Gapolania

Republic of Gapolania Repubblica Gapolanesa
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Toccati dalla luce We are touched by the light
Anthem: Le braci dei nostri cuori Our heart's embers
Location of Gapolania in Kylaris
Capital and	Nassea
Official languages	Vespasian
Recognised regional languages	Chanuche
Ethnic groups (2018)	68.3% Mixed (Razzamista) 9.9% Bahio-Gapolanese 9.2% Native Asterian 6.4% White Gapolanese 3.5% Gowsa 2.7% others or unspecified
Religion (2018)	81.5% Catholic 10.9% Irreligious 2.6% Atheist 2.2% Badi 1.5% Brethren 0.7% Animist 0.6% Other
Demonym(s)	Gapolanese
Government	Constitutional parliamentary unitary republic
• President	Mosè Maggiacomo
• Prime Minister	Ivano Cerbone
Legislature	Senate
Independence from Etruria
• Declared	18th October, 1808
• Recognized	1810
• Current constitution	1981
Area
• Total	634,224 km2 (244,875 sq mi)
Population
• 2018 census	19,625,443
• Density	30.9/km2 (80.0/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2019 estimate
• Total	$237.330 billion
• Per capita	$12,093
GDP (nominal)	2019 estimate
• Total	$131.961 billion
• Per capita	$6,724
Gini (2019)	44.5 medium
HDI (2019)	0.758 high
Currency	Gapolanese Moneta (GPM)
Time zone	UTC-9 (Western Lumine Time)
Date format	dd.mm.yyyy
Driving side	right
ISO 3166 code	GP
Internet TLD	.gp

Gapolania, officially Republic of Gapolania (Vespasian: Repubblica Gapolanesa) is a sovereign country in Asteria Inferior. It borders Jossia to the south-west, while bordering the East Arucian Sea to the north-west and the Lumine Ocean to the north and east. The country is a parliamentary unitary republic, divided into 11 governorates (governatorato) and a capital domain of Nassea, which is also the republic's most populated city.

The territory of modern day Gapolania was initially inhabited by semi-nomadic Chanuche people, living primarily on the western of northern coast of the land. Starting in the fourth decade of the 16th century, the region became a subject to an intense Povelian colonization, leading to the creation of the Viceroyalty of New Povelia in 1579. Following the political turmoil in Etruria, the nation declared its independence in 1808 and states Gapolania and Semara emerged as sovereign states in 1810, uniting in 1818. Despite the rapid development in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the republic descended into political and economic instability after siding with the Entente in the Great War. After the war, the country faced a series of coups, interchanging with waves of democratization, the last one taking place in the 1978, when the Hibiscus Revolution led to an establishment of the new government and creation of the new constitution.

Gapolania is a developing economy, classified as an upper-middle-income country. Despite that, it's the least developed Asterian nation, highly dependent on industry and agriculture, particularly fruits, fish, petroleum, minerals and shipbuilding. While known for its relatively high gender and ethnic equality, Gapolania suffers from many internal, particularly environmental, conflicts, as well as from high crime rate attributed mostly to drug usage, drug trafficking and corruption. It's a member of the Community of Nations, International Council for Democracy, Asteria Inferior Common Market and Organization of Asterian Nations.

Etymology

The etymology of the name "Gapolania" is quite unclear, with two most common versions claiming the name is derived from Vespasian "capo", meaning cape or "capa", meaning shell. Both options are explained by the linguists as possible and proper, as Gapolania's geographic location makes it a cape of Asteria Inferior and shells are also commonly found throughout the region, especially within the coast of the East Arucian Sea, where the waters rich in crustaceans often wash many shells on the sandy western coast of the republic.

Considerably more problematic is term "-lania", with many differing proposal. The most accepted one is that it served as a suffix to refer to the region as either cape land or shell land. This, on the other hand, could be derived from Chanuche "lawna", meaning lagoon. Indeed, most scholars during the 20th century sustained that shell lagoon is the proper etymology of the country name. More recent research, however, claim that it could also be delivered from Vespasian "lana" - wool. Why or how would the word wool be used in the context of the nation name is yet unclear, though there are claims that the word "lana" was the Chanuche term for Povelian explorers, as the first settlers had often been wearing wool. The Chanuche might have desired wool and often traded their goods for this resource. The rapid evolution of the colony could have possibly joined two most common names: "capo" and "lana", creating a basis for the modern-day "Gapolania".

The name itself had been used for the first time in 1586, in the letter of Nassean governor to Povelian Doge. Initially, it was an informal term for the region, as the colony was divided into the governorates of Nassea and Semara. After the formation of the First Etrurian Republic, it started being used as an official name for the eastern part of today's republic. Following the Semara War, the officials adopted that name for the whole country.

History

Precolonial history

The territory of modern day Gapolania was inhabited by the Chanuche people, who settled mostly on the western coast and in the river valleys. Separated into several major tribes, their economy was agriculture-based, with developed fishing and crop cultivation traditions. While not organized, they created a wide trade network that was highly reliant on territorial divides and peaceful cooperation, preventing any tribe from waging major war or subjecting other tribal states. The Chanuche were most distinguished by their handicraft, mostly copper- and silver-work, as well as textiles. They were also stone and wood builders, with many statues and monuments dedicated to Chanuche gods and spirits.

A Poveglian fleet led by Giacomo Borghese arrived in the Eastern Arucian Sea and started trading with the native people of the land, exchanging goods and information. The Chanuche were exposed to metalworking and various animals, like cows and horses, sparking shift to a herding society.

