Nation/Graemania
Graemania, officially The Democratic Republic of Graemania (DRG), is a country in north-cental Bu'emin, bordering Calahonia to the north, and Nerdaria to the south east. Graemania also holds parts of the Book and Cracker Archipelagos, bordering both the Book and Cracker Islands, and the country also has possession over all of the Low Brass Islands. The largest country in Bu'emin by both area and population. About 10% of the county is considered foreign born, with most coming from nations such as Calahonia, The Cracker Islands, and the Book Islands.
Western Graemania, in the present day province of Sequoia, was the first area settled by people. The settlers, called the Hu'eci, are thought to be the early ancestors to the Graemanian, Cracker, and Calahan Peoples. These people united into an independent kingdom in the early 10th century, forming the Kingdom of Hu'ici, also known as the First Kingdom. Around the late 13th century, Graemania and Calahonia split, Forming the First Graemanian and Calahan Kingdoms respectively. Following several more unions and splits over the next few centuries, modern Graemania emerged alongside modern Calahonia, as the Third Republic in the early 17th century. During this time, Graemania and Calahonia shared the Cracker Islands, and both began colonizing other islands. The Book Islands was split similarly to the Cracker Islands, and Graemania settled the Low Brass Islands. The colonization period, between the early 17th and mid 18th century, was a golden age for Graemanian exploration, trade, and diplomacy. During the late 19th century, the Hu'ici Conference began a decolonization period for Bu'emin nations, mostly Graemania, Calahonia, and Graemania's southern neighbor, Nerdaria. The conference gave colonies the choice to leave their parent nation, but few did. Graemania only lost their lands in Collomia, along with the Calahan. While Graemanian Colonies did opt to stay, they asked for increased autonomy, of which they were granted. Graemania has historically been peaceful, only declaring two wars in the last 500 years, both against a coalition between Undoberia and Collomia.
Graemania is a Constitutional Parliamentary Republic, with a Prime Minister andParliament. Parliamentary elections are held every three years, and elections for the Prime Minister are held every nine years. Political periods are divided into trimesters, a structure not often seen. Legislative power is given to the three hundred and thirty member National Parliament, with representatives from both Mainland Graemania and the countries dependencies. The Prime Minister is elected by popular vote, and appoints a cabinet of Ministers to assist them. The government is largely liberal, with massive government spending for education, welfare, environment, and social policy. The nation has a high quality of life, and protects rights such as marriage equality and maternity leave. Graemania is currently a member of The World Assembly (WA), the General Assembly (GA), the Security Council (SC), The Leftist Assembly (TLA), and The Graemanian Federal Commonwealth (GFC).
GEOGRAPHY Situated in northern Bu'emin, mainland Graemania is located north of the Bu'emin sea, giving the county three major coasts. Calahonia shares the northern, mostly mountainous border, while Nerdaria shares a small border in the south east, in a large expanse of wetlands. Graemania shares maritime borders with Bookaria across the Bu'emin sea, and also has maritime borders with Undobera on the eastern coast. Graemania's dependencies have several additional borders. The Graemanian Cracker Islands (GCI) shares several islands with the Cracker Islands, and the Graemanian Book Islands also shares several islands with the Book Islands. Although the Graemanian Low Brass Islands has no land borders, it has a small maritime border with Reth Domia.
The western coast is dominated mainly by redwood forests and rolling hills. The region receives little to no snow yearly, and the area is foggy or rainy year round. Further inland, you reach the Calahan and Graemanian mountain ranges, where most mountains are located. The Calahan Range runs along the northern border with Calahonia, with the highest peak, Hu'civ, being shared with Calahonia. The eastern coast is mostly wetlands and deciduous forests.
POLITICS Graemania is Constitutional Parliamentary Republic. The Graemanian Constitution, written in the 17th century, during the founding of the Third Republic. The document is the oldest still in effect on Bu'emin, closely followed by the Calahan Constitution about a year later. The Prime Minister is head of state, elected every nine years. Although the Prime Minister is not officially restricted by term limits like other government officials, it is generally accepted that they should serve a maximum of two terms. The parliament, which has its members elected for every three years, has legislative power over the country, although Graemania also follows devolution, so local governments do have a decent amount of power, although the federal government still has the final say.
Government spending, which currently consists of about 75.5% of the GDP, is mostly focused of education, the environment, healthcare, welfare, and social policy.
The mainland is divided into about 30 provinces, the largest of which is Sequoia, on the west coast. Each province is assigned a certain number seats in the parliament depending on its population. Each dependency is also divided into provinces, which also receive seats in the parliament depending on their population. Parliamentary terms are 3 years long, and they are permitted to hold office for a total of 6 terms on the mainland, and 9 terms for dependencies.
Graemania has several main parties, with the Green Liberal Party of Graemania (GLPG) often leading in polls. Other major parties include the Graemanian Worker's Party (GWP), the Graemanian Imperial Party (GIP), and the the Graemanian Conservative Party (GCP). Other minor parties include the Graemanian Union Party (GUP) and the Alliance for Industrial Advancement (AIA). Although the county has no shortage of political parties, recently, the GLPG has gained many supporters due to its citizens becoming more politically and economically liberal.
