Sokovia
The Republic of Sokovia is a small landlocked country in Central-Southeastern Europe, located between Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It is located in the Transian Mountains, at the base of Mount Wundagore.
The area has been settled since at least the 6th Century. In the 9th Century, Olek Sokovja conquered much of the land that is now Sokovia, becoming the first Duke of Sokovia. The Duchy opperated as an independant city state, centered on the city of Stepanszeg (now Novi Grad) until 1486, when it was invaded by Matthias Corvinus, becoming part of the Kingdom of Hungary. After the collapse of Austria-Hungary, it became part of Czechoslovakia, and following the Velvet Divorce, independant Slovakia.
In 1997, a growing independance movement errupted into the Sokovian War of Independance, one of the bloodiest civil wars in modern European history. The U.N. intervened to support Slovakia, conducting bombing raids on Novi Grad and the surrounding countryside. Despite this, the Nationalist forces prevailed, and the Slovak government officially recognised Sokovian independance in March 2001.
Sokovia is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and is classified as a developing nation. The crime-rate is extremely high, and in 2011, Novi Grad was found to be the most dangerous place to live in Europe. The government has been critized as authoritanian, and the country has one of the lowest levels of democratic freedom and freedom of the press in Europe.
Original Timeline
In the original timeline, the destruction caused by the Ultron Offensive was so widespread it lead to the collapse of the Sokovian government, and ultimately to the country being reabsorbed into Slovakia.History
Early History
The area was first settled by Slavic tribes in around the 6th Century. In the 9th century, St Stepan of Csepel led a mission and converted many of the local people to Christianity, including Duke Olek Sokovja, who would go on to unify the area for the first time. In gratitude, Olek granted Stepan land in the Voyóřeta basin to build a cathedral and religous community. The nearby town came to be known as Stepanszeg, literally 'Stepan's corner', for the bend in the river which encircled the community.
Hungarian Rule (1486-1918)
The Duchy of Sokovia was recognised as an independant City-State throughout Europe until its conquest by the Hungarians in 1486. It remained part of the Kingdom of Hungary, and after the Austro-Hungarian compromise, Austria-Hungary, until the dissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918, whereupon it became part of Czechoslovakia.
Czechoslovakian Rule (1918-1993)
The country was occupied by Germany during the Second World War, during which time Stepenszeg's large Jewish population was decimated. The city was also subject to bombing raids by the U.S. Airforce, which destroyed many historic sites, including the city's largest synagogue.
Following the 1948 Czechoslavian coup, the newly formed communist government began a programme of rebuilding. Although this was badly needed, the programme included tearing down a number of historic buildings. When rumours (unsubstantiated, though widely believed) began to spread that they intended to buldoze the monastery of St Stepan, the already unhappy population rose up, demanding independence. The government placed the region under military rule, sending General Kamil Novoty to put down the uprising. His brutal and oppressive regime lead to his nickname of 'the Butcher of Voyóřeta'.
Part of Slovakia (1993-1997)
When news was announced of the planned dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the people of Sokovia began a campaign for independence. Despite a number of protests, marches, and strike actions, the city became part of the newly formed Slovakia in 1993. Over the following four years, the Sokovian nationalist movement grew increasingly violent, conducting bombing campaigns and guerilla warfare.
Sokovian War of Independance (1997-2001)
Sokovia officially declared independence in 1997 in the Declaration of Stepanszeg, but this was not recognised by Slovakia. The nationalist violence devolved into a war, known as the Slovakian Civil War or Sokovian War of Independence, which lasted until 2001. In 1998, the U.S.A. officially classified the Sokovian Nationalist Party as a terrorist organisation, and in 1999 conducted a three month bombing campaign against the country.
Sokovian Independance
Slovakia officially recognised Sokovian independence in March 2001. The provisional government named Novi Grad the capital city, and the city's coat of arms, which had been used as a symbol of the nationalist movement, was incorporated into the national flag.
The first independant elections took play in February 2002, although international observers believed that corruption and vote fixing affected the results. The majority of officials elected were former officers in the Sokovian Indpendance forces.
Ultron Offensive
Novi Grad was the site of the final battle between the Avengers and Ultron, during the Utron Offensive. Although the Avengers were able to prevent Ultron from destroying the city, the destruction and loss of life were still massive.
Rebuilding efforts have been slow, due to Government corruption and mistrust of foreign (especially American) aid.
Demography and Population
The population in 2018 is 1.8 million.
This population is 87% Sokovan (an ethnic group of slovak and russian heritage), 6% Slovak, 3% Czech, 3% Romani, and 1% other (primarily Hungarian or Russian).
Territories
The country is located primarily on the plains of the Voyóřeta river, in a natural pass in the Transian Mountain range. In addition to the city of Novi Grad and associated farmland, the country includes some smaller settlements high on Mount Wundagore and Mount Maximoff.
Religion
The population is 69% Russian Orthodox, 10% Roman Catholic, 7% None, 6% Protestant, 5% Other, 3% Jewish.
Foreign Relations
Sokovia has been a member of the United Nations since 2005. In 2016, it was denied entry to the European Union due to its poor human rights record.
Due to its turmotuously history, Sokovia has historically been very hostile to the United States of America, although this has begun to change due to American aide in the wake of the Ultron offensive.
Agriculture & Industry
The primary industry is logging. An estimated 24% of the population are substitance farmers, primarily arable, in the fertile Voyóřeta floor plains, and goats, in the mountain villages.
Unemployment is high, especially in Novi Grad.
Founding Date
2001
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
Sokovian: Соковиja
Demonym
Sokovian
Government System
Democracy, Presidential
Power Structure
Unitary state
Currency
Sokovian Korona (SVK)
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Wanda Maximoff
Pietro Maximoff