Official Factbook of Vermark [CLOSED]

by **Vermark** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:20 am

Welcome to the Official Factbook of Vermark, chartered by the Parliament of the Social Republic of Vermark. Information regarding Vermark as a nation can be found here.

Social Republic of Vermark

Flag ▪ Coat of Arms
Anthemn:
Our Free Vermark
Motto:
In Pursuit of Better

Click for Full Resolution
Location
Capital and Largest City
Videnhagen
Recognized Languages
English, Swedish, Danish
Demonym
Varish ▪ Vare
Government
Unitary Parliamentary Republic
Head of State: President Michelle Reedman
Head of Government: Prime Minister Niklas Jamesson
Legislature
Parliament of the Social Republic
Upper House: Senate
Lower House: House of Citizenry
Establishment
Independence: July 1, 1816
Establishment of Videnhagen: January 5, 1772
Establishment of Dominion: April 17, 1779
Population
12,376,455
Density: 242/km²
Area
92,327 km²
Gross Domestic Product
$745.48 Billion
Per Capita: $60,234
Currency
Varish Standard Dollar (VKD)
Drives on the
Right
Internet TLD
.vk

Vermark (Formally the Social Republic of Vermark) is a democratic nation located in the region of Rushmore. Vermark borders the ocean to the west which facilitate trade and fishing for the nation. To the south, Vermark borders the nation of Astograth, and to the north, it borders the Sargossan colony of Costa Azula. Temperatures in Vermark are steady year-round, however, winters are known to receive large accumulations of snow and ice throughout the country. Vermark itself is divided into three geographical regions: the Coast, the Mountains, and the Plains. All three of these regions have differing geographies and cultures.

Vermark initially began as the "city-university" of Videnhagen, now the nation’s capital. Videnhagen, which translates to “Port of Knowledge”, began as a stateless colony built as a community centered around the University of Videnhagen, but was annexed as a dominion of Franz Josef (Modern-day Polar Islandstates). In 1816, the Dominion became an independent state known as Vermark, which means “versatile land”. Shortly after, conflict ensued over policy known as the “Rural Regulations” which subordinated people living outside of the cities to the academics and other urban residents. This conflict was resolved by the “Agrarian Representation Act” passed on August 14, 1854, now known as “Agrarian Day”, in which rural residents were given equal rights to urban residents. However, rivalry between urban and rural Vares persists to this day. In recent history, Vermark has been run according to a welfare state model; education, healthcare, social insurance, and public transportation are all provided or heavily subsidized by the government.

Vares are known to enjoy happy, long lives due to the government programs provided to its people. Modern Varish policy is centered around the betterment of the quality of life of the Varish citizenry. While Vermark has a large government with socialist policies, Vermark is becoming increasingly a free market economy with robust technology, agriculture, and service industries. Despite being previously isolated, the passage of the "Emergence Act of 1975" has led to a rise of Varish foreign interaction. As a result, Vermark is in ongoing deliberations to form partnerships with nations such as the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, Eura, and Erathore.

Contents

1. History
1.1 Etymology
1.2 Pre-Independence Era (1772-1816)
1.3 Early History (1816-1875)
1.4 Economic Revolution (1875-1921)
1.5 Reformation Era (1921-1987)
1.6 Contemporary History (1987-)
2. Geography
2.1 Climate
3. Politics
3.1 Governance
3.2 Foreign Relations and Military
4. Economy
4.1 Energy
4.2 Transportation
5. Demography
5.1 Languages
5.2 Religion
5.3 Healthcare
5.4 Education
6. Culture
6.1 Arts and Music
6.2 Cuisine
6.3 Sports

by **Vermark** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:25 am

History

Etymology

The name Vermark is derived from the first syllable of the word “versatile” and the term for land in Nordic, “mark”. The purpose of the name is to demonstrate that the nation of Vermark is multiple faceted and is philosophically, culturally, and economically varied. The name was chosen by the First Parliament of Vermark as per the Constitutional Proceedings.

Another place name of importance is the city of Videnhagen, which is fully derived from the Danish words for “wisdom” (“viden-“) and port (“-hagen”). This name was chosen by Videnhagen founder Patr Jacobsen who wanted an appealing name to attract the best thinkers of the world to the city-university of Videnhagen.

Pre-Independence Era/Academic Age (1772-1816)
Full Article: The Academic Age

University of Videnhagen, circa 1775.

