| Region | Southern hemisphere |
| Country | Cobsonland |
| Culture | Indigenous • European • Asian |
| Economy | Diversified, export-driven |
| Challenges | Political instability • Military influence in government • Complex relationships with neighbors |
| Independence | Mid-20th century |
| Former status | Colony of the Arisian Empire |
| Political status | Regional power |
| Role of military | Central |
Cobsonland is a country located in the southern Pacific Ocean, encompassing a large archipelago of over 7,000 islands. With a total land area of 1.2 million square kilometers, it is one of the largest countries in the world. Cobsonland has a population of 110 million people, making it the 5th most populous nation.
The islands that make up Cobsonland were first settled by Austronesian peoples over 3,000 years ago. In the 16th century, the islands were colonized by the Arisian Empire, which established trading outposts and plantations across the archipelago. Cobsonland remained an Arisian colony for over 300 years, with the indigenous population subjected to exploitation and repression.
In the 1940s, a nationalist movement emerged, led by charismatic military officer Juán Cortès. After a bloody civil war, Cortès and his revolutionary forces overthrew the Arisian colonial government in 1948, establishing the Republic of Cobsonland. However, Cortès promptly declared himself president for life, initiating a long period of military dictatorship.
Over the following decades, Cobsonland was wracked by coups, counter-coups, and power struggles between rival factions of the military. Democratically elected civilian governments were repeatedly toppled, and the country developed a reputation for political instability. The economy also struggled, with periods of rapid growth interspersed with economic crises and austerity measures.
In the 1990s, following mass protests and international pressure, Cobsonland transitioned to a more stable multi-party democracy. However, the military continues to wield significant influence in the country's politics and society.
Cobsonland is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a multi-party system. The president, who is both head of state and head of government, is directly elected for a five-year term and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The National Assembly serves as the legislature, with 300 seats allocated proportionally among the major political parties. Coalition governments are common, as no single party has ever held an outright majority. The judicial system is independent, with a Supreme Court serving as the highest court.
While democratic institutions exist, the military retains a powerful role in Cobsonlandian politics. The armed forces command substantial economic and political influence, and have intervened directly in government on numerous occasions. Accusations of corruption, human rights abuses, and political repression continue to dog the military establishment.
Cobsonland has a large, diversified economy that has experienced periods of rapid growth and stagnation. Primary industries include agriculture, fishing, mining, manufacturing, and tourism. Major exports include coffee, cocoa, precious metals, textiles, machinery, and electronic components.
The country is considered a regional economic power, with a GDP per capita of $18,000 - putting it in the upper-middle income range. However, wealth and development is unevenly distributed, with significant income inequality between the urban elite and rural poor.
Cobsonland has a mixed economy with both state-owned and private enterprises. The government plays a significant role in regulating key industries, setting economic policy, and managing major infrastructure projects. The country is also deeply integrated into global trade networks, with major ports and free trade agreements.
Cobsonlandian culture reflects the country's complex history as a former Arisian colony that gained independence through armed struggle. Indigenous, European, and Asian influences are all evident in the national language, cuisine, arts, and customs.
The military occupies a central role in Cobsonlandian society, with a strong cult of honor and discipline. Service in the armed forces is highly prestigious, and military officers often transition into political leadership roles. Patriotism and national pride are emphasized in education and media.
Religion is diverse, with the majority of the population practicing a syncretistic form of Ancestral Animism alongside Mahayana Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam. Regional variations in religious and cultural practices exist across Cobsonland's many islands and provinces.
The country is known for its vibrant musical traditions, including folk styles like Tamborito as well as contemporary genres blending Rap, Rock, and Traditional Instrumentation. Cobsonlandian cinema has also gained international acclaim in recent decades.
Cobsonland is considered a regional power, wielding significant economic and military influence in the South Pacific. However, the country has a complex web of relationships with its neighbors, often involving conflict and intervention.
Cobsonland has historically seen itself as a bulwark against the expansionism of the Arisian Empire, its former colonial overlord. It maintains a strong military and has engaged in proxy wars and border disputes with Arisian client states in the region.
The country also has a long-standing rivalry with its neighbor to the north, the Kingdom of Gisaria. The two nations have fought several wars over disputed islands and maritime boundaries, and engage in an ongoing arms race.
Cobsonland is a member of various regional and international organizations, including the Pacific Cooperation Organization and the United Nations. It has sought to balance ties with major powers like the Arisian Federation, Pacifica, and Eurasia, playing them off against each other to preserve its strategic autonomy.
