Kafren-Grunir

Kafren-Grunir
File:Flag-kafren.png Flag
Country	Vyvland
Capital	Kafren
Largest City	Kafren
Population	629,701
Area	4,895km²
Population density	129/km²
Government	Liberal-Green coalition
Chancellor	Maria Mendel (Liberal)
Parliament seats	13
Municipalities	26
Official languages	Vyvlander
Number plate code	F

Kafren-Grunir (pronounced /kəð'ɾe̞n gɾə'ne̞ːɾ/), often referred to simply as Kafren, is a province of Vyvland, with the smallest population and area of any of the mainland provinces. Its capital is the city of Kafren, which lies on the volcanic island of Kafren, connected by a causeway to the region of Grunir, which lies on the Vyvlander mainland and contains the majority of the province's area, although under half of its population.

History

Kafren's history is one of separation from the mainland; a petty kingdom subordinate to the main Vyvlander government existed on the island up until governmental reorganisation of the South in the late 1930s, when it was combined with Grunir to the north. The island also has evidence of advanced communities living soon after Vyvland's first settlement; these have often been presumed to be Katrenians, a separate Northern Slavic ethnic group who lived on the island, speaking the Katrenian language, until around 1750.

Grunir has remained something of a backwater for most of its history, due to its lack of population centres. However, it was favoured by South Vyvlander leader Amiral Jueves, as he was born in Bruferborg, in the far northwest of Grunir. As such, the area often received food surpluses and special treatment from Jueves and those eager to please him alike. The then-province of Grunir was merged with Kafren island soon after Jueves's death by Erman Sanker into the current province of Kafren-Grunir.

Geography

The province is dominated by the Kafrenmont, a volcanic mountain which is Vyvland's highest outside of the Slic mountains, standing at 1320 metres high. It rises directly out of the sea, and on its coast lie Kafren, the province's largest town, in addition to Paramas, its second largest. Much of the island's coast is characterised by ancient lava flows, which pour into the sea in rock formations known as the Grysstegeps or Great Steps, formed due to the rapid cooling of basaltic magma.

Grunir, by contrast, is an area of low hills, with sandstone cliffs on it southern coast facing Kafren. The area around Wodmedes, the former provincial capital of Grunir, is flatter and bordered by a coastal lagoon.

Economy

Tourism is important to the economy of Kafren, despite its inaccessibility. Other important sectors include mining and work in the tertiary sector.

Politics

The province has the highest percentage support for the Greens of any province in the country. The two constituencies represented by the Greens on Kafren Island are their only two constituency seats in the country. As such, the province has some of the most environmentally sensitive laws in the country. The other major party are the Liberals, who are currently in coalition with the Greens in the Provincial Diet. The province also has the lowest amount of support for the Nationals of any ex-southern province.

The province elects 13 members to the Parliament of Vyvland. Three each of these are Liberal and Green, with the Conservatives and Socialists. The Nationals, Capitalists make up two of the other three. The Grunir League of Voters, a small independent party who also represent eight seats in the Provincial Diet, represent the final seat in Kafren-Grunir.

Transport

Kafren especially is poorly connected to the mainland, with one road linking it to Grunir, which then deteriorates into a small single-carriageway road often marred by delays, especially in the summer months. Due to this, a new motorway is being constructed from Vef in Kros to the causeway to Kafren island. Strossen Airport, the airport for the major city of Strossen, is located in Dump municipality in the far north of the province, providing it with good air links to national and international destinantions.