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| leader_name3 = [[Stefania Nevzorova]]
| leader_title4 = [[Chief Justice of Volkia|Chief Justice]]
| leader_name4 = [[
| legislature = [[National Assembly of Volkia|National Assembly]]
| upper_house = [[Federal Council (Volkia)|Federal Council]]
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| area_sq_mi = 539,268
| area_footnote = <!--Optional footnote for area-->
| percent_water =
| area_label = Total
| population_estimate =
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=== 21st Century ===
[[File:2006 Volkgoroda bombing memorial.png|left|thumb|180x180px|A memorial to victims of the [[2006 Volkgoroda bombings]], located outside the Stefan Gurkovsky metro station.]]
Volkia entered the 21st Century rather quietly, with minimal societal and general unrest. The ruling Social Democratic Union (SDU) continued its dominance in Volkian politics into the new millennium with few signs of losing power. With the arrival of the millennium, Volkia began seeing a rise in what would go on to be described as new religious cults. Federal and provincial authorities combatted this growing trend among disillusioned youths and elderly people through the media and educational programs. The [[Lunarism|Lunarist Church]] joined with the government in trying to prevent vulnerable individuals from joining new religious
The "Cult Wars" would continue on into the mid-2000s and the new religious cult known as [[Yarkiye]], responded to the crackdown on "dangerous groups" with the [[2006 Volkgoroda bombings|deadliest terrorist attack on Volkian soil]]. Yarkiye's leaders were arrested, tried, and convicted for their roles in the attacks and
Volkia entered the [[Dverian War]] on May 11, 2014 in support of Tano after the activation of the countries' bilateral defense agreements, and opened its borders to accept a large number of Tano refugees. President [[Zakhar Kreskov|Kreskov]] ordered Volkian troops into Tano on May 12, 2014 and Volkian generals drew up invasion plans of Dveria proper. Volkian troops engaged Dverian troops for the first time on May 13, 2014 in eastern Tano
Tensions between Blaskog and Volkia rose to their highest level in over 50 years when
Support for the Dverian War at home was relatively high, with many Volkians supporting the country's entry into the war to support Tano. However, many felt betrayed when Tano's Sultan abruptly declared the dissolution of the Tanoese government and the annexation of Tano by South Hills. While the government officially denounced this action, President Kreskov signed the [[Kerilo Accord]] which included a section accepting the annexation. Shortly after the signing, Volkians launched protests against both their own government and the government of South Hills, with protests taking place outside the South Hills embassy in Volkgoroda as well as consulates across the country. The signing resulted in a drop in popularity for the SDU, who saw their largest electoral loss in their history during the [[2014 Volkian elections|2014 elections]]; the party lost almost 40 seats and barely held onto their majority in the Chamber of Deputies.
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The president is elected by popular vote for a four year term (eligible for a second term, but not a third term).
The Chamber of Deputies has 472 voting members, each representing an electoral district for a two year term. Seats are apportioned among the provinces by population every ten years and, if necessary, seats are added to the Chamber of Deputies. At the conclusion of the
The Federal Supreme Court, led by the [[Chief Justice of Volkia]], has 16 members with a mandatory retirement age of 70. The Chief Justice, as well as the Court's associate justices, are selected by the President and confirmed by the Federal Council.
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=== Parties and elections ===
''See also: [[List of political parties in Volkia]]''
[[File:Social Democratic Union Electoral Logo.png|left|thumb|163x163px|The [[Social Democratic Union|SDU]] has dominated the country's political landscape since 1972.]]
