Editing Ostland

{{Infobox country
| name = Großherzogtum Ostland
| name_en = Grand Duchy of Ostland
| name_short = Ostland
| Timeline = 
| otl = 
| area_unit = km²
| of = of 
| flag = OstlandFlagNew.png
| coa = CoatOfArmsOstland.png
| map = ThirdWorld4249.png
| motto = Für den Großfürsten
| motto_lang = [[Dundorfian language|Dundorfian]]
| motto_en = For the Grand Duke
| Anthem = Loyalität im Osten
| capital = [[Wolfsheim]]
| city_largest = 
| city_other = 
| language = [[Dundorfian language|Dundorfian]]
| demonym = Ostlander
| regime = Constitutional monarchy
| governing_body = [[Eastern Land Council (Ostland)|Eastern Land Council]]
| governing_bodytitle = Eastern Land Council
| HoStitle = [[Grand Duke of Ostland|Grand Duke]]
| HoSname = Florian II
| CoGtitle = State Minister
| CoGname = Karsten von Sondheim
| area = 2,149,690 km² 
| population = 	72,213,808 <br><small>(4743 estimate)</small>
| currency = Ostlander Mark
| organizations = League of Independent Nations
| gdp_total = 42,843,342,524 OST
| gdp_capita = 	1,088 OST
}}

'''Ostland''', officially known as the '''Grand Duchy of Ostland''' (''Dundorfian: Großherzogtum Ostland''), sometimes called '''Ostland-Touryou''' is a sovereign nation situated in interior of [[Dovani]]. Before gaining independence, Ostland was the largest and most recent of the Crowlands of [[Hulstria and Gao-Soto]]. Prior to being granted Crowland status in 3389, and thus full membership of the Empire, Ostland was officially a colony of [[Greater Hulstria]]. 

Since independence, the country has pursued a foreign policy centered around its colonial past, namely those of [[Dundorfian]] heritage; indeed, the overwhelming majority of the population are native Dundorfian speakers. Ostland’s fertile land meant that, for most of its history, the country was considered the ‘breadbasket’ of Hulstria. However, successive governments have since sought to promote greater economic diversification, particularly within areas such as scientific research and finance. 

Immediately following Ostland’s independence, a number of regime changes prevented the country’s transition to democracy. The coup d’etat of November 4312, led by General Georg Qvortrup, and the ensuing dictatorship, has been described by historian Hans Funke as the country’s ‘darkest years’. For much of this period, the native [[Kunihito]] population was disenfranchised, and a policy of cultural hegemony practised. As a result of the Hulstrian Civil War, the Qvortrup regime was overthrown, with the Septembrist Crownland Congress establishing a constitutional monarchy under Ludwig I in 4246. Ostland has shifted hands between pro-Independence Ostlander's mostly led by the nobility in the area as well as pro-Hulstrian ex-patriots. 

==History==
{{Main|Touryou State|Grand Duchy of Ostland|Independent Crownland of Ostland-Touryou}}
The earliest accounts about the territories that now form Ostland come from the medieval [[Empire of Gao-Soto]]. According to imperial Gao-Soton historiography, before the formation of the Empire in 819, the lands east of the [[Schnee-Berge Mountains]] were inhabited by nomadic barbarians, named ''Soto''. The formation of the empire under Meijiyo brought the Eastern Territory under the rule of the Emperor, while the Soto barbarians played an equally important part in the creation of the empire as the civilized [[Gao-Showa people|Gao-Showa]].With the discovery of Dovani in 1474, and the conquest of Gao-Soto by [[Luthori]] in 1560, the Eastern Territory became independent. Protected by the Schnee-Berge Mountains, the Eastern Territory was protected from attacks from Luthori, and later independent Hulstria. Moreover, the fact that the eastern territory was sparsely populated and had no apparent economic value, coupled with the hostility of the natives, meant that there was little incentive for exploration and expansion in the region.

