Lakau

Lakau, officially the State of Lakau, is a in western Tiridinia. It is a unitary parliamentary republic consisting of 81 prefectures, often grouped into five regions, covering approximately 1.8 million square kilometers, and bordered by the Locufaric Ocean to the west, !NorthernNeighbor to the north, !SouthernNeighbor to the south, and the !TiridinianRanges to the east. Most of the land consists of rolling hills and plains, with low lying mountains only in the northwest, southwest, and east. The capital and largest city, ‘Āina Lā, is at the mouth of the Nohea River, along which many of the nation's largest population centers lie. The country is a modern hub for finance, education, and energy in Tiridinia. With a population of just over 190 million, Lakau is the third most populous country and second largest economy in the world.

The lands that are now Lakau were first settled some 20,000 years ago by sailors from Osamia. Agriculture and permanent settlements arose circa 5000 BCE, primarily along the Nohea river and in coastal regions. As society and trade developed, these settlements became more integrated with one another. The nation first united under King Keahilani 'Aukai circa 970-930 BCE. The nation would experience growth and contraction over the following centuries, with its territorial peak occurring during the Alana Dynasty from 1150 CE - 1230 CE. Following the Alana Dynasty and the collapse of the dynastic system in 1297, the nation experienced mass instability under feudal lords.

The nation was reunited in 1511, roughly 100 years before first contact with Salian traders looking to establish trade routes to Tiridinia and Vidina. The following centuries would see increasing trade between Alutra and Lakau, the spreading of Ayekist faith in Lakau, and immigration of Alutrans (primarily Salians) into Lakauan port cities. Ayekist practices were outlawed in Lakau in 1817 by King Haku Alana, though this was met with growing resentment and a covert Salian campaign to realign Lakau with Salian interests primarily by supporting the Kūʻokoʻa revolutionaries. This eventually boiled over to a revolution in 1851 in which the royal family was deposed and a republic was established. This new government would go on to support Salia throughout all three world wars, though the democratic institutions were dismantled in 1922 under Koa Mahi'ai o ‘Āina Lā.

Koa Mahi'ai would go on to lead a genocidal campaign against political dissidents and residents of conquered territories, along with those non-Alutran and non-Mākou within Lakau's terriroty. This genocide, known as the Ma'ema'e, was one of the bloodiest in history, and continues to be a scar on the nation to this day. Following a defeat in World War III, conquered territories were relinquished and the government dismantled. An emergency government led by the Concert of Nations powers was put in place in 1957. In 1958, the second republic was established and approved by the Concert powers. The World Forum's founding coincided with this new government, with Lakau being brought in as a founding member. The following years were focused on rebuilding in Alutra and Tiridinia, with Riyata investing heavily into Lakau's financial sector and Alutran nations investing into various other Lakauan sectors, such as energy and transportation. Occupation ended in 1972.

In the modern day, Lakau is a fully globalized nation with a high standard of living. Residents enjoy access to public healthcare, tuition free education, and robust social programs. The nation's economy and population continue to grow, though growth has slowed in recent years. Most economic growth in Lakau is in the energy and research/education sectors. The growth of green energy solutions, especially solar, has been a boon to Lakau's economy due to natural resources and manufacturing and technology capabilities. Lakau faces issues with corruption, both corporate and political, especially in its historically dominant party, the Free Trade Party. For the first time, in 2022, this party was not included in the governing coalition, with a coalition forming between the Labor Party, Ecological Party, and New Urbanist Party. The nation has only recently begun to attempt to reckon with the social consequences of the Ma'ema'e, with this new coalition considering the issue of special concern. Lakau continues to be a regional power and a prominent nation on the world stage, being the location of multiple major global corporations and institutions such as Kalena Solar, Hanohano Inc, and the University of Lakau.

Etymology
The name "Lakau" is an endonym describing the temperate lands between the !North Tiridian Desert and forested lands to its south, which primarily consists of coastal chaparral and woodland. The full name, Moku’āina o Lakau, translates literally to "State of Lakau". The name "Mākou", used to describe the natives of Lakau that migrated from Osamia and settled along the Nohea River, translates approximately to "Us" or "We", and does not share a root with the name of the nation.