Volkia has been structured as a {{Wp|multi-party democracy}} since its establishment in 1888, however the [[Social Democratic Union]] has held a government trifecta since
While the Social Democratic Union is considered dominant in Volkian politics, there are still strongholds of other political parties. [[Western Volkia]] is widely considered to be a Social Democrat stronghold, while [[Northern Volkia]] tends to lean towards the Conservative Party. Much of the south supports Liberal
Social Democrat [[Yuliya Surkova]] was reelected in the [[2020 Volkian presidential election]] after three rounds of counting and has served as the [[List of presidents of Volkia|20th president of Volkia]] since 2016. Leadership in the [[Federal Council (Volkia)|Federal Council]] includes [[Vice President of Volkia|Vice President]] [[Vladimir Burmakin]], Majority Leader Yefim Luzhkov, and Minority Leader Viktoriya Titova. [[Chamber of Deputies (Volkia)|Chamber of Deputies]] leaders include Speaker of the Chamber Stefania Nevzorova, Majority Leader Boris Sukhanov, and Minority Leader Stepan Maksimov.
In the
===Foreign relations===
[[File:Volkian Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.jpg|left|thumb|190x190px|The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for maintaining Volkia's diplomatic relations.]]
The foreign relations of Volkia are handled by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Volkia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]. The Ministry is currently headed by Foreign Affairs Minister
Volkia maintains diplomatic relations with nearly all independent nations, and hosts a multitude of foreign embassies in its capital. It is a largely {{wp|neutral country}} and tries to maintain independence in foreign affairs, though in recent years it has participated in [[2014 Dverian War|military engagements]] near Volkian territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides its citizens with travel advisories regarding international travel, placing countries on a scale from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel). Most countries fall within Level 1 or Level 2, though there are some countries at Level 3 or Level 4.
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''Main article: [[Volkian Defense Forces]]''
The president holds the title of [[Wikipedia:Commander-in-chief|Commander-in-Chief]] of the Volkian Defense Forces and appoints its leaders: the [[Cabinet of Volkia|Minister of National Defense]] and the [[General Staff of the Defense Forces of Volkia|General Staff]]. The [[Ministry of National Defense (Volkia)|Ministry of National Defense]] administers the armed forces, which is divided into the [[Volkian Army|Army]], [[Volkian Navy|Navy]], and the [[Volkian Air Force|Air Force]]. The number of active duty soldiers in 2020 was 323,018. The Reserves and [[Volkian National Guard|National Guard]] brought the total number of troops to 570,217. The Ministry of National Defense additionally employed 55,000 civilians, not including contractors in 2020. Volkia's annual military budget in 2021 is $71.8 billion, or 1.65% of its GDP. In absolute terms, Volkian military expenditure is the [[List of countries by military expenditure|11th highest in the world]].
Military service is voluntary though conscription can be implemented in times of "national crisis when the voluntary force has been overwhelmed." This is done through the
Volkian nuclear deterrence relies on complete independence. The current Volkian nuclear force consists of five ''Avangard'' class and two ''Zashchitnik'' class submarines equipped with {{Wp|submarine-launched ballistic missiles}}. In addition to the submarine fleet, the country maintains approximately
The country maintains a classified amount of chemical and biological weapons, with known agents including {{wp|Tabun (nerve agent)|tabun}}, {{wp|sarin}}, {{wp|ricin}}, and {{wp|botulinum toxin|botulinum}}. The Volkian government has stated that it is exploring options to destroy the country's chemical and biological agent stockpile, though it would maintain its nuclear arsenal. Volkian defense doctrine states that the country's weapons of mass destruction are for homeland defense only; the country would only use its WMDs in extraordinary circumstances.
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The country's 25 provinces (''oblasts'') are the principal political divisions. Each province holds jurisdiction over a defined geographic territory and shares sovereignty with the [[Federal government of Volkia|federal government]]. They are subdivided into districts (''raions'') and further divided into municipalities. Generally speaking Volkia can be grouped into three geographic regions: [[Northern Volkia]], [[Southern Volkia]], and [[Western Volkia]]. Provinces have certain rights and obligations that are defined in the [[Constitution of Volkia|Volkian constitution]] and have a certain degree of autonomy.
