Nieski Islands
| Nieski Islands Wyspy Nieskańskie | |||||
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| Anthem: Pieśń Wojów Song of the Warriors | |||||
| Capital | Nieski | ||||
| Largest city | Nieski | ||||
| Official languages | Lechian | ||||
| • Regional languages | Sulitsillumkejle | ||||
| Ethnic Groups | 89.48% Nieskian 6.86% Sulitsillimje 3.66% others | ||||
| Demonym | Nieskian | ||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic | ||||
| • President of the Nieski Islands | Aleksandryna Bielińska | ||||
| • Prime Minister | |||||
| Population | |||||
| • Census (2022) | 28 657 | ||||
Nieski Islands (Lechian: Wyspy Nieskańskie; Sulitsillumkejle: Soadjiagearpmašasullot), is an archipelagic country in the northern part of West Uletha, situated in the Great North Sea, to the east of Silland, north of UL13c and Lechia and west of Sapvuodma.
Nieski Islands is situated in an east part archipelago of the same name, comprises Drakobór, Warnima on which 90% of the population resides and ±2,000 skerries and smaller islands. Nieski Islands has a population of over 28 thousand, and is one of the smallest countries in the world. Its capital is Nieski, only town in the country.
Independent Nieski Islands derives directly from the structures of the Nieski diocese, which is a remnant of the abolished monastic state of Saint Alexandrine. Due to the size of the country and the lack of military structures, Nieski Islands is partially dependent on neighboring countries, their economies and protection.
Etymology
The name Nieski derives directly from the name Niska, which means something low, situated at a low altitude, or of small height. This name first appeared on a map by the cartographer Olgierd of Darbno in the 14th century and referred to a small Lechitic whaling settlement, most likely unrelated to the current town of Nieski (archaeological research suggests that the settlement was located on the island of Czysznanica). The settlement of Niska did not play a significant role and likely existed for only a few decades. However, the map on which it was featured became an important element of contemporary science and knowledge about northern islands. The name on the map likely began to be associated with an archipelago north of the islands of Aleksandrynia and Kniań.
The slightly distorted form Nieski (in the plural form) first appeared in a letter to the Bishop of Darbno in 1578 and referred to two human settlements located on what is now the island of Warnima. It is believed that around 1650, the construction of a fort by the Knights of the Order of St. Alexandrine began in the vicinity of these settlements, which is now the present-day city of Nieski. This name has been used since the establishment of the fort.
In 1662, the Diocese of Nieski was established, which in 1710 was transformed into the Principality of Nieski — a precursor to the current state.
History
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| History of Nieski Islands | |
| Pre-state period | before 1615 |
| • Sillimi Colonization | before 1344 |
| • Lechian-Glynian Colonization | 1344-1615 |
| • Religious wars | 1615-1630 |
| Ecclesiastical states | 1630-1810 |
| • The State of the Order of Saint Alexandrine | 1630-1710 |
| • Principality of Nieski | 1710-1810 |
| Republican Era | 1810-present |
| • Republic of Nieski | 1810-1940 |
| • Lechian occupation | 1812-1935 |
| • Nieski Islands | 1940-present |
Pre-state period
Ecclesiastical states
Republican Era
1935-1940: Reform of the state after the end of the Lechian occupation
The withdrawal of Lechian troops from the Nieski Islands caused concern among the majority of the islands' inhabitants. There were fears of a potential breach of the peace treaty by Jemias and, due to the distance, a lack of quick intervention capability by Lechia, which, by virtue of the treaty, had become the guarantor of the Nieski Islands' security. The long-standing wars and the granting of civil rights to the Sillimi population also contributed to the emergence of xenophobic attitudes among the Lechian residents of the islands, resulting in fears for the safety of the Sillimi people.
A positive role in improving neighborly relations was played by the then Head of State, Walery Lissański. Hailing from Lissa (a settlement predominantly inhabited by the Sillimi), Lissański was well-versed in the local language and held in high regard by the local population. Prior to the granting of civil rights to the Sillimi, Lissański was considered an ambassador for their cause in the capital. Following the departure of Lechian forces from the islands, he endeavored to build positive diplomatic relations with the government of Jemias, making two visits to their capital. During the People's Assembly in 1935, Lissański publicly declared the initiation of a five-year period for the adjustment of Nieski law to the terms of the peace treaty, including the full and equal integration of the Sillimi population into the public life of the state.
Another issue arising from the departure of Lechian troops from the islands was a brief food and economic crisis. The military presence had facilitated trade between the islands and the continent, benefiting the inhabitants of the Republic of Nieski. The disruption of these long-standing supply chains adversely affected the Nieski economy, particularly by dangerously interrupting the food supply chain. Within two years, the Nieski government managed to stabilize the situation by increasing the state's food self-sufficiency (which had previously been minimal) and by entering into new trade agreements with countries in the Great North Sea basin. However, challenges remained, including significant increases in food prices, rising inflation, and public debt.
In 1936, a new administrative unit known as the Lissa District was established, carved out from parts of the Lugidynia District and islands that had previously been outside any local government jurisdiction. The seat of the Lissa District’s administration was located in Lissa. The creation of this new territorial unit was part of the implementation of the requirements imposed on the Republic of Nieski by the peace treaty. The Lissa District was predominantly inhabited by the Sillimi people, who constituted 83% of the population. It had the same level of self-governance as other districts, with the distinguishing feature of full bilingualism. In the same year, the authorities of the newly formed district, along with those of other districts and the city of Nieski, began issuing identity cards to residents of Sillimi origin.
The introduction of equal rights for the Sillimi population renewed the debate on granting electoral rights to women. Until June 1936, women, regardless of their origin, were prohibited from running for public office or participating in the People's Assembly. In response to this situation, a small-scale feminist demonstration was held in Nieski in June 1936. Although the event was modest in scale, it resonated widely within the conservative Nieski society and prompted the government to consider expanding the state reform to modernize the archaic system of governance on the islands.
