Hetland is a constituent republic of Volcanic Region.
| Hetland Republic | |
|---|---|
| Archipelago of the Shetland Islands | |
| Constituent Republic of Vekllei | |
 |
|
| Part of the Volcanic Region | |
| Population | 26,400 |
| Demographics | 90% Scandinavian · 6% European · 2% Chinese · 2% other |
| Accession | 1836, as part of the British Atlantic Territories |
| Area | 1,467 km² |
| Capital | Lerwick |
| Languages | Commonwealth Celtic, Irish, Scots, Norn, English |
The Hetland Republic is a constituent republic of Vekllei in the North Atlantic Ocean. It comprises a group of about 100 islands east of the Vekllei republic of Aismious between Norway and Scotland, though only a couple dozen of them are inhabited. They are skirted by rich undersea oil deposits which form the economic basis of the their economy, and its windswept and mostly treeless islands are famous for the quality of their wool.
Most Hetlanders live in Lerwick, the capital and largest city located on the island of Mainland. Historically, Hetland has been influenced by both Celtic and Norse cultures. First settled by the Norse in the 8th and 9th centuries, the islands were part of the Kingdom of Norway until they were transferred to the North Sea Kingdom in the 16th century. Throughout Norse settlement, an influx of Celtic settlers from Ireland and West Scotland influenced culture on the islands. This heritage is still visible today in the local dialect, place names and its traditions. One of the most famous cultural events is the Up Helly Aa festival, a Viking-inspired celebration in Lerwick that features torch-lit processions and the burning of a galley. They speak a kind of fusion of Celtic and Old Norse languages, including a variant of Norn and Irish.
Economically, the islands have traditionally depended on fishing, crofting (small-scale farming), and knitwear, particularly their famous Fair Isle sweaters. In recent decades, oil extraction from the North Sea has been exploited by Commonwealth Oil, bringing considerable development to the region. The Hetlands are also a popular tourist destination for Vekllei people because of their proximity to the British Isles, natural beauty, birdwatching opportunities, and rich archaeological sites. These include Jarlshof, which provide evidence for 4,000 years of human history on the islands.
Despite their isolation, the Hetlands are well-connected to both Aismious and Oslola by hydrofoil and air services. The islands maintain a strong sense of community and cultural identity. Their recent prosperity and discovery of oil under the North Sea has brought it into economic conflict with the UK, and the Armed Forces maintains Air Station Hetland on Mainland.
- Electronic Components
- Fish
- Grains
- Lubricants
- Milk
- Palm Oil
- Pulses
- Salt
- Sea Island Cotton
- Sheep
- Wool
Climate
Subarctic maritime, with cool temperatures moderated by the surrounding ocean. Summers are mild and brief, averaging 10–14°C; winters are cold and dark, though rarely freezing at sea level. Strong winds are a constant presence.
Public Holidays
- New Year’s Day 1 Jan
- Up Helly Aa Last Tue in Jan
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Commonwealth Day 1 May
- Republic Day 20 Jun
- Christmas Day 25 Dec
- Boxing Day 26 Dec
| Occupation | Share | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | 22.4% | 11,756 |
| Economic Planning | 12.0% | 6,294 |
| Agriculture, Land & Sea | 8.3% | 4,334 |
| Science & Research | 8.0% | 4,189 |
| Healthcare | 7.6% | 4,009 |
| Law & Justice | 6.8% | 3,564 |
| Education | 6.5% | 3,424 |
| Security & Defence | 5.0% | 2,639 |
| Transport | 4.2% | 2,202 |
| Information & Communications | 2.9% | 1,539 |
| Domestic | 2.9% | 1,516 |
| Skilled Trades & Construction | 2.8% | 1,491 |
| Sport & Recreation | 2.2% | 1,162 |
| Government & Civil Administration | 2.0% | 1,043 |
| Arts & Media | 1.8% | 931 |
| Energy & Resources | 1.4% | 752 |
| Retail, Distribution & Logistics | 1.4% | 725 |
| Hospitality & Participatory Trades | 1.3% | 655 |
| Religious & Ceremonial | 0.3% | 181 |
- Jarlshof: An archaeological site spanning 4,000 years, with remnants from the Bronze Age, Viking, and medieval periods.
