The Imperial Commonwealth of Zoygaria

[background-block=navy][hr][floatright][box][font=Georgia][color=gold][center][size=125][b]Imperial Commonwealth of 
Zoygaria

Komunió Imperiál de Zoyívska[/b][/size][/color][/center][color=white][hr][center][img]https://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/zoygaria__869044.png[/img]
[b]Flag[/b][/center][hr][center][b]National Anthem:[/b] [url=https://nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1317263#za]La Marszą de la Korona[/url]
[url=link][img]http://i.imgur.com/OLbfWy7.png[/img][/url][/center][hr][center][b]Motto:[/b] Gens una, unus populus[/center][hr][center][img]https://iiwiki.us/mediawiki/images/3/3f/Map_of_Kantrias.jpg[/img]
[b]Geological Location[/b]
(Crimson Red)[/center][/color][hr][table=plain][tr][td][color=white][b]Capital[/b]
[/color][/td][td][color=white]Vostok[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Largest city[/b]

Akuí[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]National languages[/b]
[/color][/td][td][color=white][url=page=dispatch/id=1356067#zl]Zoygarian[/url], Czaszar, Akaramano, Illian, [url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_language]Japanese[/url], [url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language]English[/url][/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Official Languages[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white][url=page=dispatch/id=1356067#zl]Zoygarian[/url], Czaszar, [url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_language]Japanese[/url][/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Ethnic Groups[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]70.92% Zoygarian
24% Akaramano
3% Illian
2.88% Czaszar
1% Electéd
0.2% other/decline to state[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Religion[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]76% Roman Catholic
12% Atheist
5% Islam
2% Florist
1% Electéd
1% Judaism
1% Buddhism
2% other/decline to state[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Demonym[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Zoygarian[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Membership[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white][nation=noflag]Zoygaria[/nation], [nation=noflag]Povoska[/nation], [nation=noflag]Czovoska[/nation], [nation=noflag]Tlaloczki[/nation], [nation=noflag]Voloski[/nation],
[nation=noflag]Vesper and Bombad[/nation],
[nation=noflag]Nunala[/nation], [nation=noflag]Too-Technical Japan[/nation], [nation=noflag]Porta Lucia[/nation], [nation=noflag]Okada[/nation], [nation=noflag]Sajemi[/nation] [/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Government[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Monarchy[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]‣ HEAD OF STATE
‣ HEAD OF GOVERNMENT[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]King Arristok Zobieski III 
Prime Minister Saijto Solski[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Legislature:[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Bicameral Legislature
(Ledzislatska Bikamerál)[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]‣ Upper House
‣ Lower House[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Skolja
Szeczo[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Area
‣ Water (%)[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]5.46 mi²[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Population
‣ Density[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]57.8 Million (2019 estimate)[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Currency[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Pavau (₱)[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Time Zone
‣ Summer (DST)[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Kantrian Central Time
DST[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Date Format[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]dd/mm/yy[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Driving Side[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Right[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Calling Code[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]+(909)[/color][/td][/tr][tr][td][color=white][b]ISO 3166 code[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white]Zg, Zoy[/color][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=white][b]Internet TLD[/b][/color][/td][td][color=white].zy[/color][/td][/tr][/table][/font][/box][/floatright]
[hr]
[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]THE IMPERIAL COMMONWEALTH OF ZOYGARIA[/u][/b][/size][/color][/align][/font][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

