Crodilian Union

The Crodilian Union (CU), also known as the Federal Republic of Crodilia or the Second Crodilian Union, is a country consisting of 22 states, three self-governing territories, and other possessions. By land area, it is the largest country on Leatix, with most of it located on the continent of Crodilia. With an estimated population of 1.159 billion, the CU is the second most populous country in the world. The capital of the CU is Orange, with its most populous city being United City. The CU is a historically and culturally rich country. It is home to the first Leatixans, who originated in the forest-dense Aelic Mountains. Leatixans first migrated out of this region into the megafauna rich Aelic Valley, where they would maintain a nomadic lifestyle until the -17,000s. The modern day CU can trace its beginnings to the First Crodilian Union, which was formed after the collapse of the Emperial Empire in +1001. The

First Union quickly collapsed, giving rise to a diverse number of Republics and Kingdoms between +1077 and +1702, when the Centraelic Republic successfully unified the continent and created the current nation state. During the Pydonian Era (+1799 to +2001), the CU rose as a prominent military and economic superpower. Despite initial losses and a poor mobilization, the CU successfully defeated Eva Pydon in the Caster Wars (+1840 - 1864) and would occupy much of Queani, Caster, and the Province of Lanais. The CU also aided the Allied forces during the Great War (+1923 to +1928), which crippled Eva Pydon, eventually paving the way for the +1974 Accords and the +2001 Treaty of Orange, which gave the CU significant global powers. Post Pydonian Era, the CU rapidly expanded and would become an economic powerhouse. Fueled by globalization and migration of refugees fleeing more unstable region of the world, the CU surpassed the Holish Modernist Republic and LS in economic power by end of the +2290s. With the formation of the Southern-Hemisphere Trade Alliance (SHTA), the CU successfully avoided economic collapse during the First Merlay War. The CU would reach its economic and military peak in the early +2400s when it fought the Holish, Jemians, and free Jelericans during the Jelerican War. At the end of the conflict, the victorious CU was left as the sole global superpower. However, planetary expanion by the Holish Lancaster States (HLS) would lead to its influence dwindling into the +2500s. The Crodilian Union is a representative federal democracy. It is a founding member of the International Consortium of Nations (ICN) and the Southern Military Alliance (SMA). With the second largest economy in the world, it accounts for just over a quarter of the global GDP. The CU is the worlds third largest importer and fifth largest exporter, with most of its resources being domestically transferred. The CU ranks 3rd on the Global Development Scale and is considered one of the most stable economies on Leatix. It is the second largest military spender and first for scientific research, specifically in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The CU controls just over 45% of the global pharmaceutical industry.

Etymology
Crodilia means "known lands" in Roan and was first used by Seferanic court writers in -3176 to describe the occupied land of the Seferan Empire. The term would continue during the Murmanic Period (-2611 to -001), however it wouldn't be used extensively until the dynasty of Emperial Emperor Richard I (+107 to +158) as a way to unifiy recently conquered regions into a common national identity. Charles I (+158 to +210) would continue this tradition by altering the imperial title from Sovereign of the Empers to Sovereign of the Crodilians.

Of course, Crodilia was only used to refer to lands within the Emperial Empire and discluded modern day Dythnia, Maraset, Meluka, Drassinia, Denai, Anasia, Dassinia, Rena, and Selu. However, in +562, Emperial cartographers started to commonly describe the continent as 'Crodilia'. After the Growth War (+986 to +1001), the framers of the First Crodilian Union sought to create a national identity that would be inclusive to anyone on the continent. After initially deciding the Continental Union, the framers switched to the 'Crodilian Union.' The First Union was called a Union due to its inherently decentralized governmental structure. The framers initially sought a confederation style of government in order to appease territories that were recently freed from Emperial occupation.

In +1702, the Centraelic Republic sought to rename itself in light of its recent campaigns to include new territories into its Republic. Seeking validity, the Republic renamed itself after the First Union. A citizen of the Crodilian Union is referred to as a Crodilian. Others who live on the Crodilian continent, such as Scorians or Eghians, are rarely referred to as Crodilian.

Prehistory
Leatixans first originated in what is now modern-day Centraelia, a CU state. It is commonly accepted that the first Leatixans lived throughout the then dense forests of the Aelic Mountains and foothills, eventually entering the vast Aelic Plains sometime around -51,000. As the Aelic Plains started to desertify in the -36,000s, the nomadic Leatixans began to travel eastward into the Centraelic Plains, which occupy modern day eastern Centraelia, Tempun, and Selua. Throughout the -30,000s, Leatixans expanded across Crodilia, generally following migratory patterns of large megafauna. These tribal groups would quickly advance, with the first evidence of civilizations arriving just after the last stages of the Almiric Ice Age (-250,000 to -18,000). These early civilizations existed in the fertile and well protected Aelic valley, which was fed by the Celian and Aelian rivers.

Early History (-17,500 to -5,200)
The first Leatixan civilizations would coalesce within the central Aelic Valley. As agricultural communities expanded, larger cities emerged as a place to safely trade and be protected from Centraelic or Atacean raids. The first of these cities was Cel, located in modern day United City. Cel was founded around -17,500 by the Alartic Peoples, who would expand across the Aelic Valley and into Likia.

