United Great Lakes

The **United Great Lakes** (/juˈnaɪtəd greɪt leɪks/ ( listen); French: *Les Grands Lacs Unis*) officially the **Federal Republic of Great Lakes** (French: *République fédérale des Grands Lacs*), is a Federal republic located in North America. The country is composed of 5 states, which are located in Midwestern North America, around a series of interconnected freshwater lakes called Great Lakes. The country borders the United States to the west and south, and Canada to the east and north. Over 27% of the country's area is freshwater. The country's population is over 29 million people. Its official languages are English and French. The capital and largest city is Toronto.

The paleoindians arrived in Great Lakes about 16,000 years ago, but the United Great Lakes was actually discovered by Jacques Cartier. France began to inhabit the land in the 16th century and Britain was interested in the area thanks to its fur trade. France lost the Great Lakes to Britain in 1763. United Great Lakes declared independence in 1883.

United Great Lakes is a federal parliamentary republic whose head of state is the president. The real power is exercised by the Parliament and especially by the Prime Minister. United Great Lakes is a multicultural state, but the country has been particularly influenced by English, French and American culture.

United Great Lakes is a developed country with a very high standard of living sustained by a skilled and productive society. It sustains a social security and universal health care system, environmental protection and a tuition-free university education. Foreign trade is mostly directed to the neighboring countries. The country is a member of the United Nations, the NATO and the NAFTA. It is one of the founders of the Commonwealth of Official Nations.

## History

*Main article: History of United Great Lakes*
### Indigenous peoples

During the last glacial period, several tribes, nowadays known as American Indians traveled to North America from Beringia which was a land bridge from Eurasia to Americas. That land bridge closed when the glaciation melted and water level raised.

There were several tribes in the current area of United Great Lakes: Iroquois, Sioux, Hurons and Odawas. These tribes nearly died during the European colonization, most of them in American Indian Wars. Today, there are about 124,000 American Indians in United Great Lakes, in four reservations.

### European colonization

The French founded a colony in 1604 which were soon to be called New France. The first explorers in the Great Lakes were Samuel de Champlain and Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Detroit. The English were also interested and founded in 1670 by Hudson's Bay Company. During the next century, the French power area began to collapse, and under the leadership of James Wolfen, the British occupied New France in 1759.

During the American Revolution, about 20,000 British fled to Great Lakes regions. In 1784, the British divided Canada into two provinces: Quebec and the British Great Lakes. Power remained in both colonies which caused resistance, especially in Quebec.

During the War of 1812, British Great Lakes became a major battlefield. The United States tried to unite British Great Lakes to itself, but eventually failed to do so. Britain's interest was more directed to Europe due Napoleonic Wars. After the wars ended, masses of migrants moved from Europe to Great Lakes.

### Independence

In 1867, The Province of Canada adopted a constitution and formed the Dominion of Canada. The British Great Lakes was invited to sign the constitution and join the dominion, but the current governor general, Matthew Tremblay, refused to sign it. Tremblay and the Executive Council expressed that British Great Lakes would stay as a province of the British Empire.

In June 1883 this started the Detroit Rebellion against the loyal British government. The tension between loyalists and nationalists had already grown. The rebellion ended with the victory of nationalists and the loyalists were banished to Canada. The new Executive Council constituted the constitution of Great Lakes.

On 28th November 1883 the Executive Council declared independence from the British Empire. First country, United States, recognized the independence on 10th December 1883. In the next three months, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, France, Bolivia and Germany recognized the independence of United Great Lakes. United Kingdom recognized the independence on 19th July 1886.

## Geography

United Great Lakes are located in Midwestern North America, in the Great Lakes Basin. It's the 36th largest country in the world and it has 5th largest surface area of water in the world. The country's total area is 798,114 square kilometers (308,153 sq mi), of which 217,033 km2 (83,796 sq mi) is land and 581,081 km2 (22,4356 sq mi) is water.

United Great Lakes lies between latitudes 50° and 40° N, and longitudes 92° and 75° W. The distance from the southernmost - Camden - to the northernmost point in the country - Smoothrock - is 1050 kilometers (652 mi). Highest point of United Great Lakes is Mount Arvon, located in Upper Michigan with elevation of 603 meters (1979 ft). The mountain is part of the Huron Mountains.

Untied Great Lakes is the home of Great Lakes, the largest series of interconnected freshwater lakes. Largest lake of the Great lakes is Lake Superior, the second largest lake of the world. Lakes make up 27% of the surface of United Great Lakes.

### Biodiversity

According to the WWF, the territory of United Great Lakes can be subdivided into four ecoregions: the Midwestern Canadian Shield and Western Great Lakes taiga, Eastern Great Lakes mixed forests, and Southern Great Lakes broadleaf forests. Taiga covers the northern regions and inlands of United Great Lakes. Broadleaf and mixed forests covers the southern regions of the country. Spruces, pines and birches are common trees that you can find in taiga, oaks and maples in broadleaf and mixed forests.