Prehistory (before 10th century BCE)
Archeological evidence suggests that the lands that now make up the nation of Lakau were first settled by Osamian sailors approximately 20,000 years ago. Not much is known of the extent of continued exchange between these early settlers and their homeland, but it is known that many of these original settlers continued further beyond and would eventually colonize most of Tiridinia as well as Vidinia. The first evidence of agriculture and permanent settlement appeared along the Nohea River in the current day city of Kikowaena. Other notable settlements from this time period appear to have existed in ‘Āina Lā, 'Ike Maika'i, and ʻŌpuʻu Nui, with various smaller settlements appearing along the Nohea, the coast, and further inland.

The settlements along the Nohea appear to have existed in relative peace with one another for extended periods of time - most discovered weapons appear to be primarily for hunting and fishing, and there is evidence of substantial trade between settlements. Most warfare conducted between individual settlements occurred between settlements along the Nohea and smaller individual settlements on its periphery. Coastal and inland communities were incorporated into the increasingly complex web of trade relationships over the centuries, though civilization remained largely centered along the Nohea.

Dynastic period (10th century BCE to 990 CE)
The first true predecessor to the modern nation of Lakau began circa 970 BCE under the 'Aukai Dynasty. Keahilani 'Aukai began as the heir apparent of the throne of ʻO Nā Lau, which at the time was a small kingdom roughly comprising of the lands of the modern day Moku of the same name. ʻO Nā Lau, despite its relatively small size, was wealthy and well sheltered. Upon 'Aukai's ascension, he began a political campaign of unification of the Nohean cities. ʻAukai scored a major political victory with the incorporation of ‘Āina Lā into the dynasty, which despite its wealth and power, fell under 'Aukai rule seemingly overnight. The details of the incorporation of this event are scarce, though it is generally accepted that any warfare that may have occurred was relatively brief. The leaders of ‘Āina Lā at the time wrote about the event, stating that they believed the unification of ʻO Nā Lau and ‘Āina Lā would be mutually beneficial. It is likely that a power sharing agreement was reached to avoid conflict between the prosperous cities, potentially owing to shared family history between the rulers of the cities, though this was publicly framed as an 'Aukai victory.

Following a victory at ‘Āina Lā, 'Aukai turned inland to expand control. Several battles ensued in the following years, with the Nohean civilizations gradually capitulating and joining forces to create a unified state under the 'Aukai Dynasty by approximately 930 BCE. The Mākouan people as a concept was born during this time, a unified identity of the Nohean river civilizations and near coastal communities. The 'Aukai Dynasty would last until approximately 490 BCE, when it was replaced by the Kama Dynasty. The Dynastic period consisted of eight unique dynasties (not including the Alana Dynasty, which is generally considered a distinct period of Lakauan history), during which Lakau's borders would expand and contract many times. The civilization's cultural and militaristic reach extended north into the !North Tiridian Desert and the shores of Loko Nui, east to the !Central Tiridian Mountains, south to the dense woodlands, and west to the ocean. Skirmishes with powerful young nations on the edges of Lakau occurred from time to time, but geographic and economic constraints kept Lakau from exerting influence much further than the modern borders.

Alana Dynasty (990-1297)
In 990, Lakau was in a state of disorder. The Mahelona Dynasty had begun only 32 years prior, but was already showing weakness. Revolts were common and often unsuccessfully addressed, and the Mahelona armies were seemingly incapable of regaining territory lost upon the fall of the previous dynasty. The government appeared incompetent to even those loyal to it - a scholar from Pukalani at the time wrote that "[Mahelona's government] could not plan further than a camel could throw" in a correspondence regarding that year's grain allocation.

The Alana family was wealthy and well connected in ‘Āina Lā, the largest city in Lakau even at that time, holding various positions of power throughout the city as well as in those surrounding it. The ‘Āina Lā city council election to select a head of council occurred in 990, in which the young Noa Alana was chosen. Alana immediately set about undermining Mahelona rule, establishing the council of ‘Āina Lā as the sole ruling body over the city. Alana was successful in convincing several surrounding cities to revolt in cooperation to establish a new ruling structure that reflected the councils of ‘Āina Lā. The following years would see several battles between the Alana government and Mahelona forces, ultimately resulting in the removal of Mahelona from power and the establishment of the Alana Dynasty.

