Rheinland - General facts and Geography
Full Name: The Empire of Rheinland (when addressing the state), The Imperial and Federal Union of Rheinland and lesser territories (when addressing the Empire and the free cities)
Former Names (in chronological order): Imperium Rhenanum, Holy Rhenanian League, Rhenanian alliance, Rhenania, Magna Rhenania, Empire of Rheinland and lesser territories
colloquially known as Rheinland or simply The Empire.
less favorably called: Empire of Blood and Diamonds, Bloody mongers, Death traders
Denonym: Rhenish/rhenan (e.g. the rhenish frigate IRNS Whaler's Death, the rhenan Captain v.Rogge) or Rheinlandish (considered acceptable, but less proper)
Political system
Rheinland is a constiutional monarchy, with most of the powers of the monarch having passed on to the Reichskanzler (Chancellor). This includes but is not limited to the powers of pardon, granting dispensation to form militias, conducting treaties and vetoing laws.
Elections are every four years, except for when there is no longer a majority in parliament, which triggers a special election.
Each parent gets an additional quarter vote per children, so a father of four would have an additional vote to cast
Citizenship can be gained by foreigners in the following manner:
- living in Rheinland for over six years, with abjuration of previous citizenship held
- being granted citizenship by the free cities (for example, Großbremen usually gives citizenship after six years of service in the Likedeeler)
The 1999 election saw the highest percentage of voters in recent memory, with a total of 250 million people voting. The election provided the following results:
Demokratische Partei der Mitte (DPM): 38% (center)
Konservative Partei (RKP): 22% (conservatives)
Nationalliberale: 15% (Liberals)
Ostrheinländische Partei: 9% (The larger, moderate party ddedicated to the interests of Ostrheinland)
Grüne: 8% (Green party)
Britonian Independence Party: 5% (An extremist party dedicated to reestablishing the Britonian Empire)
Nippon Party: 3% (An extremist, nationalist party of Ostrheinland)
Other parties not counted as they fail to reach the threshold of 5% necessary to enter parliament (The nippon party failed this as well, but gained enough direct electorate victories to be represented by direct mandates).
The current coalition is composed of the DPM, Liberals and Greens.
Geography:
Rheinland has several climate zones, the north being dominated by glaciers, sub-arctic mountains and tundras whereas the south has subtropical temperatures. (Think Norway to Italy for climate zones).
15% is arctic and subarctic, aka barely inhabited except for nomads and specialized resource extraction. Legend has it the north is rich in minerals but aside from diamond mining it is not economically feasible to extract them
10% is cold temperate (think Sweden)
55% is temperate climate
20% is subtropic (think Italy)
The Rhine is the mightiest of rivers in the opinion of the Rheinländer. It has a total length of over 8000 km and is up to 300 meters wide at its mouth. It is capable of handling ocean going shipping up to the temperate climate. Only the bravest and most skilled of swimmers manage to cross it - a total of five people have survived an attempt at the mouth of the river. Everything but the arctic and sub arctic temperatures is suitable for human settlement.
Rheinland also holds dominion over two Island areas. The first (Westrheinland) is of temperate climate and lies to the west of the mouth of the river rhine. It has an area of ~90.000 square miles. The other (Ostrheinland) is located on the other side of the globe, is of temperate climate and consists of three large islands and a smaller Island chain.
Total population: 406 million (just added the IRL equivalences of Britonia (Britain), Germany, Benelux, France and Sweden + a cut down version of Japan)
Rheinland does not count its citizens according to ethnicity, but according to their location and place of residence. To aid travelers, the following general guide makes references to ethnicities. (The method of counting citizens by place of residence was a substantial factor in the failure of the last independence vote of Westrheinland).
Nordrheinland:
Population: 39 mil
Nordrheinländer inhabit the North and Islands located of the northern coast. They predominantly have blond or red hair with blue eyes. A notable minority are the nomads inhabiting the Tundra. They survived the 80 years war without significant casualties, being the only population that has risen throughout the entirety of Rheinlands existence and which has a near-normal gender ratio.
The North is filled with legendary riches, but most of those are not worth it with current tech to go after. Aside from the Diamond mines and the state-owned Oil/gas/mineral fields for the strategic reserve there is almost no mining going on, preserving the legendary beauty of the north and its mountains.
There are small cities in the north, but no large city of note aside from the free cities of Bergen and Ostrograd. The River Rhine ends in the north.