### Climate

United Great Lakes has hot summer humid continental climate and it caused the Lakes. In inner-Michigan and inner-Wisconsin there is warm summer continental climate. United Great Lakes belongs to temperate zone, so the country has all seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter. During winter, average temperature falls at -5°C and in summer, the average temperature is at 23°C. The climate is suitable for cereal farming are the best in the southernmost regions.

## Politics

United Great Lakes is a federal parliamentary republic. The head of state is the President, who is currently Joey Boucher, took office in 4th of February 2012. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The current prime minister is Adam Wilson, who replaced Charlotte McLaughlan in May 2014. The main model for the political system is the westminster system and it does not have a really distinct legislative and executive power.

### Foreign relations

President of United Great Lakes leads the foreign policy in cooperation with the government. United Great Lakes is part of United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and North American Free Trade Agreement. United Great Lakes belongs to Mapperdonian Group of Nine which is an economical organization between nine nations.

The country belongs to Commonwealth of Official Nations, which is an economic, military and trade union between official nations. United Great Lakes belongs to Triple Federal Alliance, which is is an alliance between three states; United Great Lakes, Federal Republic of Guyana and Monteregis. United Great Lakes and Monteregis both have close ties with each other. They both share nearly same history and they've been close countries from the beginning.

### States

United Great Lakes is divided into five states. The states are based on the Great Lakes sub-colonies, who became independent and later formed the country.

**Clickable map of United Great Lakes exhibiting its states and capitals**

​

​

## Economy

United Great Lakes has significant mineral (gold, nickel, aluminum, steel) and freshwater resources. The agricultural sector are politically sensitive to rural residents. Toronto and Detroit metropolitan areas generates around a third of GDP. The unemployment rate was 8.4% in 2015, having risen from 7.9% in 2014.

### Transport

The main international passenger gateway is Toronto International Airport with about 58 million passengers in 2016. Detroit International Airport is the second largest, about 54 million passengers in 2016. The Toronto International Airport-based Lakes Air and American Regional Airlines sell air services both domestically and internationally. Toronto has good routes to Europe and Asia.

Despite low population density, the Government spends annually around 670 million GLDs in maintaining 28,495 kilometres of railway tracks. Rail transport is handled by state owned GR (Great Rails) Group. GR Group helps to maintain subway systems in Toronto and Detroit.

### Energy

Industry and construction consumed 43% of total consumption. Great Lakes' hydrocarbon resources is limited to only wood. About 30–40% of the electricity is produced by hydropower and about 15–25% is produced wind power. There are eight nuclear power plants in the country and in twenty years country has shut down two power plants. Nuclear reactors producing 35% of the country's energy.

### Science and technology

United Great Lakes spends approximately 12.3 billion Great Lake Dollars on domestic research and development. As of 2016, the country has produced three Nobel laureates in physics and medicine. United Great Lakes is a home to the Space Programs of Commonwealth of Official Nations and they have one finished Space Center in Wisconsin. United Great Lakes along with Commonwealth of Official Nations are building first satellites and establish a habitable satellite on Low Earth orbit.

### Tourism

In 2010, tourism of Great Lakes grossed over ~~D~~10.8 billion. There are many attractions in United Great Lakes which attracted over 20 million visitors in 2013. Commercial cruises between major port cities in the Great Lakes play a significant role in the local tourism industry.

Outdoor activities range from fishing, yachting, lake cruises, hiking, and kayaking, among many others. Wildlife is abundant in Northern United Great Lakes. Bird-watching is popular for bird-watchers, however hunting is also popular.

## Demographics

*Main article: Great Lakers* Federal Statistical Office of Great Lakes counted a total population of 29,235,000 in 2017. The growth rate of United Great Lakes has increased in recent decades and it's still growing rapidly. In 2030, the population of United Great Lakes will be estimated to be over 35 million. About 48 percent of the population live in cities. The largest settlements in 2017 are Toronto, Detroit and Milwaukee.
Template:Populationtable
As of 2014, there were 2,353,102 people with a foreign background living in United Great Lakes (8,1% of the population), most of whom are from United States, Monteregis, Canada and the United Kingdom. New immigrants settle mostly in major urban areas such as Toronto and Detroit.

### Languages

The official language of United Great Lakes is English. 99,2% of the population uses English as mother tongue. French is the second most spoken language in the country and 0,2% of the population uses French as mother tongue. The French language is a recongized regional language in the state of Huron. Other large minority languages are Spanish and Chinese.

### Religions

United Great Lakes is a secular country. The largest religion in United Great Lakes is Christianity with supporters of 63.2%. 80% of Christians are Lutherans and 20% are Catholic who mostly live in the state of Huron. United Great Lakes has one of the largest atheist minority in North America by the percentage of the population. 31.0% of the population is irreligious. 2.1% of the population are Jewish and 0.9% are Muslims.

