Orinoccov

Orinoccov is a country located in south-east of Elisia, It borders Nova Briton to the west, the 2nd Kalmar Union to the north and north-west and the Marlos ocean to the south. It has a tropical climate, and an area of 672.246 square km, with a population around 20 million. It's capital and largest city is Niewehoop, other major urban areas include: Rosrick, Zoetlass, Asmeer, Hooladorf and Dikgraaf.

The river Donter finishes it's course in the Briton Delta, and the nation is also surrounded by the Upper Locina Mountains and split in two halves by the Central Adomenta Mountains.

Orinoccov was settled by colonists from the extinct country of Dutchria from the Evrosian continent in 1694. The region of Orinoccov was mostly colonised by expelled Fontian minorities of Dutchria, creating heavy unrest until it's independence, gained in the First War of the Trade Sovereignty (1703-1705). The nation hasn't expanded it's territorry anywhere else apart from the one gained in the war of independence. Orinoccov has many times found itself at war during the 19th and early 18th century, finalling into a grand peace of 182 years, recently broken by the current Orinoccovian civil war.

Orinoccov is a developing country, athough it's economy has taken a hard hit ever since the civil war in 2024.

## Etymology

Orinoccov is broken into two words: "Orin" and "Occov", both of them representing one of the main people groups of Orinoccov. "Orin" is the word giving by the natives to the colonisers. "Or" means ocean, and "in" is to signify people, so it would mean "ocean people". "Occov", on the other hand has a deeper history. "Occov" is what the natives call themselves. Their name comes from what they call the region, "occo". The name "occo" is said to have came from an even older civilization, having it's true beggining in the word "locro" "loc" meaning land and "Ro" being an ancient god of the native mythology, said to have been the god of the sea and naval trade, in time, the word changed to "occo" . So in a full complex translation, Orinoccov would mean "ocean people and residents of the land of Ro".

## History

### Prehistory

(37 800 BC - 500 BC)

Remains of humans found in 'Cave Osteerda' date back from circa 40.000 years ago, not much information about these people are known. The current surface of Orinoccov was firstly inhabited by a migration of the 'Fendora' people, these people didn't settle for long and continued their westward migration. Stone tools used for agriculture were found in Vertland, this way proving the existance of a second group who occupied southern Orinoccov area named the Fanders. Their disapearence is unknown, although a popular theory would be some sort of a mass sickness.

In 1200 BC, arrived the Ovanti, culture who will permanently settle the lands of Orinoccov. Although of the same culture, they were organised in many small tribes, like the Gecians, Moeians and Ferians being some of the biggest. Their exact surface isn't fully known, apart from a few ceramics found near Briton river and some inscriptions found in the Locima mountains.

### Acient era

The Ovanti tribes were to be partially united in 500 BC by Zelvadeikos. An inscription in Rosrick states "Zelvadeikos is the bravest of the Ovanti people and unified them under a strict se of rules imposed on all of them. He fought with the Gecians and annexed them, he subjugated the Moeians and ruled the Ferians through diplomacy". Ancient historian Deros ( 478 BC) in his book "Histories" states: "Zelvadeikos, brave man of the Ovanti imposed a set of laws to unify themselves in a single state. He outlawed alcohol, and disciplined his army through drill exercises. Although of that, Zelvadeikos didn't fight the Navants ir the Gorte to the north, he rather ignored them".

The sovereign Ovantacia didn't last long, as at the same time the Occian Empire was reaching it's greatest power, and conquered all surrounding lands, and finally turned Ovantacia a province of the Occian Empire during the rule of occian emperor Vontere, beating them at the battle of Zendava in 451 BC. In the next 51 years, the Occian Empire wass falling apart, and moved most administration in todays Orinoccov area. The Empire lasted another 295 years in a smaller but better organised form.

### The period of the 7 cheifdoms

In 156 BC, from increasing internal struggles, during the rule of last emperor Zaldovos, the Occian Empire broke into 7 different states, these being; Ovant, Cotensia, Carpia, Tauriscia, Sarmatia, Cnivia and a small state made up of mostly portal cities, Histrie. Histrie was a great trade state, as it was extremely proficient in selling finite goods. Ovant had the most infrastructure left from the Occian Empire, having the remains of the capital. Tauriscia and Sarmatia were especially militaristic, the two fought a lot of small wars with eachother.