This changed however with the establishment of the Dual Monarchy of Hulstria and Gao-Soto in 2425, the relations between the Hulstrians and the native Gao-Showans of the [[Great North Dovani Plain]] improved significantly. This allowed Hulstria and Gao-Soto to begin the exploration of the territory, and in 2438, it was officially annexed by the Dual Monarchy, and placed under the rule of the Gao-Soton Emperor. When the Dual Monarchy was abolished in 2484, the Gao-Showa emperor fled into the Eastern Territory, maintaining a power base in the region, while pursuing his return to the throne. However, when the monarchy was returned in 2551, the Eastern Territory was brought back under Hulstrian control, becoming a colony once again.

In 3388, with the restoration of the [[Empire of Gao-Soto (3388)|Empire of Gao-Soto]], the Eastern Territory was brought under the direct control of the eastern half of the empire. In order for both constituent empires to have an equal number of crownlands, Ostland was granted the status of Crownland in 3389, becoming the sixth Crownland of Septembrist Hulstria and Gao-Soto.

[[File:EasternCrossFlying.png|thumb|220x220px|The Flag of post-apartheid Ostland, known as the [[Flag of Ostland|Eastern Cross]]]]
For much of Ostland's independent history, the native Kunihito population had been disenfranchised. This was the result of aggressive settlement of Dundorfian (as opposed to Hulstrian-Dundorfian) settlers by pro-Dundorfian organisations, which succesfully took over the country and imposed an apartheid regime in which Kunihito were unable to hold office. The capital was moved to the new settlement of [[Wolfsheim]]. As a result of the [[Hulstrian Civil War (4304)|Hulstrian Civil War]], this regime was displaced and replaced with a new [[Septembrism|Septembrist]] constitution drawn up by the agency of the [[Septembrist Crownland Congress]]. This has largely been interpreted in terms of nostalgia for the Septembrist era, in which Touryou enjoyed an equal status with Gao-Soto. The last Grand Duke of Ostland was abrogated and the Crown bestowed once more on the [[Emperor of Gao-Soto|Mikado of Gao-Soto]], [[Morihito of Gao-Soto|Morihito]].

The [[Grand Duke of Ostland]] was formally restored in April, 4415 when King Friedrich I passed and his son Crown Prince Magnus took the throne. Ostland has experienced a rather tumultuous turn around underneath Grand Duke Magnus, who unlike predecessors has fostered a working relationship between the Hulstrians (sometimes called Hulstro-Dundorfians in Ostland) and the [[Kunihito]] people. Several acts of legislation have passed to re-build bridges severed, notably the "Law on Societal Integration and Protection" which passed in November, 4419 and saw the general elections for the Eastern Land Council allow a Kunihito focused party run for seats with the governing coalition.

Perhaps the most progressive move done by the Grand Duke was the allowance of the formation of an autonomous region known as the "Touryou State" which would allow the Kunihito partial autonomy; this move was announced and formalized in March, 4419.

==Geography==
Ostland is situated between the Sea of Carina to the East and the [[Schnee-Berge Mountains]], belonging to the [[Barrier Range]], to the west. The bulk of the territory of Ostland is dominated by the [[Great North Dovani Plain]].
==Government and politics==
{{Main|List of notable Ostland politicians|Eastern Land Council (Ostland)|Structure of the government of Ostland}}
Ostland is a constitutional monarchy with the [[Grand Duke of Ostland]] as its head of state; the Grand Duke retains the authority to decree. It should be noted however, that most Grand Dukes seek the approval of the legislature to reinforce their ducal decrees. The head of government is the State Chancellor; underneath the "Law on Constitutional Reform October 4419" the State Minister transitioned into the title of ''State Chancellor''. The Council of Ministers is headed by the State Chancellor and includes a number of ministries, agencies and other organs of the Ostland government.

The legislative branch of Ostland is the Eastern Land Council serves as the unicameral legislature of Ostland. It is headed by an elected President of the Eastern Land Council, it has 100 seats appointed with 150 seats elected, making for 250 seats total. Elections are held every 10 years and organized, managed and overseen by the Ministry of the Interior's Bureau of Elections (Dundorfian: Wahlbüro).

The Supreme Court of Ostland (Dundorfian: Oberster Gerichtshof) is lead by the Supreme Justice with an additional 12 Justices who are appointed for life by the Grand Duke and interviewed (not approved) by the State Judicial Committee. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is the ultimate appellate jurisdiction court within Ostland and hears all manner of appeals, the Supreme Court mostly deals with matters related to the Constitution of the Grand Duchy of Ostland. Provinces and Districts have a supreme court and an appellate division of their supreme court as well as courts of record. Judges are appointed and are interviewed by the State Judicial Committee.

