Donaubund
| Kaiserthum und Länder die Donaubund of Donau | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| Motto: Audentia ex improviso, oratio uberrime. | |||||
| Anthem: Fortuna Rides Amongst Us! | |||||
| Geography | |||||
| [[image:{{{map}}}|225px|Location of Donau]] | |||||
| Area | 689,754km2 | ||||
| Water (%) | 3.8% | ||||
| Highest point | Hospitality's End 3821 | ||||
| Longest river | Donau | ||||
| Demographics | |||||
| Population | 58,00,000 (Disputed) | ||||
| • Density | 78/km2 | ||||
| • Growth | |||||
| Median age | 23.8 years years | ||||
| Demonym | (Varied, see below - De facto "Riverlander") | ||||
| History | |||||
| {{{event1}}} | {{{event1_date}}}
| ||||
| Government | |||||
| Capital | {{{capital}}} | ||||
| Official language | (Multiple official & protected status, see below) | ||||
| Type | Federated Constitutional Monarchy | ||||
| Legislature | Schönborn Autumn Palace | ||||
| K. u. k | Beatrix Sophie von Schönborn | ||||
| Minister Plenipotentiary | Carol Badouin-Kessel | ||||
| Kanzler im Reichsrat | Virgil Burczyk | ||||
| Federal Provinces | 8 (Formerly 21 before reorganization) | ||||
| Economy | |||||
| Currency | Neu-Krone (Kr) (Kr) | ||||
| GDP | Kr. 63 billion | ||||
| • Per capita | Kr 22,521 | ||||
| • Growth | 5%/year | ||||
| Sectors |
59% Agriculture | ||||
| Unemployment | 4 (Disputed)% | ||||
| Gini | .58 | ||||
| Development | |||||
| Life expectancy | 61 years | ||||
| Improved water access | 99% | ||||
| Literacy | 48% | ||||
| Enrollment | 21% | ||||
| • Primary | 10% | ||||
| • Secondary | 8% | ||||
| • Tertiary | 54% | ||||
| Standards | |||||
| Measures | Eluvataran-Myrorian Standard (Metric) | ||||
| Date format | month-day-year | ||||
| Traffic | Right-hand | ||||
| Codes | |||||
| ISO code | DN | ||||
| Internet TLD | .dn | ||||
| Calling code | +58 | ||||
'Donau - properly known as the Kaiserthum und Länder die Donaubund, is a constitutional monarchy with a strong federative system promulgating the rights and responsibilities of a very diverse population. A nearly landlocked nation whose mountainous and heavily forested terrain made agriculture and expansion somewhat difficult, estimates place settlement in the Donau river basin as early as 6000 BCE, with some proponents of the "Ancient Donau" fringe-theory arguing for earlier settlement. Different ethnic groups claim different lines of descent, themselves tied to the culture and practice of the Federal Provinces. Modern Donau is unique amongst nations in that its Early Imperial Period was perhaps its most disadvantaged, leading to the direct formation of the modern Donaubund.
Though engulfed by many challenges, many have agreed that the Donaubund is a nation that is looking upwards - even if upwards from the bottom of a squalid and overgrown well. Extreme disparities in wealth, noble 'educations' that cannot compete with the modern civilized nations around them, and wide-spread partial literacy (or even complete illiteracy) are still common, despite huge advances in medicine, sanitation, and public infrastructure over the last century. The monarchy and political scheme are wildly popular, with even critics generally prone to devil's advocacy when foreigners critique it. Growth has remained steady at roughly 5%, which - though not as quick as the Riverlanders would hope - shows no sign of slowing. The agricultural sector is beginning to give way to a strong services sector, and though the industrial sector is still weak and relatively fragile, what industry does exist is efficient, modern, and bypasses the environmental degradation some states have experienced while modernizing their industrial base.
Not a nation state in the traditional sense, many are confused by the panoply of ethnicities, languages and religions that flourish in Donau; it is precisely this discord that gives the nation what strength it has, and lends itself to a cultural mythos that unity in disunity is the surest means of survival in a harsh world.
Government
| Country Name: |
Conventional Long Form: Kaiserthum und Länder die Donaubund |
|---|---|
| National Holidays: |
See: Faiths and Holidays of Donaubund. |
Languages:
Crown Languages: Westerner, Easterner (Donaubund)
Protected & Official Languages: Riverlander, Basinlander, Platespeak, Lowlands, Summitlander, Modern Arentian, Southerner*, Rootfolk
Pre-History
Evidence exists to suggest that the earliest inhabitants of what is now known as Donau were migrants from surrounding regions. This has long been used to establish the cosmopolitan ethos of the nation, and support that ethos as a strength rather then a weakness, one that clearly existed from the earlier days. Whether true or not, several irredentists have long claimed that the official estimate of settlement are incorrect, and that the Donau Basin Civilization evolved independently of other civilizations. Though almost laughably untrue and with few followers amongst any strata, the view has been aggressively pushed in the modern era, prompting the Textbook Reform of CE 1968.
