Republic of Berlandia
Republic of Berlandia | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: "In Deo Speramus" "In God We Hope" | |
| Anthem: | |
 Territories of Berlandia | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | Saylorsburg, United States |
| Capital | Fort Berlan |
| Largest | Fort Berlan |
| Official languages | English, Russian, Spanish |
| Ethnic groups (2020) |
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| Religion (2024) |
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| Demonym(s) | Berlandian |
| Government | Semi-constitutional parliamentary federal republic |
• President | Shane Torres |
• Vice President | Baby Bear |
• Federal Legislature House Leader | Shane Torres |
| Legislature | Berlandian Federal Congress |
| House of the Common People | |
| House of the Federal Government | |
| Independence from the United States | |
• Independence | 31 October 2024 |
• Constitution ratified | 31 October 2024 |
• Greenian Revolution | 20 October–30 October 2024 |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 11 |
• 2024 census | 11 |
| Membership | 11 |
| Time zone | UTC-2 (XST) |
| Date format | Month/Day/Year |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +1 |
| Internet TLD | .ex |
The United Federal Republic of Berlandia, more commonly known as the Republic of Berlandia, is a micronation located in the United States. Berlandia was founded after the Greenian Revolution offically came to a close on 31 October 2024, with the Declaration of Rights and Freedoms. The Grand Duke of Greenia, now President Shane Torres was allowed to become the nation's first president due to the laws he passed which were actually fulfilling for the country. Berlandia is a semi-constitutional parliamentary federal republic. It was founded on the principals of freedom and democracy, just like the United States of America.
Etymology
The name Berlandia derives from the word bear. The word comes from the Old English bera, which likely stems from the Proto-Germanic word berô or bero, meaning “the brown one.” This term was used to avoid mentioning the animal’s real name due to superstitions around the power of the bear, which was considered dangerous and sacred in many cultures.
In Proto-Indo-European (PIE), the root h₂ŕ̥tḱos is believed to be the original term for “bear.” This root gave rise to the name for bear in various other Indo-European languages, like Latin ursus and Greek arktos. However, Germanic languages, including Old English, replaced this original PIE word with a euphemistic term related to the color “brown” as a way to avoid “calling” the bear directly and potentially summoning it.
This taboo replacement practice is known as a knoa word, where a term is substituted to avoid invoking danger or offending spiritual forces. In modern English, bear has endured as the standard term, diverging from the Latin and Greek roots, which retain forms closer to ursus and arktos.
The latter half of Berlandia derives from the word land. It comes from the Old English land or lond, meaning "ground, soil, or region." This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic landą, which also meant "land" or "territory" and appeared similarly in related Germanic languages like Old Norse (land), Old High German (lant), and Gothic (landa).
Beyond Germanic languages, land likely has origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root lendh- or lendh-, which generally referred to "an open, flat area" or "heath." This association with open ground or earth emphasizes the idea of territory or a tract of land suitable for settlement or cultivation.
Over centuries, land in English expanded in meaning from “ground” or “soil” to include notions of nationhood (as in “homeland” or “motherland”) and even to distinguish specific areas (e.g., “woodland” or “wasteland”). It also evolved to describe areas in contrast to water, as in "land and sea," emphasizing the distinction between solid ground and ocean or river areas.
History
When the Grand Duchy of Greenia, led by former grand duke Shane I, removed all elections from being held, People started getting angry within the nation, this finally blowed over when the grand duke held a speech over Fort Greenia, now Fort Berlan, which led to more people being angry. Fighting started between the Parliament of Greenia, and the Grand Duke himself. He abolished the Parliament, leading to parliamentaries rising up within the control of the grand duchy, they called themselves the Free Army of Greenia, fighting occured for 10 days untill a few of the parlimentaries rushed fort greenia and raised their flag over the fort, they also overthrew the Duke, stripping him of alll his titles, he was suppposed to be sent to the Greenian National Jail to await his trial, but the Free Army, seeing an unfair treatment of the duke while he was in jail, released Shane and dubbed him the first president. Under President Shane's ruling, the Artillery and Infantry branch of the army was founded.
Government and politics
Berlandia's government uses a parliamentary system with the leader, the President who presides over the issues in the Parliament. Parliament is the main ruling body of the Government of Berlandia. It is currently being ruled mainly by the Berlandian General Party.
Early government
It was a psuedo-monarchy, with a parliament with the other 3 population being part of the parliament, every member was in 1 house of the parliament,
President of Berlandia
The President of Berlandia's powers and authorities, is to veto or allow laws to be passed. The President can make any executive decision with the vote of Parliament. They also have the abilities to ask congress to declare war or not.
Baby Bear
Baby Bear is the head of Parliament and the Vice President to the President, Shane Torres.
Legislature
It has two legistlative branches, the first branch is the Berlandian Federal Congress, which handles the creation of laws, and elections elections
Political parties
Berlandia has a single political party, the Berlandian General Party, led by President Shane Torres. As the sole party, it holds a majority in Congress and leads the nation's political agenda.
| Logo | Name | Party Leader | Spectrum | Ideologies | Lower House | Upper House | Cabinet | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Berlandian General Party | BGP | Shane Torres | Democratic | 3 / 3
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10 / 10
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5 / 5
| ||
Law and order
The judicial system in Berlandia is overseen by the Lower House, with laws enacted by the President and Congress. Key laws include strict penalties for theft, punishable by up to one day in jail, and counterfeiting, which carries a sentence of five days. These regulations are enforced to maintain order and uphold justice within the nation.
Military
The military of Berlandia is modestly equipped, with playful yet creative resources. It consists of three branches:
- Artillery Branch: This branch operates makeshift cardboard howitzers, launching ping-pong balls as ammunition in a unique take on heavy artillery.
- Assault Branch (A.B.B.M.): Equipped with Nerf guns and toy replicas of sniper rifles and crossbows, this branch handles offensive maneuvers with a playful twist.
- Defense Branch: Focused on defensive tactics, this branch is tasked with devising strategies to protect Berlandia in the event of an attack from neighboring micronations.
Administrative divisions
There are only three administrative divisions in Berlandia, State of Drivewayia, Berland Capital District, and the Military Encampment in the Backyard. Berlandia has these administrative divisions to equally and basically model the USA's adminitrative districts, called States.
| Flag | Name | Area | Population | Officials | |
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| States | |||||
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| Constituencies | |||||
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Military Encampment in the Backyard | ||||
Geography and climate
The region surrounding Berlandia is quite mountainous, with abundant forests and farmland. During a La Niña year, summer temperatures typically reach the high 70s to low 80s (°F). In contrast, an El Niño year brings warmer conditions, with temperatures rising to the high 80s and low 90s.
Economy
Berlandia currently has no exports as it focuses on finalizing its constitution. The nation’s currency, the Svalbuck, is valued at 1 Svalbuck to 2 U.S. dollars. To meet its food needs, Berlandia imports supplies from a local ShopRite in Broadheadsville. Each week, when supplies run low, a designated representative visits the store to purchase provisions for the community.
Berlandian Astronomical Space and Aeronautics
The Berlandian Space Program, managed by the BASA organization, is currently focused on Astronomical Observation. Its primary instrument, the Vivitar Telescope, is being utilized to study planets and stars in detail.
Culture
Berlandia has a mixed culture, of Orthodox, and Christianity. There is currently no press system. The television, is just american television. It currently has no fixed culture.
Holidays
There are a few holidays that Berlandia celebrates, They are the President's Birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
| Date | Name |
|---|---|
| 15 March | President's Birthday |
| 31 October | Halloween |
| 22-29 November | 7 Days of Thanksgiving Celebration |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |