Yekateria
Yekaterská Federation Yekaterská Federaciá (Yekaterian)
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Motto: "Yediny a Nedeliteľní" "United and Indivisible" "Sláva Yekaterii, ľuďová sláva!" "Glory to Yekateria, glory to the people!" | |
Location of Yekateria (dark green) – in North Evroazia (light green & grey) | |
Capital and largest city | Xanderholm |
Administrative center | Xanderholm, Nataliska, Preszovice |
Official languages | Yekaterian, Malensch, Kalysk, Neilan |
Recognised national languages | English, French |
Religion | State atheism |
Demonym(s) |
Yekaterský (endonym, de jure) Yekaterian (exonym) |
Government | Federal semi-presidential constitutional republic |
Karl-Alexander Rynsbürgen | |
Mark Winters | |
• Chairman of the Federal Assembly | Jonas Katterfeld |
• President of the Federal Senate | Zuzana Novomedská |
• Speaker of the House of Federals | Sam Odenberg |
• Chief Justice | Inessa Tatarinova |
Legislature | Federal Assembly |
Federal Senate | |
House of Federals | |
Establishment | 769 |
• Establishment of the Saryuhradan Kingdom | 769 |
• Unification of Vladimir-Saryuhrad-Kalysia | 1 January 1901 |
• Great July Revolution | 11 July 2050 |
• Current Constitution | 1 July 2369 |
Area | |
• Total | 7.8583×1026 km2 (3.0341×1026 sq mi) (1st) |
Population | |
• 2390 estimate | 19,730,545,213,000 (1st) |
• 2390 census | 19,730,540,300,000 (1st) |
GDP (PPP) | 2390 estimate |
• Total | $136.7 sextillion |
• Per capita | $6,928,343,769 |
GDP (nominal) | 2390 estimate |
• Total | $142.6 sextillion |
• Per capita | $7,227,372,506 |
Gini (2383) |
20.7 low · 1st |
HDI (2383) |
0.9368 very high · 1st |
Currency | Yekaterian Koruna (YKR) |
Date format | DD/MM/YYYY |
Driving side | left / right |
Calling code | +7 |
ISO 3166 code | YK / YF |
Internet TLD | .yk / .yf |
Yekateria (Yekaterian: Yekaterská, [/ɛkaterskä/]), officially the Yekaterská Federation[a], is an intergalactic federation located on the habitable planets Zemea in the Domápevnosť galaxy and Yekaterská-Beta in the Via Yekaterska galaxy respectively, with outposts in neighbouring galaxies. The federation is divided into 41 interplanetary republics and numerous federal territories, of which Xanderholm serves as the main capital and largest city. Nataliska and Preszov serve as secondary capitals, with other major urban areas being Yevanska, Filipsburg, and Fredosstad.
The federation is also reputable for its city-wide parties held on special occasions such as Yekateria Day as well as its love towards pop music. Yekateria is the birthplace to celebrities such as renowned artist Katya Pavlova and popular pop group The Skies which brought the federation to success as the winner of the Theovision Song Contest. The federation is also home to many ski resorts and marinas for its mainly affluent population as well as historical landmarks, palaces, and countryside mansions.
The origins of the nation dates back to the year 769, in which the Saryuhradan tribe ultimately established a kingdom under the rule of Sviatoslav I, and adopted Orthodox Christianity in the year 1072 under the rule of Vladislav I. A brutal war between the Kingdom of Saryuhrad and the neighbouring Turkic Carsiphian Sultanate eventually resulted in Saryuhrad falling under Carsiphian suzerainty. The state was then ruled by the Donskovite dukes, quietly growing through trade and cordial relations with other free Slavic kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Vladimir, eventually regaining independence in the Saryuhradan War of Independence. The nascent Grand Duchy of Saryuhrad then united in a personal union with the Kingdom of Vladimir, with Albert II Kremlyna as its tsar.
The 1901 personal union between the Kingdom of Vladimir-Saryuhrad and the Nordic Kingdom of Kalysia formed the Kingdom of Vladimir-Saryuhrad-Kalysia and resulted in the birth of the modern name Yekateria in honour Yekaterina II of Vladimir, a 15th century ruler related to the constituent royal families of the new nation-state. However, this was cut short by the Revolution of 1911, abolishing the monarchy in place of a socialist state led by Vladimir Lenislav and eventually Mikhail Ilyanov. The state's existence was cut short after a guerilla force led by Shane Dyleson in the heat of the Second World War overthrew the government and established a new monarchy.
After further decades of instability and autocratic rule, the Malenkov Family rose to power as Yekateria's ruling family in 2050, ushering in a socialistic Malenkovist era before ultimately implementing reforms in the late 23rd and early 24th centuries. Despite decades of reform, the political system of Yekateria is still dominated by Malenkovists, with the Solidarity Party having maintained a plurality in the nation's Federal Assembly since 2305. In recent decades, Yekateria has consistently struggled in maintaining a balance between policies favouring its Malenkovist elite and policies favouring liberal reformists, being the subject of political tension within the country. Internationally, rankings of Yekateria place it low in measurements of tolerance towards religion and racial diversity in higher-education fields; a result of historical Malenkovist policies targeting the religious and non-Yekaterian minorities.
Internationally, the Yekaterian economy is ranked one of the highest in its universe and an average high standard of living, with GDP per capita exceeding $620 million. The country also possesses a large abundance of natural and human resources, owing to its diverse landscape and large population. Yekateria possesses a massive nuclear arsenal and holds one of the highest military expenditures, at 40 quintillion. The country has been a founding member of the Evstotzkian Alliance, Universal Alliance of Nations, and a member of the Little Nations organisations.
Etymology
The name Yekateria comes from a corrupted form of the Russian Ekaterina (Cyrillic: Екатерина), being named after Catherine II of Vladimir, a former ruler of the Kingdom of Vladimir. Before this however the name of the state was named Vladimir-Saryuhrad, a personal union of the Kingdom of Vladimir and the Grand Duchy of Saryuhrad. The present name was adopted on 15 March 1901, months after the formation of the union of Vladimir-Saryuhrad-Kalysia after complaints on the unwieldy triple-barrelled name of the three unified states. The country was also listed on maps as New Sealand prior to the 1950s and used the name as an exonym prior to the Royal Endonym Decree of 1953.
In Yekaterian, the country is named Yekaterská[b], a direct transliteration of its former Yekaterian name Yekateriya (Cyrillic: Екатерия). In spoken language, however, it is referred to as Yekatersko, mainly in use to refer to the nation of Yekateria as well as the constituent republic within the Federation. There are two words in Yekaterian which translate to "Yekaterians" in the English language - yekatersky[c], referring to those of the Yekaterian ethnicity and yekaterske[d], for citizens of Yekateria.
Use of Yekatersko in other languages
In October 2382, Chancellor Karl Freitag issued a chancellorial proclamation mandating the use of "Yekaterská" in all promotional and economic materials, seeing the use of "Yekateria" and "Yekaterian" as an "imperialist-imposed foreign name". Following the move, Solidarity leaders in the Federal Assembly pushed through resolutions officialising the change; renaming the country's common name to "Yekatersko" and adopting "Yekaterská Federaciá" and "Yekaterská Federation" as the country's long titles in Yekaterian and English.
The Yekaterian government immediately publicised the name change, requesting that other nations use Yekaterská/Yekatersko as the nation's name in all legal, economic, cultural, and diplomatic affairs, with the United Empire being the first nation to recognise the officialisation of the endonym.
