Vaellenia

Vaellenia
Region of Midrasia
Flag
Country	Midrasia
Capital	Berghelling
Government
• First Minister	Karine Passereau (AP)
Area
• Total	96,240.83 km2 (37,158.79 sq mi)
Population
• Total	14,874,082
• Density	154.55/km2 (400.3/sq mi)
Demonym	Vaellenian
Time zone	GMT
Nominal GDP	$652.6 billion
GDP per capita	$43,874.83

Vaellenia, sometimes referred to as Alpiens, is an autonomous region in western Midrasia. The region is bordered by the Midrasian regions of Padania, Piemonte, and Rhone. Vaellenia also shares its borders with Aquidneck, the Arzvan Republic, Cuirpthe, and tir Lhaeraidd. The region comprises 96,240.83 square kilometres (37,158.79 sq mi) making it the largest region in the country in terms of area. Vaellenia is also the largest region in mainland Midrasia in terms of population at 14,874,082. Originally Vaellenia comprised two regions within Midrasia, that of Vaellenia and Hivoir. However, upon the creation of the Vaellenian autonomous administration in 1985 the two regions were merged. The region's capital is located in the city of Berghelling, the largest in Vaellenia, which also plays host to the region's devolved parliament.

Vaellenia originally played host to a number of Thiaric tribes before its conquest by the Alydian kingdoms during the Western Crusades. Following this, the territory became part of the Grand Duchy of Alpiens, a crusader kingdom created to defend Alydianism's western frontier and proselytize the local population. Over time however, Alpiens became increasingly dependant on the newly formed Midrasian kingdom, ultimately entering a personal union when the Duke of Alpiens acceded to the throne of Midrasia as Louis VI. With the overthrow of the Midrasian monarchy in 1624 Vaellenia became a significant royalist stronghold, though was unable to resist the Republican forces, ultimately being incorporated into the newly proclaimed Midrasian Republic. Over time the region saw an increasing influx of Midrasian settlers, significantly altering the cultural outlook of Vaellenia. Despite attempts at resistance, notably during the Vaellenian Rising, the region remained firmly under Midrasian control. During the industrial revolution, Vaellenia underwent considerable economic development, transforming the region into an industrial powerhouse, though this also saw the region suffer considerably during the de-industrialisation of the 1970s and 80s. Though Vaellenia has endured considerable political strife during the twentieth century, the creation of the autonomous administration in 1985 has alleviated many of these issues. Today Vaellenia remains a key player in Midrasia, boasting a significant technology, manufacturing and agricultural sector.

Much of the region is mountainous due to its location near the Vaellenian mountains from which the region takes its name. The highest point in Midrasia, Mount Elydia at 4,524.65 metres is located within the region. Most settlements within Vaellenia are situated along the two most prominent rivers in the region: the Candare and Ronde. Vaellenia is home to the largest number of lakes per square mile of any region in Midrasia. The region is also home to the largest number of national parks of any region of Midrasia making it a considerably popular tourist destination.

Vaellenia exhibits considerable cultural distinctions from the rest of Midrasia, holding much in common with its Thiaric neighbours of Cuirpthe and tir Lhaeraidd. Vaellenian is an officially recognised language within the region and continues to hold significant influence within Vaellenia's more rural regions. However, despite this Thiaric influence, Midrasian culture has gradually gained prominence in the centuries since the territory's incorporation into Midrasia proper.

Culture

National parks

Loc'h Moigne national park in northern Vaellenia

Vaellenia has the largest number of national parks of any region of Midrasia at 32. These parks are primarily made up of lakes, forests and mountain trails. These parks are maintained by the Vaellenian national parks trust which is administered by the region's devolved government. Many of these parks also contain considerable indigenous wildlife such as the alpine ibex, brown bear, and grey wolf. Access to sites with significant wildlife is restricted and heavily monitored by park rangers. The existence of these national parks make Vaellenia a considerable tourist hub, attracting a considerable number of domestic tourists but also numerous foreign tourists, particularly from neighbouring Asuran nations such as Aquidneck and Cuirpthe.

Sport

Berghelling derby in 2016

Vaellenia has a considerably rich sporting tradition dating back centuries. Owing to the region's cultural connections Vaellenia is a regular participant at the Cluichí Gaelacha, or Thiaric Games in tir Lhaeraidd. Furthermore, traditional Thiaric sports such as Thiaric football, handball and hurling. Vaellenia is also renowned internationally in the boxing scene, producing some of the best boxers in international sport. Most notably, Vaellenian Devan Jarry was two-times world heavyweight boxing champion between 1982-1984 and 1986-1989. However, football is by far the most popular sport in Vaellenia, as is the case with the rest of Midrasia. The two most notable football teams from Vaellenia are FC Hellingbourg and Vaelleniana KF, both of which are based in the regional capital of Berghelling. Both teams have a bitter rivalry known as the Berghelling derby owing to the proximity of both teams along with cultural distinctions between each fan base. Whilst fans of Vaelleniana are traditionally drawn from the region's native Thiaric population, fans of Hellingbourg have traditionally been drawn from the descendants of Midrasian settlers which came to the region from the fifteenth century onwards.