Conquest and colonial era

Nunzo di Rosignelle was the first governor of Astia.

The first settlement in Gapolania, Astia was founded in 1545 on the western coast of the country and soon became a major trading hub in the region, with the port's advantageous geographic position as a prime factor of its rapid development. Further east, Nassea was raised in 1549 by another Povelian fleet, intended to form an outpost for future expeditions towards the Lumine Ocean. Together with the port of San Rose in modern-day Jossia, the Tricolony was formed, centering administrative power around the towns. Initially friendly relations with the Chanuche, growing territorial claims and the introduction of Sotirianity led to a series of conflicts against the indigenous population - in 1551, the admiral Nunzo di Rosignelle launched a military campaign, killing over 10 thousand of the native people and forcing nearly twice as many to escape into the interior. These tribes would often disrupt and halt Povelian colonization of the mountainous Gapolania. Di Rosignelle was named the first governor of Astia in 1553, while Sebastian Callanera, a noble of the Povelian court, was granted the rule over the colony of Nassea in 1554.

The Tricolony was organized into the Viceroyalty of New Povelia in 1579, centralizing power in hands of a Viceroy, a subordinate of the Povelian Doge that had direct power over the colony. Viceroyalty itself was divided into governorates, of which Governorate of Gapolania and Governorate of Semara constituted a part of modern-day Gapolania. The sparsely populated region, not able to answer metropolis' demands efficiently, soon became a target for slave trade. Since 1583, Gapolania received almost 100'000 slaves, mostly from Bahia. They were primarily used as workers on latifundia owned by Povelian merchants and newly established Gapolanese elites, harvesting sugar cane, maize and coffee beans. During 17th century, when the interior of the region became better known, a development of mining sparked a mass migration towards Sierra Bianca mountains and founding settlements that would later grow into major industrial hubs. By the half of the 18th century, the region was divided into affluent western coast of both Jossia and Gapolania and largely undeveloped interior, with loose direct control over the local population. This caused a series of indigenous uprisings, the main ones happening in 1731 and 1756, both of which were crushed by the Etrurian military and resulted in partition of the native-owned land.

Silvio Amindè became the first President of Gapolania

Disparities between mostly Euclean or Razzamista population and Bahian or indigenous groups led to a rise of the Pantheonisti movement, an ideology that supported equality, freedom and liberty and was widely popular within the poor. Born in Etruria, the idea gained a major following of Gapolanese scholars, who believed independent, Sotirian nation built by united society would become the God's Republic. In 1785, two priests, Giacomo Sandera and Lozano Bigantú wrote Heavenly Asteria (Asteria Celeste), advocating for independence of New Povelia, mass rebellion led by the slaves and the farmers and creation of a religious state on the continent. While not fully successful, their work inspired many Gapolanese and Semarans, most of whom had no direct connection to the Etrurian Republic and wished to become a sovereign state. Following the declaration of independence in 1808 in Jossia, Lorenzo di Ceilla, Bishop of Nassea, supported by the city's population, called for independence the same year, followed by the religious leaders in other cities. Gapolania and Semara were officially recognized by Etrurian monarchy two years later, in 1810.

Geography

Topographic map of Gapolania

Gapolania is the northernmost nation in Asteria Inferior, stretching approximately between latitudes 13°N and 21°N and longitudes 121°E and 141°E. Surrounded by the waters of the East Arucian Sea in the west and northwest and the Lumine Ocean in the northeast and east, Gapolania possesses 2565 kilometres (1594 miles) long coastline, including the island of San Nicomede.

With an area of 634,224 km² (244,875 mi²), the republic is the smallest country on the continent, yet is one of the 25 biggest nations in the world. It shares its only land border with Jossia, reaching nearly 1210 km (752 mi), with most of it drawn by the Semara river. Due to a nearby location of Îles des Saints, Gapolania also shares maritime border with Gaullica.

Divided in half by the Sierra Bianca mountain range, Gapolania lies on a fairly stable western part of the Lumine tectonic plate. The mountain range does not exceed 4,000 metres (13,000 feet), with the highest peak being Alto Martello, reaching 3,813 m (12,509 ft). Nearly 75% of the country's territory lies above 1,000 metres (3281 feet) and around half of the whole country is situated between one and two thousand metres. Despite that, most of the population lives in a low-lying coastal zone, especially in the western portion of the nation. There were several attempts to categorize Gapolania's geographic variety, based on altitude, climate and land cover - currently, most researches identify 6 or 7 distinct regions of the country.

