Weisserstein (Pacifica)
Weissersteiner Empire Weißersteiner Kaiserreich | |
|---|---|
Motto: Das Schönste, das Einzige The most beautiful, the one and only | |
| Capital and largest city | Kaiserslicht |
| Official languages | Alman |
| Recognised national languages | Arabic |
| Recognised regional languages | Sugovian, Wyndic, Indavral, Denvari |
| Ethnic groups (2024) | 82% Alman 14% Arab 4% others |
| Religion (2024) | Christianity 70.3%, Islam 29.6%, Others 0.1% |
| Demonym(s) | Weissersteiner |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy |
• Kaiser | Wilhelm II Lichtenburg-Hohenzollern |
| Friedrich Müller | |
| Legislature | Reichsparlament |
| Reichsrat | |
| Reichstag | |
| Establishment | |
• Alemannia province | 1542 |
• Peace of Wuppertal | 1738 |
• Unification | October 25, 1815 |
| Area | |
• | 492,308 km2 (190,081 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 105,846,220 |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | $6,013,335,450,640 |
• Per capita | $56812 |
| Currency | Kronemark (Kr) |
| Time zone | UTC-1 (CET) |
| Driving side | left |
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Weisserstein, officially the Weissersteiner Empire (Alman: Weißersteiner Kaiserreich), is a nation located in North-Central and Central Cordilia, bordered by Sugovia in the north, UPRAN in the west, Valkyria and Clashonia in the south, the White Sea, the Bay of Lileanen, and the Gulf of Alemannia to the east. The nation runs mostly along several major rivers, including the Wald, the Kolmar, the Kawien, the Weser, the Inn, the Salzach, and the Nassau, and is surrounded by several mountain chains, including the Kaisersstolzer Alps, the Sunlandic Highlands, and the Kleinhart Jura.
Human settlements in what is today Weisserstein began in the Lower Paleolithic, with various tribes inhabiting it from the Neolithic onward, namely the Waldics, which would later found their own kingdom in late antiquity. Almannic tribes began migration in the 10th century, moving south and settling along the Sugo river and beyond. Wars between Almannic tribes, namely the Friedwartines, and the Waldics often occurred, which led to Almannic culture spreading into Prussia. In 1542, Weisserstein formed the bulk of the Gianlucian Province of Alemannia with its most prominent member being the Grand Duchy of Lichtenburg. During Gianlucian times, the province spearheaded colonial efforts in the southern hemisphere of the South Pacific, establishing several colonies. Following the Nobles' War, Alemannia ceased to be part of Gianlucaland and reorganized itself into the Alemannic Confederation.
Weisserstein is a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The country is divided into 16 Imperial States, the largest of which being the Kingdom of Lichtenburg and Prussia, which itself is divided further into 8 Crown Lands, including the capital and largest city, Kaiserslicht. Other major centers of populations includes the cities of Lichtenburg, Kaisersbrücke, Erzengelshafen, Waldbrücken, Luxemburg, and Qadr Nacht.
Etymology
Weisserstein (Weißerstein, Alman for "white stone") was first used by the early Almannic peoples who settled in parts of modern day Lichtenburg, in reference to the white sands on the beach, though it is unclear how this name for the region originated. The earliest documented form of the name was in 878 (Old High Sunlandic: Wittesteen), at which time it was used to refer to the two states beyond the Sunlandic Highlands that were part of the New Pegathian Confederation, that being the Grand Duchy of Weibnen and the small Principality of Bitgau. The term would also be used to refer to the Almannic kingdoms that sprang up in the Areas beyond the Wald and Lowenia following the Waldic Crusades.
The name Weisserstein was used once again during the Nobles' War, when the name Almannia became associated with pro-Gianlucian forces within the region. The use of the name Weisserstein was to resurrect the name of the region which was used by the Almannic tribes who were displaced by Imperator Nero.
