Zona Umida

Federal Republic of Zona Umida Federa Republika am Tirkaszia (Gallese)
150px Flag 100px Coat of Arms
Motto: Peace and Divinity
Anthem:  Kefod de gloria "Rise in Glory"
Capital	Sediya
Largest	Anapa
Official languages	Common Gallese
Recognised regional languages	Namese
Ethnic groups (2024)	35.7% Riamese 33.9% Gallese 10.4% Namese 20% other
Religion (2024)	45.1% Christianity 34.1% Non-religion 8.8% Nabridism 8.2% other
Demonym(s)	Zona Umidan Umidan Tircasian
Government	Federal presidential republic
• President	Sebastian Michelle
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	Katagron
Establishment
• Formation of the Gallese Kingdom	1149
• Conquered by the Riamese	Early 15th century
• Incorporated into the Riamese crown	15th century
• Guaranteed independence by Riamo	1880
Area
•	522,867.60 km2 (201,880.31 sq mi)
• Water (%)	≈1.5
Population
• 2024 census	65,768,896
• Density	125.78/km2 (325.8/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2024 estimate
• Total	366.984 billion
• Per capita	7,876.51
Gini (2024)	55.85 high
HDI	0.862 very high
Currency	Umidan hull (Ʉ)
Time zone	UTC+5 (UTC)
Date format	mm/dd/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+299
Internet TLD	.zu

The Federal Republic of Zona Umida (Gallese: Federa Republika am Zona Umida) is a federal presidential republic situated in the region of Nostria in the continent of Astariax, bordering Riamo from the south, Arverynn to the west, Catrallia to the north, and the Nostrian Sea to the east. It consists of 7 islands, the largest being the Nostrian Island which also contains the capital. The capital city is Sediya, which is also the main economic and cultural centre of the country. The nation is commonly split between the Mainland and the Nostrian Archipelago, both geographically, linguistically and culturally. It has territorial control over several islands, those being Bibussila Island, Courtney and Kelton Island, Royalment Island, Kessel Island, Dean's Bay, the Iriltta Island and the Nostrian Island being the largest and most populous.

The general area of Zona Umida is approxiamently 522,867.60 km² in size, while the size of the Nostrian Island including the surrounding islands measures to be 118,796 km². As of the 2018 census, the population of Zona Umida is 35,768,000, however sources in 2020 estimate it to have reached 36,000,000.

The history of Zona Umida stretches as far back as 3000 BC, where evidence of early human settlements was found along the Mainland's coast and other regions of the country. Initially, the Nostrian Archipelago was ruled by a confederation known as the Umidans, a network of city-states, tribedoms and clans that dates as far back as 600 BC. Zona Umida has also been historically under Riamese control spanning 4 centuries, from the early 15th century up until it was gauranteed independance from Riamo on July 6, 1880.

Since 1880, Zona Umida has been a federal parliamentary republic, and has a legislative assembly. The territorial structure of Zona Umida includes 27 states, # provinces, and an autonomous region known as the North Nami Republic. The constitution divides the legislature into the legislative, judicial and the executive branch. There is also a main Parliament.

Zona Umida is known for its rich culture, which is a product of its long history, diversity, and influences. There are several urban areas, with cities such as Anapa, Calinburdhe-Durbling, Dszoslwn and Bayhall being one of the largest.

Etymology

The name 'Zona Umida' translates literally into 'tropical/humid zone' in Old Gallese, referring to the tropical land of the Nostrian Archipelago, and is mentioned as early as the 9th century. Before then, the territory of present-day Zona Umida was called "Gall's Land" (Zona Galeste) in literature.

History

Early history

Evidence of human habitation in Zona Umida dates as long back as the later Chalcolithic period to the Bronze Age, where remanants of metalwork and other archealogicial findings have been excavated, presumabely left behind by the Varamidi culture. Several temples and mounds have also been found, the most notable being the Soffean Temple, dating back to the Middle Bronze age. Metalwork, especially bronze and iron was found in large mining sites and mounds. The Varamidi culture eventually covered the entire Nostrian Archipelago, with evidence of habitation as far as Bibussila Island.

Remains of bronze age items found at an archealogical excavation site in Davai Rena.

Umidan Confederation

Somewhere around 300 BCE, several citystates had began trading with each other, creating a trading network of several varietes of materials. This would empower economic activity, which would result in a boom in economy throughout the Nostrian archipelago. Later in 200 BCE, the Umidan Confederation was formed. This would increase trading in the area and further strengthening diplomatic ties. The most populous citystate was Davai Rena, and is considered by historians to be the cultural and economic center of the confederacy at that time. In 10 AD, the Hirethian Empire commenced a large-scale invasion of the confederacy, resulting in a massive collapse and Davai Rena being severely sacked and pillaged. For the remainder up until the Hirethian Empire's collapse, the Nostrian Archipelago would largely be sparsely habitated and Davai Rena had never recovered its population.

