by Max Barry

Latest Forum Topics

Advertisement

The Great Kingdom of
Left-Leaning College State Deluded Tax and Spend Hypocrites

Overview Factbook Dispatches Policies People Government Economy Rank Trend Cards

1

The Great Kingdom of Merulla [WIP | β 5.5]

The Great Kingdom of Merulla



Flag Coat of arms


Motto
"Sic Parvis Magna" (Latin)
"Greatness from small beginnings"


Anthem
"From The Seas, The Trident"

Link




The Great Kingdom of Merulla



Capital              Poseidonia, R.D.
34°22'N 45°22'W
Largest city       Night City
30°50'N 47°25'W


Official Language
English



Regional and
minority languages
Greek · Portuguese · Hebrew ·
Ancient Merullean · Merullean Sign Language


Ethnic groups (2020)
68% White
12% Black
10% Other/Multiracial
7% Asian
3% Native Merullean


Religion (2020)
61% Christianity
·31% Catholicism
·20% Protestantism
·7% Greek Orthodoxy
·3% Other Christian

10% Judaism
9% No religion
7% Native Merullean religion
5% Buddhism
5% Other
3% Hellenism



Demonym(s)
Merullean



Government
Federal parliamentary
constitutional monarchy

·Monarch
Arthur VII

·Prime Minister
James Blackburn

·Lord Senator
Lord David Bernstein

·High Speaker
Sir Joaquim Duarte

·Lady Justice
Dame Kassandra Trinómikos



Legislature
Royal Congress

·Upper House
Royal Senate

·Lower House
Royal Assembly



Formation
·Unification Wars
335 - 325 BCE

·Kingdom established
320 BCE

·English Invasion
1614

·Independence Declaration
February 15, 1777

·Treaty of Thomar
October 15, 1785

·Constitution
September 7, 1790



Area
·Total
1,900,555 km²
(733,808 sq mi) (15th)

·Water (%)
5.1



Population
·2022 estimate
217,713,175 (7th)

·2020 census
215.033.777

·Density
113.1/km²
(293/sq mi)



GDP (PPP)
2022 estimate

·Total
$30.055 trillion

·Per capita
$80,155



GDP (nominal)
2022 estimate

·Total
$25.015 trillion

·Per capita
$75,150



Gini (2020)
39.5
medium



HDI (2021)
0.920
very high



Currency
Trident (Ψ$) (MLT)



Time Zone
UTC −2 to −4 (MLT)

·Summer (DST)
UTC -1 to -3 (MLST)



Date format
mm/dd/yyyy
dd/mm/yyyy



Driving side
right



Calling code
+3



ISO 3166 code
ML



Internet TLD
.ml

Merulla



The Great Kingdom of Merulla, commonly known as Merulla, is a sovereign nation located in North America. Comprising a federal constitutional monarchy, it consists of 15 states and a federal capital district, Poseidonia, R.D. The country also holds sovereignty over an incorporated territory in Antarctica and a special economic zone island in the Caribbean. With a land area ranking it as the fifteenth largest globally, Merulla boasts a population exceeding 215 million, making it one of the most populous nations in the Americas and the seventh worldwide.

Geographically, Merulla is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Caribbean Sea separating it from the Caribbean region, while the Strait of Gibraltar delineates its boundary from the broader Atlantic within the Old World. The capital of Merulla is Poseidonia, R.D., while Night City serves as its most populous urban center.

Politically, Merulla operates under a federal constitutional monarchy and liberal democracy, characterized by four distinct branches of government: the moderating, legislative, executive, and judicial. Its national legislature consists of the Royal Assembly, representing proportional representation based on population, and the Royal Senate, with equal representation for each state. States, municipalities, and territories enjoy substantial autonomy, reflecting a political ethos emphasizing liberty, equality, individualism, autonomy, and limited government.

Economically, Merulla ranks highly in various international measures, including income, wealth, economic competitiveness, productivity, innovation, human rights, and higher education. It possesses one of the highest median incomes per capita among non-microstates and holds the second-largest amount of wealth globally despite to the great rate of income inequality. The Merullean economy ranks second in nominal terms and accounts for over a quarter of global GDP. Additionally, it stands as the world's third-largest importer and fifth-largest exporter by value. While universal healthcare is not present, private healthcare initiatives receive encouragement through government incentives.

