Nation/laeral

[float=right][box][center][b]The Allied Provinces of Laeral[/b] [hr]

[b]Flag:[/b][img][/img] [hr]

[b]Motto:[/b] Prosperity through Wisdom, Equality, and Honor [hr]

[b]Population:[/b] 38,600,000 [hr]

[b]Capital:[/b]Laeralsford [b]Largest City:[/b]Laeralsford [hr]

[b]Official Languages: [/b]None [hr] [b]National Languages:[/b] English, French, Old Laeralian [hr] [b]Demonym:[/b]Laeralite [hr]

[b]Government:[/b] Federal Parliamentary Republic - Prime Minister: Nicholas Brennan - Deputy Prime Minister: Tanvi Misra - Second Minister: John Vance - Chief Justice: Hua Jiang -Speaker of the General Assembly: Anna Meng [hr]

[b]Legislature[/b]: Legislature of Laeral - Upper House: General Assembly -Lower House: Assembly of Commons -Associated House: Assembly of Notables [hr]

[b]Establishment:[/b] 4th Century BCE Independence: July 17th, 1874, from [nation]High Fells[/nation] [hr]

[b]Land Area:[/b] 304,782 mile² 490,499 km² Water %:15.7% [hr]

[b]Elevation[/b] Highest Point: 10,236 ft, on Mt. Kallea Lowest Point: -103 ft, in Golan Valley [hr]

[b]GDP (nominal):[/b] 185.0 trillion marks [b]GDP (nominal) per capita:[/b] 149,151 marks [hr]

[b]Human Development Index (NS Version):[/b]91.42 [hr]

[b]Currency:[/b] Laeralian Mark [hr]

[b]Drives on the:[/b] left [hr]

[b]Calling code:[/b] 118 [hr]

[b]Internet TLD:[/b] .lr

[/box][/float] [size=200][b][nation]Laeral[/nation][/size][/b] [hr]

The Allied Provinces of Laeral, commonly called Laeral, is a Parliamentary Democracy in the [region]International Democratic Union[/region]. It is bordered by [nation]Slokais Islands[/nation] to the east, [nation]Nikler[/nation] and [nation]Guanyin Republic[/nation] to the north, and by [nation]High Fells[/nation] to the west. Laeral covers 1.71 million square kilometers. Laeral comprises of 33 Provinces and 8 Territories. Laeral is best known internationally for it's liberal outlook and policies, as well as a scenic, beautiful, and charming tourist destination.

Laeral has only become an influential nation recently. It is a major tourist destination, where both traditional industries such as publishing and trout fishing coexist with Laeral's information technology industry. It is widely seen as a superpower in the making, and is rapidly modernizing. For example, lifespan has increased by 5% in the last 12 years. The government and populace lean liberal, but also know the value of tradition. Culturally, Laeral shows both it's French heritage as well as the culture of it's native peoples. Laeral is currently trying to become a superpower, striving for international respect and influence.

[b][u][size=150][anchor=Ety]Etymology[/anchor][/b][/u][/size]

Laeral is pronounced Lay-ruhl, and likely comes from the Old Laeralian word laer, likely meaning 'silk'. It is combined with the suffix 'al', meaning 'land of' or 'territory of'. An alternate etymology posits that the term comes from "lehwal", or 'river-dweller'. The term is first recorded in the 1500s; previously, the term "Liuguo" was used.

The standard way to refer to a citizen of Laeral is as a "Laeralite." The term 'Laeralian' is archaic and now rarely used.

[b][u][size=150][anchor=Hist]History[/anchor][/b][/u][/size]

[b]Classical Era[/b] Humans likely arrived in modern-day Laeral around 600,000 years ago, as evidence has been found of cave dwelling with artifacts dating back to that time. Laeral was inhabited by scattered nomadic tribes of Asian descent until around the 6th century BCE, when the first cities were developed. During this time, several coastal cities began to develop agriculture, as well as settlements along the Laer River, but the majority of the population could be classified as hunter-gatherers. These coastal cities could be found on the modern day sites of St. Clair, Trinity, and Bethune. These coastal cities were the places where writing and toolmaking first developed, and are the birthplaces of Laeralian civilization. Gunpowder and paper were both discovered around the same time in the 10th century CE, ushering in a new era in both warfare and culture. At this time, the city of Enelwain, considered the birthplace of technology in Laeral, became a center of learning and knowledge, and home of many wonders such as the Great Library of Enelwain. However, the spread of knowledge was limited by the fact that Laeral's political landscape was composed of dozens of city-states and farming communities. Meanwhile, fishermen from Guanyin from Slokais made several settlements along the coast. Around 980, the city of Enelwain was devastated by a fire and never rebuilt.

[b]Medieval Period[/b] During this period, an increasing population meant that the city-states were forced to expand and take over weaker rivals. Many warlords created pocket empires during this time, only to see them fall apart within years. At this time, both gunpowder weapons and bladed weapons proliferated, resulting in a land in chaos as warlords and their followers battled for territory. Warriors wandered the countryside, looking for plunder and a lord to serve under. However, one warlord, the famous Seliun I, united Laeral through military might, diplomatic skill, and strategic marriages. The epic saga of his dynasty, the Seliunite Dynasty, is told in the classic Laeralian work of literature, [i]The Cycle of Ascendancy[/i]. Those kings had many wars with the Guanyin Empire, in modern-day Guanyin, who had become similarly unified around the same time. While Seliun and his descendants were not especially gifted with kingly qualities, they often were able to prop up their respective regimes by cultivating a body of trusted advisers. However, the Seliun Dynasty fell apart sometime around 1430, when Alsiun II's incompetent leadership and backstabbing advisors led to a disastrous war with the Fellsian Empire, a militaristic kingdom ruling over modern-day High Fells. Another work of Laeralian classic literature, [i]The Years of Woe[/i], tells of Seliunite military commander Su Hong's attempt to resist the Fellsian invasion and defend Laeralian sovereignty. However, while he was able to repel the invaders successfully, Laeral enjoyed only a decade or so of freedom, as High Fells underwent a period of political turmoil, which eventually resulted in a new Fellsian dynasty establishing itself and taking over Laeral. [box][img][/img][/box] [b]Su Hong with his troops, in a 2016 film[/b]

At one point, all of Laeral was under the control of the Fellsians. They ruled Laeral for several generations with an iron fist, while resistance groups were quietly formed and plans of revolution quietly made. The city of Anjian, Seliun capital, was razed. This period of time, known is Laeral as the 'Time of Sacrifice' still impacts the Laeralian national consciousness today. Dozens of resistance groups formed, plotting to overthrow Fellsian rule. Their leader was Shei Wu, a former warlord who assembled a group of secret societies to oppose the Fellsian occupation. This coalition consisted of many former enemies, who cooperated to defeat Fellsian forces. Laeral ultimately threw off the Fellsian rule, and enjoyed freedom for several centuries. Shei Wu established himself as an Emperor, and created the imperial capital at Lanxiu, in modern day Osul. He and his descendants embarked upon a series of reforms, ultimately establishing a powerful central government, a bureaucracy, and allowing many innovations to spread quickly throughout Laeral. The Shei Dynasty cracked down on the power of warlords, and brought stability to Laeral. This time is often thought of as the 'golden age' of Laeral, when Laeral's internal organization, stability, and technological advancement were far ahead of those of it's neighbors.

[box][img]http://i.imgur.com/aMPzeTu.jpg?1[/img][/box] [b]Shei Wu meeting with one of his commanders[/b]

[float=right][box][img][/img][b] Flag of Shei Wu's forces[/b][/box][/float]

[b]Age of Sail[/b] In 1689, Portuguese arrived in Laeral Bay, and quickly established a trading post where they traded muskets, beads, and advanced equipment such as spyglasses for textiles, beads, and pottery. This marked Laeral's first contact with Europeans. This trading post, however, run by a Portuguese corporation, was unprofitable, and the several hundred people residing at the trading post never really explored the interior of the nation. Following a malaria outbreak, they abandoned the trading post and departed. The muskets, in particular, that were provided were a curiosity, but proved ineffective during conflicts due to lack of ammunition and a long reload time. The English arrived around 1724, but their outposts never really had an impact on Laeral's interior. At this point, Laeral was under the rule of Emperor Tei, a member of the Peiguo Dynasty, originally high-ranking advisers to Shei Wu who had seized power during a civil war. In 1734, a fleet of the Dutch East India Company arrived off Laeral's southern coast, and drove off the English. Their settlement remained for decades, trading with the Laeralites.

