Overview

Ko-oren is an island nation in the centre-west of Anaia with a little over 27 million inhabitants. It consists of 32 subdivisions with various titles (State, Province, Oren, Prefecture, Shire, Department). Its largest cities are Garihnkatar (Greencaster), Ilohbonu (Willowbourne), Amahne (Aminey), and Shemurdar (Schemerdrecht). The role of capital city is shared by four cities (Gehrenna, Mayara, Maethoru, Senoren). The nation has many distinct biomes, caused by several geographical features (two mountain ranges, a large bay, and several seperate islands).

Historically, Ko-oren has always been in a somewhat isolated position in far northwestern Atlantian Oceania. Without many foreign influences, the nation's development started from the core of the Bay, in current-day Majara Oren. Soon, other cities were founded along the coast of the Bay, setting up trade networks. More integration soon followed, and most of the mainland of Ko-oren could be seen as a unified people and nation. In the following centuries, separate kingdoms in Ko-oren's periphery joined for various reasons, and the rest of the nation's history went by without major struggles. Several (internally motivated) changes of leadership and rewritten constitutions brings us to modern Ko-oren. The Anaian alignment in modern times instantly brought Ko-oren to centre stage in international relations.

Socially and politically, the nation's focus on the environment, education and entertainment (tourism, cultural activities, sports) is clear. Ko-oren is a highly developed nation, though not per se a rich one. Its remote location has only recently allowed tourism and foreign trade on a large scale. Otherwise, the nation is scientifically advanced with many acclaimed universities and research facilities.

The archipelago is home to many languages, some of which are only spoken in Ko-oren (Gehrennan, Tarrashall, Altioran and Aviansolan). Other languages were brought in from abroad and enjoy some use (English, Dutch, French, Japanese). Two major languages were brought in from abroad, but the varieties spoken in Ko-oren do not closely resemble the foreign form anymore (Finisterran, Mawr).

History

Given its location, Ko-oren has long been an isolated country. It was settled quite early given an Anaian context. After the formation of states, Ko-oren was largely left to its own devices until advances in shipbuilding in the High Middle Ages. After this, Ko-oren has played an international role, above average in science and arts.

Typically, Ko-orenite history is divided into several eras:
- The land before man, era without humans (until 20,000 years ago)
- The pre-state, era of hunter-gatherers and early agriculture (20,000 years ago until 8,000 years ago)
- The four-cities kingdom, era of the early state, and early agriculture in Ko-oren's periphery (8,000 years ago until 4,000 years ago)
- The bay confederacy, era of early trade among bay city states, and first golden age in science and arts (4,000 years ago until 2,500 years ago)
- The peripheral mapping, era of the periphery catching up with the urban centres (2,500 years ago until 2,000 years ago)
- The first Ko-oren, era of unification, second golden age in science and arts (2,000 years ago until 1,500 years ago)
- The foreign influence, era of stagnation, foreign influx of language and culture (1,500 years ago until 1,000 years ago)
- The second Ko-oren, era of rebirth, a surge in science, arts, philosophy, statesmanship, following native and foreign ideas (1,000 years ago until 500 years ago)
- The emission, era of exportation, exploration, and independence of Ko-oren's periphery (500 years ago until 300 years ago)
- The silence before the storm, era of little improvement, stagnation, and crisis (300 years ago until 200 years ago)
- The industrial commonwealth, era of reunification, and a boom in population and science, closely followed by the arts, philosophy, etc (200 years ago until 100 years ago)
- The third Ko-oren, era of a state built on the philosophy of the previous Ko-oren's, and an era of international contribution (100 years ago until now)

Geography

Ko-oren is located in centre-west Anaia, between the Salamantic Sea (north) and Ocean of Ayes (south).
The total land area of Ko-oren is 378.751,3 km², of which 2,4% is water. The nation consists of a few thousand islands, only about a hundred of which are inhabited. Among these are the main island (Ko-oren), the four eastern islands of Yoshima (Alara, Etena, Selesi, and Leleia) and the three northern islands of Aerellen (Aerellen, Altiora and Arboren). Most of the islands, however, are located on the west coast, as part of West Strand Riding and Mawryshire, with one main exception: the island of Burnet, which is fairly large and part of Surbourneshire. Most of these western islands are very small and uninhabited, with the main exception of Penstead island.

The archipelago contains three mountain ranges, all of which located on Ko-oren island. There is the northeastern range, which contains the tallest mountains, including Ko-oren's tallest, the Hazelberg. There is the central-western range, which covers the largest area due to the length of the range. The third and last is the southern range, the smallest and lowest of the three, also called the Amandine range. Conversely, Ko-oren is home to two large plains: Intermare, in the north, and the greater plains, in the central-south. The greater plains support about 40% of the entire population of Ko-oren, despite only making up 15% of the land area.

Due to the proximity of the mountain ranges to the coast, Ko-oren has no rivers with a length upwards of 300 kilometres, apart from three rivers that traverse the central-southern plains. Longest is the Agamina , which flows through Ilohbonu (Willowbourne), Nurili (Norille), Anahrkur (Anarcourt), and Abis (Abyss). Second comes the Eidikuna, through Iduloren and Majara. Third is the Obadha, which flows through Edihlbahl (Idyllwild), Ilijuth (Linieux), and Amahne (Aminey). Other rivers of importance include the Torkhega through Gehrenna and Maethoru, the Irisontha through Senoren, the Gantau through Garihnkatar (Greencaster), the Argar through Monrama (Maynard) and Garihnkatar (Greencaster), the Hazel through Seterdahn (Straudum), the Kusiter through Serekhan (Cirelbourne), the Isole through Berelkhanaur (Bruncester), the Nora through Launathi (Launott), and the Silbahna through Ethuweri (Étouille).