With power secured along the Nohea from ‘Āina Lā to Wai Nani, Alana turned his gaze inward. Alana was a charismatic leader that promoted a positive vision of the future of the nation, a welcome respite from the decades of decline that most Mākou had come to accept. Public works projects brought work, resources, and wealth to the civilians that had not previously been seen in the region. These projects included aqueducts, roads, housing, levees, and various other infrastructural benefits that allowed the citizenry to collaborate and communicate with security and speed. Lakau entered an age of military prowess, scientific advancement, and spiritual growth - this time period is when the first teachings of Iokahi, a religious philosophy of interconnectedness and self-dissolution, began spreading among the populace.

Following Noa Alana's death in 1032, the dynasty began to engage in expansionary warfare more frequently with surrounding cities and nations. During the same time, the Tubica'i on the eastern side of the !Central Tiridian Mountains were experiencing a period of enlightenment. The two nations had previously engaged with each other only at the fringes, but they began to communicate more frequently during this time. The nations traded goods and ideas with one another, with scholarly communication being especially frequent. It is unknown if the establishment of the Royal University of ‘Āina Lā in 1067, Lakau's first higher institution of public education, was spurred by this contact, though it is suggested by Lakauan historians that this may have been the case.

By the early 13th century, resources had once again begun to be stretched thin. Quality of life had begun to decline, and following a major defeat in 1254 against !southern neighbor, the Alana Dynasty lost substantial credibility and authority. The dynasty continued to hold power for several decades while breakaway regions began successfully vying for independence. Unrest in the nation culminated with the collapse of the dynastic system when the royal family was killed in a revolt in ‘Āina Lā in 1297.

Feudal period (1297-1511)
Power concentrated in small pockets throughout the former nation. There were several unsuccessful attempts to revive the dynasties, but Lakau persisted without a single ruler or ruling family for the following two centuries. While warfare was more common during this time than it had been under during the Dynastic Period, many cities and regions continued to trade, and there were even times of cooperation during hardships (though this was more common in closely affiliated communities, such as those along the north coast).

Second Alana Dynasty (1511-1851)
In 1511, the feudal lord presiding over ‘Āina lā, Wana Alana, declared himself to be the rightful inheritor to the Alana Dynasty throne. Unlike previous attempts of reunification, his military conquests would prove successful and would see the nation slowly brought under his heel. The nation operated in a more top-down hierarchical structure than in the old Alana Dynasty, which featured some amount of city autonomy. In 1628, many years after Wana Alana had passed, Salian sailors made landfall in Lakau for the first time. This marked the beginning of frequent trade and communication between Lakau and Alutra (primarily Salia). Once trade had been established, Salia began to focus on gaining authority in ports to more tightly regulate the flow of goods. This process proved more difficult in Lakau than in other regions of Salian imperial interest due to existing infrastructure in Lakau, but over the course of the following decades, the economic benefits of working alongside the Salians resulted in greater integration. The port cities became more friendly to Salian interests, and over the course of the following century they became more intertwined with Salian culture, Ayekist faith, and saw the highest immigration from Salia and other Alutran nations. In 1776, the HIC began to levy tariffs on non-Salian goods to monopolize trade with Lakau.

These efforts wouldn’t last particularly long, though; in 1817, the monarch, King Haku Alana, declared Ayekist practices illegal. This was done primarily in reaction to the perception of his authority being undermined by Salian interests. The ban was unpopular in port cities, where many Alutrans resided. This ban was, however, more popular in regions that had not seen as many of the benefits of international trade and saw the Mākouan people as being under threat. Nationalist groups used the ban to justify violence against Ayekists and Alutrans broadly. The national military did very little to prevent this violence. Salia, not wanting to lose its trade relations with Lakau, used the Ayekism ban and violence against Salians to justify military intervention. Following several brief and mostly unsuccessful naval battles between 1821 and 1822, the Salians determined that political intervention would be a more effective strategy than direct warfare.

