Great Morstaybishlia

The United Kingdom of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard
Flag of Great Morstaybishlia
Anthem: Glorious King
Location	Map Location of Great Morstaybishlia (dark green)
Capital and largest city	Sani Bursil
Official languages	Staynish Calth Jubliakese Old Staynic
Recognised regional languages	Justelvardic Horkalese Kirdintay Axdan language Amos Noc Accerus Oan language (Reōa)
Ethnic groups (2016)	98.7% Human 1.2% Lupine 0.1% unspecified
Demonym(s)	Morst, Morstaybishlian, Morston
Countries of the United Kingdom	Staynes Caltharus South Staynes Justelvard
Government	Federal parliamentary Constitutional monarchy
• High-King	Lambertus VII
• Prime minister	Franklin Barvata
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	House of Peers
• Lower house	House of Representatives
Establishment
• Union of the Thrones under Lambertus III	1515
• Ascendancy of the United Kingdom over the Kormistazmic Empire	1575
• Secession of the Norogradian principality from the United Kingdom	1970
• Secession of South Staynes from Staynes	1975
• Acts of Union of Morstaybishlia and South Staynes	1977
• Acts of Union of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard	2016
Area
• Total	5,917,000 km2 (2,285,000 sq mi)
Population
• 2019 census	479,569,512 (2nd)
• Density	81.05/km2 (209.9/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2017 estimate
• Total	♅16.6 trillion or $14.435 trillion
• Per capita	♅35,217 or $30,100
Gini (2018)	0.36 low
SDI (2018)	0.94289 very high
Currency	Kirib (♅/KRB)
Time zone	UTC⁠ (Toransloe Mean Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+7 to +11 (Morstaybishlian Summer Time)
Date format	DD/MM/YYYY
Driving side	the left
Calling code	+75
ISO 3166 code	GMO
Internet TLD	.GM

The United Kingdoms of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard, commonly known as Great Morstaybishlia and colloquially the UK (United Kingdom) is a unitary sovereign state and transcontinental country in Aurora and southeast Yasteria. Great Morstaybishlia includes Staynes, Caltharus, South Staynes and Justelvard, as well as other islands. Great Morstaybishlia shares land borders with seven countries (from left to right); Axdel, Uspria, Xagrurg, Vothetria, Kothalria, Kostromastan, Baykalia and Tivot. Justelvard shares no land borders except on one island with East Malaysia and a Tivot district whilst neighbouring the Kohatu Isles. The Morstaybishlian Sea lies between the north coasts of Staynes and Caltharus and the south coast of Justelvard. The Caven Sea sits north of Justelvard, and the Azure Sea sits south of South Staynes. The Packilvanian Ocean starts at the left coastline of Staynes and the north-westernmost island in Justelvard.

Great Morstaybishlia is a Constitutional monarchy with a two-House parliament system. The current monarch is Lambertus VII since his coronation on the 6th of June 1991 and the serving heir apparent is Rosamund. The capital is Sani Bursil, a global city and financial centre with an urban area population of 50 million in 2019, the largest in Aurora, largest in the United Nations of the Auroran Continent and largest in Urth. Other major urban areas in Great Morstaybishlia include Redrugus, Aeternum, Lambertupol, Fort Vitaryn, Fort Staynes, Labius, Kirdintayos, Port Makuh, Fort Jubrayn, Toransloe and Firanoute. The nearby Frorkstolm and Necraties Islands are not part of Great Morstaybishlia, being Crown dependencies with the government responsible for defence and international representation.

The relationships among the countries of the Great Morstaybishlia have changed over time. In 1515, Lambertus III united the thrones of Staynes and Caltharus which formed the United Kingdom of Staynes and Caltharus, which went on to become the sovereign state of the Morstaybishlian Empire. Justelvard was annexed by the Morstaybishlian Empire after the Morsto-Justelvardic War in 1604. Justelvard declared independence from the Empire in 1967, but was not recognised until 1975. South Staynes seceded from Staynes in 1975 which saw it obtain status within Great Morstaybishlia two years later under the Acts of Union and in 2016 Justelvard entered a political union with Great Morstaybishlia under the Acts of Union of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard leaving the present formulation of the United Kingdom of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard. The Morstaybishlian Empire is one of the last reminders of colonial times. There are thirteen Overseas Territories of Great Morstaybishlia. These are the remnants of the Morstaybishlian Empire which, at its height in the 1800s, encompassed almost a tenth of the world's land mass and was the largest empire in history. Morstaybishlian influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies.

Great Morstaybishlia has been a member state of the United Nations of the Auroran Continent since its formation in 2017; the successor Union to both the Auroran Continental Assembly, where the UK was a member state, and the Auroran Union. The UK's council representative of the UNAC is Fischan Rhye who was appointed in 2017.

Etymology and terminology

The 2016 Acts of Union declared that the kingdoms of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard were "United into One Kingdom by the Name of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard", though the new state is also referred to in the Acts as the "Kingdom of Great Morstaybishlia", "United Kingdom of Great Morstaybishlia" and "United Kingdom".

Although Great Morstaybishlia as a sovereign state is a country; Staynes, Caltharus, South Staynes and Justelvard are also regarded as countries, though they are not sovereign states. The Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom.

The term "United Kingdom" is often used as synonym for Great Morstaybishlia. However, it is sometimes used as a loose synonym for Great Morstaybishlia as a whole. GM and GMT are the standard country codes for the United Kingdom and are consequently used by international organisations to refer to Great Morstaybishlia. Additionally, the United Kingdom's Olympic team competes under the name "Great Morstaybishlia" or "Team GM".

The term "Morstaybishlian Empire", in politics, is used to describe Great Morstaybishlia and all Overseas Territories.

The adjective "Morstaybishlian" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and rarely as a synonym for the United Kingdom. The term has no definite legal connotation, but is used in law to refer to United Kingdom citizenship and matters to do with nationality. People of the United Kingdom use a number of different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being Staynish, Caltharusian, South Staynish; or as being Justelvardic, and still in some cases Horkalic, except Horkalic refers to the ethnic group Horkalans. A growing minority of people have identified themselves with Morstaybishlian nationality after the Acts of Union 1977, likely a patriotic spur.

