Sedunn (Pacifica)
Republic of Sedunn Devtoved Sedunn (Sedunnic) | |
|---|---|
Motto: "Jeme'leō lanleun vrass simmleis" "In forebears' tracks for future victories" | |
Anthem: Ryll raluom gjī aks Flutter proudly and free | |
 Location of Sedunn (dark green) | |
| Capital and largest city | Grovne 26°15'S 24°55'E |
| Official languages | Sedunnic |
| Ethnic groups | 93.2% Sedunners 6.8% other |
| Religion | 84.8% Non-religious 10.1% Christian 1.1% Lievvism 0.9% Muslim 3.1% Other/unknown |
| Demonym(s) | Sedunnic · Sedunner |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency |
| Vimmru II | |
• Speaker of the Parliament | Gety Flutslok |
| Legislature | Mannared |
| Formation | |
• Consolidation | c. 700 BC |
• Settlement of the Remetull Islands | c. 680 BC |
| Area | |
• Total | 136,628 km2 (52,752 sq mi)a |
• Water (%) | 1.4 |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 46,621,383 |
• Density | 341/km2 (883.2/sq mi) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | $3.37 trillion |
• Per capita | $72,190 |
| Gini (2019) | 25.1 low |
| HDI (2019) | 0.949 very high |
| Currency | Sedunnic tenn (TEN) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (CBT) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy CE |
| Mains electricity | 230 V–50 Hz |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +005 |
| World Forum Code | SD |
| Internet TLD | .sd |
| |
Sedunn (Sedunnic: Sedunn ['seːd̪ʉn̪ː]), officially the Republic of Sedunn (Sedunnic: Devtoved Sedunn ['d̪eːvt̪uːveːd̪ 'seːd̪ʉn̪ː]), is a sovereign republic whose territory consists of mainland Sedunn (also called Bailtem-Sedunn) in the southwestern corner of Bailtem and the overseas region Remetull Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Mainland Sedunn borders Stoinia to the north, Ezervulge to the east and Ikoania to the southeast. The mainland is also located between the South Pacific Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the the southwest. It is characterized by an arable rolling landscape with a cool-summer Mediterranean climate in its coastal and central regions and steep mountains with varying climates towards the northern and eastern borders. Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, the Remetull Islands have a humid subtropical climate. Mainland Sedunn has a total area of 126,637 km2, and including the Remetull Islands, Sedunn has a total area of 136,628 km2, and a population of 46.6 million (as of 2022). Sedunn is a unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency. The capital is the city of Grovne, the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre. Other major cities are Flered, Goends and Durivv.
Sedunn emerged as a unified nation at the end of the Mediterranean Iron Age around 700 BC. Several important Duric cities had developed in what is today's mainland Sedunn, predominantly south of the Setru River. The cities were part of an extensive trade network stretching across the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. They were in fierce competition with each other, but also with other large cities in the trade network. To consolidate their resources and end the internal Duric competition, the five most powerful city states chose a common leader, a king, to rule the lands which the Dures inhabited, thereby initiating a consolidation process that was to incorporate all lands inhabited by the Dures, forming the elective monarchy of Sedunn. The country remained a competitive part of the intricate Mediterranean trade network and a major maritime power into the early middle ages. Some time not long after the unification process, the Remetull Islands were discovered and settled.
Between the 15th and the 19th centuries, Sedunnic explorers and merchants expanded Sedunn's trade network to Cordilia and Crabry, then to all the other continents, asserting itself as a major naval and trade power. This lead to several conflicts and wars with other nations. Sedunn notably never tried to conquer or colonise new land and remained a democracy.
In Peter I's War between 1884 and 1885, Ezervulge invaded Sedunn to attempt installing a regime more favourable to king, fearing that Sedunnic liberal ideas would gain more ground in Ezervulge, but Ezervulge was decisively defeated. In 1915 imperialist Ubesii declared war on Sedunn with the same goals. The war ended inconclusively, but Ubesii failed to achieve its goals. During the Great War, Sedunn was part of the Democratic Alliance. After these costly wars, many Sedunners started to question what was called the "extraversion" and Sedunnic involvement in international affairs. As an effect Sedunn employed a non-interference policy until the beginning of the 21st century where the policy was reversed. Sedunn hosted the summit which founded the World Forum, and Grovne is the seat of its Headquarters and the Assembly. The headquarters of the CPSC is also located in Sedunn. The country plays a prominent role in regional and global economic, military, cultural and diplomatic affairs, being a strong proponent of international law and democracy. It is a founding member of the Concordia Entente.
