An Overview of Ovstylap: Part One, Introduction, Etymology, History, Geography, Demographics, and Culture (Heavily WIP)

The State of Ovstylap, which officially titles itself as the 'Grand Nation of Ovstylap' is a semi-autocratic republic in southern Dissopoloforia, which is deemed to be moderately authoritarian by international observers. It is bordered on the north by the Federal Kingdom of Scarast-Romerno, and to the south-west, Huazheng. Ovstylap covers 8,040,146.33 square kilometers and has has an estimated population of 258,134,526. Ovstylap comprises of eleven 'Lands of Governance' or 'Zemli Upravlins.'

Within a number of these Lands of Governance, and amongst many public officials, particularly within the military and tax services, the term Areas of Governance, or 'Sferry Upravlins' is being used. This document will refer to these as Sferrys, whilst many foreign commentators explain to their audiences that these are essentially Federal Provinces; some scholars may refer to these also as Oblasts.

The capital city, Rovaya, is located within Sveypa Sferry, whilst the most populous city is Lyurov, in Vbostal Sferry. Other notable cities include Truvinov (Klapava Sferry) known for its extensive docks and shipyards; Khborohersk (Geleyarsk Sferry), where Christianity was first accepted en masse within the country in 375; and Orebodny (Stuzov Sferry), the ancestral capital of the Hrevski people and which has seen over forty battles or sieges since 500BC.

The Grand Nation of Ovstylap holds a place within Northern Utopia as a more moderate nation in terms of its governance and economic organisation, although tends to be more authoritarian than its peers. Currently, it is a predominantly neutral nation, seeking its own sovereignty and minimal interdependence where possible, though it has closer ties with major trading partners and more ideologically similar nations, such as United Kuzikstan and Novoroyska, though the former is now embroiled in civil war. It is a major part of the global economy, with extensive involvement in overseas trade and investment, and in sectors such as agriculture, maritime logistics, and energy. In general, it is seen as a somewhat non-aligned, but heavily militarized nation, and is made somewhat distinct by its ongoing refusal to join the Feng Dynasty-led economic order created by the Silk Road Project.

National Priorities
1) Ovstylap fully intends to retain its own sovereign independence, through a decisive security policy, effective economic mobilisation, pragmatic diplomacy, and a determined defence of its national interests.
2) Ovstylap fully intends to grow across a spectrum of areas- including its broad economy, its population, its position within the global markets, and its technical base. Increasing education, favourable trade policies, encouraging birth rates, and facilitating immigration from those with connections to the nation, or who have much to offer, will all have a role in this.
3) Ovstylap intends to remain the worlds' number one exporter by volume and variety of food and alcohol, especially relating to grain-based foodstuffs. It further intends to be recognised as the worlds' primary exporter of agricultural equipment, food-processing equipment, and farming expertise. As part of this, it also seeks to have the highest innovation in agricultural techniques, and food-production techniques.
4) Ovstylap intends to eliminate its foreign debts, and thus create sovereign wealth, which it intends to do through favourable trading and economic arrangements with other nations and private entities.
5) Ovstylap seeks to prevent any other nation becoming a global hegemon, and aspires to be a regional hegemon within Dissopoloforia wherever possible making few enemies. It particularly is concerned with the rise of Feng Dynasty, which is growing in economic and political influence, and is slowly beginning to modernise its armed forces.

Etymology

Ovstylap has been the name used since around 700BC to refer to the lands lived in by Ovkrelski speakers. It derives from Old Ovkrelski, with 'Ov' derived from 'Ovchi,' an old name for the descendants of the hundred war-clans ('Viiskovikh Klaniv')of the Great Migration . 'Tydralap' was the old word for 'farming land', already implying fertility, whilst Stetydrap referred to 'blessed faming land.' These proto-words ended up becoming simplified, becoming 'tylap' and 'stylap.'

