Mariland

Not to be confused with Maryland or Marciland.

Mariland, or alternatively Shingmari, is a Shingtsunni region in northwestern Slabland northwest of the Old Kingdom, east of Hentzo and north of Lower Shingtsun, including Yija. The only major settlement in the area is the Kyawcenni outpost of Barzewmari. Administratively, it is a part of the Republic of Shingtsun in the Kingdom of Kyaw Cen.

Politics

As an isolated region of a fairly federalized state, the Shingmarites are for the most part allowed to govern themselves, with the central government only rarely interfering in local affairs.

The region is run by the thirteen-member Mariland Assembly. While many politicians are associated with a major political party, many are independents or represent Mariland-specific parties. Of the members of the Assembly:

• 3 are members of the Social Progressive Party.
• 2 are members of the Liberal Party.
• 2 are members of the Kyawcenni Communist Party.
• 2 are members of the Shingmarite Nationalist Party.
• 1 is a member of the Federal Democratic Union.
• 1 is a member of the Union of Čanggu Mawgay Zen.
• 1 is a member of the Libertarian Party of Mariland.
• 1 is an independent.

The current government is a coalition consisting of the SPP, LP, FDU, and LPM. The current governor belongs to the SPP.

As a distant and sparsely populated frontier, the political culture of Mariland is notably different from that of the rest of the KKC, with far more support for libertarianism, and little regard for foreign policy issues with other polities of Thasusa and southern Slabland. For example, the Liberal Party, which is not represented in the Temporary Federal Assembly of the Kingdom of Kyaw Cen, has two seats in the Mariland Assembly. While there is some support for independence among the people, most are content to stay a part of the KKC, provided the central government maintains the status quo of Shingmarite autonomy. Of the parties represented in the Mariland Assembly, only the SNP supports Shingmarite independence.

Culture

While Middle Kyawcenni is the official language, the majority of people speak Shingmarite, a distinct Kyawcennic language descended from Middle Kyawcenni and not mutually intelligible with modern Kyawcenni.