History
Early history and Carsiphian suzerainty
The country began in historical records as the Kingdom of Saryuhrad, formed in the year 769 with the Saryuhradans having lived on the land since 500 BC, historically having been subject to numerous other empires. The well-liked monarchs of the House of Kremsvol' also rose to prominence within this time period, establishing personal unions and trading pacts with other kingdoms along the Sybyllan coast as well as uniting the Kingdom of Saryuhrad and the Duchy of Alin.
Between the 1100s and 1200s, the kingdom rose to local prominence due to its economic and military power, yet it had to constantly compete with the Sultanate of Carsiphia which formed in the Karskallan desert and competed with the Kingdom of Saryuhrad-Alinska for resources and land. The kingdom fell during the 15 Years War due to instability within the military and had a majority of land taken away and turned into the Carsiphian vassals of Sariuhrad and Alalin. The House of Kremsvol' managed to live on in the Kingdom of Artynia further up the coast.
The vassalised kingdom quietly developed economically and politically under Carsiphian suzerainty, with the Chief of the Sariuhradan Council agreeing to pay a 25% tribute to the newly-formed Carsiphian Empire. Chief Aleksandr Donskov supported the increasing population by introducing new laws suited for the citizens and was considered very modern for his time. The Sariuhradan Chiefdom eventually evolved into the Grand Duchy of Sariuhrad under the rule of Ivan Donskov in the 1550s, with Ivan Donskov chosen as the first Grand Duke.
Rise of the Grand Duchy of Saryuhrad and personal unions
Due to the internal problems of the Carsiphian Empire, Sultan Osman II of Carsiphia demanded a higher increase in tribute to the Carsiphian Empire or be threatened with war and annexation. Knowing that the state of the Carsiphian Imperial Army was in shambles and was severely outdated, Grand Duke Eduard Donskov and the Sariuhradan Citizen Guard secured arms from the Kingdom of Vladimir in exchange for the ruling Kremlyna family to become monarchs of the country if the revolution succeeded. After turning down the increased tribute demand, the Carsiphian Imperial Army dug in for a siege on the city of Sariuhrad, with the attempt failing. The increasingly powerful Sariuhradan Citizen Guard, reorganised into the Novo-Sariuhradsky Revolutionary Army chased the Carsiphian Imperial Army to the city of Cygeturku and conducted a successful siege due to large amounts of the Carsiphian Imperial Army having defected from the army due to poor morale.
The Sariuhradan Citizen Guard then marched to the capital of Carsiphia, Carsyget, and forced a quick surrender within 3 years. King Albert IV of Vladimir was inaugurated as Tsar Albert I of Vladimir-Saryuhrad, with Stolitsyn renamed in honour of Eduard Donskov as Eduardsk' and Eduard being chosen as Duke of Eduardsk'. The grandson of Albert I through his predeceased son Nikolai, also the grandson of Eduard Donskov through his daughter Anna, Mikhail, took the throne as Albert II of Vladimir-Saryuhrad. Albert II later married Katerina of the Kingdom of Kalysia and formed a personal union with the commencement of the marriage.
Birth of Yekateria and the 20th century
Upon the formation of the Personal Union of Vladimir-Saryuhrad-Kalysia on 1 January 1901, a much more fitting name had to be chosen for the sake of unity. A month-long discussion between the Tsar and his advisors settled on the name Yekateria-Kalysia, with the name Yekateria being a corrupted spelling of the name Yekaterina II, who had ruled the Kingdom of Vladimir in 1672 and had her daughters married into the Donskov family and the House of Kalysia.
First Communist Yekateria
This was not to last however, as the country fell apart due to disastrous economic policies and the war with Turulia in 1911 which led to the rise of Communism under Vladimir Lenislav during the 1912 Revolution. The country stayed neutral in WWI and involved heavily in WWII, with Leninsk' (formerly Eduardsk') having been under heavy fire by Axis powers. This greatly diminished support in the Communist government and was overthrown in 1943 by the Liberation Army of the Sybyllan Coast led by Sethlandian Shane Dyleson, who was then inaugurated as Shane I of Yekateria. The country flourished under the Dyleson family who then integrated into the House of Kremsvol' with the marriage of Shane II of Yekateria and Princess Anastasia Tykhova of Kremsvol'.
Dyleson-Kremsvol' Era
Under the rule of the Dyleson-Kremsvol' dynasty, Yekateria was transformed into a constitutional monarchy with the Parliament of Yekateria as its supreme legislative body, electing Prime Ministers to serve as the country's head of government. Under this system, Yekaterian prime ministers generally held a lot of power, as was the case under the premiership of Leonid Krylov, Artur Kolesov, and Lavrenti Malenkov. Following right-wing government policies under Anatoly Gruzkin, however, the position began losing its power to the Parliament and would ultimately be rendered powerless and constrained following the end of the era.
Yekaterian society gained increased rights and freedoms under Prime Ministers Krylov and Kolesov, with the freedoms of speech and assembly being commonly defended by parliamentary legislators. The Dyleson-Kremsvols' took a backseat to active politics following the elections of 1949. The latter years of the Dyleson-Kremsvol' monarchy would see increased ultranationalism due to relaxed policies on foreign immigration and increasingly liberal policies under Prime Ministers Lavrenti Malenkov and Stanislav Krasnov.
Early 21st century: Rise of the Kremlynas
The Ultranationalists led by Markus Kremlyna (born Markus Pavlov) overthrew the Dyleson-Kremsvol' monarchy and reversed a majority of liberal policies and replaced them with highly conservative policies. Under his rule as the Vozhd' of Yekateria, he also initiated a civilian-military dictatorship with the Nationalist Party in charge, with Evgeny Goncharov as the Prime Minister. He later appointed himself as Tsar in 2004, further introducing strictly nationalist Yekaterian religious and cultural traditions intended to further public support for the new royal family, and ruled until 2015 where he died from lung cancer.
Following the death of Markus I, he was succeeded by his son Shane III Kremlyna (2015–2029), who continued the stratocratic regime, with Gennady Kadurin becoming Prime Minister. The Kremlyna-Kadurin regime instituted further conservative The Kremlyna-Kadurin regime would later go on to start a war with the Mehmedian Sultanate, resulting in Tsar Kremlyna being killed in action. Shane IV Kremlyna (2029–2042) would then succeed him as Tsar.
The Kremlyna dynasty then ruled the country with minor hiccups until the start of Peter I Kremlyna's reign in 2042. The reign of Peter I Kremlyna saw mass corruption and economic downturn causing a major recession in which 40% of the country became unemployed.
Mid-Late 21st century: Great July Revolution and the Great People's Purge
Amidst the crisis and increasing discontent against Peter I, the Communist Party led by Petrov Zamarkyov and Peter Malenkov led a popular uprising, kickstarting the Great July Revolution and subsequent Yekaterian Civil War. Throughout the course of the war, the Communists frequently held the upper hand due to the support of partisans and the general state of hatred for the monarchy at the time.
The revolution progressed rapidly, from the northern urban center of Kynavsk, to the southern industrial city of Karagrad. Within the span of two years, the Yekaterian People's Revolutionary Army had effectively cornered the Imperial Yekaterian Army to the city of Edytacske, forcing their surrender at the Battle of Edytacske, exactly two years following the Revolt of the Eleventh of July.