Shaped by a history of immigration and multiculturalism, Merulla's transition from European integration to North American identity is reflected in its historical trajectory. Merulla plays a significant role in global affairs as a founding member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, OAS, and NATO. With a considerable military presence, Merulla contributes significantly to political, cultural, and scientific advancements worldwide.

  
  
Etymology
 
The first known use of the name "Merulla" is from a military document of the Roman Empire produced in the early 3rd century, when they administered a piece of Merullean mainland and were still planning to conquer all the rest of the territory, the name was used to designate not only the region they had conquered but also the entire main island. The Romans gave this name to the region practically as a translation of the name that the natives already called the islands, that is, "Blackbird". Blackbird in Ancient Merullean was "Mirkhllei", being pronounced something like "Markulla", however, with the arrival of King Poseidon who taught Ancient Greek to the locals, the term Mirkhllei was restricted to the Clan of the Blackbird, as some type of title for them, the name of the bird and of the kingdom established there both became Kossyphos, pronounced: /kós.sy.pʰos/.

The Roman Emperor at the time was amused by the coincidence of the double L (in the original tribal language) and the double S (in the language that was later formed in a mixture with the Ancient Greek) and adopted, precisely to differentiate the bird from those islands, a double L in the name that would then be adopted by Rome. With the decline of the Roman Empire and the formation of nation-states in Europe, the kingdoms that emerged also began to adopt the name Merulla for the islands. There never was a resistance from the "Kingdom of Kossyphos" to it although, the kingdom itself maintained the name of Greek origin internally. In 1538, the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator used the name "Merulla" to refer to the three islands that form the present Great Kingdom, and in 1614 with the British invasion, King James VI and I renamed the nation as British Merulla. In 1780, within it's Declaration of Independence, the nation officially adopted the name of Kingdom of Merulla instead of Kossyphos.

The first documentary evidence of the phrase "Kingdom of Merulla" dates back to a letter dated April 10, 1777, written by King João II (John II) to Alexander Hamilton, George Washington's aide-de-camp. King John II expressed his desire to receive "the friendship and assurance of military support from the United States of America to the Kingdom of Merulla so that both nations could secure mutual independence against the British". The first known publication of the phrase "Kingdom of Merulla" was when King John II ordered the declaration of independence to be published in all newspapers throughout Merulla on 12 October 1776, as the idea of a formal and documentary declaration of Independence did not come until almost eight months after the oral declaration given in public by the King while commanding the Merullean Revolutionary Army, an idea that was given by Alexander Hamilton, while the two exchanged letters from April to September 1777.

In November 1945, after granting greater autonomy to Vickerium, King Peter II officially renamed the nation the "Great Kingdom of Merulla" officially declaring that "The style of this glorious Monarchical Confederation shall be 'The Great Kingdom of Merulla'."

A citizen of the Great Kingdom of Merulla is called a "Merullean". The phrase "Great Kingdom" can also be used to define the nation at times, however, such usage has fallen into decline since after the end of World War II, however, "Great Kingdom" and "Merullean" can both refer to the country adjectivally ("The Great Kingdom Special Forces", "Merullean Values").
  
  
  
History

For more information about the History of Merulla, click here.

Although it is not exactly known where the proto-Merulleans migrated from to the islands today, it is certain that they moved there at least 15,000 years ago, and advanced cultures began to emerge later. The territory that would become known as Merulla was inhabited by numerous tribal societies long before the landing, in 330 B.C., of the supposed Greek navigator who identified himself only as "Poseidon," who would later unify the major tribes and proclaim himself the first king of Merulla.

The first contact with modern Europe was very early (around the 3rd Century), when the Roman Empire attempted to invade and dominate the main island, having only conquered a part of the East Coast (currently the state of Tridens) for just over two decades. Despite this initial belligerent contact, Merulla would be Christianized in the future and become part of the medieval European kingdoms under the control of the Catholic Church. However, after not only ignoring the papal bull of November 1307, which ordered the arrest of all Templar Knights, the then "Kingdom of Kossyphos" also offered the Templars a safe refuge in their lands, which ultimately resulted in their persecution by the Catholic Church and the Kingdom of France, along with their staunchest allies. For decades, Merulla was excluded and boycotted by various medieval European nations, to the point where France gave up and became more prominently threatened by the Kingdom of England.