After the Union of the Thrones in 1515, the two kingdoms were briefly known as the "United Kingdom of Staynes and Caltharus" until it was formally dubbed the "United Kingdom of Morstaybishlia" in early 1516.

The Acts of Union 1977 decreed the United Kingdom of Morstaybishlia in political unification with South Staynes. By extension of Kingdom territory, the region of "Morstaybishlia" was given the epithet "Great", short for "Greater".

The Acts of Union 2016 decreed the United Kingdom of Morstaybishlia in political unification with Justelvard to ratify the earlier 2016 Treaty of Union and so unite the two kingdoms.

In 2017, a new design of Morstaybishlian passport was introduced. Its first page shows the long form name of the state in Staynish, Calth, Justelvardic, Jubliakese and by public vote, Old Staynic.

History

Background

Main articles: History of Staynes, History of Caltharus, History of South Staynes, History of Justelvard

Settlement by anatomically modern humans of what was to become the United Kingdom began around 100,000 years ago. During this period, the Strathepolic Ridge connected the continents of Aurora to Yasteria across the Morstaybishlian Sea. In the next 50,000 years, the earliest known Auroran culture had developed and is thought to belonged, in the main, to a culture termed Strathepolic. Around 50,000 years ago, the ridge submerged as sea levels rose. The Strathepolic peoples, which had been settled along the ridge for thousands of years were forcibly isolated from one another, starting the early population of Aurora and the earliest known division of the two continents.

Union of the Thrones

Caltharus Throne War
Part of Caltharus Conflicts
Lambertus the Great marching through Lambertupol after defeating the rebellion.
Date Conflict involving Staynes began and ended in 1515, but was a result of earlier implications. Location Staynes, Caltharus Result Staynish victory Unification of Staynes and Caltharus to form the United Kingdom of Staynes and Caltharus (later United Kingdom of Morstaybishlia) Coronation of Lambertus III as High-King Deaths of many significant Caltharusian figures
Participants
Staynes Caltharusian loyalists	Republic of Caltharus
Commanders and leaders
Lambertus III Berbatov Haligan  †	Gretargius Ballistra  † Crow Jusa  †
Strength
~140,000 ~240,000	~344,500
Casualties and losses
~84,000 ~159,000	~334,800

The Caltharus Throne War was the war which saw the United Kingdom of Staynes and Caltharus come into being after the surrender of the Republic of Caltharus to the Kingdom of Staynes and Caltharusian loyalists, as well the resurrection of the Caltharusian Throne, which was incorporated into the Staynish Throne on the 29th of December 1515.

In March 1513, the Kingdom of Caltharus was overthrown by a military coup which established the Republic of Caltharus. Haligar II, the King of Caltharus and father of Princess Katerina was executed. Princess Katerina was married to Lambertus III and was the second in line to the Caltharusian throne but was exiled to Staynes as the risk of capture and execution was too great. She lost contact with her younger siblings and cousins and they were presumed dead. The Republic caused conflict and fractured the nation into two factions. The Republic and loyalists to the King and Kingdom. Katerina returned to Caltharus to lead the war between the Republic and Kingdom loyalists but the loyalists continued to loose ground until they were confined to north-west and west Caltharus.

In November 1514, Chancellor of the Republic, Gretargius Ballistra, had his prisoners of war and two of Katerina's six siblings executed. Katerina discovered the news later the same month and convinced Staynes to intervene. It was not only a personal loss to Katerina as they were distantly related by previous marriage to Lambertus III. After their execution, the Republic was unable to make friendship with either the Ethalrian's or the Molgov Dynasty despite previous talks.

From the 12th of January 1515 to the 29th of December the same year, Lambertus III led Staynes and the Caltharusian loyalists into battle against the new Republic of Caltharus for control over the rights to rule. The conflict lasted through many strategically implemented episodes during 1515, however there was fighting between Caltharusian loyalists and the Republic before and after this period between the belligerents.

With the initial execution of Halligar II's two children and another one child, Lambertus amassed an army of 140,000 Staynish and 240,000 Caltharusian loyalist soldiers that stormed the major cities until Lambertupol, pushing the Republic's forces back where they held their ground for two months days until the 29th of December when they fell.

Their victory in Lambertupol concluded the end of the war. The monarchy was re-established and Lambertus III was crowned High-King of the United Kingdom of Staynes and Caltharus, later the Kingdom of Morstaybishlia, on the 29th December. The remaining four siblings and cousins of Katerina who had fled to the both the Ethalrian Empire and Molgov Dynasty returned from exile. A feast on the 11th January began in Lambertupol to mark the victories. This day is celebrated annually around the world as Lambertus Day.

Lambertus did not return back to Bursil until 1519, establishing order and peace in Caltharus. He faced some challenges from both the Ethalrian Empire and the Molgov Dynasty, both looking to expand their territory. He defended the border for a year and a half until a mutual agreement was held. The conflict led to the mass death of around 577,800 men on both sides. It remains the most gruesome conflict in pre-modern Auroran history.

Western Auroran Crusades

Main article: Western Auroran Crusades

Between the years 1519 and early 1522, Lambertus IV was apart of an expedition to find more gold for the young Morstaybishlian Empire. He had discovered the largest-yet deposit of natural gold ore in Aurora during June 1522 and sent his older brother and then king Slev III an official report which enclosed information regarding both the geopolitical position and the status of the gold. Slev set out to take control of the supply lanes of the gold from the Kormistazic Empire and within a week had amassed an army of 3,000 men, 250 horses and battery equipment. The army left on the morning of the 25th of October 1522. They camped at many locations during their trek towards Fort Montekaan but the most prominent was in the small village of Harrow. A merchant from Soltan called Kaledus saw the army and reported the impending attack to Delphus Faithful the day before the battle took place, which gave them enough time to rally troops and plan an ambush.

Slev and his forces reached the fortress in the early hours of the summer solstice (21st December). He divided his forces into two fronts; the assault and support. The trebuchets acting as the support was ambushed soon into the battle. The fortress had two portcullis' where the ambush captured Slev and his soldiers inside. Reportedly, Delphus Faithful had all but one prisoner, excluding Slev, shot, and had the king later beheaded.