Vermark has its beginnings in the city-university of Videnhagen. Petr Jacobsen, an academic from Franz Josef in what is now the Polar Islandstates, sought to create the world’s best university by creating a colony in a strategically central location that would be solely a university. The term “city-university” was coined by Jacobsen, and thinkers and scientists of all ethnicities flocked to this newly founded community. This society was named Videnhagen, meaning “Port of Knowledge”. Arab, Latin, and Oriental peoples all have strongholds that still exist today in Videnhagen.

Videnhagen grew beyond the university grounds as demand for resources was needed to support the institution. It became a trade hub due to its geography as well as its influx of foreigners. Videnhagen and incorporated agricultural areas were claimed by the state of Franz Josef as a dominion on April 17, 1779. The dominion, despite being a majority Nordic by ethnicity, became increasing cosmopolitan in the decade leading up to the nineteenth century. A series of protests in 1811 tarnished the legitimacy of foreign rule over the city, and in 1816, The Vermark Act was passed creating the independent state of Vermark.

Though relatively small and weak, this age brought about many influential innovations important to later Varish history. Many influential philosophical texts were published, such as Anders Sorrenqvist’s Doctrine on Pluralism and Alva Gustafsson’s On Femininity, which focused on ideas such as openness and acceptance. Scientific breakthroughs in anatomy, chemistry, and public health help give identity to today’s scientific community of Vermark. The arts also flourished, with composers such as Henrik Kron creating music orchestrated for outdoor performance while artists like Erik Darvik creating the foundations for popular modern forms of Varish art such as the mountain landscape. These advancements are often attributed as a cause for Vermark as an academic superpower.

Early History (1816-1875)

Following Varish independence, the government of Vermark was considered unstable due to tensions between urban and rural citizens. The rural citizenry, considered to be a minuscule demographic, had neither suffrage rights nor political representation. The agrarian people saw themselves as unjustly subordinated because Videnhagen relied heavily on the wheat and other agricultural products produced in its surrounding areas. The Farmers’ Party was formed in 1837 and behaved according to some historians like a terrorist group. Libraries were torched in 1941 during the “Revolution of the Laborers”. In 1846, the Agricultural Districts were given the right to assembly, but that was repealed when the Farmers’ Party rejected it in favor of seeking representation in the national government. Finally, on August 18, 1854, The Agricultural Districts were given full voting rights as well as districts for parliamentary elections via the “Agrarian Act of 1854”. The long-standing legacy of this conflict has led to the contemporary identities of the urban and rural populations of Vermark; the former views itself as sophisticated and smart while the later aspires to be hard-working and driven.

Through the 1860s, Vermark entered economic recession and infighting occurred in the country’s most influential institution, the University of Vermark. Presidents of the university were chosen from blood relatives of Petr Jacobsen who all believed that business and academic should be kept separate. The Board of Directors, elected by the faculty, thought otherwise and predicted positive economic implications if academic discoveries were commercialized. A sixteen year period known as the “Practicality Conflicts” began and caused turmoil in the academic world. In 1875, Alf Jacobsen, descendent of Petr and the current president was accused of intentionally tainting food at a university council gala. He was later found guilty, and the Jacobsen family lost power in the university. In the “University Accords of 1876” parliament declared that university presidencies could not be decided through a dynastic fashion, and faculty members could not be prevented from creating private enterprises with their academic research.

Economic Revolution (1875-1921)

Following the “University Accords”, the economy boomed and experienced double digit growth from 1879 to 1899. Small companies created by university researchers merged to form larger corporations such as BioCorp and Mulighed Financial. This boom created available capital for more academic exploration. Systems for testing financial derivatives and minimally invasive surgical techniques were created and commercialized creating huge financial and medical industries.

Alongside the Economic Revolution, rural areas became struck with recession, and protests stemming from the “Revolution of the Laborers” returned protesting the social inequality between urban and rural citizens. Rural children had limited access to the post-secondary education available in the cities. This limit in opportunity prevented rural people from benefiting from the Economic Revolution occurring in Videnhagen. In 1918, Parliament established the Agrarian College System aimed at providing rural areas with higher education opportunities. While these agrarian colleges were inferior in quality to the private, urban universities, they did allow for growth in the agricultural machinery markets and lead to the start of machinery businesses such as Percheron.

