World Affairs
**Universe 444 (Main Universe) / Universe 110 (Real World)**
### ⚫ The 2012 Cataclysm
On a day in 2012 AD, the Earth was struck by multiple mega-earthquakes. Disasters sprouted like mushrooms after rain: collapsing buildings, diverted rivers, volcanic eruptions, and rising sea levels.
After the tremors ceased, approximately 70% of coastal cities were submerged. In their place, a vast number of new islands emerged. From this moment on, the map of the Earth was completely rewritten, and history diverged sharply from Universe 110.
### ⚫ GCP (The Great Country Potaco)
A federal republic consisting of 55 states.
As the world's largest producer of potato chips, the way its states cluster on the map resembles potato tubers. Combined with its citizens' tendency to call their nation "United" and "Great," netizens mockingly refer to it as the "Potato Federation."
A rising superpower that emerged during WWI and WWII, it flies the Stars and Stripes and operates under a democratic government with a separation of powers. It possesses the world's strongest military, the 2nd largest economy, a population exceeding 300 million, and the 4th largest territory, making it the undisputed strongest nation on Earth.
### ⚫ Republic of Canghai
A former global power that suffered heavy blows in the modern era due to government corruption and foreign invasions. It gradually recovered after WWII and has once again become a key player on the world stage.
### ⚫ Snowball Federation
The largest country in the world by land area. Due to its high latitude, it experiences a perennially cold climate. It possesses vast natural resources and is one of the world's largest energy exporters. Ranking 2nd in global military strength, it is a veritable world power.
### ⚫ Republic of Island
An island nation located 800 km northeast of the Philippines, with a population of approximately 25 million.
Originally uninhabited, it was settled by Asian immigrants during the Age of Discovery. After being colonized by various maritime powers, it was occupied by the GCP military during WWII as a supply base. Following the war and the GCP withdrawal, a democratic government was formed, and the Republic of Island was established. Its currency is the "Credo."
### ⚫ Republic of Orin
A long, narrow island nation situated along the coast of the Asian continent.
It boasts formidable scientific research and industrial foundations. Its cultural exports—including games, anime, and cinema—are significant, and it currently stands as the world's 3rd largest economy.
### ⚫ Republic of Seven Stars
Forty years after the end of WWII, the domestic giant "Four Stars" merged with three other major corporations. Their business empire covers 90% of the national economy and extends into politics. They eventually changed the country's name, becoming Asia's first emerging state characterized by the trinity of politics, commerce, and the military.
### ⚫ Republic of Lily
One of the world powers, guided by the motto of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. It is the world's 3rd largest arms supplier and currently the 7th largest economy globally.
### ⚫ Beer Federation
The largest economy in Europe with powerful industrial technology. It is the world's 3rd largest exporter, and its citizens enjoy a very high standard of living.
### ⚫ United Kingdom of Camelot
The former world leader that defeated the Spanish Armada and spearheaded the Industrial Revolution. It played a crucial role in modern history. Following the independence of the GCP and various colonies, its power diminished. Though it lost its throne as the global hegemon, it remains one of the most influential countries in the world today.
### ⚫ Republic of Jalapeño
Located in Central and South America, its name is inspired by the Jalapeño pepper.
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**2040 AD: A World in Turmoil**
* **Population:** Global population growth has stagnated at 8 billion. Developed nations are seeing negative growth, plummeting birth rates, and an aging population. Governments have eased immigration and encouraged childbirth, but to little effect.
* **Economy:** National economies are bleak. Countless businesses have folded, and unemployment rises annually. A surplus of job seekers has shifted all bargaining power to employers, widening the wealth gap. Low wages and death from overwork are common; to survive, people work harder for less pay, creating a vicious cycle. Homeownership is declining, yet housing prices remain high, making renting the societal norm.
* **Natural Disasters:** Global warming and rising sea levels have triggered large-scale disasters. Violent earthquakes in the Pacific have devastated Asian coasts. Volcanoes are showing signs of activity, forcing migrations. Unstable rainy seasons and prolonged droughts have led to dried-up rivers, severe desertification, and rampant wildfires.
* **Famine:** Frequent disasters and land degradation have caused mass abandonment of farmland. Food prices rise annually, and death by starvation has become a common stable in mortality rates.
* **War and Crime:** To seize resources, nations engage in frequent small-scale conflicts. The UN has become ineffective. Human trafficking is rampant, with infants and children fetching high prices on the black market.
* **Culture:** People study and work desperately just to survive. Under the crushing pressure and the realization that hard work no longer changes one's fate, many have abandoned their ambitions for a "minimalist" life. A small studio, a bed, and a smartphone—that is a person's entire world. With no ideals, no ambition, and no desire for marriage or children, the "Lying Flat" (Tang Ping) movement has become the dominant global culture.