Overtime, settlements began to form across the entire southern regions of Crodilia. Meanwhile, on the northern coasts, the Tempetei River Civilization would expand across modern-day Vikia and Tempun. Over the course of several millennia, these agrarian civilizations would slowly form into power regional Kingdoms, lead by dominant leaders. By the Second Era (-15,656 to -13,400), civilizations such as the Crodersian Empire had mastered maritime trade and flourished during the First Bronze Age. However, progress would be hastened when around -13,415 a massive volanic eruption in the Hesel Isles led to widespread destruction and famine. Tsumanis generated by the volcanoes destroyed Croda and other coastal cities, effectively ending confidence in maritime trade for almost 500 years.

In the Third Era (-13,400 to -10,100), the southern region experienced a series of invasions by Aelic and Seluese nomads. This led some groups, like the Muthraqis, to flee northwards. The Muthraqis, a group of Centraelics, would conquer Tempetei and slowly establish trade routes with the south over the course of hundreds of years. This route became known as the Old Road and played a pivotal role in introducing bronze to the Vikian coast. The Muthraqi also brought other innovations like the fabric sail, which allowed northerners to traverse farther up along the coastline, eventually reaching areas like Maraset and even Trea.

The Fourth Era (-10,100 to -5,200) was known primarily for its introduction of iron, first created in the Denai region of western Vikia. The Iron trade greatly expanded Vikia's regional influence, with the city of Tempun (modern day Orange) become a vast trading port. In the southern region, city-states frequently warred for access to trade routes and expansion west into the Hesel Isles and Ehgia led to the formation of the proto-Fundian peoples. By the late Fourth Era, maritime networks were becoming increasingly important, with cities like Torea, Hes, and Croda re-establishing their once ancient influence. Trade with regions like Olaria and Fulmir also flourished during this time.

Seferanic Dynasty
In -3,206, the trading port of Roa successfully defeated the Crodersians during the Pantaic War (-3,209 to -3,206). Roa's military success enabled them to expand into Likia, where they quickly conquered the disorganized and weak city-states. This expansion was led by King Seferan-Tern II, who would continue his conquest by successfully sacking Torea in -3,199 and Karak in -3,190.

Under Tern, the Roans successfully unified the southern region under a singular rule for the first time since Huttas Mor in -10,100. In -3,188, Tern campaigned into Cel and successfully took Cel from its Camic rulers. Inspired by the authoritative powers of the Durian Uill, Tern envisioned a strong Empire that would conquer not just Likia and Torea, but even Tempun and other powerful kingdoms.

Tern would not see this dream fulfilled as he died in -3,187, but his son, Seferan-Tern III would continue his father's dream of conquest. Tern III amassed the largest army ever made till then, nearly 350,000 soldiers from across his territory, and marched out into the open plains. Strategically leveraging cavalry, Tern III defeated multiple nomadic tribes and would bisiege powerful cities such as Matasik and Ventraik. In -3,174, Tern III reached the gates of Tempun, where he spared the city when the Tempunian king offered his only child, his daughter, as a wife for Tern's 8 year old son Fernis. This act allowed Tern III to de facto conquer the Tempunians.

The Seferanic Dynasty was the first political state to ever successfully administrate over both the northern and southern regions of Crodilia. It is considered the first superpower and the second 'Classical Empire'. The Seferans were greatly inspired by the Durian Empire, which had maintained control of what is modern Scoria for nearly two millennia.

The Seferans maintained a relatively decentralized bureaucracy. Under Fernis, the Seferan Empire would divide the empire in Murmanships, regional states controlled by Murmans. The Murmans would report directly to the Emperor every year during the Murmanic Council. Each Murman was able to rule as they saw fit so long as they paid annual tribute and would provide men to the Imperial Army. Under the Murmanic System, Crodilia's trade routes became incredibly safe, allowing for trade to flourish. It was also during this time that large migrations of people began to occur more frequently. For instance, large amounts of Seluese, able to now safely traverse the 'Eastern Route', entered Likia to seek better opportunity. This is why the early Seferanic period is also known as the 'Great Diversification'.

The Seferans also required that all court officials spoke Roan, popularizing the language across the continent. They also required that all high ranking officials, such as Murmans, convert to Kali, the Roan religion.

By the High Seferan Period (approximately -3,000), the once diverse and chaotic lands of Likia and Vikia had become far more homogeneous. For the first time in Crodilian history, most saw themselves as 'Seferani' rather than a traditional ethnic group.

The Murmanic Period
The Seferan Dynasty would end in -2,951 when Yallis III died without leaving an heir. According to Seferanic tradition, only the heir was permitted to become the successor, nephews and cousins were forbidden. Consequently, the Seferan Empire briefly underwent a period of civil war as Murmans fought to claim the throne. However, in -2,946, the Murmans agreed to a Council where they decided that retain the Murmanic System without the Emperor. Under this new system, the Murmans retained semi-autonomy, but were required to adhere to edicts decided by the bi-yearly Murmanic Council.

The new Murmanic System would retain stability within the continent. During this period, the Murmanic System would increase as the Council expanded into Dythnia, Maraset, and Denai. It was also during this period that Trea became an increasingly important region. The Vikian Islands, discovered sometime during the Seferan Empire, bore valuable spices. As a result, this region was frequently fought over by the Murmanic Council and other regional enemies like the Gersenic and Drassinian Kingdoms.