News reached Lambertus IV on the 5th of January, in which he immediately ascended the throne. He was officially crowned King of the Morstaybishlian Empire on the 6th of April at Syllester Abbey, Redrugus. During the next few months, Lambertus and his council thought of ways to take control of Fort Montekaan. During early September, Lambertus sent his cousin Amet to important cities and towns in Caltharus to amass a large army for the upcoming war. Amet returned to Fort Redrugus a month and a half later with a strength of 70,000 men with a promise of another fifty to seventy thousand in the next five to ten years.

It was during late 1523 that Lambertus suffered betrayal from two members of his privy. He did not know of this, and this betrayal actually lent an advantage during the next battle of Fort Montekaan. Lambertus ordered the immediate forced conscription of 45,000 young Morstaybishlian men into the already 40,000 strong army.

Lambertus IV led the second Battle of Fort Montekaan on the 2nd of January 1524. The forces did not travel in the lowland valleys in the Zycannes and instead travelled directly through them. This led to the deaths of several hundred soldiers and half a dozen horses. 24,500 soldiers camped at the base of the Zycannes for an hour before attacking the fort in the early hours of the morning. The walls were breached around 5AM, the same time the soldiers attacked the fort. It is known that Lambertus IV had a duel and won against Honoluras Faithful once the battle was won.

(wip)

Redrugus V annexed the Kormistazmic Empire as a Principality during the Western Auroran Crusades, which lasted 52 years, from 1523 to 1575.

Colonialism

Main article: Morstaybishlian Empire

Painting of the last Golden-tipped owl, named "Lucy". c.1974

Morstaybishlian colonialism began as early as 1444 when a Staynish expedition led by Wince Ledkeat under the command of Queen Serena saw the Necraties and Frorkstolm become extended territory. Both Frorkstolm and the Necraties were uninhabited and sought after for the development of trade outposts, which began less than two years after its discovery. Perdaé, the Necraties' capital, began life as a port town until the late 16th century, where Lambertus V designated its port to be shared for naval affairs. It was first used for this purpose when it rallied galleons in 1604 to invade Justelvard.

Many species endemic to the Necratie Isles were pushed to extinction from the arrival of people and pests. Gold-tipped owls were a species of owl that was hunted for their feathers and rendered extinct in the wild in the latter of the 18th century. Despite persistent attempts to re-introduce the captive populations into the wild, the species was declared fully extinct in 1974.

The Necraties, Frorkstolm and the Morstaybishlian West Pacific Territories saw a spur of piracy in the mid to late 16th to mid 19th centuries. Rebels and pirates saw the islands as perfect hiding places in the war against scum and villainy, as well as perfect areas to manoeuvre the pirating business to its greatest heights between 1660 and 1730. Pirates were a common pest in these waters until the navy sentenced the seven most notorious Pirate Captains to death soon after the battle of Valna Bay which saw to their capture in 1821. Continuous efforts by the navies of the southern Yasterian and north Auroran nations saw to the eventual demise of pirates in and around the Morstaybiahlian Sea.

Morsto-Justelvardic War

The earliest record of Justelvard in Morstaybishlian history was a written document signed by Lambertus V on the 10th of January 1602, agreeing to install the necessary components for a full scale invasion and planned annexation of Justelvard and Kistelvard, which made up the Strathepole archipelago; and to greatly enlarge the size of the standing Morstaybishlian Army to defend the ever-expanding Auroran empire. In the latter of the same month, a letter left Fort Staynes on horseback and arrived in Fort Jubrayn on the 5th of February to Francesci Morston, the then current Military Overseer. It demanded the production of one hundred ships-of-the-line and a million trained soldiers in two years.

In January 1603, Lambertus V received an imperative tactical map from a Jussie called Dorghold. The drawing showed relevant information such as towns, docks, ships and more. The meeting concluded with the promise to allow Dorghold some undisclosed form of power of his homeland after the war.

Some time in 1603, Francesci Morston was either murdered or committed suicide. He was replaced with Ledwin Dinged, who managed to complete the 100 ships of the line but not the million soldiers. The invasion was led by Admiral Pennisine, thought to be one of the best Admirals in Morstaybishlian history. They set sail from Fort Jubrayn on the 19th of September 1603, arriving at Perdaé in the Necraties three days later. They used Fallace Bay as a halfway point and did not set sail until the 1st of January 1604. They arrived at Justel's Brow in Justelvard one day later. During bombardment of the Justelvardic defence, Dorghold assassinated the leader Nordin and the Justelvardic forces were split between Nordin's followers and Dorghold's followers. It began a 2v1 battle that was quickly decided. A group of Nordin's followers retreated into the country to Mount Surraine, where they rallied with another powerful Justelvardic man called Surrot.

The Morstaybishlian troops followed the Jussies to Mount Surraine and laid siege to the town. Morstaybishlian forces won and Surrot was executed. In the next year, proceedings to bring Justelvard and Kistelvard into the Empire was underway, and it was formally incorporated as the first Overseas Colony of the Empire. Dorghold became a familiar icon in Justelvardic history, with many statues of him being erected. An island chain between Justelvard and East Malaysia was named after him, but his legacy is also frowned upon by Jussies who believe in independence.

Morstopackia Superstate

Morstopackia (dark green) with Morstaybishlia's surrounding territories (light green)

Rare picture of King Thadeus I of Morstaybishlia and Sultana Zerah Demir IV of Packilvania, around July 1917, a month before his death

In 1897, Thadeus I married Zerah Demir IV, Princess of the Caliphate. The two superpowers were united under marriage and for 20 years remained so, until the death of the Morstaybishlian King in 1917.

Trade between the two superpowers rose to unimaginable heights. This legacy is still visible in trade between the two superpowers to this day, with Morsto-Caliphate trade being the strongest and largest trade between two sovereign states in the world.

The two countries, having been married under political union for 18 years, decided that they would go through a legal process to form a permanent sovereign state with the alias "Morstopackia". The idea was taken quite radically in two fashions; some thousands of politicians and activists endorsed the idea whilst an equal number despised it. When the King of Morstaybishlia abruptly died of liver failure in 1917 it sparked an international crisis. At age 16 a young and inexperienced Thadeus II, the future sole inheritor to Morstopackia, fought against his mother for control of the throne. His mother escaped Sani Bursil back to Bingöl and immediately terminated any such legal administrative actions which would have ultimately united the two countries and thus the Acts of Union, prepared and written for 1918 never became legitimate.