While Salia believed it could win a direct conflict with Lakau and take control of the government, this would have resulted in a hostile populace that would be uncooperative with Salian interests. Salia instead began to support several pro-Salian, Ayekist, and republican political groups within Lakau to foment revolutionary attitudes. The political goal was to manufacture dissenting attitudes toward the current Lakauan government and eventually replace it with one that would be pro-Salian. Salia established a covert base of operations in the rocky hills near the northwestern city of Kailua in 1824. A small group of wealthy and well connected Lakauans known to be friendly to Salian interests were recruited to assist the efforts - this group would be known as the Kūʻokoʻa. The Kūʻokoʻa operated on three major tenants:
 * 1) Lakau must cooperate with the wider world instead of isolating itself. This is a path to economic prosperity.
 * 2) Religious and national diversity must be embraced. This is a path to unity.
 * 3) The monarchy must fall and be replaced by a representative republic. This is a path to responsible rule.

Salia provided economic and intelligence support to grow the Kūʻokoʻa revolutionary movement, whose efforts would prove to be effective, though slow in operation. The Kūʻokoʻa attitudes became more popular in the following decades. Conflicts between citizens supportive of Kūʻokoʻa attitudes and monarchist groups would grow in frequency during this time, the largest of which (prior to 1851) involved the burning of an office building housing the Kūʻokoʻa aligned newspaper "The People's Press" in Keone 1846.

First republic (1851-1922)
Tensions boiled over into a revolt in 1851 when citizens aligned with Kūʻokoʻa ideology sieged the royal palace in ‘Āina lā. The siege lasted four days before the palace was overtaken, having gathered steam as the effort continued. Casualties are estimated to be 300 to 1000 on the side of the revolutionaries, and approximately 80 guardsmen. The royal family was deposed, and an emergency council established. The original Kūʻokoʻa found themselves in positions of power within this council, and worked to establish their ideal republican government. The new republic gained authority quickly throughout the nation with promises of representation and economic development. In exchange for allyship and a guarantee of independence, Lakau brokered a deal with Salia to allow Salian control of several ports and certain trade exclusions. Ayekist practices were unbanned, and trade with Salia began to return. The industrial revolution that had begun in Alutra spread first to major Lakauan port cities, then to cities along the Nohea and further inland.

Under the new republic, the quality of life of residents across the nation rapidly improved. New technologies allowed for rapid economic gains, and ties to the Salian Empire allowed trade to flow efficiently. Lakau once again began to look to expand its reach beyond its borders. Lakau allied with Salia in the First World War against the Osamian Federation, using its newfound industrial strength to gain territory and influence in Osamia. Following the armistice ending the war, Lakau enforced its territorial gains on the islands to the northwest of the Lakauan homeland. While these territorial gains were small in area, they allowed Lakau to exert naval power over trade routes into the !south sea. Following the war, Lakau joined the Concert of Nations with the goal of establishing itself on the global stage and legitimizing/legalizing its post-war claims.

Nationalism in Lakau was on the rise during this time. The head of the buffist Lakauan Makaʻāinana Party, Koa Mahi'ai, grew dramatically in popularity during the late 1910's. He spoke a message of a "great global unity" under Lakau and Salia, harkening to Iokahi teachings held closely by most Mākou, which could be achieved through the continued efforts of expansion and cooperation. Following the 1922 election, his party would succeed in gaining substantial control of the legislature. Mahi'ai and his party were able to dismantle the state's judiciary through emergency measures, giving essentially unrestricted power to the legislature to reorganize the Lakauan government.

Mahi'ai regime (1922-1957)
Mahi'ai and his party's early actions involved major investments into the Lakauan military, national education system, and healthcare. This was done in an attempt to convince the populace of his concern with the continued improvement of quality of life in Lakau and the security of its interests. The massive ramp up in military spending was put to work building new military bases in the newly acquired territory as well as the construction of new warships and military aircraft. Lakau's true intentions were made clear when, in 1938, it left the Concert of Nations. Lakau declared war on !southern neighbor in 1940 following the Osamian Federation's declaration of the War of Liberation. Lakau supported Salia in the war effort in Alutra with regular arms and resource shipments. By summer 1943, Lakau had achieved military dominance over the !south sea, occupying much of the coastal regions of western Tiridinia and the islands ringing the sea.

