But there is something different, I wrote once, and I found:
Kingdom of Simfanland
History Simfanland was colonised by the Swedish in the early 17th century, who primarily utilised the land for its large fish banks, largely neglecting the agricultural development of the land. It was Sweden’s primary colony in the Americas, and the culmination of Gustavus Adolphus’ efforts to build a Swedish empire.
For most of the 17th century, this continued, but after the collapse of the Swedish Empire in the 1710s, Simfanland was the target of intensive immigration and settlement. The land was divided into plantations, primarily amongst officers of the defeated army in lieu of pension but also amongst merchants willing to pay. For labour, veterans were permitted to settle without having to pay for passage. Many veterans initially created their own farms, causing strife and a labour shortage but a 1734 law imposed restrictions on land ownership that largely resolved this problem. Thus for 25 years, Simfanland was rapidly settled and domesticated.
During the Seven Year’s War, Simfanland fought fiercely against, but was defeated, by the British. The 1763 Treaty of Paris awarded Simfanland to the British Empire; however, as a result of strenuous negotiations by the Swedes, the Swedish population in Simfanland would not be expelled. The British went on a campaign to win the loyalties of the Swedish planters, most often by awarding baronetcies and creating the House of Assembly (Lantdag), which allowed qualified voters to vote for the assembly. The result was that there was little unrest in the province during the conflict, and generally little independentist sentiment. After the American Revolution, a number of de-landed colonists were permitted to settle on the Unamikka Island, in the northern part of the country.
Simfanland’s economy remained largely agricultural, supplemented by shipbuilding and mineral extraction of resources such as gypsum, salt, peat and barite. This continued for most of the first half of the 19th century. However, with the rise in national consciousness spurred by the Revolutions of 1848 in Europe, agitation for great autonomy and self-governance rose, and riots in 1849 threated to devolve into a full rebellion, although they were supressed. As a result, Simfanland was awarded responsible government the next year, and Per Abrahamsson became the first Prime Minister of Simfanland, of the liberal, pro-reform faction, which is the direct ancestor of the modern VFP.
However this did not end all contemporary agitation, and nationalist sentiment continued to rise. In 1872, a State Convention on Self-Governance was assembled and agreed to petition Westminster for full Independence with the consent of the Lantdag. This initial proposal was rejected, and negotiations dragged on for six months until Parliament consented to permit to a Simfanland Protectorate under an appointed Resident Commissioner, in the Simfanland Act 1873. However, the Simfannish leadership did not desire a republic, and thus sought a King for the their new nation. The Lantdag quickly chose Prince Oscar Bernadotte, the son of King Oscar II of Sweden, but the Parliament forbid the selection of a “Prince of the House of Bernadotte or Vassa”, in order to reduce Swedish influence in Simfanland. The Lantdag then nominated Prince Ernst August von Hannover, heir to the abolished throne of Hannover, as their new King; Ernst August was the second cousin, once removed of Queen Victoria and the senior male-line descendant of George III. Ernst August was proclaimed King on September 7th, 1873, a date which is considered Simfanland’s Independence Day. On January 1, 1874 the new Constitution of the Kingdom of Simfanland came into effect.
Simfanland’s independence saw the start of an economic boom that lasted until the Great Depression, fuelled by immigration, not only from Scandinavia, but also Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Lebanon, and Jewish populations. It could be said that Simfanland’s trajectory during this time followed that of Argentina during the same period, with the growth of local heavy industry and finance causing rapid growth. The population of Simfanland exceeded 1 million in 1912. Simfanland, still a part of the British Empire, fought on the Allied Side in both World Wars, and was a founding member of the United Nations. In 1931, alongside the Statute of Westminister, all vestigial ties of suzerainty with London were formally broken by treaty, and Simfanland became a fully independent nation on 11 December 1931, and the Resident Commissioner was replaced by a High Commissioner.
Postwar deindustrialisation saw the emergence of a post-industrial economy, and the rise of the financial sector and service sector. Women were granted the right to vote in 1950.
Geography
Simfanland occupies the
Nova Scotia Simfanland Peninsula , which is a t-shaped peninsula, with one side bordering Canada, and the rest of the T surrounded by the Atlantic. The Atlantic coast of Simfanland has numerous offshore fishing banks which are submerged sections of the continental shelf. Rising sea levels since glaciation have inundated many parts of the coastline, including these areas on the continental shelf, providing rich habitat for marine life, as well as defining other unique features such as various coastal islands, bays, harbours and estuaries. Traditionally, the economy has been defined by natural resources in the primary sector.
