalis and blackmailing politicians supporting Westalis due to anti-West values. From this tension, attempts to break the two countries' thin veneer of peace have been made, the most recent being by a group of isolationist student terrorists in Berlint.
There are many people who have defected from Ostania to Westalis, with there even being rumors that people in the southern regions of Ostania have been using the word "picnic" as a code for defecting to Westalis through a third country. Those who have gone from Westalis to Ostania typically go with the purpose of seeing their families or pursuing a mission of some sort.
== Education ==
:Main article: Eden Academy
There are many schools to teach the youth in Ostania, like Fontaine Academy, but none are as famous and influential as Eden Academy, a highly prestigious private school.
For post-secondary, the only known schools are Berlint University and Berlint University of Education, with the latter school having a teaching program for students aspiring to become teachers.
== Military ==
Not much is known about Ostania's army, aside from the Military Intelligence Division that Colonel Erik Zacharis was a part of. It is also known that the officer training program did not allow women in the past. Women could join the army as part of the Woman's Defense Auxiliary, but they would not be sent near the front lines.
Similar to Westalis, Ostania has their own intelligence agency and may have more than just one.
=== State Security Service ===
:Main article: State Security Service
The State Security Service, also known as the Secret Police, is the primary security and counterintelligence organization of Ostania.
== Underworld ==
Ostania's underworld consists of all kinds of groups and individuals, from smuggling rings and criminal organizations to informants and counterfeiters. There are also black markets where one can find interesting illegal developments, like former test subject animals.
According to the Shopkeeper, the Gretcher crime family managed Ostania's underworld in an honorable fashion for generations. After the war with Westalis, the family lent their aid to the war victims during a food shortage with the black market they ran. However, in a recent incident, the family head Gram Gretcher and his sons were killed in an internal dispute. In the aftermath, the organization was usurped by Leonardo Hapoon, a man who gained his wealth by befriending pro-war extremists through arms dealing. The last surviving members of the Gretcher family, Gram's daughter Olka and her son, fled to a foreign country to seek asylum shortly after Hapoon came into power. For unexplained reasons, Hapoon attempted to have the two killed by placing a 400,000 dalc bounty on both of them. While many hit men in and out of Ostania gathered to fulfill this task, their efforts were thwarted by assassins from Garden protecting the Gretchers.
=== Garden ===
:Main article: Garden
Garden is a secret assassination organization in Ostania. Their existence is unknown to all, with only a certain few, even in the State Security Service, aware of them.
== Currency ==
The currency used in Ostania is , commonly represented as Đ, and coins. 100 pents is equivalent to 1 dalc. 1 dalc is also equivalent to 320 Japanese yen (or 2.20 US dollars) in today's exchange rate. This currency is also used in Westalis.
== Culture ==
There are a variety of entertainment facilities in Ostania where the government is highly restrictive, as if no citizens would complain if there was food and entertainment. Many are of a high cultural standard and can be enjoyed by both children and adults. On the other hand, there is also a deceptively obvious fact that business tycoons and underground dwellers gather here to hold illegal gambling events where huge sums of money are at stake.
A drama called Berlint in Love is popular in Ostania, as even elementary first-years know about the series. Entertainment is more developed in Westalis, so there are so many things that go in and out of style.
There are many streetcars running through the city of Berlint. They are the primary mode of transportation for citizens who do not own a car. Below the streets is the subway system, which passengers like Yor and Yuri take when going home from work. When going long distances to other regions, travelers have the option of taking the train.
=== Performing Arts ===
== Regions ==
Newston Castle Manga.png|Münk in the manga
Newston Castle Anime.png|Münk in the anime
Yor remembers why she became an assassin.png|Eastern Nielsberg in the manga
Yor remembers why she became an assassin Anime.png|Eastern Nielsberg in the anime
Shellbury Manga.png|Shellbury in the manga
Frigis.png|Frigis in SPY x FAMILY CODE: White
* 
* , an eastern region.
* , a northwestern region.
* , a region that appears to be quite far from the city of Berlint.
* 
* 
* , a region that was affected by the war 45 and a half years ago.
== Landmarks and Locations ==
== Trivia ==
* Ostania's name originates from the word "Ost" in German, meaning east.
* Ostania is based on the communist German Democratic Republic (East Germany) during the Berlin Cold War era, with the State Security Service heavily mimicking the name and behavior of the Stasi.
* Despite the fanbook stating that Newston Castle can be rented for 10,000 dalc a day, Franky said it could be rented for 50,000 dalc a day, while Sylvia Sherwood received an expense report for the castle with 35,000 dalc.
== References ==
== Navigation ==
pl:Ostania
Category:Locations
Category:Countries