With Zamarkyov having been a casualty of war, Peter Malenkov established himself as the Chairman of the Yekaterian People's Socialist Republic. The Great People's Purge then commenced, resulting in a total wipe-out of the formerly prominent clergy class, denounced and disgraced personally by Malenkov himself and his allies in the Communist Party. Malenkov promptly proclaimed himself as Chairman of the YPSR and as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
Peter Malenkov Era (2050-2082)
Under his leadership, Peter Malenkov would hold on to near-absolute power until 2070, following the appointment of Pavel Lebedev as Premier. He begun a program of collectivisation and mass industrialisation following the conclusion of the Great People's Purge, resulting in famines across the Sredniravnin region, and the estimated death of hundreds of thousands. Despite this, however, the program would push Yekaterian farming and industry far forward.
Malenkov would begin to adopt more draconian laws following the rebellion in Carsiphia Oblast in the late 2360s, consolidating more power in the party organs and cracking down on any potential sources of separatist movements within the country. However, he would slowly relinquish control as he aged, handing some form of power to premiers Pavel Lebedev and Dmitri Ulyanilov, and as his closest revolutionary comrades died from old age. Prior to his death, Malenkov promoted his son Andrey Malenkov as the Head of the Security Forces, anointing him as his successor.
22nd-24th centuries: Modern Malenkovist era
Post-Peter Era (2082 to 2200s)
Following Peter Malenkov's death, Yekateria formally underwent a "period without leaders", in mourning following his death in December 2382. Andrey Malenkov took over, consolidating power whilst also bringing Yekateria closer to a democratic transition. Following the 2090 elections, Dmitry Zarynov of the Progressive Party. Alarmed by another Progressive victory in 2095 and attempts by the Progressives to pursue charges against Communist Party members, the Communists under Andrey Malenkov staged an uprising, starting the Civil War of 2095. Andrey Malenkov returned to power following their military success in 2098, after high-profile defections from the Red Army. The younger Malenkov then began consolidating his own power, holding the positions of President and Premier until his own death in 2106. His sister, Valentina Malenkova, became Premier, with Aleksandr B. Kremsvol becoming President. Valentina Malenkova softened her brother's increasingly authoritarian tone, resigning in 2108 following a fall-out with military leaders.
After Valentina's resignation, Ivan Malenkov, Andrey's son, ascended to the Premiership in 2108 with Aleksandr A. Kremsvol as President. Two years later, Kremsvol would be replaced by Elena Kremsvol-Malenkova. Under Ivan Malenkov, Yekateria formally began steps towards space exploration with the inauguration of the Yekosmosage (now Federalkosmos), and promptly began work on interspace travel. In the economics field, Yekateria implemented its first intranet, the Ivannet, serving as a new medium of communication not connected to the outside world. Yekateria also saw increased militarisation as a result of increased international tensions, with tensions coming to a head with the Anduat blockade of Yekateria.
The government of Ivan Malenkov also frequently saw Yekateria switching allegiances, forming an "unholy alliance" with nations such as Kiev, the Lakish Empire, and Ben Labs in invading and occupying the nation of Anduat. However, this was not to last – with Kievan interests resulting in border skirmishes on the western border. Furthermore, the Yekaterian territory of New Yekateria was also under threat of being invaded. Realising that Yekateria was in dire straits, Ivan Malenkov promptly retired in 2133, handing over the reins to Stepan Malenkov, his son and groomed successor.
Stepan Malenkov would oversee an attempt at some level of reform, attempting to normalise relations with nations such as Evstotzka and Kiev, and opening cordial relations with Fahnhof over their shared interests in "dumb consumer technology". However, this was cut short following Stepan's assassination in 2143, resulting Kristina Malenkova's ascension to the premiership. She would oversee success in the realm of international diplomacy, placing Yekaterian–Evstotzkan relations at their highest ever for the era. She would voluntarily retire in 2150.
Yekateria would later go on to enjoy relative peace and economic prosperity under the leaderships of Dmitri Malenkov, Vasily Malenkov, Julia Malenkova, and Shane-Alexandra Kremlyna, managing to secure non–aggression treaties with some of its former enemies, and consolidate its hold on its territories previously acquired over the past few decades. At the same time, the planet of Chetyria was successfully colonised, marking the beginning of the interplanetary period.
Erik Malenkov would rise to power in 2174 following Julia Malenkova's retirement. Under his leadership, reforms as part of the move towards a multiparty democracy were implemented, allowing for the rise of the National Liberal Party. However, out of caution, the Yekaterian government ensured that the Communist Party would retain its massive majority. He would go on to become one of the longest–serving leaders, serving between 2174 and 2204. Aleksandr Malenkov succeeded him as leader.
Natalian Era (2200s)
In 2206, Natalia Malenkova ascended to power following the death of her father and previous leader Aleksandr Malenkov. An ambitious leader, Malenkova immediately began grand projects to improve the country's small towns and infrastructure, as well as Yekateria's military and space capabilities. She was also the first leader in Yekaterian history to belong to the LGBTQ+ community.
The MEGRAPRO, Yekateria's largest–ever infrastructure project in its modern history, began in 2210. Costing over 4.4 quadrillion Korunas (adjusted for present–day costs), the project reached its conclusion in 2335, with billions of buildings built, hundreds of thousands of kilometers of roads and paths paved, as well as the mass creation of new jobs and efficiency processes that ultimately brought Yekateria to the forefront of universal production.
Yekateria advanced from a Type II civilisation to a Type III civilisation, going from an interplanetary nation into an intergalactic nation. The country began colonising the Via Yekaterska galaxy, becoming the most powerful nation in the universe at the time.
However, Yekateria saw its most militaristic era, resulting in the nuclear destruction of several nations, particularly Mexico, Azeria, and several other nations within the universe. Yekateria also saw increasing expansion in this era, establishing a near-hegemon status, and becoming even more powerful in the diplomatic sphere with the founding of the UAN, the first-ever international organisation which included a variety of nations with different ideologies.
Natalia Malenkova voluntarily stepped down in 2250, handing the reins of power to Vladimir Ponomarenko, who continued Natalia's policy of militarisation. Following his death in 2255, Anastasia Bukharova took over, in which international tensions continued, culminating in the Second Great Universal War. Over 600 billion deaths resulted in the ensuing war, in which both Yekateria and the rest of the universe suffered heavy bombing and destruction. Yekateria's industrial capacity largely survived, from which a massive reconstruction effort began and the MEGRAPRO project continued in earnest.
Under Lyudmila Malenkova, Feliks Aleksandrov, and Kristina Malenkova's leaderships, Yekaterian international relations normalised, with the country continuing its path of expansion and reconstruction in a relatively peaceful way. At the same time, Yekateria received aid from the international community following the collapse of the Yekaterian thalyssa, and oversaw reforms to reduce its massive bureaucracy. At the same time, other parties were formally legalised as separate entities, allowing for the formation of the pro-reformist Front for Liberalism and Democracy, and the right-wing New Great Yekateria Coalition.
Natalia Malenkova returned to power as president in 2290, under the pseudonym "Aleksandra Ivanova". Her second stint in office saw new tensions between Yekateria and their former enemy of Kenalfer, as well as increasing tensions with the UN over potential human rights' abuses in Yekateria. On the brink of war, Malenkova recognised the troubling potential of keeping Yekateria on the same trajectory, resigning following the 2295 elections for interim leader Daria Myshchenko.