This was a time of political upheaval in Lakau despite its victories. Police and military interference in daily life was common, with many arrests happening to seemingly law-abiding citizens. This lead to paranoia and anti-government sentiment among Lakauans, and while some hostilities broke out between citizens and government forces, most feared that taking action would risk their own safety and the safety of their families.

In 1954, Operation Maeve began. Salia called upon its remaining allies for assistance, which Lakau was obligated to provide. The Lakauan military shifted its focus from occupation of the !southern sea to the defense of Salia. This resulted in direct conflict between the Lakauan military and Concert forces, leading to a declaration of war against Lakau by the Concert powers. Lakau's navy was unable to maintain support in Alutra and ultimately shrunk back to defend the homeland. ‘Āina lā was bombed extensively during this time, along with other military targets. The southern territories gained under Mahi’ai’s rule were freed and an occupation of Lakau began. The occupation was ultimately successful in deposing Mahi’ai and establishing an emergency government led by the Concert powers in 1957.

While reporting was scarce at the time, the Second World War also marked the beginning of the Ma'ema'e, a genocide against the people of western Tiridinia and far eastern Osamia carried out by the Lakauan military between 1942 and 1957. Some historians argue that the true beginning was as early as 1937, though strong evidence suggests this was not yet a systematic effort. Mahi'ai scarcely spoke about the events of the Ma'ema'e except to describe the necessity of the strengthening of society through the removal of political dissidents. While political dissidents were often removed from society, usually sent to labor camps, the genocide was primarily carried out along ethnic lines. Many of the killings were carefully documented, though much of the evidence was destroyed during WWIII. It is estimated that the military oversaw the execution of 600,000-900,000 Osamians, as well as 250,000-400,000 Tiridinians, primarily of !southern ethnic group. The horrors of this genocide were not fully known to the world until the end of WWIII when documentation was uncovered and details about the military concentration camps publicized. This strengthened the Concert standpoint that Lakau must be occupied and politically rebuilt with careful safeguards in place to prevent such an event from ever happening again.

Economy
Lakau has a developed, high income mixed economy that as of 2022 is the largest in Tiridinia and third largest globally in both nominal and purchasing power parity. It has a skilled labor force and a high level of innovation. The Lakauan economy is highly globalized, with many sectors relying on the international import and export of goods to stay afloat. Lakau has a moderately sized public sector, comprising roughly 19% of employment, and ranks highly for economic competitiveness and freedom. Lakau has a low unemployment rate of around 2.9% and a poverty rate of 1-2% (using the international standard of <Ꝟ5.50 per day).

The currency used in Lakau is the memo ( M or MEM). Following WWIII, the memo was fixed to the Riyatic pound at an exchange rate of 60 MEM to 1 Riyatic pound. Following concert occupation, the memo was decoupled from the Riyatic pound. As of fourth quarter 2022, exchange rates stand at approximately 76 MEM to 1 Vatupic dollar (VAD).

Lakau's largest industries are finance, education, energy, technology, and agriculture. Green energy manufacturing and research has become an integral part of Lakau's modern economy due in part to the country's lack of oil and plentiful resources used in solar manufacturing. This sector continues to grow while other sectors remain largely stagnant. Finance remains the largest sector in Lakau, with ‘Āina Lā being the the economic as well as the political capital.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Lakau's population was 191,005,626. The 2023 estimate brings this up to 195,341,017, a growth rate of approximately 0.7% YoY. Lakau is the second most populous nation in Tiridinia (after Tubica'i) and the fifth most populous globally. The fertility rate is below replacement, averaging about 1.78 children per woman between 2010 and 2020, though immigration has allowed Lakau to maintain stable growth. The population's average age has been trending upward since the mid 80's, with the median age being 38 in 2020; Lakau's high life expectancy of 82 has contributed to this trend.

Immigration
The largest periods of immigration to Lakau have all taken place since its first contact with Salia in 1628. Times of especially high migration include the period between roughly 1650 and 1800 during which many Alutrans (and especially Salians) migrated into Lakau and settled primarily in port cities, 1860-1910 primarily from Alutra and Osamia, and 1965 to the present, during which Lakau has accepted migrants from around the world. Though the largest ethnic group, the Mākou, made up 64.7% of the population as of 2020, it is estimated that at least one third of those that use this label are in reality of mixed heritage (often Mākou and Alutran).