Political growth also arose alongside the economic growth. Growing tourism to the northern mountains caused the Annexation of Bergmark in 1920. This also included the city of Raskstad, which translates to “city of health”, and Varnskog, a booming industrial city known for paper and lumber production. These cities are today the second and third largest respectively in Vermark.

Reformation Era (1921-1987)

The expansion of political power and accumulation of wealth lead the government to begin sweeping changes. During the Presidency of Axel Remholm, he launched the “Path to Prosperity” campaign and began Vermark’s transition to a welfare state. In the second year of Remholm’s administration, the “Social Insurance Act” was enacted creating the social safety net and the foundation of the welfare state. The subsequent president, Margaret Norup, enacted a series of reforms known as “The Great Equalizers”. The “Universalization of Healthcare” occurred in 1936, the “Education Subsidies” were introduced in 1938, and the “Utilities Nationalization Act” passed in 1939. The laws created universal healthcare, open access to education to people ages four to twenty one, and capped energy, water, and communication costs.

The upset victory of the Conservative Party in the 1951 Parliamentary elections slowed but did not stop the socialization of Vermark. The Parliament passed bills capping personal incomes taxes at 40% for the upper class. This caused brief debt imbalance, but it was offset by the Progressive Party President Andrew Oster move to publicize the petroleum sector. The overturn of this was defeated in Parliament by the coalition of the Progressive and Green Parties and led to the defeat of the Conservative Party in the subsequent election. The Conservative Party is still yet to regain power in Parliament.

Through the 1960’s and 1970’s, the budget continued to be in deficit or minimal surplus. This was countered by the “Emergence Act of 1975” which eliminated tariffs and embargoes in attempt to use trade to balance the deficit. As a result, 1976 became the first year for professional sports club to compete overseas and marked the beginning of the rise of Vermark on an international stage.

by **Vermark** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:41 am

Geography

Varish geography is comprised of three distinct regions. These regions are the Coast, the Mountains, and the Plains. These regions vary in terrain, climate, and culture.

The Coast is the most urbanized region of Vermark, and thus, it is also the most populated. Cities such as Videnhagen, Dunsvik, and Petrovik dominate the landscape. The region is a powerhouse when it comes to the service industry; fishing and shipping are also big business in this area. The Coast receives mild summers along with cold winters. This region is also the rainiest, and will receive over a meter of rain per year. Coasters (residents of the coast) often view themselves in a more elite fashion, and are also more likely to be wealthy then residents of the Mountains or Plains.

Ren Lake in the Malerisk National Park
in the Mountains Region of Vermark is an
example of the natural beauty of Vermark.

The Mountains are also somewhat urbanized, yet they foster more manufacturing and mining then the coast does. Raskstad is the Mountains' biggest city with a thriving technology industry. Other cities, such as Varnskog and Vinoburg, are known to host specialized industries, like paper-making or wine-making respectively. This region is also the most visually stunning, thanks to mountain parks such as Malerisk National Park (pictured). The Mountains, being in the far north of the country, are the coldest region of Vermark. Annual snowfall can range anywhere from 1.5 to 2 meters per year.

The last major region is the Plains regions. This regions is the bread-basket of the country; the economy hear is based around agricultural production. Though the majority of the land is used to raise crops and livestock, large cities such as Agriholm and Komark initially formed as hubs for the export of agricultural products. However, today, they are centers of innovation for farming and ranching technologies.

The vast majority of the population lives in the urban areas that hug the coastline. However, most of Vermark’s land area is consisted of the arable plains, versatile hills, and scenic mountains to the /east of the coast. The lowest point is Frutodlind Valley, 30 meters below sea level, known for its luscious fruit orchards. The highest point is Point Vit at 2,743 meters above sea level.

Vermark has an abundance of fresh water bodies. Rivers typically run from the coast to the mountains and prairies. The Snoede River runs from the bay of Videnhagen to the Prairies where it forms multiple tributaries that facilitate hydroelectricity and irrigation. Lakes are prevalent throughout the North and the Mountains Regions. Recently, this fresh water has been exploited by bottling companies who are profiting off of the shortening supply of usable water.

The Varish government has made a concentrated effort to protect Vermark's natural landmarks. For this, the government currently operates the Varish National Park Service. Malerisk National Park is Vermark's most famous protected area, known for its scenic Ren Lake as well as a plethora of outdoor activities. Other areas, like beaches and some parts of the prairies, are also protected as national parks.

The only maritime claim is the bay island outside of Videnhagen called Varmoen which consists of 798 square kilometers and has the ability to support subtropical crops such as oranges, olives, and pistachios.