Sedunn has a well developed welfare system that provides universal health care and tertiary education. It ranks very high in quality of life, health, education, protection of civil liberties, economic competitiveness, equality, prosperity and human development. The Sedunnic mixed-market economy is export-oriented and is an important producer of ships, vehicles, machinery, pharmaceuticals, electronics and various agricultural products. Sedunn is a secular state.
Name
By the end of the Iron Age, the leadership of several important Sedunnic cities consolidated their power and elected a king to rule all the lands that they controlled, which were located between the South Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Limmvasd and Jytann mountain ranges. The new nation became known as Skayimmend Seidŭned (the Realm/Land Between). In later phonetic changes, all diphthongs disappeared, and "realm/land" was dropped from the name, resulting in today's Sedunn.
The formal name of Sedunn in Sedunnic is Devtoved Sedunn, which roughly could be translated as the Democracy Sedunn. The formal name of Sedunn in Austral is sometimes Kingdom of Sedunn due to an error in translation. There was no specific word for an elected leader in Sedunnic to contrast monarchs and soverigns, so the Sedunnic word for a national leader - dellm - was translated to king, and thus kingdom was also used. Since 2022, the Sedunnic Government Office formally recommends using Republic of Sedunn in Austral instead.
History
Prehistory and early civilisation
It is uncertain when modern humans arrived in Sedunn, but there are remains from all three stages of the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic). About 10,000 BC, farming appeared in Sedunn, giving rise to the sedentary Absne culture. Rocky slopes of the Jytann and Limmvasd are some of the oldest permanently settled regions in the world. The Absne culture domesticated several plants whose seeds were an important part of their diet. These were however later outcompeted by other plants such as rice and maize.
From about 7000 BC several waves of migration of a pastoral people belonging to the Fingerprint Ware culture arrived in Sedunn from the south. The farming people of the Absne culture and the nomadic herding people of the Fingerprint Ware culture lived side by side at first, but in c. 6,400 BC they merged into the fairly homogeneous Late Neolithic Semose culture. Modern Sedunners derive a significant portion of their ancestry from this merger.
The Semose culture produced a significant surplus of grain and other crops, which enabled them to form urban settlements. The culture developed into the Tarann civilisation c. 5,000 BC with complex urban civilization beginning in the late 4th millennium BC. Between 3300 and 3200 BC a cuneiform writing system called the Salana was independently developed in Sedunn. Written records provide early evidence of mathematics, astronomy, written law, medicine and organised religion.
Duric city states (3,000 - 700 BC)
In the early 3rd millennium BC, Sedunn was divided into many independent city-states and petty kingdoms. The major ones were predominantly located at river estuaries or along highland rivers. They shared a common culture and language named Duric. The city-states traded with other peoples along the coasts of southwestern Bailtem and the Mediterranean. Some city-states would occasionally form loose alliances, but there is no evidence of a greater unified nation despite several attempts through diplomatic and military means. Oftentimes the city-states would be in direct conflict with each other. Prominent city-states include Ullenst, Setra, Kodull, Loennvem and Gjibon.
Despite the lack of unified greater nation, Duric cultural influence reached beyond Sedunn through traders and artists, enabled by an advanced developing maritime culture. In the beginning of the 1st millennium BC, some Duric city-states spread to the shores of the Mediterranean, founding smaller colony city-states. They were however generally not successful, and most colonies were soon lost. Also in the first half of the 1st millennium BC, there were two waves of immigration to Sedunn. The arrival of the Enesic and Valki tribes resulted in some societal turmoil, but they were quickly assimilated by the Dures.
Classical Sedunn (700 BC - 500 CE)
The Duric city-states were part of an extensive trade network connecting the southwest of Bailtem with the Mediterranean. The competition among the various state entities for resources and control over trade hubs was sometimes fierce. Likely stimulated by their contact with greater unified nations to the north and in the Mediterranean and wishing to end the many conflicts between the Duric city states, leaders and rulers began to seek to develop a greater, more unified and sophisticated state of their own. In c. 700 BC, the leaders of five major Duric city-states, later referred to as the "brothers", decided to relinquish their power to a common leader who would be elected by the peoples of the city-states. The leader, called a dellm, was to rule their territories from a new city on neutral ground. The foundation of Grovne marks the start of the unification of the Duric city states. Over the following century, most of the territory of contemporary mainland Sedunn had voluntarily joined the republic. It is among the earliest examples of a democracy in the world. This new federation was commonly referred to as Durehhol Skajiim ("Land of the Dures") or Skajiimd Siedunn ("the Land Between"), the latter one being favoured and eventually developing into today's Sedunn.
Consolidating their resources increased the competitiveness of the Sedunnic cities. Further advances in shipbuilding technology enabled Sedunn to reach great levels of prosperity through trade that resulted in an unprecedented cultural boom expressed in architecture, drama, science, mathematics and philosophy. The Lievv religion forbade territorial expansion at the expense of others, so Sedunn never was allowed to grow into an empire.