Names of Weisserstein
History
Pre-Almannic settlements
Almannic and Arab migrations
Early settlement of Almannic groups from Frastinia, namely from modern Gianatla, following the banishment of several Almannic tribes by Nero the Strongman. The tribes settled in the lands around and beyond the Sugo during the Great Banishment, establishing many different polities and states between the 8th and 14th centuries. These states entered into feuds and wars with each other and larger empires around them, namely the Triangular and Waldic empires. As part of the larger Waldic Crusades, Almannic culture would spread into the rest of the Waldland and beyond.
Medieval period and the Waldic Crusades
Gianlucian consolidation over Weisserstein
Contact between the Gianlucian Empire and the Almans of Central Cordilia was reestablished in 1520 as a result of exploration by Gianlucian voyagers. News of Almannic peoples this far south excited then-Gianlucian emperor Friedrich II, who sought to place the Almans of Central Cordilia under his protection and suzerainty. However, these efforts did not bore fruit due to religious barriers between the two Almannic groups, and advances into the region was only achieved after Friedrich's wife and successor, Sophia, converted to Christianity in 1542. Sophia continued her late-husband's endeavor to consolidate Gianlucian power in the region, eventually marrying Conrad, the Grand Prince of Lichtenburg and securing a personal union between the two states. Her endeavors culminated with the creation of the province of Alemannia within the Gianlucian court. The province included all of modern-day Weisserstein, as well as parts of Sugovia (Sunland, Esharia, Steidland, and parts of Otfridenia) and Clashonia (Bannarsia).
Through colonization by Alemannic merchants and Eroberers before and during Gianlucian times, the province would establish ports and colonies throughout the southern hemisphere of the South Pacific. In Crabry, these included the port city of Küstenstadt in Jakub, parts of Tepertopia (including Lotce Island), and settlements of the All-Crabryan Company in Gara (modern day Kliegme). In Bareland, these efforts paved the formation of the Viceroyalty of Western Bareland, partially ran by the West Bareland Trading Company, in modern day Fauderland, and the Viceroyalty of Mahazhovia in modern day Mahazhovia.
The Wiedererwachen and the Nobles' War
By the 1600s, the Gianlucian Empire's grip on Weisserstein was beginning to wane, and following the Peace of Wuppertal, Weisserstein was almost entirely autonomous from Gianlucaland. The 1600s also saw the rise of a Weissersteiner identity amongst the populace, heralding the beginning of the Wiedererwachen. Weissersteiner art, literature, and architecture, among others, became widespread and Weissersteiner culture flourished massively.
Union of Lichtenburg and Prussia, and the War of Unification
The late 1600s and early 1700s saw the rise of two powerful kingdoms within Alemannia, the Kingdom of Lichtenburg and the Kingdom of Prussia. In 1796, Wilhelm, the Crown Prince of Lichtenburg, and Elizabeth, the Crown Princess of Prussia, entered into a marriage, sealing the two kingdoms into an eventual personal, and later political, union. In 1804 the Kingdom of Lichtenburg-Prussia would officially be established, becoming the most powerful player in Gianlucian Weisserstein. The Kingdom secured a security alliance alongside other member states of Gianlucian Weisserstein, establishing the Zollverein. The alliance would be thrusted into a war when the Elbonian Empire, with support from the Triangular Empire, invaded Weisserstein. The coalition eventually defeated both the Elbonians, and on 25 October 1815, the now-independent Weissersteiner Empire would be officially established.
Proclamation of the Weissersteiner Empire
Weissersteiner Civil War
Post-Civil War and Imperial Democracy
The Great War
The Cold War and Imperial Reformation
Present day
Geography
Politics
Weisserstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy operating under the Kaiserspalast system, a system which combines aspects of a parliamentary democracy with certain powers given to the head of state. The Reichstag, the legislative branch of the Weissersteiner government, is made up of the elected Unterhaus (officially the House of Commons of the Imperial Diet), the appointed Oberhaus (officially the House of Lords of the Imperial Diet), and the Crown (as personified by the monarch). While the legislature is run by the two Houses independently from the monarchy, any acts made by the Reichstag must be approved by the monarch for it to become law. The monarch also has wide powers with regards to the Reichstag, such as the ability to veto an act. The monarch also has the ability to disband the Reichstag during times of crisis. One such case was the disbandment of the Reichstag in 1939, during the outbreak of the Weissersteiner Civil War.
