Volkarina
The city for conlangs
Volkarina is the fictitious homeland for Romanslavic conlang.
The Republic of Volkarina lies on Southeast Europe, somewhere between the Transylvanian highlands and the valley of the Danube. It borders Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary.
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[edit] Etimology
The are controversial explanations about the origin of the name Volkarina. Some scholars defend it derives from Volk, the German word for “people”. However, several others maintain it comes from the Slavic root vuk or volk, which stands for “wolf”. It is worth noticing that the “red wolf” (Vulpes carpathia) is the national symbol of Volkarina.
[edit] History
Volkarina has been independent since 1878, when the Ottomans were forced by Russians and Austrians to give up their five-centuries long suzerainty. The nation was a monarchy under the House of Flanders until 1886, when the local aristocracy rebelled and put a local nobleman, Iovane Konstantinov, on the throne. His dynasty reigned up to 1918, when a revolution broke up after the country suffered heavy losses in World War I. Later, in 1935, a socialist republic was instored under dictator Mikale Smelnik. In World War II the Axis invaded, but Volkarina was liberated with the help of Red Army and the brave resistance of partizani. In 1991, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain, the Party gave up its rule and democracy was restored.
[edit] Politics
Nowadays, Volkarina is a parliamentary republic, with a (largely cerimonial) president and a governing cabinet chaired by a prime minister. The parliament has one single house, called National Assembly (Nacionale Asemblije), formed by 387 delegates (diligati) elected in each district every four years. The territory is divided into five provinces, namely Volka, Xrista, Narda, Romanslavia e and Outer Cavnessia. Each province elects its own governor (gubernator) every five years.
There were four constitutions throught Volkarinan history. The first was issued in 1881 by the Kzeir himself, bestowing vast powers upon the crown. A second one was delivered by the parliament in 1919, after a brief revolution. The third one was imposed by the ruling Party in 1935. A fouth constitution was written briefly by the fascists, and then the former was restored in 1945. The fifth and current constitution was promulgated by the parliament in 1992.
[edit] Geography
Volkarina has its relief dominated by the Romanslavian Carpathians, but also extends a bit of the larger Romanslavian plains (planicje). Climate is temperate, and snowy in the heights. Vegetation is composed mostly by temperate forests, and wood extraction (logging) is an important activity. The largest rivers are Volka, Narda and Bela.
[edit] Demographics
Population is about 9 million, with nearly 86% Romanslavs; important minorities are Romanians, Russians, Serbs and Gypsies or Roma people (ciganski). About 72% are Christians (mainly Orthodox) and there is a significant amount of atheists (26%), after 60 years under Communism when religion was outlawed. Circa 63% of people live in cities — the largest are capital Prastova (1.115.000), Xristina (680.000), Svabodi (430.000), Drapova (407.000), and Kzeirople, formerly Smelnigrad (362.000). Illiterates are 2% of population and child mortality is 12 per thousand born. Life expectancy is 73 for men and 84 for women.
Health care is free for all citizens, but conditions of public hospitals are quite poor. Smoking is forbidden, and alcohol drinking is allowed only for those above 21.
[edit] Economy
Volkarinan economy relies on heavy industry, namely steel, but also on fur processing and textiles, logging, fishing, and agriculture. The currency is the kronsky (kronskj), divided into 100 cents (centilje). Roughly 0,83 kronsky equals one US dollar. There is one major bank, called Volkarinskj Populskj Banka, which is state-owned. Other important private banks are AstroBanka and NovaBanka. National airliner is the Aerovolk, recently privatized. River transport depends on Volkarinskj Maritimcj Krujzer, a state-owned navigation company. Main daily newspapers are Vertast (Party-owned), Komunickj Gazeta, Prastovicj Agenda, The Svabodi Inquirer (the only one in English language). Major broadcasting networks include Volk-TV (state-owned), and Kom-TV (Party-owned).
[edit] Culture
The national anthem is titled Mila Volkarina (Dear Volkarina) and sung everyday in schools and barracks by dawn and sunset times.
[edit] Concise Chronology
From Xronologija, the official history book of Volkarina.
- 2nd cent. BC - 4th cent. AD - The region of Romanslavia is occupied by descendents of Roman citizens and is later mixed with Slavonic invaders. The two ethnic groups form the Romanslave nation.
- 10th cent. AD - Romanslaves are christened by Orthodox missionaries.
- 1511 - Ottoman Turks invade and occupy the region of Romanslavia and impose cruel domination on the Christian Romanslaves.
- 1868 - A nationalist insurrection against Turks begins. It is successful with the help of neighbor powers.
- 1874 - The independence of the nation is proclaimed under the name of Volkarina (not Romanslavia).
- 1878 – Full independence recognized under the Treaty of Berlin. Count Jan van Vlaanderen (John of Flanders) is invited by the National Assembly of Prastova to reign on Volkarina. He takes the crown as Kzeir Iovane I (or Emperor John I).
- 1881 - Kzeir Iovane I dies and is suceeded by his son, Kzeir Carole I (Karl van Vlaanders, Charles of Flanders).
- 1886 - A group of young military officers revolts against the Kzeir, overthrow him and impose his brother-in-law, Iovane Konstantinov, as the new sovereign. He is crowned Kzeir Iovane II.
- 1907 - Kzeir Iovane II dies and is suceeded by his younger brother Vankeslave Konstantinov, who reigns as Kzeir Vankeslave I.
- 1914 - Kzeir Vankeslave I forces Volkarina to join World War I on the side of the Germans.
- 1918 - General insurrection in the army and factories, with support of aristocrats. The Kzeir is deposed and republic is proclaimed.
- 1918-1935 - Petty bourgeoise parties alternate in power; political instability.
- 1935 - The Great Revolution; the Revolutionarist Party of the Volkarinsky People leads the workers and peasants to form a new government. Comrade Petre Barik dies. Comrade Mikale Smelnik is sworn President.
- 1940 - The fascists invade. Comrade Smelnik is forced to retire. A government of traitors is instored.
- 1945 - Fascists are expelled with the help of the Red Army. An attempt to restore monarchy is aborted. Republic is restored and the Party gains power again soon after.
- 1999 - Comrade Smelnik is rehabilitated by the Party.