To the south, the Fundian slave trade would begin during this time period. The city of Hes became a critical port during this period of time, known for its lawlessness. The Fundian Slave Trade would funnel cheap labor into Likia and Centraelia, greatly strengthening these Murmanships. The Slave Trade would also disrupt the ancient serf system in Duria, leading to the explusion of Castik and Emper serfs in the -1000s. These were known as the Durian Exoduses and would cause widespread upheaval in Crodilia. In the -200s, the last of these exoduses occured when 76,000 Empers settled in Destis, just 50 miles east of Pontus (Croda). The Empers were initially welcomed by the Likian Murmanship who sought to extract tax from them. When the Empers refused to be taxed, the Likian Murman dispatched his Lentin (a regional lieutenant of a Murman) to destroy Destis. This led to the First Murmanic War (-196 to -190), where the Likians were defeated.

Early Emperial Period (-190 to +285)
The Empers would successfully defeat the Likians and even go on to invade and conquer Cel, which they renamed Unitis. The sudden invasion prompted a hastened response by the Murmanic Council, but centuries of little conflict meant their response was ill-prepared. Additionally, many distant Murmanships saw little reason to participate, seeing the war as a localized one. As a result, the Murmanic Armies dispatched to stop the growing Empers were weak and insufficient. Under the brilliant command of General Saranaplus, the Emper Armies marched along the Old Road and reached Tempun, which they sacked in -006. The Empers were also assisted by the Durians and the Heselse, who used their navies to succesfully defeat the Torean and Roan Murmanships.

In -002, the Murmanic Council officially surrendered to General Saranaplus. At this point, Saranaplus was crowned Permanent Dictator by the Emper Sentatis, effectively crowning him Emperor. In +000 he made this official by accepting the Murmanic Crown, a symbollic gesture to represent his dominon over the Murmanic System. Though crowned, many Murmanships did not recognize Saranaplus as their sovereign, leading him to campaign for next two decades to bring other Murmanships under Emperial rule.

The Emperials, as they would be called after Saranaplus' crowning, would go on to consolidate control over central Crodilia. Saranaplus would lead the Emperial armies to gain territory across modern-day Centraelia, Torea, Roa, and Aelia. Emperor Saranaplus ruled autocratically and greatly diminished the role of the Emperial Senatis, which was the main body of power prior to his rule. Saranaplus instituted the Emperalia Edict, which divided the empire into several distinct administrative regions: Emperalia, Tertaria, and ''Exitia. ''Saranaplus also continued the Fundimentian Slave Trade and worked to expand it by conquering the Heselese in +051.

Saranaplus' successors would continue the policy of expansion. Richard I would expand the empire into Selua and conquer the Durians in +110. The Emperial crown was heiritary, but if no clear heir was available, the Senatis would vote for a new leader.

Geography, Climate, and Environment
The land area of the CU is XXXXX, with Continential Crodilia making up XXX, Jelerica, making up XXX, and the rest made up of territories and possessions. Measured by land area, the Crodilian Union is the largest country in the world.

Starting from the eastern states, the Seluese Fjord Region consist of dense deciduous forests and small mountains, likely left over from the Trilic Ice Age (14.6 mya). This region gives way to rolling hills of Selua. Northern Crodilia, often referred to as Vikia, is home to the Vikian Mountains. South of Vikia is the Centraelic Plains, a grassland that is the second largest producer of agricultural products in the world. Central Crodilia is home to the Likian Range, a series of mountain ranges that are bisected by the Aelic River Valley. The Aelian River flows west and into the Aelian river basin, where it is deposited into Lake Aelia, the second largest lake in the world. Lake Aelia is surrounded by the Aelic Plains, which give way to the Aluian Desert. South of the Likian Range is the Likian coastline, home to nearly 26% of the nation's population. This fertile region is also known as the "Cradle of Civilization" for its rich history.

West of Likia is Torea, a rugged and arid mountain region that makes up Crodilia's leftmost peninsula. It is home to the Hesel Isles, a series of highly active volcanoes, which are the only active range in Crodilia. East of Likia is the Roan Basin, where the Roa and Olitic rivers flow into the Likian Sea. This temperate region is home to Crodilia's only rainforests.

Western Crodilia is tremendously rugged, with the Draco Mountains stretching from the Point of Orin to the northern Aluia desert, nearly 2,000 miles. The Draco Mountains are the longest mountain range in the world with the world' highest peak, Mount Meluka. Approximately 0.5% of all freshwater on Leatix is stored in Draco's glaciers. The Draco Mountains feed a network of rivers, including the Trans-Aelic, which feed Lake Aelia.

Crodilia often suffers from a range of natural disasters. The northern coast frequently experiences typhoons, with most striking the northeastern coastline. Though volanic activity tends to be lower compared to other southern hemispheric nations, the Hesel Isles are considered highly active. In the Centraelic and Aelic Plains, severe thunderstorms and tornados often wreak havoc. Additionally, the Aelic River frequently floods and causes millions of dollars of damage a year.

Wildlife
Crodilia is megadiverse, with nearly 32,000 vascular plant species and almost 1400 flowering plant species. The CU is home to nearly 981 alamin species, 5300 volana species, 299 saura species, and 185 messaur species. There have also been at least 106,000 noted sessin species.