Kaiser Wilhelm II is the current monarch and head of state of Weisserstein. The monarch is formally vested with all executive authority as the personal embodiment of the Crown and is “...fundamental to the law and working of government in the Weissersteiner Empire." The disposition of such powers however, including those belonging to the royal prerogative, is generally exercised only on the advice of ministers of the Crown responsible to the Reichstag and thence to the electorate. Nevertheless, in the performance of official duties, the monarch has "the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn". In addition, the monarch has a number of reserve powers at his disposal, albeit rarely used, in order to uphold responsible government and prevent constitutional crises. The Crown also occupies a unique cultural role, serving as an unofficial brand ambassador for Weissersteiner interests and values abroad, increasing tourism at home, and promoting charities throughout civil society.
The Chancellor is the head of government in Weisserstein. Acting under the direction and supervision of a Cabinet of ministers selected and led by the chancellor, the Government serves as the principal instrument for public policymaking, administers public services and, through the Imperial Council, promulgates statutory instruments and tenders advice to the monarch. The current Chancellor, as of August 2020, is Friedrich Müller, the leader of the Christian-Muslim Democratic Union.
Imperial States
Weisserstein is organized in a similar fashion to a federation and is comprised of 16 constituent imperial states, collectively referred to as the Reichstaaten. Each imperial state has its own ruling nobility, constitution, and is largely autonomous over their internal affairs and organizations. These states vary greatly in sizes, with the largest being Lichtenburg-Prussia, accounting for 60% of Weisserstein's territory and two-thirds of its population, and the smallest being Grandschau. Some states also have several enclaves and exclaves, and some (such as Mälz, Renburg and Bedeln) having two main territories with two different capitals. These complex borders are a legacy of the old Princely system which was in use before, during, and after the Gianlucian period.
| State | Capital |
|---|---|
| Al-Khatab | Qadr Nacht |
| Bellstein | Bellstein |
| Grandschau | Ruggell |
| Heiligenkreuz | Oberkirche |
| Kurland | Allenstein |
| Lichtenburg-Prussia | Kaiserslicht |
| Lowenia | Erzengelshafen |
| Luxemburg | Luxemburg-Stadt |
| Mälz-Renburg-Bedeln | Renburg (northern half) |
| Bedeln (southern half) | |
| Sallenberg-Gëln | Gëln |
| Sallenberg-Wellenhausen | Wellenhausen |
| Schaumburg | Lippe |
| Stauffenberg-Sigmaringen | Sigmaringen |
| Wöllan and Pettau | Pettau |
| Zwingenbach - Elder Line | Zwingenbach |
| Zwingenbach - Junior Line | Schaarn |
Law
Foreign Relations
Weisserstein is an observer in the World Forum and is a member of the Triple Alliance and the Alman Group.
Culture
Military
Economy
Tourism
Manufacturing
International Trade
Natural Resources
Demographics
With a population of 84 million according to the 2022 Weissersteiner census, Weisserstein is among the most populous country in Cordilia and the xth-most populous country in the world. Its population density stands at 171 inhabitants per square kilometre (442 inhabitants/sq mi). The fertility rate of 1.9 children born per woman (2022 estimates). During the tumultuous periods around the 1930s and 1940s, Weisserstein experienced low birth rates and saw its death rate exceed its birth rate. However, Weisserstein is witnessing increased birth rates and migration rates since the beginning of the 2010s. The Weissersteiner population has an average age of 28 years.
There are two sizeable minority groups that have lived in Weisserstein for centuries. The most prominent of these is the Arab minority in Weisserstein, mostly located in the areas around Al-Khatab, and make up about 14% of the population (though, people of mixed Arab-Alman descent are much higher, estimated at between 23%-34%). The second group are the Indavrals. Their number has steadily decreased and are at threat of dissapearing. Recent efforts have been made to save their culture, identity, religion, and language.
Weisserstein has a number of large cities. There are 12 officially recognized metropolitan regions. The country's largest city is Kaiserslicht, while its largest urban area is the X.