Packilvania

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Sultanate of Packilvania li-Shultanyat ale-Bakhilfaniya (PAX)
Flag of Packilvania Coat of arms
Motto: K'ale-Zora, k'ale-Shultan e k'ale-Bakhilfaniya (PAX) ("For Zora, for the Sultan and for Packilvania")
Anthem: Zora, lushada Bakhilfaniya (PAX) ('Zora, protect Packilvania')
Map of Packilvania
Capital and largest city	Bingol
Official languages	Packilvanian
Recognised regional languages	Unonian Staynish Fortunan Kilumi
Ethnic groups (2021)	81% Felines 8% Humans 6% Elves 2% Dwarves 2% Aurians 1% Nekomimis
Religion	83% Paxism 5% Thaerism 4% Clarityism 3% Vayan Catholicism 3% Akronism 1% Verk'ohism 1% Komixemun
Demonym(s)	Packilvanian, Pax
Government	Unitary theocratic absolute monarchy
• Sultan	Nox III
Legislature	Parliament of Packilvania
• Upper house	Legislative Council of Packilvania
• Lower house	Consultative Assembly of Packilvania
Area
• Total	6,143,888 km2 (2,372,168 sq mi) (2nd)
• Water (%)	2.1
Population
• 2021 estimate	1,148,555,880 (1st)
• 2010 census	1,123,345,000 (1st)
• Density	186.94/km2 (484.2/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	9.989 trillion KRB (3rd)
• Per capita	8697 KRB
Gini (2021)	39.76 medium
SDI (2021)	0.689 medium
Currency	Packilvanian dinar (PAD)
Time zone	+3 UTC to +7 UTC
• Summer (DST)	None
Date format	yyyy/mm/dd
Driving side	right
Calling code	+2
ISO 3166 code	PAX
Internet TLD	.px

The Sultanate of Packilvania (Packilvanian: li-Shultanyat ale-Bakhilfanya), commonly known as Packilvania or Pax, is an independent country located on Yasteria. It is surrounded by Allegheny, Free Pacific States, Tissandra and Lyon, and the Packilvanian Ocean named for the country. It controls island territories to the south east of Yasteria Major close to the Free Pacific States, with which it maintains one of the most fortified borders in the world. Spanning an area of over 6 million square kilometers, it is the second largest country in the world, smaller than South Hills and larger than Great Morstaybishlia. When only looking at its contiguous landmass it is the largest in the world. It contains an incredible diversity of landscapes and natural features such as both the largest hot and cold deserts in the world the second longest mountain range in the world, slightly shorter than the Zycannes of Great Morstaybishlia, and one of the three longest rivers in the world: the Ufrata River. With these incredible natural features, the country boasts incredibly diverse and unique animals and plants, such that it is globally recognised as one of the world’s few mega diverse countries.

Packilvania has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years and has been ruled by different dynasties over the course of its existence. The first recorded evidence of sentient life dates to 600,000 years ago, the date of the fossilised remains of the closest living relative to the modern Felines. It has been continuously inhabited for most of that period, seeing the emergence of agriculture, fixed settlements, the emergence of nation states and multi ethnic empires, and the development of writing and civilized government. Its cultural and historic heritage has contributed to the influence of its writers, scientists, artists and architects whose innovative use of porcelain, metalwork, ceramics, sculpture and chemistry spawned the most significant inventions of the global age.

It is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.141 billion people, spot is has held for decades. Although the Feline race is by far the dominant species in the country, Packilvania is perhaps the most culturally and racially diverse nation in the world with significant minorities of humans, elves, dwarves, aurians and nekomimis. A caste system exists in the Feline people that controls the distribution of social privileges and status through hair type and facial structure, giving rise to a system that places the Shirazi group at the apex of the social order. The system continues to face criticism for its arbitrary restriction of people from economic opportunities and social dignity. The Packilvanian language one of the oldest and richest in the world, is the official language and facilitates communication among hundreds of communities, yet it is also diverse with the standard written version being the one spoken in Bingol, the capital and largest city in the country.

With a GDP of 9.989 billion KRB, Packilvania has the third largest economy in the world. It is one of the world’s largest producers of minerals, fossil fuels, spices, agricultural produce, textiles, consumer goods and narcotics. It is the chief supplier of opium and catnip, a reputation it has tried hard to shake off. Its highly patriarchal and conservative society, which places political and social control in the hands of males, has, by far the largest religious population and the largest adherents of Paxism in the world. Other religions such as Thaerism and Akronism make up the tapestry of the nation, despite facing heavy restrictions. Classified as an authoritarian dictatorship, Packilvania scores poorly on corruption, human rights, governance and transparency, and political participation. The Sultan rules the nation with an iron fist, yet different factions and groups vie for power in a highly complex political order.

The country exerts considerable global influence and is classified by analysts as a global superpower, yet some analysts believe that its dominance is waning. Its ability to dominate world politics is incredible given that most countries have adverse relations with the nation and the most powerful nations in the world treat it with disdain. Its military is one of the largest in the world, with over 2.5 million active and 14 million reserve soldiers and a budget of over 210 billion KRB. It has fought in wars with major powers such as Vekaiyu, South Hills, and Free Pacific States and is notorious for its formidable combat power. Despite ignoring major international conventions and multi-lateral processes, it continues to exert influence on the global stage and is notorious for its support of terrorist groups, one of which, the Packilvanian Expeditionary Front, is a state entity. The nation continues to have disputes with most of its neighbours and its power plays especially in Allegheny and the Packilvanian Ocean, coupled with its status as a nuclear weapon state continue to breed distrust.

History

Morstopackia

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

In 1897, Zerah Demir IV married Thadeus II, King of Morstaybishlia. 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 Packilvania and the far reaches of Morstaybishlia and saw large far-left groups emerge. Packilvania fell to a communist uprising in the years following, and the far-left groups in Morstaybishlia would eventually be the precursor to Norogradian Independence.