[b]Age of Empire[/b] The modern nation of Laeral was founded in 1733 along with present-day High Fells as a French colony governed by French nobles. With around 5800 supporters, forces under the Duc d'Tesse conquered the area around the coast. The area was home to thousands of natives, who were largely forced to retreat away from the French due to military defeat and disease. This was a time of great change in Laeral, as ruling elements of Laeralian society were violently forced into submission before foreign conquerors. The Duc d'Tesse set himself up as Grand Duke Jean-Baptiste I and ruled the land as the Duchy of Haute Fells. After razing the imperial capital, he ordered the construction of the city of Laeralsford as the new capital, as well as establishing four immense palaces around the country, each of which his court would spend one season a year at. He introduced European technology, but also treated the natives poorly, instituting forced agricultural labor and high tithes. He died in 1742. His successors ruled as Dukes, until the Revolution. Their reign was characterized by a tiny minority presiding over the subjugation of the Laeralian people and the theft of Laeralian heritage. During the French Revolution, emigre nobles and monarchists fled to the Duchy, where they hoped to muster an army to retake France. However, the Duc d'Tesse at the time, Louis-Philippe, died in 1809. He left a son and three daughters. Upon hearing of the Duc's death, the eldest daughter, Marie-Therese, knowing that she would not have been allowed to take the throne, moved to consolidate power. By winning the support of the military, she had her brother executed, and restructured the government. Over her 27 year reign, she evolved High Fells into the government it has today. She created a legislature, known as the National Assembly, reduced the power of the individual nobles, and also supported equality between the European settlers and the native peoples. She also created the city of Queensgrace, in modern-day High Fells, to serve as the new capital. Her regime was noted for the establishment of many grain storage facilities located around the country to guard against famine.

[b]Era of Revolution[/b] Upon her 1836 death, her daughter, Louise, a hard-line conservative, took the throne as Duchesse Louise I. She was unpopular among the native peoples as well as among the middle-class for her rigid monarchism, traditionalism, and her anti-Enlightenment views. There was an attempted revolt in 1844, the Blue Cockade Revolt, which was brutally suppressed. As she became gravely ill in 1848, intellectuals, anarchists, liberals, and a number of others convened secretly in the coastal city of Althea to discuss. Among them were future founders of Laeral Adrienne and Emil Lematre, Jacques Courres, James Warren, Thomas Cordier, Nathaniel Reynolds, Augustin Brienne, Philippe Maillard, Alexandre Gautier, and Lucy Shou. This meeting was called the Provisional Assembly, and was governed by a Provisional Council of 12 members, all of whom would be remembered in Laeral as the 'Founders'. [spoiler=The Founders]Adrienne Lematre was an illegitimate descendent of Louise I, and emerged as a political leader, chief writer of the Laeralian Constitution and it's predecessor, the Binding Charter. Emil Lematre was her husband, a merchant and author on the Constitution and Binding Charter. He was the Major-General in command of Laeralsford-area forces. Following the war, he became the first Minister of War. Jacques Courres was a lawyer who almost singlehandedly wrote Laeral's legal code and became the 4th Prime Minister of Laeral. Jean-Paul Gauvain was a doctor and intellectual who became the 1st Minister of Foreign Affairs and 2nd Prime Minister of Laeral. Nathaniel Reynolds was a libertarian-leaning politician and war hero who became Laeral's 3rd Prime Minister. Augustin Brienne was a liberal politician, banker, and writer who was also Laeral's first Minister of Finance. Philippe Maillard was an anarchist who was improbably elected to the Provisional Council, known for his fiery speeches. Alexandre Gautier was an intellectual and Laeral's first Minister of Health and the second Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Ambassador to High Fells immediately following the war. Lucy Shou was elected as a representative of Laeral's native population. She led resistance forces in Laeral's western provinces, notably Therese. Jean-Paul Liu was the only native present besides Lucy Shou. He became the 1st Minister for Native Affairs (no longer a position) and went on to become a General Assembly delegate.[/spoiler]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/uX3HiNF.jpg?1[/img][b]Adrienne Lematre, founder of Laeral[/b]

After weeks of discussion, they ultimately decided that her daughter, Louise II, would be even worse for the nation than her mother, and after many months of discussion, ultimately decided to rebel in order to form a democracy. This day, July 17th, 1848, is remembered as Laeral's Founding Day and is celebrated annually. They quickly assigned leaders to a resistance group in each province, arranged to purchase weapons and supplies, and named Emil Lematre as leader of the newly founded Free Laeralian Army.

On March 4th, 1849, over 50 separate resistance groups triggered coordinated attacks on enemy forces. These groups ranged from large and well-armed private armies (such as the Laeralian Republican Army) to bands of loosely affiliated gangs of anarchists (such as the White Scarf band). The goals of these groups varied widely as well. While the rebels saw success in many coastal areas, where many towns and rural areas came under outright rebel control, they encountered more serious resistance in urban and western areas. The High Fellsians responded quickly, declaring martial law and using the military to crush resistance in areas around Queensgrace. They quickly summoned a well trained and well equipped army to assault rebel strongholds. The largest battles of the early war took place in Trinity, where rebel forces took the city after a short siege, and at Delear Heights in Meridoc, where an inconclusive battle was fought. In the second year, the High Fellsians struck back, taking Legrange from rebel control and advancing through Brissac province toward Chatillon and Bethune. Reeling from defeats, resistance leaders met in Auvergne and decided to focus on liberating areas around the Laer river, holding the line in southern Laeral, and supporting guerilla groups behind High Fellsian lines and in recently subjugated Therese province. The third year of the war was also notable for the fall of Laeraltown (now Laeral City), where resistance forces finally surrendered after a seven-month siege. This allowed the High Fellsians to hold Laeraltown as a forward base and advance further east. In the fourth year, there was bloody stalemate, as Illiteas, Harcourt, Enara, Sarene, and Lienne saw heavy fighting, Aundair was barely held by rebel forces, High Fellsians advanced along the Laer, and a ruthless guerrilla war was fought in Therese and Three Towers provinces. However, the Laeralites scored few outright victories, and the High Fellsians continued to make territorial gains. At this time, the Lematres championed a radical reorganization of the Free Laeralian Army. Rebel diplomats were able to secure Dutch loans at favorable interest rates in order to buy weaponry. The Lematres only provided those funds to groups that pledged to follow orders from the central FLA command and undergo a new training regimen. In spring 1854, the FLA won a series of victories, driving High Fellsian forces out of Chatillon and Brissac, winning a hard-fought victory at the Battle of Candle Creek and cutting enemy supply lines in several places. They launched another offensive during winter of that year, driving out most High Fellsian forces north of the Laer River at the Battle of Liupei and the Melineil Campaign. In 1855, the climactic Battle of Rollins Field and the Sieges of Laeraltown and Berongard ended in rebel victories, leading the High Fellsians to sue for peace. The Laeralian War of Independence had lasted for 6 years, leaving the land in chaos, thousands dead, and High Fells with only about one-third of it's original territory. Laeral was founded as a sovereign nation practically cutting High Fells off from the ocean, leaving High Fells with a grudge against Laeral and another 35 years of absolute monarchy. These conditions were agreed upon in the 1855 Treaty of Laeralsford, signed in that city. As part of the Treaty, Laeral was obligated to choose their first Prime Minister as a person of "noble birth and good breeding". While the High Fellsians had intended that this clause would force the Laeralians to select a pro-High Fells leader, although they had to make concessions in order to do so. After the treaty was signed, Laeral quickly established a constitution, known as the Constitution of Laeral, which was ratified in 1858. When it became time for Laeral to select it's first Prime Minister, Adrienne Lematre revealed that she was illegitimately related to the High Fellsian royal line, and was appointed Prime Minister in a Provisional Assembly vote after her husband Emil refused to serve, and proceeded to lead the country through it's early days. Her acts included legalizing immigration from all nations and promoting Laeral's international relations. Laeral's capital was established at Althea.

[float=right][box][img][/img][b]Treaty of Laeralsford being signed[/b][/box][/float]

[b]Industrial Age[/b] Laeral's first major test came during the Outbreak of 1861, as cholera spread throughout Laeral. Although thousands died, the new nation largely avoided chaos through the government's skillful handling of the crisis. In 1866, Adrienne Lematre's term came to an end and she peacefully stepped down in favor of James Warren, the second Prime Minister. Several other Founders succeeded him as Prime Minister. There was a famine in 1872, which led to many farmers moving to Laeralian cities in search of jobs and food. Although the government tried to reduce the problem, starvation was a constant problem in Laeral for decades. In 1887, the government launched the National Modernization Initiative, a ten-year program designed to modernize Laeral's industries. This program, championed by Prime Minister Courres, was controversial for putting many small businesses in dire financial straits. In 1894, Laeral's capital was moved to Laeralsford following a convoluted backroom deal. The following years saw a swift backlash against such dealing, as well as the NMI, during the so-called Worker's Movement. This worker's rights movement, championed by numerous unions, led to both peaceful labor law change and violent protests and riots. This movement, although ultimately falling apart due to internal dissension by 1903, was succeeded by the Progressive Movement, which was able to enact numerous meaningful changes in Laeralian society, such as having the Prime Minister elected by popular vote and establishing a minimum wage and child labor laws.