Despite a generally united front, significant infighting occurred in Sedunn. From the 200s BC and on. a there was a well documented conflict between the ancient city of Loennvem and the central government. The government sought to distribute the wealth generated by trade in the Mediterranean more evenly along the Sedunnic Mediterranean coast and mandated the foundation of the city of Flered to end the accumulation of wealth in Loennvem. Loennvem militias were dispatched to burn the newly founded city to the ground. This was repeated several times over the century, until finally the government started a siege of Loennvem which forced a settlement of the conflict favouring the government. This further strengthened the sate.
The first centuries CE are marked by stability. Sedunn expanded its trade network and also extensively explored the coasts of the surrounding continents. In 408 CE, the Remetull Islands were discovered. A slow process of settling them was initiated. Limited exploration of the coastal regions of Keyli, the Rainbow Islands and northern Cordilia occurred.
In the 5th century, a long period of decline began with the arrival of migrating proto-Ezervulgish Hunyar tribes which first caused major disruptions in trade. The pressure from these tribe increased, and some major Sedunnic cities were - like Tolosan cities - sacked by them. In 468 CE, the Hebanic plague struck the Mediterranean region and Sedunn was hit hard. It is estimated that 45-60% of the Sedunnic population died of the plague. The period following the plague is referred to as the First Dark Ages or more commonly the Middle Ages.
Middle ages (500 - 1300)
Sedunn had been hit especially hard by the Hebanic plague; many major cities had effectively ceased to function and the state struggled to maintain control. Progress in agriculture, medicine and the sciences halted or sometimes even reverted. It took a century for trade to recover and several centuries for the population to recover.
From the early 800s and on, Christian missionaries were sent to Sedunn. It partly contributed to the demise of the highly decentralised Lievv religion. Many merchants and wealthy landowners converted to gain access to new emerging markets. However, due to the lack of a nobility or a governmental system where strong individuals could propagate their personal agendas, the conversion was never complete.
In the 1330s, plague struck again. This time however it was not as deadly as the previous plague, but it caused a major disruption to society. About 5% of the population perished.
Era of discovery (1300 - 1600)
Despite the societal and scientific setbacks during the middle ages, there were major advances in maritime technology. Larger ocean-going ships were constructed and navigation methods were greatly improved. In 1442 after persistent lobbying, captain Tunne Linnerse, second-born son to a wealthy merchant, was given permission to sail west to look for suitable routes on the open seas to Cordilia and then to determine the size of the continent. Travelling via the Remetulls, his ship the Tapparad made landfall on Tasternine, which recently had been settled by the Karnetians. The territory was unknown to the Sedunners. However, due to sustained contact between Bailtaim and Cordilia enabled by sailing close to the coastline, the Sedunnic and Karnetian cultures were not too different and the encounter went well. The expedition continued to the southwestern coasts of Cordilia, after which Linnerse triumphantly returned home. He was joined by others for new missions of exploration. The favourable relations between Sedunn and Karnetia led to extensive presence by Sedunnic merchants in the Gulf of Kringalia and the Transcrabrian Sea. By the 1500s, the cross-Pacific trade expanded rapidly and Cordilia, Bailtem and Bareland became more interconnected.
Sedunn continued to sponsor exploratory missions. The shorelines of the extra-Pacific continents were mapped. New trade routes across oceans were opened up. Sedunn established overseas trade stations, often sponsored by local rulers.
Era of maritime and trade power (1600 - 1881)
Having been among the first to develop ocean-going ships and to explore new continents, Sedunn was in a good position expand its maritime network of trade. The Rastilian nations (Sedunn and Stoinia) pursued a different strategy in establishing trade stations and colonies compared to Cordilian nations. Especially Sedunnic merchants and traders sought to establish their trade stations and overseas harbours in cooperation with the locals, often in exchange for a fee and/or sharing technology. This meant that Sedunn did not have to allocate as much resources to protecting its overseas trade hubs as other colonial powers, making more ships available to trade elsewhere. Sedunn developed into a major maritime and trade power, trading extensively with nations such as Karnetia, Izaakia, the Gianlucian Empire, Huawan, Atlantis and Narus.
The extensive amount of ships being built in Sedunn depleted Sedunn's forests, and wood had to be imported, especially from the Feng Dynasty (modern day Huawan). In order to secure a continued supply despite the locals objecting the exploitation of their sacred forests, Sedunnic merchants with unofficial backing by the Sedunnic dellm, supported the emperor militarily. The emperor was however overthrown and relations soured with Sedunn. State-sponsored pirates started to target Sedunnic ships crossing the South Pacific Ocean. During the 1700s, piracy in the South Pacific Ocean escalated, especially around the Central Islands and around Government Island. The pirate fleets were bolstered by disgruntled Sedunnic shipowners and other major seafaring nations. Piracy posed a major threat to the cross-Pacific trade, and several nations, including Sedunn, Stoinia, Karnetia and Izaakia joined forces to combat them, leading to Sedunn's longest and bloodiest naval campaigns yet.