Geography

Time zones of Packilvania from left to right: Eastern Packilvanian Time, Central East Packilvanian Time, Central West Packilvanian Time and West Packilvanian Time (each province chooses its own timezone in conjunction with the national government)

Climatic regions of Packilvania, of which there are 12 major ones. These do not correlate neatly to biodiversity regions (biomes) which are also influenced by topography and other factors.

The largest hot desert in the world, the Bakil desert makes up the interior of Packilvania. It is dry, hot and sterile. Virtually no plants grow here except cacti. The desert stretches across three time zones for thousands of kilometres.

The longest river in the world, the Ufrata River has a length of twelve thousand kilometres. It finds its source in the Uliveru Mountains in Vekaiyu and passes through Packilvania until it reaches the Packilvanian Ocean. The water of the river enables plants to grow. While the desert it passes through is hot, bare and dry, the banks of the river are teaming with agriculture and natural vegetation.

The tallest mountain in the world is Mount Muhammad. It rises nearly ten kilometres into the sky. It is followed by Mount Isa which rises nine kilometres high. They form part of the Kumar Mountains. They were formed from a collision of the Mesopotamian sub continent with the Proto-Yasterian mainland millions of years ago. The Kumar Mountains have the highest concentration of mountains above six kilometres in the world. They are often cold and covered in clouds.

The valleys of the Southern Kumar Moutains are fertile and forested due to the amount of available water from rivers and the humidity. The southern coast lies close to the equator. It is often hot and humid, but lush. Most of the people live here. The area is classified as a jungle biome.

The north and north east have a temperate climate. They have an abundance of wildlife and natural vegetation. Will cool wind from the Borean Sea and the Gulf of Itur, rains come in the winter months and the area is generally warm. This area has a high concentration of wealthy people, due to the climate.

The Great Marches of Abuddin are grassland in the east of the nation. While tree vegetation is poorly developed, the area is warm and precipitation is below average. Many animals and plant species can be found here due to the moderate temperatures and reasonably fertile soil.

Packilvania has the highest number of earthquakes a year. Due to its massive size, many fault lines pass through here. The annual Harmattan is a season of intense dust that whelms the nation, due to hot winds from the south. This is exacerbated by fumes from petrochemical facilities and oil refineries, and methane from the biggest livestock population on Urth. With 200 million cattle, 4 billion chickens and 100 million sheep, Packilvania has the most livestock on the planet. They emit greenhouse gases that make the Harmattan season even worse.

Biodiversity

Packilvania is one of the most biologically diverse countries on Urth. Due to its incredible size, it contains several biomes whose unique blend of climatic and geographical features have given rise to thousands of species of fauna and flora. The Department of the Environment is responsible for developing and administering wildlife conservation and environmental policy in Packilvania. It works in tandem with local, regional and provincial authorities to coordinate nature conservation areas and land use policy. Approximately 10% of the territory of Packilvania is protected by nature reservations, one of the largest percentages in the world. Nevertheless, industrial activity, agriculture, housing and urban development have threatened many natural areas and led to the decline in many plants and animals, a few of which are extinct in the wild.

The country is home to apex land predators such as tigers, leopards, jackals, wild dogs, and foxes. It is home to the largest mammals and land animals in the world such as elephants and rhinos. Demand for ivory and rhino horn plagues these creatures and trading in these goods has been banned to curb the hunting of these animals. The country is also home to large herbivores such as antelope, tapirs, the largest rodent in the world – the capibara, wild mule and deer. The deserts, while seemingly inhospitable, are home to the richest assortment of arthropods such as spiders and scorpions and the tallest ant and termite hills in the world, some of which rise over 20 meters high and run nearly 40 meters in length. The nation is also home to some of the greatest herpetological diversity in the world, with the Gaboon viper, Golden cobra, puff adder and reticulated python. Although, most notable as a desert nation, the country’s coastal rainforests hold animals such as mandrills, macaques, and gibbons.

The seas also hold an array of fish such as wrasse, manta rays, elephant fish, tuna, and sailfish. The coral regions house urchins, anemones, clown fish, moray eels and tiger sharks. Marine mammals such as sperm whales, humpback whales, Southern Right whales, and dugongs inhabit the sea. Home to the biggest fish in the world, the whale shark, the plankton rich waters feed billions of shrimp and crayfish, yielding the largest catches in history. Plant life on land is stupendous in scale and diversity, with carnivorous plants in the forests, massive succulent plants in the desert, tall slender pines in the east and fruit and nut trees being homes to animals from every clade.

Politics

His Majesty, the Sultan, is the head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces

Bingol Royal Palace, the official residence of the Sultan and seat of the executive branch

Legislative Palace of Packilvania, seat of the Legislative Council and Consultative Assembly of Packilvania

The political system of Packilvania takes place in the framework of a unitary theocratic absolute monarchy. Though nominally unitary, provinces and local government have been devolved some law-making powers by acts of Parliament. The Constitution of Packilvania places the three branches of the government under the control of the Sultan as follows:

• Executive branch: The Sultan is the head of the executive branch and chairs and appoints the Council of Ministers which executes and proposes legislation,
• Legislative branch: The Parliament, comprised of the Legislative Council and Consultative Assembly passes laws subject to the Sultan’s veto
• Judicial branch: The Supreme Court and the religious, secular and military courts are responsible for enforcing laws and administering justice.