Rheinland: 150 mil
Rheinland is both the name for the Empire as well as for this territoriy, which makes up the core of Rheinland. Sadly, modern ocean going shipping is not able to cross into Rheinland proper, which means the River is filled with lots of barges. During the 80 years war Rheinland perfected the art of modular assembly, with pieces of finished ships being shipped downstream from the Rhein valley to be assempled on slipyards.
The population inhabiting the temperate climate of Rheinland is mostly situated in cities along the River. The Rhein valley (an area located behind the capital Rhenania) is the industrial heartland of Rheinland, the result of massive relocation of industry before and during the 80 years war. The Rheinländer population is mostly caucasian (think a mix between polish, german, northern french, and dutch people). The population has finally returned to pre 80 years war levels, though the gender ratio is 1.2 female to male, with female citizens being overrepresented in the 60+ age range. This has put additional strength on the pension system.
Südrheinland: 37 mil
The Südrheinländer are inhabiting the south of Rheinland. (think Italian/Southern France). They suffered the most grievous losses to terror bombing during the 80 years war. Their population has still only reached half of what they numbered before the 80 years war. Their gender ratio is 2.1 female to male.
Due to the conscious decision to give up the south to bombing during the 80 years war, the South was turned from the heartland of Rheinland into the backwater. The only noteworthy industry remaining are the great shipyards and harbours fed from the Ruhr valley, with stretches of railroads connecting the parts (in addition to river barges). Still, historians can only cry at the loss of the great Southern cities, who used to be much more populated and richer than the north.
However, due to the horrors of the war, South Rheinland has become the most progressive of all the nations part and is slowly turning into a beacon of culture for Rheinland. Resettlement programs are under way.
Ostrheinland: 120 mil
The Island nation formerly known as nippon (now Ostrheinland) before the 80 years war. A mixture of various Asian ethnicities (mostly OTL Japanese, Koreans, chinese, Vietnamese and Phlippinos). Their population suffered the least during the 80 years war and is the only population that has well surpassed the population numbers before the 80 years war. They are nearing a normal gender ratio. Most of the high-tech electronics, optronics and computers are manufactured here.
The three Islands have become a major exporter of foodstuffs and cultural items, which for some odd reasons the youth of Rheinland seems to love.
Westrheinländer: 60 mil
The former inhabitants of a nation (now Westrheinland) whose name has been struck from history. Caucasians. The entire Island stands as a memorial to the 80 years war and a warning to all who enter Rheinland (as all ships have to pass the Island and air corridors are purposely rerouted to cross over to the devestated south from Westrheinland). The main export are agriculture and education, as the old universities were allowed to keep functioning, though a sizable manufacturing base still exists, mostly as part of outsourcing of Rheinland companies to take advantage of recent economic programgs.
The population of Westrheinland has shrunk over the years, with parts of the population having resettled in Rheinland proper or in other countries. Rheinland actively encourages such migration. A recent influx has been of people with former Britonian citizenship from their colonies.
Immigration:
Everybody can immigrate to Rheinland. In fact, immigration is actively encouraged as Rheinland has plenty of (now deserted) space. As long as anybody is willing to swear loyalty to the state and its values, he is guaranteed to be on the fast track of becoming a permanent resident, with full citizenry usually bestowed after six years of residency.
Society:
Rheinland is a society that is defined by the river and by its history. Throughout the century, Rheinländers generally have a love for the sea and mountains while abhorring flat plains (except for well organized, efficient farming).
Before the 80 years war, society was defined via allegiances to a particular region and house. With no fewer than 83% of all houses and lineages being cut by the war, very few original houses remain and Rheinland has now transformed to a society defined by an overarching state. The members of those houses that can trace their history back for over 2500 years however still enjoy some privileges - though not political or economic ones.
Rapier fencing is the national sport of Rheinland, with major fencers drawing crowds of adoring millions. The use of judicial duels is forbidden but people might engage in them of their free will if they pass a grueling training process. This obligation is waived for members of the ancient houses who by their very nature are deemed fit enough to always fight (and which explains why they were overrepresented in the casualties list in every war Rheinland has ever fought).
The 80 years war was the traumatic event from which Rheinland society has never truly recovered. Before the war, Rheinland was a conservative nation widely derided for its approaches to traditional styles of living and oppression of women. As Rheinland lost almost a third of its male population during the 80 years war, women are overrepresented in society and form by far the largest population group. In fact, some claim the mass mobilization of women during the 80 years war was the decisive advantage which allowed Rheinland to defeat its enemies despite suffering horrendous losses. Women have all the rights men do.