Provinces may freely organize their local governments and ratify their own constitutions so long as they are in line with the requirements of the federal constitution. Each province also owns and maintains their own natural and financial resources, though the federal government does own land and resources in each province; this amount varies
The constitution mandates that the provinces must maintain a representative, republican style of government and obey the constitution. Provinces may not unilaterally secede from the federation and they must remain subordinate to the federal government. Provinces are also forbidden from making war, engaging in their own foreign relations, or printing and issuing currency. Provinces may pass their own laws as long as they do not conflict with a current federal law. If a federal law contradicts a provincial law when it is passed, the federal law supersedes the provincial law. When conflicts arise regarding these situations, provinces have the right to request the Federal Supreme Court
====Federal City====
There is one city designated as a {{Wp|federal city}} in Volkia, which is the federal capital of [[Volkgoroda]]. The city is officially known as the "Federal City of Volkgoroda" and has the status of both a city and a province. The city was split from [[Okostolitsa Oblast|Volkgoroda Oblast]] in 1956 and the province was renamed to [[Okostolitsa Oblast]]. It is headed by a mayor and has a city council, which is the city's legislative branch. Because of its status as a province, it receives full representation in the National Assembly.
==== Territory ====
There is a single territory (''territoriya''), which is located in the country's far north. [[Kurilsk Territory]] is the country's
The territory sends two nonvoting representatives, known as delegates, to the National Assembly: one to the Chamber of Deputies and one to the Federal Council. Previously these positions were appointed by the president; today the residents of the islands choose their delegates.
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|[[Okostolitsa Oblast]]
|Tulunsky
|
|-
|[[Olyutorsk Oblast]]|| Likhoslavl || 4,926,548
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|[[Vladinsk Oblast]]|| Izumrud || 3,923,753
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|[[Volkgoroda]]||[[Volkgoroda]]||
|-
|[[Vyalovsk Oblast]]|| Kodinsk || 1,978,564
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=== Law ===
[[File:District of Volkgoroda Courthouse.jpg|left|thumb|220x220px|Courthouse for the Federal District Court of the District of Volkgoroda.]] ''Main article: [[Law of Volkia]]''
Volkia's legal system operates on {{Wp|common law}} and has a written constitution which provides for a federal constitutional republic. The federal court system consists of the [[Federal Supreme Court of Volkia|Federal Supreme Court]], the [[Volkian courts of appeals|Courts of Appeals]], and the [[Volkian district courts|District Courts]], all of which apply Volkain federal law and hear both criminal and civil matters. The provincial court systems are set up similarly, with minor differences between each province; all provincial court systems consist of a supreme court, appellate court, and a trial court. Provincial courts try the vast majority of criminal cases in the country. Trials for serious offenses must be tried before a {{Wp|jury}} unless a {{Wp|plea bargain}} can be reached. The Federal Supreme Court and federal Courts of Appeals have the power of judicial review across both federal and provincial law and actions, while provincial supreme courts and appellate courts may only review laws and actions within their province. Except in exceptional circumstances, court hearings must be held in public.
[[File:Volkgoroda Central Prison.png|thumb|263x263px|Volkgoroda Central Prison has been in continuous service since 1884 and is the oldest prison in Volkia.]]
Law enforcement in Volkia is generally the responsibility of local police and sheriff's departments, with provincial police providing broader services. These departments are responsible for all aspects of civil policing, both in terms of territory and infrastructure. Each department may be set up slightly differently, though generally speaking they will be headed by either a Chief or a Sheriff who may be elected or appointed. Most uniformed officers carry a
While much of the world has abolished {{Wp|capital punishment}}, it is sanctioned as a legal punishment for certain crimes at all levels: federal, provincial, and military. The Volkian public has generally supported the death penalty, with a 2018 survey reflecting 72.1% believing it to be "permissible" while 21.4% said it should be abolished. Executions happen relatively infrequently, likely due to the extensive appeals process and infrequency in which the death sentence is applied. Death sentences are typically given out in cases of multiple murder, though in extraordinary cases individuals who have committed a single murder have received the death penalty. Executions could take place years after sentencing depending on the length of the appeals process; the average time from sentence to execution is about six years. Executions are carried out by hanging or lethal injection.
