Editing Belarum (section)

==Culture and society==
The culture of the Federal Republic stems from its history as a patchwork of former seperate states unified by a common language and race, with minority ethnic groups consenting to the creation of one nation-state. Over time, these minorities have come to be included in Belarian culture on a wide scale.

===Language===
The most commonly spoken language in the Federal Republic by far is English, however the nation's diversity has made other languages somewhat common in everyday life, such as French, Russian, and Spanish. Belarians developed English over the course of centuries, and all ethnic groups which could be considered Belarian in the 18th Century learned the language, although each ethnic group has different dialects.

English became the official language of almost all of the seven states that would become the Federal Republic of Belarum, and when each state conducted relations, English was the de facto language of diplomacy. When the unification of Belarum was complete, however, it was not made the de facto language of the nation-state so as not to widen cultural gaps between the joining parties.

===Race and ethnicity===
Although once fairly homogeneous, the Federal Republic of Belarum is a multicultural society, much like other liberal democracies in the region. According to the most recent government estimates, "Belarians" make up 78% of the population. However, "Belarians" could be seven different ethnicities, such as Anatusian, Gorzowan, or Kaunusian, not to mention that all citizens of the Federal Republic regardless of race or ethnicity may identify as "Belarian".

A more accurate breakdown of ethnicities in the Federal Republic was ordered by the Census Bureau in 2008, which reported exact figures for the seven separate ethnicities within the more fluid term "Belarian". It determined that 28% were Gorzowan, 21% were Anatusian, 19% were Kaunusian, 11% were Sarbonian, 9% were Kalman, 7% were Zamoran, and 5% were Galatian.

Outside of the fairly heterogeneous "Belarian" ethnic group, the population breakdown includes mostly different ethnic groups native to the European Union, such as Russians, Italians, Trierans, Aesop Rockians, and Luvenburgians simply to name a few. Roughly 12% of the population can trace their ancestry back to an ethnicity which originates outside of the European Union. This portion of the population is entitled to the same rights and privileges of all the citizens of the Federal Republic by law since the government passed the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic.

===Religion===
Although once playing an important role in the lives of almost all Belarians, today organized religion is on the decline in the Federal Republic. Most citizens identify as not belonging to any religion (roughly 43%), while 12% identify as either Agnostic or Atheist.

Out of the 45% of the population that identifies as having a religion, 23% claim to be Roman Catholic, while 12% say Presbyterian and 2% say Methodist. 14% identified as a non-denominational Christian. 4% identified as Muslim, 3% identified as Hindu, 1% identified as Sikh, and 5% identified as Jewish. The remaining 36% of those who identified as belonging to a religion belong to various separate organized religions which make of less than 1% of the total sum.

===Suffrage===
Universal suffrage, which extends the right of a citizen of the Federal Republic to vote in elections, join the armed services or be eligible for the draft, smoke cigarettes or marijuana, and consume alcohol is 18 years of age.

===Public Holidays===