Due to the upheaval of the reforms and popular movements during the 60s and 70s following the war Rheinland has grown into maybe the most tolerant nation of alternative lifestyles, same sex- and polygamous relationships. Still, the family ideal is the two-person traditional marriage, even if it gets less and less important.
The Imperial family is currently headed by nine-year old Crown-Prince Julius XLI, who will ascend to the throne after reaching the age of 16. His father, the current Emperor died three years ago under somewhat embarrassing circumstances (his sports car crashed while he was receiving oral services from somebody most definitely not his wife). The dowager Empress, Katharina of Rheinland, is often accused of harboring sentiments for ecoterrorist and of controlling her son. Due to the Diamond Law, the Imperial family receives 5% of all diamonds mined and 1% of all tolls collected in Rheinland, which has made them the wealthiest family in all of Rheinland, controlling over 60 castles and major estates.
National symbols:
- The Dolphin is the state animal of Rheinland. Killing any dolphin is punishable by death. This has been the case since The Great Miner, Johannes XIV, was saved by a dolphin from sharks when his ship foundered. Rheinland ships will actively hunt and sink dolphin killers within their EEZ.
- The Whale is the animal of Rheinland's cities, symbolizing their wealth and strength. Killing any whale is punishable by exile to the frozen north or forced lifelong labor in the diamond mines. Commercial whaling is punishable by death. Rheinland ships will not rescue whalers, indeed a whaler drowning is considered a case of the sea taking revenge.
- The Eagle is the animal of the state apparatus, including the armed forces (except the Navy which wears golden (subs) or silver (surface) dolphin badges). Killing any eagle is punishable by up to twenty years in a military prison.
- The leopard (a cat imported from far away countries) is the animal of the head of state. It is not uncommon to find somewhat domesticated leopards following the Kanzler (and by somewhat we mean that the last "incident" happened over five years ago and was relatively mild - just one death). Go ahead, try to kill it. Only the head of state and the Imperial families are allowed to have leopards. Some backwards Rheinlanders attach a mythical, Omen-like quality to wild animals blessing the reign by either not-eating the head of state (leopards) or following his ship (dolphins).
Law:
Rheinland generally follows the same rules as other nations. However, there are some key quirks:
- Rheinland does have strict gun control laws, except for in the case of war or military reservists who are reguired to maintain their weapons at home.
- Rheinland does have the death penalty. In an unchanged custom since over 5000 years ago, convicted persons are made to either swim the river or join the landsknechte. A reform movement to abolish the death penalty has gained traction and seems to enjoy the support of the current government.
- Due to the experiences of being occupied by a violent occupier with no regards for the rules of war, rape is considered as bad as murder in Rheinland's criminal code.
- Crimes committed in uniform are harshly penalized. Rheinland military law has over 50 seperate offences resulting in the death penalty.
- Building, selling or owning strategic bombers is considered a warcrime under Rheinland law. Rheinland closely monitors all outgoing goods. This does not apply to goods destined for El Dorado, but applies to all goods imported from El Dorado. Rheinland will not persecute foreign nationals unless they are caught in Rheinland territory.
- Rheinland considers the killing of whales and porpoises as murder for religious and scientific reasons, see above for penalties. Rheinland considers whales and Dolphins semi-sapient.
- The majority age (and age of consent) is 16.
Foreign policy:
Rheinland is a non-aggressive nation owing to the experiences of the eighty years war. They have become so non-aggressive that they are considered the equivalent of people playing at warfare, buying huge expensive toys and then never using them properly. Non-engaging in any war is a staple of Rheinland foreign policy, except for a valid casus belli, which include but are not limited to:
a) attack upon an ally (Rheinland has no allies - yet?)
b) use of strategic bombers by any party
c) mass murder of civilians/disregard for the rules of war
Even if there is a casus belli, Rheinland will generally not engage in a war due to the societies' disinterest in war.
- Rheinland claims the standard Economic exclusion zone around its territories.
- Rheinland supports free trade except in the case of nationally sensitive industries.
- Rheinland will always push for the abandonment of whaling.
- Rheinland hates pirates (except for the state-sanctioned privateers). Pirates are either punished by beheading or drowning.
- Rheinland pushes to criminalize any kind of mine warfare, be it land or sea.
But most of all: Rheinland just wants to be left in peace and trade (and recover).
National quirks:
- Calling somebody a "Bomber" is a deadly insult.
- Calling somebody a "Panzer" on the other hand is a great compliment. Calling somebody a "Jäger" is the highest compliment there is in Rheinland.
Sorry, I somehow missed that we were talking about the name of the continent.