The natural disaster risk is moderately low in Ko-oren. Coastal areas in the west, especially Mawrystwyth, has very slight and infrequent flooding. Yoshima has infrequent (less than annual) tropical storms that may touch the eastern coasts of Selesi and Leleia island.

Climate

Ko-oren is home to different climates: the subtropical southeast (Cfa), temperate central-southern and central-western Ko-oren, including Intermare and Aerellen (Cfc), and the mountain ranges (ET). Some areas of Yoshima (southeast) qualify for a tropical climate (Am). There is a notable difference between the coastal areas and the inner greater plains, as well. Generally, the climate of regions surrounding the inner Bay are far more temperate than the areas on the outer coasts. The subdivision of Gehrenna, in central Ko-oren, because it is shielded by the long western mountain range, may even be semi-arid.

Overall, Ko-oren has a record high temperature of 42 degrees C, measured in eastern Selesi. The record low temperature is -38 degrees C, measured in the northern mountain range.

Demographics

In modern Ko-oren, 96% are of Ko-orenite descent. Out of the remaining 4%, about half are from other areas of Anaia or Atlantian Oceania, the other half are from the rest of the multiverse. There are no easily distinguishable ethnic groups within that 4%, there are no other ancestries that contain more than 0,5% of the total population, or 12,5% of the remaining 4% of non-Ko-orenites.

While Ko-oren remains a popular destination for foreign students and other groups staying in the country for employment for several years, these people do not often stay in Ko-oren beyond their education or employment.

The urbanisation rate sits at 70%, living in 60 cities (settlements of populations over 50.000).

Largest Cities

Ko-oren's population figures show a slight increase that is not expected to change drastically. The current 27 million should reach 35 million in the next 50 years. Even that should not impact the population density, which sits currently at 72 people per square kilometre. The population increase will most likely concentrate in the (60) cities, leaving currently uninhabited land to nature even with increasing population.

In terms of religion, most Ko-orenites follow a set of beliefs coming from old animism, now also incorporating beliefs from foreign religions: Christianity and Buddhism. Many of the traditions stemming from these religions have been interwoven so closely with public life, that to many people, religious importance has been lost and the tradition lives on by itself. This differs massively per person, however.

Language

The most important factor used to categorise Ko-oren's population, is a person's first language. In modern times, most people grow up learning two or three languages from birth, in which case, all of these languages are counted as a person's first language. The first division can be made by whether someone's first language is a foreign one, or a native tongue. All in all, there are 10 major languages, all spoken in specific areas, but increasingly with more overlap. All 10 languages are 'healthy', meaning that they are unlikely to die out within Ko-oren.

Languages by speakers

By a combination of geographic differences and language spread, 75% of the Ko-orenite population can be reached by using just English and Japanese. This number rises to 95% by adding French, Dutch and either Aerellen or Classical Ko-orenite.

Government

Related articles:
List of Ministries of Ko-oren
List of international organisations and treaties affiliated with Ko-oren

Ko-oren is a (semi-)meritocratic parliamentary republic with a unicameral, semi-presidential government. The constitution provides the balance between the meritocratic elements of government, and the democratically chosen parliament and Prime Minister. Ko-oren is also a unitary state in that the subdivisions of Ko-oren only have the few powers and responsibilities that the national government delegates to them.

The meritocratic ministries form the legislative branch, together with the parliament. The parliament does not have the power to make laws, however laws are only enacted once the parliament has
put them to a vote.

The ministries, in particular the ministers, form the executive branch. The judicial branch is made up of the Ko-orenite court system. The parliament also performs an auditory task (the auditory branch). Separation of powers is accomplished four-way, with a small overlap in duties and responsibilities.

The constitution of Ko-oren is frequently reviewed by a committee consisting of each of the four branches, ensuring that the meritocratic principles are protected, while also making sure that the extent of meritocracy is checked by parliament, in order to counter fraud.

Elections are held every three years, during which half of parliamentary seats are elected. Since it does not matter which party or parties are largest and there is no cabinet to form, a Ko-orenite parliament normally consists of many different parties. The electoral system works with proportional representation. One third of seats are tied to geographic subdivisions.

Economy

Some part of Ko-oren's budget comes from foreign students who have returned to their original nations, repaying their student debt. Education is not particularly costly in Ko-oren, especially for people with the Ko-orenite nationality. Still, repaying student debt remains a slightly profitable 'industry'.

Beyond that, the Ko-orenite economy consists of many familiar sectors. While government and semi-government sectors are influential and often the largest player in that market, there is healthy competition by a free market. Recently, the government has allowed Ko-orenite companies to look across the borders as well as provide help to enterprises that seek to expand abroad. At the same time, foreign corporations now have an easier opportunity to open up Ko-orenite branches.

The most visible and most used sectors include education, public transport, and (domestic) tourism. Sports and other entertainment also provide business opportunities. Industry and financial services are remarkably small. Foreign tourism, transport, education, healthcare, (luxury) agriculture are the most profitable industries.

Agriculture is sustainable and produces enough to keep Ko-oren from having to mass-import goods. Luxury agricultural goods (flowers, rare fruits and vegetables) are exported most of the time.

Oil is not found in the archipelago. Gas reserves are small. Metals and other mining products are abundant but operations are only rarely allowed in order to protect the environment and the landscape.

Energy comes from renewable sources and nuclear power.

Culture

Culture is often tied to language. While subdivisions are the most important and most referenced ways to divide the country, language is usually a defining factor for determining most people's 'alliances'. Language dictates, to a small extent, what media someone consumes.

Sports are a massive factor as the biggest entertainment industry of the nation. Sports are where the popular and the high-brow meet, and that goes for music and even poetry: sports clubs (especially the city-unifying professional clubs) provide a wider podium than just sports.