Letzembourg

Letzembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Letzembourg (Letzembourgish: Grot Herzogdom von Lietzeland, or, ᚷᚱᚩᛏ ᚻᛖᚱᛥᚩᚷᛞᚩ ᚡᚩᛇ ᛚᛁᛖᛏᛥᛖᛚᚪᛇᛞ), is a constitutional monarchy located on the coast of North Carolina, in the United States of America. Letzembourg has been a member of the Karno-Ruthenian Empire since 19 May, 2016. Its capital is Victoria.

Letzembourg comprises six principal regions: the Duchies of Victoria, Christmas, Hatteras and Leige, and the Territories of Beatrice and Rossland. As a representative democracy with a Constitutional Monarch, it is headed by the Grand Duke, Christian I, but the government is under the rule of the Karno-Ruthenian Empire, participating in the parliaments of the Empire, the Imperial and Royal Common Government, and even following the same laws.

Etymology
The name “Letzembourg” was developed from the name of the European microstate, "Luxembourg" (where most of the Letzembourger culture is based upon). This in turn, according to modern historians, believe that the etymology of the word Luxembourg is a derivation of the word Letze, meaning fortification.

History
See also: Ocracoke History

Letzembourg first appeared on a European map in 1585, after John White made explorations along the North Carolina shoreline. Settlements of small colonists were reported as early as the 17th century, but it wasn't until the State Government stepped in during the early 18th century that the town began to "boom" as a community of fishermen, farmers, mariners, and pilots who manned the treacherous waters both offshore and along Ocracoke Island.

Establishment
The Grand Duchy of Letzembourg was officially established on 20 December, 2015, by the Grand Duke Christian I, after some lesser-known micronational projects, and a career within the Grand Republic of Delvera. Letzembourg was created as a personal project by the Grand Duke, and was originally intended to serve as a pacific micronation, open to diplomacy with all serious micronations. Upon the foundation of Letzembourg, Christian I became less active within Delvera, focusing more on his own personal project. He single-handedly founded the Grand Duchy of Letzembourg, later gaining help from a few close friends and external citizens, earning a good reputation within the micronational community.

Expansion
On 12 January, 2016, Christian I signed a bill which allowed three new borders to be drawn and added to Letzembourg. Two days later, the government of Letzembourg passed a bill which allowed the nation to annex its largest piece of territory, which was located in Antarctica, bordering St. Charlie. The new territory was named the "Territory of Cruz." After the union with Karina-Ruthenia, this territorial claim was abandoned.

A Greater Letzembourg
After his official renunciation, Christian I removed all of his privately-owned property from the jurisdiction of the Grand Republic of Delvera, and officially incorporated it into the Grand Duchy of Letzembourg. The private property (which is located in south-central North Carolina) was then renamed from "Norden," to "Gretzenmacher," which is a modified spelling of the Luxembourgish administrative division, Grevenmacher. Gretzenmacher is home to the previous Prime Minister of Letzembourg, Charles, Duke of Victoria.

The Rebellion of Two
On 20 January 2016, the national government received a notification from two Letzembourgish citizens of a "rebellion," claiming secession Grand Duchy. The reasons behind the rebellion were unknown, and Letzembourgish government decided that it would be best to ignore the threats from the two citizens.

The Grand Duke was then contacted personally by one of said citizens, who declared war against the national government. Seeing that Letzembourg is a neutral nation, the delcaration of war was immediately denied, and business carried on as usual throughout the Grand Duchy. The two citizens were then charged and temporarily suspended from the nation.

Immigration Campaign
In late January 2016, the offices of the Minstry of Immigration, the Cabinet and the Letzembourgish Military Command issued a formal communique on Letzembourgish News Site, explaining that they are in desperate need of new members. With approval of Grand Duke Christian I, these offices launched the Letzembourgish Immigration Campaign, which offered all new citizens accepted after 26 January, 2016, a position within the government. These offices agreed that before any position could be granted, the applications would be carefully reviewed to ensure validity and safety of Letzembourgish citizens serving in these positions. The results, despite not having been published, did not represent a large increase in the number of citizens, but was considered a relative success.

