View source for Lech

{{Infobox country
| native_name            = Lecha
| conventional_long_name = The First Empire of Lech
| common_name            = Lech
| image_flag             = File:LechEmpire1.jpg
| flag_alt               = 
| image_coat             = File:CrownPrinceArms2.png
| coat_alt               = 
| national_motto         = "Long Live Lech!"
| national_anthem        = [[File:Kingdom of Lech - March, Raise that flag!.mp4]]
| image_map              = File:Lech Map 03 23.png
| map_alt                = 
| capital                = Kingsland
| coordinates            = 
| largest_city           = Cravoc
| official_languages     = Polish, German, English
| ethnic_groups          = 
| demonym                = Lechian
| government_type        = Semi-Constitutional Monarchy
| leader_title1          = Emperor
| leader_name1           = Edward I
| leader_title2          = Chancellor
| leader_name2           = Lev Kamenev
| legislative_body       = Bundestag
| sovereignty_type       = 
| independence_type      = 
| established_event1     = Founded
| established_date1      = February 27, 2019
| area_rank              = 1st
| area_total_km2         = 
| population_estimate_rank = 2nd
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_census_rank = 2nd
| population_census_year = 2023
| population_density_km2 = 
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 
| GDP_PPP                = 
| GDP_PPP_year           = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 
| HDI_year               = 
| HDI_change             = 
| HDI                    = 
| HDI_rank               = 
| currency               = 
| currency_code          = USD
| time_zone              = EST, UTC
| utc_offset             = 
| date_format            = 
| drives_on              = 
| calling_code           = 
| iso3166code            = 
| Internet_TLD           = 
| website                = 
}}


'''Lech''', officially the '''Empire of Lech''' is a country in [[San Amaro]]. It is the second-most populous country on VindexCraft after [[Vindex Nation]]. Situated across the San Amaro world, Lech shares no land borders with any countries, as all of its territory is bordered by the sea. Its 4 colonies share no connection to the mainland, except for [[Rome]] which has a road tunnel underneath the [[Vistula (river)|Vistula River]]. The nation's capital and most populous city is [[Kingsland]], which serves also as the main financial centre.

The modern Lech has evolved from a series of annexations, unions and seperations of constituent countries over the years. 

== Etymology ==
Lech is a Polish masculine given name. Lech was the name of the legendary founder of Poland. Lech also appears as a surname, with 14,289 people having the name in Poland.

== History ==

=== Foundation and Early Expansion (February 2019 - September 2019) ===
The Kingdom of Lech is thought to have been founded in February 2019 by [[King Maximilian I]], with [[Cracov]] as its capital. The Kingdom officially became a sovereign state on April 12, 2019, under a constitutional monarchy with King Maximilian I as the head of state; he was subsequently crowned on April 15, 2019 at 6:30pm in [[St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church]], Cracov. Lech's European influences were evident from its inception, such as the strong Catholic prescence and Germanic architecture. 

Lech's expansion first began on June 15, 2019, when the Kingdom discovered and colonised an island north of Cracov, naming it [[Kielce]] and declaring it an official province. On July 27 2019, the Kingdom of Lech and Vindex Nation overthrow the [[Wilden|Sovereignty of Wilden's]] government, and place [[King John Wellington I]] on the throne of Wilden. Further expansion occured on July 30, 2019 when King Maximilian I purchased land in Southern Wilden from King John Wellington I of Wilden, naming the colony [[Maximiliansburg]]. By August, foundations are placed for a city in Northern Lech, now known as Kingsland. After a period of political turmoil, King Maximilian I dismissed Chancellor [[Percy Fairweather]] on September 6, 2019 on the grounds of high treason. On the same day, King Maximilian I abdicates the throne to become the [[Pope|Pope of the Vatican City and the Catholic Church]]. King Edward I succeeded King Maximilian I as the King of Lech.  
[[File:Image of Olympic Stadiums.png|thumb|'''Left to right:''' Coder Arena, White Star Stadium, [[Juan Stadium]].]]

=== National Development and Olympics (September 2019 - November 2021) ===
Under King Edward I, the [[Lech Engineer Corps]] completed the [[Bundestautobahn 1]], a 500-long motorway connecting the cities of Cracov and Kingsland on November 19, 2019, the same day as the King's Silver Jubilee.  