Roughly 87% of residents have confidence in Volkia's security institutions. The overall crime rate in Volkia is relatively low, though some types of crime are above average for a developed nation, such as {{Wp|homicide}}. Corruption in business and government overall remains low, largely thanks to sweeping anti-corruption reforms passed in the early and mid-1970s
==Geography==
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===Biodiversity ===
[[File:Gray Wolf in northern Volkia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The {{wp|gray wolf}}, Volkia's national animal]]
[[File:
''Main article: [[Wildlife of Volkia]]''
The territory of Volkia can be split up into three ecoregions: {{wp|Scandinavian coastal conifer forests|Volkian coastal conifer forests}}, {{wp|Sarmatic mixed forests|Iturian mixed forests}}, and {{wp|Scandinavian and Russian taiga|Iturian taiga}}. The north is covered by boreal forests while the western coast contains conifer forests, of which have some small areas of temperate rainforest. The rest of the country is dominated by Iturian mixed forests, which contain broadleaf and conifer forests. As of 2015, 45% of Volkia's land is dedicated to agriculture, while 37% is forested and 18% is covered by settlements or infrastructure.
Volkia also has an extensive and diverse range of fauna. There are at least 80 native {{wp|mammal|mammalian}} species, 315 breeding bird species, over 150 fish species, and 20 reptile and frog species present today. Many of these species have migrated from neighboring countries thousands of years ago. Large and widely recognized mammal species found in Volkia are the {{wp|gray wolf|gray wolf}} (the national animal), {{wp|brown bear}}, {{wp|moose}}, {{Wp|caribou}}, and {{wp|wolverine}}. Some of the more striking birds include the {{wp|golden eagle}}, the {{Wp|white-tailed eagle}}, which is the national bird of Volkia, the {{wp|snowy owl}}, and the {{wp|gray heron}}. Of the more than 150 fish species, the {{wp|northern pike}}, {{wp|perch}}, {{wp|trout}}, and others are plentiful in Volkia's rivers and lakes. Fish present along the coast include {{wp|cod}}, {{wp|flounder}}, {{wp|turbot}}, and numerous others. {{wp|Atlantic salmon|Iturian salmon}} remains a favorite of {{wp|fly rod}} enthusiasts.
The largest predator found in Volkia's waters is the {{Wp|sperm whale}}, and the largest fish is the {{Wp|basking shark}}. Both species are protected under Volkian law. The brown bear is Volkia's largest terrestrial predator, while the moose is the largest animal found on land in Volkia.
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Volkia's east is largely dominated by the Velikiye Steny, which is a popular destination for those who participate in winter sports. Skiing and snowboarding is popular, and there are several resorts dedicated to winter sports that dot the mountainous landscape. Hiking and camping is popular as well across Volkia, which have plenty of options thanks to government support at both the provincial and local levels. Campgrounds are present on much of Volkia's federal land that is managed by the Ministry of Land Management, and dispersed camping is permitted as well with some restrictions.
Much of Volkia's environment is protected in the form of national parks and nature reserves, and numerous endangered species receive protection from the government under the
==Economy ==
[[File:Korona Symbol.png|thumb|right|150x150px|The [[Volkian korona|korona]] (Ӄ) is the official currency of Volkia.]][[File:Izumrud.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Izumrud is a major shipping port of Volkia.]]Volkia has a {{wp|mixed economy}}, which has resulted in a prosperous capitalist {{wp|welfare state}} with a combination of {{wp|free market}} activity and large state ownership in certain key sectors. This was influenced first by liberal and socialist governments in the late 1920-30s and fully implemented by [[Social Democratic Union|Social Democratic administrations]] starting in 1972. Public healthcare is free and parents receive 40 weeks of paid parental leave. Volkia also guarantees its workers a minimum of 30 days paid vacation (20 paid days off, 10 public holidays). The unemployment rate is 3.4%, with 66% of the population aged 15-74 employed. Nearly 8% of the population aged 18-65 receives a disability pension and
The wage difference between the lowest paid worker and the CEO of most companies has been kept relatively low compared to other industrialized economies due to Volkian society's {{wp|egalitarian}} values. The federal minimum wage was raised to Ӄ30.00 an hour ($15.00 SHD) in early 2020, and many of Volkia's provinces have minimum wages that exceed the federal standard. Olyutorsk Oblast has the highest minimum wage, with a 2021 provincial law setting it at Ӄ37.50 an hour ($18.75 SHD). Volkia has a progressive federal income tax rate with relatively complex tax laws, with much of the tax burden falling on corporations and the highest individual earners. Most provinces levy income tax as well, but are typically significantly less than the federal tax rate. Some provinces, such as Kologorsk Oblast, Orlik Oblast, and Yekartovsk Oblast, have no provincial income tax; these provinces rely on income from their natural resources.
