Velvet

Velvet, or officially the Federal Republic of Velvet (FRV), is a federal country in the Newisle Community Server, based in the south-west of the map.

### Etymology

Velvet's name has been inspired through multiple sources:

1. The territory used to be inhabited by a tribe called Velghokra, which has inspired the name.
2. Velvet is a woven tufted fabric usually put in premium quality items, so the name was meant to symbolize quality over quantity.
3. Velvet has also been inspired by the Velvet Revolution, which was a peaceful uprising which ended communist rule over Czechoslovakia in 1989
4. Velvet was something Momcilo Vrestel specialised in with his Osterian company before helping the Velghokran people create a new identity.

### History

#### Pre-Developed Era

During this period, the people of Velghokra would move to the region of Velvet City around the 1400's after worser conditions impacted modern-day Atarius. They had a tribal system of governing, as they were isolated from the growing ideas of monarchism and new technologies which were mostly developed in the east.

In 1574, El Reino de la Islia der Sur (The Kingdom of the Southern Island) was established, and in 1673 they began major expansion towards the south. They would crush the Velghokra tribe in the Battle of Dholwkaor in 1676, and from there, the people would be subjugated under Islian rule.

During this time, Momcilo Vrestel, an Osterian company owner, began to open a business in southern Islia and he noticed the people of Velghokra. He would slowly begin supplying them with modern technology, and teach them of modern ways of ruling.

#### The Revolution

From 1781, the name of the "tribe" would change to Velvet, a more modern name. In 1800, a major flood would strike Islia City, causing an economic collapse for Islia der Sur, and the Velvetians would use this as a chance to rebel. On March 3rd, 1802, the Velvetian populace would officially announce the revolution in a speech made by Momcilo Vrestel outside Velvet City central square.

After winning the major Battle of Lebensstadt in May, the Islian forces would be demoralised, but the government would order the fight to continue. On September 3rd 1802, the Republic of Velvet would be established. 3 months later, on December 12th, a peace treaty is signed in Islia City.

#### Post-Revolutionary Era

Following the death of Momcilo Vrestel in 1812, the nation of Velvet would immediately fall to corruption and would slowly technologically advance with the rest of the world. Conservatives and centrists would fully dominate Velvetian politics for 150 years.

#### Beginning of the PPV Era

In 1957, the Progressive Party of Velvet would dominate elections despite attempts by the centrists to rig them. The PPV would be led by Edward Ivans, who believed that "Velvet could be so much more". He began a major anti-corruption campaign in 1959, arresting over 240 members of the Senate with charges of corruption.

The PPV would begin major investment into technological development and research as well as education. The PPV would also buy out major shares in major Velvet-based companies, not allowing them to further influence the government. Companies like the Arbor Corporation, Xobcho, SteelWay and others would become major corporations internationally, create global brands and become household names.

The Technological University of Velvet would be finished in 1963, as education rates in Velvet would surge during the 70's and 80's. Foreign investment, especially from eastern nations like Burlington would also increase during this period. The GDP of Velvet would begin to grow astronomically as well as it's population, as it would specialise in development of chips, computers, televisions, and other technologies, becoming not just "up with the times", but instead creating new technologies and leading the tech scene forward.

The Velvet-Atlasville highway would be completed in 1968, solving major transportation issues in the country. During this time, the nation would begin to rapidly develop infastructure, with the Transvelvetia tower being completed in 1983.

#### Expansion Era

Philip Kovacevic would have a pan-Velvet policy of establishing a united pan-Velvetian state across the south-west.

In 1994, the Atlas Federation would hold a referendum to join Velvet, and it would pass with 83.2% of the vote. It would change the name to Federal Republic of Velvet.

In 2002, following the collapse of Aurora, the new Greater Republic of Velvet would intervene and annex it to establish order. Following a referendum, the people of Aurora decide on staying in Velvet.

#### Inter-Dimensional Incident

On February 28th 2003, the VIRO in association with the VSRA would connect with Dimension G-280-195, and would establish communication with NERV, an organisation owned by the United Nations. They would assist NERV with development of the MAGI Supercomputer System and Project-E.

#### Post-Discovery Era

Since then, NERV and the Velvetian government would work together on improving life quality further, making Velvet one of the strongest nations globally by 2010. With the help of NERV, companies like the Arbor Corporation would become global leaders in technology, textiles and raw resources.

In 2012, a defensive, military, trading and economic alliance called AVIA would be created, along with Islia and Arcanith. It is at this point that the West and East would enter a state of cold war, and this is where the Velvetian-Burlington rivalry begins.

In 2013, as part of the First Islian Crisis, the Velvetian Armed Forces would occupy Islia without major resistance. Their occupation should have lasted 2 years, but would last only a few months due to ultranationalist riots.

