Conlandia

Conlandia, also known as the Commonwealth of Conlandia is a country and sovereign state in the South Pacific Ocean. The closest neighbouring countries are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and New Caledonia. The official language is English with a minority of indigenous Conlandian-language speaking residents.

Conlandia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, United Nations, Pacific Islands Forum, OECD, and the World Trade Organisation.

The capital and largest city, Emerald City, has a population of around 3.75 million residents while the country itself has 9.6 million residents.

Prehistory: 40 BC-1799
28 million years ago, the area now known as Conlandia broke off from Pangea to become a set of islands. They were discovered to be habitable by the native Conlandians, or Cunskalondyans as they explored the islands.

English colonisation: 1799-1933
Between 1799 and 1809 the English discovered Conlandia and claimed the land as its own, setting up the Colony of Conlandia (from which the present nation gets its name from). Sempi Knagon, a native rebel who was expelled from the Colonial Forces set up the Conlandian Provisionary Force to begin a plan for independence.

Independence: 1933-Now
After a 5 year Conlandian Independence War, the nation seceded from Britain and became an independent nation on the 5th of January 1933. Now, as some Americans immigrated to the island, parts of American culture have an influence, especially in music, cuisine and cinema.

Economy
The economy of Conlandia is quite varied, with the most people being employed in the fields of professionals, management, technology and commerce, with mining, agriculture and manufacturing playing other integral roles. GDP is CE$35.3 trillion. The currency is the Conlandian dollar, and there are many large companies traded on the Conlandia Stock Exchange. Companies like Conlandtel, Food Fair, NuCom, Quana, and Nukar are traded. Conlandia has been through 1 economic recession, in 1981.

States and territories
''Postal abbreviations can be found in the brackets. The Islands (IS) are treated as one province, with the separate islands treated as sub-provinces.''
 * Emerald City Capital Territory (CT) (Capital: Emerald City)
 * South Coast Province (SC) (Capital: Logrant)
 * Sapphire Bay Province (SB) (Capital: Sapphire Bay)
 * Northeast Province (NE) (Capital: Kemser)
 * East Coast Province (EC) (Capital: Gorrents)
 * Central Province (CP) (Capital: Cofad)
 * Western Province (WP) (Capital: Hallbridge)
 * North-Central Province (NC) (Capital: Domburton)
 * Islands (KG, FD, PL, BN, HS) (Knagon Island, Freedom Island, Palm Island, Bantons Island, Heroes Island)

Culture
The culture of Conlandia is influenced from British and American culture, although there is a strong native influence. Film studios include Conlandfilm, and Emerald Cinema. Film centres are found in major centres and there are many film festivals, the largest being Emerald City Film Festival (ECFF). Opera and symphony is also in major centers including Emerald City and Kemser. The Conlandia Art Gallery is found in Emerald City. Cuisine is diverse, with many restaurants of different kinds, as well as traditional dishes like Kefredna, Jembog and Srfien.

Education
There are 4 levels of education in Conlandia: School runs from Monday to Friday from average 8:45 am to 3 pm. Breaks are on Summer (8 weeks), Autumn (2 weeks), Winter (2 weeks) and Spring (2 weeks), as well as national holidays (see below).
 * Preschool
 * Primary School
 * High School (Secondary)
 * University (Tertiary)

Major universities found are University of Conlandia, Emerald City University, Northern Conlandia University and University of Sapphire Bay, as well as smaller colleges.

Media
Conlandian media is predominantly in English, with some media in other minority languages.

There are two public broadcasters, Conlandia Broadcasting Corporation and Ethnic Broadcasting Network. Commercial broadcasters include National Media Group, Emerald Media Network, Global Media, and also Radio Network of Conlandia. All of these companies specialise in radio and television. Newspapers in Conlandia include The Global, The Conlandian, Financial Review, The Emerald City Times, and the Kemser Herald. Pay TV providers include Conlandtel, Emerald Cable and Islands Cable.

Climate
The Conlandian climate is mainly tropical and temperate, with an average maximum temperature of 24.3 degrees Celsius, and a minimum of 13 degrees Celsius. Average rainfall is 100.9mm per year. The hottest temperature recorded was 47.5 degrees Celsius on January 25, 1993 on Freedom Island, and the coldest was -6 degrees Celsius on December 15, 2004 in Emerald City.

Politics
There are three levels of Conlandian government: Political parties include the Liberal Party, Labor Party, Country Party, The Greens Conlandia, Conservatives and Environmental Party.
 * Federal (Senate and House of Representatives)
 * State/Provincial
 * Local

Sports
Sports play an integral role in Conlandian culture, with sports like football, rugby league, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, baseball and cricket being the most popular sports. Sports leagues include Conlandian Football League, Conlandian Rugby League Federation, Conlandian Basketball League, Conlandian Volleyball Federation, Cogerian Ice Hockey Federation, Cogerian Baseball Federation, and Cricket Cogeria.

Crime
The murder rate of Conlandia is relatively low, being at 4.5% in 2017, down from a major peak of 18% in 1972. The most common crime is theft, followed by murder, arson and possession of illegal substances.

Transport
Many methods of transport can be found in Conlandia. Ferries are common in Conlandia, being found as public transport in coastal cities including Emerald City, as well as government-operated ferries linking the various islands with Emerald City. Trains are also common, but only on the mainland. Conlandia Railways operates various lines linking major centres, along with major cities having forms of commuter rail (trains, metro, light rail). Highways also link the nation, with BusConlandia operating coach services around the nation. Airports are found nationwide, but most airports are domestic only. International airports can be found in the capitals of the provinces (except the islands). Emerald City International Airport (IATA: EMC, ICAO: NEMC) is Conlandia's largest airport.

National holidays

 * New Year's Day: January 1
 * Conlandia Independence Day: March 5
 * Heroes Day: April 14
 * Easter Sunday: Varies
 * May Day: May 1
 * Queen's Birthday: 2nd Monday in June
 * Winter Solstice: Varies
 * Christmas: December 25
 * Boxing Day: December 26
 * Summer Solstice: Varies
 * New Year's Eve: December 31