The 'sini rasskazchik,' or 'blue storyteller,' better known amongst historians as Depetryev of Uzvuta, is believed to be responsible for spreading the new word 'Ovstylap,' literally meaning the 'blessed farming land of the war-clans' descendants.' Ultimately, it was understood amongst his contemporaries to mean the blessed, or fertile, soil of those who speak our language. Looking at Ovstylap's history, and much of its modern economy and worldview, one may not be surprised that the nation's name is rooted in the earth, in agriculture, and has connotations of divine blessing. Ovstylap however was not the official name of a single proto-state or kingdom until 446AD, when it was finally united under Korol Vozhdiv Branislav 'Bezmezhny', or King of Chieftans Branislav the Limitless.

The standard ways to refer to a citizen of Ovstylap are as an "Ovsti" or as an "Ovchi." Of these Ovchi tends to be used in more formal language, such as in academic works or state publications, whereas Ovsti is much more common in everyday parlance. According to the various sub-national languages and regional dialects however, one might also hear citizens of Ovstylap referred to as "Ovstey" or as "Ovstechi." Occasionally, foreigners refer to the people of Ovstylap as "Ovstylapian."

History

DESCRIBE HISTORY

Geography

Physical Geography
Ovstylap is the largest county in Northern Utopia, spanning over eight million square kilometers. Of this, 2.71% is water, covering 217,887.97 km², represented by numerous lakes, rivers, and mountain streams. The remaining land area, 7,822,258.36 km² is heavily utilized in agriculture, or is otherwise retained in national parks. Extensive military training areas, mountain ranges, and areas of urban development are also represented. Notably, there are a number of areas of ancient woodland which have been preserved, as well as many managed forests and tree plantations.

A variety of terrains can be found in Ovstylap, including mountainous regions, foothills, rolling landscapes, plains, floodplains, and significant amounts of wetland-although much has been drained or otherwise reclaimed. The highest point in Ovstylap is the eastern summit of Mt Barodnyna at 7859m, or 25784 ft tall, which is within the Seznechyan mountain range (Pushny and Khiluk Sferry). The lowest point is the Razkida Basin, 57m, or 187 ft, below sea level, located 50 miles east of Kartad in Chivostok Oblast. Although now known to be the site of an ancient meteorite strike, it was widely perceived as the entrance to the world of the dead among the Murechik peoples prior to the early 800s, when the pagan holy sites of Raazpachida, as it was then known, were torn down under the order of Korol Vozhdiv Ventsislav II, 'Tserkovny-Budivelnik' (King of Chieftans Ventsislav the Second, Church Builder).

The variety of terrains in Ovstylap has had some impact on its military, shaping its organisation and doctrine. There is an extensive focus on mountain warfare training, as well as forest combat, due to the presence of these, but as many other areas are full of flatlands or rolling countryside, there is also an emphasis on mechanised warfare. The presence of multiple rivers and streams means that the rivercraft have a functional role in Ovstylap's military, and that bridge-building (and demolition) is an extremely important role for the army's pioneers and other engineering units.

Climate
Ovstylap, being such a large country, does not have one single climate, and different parts of the country have different weather patterns. The Seznechyan mountain range, which runs along some of Pushny Oblast's border with the Federal Kingdom of Scarast-Romerno, and into Khiluk Oblast, has a significant impact in that part of the country for instance, effecting rain and wind patterns. The presence of large continental peninsulas to the east and west of Ovstylap provides some moderation to weather patterns, although often cold ocean air comes in from the North Meridian sea between Dissopoloforia and Glestonoph, making elements of the north and south of the country cooler than the center.

Overall however, the climate is broadly temperate, with hot summers, and cold winters, and exceptionally adequate springs and autumns. The climate is broadly suitable for agriculture throughout the nation, although certain crops and farming methods are more effective in some areas, as in most countries. Natural disasters are infrequent, but where they do occur, they usually include the flooding of reclaimed land, or forest fires.

