| National Factbook |
| Flag: |
|
| Nation Name: |
Smaragdtal |
| Leader Name: |
Alfred Afnan |
| Currency: |
Gold Standard |
| National Animal: |
Bear |
| History: |
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
[Journal Entry — Vor vielen Jahren]
I often find myself revisiting the early threads of our nation’s story—not out of sentiment, but for clarity. History is rarely clean.
In the late 1800s, a small community of ethnic Germans from the Duchy of Smarava—a now-defunct Russian domain famed for its gem-rich mountains—migrated eastward to a remote frontier region. Seeking autonomy and opportunity, they settled in isolated valleys where they preserved their language and customs, gradually becoming known as the Smarags for their unmatched skill in locating precious gems.
Decades later, the once-quiet region drew the attention of foreign powers eager to exploit its mineral wealth and strategic location. Trade cities sprang up, dominated by outsiders, and lopsided agreements slowly eroded local control. Chief among the new influencers were the Miruvians, whose rising control over the regional council deepened mistrust among local factions. Accusations of corruption and betrayal soon escalated into violence, as militias and political groups turned on one another, plunging the region into chaos.
We called it a civil war, but it was a reckoning. The old order collapsed under foreign-backed deals and borrowed ideologies. Trade cities burned, councils fractured, and the Miruvians played all sides from behind velvet curtains. Socialists promised liberation by fire, capitalists by debt, and foreignists offered nothing but dependence wrapped in diplomacy. I returned only to bury my brother—yet found myself dragged into a fight no one else would finish.
What followed wasn’t a revolution—it was a refusal. The National Front formed from exhaustion more than vision: veterans, workers, elders, and those who simply wanted to survive with dignity. I was asked to lead not for charisma, but for conviction. The war turned at the southern pass—when we severed the foreign lifeline. After that, the Miruvians withdrew, the factions broke, and the land fell quiet. We raised our flag, not in triumph, but as a warning: never again.
In the early years of my rule, the task was simple: rebuild and unify. The war had fractured us, and now we had to forge something stronger than the promises of the past. We didn’t adopt foreign ideologies—we built our own path, focusing on pragmatism, not ideals. The economy was restructured, resources consolidated, and every citizen put to work. Socialism and capitalism failed us before; now, we relied on ourselves.
The years ahead won’t be easy. The forces that tried to tear us apart still wait, but I will not let them succeed. Never again will we allow foreign powers or corrupt ideologies to control us. We fight, we build, and we endure—for the future, and for the generations to come.
-Alfred Afnan
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
|
| Geography |
| Continent: |
Asia |
| Land Area: |
9,253.71 sq. km |
| Terrain: |
---
[Journal Entry — Geopolitische Lage]
The geography of Smaragdtal is both a blessing and a challenge. Located south of the Volga River, the land is filled with mountains and deep valleys. These mountains have protected the people for centuries but also kept them isolated. For years, the country was cut off from the outside world, struggling to develop and connect with others. Now, as we slowly recover from the civil war, these very mountains and valleys are central to the nation’s future.
When I took power, the country was fractured. Roads were ruined, cities were deserted, and the economy was on the brink of collapse. To rebuild, we needed to connect the land and its people. The Land Reclamation Policy (LRP) was created to improve infrastructure and revive agriculture. Roads, tunnels, and bridges are being built to link isolated regions, and previously unused land is now being cultivated. It is a costly project, but necessary for progress. The people see the improvements, and public approval is growing as a result.
The tourism industry, once a promising source of income, has been constrained due to the lingering effects of the civil war. Smaragdtal, with its natural beauty and unique geography, could attract millions of visitors, but many areas remain undeveloped. The Emerald Valley and the Sylvan Reserve forests—protected under my government’s initiative—represent the kind of future I would be more than happy to invest in. These places offer peace, history, and beauty. But with our financial resources stretched thin, I am forced to tackle the nation’s problems one by one. Tourism remains a goal—not forgotten, but postponed.
Grunland, the capital, lies at the foot of the mountain range and alongside the Volga River. Its geography makes it a natural hub for trade and politics, with easy access to both the river and the mountains. It is the heart of the nation, and its development is a priority. However, I regret the increasing centralization toward Grunland. As someone from Ivov, one of the more remote cities, I understand the struggles of those far from the capital. The parliament, at the time, was politically isolated and unwilling to support distant regions like Ivov, leading to their financial isolation as well. Many smaller cities remain barren, and while Grunland flourishes, I see it as a reminder that a nation is only as strong as all its parts.