### The Ovantia golden age

The states were once again reunited under a single chief named Zelvado, under the banner of Ovant in 132. This proved to be the start of massive prosperity in Ovant, with improvement of laws, building of monuments and quite a bit of temples. The golden age proved harder to continue with the arrival of migrating people named the Torms, constantly raiding Ovantian lands, and even capturing a bit of the north.

Ovantia managed to keep good defences and tornsic attacks became more and more insignificant. This was a time when trade in Ovantia also bloomed and turned it in a culturally impressive nation with big portal cities and settlements across the lakes and rivers. The Ovantia also has developed a split in society, with a sort of nobility, named Tarastes, who are employed in military, religious or political jobs.

### The period of the three kingdoms

Sadly, as regional powers in Ovantia divided, the nation was split in three: Ovant (a continuation of the Ovantian state), Maventia and Sarmatia in 501. Seeing the weakened states, the Torns attack and conquer Sarmatia in 20 years, defeating them at Gerne, Patae and Ferat. In 532, the fast moving Torns capture Maventia too. But due to these fast paced attacks and lack of centralisation, the Torns horde collapses (535), not being able to capture the last of the three kingdoms, Ovant. In 536 out of the Torns territory reappear the two post-Ovantia kingdoms.

### Occovia

In 632, through diplomacy and gain of power, Ovant reunites the past territories and reforms Ovantia, now named Occovia. The kingdom lives in peace and good amounts of trade income. This period marks a good time for the native Orinoccovians before the arrival of colonists from Dutchria. And after almost four centuries of prosperity, in 1025 it was noted by inscriptions in Odomek that the trade has lowered concerningly, and with less and less trade, Occovia also falls behind in the technological advancements of the rest of the world.

The kingdom is hit by yet another unfortunate event in 1356. A massive plague took over Occovia, throwing it back to ancient era organisation and technology. The kingdom never regained it's past greatness.

### The start of colonisation

In 1536 Occovia first meets with people of other continents, and learns of their technology, and trades yet again, although this was to be ended in 1693 when Dutchria, a nation in Evrosia discovered and went to war with Occovia. The Occovi were crushed by the Dutchrian superior weaponry, and eventualy were transformed into a Dutchrian colony in 1693. The colony was made up of expelled Fontian minority from Dutchria. The Fontians related to the Occovi, as they were both treated as lesser humans by the Dutchrians. Their good associacions meant somewhat of an alliance between the Occovi and the Fontians. The two expressed nationalism for a independent country where they will both live peacefully, the nation of Orinoccov.

### The Independent Orinoccov

In 1703, the Orinoccovian war of independence begins. The orinoccovians fought a bloody war, mostly based around naval battles with the Dutchrians, and eventually, with enough of losing men on the sea, Dutchrians give independence to the Orinoccovians in 1705. The Dutchrians were left in such a weak state, that they relatively became an extinct state in 1781, following the second war of 1771 with Orinoccov.

After it's independence Orinoccov becomes isolationists, ruled by a council of 5 distinguished admirals from the war: Lode Benoit, Jeffrey Renard, Karim De Koster, Wout Van Laethem and Ian Lefebvre.

Orinoccov was known for having very good civil rights, and even outlawing slavery in 1705. This was a result of the 'Orinoccovian Thoought' which granted anyone who wanted freedom autonomy, as to revenge the oppression of the Dutchrians. The Natives and the Fontians got along extremely well, and even refrained from calling themselves as their previous cultural identities, but rather unite under the name Orinoccovian, esencially creating a new kind of people.

In 1725, following the death of Ian Lefebvre, the last remaining admiral of the council, a hereditary Grand Duchy was established, with Mickaël Vrammout being the first Grand Duke of Orinoccov. Trade bloomed once again in the area of Orinoccov, creating a new golden age for the people. The production of spices and many finite goods, including silk clothing made the country very rich, especially since 1751, when many buildings were built, including the massive canal network in the cities.

