Sylvia

The Most Serene Kingdom of Sylvia (Sérénissime Regne de Sylvie [sylviesɛɾɛnissimɛ rɛɲɛ dɛ silviɛ]), commonly known as Sylvia (Silvonian: [silviɛ]) or La Sérénissime is a country in West Artopa, off the West Coast of mainland Artopa. Sylvia comprises of the Liliec Isles, Rubia, Kerland, Midthril and other small islands both within and without the Sylvian Archipelego. Sylvia does not border any nations, instead being completely surrounded by the Avansic Ocean, Avedoran Sea, Liliec Strait, Vikland Strait, and the Aventian Channel. The Total Area of Sylvia is 654,313.2 square kilometres (252,631.7 sq mi.), with the main isles being 544,978.40 square kilometres (210,417.34 sq mi.) with an estimated population of more than 55 million people in 1955.

One of the oldest countries in West Artopa, its territory has settled since prehistoric times. The territory was first inhabited by the Feldic people, and later invaded by Avedorans from modern day Glasea.

Etymology and terminology
The name Sylvia was used to refer to the Islands that makes up Sylvia today, especially concerning the island of Liliec since Antiquity. The Feldic natives of the islands referred the land as Kyrilsc. During the Avedoran migration, the invading Avedorans called themselves Silvonians (Silvoneis) to differentiate themselves from the natives of the islands. It is widely accepted that the word Sylvia originates from the Nicatorian word Silva, or Sylva meaning "Forest". The first recorded mention of the Sylvian Isles with this name was in 56 BT, by a Nicatorian explorer Carausius, who sailed the Avedoran sea. He noted that the coast of Liliec was entirely covered in trees, making observing further in-land impossible from the coasts.

In recent years the usage of Silvonian to refer to people of the Sylvian Islands has fallen out of style, with most including the government opting to use "Sylvian" to better reflect the status of Krilish and Viclandic nationalities that also resides within the isles.

The adjective "Sylvian" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to Sylvia and is used in law to refer to Sylvian citizenship and matters to do with nationality. People of Sylvia use several different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being Sylvian, Silvonian or Aventian (Krilish); or as having a combination of different national identities. The official designation for a citizen of Sylvia is "Sylvian citizen".

History
Main article: History of Sylvia

Prehistory
Main article: Prehistory in the Sylvian Isles

Antiquity
Main article: Feldic Period of Sylvia

Early Middle Ages
Main article: Avedoran Migration, The Ennearchy, Unification of Liliec and Muneforte Dynasty

High and Late Middle Ages
Main article: and the d’Aris Dynasty and Aventian Wars

Imperial period
Main article: Sylvian Empire

Early to mid-20th century
Main article: Second Serene Age, Sylvia in the Great War and Colonial Schism

Geography
Main article: Geography of Sylvia

Constitutional principles
Main articles: Politics of Sylvia and Government of Sylvia

Law
Main article: Law of Sylvia

Administrative Divisions
Main article: Administrative Geography of Sylvia

Dependencies
Main articles: Sylvian Overseas Territories

Military
Main article: Sylvian Armed Forces

Demographics
Main article: Demography of Sylvia and Sylvian people

Ethnic Groups
Main article: Ethnic Groups of Sylvia

Languages
Main article: Languages of Sylvia

Religion
Main articles: Religion in Sylvia and Silestrianism