Kieeland

**Kieeland** is a transcontinental country spanning from Eastern Europa to Western Ipoa. It is the largest country in the world and makes up one-seventh of Aethereal’s total landmass. It is the third most populous country in the world and the second most populous country in Europa. The country’s capital, economic, and cultural center is Jaunona. Its largest city is Aidiga which is the largest city in Europa, with a population of 20 million.

Paleo-Kieelish migrated from Central Ayai to Eastern Europa around 12,000 years ago. Paleo-Kieelish tribes intermingled linguistically with Saksen tribes, forming the modern Kieelish language. The Kieelish state came into being in 1426 with the unification of all Kieelish realms in Europa by the Oligarchical Jaunona Republic. In the mid-16th century, Kieelish eastern expansion had begun, and in the mid-1750s, the borders of the nation had reached the Mierigic Ocean. Following an economic collapse in the late 1780s, social unrest grew within the country. The unrest culminated in the formation of the modern Kieelish Republic in 1791 with the onset of the Blue Revolution: establishing Kieeland as the home of the liberal revolution in Europa. The Blue Revolution would cement Kieeland as the world's foremost liberal power and as a key contributor to modern liberal philosophy, with many predominant liberal philosophers being of Kieelish origin. Into the 19th and 20th centuries, Kieeland would emerge as a major global power and the only country to retain superpower status into the mid-20th and current 21st centuries.

Kieeland is a highly developed country, and its economy accounts for almost a quarter of global GDP and is the world's largest GDP at market exchange rates. Kieeland is also the world's largest importer and second-largest exporter. Additionally, Kieeland performs favorably in measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, internet freedom, democratic governance, and living standards. Kieeland is a founding member of the UAN and EU and is a permanent member of the UAN Security Council. Kieeland is the foremost military power in the world and a leading political, cultural, and scientific force.

## Early History

Established in 1426, the Republic of Kieeland has practiced the republican tradition for centuries. However, for much of Kieelish history, the nation was ruled by the oligarchical Consul Council. The Consul Council was made up of nobles and rich merchants who would elect themselves and the High Counselor, who would be given all executive power—while judicial and legislative power would be held by the Council. This system of governance allowed for corruption to easily spread throughout the Council, much to the dismay of the average peasant or artisan. Thus leading to numerous but unsuccessful revolts throughout the centuries. In 1791 a massive famine struck Kieeland along with an already failing economy. High Counselor Edmans Zvinelis attempted to alleviate the crisis by temporarily ending taxes on the lower class and raising taxes on property and nobles. However, the Council determined these actions illegal and removed Zvinelis from his position. This move was poorly received by the populace and mass riots ensued across Kieeland. The riots would move from disapproval over the decision of the Council to outright rebellion against the current political system, leading to the Blue Revolution and the establishment of parliamentary democracy in Kieeland.

## Geography

Kieeland’s vast territory stretches over the easternmost part of Europa and the westernmost part of Ipoa; and has the world's longest coastline. Kieeland has twenty-three major mountain ranges, fourteen of them being in Austruzeme, and the other nine are located along the southernmost regions of the country. Kieeland is one of the world's only countries to border three oceans and has links with a great number of seas. Additionally, Kieeland is home to over 100,000 rivers and has one of the world's largest surface water resources, with its lakes containing approximately one-quarter of the world's liquid fresh water. Lake Anastasija is the largest and most prominent among Kieeland’s freshwater bodies. Kieeland’s west is predominantly composed of steppes in the southwest and forests in the northwest. The west and the central part of the country are separated by the Dagdas Mountain Range. The terrain of the central and east of the country is comprised of tundra, deserts—and steppes, along with mountain ranges in the southern regions. The east of the country consists mainly of both mountain ranges and tundra. Due to Kieeland’s gigantic size, the nation has diverse ecosystems, including polar deserts, tundra, forest tundra, taiga, mixed and broadleaf forest, forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert, and subtropics. Among these diverse ecosystems is a plethora of different flora and fauna.

## Politics

The Kieelish Duma comprises two chambers, these being the National Assembly and Senate. Both the Senate and Assembly are voted through a first past the post-voting system. For every 100,000 people, the Assembly has one representative present, while the Senate has a senator for every 300,000 people. Forming a total of 350 representatives and 116 senators. The Duma meets in a singular nine-month-long session each year, with the President having the ability to call on special sessions if needed. Additionally, the Prime Minister and other Government Ministers are appointed by the President, who is under no constitutional or other mandatory obligation to make governmental appointments from the ranks of the majority party in the Duma.

## Military

The president is the commander-in-chief of the Kieelish Armed Forces and appoints its leaders, the Minister of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Defense Ministry is headquartered in the Cietok building, located in Jaunona, and administers all five service branches which are the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force. Kieeland spends €742 billion on its military, giving it the largest military budget in the world. In 2022, the Kieelish military has a total of 1.5 million active personnel on duty. Reservists and the Republican Guard bring the total to 2.7 million troops. Kieeland also currently maintains a 6,000 Nuclear warhead count, giving Kieeland the largest nuclear weapons stockpile in the world. However, only 2,000 of these warheads are 'active': with the additional 4,000 being kept in a strategic reserve.  Military service in Kieeland is voluntary, although conscription may occur in wartime.