• The Coast (Costa), compromising the entire northwestern and northern part of the republic. Most of the region is a flat lowland, lying below 1,000 metres. The coastal zone is strongly affected by warm currents and receives water from many rivers, including the Semara river and the Rasaldo river, making it a suitable place for the development of agriculture. It was the first region colonized by the Povelian settlers and is currently the most populated one, with nearly half of Gapolania's population living there.
• The Highlands (Altopiani), constituting northern and central parts of the country, with altitudes varying between 1,000 to 2,000 metres. The Highlands are cut by the valleys of numerous rivers and the land is covered mostly by savanna, bushes and gallery forests. It's one of the least populated regions, creating a rift between the west and east coast. Animal husbandry, especially sheep and cows, takes place in the region, as well as grape and agave cultivation.
• The Bagnura, a smaller part of the northeastern coast, with rapid changes in altitude and high precipitation, caused mostly by the warm oceanic currents and hurricanes. This results in seasonal floods, including mud floods, relatively dense tree coverage and high biodiversity. The capital city of Nassea is part of the Bagnura. While subjected to different natural disasters, the region is attractive to many farmers and suffers from swamp draining and deforestation.
• The Selva, eastern coast of the republic. More humid and hotter than rest of the republic, the Selva is a relatively flat zone covered by subtropical and tropical forests, transitioning into mangrove forests near the southern border. Relatively sparsely populated, the Selva region is often struck by hurricanes and floods. Citrus growing and fishing develop in the area, as well as tourism.
• The Ascio, a semi-arid hilly region in the south of the country, focusing on the valley of the Onadenza river. Significantly drier than the rest of the country, the region was dynamically developing since the late 19th century, when the vast copper and zinc resources were discovered in the area. Shrubs and bushes dominate the landscape, with lower altitudes, influenced more by the cyclone, being generally more fertile.
• The Sierra Bianca, the mountainous part of the republic, transitioning into the Highlands in the north. With altitudes varying between 2,000 and nearly 4,000 metres, it's a diverse region. While trees and bushes form the lower lying parts, high altitudes are covered by alpine flora. Snow can fall in the higher parts and most of the Gapolanese rivers start their course there. Because of that, there are over numerous hydroelectric power stations in the Sierra Bianca, producing nearly 85% of all the country's energy. Mining and small-scale ranching are common industries in the area.
• San Nicomede island is commonly distinguished as the seventh region, lying considerably far away from the continental Gapolania. Most of the island's area is part of the San Nicomede National Park, known for its significantly high flora and fauna diversity.

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  Coastal flatland in the west of the country.

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  The fertile eastern plains.

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  Highlands cover nearly half of the country's territory.

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  The Sierra Bianca mountains derive their name from the nearly white colour of the rocks.

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  San Nicomede island is one of the most known Gapolanese tourist attractions.

Climate

Climate classification map of Gapolania

Owing to its latitude, Gapolania is generally considered to fall within subtropical climate zone, though other factors, like altitude and influence of the cyclones, cause parts of the nation to exhibit traits found in tropical or semi-arid climate zones. Gapolania's peninsular character results in relatively high precipitation in most of the country, owing to existence of warm currents in both the East Arucian Sea and the Lumine Ocean. The Sierra Bianca mountains also play an important role in the water cycle, providing a source of water deposition and accumulation. The temperature is similar across the nation, with a median of 15°C taken from regional averages. Average daily highs vary between 22-26°C and average daily lows are usually between 16-20°C. In more mountainous parts of the nation, the temperatures are lower throughout the year, with a possibility to fall below 0°C during the dry season.

Gapolania experiences both wet and dry season, the more distinguishable, the further north it is. Most of the republic experiences a rainy season from mid-May to mid-October and receives significantly less rain during the remainder of the year. February is considered the driest, while July the wettest season - Nassea, for example, receives an average of 20 millimetres (0.8 inch) of rain during February but over 300 millimetres (12 inches) in July.

The country lies within the hurricane belt and all regions of both coasts are susceptible to these storms from June through November, with the eastern coast being struck heavier than the western. Several hurricanes per year strike the Gapolanese coastline, however, and these storms bring high winds, heavy rain, extensive damage, and occasional loss of life. The most devastating hurricane occurred in 1974, with winds exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph). Seasonality of weather in Gapolania, with very dry periods intercepted by huge downpours often cause other natural disasters, such as floods, mud floods, landslides and droughts. The country is considered to be very susceptible to the climate change and is more likely to experience increased disaster severity.

Biodiversity

A wide variety of flora is present in Gapolania, with many species endemic.

As with many Asterian nations, Gapolania is considered to be a diverse country, though fauna diversity is comparably less than the rest of the continent, owing to harsher environmental conditions. Over 40,000 different species can be found throughout the country, separated into three regions: northwestern coast, highlands & the mountains and eastern coast, with each of them providing differently functioning habitats.

At least 3'000 species of pants are present in the country, focused mostly in the eastern parts of the republic and on higher altitudes, where many natural edges supported endemity. There are nearly 140 species of trees, including ficus, magnolia, ochroma and white oak, over 100 different types of orchids, and 80 types of ferns. Gapolania is also known for its flower cultivation, including both native and introduced species, especially hibiscus, roses and begonias. Other plants important to Gapolanese economy are agave, citruses and bananas, though their extensive cultivation leads to diversity decrease and habitat competition.

There are also numerous species of animals in the republic, with over 90 endemic kinds of reptiles, including Gapolania leaf-toed gecko and brown basilisk. The island of San Nicomede is a habitat to nearly 20 reptile species not met anywhere else, especially turtles and snakes. Amphibians, such as freshbelly frogs are mostly present in the eastern parts of the country, where the humidity is similar to more equatorial regions. There are many birds in the republic, with some of them being present all-year round and others migrating to Gapolania from Asteria Superior during the winter. Native species include tinamou, potoos and hummingbirds, the latter ones often considered the national animal of the country. Despite its relatively low mammal variety, Gapolania is home to almost 120 of species, such as opossum, armadillos or moused-eared bats.

Over 100,000 square kilometres (38610 square miles) of the country are considered "Protected Natural Areas". These are further divided into biosphere reserves (5), national parks (26), natural monuments (2), areas of protected flora and fauna (17) and areas for natural resources protection (3). Land and water protection has been an official agenda of all the governments since 1981, soil - since 1999, and air - since 2013. The country actively advocates for clean energy usage, environmental protection and natural disasters monitoring and prevention on the international scene.