Climate

Snow in Raskstad, a mountain city that receives
up to two feet of snow per year.

The climate of Vermark is mostly temperate, but can include harsh winters. The Coast is generally the wettest and warmest region, while the Mountains also receive lots of precipitation and low temperatures. The Plains generally go through cold winters, but also have very warm, dry summers with wet, warm springs, which create ideal conditions for agriculture.

Ice days (maximum temperature below 0 °C (32 °F)) usually occur from November until March, with the occasional rare ice day prior to or after that period. Freezing days (minimum temperature below 0 °C (32 °F)) occur much more often, usually ranging from mid-October to early April, but not rarely measured as early as late September or Late April. In the North at higher altitudes, the tempatures can be a lot colder.

Warm days (maximum temperature above 20 °C (68 °F)) in Videnhagen are usually found in May to August, but in the Plains these warm days can also occur in March, or even sometimes in October or November (usually not in the north, however). Summer days (maximum temperature above 25 °C (77 °F)) are usually measured in Videnhagen from June until August, tropical days (maximum temperature above 30 °C (86 °F)) are rare and usually occur only in June and July.

Precipitation throughout the year is distributed relatively equally each month, however, most years see rainfall totals surge in April and May while snowfall is the greatest in December and January. Heavy storms are common across the Prairies, which have endured tornadoes and hail storms. The Coast will receive a rare hurricane, however, its relatively mild conditions prevent any massive storms from continuing onto land.

The number of sunshine hours is affected by the fact that because of the geographical latitude, the length of the days varies between barely eight hours in December and nearly 17 hours in June.

by **Vermark** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 1:11 pm

Politics

Full Article: Politics and Public Policy of Vermark

The government of Vermark is run as a constitutional parliamentary republic with its head of state being the President who serves a maximum of two five year terms. The Prime Minister is the head of state and is chosen through Parliament with election times chosen by the ruling party or a vote of no confidence. The duties of the President respect foreign issues, but his/her actions can be suggested or rejected by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s duties apply to domestic issues, but like the President, the Prime Minister can have policy suggested or rejected by the President. Both the President and the Prime Minister can be put under review by the Chief Magistrate if their actions violate any current laws.

Governance

Parliament is responsible for the creation of laws. It consists of two houses, the House of Citizenry being the lower, and the Senate being the upper. Members of the House of Citizenry are elected based on the zones of 25,000 people each. This makes up about 480 members. While laws may be written by any government official, their initial approval must be upheld by the House of Citizenry. Bills that are approved by the House of Citizenry move to the Senate, which consists of six members from each of 12 districts, totaling 72 senators. Bills approved to the senate must then be approved by the Prime Minister, President, and Chief Magistrate in that order to become law.

View from the Gallery of Parliament Hall

The President is elected via a majority of a direct election across all voters. He/she has the control over the military, the diplomats, and the cabinet. In addition to responsibility over foreign affairs, the President is also tasked with the execution of laws passed by Parliament. This execution is done through the cabinet, which consists of ministries, bureaus, and administrations in various fields of policy. While the President technically lacks legislative power, he/she decides how laws are enforced and implemented, which bestows the President considerable power.
The Chief Magistrate is by definition a member of the president’s cabinet and presides over the Ministry of Justice. The Chief Magistrate is responsible for trying the President or Prime Minister in cases where the President or Prime Minister is charged with a crime, as well as overseeing the Supreme Court of Vermark and the decisions it makes. The Supreme Court of Vermark is the final stage of appeal in the judicial system. It also has the ability to create policy, because appeal rulings mustn’t contradict future laws or judicial rulings. The Chief Magistrate possesses the ability to overturn any Supreme Court rulings.

Varish Bureaucracy

Executive
- Office of the President
  - Armed Forces (Ministry of Defense)
    - Army
    - Navy
    - Air Force
    - Coastal Service
  - Cabinet
    - Ministry of Agriculture
    - Ministry of Culture
    - Ministry of Economics, Finance and the Treasury
    - Ministry of Education
    - Ministry of the Environment
    - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    - Ministry of Health
    - Ministry of Justice
    - Ministry of Social Affairs
    - Ministry of Transportation
Legislature
- Parliament of the Social Republic
  - Senate
  - House of Citizenry
- Regional Legislative Assemblies (RLAs)
- Municipal Legislative Assemblies (MLAs)
Judiciary
- Supreme Court of the Social Republic
- Regional Courts
- Municipal Courts

Suffrage is universal to all persons who are citizens over the age of sixteen. Citizenship requires five years of legal residency in the country as well as having committed no crimes. All citizens are entitled to rights bestowed upon them by the Constitution. This covers all human rights, as well as guarantees to access to social programs run by the state and freedom from harm or persecution.

