Eweland (The Kalmar Union)

Eweland is a small constitutional monarchy on the west African coast. It is bordered by Akan Union and Oyo. The capital is Akatsi and the population is around 1.56 million

History
The Ewe people, divided into tribes, and then clans, traditionally lived broadly between the Volta and Mono rivers. Undergoing periods of Oyo domination and conflict with Akanland, during which they were often preyed upon as a source of slaves, they were found to be peaceful by the Portuguese as they first explored the coastlines.

The Portuguese gave the Volta its name (Portuguese for twist or turn in reference to where Portuguese ships would turn around to return home, the Vinlanders took the same connotation and named it Snúa). The lack of natural harbour meant the Portuguese did not trade directly with the Ewe, but Vinland, trying to avoid direct competition with Portugal, did; holding 'Maídisshofn' for 30 before the small fortress was razed by the Kpalíme Ewe tribe. Danish merchants would later build a new fort on the same location in 1760 but this was short lived, being razed by Yoruban warriors from Oyo (probably on Svealandic urging) after only 9 years of barely profitable trade.

Following this renewed conflict with Oyo, the Avenor Ewe kings managed to assume overlordship of the entire Ewe people and inflicted some minor victories over their neighbours, however this brief flourish of assertiveness would not last.

Continued conflict with Oyo in the 19th century would slowly reduce Eweland's hinterland, even with military support and guidance from Kalmar. The 'War of 1916' essentially halved Eweland and the reparations Oyo inflicted are still being repaid. This has caused considerable economic trouble in the country throughout the latter half of the 20th century especially as it lost all of its valuable mining areas and is now dependent on cash crop agriculture. To curry favour with European nations to help to develop and defend itself it embraced a liberal constitution in 1980, reining in the powers of the monarchy.

Government
Eweland is a constitutional monarchy governed by a single chambered Parliament. Elections are held as and when required. Though controlled as a single monarchy since the 1780s, society is still beholden to old clan structures, centralised administration is regarded with suspicion and powers are heavily devolved to state level. This and almost non-existent tax system severely hampers the country's development. The title of King holds little actual executive power but the incumbant, Letsa III, and his family, have been instrumental in ensuring the states at least agree in principle on various matters.