Hirethian occupation

Throughout the entire span of the Hirethian Empire until its collapse, the modern-day territory of Zona Umida would be largely occupied by them. Looking to re-establish the once prosperous trading route, they began re-opening the several mines found across the Nostrian Archipelago and began trading the materials with other civilizations, this allowed for the local economy in the area to prosper once again. In the 12 BC, they settled the city of Nostriopole, located in on the northwestern tip of the Nostrian Island. Due to its close proximity to several mines and easy port access, the city flourished immensly. Several buildings have been excavated, including temples, schools, libraries and hospitals.

The ancient city of Nostriopole.

Post-Hirethian collapse and the Gatageian Republic

After the Hirethian empire collapsed, the region of Zona Umida quickly fell into chaos again, as numerous tribes and fragments of citystates began competing with each other for territorial control and resources. in 398 AD, the city of Nostriopole was captured toq Gatagie and the inhabitants were massacred. The the tribe eventually conquered the entire Nostrian Island in 399; and in 400 AD, the tribedom shifted to a republic, giving birth to the Gatageian Republic. In 401, they settled the capital of Sedeiya right above the ruins of Nostriopole.

In 420 AD, looking to expand their influence and land; the leader Thiodor II sent out several expeditions ships to neighboring islands. After the expedition, the republic had conquered the Archipelago and established several settlements, including Kes, Erelta, and Kalisa, and more.

Gatageian society was very strict and conservative. Young boys were forced to under-go strict "warrior training", while corruption and nepotism throughout the government was widespread. Famine was also common and hundreds would die each year from starvation. This cultivated a period of distress and tension throughout the 3rd century.

Gallese tribes

After the collapse of the Hirethians, Gallese tribes and clans were widespread throughout the area of modern Zona Umida. Due to constant threats and conflicts by the neighboring Riamese states to the south, they had decided to collectively

Geography

Zona Umida occupies a total area of approximately 522,867.60 square kilometers. Geographers often divide the country into three distinct regions: the Continental North (also sometimes referred to as the Mainland), the Acuana Islands, and the South. However, some classifications divide the country into just two regions: the North and the South, with the Acuana Islands being grouped into the Northern region.

Climate

The continental north of Zona Umida is characterized by a relatively arid and hot climate, with the majority of the western portion occupied by the Gallese Desert. In contrast, the eastern and coastal areas are semi-arid. However, due to the influence of the Torovina Current, temperatures east of the Campon Range are moderate, with warm and cold swings throughout the year. This drastic climate split is the result of the rain shadow effect, which occurs when the prevailing winds from the Nostrian ocean deposit their moisture on the coastal side, before reaching the vast mountain ranges further inland and halting. Consequently, the western inland becomes drier in precipation due to this, leading to arid conditions. The Acuana Islands including Bibussila, located off the coast of Zona Umida, experience a climate that is similar to the eastern region of the mainland. However, due to the islands being surrounded by ocean, the climate is far more humid and rainy compared to the east.

The Nostrian Archipelago is known for its majority tropical savannah climate, characterized by warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. The archipelago is located south of the mainland, and is heavily influenced by warm ocean currents and trade winds, which bring with them high levels of moisture and rainfall, resulting in lush vegetation in stark contrast to the xeric climate of the continental North. The interior of the Nostrian Island is less humid and warm than the coastal territory. Additionally, the Southeast region of the Nostrian Island is considered to have a mild sub-tropical climate, characterized by cooler temperatures and less humidity compared to the rest of the island. This is due to the influence of the cool ocean currents that flow around the Southeast region and the Britnis Mountains that encompass the area, which results in a more moderate climate compared to the rest of the archipelago.

Physical geography

Zona Umida is considered to be an archipelagic nation with a large and diverse variation between geologic features, elevations and minerals. The highest peak in the country is the Gran Asta located in the Campon Range, measuring over 14,379 feet or 4,383 meters. The lowest elevation is in the Gastadinor Wetlands measuring 12 feet above sea level. The geomorphologic makeup westward of the Campon is characterized by its dispersed mountain ranges. These ranges are not concentrated throughout the area, but rather are spread out across the northern perimeter in various clusters and individual peaks. This forms a "desert bowl" that encloses the relatively flat Gallese desert. East of the Campon Range, the elevation gradually descends towards the coast, forming a downward slope. This gradual descent creates a unique coastal landscape, characterized by cliffs, rocky shores, and sandy beaches. Southward of the coast, the Susabyla River is a significant body of water that runs throughout the North. The river begins in the Susabyla Lake of the southern region and flows towards the coast, where it eventually empties into the ocean. Despite the semi-arid conditions, the river is perennial and flows year-round due to the presence of a large underground aquifer. Also, one such feature is the presence of white sand near a lake. The presence of white sand near a lake in Zona Umida is a unique feature that is not commonly observed in many other regions. The white sands themselves are composed of gypsum, a mineral that is composed of calcium sulfate. The gypsum was formed as a result of the evaporation of a shallow sea that covered the area around 200 million years ago, and a wind current that gradually eroded the gypsum.

A local swamp in the Gastadinor.

The Gran Asta Mountains are the highest mountains by elevation in Zona Umida.