Crodilia does not have a national animal, but its national plant species is the Mele Plant, meant to represent prosperity. The CU is the only country on Leatix with an established wildlife protection program, which is under the authority of the Department of the Interior. The program maintains 211 Federal Parks, which comprises of 2% of the national land. Crodilia also retains strict environmental laws, although they are generally looser in Jelerica.

Environmental issues have traditionally been a significant part of the government agenda since +2100. Most of these debates are focused on natural gas drilling, which has historically led to severe contamination in Centraelia, and deforestation. Extensive logging in Selua has lead to a loss of nearly 91% of natural forests in the region, contributing to mudslides and loss of biodiversity. Climate Change has also been a significant challenge, with severe flooding in the Ehgian Sea. Throughout the last three hundred years, the CU has spent trillions of dollars investing in climate change mitigating super-projects, including the Delacroix Flood Gate, which protects Pontus from yearly flooding.

Demographics
The Crodilian Union Bureau of Statistics estimates that the country's population is 1,159,203,643 as of +2515. The CU population has steadily increased over the last century and is currently the second most populous country in the world. However, the CU remains 31st in growth rate. A +2519 ICN report projected that the CU's population will be overtaken by LS and Jemi by +2600. CU fertility rates have always varied, but tend to hover around 2.61 children per woman. This is noticeably higher than similar countries, like HLS with 0.61, but lower than others like Queani with 5.46. The CU is tremendously diverse, nearly 130 ancestry groups have a population higher than a million or more. The largest ethnic group is Centraelic at 32%, followed by Emperali (17%), and Aelic (15%).

Because the country does not share a land border with any other country, international migration has always be relatively limited. In the +2300s, due to some immigration law changes, nearly 115 million migrants from Fundimentia and the Eastern Republic migrated to the country. Traditionally, the Crodilian Union has seen widespread migration from Jemi and Tre. The country's largest ethnic group is Centraelic, with nearly 32% of the population. The fastest growing ethnic group is Drassanic, with estimates projecting that Drassanic people will account for 12.5% of the population by +2600.

Minority status is granted by the Department of the Interior and classifies "non-native populations under 2% of the total population." Minorities constitute just over 4% of the total population and generally live in urban cities like Dythni and Orange. Minorities are expected to grow by 6% by +2600.

The Crodilian Union has a birth rate of 24 per 1,000, which is just below the world average. The population growth is 3.6% higher than most developed nations.

Major Population Areas
About 63% of Crodilians live in urban areas, which is the lowest rank among developed nations. About three-quarters of those residents live in cities with a population greater than 60,000. The largest metropolitian areas in the country are the Greater Orange Metropolitian Area, the Central Aelic Metropolitian Area, the Pontian Metropolitian Area, and the Dythni Area. All of these Metropolitian areas have a population greater than 10 million inhabitants. There are 320 metropolitian areas with a population greater than a million. Fulmira, Denai, Navena, Tor, and Roa all have populations around five million.

Languages
The official language of the Crodilian Union is Centraelic, specifically New Centraelic. Although there is only one official language, multiple states do recognize other langauges as 'State Languages.' The Bureau of Culture officially recognizes 2,300 languages as 'historically important' and catalogs each in its Library of Languages in United City. The second most common language is Casti, spoken by 24% of the population.

Both Jelerican and Fundimentian are recognized as official languages in the territory of Jelerica. Gua recognizes Drassinic as an official language.

The most widely taught foreign languages are Casti, Fundimentian, Fundi, and Westin. Other commonly taught languages are Roan, Durian, and Emperali.

Religion
The Crodilian Union was the second nation to guarantee freedom of religion. Under the Union's Charter, the Congress is forbidden to pass laws that favor one faith from another. The Bureau of Statistics is also forbidden to survey religious adherence, however non-governmental agencies and ICN regularly survey Crodilians on their faith.

According to the +2518 ICN Religion Trends and Measures report, 64% of Crodilians practice Holiism. This is the highest percentage of Holi followers outside of HLS. Of these, 49% say they regularly attend service, with 40% saying they attend weekly. Second to Holiism is Huidi, generally practiced in the southern states. According to the survey, 20% of Crodilians say they practice Huidi, with 90% practicing Emperialic Huidi and 10% practicing Durian Huidi. About 12% of the population say they do not practice a religion, with 60% saying they are atheist.

The most religious states are Maraset and Aelia with the least religious states being Vikia and Centraelia. Irreligion has been growing rapidly amongst the Crodilians under the age of 45 and its likely to surpass Huidi in +2600. Crodilians with no religion, on average, have 0.9 children, with those faithful averaging around 2.1.

In a Lunai Survey done in +2510, only 2% of Holi Crodilians identify themselves as Lunai. About 63% identify as Reformed Holi, with the Centraeli forming the largest denomination at 31.65%. Lanai Holiism rapidly declined in the last century due to deteriation in diplomatic relations between HLS and the CU. Anti-Lanaism has been on the rise in Crodilia since the Jelerican War.

