Institute for Central Smalik Affairs

Bëltse, officially the Kingdom of Bëltse (Bëltse: Bëltsere Utherrawn) is a small nation in the southern part of Smalik. It is one of the seven original successor states of the Republic of Bowdani. Mentioned in Bowdani history as the people of the Bullocks and defeated by the Kencari in 643 BP after the last leader of the Bullocks Hahnts V betrayed his people, the Bëltse remained under Kencari and Ingallish rule for almost one thousand years. The current king Krethn III of the Terirn-Ëkmol dynasty claims to be a direct descendant of the last ruling family of the Bullocks, but since the Bullocks were illiterate and Kencari records from that era aren't quite reliable, nothing can be said with certainty.

Official name: Kingdom of Bëltse (Ingallish); Bëltsere Utherrawn (Bëltse)
Variants: Beltse, Byltse
Demonym: Bëltsian, Beltsian, Byltsian
Area: t.b.a.
Regime: constitutional monarchy

POPULATION
Inhabitants: 1,992,899 (est. 1/1/322)
Population density: t.b.a.
Population growth: 1.10% (321)
Life expectancy: 72.1 (male), 76.9 (female)
Top 5 cities (+ inhabitants):
· Wostsa / Worcester (396,934)
· Athrown (98,112)
· Korerna (62,947)
· Athruts (58,316)
· Mëdmi (24,546)
Ethnic groups: Ingallish, Bëltse, Kencari, Pocari, Vaara
Languages: Ingallish, Bëltse, Coastal Kencari, White Kencari, South-Pocari, Vaara
Literacy: 91%
Religions: Thuwkism (94%), Orthodox Church of Bowdani (4%), other (2%)
Universities: Wosarre Utherreter Universiti (Royal University of Worcester, founded in 316 AP)

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Highest mountain: Hokats (3,179 m)
Longest river: Ardwa
Climate: mostly temperate, nearing tundra in the south.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS
Official holidays: 14 June (the king's birthday)
National anthem: t.b.a.
Flag: a rectangular design divided in two parts: the slightly smaller part near the mast is a standing bear on an orange background, the slightly larger part off the mast is an empty red background; the two parts are divided by a vertical black beam that is located slightly off centre.

GOVERNMENT
Independence: 16 October 316 (secession from Bowdani)
Capital: Wostsa / Worcester
Administrative division: seven districts
Head of state: king Krethn III Terirn-Ëkmol (since 16 October 316)
Legislative: Pekoltharasewarër Kants (Chamber of Deputies, 101 members)
Head of government: Boln Uwe (since 31 October 316)
Minister of foreign affairs: Wera Ithenwerar (since 31 October 316)
International organisations: United Nations of Vexillium, STOIC
Judiciary: t.b.a.

ECONOMY
GDP: 35.11 billion; 17,617 per capita (est. 321)
Currency: Bowdani Shester (ƒ), Bëltse Crown (Bëltsere Newbeter, N̿)
Inflation: 5.6% (321)
Unemployment: 6.5% (est. 1/1/322)
Working population: agriculture 46%, industry 30%, services 24%
Export: machinery and machine parts, textiles, raw materials, wood, natural gas
Import: oil, grain, meat, ore, raw materials
Main trade partners: STOIC, other nations in Smalik
Main companies: t.b.a.

COMMUNICATION
International phone number: +351 (shared with Gen and Vaara)
Main local numbers: numbers starting with 010 to 069 are reserved for Bëltse. 025 = Wostsa, 060 = Athrown, 055 = Korerna, 035 = Athruts, 014 = Mëdmi
Special local numbers: 000 to 009 and 090 to 099 (shared with Gen and Vaara)
Internet code: .bl, .bel
Main newspapers: t.b.a.
Time zone: CMT -3

TRANSPORT
Roads: t.b.a.
Railroads: no
Airports: King Krethn III International Airport (Wostsa).

Geography and climate
Bëltse is a landlocked country bordering (clockwise from the north) Vaara, Nucani, Gen, White Bowdani, the Three Cities and the Cove, and Sarigis. The country lies on the eastern side of the Strywak Mountains, the most notable mountain range in the southwestern part of Smalik. The Ardwa is the longest river of Bëltse and almost entirely located within its borders, except for its mouth, which is near the city of Gúsmin in the Three Cities and the Cove. Bëltse's highest mountain is the Hokats, which has an altitude of 3,179 m / 10,429.79 ft.

The local climate is mostly temperate, nearing tundra in the south.

History
After having been part of Bowdani and preceding nations for almost a millennium, the Kingdom of Bëltse gained independence on 16 October 316. Bëltse has been a relatively stable nation since that moment, although there has been the occasional protest against King Krethn III's authoritarian rule.

Demographics
Bëltse had an estimated number of inhabitants of 1,992,899 on 1 January 322. Bëltse is the official language but Ingallish, Kencari, Pocari, and Vaara can also be heard. Literacy is 91% and Bëltse hosts the Royal University of Worcester (Wosarre Utherreter Universiti), which was founded shortly after the country's independence. With 94%, Thuwkism is by far the most professed religion of the kingdom, with the Orthodox Church of Bowdani coming in second with 4%.

Politics
Bëltse is a semi-democratic nation. Although there are free elections for the parliament, the King and his government have established an authoritarian rule that has however been mostly benevolent so far.

The legislative power is formed by the Chamber of Deputies (Pekoltharasewarër Kants), which has 101 members.

The executive is formed by the King and his government. The current King has been Krethn III Terirn-Ëkmol, since 16 October 316. The incumbent prime minister has been Boln Uwe since 31 October 316.

The capital of Bëltse is Wostsa / Worcester. The country is divided in seven districts.

Bëltse is a member of the United Nations of Vexillium (since 316) and of STOIC (since 319).

Economy
Bëltse has a stable economy. Its currency is the Bëltse Crown (Bëltsere Newbeter). Unemployment has been somewhat elevated (7.4% in 318). Export products include machinery and machine parts, textiles, raw materials, wood, and natural gas. Import products include oil, grain, meat, ore, and raw materials.

Society, culture, and sports
To be elaborated.