In 1906, High Fells declared war on Laeral over territorial disputes. This war, known in Laeral as the Border War or the First Fellsian Incursion, ultimately ended in bloody stalemate. Ultimately, both sides backed down, with Laeral gaining some land. This war can be considered foreshadowing as to the horrors of World War I, but it allowed generals on both sides to gain a fuller understanding of modern warfare, meaning that Laeral's experiences in the First World War were less catastrophic than in other nations.

War flared again in 1914, as High Fells allied with the Axis Powers and Laeral joined the Allies. World War I saw many casualties on both sides, notable at the Battle of Riverberg and the Siege of Sillanus. Ultimately, both sides sued for peace in early 1917, and peace was established soon after. Several million had died. In 1927, women were given the right to vote, following an extended suffrage movement. In the 1930s, Laeral faced many economic difficulties as the Great Depression impacted Laeralian finance. Once more, many farmers traveled t cities in search of work. In the 1940s, Laeral supported the Allies in World War II, while High Fells remained neutral. Laeral played little part in the war, mostly raiding Japanese naval forces and German u-boats with the Laeralian Navy. Following the war, Laeral became a founding member of the United Nations. [b]UN Peacekeepers from Laeral[/b] [float=right][img][/img][/float]

[b]Modern Era[/b] Laeral remained largely prosperous and at peace in the next several decades, avoiding conflict as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The government focused on developing domestic industry and modernizing the nation. One notable moment was the 1967 Laeralsford Bread Riots, where the end of a government price ceiing on bread led to weeks of riots and protests. In 1980, the so-called 'Undeclared War' took place between Laeral and High Fells, in which a series of assassinations, skirmishes, and diplomatic disagreements took place between the two nations, which was resolved following a series of Laeralian elections. This 'Third Fellsian Incursion', while violent and generally regrettable, did not result in large casualties, and the widespread ground war many predicted did not occur. In 1988, the Socialist Party gained huge majorities in the elections in the so-called "Socialist Revolution" and began to push their left-wing agenda, establishing a number of state-run industries as well as a national health care system. This fundamentally changed the nature of Laeralian government and established it as an important part of Laeralites's lives. In 1995, the Assembly of Nobles was finally dissolved in favor of the Assembly of Notables. Today, Laeral continues to fulfill the national vision of democracy, culture, and prosperity.

[Table][tr][td]Number[/td][td]Prime Minister's Name[/td][td]Home Province[/td][td]Political Party[/td][td]Years in Office[/td][/tr] [tr][td]1[/td][td]Adrienne Lematre[/td][td]Loiraine[/td][td]None official[/td][td]1858-1866[/td][/tr] [tr][td]2[/td][td]Jean-Paul Gauvain[/td][td]Laeralsford[/td][td]None official[/td][td]1866-1872[/td][/tr] [tr][td]3[/td][td]Nathaniel Reynolds[/td][td]Therese[/td][td]Conservatives[/td][td]1872-1876[/td][/tr] [tr][td]4[/td][td]Jacques Courres[/td][td]Sarene[/td][td]Federalist[/td][td]1876-1882[/td][/tr] [tr][td]5[/td][td]Jean-Michel Liu[/td][td]Meridoc[/td][td]Federalist[/td][td]1882-1890[/td][/tr] [tr][td]6[/td][td]Pierre Georges[/td][td]Arquien[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1890-1892[/td][/tr] [tr][td]-[/td][td]Paul-André Vigier[/td][td]Meridoc[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1892-1892[/td][/tr] [tr][td]7[/td][td]Adrien Lin[/td][td]Laeralsford[/td][td]Federalist[/td][td]1892-1896[/td][/tr] [tr][td]8[/td][td]Bernard Saulignac[/td][td]Bethune[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1896-1900[/td][/tr] [tr][td]9[/td][td]Alexandre Prevost[/td][td]Cenefort[/td][td]Federalist[/td][td][td]1900-1908[/td][/tr] [tr][td]10[/td][td]Stephane Langlois[/td][td]Harcourt[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1908-1912[/td][/tr] [tr][td]11[/td][td]Charles-Philippe Valentin[/td][td]Minsheng[/td][td]Independent[/td][td]1912-1914[/td][/tr] [tr][td]12[/td][td]Paul Chen[/td][td]Zhongxiao[/td][td]Federalist[/td][td]1914-1922[/td][/tr] [tr][td]13[/td][td]Jean-Philippe Delpon[/td][td]Meilun[/td][td]Labor[/td][td]1922-1926[/td][/tr] [tr][td]14[/td][td]Gaspard Marcel[/td][td]Lematre[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1926-1934[/td][/tr] [tr][td]15[/td][td]Gabriel Lebreton[/td][td]Aumont[/td][td]Labor[/td][td]1934-1938[/td][/tr] [tr][td]16[/td][td]Alexandre Le Roux[/td][td]Laeralsford[/td][td]Progressive[/td][td]1938-1946[/td][/tr] [tr][td]17[/td][td]Christophe Gautier[/td][td]Corday[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1946-1954[/td][/tr] [tr][td]18[/td][td]Jean-Pierre Brienne[/td][td]Bethune[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1954-1960[/td][/tr] [tr][td]19[/td][td]Paul Lematre[/td][td]Loiraine[/td][td]Progressive[/td][td]1960-1964[/td][/tr] [tr][td]20[/td][td]Francois Lelievre[/td][td]Therese[/td][td]None official[/td][td]1964-1972[/td][/tr] [tr][td]21[/td][td]Guy Vercemer[/td][td]Jinhua[/td][td]Progressive[/td][td]1972-1976[/td][/tr] [tr][td]22[/td][td]Alain Bricout[/td][td]Lijiang[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1976-1980[/td][/tr] [tr][td]23[/td][td]Simon Luo[/td][td]Enara[/td][td]Socialist[/td][td]1980-1988[/td][/tr] [tr][td]24[/td][td]Gabriel Richards[/td][td]Choisel[/td][td]Progressive[/td][td]1988-1992[/td][/tr] [tr][td]25[/td][td]Pierre Leung[/td][td]Harcourt[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]1992-1996[/td][/tr] [tr][td]26[/td][td]Edmond-Alain Forestier[/td][td]Lienne[/td][td]Socialist[/td][td]1996-2004[/td][/tr] [tr][td]27[/td][td]Maurice Fesnau[/td][td]Niedong[/td][td]Socialist[/td][td]2004-2006[/td][/tr] [tr][td]28[/td][td]Eliot Ganard[/td][td]Cenefort[/td][td]Conservative[/td][td]2006-2010[/td][/tr] [tr][td]29[/td][td]Nicholas Brennan[/td][td]Laeralsford[/td][td]Progressive[/td][td]2010-2018[/td][/tr] [/Table]

[b][u][size=150][anchor=Geo]Geography[/anchor][/b][/u][/size]

Laeral's has 33 Provinces. Each of these provinces have their own Governor, Legislator, and Delegates to the General Assembly.