By 2016, the alliance of AVIA would fully fall apart. Two years later, the nation of Islia der Sur would join Velvet following the Langley-Sorhyu Agreement.

In 2021, following an economic crisis in Atarius, the nation would be split, with Velvet getting the city of Arcanith and northern Aurora, along with a lot of Atarian military equipment. At the end of the year, following major agression towards Velvet by Burlington, Burlington would declare war on Velvet. However, during a meeting where the leaders of the two nation would discuss war rules, the Velvetian president, Matthew Ivans, would order a hit on John III.

The result of this were sanctions comitted by the Central Powers and Burlington on Velvet. An emergency situation was declared and the economy fully switched to a communist economic system, with the nation called 'People's Republic of Velvet' for 6 months, until sanctions would be lifted. During this time, the State of Terra Vourna would declare independence from Velvet.

Following the sanctions, the Velvetian economy would become the largest in the world in January 2023 in terms of GDP.

In 2023, Velvet would have a short war with Burlington following a VIB-led crisis. It would result in Velvet gaining some islands, but would have to pay 213 billion in damages. Southern Kaiserton Island would be nuked as well.

### Geography

Velvet's landmass borders the Laperian Sea in the west, the Islian Sea in the north and the Atarian Sea in the north-east with the Gulf of Atlasville. Velvet has 5 mountain ranges, most of which are in Aurora and Velvet, with the Western and Eastern Auroran Mountain in Aurora, Redorean and Lebener Mountain ranges in Velvet, with Lebener being the largest, spanning from Velvet City to the Islian Sea. There is also the Frigidian Mountain in the Frigidia oblast.

Velvet is home to multiple rivers, like the Arcania, Polesor, Williams, Lapis and Hause rivers and dozens of lakes. Velvet has the 2nd largest amount of surface water resources.

#### Climate

Most of Velvet has a continental climate. Most of the coastlines of the Liperian and Islian Seas, as well as the Southern Kaiserton island. Most of Velvet province is continental except in mountanous areas.

Atlas is known for being a jungle, so it has more of an equatorial climate.

Islia is known for having a medditeranean climate.

Arcanith is part of the South Atarian Desert, making it have a desert climate.

### Government

Velvet is a federal constitution parliamentary republic with elements of cyberocracy. It has 3 branches:

1. Legislative: the Parliament, made up of the Senate and the Representative Federal House.
2. Executive: The president, being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, can veto legislative bills and appoints the members of the Cabinet.
3. Judicial: The Court of Justice and lower federal courts.

The RFH has 700 members, with each state having 100 members, with the exception of Velvet which has 200.

Velvet has a multi-party system since 1802, but since 1957, the Progressive Party of Velvet has dominated elections, as the government has been critisized, but the PPV has brought stability and prosperity to the nation ever since it has been elected, so people haven't called the rule of the PPV into question.

The Velvetian government is also advised by the MAGI Computer System, with it's recommendations playing a major role in desicions of the Parliament. The 3 computers which make up the MAGI CS, and they make recommendations based off of 3 factors:

1. Logically, regarding numbers and gain and disregarding human life,
2. Morally, favoring human life and morality,
3. Based off of the votes of the citizens.

#### Political division

The Federal Republic of Velvet is divided into 6 federal states, all of which having representatives in the RFH and they share sovereignty with the federal government, all of which having their own local institutions.

The territory of West Burlington is regarded as an 'unorganised territory'. Citizenship is granted at birth in all territories.

#### Foreign relations

The Federal Republic of Velvet maintains relations with all other countries except the United States of Burlington. It is a United Nations member and almost all countries have embassies and consulates in Velvet.

Velvet has the greatest relations with the Republic of West Islia, United States of Reiltulok and the Empire of St. Seven. It had rocky relations with the Central Powers economic alliance, but due to recent events, relations between Velvet and the Osterian Federation improved.

Velvet is also one of the founders of the Global Trade Organisation (GTO). It also works close with Reiltulok and St. Seven regarding technological development.

#### Military

The Ministry of Defence is located in Velvet City, and the military is made of multiple branches: Army, Navy, Special Forces, Air Force, Space Force and the ACAVDS.

Velvet spent 173 billion$ on it's military in 2022, 8.5% of it's GDP, making it the second-highest spending among all countries. It dosen't have nuclear weapons, but it does have N2 missiles instead, 1,400 of which in it's arsenal.

In 2022, Velvet had approximately 736.000 armed forces active, and 1.3 million troops in reserve. However, due to the recent Burlington-Velvet war, the amount of active forces was reduced to 420.000 for 2 years.

