Ostland

Ostland, officially known as the Republic of Ostland (Ostlandic: Republikke Ostland), is a country and archipelago in Europe, located at the North Atlantic, specifically in the Scandinavian region. Its capital and largest city is Nordostat. Ostland has an area of 354,743 km2, and a population of over 17 million, as 2021 census.

Ostland is an active member of United Nations, European Union, and The Nordic Council.

Ethymology
Before Ostland's annexation by Early Norwegian kingdoms, viking conquerors departed from Hebrides Islands to Iceland but discovered Main Ostland isle on their route instead. The first conquerors thought they lost their original route and reached to North East region of Norwegian Kingdom, historical region of Hålogaland, which caused why they called newly-discovered territories as 'Ostr lǫndę ' (Old Norse: East lands), which later evolved into Ost lande. First scripts refering to Ostland date back from AC 1310 - 1360 approximately.

Nordostat
The country's capital, Nordostat,is a contraction of the word: nordøst (Northeast, in Norwegian and Ostlandic) and Stat (State): Literally, the capital could be translated as: The Northeast.

Ostyrlünde (4th century - 923)
The settlement of the islands by the norsemen begun in the second half of the 4th century. The main two Ostlandic islands, Styrøe and Olekslyke, were already populated by many native tribes. The most known, the Asgýn tribe still exists to this day.

Most of the writting tales found does not provide specific details about the settlement, but approximations set the year of the arrival between 479 and 483. The first city founded by norwegian was New Bjornia (Nybjorgvinheim) since the ships which came first to Ostland Styrøe departed from that city, now known as. Unlike in the settlement of Iceland, the conquest of Ostlandic islands was not discussed with the native population.

End of the WWII and rise of the Republicanist movements (1936 - 1947)
After the end of the of the World War 2, and the surrender of the Nazi Germany, Ostland apparently returned to peace. However, the economy suffered a decrease caused by the destruction of many factories by Nazi forces.

The export was reduced due to that Ostland's trading partners were its neighboring countries, affected by the war; the production was destined for domestic consumption, which prevented famines, but considerably reduced public income.

Hans III, King of Ostland, refused to join the European Recovery Program, introduced by the United States to recover the economy. The King answered to Marshall speech the next day, on June 6, rejecting the offer. Later, the Marshall speech reached the population, and caused uncertainty about the decission of the Royal Court.

The following day, on June 7, at first hour, the Allesemeröe, the newspaper approved by the Royal Court, announced that the King Hans III ' has rejected the initiative by the United States Secretary of State, George C. Marshall, after the speech held in Harvard University on the past June 7 '. The Royal Court expressed that the King had concern of the consequences of the American aid and loans, and that ' it will long-term ruin Ostlandic brilliant economy '.

During and in the following years to the war, republican, comunists and separatist movements started to take relevance in the country, and there was not a concordance between them. Some factions agreed with the monarchy, and some others not, but the majority was opposed to the monarchy. It revived the conflicts in the northern regions of the country, caused by a feeling of nostalgia of the Northern Federation.

The rejection of the European Recovery Program by the King was took by Republican, and most of Separatist factions, as a 'communist' decision, and alleged the monarchy was searching to reache closer relations with the Soviet Union.

This caused the Protests of 1947, starting in Timsgroen, where approximately five thousand people protested for the lack of coal for the winter and the industry.

November Red coup d'etat and fall of the monarchy (1948)
On August 28, 1947, protesters took the Royal City Hall in Timsgroen and closed the, back then, main highway to access the city, the Ostlandvaggen 148. The Royal Ostlandic Armed Forces besieged the city and forbidden the access of food and coal to the city. The City Hall was not released by protesters untill September 3. That day ocurried the Massacre of Juliensson Street, where approximately twenty to one hundred protesters and activists were killed during Armed Forces offensives.

Nordostat city was highly militarized during that period, to prevent any kind of insurgency. Meanwhile the Timsgroen city was being took over, protesters took the city of Karelstat, capital of the county of the same name and one of the most important cities in the Northern Ostland.

During that period, a notable character appeared to the scene, Ferdinand I, firstborn of Hans III and deposed heir to the throne, led the insurgency movements against his father and majesty, and founded one of the first organized parties against the monarchy, Ostland First. Ferdinand was named persona non grata on September 10, and a reward was offered for delivering him dead or alive.