In 1349, the Black Plague began to ravage the Merullean Islands and eventually claimed the lives of then King Iákovos I (James I) and his eldest son, the crown prince Arthouros (Arthur). With the weakening of the kingdom that had once been the greatest naval power in the world, the Kingdom of England sought to take advantage of this to initiate an invasion of Merullean territory, culminating in the historic event known as the "First War of the Two Islands" (1383 - 1399). Despite being defeated, the Kingdom of England still persisted in persecution, boycotting and embargoing Merulla for several centuries. The two greatest naval powers in the world then had only one difference: England had numerous allies in Europe, while Merulla could only count on the Kingdom of Portugal, albeit in a covert manner. Eventually, after centuries of economic and military weakening, Merulla was defeated in the "Second War of the Two Islands" (1604 - 1614) and then invaded by the Kingdoms of England, Ireland, and Scotland, all ruled by the same king at the time. Members of the royal house of Merulla were sentenced to death by King James VI and I, King of England, Ireland, and Scotland. However, with the help of friends, other relatives, mercenaries, and loyalists, some of them managed to escape to Portugal, including the son of the then King Károlos II (Charles II), heir to the Merullean throne, Crown Prince Iákovos (James), who went to live with the Portuguese nobility.

Only after 161 years of English domination and colonization, tired of waiting for action from the Catholic Church and other European nations in the face of the unjust invasion and occupation of their islands, the descendants of the Merullean throne quietly left Portugal for the then "British Merulla," along with loyalists, former Portuguese and Spanish soldiers, as well as French mercenaries, who began the War of Merulla's Reconquest (1775 - 1777) under the command of the self-proclaimed King John II. This was tremendously successful in expelling much of the British army from Merullean lands in less than two years, leading to the beginning of the fateful Merullean War of Independence (1777 - 1785), when King John II made an agreement with the newly formed United States of America. This military alliance, which initially was only between Merulla and the United States, eventually also included the official support of France, Spain, and Portugal, together establishing Merulla's independence and the birth of the first monarchy founded on the principles of Enlightenment, a true liberal democracy.

Throughout history, Merullean and American stories intertwined, and by the end of the 18th century, the United States began to expand across North America, gradually gaining new territories, sometimes through wars, which led them to frequently call on Merullean allies to assist in these conquests in exchange for wealth and more armaments. The practice of slavery in the United States and the decision to abolish it culminated in the secession of the Confederate States of America, which fought against the other states of the Union during the American Civil War (1861 - 1865). Merulla, opposing slavery, sent about a third of its armed forces to aid the Union against the Confederates. Slavery in Merulla, since before the English invasion, was only that of defeated enemies in war, becoming racial only during English colonization. However, after Merulla's independence, racial slavery was abolished, and at the beginning of the American Civil War, several black slaves of the English became full Merullean citizens. All prisoners of war (then mostly British) were then given the opportunity for freedom if they chose to fight for Merulla in the Civil War; those who refused this opportunity remained slaves until the end of the war. Merulla eventually also abolished slavery for prisoners of war; however, they remained prisoners for another 10 years before being extradited to their countries of origin as persona non grata in Merulla.

In 1890, Merulla resolved power disputes with the island of Horssland, which had been promised greater political autonomy since Merulla's independence, which then became a federative unit of the union, under the name of 'Principality of Horssland', being governed by representatives of the people like any other states of Merulla. Then, in 1895, it was time to resolve disputes in the territory of Vickerium, which had also been loudly claiming status as a member of the federal union since 1880 and intensified after Horssland's entry into the Merullean federative union.

In 1900, Merulla became one of the world's largest economies, but World War I would ruin the country's chance to consolidate itself as a world power, as King Poseidon IV decided to align with the Central Powers (Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary) and was defeated by the Triple Entente, suffering severe penalties, including losing the island states of Horssland and Atlas Island to the United States at the end of the war in 1918. The country changed course after Poseidon IV's son ascended the throne, a recognized opponent of his father since the beginning of World War I. In fact, he was arrested and sentenced to death for this, escaping execution and being crowned in 1919 as King Peter II. Peter II worked tirelessly to reestablish Merulla as a liberal democracy and global power, as it once was, and in 1930 managed to regain the two island states, readmitting them to the union immediately. He was also the first world leader to denounce then-German Chancellor Adolf Hitler, warning of the dangers of the German National Socialist Party and calling on the United Kingdom and France to unite after the Nazi Germany invasion of Poland.

