Midrasia

Kingdom of Midrasia Reialme de Mydrazia
Motto: "La vertat a besonh de paucs mots" "Truth needs not many words"
Anthem: "Viure la Mydra"
Location of metropolitan Midrasia (dark green) in The Federal Union(light green)
Region		The Federal Union
Capital and largest city		Thraice
Official languages		Midrasian
Recognised national languages		Midrasian Ibbeneian
Demonym		Midrasian
Government		Constitutional Monarchy, with elected parliament
-	Monarch	King Luix XII
-	Prime Minister	Florian de Rein (Con)
Legislature		Parliament
-	Upper house	Senate
-	Lower house	National Assembly
History
-	Thraician Realms	~420
-	Unification (as Midrasia)	1472
-	Writing of first Constitution	1790
Area
-	Total	540,857 km2 208,826 sq mi
-	Water (%)	2.4%
Population
-	1995 estimate	85,540,225
-	Density	205/km2 530.9/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		1986 estimate
-	Total	$3.6 trillion
-	Per capita	NS$42,085.46
GDP (nominal)		estimate
-	Total	$3.912 trillion
HDI (1986)		0.82 very high
Currency		Ursa (URS) (U)
Time zone		West Asuran Standard (UTC0)
Date format		dd ˘ mm ˘ yyyy
Drives on the		right
Calling code		27
ISO 3166 code		MD
Internet TLD		.mdr

Midrasia, officially the Kingdom of Midrasia (Midrasian: Reialme de Mydrazia) is a Constitutional Monarchy in western Asura that includes overseas regions and territories. Metropolitan Midrasia borders the nations of Valenworld, Jaiross, Marhemia, Caromelia, Avomatt and The Alydian State. Midrasia is the only nation in Asura, other than Delsola to have both a coastline on the Opal Ocean and in the Centrélseia. The nation has a largely temperate seasonal climate, with higher temperatures in the south of the country for the vast majority of the year. Midrasia is a Constitutional Monarchy with an elected parliamentary system, with its capital in Thraice, the nation's largest city and main cultural and commercial center. With a population of 85 million, Midrasia is one of the largest nations in Asura, after Stovilium and Delsola. The nation is a founding member of the Federal Union back in 1952 and a leading economic power within the region.

Since ancient times, Thraician, Mydrollian and other cultures have flourished in the territory of present-day Midrasia, being eventually absorbed by Hearthuria. For centuries Hearthuria remained the leading political and religious center of Western civilisation, ruling over vast swathes of territory throughout northern Asura. After the fall of the Empire, throughout the Dark Ages, Midrasia faced calamitous invasions by barbarian tribes, but beginning around the 10th century, numerous Midrasian kingdoms rose to great prosperity through conquest, the vast resources available in the area and shipping from Pandyssia. Midrasia has been a major power in Asura since the Late Middle Ages, with the result of the War of the White Summer (1421 to 1472), leading to a united Midrasian Kingdom, paving the way for a future centralized monarchy. During the Renaissance, Midrasia experienced a vast cultural development and established the first steps of a worldwide colonial empire along with nations such as Delsola and Isolatonia.

However the height of Midrasia's empire was reached in the 19th and 20th centuries when it held the second largest colonial empire in the world. However Midrasia's position in world politics was undermined greatly by the states inability to prevent the Vermaion Crisis, leading to the Great War of 1895-1899. However as a member of the Grand Alliance Midrasia and her allies were victorious against the forces of Stovillium, Dolorem and Pandirossa. The mid-twentieth century saw the process of decolonisation, with the Congress of Thraice seeing arguably the most peaceful and successful transfer of power to home rule, relative to other Asuran powers during the period.

With the 50s marking a period of considerable economic and military instability in Asura, Midrasia played a leading role in the formation of the Asuran Federal Defence Union, more commonly known today as the Federal Union. Midrasia still wields considerable power within the union and as a member of the World Assembly, Midrasia remains a key player in both Asuran and International politics to this day.

Etymology

The name "Midrasia" comes from the ancient Hearthurian Míydrios which means "Land of the Mydra". Originally the name only applied to the Mydroll peninsula. However as the empire grew, the name come synonymous with all lands south of the Valléin mountains.

