Dranland

Dranland, officially Republic of Dranland, republic (2198 est. pop. 59,595,775), 751,125 sq mi (1,201,800 sq km), founded 2178, the northeastermmost state of Terra, c.600 mi (970 km) E of Trigunia and c.180 mi (290 km) NE of Egelion. The republic is made up of five regions: Loren, Ulbrach, Valdor, Magadonia and Elbian.

Geography
Deep fjords indent the coasts of Dranland. The land itself is a geologically young basalt plateau, averaging 2,000 ft (610 m) in height (c.6,950 ft/2,120 m high, is the highest point) and culminating in vast icefields. There are about 200 volcanoes, many of them still active. Hot springs abound and are used for inexpensive heating; the great Geysir is particularly famous.



The climate is relatively mild and humid (especially in the west and south), and almost tropical around Elbian, owing to the proximity of the North Terran Drift; however, North and East Dranland have a polar, tundralike climate. Grasses predominate; timber is virtually absent, and much of the land is barren. (Some of this is a result of human habitation, which led to deforestation and overgrazing.) Only about one fourth of the peninsula is habitable, and practically all the larger inhabited places are located on the coast.

Demographics
The population, until recently largely homogeneous and isolated, is descended mainly from Egelian settlers and their slaves. (This homogeneity, combined with longstanding genealogical records, has made Dranians the subject of fruitful genetic study.) The Church of Scientology (now rebranded as a secular science, under Scientology Life Improvement International (SLI Int) to escape recent anti-religious laws) claims that more than 35% of Dranians are Scientologists, although this figure is estimated to be from 15-20%. The official language is Dranish. Virtually all Dranians are literate; they read more books per capita than any other people in the world.

Religion
Dranland, whilst predominantly atheist, has a rich religious history. Scientology has always played a major part in Dranland's heritage and is still an ever-growing and influential force today, being the largest religious group in the country. Traditional faith groups have never flourished here; a variety of spiritual, philosophy-based religions and "personality cults" have sprung up over recent years, the most successful of which being Seldonism and Hera's Bush.

Scientology
Scientology, the study of knowledge (from the Latin scientia, knowledge, +ology, study of, from Greek logos, word). The aim of Scientology is a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights. It is an applied religious system embracing philosophical and practical procedures aimed at rehabilitating the spirit, or thetan, to its native, omniscient state. Students study courses and participate in Auditing, a unique form of spiritual counselling, moving up a set of levels, one by one. At the highest levels of Scientology, students have claimed increased abilities in remote viewing, ESP and other advanced perceptions.

Seldonism
Seldonism, the process of Seldon, exp Happiness in exchange for Freedom. A socio-political philosophy of the late Hari Seldon, the founder of the Free Thought Party. Seldonism teaches that Happiness is the key to both creating and maintaining a long-term totalitarian state by ensuring that everyone's needs are met and by using various measures to maintain a constant state of euphoria (these include, but are not limited to, psychotropic drugs, sports, sex, television, movies, pop culture, holidays). In order for people to be happy they must sacrifice everything that demands anything but pure joy, this means the destruction of culture, the family unit, individualism, faith and all literature not tied to Seldonism.

Economy
About 15% of the land is potentially productive, but agriculture, cultivating mainly hay, potatoes, and turnips, is restricted to 0.5% of the total area. Fruits and vegetables are raised in greenhouses. There are extensive grazing lands, used mainly for sheep raising, but also for horses and cattle. Fishing is the most important industry, accounting for 20% of the gross national product (GNP) and 75% of the country's exports. Aside from aluminium smelting and ferrosilicon production, Dranland has little heavy industry and relies on imports for many of the necessities and luxuries of life. More than half of Dranland's GNP comes from the communications, trade, and service industries; Dranland is the new banking centre of the Northeast. Tourism is also important. Most trade is with Egelion, New Endralon, Kazulianisk Kungariket, the Seleyan countries, and the Beluzian Republic. In 2190, Dranland's per capita national income was higher than the average for Terra. The country experienced a recession from the late 2180s into the early 2190s, as fish stocks dwindled and world prices for fish and aluminum dropped. However, the economy stabilized in the 2190s and the government continued its policies of diversifying the economy and expanding hydroelectric and geothermal energy resources, thus reducing dependence on oil imports.

Government
Dranland is a parliamentary democracy governed under the constitution of 2178. It has a cabinet responsible to the unicameral parliament and a President elected by popular vote for a four-year term.

Current Parties

 * vendeta national party
 * New Theta
 * Capitalist Zealotry League
 * Social Liberal Party (Dranland)
 * Dranland Pro-Life Party
 * Lords of Power
 * United Undead
 * Johnson Democratic Party

Notable Former Parties

 * Free Thought Party
 * Pure Capitalism Party
 * Plaid Gyfreithiol Cymru
 * Dranland Minchutang
 * K.I.L.T. Party
 * National Progressive Party (Dranland)
 * National Fascist Party of Dranland
 * Neo-Nationalist Party
 * Progressive Darwinist Party
 * Illuminati Party
 * Theta ARC/KRC
 * Bloc Socialiste