For a brief period in 1789, a client styate was established in 1789 named Histriuma, after the ancient Histrie. Because of bad administration the state was later fed back into Orinoccov in 1798, essentially also eliminating any desire for a state in that region.

### The Dark age of Orinoccov

Orinoccov tried to colonise an uninhabited island in the Marlos Ocean named 'Goedland', and despite Orinoccov's hardest efforts, it seemed almost impossible to do such a task. This failed operation has very much hit the economy, and with the lack of production and high value trade goods in the 'Great Orinoccovian Depression' of 1811 to 1890, it turned Orinoccov into a shadow of it's past might.

In 1890, a failed coup led by Bert Bauwens for democracy and multiple demonstrations although unsuccessful at a direct change, it weakened Orinoccov enough to institute today's election for Grand Dukes, usually the candidates were admirals, diplomats or powerful traders. In 1910 a commerciant named Dabo Wellsdaven was elected as Grand Duke. In 1912 he made a reform to the government essentially changing Orinoccov into a merchant Republic. Dabo was an extremely incompetent leader, selling away most private industry to wealthy traders and the ownership of the country to some admirals. He was accused on multiple accounts of corruption, most controversial being that his son was elected the next Grand Duke after his death, although not having much support from the merchants or the people. He also imprisoned political opponents for dubious reasons in 1912 to 1914. Surprisingly, even his son Ferda Wellsdaven was considered a better ruler than Dabo, and with his death in 1950, the merchant republic fell.

### Modern Orinoccov

In 1960, with the arrival of the so called 'modern age' people were looking for even more democratic rights, and with furious demonstrations on the streets of Nieuwehoop, today's political groups were put in place, creating today's government of Orinoccov. The 1980's proved to be a time for cultural change in Orinoccov. Ever since 1983 people were embracing fashion, movies and the goods of the modern era, creating a new contemporary social identity to Orinoccov. In 1991, after some more freedom demonstration, there was to be another change to the Orinoccovian Constitution, change made in 2003.

### The MIlan golden times

With the election of MIlan van Rjin in 2003, the Grand Duuke made serious changes to civil rights and laws for the better of the lgbtq and other growing communities in Orinoccov. He opened up to infrastructural improvement and got Orinoccov involved in foreign affairs, marking the making of alliences with Locotima, Pervincia and others, diplomatic meetings and the entrance of Orinoccov in the UFT in 2024.

## Geography

The Orinoccovian land terrain and relief splits itself in a few categories:

-mountainous 25%

-hills/plateaus 55%

-plains 20%

The maximum altitude can be found at Hensdaff peak with 2565 metres altitude.

The lakes and fresh water bodies make around 19% of Orinoccovian overall terrains.

-Longest river: Great Bandert/ Pas river

-Largest lake: van Rijn lake The population of Orinoccov is unevenly distributed as around the upper Locina Mountains area it is sparsely populated.

The most dense area is The 'Greater Nieuwehoop area' containing Nieuwehoop and it's surrounding provinces, also where the main business area is located. The urban centers usually coexist in good trade areas usually near sea acces or along the rivers. Orinoccov can be split in three natural areas, these being:

-'The Vertlands', south of the Adomenta mountain range.

-'The greater Pas' between the two mountain ranges.

-'The Plateau area east of the rivers.

The Central Adomenta and upper Locina mountains are moderately small ranges as they don't usually go over the 2100 metres mark. They were mostly former through the wrinkling of the earth's crust. The only vulcanic mountain is the separate Holvan peak. In continuation of the Adomenta Mountains, there are the 'three crowns" made of three smaller mountains of low altitude. They are a popular tourist attraction as they deposit good amounts of sandstone of red colour. In both of the mountain ranges can be found crystalline schists along the central bodies. The Holvan peak deposits half of the Orinoccovian basalt and granite. Than there are the sedimentary rocks, these being chalk, and sandstone. Glaciar relief can be found in the middle Adomenta mountains.

Important features:

-The Briton river delta: a great natural landmark, holding a diverse amount of bird species and copious amounts of reeds, sugar canes and other river plants.