Lakau has committed to keeping legal means of immigration open to those that seek it, and accepts upward of 200,000 immigrants annually. The path to citizenship is relatively simple with several available methods. Citizenship can be granted via investment of at least 50,000,000 M for five years, naturalization from primary residency for 8 years, or marriage to a citizen. All citizenship applications require a basic cultural and legal exam to be passed. Children of citizens are granted citizenship, and Lakauan citizens may hold citizenship in another country.

Education
The basis of the Lakauan public education system dates back to the Alana Dynasty, when King Kianalu Alana founded the Royal University of ‘Āina Lā in 1067. The following decades would see the opening of several more universities under the Royal University system (including, notably, the Royal Universities of Noelani, Pukalani, and Wai Nani). The Royal University system collapsed during the Feudal Period, with the universities operating under various fiefdoms or completely closing doors. Unfortunately, during this time, many of the original structures were destroyed. The Royal University was reestablished during the New Alana Dynasty in 1513. It was renamed to the University of Lakau in 1851 upon the establishment of the First Republic.

Education in Lakau is divided into seven grades, each corresponding to between two and four years of education. The state also sponsors universal child care for new parents and a professional training program in which businesses are given special funding for training new employees. The first three grades are required to be completed by all citizens, and together correspond to twelve years of schooling. These grades are operated by the School of Lakau, founded upon the establishment of the first republic. The fourth grade, called "Specialization", lasts two years and is usually also required of citizens. Exemptions are available to citizens depending on job status with parental consent. The completion of the fourth grade is required to enter the state-sponsored professional training and for entrance into higher education.

Grades five through seven correspond to a four year, six year, and eight year university degree, though these are not as rigidly defined and may differ depending on the individual program. Private institutions must meet state education requirements to continue operating, though most students attend either the University of Lakau (KL) or Lakau National University (LKA). The KL system, which has roots in the Royal University, is generally seen as the more prestigious of the two. It has a focus on international and graduate (grades 6 and 7) education, with most classes being taught in both Interspeech and Mākouan. The top 5% of students graduating from Specialization must be admitted to the KL system, though they may not necessarily be admitted to their location of choice. The KL system, as of 2022, consists of 21 campuses and has 628,822 students enrolled. The LKA system, on the other hand, has a larger focus on undergraduate (grade 5) education of Lakauan residents. Classes are primarily taught in Mākouan. The LKA system has 30 campuses and 924,110 students enrolled across the entire system. Additional public universities exist, though they are not organized under the LKA or KL systems and are instead managed by individual cities (though they must still comply to national standards).

Educational outcomes in Lakau are very good by national standards, with over 90% completing the fourth grade and ~35% completing the fifth grade or higher. These numbers have risen steadily following the end of the Third World War, but began to plateau around the turn of the millennium. One clear trend that has continued is the share of foreign students increasing - this is especially true in the KL system. Providing a good education to all residents continues to be a focus of the national government, with a new LKA campus currently in the process of being constructed in Alapai that will enroll 33,500 students in 2024.

Sports
Lakau is generally accepted as the birthplace of, though historical records suggest that the sport may have actually originated further north in Tiridinia. Kinipopo is by far the most popular sport in Lakau, with many schools, universities, and cities having their own teams that compete in various local, regional, and national leagues. The largest domestic league is the Lakau National Kinipopo Tournament, it is hosted yearly and pits various Lakauan professional Kinipopo clubs against one another. The largest Kinipopo league globally is the World Kinipopo League (WKL), which has hosted six finals in Lakau since its founding in 1962. The competition runs once every other year on even numbered years. Lakau's national team is consistently a high performer in the WKL, having made playoffs (top 8) in all but seven tournament years and winning the tournament a total of four times.

Other popular sports in Lakau include cycling, wrestling, and martial arts. Cycling for sport is especially popular in the eastern half of the country, and a yearly cycling competition is hosted in Po'o Wai in which competitors must cycle over 100 kilometers through intense terrain at high altitude to complete the circuit. International participation is encouraged at this event, though most participants are from Lakau.