Zoygaria, officially the Imperial Commonwealth of Zoygaria, is a very large nation on the Northern plains of Elysia, [region]Kantrias[/region]. Its mainland covers an area of 1,036,515.832 km² (400,201 mi²), with a population of 57.8 million. It covers vast sprawling plains of tundra and grass, surrounded by mountains and rivers. It consists of metropolitan Zoygaria in Northern Kantrias, and several overseas territories. The metropolitan area of Zoygaria extends from the Jajkoni mountains to the south and east, the Oblivion Sea to the north, and the Arrtra River to the west. It is bordered by [url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1478838#ao]Akaramo[/url] to the west. Its overseas territories are the Principality of [nation=noflag]Povoska[/nation] to the north in the Oblivion sea, and the Colonies of [nation=noflag]Czovoska[/nation], [nation=noflag]Tlaloczki[/nation],  [nation=noflag]Voloski[/nation], [nation=noflag]Vesper and Bombad[/nation], and [nation=noflag]Nunala[/nation] to the west, nearby [url=https://nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1010720#lt]Leutria[/url]. The Zoygarian Principality of [nation=noflag]Too-Technical Japan[/nation] is located east of the mainland in the north Shosto Ocean. Zoygaria also owns three City-State colonies; [nation=noflag]Okada[/nation] and [nation=noflag]Sajemi[/nation] (managed by Japan), on the island of Aquilonnia, and [nation=noflag]Porta Lucia[/nation], which sits on the Içugava Strait that connects the continents of Elysia and Havarra. Zoygaria is a Monarchy with its capital in Vostok, the country's fourth largest city and center of trade. Other major cities include Akuí, the old capital and largest city, Dinsk, Romari, Etzio, Osovieç, and Vitrio.[/font][/color][/box]

[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]HISTORIA[/u][/b][/size][/color][/align][/font][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]
[b]Formation[/b]
Zoygaria began as a small Principality of the Rovasi Empire in 1203. Following multiple wars that crippled the Empire, the Principality of Zyga declared itself independent from Rovasi in 1369, along with the other Principalities of Czasza, Helga, Südensburg, Shilagē, and Vaseilles. Zyga formed its own Monarchy and Royal Council under King Viltívi I, and merged with the neighboring Principality of Helga, which was very culturally and linguistically similar to Zyga, in 1370. This formed the Kingdom of Zyga-Helga, which lasted until the state unified with the neighboring Principality of Czasza under the Ovostek Agreement of 1456. The state renamed itself Zoygaria in 1457, creating the Zoygarian Empire.

[b]The Rise of the Empire[/b]
The Zoygarian Empire fought defensive wars with its neighbors, each time emerging triumphant and gaining more territory. The army grew to be respected and feared, and the navy conquered islands and rivers. At its height in 1683, the Zoygarian Empire possessed 14 foreign colonies under its administrative rule. This period from 1457-1683 is known as the Imperial Golden Age, a time when Zoygaria was among the most highly influential and prosperous nations in the known world. Zoygarian explorers traveled and documented everything they could find, and spread Zoygaria's influence and trade along with them. They documented a great number of places like Illia, Japan, the Içugava strait, and the Sea of Arastia. Determined to establish footholds in vital locations, the monarchy funded a great number of settlement and fortification projects across the seas, which resulted in a vast amount of foreign colonies and holdings, which often sparked wars and conflicts of their own. In 1521, Zoygaria established its first formal relations with its western neighbor of Akaramo, agreeing upon a border between them that would remain until the present day.

As merchant vessels traversed the many bodies of water within Zoygaria's sphere of influence and uncovered a great number of foreign seaports with which to trade, a period of enlightenment began. In 1530, a Czaszar historian traveled to New Galopiea, where he observed practices, ideals, and ways of life that he had never before seen in Zoygaria. This historian, Henryk Szaprovo, inspired by what he saw in Leutria, embarked on a series of voyages to places like Okinawa, Jelo, Mayewo, Aureus City, Tremylan, and Breezewood to record and document the unique cultural practices and ideas he discovered. What he brought back to Akuí were revolutionary new ideas that the Zoygarian people strove to learn from and know more about. Akuí became the central hub for foreign cultures and ideas, and a great many Zoygarians departed from Akuí to Etzio, where they then traveled across the world in search of new ideas to bring back home. This period brought about many changes to Zoygarian society as a whole, including new technologies, new revelations on equality and equal rights, and a want to spread Zoygaria's influence across the world.