With a rocky year in the royal family came a major political rift. Both the far reaches within the fatherland of Morstaybishlia and Packilvania saw large far-left groups emerge. The latter fell to a communist uprising in the years following with Queen Zerah Demir IV's assassination in 1936 and the far-left groups in Morstaybishlia would eventually be the precursor to Norogradian Independence.

Norograd Secession Act 1970

With the death of Thadeus I and the recession of Packilvania-Morstaybishlia relations, separatists in the Principality of Kormistazm formed the Kormistazic Republican Army and began attacking police stations and government buildings within the major cities in a minor bid to take control. In 1920, the armed forces were deployed to deal with the KRA and attacks ceased. This action was incredibly well publicised, and in the time afterwards socialist newspapers in the region became significantly more popular, especially those promoting anti-imperial Noroist socialism. By the turn of the decade, most separatist groups and militias had become Noroist.

In 1943, a small Noroist group known as the Jilkania Revolutionary Front launched a surprise attack on the Barque city council hall. They captured it swiftly and with little resistance, taking several hostages including the mayor of the city at the time, Ferdinand Smithson. Police were unable to safely retake the hall, coming under fire and threats that the hostages would be killed. The JRF demanded that Jilkaan be allowed to secede from the Empire as its own state, and encouraged other groups to take action against the regional authority. The stand off lasted a week before the first hostage was eventually killed. Soon after, the Morstaybishlian Armed Forces were sent in to retake the structure without killing the hostages. However, the JRF were warned of the attack beforehand and a major firefight emerged, with major casualties on both sides. The city hall was eventually retaken, though Ferdiand Smithson was shot several times and died of blood loss and internal bleeding whilst being transported to hospital. In the aftermath, Lord Nelson of Jilkaan decided to enhance police liberties when dealing with rebellion to prevent further need for the armed forces and to root out separatist groups in the region. King Thadeus II then extended this law to all of the Principality in 1945 due to the increased number of protests and riots.

By the late 1950's, the counterculture movement emerged across Aurora, and with it, and increased number of protests and riots within Kormistazm, as well as the Emberwood and Quartz fern regions. Primarily Noroist socialist separatist groups became significantly more prolific, especially in higher education and universities. with the turn of the 60's, the largest underground Noroist resistance group, the Norogradian peoples liberation party, made links with the government of Ethalria and East Cerdani. This allowed them to begin stockpiling arms and manufactured weapons, as well as giving them the resources needed to semi-covertly begin manufacturing weapons of their own design by the end of the decade. When the Auroran Imperial War broke out, the NPLP organised soldiers across the principality, coordinating with other smaller groups, and soon after launched a coup of the regional government. Armed with a vast supply of arms, vehicles, ships, and aircraft, the NPLP successfully gained control of the Kormistazic principality within three days, announcing its independence as the republic of Norograd and joining Ethalria against the Morstaybishlian Empire. This was further solidified by the use of high yield thermobaric weaponry by the Royal Air Force during an NPLP assault on an army base, which killed many soldiers of both sides.

With the close of the Auroran Imperial war, Lyrevale, Emberwood Coast, and Quartz Fern Coast had seceded from Norograd. Every new nation had its independence guaranteed at the post-war Weyrcliff summit and were officially recognised as separated from the Morstaybishlian Empire.

South Staynes Secession Act 1975

High-King Galfridus in 1990, aged 63, a year before his death.

Years of tension between the central government and many local councils and authorities led to a snap referendum for independence at the end stages of the Auroran Imperial War. The legitimacy of the referendum was questioned, and on the 6th of June that year, the poll saw 54% of the population vote for the leave. Greta Vardem was declared President and South Staynes declared independence as a sovereign state from the UK. The initial first few weeks saw lots of infighting. Soldiers and people loyal to the Morstaybishlian Empire were told to leave, whilst politicians were given a week. Guerrilla infighting between Morstaybishlian loyalists and the new South Staynish Army ensued creating a large shift in the opinion polls of Galfridus. Thousands of people were killed in the streets. This gave Morstaybishlia yet another problem to add to their list. At the point of the referendum, the Auroran Imperial War had started a ceasefire period. Greta Vardem saw this time to establish a non-aggression pact with her Axis neighbours, as well as a reluctant Morstaybishlia.

Being unable to prevent this loss of fatherland, Galfridus was severely criticised and his position was labelled weak by the devolved government. Wince Lavin, Prime Minister, saw this time to rally the power of the people to force the King in handing over executive power to Parliament. His plan succeeded, and on the 16th of July, the parliament replaced the throne as the main decision making body of Morstaybishlia.

After gaining independence, South Staynes struggled to find international recognition. Many other sovereign states declared the referendum was not legitimate and that Greta Vardem and Wince Lavin had collaborated to replace the throne with parliament. This resulted in many of the Empires' allies turning a blind eye to the situation; unable to find adequate reason to support either the Empire or South Staynes. Furthermore, Morstaybishlia did not recognise the new sovereign state. However, many opposing the Morstaybishlian Empire did. Norograd and Ethalria recognised the new state immediately and began their own relations with the country.

Acts of Union 1977

For the first few months, Greta Vardem made many decisions that would grow South Staynes as a power and which pushed themselves more onto the world stage. They signed recognition and alliances with many Auroran countries except Morstaybishlia. Under Greta Vardem, South Staynes' economy grew by a record breaking 4% in its first year.

In 1976 however, in one of the most controversial moments in history, a gunman in a police disguise was mistakenly identified as Labius Deputy Police Officer Hans Drekker and was allowed on set during a live broadcast on national television where the President was filming. The gunman, Fred Greidman, fired and shot Greta several times in the chest and stomach before shooting himself. Immediately following the incident, Vice President Morgan Lugin seized control of the senate and began his oppressive doctrine. The people grew angry and soon infighting resumed in the major cities. The armed forces was dispatched and under Morgan Lugin was ordered to fire live ammunition at violent protesters. Hundreds upon hundreds died. This action sent the country into civil war and Lugin lost the trust of Delores Sofura and other Auroran allies. With infighting reaching extreme heights, Lugin was forced to resign by his own council and later jailed. After a recession, the interim government ran by seven members of the Vardem Committee believed it was in the national interest to league with Morstaybishlia. The committee flew to Sani Bursil to sign the Acts of Union 1977, forming a political union with the United Kingdom of Morstaybishlia to create the United Kingdom of Great Morstaybishlia.

