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NOTE: This article is about the Eastern European state that was first introduced in ArmA 3. For the playable terrain of the same name, see Livonia. |
Livonia is an Eastern European country located between Kaliningrad and the Republic of Belarus.[1][3]
History[]
Origins[]
It is widely believed that the first inhabitants of Livonia could be traced as far back as prehistoric times, living in the (now-partially abandoned) Nadbór region.[4]
No serious attempts at archaeological research to confirm this "fact" has ever been carried out, however. Megalithic sites scattered throughout the country - presumably proof of this existence, are often dismissed as the work of the so-called National Rebirth movement.[5]
Middle Ages[]
Jan of Branaw (1213-1265 CE), commonly nicknamed as the "Bloody Baron" for his heroic feats during the Battle of Bajorki, lived near Bielawa.[6] From his castle, he and his (eventual) successors continued to fight against the Knights of the Teutonic Order until 1306 CE.[7]
Founding[]
The "Sokolski Mutiny" (1920).
Modern Livonia was founded in 1920 by Polish General Zbigniew Sokolski, a mutineer who had become sympathetic to the plight of refugees fleeing war and political turmoil in the northern Baltic States.[8]
Following a ceasefire brokered by the League of Nations, the drawn-out Polish–Lithuanian War seemingly concluded with neither side gaining any tangible territory.[9] Two days prior to the signing of the accords however, Zbigniew Sokolski and his "army" comprised of criminals and prisoners of war claimed the contested Suwałki Region for themselves.[10]
Their efforts and determination would directly lay the groundwork for what would eventually become modern day Livonia.[11] Unfortunately, Livonia's independence was short-lived as by 1940, Livonia would be forcibly turned into a territory of the Soviet Union.[12]
Second World War[]
The country would soon become a battleground between two competing empires: Nazi Germany and the ever-expanding Soviet Union.
In December 1944, the town of Topolin had become particularly infamous for being the site of a bloody massacre between victorious Red Army troops and defeated Wehrmacht forces.[13]
Soviet occupation[]
The Soviets violently subjugated Livonia's populace during and after the end of the Second World War. For almost two decades, Soviet forces would continue to crush all rebellions by Livonian partisans until the last known band of fighters were wiped out in 1965.[14]
Independence[]
With the onset of the Singing Revolution in the late 1980s-early 1990s, Livonia followed suit with its Baltic neighbours in revolting against their Soviet oppressors. In 1991, Livonia regained its independence and had become a sovereign state once more.[12] At the turn of the 21st century, the tiny nation would also be accepted as a member of the NATO alliance.[1][15]
Due to the country's significance as a vital link between the Baltics and NATO's remaining Eastern European members, maintaining the security of the so-called "Andrzejów Gap" continues to remain as a high priority on NATO's agenda.[16] This has been particularly elevated in recent years with continued infiltration attempts by the Russian military[17], and CSAT expansionism taking place in Belarus[18] as well as potentially, Russia.[19]
Geography[]
Map of Livonia
Livonia's terrain is largely covered in moderately thick forests and the occasional outcrop of mountainous ranges. The central parts of the country are sparsely littered with flat lowlands suitable for farming.
As a landlocked country[1], Livonia is not bordered to any accessible coastline. Only five bodies of water exist inland, which are concentrated exclusively in the south-western and eastern regions.
The capital of the nation is the city of Andrzejów. It is located in the country's south-west, close to its border with both the Republic of Poland and the Russian Federation's Kaliningrad Oblast.
Nadbór[]
- Main article: Livonia
Clocking in at a total landmass of 163 square kilometres, the Nadbór region located to the north of the capital is mainly inhabited by farmers. Several small towns and a few isolated villages are scattered throughout the partly abandoned region.
Nadbór mostly serves as an army training area and has continued to remain as such ever since the 1990s. As of 2035, it has grown extensively to accommodate biennial military exercises held between NATO member states.[15]
Geoposition coordinates for the region are located between 54° 14' 58.1" north and 22° 51' 42.6" east.[20]
Climate[]
Livonia has temperate climate conditions ranging from cold, rainy winters to cool summers.[21][22][23]
Politics[]
Livonia operates under a parliamentary system with the office of the Prime Minister serving as head of state. As of 2039, the post is currently held by Natasza Palka.[24]
Armed forces and law enforcement[]
- Main article: Livonian Defense Force
Flag
The Livonian Defense Force serves as the primary land and air defence force. It does not possess a naval branch due to the nation's landlocked status.[1]
Forest Rangers maintain law and order throughout the more remote regions of the country. They answer directly to the Military Forests Directorate.[25]
In recent years, growing paranoia over Russia's close relations and potential membership into CSAT has also led to the rise of numerous civilian militias. These informal armed groups are predominately concentrated in rural areas near the borders with Russia and Belarus.[26]
Diplomacy[]
Livonia is a full member of the NATO alliance.[1] It has a near-hostile relationship with its CSAT-aligned Belarusian neighbour and the Russian Federation.
- SPIN-OFF: The following information stems from a spin-off expansion or third party Creator DLC and is considered to be non-canon in the main Armaverse timeline.
| SPINOFF INFORMATION |
|---|
In mid 2039, a series of highly publicised disputes regarding a friendly fire incident caused by its U.S./British allies temporarily caused a steep drop in relations.[27][28] Diplomatic relations were eventually normalised in the weeks that followed, though as a result, there has been a slight increase in anti-NATO sentiments throughout the country.[29] |
Society[]
Demographics[]
The majority of Livonia's citizens are of Polish descent. A significant portion are also of descent from the initial wave of Baltic refugees, dating back to the early 20th century.[8]
Religion[]
Livonians appear to follow Christianity, with one of the denominations seemingly being the Orthodox Church.[note 1]
Languages[]
The official language of Livonia is Polish.[1][30]
Livonia's early population once spoke a derivative of an ancient Balto-Slavic dialect, but ultimately adopted the Polish language during the Middle Ages.[31]
Trivia[]
- Livonia's Andrzejów Gap is a reference to the real-world "Suwalki Gap", a small stretch of territory along the Lithuania-Poland border which divides Russia from the Kaliningrad Oblast.
- Much like the in-game Andrzejów Gap, the Suwalki Gap serves as a vital link between the Baltics and the rest of NATO's Eastern European allies.
- The three colours of Livonia's national flag each have their own symbolic meaning:[32]
- The yellow suggests hope for the future and continuity with the country's past.
- The white represents justice and peace.
- The blue signifies freedom and the distant Baltic Sea.
- Livonians have distinctive south-western Polish accents. This may be due to the geographical closeness of that region of Poland to the Czech Republic, hence the usage of voice actors from the region.
Notes[]
References[]
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See also[]
| Countries in the Armaverse | |
|---|---|
| Eastern Europe | Livonia • Russian Federation |
| North Africa | Argana |
| West Africa | North Lombakka • South Lombakka |
| Atlantic | Democratic Republic of Sahrani • Independent Republic of Nogova • Kingdom of Sahrani • United Kingdom |
| North America | United States of America |
| Green Sea | Ardistan • Grozovia • Karzeghistan • Republic of Chernarus • Takistan |
| Mediterranean | Atida • Republic of Altis and Stratis |
| South Pacific | Horizon Islands Republic |
| Microstates | Everon Socialist Republic • Malden |
| Countries are listed in order of the region of the globe that they are geographically located in. Italics denote countries that have ceased to exist. NOTE: For a list of minor references to countries that are not shown, please refer to this article. | |