Reformed Holiism is the largest Holi group in the Crodilian Union, accounting for nearly two thirds of Crodilians. The largest denomination is Centraeli. Apart from the Centraeli, include the unaffiliated Holi, Tethnians, Gassinis, Tripartites, and Universalists. Most Holi groups tend to occupy the Religious Belt which is an informal term for the western interior of the country in which religious conservatism is a significant part of the culture.

Health
gains over the last few years thanks to novel medical discoveries such as improved gene therapy that reduces cancer growth. Life expectancy is highest amongst Centraelics and Emperali, while it is lowest amongst Jelericans and Drassanics. In Jelerica, the life expectancy is 74.3 and in Gua it is 90.3. The Crodilian Union has the highest life expectancy in the world.

Drug abuse and obesity are the two largest public health challenges in the Crodilian Union. The +2400s saw a rise in the use of illicit narcotics like cracatone, which is generally sourced from Jemi and Jelerica. The country ranks 10th in obesity, having doubled since +2450. Approximately 20% of the adult population is obese. The leading obesity-related illnessess are heart disease and diabetes.

In +2515, brain cancer, heart disease, and strokes were the leading causes of death in the country. The most deleterious medical risks were obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, physical inactivity, and alcohol. Memory related diseases like Balton's Disease as well as non-brain cancers have fallen by 25% since +2500 and have raised the life expectancy by 2.5 years. CU teenage pregnancies remained higher than global averages, though lower than Jemi or LS. The rise of inexpensive birth control has led to sharp declines, placing the CU 4th in unwanted pregnancies.

The CU is the world's foremost leader in medical innovation and science. The CU outspends other nations by a factor of 10 in the field of biotechnology and medical science. The CU has the worlds best medical research facilities, including the Designated Military Medical Research Lab (DMMRL) and the Center for Virology Prevention (CVP). The CU is also the largest creator of pharmaceutical drugs, controlling just over 45% of the global industry.

Health-care coverage in the CU is publicially controlled by the Department of Health. However, public health care only covers 54% of the population, with 3.1% having no insurance and the remainder having private insurance. Public healthcare was first created in +2241 and has been a longstanding political debate.

The CU has the world's largest health-tourism industry, with 62.5 million people visiting the CU annually for treatments.

Education
The Crodilian Union was the first country to mandate public education for children between 5-20. Until the Department of Education, which was created in +2309, public education was regulated by individual states. Currently, children are required to attend public schools until they turn 18, when they are permitted to not attend 'Finishing School'. Some states allow students to leave school at 14 or to attend private schools. No student below the age of 14 is permitted to attend a religious or secular private school or are permitted to be homeschooled.

Educational policy has been a longstanding political debate, especially the policy on private schools. In +2500, Dassinia was the first state to permit students under 14 to attend religious schools.

The Crodilian Education system has its roots in the Centraelic Educational Model. Students first enter Primary School (5-10) where they learn basic writing, reading, arthimetic, and science. After Primary School, students take the SPA (Student Pathways Assessment) exam and are placed into one of three possible tracks: Apprentice Academy, Middle School, or Military Academy. Most (76%) of students enter Middle School, followed by Military Academy (15%) and Apprentice Academy (9%). Upon completion, students can attend Secondary School (15-18). They then have the option to pursue Finishing School.

Of Crodilians 20 or older, 90% have graduated from Secondary School, and 53% have completed "Finishing School." The basic literacy rate in the CU is 99.5% and the country's ICN Educational Score is 96, placing it second in the world.

Government and Politics
The Crodilian Union is the longest running federal republic. It is a representative democracy that is divided into two divisions of government: the legislative and the authoritative. In the Crodilian System, the average Crodilian experiences four levels of government: local, state, regional, and national. The local governent can make many shapes including a township, commune, municipality, etc. Generally, the local government is responsible for maintaining non-state or regional road networks, operating educational institutions, and maintaing emergency services.

The state government models the national government in structure and generally consist of a Congress and a Senate. States are responsible for elections, appointing Federal Congresspeople, and collecting taxes. States are led by Vice-Consuls, who convene at the National Assembly of States, or the NAS. The NAS is responsble for determining Regional Governors. There are Six Regions of Crodilia: Likia, Selu, Centraelia, Vikia, and Dythinia. Regions were created in the +2200s in response to the Second Merlay War as a means of better mobilizing military resources. Regions are generally responsible for maintaining Federal Lands, overseeing military installations, and regulating energy.

The Federal government is considered the highest governmental authority in the country. The head-of-state, the Consul, holds office for a single ten year term and is elected by the electorate. The Autoritative branch of the Federal government dictates foreign trade and diplomacy and the Consul is considered the Supreme Commander of the Crodilian Military. The Legistlative branch is a bicameral Congress, modelled after the Lancasterian Republican System. The lower house, called Congress, consists of 220 representatives, or 10 from each state. All Congresspeople are appointed by their respective states for a five year term. The Congress is responsible for drafting the Federal budget and maintaining domestic affairs. The Senate, by constrast, focuses on international affairs and has the sole ability to declare war, approve treaties, and approve trade deals. The Senate consists of 22 Senators, all elected by the electorate.

Political Divisions
The Crodilian Union is a federal republic of 22 states, 6 regions, 3 territories, and 16 possessions. The state and regions are the primary administrative districts in the Union and are subdivided into municipalities and cities. Citizenship is granted to all those born in the states, however since +2394, territorial inhabitants have been granted "limited citizenship" which prevents them from voting in Consul elections.

