Siland

Siland is a fictional island nation that appears in a range of world-building exercises, novels, and role-playing games. It is typically described as located in the tropical Siran Sea, south of a notional continent, and comprises a single large main island with several smaller offshore islets. The setting is used to explore themes of governance, ecology, and coastal life without tying to real-world geography.

Geography and environment

The landscape of Siland features lowland deltas, mangrove forests, volcanic highlands, and white-sand beaches. The climate is tropical, with a wet season and a dryer period that influence agriculture and settlement patterns. Coral reefs line much of the coast, contributing to fishing livelihoods and biodiversity valued in the setting.

History and government

In many depictions, Siland achieved independence from a colonial power in the mid-20th century and operates as a constitutional democracy. The head of state is typically a ceremonial president or figurehead, while the head of government is the prime minister who leads a multiparty cabinet. The legislature is usually described as unicameral and moderate in size, with elections that reflect commonly used democratic norms in fictional contexts.

Economy and society

The Siland economy blends fisheries, forestry, agriculture, and growing ecotourism. The currency is the Siland dollar (SD) in many narratives. Education and health services are described through a mixed public-private model. The population is portrayed as ethnically diverse, with Silandian as the predominant language and English widely used in business and education.

Culture

Cultural life centers on fishing communities, seasonal harvests, music, dance, and crafts such as mat weaving and boat-building. National cuisine emphasizes seafood, coconut, yams, and tropical fruits. Siland is often used as a setting to explore resilience, coastal governance, and the dynamics of small-state democracy.