Elisean era, Era of Troubles, and reform
First Elise presidency (2295–2297)
Elise Malenkova became president in 2295 following a People's Solidarity Party leadership election. As president, Elise Malenkova began reforms towards the Federal Government, instituting new electoral reforms and laying the groundwork for the modern Federal Council. In her first term as president, however, Yekateria would continue to see more of the same from the ruling party, which would eventually grow into dissent that led to the party's fall from power for the first time in 200 years.
Following the 2297 snap election, Antoni Ivanko was elected to power, ending 200 years of continuous Malenkovist rule.
Ivanko presidency and August 2300 coup (2297–2300)
Antoni Ivanko pushed for further reforms in earnest, gaining the support of the younger generations. Under his leadership, the country saw further increased levels of democratisation and liberalisation, eroding away at the Malenkovist grip which had held the country for almost 250 years. With support of the younger generations, the Reform! Freedom! Democracy! coalition gained a second term, although in a closely fought election with the newly ousted People's Solidarity.
However, the liberalist government was cut short following a coup in August 2300 coordinated by the Yekaterian Red Army and former president Elise Malenkova, with the coup ultimately succeeding. Elise Malenkova returned to power and continued the Malenkovist version of reforms, ultimately trimming down the size of her government and increasing the power of the Supreme Soviet.
Second Elise presidency and Era of Troubles (2300–late 2310s)
Yekateria would continue seeing Malenkovist-style reforms under the second presidency of Elise Malenkova, with the Yekaterian government implementing further infrastructure and welfare programs to "bring Yekateria to a moral level above that of monarcho-fascist states". Yekateria would also begin seeing its first efforts to officially promote trade with the outside world and implementing financial stability, at the behest of Trade and Finance Minister Ryan Helsingborg. However, at the party's 34th Congress, then-party leader Elise Malenkova announced her sudden resignation, to the dismay of party members present at the meeting. Vice President and deputy leader Antonie Kovačova succeeded Malenkova as party leader and President, only to resign less than five years later as a result of the increasing discontent between the various factions of the party and a general breakdown of party discipline in the Supreme Soviet.
Adriéna Simkova was elected as president in the 2314 party election, facing down a resurgent nationalist movement in the form of the National Party. The Supreme Soviet also saw more chaos following the election of National Party for Reform politician Ivana Zakladna as the Speaker of the House of the State (now House of Federals). Aleksandr Kalynov of the National Party would be elected president by parliamentarians in September 2317 following infighting within the People's Solidarity Party. He would be deposed by new People's Solidarity leader Ivan Honcharuk in September 2318.
However, infighting in the party would result in Honcharuk's resignation 8 months later. Antonie Kovačova would briefly return to the presidency but would be removed by the conservative Elisean–Elinean faction within a month. Eline Malenkova served as interim president between July 2319 and July 2320.
Andrean era (2320s–2340s)
Andrea de Rynsburger-Malenkova, the daughter of Elise Malenkova, was elected president in 2320 together with premier Lukas Petrauskas. Her leadership oversaw the conclusion of the MEGRAPRO project as well as the continued expansion of Yekateria, whilst also attempting to forge new alliances with former enemies and maintain Yekaterian hegemony over the main planets. de Rynsburger-Malenkova introduced new laws allowing for android citizenship, as well as vastly improved trade and connection between West Yekateria and East Yekateria. de Rynsburger-Malenkova also began formal relations with the nation of Neilreich, setting the stage for the country's eventual accession to the Federation. At the same time, de Rynsburger-Malenkova also accepted the accession of Esbaltin, splitting the country's new lands into the Republic of Esbaltica and the Republic of Belaelise, as constituent republics of the Federation.
De Rynsburger-Malenkova resigned following the failure of the GLORY Act, pressured onto her by conservatives and the failure of the country to react to the coronavirus.
Xanderean era (2340s–2381)
Following the rise of Philip-Alexander de Rynsburger to the presidency in 2343, Yekateria underwent reforms aimed at opening up the market and lessening government control and intervention in the economy. Under his first administration, the country adopted a completely new flag based on the historical Slavic tricolour and a new coat of arms. The first Xanderean presidential administration also implemented decommunization policies and sought to rehabilitate the country's status as a pariah state by heading towards neutrality.
Following the 2345 general elections, de Rynsburger implemented a tandemocracy by switching places with then-Chancellor William Taylor. He would then serve as chancellor for the next 20 years, save for a 56-day period in 2356 where he was briefly deposed by Natalia Malenkova. He would later co-lead government with President William-Alexander de Rynsburger.
Throughout his 38 years in power, de Rynsburger's political positions gradually shifted from a left-populist to that a neoliberal, slowly privatising Yekaterian state-owned companies and focusing on increased economic growth. He returned to the presidency in 2366 along with his husband and leftist-populist Ryan Hochhahn, with a social welfare system facing decline. De Rynsburger stuck to his neoliberal positions, however, causing tensions between him and Hochhahn, eventually resulting in the election of right-wing Thomas Lindeman as chancellor following a backroom deal brokered between him and Thomas Aspen-Malenkov.
Despite introducing further elements of democracy and lessening government control of the economy, de Rynsburger has been seen accused of an authoritarian style of government, frequently attacking opposition and starting wars against nations such as Majapahit and Azeria. He was succeeded by his son Lukas Hochburger in 2381.
Geography
Yekateria's mainland landmass stretches between the Bering Strait in the east and the North Atlantic in the country's western reaches, covering all of Northernmost Asia and the heart of Europe. Yekateria lies between latitudes 40° and 82° N, and longitudes 59° E and 24° W, extending some 11,500 km (7,150 mi) east to west, and 5,400 km (3,350 mi) north to south. Yekateria, by landmass, is larger than two continents.
Yekateria has thirteen major mountain ranges, and they are found along the easternmost, westernmost and southernmost regions, which include the Altay and Sayan Mountains in Siberia; and in the Malenkov Mountains and the Kolízácie Peninsula in the Yekaterian Far East (containing Idey Malenkovski, which at 4,750 m (15,584 ft) is the highest active volcano in Eurasia). The Kamepás Mountains, running north to south through the country's centre, are rich in mineral resources, and form the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia.
However, Yekateria's intergalactic outposts and interplanetary territory also provide the nation with a far variety of landscapes, giving it the nickname "The World in One Country".
Climate
As a result of Yekateria's massive landmass, the country's climate varies wildly between its extremes. However, a large majority of its mainland landmass on Yekaterska-Alpha are between the temperate and continental climate zones, ranging between Cfa in the Aquitainean Riviera, Cfb in Western Xandersko, and Dfb in Velka Wiliamsburg. Western parts of the Federation experience more oceanic climes; with central parts experiencing continental climes, and eastern parts experiencing much more climates bordering on subartic. Heading northwards, the climate changes to that of tundra.
The average temperature across the Federation varies widely too, from a typical winter temperature of −15 °C in Eastern Yekateria to that of 5-10 °C in Aquitaine. Average precipitation, meanwhile, ranged between 10 litres per square meter in January to 110 litres per square meter in July, measured in Central Yekateria. Average monthly hours of sunshine ranged between 32 hours in November 2380 to 342 hours in July 2380.