During World War II, Merulla was one of the main driving forces of the Allies, along with the United Kingdom and the United States, even barring the entry of the Soviet Union into the Allies, denouncing them as a danger to be fought in the future and claiming that their interest in joining the Allies was only to defend against their former ally, who was interested in expanding through Soviet territory. Because of this, the USSR was invaded by Nazi Germany, and the struggle between the two greatly weakened the Axis, which was then divided and fighting internally, while trying to reduce Allied victories. After the Allies' victory, Merulla became significantly enriched, becoming once and for all the global power it is today.

The late consequences of World War II left the United States and Merulla as the two world superpowers, but the Soviet Union did not lag behind in consolidating itself again as one of the greatest powers in the world, having been spared from various punishments and even gaining territories after Germany's defeat, since even without being part of the Allies, its army collaborated with the Allied forces to defeat the remainder of the Axis at the end of the war.

In 1945, days after the end of World War II, Merulla issued a royal decree granting greater autonomy to the then 12 members of the federal union of the kingdom, significantly returning political powers to the state and municipal governments of the nation. On Christmas Eve of that same year, King Peter II welcomed the now 'State of New Normandy' to the federal union as the 13th Merullean state.

In 1947, Merulla separated a part of its lands that were still uninhabited, due to the challenges of living in the region, for the various Jews who survived the Holocaust and were still without a place to go, forming the State of Ben-Salem. With the mass influx of surviving Jews from the Holocaust and the subsequent arrival of Jews from other parts of the world who recognized Merulla and Ben-Salem as a refuge to live, the region was fully populated and began to thrive economically, becoming one of Merulla's largest state economies today. After the inclusion of Ben-Salem in the Merullean federal union, King Peter II officially renamed the island nation as the "Grand Kingdom of Merulla," a name configuration that remains to this day.

During the Cold War (1947-1991), Merulla was firmly engaged in the ideological struggle in favor of capitalism, but, like the United States, avoided direct and open military conflicts. Merulla still competed in the Space Race, in a joint project with the United States, providing financial and human resources that culminated in the American-Merullean space flight in 1969, which took the first humans to the Moon. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 ended the Cold War, leaving Merulla and the United States as the only world superpowers, something that was celebrated even more in Merulla than in the United States.

In 2001, following the September 11 attacks, Merulla, which had already suffered terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists since the 1980s, offered full support to the United States and became one of the main members of the Global War on Terrorism, including active military personnel participating in the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) and the Iraq War (2003-2011).
 
   
 
Geography
 
Merulla is the world's fifteenth-largest country by land and total area, the 15 states and the Royal District of Poseidonia occupy a combined area of 733,808 square miles (1,900,555 km²). As an island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean it encompasses a variety of distinct natural landscapes. Along its coastlines, vast coastal plains gradually give way to inland forests and gentle hills in the Grand Horse plateau region. Mountains and massifs, such as the Poseidon Mountains and the Hamilton Massif, traverse Merulla's interior, creating a rugged terrain and providing scenic vistas across the island. These geological formations serve as natural landmarks, shaping the landscape and adding to the diverse topography of Merulla. The country is permeated by a complex river system, made up of six rivers, including the Triton River, which flow into the sea and play a vital role in the country's culture, life and economy. From these low, flat lands, the land rises inland, presenting a characteristic mountainous landscape, with the national capital itself, Poseidonia, R.D. being one of the several Merullean cities in the mountains.

In the western part of Merulla, vast rolling plains stretch almost uninterrupted, only to be interrupted by the majestic mountain range known as the Maritime Mountain Range, which runs along the country's west coast, with some natural descents (and others man-made), giving access to some beautiful beaches. Some rich and dense forests still cover part of that side of the country, with a lively Atlantic forest rich in fauna and flora, providing a perfect habitat for the diverse wildlife present in it. The eastern coast of Merulla is a glittering jewel, with its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Extensive and inviting, these beaches are frequented by bathers looking for moments of relaxation and fun by the sea. Furthermore, they are a popular destination for boat enthusiasts and sailors in general, who find in the serene waters of Merulla's east coast the perfect setting for their maritime adventures. Not surprisingly, along these idyllic beaches, there are countless yacht clubs, true symbols of the Merullean passion for the sea and nautical life.