The Sultan of Packilvania is the head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The Sultan ascends to the throne through agnatic primogeniture. This restricts inheritance to legitimate male descendants of the monarch. If valid heirs cannot be found, the throne will pass to Sultan's closest living brother and their offspring and so on. Prior to the Morsto-Pax Union, Packilvania followed male-preference primogeniture, but the establishment did not want another foreigner to rule over the country, thus they barred women from inheriting the throne entirely. The Sultan is the highest figure of the Paxist religion, thus the law requires that the Sultan be a professing Paxist to be eligible to remain on the throne. The executive branch consists of the Sultan and the Council of Ministers. The Sultan chairs the Council of Ministers, controls and directs the work of the executive branch, issues executive decrees and appoints and dismisses all Ministers in the government. Ministers are responsible for executive departments and advise the Sultan on a particular area of policy. They are accountable solely to the Sultan and serve at his pleasure. The Council of Ministers meets once a week at the Bingol Royal Palace to deliberate on important matters of the state.

The legislative branch consists of the Sultan and the Parliament of Packilvania. The Parliament is a bicameral body that consists of the Legislative Council and the Consultative Assembly. Members of the Consultative Assembly serve for 5-year terms. Only males above the age of 18 who pay taxes and own property are legally permitted to vote in elections. Elections are not held by secret ballot, but instead people have to publicly declare their candidate to the voting official. Not only do people vote for a candidate who is favoured by the Sultan and his allies, but most people who are eligible to vote rarely participate in elections. Moreover, various restrictions make competitive elections non-existent. Political parties are banned, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are heavily restricted. Candidates struggle to raise adequate funding to launch successful candidates and most candidates require government approval to post advertisements on state media or in public areas. Thus, only those close to the government, aligned to the Sultan or who have access to large personal wealth are able to successfully participate in elections. Often the absence of viable candidates in most districts makes it virtually impossible to hold elections in some places at all, leaving many seats, especially in rural areas vacant. The Consultative Assembly is often seen as a rubber-stamp body as it does not have the power to block or even postpone the passage of legislation. It is restricted to deliberation and making non-binding recommendations. The ability of its members to make a meaningful dent on the political landscape is further restricted by the fact that its members are not protected from prosecution for the things they say as part of their work. The maximum number of seats for the Consultative Assembly is around 750 members, but the highest number of members ever elected is 690.

The Legislative Council consists of representatives elected and appointed by a variety of politically influential constituencies. Tribal, regional and metropolitan councils, the clergy and the Sultan have the power to appoints representatives to the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council has more power than the Consultative Assembly as its members have been able accrue political influence outside its halls. The Legislative Council has the power to vote on laws and its approval is required before laws can be presented to the Sultan for his signature. However, the Legislative Council does not have legislative initiative, meaning that its members may not propose laws. Instead, all laws must be proposed by the Sultan or the Council of Ministers. Furthermore, the Legislative Council does not have the power to impeach or even hold executive officials accountable, nor does it it have the power to overturn the Sultan's veto. Nevertheless, there are reports that the Sultan does heed its advice. Analysts believe that the Sultan's power lies in being able to enjoy the confidence of the Legislative Council and that the winds of his political fortunes can be predicted by the attitude of the Legislative Council towards him. Unfortunately, because this body is essentially a class of the most powerful and privileged people in society it works mainly to entrench their power even further than provide a voice to other groups in the nation.

Judicial system and human rights

The judicial system consists of religious, military, civil and criminal courts. The highest court in the entire country is the Supreme Court of Packilvania. It is the final court to which cases can be appealed. It does not have the power to overturn laws that are unconstitutional. The Sultan has the power to appoint justices and the chief justices. While the Judicial Selection Advisory Panel exists to recommend candidates for appointment to judicial posts, the Sultan is not obliged to follow or even consider its recommendations. Thus, he wields the power to control the judicial branch. With the judicial branch in Packilvania being so closely entwined with the executive branch, it cannot exercise its powers independently. Furthermore, it is heavily underfunded and many inefficiencies persist making quick and fair access to justice for all virtually nonexistent for most people.

This challenge permeates the entire judiciary as other courts face similar problems. The High Courts serve different regions of the country and they mainly hear severe cases and receive appeals from lower courts. However, the judges in these courts are appointed by the Emirs who are in turn appointed by the Sultan. At the level of the High Courts are the Religious Courts which hear matters arising from or directly related to religious matters. Whereas ordinary courts are staffed by professionally trained judges, the Religious Courts are staffed by religious scholars and clergymen. Often the boundaries of religious and secular law are very blurred, thus the Supreme Court must rule on disputes in jurisdiction between secular and religious courts. Whereas, cases from the High Courts must be appealed to the Supreme Court, cases in Religious Courts must first be appealed to the Appellate Division of that Religious Court before they can be appealed to the Supreme Court. At the lowest level of the judiciary are the Civil and Criminal Cases which hear Civil and Criminal Cases not reserved for the Religious Courts. However, where jurisdictions overlap with the Religious Courts, litigants can have the case completely retried afresh in the Religious Courts.

Packilvanian law is highly restrictive. There are two branches of law: religious and secular. Secular is imported largely from Great Morstaybishlia and covers elements concerned with contracts, property rights, employment relationships, companies and administrative law, whereas religious courts cover family and marriage law, succession and related topics. Criminal courts cover financial crimes, cybersecurity, property violation, traffic fines, licenses and related topics, whereas religious courts cover sexual crimes, assault, murder, crimes related children, apostasy and proselytism among others. In Packilvania, the law heavily restricts what newspapers and books can publish, internet access and other areas of people's lives. Furthermore, it fails to protect the environment, religious and cultural minorities and women. It completely criminalises same-sex relationships, transsexuality and other gender-related expressions and identities. The Packilvanian law enforcement authorities often carry out extrajudicial killings, torture and imprisonment without trial, and are able to carry out these actions with impunity. Packilvanian law enforces capital punishments for many offences such as murder, sexual assault, homosexuality, treason etc. Corporal punishment and forced labour are commonly-used sentences and prison labour continues to provide the state coffers with considerable income.

