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Ishakane
Timeline: The Kalmar Union
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Capital
(and largest city)
Nementou
Language Ishak
General Nezpique
Population 757,700 
Independence 1920
Currency IHY

The Republic of Ishakane, Ishakane, is a medium sized republic in Leifia on the Mexic Gulf. It is bordered by Mexica, Chahtaland, and Chitimachanc. The capital is Nementou and the population is around 757,000.

The official language is Ishak.

The Head of State is General Nezpique.

The currency is the Ishak Yeg (IHY).

History[]

The various related Ishak tribes were first attested by Vinlandic explorers in the 13th century though as trade developed in the region they were largely ignored as their marshy homelands were of little agricultural value at the time. Also rumours of cannablism served to keep away curious travellers and earnest missionaries. As trade between the Mississippi and Mexic cities started to grow they were thought of a nuisance, often disrupting trading caravans with their wars with their Karamkawa neighbours to the west.

Though they would slowly adopt some of the agricultural techniques filtering down from the Norse states the Ishak remained outsiders to the political life of Leifia. If they were known at all it was only due to the large Ishak bird which Álengsk farmers began to domesticate and rear from the c. mid 15th century. Frequent raids from Mexica for slaves or sacrificial victims would carry off a significant portion of the population and unfortunately, unlike other more developed and integrated states in the region, the Ishak had little to pay mercenary armies with. The region would be occupied by Mexica during the First Mexic-Leifian War and most of the tribal leaders were taken away whilst towns were burnt and farms ruined.

Following the First Mexic-Leifian War the area was re-organised under the vague control of Mvskokia. Mvskokian farmers soon saw the economic potential of the Ishak lands and cash crop plantations were setup for cotton or indigo. Much of the native population would subsequently fall into serfdom and local government was soon in the hands of Mskokian politicians. However, the Ishak tended to be treated well, their relgious practices tolerated, and there was fewer instances of the abuses which would characterise other plantation lands in the Mvskokian realm.

In 1911 the Ishak territory were transferred to the new state of Chahtaland as the Cotton Wars imploded Mvskokia. This 'greater' Chahtaland only lasted a few years before it collapsed under its own divisions. The Ishak, eager to get investment from European powers like the other Mvskokian successor states, agreed to form a unitary state and a republic was proclaimed in 1920.

Its position on the Mexic border, close to the large Mexic city of Teokuitlakuauitl led to Ishakane being descibed as 'less of a state and more of a military camp'. Slowly the levers of power were taken over by the military until it was essentially a military dictatorship. The various allied Liefian states with their own troops present turned a blind eye, more concerned that the state remained strong against any Mexic pressure or subtefuge.

The discovery of oil, or rather the development of viable extraction methods, in 1994, initially appeared to entrench the ruling military but protests at the huge corruption associated with the top military leaders toppled the regime. The profits from oil, now carefully controlled by a government agency, has turned the oppressive agrarian country into a rapidly developing modern democracy.

Government[]

The head of state is still a military leader: General Nezpique, though it was due to his level-headedness that the country was able to make the transition to democracy calmly and peacefully. He has only limited executive power and the real power is held by the single-chambered council. Free elections are held every 6 years.

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