[spoiler=Provinces of Laeral][table][tr][td]Province Name[/td][td]Provincial Capital[/td][td]Delegates[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Loiraine[/td][td]Althea[/td][td]Anna Meng (P), Claire MacKay(S)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Cenefort[/td][td]Rilos[/td][td]John Stephens(C), Seth Goodman(M)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Bethune[/td][td]Lyrene[/td][td]Sarah Loomis(P), Charlotte Leveau(P)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Eastern Marches[/td][td]Anaed Hill[/td][td]Martin McCron(C), Jack Dalton(TC)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Therese[/td][td]Laeral City[/td][td]Antoine Fillier(C), Alicia Beck(P)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Brissac[/td][td]Elleden[/td][td]George Romero(S), Pierre Besson(S)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Carellon[/td][td]Trinity[/td][td]Rebecca Sindian(P), James Guire(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Aumont[/td][td]St. Clair[/td][td]Lisette Reynal(P), Miranda Walker(S)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Choisel[/td][td]Marist[/td][td]Josephine Cheng(P), Claude Barnett(M)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Noailles[/td][td]Aurala[/td][td]Andrew Madison(M), George Dawes (C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Erdilon[/td][td]Tamsville[/td][td]Simon Burchill(P), Lloyd Scott(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Harcourt[/td][td]Lyrander[/td][td]Aidan Powell(C)Evelyn Frye(S)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Boriss[/td][td]Telos[/td][td]John Sullivan(C), Meredith Walters(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Artois[/td][td]Eyre[/td][td]Christian O'Neill(C), Jean Duchamps(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Parabier[/td][td]Barquette[/td][td]Bernard Ash(C), Charles Liu(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]New Choisel[/td][td]Mormount[/td][td]Etienne Joubert(C), Colmean Flint(TC)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Arquien[/td][td]Passage[/td][td]Elise Seidman(M), Delia Mei(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Etrange[/td][td]Layette[/td][td]Karen Andrew(C), Richard Devlin(TC)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Chatillon[/td][td]Aundair[/td][td]Catherine Gale(S), Anthony Sanchez(P)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]West Bethune[/td][td]Jaynestown[/td][td]Joe Kelley(C), Lauren McCormick(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Osul[/td][td]Sivis[/td][td]David Beecroft(P), Alice Mei(M)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Meridoc[/td][td]Adelaide[/td][td]Nathan Mei(P), Christine Embry(P)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Enara[/td][td]Serra[/td][td]Raisa Corday(P), Nadira Mohammed(S)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Southron[/td][td]Tessé[/td][td]Kriston Ames(M), Melissa Bracken(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Sarene[/td][td]Dovasary[/td][td]Eric Li(S), Therese Holland(P)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Beaumont[/td][td]Legrange[/td][td]Philippe Courtois(S), Miriam Bloom(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Osfrid[/td][td]Manor Ridge[/td][td] Emmanuel Tertier(R), James Cox(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Silver Shore[/td][td]Auvergne[/td][td]Cory Fremont(S), Kristin McClelland(S)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Lienne[/td][td]Tonerre[/td][td]Mark Lao(P), Kotaro Ito(P)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Atherton[/td][td]Valliére[/td][td]Yves de la Croix(C), Alexander Denham(C)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Three Towers[/td][td]Bréal[/td][td]Angela Perrache(S), Adeline Tan(S)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Illiteas[/td][td]Tharival[/td][td]Benjamin Baskin(P), Grace Chien(C)[/td][/tr] [/table][/spoiler]

Laeral also has 7 Territories. Those are: Llaynes Alustriel St. George Island Coleen Reaches Berongard Delham Swan Isles These territories can vote in federal elections and have non-voting members in the General Assembly. They are each governed by a Governor-General. Of the eight, St. George is a chilly, relatively barren island of the coast of Laeral, with a population of around 0.2 million. Llaynes is a trade city and the area around it, with a population of around 0.7 million. Coleen Reaches is an area disputed with High Fells and currently under Laeralian occupation, population of around 0.05 million farmers. The Swan Isles are a group of 16 islands, located very far from Laeral itself, with a population of around 0.3 million Laeralite settlers. Alustriel is an enclave within High Fells, with a small population of merchants and diplomats. Berongard is a fortress-settlement along the border with High Fells, with a population of around 20,000. Delham is another region disputed with High Fells, with a population of 2000.

One special case is the region known as the 'Frontier Expansion'. As Laeral's population continues to grow at an astonishing rate, overpopulation is increasingly a problem. As such, in 2016, the Legislature and Prime Minister Brennan authorized colonization of a large swathe of land across the Laeralian Sea. These territories, known as the New Territories, can be settled by anyone who wishes to go. As such, this previously uninhabited stretch of land has seen massive population growth as settlers begin to colonize the frontier. These will eventually become full-fledged provinces, but in the meantime, they are referred to as 'states'. In the 2018 elections, they will become eligible to have one Delegate per state in the General Assembly. As such, they already have full rights as granted to Laeralian citizens, including voting in all elections.

Laeral has a climate similar to Northern Europe, with cold winters and temperate summers. Northern provinces are much colder, while southern provinces are more temperate. There are no desert regions in Laeral, as Laeral's close sea access and lack of mountains to create a rain-shadow effect. However, many areas of inland Laeral are too dry for some crops, although the area known as the 'Riverlands' (areas around the River Laer) is extremely fertile. Some areas are very rainy, such as Aumont or Laeralsford (which each rain roughly one day in three). In most provinces, it snows several times per year. In some provinces, such as Etrange, there is often snow on the ground for 4 months a year. Rivers are the lifeblood of Laeral, and rivers such as the Laeral, Massouc, and Rellis often flow through major cities. These rivers also support a thriving fishing industry, as well as habitat for spawning trout and salmon. Laeral's climate also supports certain forms of agriculture. Rice is grown in many low-lying coastal areas, and fruit is often grown in the interior. This also contributes to Laerla's thriving wine industry. Silk is also grown by way of mulberry trees. As for natural disasters, Laeral most often suffers from floods or hurricanes, while wildfires and tornadoes are comparatively uncommon.

Continental Laeral can be thought of as consisting of five historical regions. The Riverlands, comprising the lands around the River Laer, are a small but heavily populated belt of fertile land. Historically, it was home to the most developed areas of Laeral. The Western Marches refers to the western areas of Laeral, which are generally less developed and populated than the rest of Laeral. These provinces became part of Laeral more recently, and were largely won or bought from High Fells. The Northern Reaches are the colder provinces North of the Riverlands, and the Southeast is the provinces located there. Meanwhile, the Peninsula is the provinces separated from Laeral by water and by High Fells.

[float=right][box][img][/img][b]Rice is one of Laeral's primary agricultural products[/b][/box][/float]

Laeral has a beautiful environment, with many areas preserved as national parks. Notable attractions can be found in some of the more rural provinces, as well as in some coastal provinces such as Althea and Silver Shore. Widespread environmental legislation protects environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands and old growth forests, and tourism and development are severely restricted into some areas. Some areas, conversely, are heavily developed, such as the Laeralford area and certain sections of Cenefort. As such, municipal planners have been working on converting areas of urban blight and abandoned buildings into parks and wildlife preserves. These initiatives have been heavily supported by the Green Party. Additionally, very strict environmental regulations govern water pollution, as fishing is one of Laeral's largest industries. Industrial dumping is strictly prohibited. This was not always the case; until the 1860s, the environment was not a major concern in Laeral.

[b][u][size=150][anchor=Demo]Demographics[/anchor][/b][/u][/size]

[b][u][anchor=Pop]Population[/anchor][/b][/u] Laeral has a population of over 30 million people, of which roughly 0.4 million are undocumented.

A large percentage of Laeral's population is mixed-race, largely the result of marriages between white settlers and Asian natives. Additionally, roughly 92.4% of Laeralites identify as straight, and around 0.3% of Laeralites identify as transgender. Laeral's population is increasingly aging, as the average life expectancy has increased. This is beginning to place a burden upon senior care services, and the government is currently hard at work on increasing funding for state-run senior care providers.

The typical Laeralite is biracial, straight, and cisgender, in their late 30s, married with around 2.2 children. Laeral's population has skyrocketed recently, despite increased access to birth control and abortions. They are atheist or spiritual, compassionate, and with a sense of hospitality. They are likely to be moderately liberal, have a sense of respect for their elders, and mindful of tradition, although not bound to it.

Laeralites have a number of civil liberties not granted to residents of other nations. Laeralites enjoy the right to same-sex marriage, the near-unrestricted to right to have an abortion, and a government which is generally tolerant of civil liberties.

[u][b][anchor=Lan]Language[/anchor][/b][/u] Originally, Old Laeralian was the most common language in Laeral, with Derriset and Min Chinese popular as well. Old Laeralian is a flowing, melodic language, where slight differences in intonation can result in radically different meanings. It uses a complex alphabet, which can be seen on Laeral's flag. Old Laeralian is now rarely spoken except by scholars, but the government has been increasing efforts to preserve the language. Now, every library has a few shelves of books in Old Laeralian, children are taught a few phrases of the language, and publishers are offered incentives to publish books in Old Laeralian.