The geopolitical situation remains fragile—really fragile. Most neighboring countries are recovering from their own crises, and their stance toward us is neutral at best. Murivia still holds a number of colonies and vassals just west of our border, and though tensions are low, they are always present in the background. Despite this, Smaragdtal holds significant influence along the Volga River—perhaps second to none. Our control over key routes has allowed trade to flourish, and for now, that remains our greatest strength in a delicate balance of power.
--- |
| Highest Peak: |
Mt. Cantera, 69 meters |
| Lowest Valley: |
Terador's Trench, -69 meters |
| Climate: |
---
[Journal Entry — Klimatische Bedingungen]
Smaragdtal’s climate reflects its geography: harsh winters, mild summers, long transitions. Snow covers the higher elevations for most of the year, and even the lowlands remain cold well into spring. These conditions, while unforgiving, have shaped the people—tough, self-reliant, and steady. Agricultural cycles are short, forcing precision in planning and cultivation. The climate has always made survival a challenge, but it has also kept us grounded. I don’t envy the tropical chaos others face. I prefer predictability—even if it’s frozen half the year. Our energy needs spike in winter, and our infrastructure is still catching up, but each season we are better prepared. Slowly, we are adapting.
--- |
| People & Society |
| Population: |
404,534 people |
| Demonym: |
Smarag |
| Demonym Plural: |
Smarags |
| Ethnic Groups: |
Volga Germans - 78.2%
Slavs (Russians, Bulgarians, etc.) - 12.4%
Others (Murivians, Turks, etc.) - 9.4% |
| Languages: |
German (Volgish Dialect) - 88.0%
Murivian - 10.0%
Others - 2.0% |
| Religions: |
Orthodox Christianity - 70.3%
Others - 18.7%
Atheism - 11.0% |
| Health |
| Life Expectancy: |
76 years |
| Obesity: |
3.2% |
| Alcohol Users: |
8.8% |
| Tobacco Users: |
6.5% |
| Cannabis Users: |
0.4% |
| Hard Drug Users: |
0.2% |
| Economy |
| Description: |
---
[Journal Entry — Wirtschaftslage]
The economy is in motion, finally. Growth is steady, production is returning, and trade has begun to hum again. But behind the figures lie unresolved problems. Our debt is staggering. Years of conflict and isolation scared off investors, and those who remain cautious aren’t entirely wrong. Rebuilding trust in our markets will take more than speeches. Still, the people work. Our exports, while modest, show promise. We are rich in minerals, stone, and lumber—all things the world will need again. I’ve urged the finance ministry to keep a tight grip: no fantasy projects, no reckless borrowing. One crisis at a time. But I remain hopeful. We’re crawling forward, not collapsing.
--- |
| Average Yearly Income: |
$66.57 |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP): |
$991,931,354.00 |
| GDP per Capita: |
$2,452.03 |
| Gross National Income (GNI): |
$732,016,990.00 |
| Industries: |
---
[Journal Entry — Industriestruktur]
My cabinet and I have begun addressing the fragmented state of our industries. Welfare remains weak. Hospitals limp along, and social care is more promise than reality. Security—once the cornerstone of a bloated police state—was defunded heavily in the reforms. Some welcome this; others fear the void it left. The Minister of Interior has proposed a leaner, more professional civilian force, but I’ve told him to take his time. We cannot afford overreach again. Our manufacturing and raw goods sectors are holding up better. Ministers argue constantly over where to direct what little budget we have. I let them. I prefer noise to silence—it means someone is working. There are cracks, but there’s movement.
--- |
| Military |
| History: |
---
[Journal Entry — Streitkräfte und Verteidigung]
The military remains the backbone of this nation. Not just for defense, but for stability. It was the armed forces that held the lines when everything else fell apart. I served among them, led them, and I still feel more at home in the barracks than in the council chamber. Our ranks are smaller now, but they are hardened, loyal, and respected. I’ve kept political interference away from their core. Some call it a cult—perhaps because I wear my uniform in meetings and refuse to sever ties. But it’s not a cult. It’s unity. The generals and I know what this nation cost to preserve. The world watches, but so do our people. I do not fear coups or rivals. I fear forgetting what made us survive.
--- |
| Soldiers: |
7,000 |
| Tanks: |
0 |
| Aircraft: |
0 |
| Ships: |
0 |
| Missiles: |
0 |
| Nuclear Weapons: |
0 |
| Last Updated: 04/20/2025 04:50 pm |
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