Saukania
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Confederation of the Saukanians ' | |
---|---|
Capital and largest city | Kula |
Ethnic groups (2020) | 93.6% Saukanian 6.4% Other |
Religion (2020) | 79.4% Saukanian paganism 10.2% Christianity 6.6% Islam 3.8% Other |
Demonym(s) | Saukanian |
Government | Confederation of sovereign city-states |
Legislature | Confederation Council |
Area | |
• Total | 1,116,863 km2 (431,223 sq mi) |
Population | |
• 2020 estimate | 27,214,000 |
• Density | 24.3/km2 (62.9/sq mi) |
Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
Driving side | left |
Internet TLD | .sg |
Saukania, formally the Confederation of the Saukanians or the Saukanian Confederation, is a landlocked country in northwestern Thrismari. Saukania is bordered by Bezuria and Shirua to its south and south-west, and Sarocca to the north. At 1,116,863 million square kilometers, Saukania is one of the largest countries in Thrismari, though very sparsely populated, with a population of 27.2 million people. The country is a confederation of sovereign city-kingdoms, of which Kula, the largest city-kingdom, serves as its capital. The country is extremely arid, consisting mostly of desert and semi-desert regions, with areas of montane, riparian, and temperate ecoregions in which the vast majority of the population resides. The Laxad river and its tributaries are the heartland of Saukanian civilization.
Human habitation in Saukania began in the Palaeolithic. Bronze Age Saukania was inhabited by a number of sophisticated cultures, displaced and assimilated by the Saukanian invasions. It has been a historical battleground between its own inhabitants, as well as neighbouring Shiruans, Saroccans, Kakish crusaders, and Riamese colonial interests. Modern Saukania is a direct continuity of the ancient and Medieval city-kingdoms, which have long been separate. Saukania never formed a great empire of its own, its cities existing at the peripheries of neighbouring civilizations, fiercely guarding their independence from foreigners and internal rivals, and facilitating trade and commerce across the continent.
The modern Confederation established itself in the 18th and 19th centuries in response to significant foreign pressure and the risk of subjugation, due to the competing colonial interests of Nyalan and Riamo. It is a decentralised body, with its constituent states governing themselves according to their own laws. The Confederation Council serves as the executive of the Confederation, including leaders and representatives of the members.
Saukania is a heavily agrarian country with a large rural population and sizeable nomadic minority, with its urban centres the serving as the core of industry and culture. Exports of fruits, vegetables, and other cash crops are a major source of revenue, as is the export of finished material goods such as textiles, with Saukanian carpets being famed throughout much of the world. Tourism to Saukania is common for its historic archaeological sites and unique culture, expressed through its cuisine, art, music, and entertainment.
Name
History
Prehistory and antiquity (before 7th century AD)
Middle ages (6th - 16th centuries)
Modern era (16th century - 1950)
Contemporary Saukania (1950 - present)
Geography and climate
Saukania has an area of 1,116,863 square kilometres (431,223 sq mi), and is one of the largest countries in Thrismari by total land area. It country lies between longitudes 43° and 59°W and latitudes 22° and 32°S. It is a dry and landlocked country, though its north-western edge is located near the coast. Saukania's south-eastern edge lies along the coast of the Argan Sea, an inland body of water and the mouth of Saukania's endorheic basin.
The physical geography of Saukania is largely flat. In the south-west of the country, the Ghuran Mountains form the basis of the wider geographical area known as the Saukanian Highlands, which extend north and east of the range before dropping off into the lowland plains and desert that dominate the vast majority of the country.
Climate
Saukania has extremely hot summers and cold winters. These temperature extremes are more intense in the northern two-thirds of the country, which lies within the Western Thrismari Desert. Much of this desert is bare rock and desert pavement. Dune seas are found in the north and north-east, the largest of these being the Hendelar Desert. These are the most inhospitable areas of Saukania, and are largely empty. A semi-arid climate prevails in the southern third of Saukania, with steppe and desert-steppe grass and shrubland bounding the southern edge of the Western Thrismari Desert and the coast of the Argan Sea, interspersed with montane grassland, riparian woodland, and temperate forest.
As a result of its high aridity, little of Saukania's land area is suitable for farming. Despite its size, it maintains a low population of just over 27 million, and has historically been of smaller population than its neighbours. Population centres are found along the banks of rivers originating from the snowmelt of the Ghuran range including the Kulegan, Laxad, and Sagarne, along the coast of the Argan, and by oases in the desert. Alongside the rivers are stretches of riparian ecoregions, suitable for crop-farming and sustaining larger populations. The vast majority of fertile areas in Saukania however are suitable only for pasture.
Environmental issues
A fragile ecological area, Saukania faces a number of major environmental problems, such as land degradation in farmed areas and increased desertification. These issues are felt most keenly by the country's nomadic population, who face losing pasture land to encroaching dunes or harsher desert conditions which they need to graze their herds. Deforestation of Saukania's already limited supply of wooded areas is also a major concern.
Demographics
Ethnicity
Language
Religion
Major cities
Government and politics
Administrative divisions
Military
Culture
Social structure
Honour
Clothing
Architecture and art
Music
Cuisine
Sport