Politics

See also: List of political parties in Gapolania

Arcipalazzo, the seat of the Senate in Nassea

Gapolania has been a parliamentary republic since 1981, when the presidential system was abolished following the Hibiscus Revolution. The Gapolanese government is based on the five principles stated in the constitution of 1981, the country's supreme legal document: freedom, equality, stability, opportunity and representation.

Government

Mosè Maggiacomo, President of Gapolania since 2017.

Ivano Cerbone, Prime Minister since 2017.

There are three branches of government in the republic: executive, legislative and judiciary. The branches are separate from each other, regulated by the consitution of the republic of Gapolania and controlled by the Council of Control and Transparency, as well as by the citizens of the nation.

The President of Gapolania is the republic's head of state. While mostly symbolic, the president represents the unity of the nation and serves a point of connection between all of the government branches. The president is a commander in-chief in the time of war, calls for referendum, can dissolve the Senate in consultation with the speaker, authorizes and signs bills and acts passed by the Senate, having also the ability to veto them. The President of Gapolania is responsible for appointing the members of the Council of the Ministers, usually following the ruling's party reccomendations. The president is chosen every 4 years and can be elected twice in a row. Every citizen of the republic of Gapolania can candidate, as long as they are 35 years old on the day of the elections and have no criminal record. The president can be impeached and removed from the office by an absolute majority of at least 75% votes.

Composition the Senate (number of seats)
Justice and Restoration

  Supportist Party: 42

  Blue Hibiscus: 21

  National Movement: 11

  Enough!: 5

  Sotirian Democratic Party: 2

Civic Union

  Freedom Party: 26

  Tommorow: 8

  Popular Front: 6

New Left

  Socialist Party: 15

  Red Umbrella: 9

  Greens: 9

  Charra: 3

  Labour Party: 2

The Senate of Gapolania is a unicameral body consisting of 155 members (Senators), elected every 4 years. The Senate is elected by direct and universal suffrage by the citizens above 18. The Senators are equal in the act of creating and shaping the legislative process and each of them wield one vote during the voting. The Senators represent their voting districts and the elections are based on party-list propoortional representation system.

After the Hibiscus Revolution, Gapolania had been ruled by centre-left or left wing political parties as a result of the Asterian Spring. The situation changed in 2011, following the so-called San Bernardo crisis, when a journalist affiliated with the Il Sentiero newspaper uncovered several transactions made between the Socialist Party members and Elendisti, organized crime groups, as well as several other unauthorized transactions between the government and the foreign actors. The public opinion had been consistently unfavorable towards the left-wing ruling party and, following the successful campaign of right wing Giustizia e Restaurazione (Justice and Restoration) coalition, lost the general elections in 2013. Gapolania is one of the few countries in the Asterias currently ruled by a right-wing party.

The executive branch consists of the Council of the Ministers (Consiglio dei Ministri) and the president of the Council, formally referred to as the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and the ministers are appointed by the president and must be approved by the majority of the Senate - commonly the council and prime minister come from the ruling party, which gives their reccomendations to the president. The Prime Minister is considered a head of government and has similar responsibilities and privileges as in the other parliamentary system, including the right to request the dissolution of the Senate or impeachment of the president. There are 17 ministers in the Council of the Ministers, with each being tasked with a particular field of issues, such as economy, foreign policy or military. The number of ministries can be increased or decreased, depending on the needs of the government but every change must be approved by the majority in the Senate.

The judiciary branch in Gapolania is based on the Etrurian setup, with three-tier system, consisting of the Constitutional Court, 10 high courts and numerous trial courts. The Constitutional Courts has jurisdiction over the high courts and is responsible for determining the constitutionality of the national and regional laws. It has power to invalidate any government actions that it deems unconstitutional. The members of the Constitutional Courts should be apolitical and have no connections to both the head of state and government.

Administrative divisions

Gapolania is divided into 11 governorates and a capital domain. Each of the governorates, as well as the capital domain elect their own legislative and executive powers. The governorates are further divided into communes (comuni), while the capital domain is divided into districts (quartieri). The governorates are equal in policy implementation: they can introduce differing social, economic or cultural laws, as long as they are considered constitutional. This has been used, for example, by Governorate of Appalasta in 2001, to establish Chanuche language as a secondary language of the region. There are debates over whether the country should remain unitary or become a federation to shift the power to the regional councils.

Name	Type	Capital	Area (km2)	Population
Appalasta	Governorate	Duclea
Aurelio	Governorate	San Aurelio
Bartolomeu	Governorate	Omìsierre
Belcasera	Governorate	Trapanto
Ellorio	Governorate	Altoparadiso
Fangaria	Governorate	Nestaia
Misano-Alessandrou	Governorate	Vaì
Nassea	Capital domain	Nassea
Nerio	Governorate	Zeta
Orenda	Governorate	Orenda
Secoria	Governorate	Curulèbu
Torrena	Governorate	Astia

Foreign relations

Following the Hibiscus Revolution, Gapolania adopted a stance of neutrality and cooperation on the political scene. Founding member of the Community of Nations, Gapolania advocates for a minimal intervention in the internal affairs and mediation between states in case of a dispute. The republic is a member of the International Council for Democracy, Organization of Asterian Nations and Asteria Inferior Common Market.

The nation maintains strong historical ties with its former metropolis, Etruria, which are further supported by shared ideologies of the ruling parties. Jossia is also a very close partner of Gapolania, based on geographical and cultural closeness, though the countries had warred against each other several times in the history. Aucuria is also considered a friend or even an ally of Gapolania and Satucin is often noted as a major trade and political partner of the republic. While informally aligned with the North Vehemens Organization and the Euclean Community, Gapolania values itself as a strategic partner of both organizations due to its geographic position as a northernmost country in Asteria Inferior.