[b]The Fall of Zoygaria[/b]
1684 marked the start of a slow but steady decline for the Zoygarian Empire, which would become more and more apparent as the years went by. At the forefront of global politics and affairs, Zoygaria had as many allies as it did foes. The Elysian continent was rife with war and conflict, and the many states that made it up were always in some sort of clash with another. From 1690-1703, Zoygaria engaged in the Elysian War of Ideals, a major conflict involving most of the nations on the continent. The War of Ideals pitted the Imperialist nations against the revolutionary new democracies who had overthrown their monarchs, who in turn conflicted with the non-Roman Catholic protestant nations. The war ended with no clear victor, settled by the tenuous Peace of Fools, which spawned dozens of other minor conflicts in its wake. Zoygaria got wrapped in a number of succession wars in nations it held or desired influence in, wars over religion, and more still over foreign colonies, which decimated the Royal Treasury and crushed the morale of the Zoygarian people.

 In 1735, Zoygaria's powerful neighbor of Cześkodia invaded Zoygaria's mainland, sparking The Great Zoygarian War which lasted 4 years without pause. Initially, the act was seen as preposterous and a fool's errand, as the so called "Invincible Empire" had never once lost a foreign conflict, especially within its own borders. For several months, the Cześkodian forces battled the Zoygarian armies in the hostile and fortified Zoygarian terrain, being blocked from entering the mainland. Victory only seemed to be a matter of awaiting one last winter to drive Cześkodia out. However, the southern army suffered a crushing defeat in October, allowing Cześkodian forces a clear path into the Steppes while the retreating Zoygarian army attempted to rendezvous with other forces. To the east, Cześkodia finally pushed through the formerly impervious Jajkoni Mountain range, and plowed through the mainland to Vostok. King Hrvastski IV of Zoygaria was killed in the battle of Vostok, and Queen Hrvastska signed the Treaty of Vostok, 1739. Zoygaria lost massive portions of its mainland territory, and the Empire fell into disarray. The Royal Treasury was nearly depleted from constant warfare, the people were tired and hungry, and the army disbanded due to lack of funds. Queen Hrvastska died of a heart attack a month later. The crumbling state of Zoygaria was slowly annexed by its larger neighbors until only Vostok-Czasza was left, losing nearly all of its foreign territories to greedy countries in the process.

[b]A New Zoygaria[/b]
In 1740, Princess Bianka Hrvatska II, only daughter of Queen Hrvastska, was crowned Queen of Vostok-Czasza. Filled with determination and ambition, she rallied and united the struggling regions of Zoygaria into a unified state. The military was completely overhauled and improved, and the Royal Council was reorganized. The Pavau was formally adopted, and Zoygaria founded the Imperial Commonwealth under a new constitution. She renamed herself Bianka Vivieska I, which stems from vivier, or, to live. The newly founded Zoygaria reclaimed and conquered smaller territories around it, and gained absolute control over several major rivers. It cemented itself geographically, laying claim to traditional Zoygarian lands, and its borders remain the same today. It still retained six colonies from the former Empire; [nation=noflag]Povoska[/nation], [nation=noflag]Czovoska[/nation], [nation=noflag]Tlaloczki[/nation],  [nation=noflag]Voloski[/nation], [nation=noflag]Vesper and Bombad[/nation], and [nation=noflag]Nunala[/nation]. In 1741, a new Zoygarian flag was adopted: a tri color and coat of arms reminiscent of that of the former Empire. Few other nations have dared to invade Zoygaria since their reformation. From 1741 onwards, Zoygaria adopted a completely neutral foreign policy to prevent crippling wars such as those that had felled the Empire. However, this did not stop Zoygaria from establishing three city states in foreign territories, acting as pseudo-colonies. Zoygaria tends to stay out of foreign wars and affairs unless the issue directly threatens Zoygaria or its allies. In 2020, the Imperial Commonwealth took on two [url=https://nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1433259#zp]Protectorates[/url] as part of an initiative to aid and develop nations with close ties to Zoygaria, in addition to furthering relationships. On the 8th of November, Canada was released from the status of Protectorate, but on the 24th of April, 2021, Japan ascended from the status of Prorectorate to the title of Principality, becoming fully integrated into the Imperial Commonwealth.[/color][/font][/box]