Biodiversity
Yekateria, owing to its massive landmass, sees a massive range of landscapes from its eastern end to its western end; it begins with the East Sybyllan taiga in the Nataliska Oblast, continues as such until the Kamepás Mountains, before gradually transitioning into plains and broadleaf forests heading westwards. Landscapes in Far East, Eastern, and Central Yekateria also includes polar deserts, tundra, forest tundra, taiga, mixed and broadleaf forest, forest steppe, steppe, semi-desert, and subtropics. Heading westwards, the terrain then changes into Central Evroyan mixed forests, Baltian mixed forests, as well as West Evroyan broadleaf forests, before transitioning into Atlantican mixed forests heading into Aquitaine and Estvanka. As of 2380, over 65% of Yekaterian land is forested, with 27% of land devoted to agriculture and forestry, with the remaining 8% being built-up land.
Government and politics
Yekateria is an asymmetric federal republic, with a semi-presidential system, wherein the president serves as the head of state and the chancellor as the head of government. It is structured as a multi-party representative democracy with the Federal Government being composed of three branches;
- Legislative: The bicameral Federal Assembly of Yekateria, made up of the 455,515-member House of Federals and the 176,905-member Federal Senate, adopts federal law, declares war, approves treaties, has the power of the purse, and the power of impeachment for the president and power of confidence for the chancellor.
- Executive: The president is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, appoints members of the Federal Council (cabinet) with the advice of the Chancellor, as well as appointing justices to the federal courts and other federal offices. The chancellor is de jure equal to the president in terms of power, with the explicit right to be consulted and provide advice to the appointments of the president, as well as conduct actions in his role as Chairman of the Federal Government.
- Judiciary: The Federal Supreme Court, the Federal Constitutional Forum, and similar lower courts on the federal level, interprets laws and can overturn laws they deem unconstitutional.
The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and may be elected for no more than three consecutive terms. Departments of the government are comprised of the president (in exceptional cases), the vice presidents, the chancellor, the vice chancellors, secretaries, and selected other individuals; the Federal Senate holds the power of advice and consent for appointments to the departments.
Yekaterian politics is dominated by the Malenkovist Solidarity and Federalist parties, both being seen as "big tent" parties with liberal and conservative tendencies respectively. Historically, the Malenkov Family has dominated politics, being described as a political family and as a family dictatorship by critics. Incumbent president Karl-Alexander Rynsbürgen is a member of the political family. The largest non-Malenkovist parties are the Social Democrats and The Greens, led by Mark Winters and Moritz Waldmann respectively, which have formed a coalition (along with the minor Liberal Forum) with Solidarity.
The Federal Assembly
The Federálne Ľudovéche, or the Federal Assembly, forms the legislative branch of the Yekaterian Government and meets in the Palace of the Soviets in Nataliska Precinct 5 and the Palace of the Federation in Xanderholm's Ryansky Okres.
The current chairperson of the House of the Federals is Nicolaas Westerman (PSD). Meanwhile, the current chairperson of the Senate is Senator Zuzana Novomedská (PSD) with the overall chairperson of the Federálne Ľudovéche being Jonas Katterfeld. The Federálne Ľudovéche meets regularly to discuss new laws affecting the whole country with 632,420 (455,515 in the House of Federals, 176,905 in the Federal Senate) total representatives from all corners of the country.
The Federal Assembly currently consists of three factions; the majority Alliance for Liberal Democracy led by Karl Freitag (PSD), the minority Our Homeland - Yekateria led by Eleonora Ernman (PF), and the Free Coalition, consisting of parties not falling into one of the two major coalitions.
Federal Assembly leadership
The Federal Assembly is headed by the Federal Assembly Leadership Caucus, with Jonas Katterfeld serving as the leader and chair. It is comprised mainly of ruling Solidarity politicians, with the House of Federals being represented by Nicolaas Westerman and the Federal Senate being represented by Martijn Schrievers. This is not to be confused with the floor leaders of the Federal Assembly, holding different leadership roles in running the bicameral Assembly's day-to-day operations.
The Federal Court and Federal Constitutional Forum
The Federal Court and the Federal Constitutional Forum serves as the country's supreme court and constitutional court respectively, dealing with matters with regards to the country's law and constitutional matters. Originally grouped under the Federal Court, the country's two judicial organs are responsible for verifying the constitutionality of laws and settling legal cases from lower appellate courts.
The two courts exercise similar procedures to that of the U.S. Supreme Court, granting writs of certiorari on a case-by-case basis and whether the matter requires the judicial review of the Federal Court or the Federal Constitutional Forum. Out of hundreds of thousands of petitions each year, both courts only review a few hundred, largely due to the combined sizes of the courts being less than fifty.
Political subdivisions
Yekateria is comprised of 40 republics, with each republic having its own President and a Chancellor who heads the Republican Government. Under the country's asymmetrical federalist model, each constituent republic has its own independent government and constitution in addition to the Federal Constitution governing the entire Federation. All republics are designated using one of three terms; "Federal Republic", "United Federal Republic", and "Federated Federal Republic". Of the 40 constituent republics, Albaéire, Ivanskovia, and Cetyrska hold the designation of "United Federal Republic", whilst the constituent republic of Yekateria is the only republic with the designation of "Federated Federal Republic".
The federal republics have mostly equal representation in the country's Federal Senate, having 4395 seats each, with the constituent republic of Yekateria being the only one with 4895 seats due to its oversized influence and population over the rest. At present, there are planned reforms to introduce regional assemblies for groups of republics by region, in order to further decentralise decision-making from the fairly large Federal Assembly of the Yekaterian Federation.
Foreign relations
Yekateria has historically been seen as a great power with regards to foreign relations, however it has been regarded as a pariah state for most of its history due to its aggressive foreign policy and perceived ultranationalist tendencies. Currently, it hosts no foreign embassies due to a self-imposed isolationism over the past decade – however at its peak, it maintained diplomatic relations with over 40 nations and organisations. Yekateria has been a founding member of the Evstotzkian Alliance, UAN, and the Universatums-Inštitút and held significant influence in the UCN, IDDC, and the Little Nations organisations.
Yekateria maintains close relations with neighbouring countries such as Hallech, which it has associated with for several decades and trades frequently with. In recent years, the country has also opened up relations with the Empire of Majapahit, following a publicised apology by Vice Chancellor and Secretary of State Carl Freitag over the historical invasion of the nation.
Historically and recently, Yekateria has allegedly committed human rights' abuses against other nations, frequently resorting to the use of nuclear bombs and committing genocide against nations deemed as enemies to its ruling Malenkovist ideology.
Military
The Federal Armed Forces of Yekateria are divided into the Federal Army, Federal Navy, Federal Air Force, Federal Space Fleet, and the independent branches Federal Logistics and Support Service and Federal Military Intelligence. As of 2380, the military consists of 34 billion active-duty personnel, and between 430–470 billion reserve personnel. All Yekaterians between the age of 18–25 are eligible for service in the Armed Forces, however this is voluntary and will only be activated in times of war.
Yekateria is recognised as being a hyperpower in this regard, owning a sizeable amount of the most powerful superweapons capable of destroying several star systems at once. Yekateria is also a major leader in special operations, having successfully performed decapitation strikes against terrorists and hostile governments alike. Yekateria maintains an exceedingly high military expenditure, spending $100 quintillion in 2380, corresponding to 2% of its GDP. The country also maintains a wholly indigenous defense industry, producing the entirety of its military equipment.
Human rights
Despite moves by the Federal Government to implement human rights laws and codifying them into the Federal Constitution, Yekateria has historically committed and presently commits human rights' abuses against groups it deems contrary to the ideals of its ruling Malenkovist parties, both Solidarity and Federalist.