Military

Traditionally a militaristic republic, Gapolania has been steadily lowering its army size and expenditure. The military is divided into four branches - Army, Navy, Air Force and Guard Force, employing a total of 25,436 soldiers, with nearly 90,000 reservists. Their primary mission is to safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The age of conscription is 18 years old, though forced conscription has been abolished in 2009.

The branches of the military have separate functions:

• The Gapolanese Army is the branch of the Gapolanese Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations and participating in international peacekeeping operations
• The Gapolanese Navy is in charge of the country's maritime, river, and lake defense. Because of the country's substantial area of exclusive economic zone, they are also sometimes used to patrol the East Arucian Sea and the Lumine Ocean in a fight against the organized crime.
• The Gapolanese Air Force is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations and participating in international peacekeeping operations.
• The Gapolanese Guard Force is the youngest branch, established in 2006 from the Army. Its stated mission is to secure Gapolania's borders, take charge of gun control, combat terrorism and organized crime, protect public order and guard important state facilities.

The Gapolanese military tradition can be dated backed to the early 19th century, when the independence of the New Povelia and a birth of Pantheonisti movement created the republic of Gapolania. Organized military was needed in the country's initial wars against Semara Republic and Jossia. Following the defeat in the Great War as a part of the Entente, the military was reconstructed and increased its significance once again in the 1960s, when the junta, led by Eugenio Giovanardi, overthrew the left-wing government and introduced military regime that lasted until 1981. Since then, the role of the military has decreased and shifted towards the fight against organized and paramilitary groups in Gapolania's interior. Current military expenditure are the lowest in the history, oscillating around 0.9% of GDP as of 2019. The country is a signatory of the Treaty of Shanbally.

Economy

Diagram showing main Gapolanese export goods

Gapolania has a developing economy that is highly dependent on commodities, namely petroleum and agricultural products. The country is classified as an upper-middle-income country. The republic has the smallest economy in Asteria Inferior and, along with Aucuria, is considered the poorest nation, both by GDP and GDP per capita. Despite that, Gapolania's economy is steadily increasing, experiencing a yearly average growth of around 4.5% between 2010-2020.

The country is troubled by an unstable uneplyoment rate, currently estimated at around 9.7%. Around 20% of workforce is believed to be working in the informal sector, mostly in the agriculture and heavy industries, what makes control and support of the market challenging. Relatively high Gini index, set at 44.5, indicates relatively high income inequality - 23.7% of the population lives below the poverty line, of which 8.9% is classified as living in "extreme poverty". The most troubling situation is in the interior of the republic, where the population suffers from deindustrialization, organized crime and low access to education.

Main trade partners of Gapolania are Tacunia, Satucin, Xiaodong, Jossia and Soravia. The country's export goods are mostly foods, machinery and oil. 55.2% of the country's GDP comes from the services, employing nearly half of the republic's population, followed by 35.3% contributed by the industry, mostly oil and mining. Agriculture is still a relevant sector of Gapolania, contributing to 9.5% of the gross domestic product.

Agriculture

Banana plantation in the western Gapolania

Historically an agrarian economy, agriculture is one of the major export contributors of Gapolania. The republic produces nearly 7 millions of tons of bananas yearly, making it one of the world's major producers of the fruit. Banana plantations are commonly seen throughout the country, with most of them private owned. Citrus are also commonly grown, mostly in the eastern parts of the country, producing over 2 million tons of fruits yearly - these are mostly produced for juices, though some of them are exported fresh or frozen worldwide. Melons, watermelons and papayas are also commonly grown.

Another major industry in Gapolania is cut flowers, rapidly growing since the 70s. Orchids, roses, begonias and hibiscus are among the most cultivated species, with many of them exported to Euclea.

Agriculture has always been an important factor of country's internal politics, with the ownership of the plantations being contested by the state, private owners and the foreign investors, namely from Tacunia, to the point of sparking a series of conflicts in the early 20th century. Favourable climatic conditions, relatively fertile soils, cheap land plots and convenient shipping opportunities make fruit plantations extremely profitable for both national and foreign companies. Tatina, Gaponana and Solè are amongst the most important fruit producing companies in the country. The presence of the Elendisti groups is also felt, with many independent plantations being forced to share their profit with the organized crime group. Because of that, some fruit growers often employ armed security forces to prevent extortion and arson or devastation of their fields.

Industry

Oil accounts for over 10% of the Gapolanese exports and contributes to maintaining a positive trade balance. Since the late '60s, the exploitation of oil increased production and reserves are estimated at 4.236 million barrels. The industry is focused in the country's interior, mainly in the governorates of Orenda and Missano-Alessandrou, where most of the country's oil wells and mines are located. The Sierra Bianca mountains are also rich in copper and iron ore, with both of the resources being crucial to the country's modern development - most of the investments in the mining industries comes from Xiaodong. Historically, silver and gold were extracted, though nowadays most of the veins had been depleted. Gapolania exports mostly crude resources, which are later processed outside of the country. Recently, a shift toward light industries can be notices: since the 80s, Gapolania increases its production of ships, textiles, machinery and chemicals.

Services

Nassea is a rapidly growing service hub in the region

The service sector is the largest contributor to the national GDP, accounting for over 55% of the total GDP. Gapolania enjoys a relatively diversified service sector, based around finances, telecommunications and tourism. Most of the services are centered in the biggest cities, particularly Nassea. The telecommunications sector has been growing at a fast pace, and the economy benefits from widespread access to communications services. These include: 67% of the population with access to mobile phones, 89% of whom use smartphones; Internet (over 12 million users, or 60% of the population); and broadband services (accounting for nearly all 7 million accounts).

