Bellinsgauzenia (Great White South)

Bellinsgauzenia (: Беллинсгаузения, Bellinsgauzeniya), officially known as the United Governorates of Bellinsgauzenia and abbreviated as the U.G.B. (С.Г.Б., S.G.B.), is a nation located in eastern. The nation was founded in 1926 as a unified nation of two former colonies. The nation has grown to become one of the most powerful nations in Antarctica and the southern hemisphere.

Names

 * See also: 

The term Bellinsgauzenia originates from the early colonial period of Antarctica. It comes from the name Беллинсгаузения (Bellinsgauzeniya), is translates as "the land of Bellingshausen." The name honored, the Russian explorer who became the first European to Antarctica. The name shows similarities to the names (after ) and  (after ).



When Bellingshausen returned to Europe, he referred to the new land as, in honor of. It wouldn't be until years later that the name Bellinsgauzenia would become used. The Russian Empire proposed giving the new continent that name (since they discovered it), but the name  would become more widely used.

When and  decided to form a united nation, the originally proposed name for the nation was the "United Governorates of Antarctica" (Соединённые Губернии Антарктиды, Soyedinyonnyye Gubernii Antarktidy). The name mimics the etymology that of the, and was meant to symbolize the same meaning. However, the founding fathers would vote in favor of using the name Bellinsgauzenia instead of Antarctica, as this name symbolized their Russian heritage.

The early anglicized name for the nation was "Bellingshausenia," but most English speakers found it troublesome to pronounce, leading to the wider use of the "United Governorates" for the early years of the nations existence. It wouldn't be until World War II and the Cold War that the name Bellinsgauzenia would become the widely used term, which would also become the widely used term internationally. The only exception is, which use the name Bellingshausenland.

Early settlers
The area of east Bellinsgauzenia was once the land of the Ognaru Empire. Cities in Bellinsgauzenia have been made out of ancient Ognaru cities.

Colonial period

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Since the times of (1st century AD), the existence of a vast continent in the far south of the globe (to "balance" the northern lands of Europe, Asia, and North Africa) has been suggested and even became known as Terra Australis. The first European to attempt the discovery of this unknown land was Captain, who was the first European to cross the Antarctic circle on 17 January 1773, in December 1773, and again in January 1774. Cook came within about 75 miles (121 km) of the Antarctic coast before retreating in the face of field ice in January 1773.



In 1819,  authorized an exploration of the south polar region. Renounced Captain was selected to lead the expedition, and was appointed two ships, the Vostok and the Mirny (captained by ). Leaving on 5 September 1819, the expedition crossed the  on 26 January 1820. On 28 January 1820, the expedition discovered the Antarctic mainland. During the voyage, Bellingshausen discovered and named, , , and s, and a peninsula of the Antarctic mainland which he named the. Bellingshausen would circumnavigate the continent before returning to Russia in 1821.

Shortly after the discovery of the continent, Russia and the major colonial powers began further exploration and colonialism on the continent. Russia would establish the ports of, , and by 1830. Russia would also establish relations with the native in 1825, but would soon go into conflict March 1834 (what would become known as the . The conflict would end in 1837, with the signing of the . According to the treaty, the Kingdom was merged into the Russian Empire as a protectorate (much like ). The main settlements of the Kingdom (all regions of the ) would continue to be run by the King, while the remaining portions would be open to Russian colonies. However, this arrangement would not last long, as political tensions in the Kingdom and around would eventually lead to the collapse in 1899.



By the turn of the century, Russia was the main colonial leader of Antarctica, claiming almost two-thirds of the continent.

Military junta
In March 1923, several key generals and politicians of would meet in  in what would become known as the Vostok Accords. Among those of the group included renounced general (who lead countless victories in the . The main issues of the meeting revolved the rise of communism in the Motherland and the encroaching British Empire. It was commonly believed that Russian Antarctica was either going to fall to communism or foreign occupation, which the men of the Vostok Accords did not wish to happen. The meetings would end with the formation of the  (Континентальный комитет защиты Антарктиды, Kontinental'nyj komitet zashchity Antarktidy; ККЗА, KKZA). The KKZA would act as the  of Antarctica, promoting non-partisan traditionalism and pro-Russo/Slavic culture and ideals. The movement was against the colonial powers of Antarctic, and declared the return of former Russian lands.