The accumulation of wealth in Sedunn, access to resources and advances in agriculture led to a sharp increase in population growth. It also led to merchants becoming a powerful and influential in Sedunnic politics, working similar in many aspects to a nobility. With access to a generally well educated population, a long tradition of innovation and access to the global markets, Sedunn was among the first to industrialise. Sedunn also often helped other nations to industrialise.
The friendship with Karnetia, bolstered by the joint anti-piracy mission developed into a formal alliance. In the Confederate War in Karnetvor the 1858-1863, Sedunn helped the Karnetvorian League defeat the Hyrellian-Jetikyan Coalition, resulting in the unification of Karnetvor.
Modern Sedunn (1882 - 1949)
Sedunn had generally not intervened against colonial powers, despite colonialism being against Sedunnic values and believes. That was however changing following Sedunn's industrialisation and urbanisation, making the general population more aware of the world around them. Sedunnic liberalism based on democratic values was spread more consciously, and foreign political leaders were often invited to seminars in Sedunn. Sedunn's military power and its harbouring of dissidents induced several military conflicts with other maritime powers. These conflicts were to be known in Sedunn as the Democracy Wars.
Opposition against especially Karnetvorian expansionism started growing. In 1882 a new government with an anti-imperialist platform was elected. It protested against Karnetvor's expansion in Keyli, and ultimately secretly provided nations like Izaakia with military material and advice. This was not popular among the wealthy merchants, who supported neutralism.
In Peter I's War, Ezervulge attempted break Sedunn's maritime power and help install a merchant-backed conservative regime that would not threaten Ezervulgish interests. The war however ended with a decisve Sedunnic victory.
In 1915, Ubesi attacked Sedunn, feeling threatened by the Sedunnic maritime power and continued spread of Sedunnic liberalism. The war ended in a stalemate, but without Ubesii achieving its goals. Weakened by the wars and due to having to maintain a strong military posture in the Mediterranean, Sedunn was only able to provide limited assistance to Izaakia in its war to recover Montacia and Brodlancia from the Gianlucian colonial empire.
Great War and Cold War
Recent
Geography
The territory of Sedunn includes an area on the southwestern corner of Bailtem, referred to as the mainland or Bailtem-Sedunn, and the Remetull archipelago to the west in the South Pacific Ocean. The mainland includes several islands: Deri in the Sea of Sedunn Hovess and the smaller Sevvar islands where the Mediterranean Sea and the South Pacific Ocean meet. The mainland is located between the Mediterranean Sea, the South Pacific Ocean, and to the west of the Limmvasd mountain range. The mainland lies between latitudes 24° and 31° S, and longitudes 23° and 28° E. The Remetull Islands lie between latitudes 30° and 31° S, and longitudes 8° and 12° E. Sedunn's northern and eastern borders are roughly delimited by the Limmvasd watershed. To the north it borders Stoinia, to the east Ezervulge, and to the southeast Ikoania. The artificial Ilva Canal canal running through Sedunn's western lowlands connects the South Pacific Ocean with the Mediterranen, making it possible to sail directly from Daktvem to Flered instead of going around the Jytann peninsula.
The northern and eastern landscapes of the mainland are mountainous and indented by river valleys, whereas the central landscapes are characterized by rolling plains. The highest point is located on Mount Vetres at 4378 m or 14,634 ft. Another well-known mountain is Mount Skolyt at 3717 m or 12,195 ft. The lowest elevation, called Tapne, is in the bay of the Lomann marshlands, near Lomared, at −2.41 m (−7.91 ft) below sea level. Mainland Sedunn has an extensive river system consisting of the five major rivers Setru, Dybd, Taksd, Gobyv and Avna. The Dybd is Sedunn's longest river at 219 km or 136 miles. It empties in the Sea of Sedunn. The coastlines offer contrasting landscapes: coastal cliffs such as the Gra Coast and Essela Bay, and wide sandy plains on the south coast.
Most of the Remetull islands are characterised by a mountainous interior and sandy shores. The largest island, Piel, has a plain, the Skor Valley in the southwest, indented by the rivers Frodd and Skor. The mainland is predominantly agricultural with increasing forest coverage northward and in the mountains. The Remetull archipelago is largely deforested.