The banking services are one of the most rapidly growing sectors, with many Asterian and Coian corporations present in the country's landscape. Gapolania is ranked highly in a freedom of investment rankings, making it a target for hundreds of foreign companies. Since 1990s, the country's capital has been especially inviting towards foreign investments, with several major companies establishing their quarters there - today, Nassea is responsible for nearly 20% of the country's GDP.

Tourism is an important sector of services and the government often puts it in its agenda. Despite that, Gapolania is still one of the least visited countries in the Asterias, marked by high crime rate and transport difficulties. A variety of natural and cultural sites invited over 1.5 million tourists in 2019 - most of them were from Jossia, Satucin, Tacunia and Etruria. The most visited places include San Nicomede island, cities of Astia and Orenda (all three present on the World Heritage Sites list), as well as Zeta, Nassea, the bay of Torrena and the coast of Ellorio.

Infrastructure

Railways play a crucial role in goods transportation from the country's interior

Transportation in Gapolania is regulated within the functions of the Ministry of Transport and entities such as the Gapolanese Road Institute, responsible for the highways in Colombia, the Gapolanese Aerial Institute, responsible for civil aviation and airports, the National Infrastructure Programme, in charge of concessions through public–private partnerships, for the design, construction, maintenance, operation, and administration of the transport infrastructure. The Gapolanese Maritime Instute has the responsibility of coordinating maritime traffic control along with the Gapolanese Navy, among others and under the supervision of the Admiralty of the Ports.

Gapolania has a road network of nearly 60,000 kilometres, the lowest density in the whole Asteria Inferior. There are several, though mostly in a bad condition, railway connections between the cities, as well as between Gapolania and Satucin through Jossia. An upcoming railway project funded by Xiaodongese and Gapolanese governments is considered to triple existing railway network size. A very important aspect in the national infrastructure, water transport, both maritime and riverine plays a major role in the republic - many of the Gapolanese rivers are navigeable up to 200 km inland, allowing for an easy transport of goods such as wood or stone. Major ports are placed in Astia, serving mostly the Arucian and Nassea, sending and receiving ships from the eastern Asteria Inferior, Euclea and Coius. There are 36 airports in Gapolania, with 9 of them international, the most important located in Nassea and Zeta.

As of 2020, no city in Gapolania is serviced by a metro system. Several cities, such as Nassea, Zeta, Trapanto, Curulèbu, Astia, Duclea and Chauante, established tram networks, while most of the urban areas are primarily serviced by buses.

Energy supply

Gapolania produces nearly 27 bn kWh of energy, while consuming 22 bn kWh, with half of it coming from oil and natural gas, while the other half is produced by renewable sources, mainly hydropower and wind power. Most of the energy is consumed by the industry, with nearly a quarter filling residential demand and 15% supplying commerce.

Recently, a more focus has been given to renewable energy sources, particularly hydro power. Currently, it accounts for around 44% of the country's total installed capacity and is estimated to reach 50% by 2025. There are seven hydroelectric power stations in Gapolania and additional four are under construction. The wind power is on the rise as well, with eight large wind farms installed in the nation after 2010. The country's vulnerability to hurricane winds proved to be advantageous in the wind power production, sparking a boom of wind farm development in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country.

Demographics

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1818	350,000	—
1868	1,104,000	+2.32%
1918	2,245,002	+1.43%
1938	2,358,714	+0.25%
1958	4,920,931	+3.75%
1968	6,620,823	+3.01%
1978	8,545,877	+2.59%
1988	10,843,875	+2.41%
1998	13,606,442	+2.30%
2008	16,408,226	+1.89%
2018	19,625,443	+1.81%
2020 est.	20,313,082	+1.74%

With a population of 19,625,443 (as of 2018 census), Gapolania is the least populated nation in Asteria Inferior, though 2020 estimates put the number above 20 million. It's one of the most rapidly growing nations of the New World, with a population growth rate of 1.81% in 2018. The population density is 30.9 per square kilometre, or 80.0 per square mile, with most of the population living in the coastal zones - approximately half of the Gapolanese live no further than 100 km from a coastline.

The urbanization rate exceeded 55% in 2018 - a relatively low figure but justified, given the country's mostly rural history and its dependence on agriculture. Gapolania is a relatively young republic, with 27.8% of the general population being 15 years old or younger. The life expectancy is estimated at 72.4 years, a low figure compared to other Asterian countries, a result of poor access to health services, usage of tobacco and alcohol and little education on disease protection and prevention, especially in the rural areas.

Migration is an issue in the nation, with nearly 2 million Gapolanese living abroad. Since 1970s, every year there has been a negative migration trend, caused by the political and economic turmoil in the country, high crime rate and low access to better-paid jobs. Most Gapolanese abroad live in Tarconia, Satucin, Etruria and Jossia. Since 2013, some expatriates have been returning to the country, with low cost of living as the main factor. Public and personal safety has also increased, further prompting individuals to migrate to Gapolania.

The Gapolanese census is conducted by the governmental institution known as INSC, Instituto Nazionale di Statistica e Censimento (National Institute of Statistics and Census). The census in Gapolania is conducted every ten years, and its objective is to obtain the number of people residing within its borders. The most recent census, carried out in 2017 and published in 2018, emphasized reaching rural and remote areas to map the most accurate population count in the country.

