Salem

Prince-Archabbacy of Salem
Flag Coat of Arms
Map versions	16.9.0–
Capital and largest settlement	Salem
Official language	Aspiranto
Ethnic groups	94.7% Meckelnish (all tribes) 5.3% Other
State religion	Church of Meckelnburgh
Religious affiliation	99.5% Nazarene —99.2% Albigensian —0.3% Other 0.5% Irreligious
Demonyms	Salemite
Adjectives	Salem (uninflected)
Government	Unitary theocratic absolute monarchy
• Monarch	Ĉielero III
• Vicereine	Dame Nienke Adema
• Princess-Archabbess	Marie-Claude II
• Vice Archabbot	The Rev. Ronan Erwan
Formation (Norton)
Annexed by Meckelnburgh	20.XIV.1685 AN
Formation of the Meckelnburghish realm	23.XIII.1709 AN
Area
• Total	3,939.0 km2 (1,520.9 sqmi)
• Water	2.238%
Population
• 1728 AN estimate	9,439
• Density	2.396/km2 (6.206/sqmi)
Currency	Meckelnburgh rixdollar (Ʀ) (MBD) · Salem rixdollar
Time zone	CMT-1 (MBT)
Calendar	Norton Calendar
Driving side	right
Abbreviation	SLM
Internet TLD	.mb

Salem (/seɪ.ləm/ SAY-lum), officially the Prince-Archabbacy of Salem, is a small northern Apollonian country that is part of the United Kingdom of Meckelnburgh. The state is one of four constituent countries that form the Kingdom, along with Branniboria, the Grand Duchy of Iselande and Meckelnburgh proper; the people of all three being Mecklenburgish citizens. It has a total area of about 1,040 km² (400 sqmi) with a population of 9,000 as of 1722 AN. The seat and largest settlement is the eponymous Salem.

The country comprises the entirety of Fifty Elk Island and the islet of Post na Gaoithe, which lie across a short channel from Balduvien, Angsax near Baltdun. Salem resists a polar oceanic climate at the edge of the Northern Sea. The island country is solely inhabited by various monastic communities belonging to the Church of Meckelnburgh, an Albigensian denomination of the Nazarene religion and the state religion of the Kingdom. Abbeys of varying sizes dot the island, with between a dozen and 500 members each.

Salem is a unitary state organized in a single municipal body. It is an absolute theocratic monarchy under the direction of the Princess-Archabbess Marie-Claude II. The Archabbess is chosen by the monasteries of the island, but serves at the pleasure of the Queen of Meckelnburgh, Ĉielero III, as Lord Protector of the Church of Meckelnburgh. There is no legislature, and all residents must be members of the religious communities, save some administrators, and adhere to the central ecclesiastical courts of the Church in Alexandretta.

Salem was annexed by the Kingdom 1685 AN from uninhabited desolation, and joined the wider Meckelnburghish Realm when the Grand Duchy of Iselande was incorporated in 1709 AN. As a tiny country, Meckelnburgh proper directly administers most of the services for the island, considering it equivalent to an independent municipality. Salem, as a closed, theocratic community, is often exempted from international obligations, such as the Convention on Civil Aviation. Visits are prohibited to all non-residents of the island.

Etymology

Who chose the name "Salem" for the country is unknown, though it shares the name with the largest abbey and community on the island. Nonetheless, "Salem" is important in the theology of the Church of Meckelnburgh as it is the Siyacher name of the royal seat of the ancient Ashkenatzi kingdom in holy texts of Nazarene faiths.

History

Centuries of settlement
	Royal Isle of Aquaria	4.5.5–5.2.0
	Crandish Republic	6.1.0–6.6.8
	United Kingdom of Arminy	6.6.9–6.8.1
	Imperial Republic of Shireroth	6.8.2–6.8.6
	Royal Crandish Republic	6.8.7–7.0.2
	Viking Empire of Stormark	7.0.3
	Imperial Republic of Shireroth	7.0.4–7.0.6
	Kingdom of Novatainia	11.3.0–12.3.0
	Confederation of Gralus	12.4.0–13.5.5
	Kingdom of Novatainia	13.6.0–13.8.6
	Gralan Empire	13.8.7–15.4.0
	Humanship of Blepia	16.1.2 – 16.2.0

As of 1724 AN, Salem was demilitarized by An Act to promote the Integrity of the peaceful Church of Meckelnburgh (1723 AN). The only installation on the island is Royal Saeweard Air Station Salem.

Climate

The United Kingdom of Meckelnburgh is one of the coldest nations on Micras, with all but Branniboria residing almost entirely within polar tundra and boreal climate zones. Though more north than Meckelnburgh proper, Salem is almost entirely classified as continental boreal (Dc classification), save the southwestern shore, due to the influence of oceanic currents in the Northern Sea. Temperatures in Salem range from below 0 °C in the winter to above 20 °C in the summer. At almost the exact Arctic Circle, the settlement of Salem sees one midnight sun each summer solstice.