The KKZA would grow into a political movement in Eastern Antarctica, gaining support in and. In late 1924, Sergei Gavrilov would be elected as President of Petrovia, followed soon by New Ukraine electing as President. The rise of the KKAZ would speed up in late 1925 when the is formed in western Antarctica. The fear of a communist revolution lead to a red scare across Antarctica, particularly in and, which both break out into anti-communists rallies.

In April 1926, leaders from the two nations would meet in Vostok to discuss the possibility of unity. On April 29, 1926, New Ukraine and Petrovia would agree to unite into one nation, which would become known as the United Governorates of Antarctica. When a constitution was enacted later in the year, the name had been changed to the United Governorates of Bellinsgauzenia.

World War II
With the election of in 1938, Bellinsgauzenia's path moved more towards the Axis powers. Kliugin was a devout Orthodox Christian, and Kliugin's Bellinsgauzenia would gather support from Adolf Hitler in Germany and Juan Perón in Argentina.



Despite Bellinsgauzenia never [officially] becoming part of the Axis powers, Bellinsgauzenia and New Swabia acted as the primary "Axis powers" of Antarctica. After New Swabia declared their neutrality in the war after the unprovoked Japanese attack on the United States, Bellinsgauzenia was left alone, and would continue to be an Axis supporter. Prior to the Battle of Stalingrad, talks between the Axis powers with Argentina and Bellinsgauzenia discussed the possibility of the two joining the Axis powers. The possibility of military alliance was crushed with Stalingrad and D-Day, in which both Argentina and Bellinsgauzenia began to back from Axis support.

Cold War
Shortly after World War II, the political situation within Bellinsgauzenia on their military junta were put into question. Seeing as how the nation has evolved to the point of no longer needing a junta, talks were on to disband the AKZM to promote more democracy. The talks also came when incumbent Boris Kliugin discussed the possibility of a third term in office, which the people did not want. By 1950, the Federal Assembly adopted a new amendment to the constitution, declaring that the President of Bellinsgauzenia was only allowed one six-year term in office, declaring that any additional terms for Kliugin were not to happen. The election of 1950 would have Leonid Itsov being elected. He would be the last military general to become President for many years to come. Within his election, the AKZM was disbanded into the Continental Army of Bellinsgauzenia.

During the early decades of the Cold War, Bellinsgauzenia declared their alliance to NATO and the other western powers. But by the 1970s, the relationship between the Soviet Union and Bellinsgauzenia would come into focus with the election of in 1974. His platform was based on political reform and improved foreign relations with the eastern bloc, which for years had been non-existent. In July 1976, Bogomolov would become the first sitting leader of President to visit the motherland (which had not happened since the collapse of the Empire). Following a similar path that US President Richard Nixon took years before, the trip to the USSR, East Germany, and China would lead to better relations with the USSR and the UOB.

During the 1980s, Bellinsgauzenia and the Soviet Union went through a period of almost brotherly relationship between the citizens of Bellinsgauzenia and the USSR. The UOB would attend the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, and the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo (a feet which most likely wouldn't have been likely years prior). After the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Bellinsgauzenia would become a lifesaver for the eastern bloc, becoming a safe haven for the former USSR and Yugoslavia.

Modern era
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, a a wave of change flew across Bellinsgauzenia, leading to both good and bad feelings on the nations future. A large amount of immigration took place as Russian and former Soviet citizens wished to flee the chaos of the Motherland that took place in the 1990s. Though the influx of former communist lead to semi-chaos for those of Bellinsgauzenia, it would also help both the people and government evolve. One such program by Bellinsgauzenia became known as the, which began in 1993. The project was both an attempt for the UO to gain access to military nuclear technologies and to keep former Soviet scientists from selling their information to potential terrorist organizations or hostile governments. The project would make world headlines in September 1997, when Bellinsgauzenia announces that it had detonated a nuclear weapon in the mountainous regions of the Transantarctic Mountains, becoming the first and only nation of the southern hemisphere to have the bomb. Despite the world's mixed opinion of, the western world would consider Bellinsgauzenia as the least threatening nation to have the bomb than India and or Pakistan (which also became nuclear around the same time).

The Bellinsgauzenian economy began to grow in the 1990s and the 2000s, with the becoming the most powerful currency of the southern hemisphere, and one of the top five currencies of the the world (along with the dollar, euro, pound, and yen).

With the taking place on September 3, 2010, the mainland portion was annexed by Bellinsgauzenia and reformed into the.

