The IDU
- This article is about a nation. For the region, see International Democratic Union (IDU).
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| ¡Libertad! | |||||
 State Map: click here | |||||
| Spoken Languages | English, French, German, Baranxeï, Chicoutim, Alvésin | ||||
| Capital | |||||
| Largest metropolitan agglomerations ??? - 11,375,619 | |||||
| Zone Administrator | IDU Delegate | ||||
| Government type | Westminister Unicameral Parliament | ||||
| Nation type | City-State Shared Regional Administrative Zone | ||||
| National Symbol | Thoris Pine | ||||
| Country Code | FL | ||||
| * - source-Encyclopedia Domnonia. | |||||
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The Free Land of the IDU is a Shared Administrative Zone of the The International Democratic Union. It is commonly known as Freeland. Geographically, Freeland is located in the heart of the Solace Mountain Range on the southeastern border of Mikitivity, northwest of Malabra and east of Sober Thought. It has one of the IDU's most liberal economies and is a major international centre of finance, regional government and trade in the IDU.
Freeland was formerly a Keeslandic colony, and was handed over to the IDU in 2004. As a shared administrative zone, Freeland is guaranteed by common agreement to have a relatively high degree of autonomy from the region, but is not an independant and sovereign state. For instance, Freeland retains its own legal system, currency, customs policy, and immigration laws. Only the defence, the diplomatic relations and the international sporting events of Freeland are the responsibilities of the regional government.
Government
The Freeland Shared Administrative Zone is symbolicly headed by its Chief Executive, the UN Delegate of the IDU. In practice, however, the zone is headed by a democratically elected "Commissionaire".
The IDU set up a Provisional Legislative Parliament (PLP) just before the handover, and moved to Freeland to have its meetings after the handover. Legislative Parliament elections were held on 24 May 2005, with the next election scheduled for 2008. According to the common agreement, Freeland's "mini-constitution", the present term of the Legislative Parliament has 30 seats directly elected from geographical constituencies, and 30 seats elected from functional constituencies. The 2005, Legislative Parliament elections were seen as free, open, and widely contested, despite discontent among mainly 'anti-democratic' politicians, who contended that the functional constituency elections and the Election Committee elections were too democratic, as they consider that the electorate for these seats is too broad.
The civil service of Freeland maintains its quality and neutrality, operating without discernible direction from the IDU. Many government and administrative operations are located in ??? near the historical location of Union Hall, the site where the original IDU Constitution was signed.
On April 16th, 2006, a demonstration was organised by the Civil Human Rights Front and humanitarian lawmakers to express concerns over the safety of Anvàln citizens recently wrought with tornadoes. The turnout was reported to be 63,000, and at least 250,000 by the organisers. Humanitarian aid from all corners of the IDU bagan making its way to the disaster site.
Judiciary
In contrast to other former Keeslandic states, Freeland continues to follow the common law tradition established by Keeslandic colonial rule. Article 31 of the common agreement of Freeland allows Freeland's courts to refer to decisions (precedents) rendered by courts of foreign IDU jurisdictions and to invite foreign judges to participate in proceedings of Freeland's Court of Appeal.
Structurally, Freeland's court system consists of the Court of Appeal, the Upper Court, which is made up of the IDU Court of Appeal and the Court of The IDU, and the District Court, which is the highest civilian court in the zone. Justices of the District Court are appointed by Freeland's Commissionaire. The common agrement of Freeland is subject to interpretation by the member nations of the IDU at any time and this power has yet to be invoked.
Geography
With an area of 41,285 square kilometres, Freeland is a relatively small state. The population is high, resulting in an inflated population density.
Freeland comprises three basic topographical areas: the Solace Mountain Range, the Solace plateau, and the Freeland basin. The Solace' are a high mountain range running across the central-north-east of the state. Among the high peaks of the Solace Mountain Range, the highest of which is the Liége-Lüttich Mountain at 4,294 metres, are found countless valleys, some with glaciers. From these the headwaters of several major IDU rivers such as the ???, the ???, and the ???, flow down into Malabra, Sober Thought and Mikitivity.
The southern, extremely populous part of the state is mostly located on the Solace plateau, but can still be mountainous. The Freeland climate is generally temperate, but can vary greatly between the localities, from harsh conditions on the high mountains to the often pleasant Groot Gouda-like climate at Freeland's southern tip.
Demographics
Freeland sits at the crossroads of several major IDU cultures that have heavily influenced the state's languages and culture. Freeland has three official languages: German (44%) in the north and centre; French (20%) to the west; and English (8%) in the south. There are other languages spoken locally, and others spoken by immigrants from all over the IDU. The Legislative Parliament is obliged to communicate in the three official languages. Resident foreigners and temporary foreign workers make up about 50% of the population.
Culture
The culture of Freeland is heavily influenced by its neighbours, but over the years a distinctive culture with strong regional differences has developed. Traditionally Freeland is not considered one of the centres of IDU culture, but this perception might be deceptive.
In the past, a number of culturally active Freelanders have chosen to move abroad, probably given the limited opportunities in their homeland. This was particularly true for artists. However, as the new center of the regional politics of the IDU, Freeland has attracted many creative people from all over the Nationstates world. In times of failing states the tradition of political asylum helped to attract artists, while low taxes seem predominant. During the rise of fascism in The North Pacific a number of natives from the region sought refuge in Freeland.
Strong regionalism and heavy immigration in Freeland make it difficult to speak of a homogeneous Freeland culture. The influence of Mikitivian, Sober Thought, Malabrian and Keesland culture on their parts cannot be denied.