The northern region is marked by more cold and snowy landscapes, with the snow-capped peaks of the Serra Mountains stretching to the horizon. Meanwhile, the southern region of Merulla is known for its vast expanses of farmland, where a variety of crops thrive in a mild and fertile climate. In 2022, Merulla held approximately 7% of global permanent meadows and pastures and 15% of cropland, reflecting the importance of agriculture and livestock farming in the country's economy. Additionally, Merulla's rich maritime resources fosters a thriving aquaculture industry. With its extensive coastlines and abundant marine ecosystems, Merulla is the largest seafood producer in the world, growing a wide variety of fish, shellfish and even seaweed. The aquaculture sector plays a significant role in creating employment opportunities and contributing to the country's food security and economic growth.
 
 
 
Government
 
The Great Kingdom of Merulla is, as its name implies, a monarchy. More specifically, a federative constitutional parliamentary monarchy, and as a liberal representative democracy the majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law. The Royal Merullean Constitution servers as the supreme legal document of the entire nation, and is very reminiscent of the US Constitution, as it was heavily inspired by it, also establishing the structure and responsibilities of the national federal government and its relationship with the individual states. It is the world's oldest surviving federative monarchy, and, according to the World Economic Forum, the second oldest democracy as well.

Comprised of four branches, all headquartered in Poseidonia, R.D., the federal government is the national government of the Great Kingdom of Merulla. It is regulated by a strong system of checks and balances.

The Royal Congress, a bicameral legislature, made up of the Royal Senate and the Royal Assembly, makes federal law, formally declares war, approves treaties, has the power of the purse, and has the power of impeachment. The Royal Senate has 45 members (3 from each state), elected for a six-year term, with terms staggered, so every two years approximately one-third of the Royal Senate is up for election. The Royal Assembly has 300 members from single-member constituencies or districts allocated to each state on the basis of population, elected for a two-year term.
         For more information about the Legislative Branch of Merulla, click here.
 
 
The Prime Minister of the Great Kingdom of Merulla is the chief of the executive power and the Head of Government, he's responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by the Royal Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet, he's entrusted to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister run and are elected together in the national election. Just like any other in Merullean politics, it is a direct election, with the winner being determined by votes cast by all Merullean citizens. The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister serve a five-year term and may be elected to the office no more than twice. The Cabinet of the Great Kingdom of Merulla is an advisory body made up of the heads of the 20 executive ministries. Appointed by the Prime Minister and confirmed by the Royal Senate, the members of the Cabinet are often the Prime Minister’s closest confidants.
         For more information about the Executive Branch of Merulla, click here.
 
 
The Merullean federal judiciary, whose judges are all appointed for life jointly by the the King and the Prime Minister, with the Royal Senate's approval, consists primarily of the Supreme Court of the Great Kingdom of Merulla, the Merullean courts of appeals, and the Merullean district courts. The Supreme Court of the Great Kingdom of Merulla interprets laws and overturn those they find unconstitutional. It has fifteen members who serve for life. The Supreme Court is led by the Lord Justice of Merulla, who appoints federal judges, with the King's permission, from circuits to preside over these courts.
         For more information about the Judicial Branch of Merulla, click here.
 
 
The Merullean monarch, as the chief of the moderating branch, is the commander-in-chief of the military, can veto legislative bills before they become law (subject to congressional override), and appoints the members of the federal judiciary (subject to the Royal Senate approval) and officially allow other officials to also do so. The King of the Great Kingdom of Merulla is not subjected to elections. Unlike any others in Merullean politics, its succession follows established principles, maintaining the hereditary nature of the throne. However, The Royal Inspectorate of the Great Kingdom of Merulla acts ensuring a balance among the other branches of the Merullean government and the King. The primary mission of the Royal Inspectorate is to serve as a check on the powers of the monarch, acting as a inspection board or a royal oversight entity. While it is not required to approve or mediate each royal decision, the Inspectorate possesses the authority to veto actions deemed as in violation of the Merullean Constitution or perceived as self-serving rather than beneficial to the Merullean people.
         For more information about the Moderating Branch of Merulla, click here.
 
