by Max Barry

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www.gov.sl/info


The Republic of Sorlyset



Sorlyset's location.

Key Facts

Founded: 1060 (Orivesi founded), 1280 (the 'Great Meeting')

Population: 4,620,000 mn

GDP: $176bn

GDP Per Capita: $38,200

Official languages: Keili

Demonym: Keili / Sorlysetian

Government Type: Unicameral representative democracy with a largely ceremonial president appointed by parliament

Capital City: Orivesi

Head of State: Ilona Lehtinen (f) - President

Prime Minister: Antero Ahonen (m) - Prime Minister

International organisation membership: Saltstil Pact (Associate / full membership pending.)

Land Area: 328,595km2

Population Density: 14.1 p/km2


Cultural Overview


Overview of Orivesi

Sorlyset is an island nation located in the Paisi Ocean, north of Hirethia . It is characterised by Taiga and Tundra climactic zones, low population density, and dense extensive forests.

Sorlyset was the name given the islands by at the 900's by the 'Keili' people (see culture) who fished its' southern coastal waters. There is scarce evidence of human habitation before the 900s when the Keili established supply depots and summer fishing villages and founded the first recorded permanent settlement at 'Orivesi', in 1060. The nation of Solyset was formed at 'The Great Meeting' of 1280.

The Keili people originate from the northern Hirethia. Genetically, they share DNA from Germanic, Vultic and Slavic peoples of Hirethia. A a semi-nomadic people of fishermen and herders of horse, elk, and reindeer, by the late middle ages who inhabited the far northern margins of the continent. Further waves of settled migration began to push them even from these remote places and they embarked on a wholesale migration to the islands now known as Sorlyset during the summer months of each year.

The nation became a protectorate of Vultesia in order to secure the protection from a third power. During this period, Sorlyset remained a nominally independent state, with its foreign affairs and defence the responsibility of the Vultesian Government as part of the Sorlyset Treaty of 1820.

Sorlyset largely missed out on the industrial revolution of the 19th century although coal and iron deposits did spur better metallurgy and increased exports of lumber for construction, and fuel and whaling products to the wider world. The first railways were built in the 1880s with wood fired engines fired which started to open up the interior to mining and forestry.

Sorlyset sent troops on the side of The Alliance and fought alongside Vultesia and other allies during the The Great War(https://iiwiki.us/wiki/Great_War_(Anteria). Losing 36,000 men, but avoiding the devastations inflicted on others. Sorlyset declared independence from Vultesia in 1921 during the Vultesian Civil War.

Very poor until the 1920s, the advent of firstly hydro, then geothermal, and later, wind and bio-mass electricity catapulted the economy to 'developed' during the first half of the twentieth century including an extensive electrified, railway building programme. The nation found a niche in industrial forestry machinery and products, railway equipment and chemicals with extensive mineral deposits.

Modern Sorlyset is prosperous and remains ethnically and culturally homogenous. It maintains links to Vultesia despite ideological differences.



Koppen Climate classifications

Geography

The main island of Sorlyset is characterised by Taiga in the south and Tundra biomes in the north and huge coniferous forests with low mountains (>1,300m) in four main mountain ranges, with wide, flat valleys with many lakes between. The largest city region; Orivesi is homes 1.2m people, or about 15% of the population.

The northern island of Revontulet is actively volcanic and almost entirely devoid of trees. A population of only 100,000 lives across four main settlements.

The extensive railway network is a source of national pride and continues to be invested in with connecting tramlines and small branches serving 80% of the population with a 3km walking distance. This was a necessity as car imports and the petroleum to power them were and remain expensive.

The summer is celebrated with holidays and festivals in July and August with very long days and almost no night time. Schools and many employers shut down completely for at least one of these months.

Wildlife thrives in the interior and less populated areas and includes small wolves, brown bears, salmon, red and arctic fox, squirrels, owls, cranes, otters, hare and terns including a huge range of birds including the Sorlyset bird (Northern Gannet).


Economy


Typical inland landscape

Sorlyset has a mixed economy with many state owned or employee owned companies.

Considered very poor until the early twentieth century, it's inhospitable climate and relative isolation suppressed population growth. With little capital, the impact of the industrial revolution of the 19th century was limited to improved metallurgy which increased forestry yields and mining. Gold, Silver, Iron Ore and Tin were increasingly exploited in the later part of the C19th with strict controls on personal wealth and how profits were used.

The first railways were built between Orivesi and west to Valkomaki; and east and north to Pitiaho and Voijarvi, with coastal shipping still the most economical way to transport goods. The railways were built to a low standard and ran imported, wood fired steam engines.

The "Sorlyset Electric Revolution" occurred at the advent of Hydroelectricity and due to improvements in electrical distribution from the 1910s onwards. This allowed for industries to massively increase output and for electrically powered railways which massively increased economic output. Population increased three fold between 1900 and 1940 and this tidal wave of a youthful workforce provided the labour and intellectual capacity to construct efficient mines, increase forestry output, and build a comprehensive network of electrified railways.

By the 1950s the nation was rich and prosperous in relative global terms with an export focused economy, but reliant on oil, food, and consumer good imports.


Military; the 'National Protection Services'


The Sea Service includes coastguard and rescue services.

The National Protection Services are ran on military lines but include a number of other services, which might in other nations be part of civilian infrastructure. The NPS includes the National (rural) Police Force, search and rescue, wildlife services, the engineering corps and a merchant navy.

Sorlyset's first experience of wide scale armed combat was in the Great War (https://iiwiki.us/wiki/Great_War_(Anteria) where Sorlyset sent troops on the side of The Alliance and fought alongside Vultesia and other allies.

The nation lost 36,000 men, a tragic proportion of the healthy, young male population, although the country avoided the widespread physical devastation inflicted on others. Sorlyset declared independence from Vultesia in 1921 during the Vultesian Civil War. Small groups of forces were active in the Vultesian Civil War.

Since independence, Sorlyset has actively fought as part of the Saltstil Pact in a number of conflicts and takes part in training exercises and patrol as part of the SP.

5 years national service is required for both male and female citizens from the age of 18. This can take the form of working for medical system, government, or a degree course at university. Only about 20% of those carrying out national service actually end up in what would be considered the 'military'.

As well as its commitments as part of the SP, national doctrine focusses on threats, albeit unlikely, of conflict with nations' such as it's western neighbour, Anavero. The focus of the armed services is the navy, air force and special forces. There is only a very small 'standard land army'. With the focus on supporting allies and a doctrine of defense of the islands and the trade routes which secure food imports.

Total active personnel is 72,000 with 28,000 in reserve. Of the 72,000 about 60,000 are full time professional personnel with the rest undertaking their National Service.

  • 28,000 - Land Service (including the National Police force in rural areas)

  • 9,000 - Special Forces (expeditionary and search and rescue)

  • 16,000 - Air Service (including air services to isolated communities)

  • 18,000 - Sea Service (including coast guard and search and rescue).

More detailed military information:

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