Kingdom of Zorvania
Kingdom of Zorvania | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: "De glacie ad aquam" "From ice to water" | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | Måkeholmen, Bear Island, Norway |
| Capital | Zoromak |
| Religion (2022) |
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| Demonym(s) | Zorvanian |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Independence from Norway | |
• Independence | 15 September 2022 |
• Constitution ratified | 29 September 2022 |
| Membership | 4 |
| Currency | Zorvanian Bears |
| Date format | mm/dd/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
The Kingdom of Zorvania, more commonly known as Zorvania, is a micronation founded in September 2022 on Måkeholmen in northern Europe. The government is a constitutional monarchy, with King Carolingus IX serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister serving as the head of government. Zorvania has a rich history which has been mixed with fantastical and mythical stories.
Zorvania has a unicameral parliament, which means that it has only one legislative chamber rather than two (as is the case in a bicameral system). The Zorvanian People's Party (ZPP) is the largest party in the Kingdom of Zorvania. It is a left-wing party that advocates for social justice, equality, and the protection of the environment. Baroness Maria de Lúz is the current party leader of the ZPP.
Etymology
The Kingdom of Zorvania is named after its founder, King Zorvan, who was a legendary figure in Zorvanian history. According to legend, King Zorvan was a brave and visionary leader who led his people to the small island where they established their kingdom.
The name Zorvan is derived from the ancient Zorvanian language, which was spoken by the first settlers of the island. In this language, "Zor" means "strength" and "van" means "unity," so the name Zorvan can be translated to mean "strength through unity." This reflects the values and ideals that have long been held dear by the people of Zorvania, and which continue to guide their society today.
History
Zorvania was originally part of Norway, but King Carolingus IX declared independence from Norway on 15 September 2022 after learning about micronations in June 2022. The people of Zorvania had grown tired of being ruled by a distant and indifferent government, and in August 2022 voices demanding independence grew in numbers. On 29 September 2022 the interim government under leadership of Maria de Lúz finalized the Zorvanian Constitution which was passed by the parliament the very same day.
Most of the ancient history of Zorvania is part of the country's so called "Mythical Past" which is an initiative which aims to strengthen Zorvanian culture and traditions. Among the more prominent mythical and historical figures is King Zorvan, which is largely seen as the original founder of the Kingdom of Zorvania.
Foreign relations
All nations which can prove to uphold basic human rights are welcome to seek diplomatic relations with Zorvania. The Foreign Office of Zorvania handles all such requests under the joint leadership of the monarch and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Adam de Jó.
Military
The Armed Forces of Zorvania are the military forces which are tasked to defend the territories of Zorvania. The main branch is the Navy which has two small ships, HMS Archibald and HMS IceCap, and King Carolingus as Admiral is the highest ranking officer. Prime minister Maria de Lúz has christened both of the ships in active navy duty, she currently holds the rank of Rear Admiral and is also the first female Zorvanian in the navy.
Zorvanian Law
As the head of state and a symbolic figurehead for the nation, King Carolingus IX is responsible for upholding the laws and principles of the Zorvanian Constitution. He has the authority to interpret and apply the law in cases of dispute or uncertainty, and his decisions serve as the final word on matters of justice within the Kingdom. This tradition is rooted in Zorvania's rich history and reflects the central role of the monarchy in Zorvanian society.
The Flag Bill
The current flag, which mainly features a blue field with a darker blue sun in the lower center, had been in use for many years before the founding of the kingdom in 2022, but it was not officially recognized as the national flag. This led to confusion and disagreement among the people and legislators of Zorvania, with some arguing that a different flag should be chosen, while others wanted to keep the current one. The controversy came to a head when a bill was introduced in the Zorvanian Parliament, known as "Bill 006" or "the Flag Bill," which aimed to officially adopt the current flag as the national flag of the Kingdom of Zorvania. The bill was met with strong opposition from some members of Parliament, who argued that the current flag did not adequately represent the values and traditions of Zorvanian society. The debate became heated, with both sides presenting their arguments and making their case for their preferred flag. In the end, the matter was brought before King Carolingus IX, who was tasked with making a decision on the matter. After careful consideration and consultation with his advisors, the King decided to adopt the current flag as the official national flag of the Kingdom of Zorvania. In a speech to the people, the King explained his decision, citing the long history and widespread usage of the current flag, as well as its significance to the Zorvanian people. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but ultimately, the current flag was officially recognized as the national flag of Zorvania.
Geography and climate
Zorvania covers the northern half of the island of Måkeholmen which has no inhabitants, most Zorvanians live in territories overseas. Måkeholmen is located off the southern cost of Bear Island, known in Norwegian as Bjørnøya. It is situated in the western part of the Barents Sea. The island was discovered by Dutch explorers Jacob van Heemskerck and Willem Barentsz in 1596, and named for the polar bear that was spotted nearby the explorers. Bear Island has a history of commercial activity, including fishing and whaling, but also coal mining. However, no permanent settlements have been established on the island, and it is now uninhabited except for personnel working at the meteorological station.
Måkeholmen is a rocky island without widespread vegetation. The island is surrounded by sharp cliffs making it a very unsuitable docking location for boats and ships. A steep incline from the shoreline makes the island hard to visit without helicopter, but the lack of human visitors have a positive effect on nesting birds.