There are three major political parties in Vermark. The majority party for over twenty five years has been the Progressive Party with 295 seats (61%) of the House of Citizenry. This is the furthest left of the parties and is responsible for the upkeep and introduction of social programs. The second largest party is the Moderate Party with 101 seats (21%) of the House of Citizenry. The Moderate Party adopts both liberal and conservative views and is hugely influential because of its ability to break standoffs between the Progressives and Conservatives. The Conservative Party is the smallest of the three big parties with 76 seats (16%) of the House. The Conservative Party is primarily made up of rural constituencies and believes in the minimizing of government and the lowering of taxes; however, in comparison to conservative parties of other nations, the Conservative Party of Vermark would be considered centrist if not left-leaning. The remaining seats are filled by the Farmers’ Party with five seats and the Green Party with three seats. These parties, though unimportant on a national scale, have regional strongholds in different areas of Vermark.

Vermark is divided into 12 administrative districts. These districts vary in size and population and are named after the capital of the district. Each district has its own leader, court, and democratically elected council. Municipalities are the divisions on the local level and normally coincide with a city or town. Municipalities are run by the mayor and an elected council and have their own courts.

Foreign Relations and Military

Vermark officially entered international trade and politics in the “Emergence Act of 1975”. Since then, Vermark has developed diplomatic ties with multiple nations. Vermark is close ally to Polar Islandstates due to their shared history and Vermark’s roots as a Polarian dominion in the 18th century. Vermark also has trade and military partnerships with other states around Rushmore and other regions.

Militarily, Vermark tends to be pacifist, but its military spending has steadily grown since the “Emergence Act”. Vermark’s military is entirely made of volunteers and has a man power of about 250,000. Vermark also has multiple fleets of domestically built aircraft and seacraft, however, most are used for public safety purposes. Currently, Vermark is not involved in any foreign military engagements.

by **Vermark** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 4:14 pm

Economy

Zakaria Square, the center of the Navstad borough of
Videnhagen, Vermark's commercial powerhouse.

The economy of Vermark is a highly developed system that is just starting to play a role in the Rushmori regional economy. Vermark is renowned for its robust knowledge economy, however, raw materials are almost exclusively brought in from outside Vermark. Economic freedom and competitiveness are all above-average in Vermark.

The key Varish trading partners are Eura, Royal Kingdom of Quebec, Polar Islandstates, and Electrum. As of the past year, Vermark's main exports are non-concrete, meaning they largely consisted of intangible items such as financial services, research, and digital products. Other common goods consist of pharmaceuticals, consumer technology, foodstuffs, and chemicals. Major companies include Mulighed Financial (Banking/Financial Services), Raskstad-Videnhagen Banking Group (Banking), Hansa Corporation (Information Technology/Holdings), BioCorp (Pharmaceuticals/Medical Technology), Omnium Technology (Consumer Technology), Sigma Airlines (Travel), Velstand (Agriculture), and Videnhagen Press Group (Mass Media).

The Varish economy is experiencing rapid growth due to a skilled workforce and the national transition to a more free market system. The last six quarters have seen GDP growth above six percent. Unemployment is currently below four percent while inflation is barely above three percent. Varish workers receive significant government benefits which affords businesses the freedom to efficiently fire and hire employees without the need to provide health insurance or severance packages.

Income inequality is very low in Vermark, with a Gini coefficient of .296. Economic and human development is high in Vermark; the Social Republic's HDI value is .920. Levels of economic well-being and freedom are also high in Vermark. Statistical indicators relating to health, education, and quality of life have been historically high in Vermark.

The capital, Videnhagen, is the business and financial center of the country. The Stock Exchange of Videnhagen (SEV) is located here, as well as the headquarters of all of the "Big 3" Varish banks (Mulighed, RVBG, and Hansa). Vermark's biggest research and information technology firms are also centered in Videnhagen; BioCorp, Videnhagen Press Group, and Bravard Computers all have headquarters in the densely populated Navstad borough of Videnhagen. Videnhagen is also the home of of Techstad, an area of a high concentration of headquarters of technology-related corporations. Techstad is very similar to the larger Techburg area in the Raskstad metropolitan area, which is home to technology multinationals such as Omnium and Alikma.