Volkia has a highly skilled {{wp|workforce}}, low levels of {{wp|corruption}}, and a relatively high level of innovation. The service sector contributes approximately 68% of the total GDP, industry 30.5%, tourism 1.8%, and agriculture 1.5% as of 2019. Volkia holds significant {{wp|timber}}, mineral ({{wp|iron}}, {{wp|chromium}}, {{wp|copper}}, {{wp|nickel}}, and {{wp|gold}}), and freshwater resources. Forestry, paper factories, agriculture, and mines are important for rural residents and the national economy. The [[Greater Volkgoroda]] area generates nearly 10% of Volkia's GDP.
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===Transport===
[[File:Volkian Federal Highway Route Marker.png|thumb|139x139px|An example of the federal highway shield, designating Federal Highway 12.|left]]
Volkia's roadways are utilized mostly by internal cargo and passenger traffic, and as of 2015 totaled about 620,000 miles. The Volkian federal highway system is known colloquially as the Шоссе (''[[Shosse]])''. It is officially known as the Федеральная система автомобильных дорог (''Federal'naya sistema avtomobil'nykh dorog,'' abbreviated FSAD''),'' which translates as "federal highway system." It connects the major cities and is marked by blue colored signs and their own numbering system.
The main international passenger gateway is [[Volkgoroda International Airport]], which handled about 30 million passengers in 2015. [[
The majority of international cargo shipments are handled at Volkia's ports. Major sea ports of Volkia include Izumrud, Volsk, [[Shipunovo]], [[Korkino]], and [[Zuyevka]] which are located on the [[Sea of Itur]] and the [[Volkian Sea]]. In 2015 the country owned over 1,600 merchant marine ships. Icebreakers keep the northernmost ports of the country open year round. Ferry services connect mainland Volkia to its island possessions.
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''Main article: [[List of cities in Volkia]]''
According to the 2020 National Census the total population of Volkia is 80,641,743. The population density in 2020 was estimated to be 149.5/sq mi (57.74/km2). Volkia's population has an average age of 39.8. The 2020 National Census revealed that
Volkia's population has always been concentrated in center and south of the country, a phenomenon which became more pronounced with urbanization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The capital and largest city, [[Volkgoroda]], is located in the center of the country and had a population of 3,218,215 in 2020. About 80% of Volkian citizens live in urban areas (including suburbs); about half of those reside in cities over 50,000. In 2020, 86 incorporated places had populations over 100,000. There are
Nearly the entirety of Volkia's population is made up of [[Lupine|Volkian lupines]]. Minority races make up 2.1% of Volkia's population and include [[Vulpine|vulpines]] and {{wp|humans}}, who tend to live in the country's larger cities.
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Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in 2002, though same-sex civil unions with the same rights as traditional marriage had been performed since 1987. Same-sex marriages today have the same rights as heterosexual couples; same-sex couples are also allowed to adopt with the same requirements as heterosexual couples. According to the 2020 National Census, there are approximately 700,000 same-sex married couples in Volkia, according to the 2020 National Census.
Women were traditionally considered "homemakers" and thus did not often work outside of the home. As laws were passed granting women more rights, such as the right to vote
The teen pregnancy rate is 14 per 1,000 women. In 2020, the average age at first birth was 26 and 39.2% of births were to unmarried women. The total fertility rate (TFR) was estimated for 2020 to be at about 2.25 births per woman.