The country's total area is 93,493 square kilometres (36,098 sq mi), of which roughly 1.4% is water.
Climate
The cool Aiksi Current from Keyli, upwelling and high altitudes give Mainland Sedunn a mainly Mediterranean climate, predominately Csb, but Csa in certain areas along the coasts with low elevation, and thin bands of Csc at higher altitudes. Higher altitudes are characterised by a temperate maritime climate (Cfb), and at the highest altitudes, a tundra climate (ET). In most of mainland Sedunn, summers are warm (but not hot) and dry. During the summer the daily average temperature is 15-27°C, with no average monthly temperatures above 22 °C (72 °F). Winters are rainy and can be mild to chilly. Sometimes snow can fall on these areas. At higher altitudes, such as in the Limmvasd Range, temperatures are significantly cooler. Winters are cold and snow is frequent.
The Remetull islands have a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) characterized by hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms, and foggy, damp and chilly winters with sudden bursts of frost and snow. At higher altitudes, the climate is characterised by continental types (Dfc, Dfb/Dsc, Dsb) with cooler summers and cold winters with frequent snow. Typically the daily average high temperature is 26-30°C and the low temperatures around 20°C during the summer. During the winter the daily temperature ranges from around 3-10°C. at higher altitudes the temperature varies more.
Flora and fauna
Due to its geographical location between the South Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, proximity to Bareland and due to its varying climate, Sedunn has a high rate of biodiversity on land and at sea. The tivus, a forest lion, is a notable endemic species. The natural potential vegetation of the coastal and central regions of Sedunn includes evergreen trees such as eucalyptus, pine and cypress, deciduous trees such as oak and sycamore, and fruit trees like olive, grape and walnut. At higher altitudes, broadleaf trees are more common. The forests have been extensively cleared since antiquity for growing crops and other agricultural products. Remaining forests account for roughly 32% of the land area. Sedunn is notable for several large marshlands and forested wetlands, especially in the Setru valley.
Politics
Government
The government of the Sedunn operates under a unitary parliamentary system with an executive presidency. Elections are held every seven years in universal suffrage (for all citizens 18 years of age and above). The President , who is head of state as well as head of government, is elected by the Parliament (Sedunnic: Mannared) by simple majority, using negative parliamentarianism, and is usually the party leader of the party with the most seats.
Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Mannared with 351 members. The Government (Sedunnic: Dommasa) operates as a collegial body with collective responsibility. Individual cabinet ministers do not bear any individual ministerial responsibility for the performance of the agencies within their portfolio; as the director-generals and other heads of government agencies report directly to the Government as a whole; and individual ministers are prohibited to interfere.
Political parties
Law and judicial system
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
Military
Economy
Sedunn has an export-oriented mixed high-income economy, with a highly skilled labour force, a low level of corruption, and a high level of innovation. It has for its size a large nominal GDP of $3.37 trillion ($72,190 per capita). The nation plays an important role in the Mediterranean and the Sub-Capricorn since antiquity. Major industries include manufacturing of various vehicles, ships, foodstuffs, aircraft, machinery and electronic products. IT, insurance and shipping and transport services are other important sectors. Tourism is an important part of the Sedunnic economy, in 2016 Sedunn was the world's most popular tourist destination. Major imports include petroleum, metals, pulp, petrochemicals and electronic goods. The historically significant fishing industry entered a period of decline in the 60s due to overfishing. The government is now increasing fishing quotas on certain species after having let them recover.
As of 2021, the key trading partners of Sedunn were Stoinia, Sallodesia, Karnetvor, Huawan, Gianatla and Ryccia. Izaakia is also an important trade parter, but following the annexations of Brodlancia and Montacia, as well as the 2021 Missile Incident, Sedunn has placed sanctions on Izaakian individuals and a ban on exporting certain goods. Sedunn is part of the CMEC single market.
Some of the world's largest companies were founded and have their seat in Sedunn, including Derī, Stream, Vis, Levea and Limma. The Sedunnic economy benefits from major CPSC research facilities and the WF headquarters being located in the nation. Sedunn is regarded as a global hub for aerospace, consumer electronics and IT. The Grovne Stock Exchange (Grovneun Mib Livvolms, GML) is one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world and among the largest in terms of monthly trade volume.
Sedunners have a high minimum income and a low level of income inequality. Sedunn has no minimum wage legislation, the high wage floor has been attributed to the power of trade unions.The national currency of Sedunn is the Tenn which is one of the world's oldest currencies.
Agriculture and natural resources
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Sedunn has a large arable land area and agriculture is since antiquity an integral part of the economy. Of the total surface area in agricultural use, 30% is used for grain, 7.9% for olive tree orchards, 5.3% vineyards, various fruit orchards 4.5%, sugar beets 1.8%, and horticulture 2.4%. The remainder is primarily used for pasture. Sedunn is a leading exporter of wine and fruit liqueurs, and also exports grain, fruit and vegetables.
