Caraq Union
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Union of Caraqi Socialist Republics اتحاد الجمهوريات كاراقي الاشتراكية Aitihad Aljumhuriat Karaqi Alaishtirakia | |
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 Flag
 Coat of Arms
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| Capital | Dhul Kadad |
| Largest city | Sakaban |
| Official languages | Caraqi |
| National language | Wasalan Caraqi |
| Ethnic groups | Caraqis (majority) Mahsadaris Njataris |
| Religion | Tariqa (official, majority) |
| Demonym(s) | Caraqi |
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic under a one-party Sahwanist dictatorship |
| Saleem Bousaid | |
• Vice President | Murad Karim |
• Prime Minister | Zaahir el-Jamal |
• Speaker of the National Assembly | Abdul Essa |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Population | |
• 2019 estimate | 38,771,464 |
• 2013 census | 36,301,531 |
| Gini (2018) |  31.3medium |
| HDI (2018) |  0.697medium |
| Currency | Caraqi dinar (CD) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +25 |
| Internet TLD | .kr |
The Caraq Union (Caraqi: الاتحاد كاراق Alaittihad Karaq), colloquially known as just Caraq and in the Caraqi-speaking world as Wasala (الوصلة, Al-Wasla), is a sovereign state in West Oridia. It is bordered to the north by Mahsadar, to the east by North Khatrana, to the south by Dakol, and to the west by the Oriental Sea. Caraq's capital and cultural centre is Dhul Kadad, while its largest city and economic center is the port city of Sakaban. The country has a population of 38 million people, making it the second largest in the region.
The territory that now constitutes the Caraq Union was home to various ancient cultures, tribes, and kingdoms, and is known both historically and contemporarily as "Wasala". After the emergence of Tariqa in the early 8th century, the area was conquered by a variety of caliphates. It was annexed by the Mahsadari Empire in 1530 from the Sahli Caliphate, and in 1895 was colonized by the Vierz Empire.
Wasala's oil production and living standards sharply increased during the colonial era, but repression of the native population led to nationalist tendencies. An armed campaign for independence began in 1978 and ended successfully in 1993; Wasala, Sirad, and Kulan united to form the Caraq Union in 1989. The union, controlled by the Caraqi Sahwanist Socialist Party, fought in the Great Bakran War to defend Bakra but lost territory to Mahsadar, splitting the country in half and resulting in its dissolution in February 2001. Sahwanist parties remained in power in Kulan and Sirad, and Wasala continued to call itself the "Caraq Union" and operate under the 1989 constitution.
Tariqa, the state religion, is practiced by over 90% of the population and is a key part of the country's culture, society, and history. The official language is Caraqi, although most of the population speak the Wasalan dialect of the language. The economy is based largely on the export of crude oil and natural gas. The Caraq Union is a founding member of the Caraqi Council and the Tariqa Friendship Organization and a regular member of the International Assembly.
President Saleem Bousaid has led the Caraq Union since 2006 and is the son of previous president Zaki Bousaid, who ruled from 1989 to his death in 2006. Bousaid and his ruling Sahwanist party have been accused of despotism, human rights abuses, and war crimes. The country has struggled with a Tariqist insurgency for over a decade.