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Walmish Monarchical Republic
Walmesch Monarchische Republiek
of Walminghaven
MottoWelcome friends, beware enemies
AnthemFor God, Country and the King
March: "The Volunteers Come Marching Home"
     Walminghaven
CapitalKirschholz
Largest city Elsbridge
Official languages English, Walmish
Recognised national languages Luziycan, Swedish
Recognised regional languages Blokdalfen
Demonym Walmish, Walmisher, Walm
Government Parliamentary Constitutional Elective Monarchy
 -  King Francis VII
 -  Prime Minister Robert Bradford
 -  Speaker of Parliament Hans Scholten Verbeek
Formation and Independence
 -  Independence Proclamation 24 April 1695 
 -  Recognized 1 September 1700 
 -  Democratic Reformation 28 August - 8 October 1847 
 -  Constitution 17 December 1849 
Area
 -  92,212 km2
35,603 sq mi 
Population
 -  2013 estimate 60,210,000
GDP (PPP) 2012 estimate
 -  Total $300.526 Trillion
Currency Dorbin ()
Time zone Eastern Standard Time (UTC-4)
Drives on the left
Calling code +32
Internet TLD .wlm

Walminghaven, officially the Walmish Monarchical Republic (Walmish: Walmesch Monarcherepublik) is a sovereign state located in Esquarium. The country is made up of the Walmish Isles in the Northern Sea, which consist of the main island of Walmingen, Blokdalf, Hagenau, Foltz, Michau, and other smaller islands. Walminghaven's form of government is a constitutional monarchy with, due to its elective nature, a system similar to that of a parliamentary republic, with the Monarch (in a role similar to that of a Prime Minister) being Francis VII, elected in 2014. With a population of 60.21 million, its capital city is Kirschholz, while its largest is Elsbridge.

The islands were settled by the Germanic Walms early on in their history, however it was controlled by the Langlian Kingtonii Empire and the successive Kingsmouth Republic until they were driven out in the late 500s. Following a brief period of fragmented rule, the isles were divided into numerous warring kingdoms. Infighting between them paved the way for an invasion by Inleda in the late medieval period, which successfully subjugated the islands. This continued until a period of social turmoil culminated in the War of Walmish Independence from 1695 to 1700, in which Walminghaven gained it's sovereignty as a unified nation. Despite a century-long age of prosperity, economic stagnation and political corruption led to the Democratic Reformation, which sparked a civil war between the monarchists and republicans. The war ended in 1849 with a republican victory, however a compromise between the two parties gave Walminghaven it's current political status of a multiparty democracy. Participating in both the First and Second Great Wars, it faced a domestic and foreign policy realignment in the mid to late 20th century, part of the Esquarian Cold War.

The Monarchical Republic is considered a middle power in Esquarian geopolitics; a developed country with a large economy by nominal GDP. It was one of the first industrialized countries and has consequently gained sizeable considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally, which peaked in the early 20th century. It is currently an active member of WETO and the Organisation of Esquarian Nations, and is considering applying for membership in the Esquarian Community.

Etymology

The name Walminghaven is derived from the Walms, the dominant of the Germanic tribes who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries BCE; these people are the direct precursors to modern Walmishers. Thus the name "Walminghaven" roughly means "Harbour/Haven of the Walms".

Sometime during the mid-400s, natives used the word to inform explorer Clavicus Antilius of his location, which was recorded in Lazian records as 'Walm Ingen'. By the mid-1000s, foreign books and maps had begun referring to the main Walmish island as 'Walmingen'. This was also the name of the Kingdom of Walmingen (though this was misleading, as the Kingdom did not control the entire main island), as feuds began to develop between the different nation-states on the Walmish Isles. At this point, all the islands were beginning to be referred to as "Walmingen" . Then name Walminghaven first gained prominent use in the 1300s, and later was adopted as the name for the Inledan duchy. Upon the Treaty of Cloverton in 1700 (which ended the War of Walmish Independence, the name Walmish Realm was adopted as the legal name for the new country.

History

Prehistory

Langlian Rule

Middle Ages

Inledan rule

Independence and Monarchy

Monarchical Republic

20th Century

Geography

File:Titanisch.jpg
Mount Titanisch, the tallest mountain in Walminghaven and in Esquarium
The geography of Walminghaven is overwhelmingly mountainous and hilly, although some flatlands scattered along the northern coast. The average altitude is mostly between 3,000 and 11,000 feet, and these areas are collectively comprised into one major geographical region, known as the Hill Region. It ends where ridges begin substantially rising out of the temperate climate zone into subalpine climate above 11,000.