After the Acts of Union 2016

On 16th Dec 2016, the United Kingdom of Great Morstaybishlia and Justelvard came into being, the result of Acts of Union being passed by the parliaments of Morstaybishlia and Justelvard to ratify the earlier 2016 Treaty of Union and so unite the two kingdoms.

Geography

Map showing the Morstaybishlian Empire at its territorial maximum, with former territories in light green and text in red, and the current formulation in dark green with text in black

The United Kingdom has an area of 5,917,000 km² (or 2,284,566.47 square miles). The mainland part of the United Kingdom is made up of Staynes, Caltharus and South Staynes which are collectively referred to as Morstaybishlia. Justelvard is an archipelago located in the Caven Sea that forms the metropolitan part of the United Kingdom along with Morstaybishlia. This article will refer to the metropolitan part of the UK unless it specifically refers to one, some or all of its numerous overseas territories.

The United Kingdom is the largest transcontinental empire on Urth. At its height, it was the largest nation on the planet, with an empire that comprised what currently forms the Kuthernburg Commonwealth, most of the Gordic Council and other territories. It is currently the second largest country on the planet. It has a diverse range of ecosystems. Its metropolitan area goes through three timezones.

The average elevation is 845 m (or 2772 ft). The highest elevation is the summit of Mount Kersivius which is 7,405 m (or 24,294 ft). The lowest elevation is the Nepiditras Depression in Caltharus (at 79 m below sea level). The longest river is Lamberta River with a length of 5,216 km (or 3241 miles). The largest lake by surface area is Lake Lamberta with an area of 129850 km² (or 50,135 square miles). It is the second largest lake by surface area on Urth.

The geology of Justelvard and Morstaybishlia are different. Justelvard was formed from volcanic activity. As such it has igneous rock, and a base of basalt rock. Morstaybishlia has sedimentary rock. It has a high amount of metals such as iron, aluminium and silicate minerals, precious metals such as silver, rhodium, palladium, platinum and gold, semi precious and precious stones such as sapphires, ruby's, garnet, emeralds and red beryl, and fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas and coal.

Biodiversity and environment

Jubrione Rainforest

Great Morstaybishlia's territory comprises different ecosystems, such as the Flizon rainforest in Justelvard, recognised as having one of the greatest biological diversity in the world, with the Jubrione rainforest spanning a majority of the northern Staynish and Caltharus coastlines being the largest rainforest in the southern hemisphere. Below the Jubrione, the trees disperse into a completely different environment, partially due to thousands of years of human intervention. Temperate deciduous forests scatter in central Staynes and Caltharus. To the south of Staynes, the elevation gradually climbs, apart from the far west coast, which is a mixture of temperate deciduous forests and grasslands. The Zycannes dominates the north of South Staynes and small pockets of southern Staynes and apart from some small passing routes is generally difficult to cross. South Staynes is inhabited with temperate deciduous forests, grasslands and wetlands. Under the Jubrione in Caltharus, there is wet temperate forests that turn into steppes and open highland the more south you go.

Climate

Dazman Beach, Redrugus, on the hottest Day in 2018

The United Kingdom has a climate that varies. Most of Morstaybishlia is temperate, with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons seldom dropping below −5 °C (23 °F) or rising to 42 °C (107.6 °F) in the north, and dropping below -15 °C (5 °F) or rising to 24 °C (75.2 °F) in the south. South Staynes often has prevailing winds which bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Azure Sea, although the midland parts are mostly sheltered from this wind since the majority of the rain falls over the southern regions and therefore the midland regions are the driest. Packilvanian currents, warmed by the Oceanus Stream, bring mild winters; especially in the west where winters are dry. Summers are warmest in the north of Morstaybishlia, being closest to the tropics, and coolest in the south. Heavy snowfall can occur more southerly in winter and early spring on high ground, and occasionally settles to great depth away from the hills.

In most of the Flizon Jungle and parts of the Jubrione, there is no dry season. all months have an average precipitation value of at least 60 mm (2.4 in). Tropical rain forests have no summer or winter; it is typically hot and wet throughout the year and rainfall is both heavy and frequent. One day in an equatorial climate can be very similar to the next, while the change in temperature between day and night may be larger than the average change in temperature during the year. The Jubrione is considerably temperate, between 18 °C and 22.4 °C or 64 °F and 73 °F degrees. The northern Jubrione coast is the hottest, at an average of 24 °C. The Jubrione maintains annual humidity levels of 74%, lower than average. The Flizon Jungle in Justelvard maintains an average heat of 28 °C and annual humidity levels between 76% and 79%.

Morstaybishlian army troops clearing snow from a railway cutting, 1943

The location of the Zycannes, as well as the great variations in their elevations and exposure, give rise to very large differences in climate, not only among separate ranges but also within a particular range itself. Because of their central location in Aurora, the Zycannes are affected by four main climatic influences: from the north and west flows the relatively mild, moist air of the Packilvanian; cool or cold polar air descends from southwestern Aurora; continental air masses, cold and dry in winter and hot in summer, dominate in the east; and, to the south, very dry Azure air flows northward. The average temperature in the foothills of the Zycannes is around 13 °C to 18 °C.

The highest recorded temperature was during the 2018 summer in the Staynish Interior when the mercury hit 47.5 °C (117.5 °F) in Iron Valley, whilst the lowest recorded was during the Great Freeze of 1943 (the most brutal winter Aurora had seen in over three centuries), where during the blizzard filled night of the 26th of June the temperature was recorded at -24 °C (-11.2 °F) over the town of Keltucka, South Staynes.

Politics

The politics of the United Kingdom take place in the framework of a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The government is divided into three branches with checks and balances between them.

Lambertus VII, Monarch since 1991

Franklin Barvata, Prime Minister since 2019

The High King, currently His Majesty Lambertus VII, is the head of state. He occupies a largely symbolic position with limited powers. In practice he is limited to the following powers: receiving diplomats, signing laws without the power to veto them and signing treaties without the power to ratify them, and opening sessions of the legislature. A body of aristocrats and distinguished people, called the Privy Council, advises the High King on the exercise of his duties with some committees such as the Cabinet, having taken over much of the work of ruling from the Crown.