Ethnic groups

A Razzamista woman during the Carnival

Gapolania's population is ethnically diverse, shaped by several waves of immigration to the nations within the span of a few centuries, starting with the Povelian colonization of the region. Currently, Razzamista population accounts for just over two-thirds of the whole population. Razzamista are people with a mixed Euclean and indigenous Asterian descent, no matter where were they born. The term emerged during late 17th century, when many Povelian settlers took Chanuche women as their concubines. Children of such couples were usually placed between the settler population and the natives on the social ladder, allowing Razzamistas to pursue education, career and work previously reserved for the Euclean population only. Since the republic declared independence in 1808, the mixed population has played the main role in governing the republic, with 45 out of 54 serving presidents of the republic declaring themselves Razzamista.

Bahio-Gapolanese population is estimated at 9.9% of the total population as of 2018. Most Bahians arrived in the country as slaves during the Povelian colonization of the region. Bahio-Gapolanese were important actors during Gapolanese road to independence, striving for personal freedom and ethnic equality. Most of them live in the coastal areas where sugar and pepper plantations were initially created - they have their distinct features, combining traits of both Bahian culture, characterized by a high variety, dependent on the person's descendants' origin, and Gapolanese culture, mixing Euclean and native Asterian traits itself.

Approximately 9.2% of the Gapolanese are consider themselves indigenous, most commonly Chanuche. The Chanuche people inhabited the land for many centuries before the Povelian arrival, maintaining a semi-nomadic lifestyle reliant on fishing and hunting. During the colonial era, they have been mostly driven out of the coast and pushed back into the interior, forcing them to change their lifestyle to more sedentary. The Chanuche people, present in Jossia and Gapolania created a distinct nationalist mindset, often hostile towards the government. Since 1980s, the situation of the indigenous people has improved, especially in the 21st century, when the governorate of Appalasta established Chanuche language as a secondary official language of the unit. Many of the native people preserved their beliefs and customs, including natural medicine and Chanuche priesthood, represented by the nukemachi.

White Gapolanese make up for 6.4% of the population. Most of them are descendants of the Povelian elites, which often married within themselves. Some of the white Gapolanese appeared in the country in the late 19th century, mostly from crisis-suffering Etruria. Currently, the white population resides mainly in big cities, such as Nassea and Zeta. Despite their numbers, they're one of the most present groups in the culture and politics, which is often criticized by Bahio-Gapolanese and native populations.

There's also a significant Gowsa population in Gapolania, currently reaching over 600 thousand. Gowsa migrated to the country in 1860s, filling the high production demand in a quickly industrializing republic. While Gowsa migration was not as large as in the other countries on the continent, their heritage is still prevalent in Gapolania's cultural landscape, mainly in the interior parts, where mining was developing. Vaì, the capital of Misano-Allesandrou governorate is informally known as Gowsa capital in Gapolania, with nearly 15% of the city's population describing themselves as such.

Languages

A graffiti in Appalasta written in Chanuche

The sole official language of the republic of Gapolania is Vespasian, being spoken on a day-to-day basis by over 90% of the country's population. The Vespasian spoken in the country is a distinct form of its Euclean counterparts, having preserved many of forms and phrases introduced during the Povelian colonization, while considered obsolete by Etrurians. The language was also heavily influenced by Chanuche and Bahian languages and dialects. It's the only language used on an institutional level and all citizens of the country are expected to know it.

Chanuche language, often divided into several dialects, is the second most popular language, used daily by around 8% of the population. It's a co-official language of the Appalasta governorate, allowing the citizens of the region to use it in administration and services. Many schools, especially in the interior, offer to teach it, with around 15% of the population claiming to be able to hold a conversation in Chanuche.

Several Bahian languages are used throughout the nation, though they mostly mixed with Vespasian. Gaullican and Estermish are the most commonly taught languages, though, in the recent years Xiaodongese has increased its popularity, a result of Xiaodongese investments in the capital city.

Religion

Zeta Cathedral is considered the main Catholic site in the country

A secular state, Gapolania grants all its citizens freedom of religion, protected by the Constitution. Shaped by decades of religious inequality and persecution of the native beliefs, the government acknowledges the Solarian church's role in shaping the country's history and culture, while protecting all other religious groups.

The largest religion of Gapolania is Catholicism, practiced by over 81% of the population. Catholicism was an important agenda of the Povelian colonization of the region, often imposed on the local inhabitants. It played a major role in establishing independent Gapolania and its position is still high currently. Recently, the number of irreligious and atheist population has been increasing, reaching over 12% as of 2018. This trend, while worldwide, can be also explained by a growing distrust for the Catholic church in the country, criticized for "maintaining social conflict between local populations in the goal of upholding its authority".

The indigenous religion, a loose set of beliefs and rituals, is still prevalent in the Gapolania's rural areas. While most of the native population was forced to convert to Catholicism during the colonial era, the most isolate groups kept their religion secret. Nowadays, Chanuche religion is often mixed with Catholicism, combining traditions of both. Nukemachi, Chanuche religious figures, women only, are major figures in spreading and promoting the celebration of the Chanuche faith - an important factor of expression of ethnic identity,

Largest cities

With over 55% of the population living in the urban areas, Gapolania is a quickly urbanizing nation. In order to become a town, a settlement in Gapolania must have at least 1,000 inhabitants and have at least 75% of the general population working in non-agricultural sectors. There are 26 cities with a population of 100,000 or above and 2 cities inhabited by at least a million people - Nassea and Zeta. Most of the large cities are situated on the coastal, low-lying area, though there are also several larger population centres in the interior, a former mining settlements. Population of the urban areas has better access to education and health-care, as well as to better-paid jobs, prompting a burst of migration from villages to cities - as a result, some areas developed slums, unorganized districts inhabited by mostly impoverished persons.