 
This four-branch system is known as the "imperial system", a kind of mixture of the parliamentary and presidential systems, where the executive power, despite being vested in a Prime Minister has powers more similar to those of a President, and is not directly involved with the legislative body, however, still has to share powers with the monarch. In this format, the chief of the executive is the Head of Government and the chief of the moderating is the Head of State. Many small monarchies around the world copied this aspect of the Merullean Constitution of 1790, especially those that were being threatened with becoming republics.
 
 
 
Foreign Relations
 
Merulla has a firmly established structure of foreign relations and boasts the third largest diplomatic corps in the world as of 2024, trailing only behind China and the United States. It is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a member of the G7, G20, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Nearly all countries in the world have embassies, and many have consulates (official representatives) in the Great Kingdom. Similarly, almost all countries maintain formal diplomatic missions with Merulla, except Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, and Vietnam.

Although Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic relations with Merulla, they maintain close unofficial relations. Alongside the United States, Merulla regularly supplies Taiwan with military equipment to deter potential Chinese aggression.

Its geopolitical attention has also turned to the South Atlantic when Merulla established a permanent population in its Antarctic territories, being appointed at various times as an observer and neutral party in treaties and discussions between the United Kingdom and Argentina regarding the Falkland Islands.

In addition to the United States, Merulla also has a "Special Relationship" with the United Kingdom and strong ties with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and several European Union countries (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece, and Poland). Merulla works closely with its NATO allies on military and national security issues, and with countries in the Americas through the Organization of American States and the United States-Merulla-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement.

In South America, Uruguay is traditionally considered Merulla's closest ally. The Great Kingdom already exercised full international defense authority and responsibility for Cerullea through the Compact of Free Association, years before its territory was incorporated as a Special Business Zone.

It has increased strategic cooperation with Belarus, but its ties with Russia have deteriorated intensely. Since 2014, Merulla has become a key ally of Ukraine; it has also provided the country with significant military equipment and other support in response to Russia's invasion in 2022.
 
 
Military
 
The reigning Monarch is the commander-in-chief of the Royal Armed Forces of the Great Kingdom of Merulla and appoints its military leaders, the Joint Chiefs, while the Prime Minister is the responsible for appointing the Minister of Defense. The Ministry of Defense, headquartered in the so-called "Ministerial Borough" in Poseidonia, R.D., administers the five service branches, which are composed of the Royal Navy, Royal Army, Royal Marine Corps, Royal Air Force, and the Royal Space Force. The Royal Police, once a branch of the Armed Forces, is now a federal organization overseeing local (municipal and state) police forces and is administered by the Ministry of Justice and Homeland Security in peacetime but can be transferred to the Ministry of Defense in wartime. A similar situation applies to the Royal Coast Guard, which is administered by the Ministry of Marine Affairs in peacetime, often working in partnership with local police forces in each city and not considered part of the armed forces during peacetime.

Merulla spent $980 billion on its military budget in 2023, by far the largest amount of any country, surpassing even the USA. Nevertheless, Merulla trails behind the USA and Russia when it comes to the possession of nuclear weapons worldwide, having the third largest quantity of such weapons globally.

Merulla possesses the fourth largest combined armed forces in the world, behind the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the Indian Armed Forces, and the United States Armed Forces. However, Merulla boasts the largest and most powerful navy in the world. The military operates about 700 bases and facilities abroad and maintains deployments of over 100 military personnel in 25 foreign countries.
 
 
Law enforcement and crime
 
There are about 25,000 police agencies in Merulla, ranging from municipal to federal levels. Law enforcement in Merulla is primarily carried out by local Police Departments in their municipal jurisdictions and by Regional Police Departments in their county jurisdictions. State Police Departments have authority in their respective states and primarily on interstate highways, while federal agencies such as the Royal Bureau of Investigation (RBI) and the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) have national jurisdiction and specialized duties, such as protecting civil rights, national security, and enforcing rulings of Merulla's federal courts and federal laws.

State courts handle the majority of civil and criminal trials, while federal courts deal with designated crimes and appeals from state court decisions. There are also municipal courts in Merulla; however, their existence is primarily justified to resolve only minor civil or criminal (of lesser offensive potential) disputes between two or more civilian parties residing in the same municipality.

