Ghaklmbu

Ghaklmbu (IPA: /ghɐkɭmβɯ/) is one of the fifteen states of Gfiewistan. It gets its name from Old Gfiewish ‘g’ at, ‘hak’, holy, ‘lm’, the archaic augmentative suffix and ‘bu’, place. It is located in central Gfiewistan, and is the only state surrounded wholly by other states, having no international borders. It borders the state of Tanla in the north, the state of Twilm in the east and southeast, the state of Hemmswill in the south and the state of Osjer in the southwest and west. Alongside Tanla, the state of Fojsatan and the state of Wrofatan it is usually seen as being part of the heartland of Gfiewistan.

Geography

Farmland dominates much of Ghaklmbu, especially in the west, but exists to an extent in the more eastern regions of the state as well. The center is however mostly home to wide stretches of forestland, with smaller patches of forests found in the more western and eastern parts of the state, whereas the east of Ghaklmbu is characterized by a large river landscape that forms the sources for the river Hewo (/hɛʍo/. name from an unknown word in a substrate language), and two tributaries of the Takenfa, the Lausrf (/ɭɐɯʂɹf/, from ‘lausr’, wave and ‘rf’, creek) and the Bofoxiwjed (/βofoxɪʍʝəd/, name from ‘bofox’ silence, emptiness + ‘wjed’ river).

Economy

Little has changed in principle in the past centuries for Ghaklmbu, as the economy of the state is still predominantly agricultural, and to a much smaller extent pastoral. The sector has been only cautiously modernized, due to little capital existing for mechanization and industrialization and state laws blocking most out-of-state investors. Trucking companies, river fishing and foraging in forests are of importance as well, with the products and services also often offered in the surrounding states and some larger cities.

Demographics

With a population of 107,448 people, Ghaklmbu is ranked 8th among the 15 states of Gfiewistan, putting it solidly in the middle. However, the state is experiencing the biggest population loss of all states due to having the second biggest emigration rate following Galsnio and the second smallest immigration rate after Wrofatan. Furthermore, while the birth rate is the largest in the entire country, the death rate is also the third highest, following Siortan and Galsnio.

As in the remainder of Gfiewistan, urbanization is high, although in comparison to other states not particularly so, with about 78 % living in towns. The biggest is the state capital Gordxersma, (/goɹdxəɹʂma/) which has 35,328 people. Its name translates to “at the bright frogs”. Other towns of note are Fojsago (/foʝəʂago/, 11,731 people, from ‘fojsa’, sheep and ‘go’, farm) and Boforf (/βoʷoɹf/, 8,096 people, from ‘bofoxs’ silent and ‘rf’ creek).

Transport

The Hatariew-Slakkariew/Dillariewis railways split in Gordxersma, making it one of two still existing exchange stations in Gfiewistan. The highway system bypasses Ghaklmbu, so access by road to other states and towns is mostly done via the secondary roads in the direction of Weishriew and the states of Tanla and Osjer.