Foreign Relations

Packilvania has abysmal relations with most countries. Although most countries recognise its independence and the legitimacy of its government, it maintains territorial disputes with almost all of its neighbours. Furthermore, many unresolved disputes mar relations with neighbouring states. For instance, the treatment of war criminals, the use of chemical and biological weapons in warfare, historic revisionism and other acts relating to past wars, make it especially difficult to bridge relations and form allies. Packilvania does not participate in most international conventions and bodies and continues to carry out practices that violate international law such as the encroachment of Alleghenian airspace. Many nations have openly declared that they not only perceive Packilvania as a threat but they are building up military forces to prepare for future wars such as Vekaiyu and South Hills. Ironically, it has one of the most unique and effective policies of foreign intervention on Urth. It actively supports secessionist movements, terrorist organisations and other non-state actors in many nations, allowing it incredible diplomatic leverage. It has also leveraged its incredible economic clout, as the third largest economy in the world, to sign trade and economic agreements with many nations. Thus, most nations maintain some form of official representation and have some sort of formal trade arrangements with Packilvania. Opinion polls have found that most countries' citizens have a negative opinion of Packilvania. Due to historic links and the sense of prestige associated with the Morst-Pax Union, Great Morstaybishlia has the most positive and friendly relations with Packilania. The Packilvanian passport is regarded as one of the weakest in the world, as its holdest require visas and face challenges travelling to almost every country on Urth. Foreign relations are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, yet the Sultan retains control over foreign policy including the ratification of treaties.

Military

Packilvanian Elite Guardsmen in ceremonial Khumar attire, holding the double sided axe Ikharesh.

The military of Packilvania consists of the Packilvanian Armed Forces (PAF). The PAF is arguably the largest armed forces in the world by total number of active and reserve personnel. Because of the prestige and social status affixed to military service, the PAF has attracted a total volunteer force of 2,482,750 troops. Furthermore, conscription is actively enforced. Because the population is so large, many exceptions are given for most privileged social classes so that conscription falls entirely on the lowest caste of society. This means that males of non-exempt groups are subject to compulsory military training upon turning 18 years and are required to serve in the armed forces for at least 2 weeks every year until they turn 52. This has resulted in a reserve force of 14,890,250 strong. However, almost all reserves are capable of terrestrial combat. Despite its incredible size, the PAF has a vastly smaller contingent of pilots, engineers, sailors and medical personnel. Yet, simply because of its massive scale, it is still able to field competent forces on air, land, sea and in space. The PAF consists of the Packilvanian Army, the Packilvanian Air Force and the Packilvanian Navy.

The Sultan is the supreme commander of the armed forces. This means that the Chief of Defence Staff is appointed by and accountable to the Sultan for the running of the armed forces. Although the Minister of Defence is responsible for defence policy, ultimate authority over military matters rests with the Sultan who retains the power to declare, raise armies and navies and deploy military forces abroad. Thus, the Department of Defence simply oversees the day-to-day administration of the armed forces. The Chief of Defence, however, is an incredibly powerful post that shapes the country's ability and willingness to project power. The Packilvanian Army, which consists of 1,985,400 troops, 230,700 of them are part of the Packilvanian Gendarmerie (which is basically a paramilitary police force). The Packilvanian Air Force, consists of 297,315 members. The Packilvanian Navy consists of 200,035 members, of whom 55,250 members are part of the Packilvanian Coast Guard. During peace time, the Packilvanian Gendarmerie and the Packilvanian Coast Guard are under the authority of the Minister of the Interior and are responsible for largely civilian tasks. This brings the peacetime combat strength of Packilvania down to 2,196,800. The Packilvanian Expeditionary Front has been known to train and support foreign non-state actors with weapons. It is declared a terrorist organisation by most countries and is known for cold-war style operations in foreign nations.

The Central Packilvanian Carrier Strike Group, one of four in the Packilvanian navy, with the flagship, the PNS Ugraden aircraft carrier on the far right

The PAF relies on a budget of 210.895 billion KRB, one of the largest on the planet. Because the PAF is allowed to raise its own funding through investments (which it is not obliged to publicly disclose), the income of the PAF may be considerably larger. The PAF invests large sums into procurement, research and development. This includes investing in a large nuclear, chemical and biological weapons program. The Packilvanian Military Research Institute is a leading institute in military research and development and its discoveries in nuclear physics among others have been revolutionary. It is believed that the country keeps most of its military research secret and its capabilities are as yet unknown. The Packilvanian Strategic Missile Force, a sub-unit of the Packilvanian Navy, has reported that it fields between 750 and 1150 inter-continental ballistic missile, almost all of which can carry several nuclear warheads. Packilvania has successfully tested nuclear bombs before, yet it has never deployed nuclear weapons in combat situations. Nevertheless, this arsenal acts as a major deterrent to foreign attacks. The Packilvanian Military Intelligence Agency has been reported to have advanced cyberwarfare capabilities. It has repeatedly deployed cyber attacks on foreign nations such as Distributed-Denial-of-Service attacks on critical foreign information systems.

Packilvania maintains its own domestic arms manufacturing sector. Analysts argue that the systems developed do not match with the most advanced systems used by South Hills and Great Morstaybishlia. Nevertheless against most minor powers, these are comparably some of the best in the world. The arms sector has full-capability production capabilities, able to make its own naval vessels, aircraft, military satellites, terrestrial combat vehicles, artillery and infantry weapons systems. The country operates over 7 military satellites for reconnaissance, communications and research purposes. Inconclusive reports have claimed that Packilvania has explored kinetic energy attacks and anti-satellite systems. The country has developed an anti-missile shield. Although it is indisputable that its scale is incredible and unrivalled by most countries except the most powerful, it is unknown whether it can successfully defend the country from the most powerful missile attacks. Packilvania has reported working on asteroid defence systems to protect the Urth from large extraterrestrial falling objects. There are rumours that Packilvania is part of a secret alliance of powerful nations preparing for asteroid strikes.