[box][img][/img][b]A sample text in Old Laeralian[/b][/box]

When the British arrived, English became a language in Laeral, although it was rarely spoken except by traders and merchants. When the French initially arrived, however, French became a language that all people were required to know, and Old Laeralian began to gradually die out. Some members of the Provisional Assembly felt that Old Laeralian should be taught among the young, and it was generally believed to be a patriotic duty to learn Old Laeralian for several decades after the War of Independence. Today, French and English have achieved rough parity, with Min in third and Old Laeralian a fourth. The majority of Laeralites are multilingual, and diplomats and civil servants often learn another language. Overall, French is the language of everyday conversation, science, romance, and diplomacy. English is the language of everyday conversation, business, and finance. Min is the language of rural areas, and Old Laeralian is a language of scholars and the well-educated.

[spoiler=Languages spoken in Laeral] Data from the 2014 census. [table][tr][td]Language[/td][td]% of Laeralites Speakers[/td][/tr] [tr][td]French[/td][td]89.7[/td][/tr] [tr][td]English[/td][td]87.3[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Min[/td][td]61.8[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Old Laeralian[/td][td]52.1[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Mandarin[/td][td]24.4[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Derriset[/td][td]8.1[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Taiwanese[/td][td]7.0[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Dutch[/td][td]2.4[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Arabic[/td][td]0.4[/td][/tr] [/table][/spoiler]

[u][b][anchor=Reli]Religion[/anchor][/b][/u]

Laeral has an atheism rate of 33.6%, making atheism Laeral's most popular religion. According to the 2014 Census, Laeral's religious breakdown is: Atheist: 33.6% Catholic: 17.3% Laeralian Spiritualism: 17.1% Buddhist: 12.3% Protestant: 5.3% Islam: 2.6% Other: 5.8%

In general, residents of the more rural, western provinces tend to be more religious than easterners. Laeral has never been as religious as it's neighbor of High Fells, and many Laeralian clergy are very liberal compared to their foreign counterparts.

Laeralian Spiritualism, also known as Fahae'nil Spiritualism, is a dualistic belief system originating in Laeral, which features two opposing concepts known as [i]Anrewil[/i] and [i]Siranil[/i]. Anrewil is the concept of self-discipline, while Siranil is the concept of individual freedom. Which of the two is more desirable depends on who you ask- the texts are divided on this matter. The religion was established by the wandering monk He Yu, whose travels and musings on the nature of humanity are chronicled in [i]Yu's Travels[/i] and [i]The Aldimerion[/i]. This religion was never fully eradicated by the French, despite their best attempts to do so, and continues to survive in small enclaves today. Many monastic orders were established dedicated to Laeralian Spiritualism- these monastic orders continue to survive today.

The French brought Catholicism as the state religion, but it has caught on more in [nation]High Fells[/nation] than in Laeral. However, some abbeys and convents can be found in Laeral, and practically every town has a Catholic church. [box][img]http://i.imgur.com/b6FvuJD.jpg?1[/img][/box] [b]Catholic churches such as this one are located in the heart of most Laeralian towns.[/b]

It is important to consider that many who consider themselves atheists often obey Laeralian traditions and superstitions, out of respect for Laeralian traditions and heritage. Traditionally, Laeralian culture features many superstitions, often related to the use of numbers. Certain numbers, such as 3, 7, and 12, represent certain positive qualities, while other numbers, such as 4, 11, and 23, are unlucky, because they represent certain negative qualities. Additionally, around the date of the Lunar New Year, superstitious citizens will refrain from cutting objects and using knives, while they will make sure to eat certain traditional foods.

[u][b][anchor=Race]Race[/anchor][/b][/u] Laeralites tend to be a diverse lot, with the majority of people of mixed race. For example, many Laeralites today are descendants of mixed-race couples dating back to colonial times. Often, children would adopt European names in order to succeed in a fundamentally racist colonial society. This tradition of giving children European names was very prevalent until around the 1970s. Today, however, many mixed-race children are proudly given names dating back to Laeral's native peoples.

In the past, there have been racial tensions between the white and Asian populations, most notably in the 1967 Cenefort Race Riots. However, Laeral now prides itself on it's cosmopolitanism, and racism is strongly discouraged. Laeral also has a very liberal immigration policy, allowing immigrants from all over the world to arrive. This can notably be observed in Enara province, which has a substantial Middle Eastern population. This has led to some racial tensions, which continue to this day.

[u][b][anchor=City]Largest Cities[/anchor][/b][/u] [table][tr][td]Rank[/td][td]City[/td][td]Province[/td][/tr] [tr][td]1[/td][td]Laeralsford[/td][td]Laeralsford Municipal District[/td][/tr] [tr][td]2[/td][td]Althea[/td][td]Loiraine[/td][/tr] [tr][td]3[/td][td]Rilos[/td][td]Cenefort[/td][/tr] [tr][td]4[/td][td]Lyrene[/td][td]Bethune[/td][/tr] [tr][td]5[/td][td]Hanshui[/td][td]Nanhai[/td][/tr] [tr][td]6[/td][td]Songshan[/td][td]Meilinis[/td][/tr] [tr][td]7[/td][td]Auvergne[/td][td]Silver Shore[/td][/tr] [tr][td]8[/td][td]Lushui[/td][td]Minsheng[/td][/tr] [tr][td]9[/td][td]Lyrander[/td][td]Harcourt[/td][/tr] [tr][td]10[/td][td]Liréal[/td][td]Loiraine[/td][/tr] [tr][td]11[/td][td]Trinity[/td][td]Carellon[/td][/tr] [tr][td]12[/td][td]St. Clair[/td][td]Aumont[/td][/tr] [tr][td]13[/td][td]Elleden[/td][td]Brissac[/td][/tr] [tr][td]14[/td][td]Tharival[/td][td]Illiteas[/td][/tr] [tr][td]15[/td][td]Adelaide[/td][td]Meridoc[/td][/tr] [tr][td]16[/td][td]Passage[/td][td]Arquien[/td][/tr] [tr][td]17[/td][td]Bréal[/td][td]Three Towers[/td][/tr] [tr][td]18[/td][td]Adelaide[/td][td]Meridoc[/td][/tr] [tr][td]19[/td][td]Sivis[/td][td]Osul[/td][/tr] [tr][td]20[/td][td]Serra[/td][td]Enara[/td][/tr] [/tr][/table]

[b][u][size=150][anchor=Govt]Government[/anchor][/b][/u][/size]

Although Laeral is technically a group of Allied States, modern political power is largely vested in the national government. Each province is headed by a Governor and Deputy-Governor (who has little actual role in provincial politics), and legislative power is vested in each province's unicameral Legislature. Laws are voted on in the Provincial Legislature, which consists of one representative for every 50,000 people. If the proposed law gains a majority in the Legislature, the law is passed on to the Governor, who can sign or veto the bill. If the bill is vetoed, it returns to the Legislature, which must vote with over two-thirds in favor to override the Governor's veto. Some observers may note that this system resembles the state governments of the USA.

The leader of Laeral is the Prime Minister, who is currently Prime Minister Nicholas Brennan, of the ruling Progressive Party. The Prime Minister serves for 4-year terms, but can only be reelected to PM once. The Prime Minister, in effect, serves as a house of the legislature in addition to the General Assembly and the Assembly of Commons. If a bill has passed one house and the PM approves it than it becomes law. Alternately, a bill can become law by passing both the General and Commons Assemblies. Other than that, the PM's role is only: 1. to serve as the face of Laeral and to represent the nation to foreign powers, 2. to break ties in any house of the Legislature, 3. to decide Laeral's vote on treaties to the World Assembly, 4. to name one of the three candidates to each post in Laeral's Cabinet, 5. to assume more decisionmaking power in one of several strictly defined times of emergency.

There is also a Deputy-Prime Minister, who also serves for 4-year terms and cannot become the DPM again. The current Deputy-Prime Minister is Tanvi Misra. There is also a Second Minister, who must be from the Opposition Parties. They take over in the event that the PM and DPM are unable to serve, and generally serve as a bridge between the Opposition and Majority Parties. The Second Minister has little actual power, and they are always the candidate who came in second during the PM elections. The current Second Minister is John Vance, of the Conservative Party.

[box][img][/img][b]Prime Minister Nicholas Brennan[/b][/box]

[box][img]http://i.imgur.com/Q1cTlQY.jpg?1[/img][b]Deputy Prime Minister Tanvi Misra[/b][/box]

[box][img][/img][b]Second Minister John Vance[/b][/box]

Laeral has a tricameral legislature consisting of the Assembly of Commons, Assembly of Notables, and the General Assembly. The Assembly of Commons and General Assembly must vote with a majority in order to pass a bill on to the other Assembly. The bill needs a simple majority to pass. In the event of a tie, the bill fails. In order for a bill to become law, it must be passed by one Assembly and have the Prime Minister's signature, or it must be passed by both Assemblies.