Environment
Much of Ovstylap's environment has been heavily influenced over the years by extensive agriculture. Although efforts to prevent over-logging have occurred at various points in Ovstylap's history, notably in 1633, 1748, and with new laws during the Kkhanoese occupation, as well as during the 20th century, Ovstylap has significantly less forest than it used to. Various efforts to introduce pragmatic forest management, as well as the introduction of national parks, and rewilding schemes, have however led to a more positive state of affairs. Though some governments and organizations choose to plant neat plantations of monocultures, in Ovstylap standard practice is to plant in a more randomized way a variety of native plants and trees in a given area, in order to allow regrowth of forests (excluding of course plantations purely for logging).

On the whole, Ovstylap has a strong environmental policy designed to protect native species of flora and fauna, and limits urban sprawling. Many areas are used for internal tourism, and by foreigners too, touring the great national parks, gardens, and nature reserves kept throughout the country. Indeed, there has been some commercialization of the beautiful natural scenery and clean environments more generally, however to some extent this is done to enable to continued preservation and conservation of these areas.

The primary environmental issues in Ovstylap comes from either the effects of various fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides running off into bodies of water, or from the effects of mining, including leaving areas left scarred by mines. In some places the latter used resolved by creating lakes, though the presence of various elements has made some of these unsafe for wildlife and so normally they are either left, sold off, or forests are planted around them, and they are fenced off. In terms of the effects of fertilizers and other chemicals used to boost Ovstylap's agriculture, some of the largest research and development investments in the agriculture sector go towards discovering better ways of fertilizing and protecting crops, and coming up with ways to upscale more natural methods, or create less harmful artificial products. The use of drip-fertilizations, the use of managed mass-greenhouses, or the use of more natural methods (such as creating sugar traps using old juice around fruit orchards), is being upscaled.

Demographics

Population
Ovstylap has a recorded population approaching 260 million people according to the most recent census in 2019, however this statistic is viewed quite widely, both within and outside of the country, to not be completely reliable. Due to various waves of emigration, including displacement due to conflict, or for economic reasons, there are many people who can easily trace their heritage to Ovstylap over the last hundred years. As such, the actual number of citizens, including those holding dual citizenship, is closer to 275 million. Many others may also be eligible for citizenship or residency rights due to having partial heritage to people from Ovstylap.

As such, there is often a complicated legal framework associated with elements of immigration laws, as well as overseas work rights, as well as tax arrangements, and extradition agreements. In principle, the government of Ovstylap operates according to the principle of having a duty of care for her people, even those who were born outside of the country, and is favourable to those who can trace their heritage back to at least one grandparent being from the country. It has been noted by some commentators that Ovstylap's strong connections with its expats, and the descendants of those who have emigrated from the country are a way of siphoning wealth from other nations, or providing vital connections for intelligence-gathering, political backroom deals, and organised criminal activity. If this is the case, then this could be seen as a secondary effect of Ovstylap caring for its sons and daughters, and maintaining connections with those who wish to keep them.

In 1925, when the first national census of a newly independent Ovstylap was completed, the birthrate was believed to be 40 per thousand, and fluctuated considerably over the next few years as economic shifts and internal conflicts occurred. Between 1944-1953, there was a considerable increase in the birth rate following the end of most conflicts and a large improvement in the economic situation. It reached a peak of 53.5 per thousand in 1950, before quite sharply declining to at its lowest 17 in 1998. Government policies to encourage higher birth rates as well as a shift back towards earlier marriages, as well as improved standards of living lave the birthrate at the last census at 28 per thousand. The government has expressed hopes that this will rise to a national average of 33 per thousand by 2028.