===Council of Ministers===
The Council of Ministers was reformed by the Eastern Land Council in July 5219. The move eliminated and reformed many ministries and agencies.

====Current organization====
*State Ministry (Office of the State Minister) - State Minister
**Office of the Vice State Minister(s) - Vice State Minister (2, one representing Hulstrian population and one representing the Kunikata population)
**State Secretary of the National Security Council (formerly the Security and Military Leadership Council)
*Ministry of Dovani and Foreign Affairs - Minister of Dovani and Foreign Affairs
*Ministry of the Interior - Minister of the Interior
**[[State Police (Ostland)|State Police]] - Commissioner-General of Public Safety
*Ministry of Defense - Ministry of Defense
**[[Armed Forces of Ostland]] - Chief of the General Staff
*Ministry of Economics and Finance - Minister of Economics and Finance
**[[State Bank of Ostland]]
*Ministry of Infrastructure, Railways and Building - Minister of Infrastructure, Railways and Building
*Ministry of Labor - Minister of Labor
*Ministry of Health and Social Affairs - Minister of Health and Social Affairs
*Ministry of Education - Minister of Education
*Ministry of Culture and the Arts - Minister of Culture and the Arts
**Ostlandic Tourism Office (Hulstrian: Östlandisher Tourismusamt)
*Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Science - Minister of Innovation, Technology and Science
*Ministry of Agriculture and Forests - Minister of Agriculture and Forests

====Previous organization====
*Office of the State Minister - State Minister
**Office of the Vice State Minister(s) - Vice State Minister
**General-Plenipotentiary to the Touryou State (''ex officio'' Chief Minister of the Touryou State, also a Vice State Minister)
**Secretary of the Security and Military Leadership Council
*Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Minister of Foreign Affairs
*Ministry of the Interior - Minister of the Interior
*Ministry of Economics and Finance - Minister of Economics and Finance
*Ministry of Infrastructure, Railways and Building - Minister of Infrastructure, Railways and Building
*Ministry of Labor - Minister of Labor
*Ministry of Public Welfare - Minister of Public Welfare
*Ministry of Agriculture and Forests - Minister of Agriculture and Forests

===Major cities===
Ostland has a number of major cities, they are as follows:

====Northern Ostland====
Northern Ostland is generally considered to be north of Neunweil and Ermold.

*[[Wolfsheim]], Wolfsheim Province - Long-time capital of Ostland despite the outbreak of the Wolfsheim Plague, rebuilt in the years following the plague and continues to serve as the capital of Ostland.

*Kaiserstadt (Kronhofen) - Kaiserstadt was a spa town that is built around the Palace of the Phoenix (Hulstrian: Palast des Phönix), a former vacation residence of the Hulstrian monarchs that is now utilized by the Grand Duke of Ostland as a vacation residence.
**Königborn - Königborn is a suburb of Kaiserstadt which was initially a moderate sized port but during the Dovani War became a significant port.

*Birspach (Ermold Province) is a major port that was developed during the Dovani War by the Northern Council.

====Central Ostland====
Central Ostland is generally considered to be south of Neunweil and Ermold and north of Furuwara, Shibuchi and Furubuchi.

*Zibon, Weißenfurt Province - Temporarily served as the capital of the [[Independent Crownland of Ostland-Touryou]], has since fallen in population and popularity since the move back to Wolfsheim.

*Rapperssau, Richtersfelden Province - The site of Ludwig II International Airport developed by engineer Aayden Krauszer from 4439 to 4445, developed as a major launch point for the [[Northern Council]] and the Dovani Transitional Authority.

*Lentrenk, Zeltmark Province - The border city between Ostland and [[Sekowo]], like Schärbach serves as an important center for mutual cooperation and international affairs.

*Schärbach, Mistelfeld Province - The border city between Ostland and [[Hulstria and Gao-Soto]], serves as an important center for mutual cooperation and international affairs.