[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]GEOGRAPHY[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

Zoygaria sits on the northern plains of Kantrias, one of the coldest spots in the entire region. The vast majority of mainland Zoygaria is tundra, hills, and snowy grasslands. To the nation's immediate north is the Oblivion Sea, of which it has a broad coastline into. Several miles above Zoygaria sits the Principality of Povoska, whose climate is much like the mainland. Its eastern border is made up of the Jajkoni Mountain range, which also makes up a portion of its southern border. To the west is the powerful Arrtra river, which crosses into the Jajkoni Mountains to the south. The Kolvez River flows diagonally from northeast Zoygaria and feeds into the Arrtra. The Volosk and Holoski Rivers that power Kantrias begin in Zoygaria and flow downwards. The small Bistran Mountain Range sits near Vostok, to the west. The islands of Czovoska, Tlaloczki, and Voloski sit near the Kingdom of Leutria in a much warmer and more tropical climate. They get massive amounts of rainfall and sunshine alike, but rarely ever see snow. Mainland Zoygaria and Povoska's climate is cold, with highly frequent snow and not much sun.[/color][/font][/box]

[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]CULTURE[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

Zoygarian culture is very vibrant, colorful, and highly patriotic. There are many annual dances and festivals, and a Zoygarian flag is flown from nearly every building. There is a mandatory pledge of allegiance in schools, and a national Independence Day and flag day. There is a very high religious tolerance, and citizens may practice any religion of their choosing. Traditional Zoygarian garb consists of colorful tunics of green, red, blue, gold, and white for men, and kimono-like dresses of pink, blue, white, red, and gold for women. These traditional garments are often observed with small hoods attached in case of colder weather. Every year, families gather to celebrate Hirata, a festival celebrating Zoygarian culture, identity, and language. The celebration is held on the 7th of February, and involves traditional dances and games, a feast, and poetry competitions.
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[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]ETYMOLOGY[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

The name "Zoygaria" comes from the old Rovasi word of Zyga, meaning tundra. The Principality of Zyga later became independent from the Rovasi Empire, and began the annexation of some of its smaller neighbors. With the entrance of new cultures into Zyga, their already unique language began to diversify even further. The Zoygarian language rose from the combination of Zygan and Czasar cultures, and birthed the name of Zoygaria to the land on which they lived. 

Zoygaria is the English interpretation of the native name, Zoyívska, which spawned the demonym, Zoygarian. Typically this term encompasses people across the entire Commonwealth, but it varies upon the speaker. The Zoygarian word for someone or something from Zoygaria is 'Zoyavski.'
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[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

Zoygaria is run by a Monarchy with an elected cabinet of nobles beneath them. This practice has been in place since the 1200's, where the people would elect nobles from the Zoygarian aristocracy to serve as advisors to the royalty and representatives of the people. The royal family has special status enshrined by law. The ruling monarch is the head of state and makes the majority of executive decisions. The Ministerial Council and Council of Nobles often oversees issues and petitions of the people.

The current ruling family of Zoygaria is house Zobieski, having ruled Zoygaria since 1946. The current Monarch is King Arristok Zobieski III of Zoygaria. The heir to the throne is Princess Luna Zobieska I of Zoygaria, Arristok's eldest child.

The Royal Family consists of King Zobieski, Queen Zobieska, and their children, all listed below.

