Borogravia

2023-03-26T15:40:23Z

Deathofrats0808:

{{Nation Data
|title= Borogravia
|picture=Blank.jpg|
|established= n/a
|motto=

|neighbours= [[Überwald]], [[Zlobenia]], [[Mouldavia]]

|features= River Kneck, beet farms

|capital=Prince Marmaduke Piotre Albert-Hans Joseph Bernhardt Wilhelmsberg

|population= limited by wars
|size= medium-large
|government= Monarchy, current ruler: [[Annagovia|"The Dutchess"]] de facto ruler: [[Froc|General Froc]]

|notablecitizens= [[Polly Perks]], [[Jackrum|Sergeant Jackrum]], [[Minstrel|The Minstrel]]

|imports= War
|exports= War

|anthem= [[Borogravian National Anthem]]

|books= {{MR}}
}}
'''Borogravia''' is a small, backward country, engaged in near-constant war with its neighbours, especially recently with [[Zlobenia]]. Formerly part of the Dark Empire, it is located next to [[Uberwald]]. It was first (and last) seen in the book {{MR}}, though it has been mentioned as far back as {{COM}}.

It is (theoretically) ruled by a monarch known as "[[Annagovia|The Duchess]]", who is worshipped almost as a god. The country's main deity is [[Nuggan]], whose propensity for declaring almost everything an "Abomination" has driven the small country to poverty and starvation.

For instance, Nuggan declared [[chocolate]] to be an Abomination. This is despite the fact that Borogravia was, and in some quarters still is, regarded across the Disc as a centre of chocolate-making excellence. This may explain why [[Chocolate|Wienrich and Boettcher]] ended up in Ankh-Morpork - as refugees from Nugganitic persecution, much to Borogravia's detriment and [[Susan Sto Helit]]'s advantage. If fact between the numerous abominations and constant war much of the population are now left with little to eat but [[Horse Bread]].

All this, however, seems set to change, following the events of ''Monstrous Regiment'' and the interference of [[Ankh-Morpork]].

In ''Monstrous Regiment'' we learn that Borogravia has been the aggressor in many wars with the neighbouring countries and the military seems to control the country in The Duchess's name.

Its [[Borogravian National Anthem|National Anthem]] is a particularly aggressive and warlike anthem.

The language spoken is Borogravian, though ''The Colour of Magic'' mentions a language called "High Borogravian", which may indicate a second language. And everyone seems to understand Morporkian just fine, ''c.f.'' the fragment of the ''[[Ankh-Morpork Times|Times]]'' that [[Polly Perks|Polly]] finds.

==Annotations==
The name itself seems to be derived from "Borogove", a nonsense word invented by Lewis Carroll that appeared in the poem ''Jabberwocky'', but it resembles also {{wp|Burgenland|Burgenland}}, the easternmost province of Austria, bordering (among other countries) Slovenia (see [[Zlobenia]]); the particle ''-gravia'' (replacing the ''-land'') resembles the {{wp|Latin|Latinized}} form of German ''Grafschaft'', meaning a territory ruled by a {{wp|Graf|''Graf''}}, i.e. ''Count'' or ''Earl''. The name could also be a reference to ''Borgravia'', an {{wp|Austrian Empire|Austria}} analogue which appeared in the 1972 science-fiction novel'' {{wp|The Iron Dream|The Iron Dream}}''. It might also be a reference to {{wp|Belgravia|Belgravia}}, a district of central London, more or less owned by the Duke of Westminster.

The country appears to have been influenced by a number of nations on [[Roundworld]]. Most obviously, its wars with its neighbours suggest a {{wp|Balkan|Balkans}} or middle-eastern nation. This impression is enforced by the names of some of its neighbours, [[Zlobenia]] (cf. {{wp|Slovenia|Slovenia}}), and [[Mouldavia]] (cf. {{wp|Moldova|Moldova, formerly Moldavia}}). The constant creation of Abominations could mean many things. Afghanistan under the Taliban, Early fundamentalist Iran and perhaps even Cromwellian England in the 1600's. The army resembles the British army of the late 18th/early 19th centuries in its dress (although Swiss mercenaries in French service wore a very similar uniform).

[[Category:Discworld geography]]
[[de:Borograwien]]

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Borogravia