The Mountain Region begins where high ridges begin substantially rising above into the subalpine and alpine zones. This region is mostly centered in the northern areas, and is mainly comprised of the Barnk and Titanisch mountain ranges. The average snow lines are around 16,400 to 18,000 ft; this is where farming and agriculture, mainly centered in and around the lower coniferous forests, begins to stop. The vast majority of peaks exceed 15,000 ft and several exceed 25,000, including Mount Titanisch, one of the largest mountains in Esquarium, at 28,238 ft. Both the Barnk and Titanisch ranges run continuously along Walminghaven, parallel to each other (north and south respectively); in addition to this, a number of subranges branch off from the Titanisch mountains, which eventually transition into the southern hilly areas.

Climate

The most prevalent climate in Walminghaven is a mid-latitude oceanic climate, however the far northern regions have been described to have a subalpine glacial oceanic climate (however the latter classification is disputed among climatologists). The temperature is somewhat moderate considering how high the altitude is. Summers tend to be relatively warm and humid at times with common rainfall, with the highest temperature recorded being 98 °F (36 °C). The lowest temperatures in Walminghaven have been recorded in the Northern Isles, where the temperature can fall below −47 °F (−43 °C). Precipitation is sparse in the north, often less than 10 in (25 cm) a year.

Largest Cities

Template:Largest cities of Walminghaven

Administrative Divisions

Province Capital Largest city
22px Badreuthe Wellsworth Wellsworth
22px Bismarck Exeter Exeter
22px Brunswick Flannbach Flannbach
22px Capital Province Kirschholz Kirschholz
22px Comwald Kellsdorf Kellsdorf
22px Cork Kiltoch Kirkbrücke
22px Creuwalde Elsbridge Elsbridge
22px Decatur Wassental Rolfschloss
22px Foltz Vigsburg Vigsburg
22px Freierschar Culdee Fell Culdee Fell
22px Gulderland Bannockbourne Bannockbourne
22px Hagenau Crosby Crosby
22px Hambeich St. Paul St. Paul
22px Jutland Arlesburg Arlesburg
22px Leedingen Giekirkerhoek Haltrau
22px Mount Titanisch Tidsmouth Tidsmouth
22px Northumberland Valkenswärd Trondheim
22px Poundbury Potsdam Potsdam
22px Redfordshire Redford Redford
22px Rochester Avgangsstad Avgangsstad
22px Sheffield Schöngau Hackenbeck
22px Sudria Harwijk Knapford
22px Swabia St. Aldhelm St. Aldhelm
22px Sweva Hammelburg Hammelburg
22px Wartheland Innsbrücke Crovan
22px Westmoreland Holbeek Hessenburg

In addition, Walminghaven has one autonomous republic, admitted to the country on 20 June, 1985.

Autonomous Republic Capital Largest city
22px Blokdalf Triplin Triplin

Colonial Possesions

Politics

Walminghaven is a parliamentary democracy withing the framework of an elective constitutional monarchy, in which the ruling monarch, who is democratically elected every five years, serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The monarch is the head of the executive branch, while legislative power is vested in the unicameral Parliament (though each province has considerable autonomy from the central government). The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature, and the highest court is the Royal Court. The government's political system is outlined in substantial detail in the Constitution of 1849. Since the mid-1800s, a multi-party system has been in place, with the largest parties being the Conservatives, the Liberals, the Whig-Progressives, and the Centrists

Executive Branch

Legislate Branch

Judiciary Branch

Demographics

Language

First Languages in Walminghaven
Language
Percentage
English
  
71%
Walmish
  
25%
Blokdalfen Ionite
  
2.4%
Luziycan
  
1.1%
Other
  
0.5%

Walminghaven has two official languages; English, and the native language, Walmish. It is estimated that 85% of Walminghaven's population is at least bilingual, speaking both English and Walmish. Walmish, a language descended from numerous other early languages from Artisia and Nordania, was historically the traditional language of the government and public institutions up to the early 1800s, but since the Walmish Independence War, it has been falling out of use, being replaced with English in official settings; however it is still noticeably present in rural areas (mostly around Kavitch) and citizens are usually expected to have fluent knowledge of both tongues. On the island of Blokdalf, the Gaelic island people's native language of Ionite is still used widely in informal settings, however, similar to Walmish, has fallen out of extensive use as of late. Some Blokdalfen nationalists accuse the government of "cultural and linguistic imperialism" as Ionite was slowly phased out following the island's re-annexation, however Walmish authorities deny this.

Though not required by the Ministry of Education, the number of schoolchildren being taught foreign languages in schools is increasing, with two foreign languages being taught in most secondary schools. 6.5% of the population are already estimated to additionally speak languages brought to Gibberan as a result of immigration; Luziycan is the largest individual foreign non-official language spoken, by 1.9% of the population, followed by Namorese and Swedish.