Education

The University of Nassea is the primary higher education institution in the country

During the colonial times, the education in Gapolania was provided by the church and the public education began as a national and governmental institution in 1823, following the deep societal reforms made by the Pantheonisti. Initially the public education was considered elitists, with different teaching approaches based on the expected position of the student in society, however, during the Soleggiato Regime of 1915-1934, the education was made equal for everyone. The education in Gapolania is overseen by the Ministry of Education.

Currently, the literacy rate of the population is 92.7%, with rural population being more illiterate (83,5%) than urban (96.9%). The average mean years of schooling in the country is 8.6, a relatively low figure compared to other Asterian nations. The Gapolanese education system is based on the Etrurian system, with children starting their schooling in Kindergarten at the age of 4 or 5 and then move onto the Primary School (Scuola Primaria), where they learn basic knowledge for 6 years. After that, all pupils take a mandatory test that determines their progress. Most secondary schools (Scuola Secondaria) take the results of these tests as the main factors of accepting the students' application. The secondary school lasts for 3 years and ends with another exam that determines the future path for the students - the last compulsory level consists of three different types of schools: general high schools preparing the student for higher education (Liceo), a technical school providing mixed general and technical education (Tecnico) or a vocational school that trains the students for a specific job with no intent to pursue further education (Professio). The Liceo and Tecnico are completed through the maturity exam (Esame di Maturità), which results are the main factor when applying for the university.

Higher education is offered both by the national and private universities and seminaries, leading to a Diplomato status and can be further attended to reach doctorate (Dottorato). There are 58 universities in Gapolania, 29 of which are national. There's a higher proportion of women pursuing higher education (63.4%), as well as finishing it (61.2%).

Health

Gapolania provides universal health care to its citizens and permanent residents. The health care system is supervised by the Ministry of Health and it's one of the most subsidized sectors of the country. Since 1970s, the country has been relying on foreign aid, which focused on the construction and development of many facilities, especially in the interior, where many population had no or a difficult access to even a basic health care. Despite the rapid organization of the system, Gapolania is still ranked lowly on an average life expectancy, disease prevention and people with access to health care.

State subsidized healthcare is available to all citizens covered by the general health insurance program of the National Health Fund (FSN). The private system also exists, present largely in the major cities - at least 30% of the total population has used the private health care services at least once. Natural medicine is prevalent within the rural areas.

Gapolanese struggle with high usage of drugs and tobacco, as well as alcohol. It's especially an issue of men, who live on average 8 years shorter than women. epidemics are also common in the country, such as 1993 cholera epidemic or 2001 dengue fever outbreak. Low hygiene standards, difficult access to health care, low education on disease prevention and natural disasters, such as hurricanes or flooding make the population susceptible to diseases. HIV/AIDS has also become a significant threat in the recent years.

Crime

Slums are crime centers in the larger cities

Crime in Gapolania is rampant and criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. Gapolania has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Official statistics from the Honduran Observatory on National Violence show Honduras' homicide rate was 45 per 100,000 in 2018 with the majority of homicide cases unprosecuted. The fight against crime has been on the government's agenda since at least 1981.

Drug trade, human trafficking, extortion and murder are among the most common crime types. Gapolania is a major checkpoint in marijuana and heroine trade, shipping these drugs cultivated in Gapolania and neighbouring nations to Asteria Superior, especially Tacunia or to Euclea via Zorasan. Many drug cartels control the local population and use corruption or extortion to minimize any intervention action made by authorities.

Extortion is particularly a drastic problem in the country, with 10% of the urban population and 53% of the rural population admitting they were victims of an extortion in 2016. The most affected are rural farmers or traders, who are forced to pay tributes in order to be able to use a land plot or a market stand they own.

Elendisti, a term used to describe an organized crime group, emerged in the 1970s, during the military regime of Eugenio Giovanardi. Usually armed and numerous, they formed to answer growing economic problems, such as high unemployment and inflation. Organized crime is one of the vital points of every government, with different approaches and results. A direct action taken by the Prime Minister Sylvio Vega in 2003 caused nearly 120 people to die during the shooting in Orenda. Surprisingly, many locals condemned the government - many members of the less-affluent families were part of the groups, as well as people believing that being a subordinate of one group also means protection from others. As of 2020, there are 5 main Elendisti gangs in Gapolania, each owning a distinct territory. At least 18 shooting between the groups or between the government and a group were reported in 2020.

Several paramilitary groups operate in the country, challenging the government's authority over the country, especially the interior. The most known of them is the Bleeding Hibiscus, a military branch of the Rossopello party, a far-left political party that was banned in the 1980s. The group, led by an unknown member, advocates for the introduction of socialism in Gapolania and terrorizes local populations, as well as damages state-owned facilities. They were recognized as a terrorist organization in 1982. Other rebel groups include Iñchiw, a Chanuche nationalist armed group or DLP, the Defenders of Peace, an organization focused on fighting the organized crime, whose actions are not authorized nor supported by the government.

Culture

Asani Ampay was is considered a pioneer of the Chanuche literature

Culture of Gapolania has been defined by its colonial history, mixing Etrurian, Bahian, Chanuche and, to a certain degree, Gaullican and Dezevauni influences. Industrialization, urbanization and globalization have all shaped the Gapolanese culture and especially the independence of the nation in the early 19th century left an impression on the country's cultural heritage, steering it into a direction different than previously implemented by the Povelian colonizers.