Government and politics


According to the Constitution of United Governorates of Bellinsgauzenia, the country is a federation and full presidential republic, wherein the President is both the head of state and the head of government. Bellinsgauzenia is fundamentally structured as a non-partisan representative democracy, with the federal government composed of three branches:


 * Legislative: The bicameral (made up of the 900-member Duma and the 900-member Senate) adopts federal law, declares war, approves treaties, has the power of the purse and the power of impeachment of the President.
 * Executive: The is the commander-in-chief of the military, can veto legislative bills before they become law, and appoints the Cabinet and other officers, who administer and enforce federal laws and policies.
 * Judiciary: The Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Supreme Court of Arbitration and lower federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the Continental Assembly on the recommendation of the President, interpret laws and can overturn laws they deem unconstitutional.

The is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but not for a third consecutive term).

Bellinsgauzenia has granted the right for multiple political parties to be established. Since the end of World War II, Bellinsgauzenia has acted as a, with the conservative and the liberal  being the two primary political parties.

Political divisions

 * ''Main:



Bellinsgauzenia is a federation made up of seven governorates (губернии, gubernii), one territory (край, krai), and one federal district (федеральный округ).

Upon formation in 1926, Bellinsgauzenia was made up of two governorates: and. In 1940, after years of being under French control, would rise against its occupiers and side with Bellinsgauzenia during the  and become a governorate shortly after. By the late 1950s, the rise of federalism and growing populations within Bellinsgauzenia lead to the growth of federalism within several regions within the three governorates. The would split from New Ukraine;  would split from Petrovia; and  and  would split from Yekaterinia.

Bellinsgauzenia would gain in 2010, after the. According to the agreement with New Zealand, Bellinsgauzenia is not allowed grant full governorate status to Lower Yazalashar until 2020, giving it the current status as a territory of Bellinsgauzenia.

Foreign relations

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The United Oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia has a mixed relationship internationally since its formation in 1926. At the beginning, Bellinsgauzenia had no diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and United Kingdom (which had invaded former Russian colonies in Antarctica). The relationship with Nazi Germany was almost brotherly, while the Bellinsgauzenian-Japanese relationship was almost fearful. As the Japanese Empire continued southward, it was unsure whether they would invade Australia and Antarctica.

Bellinsgauzenia's continental relationships began rocky. The only continental ally up to and during World War II was (which was a Nazi puppet state at the time). In 1939, Bellinsgauzenia and declare war on each other, leading to a bitter, two-year war.

During the early years of the Cold War, Bellinsgauzenia would stay an isolated nation with no true alliance with either the United States or the Soviet Union, but sided more towards the United States. By the late 1970s, President would help move Bellinsgauzenia out of its isolationist foreign relationship. In 1979, Bogomolov would travel to Moscow, the first Bellinsgauzenian leader to do so. Beginning in 1983, Bellinsgauzenian troops would be deployed in Afghanistan as part of the Soviet-Afghan War taking place. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Bellinsgauzenia would help assist the Russian Federation and the former Soviet republics.

Military

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Bellinsgauzenia's military forces hailed from the White Russian forces that remained in Russian Antarctica during the Russian Civil War, and later of escaped White Russian units (particularly some Cossack units) in World War II. The Bellingsgauzenian armed forces is composed of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Total peacetime strength is about 120,000.

According to the constitution, mandatory military service is required for all fit men and women between their 18th and 30th birthday, and are required to serve a minimum of 18 months.

Several of Bellinsgauzenia's equipment and techniques come from Nazi Germany during the alliance between them prior and during World War II. Today, most sources of military technology hail from the United States, Germany, France, and from the former Soviet Union and CIS. These days, local Bellingsgauzenian companies produce their own equipment. The standard assault rifle is the MB-51, loosely based on the IMI Galil and the Russian ABAKAN assault rifles.

Economy
Bellinsgauzenia has one of the richest economies in the southern hemisphere, and one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Bellinsgauzenia owes its success to its free a capitalist economy, and an abundance of natural resources.

Energy
Bellinsgauzenia is one of the world's largest energy generators. The nation gains its energy from state-run power plants, with a wide range of technology and ways of producing energy; including fossil fuels, civil nuclear power, and an emerging green energy movement.