Union with Karnia-Ruthenia
On 18 May, 2016, after weeks of diplomatic talks and negotiation with the Emperor-King of Karnia-Ruthenia, the Grand Duke of Letzembourg, a member of the Karno-Ruthenian Government, presented a manifest demanding its unification with Empire. Relying on certain prestige and no opposition from the Imperial and Royal Government, the Emperor-King announced the government accepted the terms of the manifest. The union was made official with the proclamation of the Empire, transforming the Grand Duchy in an associate state of the Empire.

Languages
English and Letzembourgish are the co-official languages of the Grand Duchy. Most of the population of Letzembourg speaks either English, or a regional dialect called, "Hoi Tide," as Letzembourgish does not have many speakers. However, all government documents of Letzembourg are written in both English, and Letzembourgish.

Although Letzembourgish can be considered a modern Germanic language, it uses a modified version of the Anglo-Saxon Runes. The Anglo-Saxon Runes are used in Old English, Old Frisian, and sometimes even Latin. The Anglo-Saxon Runes were chosen to be used in Letzembourgish to give the language a unique look when written.

Government
The Grand Duke is the symbolic head state of Letzembourg, holding certain powers, under the terms of the Imperial Constitution of Karnia-Ruthenia. Such powers include: to present and sign bills to become laws, to confer awards and decorations, and and appoint members of the Grand Ducal government. The head of government of the Grand Duchy is the Prime Minister, which is appointed by the Grand Duke.

The General Assembly serves as the Legislative body of Letzembourg. The General Assembly consists of all immediate members of the Letzembourgish government. All bills proposed are agreed upon by the General Assembly and are then sent to the Grand Duke for approval. Any member of the General Assembly can host a meeting. The Prime Minister oversees all meetings of the General Assembly.

The Letzembourgish Court makes up the Judicial branch. It is headed by the Supreme Judge of Letzembourg. The Letzembourgish Supreme Court has full jurisdiction to rule on all legal matters within Letzembourg.

Subjectship
All subjects of Letzembourg automatically obtain Karno-Ruthenian citizenship upon the completion of the subjectship application. Letzembourgish citizenship is open to all of those who have reached the age of fourteen years old. Minors who have not yet reached the age of 14 are required to have a parent or legal guardian complete the application for them. Those who are born in Letzembourgish territories are considered Letzembourgers by birth. They may at any time complete the application and claim their Letzembourgish citizenship.

Foreign Affairs
The foreign affairs in Letzembourg are administrated by the Imperial and Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Empire of Karnia-Ruthenia considers itself as a friendly micronation towards others, with mutual recognition treaties, formal relations, and alliances. The main goal of the Imperial foreign policy is to contribute to peace and stability in the intermicronational community.

However, before the union, Letzembourg established diplomatic relations with Imvrassia, Lorenzburg, Lundenwic, Sandus, the Popular Union of Occitania, the United Slaviac Republic, Orfalia, Greater Atlantis, Überstadt, Delvera and Karnia-Ruthenia from 21 December 2015 to 14 April 2016.

Military
Letzembourg has a strong military background. On 15 January, 2016, Letzembourg officially became a member of the Union Against Micronational War and remained an active member until union with the Empire of Karnia-Ruthenia. For ceremonial purposes, the current leader of the Letzembourguish division of the Imperial and Royal Armed Forces is Grand Duke Christian I.

In June of 2016, the rules and regulations for the VI Army Inspectorate were officially ratified, and put into effect. The VI Army Inspectorate is currently administered by Major Christian Newton, who currently serves as the acting Commandant. The Inspectorate is based in the Duchy of Victoria, and regularly holds training exercises to ensure readiness in the event of a national conflict.

Economy
In mid-February 2016, the Letzembourgish Ministry of Finances introduced the Bank of Letzembourg, an e-banking system that used online currency. All citizens were encouraged to open an account, and all who did were given an initial payment of 1,000.00Ł Letzembourgish francs. The use of the Letzembourgish franc lasted until the introduction of Ruthenian Mark on 19 May 2016.