Westland

Westland, offically the Westlandic Republic, (Westlandic - Sjorlðríksins Weseaxlands) is a sovereign state in North Western Europe, located to the south of the island of Great Britain. Westland shares a land border with the United Kingdom, and borders the Westland Channel to the south. Westland has a total land area of 40,372 km2, and a population of 731,324, making it one of the least populous countries in Europe. The capital, and largest city of Westland is Uýnjasistir, while the official language is Westlandic, which is a West Germanic language that maintains close similarities to Old English and Old Norse, and modern Icelandic.

Westland has existed almost continuously since the 6th century, when it was founded as the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex. Wessex became the most powerful of the Anglo-Saxon fiefdoms which now form England, and was the main force in repelling Danish invaders in the 10th century. In 927, the other fiefdoms of England unified into a single Kingdom of England, however Wessex excluded itself from this arrangement. Wessex became known as Westland after 927. In the 11th Century, Westland was invaded, and occupied by Norwegian and Danish armies, which began to influence Westlandic culture and language. Westland remained a powerful entity throughout Medieval Europe, however other countries began to overtake Westland in terms of population, while Westland's stay unusually low. Westland was the seat of a colonial empire between the late 16th century and the 19th century, with colonies in North America, in what is now Canada. Westland was among the first countries in Europe to industrialise, following the United Kingdom and Belgium. Westland's monarchy was abolished in 1932, and the landmark Constitution of 1932 ushered in a new era of Egalitarianism. Westland has a long and unique cultural history, with traditions still strongly echoed in modern life and retold through Sagas.

Westland is a Parliamentary Republic, with elements of Direct Democracy. Westland has one of the oldest established parliamentary bodies in the world, the bicameral Witanegemot, was first founded in the 7th century, as an advisory board to the monarch of Wessex. The Head of State of Westland is the President, while the Head of Government, also known as the 'President of Parliament', is the Prime Minister of Westland. The President is elected through parliament in a proportional representation electoral system, which ensures fair representation in politics, while the Prime Minister is elected through a vote in Parliament. Westland employs several elements of direct democracy, in the form of referendums and local meetings. Westland is an active member of the United Nations, and is a member of the OECD, and the EFTA, but not the European Union. Westland has a fully representative government, using Proportional Represention in all elections.

Westlandic culture is founded upon the nations Anglo-Saxon Germanic heritage. Most Westlandic people are descendants of Saxons who emigrated to the British Isles in the 5th century, or the original indigenous Celtic people of the British Isles. Westlandic, a North Germanic language, descends almost directly from Old English. The nation's cultural heritage includes traditional Westlandic cuisine, great poetry and the Pagan Faith. Paganism is a majority religion, with Christianity also playing a minor part, however Westlandic people are generally irreligious.

Westland is a fully developed industrialised country. Westland was ranked as one of the most developed countries in the world in 2013. The country ranks highly in GDP per capita, freedom of press, civil liberties, gender equality and social mobility. Westland has a highly comprehensive nordic-style welfare system.

Etymology
The English exonym, Westland, was first used in the early 10th century. Before 927, Westland was known as Wessex, which was an Anglo-Saxon fiefdom before the Kingdom of England was established by Mercia. Westland derives from the country's original location, in the West of Great Britain, however it now covers the southern coast of Great Britain. The Endonym, used by Westlandic people, is Wesæxland, and in official matters, Sjorlðríksins Weseaxlands (Westlandic Republic).