[b]The Assembly of Commons in formal session, in the Red Hall of the Legislature building, November 2016.[/b] [img][/img]

Current division of seats in the Legislature by Party: (for more on Laeral's political parties, see [url=https://www.nationstates.net/nation=laeral/detail=factbook/id=784827]Laeral's Political Parties[/url]

P=Progressive Party of Laeral (Center-Left). The Progressives currently dominate Laeralian politics, holding a slim majority in the Commons with their allies, the Socialist Party. They stand for increased democracy and civil rights, Keynesian economics, income equality, separation of church and state, and increased foreign intervention. In the December 2016 elections for the Assembly of Commons, they succeeded at holding the majority.

S=Socialist Party of Laeral (Left). The Liberals share many of the economic and social ideas of the Progressives, but are anti-foreign intervention. However, they do support the WA to a much greater extent than the Progressives do. Additionally, they are extremely pro-welfare.

U=Unionist Party (Left). The Unionists are a small but growing party composed of labor unions. They made large-scale gains in the December 2016 Commons election.

G=Green Party (Far-left). The Greens support environmental intervention, but are largely a single-issue party. They recently made some gains inn the Commons.

W=Laeralian Socialist Worker's Party. (Far left) They are Laeral's small Communist party. They made some gains in the December 2016 election.

F=Federalist Party (Left). A party only beginning to make it's mark on national politics, the Federalists support increased government power, up to the point of authoritarianism. They are natural opponents of the Libertarians.

M=Moderate's Party (Center). The Moderates are liberal on social issues but conservative on economic issues. This means that they are often a swing vote. They did decently in the December 2016 Commons election.

C= Conservative Party (Center-Right). The Conservatives stand for increased protection for corporations, increased military spending, and a greater role for religion in people's lives, as well as laissez-faire economics. Following the December 2016 elections, they continue to be the dominant right-wing party, but are facing increasing competition from smaller, more radical parties.

TC= True Conservative Action Front (far-right). This party is a splinter group consisting of the Conservative Party's radicals. They are largely composed of evangelical Christians. They made major gains in the December 2016 elections.

R=Royalist Party (far-right). The royalists stand for increased power for Laeral's monarchy. They have floated a candidate for the Prime Ministership, who insists upon being addressed as Crown Prince Joseph III. They dominate in the House of Nobles. They dislike the Lematres for their liberal leanings and hope to install a member of their own as absolute monarch.

M=Monarchist Party (far-right). The Monarchists are in a neverending rivalry with the Royalists. The Monarchists hope to install the Lematre family as monarchs.

The Assembly of Commons consists of one Representative, for every 100,000 people. This number is updated every year, and elections are held at that time. Currently, there are 386 Representatives. Representatives do not have a district, but are chosen based on the total vote tally for each party. The Commons Majority Leader is Émeric André of the Progressives. Progressive Party: 90 Representatives Conservative Party: 90 Representatives Socialist Party: 81 Representatives True Conservatives: 33 Representatives Moderate's Party: 26 Representatives Unionist Party: 16 Representatives Green Party: 7 Representatives National Populists: 8 Representatives New Federalist Party: 8 Representatives Libertarian Party: 4 Representative Independent: 1 Representative

[img]http://i.imgur.com/klktuzv.png?1[/img]

The General Assembly is the upper house of Laeral's Legislature and consists of 66 Delegates, 2 from each of Laeral's provinces. It is very difficult to win a seat in the General Assembly unless you are a member of an established party, making the General Assembly dominated by several larger parties. The General Assembly has elections every two years. The current Speaker of the General Assembly is Anna Meng of the Progressives, but the Majority Leader (In Laeral's the leader of the single party with the most support) is John Stephens of the Conservatives. Conservative Party:24 Delegates Progressive Party: 18 Delegates Socialist Party: 14 Delegates Moderate's Party: 6 Delegates True Conservatives: 3 Delegates Royalist Party: 1 Delegate

[b]Del. Anna Meng (P-Loiraine), Speaker of the General Assembly[/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/N1epSNf.jpg?1[/img] [b]The General Assembly in formal session[/b] [img][/img]

The Assembly of Notables is composed of 18 seats, which are elected every four years. They are responsible for administrative functions relating to the Legislature, such as budget estimates, voting recommendations, and suggesting cabinet appointees in conjunction with the Prime Minister. Each seat in the Assembly of Notables has a certain requirement, and Notables are elected by popular vote for each individual seat.

[b]Assembly of Notables in formal session[/b] [img][/img]

Current Governmental Leaders: Prime Minister: Nicolas Brennan (P) Deputy-Prime Minister: Tanvi Misra (P) Second Minister: John Vance (C)

Cabinet: These members are voted on from a list of three or more candidates,supplied by the Prime Minister and Second Minister. The positions are presented in order of succession. Each Minister is in charge of their own Ministry within the Laeralian government, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Public Health.

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Marie-Claire Beringer (P) Minister of Finance: Caitlyn Harspring (S) Minister of Education: Sarah Luo (P) Minister of Industry: Arthur Cheng (M) Minister of War: Nancy Buchanan (C) Minister of Agriculture: Jessica Shen(S) Minister of Public Health: Dominick Harrison (C) Minister of Housing and Urban Development: Julian Castro (P) Minister of Trade: Adrian Lariscy (P) Minister of Transportation: Femke Erendis (L) Minister of the Internet: Randall Munroe (P) Ambassador to the World Assembly: Nikolai Petrescu (P)

Laeral's judicial branch is smaller than the other branches of government, consisting of a large network of local courts, a Provincial Court for each province, and a National High Court which tries criminal and civil cases appealed from lower courts, following a majority vote of it's 7 Magistrates, including a Chief Magistrate (currently Hua Jiang). Judges and Magistrates serve for life. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is the highest court in Laeral, capable of nullifying laws and impeaching politicians. It has the same membership as the National High Court, but is rarely called into use.

[b][u][anchor=FRM]Foreign Relations and Military[/anchor][/b][/u]

Laeral is an active member of the World Assembly, and has full embassies with the following nations: [nation]Aertemedia[/nation], [nation]Comhar[/nation], [nation]Gnejs[/nation], [nation]High Fells[/nation], [nation]Nikler[/nation], [nation]Nova Sodor[/nation], [nation]Sciongrad[/nation], [nation]Slokais Islands[/nation], [nation]Torofax[/nation], [nation]Trive 38[/nation], [nation]Verwood Island Archipelago[/nation], [nation]Vexam[/nation], [nation]Azuredh[/nation], [nation]Aleri Republic[/nation], and [nation]Calenmor[/nation]. Laeral generally gets along well with members of the [region]International Democratic Union[/region]. Laeral believes that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are both independent nations, and that Palestine is a legitimate nation.

Laeral currently has tense relationships with it's neighbor of High Fells. They are historical enemies, and tensions have run high since the 1988 Undeclared War. Laeral currently has weapons embargoes with the nations of [nation]High Fells[/nation], and all nations within the regions of [region]HYDRA Command[/region], [region]Nazi Europa[/region], [region]The Invaders[/region], and [region]The Black Hawks[/region]. Laeral also has full embargoes with the nations and regions listed above, with the exception of [nation]High Fells[/nation].

Laeral's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially the Foreign Service, are considered very prestigious careers, and pay well. In the current administration, the DFA is a high priority, and is very heavily funded. This funding has been used to hire more ambassadors and establish more international embassies, as well as establishing training and hiring programs at many Laeralian colleges. As a result, Laeral has embassies and consulates in more nations than ever before. The leader of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is Minister of Foreign Affairs Marie-Claire Beringer. Laeral's embassy program is located [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=403361&sid=3e15361ce36f1e90942f6dbee952996d] here [/url].

Laeral is a generally pacifist nation, and has a small standing military. Laeral's military is divided into four branches- the Laeralian National Security Force, the Laeralian Navy, the Laeralian Air Force, and the Laeralian Gendarmerie. The LNSF consists of 8 Regiments, each numbered from the First to the Eighth. Each Regiments is commanded by a Marshal- the exact title of which is determined by the division's current strength. Generally, 3 of the 8 Regiments are on loan to the World Assembly or United Nations Peacekeepers at any given time. They are also chronically undermanned and underequipped due to budget cuts.

The LNSF totals around 8000 front line combat personnel, which means that the LNSF focuses on infiltration and commando missions as opposed to front-line combat. They typically use assault rifles, notably the Laeralian-made A-220c. Their military doctrine concentrates on rapid strikes and hit-and-run raids to make up for the fact that they will be outnumbered in practically any war.