Vermark has a strong financial system. The currency is the Varish Standard Dollar (VSD) which is regulated by the Varish Ministry of Economics, Finance and the Treasury. Interest rates are generally held at a level that shows indifference to saving or investing, however, interest rates have recently been low, prompting a surge in lending. Banking is a massive sector in Vermark. The "Big 3" banks of RVBG, Mulighed, and Hansa make up the top Varish businesses by Market Capitalization.

The Plains Region, also known as Hvedemark, is
the bread basket of Vermark and a huge provider
of agricultural products to the region of Rushmore.

Despite a relatively small amount of land mass, Vermark has a steady agricultural sector due to highly advanced forms of farming technology. The fertile plains region makes Vermark one of the largest producers of wheat in Rushmore. Additionally, the wet region between the Plains and Mountains regions creates a perfect area for wineries and orchards. The warm, sunny island of Varmeon, outside the bay of Videnhagen, is also a prime spot for growing fruits and vegetables. The Plains region is also a popular area for raising livestock. Cattle, swine, and equine production is very high in Vermark, especially in the area around the Plains city of Komark. In addition to the plains, the Coastal region has also been a common producer of fruits, however, Coastal farming is more commonly known for its production of fresh-cut flowers, such as tulips and sunflowers.

Energy

Varish policy has made numerous steps to create sustainable and environmentally-safe sources of energy. Because of this coal and other fossil fuels are virtually non-existent in Vermark, and they consist of less than four percent of all create energy sources. However, throughout the Coastal and Mountain Regions, nuclear energy is the primary form of generation. Uranium is found in moderate quantities throughout the Mountains region, and strong research universities provide the necessary skills and technology to drive the nuclear power industry. In the Plains region, wind farms are fairly prevalent in addition to numerous hydroelectric dams.

Vermark lacks a large supply of natural resources, however, off-shore oil drilling has become a booming industry. Cities like Petrovik and Dunsvik in the Northern Coastal Area have become hubs of petroleum extraction and refining; this emerging industry has provided for the rise of a robust working-class culture. Petroleum is also found in certain parts of the Plains region, however, the culture of individualism and distrust in business has largely prevented petroleum multi-nationals from operating in this area.

Transportation

Cyclists in Raskstad

Vares are extremely mobile thanks to strong policy encouraging public transportation as well as efficient forms of infrastructure. Forty percent of all trips made by Vares are carried out on Public Transport; thirty percent of trips are done via cycling, twenty percent via automobile, and the last ten percent consists of flying or walking. In addition to a strong public transport system, Vermark is also home to over 120,400 km of roadways. These highways are more frequently traveled by residents of the Mountains or Plains, while the more urban, coastal citizens tend to utilize public transport more.

Cycling is the most common form of inner-city transport, especially in Videnhagen and Raskstad. In both cities, over ninety percent of metropolitan roads contain bike lanes. In addition, bike racks, bike shares, and other pieces of cyclist-oriented infrastructure are commonplace across the country. Further cross-metropolis trips are generally facilitated by light rail and buses, all of which are owned by the government and have subsidized fares. Cross-country travelling is mostly via rail, however, air travel and automobile travel are also common.

The largest port and the largest airport are both located in the city of Videnhagen. Some other cities are beginning to heavily invest in their infrastructure. Dunsvik is overhauling its ports and Raskstad is in the process of expanding its airport. Marlink is Vermark's largest shipping company, and Sigma Airlines and Air Vermark are the country's two competing airliners.

by **Vermark** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 4:16 pm

Demographics

Based on a recent estimate, the current population of Vermark is 25,439,032 people. Between 1950 and 2000, the population increased by a third from about 18,000,000 to about 24,000,000. The estimated population growth rate of Vermark is approximately 1.02%.

The fertility rate of Varish women is about 2.11, which is relatively high compared to many developed nations, and meets the requirement to naturally sustain itself. The life expectancy is also high in Vermark. Newborn girls are expected to live about 85.2 years while newborn boys should live to be about 83.6 years of age. Vermark also receives large numbers of immigrants; there are 2.3 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants of Vermark.

