Saakalistal

The People's Republic of Saakalistal "Ṡa'aķaliśtäl Ituķur"
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: "Va'kaśtir vix́ härenka um nërin raki, Ṡast ķi'ërassik tärir ki'ro tëķra q́a alķalë!" "Undimmed by cloud or shade of night, Here shone forever fair and bright!"
Anthem: Winds of Home
Status	Independent state
Capital	Țälis
Largest city	Vi'ëra
Official languages	Saakish
Recognised national languages	Saakish
Ethnic groups	91.4% Saakishan 8.6% Other
Religion	81% Naraism 19% No religion
Demonym(s)	Saakishan
Government	Sortition Democracy
• Premier	Ķäṡ'ek Na'käri
• Chancellor	Iṡrëķa Ag-Óțrall
Population
• Estimate	71,820,000
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	$2,896,405,079,400
• Per capita	$40,328.67
Gini (2017)	25.1 low
HDI	0.781 high
Currency	Ķerel (ĶRL)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+501
ISO 3166 code	SKL
Internet TLD	.skl

Saakalistal [Saakish: Ṡa'aķaliśtäl], officially the People's Republic of Saakalistal [Saakish: Ṡa'aķaliśtäl Ituķur], is a sortition-based democratic state located in Southern Ardentia with its neighbours being Averius to its east, Anheldac and Aquitinia to the north across the Magnumare Sea and Cenagrad to the east. The capital of Saakalistal is Țälis, located in the southern part of the country, the city has a population of around 3.7 million meanwhile the largest city in Saakalistal is Vi'ëra, which is located on the north-western coast of Saakalistal and is sometimes referred to as the nation's second capital due to its immense size, the population of 5.1 million and equal if not larger importance compared to Țälis in governmental affairs.

Etymology

The name Saakalistal comes from the Saakishan words "ṡa'aķal", meaning haven or sanctuary, and "śtäl", meaning a fortress or fortified city, combined these words generally translate to "Haven's Fortress". The name has been linked to a medieval city-state that brought about the unification of the Saakish kingdoms and city-states during the 14th century that was called "Ṡa'aķal" which is now known today as Riv'ķ.

History

Prehistory

Human settlement in Saakalistal is dated to have first appeared around 10,000-12,000 years ago with small human tribes inhabiting coastal areas and rivers. The oldest known settlement among them is the Ķaši'śiri'a settlement, on the bank of the Óțrë Lake in northeastern Saakalistal. According to radiocarbon dating the area was first settled around 11,000 years ago.

The earliest human habitation during the Mesolithic period is connected to the Ķušri' culture. At that time the country was covered with forests, and people lived in semi-nomadic communities near bodies of water. Subsistence activities consisted of hunting, gathering and fishing. Around 9,000 years ago ceramics appeared from the neolithic period, known as Lurx́c culture. Starting around 8,000 years ago began the Chalcolithic period alongside new activities like primitive agriculture and animal husbandry. Around this time, the first examples of ancient Naraistic religion appeared, with many settlements having what are believed to be temples upon surrounding high places with large 50-centimetre tall clay effigies, most depicting female figures, placed inside similarly sized alcoves in the temple walls.

Along with the growth of Saakish culture, began the Saakish Bronze Age, which started around 7,500 years ago and was characterised by the use of bronze, the use of writing in some areas, and other features of early urban civilisation. Some inland settlements around this time also developed hill forts.

Antiquity

At around 6,000 years ago during the Late Saakish Bronze Age, the first major Saakish civilisations started appearing along the northern coast of what is currently Saakalistal. These civilisations are characterised by their general use of limestone as a construction material compared to the wood and thatch of homes and hillforts during the early bronze age. Some of the largest ruins of these civilisations are around current day Vi'rëa.

Several ancient cities had large temples and are some of the first true examples of Ancient Naraism with large limestone temples being carved into steep hillsides and cliff faces. These temples contained a central chamber with five alcoves dedicated to the five main Goddesses of the elements in Ancient Naraism, along with smaller alcoves dedicated to the other smaller gods and goddesses. In the centre would be a lone altar for giving offerings to kind spirits.

Government

The government of Saakalistal consists of the Premier, Chancellor, Ministers and the People's Round. The main legislative body is the People's Round which is made up of 100 people and divided into 4 groups with 25 people each: the Impoverished, Lower Class, Middle Class, Upper Class. These four groups are made up of individuals selected at random via sortition when a council is called and are only in the People's Round for 1 day.

The Premier, Chancellor and Ministers are the only long-lasting officials with Premiers and Chancellors being chosen every 2 years with a 1-year offset. Ministers are chosen every 4 years and are selected from a walk of life that best fits their ministry.

Military

The military of Saakalistal, Saakish Defence Forces, consists of 4 branches, the Saakish People's Ground Forces, the Saakish People's Air Force, the Saakish People's Naval Force and the Saakish Special Operation Forces.

Culture

Cuisine

Saakalistali cuisine includes a hefty amount of greens, spices and bread as locally they are known as "gifts of the Green Grove" and a "sign of its hospitality towards the Saakish people". A herbal tea called "Ķanenhëti-ķa'ih" is also commonly provided for each meal as it is believed to have health benefits. Along with green, spices and bread Saakish cuisine involves a lot of crustacean and redmeats with a large portion of Saakish dishes being herbal meat stews, curries and soups.

In Saakalistal, food is not considered a commodity. It is a requirement for everyone, and most households make more food than generally would be needed or take any sizeable leftovers to share with their neighbours at the coming of the night as doing this is thought to foster a neighbourhood of "good spirits" and to ward away "greedy spirits".