Tribal Donau
Confederations amongst tribes were far more common then wars, though the latter did occur; from these confederations grew the idea of an appointed monarch, picked from the nobility of high families. This form of government was far more democratic then even the form of federalism practiced in modern Donau, something that is often glossed over or left unmentioned; though some lasting cultural effects were the virtual equity between men and women of high stature, and the abandonment of ethnic divisions in favour of defensive and eventual federative ties.
Archduchy of Donau
No one is sure where, exactly, the title of Archduke came from; but it was aggressively seized upon by the Riverlander state and used to promulgate both a form of monarchy peculiar to the region and finally establish some semblance of central power in a region that had known little since time immemorial. Though attempts to centralize failed, the Archdukes soon discovered that decentralization could work wonders as well; leading to an era of relative cultural prominence and wealth that lead many to view the Archduchy as a golden period for Donau, avoiding it's relative inability to project power and slow slide towards despotism.
Early Imperial Period
Considered the dark age of Donau by all but the most hardcore irredentist, the Early Imperial Period was marked by absolute loyalty to the crown and attempts at aggrandizement at home and abroad. Failure to seize land, colonies, or wealth, the complete collapse of the economy, neglect of trade, civil rights, innovation, and abandonment of values considered of vital importance to the Riverlander populace led directly to the stagnation and collapse of the Early Imperial Period, with most Riverlanders viewing the effects of the roughly 300-year period to be directly responsible for the nation's recovering state, even two-hundred and twenty nine years hence.
Federal Donau
The modern (relatively) state of the Donaubund, where the currently reigning Schönborn family led an internal coup against it's current dynast, retaining power with a new constitution and federalizing reforms. Predicted by many outside observers to be a hopelessly outdated relic, the Donaubund has managed to hold on - tenuously, at first, but rapidly achieving some of it's internal goals for modernization while retaining it's distinct cultural characteristics. The national mood is optimistic that the worst is over, and that although any attempts at national projection are long defunct, the Provinces of Donau may once more know glory and shine as decadent lights to the rest of the world.
Geography
Largely an alpine climatic zone, the Donaubund is also in possession of continental climates in the Plate and Brackenweld provinces, the latter of which consists of a unique biome.
| Climate | Alpine(6 Provinces) | Humid Continental(Plate & Brackenweld Provinces) |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation Extremes | Lowest Point: Whispering Point Unknown, estimated at 2500m belowground |
Highest Point: Hospitality's End 3821m |
Demographics
"To understand the people of Donau is to stick one's own hand into a hornet's nest, and not understand the reason for your sting."
-Freawine von Schönborn, attributed-
A maze of ethnicities, Donau is perhaps best not looked at through the modern idea of a nation-state, but a rather a state that identifies itself as a collection of different states united by common purpouse. For all intents, the provinces act as their own government save on important issues of state - but are tied firmly to the crown through parliamentary, economic, and cultural ties. This has also led to a great deal of synchronicity between the various ethnic groups that means that even despite obvious differences, there is a great deal of linguistic and cultural 'loan' from one group to another.
Most confusingly to outsiders, the Donaubund's two main 'nationalities' do not exist; Westerner and Easterner referring not to any ethnicity per say, but the location and dialect of Riverlander that is most common amongst the populace. There are many cultural stereotypes that apply to the two ultra-regions of the country. Easterners are often stereotyped as being more dashing, independent, irrational and highly concerned with appearance; Westerners as being more introverted, prone to melancholy, dour, and hardworking. These stereotypes are being challenged as communication and rapid transit emerge amongst the nation - but are similarly being clung to by many individuals who do not wish to lose what they consider a vital part of their character in the face of creeping cultural and societal change.
Riverlander is the largest 'demographic' in the country, at perhaps a good 68% of the population, though many put Riverlander on their census forms out of a sense of civic pride; despite the fact that Riverlanders are a distinct ethnicity, it is also considered acceptable to refer to other citizens as Riverlanders, regardless of ethnicity or creed. This is another confusion for non-Riverlanders, and has led to the distinction and propagation of the concept of 'little/lower-case r Riverlanders' and 'greater/capital R Riverlanders' much to the bemusement of Riverlanders, who don't really see the difference.