Large deposits of iron, REEs and uranium still exist in Sedunn, while copper and coal deposits have been depleted. Oil and gas resources are scarce and not economical to exploit.
Tourism
Sedunn is one of the most visited countries in international tourism (in 2016 it was the world's most popular tourist destination), with some twenty million international arrivals annually, contributing to up to 10% of the GDP. Sedunn offers a rich history, culture, architecture and cuisine. Seaside and hiking tourism are widespread. Popular destinations include Grovne with the Old Forum, Loennvem Old City, Giensallu's observatory, the CPSC Experience Center and the tunnels of Setra. The tiny Minnasi figurine, a blackbird handmade of glass, is a common souvenir.
Domestic tourism is also important for the industry, and hiking tours in the mountains as well as visiting historical sites are the most important activities for Sedunners.
Energy
Sedunn has a mixed energy market with public companies having exclusive right to hydropower and nuclear power, which account for around 42% and 30% respectively of the total electricity generation. Private companies have invested heavily in solar and wind power since the early 2000s. In 2019, wind power provided 19% and solar power almost 5%. Biofuels and waste accounted for almost 3%. A large reserve capacity based on fossil fuel is maintained in case of national emergencies.
Household recycling is well developed in Sedunn, and large investments for the industry is on its way. Sedunn is a net emitter of greenhouse gasses and has committed to a plan to have zero net emissions by 2045.
Infrastructure
Sedunn is a traditional maritime hub with some ports of global significance, the largest being the container port in Ullenst. Other major ports are located in Grovne, Tarvem, Tavenst and Flered. In addition, Sedunn has an extensive road and railroad network that connects the nation with the rest of Bailtem. The three largest metropolitan areas of Grovne, Flered and Goends have subway systems. International airports are located in Grovne, Goends, Flered and Gafsred (Remetull Islands). The Ilva Canal near Sedunn's southwestern border enables travelling by ship from the Sea of Sedunn to the Mediterranean Sea. Cycling is popular in Sedunn, and the country has an extensive segregated bicycle lanes.
There are several domestic and international ferry lines. RoRo ferries from Grovne and Ullenst connect Deri Island with the mainland, and larger ships connect the Remetull Islands with Bailtem Sedunn. Ferries also depart Flered for several of the Ikoanian islands and destinations around the western shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Public policy
Sedunn employs an economic model that combines free-trading, a comprehensive welfare state, strong unions and a market-based mixed economy.
The extensive Sedunnic public welfare system contributes to a high standard of living. Sedunn has among the world's highest tax burdens with almost 42% of GDP tax revenue. The corporate tax rate is however slightly below the world average, and taxes are flat. The level of economic freedom is high. Sedunn has a comparatively low unemployment rate.
Employees get at least five weeks vacation annually, and both parents are granted extensive family leave.
Science and technology
Already a highly organised society in antiquity, Sedunn has fostered a scientific community that produces many major discoveries in many sciences. Sedunnic institutions and companies have been influential in the shipping, aerospace, energy and electronics industries. Today the public and the private sector allocate over 3.5% of GDP to research and development, making Sedunn's investments among the highest in the world. Sedunn hosts and participates in many high-profile international science and technology projects such as the CPSC, which has several of its research institutions in Sedunn. The life sciences are growing in importance.
There are numerous science parks in Sedunn. The largest are located in Goends (aerospace and electronics) and Ullenst (shipping and IT).
Sedunn operates its own space agency the SVO.
Demographics
Sedunn is among the most densely populated nations in Bailtem, having an estimated population of 46,621,383 as of 10 November 2022, or 341 per square kilometre (883.2/sq mi). The annual population growth rate is between 0.4 and 0.5%, to which natural growth is the main contributing factor. Life expectancy is high in Sedunn: 81.9 yeas for men and 85.1 for women. The average age is 42.1.
Sedunn is a comparatively homogenous nation. Immigration to Sedunn has historically been relatively low, but has been increasing since the 90's. Sedunners are the largest ethnic group at about 93% of the total population. Other large ethnic groups include Karnetvorians at 2.0%, Ikoanians at 1.1%, Reizerners at 0.45%, Transsunerians at 0.41%, Ezervulgs at 0.32% and an additional 2.72% of other ethnicities. Some 500,000 people living in Sedunn are expatriates, mostly concentrated in Grovne, Flered, Goends and Ullenst. Except for Sedunners, there are no other indigenous groups.
Urban areas
Almost 77.6% of the population lives in urban areas. Sedunn has three metropolitan areas with over one million inhabitants: Grovne (5.6 million), Flered (1.8 million) and Goends (1.1 million).