Ferdinand's party had already took two cities Karelstat and Kysten, in the north and east of the country. The Massacre of Juliensson affected the reputation of the monarchy. Queen Anna stated that the Royal Court was "deeply touched" by the situation, and called the country to "use the pacific ways" to solve the situation. King Hans III was travelling to Norway, Britain and Sweden to promote economic and political relations between the countries.

On September 14, workers of the factories and mines in Timsgroen, Trench, Haralstat, Karolstat and Fjellskøg went on strike until the violence stopped. This caused several energetic problems in the country due to the lack of coal in the rest of the country. Nordostat was the only city with 24 hours-continuous electricity service during the following weeks, to maintain the feeling of country's false tranquility.

On October 2, King Hans III came back to Ostland, against all odds, and gave a speech to his people, which is known as the "Peace Speech of October". His majesty appeared in the Constitution Square of Nordostat, back then called Royal Square, in the middle of the people, with a few security guards, and called the country to peace.

The people praised him for his speech. The speech convinced a majority of the population, and the energetic strike came to an end on following day, but it did not convinced armed groups which were against the monarchy, mainly in the North and East of the country.

Islands
Ostland is composed of 6 main islands and a special territory with special status, the Saltnings Island. The first level of administrative division of Ostland are counties. However, each island has a prefecture, a house dedicated to discuss and vote the affairs of each island. In each prefecture, each county governor and their team, meet with the majors from all the communes once a week in a general meeting to discuss matters of importance.
 * Ostland Styrøe: Known as the Big Island, is the largest and most populated island of the country. In this island is located the capital of the country, Nordostat.
 * Olekslyke: is the second most populated and largest island in Ostland. Its most populated city is Mellervik. It is a country's important point for agriculture, energy and oil.
 * Ystrav: Located at the northwest of the archipelago.
 * Jurgenøe: is one of the smallest of the archipielago. Its most populated town is Lykenbyer.

Counties
The first level of administrative division of Ostland are the counties. Previously they were denominated as provinces, however, this changed after 1920 and the fall of the Monarchy in Ostland, when the administrative division of the country was reorganized.
 * Styrøe counties: The main island of Ostland, where the capital Nordostat and most of the economic, cultural and financial centers of the country are located.
 * Nordostat: The capital city of Ostland. Is a Federal city that constitute their own county, because almost the entire county is the metropolitan area of ​​the city. It is the most populous, developed and wealthiest county in the country, as well as the economic center of Ostland. Nordostat is known for its tall modern buildings and towers, large shopping malls and very European streets.
 * Haralstat: Its is the current equivalent of historical region of Northern Federation, in northern Ostland. It has registered the lowest temperatures in the country.
 * West Styrøe: Is another county, located on the central-east coast of the island. It is known for being the Capital of the fishing Industry, and from here the majority of fish and shellfish products are exported to the rest of the country. Its capital is Thordsjenheim.
 * Olekslyke counties:
 * Mellervik: Its capital is Mellerfield. It is located on the northern part of island of the same name, on the southwest part of Ostlandic archipielago.
 * South Mellerstøy: The second and least populous of the Mellerfield Island counties. Its capital is the city of Fieldhavn. It is a fairly new and small county (in terms of population), it used to be a place of towns but it has been modernized in the last decades. The main activity is fishing, as well as agriculture and textiles.
 * South Mellerstøy: The second and least populous of the Mellerfield Island counties. Its capital is the city of Fieldhavn. It is a fairly new and small county (in terms of population), it used to be a place of towns but it has been modernized in the last decades. The main activity is fishing, as well as agriculture and textiles.

Largest populated areas
Ostlandic cities are well known for being highly industrialized and efficent, organized and clean.

Overseas territories

 * Saltning Islands: are an archipielago composed by 4 islands, in the northern Atlantic sea, in Europe.
 * Arrikson and Rigoberto: are an archipielago of islands located in the South region of the Atlantic ocean, in Africa. The islands where first colonized by the Spanish Empire in 1580, but transfered to the Ostlandic Empire in 1746. They constitute their own county, subdivided exclusively into districts, due to their small size, except for the two biggest islands, Rigoberto and Arriksonland, which have communes ad the rest of Ostlandic districts. As of 2023, they have an estimate population of 94,185.

Economy
The Ostlandic Economy is based mainly on the export and manufacture of products, such as food, textile products, automotive products, spare parts, seafood, among others. The energetic industry has special importance to Ostlandic economy, with the oil and mining industry representing 85% of the income.