Religion

Religions in Walmignhaven
  Anglicanism (61%)
  Other Christian (17%)
  Irreligious (4%)
  Other (3%)

While Walminghaven is a country with religious freedom guaranteed by the constitution, it has been consistently ranked throughout history as one of Esquarium's most religious countries. Christianity is overwhelmingly dominant, as it accounts for an estimated 93% of the population, while those irreligious account for 4% of the population and people of other religions account for a mere 3%.

The majority of Walmish Christians identify as Anglican, with Lutheran Catholicism from neighboring Luziyca also being prominent. Smaller sects of Christianity exist in the country, such as the large Latin Orthodox community concentrated in Rockshire. Walminghaven is home to many religious sites. During the Middle Ages, Elsbridge was a hub of religious scholarship and in the center of the city lies St. Joseph's Cathedral, a building bigger that Parliament and the Royal House combined. Tidsmouth is renowned as the site of the tomb of St. Archibald, the patron saint of Walminghaven.

Culture

Cuisine

Walmish cuisine has been known to encompass a wide variety of cooking styles and traditonal recipes throughout the country's history. It has previously been characterised by it's reliance on natural resources. It is known for it's wide use of plants, dairy products, seafood, and sausages. Crops of rye, wheat, barley, and millet provide the ingredients for various breads, pancakes and cereals, as well as alchoholic beverages. The meat of animals like yak and bison are also much more common than elsewhere, although legislation has been made to protect both of them from overhunting.

Sausages are common meat staples of a Walmish meal, as, to a lesser extent, are bacon and Yak. Along the coast there are numerous fishing towns and herring processing is a sizeable industry there; ice fishing is especially prominent in the northern regions. Because of it's lengthy Inledan rule, it's cuisine has a considerable Inledan influence, exemplified by the popularity of Aquavit and boiled Crayfish. Coffee, imported from the United Republics and Cortoguay, was first introduced in the early 19th century, and quickly supplanted tea in terms of popularity. Other frequently consumed beverages include various juices, soft drinks, and buttermilk.

Walminghaven has a substantial reputation internationally for it's chocolate production. Made on a large scale since the late 18th century, significant progresses in the 1800s, including the development of solid milk chocolate, have contributed to the progression of the industry within the country. Walminghaven is one of Esquarium's largest chocolate exporters, and it's people are the region's largest consumers of it.

Walmish meals consists of breakfast, Elevenses, lunch, and dinner/supper. As snacking between meals is somewhat frowned upon, most meals are large in nature. What is known internationally as a full Walmish breakfast is an example of this aspect. The main course usually includes at least a serving of meat, such as sausage, steak, or gepanierte yakvleisch/wisenvleisch (breaded yak/bison meat), vegetables/a salad, and bread, while side dishes can vary by region/location. Meals conclude with a dessert such as pumpkin pie, cheesecake or flan, which is sometimes accompanied by tea.

Music

File:Winfield.jpg
George Clifford Winfield, one of Walminghaven's foremost composers of the 19th century

Walmish music is most famous internationally for its classical music. The Walmish classical tradition is said to have originated with, and influenced heavily by Inledan classical music during the late Renaissance and the Baroque periods. Gustav Helmich Svensson (born in Inleda) is credited with popularising classical music in Walminghaven. David den Ulrich, arguably the most prominent composer of the Baroque period, wrote over 300 works during his lifetime, many of which would have a lasting effect on future classical music. Richard Kaltenbrenner was a major composer of both the Classical and Romantic periods; as were Sir Peter Halifax and Lord Schlager.

In the mid 19th century a new form of music emerged and quickly became popular; the march. During the wave of nationalism in the mid-to-late 19th century, George Clifford Winfield composed dozens of marches from 1868 to his death in 1905, as well as composing what is now the national anthem, For God, For Country, and For the Crown. Big band, swingand Jazz music became popular following the Template:FGWE, and to an extent remain popular today. In the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, Rock and roll was introduced to Walminghaven and significantly influenced the musical field, with singers like Will Hollister and Fritz Brooks. Musically the counterculture was rejected in Walminghaven from the '60s to the '80s in favor of this more traditional form of rock music. Numerous Walmish singers and musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries have become international celebrities.

Media

WBC, or the Walmish Broadcasting Corporation is by far the largest public broadcaster in the country, operating several television and radio stations. In national terms, WBC is overwhelmingly dominant; considering the audience figures, the most popular radio station is WBC Radio 2, and the most popular TV station is WBC One. In addition, there are more than 400 commercial radio and television stations that are anchored locally. The largest private radio stations are WUSF and Capital Radio and the largest private TV stations are WTV and Murdoch, which in some areas rival WBC in listenership/viewership.

The Walmish newspaper with the largest circulation nationwide is the broadsheet The Daily Telegraph, published Monday through Saturday, closely followed by rivals, the broadsheet The Mail (owned by WBC) and the tabloid The World. The Daily Telegraph is politically right-wing, while The Mail is centre and The Mirror is centre-left.