Mortality rates over the same period have been more consistent, estimated at 28 per thousand in 1925, peaking at 39 per thousand twice between 1926 and 1941, primarily due to the conflicts occurring at those times. The infant mortality rate has 23.6 in 1925, and reached its highest of 30.1 in 1933, but since then has substantially reduced to 6.8 in the present day. Between 1898 and 1939, there were an estimated 25 million excess deaths due to war, avoidable famine, and internal conflict, including the 1898-99 succession crisis, War of the Third Coalition against Kkhano, the post occupation civil war, the 1927 revolution and its consequences, and the 1936-39 war against Atlas.

This has significantly effected the population of today's Ovstylap when combined with the waves of emigration between 1900 and 1922, between 1927 and 1942, and during the 1970s and 1980s as people have sought to avoid strife and conflict.

Language
It is mandatory in Ovstylap for all children, as well as all permanent immigrants, to learn Standard Ovkrelski, the modern form of the language, which has had a very large number of influences from the various peoples who've lived in the nation overtime. Children learn Standard Ovkrelski as part of their mainstream education, and might also learn one other within their school hours, though many schools provide the ability to learn a third by using study lessons and after-school activities. There are also a variety of clubs, charities, and other organizations which can aid people outside of the main education stream to learn another language. English is also highly encouraged but is not mandatory to be taught at school, since it is often the language of international travel, trade, and communications. Many choose, or may be required by their workplaces, to learn a regional language such as Common Murechik, Hrevski, or Atlan.

In Ovstylap, approximately 98.3% of the citizen population can speak Ovkrelski, 58% English, 22% speak Hrevski, 11% Atlan, 8% Murechik, 4% Hungarian and 3% can speak assorted other local languages. Around 5% of the population can speak four or more languages, 24% are trilingual, and 68% are bilingual. Around 72% of publicly funded roadway signage includes more than one language.

Religion

Unlike some modern nations, religion continues to hold a large amount of relevance in much of Ovstylap. Although the numbers of those practicing is significantly less than those who identify with a faith, the Orthodox Church of Ovstylap has had a major role in shaping Ovstylap's history, and continues to shape its politics and influence its people today. Other Christian denominations hold some sway, but the most notable religion of foreign influence is Atleasianism, which was legally and fully recognised as a subnational religion in 2013. This occurred when the Knights Holy Military Order of Atlas agreed to recognize Orthodox Christianity in Valluutasan and New Dreadstorm, Ovstylap recognizes Atleasianism and national religion in Ranikuus and Kaugida.

Christianity gradually spread into the areas making up present-day Ovstylap during the early 100s, but often faced different waves of popularity or persecution, but was first accepted in large numbers in 375AD by Velikiy Otaum Orest Zhuravel (Grand Chieftain Orest Zhuravel), his court, and a retinue of several hundred armed men. This occurred following the capture of Khborohersk from the Hrevksi king Tymon Przebiegły (Tymon the Cunning), whom had led an invasion in the spring of 373 and taken the town. The Hrevski had allegedly been cursed for defiling the churches of the town when they first attacked it, and the recapture of the town had been prophesized, all by a man known to history as Father Mykyta. By 720, Christianity was the dominant religion amongst the Ovkrelski peoples, and the Murechiks had predominantly converted by 980, with the Hrevski pagan faith all but eliminated by 1150.

The history of interaction between Christians and Atleasianism has been somewhat more complicated, with times of theological agreement, or beliefs of heresy, or devil-worship thrown as the two similar religions referred to God differently. This complicated history should have its own place in a theological treatise, rather than this overview.

At times, the Orthodox Church has openly aligned itself with ruling interests, whilst at other times has been a restraining factor, but overall its influence since the 600s has been incredibly significant. However, church attendance and the training of new priests began to reduce quite gradually during the Kkhanoese occupation, but not too vitally. There was a major revival of Christianity in the 1910s as Ovstylap moved again towards independence.

After the 1927 Revolution finally established a new government in 1930, moves were steadily made against the Orthodox Church, even though it was utilized during the 1936-1939 Atlas-Ovstylap Border War to inspire nationalism. In 1937 it was outright banned, though by 1938 a State Church had been opened following major backlash. Many former members of the Orthodox hierarchy had a role in it, but there was also an extensive underground church movement. Spying, suppression of political criticism, overtly pro-government sermons, and a discouragement of individual Bible study all occurred at various points in the State Church.

