Fiction:Belgica

Belgica is a small nation on the west coast of the mainland. It is the decendant of a multiude of Barbarian tribes, originating from the somewhat hostile island of the same name, fanning out and conquering vast swathes of land before being downsized by rival nations.

History
Belgica has a long and proud history, from the early barbarian tribes to the promising present.

Early History, 100-1456
The Belgics where originally barbarians who fought among themseleves for there home island's limited natural resources. After some time, several tribes formed an alliance and pooled there combined resources into building fleets of ships to colonize and raid the mainland. They where successful and soon the Belgics spread themselves wide and far across the Mainland, forming many new clans and tribes as they went. This went on for centuries until in around the 600's there was a famine in the Belgic mainlands. With the homeland unable to help and the frontier left without support from the more developed tribes, all of Belgica was on the verge of collapse. At this moment many nations; including the young upstart Morcians, jumped on the opportunity to strike at the Belgics. It took only ten years to undo centuries of Belgic expansion. Belgica was now reduced to basically its modern boundries, but still divided into warring clans. This continued until 1456 when a nobleman by the name of Guillaume Leclercq ascended the family throne as chieftain of the powerful mainlander clan, Leclercqs...

Recent History, 1456-present
The ambitious Guillaume was 17 when he came to power, and when he did he immediately began building his army and conquering his neighbours; He is best remembered for his ambitious beachhead invasion of Belgica Island where he is said to have lead the first wave on horseback with a sword in one hand and pistol in the other; Though this is highly unlikely for many reasons. After his ten-year war for unification, Guillaume, at just 27 years old, met his untimely demise at the hands of a disasterous incident involving alcohol, horseback riding, and a steep hill. His young son took the throne, at only eight years of age. One affluent clan, seeing this new nation being bound for failiure after the death of Guillaume, instead joined Morcia. Guillaume's son, Adrien Leclercq, abolished the regency council when he came of age and was best known for laying down laws and building infrastructure. The Leclercq line continued this tradition and soon became knwon as great administrators, rather different from there firey, warrior roots. After the discovery of the New World, Belgica was among the first to expand its already robust navy in preparation for exploration.

Government
Belgica is is ruled by an Absolute Monarchy, with the Leclercq Dynasty at its head. The Leclercqs are fairly popular with the people, and as such the Belgic realm is, perhaps in the first time in its history, truly stable. The monarch has a court of advisors from other affluent clans, whose power waxed and waned over the decades as more or less capable rulers have had there turn. The current monarch is Maxim Leclercq.

Military
Belgica maintains a small professional military; The Belgic Armed Forces. While small, it is very well-trained and makes a point of staying up-to-date in terms of equipment; Easier to do with a smaller army. The Belgic military is composed of 10 regiments of Line Infantry, 6 regiments of light cavalry, 3 regiments of heavy cavalry, and 4 divisions of artillery.

Economy
Currently Belgica's economy is stable but not particularly prosperous, it has a large stake in the mining and metalworking industries (being traditionally very good metalworkers due to the abundance of iron and copper on Belgica Island), and steel is one of its biggest exports. One of its largest imports is grain. Belgica, due to overcrowding, suffers from above-average unemployment.

Culture
Belgica has a pronounced "barbarian" culture and has traditions and ceremonies that date back to pagan times. Most rural dwellers live as they had for thousands of years; in hovels with a small family farm, with the bones of there best hunts displayed proudly as decoration. However in the cities this isn't so prominent; Buildings are made of brick and wood, and the wealthy generally dress in the most recent mainlander fashions while the poor work the menial jobs in manufactories or in mines.

Allies
"Trusted friends of our great nation."

Neutral
"Hm?"


 * Kingdom of Morcia - Former enemies from days gone past; Though now perhaps we'd both be better off working together...?

Unfriendly
"Imbeciles..."


 * United Isles of Wescolia - Our rivals to the North.

At War
"You have dishonoured our good name! This is war!"

Fast Facts
A general collection of at-a-glance information.

Colonial Expansion per annum: 8 pixels (Population is six million, base expansion is 6 pixels, overpopulation [poor conditions] adds plus two pixels per annum)

Military: 10 units of Line Infantry (modern as of 1700), 6 units of light cav (modern as of 1700), 3 units of heavy cav (modern as of 1700), and 4 divisions of artillery (modern as of 1700).

Population: Six million and growing rapidly.

Tech Group: Western, tech up to date as of 1700

Government: Absolute Monarchy