-The dual lakes: made of the Bartent and van Rijn lake, now technically considered seas because of the Lange Pas canal, they hold a big amount of geese and a few other birds, there are also reasonable amounts of freshwater fish. After the construction of the canal the lakes serve an important economic purpose, as many trading opportunities opened for the cities established on the lakes.

-Louisian plane: biggest and most important plain in Orinoccov, it holds great agricultural value, and due to it's proximity to the Saint Louis and Saint Bernard rivers, they offer great places for the cultivation of spices.

-The Vlof river estuary: It offers the place of settlement for the capital and the main economic area, with a big plain in the south including it's estuary, perfect for trade. It also allows ships to travel all the way to the furthermost place in the 'Greater Nieuwehoop' area. It's also considered the start of the complex canal transport system throughout the country.

-The Gonternt lake: the only vulcanic lake in Orinoccov, it is a grand attraction for domestic tourism, including some wonderful resorts. -Lowland depression: created between the Vlof and Donva hills, and encapsulated because of the under Adomenta plateau, also great for agriculture, the second biggest agricultural sector, but also home to a few bigger urban conglomerates.

-The great Bandert river and the Pas river: they stretch across the country between the northern Locina plateaus to the dual lakes, another provider for urban centers which ends in an estuary creating what is called the 'trading orinoccovian cycle' as the river later connects at a long distance away to the Briton/ Donter river, creating a cycle for trading through Orinoccov.

-The Dorgent river and it's plain: it marks the only big urban conglomerate in the 'Plateau area' apart from Waldengen.

The plains have a natural protection in the north due to the Locina mountains. The plains and plateaus usually have sedimentary rocks like sand, gravel, clay and loess.

### Climate

The climate in Orinoccov is a specifically tropical one, with four distinct seasons. Precipitation is average, with over 750 mm (30 in) per year only on the highest western mountains, while around Bucharest it drops to approximately 570 mm (22 in).

## Governance

The constitution of Orinoccov was created in 1890, after the furious demonstrations all over the country in the same year. The constitution was updated in 1950, 1960 and 2005. The country is governed by a democratically elected Grand Duke. The Grand Duke is elected by popular vote and he reigns until his death or until he is deposed by a referendum made by the political groups and organisations.

The way a Grand Duke is elected is if it has been proposed as candidate by one of the political groups in Orinoccov, and if it wins the election with the majority of the population's votes. The Grand Duke is in charge of all matters of the state, but he can appoint advisors if it is in his choosing.

### Political groups

A Orinoccovian political group is an organisation made up of representatives who are supposed to represent a democratic ideology, upon which they will propose a candidate for the Grand Duke election. The political groups have no actual power in the matters of state. The political groups only have power in proposing and deposing (deposing is done only in times of absolute discontent with the Grand Duke) the Grand Duke. They can also can start a referendum on deposing the Grand Duke at any time.

Every 4 years there is a referendum is the Grand Duke should be deposed or not. This referendum will nit start if Orinoccov is in a state of war.

There also a few other political organisations that can call upon referendums on the deposing of the Grand Duke.

### Foreign relations

Orinoccov has friendly relations with it's neighbour Nova Briton, but relations with the 2nd Kalmar Union are almost completely neutral. Orinoccov is in very much amicable relations with Locotima, with an exchange of an alliance, and multiple economical acts between the two nations. Orinoccov also has an alliance with Pervincia at the moment. With the beggining of the civil war multiple nations have shown support and are very much appreciated by the Grand Duke, these including: Jautia, Liberto-Ancapistan, Oktadonia. Nibelia, Krenstein, Suryadweep etc. Ever since it's arrival in the Uft in 2024, Orinoccov has been quickly expanding it's foreign relations.

Because of their intervention on the side of the TOK, Orinoccov considers Daraln an outright enemy.

### Administrative divisions:

Orinoccov is split into 30 counties and 9 regions:

A lot of these counties are currently under TOK control.

## Economy

In 2024, Orinoccov had a GDP of 105.375 billion Rovas and a GDP per capita of 526.87 Rovas. After the great Orinoccov recession of 1849, marking the end of a high economy in Orinoccov due to the decreasing value in goods, recession that has still had it's effect even in 2022, never fully recovering to it's former economical greatness, In 2024, opening up to more and more international trades and connections, Orinoccov has received a slight boom to it's economy, but that didn't last long, as the Great Civil War Recession starts at the end of 2024. As Orinoccov lost control over major parts of their lands in the north, so came a major decrease in domestic profit. Second, with the TOK campaign of mass destruction of ports in south Orinoccov, it came to a great expense the reparation of these ports and many other buildings destroyed in the later Nieuwehoop air raid.