The Prime Minister, currently Franklin Barvata, is the head of government. He appoints the Cabinet with the approval of a majority of the Parliament. The Prime Minister, along with the Cabinet forms the executive branch of the government which handles the work of actually governing the country. The work is divided according to topics called portfolios occupied by Ministers of the Crown. Other executive officials may attend Cabinet meetings but may not vote.

The Parliament of the United Kingdom forms the legislative branch of the government. It makes laws and ratifies treaties. The upper house is the Senate which apportions seats equally to the four constituent countries of the UK and gives fewer seats to overseas territories. The House of Representatives is the lower chamber, elected by every adult citizen with seats apportioned to political parties according to their proportion of votes.

The power to make and implement laws is divided between the federal, state and territorial governments. The national government handles matters such as defence, currency, trade and treaties. The states handle such matters as property rights, public health care, education, and land management. There are four states who are also referred to as constituent countries of the UK: Staynes, Caltharus, South Staynes and Justelvard. The territorial governments are restricted to issues such as housing, water, power, sanitation and local roads. The national government has a large degree of control over their internal affairs.

Military

Main article: Royal Armed Forces of the Empire

The A-121 Rook is a sixth-generation stealth fighter aircraft which entered service in 2014.

HMS Superior, painted in 1805, is the Flagship of the First Sea Lord. It is the longest serving naval vessel being commissioned in 1775.

HMS Bursil, a Shtorm-class supercarrier pictured from above in June 2018.

The Royal Armed Forces of the Empire (RAFOTE), also known as His Majesty's Armed Forces (HM's Armed Forces) and the UK Armed Forces form the military of the UK and its Oversea Territories. They are made up of three branches: the Navy, Army and Air Force. The forces are managed by the Ministry of Defence and controlled by the Defence Council, chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence; currently Mikhail Sankuda. The Commander-in-Chief is the Morstaybishlian monarch, to whom members of the forces swear an oath of allegiance. The Armed Forces are charged with protecting Great Morstaybishlia and its overseas territories, promoting Great Morstaybishlia's global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts. They are active and regular participants in the UNAC Defence Force. Overseas garrisons and facilities are maintained in Packilvania, Blueacia, Kuthernburg, Axdel, Mexregiona, Lokania, Assowolf, Yor, Nacata and Atiland, as well as in Overseas Territories of New Calth, Louzaria, Joralesia, the Inuit Isles, Frorkstolm, the Morstaybishlian West Pacific Territories, Detention Island, Rosamund Island and Neptentia Island. The Morstaybishlian armed forces played a key role in establishing the Morstaybishlian Empire as the dominant world power in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. By emerging victorious from conflicts, Morstaybishlia has often been able to decisively influence world events. Since the comedown of the Morstaybishlian Empire, Great Morstaybishlia has remained a major military power.

The Navy controls three sub branches: the Royal Marines (an amphibious infantry), His Majesty's Coast Guard (a maritime law enforcement branch) and the Missile Force. The Army forms the land component. It controls another sub branch called the Gendarmerie, a paramilitary force. The Air Force forms the air branch and controls the air defence sub branch. Some people consider the Jomsguard as a fourth branch of the Armed Forces.

Two AH-1 Viper's landing on an amphibious assault ship.

The military has a total active manpower of 2.74 million soliders and a reserve manpower of 1.81m soldiers. The Army has 1.3 million active soldiers in total. The Air Force has 720K airmen and women in total. The Navy has 798K sailors in total. The total budget of the military is 705.226 billion KRB/USD in 2019. The Army receives ... KRB. The Air Force receives ... KRB. The Navy receives ... KRB. Operational expenses take up ...% of the budget. Procurement takes up ...% of the budget.

The main standard issue infantry rifle is the SC-AR4. The main marksmanship rifle given to special forces is the MR10. The primary air superiority fighter is the Vezra GE-55. The most used main battle tank is the Colonarius mk2. The primary multi purpose jet is the Vezra GE-35. The ground attack fighter is the A-121 Rook. The primary combat helicopter is the Mospher AH-1 Viper. The military intelligence has electronic reconnaissance capabilities.

The navy has 515 commissioned ships, 60 submarines and 43 auxiliary ships. The navy has 6 air craft carriers with two being built in the next nine years and 24 amphibious assault ships. The navy has replenishment at sea capabilities. Women and homosexuals are allowed to join the armed forces. They are trained in Krav Maga hand to hand combat.

Law enforcement and crime

Hamlen House, the location of the Supreme Court of Justice in Great Morstaybishlia.

The judiciary enforces laws, settles disputes and carries out justice. The judiciary is structured according to the following hierarchy:

• The Supreme Court is the highest court. It makes sure that laws follow the constitution. It is the final court for appeals on any matter. It sits in the capitol.
• Each state has a High Court which is usually divided among major cities of that states. It receives appeals.
• Magistrate Courts conduct trials. They are ranked according to the affairs and geographical area over which their jurisdiction extends. In order of least to highest, they are as follows: ward (or parish), borough (or shire), county (or district), then region (or province).

The judicial system follows Staynish common law. A single judge (or group of judges in the case of appellate courts) uses common sense, statutes and precedent to decide on a case. Adversaries (a plaintiff and defendant) present written and/oral evidence and cross examine witnesses to defend or refute a charge. In instances were the state is representing the plaintiff, that party is called the prosecution.

Each state possesses a police force under the authority of the state government. The national government controls law enforcement agencies that deal with particularly complex or multijurisdictional cases and provides support to state police. Some larger cities, such as Sani Bursil, Fort Jubrayn and Redrugus maintain their own police forces. Generally the law enforcement is disciplined and impartial.

