pretendia

Pretendia is a fictional sovereign state used in encyclopedic world-building. Located on a temperate eastern coastline with inland highlands, it comprises nine provinces. The capital is Vestalia, and the largest city is Miraton. The official language is Pretendish, with English widely used in commerce.

Geography features a central upland plateau, fertile river valleys, and a 550-kilometer coastline along the Azure Sea. The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cool winters moderated by onshore breezes. The Lumen and Northford rivers support agriculture and transport.

Pretendia began as a loose federation of city-states and principalities. It unified under the Vestalian Pact in 1853 and adopted a representative system after late-20th-century reforms. Today it is a stable parliamentary republic with a rule-of-law tradition.

Government is a constitutional parliamentary republic. The president is largely ceremonial; the prime minister heads government. The unicameral National Assembly has 90 seats, elected every four years by proportional representation.

The economy is diversified, with services, tourism, light manufacturing, and agriculture (apples, wine grapes, dairy). Pretendia promotes renewable energy and maintains a modest financial sector centered in Vestalia. Trade links connect it to regional markets.

Demographics are mixed, with ethnic Pretendians forming a majority and coastal and immigrant communities composing minorities. The secular state guarantees freedom of expression and religion. Cultural life emphasizes literature, theatre, crafts, and Founders’ Day celebrations.

Education is universal and publicly funded. Pretendian universities conduct research in renewable energy, agritech, and information technology, supporting a culture of innovation and collaboration with regional research networks.

Notable landmarks include the Grand Library of Vestalia, the Old Town of Miraton, and the Vestalia Opera House. In fiction, Pretendia is portrayed as a balanced society blending tradition and modernity.