*Blustadt (Kreuzsellen Province) is a major port that was developed during the Dovani War by the Northern Council.

====Southern Ostland====
Southern Ostland is generally considered to be south of Furuwara, Shibuchi and Furubuchi.

*Jamidaka, Jamidaka Prefecture - The capital of the [[Touryou State]] and the home to the largest [[Kunihito]] population in Ostland, served as the virtual capital for the 10 southern regions since the foundation of an independent Ostland;

*Nakashiyako, Shintodaka Prefecture - The site of a major port for Ostland, developed during the [[Dovani War]] serves as an international trade zone;

*Okutsukawa (Kamisuzawa Prefecture) is a major port that was developed during the Dovani War by the Northern Council.

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|Administrative districts of Ostland}}
[[Image:OstlandDistrictNames.png|thumb|right|District names of Ostland]]
Underneath the direction of Grand Duke Markus, Ostland adopted a new administrative structure in December of 4857. This structure remains in place today. Province were officially transformed into ''Lander'' (Luthorian: States, regions); each of these states is lead by a Grand Duke-appointed ''Landschef'' (Luthorian: State Chief/Leader) and have an elected state leader known as the ''Landeshauptmann'' (Luthorian: State Captain/Leader). At a legislative level each state has a democratically elected ''Landtag'' (Luthorian: State Diet) which carries out the legislative functions of the state. At an executive level each state has an appointed ''Landausschuss'' (Luthorian: State Committee) which assists the Landschef and Landeshauptmann in carrying out their duties.

Underneath are the ''Bezirk'' (Luthorian: Districts) who have elected or appointed (depending on the state) ''Bezirkshauptmann'' (Luthorian: District Captain/Leader). District's will sometimes have ''Bezirksrat'' (Luthorian: District Council) depending on their size, some district leaders choose to appoint non-elected ''Bezirksausschuss'' (Luthorian: District Committee) to assist in their administrative duties. Beneath the Districts are various cities, villages and municipalities or ''Ortsgemeinden'' who have elected ''Bürgermeister'' (Luthorian: Mayors).

==Military and law enforcement==
===Military===
{{Main|Ostland Landwehr}}
The Armed Forces of Ostland, known natively as the Ostland Landwehr (Luthorian: Ostland Defense Force) is charged with the collective defense of Ostland. Underneath the law the Landwehr can be used both as a military force and a law enforcement force, though that is nominally left up to the [[State Police (Ostland)|State Police]]. It is not uncommon for soldiers to be seen in the streets and with their sidearms when off of their bases and headquarters. The Landwehr has adopted much of their military organization off of [[Dorvik]], [[Dundorf]] and [[Hulstria and Gao-Soto]].

The Landwehr is comprised of two branches the Landwehr proper, which includes the air force and air defense components of Ostland. There has been some traction to break the air force units off of the Landwehr and form its own branch but that idea has yet to come to fruition. The second branch of the Landwehr is the Marine which is the naval arm of the Landwehr. The third branch of the Landwehr technically exists as the ''Sturmabteilung'' (Luthorian: Storm Detachment) these men are known as ''Stoßtruppen'' and serve as the elite special forces of the Ostland government.

The Landwer was previously augmented by an incredibly nationalist unit known as the ''Freikorps'' but they were disarmed by Grand Duke Magnus the Great. The Landwehr is further augmented by a semi-autonomous military unit in the [[Touryou State]] known as the ''Togun'' or "Eastern Army" in Luthorian. The Togun maintain their own officer corps and recruitment but fall underneath the command and control of the Grand Duke (who is Supreme Commander-in-Chief) and the Landwehr General Staff.

===Law enforcement===
Law enforcement in Ostland underwent a significant transformation underneath Grand Duke Magnus who wanted a more "modern" police structure. Ostland borrowed historical and modern examples from [[Dorvik]], [[Hulstria]] and [[Dundorf]]. The State Police name was kept and significantly transformed; it was placed under the Department of the Interior (''Hauptabteilung III'') and the Chief of the State Police was kept as a position. 