Divorce was legalized in 1947, but there was significant stigma around the practice that remained until the 1970s. The Elder Council of the [[Lunarism#Elder Council|Lunarist Church]] issued a statement in support of the practice during the Church's liberalization period in the 1970s and 1980s, which also led to the Church's acceptance of same-sex relationships. Polygamy
As of 2020, approximately 52% of Volkian citizens were married, 8% were widowed, 12% were divorced, and 28% had never been married.
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[[File:Volkian language.png|thumb|300x300px|[[Volkian language|Volkian]] is the national and official language.]]''See also: [[Volkian language]]''
According to the constitution, the official language of Volkia is [[Volkian language|Volkian]]. Roughly 79.3 million, or 98.5% of the population aged five years and older, spoke only Volkian at home in 2020. While Volkian is by far the dominant language in the country, Volkians are becoming increasingly multilingual due to globalization. Roughly
The Volkian Government does not regulate the choice of language in publications by individuals but requires the state to operate in Volkian. Print media, public notices, road signs, and state services are provided in Volkian.
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Volkia's healthcare system dates from the Liberal governments of the 1930s and 1940s. Since the mid-1930s, provisions and reforms strengthened and overhauled the system to transform it into the robust {{Wp|universal healthcare}} system that is in place today. In 2020, Volkia spent 12.6% of its GDP on healthcare. Approximately 82% of health expenditures are covered by government funded agencies while the remaining 18% are privately funded.
Generally speaking, healthcare is mostly free for Volkian citizens and residents, and totally free for people suffering from {{Wp|chronic diseases}} such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, or hepatitis. Lupines tend to have slightly shorter lifespans than humans, though thanks to medical advancements and a dramatic decrease in inter-lupine violence Volkia's life expectancy has increased nearly 20 years since the 1930s. Today it now matches or exceeds that of other developed nations. As of 2020, the average life expectancy at birth is
In 2020, the principal cause of death was cardiovascular disease, at 39%. Obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise within Volkia, with the government citing these as major health issues. A study in 2020 showed 53% of the adult population was overweight or obese. The number of {{Wp|musculoskeletal diseases}} and cancers are increasing as well, although the cancer prognosis has improved.
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The vast majority of Volkian students attend a public school, 82% of the total students in Volkia. An additional 10% of children attend nonsectarian private schools while 5% are enrolled in a parochial school. Approximately 3% of Volkia's children are homeschooled.
Most of the universities in Volkia are public institutions run by either the federal or provincial governments, and students are permitted to study without fee payment. Some universities may charge small fees for administrative costs; these are typically private universities. The general requirement for entrance to a university is a high school diploma or equivalent, like the HSAET. [[Volkgoroda State University]] is the oldest university in Volkia as well as one of the world's oldest, established in 1478. Some 89% of Volkia's university students attend a public university.
Of Volkians aged 25 and older, 89.8% graduated high school, 55.2% attended some college, 37.5% earned a bachelor's degree, and 15.1% earned graduate degrees. The basic literacy rate is 99%.
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===National holidays===
All
Every year on a federal holiday, non-essential federal government offices are closed, stock trading is suspended, and every federal worker is paid for the holiday. This typically applies to provincial government offices as well. As a general rule, banks, schools, and businesses may be closed as well; this is not required.
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|January 1||New Year's Day <br> (День нового года)||Celebrates the beginning of the {{wp|Gregorian calendar}} year. Festivities typically begin the previous evening and include fireworks displays, counting down to midnight, and parties.
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|April 17||Federation Day <br>(День Федерации)||Celebrates the ratification of the [[Constitution of Volkia]]. A majority of provinces ratified the document on April 17, 1888, though it would not go into effect until August 6, 1888. Fireworks celebrations are held throughout the nation and other festivities include barbecues and parades.
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|{{nowrap|Second Monday in July}} <br> (Biennial) ||Election Day <br> (День выборов) ||Public holiday held every two years for purposes of federal elections; many businesses are closed or have shortened hours to allow Volkian workers time to vote. The next federal elections are scheduled to be held on July 11, 2022.
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