Administrative divisions

Packilvania is administered by sub-national authorities as follows:

• Provinces at the highest level have limited legislative powers and they control internal matters such as housing, healthcare, law enforcement, land distribution and urban development, internal transport routes and other similar issues. They are ruled by Emirs appointed and answerable directly to the Sultan.
• Regions further divide provinces and they manage many issues concerned with rural affairs, environmental protection, water resources and electrical power.
• Districts further divide regions.
• Local governments rule over clusters of villages, towns and cities. They have the greatest influence people's every day lives.
• Metropolitan governments rule over areas the size of local governments, but they have the status of provinces. They control the largest and most important cities in the whole countries and they wield the same power as provinces do over their internal affairs.
• Special economic zones are parts of the country that are exempt from the regular legal system. They are governed exclusively by the central government and they are created specifically to attract foreign investment by circumventing restrictive national laws.

The list of provinces and metropolitan governments of Packilvania is as follows:

List of provinces, metropolitan areas and special economic zones of Packilvania

Flag	Province	Capital	Population	Area	GDP (KRB)	GDP per capita (KRB)
	Ashura	Halaler	150,750,200		1,130,626,500,000	7,500
	Iganar	Zukaril	145,370,700		1,130,984,046,000	7,780
	Mekedesh	Meker	138,920,500		1,112,753,205,000	8,010
	Kharyat	Everyet	134,230,120		1,026,860,418,000	7,650
	Fidakar	Akas Akil	127,110,600		919,009,638,000	7,230
	Ukanar	Derengol	100,230,100		766,760,265,000	7,650
	Jumhurikesh	Yukader	97,250,120		774,110,955,200	7,960
	Rigaryat	Abdeker	94,210,660		772,527,412,000	8,200
	Shakar	Sharkol	86,230,120		700,188,574,400	8,120
	Bingol Metropolitan Area	Bingol	25,180,890		632,543,956,800	25,120
	Kemer Metropolitan Area	Kemer	17,870,120		427,095,868,000	23,900
	Bilekil Metropolitan Area	Bilekil	15,200,110		302,026,185,700	19,870
	Gezer Special Economic Zone	Gezer	8,120,890		148,043,824,700	18,230
	Subakil Special Economic Zone	Subakil	7,880,750		145,793,875,000	18,500

Economy

The city of Bingol, the economic hub and largest city of Packilvania

Yushiv Coal Mine, Halaler, Ashura, is the largest coal mine in Packilvania and one of the largest in the world

Ifshan Circular Farms in the Ashura Desert displays the adaption of Packilvanian farmers to the arid conditions of the desert environment

The economy of Packilvania functions as a middle way between socialism and capitalism. The state controls key economic sectors such as transport, water, power and healthcare. Moreover, it heavily regulates business activity in many sectors and has average to above-average tax rates on its citizens and businesses. On the other hand, regulations on medium to small businesses are virtually non-existent, property rights are protected by relatively modern legal systems and contracts are dearly respected and upheld by the law. The intrusion of state institutions in many economic areas has, however, led to mismanagement and misallocation of resources, growth-stifling macroeconomic ineffiencies and the entrenchment of disproportionate wealth and prosperity in the 3 metropolitan areas and 2 special economic zones. Packilvania has a GDP of 9,989,324,723,800 KRB, the third largest on the planet. It is larger than the economies of Kuthernburg, Norgsveldet and Tretrid combined. Nevertheless, it has a relatively low GDP per capita of 8697.291 KRB, making it a developing country. Despite its flaws, the economies of its provinces individually rival the most wealthy and powerful nations in the world. In fact, Bingol is one of the richest metropolitan areas in the world by total GDP despite falling short of major metropolitan areas such as Aura and Sani Bursil. However, the median income of the country lies around 5,300 KRB, which reveals that the wealth of the nation is very unevenly distributed. This highlights another major issue with the Packilvanian economy: gaping caste and geographic structural inequalities. Regardless, compared to most developing countries incomes, especially among its province is surprisingly evenly spread. Packilvania has an unemployment rate of 17% and a labour participation rate of 87%. This difference in unemployment versus labour participation arises because people are allowed and often work as soon as they reach the age of 15. Moreover, most people are not able to access higher education, thus they opt for low-skilled and informal work. Furthermore most families are large and cannot afford to have many of their members at home or in school for long periods. Thus, most people will actively seek work. Although the unemployment rate seems high by developed-country standards, it is surprisingly healthy especially given that it does not fully account for informal and seasonal labour. Some academics believe that unemployment could sit as low as 12%, comparing favourably with most nations. This ability to attract high rates of employment lies in the incredibly low cost of labour. Coupled with the poor worker protection policies and one of the youngest populations in the world, the country is able to outcompete almost every country in the world on labour costs vs productive output. Moreover, Packilvania benefits from access to the biggest and busiest waterway on the planet: the Packilvanian Ocean. Coupled with highly affordable access to power, close and easily accessible supply of abundant natural resources, poor environmental reglations and a decent level of infrastructure, the country is the locus of low-cost and low-value-added manufacturing on Urth.