The majority ethnic group of Vermark is Nordic. From a recent report, 76% of Vares consider themselves Nordic, 15% Anglo, 6% Arab, and 3% Others. About 15% of the population is known to consist of expatriates, however, this number has been constantly increasing.

Vares are becoming increasingly common among foreign populations. Currently, Eura, Royal Kingdom of Quebec, and San Jose Guayabal have large communities of Varish immigrants.

Most Vares are multilingual and have a strong knowledge
of English. However, the traditional Scandinavian languages
have been recently declining.

Language

Historically, Nordic languages such as Danish and Swedish have been the most spoken throughout Vermark along with enclaves of Finnish, German, and Latin languages as well. However, since the mid-twentieth century, English has been adopted as a lingua franca among Vares of different native languages. Now, English is Vermark's most spoken language and has become the first or second language for a majority of the population.

The government formally recognizes English, Danish, and Swedish across Vermark, however, some municipalities also officially recognize Finnish and German. Other languages, such as Latin and Arabic, have experienced tremendous growth in Vermark due to increased immigration.

Multilingualism is extremely common among Varish residents.seventh-tenths of the population is predicted to be familiar with English, Danish, and Swedish. Public schools in Vermark use English as a default language throughout all age groups. In secondary school (consisting of ages fourteen and older), students are required to take a course in Danish, Swedish, Finnish, German, or Latin. One year of these courses is mandated; however, many students opt to take two or three years of an alternate language, and some will take more than one language. In order to graduate from secondary school, students must pass an exam that proves competency in a language besides English.

Beliefs in Vermark
█ Atheism (23%)
█ Agnosticism (31%)
█ Ietism (26%)
█ Theism (20%)

Religion

The Varish population is well-known to have an indifference towards religious issues. A University of Videnhagen survey concluded that fifty four percent of the population does not have an official religious affiliation. This religious indifference is a result of the Academic Era of Vermark and the lasting ideals of Academicism and Rationalism which have left lasting influences on Varish culture. However, Vermark isn't without religion completely. Many Vares identify as religious without an official affiliation. In addition, a fifth of Vares are decidedly religious with a distinct religious identity.

Humanism

The idea of secularism is widely favoured throughout Vermark as a result of Academicism in the early days of Videnhagen. Support for science and rationalism has reduced religion's impact on Varish society and allowed Vares to explore numerous philosophies and faiths. Many Vares see religion as a private issue that does not need much public attention. Religion throughout Vermark can be considered a dynamic component of culture despite playing a small role. Varish citizens often will adhere to more than one religion or no religion in particular.

Above all the general idea of moral development and character are still important to Vares despite a lack of a religious authority supporting it. Additionally, many Vares believe that free-thinking is important on an intellectual and spiritual basis. In addition to holding humanist beliefs, Vares also commonly hold pluralist beliefs. While some Vares are strongly atheist, just as many consider themselves to be the followers of multiple faiths. Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism are common religions that receive many pluralists. Other schools of thought, such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Individualism as ideas that can be followed and utilized to generate spirituality and self-growth.

The inter-connection of faiths is considered to be very important to spiritual Vares. Many pluralists identify as "Abrahamic Theists", meaning that they believe equally in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The inter-connection movement is made evident by organizations such as the Observatory of the Inter-Connection of Faiths and the Society of Abrahamic Scholars.

St. Lawrence's Cathedral in
Videnhagen

Catholicism

Out of the twenty percent of Vares who identify as religious, as much as 50% of those theist consider themselves to be Catholic, making Catholicism the biggest religious denomination in Vermark. However, the Catholic doctrine in Vermark is very different than the Catholic doctrine in most nations because Varish Catholicism is very liberal due to the pluralist and humanist atmosphere of Varish beliefs. Catholicism is strongest in the coastal urban centres of Vermark, but it widely supports ideas such evolution, homosexual rights, and access to abortion. Many Vares continue to follow Catholicism, especially Jesuit elements, because of its ability to adapt to Varish culture.

Islam

Due to immigration, the Arab minority of Vermark has been steadily growing. As a result, Islam's popularity has also experienced growth during recent years. Like Catholicism, Islam has embraced components of Varish rationalism and Academicism. Islam in Vermark presents itself in its form from the Islamic Golden Age. Muslims in Vermark readily embrace innovation, learning, and science. As a result tensions between between Christians, Humanists, and Muslims has been fairly little despite occasional reports of vandalism at respective places of worship. For the most part, inter-faith relations in Vermark have been strong throughout the recent wave of immigration.