Parties and Elections
The Crodilian Union has a rich and vibrant political history. Currently, the country operates under a five party-system, but that is only a modern invention. Since +2419, the majority parties have been the Federal Party, the People's Party, the Reformist Party, the Progressive Party, and the Conservative Party. Virtually every state and local position is an elective position, while Federal Congress positions are appointed by the state congresses. After +1981 the Consul is a directly elected position. Since +2460, the Federal Party has retained control of the Consulship.

In modern Crodilian political culture, the Conservative Party is considered center-right and the People's Party is considered center left. The Federal Party is staunchly centrist, while the Reformist Party is far-right and the Progressive Party is far-left. Traditionally, central states like Likia, Centraelia, and Vikia tend to be more liberal while states on the west and east coasts tend to be more conservative. According to recent surveys, about 40% of Crodilians identify as center-left with 60% identifying as center-right.

Federalist Jana Morrel won the +2515 Consul election, serves as the 86th Consul of the Crodilian Union. Leadership in the Senate consists of Federalist Vanier Callins, Conservative Malia Amers, Progressive Celia Dernd, Populist Stenis Aaik, and Reformist Lafon Richards. Leadership in the Congress includes Federalist Charles Retaik, Conservative Hamil Rians, Progressive Werner Kalmin, Populist Talia Xela, and Reformist Richard Stence.

Elections occur ever five years, with every other election serving as a General Election. Voters must be registered to a party to vote and must be at least 17. The minimum age to serve an elected position is univerally 25, while the maximum age is 95. The youngest Consul ever was Horris Mataik, who was 26 when he won office in +1835. The oldest was Jonis Collins who won office when he was +94.

Foreign Relations
Due to its strategic importance geographically, the Crodilian Union has always played a role in global geopolitics. It was a founding member of the International Consortium of Nations (ICN), the Southern Hemispheric Trade Alliance (SHTA), and the Southern Military Alliance (SHA). Virtually every country in the world has an embassy in Crodilia's capital, Orange. Similiarly, many nations host Crodilian missions. However, Jemi, Scorcia, HLS, and the Eastern Republic do not share diplomatic relations with the Crodilian Union.

The Crodilian Union shares special relationships with Tre, LS, Caster, the Fundimentian Republic, and Regale. It works closely with Fundimentian nations to mitigate Jemian influence in the southern hemisphere and works with southern Lancasterian nations on economic and military issues.

Relations with Jemi
Both the Jemian Republic and the Crodilian Union claim several island chains in the Eghian and Jemi Seas. The Crodilian Union has also dedicated considerable resources to interfer with Jemi, its closest neighbor. Since the Jelerican War, both countries have been locked in a severe cold war. Since +2435, the Crodilians have blockaded Jemi from trading with their primary ally, HLS, and have maintained crippling sanctions against the country's political class. The Crodilian Union has argued that Jemi is "an unstable state that can severely imbalance geopolitical order." It has cited Jemi's repeated violations of the Global Biological Cloning Act, which bans the use of Rapid Cloning Technology (RCT). It also argues that the Jemians spend upwards of 500 million Kronos annually in covertly supporting Jelerican separtist movements. The Jemians argue that the CU unfairly prevents the country from attaining economic prosperity and advocates for an independent Jelerica.

Relations with HLS
While the Holish Republic and the Crodilian Union have historically maintained strong ties, the CU's support of the eventually defeated Holish Traditionalist Republic effectively ended relations with HLS. During the Jelerican War, the Holish actively supported both the Jelerican First and Second Republic by deploying almost 1.2 million troops into the territory. After the war, which led to HLS' defeat, the two countries became embattled in a deep cold war.

Government Finances
Taxes are levied at the local, state, and federal government levels. These taxes include sales tax, value-added tax, payroll, property, imports, estates, and other various fees. Taxation is based on citizenship in the Crodilian Union, although foreign residents that have lived in the country for 20 years must pay what is called a 'Residence Tax.'

Military
The Crodilian Union maintains the second largest active duty military in the world and spends nearly 35% of its annual budget on its upkeep. The Consul is considered the Supreme Command of the Military and appoints its leaders. The Department of War administers the military which includes the Army, Navy, Air Operations, Designated and Space Command. In +2515, the military had 7.6 million active duty personnel. All able bodied men between 20-22 are required to join the Civil Defense Force (CDF), which is a subsidary of the Army. The CDF has an active personnel of 96.5 million. During times of war, CDF personnel are rapidly deployed into any of the five military branches. Otherwise, military service is conscription.

The Crodilian military focuses on rapid deployment and relies heavily on its special forces, which is the largest in the world. The Joint Crodilian Special Forces Division (JCSFD) oversees special forces operations and coordinates with each branch's respective units.

The Crodilian Union is one of four recognized nuclear weapon countries and possesses the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons (approximately 62,000). It also maintains the world's second largest space fleet which is mostly autonomous and designed to carry out intelligence operations. The Crodilian Navy is the largest in the world with a fleet size of 650 deployable ships.

The Designated Military is a unique branch. Historically the country's reservist force, the Designated Military slowly evolved into the military research and development branch. Today it receives a black budget of 1.63 trillion Kronos.