The main proponent of the changes was Marcin Karczyński, Head of the Department of Internal Affairs, who proposed the adoption of a new constitution modeled on the fundamental laws of Southern Uletha countries. Karczyński advocated not only for granting women both passive and active electoral rights but also for the establishment of a parliament, shifting the system from direct democracy to a representative system. His proposals were endorsed by Walery Lissański, although conservative members of the ruling elite described them as a threat to democracy and Nieski tradition. During the People's Assembly in 1937, a Constitutional Commission was established with the goal of drafting a new constitution for the state. The commission included representatives from the government, the city of Nieski, all districts, and settlement units. Legal experts and foreign observers from Lechia and Jemias were also invited to participate in the process.
The draft constitution, known as the Law (Prawo), was publicly presented in the spring of 1938. The document encompassed the main demands of the liberal faction, including the principle of equal treatment regardless of nationality, gender, or religion. The constitution proposed the establishment of a unicameral parliament and the office of the president elected by the parliament. It also included a proposal to rename the state from the Republic of Nieski to the Nieski Islands, which was explained as a matter of marketing. The most significant controversy arose from the proposal to abolish the People's Assembly. However, proponents of the new law assured that the system of direct democracy would still be maintained at the local level. After minor adjustments, the draft constitution was reintroduced at the People's Assembly in 1939, where it received majority approval. The new constitution was scheduled to come into effect in May 1940, following the first parliamentary elections in the state's history.
Government and politics
The Constitution of Nieski Islands defines the political system; Nieski Islands is a unitary, parliamentary republic within the framework of a representative democracy.
Legislative power is vested in the unicameral parliament - Nieskian House (Izba Nieskańska). Nieskian parliament is elected by citizens over 18 years of age for a four-year term by proportional representation, and has 20 members. Nieskian House responsibilities include approval and preservation of the national government, passing legal acts, passing the state budget, and conducting parliamentary supervision.
The President od the Nieski Islands (Prezydent Wysp Nieskańskich) is the head of state. He is elected by the Nieskian Assembly (Zgromadzenie Nieskańskie), an institution consisting of the members of the parliament and representatives of all settlement units. The president has far-reaching ceremonial obligations, but also the right and duty to act politically. They can give direction to general political and societal debates and have some important "reserve powers" in case of political instability. The president also holds the prerogative to grant pardons on behalf of the federation. The Nieskian presidents, who can be elected to two consecutive eight-year terms, have wide discretion about how they exercise their official duties.
The Government of Nieski Islands is formed by the Prime Minister at recommendation of the President, and approved by the Nieskian House. The government, headed by the Prime Minister, represent the political leadership of the country and carry out domestic and foreign policy. Ministers head ministries and represent its interests in the government. Sometimes ministers with no associated ministry are appointed, known as ministers without portfolio.
List of Heads of State
Chiefs of the Nieski Republic (1810-1940)
- 1810-1812 - Gabriel Siemiński
- 1812-1820 - Klemens Bogusławski
- 1820-1828 - Eligiusz Wilford
- 1828-1832 - Stanisław Bieliński starszy
- 1832-1852 - Stanisław Bieliński młodszy
- 1852-1867 - Florian Lissański
- 1867-1876 - Romuald Sulla
- 1876-1878 - Aleksander Horynicki
- 1878-1899 - Feliks Czarnikiewicz
- 1899-1905 - Wojciech Mokrogórski
- 1905-1917 - Leopold Krummholz
- 1917-1921 - Wojciech Mokrogórski
- 1921-1940 - Walery Lissański
Presidents od the Nieski Islands (1940-)
- 1940-1942 - Walery Lissański (elected in 1940, resigned)
1942 - Jakub Kołodziej (acting president) - 1942-1950 - Marcin Karczyński (elected in 1942)
- 1950-1966 - Igor Jaroszowski (elected in 1950 and 1958)
- 1966-1979 - Stanisław Kłobucznicki (elected in 1966 and 1974, died while in office)
1979 - Siemowit Wareński (acting president) - 1979-1995 - Emil Buż (elected in 1979 and 1987)
- 1995-2003 - Maryna Läkje (elected in 1995)
- 2003-2019 - Borzywoj Kłobucznicki (elected in 2003 and 2011)
- 2019-incumbent - Aleksandryna Bielińska (elected in 2019)
Administrative divisions
Nieski Islands is divided into 1 town (gród):
and 4 districts (cyrkuł):
- Warnima District (Cyrkuł warnimski)
- Lugidynia District (Cyrkuł lugidyński)
- Aleksandrynia District (Cyrkuł aleksandryński)
- Lissa District (Cyrkuł lissański)
Districts are divided into settlement units and uninhabited areas.
Geography
The Nieski Islands are located in the western part of the Great North Sea, to the east of Silland, north of UL13c and Lechia and west of Sapvuodma. They consist of a cluster of over ±2,000 islands and skerries, but only around dozen of them are inhabited.
The surface of the islands is generally rocky, with red and pink granite peppered with quartz crystals predominating. The soil is thin, stripped away by retreating glaciers at the end of the most recent ice age. The islands' topography varies significantly from one landmass to another. While some islands are relatively flat and feature fertile plains, others have more undulating terrain with elevated ridges and small hills. Due to its coastal location, the Nieski Islands boast an intricate network of fjords, inlets, and sheltered bays, contributing to the overall complexity of their topography. The coastlines are jagged and indented.
The highest elevation of the Nieski Islands is Mount Kostuch located on the island of Holsztuna, reaching an altitude of approximately 112 meters above sea level.