Language
The sole official language of Sedunn is Sedunnic, spoken by over 97% of the population. Sedunnic is a Teggic language, however, the degree of mutual intelligibility with other Teggic languages such as Varallic spoken in Ikoania is medium to low. There are several dialects of Sedunnic, but they differ little from the standard Sedunnic spoken around Grovne. Sedunn has a large community of Karnetvorian immigrants, making Karnetvorian the second most spoken language in Sedunn.
Sedunn has a high proficiency level in Austral, which is the first secondary language taught in school from first grade. Studying a third language of the student's choice is compulsory from the seventh grade. Karnetvorian and Alman are always offered, but additionally Stoinian, Ezervulgish and Hinomoto are often available depending on location.
Religion
Until the 18th century, the vast majority of Sedunners practised Lievvism. Being a very decentralised religion, it rapidly lost ground as enlightenment and liberalism spread. From the late 15th century, Christianity and Islam was brought to Sedunn mainly by Sedunnic and foreign merchants and sailors. By the first half of the 18th century about 15% of Sedunners were Christian and 15% Muslim, but the number of people practising Islam plummeted as relations between Sedunn and Huawan deteriorated during the Age of Pirates.
Today, Sedunn is one of the most secular nations in the world and officially a secular state. Freedom of religion is granted by the Sedunnic Constitution. About 84.8% of the population is atheist or non-religious. Christians comprise about 10.1% of the population, Lievists 1.1% and Muslims 0.9%.
Education
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The Sedunnic education system is divided into preschool (Sedunnic: brammdavb) for those under age 6, compulsory basic education (Sedunnic: saldavb) for 9 years, secondary education (Sedunnic: beldavb) for 3-4 years, and higher/tertiary education (Sedunnic: gavopdavb) (university). All these stages of education, including higher education, are publicly funded. Living expenses during higher education are to a large extent financed by the government through student benefits. Avmeruldavab (abbreviated AD) is a form of both private and public secondary education for specific trades such as truck driver or machine operators, or adults that did not get secondary education.
Literacy in Sedunn is 99.9%. 34% of Sedunners hold a tertiary degree. Sedunnic universities generally have a high reputation abroad and are popular among foreign students, who in most cases can study in Sedunn for free.
Health
Healthcare in Sedunn is universal, mainly tax-funded, and similar in quality to other developed nations. Private healthcare insurances exist, mainly covering some physiotherapy and dental care. Sedunn spends about 11% of its GDP on healthcare and has 39.2 physicians per ten thousand people.
Life expectancy is steadily increasing, although obesity and some lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and cases of youth mental disorders, in particular depression, are also increasing. Sedunn is ranked as one of the world's happiest countries.
Immigration
Due to its relative geographic inaccessibility and stability of its neighbours, immigration to Sedunn has limited for most of its existence. Until the late 19th century, immigration was largely limited to merchants settling down in the coastal areas. Then, as ideas of liberalism and socialism spread, dissidents and their families from nations like Ezervulge and Karnetvor were often granted asylum in Sedunn. As long distance travel became easier, refugees have been coming to Sedunn from various nations around the South Pacific Ocean, like Transsuneria, Tasternine, Valkyria and Reizen.
Sedunn has large expat communities, mainly coming to work for tech companies or international organisations such as the WF and the CPSC, but also for retired life. The government estimates that the number of immigrants and expats will increase significantly until 2050.
Requirements for work permits and citizenship have been reduced significantly since the 1990s.
Famous Sedunners
- Arrjo Giensallu, philosopher and astronomer during antiquity
- Hasst Eipp, contemporary football player
- Hejerr "Qwerty" Opalen, entrepreneur, actor
- Karel Grunberg, contemporary football player
- Linnerse, early Age of Sail explorer
- Matts Afsienn, director
- Tynn Lierjnienn, pre-Age of Sail explorer
- Vimmru Innienn, dellm of Sedunn
Culture
Sedunn is generally regarded as one of the birthplaces of modern civilisation and the contribution to the cultural and historical heritage of the Mediterranean and Sub-Capricorn areas is significant. Rich collections of art, culture and literature from many periods have been preserved until today. The early and consistent presence of Sedunnic merchants has contributed to the spread of Sedunnic culture. Likewise, merchants have been bringing home new ideas and customs, and there is a significant influence on Sedunnic culture from many of the traditional trading partners, especially from those located around the Gulf of Kringalia and modern-day Ubesii. Culturally, Sedunners feel the closest to Karnetvor and Gianatla despite the relatively large distance between the nations, and Stoinia, despite a significant language barrier.