Resources available for mining include coal, gypsum, iron ore, gold, salt and barite. Offshore deposits of oil and natural gas have begun being exploited. The fishing fleet operates on the continental shelf . Years of overfishing have led to setbacks in production. Lobster, scallops, and haddock are currently the biggest catches. Inland, forests yield spruce lumber and the province's industries produce much pulp and paper. In the northwest, dairy farming is an important sector of the economy. There also are significant grain, hay, fruit, and vegetable crops. The bay lowlands, which were reclaimed by dikes in the 17th century, are very productive for agriculture.
Politics and GovernmentDue to its British colonial heritage, Simfanland generally follows the Westminster form of government, which entails a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. Despite its Swedish cultural heritage, Simfanland’s government closely resembles that of other Commonwealth realms such as Canada, Australia, and South Africa, with some modifications.
The King of Simfanland, currently Ernst IV August, retains not only a number of prerogative and ceremonial rights, but a sizeable amount of day-to-day executive responsibilities as well. Amongst his powers are the general responsibility of choosing justices to the Supreme Court, ambassadors, and other representatives. The King often will set an outline the policies and objectives which he would like to see implemented. The difference between this and the usual powers reserved to constitutional monarchies can be seen in the Speech from the Throne; whereas most monarchs speak about the goals of the elected government, the King of Simfanland will speak about his own personal policy objectives, with the intent that the government will subsequently pursue them. The appointing of the Prime Minister is also a major prerogative, although the King will usually only appoint an outside official in the case a government cannot be formed.
As per the Constitution of 1874, Simfanland follows a bicameral legislative system. The Riksdag is the parliament of Simfanland, composed of the Sovereign, the lower house is the Folkförsamlingen, whose members are elected in single member districts, by preference voting, single transferrable vote. The upper house is the Lantdag, whose members are chosen amongst the nobility. In the manner of the House of Lords, all members of the nobility are entitled to sit in the Lantdag. Unlike the House of Lords, the Lantdag retains significant legislative authority, in that manner more resembling the Australian Senate. It has the ability to veto bills, which it regularly exercises. The last election for the Folkförsamlingen was held on July 25th, 2009. The term of each session of the Folkförsamlingen lasts six years. Every member must be a citizen over the age of 35, and until 1971, a man.
Simfanland has traditionally maintained a two party system, although there are a number of small parties that win a few seats. Because of strong the power of generally “conservative forces” (the monarch, the aristocracy), Simfanland is unique in having two parties that are generally considered to be “right-wing”, which some political analysts have likened to the 18th and 19th century division of the British political arena into Tories/Conservatives and Whigs/Liberals. The two major parties are the:
Konservative Parti (KP, Conservative Party)The KP is a socially conservative, Christian democratic, communitarian party, which traditionally has found its support amongst the landed elite and the rural population, but also a segment of the urban bourgeoisie that traditionally worked in the civil service, joined the military or otherwise had vested interests in state institutions. In recent years, with the move to a post-industrial economy, it has also gained the support of what would have been the “working class”. It is strongly conservative, opposed to most social reforms, but it is also in favour of a limited welfare state, one that particularly focuses upon the education of the young, the promotion of child-rearing, and old age pensions. It generally supports trade restrictions and protective measures. The KP currently has 91 seats in the Folkförsamlingen.
Venstres Folkepartiet (VFP, Left People’s Party) The VFP, despite its name, is generally considered to be a liberal party in the traditional, European sense. Thus, in its support of pro-business, free-market policies, it is not considered to be a left-wing party. It generally focuses on economic issues, and is consistently advocates for a smaller government presence in business. It generally does not place priority on social issues, but has traditionally passed significant social reforms (the enfranchisement of women, the partial legalisation of abortion). Traditionally, it has been held to be the party of the commercial class and business elites, and led Simfanland into NAFTA and other free trade agreements. The VFP currently has 57 seats in the Folkförsamlingen.
Abortion is legal only in the cases of rape, maternal life, health, mental health, and/or fetal defects