Having historically taken up an anti-religious stance under the old Marxist-Leninist-Malenkovist regime, successive governments have actively pursued and promoted religious persecution against believers of the country's traditional Eastern Orthodox churches, as well as other religions that historically existed within Yekateria's borders. As such, the country is largely atheist and irreligious due to historical campaigns of anti-religion persecutions and the country's ruling governments scaremongering against religious beliefs.
In certain regions and republics of the Federation, racial segregation is either actively or passively enforced by local governments due to federal government inaction in enforcing the civil and political rights of minorities. For instance, the constituent republic of Witeshuis has openly adopted and utilised an apartheid-like system of governance and society for over two decades; primary reasons for inaction include the Yekaterian federal government's unwillingness to actively intervene in the affairs of its republics, and the existence of far-right parties such as the Greater Yekaterian Peoples' Party on the federal level.
Yekateria has also historically exercised censorship against material, groups, individuals, and organisations deemed to be a threat to its unofficial ideology – for instance, Yekaterian internet regulator Federágesvyaz occasionally conducts intentional internet shutdowns in response to online publications of material that may pose an embarrassment or threat to the ruling government, shutting down access to the information by Yekaterian citizens.
In spite of the human rights' shortcomings in Yekateria, the country sees excellent rights for the LGBTQ+ community and labour rights, with the Federal Constitution and the Federal Charter of Citizens' Rights including protections for human rights and human dignity. In an effort to reconcile with the nation's past, the Yekaterian Federal Government recently recognised the abuses committed against the Yekaterian Foresters, a marginalised group of descendants of dissidents forced out of society and has begun efforts to rehabilitate them.
Law and crime
The primary and fundamental law in Yekateria is the Federal Constitution of the Yekaterian Federation. Statutes, like the Federal Code and the Regulatory Code of the Yekaterian Federation are the prominent legal sources of Yekaterian law.
Yekateria enjoys one of the safest societies in the universe, with low crime rates. However, white-collar crime is more prevalent in this case, largely due to the country's convoluted tax system and lack of corporate accountability practices.
Economy
Yekateria has a developed, high-income export-oriented social market economy based in services, manufacturing and innovation, that largely maintains a welfare state under the context of Malenkovism. Yekateria holds the largest individual economy based on nominal GDP and PPP, at $142 sextillion. The country's economy is largely made up of the service sector, accounting for 56% of total GDP, while the industrial sector accounts for 39% of GDP, while agriculture and resource extraction comprises 5% of the economy. Yekateria has an unemployment rate of 5.3%, having rebounded from the most recent high of 9.6% in the 2374-2376 Yekaterian economic recession. Despite its large foreign exchange reserves size of $72.4 quintillion, the Yekaterian government is in the process of creating new efforts to implement the Yekaterian koruna as the universe's new reserve currency.
In 2380 the largest companies by revenue in Yekateria include: the mega conglomerate Malenkov Group, scientific research and engineering company Zelenovo Group, software company Zelycko, defense manufacturing company Perunska, real estate and finance company Samco, and spacecraft company Kosmona Dynamics. Public companies in Yekateria, a holdover from the communist era, are rather common; the Yekaterian Group is one such partially state-owned enterprise holding a market share in crucial sectors such as passenger rail transport through Yekaterské Železnice (YŽ), the country's largest passenger rail operator.
As a result of the country's rather isolated history, research and development efforts are seen as key to the Yekaterian economy's success and constant growth. The largest government-supported academically independent scientific body in the universe, the Federálnauka, hosts over 2 million research institutes working under its wing. Other research institutions include the Kolesov Social Sciences Institute, Mateveda Association, and the Tesarov Society. Yekateria is also a founding member of the Universatums-Inštitút, the first universal research and cooperative organisation dedicated to improving the conditions for all inhabitants of the universe.
Science and technology
Being one of the most advanced societies in the universe, with a position on the Kardashev scale somewhere between a Type III and Type IV civilisation, Yekateria is home to a large host of futuristic technologies wielding massive potential. As a byproduct of the Malenkovist movement's embrace of transhumanism, the country is home to marvels such as the Knowledge Repository, one of the largest multimedia multi-format libraries in the universe, and the Genepro, a highly affordable human genetic enhancement treatment available to the average citizen.
Notable Yekaterian scientific and tech innovations include the first widely known feasible solar sail-powered spacecraft, the first mass extraction of resources from interplanetary extraction, interspace transmission of power through stationary power-repeating orbiters, as well as one of the first nations to harness the power of Dyson spheres and compound-based phase-changing space shields and defenses. Yekaterian scientist Radoslav Tesarov was also widely credited with the creation of the Rebtech technology, a space exploration advancement that allowed for the easy modular detachment and reattachment of spacecraft and spaceship sections in interstellar space, proving highly valuable in Yekateria's expansion and exploration in space.
Infrastructure
With its large corridors of flat terrain flanked by gentle hills and mountains, roads and train transport are a fairly common method of land transportation across the vast Yekaterian nation. The Yekaterian highway system, the Autodiaľnica, has no mandated speed limits for certain classes of vehicles outside of towns and cities. Meanwhile, Yekaterian passenger rail transportation is highly dominated by the operator Yekaterské Železnice (YŽ), although smaller lines are run by Železničné Trate (ŽT), and third-party rail operators such as Severnice exist. The Intercity Railway (M-YŽ) is the largest high-speed rail service of its kind, serving major Yekaterian cities as well as neighbouring nations such as Hallech and Neilreich, with speeds of up to 650 km/h (403 mph). The largest Yekaterian airports are the Ryan Lukas Hochhahn International Aeroport and the Philip-Alexander International Aeroport in the major cities of Nataliska and Xanderholm respectively.
Yekateria is the largest consumer of energy in the entire universe, due to its massive size spanning several galaxies. The country's energy generation mix is quite diverse, including Dyson spheres, fusion power, hydropower, solar power, wind power, and geothermal power. The latter five are largely enough to meet the energy needs of Yekateria's civilian population, whilst Dyson spheres are primarily used to generate power for the nation's massive manufacturing base. The Yekaterian government has historically committed and currently commits to supporting biodiversity, low emission standards, and water management through government policies, and the country has been known to have high rates of recycling with over 80% recycling rates per year.
Tourism
Despite historically receiving a measly few million visitors per year, Yekateria has recently embarked on a process of opening up tourism to other nations and expanding the number of available tourist destinations available to foreigners. However, domestic tourism is a massive contributor to the Yekaterian economy, resulting in over 740 quadrillion Korunas to the Yekaterian economy. Including induced and indirect impacts, the tourism industry supports over 20 billion jobs.
Yekateria's most visited and popular landmarks include the Ruined Castle of Xanderholm, the Palace of the Revolution, the old Kremlyna Palace, the Great Pauli Hall, the Chernomore Coast, the Aquitainean Riviera, and the various ski resorts of the Karpatya Mountains. The YekaPark network of entertainment parks is one of the largest park franchises in the entire universe.
Demographics
With a population of 17.9 trillion according to the 2380 Yekaterian census, and increasing to 18.2 trillion as of 2383, Yekateria is the most populous country in the Alpha system and the second-most populous in the universe after the United Empire. Its population density stands at 0.000000000000023167985 inhabitants per square kilometre based on its total area, largely due to its intergalactic nature and the concentration of its population in several core systems. The total fertility rate currently stands at 3.7 children born per parent, with the population expected to grow in later years in light of several government incentives.