Packilvania is the most resource-rich nation on Urth. It is a major producer and exporter of coal, natural gas and petroleum. It is among the biggest producers of rare earth metals, gold, platinum, chromium, uranium, palladium, iron, nickel, copper, boron, titanium, vanadium, phosphorus, potassium and silicon on Urth. Its strengths also lie in its ability to process these resources, being a major producer of chemical and plastic products and materials which come from petroleum such as hydrogen and helium. Although it is misleadingly known as a desert country (as it contains both the largest cold and hot deserts in the world), it is one of the largest sources of timber and wood products in the world. Moreover, it has arguably the highest amount of agricultural land in the world, especially on its coasts and east. It is a major producer of grains such as millet, sorghum, maize, wheat. It is the largest exporter of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, saffron, tumeric, ginger and aniseed. Meat products are regarded as a specialty with the nation producing about 100 million tonnes of beef, veal, pork, mutton, lamb, chicken and other poultry annually. Furthermore, it produces 180 million litres of milk annually, coming from a range of animals such as camels, cattle, goats and sheep. It is internationally renowned for its cheese and butter, among its foremost exports. In the area of fabrics, it leads the world in the production of jute, sisal, flax, cotton and other plant-fibre based textiles. The nation is also notorious for the production of opium and tobacco, and estimates suggest it is the largest producer of both substances. With its incredibly lush southern coast, the nation is also a major producer of tropical fruits such as durians, jackfruit, dragon fruit, passionfruit, bananas, mangosteen, and tamarind.

In the service sector, the nation does not fail to disappoint. It has incredibly massive financial services, shipment and logistics, telecommunications and information communication technology services and tourist sectors. Notwithstanding travel warnings and animosity by other nations, Packilvania attracts at least 25 million tourists annually who flock to the sand dune rallies, underground markets, ancient temples, museums and ruined cities, and the incredibly diverse and delicious cuisine. Despite the challenges in the legal system, the financial services sector has benefit from the rise of average wealth as many people have invested their income in property that has raised one of the most attractive mortgage market in the world. Sadly, the stock exchanges of the country struggle against restrictive laws against foreign investment. Nevertheless, the largest stock exchange in the country, the Bingol Stock Exchange remains formidable and comes in the top 10 largest on Yasteria. The Packilvanian Central Bank controls the nations gold and foreign exchange reserves which sit around 340 billion KRB, some of the largest in the world. Along with an annual economic growth rate of 5% to 7% year on year, one would expect the Packilvanian currency, the dinar, to be worth more. However, the PCB has kept the currency artificially low and has used capital controls to restrict the exchangeability of the Packilvanian dinar, thus critics argue that the currency is undervalued and has led to Packilvania enjoying massive trade surpluses against most of its trading partners.

Infrastructure

Packilvania has one of the top ten largest rail, road, and optic fibre networks in the world (despite the fact that it does not reach most if its population). The total length of the roads on Pakilvania is 520,340 km. The country has an extensive highway system of 110,230 km that connects the largest urban areas and most developed population centres. Unfortunately rural areas especially in the arid regions, are left behind, relying on small poorly maintained single lane roads and gravel roads. The most advanced and largest cities have underground rail and provide punctual and highly affordable train services to their citizens. These services even include some of the fastest bullet trains in the world. The country is exploring magnetic levitation technology to create even faster trains. Unfortunately the remote arid regions are rarely accessible by rail, with most of the rail network consisting of freight transport to and from major mines.

The nation also benefits from the longest and one of the deepest navigable rivers in the world: the mighty Ufrata, which is so long, it is very difficult to measure. It provides transportation for ships to the inland. The nation also relies on several other rivers such as Tigris, Pishon and Gihon rivers for inland transport. There are canals which connect some major cities, but canals have larger fallen out of use and they are being integrated with water supply systems. The country has over 230,450 km of aqueducts and pipes. People in the east enjoy access to over 50 deep natural lakes. The great rivers have also been dammed and provide water to the many other regions of the nation. The desert regions rely on rain water and even more on aquafirs for their water needs. Unfortunately these resources are not infinite and overuse has led to declining access to water especially for industrial activity.

The Bingol International Airport is the largest airport in the country, receiving over 2 million passengers daily. The Port of Bingol is the largest and busiest port in the country and arguably one of the largest ports in the world. Over 10 million tonnes of goods move through its docks. Moreover, there are many other ports and airports in the country which connect its vast regions. The country's flag carrier and largest airline is Pax Air. It has been flying for over 6 decades and has links to every region in the world. It uses Bingol International Airport as its hub. With Bingol International Airport sitting at close to major world regions, it is becoming an increasingly important nexus for connect different regions of the world.

Science and technology

2007 launch of the Mekedesh II rocket of the Jahir military satellite by the Packilvanian Space Agency and the Packilvanian Military Research Institute.

Packilvania, despite being a low-income developing country, has an incredibly advanced science and technology sector. The country has produced internationally recognized scientists and engineers. Scientific research in Packilvania began at least in 1000 BCE. The ancient Packilvanians invented the pulley systems that form the basis of modern cranes. They had complex and well-developed water management and irrigation systems such as aqueducts and sluice gates. The ancient Packilvanians were known for their love of astronomy and invented the astrolabe to help them interpret the course of celestial objects. They developed the most accurate solar calendar at the time which remains in use. Their civilization also mastered masonry and they constructed the some of the largest and oldest structures of the ancient world: The Great Pyramids. During the Paxist Golden Age, scientific study was thought to be crucial to understanding the deity Zora. Thus a community of scholars emerged who established some of the oldest extant universities in the world such as the University of Bingol which was founded in 840 CE.

Modern-day Packilvania continues to excel in scientific innovation. The Packilvanian Space Agency has independently developed and launched satellites into space. It has successfully put humans in space with Maksum Abdakir being the first feline in history to do a spacewalk in 1972. Exploiting the clear skies and cold temperatures of the Ashura Desert, it has constructed the massive Grand Desert Telescope Array. The country also has an independent nuclear physics research program that has made incredible discoveries about sub-atomic particles and dark matter. In mathematics, its scientists have contributed to some of the hardest and most important mathematical problems in history, the most famous of whom was Fidalkavir Sukharjil who is said to have been able to conjure mathematical theorems with such ease and grace, some believed he was a sorcerer.

