Geography of Cashar

Cashar is typically divided into six loosely defined topographic zones: the Cashari Desert, the Ramat Plains, the Majar Mountains and Wasat Mountains, the Sanaka Oasis, the Pasadim Mesas, and the Monim Coast. The largest of these areas are the Cashari Desert. The terrain in the Cashari Desert is quite flat and subject to areas of quicksand and brackish salt flats. The Ramat Plains are cut by the Raras River. Lake Sanaka occupies much of the Sanaka Oasis, making the areas around it quite rich in fertile soil suitable for agricultural development and pursuits. The next topographical area covers the Majar and Wasat mountain ranges stretching from the west and from the east respectively. The highest peak belongs to Mount Lazaz in the Majar Mountains at 3,488 m. Northwest of the Majar Mountain range is the Pasadim Mesas, an area of rocky hills and flat-top plateaus. Finally, there's the coastline which extends to about 3000 kilometers.

The beaches are well-maintained, white sandy shores with beautiful crystal-clear waters. Cashar takes a lot of pride in its pristine environment. Tourism and animal trade is such a big industry in Cashar that economic interests lie heavily in ensuring the environment remains clean. The highest point is at an elevation of 3,488 m, and the lowest point is at sea level. It typically faces temperature extremes and has two distinct seasons. The winter months bring comfortable daytime temperatures while summer months are dominated by the heat. Annually, Cashar receives anywhere from 76 to 500 mm of rainfall per year.

Topographic Zones

Cashari Desert

The Cashari Desert is by far the largest area occupying Cashar. It can be found in every state; though, it is excluded from areas such as the Marjan Mountains, Walstet Mountains, and the smaller Ramat Plains. It can be considered partly a subtropical desert and partly an arid rain-shadow desert due to the location of the Majar and Wasat mountain ranges. Sand dunes and sand seas make up only a minor part of the desert as it is mostly characterized by salt flats, dry fields, and dry lakes. The Cashari Desert also consists of scattered shrubland which can generally be found around the coastal areas, the Raras River, and the Sanaka Oasis; though, occasionally due to small amounts of rainfall, it can be found elsewhere. The Cashari Desert is a modernized, international name for the desert. Locally, it is referred to as the Ramar Desert.

Sanaka Oasis

The Sinka Oasis.

The Sanaka Oasis is a unique geographical feature and part of the Cashari Desert proper. It is located in the state of Danar. The oasis is centered around Lake Sanaka, a freshwater lake which is about twenty-two square kilometers wide and 1,108 feet deep. The lake is thought to have formed as the result of an impact crater millions of years ago. The lake is largely fed by a natural underground aquifer.

Ramat Plains

The Ramat Plains are a flat expanse of somewhat fertile land with very few trees. They are located primarily in the states of Shakal and Nakal. The plains are cut by the Raras River, which is largely responsible for the reason the plains exist in the first place.

The Auros River.

Raras River

The Raras River is a singular river which exists in Cashar and stretches to 1,125 kilometers. It cuts through the Ramort Plains which are itself nourished by the river and through the states of Satak, Shakal, and Nakal, and ending in Karan. It is home to nearly 50 species of fish with about 20% being endemic. The Cashari people draw about 2 million cubic meters of water from this river each year as it is a major source of fresh water.

Majar Mountains

The Majar Mountains are a mountain range which exist in southwestern Cashar. The range is mostly located in the state of Bitit, but some of it stretches to the bottom tip of the state of Qadika. The highest peak of the mountain is Mount Lazaz which stands at 3,488 m.

Wasat Mountains

The Wasat Mountains are a mountain range which exist in northeastern Cashar. The range is located in the eastern portion of Shakel and Nykel and the southern portions of Karan and Dakimi. The mountains are smaller, elevation-wise, compared to the Majar Mountain range. The Wasat Mountains are home to an extensive network of caverns - one of which is the famous Lamat Caverns, known for its cave paintings from early humans in Alharu.

Pasadim Mesas

The Pesodyna Mesas.

The Pasadim Mesas are a unique geographical feature and part of the Cashari Desert proper. This area is known for its isolated, tabletop hills of varying sizes with the smallest coming in at .5 km and the largest coming in at 330 km. They lie primarily in the region of northwestern Bitit and southern Qadika.

Monim Coast

The Monim Coast is the coastline of Cashar which stretches to about 3,000 km. It is home to over 400 separate beaches which are kept pristine for tourists. The coastline is also where a majority of cities and towns congregate in Cashar due to much of the rest of Cashar being desert. It is not only an important part of the tourism economy in Cashar but also a valuable part of the ecosystem as it is home to several kinds of wildlife. One beach, in particular, is known as Javelina Beach for the rampant number of wild desert pigs who wander the beach and swim in the waters.

Fauna and Flora

Fauna

Cashar is known for being biodiverse due to its unique habitats, especially around the areas of the Monim Coast, the Sanaka Oasis, the Raras River and Ramat Plains. The Cashari Desert is harsh and difficult to live in, but much smaller oases can occasionally be found and help the various animals thrive. Other animals are well-adapted to the Cashari Desert. Currently in Cashar, there are 87 mammal species, 548 species of birds (including 12 of which have been introduced by humans), 120 species of reptiles (mostly snakes and lizards with half of snakes being venomous), and somewhere around 12,000 to 17,000 species of insects. Domesticated animals include camels, sheep, goats, and chickens.

Mammals of Cashar

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  Desert Hare

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  Lion

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  Sand Cat

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  Camel

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  Gazelle

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  Hyrax

Birds of Cashar

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  Desert Magpie

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  Vulture

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  Hoopoe

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  Ramat Plains Sunbird

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  Crane

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  Secretary Bird

Reptiles of Cashar

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  Fan-footed Gecko

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  Agama

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  Sand Racer

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  Sand Boa

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  Desert Horned Viper

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  Cashari Tortoise

Flora

The Raras River and the Sanaka Oasis are critical to Cashar's success as a habitable country. Crops grown in the Ramat Plains and in the Sanaka Oasis include cotton, grains, legumes, olives, sorghum, carob, dates, figs, root vegetables, lemons, limes, cherry tomatoes, and peppers. Papyrus reeds are restricted to the far south of the Raras River. Other plants native to the area include acacia trees, palms, succulents, spiny shrubs, cacti, and grasses. In the coastal areas, condensation from clouds sometimes allow for the proliferation of mosses and lichen.

Natural Disasters

Sandstorms

Sandstorms are common in Cashar as a result of the large amount of desert. These storms tend to carry large volumes of sand suddenly and unexpectedly. The main problems with sandstorms are their effect on agricultural, the ability to spread disease, and the fact that prolonged exposure can cause problems with the respiratory system. It is uncommon for sandstorms to cause physical damage to buildings; however, sandstorms can effect electrical equipment if the items are not properly covered. This effect can be more pronounced with bigger desert storms such as with haboobs which are a more intense sandstorm created by collapsed thunderstorms.

Earthquakes

Cashar is in a seismically active area as a result of the Thalassan and Alharun plates sliding against each other. Every ten years, it can be expected to have an earthquake that registers a 7 on the Richter scale.