However the name Mydra is believed to have come from the Valelander word Muidranas which is believed to mean farmers. This is because the north of Midrasia was and remains home to vast pastures and farmlands for growing grapes, wheat and apples. Hence the Mydra being "farming folk".

History

Prehistory

The oldest traces of human life in Midrasia is believed to date from around 1.7 million years ago. Many early humans in Midrasia lived hunter gatherer lifestyles in the northern lands, around the Valléin mountains. However as the climate became milder, many began to migrate south towards the valleys and shores, where the first settlements were established utilizing basic agriculture and fishing techniques in what was believed to be a subsistence society. This is where the link of Midrasians being "farming folk" is believed to have been established.

Antiquity

It is believed that around 450 BC settlers from modern day Isolatonia settled in the south of the Midrollian peninsula, establishing the city of Almíaros (modern day Almiara) and interbreeding with the locals. This exodus is believed to have occurred due to the arrival of the Isól on the shores of Pike's point and the establishment of early Isolatonian settlements such as Holy Wood, east of Midrasia. However settlements in Midrasia began to gradually become overshadowed by Hearth, to the south of Midrasia. The Hearthurian Empire began life as the city state of Hearth around 50BC, initially Hearthuria began building up power through conquests of other Midrasian tribes and city states, spreading along with it their religion of the Holy Flame (later known as Alydism). Over time the state grew and under the leadership of the legendary General Titus, swift invasions of Delsola took place, along with the famous 100 day march conquering land through Valenia and towards the region now known as Stovilium. After his campaigns the General established himself as dictator (Imperium of Hearthuria). Under the guidance of the house of Titus, Hearthuria began to grow and establish its dominance within Asura. Over time however rebellion swelled within the empire and with the loss of Delsola and the Stovilá colonies of Essté and Hephtá, the military power of the empire fell. However its biggest defeat was the sack of Hearth in 382AD, by Midrasian raiders. After the sack, the Imperial remnant attempted to re-establish the empire, briefly taking back Hearth in 385AD. However it was not to be, and on what is believed to be the 15th September 393AD the betrayal at Mydroll occurred and Imperium Emyhr V Deliahn was killed by King Marciús II of Mydroll, effectively ending the reign of the Empire within Asura. With the collapse of Hearthuria, came the rise of new powers such as the Delsolan Republic in the south of Asura and the Empire of Greater Phaedria in the north of Asura, beginning the age of Pax-Phaedria in Asura.

Geography

Metropolitan Midrasia extends from the Opal ocean in the west, to the Centrélseia in the south east. Midrasia is situated in the west of Asura, lying within the northern temperate zone. The northern border of Midrasia is mostly marked by the Valléin mountain range and the river Ávo to the north east. However The sovereign territory of the Alydian State is an enclave within north west Midrasia, making it the only country in western Asura containing an enclave.

Governance

Midrasia is a unitary state under a constitutional monarchy. King Marcus II is the head of state, as well as monarch of seven other independent Poempèri countries. The monarch has "the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn". Midrasia is one of only four countries in the world to have an uncodified constitution. The Constitution of Midrasia thus consists mostly of a collection of disparate written sources, including statutes, judge-made case law and international treaties, together with constitutional conventions. As there is no technical difference between ordinary statutes and "constitutional law", the Midrasian Parliament can perform "constitutional reform" simply by passing Acts of Parliament, and thus has the political power to change or abolish almost any written or unwritten element of the constitution. However, no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change.

Government

Midrasia has a parliamentary government based on the Déstura system that has been emulated around the world: a legacy of the Midrasian Empire. The parliament of Midrasia meets in the Parliamentary Palace in the city of Thraice and has two houses: an elected National Assembly and a semi-hereditary Senate. All bills passed are given Royal Assent before becoming law. The position of prime minister, Midrasia's head of government, belongs to the person most likely to command the confidence of the National Assembly; this individual is typically the leader of the political party or coalition of parties that holds the largest number of seats in that chamber. The prime minister chooses a cabinet and its members are formally appointed by the monarch to form His Majesty's Government. By convention, the King respects the prime minister's decisions of government.

Economy

Society

Culture