In +2515, the Department of War received 15.6 trillion Kronos for its budget, a 2.1% increase from +2500. The Department of War maintains 63 military installations across the globe and currently maintains a 250,000 personnel peacekeeping force in the Eastern Republic.

Law Enforcement and Crime
Most law enforcement in the Crodilian Union occurs at the municipal or state level. Each state maintains a State Police force, which provides various services. The United City Police Department (UCPD) is the largest in the country with a force of 62,000 personnel. Regional agencies like the Regional Investigation Division (RID) oversees regional law enforcement and has specialized roles including protecting national security.

The legal system in the Union is based on Emperali common law. Most crimes are tried at the state and local level, while Federal courts handle certain crimes and appeals from state courts.

In +2519 there were 26,431 murders in the country. Of those, 94% were committed with a firearm, 5% by knife, and 1% by other means. Violent crimes have been declining steadily since the +2450s. Other crimes such as robbery and arson have maintained a constant rate of 10.4 per 100,000.

Capital Punishment is banned at the Federal level, but allowed in 17 of 22 states. There have been 135 executions since +2510. Capital Punishment is generally only allowed for severely violent crimes and is rarely used by courts. Aelia has the highest number of executions since +2510, with 44. The Crodilian Union has the fifth largest prison population in the world and ranks #7th in prison treatment according to the ICN High Court. There are approximately 16.3 million prisoners in state prisons, with 851,000 in federal prisons, and 14,026 in local prisons. Private prisons were banned in +2306 after the Tanneson Scandal revealed that Orange mob syndicate the Calisti operated most of the private prison networks.

The CU is the only country in the world to have completely decriminialized all narcotics at the federal level. Despite this, 11 of 22 states still list several narcotics as illegal and approximately 24% of the prison population is incarcerated for drug charges. According to the RID Bureau of Narcotics, approximately 25,000 tons of illicit drugs enter the country, mostly through Dythni. Dynthi is the drug capital of the country, with a drug related crime rate of 201 per 100,000.

Economy
According to the Department of the Treasury, the annual Crodilian Union's average annual GDP for +2516 was 114.6 trillion Kronos. This makes the country the second largest economy and is responsible for just over a quarter of global GDP.

Transportation
The Crodilian Union has one of the most advanced road network in the world. Crodilians frequently use personal transporation for localized travel, but rely on either air or train travel for longer distance. The Crodilian Union operates a 6.2 million miles of public roads, with approximately 120,000 miles of highways. The National Railway Service (NRS) operates a 4.3 million mile rail network, with approximately 250,000 miles dedicated to highspeed public rail service. Public transportation is regulated by the Department of Transporation, which also maintains Federal Highways and Railways.

The Crodilian Union has the world's largest automotive market and one of the highest per-capital vehicle ownership in the world. Approximately 83% of personal vehicles are automated. By law, non-automated cars are banned from Federal and State Highways.

There are 377 international airports in the Crodilian Union. According to the International Aviation Board (IAB) the CU's busiest aiports are Orange International Air & Spaceport, Cataik International Airport, Grunner Alfston International Airport, and Samson International Airport. The civil aviation industry is regulated by the Division of Aviation, the Department of Transportation.

Energy
The Crodilian Union receives approximately 60% of its electrical power via nuclear fusion plants located near United City. The Crodilian Union was the first country to deploy nuclear fusion power in +2377 and is just one of three countries that relies on it. There are approximately three nuclear fusion plants in the country. The country uses approximately 64,000 terawatt hours per year, making it one of the most energy intensive nations in the world. The remainder of energy is generated through a combination of wind (15%), natural gas (10%), hydroelectric (10%) and solar (5%). The CU operates one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the country, the Lake Aelia Powerstation. It provides just over half of all hydroeletric power.

The CU has traditionally led the way to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. This has been a major policy objective for the country after the Jelerican War, when the oil market was severely disrupted. The CU still mines and exports crude oil and supples Tre with about 40% of its natural gas through the Trans-Orgin Pipeline.

Energy is regulated at the Regional Level, where each region administers over its electrical infrastructure. Regional macrogrids are interconnected, but can be strategically islanded in case of a matter of national security. Further to this, virtually every major city can be islanded from the macrogrid for a period of 1-2 weeks. The national grid is regulated by the Energy Administration under the NAS.

Water Supply & Sanitation
The Crodilian Union has some of the largest freshwater reserves in the world. The Draco Mountains provide ample freshwater into multiple state resevoirs. Traditionally, droughts affect southwestern states like Malea, Tor, or Aluia. Widespread manufacturing and agricultural pollution pose significant threats to water supply in the central and northern states. According to the ICN's Index on Water Pollution, the CU ranks 10th in water quality.

Culture
The Crodilian Union is one of the most culturally diverse country in the world. Unlike countries like HLS or Jemi, where forced-homogenization is encouraged, the CU focuses on preserving its various ethnicities and histories. Crodilian culture is mainly influenced by Emperali and Centraelic traditions in addition to Vikian and Fundimentian. More recent immigrants from Trea and Lancasteria have added to the cultural mix, commonly referred to as the ''Great Melting Pot. ''

Core Crodilian culture stems from the Emperials, who sought to unify a vast and diverse land under a shared philosophy. The Emperial influence can still be felt through modern cuisine, architecture, law, and politics. Crodilians are generally considered to have a strong work ethic, integrity, and grit.