Economy

File:Kirib symbol.png

The Kirib (symbol: ♅; ISO code: KRB) is the official currency of Great Morstaybishlia, the UNAC countries and most former and all current Morstaybishlian colonies

Great Morstaybishlia has a partially regulated market economy. Based on market exchange rates, Great Morstaybishlia is today the third-largest economy in the world and the largest in Aurora. HM Treasury, led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance policy and economic policy. The Kirib, which is the legal tender, originated in the United Kingdom. Historically, the Kirib was issued by the Auroran Bank in Sani Bursil, Staynes, but is presently issued by the Auroran Bank in Tarov, Tivot, printed by the Staynish Bank Note Company and minted by the Royal Staynish Mint. The Bank of Staynes is the UK's central bank and continues to act as a central bank in other respects such as regulating the banking sector, acting as a lender to banks and managing the nation's gold reserves. The United Kingdom has gold reserved of 172 billion KRB. The Kirib is the world's second-largest reserve currency (after the SH Dollar). Since 1995 the Bank of Staynes' Monetary Policy Committee, headed by the Governor of the Bank of Staynes, has been responsible for setting interest rates at the level necessary to achieve the overall inflation target for the economy that is set by the Chancellor each year.

The United Kingdom follows a free market model. Intellectual and physical property rights are respected. Businesses operate freely. There are some regulations to protect small businesses and poor households. Collective bargaining is legal. Overtime and leave days are guaranteed. There are laws to protect consumers from scams, unsafe products and excessive prices. There are taxes on the wealthy. There are some welfare programs to support the poor.

The United Kingdom has a GDP of 16.6 trillion KRB. The United Kingdom has a GDP per capita of 35.2 thousand KRB. The unemployment rate is at 8.6%, with the unemployment in South Staynes being a major concern, at 21.2%. The inflation rate is at 2.1%. The growth rate is at 1.8%. the UK remains the top destination in Aurora for foreign direct investment at 412,650 million. The total value of investments made by the United Kingdom to other nations is 345,150 million KRB. The UK government recorded a government debt equivalent to 94.05 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2017. Poverty is defined as people who are in relative low income (less than 60 per cent of the national median average, or 18,060 KRB). The poverty rate is 14.07% (with poverty in South Staynes at 35%). The Gini coefficient is 0.36 points.

The agricultural industry makes up 3% of the economy. The biggest sectors are grain, meat and dairy. The manufacturing industry makes up 17% of the economy. The biggest sectors are transportation equipment, industrial machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, electrical machinery, office machines and data processing equipment, power-generating machinery, organic chemicals, precision instruments, and iron and steel. The mining industry makes up 4% of the economy. The biggest manufacturer of electronics in the world, Primrose Inc., originates from Fort Staynes in the United Kingdom. The services sector makes up 52% of the economy. The biggest sectors are creative industries, education, health and social work, financial and business services, hotels and restaurants, public administration and defence, transport, storage and communication, wholesale and retail trade, real estate and renting activities and tourism. The United Kingdom has the biggest financial sector in the world, Sani Bursil. The second largest bank in the world, LabiaTurtle Bank, originates from the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom's biggest trade partners are the Caliphate, Axdel, Kuthernburg, the Gordic Council, The Oan Isles, Mexregiona, Stratarin, Tretrid, Free Syllvin and Kuthernburg. The biggest export products are petroleum products, chemicals, weaponry, automobiles, agricultural foodstuff, beverages (such as Hobsti Tea and Hobsti Wine), clay and timber. The biggest import products are scientific apparatus, optic fibres, uranium, pharmaceuticals, gold and sanitary.

Demographics

The United Kingdom is estimated to have a population of 453,859,472 as of the 18th of December 2017, making it the third most populous country in the world. It is very urbanised, with 75% residing in cities and suburbs as of 2015 (the worldwide urban rate is 54%). Lamboleperto and Nocturne are the most populous states, as the mean centre of UK population has consistently shifted to the Cradle of Aurora and southeastward. Sani Bursil is the most populous city in the United Kingdom.

The total fertility rate in the United Kingdom estimated for 2016 is 2.3 children per woman, which is above the replacement fertility rate of approximately 2.1. The United Kingdom Census Bureau shows a population increase of 3% for the twelve-month period ending in September 2014. This is considerably high by industrialised country standards, being above the world average annual rate of 1.1%.

There were about 254.16 million females in the United Kingdom in 2017. The number of men was 199.6 million. At age 85 and older, there were almost twice as many women as men (6.1 million vs. 3.3 million). People under 21 years of age made up over 98.48 million of the UK's population (27.1%), and people age 65 and over made up 65.8 million (14.5%). The national median age was 38.2 years in 2015.

Whites constitute the majority of the UK's population, with a total of 413.01 million or 91% of the population as of 2017. Non-Ethal or Kostuv whites make up 76% of the country's population. Despite major changes due to immigration since the 1950s, and the higher birth-rates of nonwhites, the overall current majority of Morstaybishlian citizens are still white, and Staynish-speaking, though regional differences exist.

The Morstaybishlian population almost quadroupled during the 20th century—at a growth rate of about (?)% a year—from about 90.2 million in 1900 to 381 million in 2000. It reached the 300 million mark in 1978, and the 400 million mark on the 26th of May 2007. According to the Census Bureau's estimation for 2015, 29.7% of Morstaybishlian children under the age of 1 belonged to minority groups.

Other Aurorans accounted for 24% of the national population growth of 4 million between the 1st of September 2011, and the 1st of September 2012.

The Census Bureau projects a UK population of 500 million in 2025, a (?)% increase from (?) ((?) million).

Ethnic groups

Historically, indigenous Morstaybishlian people were thought to be descended from the various ethnic groups that settled around the north coast of Aurora around 40 to 50 thousand BC: the Jubrites, Maltites and Kosites, who are thought to be the direct descendants of the Strathepolic people and the oldest ethnic group in the Aurora. A 2012 genetic study shows that more than 35% of the Morstaybishlian gene pool contains Salovian Y and Ethalrian Y chromosomes. Another 2015 genetic analysis indicates that "about 73% of the traceable ancestors of the modern Staynish population had arrived in the Staynish lands by about 10 thousand years ago, at the start of the Maltervenian Neolithic or Stone Age", and that the Staynish broadly share a common ancestry with the Axdelian people. A separate study conducted in South Staynes found that only 30% of the gene pool contains the broad plethora of Morstaybishlian genes, with the rest coming from either West or East Aurora. South Staynes was one of the last areas on Aurora to be truly inhabited by humans as the Zycannes prevented the immediate habitation and thus the descendants from the Kosites who traveled eastward eventually migrated to the Southern-Central Auroran coast and more specifically South Staynes.

