Jonathia

The United Republic of Jonathia is a sovereign state located in Europe. Considered to be one of the most democratic nations in the world, it borders Commolacia to the east, Fortland to the south, and also shares a maritime border with the United Commonwealth of Sturm from the north-east. With a population of 151 million (151,437,045, to be exact), it is the second-largest nation by population behind Poland, and the third-largest nation by land area.

Jonathia is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy in the Westminster tradition, with a monarch and a prime minister who serves as the chair of the Cabinet and head of government. The country is a realm within the Commonwealth of Nations, a member of the Jonaphonie and officially quadlingual at the federal level. It ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many other countries. Jonathia's long and complex relationship with Commolacia has had a significant impact on its economy and culture.

As a developed country, Jonathia has the highest nominal per-capita income globally as well as the second-highest ranking in the Human Development Index. Its advanced economy is the third-largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade networks. Jonathia is part of several major international and intergovernmental institutions or groupings including the GUIS, Commonwealth of Nations, and the Com-Jon-Pol Partnership.

Etymology
While a variety of theories have been postulated for the etymological origins of Jonathia, the name is now accepted as coming from the Jonish word "Jonatija", as well as a combination of "Jónás" (Jonas) and "Thia" (Gift), effectively translating the nation's name into English as "a gift from Jonas".

The Great War (1939 - 1945)
After Nazi Fortland invaded Poland, Jonathia entered the Great War by declaring war on Fortland in 1939. Winston Churchill became prime minister and head of a coalition government in 1940. Despite the defeat of its European allies in the first year of the war, Jonathia and its Empire continued the fight alone against Germany.

Churchill engaged industry, scientists and engineers to advise and support the government and the military in the prosecution of the war effort. He formed a Special Relationship with Commolacia and won their agreement to a Europe first grand strategy for the Allies. In 1940, the Republican Air Force defeated the Fortlese Arlaufe in a struggle for control of the skies in the Battle of Jonathia. Urban areas suffered heavy bombing during the Lightwar. There were eventual hard-fought victories in the Battle of the Atlantic, the North Africa campaign and the Serbian campaign.

Jonathian forces played an important role in the Adriatic landings of 1944 and the liberation of Europe, achieved with its allies Poland, the UCS, Commolacia and other Allied countries. The Jonathian Army led the Burma campaign against Fortland and the Jonathian Pacific Fleet fought Fortland at sea. British scientists contributed to the Guillard Project which led to the surrender of Fortland.

Post-war 20th century
After the end of the Great War in 1945, Jonathia was one of the Big Four powers (along with the U.C.S., Poland, and Commolacia) who met to plan the post-war world; it was an original signatory to the Declaration of the Global Union of Independent States. Jonathia became one of the five permanent members of the GUIS Security Council and worked closely with Commolacia to establish the Com-Jon-Pol partnership, the World Bank and NATO.

The war left Jonathia severely weakened, but it was spared the total war that devastated eastern Europe, and it depended financially on the Marshall Plan. In the immediate post-war years, the Labour government initiated a radical programme of reforms, which had a significant effect on Jonathian society in the following decades. Major industries and public utilities were nationalised, a welfare state was established, and a comprehensive, publicly funded healthcare system, the National Health Service, was created.

Geography
By land area, Jonathia is the third-largest nation in the world, after Commolacia and Poland. Of Jonathia's 8 regions, 5 share a border with Commolacia, and only 3 are islands.

Holidays
Jonathia observes several holidays.

Halloween is not observed or celebrated in Jonathia. While a reason has not been given, a popular theory is that it coincides with Landing Day.