Value system and society
With a strong emphasis on democratic values and secularism, Sedunnic society is egalitarian and progressive. Ostentatious behaviour is to be avoided, despite this, Sedunners are proud of their cultural heritage, rich history in art, science and involvement in international affairs. However, religion, sexuality and wealth are often regarded as personal matters which are not supposed to be propagated in public. The freedom to roam is also an important aspect of Sedunnic culture.
Sedunnic manners stem from the desire to preserve the jedrommn ("self-respect" or "confidence"), a concept that is not easily explained as it contains many aspects of social behaviour and philosophy. Achievement at the expense of others, but also being easily influenced by others are to be avoided and are considered crucial to the jedrommn. Self-indulgence is also considered poor reflection of oneself. This has had a profound effect on Sedunnic politics and foreign policy. The ultimate manifestation of the jedrommn is the fact that Sedunn never attempted to conquer other peoples or nations. A long tradition of democracy, a historically relatively flat society without nobility, and inherited values from Lievvism are considered important factors for the development of Sedunnic culture.
Public holidays
As a secular society and with few centralised traditions from the old native Lievv religion, Sedunn does not have religious holidays. However, during some years in the late 18th century, Christmas Day was a public holiday as some dellms were Christian. Most national holidays are unique to Sedunn, but since the adoption of the international calendar in 1956, the international new year is celebrated. The following is a list with all national public holidays.
- 1 January: International New Year
- 4 March: Parents' Day, celebrating parenthood, children are encouraged to cook or bake for their parents.
- 28 March: Harvest Feast, celebrating abundance of food. Charity is an important aspect of the holiday. Festivals are common.
- 7 June: Remembrance Day, known as Victory Day until 2009, celebrating and commemorating Sedunn's participation in the Great War and other wars.
- 21 June: Sedunnic New Year's Day. The traditional Sedunnic new year occurs at winter solstice.
- 18 August: Democracy Day. A fixed date for the elections. As national elections only occur every seven years, the holiday does not have any significant traditions.
- 15 October: Friendship Day, celebrating friendship. Typical activities include hiking and partying.
- 15 December: National Day, commemoration the semi-legendary date when Sedunn is supposed to have unified. Traditions include picnics with friends, family and neighbours, attending various fairs, and large military parades.
Literature
Literacy was exceptionally high among Sedunners during the late antiquity and onward. The first known literature is the Setras, a comedy from around 800 BC by an unknown author about a girl that transforms into a dog. Classical Sedunnic comedies and tragedies often provide an account of life around the Mediterranean Sea. During the 19th century, the works of enlightenment thinkers and philosophers such as Matts Vatienn and Sprenn Derallu influenced political movements in several nations, including Ezervulge and colonial Transsuneria.
The poetic travel chronicles of Tynn Lierjnienn, the early 19th century novel War and War and Collections of Tales of the Setru are often referred to as Sedunnic "essentials" and are required reading in school.
Arts, architecture and design
Music
Cinema
Film produced in Sedunn has, while often successful in Sedunn, not traditionally been popular internationally. Cited reasons for this is the relatively low number of Sedunnic speakers worldwide, and the fact that many typical films often are not accompanied by original music, providing an unusual pace. In recent years however, more films have been produced adapted for an international audience, like the Single Me films, the award-winning Salt and Oak and the Flagship historical series.
Media
Cuisine
Sedunn's beneficial climate and consistent contact with other cultures have enabled a diverse cuisine. The basis in traditional Sedunnic cuisine is the common Mediterranean diet and it is well known for its simplicity and use of fresh ingredients. Typical dishes include various pastas, meppdī (pizza) and timma (chopped and fried pork, beef or fish, with salad). Typical breakfasts have yoghurts with fruit and bread. Traditional desserts and pastries are usually based on almond paste and candied fruit. Dimmyj is such an example, having a base made of baked almond paste and egg white, topped with fruit, whipped cream, and often chocolate or caramel.
There are several types of restaurants in Sedunn that typically adhere closely to their chosen concept. A ressī is a type of simplistic and smaller restaurants that offer a small selection of easily prepared dishes that vary with the season. A niersal is a more elaborate form of restaurant, usually having a more fixed menu and greater specialisation.
Sports
Over half of the population actively participates in organised sport. The most popular sport in Sedunn is association football. The national football team has had some major successes in international cups, and the Sedunnic Football Association spearheaded the foundation of the IUFA. Rugby, volleyball, bicycle racing and orienteering are other popular sports. Sedunn has a tradition of a strong presence at the summer Olympic Games.
Sedunnic car manufacturers are active in motorsports and the scenic Bellvinn Circuit is considered a classic. E-sports is growing exponentially, and uniquely several Sedunnic school and university sponsored teams have international acclaim.