Justelvard sits on the remaining land area of the Strathepolic archipelago and it is believed that over 90% of Auroran's ancestry originate here. A large land bridge extending from west-Justelvard to Bai Lung and then to the Staynish-Caltharusian border became the premier travelway of the two continents after the early submerging of a land bridge from East Malaysia through the Morstaybishlian West Pacific Territories and the Oan Isles connecting to the easternmost Auroran coastline. The Strathepolic people mainly lived in and around the northern Strathepolic ridge but migrated southwards during its erosion to strong Pacific currents. A study found that Jussie genes are closely comparable of those genes thought to be pure-Morstaybishlian.

Since the mid to late 19th century and the early 20th century substantial immigration from the Gordic Council and the Kuthern Commonwealth, the Caliphate, and Overseas Territories has been a legacy of ties forged by the Morstaybishlian Empire. Migration from UNAC (formerly ACA) member states in Western and Eastern Aurora since 2017 has resulted in growth in these population groups, although some of this migration has been temporary. Since the 2000s, there has been substantial diversification of the immigrant population, with migrants to the UK coming from a much wider range of countries than previous waves, which tended to involve larger numbers of migrants coming from a relatively small number of countries.

Ethnic diversity varies significantly across Great Morstaybishlia. Just over 26% (11 million) of Sani Bursil's population and 25% of Aternum's was estimated to be non-white in 2017, whereas less than 5% of the populations of western-Caltharus, north South Staynes and central Staynes were from ethnic minorities, according to the 2017 census. In 2016, 28.8% of primary and 26.4% of secondary pupils at state schools in Staynes were members of an ethnic minority. The 1997 census was the first UK census to have a question on ethnic group. In the 1997 UK census 92.8% of people reported themselves as being White Morstaybishlian or White Other with 7.2% of people reporting themselves as coming from other minority groups.

Languages

The Staynish alphabet

Great Morstaybishlia's de facto official language is Staynish, Calth, Jubliakese and Old Staynic. It is estimated that 94% of the UK's population are multilingual Staynish and Calth speakers, with 20% being able to speak Old Staynic and 15% being able to speak Jubliakese. 6% of the population are estimated to speak languages brought to the UK as a result of relatively recent immigration. Yasterian languages, including Packilvanian, Wachovian, Codexian and Asendavian, are the largest grouping and are spoken by 2.5% of the UK population. According to the 2017 census, Axdan has become the largest non-Morstaybishlian-Auroran language spoken in Morstaybishlia and has 1.5 million speakers.

The Old Staynic language

There are several recognized regional languages spoken across Great Morstaybishlia: Horkalese, Justelvardic, Kirdintay, Amos Noc and Accerus. All are recognized as regional or minority languages, by the United Nations of the Auroran Continent, under the Auroran Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. As it is a UNAC member state, this therefore obliges the Great Morstaybishlian government to provide them specific measures of protection and promotion.

In the 2017 Census over a forth (25.6%) of the population of the Province of Horkalo said they could speak Horkalese, an increase from the 2007 Census (23%). In addition it is estimated that about 200,000 Horkalese speakers live elsewhere in Staynes. Over 492,000 people in Justelvard (just 3% of the population) had varying Reoa language ability, including 66% of those living on the eastern islands. The number of schoolchildren being taught through minority languages are increasing.

It is compulsory for Staynish and Caltharusian pupils to study the Staynish and Calth languages up to the age of 16 in their respective countries. In South Staynes it is compulsory to study both Staynish and Old Staynic up to the age of 16. In the Province of Jubliak, where Jubliakese is spoken as a main language, it is taught up to the age of 14 either alongside Staynish and Calth or just Staynish. During Sixth Form is it optional to learn a foreign language, Kostuvian and Axdan are the two most commonly taught FOREIGN languages in Staynes and Caltharus. All pupils in South Staynes are given the option to learn Kirdintay in Sixth Form.

Education

Education in Great Morstaybishlia is a devolved matter, with each country having a separate education system.

Considering the four systems together, about 40 per cent of Great Morstaybishlia's population has a university or college degree, which is the highest percentage in Aurora, and among the highest percentages in the world. Great Morstaybishlia trails only to South Hills in terms of representation on lists of top 100 universities.

A government commission's report in 2014 found that privately educated people comprise 8% of the general population of the UK but much larger percentages of the top professions, the most extreme case quoted being 70% of senior judges.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Great Morstaybishlia is a devolved matter and each country has its own system of private and publicly funded health care, together with alternative, holistic and complementary treatments. Public healthcare is provided to all UK permanent residents and is mostly free at the point of need, being paid for from general taxation. The UNAC, in 2019, ranked the provision of healthcare in Great Morstaybishlia as best in Aurora and fourth in the world. Since 1975 expenditure on healthcare has been increased significantly to bring it closer to the highest world standards. The UK spends around 7 per cent of its gross domestic product on healthcare, which is about one and a half percentage points lower than the average of the United Nations of the Auroran Continent.

Regulatory bodies are organised on a UK-wide basis such as the General Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and non-governmental-based, such as the Royal Colleges. However, political and operational responsibility for healthcare lies with four national executives; healthcare in Staynes and Caltharus is the responsibility of the Morstaybishlian Government; healthcare in South Staynes is the responsibility of the South Staynish Assembly, and healthcare in Justelvard is the responsibility of the Justelvardic Assembly.

Culture

The culture of Great Morstaybishlia has been influenced by many factors including: the nation's Auroran status; its history as a western liberal democracy and as a superpower; as well as being a political union of four countries with each preserving elements of distinctive traditions, customs and symbolism. As a result of the Morstaybishlian Empire, Morstaybishlian influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former and current colonies including Kuthernburg, Louzaria, New Calth, Axdel, Joralesia, Atiland, Lokania, Meridian Unity, Meri Laulu and parts of East Malaysia, The Oan Isles and Xagrurg. The substantial cultural influence of Great Morstaybishlia has led it to be described as a "cultural superpower". A global opinion poll for the MBC saw Great Morstaybishlia ranked the third most positively viewed nation in the world (behind West Cerdani and East Malaysia) in 2014 and 2015.