Columbia

**Columbia**, formally known as the **Columbian Union**, is a Terran country. It is a federal presidential republic and the *only known* democratic country in Terra, made up of various states with independent municipal governments and their own laws. The nation is ruled by a centralized Federal Government run by its one and only President Mark Max as the sole head of state and a Congress for legislative matters.

Columbia is not only the youngest nation in Terra, but also a melting pot of various races and cultures around Terra. It is famous for its accelerating science progresses and military influences through its mega-corporations and government bodies. Columbia has been increasingly expanding its influence over the years to a point of becoming a rising hegemonic power in Terra via its technologies.

Columbia has been claiming itself to be a nation of "equity" where everyone, including the Infected and even the Sarkaz, are treated the same. On one hand, its treatment is indeed much more liberal and better than other countries' (especially Ursus), but on the other hand, the nation is secretly exploiting the Infected, the local Sarkaz community, and the commoners, through systematic segregations and burdensome financial pressures.

The Columbian language is similar to American English in our world. But somehow, both have distinct grammars and accents even though both are mutually intelligible enough with each other.

## Background

Originally, Columbia was just a Victorian colony formed by various city-states on the northwestern side of Terra. However, during Gaul's invasion of Victoria, the colony took the opportunity to declare independence under Gaul's aid. With the increasing pressure from Gaul, the Victorian border dukes had no option to stop the rebellion but chose to retreat their armies stationed in Columbia, leading to the formation of a new country.

Ever since its foundation, Columbia has been slowly expanding both its territories and its political influence across Terra. It uses the propaganda of the "Columbia Dream" to attract frontier pioneers for its westernmost wasteland, mainly composed of lower-classed commonfolk, slumdwellers, and the Infected, where they are to settle down and cultivate the land under the nation's name. Even though the pioneers' stories are immortalized by various tales, they are always the target of ill treatment and social neglections.

Columbia's unrestrained expansion also leads to countless political conflicts against other nations. During the late 40s after its independence, it launched an outright invasion against Bolívar in the name of retaliation against Leithanien's provocation. However, not only did it attempt to secure its vast resource deposits, but the nation's constant manipulation onto its political affairs has resulted in a never-ending stalemate against the local resistance forces. After the failure, Columbia then set its eyes onto Sargon and has been slowly destabilizing the country by covertly funding its operating mercenaries and pro-Columbian tribal factions.

 File:Columbia arms race.png
There are also growing concerns regarding Columbia's weapon programs funded by its national military. In an effort to triumph over other Terran superpowers, explore the untouched borders of the Terran civilizations, and finally win the political struggle against the Federal Government, the Columbian military has been openly pursuing for technological supremacy through its mega-corporations. However, this is often done through many questionable means such as secretly conducting unethical experimentations onto its subjects and reviving ancient, forbidden relics.

Columbia does have a lighter side to its expansionism. The nation is known for its soft power who exports its vibrant culture all around Terra. Even the most conservative ones start to experience such culture shock through Columbian movies, music and sports. This is especially obvious in Emperor's worldwide popularity and the baseball craze within its borders. Other nations are strongly shaped by Columbian cultures as well such as its legal system that is borrowed by the Siracusan judiciary and its capitalistic commercialism that influences Kazimierz's economy.

## Notable people

* Mark Max – the President of Columbia
* **Professor Thorne**†: A Vouivre researcher from Blaine Formative and Elliot's professor. Twenty-two years ago, he led the "Sand Soldiers" into the Ibut Region of Sargon for a research on an Originium-based weapon. However, he was preyed upon by the local Padishah and was later murdered.
* **Chief Justice Marshall**: The Chief Justice of the Union Supreme Court who, in Terran year 1091, went insane due to Arturia's Originium Art, self-declared himself as the "Emperor" of Columbia, and implemented the *Infected Emancipation Act* in the name of "Royal Degree" that has positive impact on the Columbian Infected community.
* **"6060"**: An infamous Columbian rapper whom Emperor is said to have a bad relationship with. The latter would dedicate a diss track to him at one point.

## Places

### Settlements

* Trimounts
* **Bunkerhill**: The city where Simon Co. and the HydeBro are located.
* **Givogia**: The city where Franka comes from. It was destroyed by a Catastrophe when she was 13 years old.
* **Ironforge**: The city where Anthony Simon was arrested. Due to the city being under a different state law, Anthony was free from the HydeBro's interference. Long ago, Ironforge experienced a serious Originium leakage incident that eventually led to Franka's infection. The headquarters of Maylander's Security and Defense Company is located there, on which Team RAINBOW is working with.
* **Nulaiteburgh**: The city where the Mansfield State Prison was docked during Anthony's prison break.
* **Tkaronto**: A Nomadic city and garrison lying along the Columbian border that is close to Sargon. It was founded as a pioneer trade post, and it became one of the country's bustling economic hubs. At one time, it was the place where Rhodes Island was hiding from the policemen bribed by Mama John's that failed in a negotiation with it. Miarow once dreamed of going to the place, in order to study medicine, but was cut short with his death. Fang, Kroos, and Beagle used to work as police officers there.
* **Wrankwood**: A city in Columbia known for being the heart of its film industry. Their movies' selling points include their pretentious titles, excessive use of explosions, and age restrictions
* **San Sophie**: The city where the Mansfield State Prison was docked 4 months prior to Anthony's jailbreak.
* **Steelham:** The town where Sonny and Mary come from.
* **Max D.C.**: A major city of Columbia and the capital of the nation.

## Notes

1. ↑ Originally "Columbia Union," which is grammatically incorrect.

## References

2. ↑ OD-3 Before
3. ↑ Kal'tsit's Archive Files
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Spes
5. ↑ DH-ST-3
6. ↑ CW-2 Before
7. ↑ WD-1 After
8. ↑ Cuora's Archive Files
9. ↑ WD-1
10. ↑ Gradus Secreti
11. ↑ Rap Trend#5
12. ↑ MB-1 Before
13. ↑ Franka/Operator Record
14. ↑ MB-3 Before
15. ↑ OD-1 After
16. ↑ Official manga *Stories of Infected: Blacksteel*, Chapter 3
17. ↑ Ash's MAR-Y module description
18. ↑ MB-7 Before
19. ↑ Harmony in Difference
20. ↑ OD-ST-2
21. ↑ A1 Operations Preparation Detachment Chapter 1
22. ↑ Fang's Archive Files
23. ↑ Roberta's Archive Files
24. ↑ Fiammetta's Archive File
25. ↑ MB-2 Before
26. ↑ DV-4 Before
27. ↑ DV-ST-1