As a result of the country having transitioned from a unitary state to a federation, several people groups are classed as national minorities due to their historical proximity and connections with Yekateria. For instance, the Carsiphians are a Turkic ethnic group residing within the inner territories of the constituent republic of Yekateria, the Semlani in Western Xandersko, the Khazaqs in Malensia, and the Sēmē in Northern Kalysia.
Yekateria contains over 67 urban conurbations such as the Yevanska-Yekaterania metro area and contains many large metropolises within its borders. The country's largest city is Xanderholm, while the largest urban area is the Preszov Bay metropolitan region.
Rank | Federal republic | Pop. | Rank | Federal republic | Pop. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Xanderholm Metro | Federal Cities | 82,583,380 | 11 | Filipsburg | Xandersko | 26,040,660 | ||
2 | Nataliska | Yekateria | 61,841,179 | 12 | Lutèce-Étoile de Seine | Estvanie | 23,640,230 | ||
3 | Preszov | Federal Cities | 60,480,570 | 13 | Lundenn | Southern Albion | 19,620,213 | ||
4 | Fredosstad | Kalysia | 51,407,705 | 14 | Margretheborg | Kalysia | 16,743,404 | ||
5 | Chetyrgrad | Cetyrska | 42,220,707 | 15 | Merlange | Aquitaine | 15,583,050 | ||
6 | Yevanska | Yekateria | 38,573,066 | 16 | Bordeaux | Aquitaine | 14,200,664 | ||
7 | Great Williamsburg | Yekateria | 35,037,681 | 17 | Villa de Manzanes | Ebrona | 11,485,000 | ||
8 | Malenburg | Malensia | 32,950,260 | 18 | Tanagrad | Tanaskazia | 9,584,060 | ||
9 | Yevanska | Yekateria | 30,505,400 | 19 | Lukashgrad | Belaelise | 8,393,044 | ||
10 | Pekyn | Yekateria | 27,485,390 | 20 | Stredbre | Ivanskovia | 7,032,184 |
Language
Yekaterian is the official and predominant spoken language in Yekateria. With over 18 trillion native speakers, it is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the universe and is an official language of diplomacy, together with English.
As a multi-ethnic federation, however, several other languages are recognised as co-official; namely Neilan, Malensch Germarian, and Kalysk. Other recognised minority languages include French, English, Alban Gaelic, Vallachian, and Staryslava. Yekaterians are typically multilingual: 93% of Yekaterian citizens claim to communicate in at least one foreign language and 62% in at least two.
Education
The educational system within Yekateria begins with kindergarten between the ages of 1–5 years old, followed by 12 years of primary and secondary education. Secondary education is divided into lower and upper secondary education, with the latter being divided into tracks based on vocational or academic fields, leading into the Všekval examinations at the age of 18. As part of pre-Všekval preparations, students going through the vocational track are also provided apprenticeship opportunities, whilst students undergoing the academic track are instead holistically assessed based on factors such as extra-curricular activities and weighted-average academic grades.
Educational responsibility is divided between the Federal Government and the individual republic, with the curriculum varying based on local needs and resources, with the Federal Department of Education setting federal standards for the academic curriculum and testing. Schools are primarily funded from a mix of public and private funding, as is the case for public universities such as Yekaterania State University, the Federal State Colleges Union, and the University of Filipsburg-Xanderholm, among others. In terms of school facilities and benefits, meanwhile, school lunch is provided through a small monthly fee paid for by the student's parents or guardians with subsidies in place for lower-income students.
Statistically, over 96% of Yekaterian people held a tertiary degree as of 2386, making the country among the top three in the universe in that category. Historically, education was completely free – however this benefit was rescinded following the country's economic liberalisation. With recent reforms aimed at improving societal welfare, though, tuition subsidies have recently been increased.
Health
Healthcare in Yekateria is funded by a mix of public and private funding, with primary and secondary care being heavily subsidised resulting in more needful Yekaterian citizens having completely free healthcare, and those with higher incomes paying a small copayment for the use of primary and secondary public and private healthcare services. Historically, Yekaterian healthcare was highly centralised with universal healthcare being the norm; however following the 2340s coronavirus pandemic, healthcare has been highly decentralised with private healthcare providers being as common as public counterparts.
In recent decades, healthcare access has been a major issue due to high upfront costs for accessing healthcare services, with instances of suicide arising from health-related debt. As such, public healthcare services have been on the rise, prioritised by recent governments.
Public healthcare is overseen by the co-equal health agencies Federal Healthcare Institute and the Federal Healthcare Alliance, with overall public healthcare policy being overseen by the Federal Department of Health. Despite such challenges, the quality of healthcare overall in Yekateria remains high, with the country boasting low infant mortality rates and high life expectancy. Healthcare spending accounted for around 5% of GDP in recent years, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving access and quality of care.
Culture
Historically known for its socially conservative and economically socialist outlook, reforms undertaken by leaders such as Natalia Malenkova and Philip-Alexander de Rynsburger brought Yekateria towards more ordoliberal economic principles. Such reforms brought a rise in advocacy for more progressive causes, bringing Yekateria into the forefront of universal progress. While topics such as religion are seen as taboo due to its perceived backwardness, other topics, such as sexuality are widely respected and upheld. Yekateria widely recognises domestic partnerships irregardless of orientation, with cohabitation and bigamous relationships being not too uncommon.
Yekateria is also a universal leader in scientific and technological innovation, sport, classical and modernist music, as well as in the operatic scene, among others. With its long and storied history, the country is also home to hundreds of historical landmarks ranging from culturally significant locations to exquisite natural sites. The Sybyllan eagle, a native species of eagle, is the country's national symbol and features on the country's coat of arms throughout history. Originally used derisively, the term "Yekky" is a popular word used to refer to Yekaterians and things from Yekateria, often by foreigners.
Holidays
Yekateria celebrates numerous unique holidays, largely based on those of old European tradition. For instance, the May Day of Labour, held on the first of May, is largely dedicated to celebrating the start of summer, along with its socialist connotations as a day commemorating the labour movement. Another such holiday was influenced by the Great July Revolution, that being the Day of Gift-giving, also known as Rozdarce, being a secular alternative to Christmas.
11 July is the National Day of Yekateria, held to commemorate the Great July Revolution in 2048, and the victory of the nascent Malenkovist revolutionaries exactly two years later. The day is also celebrated in the form of a Great July Revolution Parade, involving a military, civilian, and youth element. A similarly celebrated holiday is that of Unity Day, marking the formation of the modern Yekateria and the signing of the Federation Treaty on 1 January, in 1901 and 2235 respectively. Other nationally celebrated holidays include that of International Women's Day on 8 March, Defender of the Homeland Day on 2 August, and the Day of Equality on 24 September.
In addition to national holidays, each of Yekateria's 41 constituent republics celebrates its own Republic Day, commemorating the republic's accession to the Federation. Each republic also celebrates its own ethnic holidays based on its local demographics.
Art and architecture
Yekaterian art was historically influenced by the numerous cultures and ethnicities living within and ruling over its borders, beginning with Saryuhradan icons and frescos following the Christianisation of Yekateria in the early 1000s to the modern futuro-realism styles of the 24th century. Following the Carsiphian Wars of Conquest in the 1270s, Carsiphian rug and tapestries became commonplace, with rug-makers spreading outwards from the Carsiphian capital of Carsiphisk'. Following the Saryuhradan War of Restoration, original Saryuhradan art was readapted following laws by the newly prevailing Kremsvol' dynasty.