Basinlanders have two distinct splits amongst their settlements over Crater Basin where the river Donau flows, often considered the proto-origin of Riverlander settlement. Though heavily influenced by (and influential of) Riverlander language and culture, Basinlanders are considered to speak a language completely unrelated to modern Riverlander, or indeed any other ethnic group amongst the Donaubund. This has led to the stereotype of them speaking incredibly slowly and indecipherably; similarly, the stock character of a "Wise old Basinland living in a stilted house by the water" is a staple of traditional plays. Basinlanders are estimated at perhaps 2.8% of the general populace.
Platespeak is more a language than an ethnicity, but has punched far beyond it's ethnic and linguistic borders. Though comprising only 19% of the populace, Platespeakers have influenced the entire stereotype of the Easterner - long introducing the most outrageous fashions, producing the most intrepid soldiers (or so they will tell you) and the most elaborate tales. Well these are only as true as any cultural myth, the influence behind them comes from the fact that Platespeak culture is very conductive to argumentation; the agricultural powerhouse it once was encouraging long discussions exchanged over vast fields and floodplains. The erosion of central power has hit Platespeakers the hardest, and many initially struggled to adapt to the new order, though mechanization of agriculture has also begin to bring huge profits...
Lowlander, distinguished to the untrained air by near rapid flow of consonents, is considered the hardest language for non-Riverlanders to learn and speak correctly. Lowlanders take a glee in having the unlearned attempt to pronounce their words, for the result is almost always humorous. Strong initial supporters of the Schönborn monarchy, the Lowlanders were rewarded for their loyalty by royal thanks and dues; this lead to the Lowlands being the centre of industrialization in the Donaubund, even though most of that industry was soon obsoleted or in a state of failure. Modernized industry is present in the Lowlands, however; and it is widely considered to have the most efficient public transport of all of Donau. They compose perhaps 4.2% of the populace.
Summitlander is a languid language descended from some or another old imperial tongue, or so it's speakers will tell you. Found at the mouth of the river Donau where it joins up with the sea and nestles between Stella Mons, Summitlanders are considered expert traders and craftsmen. Originally they lived largely on the summit proper, with it's rich winelands and terrace farms - but climatic change and the possibility of sea trade brought many down, leaving their traditional homeland depleted of population and no longer culturally Summitlander; yet another confusion for those unversed in the intricacies of Donaubund culture. They compose just over 1% of the population.
Modern Arentian is a language from a very distant land, linked to a similarly ancient religion. Though discriminated against in other regions, Arentians were accepted through even the Early Imperial Period - leading many to consider them a vital part of Riverlander culture. Most Arentians in Donau live in urban settlements and practice their traditional ethno-religion, though some also dwell among the Summitlanders, especially recent migrants. Although barely present in rural areas, the flow of Arentian immigrants has led to something of a cultural reniassance which the Donaubund seeks to capitalize on for purpouses of tourism and image abroad. They compose roughly 5% of the population.
Southerners are not truly an ethnicity, but the dialect of Westerner spoken around the settled perimeter of the Brackenveld. Considered their own ethnicity due to nostalgia, cultural pride and extreme amounts of red tape, push for an independent Southerner identity stresses the genteel and refined nature of Southerners, their sacred hospitality and sense of pitch-black humour. Due to neighboring Brackenveld province, many are superstitious to the extreme, though that is true of most all who live in or near the province. If seperated from Riverlander, Southerners would comprise about 8% of the general populace.
Rootfolk live amongst the Brackenveld. No survey has ever been properly completed in the Brackenveld, so official estimates place a guess at less then 1% of the population. Those who leave the Brackenveld are kind, open and generally good-mannered, but quiet when asked about their traditional beliefs or life amongst the Brackenveld. Over time it has become simple courtesy not to ask more then that - and whatever secrets the sparsely-populated province holds, it appears that it will stay amongst those few who do not leave its interior.
Population
| Provincial Capitals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | City | Population | ||||
| 1 | Donau | Federal Capital, unassociated with Provinces | 8,12,000 | |||
| 2 | Hallein | Province: Upper Donau | 4,101,300 | |||
| 3 | Rohr | Province: Lower Donau | 3,012,000 | |||
| 4 | Gadna | Province: Plate | 1,981,000 | |||
| 5 | Suszec | Province: Lowlands | 1,648,500 | |||
| 6 | Mizil | Province: Basin | 1,241,121 | |||
| 7 | Friul | Province: Delta | 926,211 | |||
| 9 | Gneixendorf | Province: Middle Donau | 2,715,541 | |||
| 10 | Krasnii Les | 200,00 (Estimate) | ||||
