Republic of Karuland

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The Republic of Karuland is a federal presidential republic situated along the southern tip of the Condean Mountains. The southernmost nation of the Commonwealth, Karuland is bordered by Colla, Guasuguay and Ancoria to its north, with Costa Ferrea to its northeast.

Karuland boasts a significant role in the Commonwealth despite its minor spacefaring status, owed to its abundant natural resource wealth and significant role in the construction of the Pan-Condean Maglev. However, the construction of the Maglev, as well as overmining, have displaced significant numbers of indigenous peoples, leading to a persistent insurgency in the hinterlands. Due to the threat posed to the Maglev, the military has wielded increasingly authoritarian degrees of influence over government, with the General Staff often possessing a greater role in the matters of state than the President and Chancellor.

History

Karuland has long existed in defiance of its harsh natural conditions, entering the Rational Calendar favorably. As Man's gaze turned to the stars, Karuland's ample Antipodean claim yielded a decisive advantage in bulk water sales. Paired with its ample natural resources, Karuland naturally emerged as a key player in South Esmaria, possessing one of the highest GDPs per capita in the continent. While initially hesitant to take a side in the Quisquellan Civil War or the ensuing founding of the Pan-Esmarian Commonwealth, Karuland would eventually embrace full membership by 0031 R.C. Karulandic raw resources proved crucial to Commonwealth space logistics, leading to fierce and tight competition with Costa Ferrea amidst the Costaferrean Resource Boom of the 0030s-0040s.

Karuland would be among the Commonwealth nations present in the Treaty of Las Perlas, being rewarded the smallest territorial claim per the stipulations of the agreement. However, this agreement would springboard a steadfast expansion of offworld assets, also culminating in the construction of the South Esmarian nation's first space colonies. While growth would fade away into stagnation by the late 0070s, the beginning of the Novadietan Space Boom in the 0080s would bring about a shift in Karulandic policy, leading to its participation in the ambitious project that was the Pan-Condean Maglev. While spearheaded by Los Condes, it was Karuland's many vast mines that would fuel the southern front of the grand construction effort.

The logistical demands of the endeavor, paired with the country's first forays in establishing space colonies, saw a massive expansion of the country's resource exploitation efforts. Monolithic efforts in expanding mining infrastructure led to significant displacements of indigenous peoples, a fact further exacerbated by the Maglev's construction. The Maglev War of the 0090s would see the emergence of armed resistance to the project, the Karulandic military being used extensively in countering sabotage and insurgency perpetrated by indigenous and radical labourist groups. Proportionally, military influence over Karuland's government grew, leading to exponential expansion of the Karulandic military as a fighting force, as well as the establishment of the Oberste Heeresleitung — a military junta in all but name.

By the time of the Pan-Condean Maglev's completion in 0114 R.C., Karuland's political system has largely come to resemble a vestigial organ, with the military superceding civilian authority in almost all cases where order and security are concerned. The authoritarian regime's rhetoric is justified by the military's need to protect the Maglev and Karuland's offworld possessions, though newer generations feel less compelled to these justifications. Disillusioned by a stagnant economy that has lagged behind the likes of Itzmilco, Ancoria and Novadieta, radicalized youth take to activist opposition against the authority of the General Staff, joining radical labourist student movements and aiding militant indigenous groups.