Since the economy is mostly state driven, the largest local companies are under control of the state, these being; the OMMC, Red Jewel Industries, Kruidgoed, the ODB bank and the OSE.

### Infrastructure

Orinoccov's infrastructure is renowned to be one of it's weakest points, as the bridges and canals have little sturdiness, mostly being remains of the ones built in 1750-1789. The car road network is rarely used, those cases being long travels across the country. It is connected through the OCH (Orinocccov central highway). Orinoccov also has a network of railroads connecting every city with over 2 thousand population.

The energy of Orinoccov is mostly taken from renewable, mostly hydroelectric power. Orinoccov is looking to even further minimize the overall pollution produced, as the UFT has made a resolution about reaching carbon-neutrality by 2045.

### Tourism

Tourism is a quite significant contribuitor to the Orinoccovian economy, generating around 5% of the GDP. Tourism has been having it's steady rise, reaching 10 million foreign tourists in 2018.

Popular tourist attractions include: the Goudennacht Tower, the hill of De grote hoogte, the Portal Transport Station in Nieuwehoop, the state church and the people's national museum of Orinoccov and the most popular tourist attraction being the Great Grand Ducal Palace.

## Demographics

Orinoccov has approximately 19 million inhabitants. due to the recent civil war the population is slowly declining, as soldiers die on the frontlines and civilians migrate away to friendly and neighbouring countries to find a safer place to live in. There are currently around 100 thousand Orinoccovians in other nations. Specialists expect a lot of these people to return after the ending of the war, although this statement is very uncertain. Most of the immigrants in Orinoccov have also left to their home countries for the same reasons as the other emigrators.

### Languages

In Orinoccov most of the people speak Dutch or Native Orinoccovian. There are hardly any natives that don't speak dutch, but prefer to speak in their native tounge in their families. Other languages are taught in schools, depending of the parent's choice.

### Religion

Most of the country follows Zotaism (91%). Zotaism is a branch of Christianity made by the reformer Alfred Zota, gaining much influence in his home nation Orinoccov. There is also a minority of about 3% who still worship the native pantheon of Ovantian gods. The state has no state religion, but churches have been heavily founded in the past by the government.

### Education

The education system is fully paid by the government, although there are a few specific examples of established private schools.

When it comes to primary school that being from first grade (age 7 or 6, both are accepted) to fourth grade (age 10) all primary schools are mostly the same, it is the middle school when things split up.

Middle schools are split in two main categories and three 'speciality schools'. There are:

-humanist studies: with focus on Dutch and history, including a special class of early philosophy and social studies once a week.

-real studies: with focus on maths physics and chemistry, with a specific hour of logic once a week.

-arts: this can be again split in architecture and plastic arts, which focus on either of the matters.

-commerce: focused on teaching trade, economy and management.

-admiralty: focused on teaching advanced ship handling and building.

Than in highschool there are once again a few splits:

-natural sciences: focus on biology and chemistry.

-technology: focus on teaching coding and mathematics.

-engineering: focus on physics and space geometry.

-history and literature

-social studies: it gets an extra hour of philosophy and psychology.

-commerce goes on as in middle school.

-admiralty continues as in middle school.

-art goes on as in middle school.

## Culture

Orinoccovian culture is almost a perfect mix of Fontian, Occovian and Dutchrian elements, these including everything from architecture, art and even cuisine. Many cultural events are made around the national identity and the independence of Orinoccov, such as flag day, independence day, Red Jewel day and many others. Native culture is also heavily celebrated, with ancient clothing, traditional music and many others still being used today. Due to the long lasting amicable relations between the Occovians and the Fontians, people can barely tell them apart, either phisically or psychically.

The art has bloomed with the election of massive art supporter Milan van Rjin. Orinoccovian museums take pride in many artifacts and pieces of art and literature.