The country saw the opening of its first art academy, the Yekaterian Federal Academy of the Arts in an effort to bring about a new age of artistic creations, with notable graduates being Abram Kaverin, Leonid Prokhorov, and Timofey Bogolyubov. Romanticist paintings were largely popular for the early Saryugradan era, with Alexander Zhuravlev being one such notable painter. However, in response to academic restrictions in the late 19th–early 20th century, a movement of realist painters, led by artists such as Vadim Znamensky, Artem Kholodny, and Emilian Trofimov. Art in the style of socialist realism became popular following the 1912 Revolution, brought on by the Communists' desire to purge the country of what was then seen as "decadent" and "bourgeois" art.
The architecture of Yekateria began as woodcraft buildings built by the Duchy of Saryuhrad and its predecessor feudal kingdoms before the 12th century, with architecture from the Christianisation of Yekateria largely being influenced by wooden churches being built across the cold climes of Sybylla, similarly to their eventual compatriots in Malensia and Kalysia. After the Carsiphian Wars of Conquest, however, architecture was largely influenced by Carsipho-Turanic architecture. Notable Carsipho-Saryuhradan architects of the time include Talgat Akhmetov and Farid Khasanov. Following the Saryuhradan Revival and the Saryuhradan National Revolution, however, the country saw a neoclassical revival movement influenced by the northern kingdoms which escaped Carsiphian takeover. Over the 20th century, prominent styles included Art Noveau and Constructivism, with Socialist Classicism. Following the Yekaterian Civil War, Socialist Revival was a prominent style going into the 22nd century.
Literature and philosophy
Yekaterian literature is widely regarded as one of the most influential in the universe, with earliest origins being that of epics and chronicles composed in Old Saryuhradan. Throughout the period of the Carsiphian Empire, however, literature was largely published by the Carsiphian elite; with the Saryuhradan Revival of the early 1800s galvanising Saryuhradan writers across the country into distributing their works en masse. With the optimism brought on by the Revival, writers and poets such as Arkady Kolychev, Yaroslav Dolgorukov, Vadim Strakhov, and Daniil Baranov.
Entering into the later years of the 19th century and the 20th century, short stories and novels became the norm within the Yekaterian literary scene, with writers such as Oleg Rodionov, Irina Kovalchuk, Roman Drozdenko, and Yakov Muranov coming to the fore. Over the following century and a half, rapid changes within Yekaterian society and governance resorted in the mass popularity of non-fiction literature highlighting social issues of the day, with writers such as Svetlana Rozhkova gaining fame for her literary works critical of the ultranationalist movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s, resulting in her politically motivated prosecution. Today, such works highlighting the shortcomings of Yekaterian society are still widely popular; with Anna Shevchenko, a notable political dissident and non-fiction writer, becoming internationally renowned for her fight for transparent governance.
Yekaterian philosophy has been universally influential. Grigory Tarkovsky is known as one of the fathers of the Yekaterian agrarian socialist movement, whose ideas were later adopted by revolutionary Vladimir Lenislav into the era known as First Communist Yekateria. Vera Sorokina, a close protege of Dyleson-Kremsvolian era prime minister Artur Kolesov, has been regarded as the earliest advocate for direct democracy within the then-largely parliamentary government. Petrov Zamarkyov and Peter Malenkov are widely regarded as fathers of Malenkovism, initially a variant of communism, later developing into its own ideology. Mikaela Andersen, the longest serving Federal Secretary of State in the 24th century, has been regarded as the "torchbearer of regime change".
Cuisine
Yekaterian cuisine has long relied on the country's climate, cultural traditions, and the vast geography of the country; it has a wide range of dishes changing based on the local geography and landscape. Drawing inspiration from Slavic, Nordic, and Germanic roots, Yekaterian cuisine is an amalgamation of hearty, rustic flavors and refined culinary techniques. The diverse climate of Yekateria, ranging from cold northern regions to more temperate southern and western areas, influences the ingredients and cooking methods used in different parts of the country.
In north-eastern regions of Yekateria, the cuisine is characterised by robust and warming dishes, designed to combat the harsh winters. Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and beets, along with cabbages and mushrooms, form the backbone of many meals. Traditional dishes like borscht, a beet soup enriched with sour cream, and pelmeni, delicate meat-filled dumplings, are staples. Fish, particularly from the abundant rivers and lakes, is often smoked or pickled, offering a smoky and tangy profile that complements the flavors of the vegetables.
Moving to the central and southern regions, the cuisine becomes more varied and incorporates a wider range of produce due to the more temperate climate. Fresh herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a variety of fruits become more prominent. Dishes such as shashlik, marinated and grilled skewers of meat, and blini, thin pancakes often filled with savory or sweet ingredients, are popular. The influence of neighboring countries is evident in the use of dairy products like cheese and cream, enriching many traditional recipes.
Cultural traditions also play a significant role in Yekaterian cuisine, with many dishes being prepared for specific holidays and celebrations. Bread, considered a symbol of hospitality, is often served with every meal, ranging from simple rye loaves to intricate pastries. Festivals and family gatherings feature elaborate feasts with dishes that have been passed down through generations, preserving the rich culinary heritage of Yekateria. The combination of regional ingredients, cultural traditions, and historical influences are a vibrant and integral part of the country's identity.
Media
Yekaterians are wide consumers of more traditional forms of media, such as the newspaper and news broadcasts, with both forms of media being the historical norm of information communication within the country and between the ruling government of the day and the people. The country's four largest newspapers are Federálny Expres (liberal conservative), Natsiya Segodnya (liberal), Yekaterský Kuriér (conservative), and Moderná Federácia (social democratic). Besides the national language of Yekaterian, the major newspapers also publish in the nation's other recognised languages such as Neilan, Malensch Germarian, and Kalysk.
The country's public broadcasting landscape is dominated by Yekaterská Rádiotelevízia and Telerádio Yekaterská, in operation since 1943 and 2210 respectively. The former has been a mainstay of the national media landscape, whilst the latter evolved from local public television stations amalgamated in a national cooperative since the early 23rd century.
Commercial radio and television broadcasting began to flourish following small reforms in the 2180s and further reforms in the 2260s, with the first commercial television network being that of Televízia Zelenovo (ZTV) under the state-owned corporation Zelenovo Group, followed by individual private companies such as Národná Televízia (NTV) and Malenkovske Rozhlasový Systém (MRS).
The entire country is fully connected to cable television, largely due to previous incentives by the Yekaterian government.
Sports
Basketball is a largely popular sport in Yekateria, with the National Basketball League being the most-watched professional sporting league in the country as well as other nations within the universe. Within the League, the SSN KM "Nataliska Bears" has been a longtime champion, holding the championship title continuously between 2302 and 2310. Affiliated leagues include the National High School Basketball League, with notable former players for the league including former chancellor Jonas Katterfeld.
Ice hockey, bandy, and football ranks roughly equally behind basketball as the second-most popular sports in Yekateria, with their respective leagues pulling hundreds of billions of spectators in their annual seasons. For instance, the Yekaterian national hockey team has frequently won in friendly matches against other countries. In recent years, motorsports have seen an increased interest within the country.