Nation name: Lzecov Islands
Discord name: thaneofkovdor
Map nation name: Lzecov Islands
A couple sentences about your nation:
Lzecov Islands is a nation located on the southern islands of Andolia. It serves as a place of residency for corporations that try to avoid taxes, as an offshore zone, and allegedly as a money laundering mechanism. It is a role model for some libertarians, as the Lzecov government does not imposes any direct taxes (too bad they have lots of indirect ones) and, while it provides basic education and healthcare, most of the population prefers private services.
The islands are a popular tourist destination. The main attractions are mysterious tundra landscapes and southern lights, but Lzeci have more than natural wonders to offer. Like Pescovka, once a rich village that died along with its polar fox farm but got reborn as a resort for depressed billionaires.
Lzecov Islands have a vast infrastructure supported by government-owned companies (that is, the government has the largest share of them), and the tourists can make sure of it when driving a bus on a national highway or sailing a yacht between the main islands. The common folk, however, uses civilian infrastructure, but who cares! Better look at the nuclear power plant in the city of Aurora-Australis, the scientific hub and the Lzecov power center (in all means).
Lzecov Islands hugely depend on foreign powers. The army consists of naval police and international military bases, and the workforce is at large consists of immigrants who are willing to risk their lives and health to earn a quick buck. But the foreign powers depend on Lzecov Islands as well. Why else do they use the long and dangerous, but barely taxing Southern Sea Route?
The national languages are Common and Lzecovian Native. Though Lzecovian Common is highly influenced by Lzecovian Native, and Lzecovian Native is not exacly native but the language of the first colonial overlord... also there are immigrant languages, but no one speaks them statistically.
Map request as an image: The area below New Velka. If it's not possible to include all the islands, exclude the south-eastern ones
3-Letter Code: LZI 2-Letter Code: LZ
Capital City: Aurora-Australis
Government Type: Presidential Republic
The population of my nation is: Below average
The population density of my nation is: Below average
The GDP per capita of my nation is: Above average
Government Spending - Which statement best describes your nation?
My nation provides moderate social programs, or a small selection of social programs.
My nation has an extensive social safety net, or provides multiple programs like universal healthcare, welfare, and free tuition for its citizens
My nation does not provide social programs beyond bare necessities and/or high school educations.
✅
My nation does not prioritize social spending, but engages in some large-scale government or public spending projects.
My nation’s government spending is a vast majority of our GDP, such as having to coordinate our import-dependent economy.
(this option is subject to Cartography Board approval)
Military Indicator - Which statement best describes your nation?
My nation has made a commitment to security, and maintains a moderately sized modern armed forces within our means.
My nation has little incentive or political drive for military spending, but maintains a small-to-moderate modern armed forces.
My nation has prioritized military spending at the expense of other key areas and may have been criticized for lack of freedom or human rights issues.
✅
My nation does not prioritize military spending due to other priorities, the belief we are safe, or we don’t have enough money left over to fund it.
My nation is heavily embattled and we believe we face an existential threat.
(this option is subject to Cartography Board approval)
Any other inspirations or concepts you want to share: Lzecov Islands is inspired by several countries/regions:
Alaska: Lzecov was previously a colony of a slavic-esque empire, later sold to another nation. Some time later silver ore was discovered...
Australia: ...but before that the recently bought colony was used as a place of exile for criminals
Nauru: The islands became populous because of silver — and later uranium — rush, also got money from farming expensive polar fox fur. But at the end of the last century the mines got depleted, and the foxes had to be killed because of the Fox Flu. A large chunk of the population fled the nation
Cayman Islands: So now the nation is a large offshore bank and a tax heaven; it provides a naval route alternative to Darkesian Sea, with much lower tax rate; finally, extreme tourism is also helps to get some foreign currency
Russian Arctic: Now Lzecov Islands is a nation with a strong currency and high income rates, but also with a high cost of living and somewhat average quality of life; it has a large infrastructure and provides free healthcare and education, but these are deteriorating because of lack of funding, and also because those were created for a country with a larger population. It also highly depends on cheap immigrant labor, corporate investments and foreign aid.