Laeral also has a compulsory military service law, passed back in 1859 and never relaxed since. It requires all students who have graduated from high school to spend one year in service to the government, possibly including the military. As a result, the government never has a shortage of entry-level employees, although some who show success at their role are invited to return to a job after they graduate from college.

The majority of Laeral's small military budget goes to the Navy. Given Laeral's large coastline and the economic importance of Laeral's sea area, as well as ongoing disputes with [nation]High Fells[/nation] over water borders, Laeral's navy is well funded. The Laeralian Navy is divided into six fleets, each commanded by an Admiral. The head of the Navy is Fleet Admiral Fang Lévesque. Typically, four of the six are posted around the Gulf of Laeral, based on the position of High Fellsian fleets. The Laeralian Navy recently built a single heavy cruiser, the LNS [i]James Warren[/i]. A second heavy cruiser is planned, once funds show up. In the meantime, the LN focuses on smaller frigates for trade escort and coastal defense duties. The newest of these is the Defiance-class, currently in production.

The Laeralian Air Force is also small compared to the Navy, and consists of around 20 fighter jets. They are largely based near the High Fellsian border, with another base on St. George Island, as well as on some of Laeral's outlying territories. The LAF is also deployed over the Gulf of Laeral and the Laeral Sea.

The Laeralian Gendarmes are responsible for the protection of embassies and consulates worldwide as well as serving as backup for regular police units. They operate with more powerful weapons than the regular police, but also go through more stringent training. They are roughly equivalent to a military police unit. They generally assign only a few members to even the largest embassies, with around half a squad assigned to each embassy. However, three full squads are assigned to Laeral's office at the World Assembly. Gendarmes, rather than the Army, are generally deployed to small scale trouble spots, and consequently have much more combat experience than the Army.

[img][/img]

[b][u][size=150][anchor=Econ]Economy[/anchor][/b][/u][/size]

[floatright][box] [center][b][u]Economic Indicators[/b][/u][/center] [b]Currency:[/b] Laeralian Mark [b]Fiscal Year:[/b] 2017 [hr] [b]GDP (nominal):[/b]185.0 trillion Marks [b]GDP (nominal) per capita:[/b]149,151 Marks [b]Unemployment:[/b] 12.26% [b]Inflation Rate:[/b] 2.4% [/floatright][/box]

Laeral's economy is dynamic, thriving, and export-based, featuring above-average levels of government control. The Laeralian economy is dominated by the Information Technology, Fishing, and Textile industries, with Tourism and Publishing close behind. All 5 of those industries receive substantial subsidies, but are also heavily regulated- as are most Laeralian industries. Laeral's economy is doing extremely well, but challenges are posed by high structural unemployment and an aging population. Laeral is currently in a period of economic expansion. The most recent recession ended in the 4th Quarter of 2014. Laeral's export-based economy has led to an emphasis on free-trade agreements with foreign nations.

[b]Information Technology[/b] Thanks to generous government subsidies, Laeral's IT industry is now booming, especially in so-called "Silicon Shore" an area of the province of Althea, located along the coast. The majority of the IT field is controlled by privately-owned corporations, such as Riverwalk, Luthier, and discount goods company Sunsong. Luthier and Riverwalk, however, are known for their quality and reliability. Additionally, the government operates LaeralTech, a computer and smartphone provider known for affordable, sustainably produced goods. Laeral's IT industry is classified as a borderline oligopoly.

[b]Computers under construction at a plant in Silver Shore[/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/iAo3Vao.jpg?1[/img]

[b]Fishing[/b] While fishing is no longer the economic powerhouse it once was, Laeral still operates a large fishing fleet, ranked in the top 2% internationally. Fishing boats trawl for seafood such as fish and shrimp, which are then brought back to port and sold, which traditionally made up a large portion of the Laeralian diet. Generally, the boats themselves are independent, but sell their catches to a distributor rather than to the local seafood market as they did in years past. However, there are some larger ships as well. The fishing industry is very important to the government, and there are many officials who will vote against any legislation that would harm the industry. This includes environmental legislation meant to prevent overfishing, as well. Additionally, the question of the ownership of fishing areas in the gulf of Laeral is a major source of friction between [nation]Laeral[/nation], [nation]High Fells[/nation] and [nation]Slokais Islands[/nation]. The fishing industry is classified as Monopolistic Competition.

[b]Textiles[/b] Laeral has a thriving textile industry, as evidenced by the fact that Laeral's name comes from it's historical reputation as a fabric producer. Many areas in interior provinces, notably Enara and Sarene, are dedicated to mulberry tree farms, which silkworms than eat to produce silk. The silk is then spun into silk fabric, which is then woven into clothes. While silk is the most famous of Laeral's cloth products, sheep's wool is spun into clothes as well. Traditionally, independent local producers made clothes in small batches, but now, larger companies (including Irralon Fabrics, Fine Wear, Miresa, Salwan Textiles, and others) have largely taken over the market. However, the textile industry is still classified as monopolistic competition.

Laeralian clothes are known internationally for their comfort and elegance, and are popular overseas. Many independent weavers will take the effort to spin traditional patterns into Laeralian cloth, which is then sold. Often, clothes at retailers will sport a 'Made in Laeral' tag, but Laeralian cloth also graces the shelves of boutiques internationally.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/0pdOvXP.jpg?1[/img] [b]An example of Laeralian women's formal clothing[/b] [b]Tourism[/b] Laeral has a tourism industry largely based on the cultural sites in the east and areas of natural beauty in the west. Typically, tourists arrive via plane or boat from overseas, especially at Laeralsford International or Therese-Shou International. Generally, citizens of the area where tourists visit will try to make a few extra marks by showing tourists around on seasonal charter work for the large tourism companies.

[b]Publishing[/b] Publishing is also a major Laeralian industry, largely dominated by several large publishing houses. These firms are now largely trying to diversify into e-books.

Laeral has many news sources. Generally, each large city has its own newspaper, such as the [i]Laeralsford Chronicle[/i], the [i]Althea Herald[/i], and the [i]Rilos Post-Journal[/i]. However, there are often numerous smaller newspapers within each city. Additionally, some political parties run their own newspapers, such as the [i]Socialist Standard[/i] and the [i]Moderate's Tribune[/i]. These typically enjoy nationwide spread. Also, Laeral has a national state-run news source, the Laeralian National News Service, or LNNS, which was established for the purpose of an unbiased, reliable national new source. Other national news services include Laeral One News and LaeralWatch News.

[b]Fashion[/b] Working in conjunction with Laeral's thriving textile industry, many fashion houses create and design garments, mostly operating out of Laeralsford. Laeralsford and Althea, as well as Auvergne, are all traditional rivals, and each has their own group of fashion houses, often in competition with each other. Each has their own Fashion Week, usually scheduled in mid-summer. Recently, the fashion industry has been criticized for it's lack of racial diversity among it's models, leading industry groups to work on reforms.

[img][/img] [b]Fashion shows are common during the Laeralsford Fashion Week[/b]

[b]Other Industries[/b] Shipbuilding is a minor industry in Laeral, centered in Cenefort province. They are now largely dependent upon government contracts, although private ships are occasionally created.

Automobile manufacturing is also centered in Cenefort province, although it is less of a mainstay as it was in previous decades, largely due to increased automation of car production lines and international competition. It is now largely state-run in Laeral.

[img][/img] Modeling is one industry popular in Laeral.

Laeralian agriculture is fairly small in scale. Nationally, Laeralian farms produce not even enough food to feed all inhabitants of the nation, necessitating that some foodstuffs be imported. While this is of great concern to the government, the general consensus is that as there is not enough space to create large traditional farms, it is not worth it to build up Laeral's agriculture. Notable foods grown in Laeral include rice, some grains, and many types of fruits and vegetables, including lychees, almonds, citrus fruits, tea, and other products.

[size=150][b][u][anchor=Cult]Culture[/anchor][/size][/b][/u]

[b]Growing Up in Laeral[/b] It is generally a time of great celebration when a child is born. The average household has 2.2 children, and when a child is born, the parents will likely host a party to celebrate the birth. Children in Laeral are given a birth certificate at birth, which contains their official name. Traditionally, children are given a silver bracelet with several small pendants on it, for good luck. The parents are given 90 days of paid parental leave, to be divided up as they see fit. Following that, they will have the option of enrolling their child in one of the provincial child care services, or in a religious or private child care service. The state provides for a number of child services, including access to medical care and breast milk communes.

