Karelias

Karelias is a fictional sovereign region featured in speculative fiction and role-playing game settings. Described as a temperate coastal nation in an imagined continent, Karelias blends maritime trade with mountainous interior.

The Karelian mainland is punctuated by a northern archipelago of about 120 islands. It has fjord-like inlets, mixed coniferous forests, and mineral-rich uplands. The climate is maritime temperate, with mild summers and cool winters.

Early settlement traces to the Bronze Age, with urban centers emerging in the medieval era. Karelias achieved modern autonomy in the 19th century and established its current constitutional framework after a 1945 peaceful transition.

Karelias operates as a parliamentary republic. The president is largely ceremonial, while the prime minister heads the government and the Council of Representatives (180 seats) drafts legislation. The political system emphasizes human rights and open government.

Key sectors include maritime services, fishing, and renewable energy, along with tourism and light manufacturing. The economy is diversified, with major ports and a network of rail and road connections.

The population is about 3.2 million, with urban centers concentrated along the coast. Karelians speak a language of the same name, supplemented by minority languages. The state is secular and education-focused.

Cultural life emphasizes literature, music, and cuisine blending coastal and interior influences. Notable sites include the Horizon Sound Conservatory and the Verdant Fjords National Park.

Not to be confused with the real-world Karelia region of Finland and Russia.