As the rise of authoritative regimes persists, the Crodilian Union has become increasingly attractive to immigrants for its Common Creed: that all Crodilians are ordained with the right to liberty, equality, and property.

Food
Crodilian cuisine can be divided into regional categories: Northern, Dythinian, Aelic, Southern, and Seluese, with each having the ability to be further subdivided. Fish and maritime life is a primary component of Northern cuisine, with the Great Vikian fishery providing nearly 90% of the country's maritime agriculture. Dythinian is often root-based with common items being the Atat and the Demelo (similar to potatoes). Milk and cured meats are also common in Dythinian cuisine, such as the Malasiq Dish, which is creamed Atat with curied Destilla (similar to beef). Aelic, or Central, cuisine relies on Mele, a cereal grain. Domesticated animals such as the Reka (analogous to a pig) or Wicktin (analogous to a turkey or large bird) are a staple in Aelic cuisine. Southern cuisine focuses on maritime life such as crusteaceans and Mele. Seluese is known for its cheeses and fermented Mele, which is similar to beer.

Character Crodilian dishes include Dessert Patties (a fried mele dough with Atat cream), Atat Sandwichs (cut of Atat with a slice of Remussian Cheese), Yaik Bread (grilled Mele bread with a thin layer of Sedarian cheese and toppings), and barbeque Reka.

Crodilians are some of the most obese people in the world. This has been on the rise since the +2000s.

Literature, Philosophy, and Art
Crodilian Literature stretches back to almost 20,000 years ago with the writings of the ''Eachid. ''Crodilian literary periods are divided into several categories: Early Republic, Antelbellum, Early Modernist, Modernist, 19th Century Conservative, Neo-Conservative, Anasian, Middle, Jelerican, Post-Jelerican, Contemporary. Traditionally, Crodilian literature relies on fictional stories to critique or highlight contemporary political or economic events. Major literay themes throughout history have been isolationism vs. globalism, the role of religion in Crodilian culture, and Crodilia's ethnic diversity. Conservatism has been a central theme in Crodilian literature, especially the works by Tomas Ewent (+1929 to +2016). Altneratively, 18th and 19th century authors like Renus Fentaik (+1801 to +1877) and Callik Traik (+1810 to +1864) helped propel Modernist theory and were outspoken anti-conservatives. Other notable authors include Ernis Adaik (+1651 to +1690), Johannis Besen (+1783 to +1833), Tomas Ewent (+1929 to +2016), Stesis Mair (+2100 to +2136), Farah Rians (+2125 to +2205), Yasini Di'Malette (+2209 to +2228), Tetrius Omaik (+2381 to +2439).

The Crodilian Union has been instrumental in the development of major political and philosophical theory. In its history there have been six major philosophical movements. Renus Fentaik and Callik Traik were some of the first to formalize Pydonianism into an economic theory, helping establish Modernism. Tomas Ewent and his Messerian Society would counter Modernism in the late 19th century with the Conservative Movement. In the 21st century, the Asasian Movement explored existentialism and promoted neo-Modernism.

Art and theater have a rich tradition in Crodilia. United City is home to Ventraik Avenue, which is the de facto theater capital of the world. Theater was very popular in 19th century Crodilia, experiencing its Golden Age from +1926 to +1971. Famous plays like It's Up to You and The Last Plane to Izechy debuted during this period. Famous playrights and dramatists include Ellison Mayes (+1921 to +1993), Weill Aaik (+1899 to +1931), Aldus Teserti (+2405 to +2464).

Music
Crodilian classical music finds its roots in Centraelic pieces by Retir Malaik (+1409 to +1433) and Dechi Yonaik (+1466 to +1508), to name a few. Early Republic classical music merged with Holish music to create a distinctive Crodilio-Holish approach. This was pioneered by the composer Erman Taley (+1709 to +1773).

Jelerican rhythmic and lyrical styles have greatly inspired Crodilian music, giving rise to New Age Crodilian. Elements of Jelerican hatatet was adopted by Crodilian musicians and merged with contemporary large band raster music, becoming a popular genre. Caster spoken word has also increasingly become popular in the country.

Movies & Media
Photography was first invented in the CU in +1806, with the first film, A View of a City, occuring in +1818. Since then, Crodilian cinema has been at the forefront of cinema history. Most cinemahouses in the CU are located in Orange, specifically in the district of West Tempetei. According to the Crodilian Film Academy (CFA), some of the top Crodilian films of all time includes Saranaplus (+1955), Forgotten Hills (+2006), Alvar (+2212), They were Here (+2222), The Back Alley Boys (+2391), Streetcar to Nowhere (+2431).

Sports
Crodilian Handball is the most popular spectator sport in the CU; the Crodilian Handball League (CHL) has the highest attendence of any league in the world and the Championships are watched by at least 690 million people annually. Handball has been considered the national pastime since the +19th century and now consists of 25 teams across the country. Diskus is the next most common sport in the country, with the National Diskus League (NDL) being the top league. There are currently 15 Diskus teams in the country pulling an average attendance of 34,000 per game. Crodilia has the largest sports market in the world at almost 106 billion Kronos.