Demographics

Population distribution

Packilvania has a total population of 1,148,555,880 people and an average population density of 186.9428 people per square kilometre (484.2 per square mile). 56.7% of the population (651,231,184) lives in urban areas and 43.3% of the population (497,324,696) lives in rural areas. 50.1% of the population (575,426,496) consists of females and 49.9% of the population (573,129,384) consists of males. The population has an average annual growth rate of 1.56%. The average fertility rate is 3.1 births per woman. The government has started a family planning scheme to lower the birthrate as Packilvania suffers from overpopulation. Furthermore, migration to the affluent but heavily congested cities is heavily restricted to prevent overpopulation. Nevertheless, there are no hard restrictions on the number of children that families may have as the government wants to keep labour costs low. The country has an annual internal migration of 100,250,400 million people (the amount of people who permanently settle in another part of the country). Contrastingly, the total annual emigration is 10,120,340 people (usually people on fixed term contracts) and the total annual immigration is 12,349,000 (usually people returning from fixed term contracts and fixed term contract workers).The population across provinces is very evenly distributed, with the least populated province, Shakar, only being smaller than the most populated province, Ashura, by 57.2%. The most populous cities are as follows:

List of the largest cities in Packilvania by population

	Rank	City	Population	% of total population
	1	Bingol	25,180,890	2.19%
	2	Kemer	17,870,120	1.56%
	3	Bilekil	15,200,110	1.32%
	4	Gezer	8,120,890	0.71%
	5	Subakil	7,880,750	0.69%
	6	Halaler	7,560,345	0.66%
	7	Zukaril	6,908,100	0.60%
	8	Meker	5,700,850	0.50%
	9	Everyet	4,560,110	0.40%
	10	Akas Akil	4,230,100	0.37%

Religion

Pie chart of the religions practiced in Packilvania versus their ratio of the population.

Paxism is the official religion of Packilvania thus it has, by far the highest number of adherents and its over 4 times the combined number of all the other religions practiced in the country. Nevertheless, the government does allow other religions to be practiced. In some parts of the country, these religions are given special status and protection. However, Packilvanian law is very strict about religious practice in the country. It expressly forbids Paxists from committing apostasy, a crime punishable by death. Moreover, other religions are not allowed to proselytise, that means to attempt to convert other religious groups. Thus, most religious groups remain sustainable due to decent birth rates. Although in many other countries religious fervour among the youth is waning, in Packilvania the youth are the most active adherents. Academics believe that most youths especially males favour how Paxism in particular encourages marriage, procreation and patriarchal structures that benefit them. For religious minorities, adherence to their religion is a silent, but powerful form of resistance against the Sultan's government and it enables them to survive and maintain their unique heritage and identity.

Ethnic groups

Pie chart of the ethnic groups in Packilvania versus their ratio of the population

Although Packilvania is dominated almost entirely by the Feline species, Nekomimis, Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Aurians also exist. Primines - humans, elves and dwarves - are notoriously difficulty to differentiate because technically they belong to the same species and they can interbreed. Thus, Packilvanian government looks at patrilineal descent to simplify the process. Unfortunately, this is highly problematic as a person with only a third elvine blood for instance might be classified as an elvine because their father has 50% elvine blood and so on. Moreover, it becomes challenging to know exactly what type of primine an individual is when their father is not known and genetic testing is inaccessible to most people. Thus, most single mothers and orphanages simply report the most stark features. Nevertheless, primines, comfortably make up 16% of the population, a remarkably high number.

Felines are further divided into castes (or racial groups). Each caste is distinguished by an arbitrary physical feature such as hair length, hair colour, facial structure and so on. Although these characteristics are scientifically irrelevant, Packilvanian continue to distinguish each other in this way. Sexual and marital relations between felines of different castes are frowned upon and most families will disinherit and disown any child who marries outside the caste. At the top of the caste system is the Shirazi caste, which is characterised by a black snout, grey fur and an incredibly flat face. The desire to entrench these characteristics and protect caste homogeneity has frequently led to inbreeding within families leading to an unusually high prevalence of birth defects and fertility issues among felines.

Health

The population pyramid of Packilvania shows how the country is reaping a demographic dividend as it has a high working age population and decent portion of children and elderly.

The average life expectancy of a Packilvanian is 67 years - 65 years for men and 69 years for women. Because elves are naturally long-lived some calculations factor out elves oor readjust their natural lifespan to account for living conditions etc. The median age for a Packilvanian is 25 years of age and people considered off working age (15 to 65) make up an enormous part of the population. Furthermore, the rate of children (15 and below) is also massive. Thus, only a small portion of the elderly (65 and above) remain with some estimates proposing that only 4% of the population is above the age of 65. The country is experiencing a massive demographic dividend, however, the group of elderly who require care and state subsidies is growing. In response, different regions and provinces have enacted compulsory savings and pensions schemes so that people can take care of themselves as they age, and laws have been enacted requiring young people to take care of their elder relatives. At a national level, coordination of pensions is poor and most elderly people in rural areas will struggle to access care. The leading causes of death are respiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes, motor vehicle accidents and communicable diseases. Packilvania has a fairly problematic disease burden. Despite, implementing some of the most ambitious vaccination, hygiene, sanitation and contraceptive drives in history, it continues to struggle with FIV-AIDS, typhoid, tuberculosis, and malaria. Nevertheless, death rates and mother to child transmission of FIV is declining rapidly and the nation continues to encourage the use of ARVs and PrEP to treat and prevent disease, respectively. The Minister of Health is responsible for administering and coordinating health policy at a national level.