Cinema

Walminghaven has had a long and storied history with the film industry since the medium's inception. Film has been a strong tradition of Walmish culture, and In 1891, one of the first films, was created by Albert McClellan, shown at the first Esquarian Exposition in Cloverton. This was followed by the first commercial motion picture exhibition in 1893, sponsored by Rodger Bantham. United Artists Transesquarium, one of the largest film studios in Esquarium, was first established as Heisenberg Studios in New Avgångsstad in 1918. Louis McClellan, the son of Albert McClellan, was Walminghaven's top director during the silent film era; he directed numerous films including the anti-war epic The Seventeen Days (1927), as well as numerous collaborations with Rupert Willows, Cecil B. McMullen, and Marilyn Fairbanks; in addition, his contributions ushered in numerous artistic and technological advancements; he directed the first Walmish sound film in 1929.

Despite a brief respite during the Template:SGWE, the Walmish film industry picked up again, with a string of popular war movies in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The period from 1950 to 1970 is regarded as the "Golden Age" of Walmish cinema, with directors like John Harrison and actors/actresses like Stephen Krupp, Jaqueline Gerdholm, and Robin Chappelle. The 1970s through '90s saw a rise in the popularity of big-budget blockbuster films. Today, Walmish film studios collectively produce several hundred movies every year.

Since the 1940s, the Walmish film industry has been mainly centered in Laughlintown, a borough of Elsbridge. Some of the most notable, famous, and critically acclaimed Walmish films include Nebesvorota (1967), The Seventeen Days, On the River Croix (1968), All The Way to Hell and Back (1989), Beyond the Sea (1962), Once Upon A Time (2001), Mr. Turner's Men (1947), and Nightfall (1979). The Esquarian Motion Picture Academy has hosted the Academy Awards in Kirschholz since 1930.

Holidays

Date Name Public Holiday Notes
1 January New Year's Day (Niue Jahrestage) Template:Ya
movable Friday Good Friday (Gute Frijtage) Template:Ya The Friday before Easter Sunday
movable Sunday Easter Sunday (Pasen) Template:Ya
24 April Independence Day (Unabhängigkeitstage) Template:Ya Celebration of the signing of the Proclamation of Kirschholz
movable Sunday May Day/Labor Day (Maifeiertage/Arbeidetage) Template:Ya
movable Sunday Pentecost (Pfingsteren) Template:Na 49 days after Easter Sunday
3 June Unity Day (Einheitetage) Template:Ya
movable Monday Thanksgiving (Dankseging) Template:Ya Gives thanks to the harvest
20 October St. Archibald's Day (Heilige Archibald Tage) Template:Ya
11 November Election Eve (Verkiezhingabende) Template:Na
17 December Remembrance Day (Nagedachtenistage) Template:Ya Commemorates the soldiers who serve and have served in the Armed Force. The date is also the anniversary of the end of the Internal War
24 December Christmas Eve (Kristenmisabende) Template:Ya
25 December Christmas Day (Kristenmistage) Template:Ya
26 December Boxing Day (Boxentage) Template:Na
31 December New Year's Eve (Niue Jahressabende) Template:Ya Also known as New Year's Eve

Sports

File:Avenger-ESBHD.jpg
Cloverton FC's squad in 1881

In Walminghaven, the market for organized sports is relatively high. Association football, or football, has been regarded as the national sport since the mid-19th century, while Baseball closely trails behind it as the most popular spectator sport. Football in Walminghaven saw it's first club incarnation in Cloverton FC (now Cloverton United FC) in 1860, and the game has been dominant in sports culture since. Likewise, Baseball's first franchise was the Barnkbourough White Stockings in 1869, and steadily grew until it became on par with football in the mid-20th century.

File:Gib Baseball.png
Baseball is also a popular sport in Walminghaven

Ice Hockey, cricket, rugby, and, to some extent, basketball, are the country's next four leading professional team sports. Golf, tennis, volleyball, and auto racing are also prominent, and horse racing, though not as prominent, is considered by some to be an unofficial national pastime along with football and baseball. Darts is not professionally recognized, however it is widely practiced informally as a bar game. While Gridiron Rugby is less popular in Walminghaven, both game attendance and general popularity has increased dramatically over the past century.

Professional teams in all major sports operate as franchises within a league. All major sports leagues use the same type of schedule with a playoff tournament after the regular season ends. In addition to the major league-level organizations, numerous sports also have professional minor leagues, active in smaller cities across the country. In Walminghaven, sports are also associated with education, with nearly all high schools and universities having some form of organized sports. College sports competitions play an important role sporting culture, and certain college sports — particularly college football and college baseball — are almost, if not equally as popular as professional sports.