Education

Classroom Nyqvist Prepatory School in Agriholm

Commitment to education is very popular in Vermark, due to its history revolving around scholasticism. Public schools are well-funded and thoroughly supported throughout the country. On an annual basis, at least a quarter of the federal budget is devoted to education. Every lawful resident of Vermark who is between the ages of four and eighteen is guaranteed access to schooling. Pre-education programs begin for children at age four until age six. At age six, children enter primary school, where they receive schooling until they reach age twelve. At age thirteen, students begin secondary school, more commonly known as gymnasium in many countries. When students turn sixteen, they either enter a preparatory track in order to prepare to attend university or a vocational track in order to prepare to start a career or take an apprenticeship or other form of training.

Varish Education Progression

Pre-Education (Age 4-5)
Primary Education (Age 6-12)
Secondary Education (13-16)
Preparatory Education or Vocational Education (17-18)

The Varish education philosophy is heavily supported by cultural support for the pursuit of education. It is also very well funded on the federal, regional, and municipal levels. Class sizes are generally small and teachers are well-paid compared with most developed nations. Entry into teaching schools reflects the rigor of entry into law or medical schools. Additionally, while there is a basic national curriculum that schools most follow, individual schools and teachers are given autonomy to create individual programs for students and specialized curricula for the needs of students in certain areas. Families are also allowed to choose between schools within their municipality.

Tertiary education is in high demand in Vermark. The University of Videnhagen is one of the oldest universities in Rushmore and has become an international leader in research and advanced education. Other large cities also have large tertiary institutions such as Raskstad University and the University of Agriholm. Specialized institutes are also common throughout Vermark such as the Ander Medical Institute in Videnhagen and the Petrovik Advanced Engineering Center (PAEC).

Think tanks are also robust entities in the educational sphere of Vermark. The two biggest think tanks are the Agora Institute in Videnhagen and the Techberg Center for Innovation in Raskstad. These think tanks are some of the most influential distributors of information and are extremely popular among educators, journalists, and corporations.

Healthcare

by **Vermark** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 4:18 pm

Culture

Vermark has a socially progressive culture with few qualms against topics such as abortion or homosexual marriage. The Varish culture is largely defined by its Academic roots and the thinkers who resided at the early University of Videnhagen are very important figures in modern Varish life. However, more so then scholasticism, the pursuit of happiness and the enabling of everyone to have access to the pursuit are essential concepts in Varish culture.

Arts and Music

The most influential period to the arts was the early years of the University of Videnhagen. Landscape painting was the most popular art form in this period; ocean shores, forests, and mountains were the most common subjects. Paintings of ripe wheat fields also went through a golden age around 1800 and are still popular among rural artists. Musically, compositions including pianos became very popular among musicians in the early University of Videnhagen. Theatrics in this period often resembled comedies about the shortfalls of university faculty members, but towards the Rural Regulations period they became mocking of agrarian peoples.

Modern arts and music take pronounced similarities to their earlier counterparts. Art still is commonly focused on landscape, and this has spilled over into photography. However, urban landscapes have become popular with today’s painters. Varish music still commonly place emphasis on piano music. However, this music has transformed into a very popular pop rock genre with love-related lyrics, alto male vocals, and piano-based or guitar-based melodies. Film still remains heavily comedic, though the topics of film are much more varied then they were in early Varish theatre.

Cuisine

Vermark’s cuisine is known to heavily reflect its geography. Bread and other grain products are very core elements to many Varish dishes. Fish is also a very common food, and lox sandwiches are very popular in Vermark. Delicatessen style dining is the most common form of dining in Vermark. Sandwiches and cured meats are very typical symbols of Varish food. In more upper-class households, fine wines and cheeses are prevalent items that are somewhat unique to Vermark.

Sport

Sport and recreation are very popular among Vares. Athletics or running is the most popular sport by participation, while hockey, followed by football and rugby, is the most popular spectator sports. Other outdoor activities, such as cycling, skiing, and skating are popular among participants.

Athletics, due to its huge participation, is widely followed by the public at a professional level. While the annual Vermark Nationals feature competition in all events, the most lucrative and widely competed professional events are the long distance events. Professional circuits exist for the marathon as well as the 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter races.

Football and hockey both have professional leagues in Vermark. The most successful clubs include Academia (football) and Metropolitan Videnhagen (hockey). Both sports field national teams that compete often at international events.