Language
Although there is not an official language meant in the Constitution, Ostlandic is the national language ​​and the most spoken language, spoken by, at least, 95% of the population as a mother tongue. English is recognized as a foreign language which is matter of importance for work and education affairs. It is understood by a wide percentage of the urban population.

Foreign languages are spoken by inmigrant communities across the country. The main foreign languages spoken are German, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Czech, Turkish, Kazakh, Estonian and Norwegian.

Saltning Islands
English is commonly spoken among the population of the Saltning Island's county, after being under British rule, officially, until 1936. After the start of the Falklands War, in 1982, where the United Kingdom disputed the possession of islands far outside their main area, the Ostlandic government started campaigns to encourage the usage of the Ostlandic language over the English language to prevent "future actions against Ostland's sovereignty". It was also followed by an slight support to Argentina in the war, with in-office president Erik Uhllstat condemning the invasion by Argentinian forces, but also the British for the "unclear situation about the territories" and "colonialism".

Arrikson and Rigoberto Islands
Spanish is the most common language among the native population. Approximately, a 65% of the population has Spanish, or Rigobertian Creole, as their first language, of which and 78% can read or write in Ostlandic, usually spoken as secondary or working language. The remaining 35% of the population is composed of white Ostlandics, or descendants of other European, who has the Ostlandic as their main language. English has received significant importance for work and international affairs, after the development of the tourism industry.

Religion
Ostland has been historically a Christian country. Christianity represents the 63% of the population; of which 89% belong to the Catholic Church. The next largest Christian denomination is the Lutheran Church of Ostland, with 8%. The unaffiliated represent the second group among Ostlandic population, with 34% of the population. Islam has gained relevance in recent years due to immigration, with the Sunni brach being dominant.

Jews had been of special relevance in the country across its history. Ostland refused to obey the ban to the Jews, before and after the split of the Denmark - Norway; At the, as an act of rebellion against the Norwegian rule, but remained as a cultural element. During World War II, with Ostland being favorable to Jewish population. Ostland received, approximately, 814 Norwegian jews during the Nazi occupation of Norway.

Language
"Main article: Ostlandic language"

Television
"Main article: Television in Ostland"Television in Ostland was first introduced in 1942, in the middle of the WW2, The first television device in Ostland, used at the launch of the system, was brought from the United Kingdom. It was only available in the capital, and in strategic areas like Harolstat and Timsgroen, which were considered as provisional capital in case of invasion. As of 1951, all territories of the country had access to television and electricity.

The first channel to be broadcast was ONL, the Ostland´s national channel: Was be opened 4 hours after the TV launch, at the 13:30 hours at the Local Time.

Internet
"Main article: Internet in Ostland"

Education
School days are Monday through Friday. The average school day is from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. School Days in the Elementary Stage in Ostland is from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM and School Days in the Secondary Stage in Ostland is from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Students in Ostland are given vacation 4 times each school year, for religious celebrations, summer vacations or Christmas.
 * Students in Ostland receive a vacation for the first time each school year, for Christian Easter. This vacation lasts two full weeks (Almost away in April) and the students return to school 2 days after the last two weeks.


 * Students in Ostland receive a vacation an second time each School year, for the Summer Vacations. This vacations lasts Seven full Weeks (Almost always begins in July and ends in September) and the students return to school 4 days after ended the seven weeks.
 * Students in Ostland receive a vacation an third time each School year, for the Christmas Holidays. This vacations lasts Six full Weeks (Almost always begins in December and ends in January) and the students return to school 4 days after ended the six weeks.

Society
The Ostlandic society is known for being very open to the new and at the same time conservative; On the one hand they are very attached to religion, and the acceptance rates of the LGBT community amount to 72.3%, that defines the perfect moral contrast of the ostlandic society.

A problem in Ostlandic society is discrimination based on religion and culture, in which Asian immigrants are affected. However, each time the government and the Young Movement are ending this.

Laws

 * Law of Protection for the Sheeps: The National Animal of Ostland is the Sheep. So in 1980, the Ost government promulgated a Law for the Protection of these. The Law prohibits anyone inside the country from killing or extracting sheep's wool and leather. However, extracting milk from the sheep is allowed, as it is less painful for them.
 * Homosexual marriage is legally and allowed in Ostland since 2006, although in the Islands it is rare to see couples of this type.

Trivia

 * The National Animal of Ostland is the Sheep. Since the primitive eras, the Ostlandics have had sheep on their islands, to the point that in 1980,4 of every 10 Residents of the Island had a sheep as a pet.