Education

University of Bingol, the most prestigious university of Packilvania

Each province has substantial control over primary and high school education. Primary education is compulsory and free up to 12 years of age. Due to access issues especially in rural areas, enrollments rates fall below global standards. This has stifled attempts to reduce the illiteracy which stands at a stubbornly high 10% of the population. To combat this, different regional and provincial governments have enacted a traveling teacher scheme, whereby teachers from privileged and urban areas travel to rural areas and poor communities once a week to offer students there some kind of education. Despite the weaknesses of this approach, it is bearing considerable fruit, with literacy rates among children aged 9 to 12 showing considerable improvement. More work needs to be done in building and maintaining schools and training teachers. Enrollment rates for high school education are worryingly problematic as most 15-year-olds opt to work instead. Thus, the government has implemented a Vocational Training Certificate which is the equivalent of the Matriculation Certificate that is received by those who complete high school and is acquired through on-the-job training under a recognised artisan. The country's universities are controlled by the provincial and national governments. Despite challenges faced at lower levels, the Packilvanian high education sector goes head to head with other systems, producing the top 5 highest number of journal articles and other research papers in the world. Universities such as the University of Bingol and the University of Kemer are among the top 100 universities in the world. Nevertheless, the Packilvanian higher education system is criticised for failing to encourage academic rigour and critical thinking.

Culture

Society

Female Packilvanian religious devotees in their ceremonial ritual costumes. Their conservative dress code is emblematic of the conservative standards of Packilvanian society.

Packilvanian society is shaped by a combination of economic, religious, geographic, historic and demographic influences. Over the years a fundamentalist interpretation of Paxist religious ideals has emerged and taken root that has shaped the society fundamentally. Social, economic and political power is structured to favour men over women. Men are regarded as the head of the household, thus while on one hand they are regarded as the protector and provider of the family, on the other they have social and legal authority and responsibility for all the members of their household (servants, children and wives). Women are considered as helpers and supporters of men and their role in society is to raise children and get married. Packilvanian society not only accepts but encourages polygamy resulting in wealthy males marrying several females as a symbol of wealth and status. Children are highly regarded as a gift from Zora and infertility is regarded as a curse. Parenting duties fall on women, but men wield all the power in making decisions about the child’s life.

Because of these norms, the vocations and occupations that men and women occupy are divided along gender lines such that women typically earn less and it is a requirement that if a woman works, she must work half a day, to ensure she has time to take care of her family. Most parents will select marriage partners for their children. However, after the first wife, men are free to choose their own wives. Family place a big role in Packilvanian society, with three or four generations often living in the same compound or in close proximity. Adult children are expected to take care of their elderly parents and to support unemployed or poor siblings. Families often pool resources to help children through high education or to finance a wedding or car purchase. At the same time, this system gives disproportionate power to the older and wealthier members of the clan, who are able to make decisions that intrude upon the private affairs of a household.

Loyalty to the country and loyalty to the Sultan are regarded as fundamental tenets of being a good citizen, thus children are taught at a young age to revere and defend the reputation of the Sultan. Packilvanian society also values discipline and obedience. Workers will often exhaust themselves or accept low wages or undesirable working conditions in order to be seen as dependable and reliable. Unfortunately, this ethos does not permeate the wealthy and powerful, who thrive on circumventing social expectations of integrity through the impunity that obedience grants them. Thus, many Packilvanians will work 6 days a week for 8 to 10 hours a day. Children, especially those from families who can afford an education, are expected to study hard, cultivating a culture of cramming. Nevertheless, Packilvanian children from poor households, despite facing developmental challenges, tend to have more time to play, resulting in higher happiness and creating a large difference between them and their urban counterparts. The temple is the centre of social life, serving as a place of worship, gathering and communal support, with week prayers being zealously attended and the last week day being a day of rest on which most government services, shops and businesses close.

Cuisine

Spice stall with spices such as cumin, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and curry powder from the curry tree

Gacha, a fried dessert made from cardamom, condensed milk, and flour, that is a beloved street food

Packilvania is the origin of the Pax Fruit and the image above displays several varieties some of which cannot be found anywhere else on Urth

Packilvania has a rich gastronomic heritage that spans thousands of years. Packilvanian cuisine is characterized by spicy and meaty food. The country is the core producer of spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, aniseed, saffron and so on, so it naturally has incorporated spices into its cooking including desert. Absar is a spicy paste made from vegetables, animal fat and spices that has spawned many variations such bovril. The country has also produced relishes and garnishes such as Atchaar which is made from raw unripe mango and spices, but vegetables have also been used. The chakalaka salad made from vegetables and spices especially beans and carrots are also renowned. The country is the home of the fruit chutney, a sauce made from fruits such as peaches and coconut which has a tangy taste. Among the famous meat dishes are Bujakar chicken which is chicken marinated in yogurt, cooked with butter and seasoned with a variety of spices. Another is the fodok which is a wheat or rice-based wrap stuffed with strips of meat. Even the seafood is acclaimed, with the kidjar crab made from a fattened crab, deep fried and garnished with a variety of seasonings.

The country also excels in beverages, home to spicy teas such as saffron tea. People also enjoying a drink of coffee while smoking from a large vessel called shisha which people enjoy with a little catnip. Packilvanian coffee is known for its rich aroma and strong taste. Spices are also used in sweet treats such gacha which is made from condensed milk, flour, cardomom and fried. The country also originated the sticky delights which are made from starch and gelatine and are regarded as the modern ancestor of the jelly bean. The country enjoys a strong culture of restaurants and small eateries especially in the underground and covered markets which facilitate socializing and expose one to a diverse range of food.

Sports

Packilvania has a mixture of foreign and indigenous sports. The nation has a highly active sporting scene. The national sport is racing. Packilvania is well known for its incredibly fast, agile and powerful, yet notoriously stubborn and aggressive horse breeds. Thoroughbred Packilvanian horses are the most expensive horses in the world. The Bingol horse racing circuit attracts a larger global audience including betting circuit. Camel racing is also a major sport, coming a close second to horse racing. Another is sand dune rallies. These are basically long motor vehicle races through the desert that test endurance and navigator skill. From overseas, the most widely played sports are association football and table tennis. Although Packilvania is a desert-dominated country, yachting is enjoyed by people living on the coast and in the east where there are many large bodies of water.