As of January 2023, Merulla had the seventh-highest per capita incarceration rate in the world, with 456 people per 100,000 inhabitants, and one of the largest prison populations globally, with over 2 million incarcerated individuals. An analysis from the World Health Organization Mortality Database of 2010 showed that Merulla's homicide rates were "2 times higher than in other high-income countries, driven by a stabbing homicide rate that was 10 times higher."
 
 
 
Demographics

The MICDS (Merullean Institute of Census and Demographic Studies) estimated approximately 217 million residents as of September 3, 2022, making Merulla the seventh-most populous country in the world. According to the MICDS' Merullean Population Clock, on July 25, 2023, the Merullean population had a net gain of one person every 145 seconds, or about 595 people per day. In 2020, 65% of Merulleans age 17 and over were married, 5% were widowed, 7% were divorced, and 23% had never been married. In 2021, the total fertility rate for Merulla stood at 2.2 children per woman.

Merulla has a truly diverse population; numerous ancestry groups have more than one million members. White Merulleans with ancestry from Europe, the Middle East, North America, and even North Africa form the largest racial and ethnic group at 68% of the Merullean population. Afro-Merulleans form the second-largest group, comprising 12% of the Merullean population. Asian Merulleans constitute the country's third-largest ancestry group, accounting for 7% of the total Merullean population. Native Merulleans are the country's fourth-largest group, composing 3% of the Merullean population. Meanwhile, a total of 21.7 million Merulleans are from other smaller ethnic groups, such as descendants of Latins, Indians, Arabs, or multiracial people, which collectively make up 10% of the Merullean population. In 2020, the median age of the Merullean population was 35.3 years.

While many languages are spoken in Merulla, English is by far the most commonly spoken and written, being not only the de jure national language but also the de facto national language. Approximately 80% of the population speaks English as a first language, with another 10% speaking Portuguese as a first language and another 5% speaking Greek as a first language. The fourth most dominant language was Hebrew, with 2% of the population being native speakers.

Religious practice is widespread, among the most diverse in the world, and profoundly vibrant, but religious practice varies significantly by region. The country has one of the world's largest Christian populations and the second largest Jewish population in the world, only behind Israel itself. Other notable faiths include the Native Merullean religion, Hellenism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. The overwhelming majority of Merulleans believe in a higher power or spiritual force, engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, and consider themselves religious or spiritual. In the historic region of Normandy, Christian religious life plays a pivotal role culturally in the lives of the local population, with a Catholic majority in East Normandy and an evangelical Protestant majority in West Normandy. At the same time, other states like Workers Harbors and Serpentarius tend to be more secular. Judaism remains the predominant religion in the State of Ben-Salem from its founding to this day.

The majority of Merulla's population identifies as Christian. 31% identify as Catholic, with 20% identifying as Protestant, 7% as Greek Orthodox, and a total of another 3% identifying with other aspects of Christianity, such as Mormonism. The Jews account for 10% of the population, while nonreligious make up 9%. The Native Merullean religion sums up to 7%, while Buddhism gathers 5% of the population and Hellenism surprisingly makes up 3% of the Merulleans, but that's still less than all other faiths that collectively make up another 5% of the population.

The Merullean Constitution guarantees religious freedom and forbids legislation to favor any religion over another. In addition, discrimination based on religion is illegal, with the exception of explicitly religious organizations such as churches. According to a survey in 2023, 57% of the population said that religion played a "very important role in their lives." Catholics, Protestants and Jews are the most devout groups in Merulla, while temple attendance among Orthodox and Hellenists is is fairly low. The percentage of irreligious people is slowly increasing, especially among younger generations.
 
 
Largest Cities of Merulla

Rank

City

Metro area population

State

1

Night City

8,775,033

Poseidonia

2

New Molay

3,538,142

East Normandy

3

Shermanland

2,944,987

West Normandy

4

Horse Creek

2,804,580

Horssland

5

Saint Paul

2,799,824

Lakeside

Night City

New Molay

Shermanland

Horse Creek

Saint Paul

For more information about the municipalities of Merulla, click here.
Or for information regarding Merulla's federal units, click here.
 
 
 
Economy

To be continued...

Report