Lech saw huge infrastructure projects after winning the bid to host the [[2020 Summer Olympics]]. In [[Newport]], a suburb west of the capital, the [[Weathersby Track]] was demolished, and three stadiums were built along with the headquarters of the [[IOC]]. The Games began on April 10, 2020 with the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony was held at [[White Star Stadium]] on April 22, 2020. Despite the masses of investment into Lech for the Olympics, only one of the three stadiums erected for the Games remains - [[Coder Arena]].   
[[File:Lech Navy heading into a battle..png|left|thumb|Lech Naval Forces entering into battle during the First Great Lech-Vindex War.]]

=== First and Second Great Lech-Vindex Wars (November 2021 - July 2022) ===
On November 1, 2021 [[Squid Fuspris|King Squid I]] ascends to the throne, only three days before the [[First Great Lech-Vindex War]] breaks out. Attempts were made to stage a coup to overthrow the government of Lech. The war ended with the outsting and exiling of Chancellor Hannah and Minister of Defence SirEthan by King Squid I, for attempting to overthrow the monarchy of Lech.
[[File:Vengeance Day after Victory.png|thumb|A photograph of soliders after Lech's victory against Vinish forces at Naval Base Coronado.]]
A new figure unknown to the public was made when King Squid I abdicated the throne to King LordPainn I. Many questions were asked about the reasoning behind King Squid I's abdication, and choice for a successor. The King met with President Laff in Vindex Nation, where he promoted isolationist views and discussed foreign invaders. After the [[Vindex Intelligence Agency|VIA]] refused to remove King LordPainn from the terrorist list, war was declared by Lech. The Lech forces held Seawall for a long period of time, until the Vindex forces began using guerilla warfare tactics, leading to a stalemate. The next attack was on [[Naval Base Coronado]] in San Amaro, where Lech proved victorious. This day is celebrated as Vengeance Day in Lech. Many acts of war were committed during this time, such as prisoners of war and endless skirmishes. King LordPainn committed suicide, and his successor King Weber I negociated peace with Vindex Nation, and began rebuilding the Lech Government. 

=== Transition to Empire (July 2022 - present) ===
[[File:The Discovery of the Ark of the Covenant.png|left|thumb|The Discovery of the Ark of the Covenant (c.2023).|223x223px]]
After the death of King Comblo I, King Edward I returns to the throne of Lech. The King acquires [[Rome]], [[Aquitaine]] and [[Malta]]. The return of the Edwardian monarchy ends a period of political censorship, with the [[Social Unity Party]] being unbanned and re-established soon after his ascension to the throne. On July 23, 2022, the Kingdom of Lech becomes the Empire of Lech, with King [[Edward I]] becoming the first Emperor.  

During the dawn of Lech's Imperial era, the [[Lech Security Service]] established the short-lived [[Special Antiquities Collection Division]]. Such discoveries included the [[Ark of the Covenant]] and the [[Sankara Stones]].      

== Government and politics ==

=== Constituent colonies ===
Lech is an empire and comprises four constituent colonies. Each colony has its own administration, and is largely autonomous in regard to its internal organisation.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!State
!Capital
!Location
|-
|... (Mainland)
|Kingsland
|
|-
|Aquitaine
|
|
|-
|Malta
|
|
|-
|Rome
|
|
|}

=== Law ===
.

=== Foreign relations ===
.

Immediately after its foundation, Lech was quick to establish diplomatic relations, partiularly with Vindex Nation. Lech is a founding member of the [[United Nations]]. Lech's foreign relations are headed by the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs]], as part of the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]. 

=== Military ===
Lech's military is organised into the Army and Navy. In absolute terms, Lech's military expenditure is one of the highest in the world.

.

== Economy ==
.

== Demographics ==
.

== Culture ==
.

=== Art, design and architecture ===

=== Sports ===

Historically, Lech athletes have been successful contenders in the Olympic Games. In 2020, Lech hosted the Summer Games. 

== See also ==
[[List of monarchs of Lech]]

[[King Maximilian I]]

[[Council of Ministers]]

[[Category:Lech]]