King Arristok Zobieski III, Sovereign Monarch of Zoygaria

Queen Emilia Zobieska I of Zoygaria

Princess Luna Zobieska I of Zoygaria, heir to the throne and Princess of Povoska

Princess Naomi Zobieska I of Zoygaria, Princess of Japan
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[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]ECONOMIC POLICIES AND STRUCTURE[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

Zoygaria is a very large supporter of clean and renewable energy, and despite vast petroleum deposits, seeks to better the environment. You will find many wind farms and offshore wind rigs supplying as much power as oil rigs. Many government buildings in major cities such as Vostok, Dinsk, Akuí, and Etzio utilize solar panels atop their roofs for the sake of a cleaner city environment with less pollution. There are bullet train metros to whisk citizens over long distances in a minimal time, utilizing solar energy to recharge. 

Zoygaria reserves the right to manufacture and if necessary, use weapons of mass destruction (WMD's). Zoygaria is known for having a particularly large nuclear arsenal, and is known throughout the world for its arms output. Nuclear energy is a prospect that is being experimented with, but as of now has a low chance of becoming an every day usage. There are no nuclear power plants yet, as renewable wind and solar energy are able to provide for the majority of Zoygaria with minimal environmental or societal risk.

Zoygaria utilizes a Capitalist free market system, in which private industry accounts for the majority of Zoygarian industry output. With a booming economy, Zoygaria exports not just manufactured goods, but accounts for the majority of wheat and fruit farming from Northern Kantrias.
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[spoiler=Zoygarian Foreign Policies and Treaties]
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=zoygaria/detail=factbook/id=1331552[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Zoygarian Military]
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=zoygaria/detail=factbook/id=1316931[/spoiler]

[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]CULTURAL PRACTICES AND NORMS[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

It is very uncommon in mainland Zoygaria or Povoska to wear tank tops or shorts, due to the naturally cold climate. Typically Zoygarian attire involves Polo shirts, Dresses, Dress pants or leggings, boots or dress shoes, and typically a Ushanka or Fedora. Tropical Zoygarian attire is much more casual and typically cooler. Jeans, T-shirts, shorts, tank tops, and running shoes are much more common due to the warmer weather. 

Conversation is typically direct and to the point, usually disregarding smalltalk in favor of a meaningful discussion. Sports are very common discussion topics, with the most common sports being football and fencing.

It is very common to see flags flying from buildings and establishments. Any flags are permitted to be flown, so long as flag hierarchy is maintained, and the flags are not blatantly disrespectful.
[spoiler=Zoygarian flag hierarchy]
The flag of Zoygaria, or any other national flag sit at the top of the flagpole, all the same height.

The flags of the Zoygarian colonies and territories fly under the Zoygarian flag (with the exception of Povoska, which flies at the height of the Zoygarian flag)

The flags of cities, districts, regions, organizations, etc. fly under the Zoygarian and colonial flags.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Zoygarian Vexillology]
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=zoygaria/detail=factbook/id=1540071[/spoiler]
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[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]SOCIAL VIEWS[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white]

Zoygaria has a host of unalienable rights allotted to her citizens, and is a large advocate for equal rights for all people. Zoygaria abolished the institution of slavery in 1741 as part of the new constitution. This Constitution, which was the template for Zoygaria's Constitution that was released in 1920 and lasts to the present day, also ensures freedom of speech, religion, the press, expression, and more. There have been a great many amendments to the constitution, such as voting equality for all citizens, equal right to marriage for all citizens 18 and older, and the adoption of a more efficient citizenship process.
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[box][align=center][font=Georgia][color=gold][size=150][b][u]MISCELLANEOUS FACTS[/u][/b][/size][/color][/font][/align][hr][font=Times New Roman][color=white][list]
[*] Zoygaria is the second largest cheese producer in Kantrias.
[*] Zoygaria has one of the largest and most developed armies in the world, and has only lost one war in its history.
[*] Akaramano is the second most common language in Zoygaria, due to the two nations' cooperation and sharing of jobs. 
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[font=Georgia][color=white]
Original template by [nation]The Brytish Isles[/nation].
Changes and additions by [nation]Zoygaria[/nation].
Original template is found [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?t=463086&f=23&view=unread#unread]here[/url].[/font][/color][/background-block]