- Sumburgh Head Lighthouse: A historic lighthouse offering views of seabirds like puffins and dramatic coastal scenery.
- Lerwick: The capital with charming streets Nordic-style streets, the Hetland National Museum, and a busy waterfront.
- Fair Isle: Renowned for its knitwear and as a top destination for birdwatchers.
- St Ninian’s Isle: A tombolo beach connecting to a small isle, known for scenic walks and archaeological finds.
- Lerwick Harbour: Key for fishing, freight, oil transport, and cruise ship docking.
- Atlantic Hetland Store Atlantic Department Company 120
- Congress of Scandinavian & Viking Historians Atlantic History Federation 20
- Celtic Works Atlantic Works 1,800
- Hetland Freight Exchange Atlantis 340
- Scatsta Air Base Boreal Division 1,120
- National Signals Training School Boreal Division 1,370
- Muckle Roe Barracks Boreal Division 350
- Muckle Roe Patrol Station Boreal Division 430
- Antarctic Section Bureau of Accreditation 90
- Arctic Section Bureau of Accreditation 80
- Boreal Radar & Control District Bureau of Aerospace 260
- Boreal Court Area Bureau of Courts 3,100
- Boreal Economic Area Bureau of Economic Forecasting 900
- Office of Rural Participation Bureau of Economic Participation 1,800
- Office of Agricultural Participation Bureau of Economic Participation 2,100
- Office of Rural Economic Development Bureau of Economic Participation 780
- Boreal Economic Area Bureau of Economic Participation 2,100
- Office of Prostheses Bureau of Health Services 300
- Office of Strategic Stockpiles Bureau of Hydrocarbons 900
- Office of Rural Communications Bureau of Post and Telecommunications 900
- Office of Hearing Services Bureau of Public Health 1,200
- Office of Regional Development Bureau of Roads and Paths 1,400
- Office of Training Centres Bureau of Sports 700
- Airlink Hetland Station Commonwealth Airways 40
- Hetland Shell Factory Commonwealth Arsenal 1,000
- Hetland Penitentiary Commonwealth Corrections Service 110
- Veletia Lines Hetland Port Commonwealth Lines 310
- Transatlantic Shipping Hetland Bulk Terminal Commonwealth Lines 440
- Hetland Sullom Voe Super-refinery Commonwealth Oil 1,400
- Hetland Railway Company CommRail 245
- Hetland Fission Power Plant General Reactor 90
- Method North Works Method Heavy 800
- Office of Administration NSRE 45
- Office of Industrial Affairs NSRE 25
- Office of Research Ethics NSRE 35
- Office of Nuclear Security & Safeguards NSRE 35
- Office of the DSRE NSRE 45
- Office of Legislative, Foreign & Public Relations NSRE 30
- Office of the Chief Scientist NSRE 35
- Division of Reactor Engineering NSRE 135
- Division of Fuel Cycle Science NSRE 115
- Division of Thermal Hydraulics NSRE 120
- Division of Plasma Physics NSRE 130
- Division of Magnetic Confinement NSRE 95
- Division of Direct Energy Conversion NSRE 150
- Division of Nuclear Thermal Rocketry NSRE 110
- Division of Compact Power Systems NSRE 120
- Division of Monopole Physics NSRE 100
- Division of Catalyst Engineering NSRE 85
- Division of Magnetic Trap Systems NSRE 95
- Division of Dosimetry & Health Physics NSRE 100
- Division of Shielding & Materials NSRE 105
- Division of Environmental Monitoring NSRE 160
- National Fission Laboratories Oslola NSRE 400
- Uranium-233 Breeding Programme Kairi NSRE 75
- Advanced Atomics Establishment Oslola NSRE 210
- Commonwealth National Fusion Laboratories Oslola NSRE 230
- Astronuclear Propulsion Laboratories Kala NSRE 260
- Marine Propulsion Research Establishment Kairi NSRE 310
- Monopole Refurbishment Facility Praia NSRE 200
- National Radiation Laboratories Barbados NSRE 220
- Office of Minerals & Mines SIRO 40
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900
Norse settlers arrive and establish communities in Hetland