### Largest cities

Template:Largest cities/United Great Lakes

### Education

Apart from another North American countries, the education system of the Great Lakes is different and more European. The education is operated by state governments, but they don't differ much. The children start their *Basic Education* when they are seven years old. Basic Education takes nine years and it consists of Elementary School and Upper School. Basic education is compulsory to everyone, but after it ends, you can go to your secondary school or start working, which is not common.

Children start their first part of the Basic education, Elementary school, which takes five years to complete. During that time, children learn basic things about life and society. After they complete the Elementary school, they will exalted automatically to the upper school. Upper school is more freely and students can choose different courses that they like. At the last grade of the upper school, students will make their *School Diploma* and graduate from basic education.

Usually when students graduate and continue studying in the secondary school, they choose *Secondary upper school* or *Vocational school*. In secondary upper school, students write their *Matriculation Examination,* which is "ticket to University". In vocational school, studies are centralized to one vocation. You can also write matriculation examination in vocational school.

After the secondary schools, students can apply for Universities or Secondary vocational schools, which are at the top of the education. Every state in United Great Lakes has at least one university and usually one or two secondary vocational schools.

## Culture

### Music and art

Template:Culture of United Great Lakes sidebarUnited Great Lakes have had many genres of music in its history, depended on its popularity. Blues was really popular in the 1930s, especially in Detroit, which had many popular blues artists living there. Since then the city has been the center of music. From the 1930s popular music genres have changed from blues and jazz to pop and hip hop. Detroit hosts world-famous Detroit International Jazz Festival and the hip-hop Summer Jamz festival. Toronto hosts the Toronto Electronic Music Festival.

Modern Great Lakes popular music includes a number of prominent pop stars, rock bands, hip hop performers, dance music acts, etc. United Great Lakes has participated in Mappervision Song Contest eleven times and won twice. 40-years old woman singer Sia sang her song "Alive" to her victory in the 8th edition and 30-years old woman singer Ellie Goulding sang her song "Love Me Like You Do" to her victory in the 19th edition.

The visual arts in United Great Lakes started before the states united, in the 19th century. The best known of Great Laker painters, George Callahan, started painting in a naturalist style, but moved to national romanticism.

### Media

*Main article: Television in United Great Lakes* Great Lakes press has been rated one of the freest in the world. Today, there are around 700 newspapers, 11 digital radio channels and five nationwide and 16 national public service radio channels. The major broadcaster in the United Great Lakes *Broadcasting Corporation of Great Lakes* (BCGL). Another popular broadcaster is *Fox Broadcasting Company* which is broadcasted all around the North America.
Each year, around 67,000 book titles are published and 34 million records are sold. United Great Lakes currently has two major "national" newspapers: *Great Lakes Times* and *The Globe Today*. *Le Journal* is a popular newspaper for French speaking minority. Worldwide, Great Lakes, along with other Nordics and Japanese, spend the most time reading newspapers.

### Sports

Various sporting events are popular in the United Great Lakes. The most popular sports in terms of spectators is ice hockey, football (soccer) and American football. There are two National Hockey League teams in United Great lakes; Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. United Great Lakes national ice hockey team or Seals in IIHF World Ranking has ranked as third. The team has won many times Men's World Ice Hockey Championships and United Great Lakes have hosted five times. United Great Lakes has actively took part of Mapperdonian Olympic Games.

National football team of United Great Lakes has taken part of MIFF cups and the football team belongs to North and South American Confederation. The country has placed second twice in the American Championship. In 2017, United Great Lakes hosted the World Cup.

### Cuisine

There are many overlaps between Great Lakes food and the rest of the cuisine in North America, many unique dishes and variations are found in the country. Commonly Butter tart and peameal bacon are considered as national foods of United Great Lakes. Maple syrup is often called as national food by Great Lakers, but the place origin is disputed with United Great Lakes' neighbor countries.

The cuisine of United Great Lakes also differs between the states. Wisconsin and Michigan both share common cuisine which has a strong influence from United States. Meanwhile Superior, Huron and Niagara share similar cuisine with Canada.

### Public holidays

The United Great Lakes observes holidays derived from events in Great Lakes history and Christian traditions. Some holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Halloween, are celebrated in the neighbor countries too.

Independence Day celebrates the anniversary of the country's independence from Great Britain. It is generally celebrated by parades throughout the day and the shooting of fireworks at night. National colors are often seen during the day.

Federally recognized holidays are as follows:

 Friday before Easter Day
 Second Monday in October
 October 31
 November 28
 December 25

## See also

* Official Nations
* Nations in North America
* Triple Federal Alliance
* Commonwealth of Official Nations
* Portal of United Great Lakes