As splits in the State Church grew, attendance fell, and the less people became willing to crackdown on the Underground Church, the government eventually cut its losses and abolished the State Church, and allowed the Orthodox Church to be officially reinstated with significant autonomy in July 1963. Pressure against pastors, influence on theological education, and the continuation of spying, and some government attempts to divide the members of the church by encouraging existing frictions continued for several more years until the early 1970s. Some of these frictions included members from the Underground Church distrusting or criticizing elements of the former-state Church hierarchy. This was often at a leadership level, but sometimes among congregations.

Between 1995 and 1997 a number of reforms in governance took place, leading to the current structure of the legislature. After a series of compromises and negotiations, it was ultimately decided to make the Derzhavna Rada Priznachenikh Cleniv, or State Council of Appointed Members elected through Proportional Representation, though with 40 of the 180 seats reserved for members from selected groups. See the Government section for more on this.

Ultimately seven of the seats were given to the Orthodox Church of Ovstylap, one to the Protestant Alliance, one to the Catholic Church, one to the Alomist Regional Congress, and one to the National Islamic Council. Since 2015, an additional seat has been given to the Atlan Faith Committee of Ovstylap, in place of one of the seats held by representatives of State Enterprises. Seeing that 12 of the 40 non-elected seats are specifically held by representatives of faith, it can be understood that there is both some religious influence on the government, and that faith is held in high regard by the state itself.

In terms of the statistics, according to the 2019 census, 59% of the population declared itself as religious, 29% as agnostic, 4% as agnostic atheists, 8% as atheists. Only 42% said however that they had an active faith. Further breakdowns indicated that 51.75% of the population is part of the Orthodox Church of Ovstylap, 3.15% of the Atlan faith, 1.7% as Protestants or non-denominational Christians, 1.4% as Harman Catholics, 0.4% as Sunni Muslims, 0.3% as pagans, 0.2% as spiritualists, and 0.1% as Alomists.

Race
During the 2019 Census, people were asked to record their ethnic identity according to a tiered system, with a primary, secondary, tertiary, and an 'other' tier. In terms of primary tiers, 69% identified as Ovchi, 12% Hrevski, 9% Murechik, 8% Atlan, and 2% as Foreign. In terms of secondary tiers, 23.4% identified as Ovchi, 8% as Hrevski, 8% as Atlan, 7% Murechik, and 6% as Foreign. In terms of tertiary tiers, 6.3% identified as Ovchi, 4.5% Foreign, 3% Atlan, 2% as Hrevski, and 2% Murechik. These numbers are rounded to the nearest 0.05%.

A notable difference from the 2009 Census is that Kkhanoese-Hungarian was not included as a distinctive group, and had to be filled in by hand on the 'other identity' segment, and has been classified as foreign. Although a number of complaints were made, the responses have had some variation, including statements to the effect that 'partial descent from the Kkhanoese occupiers, colonisers, and workers, may be grounds for individuals to partially identify with the ethnicity, their intermixing and assimilation within the wider community means that there is limited grounds to include the option for over 250 million people when less than a million will even consider the box.'

It should be noted that due to assimilation of various groups over time, including the variety of native groups living in Ovstylap other than the Hrevski and Murechiks when the Ovkrelski began migrating en masse in to the country, that the Ovchi identity has subsumed a number of other ethnic groups over time. According to a major work on anthropology released in 2015 by the Khborohersk Central University, prior to 1980, over 160 distinct ethnic groups have lived in Ovstylap in significant numbers, with as many between 45-55 becoming assimilated into the Ovchi, 8-12 into the Hrevski, 7-10 into the Murechiks.

Largest Cities

Culture
DESCRIBE CULTURE

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