By far, Bellinsgauzenia has gained most of its energy from its sum 70 nuclear reactors across the nation. It was announced in 2005 that about 60% of the power produced in Bellinsgauzenia was by civil nuclear power, ranking as the second largest nuclear power nation (after ). Many Bellinsgauzenian scientists and geologists have made note that the large abundance of uranium ore in southern Bellinsgauzenia and across the was a major catalyze in the growth of civil nuclear power in Bellinsgauzenia. In a 2010 study, Bellinsgauzenia was ranked as the safest nuclear power nation, thanks in part to routine safety checks and employment satisfaction.



Despite its vast nuclear resources, Bellinsgauzenia is also one of the world's largest oil exporters (exporting approximately 3% of the world's oil needs). Bellinsgauzenia has a wide fleet of offshore oil rigs in the, as well as varying pockets of oil across the nation (the largest being and ). After the growth of civil nuclear power, Bellinsgauzenia exports almost 60% of its excavated oil.

With the becoming a major issue in Antarctica, Bellinsgauzenia has begun to take an active role in green energy. The 1990s and 2000s saw the increase of hydro, solar, and wind power across the nation. The most noted was the construction of the Vostok Hydroelectric Plant, which was also one of the first Soviet/Russian-led constructions in Bellinsgauzenia since the 1920s. Beginning in 2007, Bellinsgauzenia and the began construction on a vast solar farm to be located along the border Bellinsgauzenian-New Ingrian border. Designed to take advantage of the night-less Antarctic summer, the 20 acre solar farm will be able to collect the three month long sunshine, supplying a vast amount of energy to Bellinsgauzenia and the United Republic.

Units of measurement

 * Main: Bellinsgauzenian customary units

In 1924, the Soviet Union adopted the metric system. Upon the formation of Bellinsgauzenia, the founding father and the general population did not want to follow too much into the path of the Soviet Union. One of these included keeping the Russian imperial units of measurement. Almost similar to the Imperial units of the United Kingdom, the Russian units had similar origins and meanings (funt = foot, milia = mile). Bellinsgauzenia is only one of four nations (including the United States) to not have adopted the metric system. Movements in the 1980s and 90s moved for Bellinsgauzenia to adopt the metric system, but the movement did not gain popular support.

Bellinsgauzenian Russian
The official language of Bellinsgauzenia is Russian. But similar to how the English language in the United States has greatly differed from British English, Bellinsgauzenia has its own distinct form of Russian. Most of the differences came after the collapse of the Russian Empire, with the colonies and the motherland moving in different directions. While the Soviet Union was working to improve and standardize the Russian language, Bellinsgauzenia did not wish to get involved with the Soviets. Upon its formation, Bellinsgauzenia continued to use the four abandoned letters of the Russian language, and continued to use Imperial grammar and spelling. With the Russian language becoming a major world language by the 1950s, Bellinsgauzenia officially adopted the Soviet changes, but did not enforce them. Today, the four missing letters are used in Bellinsgauzenia, but used more as a historical reference, rather than true letters. Bellinsgauzenian Russian also uses the Russian letter "Ъ" more often than does Russian Russian, leading to similar confusion that plagues English ("Color" or "Colour", "Shop" or "Shoppe"). Also, many Ognian loanwords were adopted, as well as purely Bellingsgauzenian expressions. Bellingsgauzenian Russian descended from the Northern Russian dialects and its "archaic" spelling and pronounciation was often mocked in Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian media as un-sophisticated and old-school.

In Bellinsgauzenia, the Russian language is divided into two major dialects. This includes Bellinsgauzenian Russian and "Soviet Russian" (despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, most Bellinsgauzenians still use the term "Soviet" as the name of someone from Russia or the former Soviet republics).

Sports


Just as in other counties, sports is considered a life of its own in Bellinsgauzenia. Two of the most popularized sports within Bellinsgauzenia are curling and cycleball. Bellinsgauzenia also have a love of football (soccer), baseball, and basketball.

Because of the close relationship between Germany and New Swabia, cycleball (a German originated game which is soccer placed on bicycles) has become a literal pastime in Bellinsgauzenia.

Bellinsgauzenia in popular culture

 * In 1944, Woody Guthrie produced the song Snow Globe, an anti-Fascist song criticizing the Bellinsgauzenian government.


 * In 1982, the 15th episode of Nu, Pogodi! (a popular Soviet cartoon) is aired. The episode centers around the two characters traveling to Bellinsgauzenia during the Antarctic winter.