Velvetian forces can quickly be transported through transport aircraft, transport ships, Special Forces Expedition Units (SFEU) and teleportation technology.

#### Law enforcement and crime

There are 3,200 police agencies in Velvet from local to federal level. Federal agencies such as the Velvetian Informative Bureau (VIB) and the Velvetian Security Control Group (VSCG) have more specialised duties.

Velvet has a intentional homicide rate is 0.2 per 100,000 people, with Velvet being one of the least violent countries in the world. It also has one of the smallest prison populations.

### Economy

According to the Velvetian Economic Association (VEA), the GDP of Velvet is at 2.01 trillion, with average growth of 3.58%, being the largest in the world. The GDP per capita is 65,190$, one of the largest in the world. Velvet is considered as one of, if not the most powerful country technologically, especially in artificial intelligence, computers, home appliances, aerospace, medical, transport and military equipment.

The Velvetian dinar is a relatively weak currency, with 43.3 Velvetian dinars being worth 1 Osterian dollar, however the worth of the Velvetian dinar has increased considerably since 2010.

The largest Velvet trading partners are Reiltulok, West Islia, St. Seven and has good trade with the Central Powers.

#### Science, technology and energy

Velvet has been a leader of technological development and scientific research since the 1980's. In 2022, Velvet was the nation with the highest number of published scientific papers.

Velvet has 938 satellites in total, highest number of any country. The Velvetian Cosmos Exploration Agency (VCEA) has announced plans for exploration and upper-orbit bases and stations, with them beginning in 2026. Due to Velvet's cooperation with NERV, many new technologies have been developed, including the MAGI Supercomputer, the most advanced computer system ever created.

As of 2022, Velvet receives 75% of it's energy from nuclear fusion, with 17% from wind turbines and 7% from hydropower.

#### Transportation

Velvet has high-speed railway connecting most of the country as well as a highway system, with two major highways being the I-A Highway and the Velvet-Atlasville Highway.

Velvet has a national airline, VelvetAir, as well as many other privately-owned airlines. Velvet has airports in Islia, Velvet City, Atlasville and Arcanith.

#### Population

The Velvetian Census Bureau (VCB) reported 30,104,394 people as citizens in Velvet in February 1st 2023. Ethnicities go as followed:

45% Velvetian

39% Atarian

11% - Islian

2% - Auroran

2% - Foreign

The official languages in Velvet are Serbian and English.

#### Religion

The Velvetian constitution guarantees the right of freedom when it comes to religion. However, due to PPV propaganda, only 16% are religious and 16% believe in God. 84% of the population is atheist. The largest religion is Christianity (8.4%), followed by Wallopism (6.3%), Islam (0.3%) and Shrekism (0.2%).

#### Health

The Velvetian Health Group (VHG) reported a life expectancy of 80.3 years. However, Velvet had one of the highest suicide rates in the world in 2006 of 19.4 per 100,000. However, since then, the amount has decreased but is still a present issue.

Velvet is praised for it's health system being one of the most easily-accessible, cheapest and most advanced, technologically speaking in the world.

The most common causes of death are natural death, strokes, traffic accidents and suicide.

#### Cities

Largest cities are:

1. Velvet (2.1m)
2. Arcanith (1.6m)
3. Islia (1.4m)
4. Atlasville (1.1m)
5. Frigidshire (983k)
6. Salisbury (582k)
7. Lebensstadt (498k)

#### Education

The Velvetian public education system is operated by the government and local institutions and regulated by the Velvetian Ministry of Education. Children are required to attend school from the age of 5 until they turn 18.

There are universities in Velvet City, Atlasville, Islia, Arcanith, Frigidshire, Salisbury, Lebensstadt and Cholera City.

### Culture and society

Velvet is home to many ethnicities, each with their own culture and identities. The Velvetian population and government value all traditions, with the government investing into many cultural museums, music festivals, etc.

Velvet has a classless society and it's people believe in a strong work ethic. They believe in liberty, democracy, equality, rule of law, technological progress being the future and major limitations on corporations.

#### Music

Velvet is considered a musical haven of the south, with composers like Edward Salvoner, Calmen Foghert, Marko Karadjordev and many more redefined the romanticism and neo-classical period of classic music in the 1920's and begun creating a neo-classical/jazz fusion.

During the 1990's, rapidly experimental producers such as North Nye, Toronter Fukusic, and Turkec Solomic have led a new era in music, a fusion of hip-hop, pop and rapidly experimental and glitchy production to create albums such as "Rating on Truth", becoming the most listened-to album in Velvetian history.

Islia is known for some of the largest rock bands in history, while Atlasville was the birthplace of reggae during the 70's.