Arkania

The People's Republic of Arkania (Arkanian: Volksrepublik Arkania) commonly referred to as Arkania is a sovereign island nation located in the North Sea in Western Europe. It is internationally known, and prides itself as the "smallest socialist state in the world" with a total population of approximately 9,000 people and a total area of 35 km2.

Arkania declaraed independence from the Netherlands in 1940 after hearing the news of the Nazi Invasion of the Netherlands during the Second World War, the Dutch military garrison stationed on the island staged as so-called revolution lead by soldier Hendrik Peters. Peters rallied up his fellow soldiers at the station in Zeahavan, stormed the garrison commander's office and took control of the station. The red flag was raised, the rest of the town was secured for the rebels, and on. Peters, and several other members of the proclaimed the People's Republic of Arkania in the town's square. The Constitutional Committee of Arkania was established and drafted the Constitution of Arkania, which promulgated an "ideal socialist society" governed through direct democracy, and organised through workers' self-management. these principles became known as Arkanian Socialism. The constitution was ratified in 1941. Through an international anomaly, Arkania became recognised as a soveriegn state by the end of the Second World War in 1945.

Arkania remained neutral and in isolation for much of the 20th century, focusing on working towards the establishment of a socialist society domestically and striving to become fulling self-sufficient. Hendrik Peters was elected the first People's Secretary between 1940 and 1952, until he stood down, and his successor, Fons Stark was elected. Arkania remained neutral during the First Cold War, revealing support for neither side of the Ideology Crisis and continuing its policies of neutrality and isolationism conducting limited international trade during this period. Arkania discovered a limited amount in the waters off its coast in the 1960's, which prompted a case in the International Court of Justice between Arkania and the Netherlands, which resulted in the agreement and confirmation of Arkania's exclusive economic zone. Arkania's oil reserves were tapped during the 1970's with help from Britannia in developing its oil infrastructure. The oil revenue brought much needed prosperity to the island which helped to develop further public infrastructure provisions on the island.

Arkania has long been culturally distinct from the rest of Netherlands, for many centuries the island's population had been largely overlooked due to its distant proximity from the rest of the Netherlands and diminutive population. As a result, Arkania's populace became highly self-sufficient developing independent cultural traditions and customs. Arkanians recognise themselves as a distinct ethnic group, and have developed a distinct dialect of Dutch. Arkania has been ranked as one of the least globalised countries in the world both culturally and economically, having escaped this through its long period of isolation and limited international trade. Arkania ranks high in terms of public health and education, civil liberties and freedoms.