Children are required to enter school at age 6, although parents can also home school them. There are also some religious schools, but these are generally unpopular due to the excellence of Laeral's school systems. Children can also join a private or religious school, although they are encouraged to join public schools. In their first year, referred to as Kindergarten, children are encouraged to express themselves through art, learn through play, and direct their own learning needs.

The next year of schooling, First Grade, is where academic learning begins. Children are instructed in basic school subjects, as well as language instruction. Children who do not know all three of Laeral's major languages are taught another, while children fluent in all three are instructed in another language, such as Old Laeralian, German, Hindi, Cantonese, or another language, depending on the school. At the end of each year, children produce a project which will remain in their records for the remainder of their life. Primary schooling continues until fifth grade, when children must do one cumulative project to exemplify their schooling so far. This project, referred to as the Capstone, will often take months to complete.

Following this, children ascend to Secondary School, consisting of 6th through 8th grades. There, they begin to have more than one teacher, and move from class to class. This is also where students identified by their teacher as either 'gifted' or 'special-needs' begin to receive separate classes from their peers. They are also allowed to choose some of their classes.

Education continues into High School, where teenagers from 9th to 12th grades are taught. Near the end of their senior year, teenagers are required to submit to a battery of various tests and assessments designed to evaluate their college readiness. Each student is given a numerical score, which, along with some essays and examples of work, are sent to prospective colleges.

Laeralites are eligible to vote at age 17, although some political parties allow 16-year olds to vote in party primaries.

Laeral has a wide variety of public and private colleges. Each province has it's own public university, named the (University of Province). Additionally, many public schools are founded in each province for a specific subject, such as Artois Technical College. Some of Laeral's famous colleges include: University of Laeralsford, Althea University, Edward Anders School of International Relations, Laeral National College, Donat Guo University, Lyrene College, Alexandre Prevost University, Laeralsford Tech, and Laeral Technical College. Some schools only offer schooling in one major, such as International Relations or Fine Arts. There are also private and religious colleges. The government offers college tuition free to students, as long as they fulfill several conditions. Students must pledge to work in Laeral for several years after they graduate, they must have fulfilled several academic requirements, they must have done their compulsory year of government service, their family must not make over 250,000 Marks per year, they must be a citizen, and they must not be a convicted criminal.

Once students have graduated college, graduated a technical school, become licensed to work in a license-requiring sector, or simply decide to work, they join the workforce. At this point, they begin to earn wages, and often settle down to a home or family.

Laeralites have a generally tolerant attitude toward dating and premarital sex. There is little social stigma associated with various forms of premarital relationships, such as casual dating. However, marriage can be an entirely different matter. While some families allow their members to date and marry as they will, arranged marriage continues to be popular in some areas of Laeral. Families will negotiate a suitable match for their children, and then order the two married. Some websites have sprung up to accommodate this practice. Laeralian weddings are very long and involved, featuring hours of ceremonies, culminating in an exchange of flowers and a kiss between the newlyweds, as well as some more esoteric practices. [float=right][box][img]http://i.imgur.com/MglF2d0.jpg?1[/img][b]A Laeralian wedding[/b][/box][/float]

When Laeralites become too old to work, they can retire, and become eligible for benefits from the National Elderly Care Fund, or NECF. This governmental program allocates funds to the elderly, as well as providing state-sponsored retirement facilities.

Laeralian funerals tend to be elaborate and rooted in pagan traditions, similar to Laeralian weddings. Typically, several eulogies are given, and then the body is cremated and the ashes scattered.

Throughout the life of a Laeralite, they are likely to come into contact with the government quite often, more so than inhabitants of other nations. The government has a large role in the lives of Laeralites, from birth to death.

[b]Entertainment[/b] Popular forms of entertainment in Laeral range from the traditional, such as elaborate dances dating back to the French occupation, to the exotic, such as fan dances or martial arts practices, to the mundane, such as reading and watching movies. While individual forms of entertainment will be covered below, Laeralites do many different things for fun, ranging from the intellectual to the carnal.

[b]Film and TV[/b] Laeral has a very active film industry, known as 'Laellywood' by some. Laeral is known internationally for it's avant-garde art cinema scene, which regularly produces small-budget art films beloved by critics but scorned by major audiences. Typical sources of inspiration for Laeralian films include Laeralian history and mythology, social dynamics, and Laeralian literature.

[b]Literature[/b] Laeralian literature dates back to at least the year 1200, which is roughly the date of the oldest written work ever found in Laeral, a manual of farming practices.

[b]Holidays[/b] January - New Years' Day, Lunar New Year April 28th- Worker's Day July 17th- Founding Day September 22nd- Lematre Day

[b]Food[/b] Laeralian food is very diverse and cosmopolitan. Traditional Laeralian food is similar to Northern Chinese food, having many of the same ingredients, as well as a lack of desserts. French cooking is also popular, and there is also 'fusion' cuisine featuring dishes such as red-bean flavored desserts (such as a crossaint with red bean filling similar to the traditional pain-au-chocolat). However, cuisine from many nations can be found in Laeral, especially in large cities such as Laeralsford.

Laeralian restaurants range from gourmet locations in the heart of major cities to local teahouses. The name 'teahouse' refers to any number of small establishments offering assorted drinks and light snacks, typically to passersby and those coming off work.

[b]Art[/b] One of the most famous of Laeral's artists is Élisabeth Vérène le Bonnaire, a portrait artist who lived around the Laeralian War of Independence. She made many portraits, including the most famous portrait of Adrienne Lematre (shown above). Below: [i]Self-portrait with Daughter[/i] [img]http://i.imgur.com/MtMQQyo.jpg?1[/img]

[b]Music and Dance[/b] One of the most popular Classical groups in Laeral is the Atraven Quartet: [img][/img]

[b]Architecture[/b] Laeralian buildings tend to have one of several different architectural styles, although each of these three broad categories can be sorted into numerous subcategories. The first is the 'Traditional' style, which was created before the French occupation. This form is now rarely found, and tends to be decades or centuries old. Traditional residences tend to be built of stone and featuring slanting roofs for snow to slide down.

The second style was brought by the French, and is known as 'Baroque'. Baroque structures tend to be elaborate, featuring ironwork fences around residences and many gables. Houses are arranged around courtyards shared with several other houses. These courtyards typically also hold a fountain and some greenery. Many Laeralian government buildings and city halls are built in the Baroque style.

The third style is known as the 'modern' or 'reform' style. Conceived partially as a backlash against the older architectural styles, which were seen as 'gloomy' and 'dark', the modern style focused on a harmony of older architecture styles but also incorporating advances made possible by modern technology, such as large windows and unusual shapes.

[size=150][b][u][anchor=Infra]Infrastructure[/anchor][/size][/b][/u] Laeral generally has highly developed infrastructure, although some rural areas do not have the same level of high-tech infrastructure as in urban areas. For example, 97% of Laeralites have internet access, practically every Laeralite has a phone connection, and the vast majority of Laeralian households have a television.

Laeralian transportation infrastructure is designed to fit the needs of a populace relying on a combination of cars, bicycles, and trains for transportation. While a national highway system was established in the 1970s, governmental policy has gradually shifted to supporting the national railway system, which spans over 29,000 km. By contrast, the highway system has gradually fallen into disrepair. This railway system is known as the Réseau Ferroviaire National de Laeral (RFNL) or the Laeralian National Railway Network. The LNRN is the official train system itself, which comprises a network of multiple large lines with hubs in Laeralsford, Serra, Laeral City, Trinity, Rilos, and Selise, Bethune. Each of those hubs has a network of both short-distance and long-distance rail lines running from it to nearby urban areas and other hubs. One of the latter lines, the Laeralsford-Trinity line, is the busiest in Laeral.

There are 102 airports in Laeral, the majority of which are local airfields, although there are international airports in most large cities. The busiest airport in the country is Laeralsford International (LFI). There are around 8 airlines which fly to Laeral, although the state-run Laeral Airways dominates flights into, out of, and within Laeral.

Laeral has 8 deepwater seaports, which are responsible for most of Laeral's import-export trade. [b][u][anchor=Energy]Energy[/anchor][/b][/u] Laeral generates roughly 278 million KwH (Kilowatt-hours) of electricity per year, mostly for domestic consumption. A small fraction of this is exported. Laeral's power is generated as follows: [box] [u]Electricity Generation by Source[/u] [b]Nuclear Power:[/b] 27.04% [b]Fossil Fuels:[/b] 21.19% [b]Hydroelectric Energy:[/b] 18.79% [b]Solar Power:[/b] 15.84% [b]Other Renewables:[/b]: 17.14% [/box]

Template by [nation=Ponderosa] Template may be found [url=http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=256878]here[/url].

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