Kjonnigland
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| Flag of Kjonnigland | |
| Motto: "Alt for Kjønnigland! Nå, hvor er den nær ølforretning?" | |
| No Map Available | |
| Region | Arctic |
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| Capital | Sterkfolk (Pop. 746,830) |
| Official Language(s) | Norwegian (91.3%), English (7.7%), Ukrainian (0.8%), Other (0.2%) |
| Leader | Rt. Hon. Jens Stoltenborg |
| Population | 322,000,000 |
| Currency | Norwegian Kroner |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The People's Republic of Kjonnigland is a huge, environmentally stunning nation located in the Arctic region, remarkable for its punitive income tax rates. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 334 million enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.
It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, Social Equality, and Social Welfare. The average income tax rate is 78%, and even higher for the wealthy. A substantial private sector is dominated by the Book Publishing industry.
Children are brainwashed at a young age to accept "Love and peace!" as a way of life, heavy industry must go to expensive lengths to dispose of waste and avoid even more costly cleanup costs, the government has instituted 'traveller reservations' across the country, and traffic jams are a common sight due to construction work from a massive overhaul of the nation's freeways. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is well under control, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Kjonnigland's national animal is the Loch Ness Monster, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the Norwegian Kroner.
History
Kjonnigland dates back as far as the 10th century, when the nation existed as a band of nomadic people's who relied mainly on the Arctic Ocean for fishing and whaling. These peoples were first united in 997 by King Olav Trygvason, and were incorporated into the quickly growing Norwegian kingdom. A period of unification and expansion followed, with the future nation of Kjonnigland existing as the northern territories of the Kingdom of Norway.
In 1349, the Black Death wiped out between 40 and 50 percent of the Norwegian population, an event which led to a near-total breakdown of society. Tensions between the people of what would become the People's Republic of Kjonnigland and the future Kingdom of Norway were already evident in the decades following the Black Death, but the two nations would remain unified as one for nearly 600 more years. In 1732, northern Norway was officially re-named Kjonnig Province.
After the Marx's Communist Manifesto was published in 1848, a small but strong group in Norway's far north used his new ideas as the basis for the creation of the Nord Norge Kommunistisk Selskap (North Norway Communist Party). The party gained widespread support throughout the Kjonnig Province. However, the party was re-vamped in 1861 after several consecutive election losses, and became the Demokratisk Sosialistselskap av Nord Norge (Democratic Socialist Party of Northern Norway).
In 1912, the Democratic Socialist Party lost an election by a narrow margin, and controversy ensued. Several government officials were accused of rigging the election, and the monarchy was accused of ignoring the needs of the north. These tensions were really a continuation of nearly 600 years of muted conflict. In 1913, Kjonnig Province held a referendum to decide on the question of seperation from Norway. On April 24, 1913, the people of Kjonnig Province voted 82-18 in favour of separation. The monarchy, sensing imminent public unrest in the north, relented. On May 17, 1913 (ironically, Norway's independence day), Kjonnig Province declared it's independence from Norway, and assumed the name Kjonnigland.
Like Norway, Kjonnigland remained neutral throughout the First World War. As a new nation, it was in no position to fight. However, on April 9, 1940, German troops invaded Norway, and on April 14, invaded Kjonnigland. Both Norway and Kjonnigland fell quickly to the German Blitzkreig, as neither nation had been preparing for war. The German occupation of Kjonnigland would last until February of 1943, when the Germans were being pushed back to their own borders, and Kjonnigland's northern ports were no longer useful to them as strategic lauch-points for attacks on Britain. Kjonnigland has kept a large standing army since 1947, and introduced compulsory military service in 1949.
Separation was a blessing in disguise for both nations. Relations between the two Scandinavian lands has not been more civil since the unification of 997. The two nations share an open-border policy, and Kjonnigland recognizes King Harold V of Norway as it's Head of State, although this title is only ceremonial in nature. The two nations share the same currency, speak the same language (except for small pockets of Kjonnigland), and are virtually indestinguishable in culture.
Politics
Kjonnigland currently holds the position of United Nations Delegate for the Arctic Region. This region is home to 38 nations of varying political ideologies, and this position is considered by some to be unstable. However, Kjonnigland continues to gain support from other UN members in the region, as the nation holds enough endorsements to maintain it's position.
Kjonnigland itself is firmly rooted in Democratic Socialism, but does not impose these beliefs on any other nation in Arctic. Instead, Kjonnigland prefers to lead by example rather than by an iron fist. All UN member nations in Arctic are encouraged to vote on UN resolutions, and Kjonnigland intends to vote in favour of the majority in Arctic. As part of a new system, Kjonnigland will being posting resolutions on the regional message board, and requesting the opinions of other nations. These opinions will affect how kjonnigland votes in the UN.
Kjonnigland has also expressed a concern for the slow growth of the Arctic region. Critics have claimed that more attention should be paid to the region's struggling economy, but it is Kjonnigland's position that an increase in regional population will boost the economy through natural means, such as increased trade and commerce. Kjonnigland applies a Laisez Faire style of leadership, stating that "matters of religion, culture, and style of government are the concern of each indiviual Arctic nation, not the UN Delegate." Approval ratings for Kjonnigland are both high and low, depending on where the information comes from. Apathetic voting habits of Arctic nations make elections sluggish and difficult at best.
