Avadin

Avadin
Region of Midrasia
Flag
Country	Midrasia
Capital	Ibbeny
Government
• President	Monique Doisneau (PR)
Area
• Total	88,928.55 km2 (34,335.51 sq mi)
Population
• Total	4,654,987
• Density	52.35/km2 (135.6/sq mi)
Demonym	Avadinian
Time zone	GMT
Nominal GDP	$243.8 billion
GDP per capita	$52,382.53

Ibbeny, the capital and largest city of Avadin

Painting of the Avadinian lake district

Beef bourguignon, the regional dish of Avadin

Avadin is a region in Northern Midrasia, sharing borders to the north with Newrey and to the east with Miersa. The region is also bordered by the Midrasian regions of Pallé, Duravel and Viure to the south and Elsouf and Padania to the west. The region comprises 88,928.55 square kilometres (34,335.51 sq mi) making it one of the largest regions in the country in terms of territory. Avadin has a population of 4,654,987 making it the least populated region in metropolitan Midrasia.

The majority of Avadin is highlands, with the majority of settlements lying on the southern and westernmost fringes of the region. The highest point in Avadin is Molieu Peak at 1,024 metres, located within the Avadinian highlands from which the region takes its name.

Geography

Avadin is a landlocked region, located in north-eastern Midrasia. The vast majority of the region is taken up by the Avadinian highlands, making the northern areas of the region some of the most inaccessible places in the country. A number of rivers run through the Avadin region, with the most important being the Rivier Viure and River Orde which line much of the regions inhabited lowlands. A number of lakes exist within the Avadanian highlands which make up the Avadinian lake district, a recognised national park. These lakes include Lake Mirabeau, Lake Eau Rouge and Lake Etoille.

Avadin has the second highest number of national parks in the country, behind only Vaellenia. As a result, Avadin is a considerably popular tourist destination, being particularly popular with domestic tourists.

History

Avadin was historically part of the Fiorentine province of Padania, acting as part of the Empire's northeastern frontier due to its natural highland boundary. Before Fiorentine control, the region was home to a large number of native hill tribes, believed to be the ancestors of modern Vaellenians and Arzvans.

Following the decline of the Empire, the region became overrun by barbarian tribes, later becoming part of the Andaval Kingdom. By the 600s, the Andaval invaders had integrated into local society, converting to Alydianism, marking the beginning of the Kingdom of Ibbeny. Whilst Ibbeny would initially be one of the more powerful Midrasian kingdoms, it soon decline comparative to Duravel and Mydroll, eventually being absorbed into a united Midrasian Kingdom following the Sixty Years' War. During the Midrasian civil war, Avadin was a major royalist stronghold, with King Henry V setting up court at Ibbeny after the loss of Lotrič. However, the region was quickly conquered by republican forces during the war.

Under Midrasian control, the Avadin region was expanded at the expense of the Newreyan-Cuirpthe Commonwealth. By the early Nineteenth Century, Avadin became a major source of Midrasia's coal, greatly aiding in the country's industrialisation process. This coal greatly fuelled the expansion of nearby urban centres such as Ibbeny and the capital of Lotrič.

Economy

The region's contribution to Midrasia's gross value added was around 3.9% in 2010, whilst its share of the population was around 3.6%. The GDP per capita of the region in 2010 was $52,382.53 making the per capita income one of the highest in the country, with the region having a significantly strong economy relative to the size of its population.

The largest industries within the region are automobile, arms manufacturing and other high tech manufacturing industries; with Avadin having a relatively low number of service sector industries relative to other areas of the country. Tourism is another relatively large sector of the Avadinian economy, with the mountain regions being rather popular with campers and hikers from across Asura. Additionally, Avadin also benefits economically from having two of the most prominent universities in Midrasia, the Universities of Ibbeny and Oyonax, which attract a large number of foreign and domestic students to the region.

Transport

The region of Avadin benefits from its considerable transport links and its proximity to the national capital. Two main motorways run through Avadin, the A2 which runs from Ibbeny to Lotrič, and the A9 which runs from Ibbeny to Bicêtre. The region also has good rail-links, connected to both the Transpadanian and Eastern Railway franchises. The city of Ibbeny is also connected to the High-Speed Relier route, with direct services running into the capital and western Midrasia. Bus routes regularly run in both city and inter-city routes throughout the lowlands of the region. Nevertheless, the hilly regions of Avadin have very few transport links, mostly due to the nature of the area's terrain and its low population. The Avadin Lake District does have road links through the mountains and plays host to a heritage railway and irregular national rail services to Poully. The region has a number of domestic airports, though the only international airport in the region is located in Ibbeny.

Demographics

Avadin does benefit from considerable domestic migration, however the majority of this is made up of retirees moving to the region's rural areas. Nevertheless, Avadin does benefit from considerable economic migration, with high numbers of Asuran migrants moving to the region due to the prevalence of manufacturing industries in cities such as Ibbeny. Of the 4.6 million inhabitants, the vast majority are of Midrasian descent, though a significant Asuran migrant community exist, particularly of Brillianians and Elhazians. Ibbeny also has a significant Majulan population of around 76,000 who mostly moved to the region during the 1930s and 1950s whilst the Colonial Migration Act was in effect.

Culture

Cuisine

Avadin's cuisine is mostly based off of North Midrasian cuisine, emphasising beef, poultry and dairy products. Stews are particularly prominent within Avadinian cooking, usually with the inclusion of red wine in recipes. The official regional dish of Avadin is Beef bourguignon.

Language

The official language of Avadin is Midrasian, which is spoken by the majority of the population. The North Midrasian dialect is historically more prominent within the region, and remains so within more rural territories. Nevertheless, standard Midrasian speakers have been increasing significantly in more urban areas such as the lowlands which tend to have more interactions with the more urban southern Midrasian regions. The region also has a small minority of Wallaisan dialect speakers near its border territories.