The State Police borrowed Dorvik's civil service organization of the police force and re-organized the State Police to included an administrative branch, a traffic police branch, several other specialized units including the introduction of the ''Sicherheitspolizei'' (Luthorian: Security Police) which provides a SWAT-like structure for riot control, natural disasters, advanced police response and other means of law enforcement.

The Koan-Keisatsu (Kunikata: 公安警察 ''Kōan keisatsu'', "Public Police Force") was transferred to the Touryou State and assigned underneath their General Affairs Council but remain underneath the control of the Chief of the State Police if called upon.

===Freikorps===
''Freikorps'' were a paramilitary that was unofficially sanctioned by the Ostland government prior to January 4419 when Grand Duke Magnus decreed that they were to be disbanded. The ''Freikorps'' were leftovers from the early days of the [[Dundorfian Reich (Historical)|Dundorfian Reich]] and the [[Collapse of the Dundorfian Reich]]. Freikorp units tended to draw on poorer, non-noble citizens of Ostland. The relationship that they had with the [[Ostland Landwehr]] overall was tense at best. Most of the Freikorps were demobilized and retired, most of them with government-funded pensions or were transferred into other branches of service.

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Ostland}}
[[Image:OstlandEasternRailwaysRailways.png|thumb|right|Railway lines of the Eastern State Railways]]
Ostland was once considered to be the "Breadbasket of Hulstria" (Hulstrian: Brotkorb Hulsterreich) and continues to serve as a large-scale agricultural exporter for Dovani. Ostland gradually industrialized over time and was home to significant industrial power for Hulstria. When Ostland declared independence and became the Grand Duchy of Ostland it continued its agricultural dominance but began a search for diversity in its economy. This diversity came as the new Ostlandic government sought to exploit the petroleum resources that Ostland has on its western borders. In recent decades Ostland has become a financial center for Dovani and the home to many Dovani banks.

Several prominent corporations maintain influence in Ostland, most notably the Dorvish-owned Ostfirma (Luthorian: East Company), a sort've conglomerate that has operated in Dovani for centuries. Ostlandic labor took a hit when the Kunihito were released from their near-slave labor status; the most dramatic shift was the slump in agricultural production but the rapid industrialization and now equal rights has allowed the agricultural sector to largely rebound. Other prominent ones include the former Hulstrian-owned national railway carrier known as "Eastern State Railways" (Hulstrian: Oststaatsbahn) which now has a near monopoly on railways in Ostland.

===Education===
Education in Ostland is managed by the Ministry of Education, Research and Culture which was created underneath the most recent change in the organizational nature of the constitution. Prior to that it was handled by the Ministry of Public Welfare. Ostland children are mandated to attend school until age 18 which is comprised of elementary education, primary, secondary education and then post-secondary education.

All schools in Ostland are public; few private schools exist and are subject to heavy regulation. Private schools tend to be religious in nature but some elite private elementary, primary and secondary schools exist.

The most prominent universities and colleges are: Wolfsheim University, Grand Duke Ludwig I University, the new Grand Duke Magnus the Great University, the University of Ostland system which has university and colleges throughout the country, as well as University of Jamidaka, the most prominent Kunihito-dominated university in southern Ostland.

==Demographics==
[[Image:OstlandHulstrianKunihata.png|thumb|right|Ethnic map of Ostland; green represents majority Hulstrian/Dundorf and red represents majority Kunihito.]]
Ostland is comprised of primarily three distinct ethnic groups: expatriate Hulstrians, Hulstro-Dundorfians (post-independence settlers mixed with Hulstrians) and the [[Kunihito]]. Due to a historical policy of pro-Hulstrian and pro-Dundorfian supremacy the Hulstrians and Hulstro-Dundorfians make up nearly 35% of the population, they identify as "Ostlanders" in place of their respective ethnicities. Kunihito make up roughly 60% of the population surging from 50% overtime as the policies of the government became more favorable towards the Kunihito people.

The vast majority of Hulstrian's and Hulstro-Dundorfian's belong to some sect of [[Hosianism]], mostly the Confessional Luthoranism or Aurorian Patriarchalism sects of the Hosian religion. A significant component of Kunihito have converted due to external pressures from previous governments. The vast majority of the Kunihito population remains largely Tenshist or Daenist.
[[Category:Ostland]]

[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Dovani]]