Algazi Union

Union of Algazi Cities Hidhar Gozumidh Algazi
Flag
Capital and		Eyadhan
Official languages		Algaz
Recognised regional languages		Azri
Ethnic groups		Algaz (72%), Azeri (10%), Lonish (8%), Koklatean (5%), Other (5%)
Demonym		Algazi
Government		directorial republic
-	Executive	National Council
Legislature		National Assembly
Establishment
-	Formation of Algazi League	1503
-	Formation of Aglazi Union	1724
Area
-		1,221,213 km2 471,513 sq mi
Population
-	2015 estimate	47,260,000
-	Density	38.7/km2 100.2/sq mi
GDP (nominal)		estimate
-	Total	465,369 million USD
-	Per capita	9,847
Gini		37 medium
HDI		0.772 high
Currency		wadh (AGW)
Time zone		(SCT+1)
Date format		dd.mm.yyyy
Drives on the		left
Calling code		+55
Internet TLD		.al

The Algazi Union (Algaz: Hidhar Algazi, IPA: /hi'ðar alga'zi/), officially the Union of Algazi Cities, is a country located in northwest Baredina, bordering Lons, Azerin, Ishenar and Letzia.

History

Early History

The emergence of cities occurred relatively late among the Algazi, a predominantly pastoral and agrarian group living in the desert highland and the foothills of the mountains. Advances in irrigation, however, lead to the formation of some early urban centers in the vicinity of Lake Wadan between 200 BCE and 100 CE. By 250, these had largely come under the control of the city of Hafsigh. The Hafsighi Kingdom became a tributary kingdom of the Adzamasi Empire with its expansion into northwestern Baredina after 300. With Adzamasi backing, the Hafsighi Kingdom expanded southwards, establishing several new ports along the coast. Maritime trade, however, remained largely limited, as most of the kingdom's agricultural produce was sold over land to the western regions of the Adzamasi Empire.

The ruins of the Hafsighi Royal Palace, built 585-602.

As a result of this dependency, the Hafsighi Kingdom suffered severe economic decline following the upheaval and eventual disintegration of the Adzamasi Empire's western territories beginning in the early 7th century. The kingdom nonetheless survived in a weakened, unstable state until a succession crisis precipitated by the death of the childless king Aransagh III in 1078. The civil war that followed largely destroyed the core of the kingdom, including the city of Hafsigh itself, and ultimately led to its dissolution. The increasingly powerful port cities had already begun to assert a great deal of autonomy during the waning years of the kingdom, and became functionally independent after its collapse. Largely removed from the violence in the Hafsighi heartland and increasingly engaged with foreign territories, they expanded in wealth and size, shifting the political and cultural center the Algaz-speaking world towards the urbanizing coasts.

Algazi League and Unification

Follwing the expansion of Terminian and Ythnandosian Empires, the Algazi League, a military and commercial alliance, was formed by seven cities at the 1503 Congress of Yazurum. A major victory against the Ythnandosians at Lake Hezov in 1507 cemented the League's regional power and expanded its sphere of influence into the highland regions. During the period of stability that followed, the League cities grew rapidly as they established an economic presence throughout western Ythnandosia, exploiting the empire's relative lack of foreign trade to secure the region's resources for sale at Algazi ports. During this period, Algazi merchant communities assumed control of the two northern cities of , which subsequently joined the Algazi League.

During this period, the role of the League expanded from mutual defense and unrestricted internal trade. The northward and eastward expansion of Algazi trade networks encouraged League construction of new roads to facilitate overland travel between cities. Water projects, particularly new aqueducts and irrigation networks, were also built and managed by the League government. Regional instability following the decline of the Ythnandosian Empire also encouraged a more strongly unified military. These moves towards integration culminated in the 1724 Congress of Eyadhan, in which the cities of the Algazi League formally united as a loose federation, the Algazi Union. The new state was ruled by the National Council, composed of ten delegates, elected by the elites from each one of the Union's cities. The National Council would manage foreign relations and military operations, as well as coordinate nationwide economic affairs, such as infrastructure and the new common currency, the wadh.

A rural revolt took place from 1872-1875 demanding federal representation for rural areas and small towns, as well as improvement of rural infrastructure and living standards. This led to the drafting of a new constitution in 1875, which expanded suffrage and created a new national Parliament to serve as the legislative branch of the government. Representation in Parliament was determined by population, but with disproportionate representation for the countryside. This was accompanied by a campaign of investment in the rural economy and services, including the creation of a national public school system, aimed at better integrating the country's urban and rural areas.

Modern Era

In the 1940s, difficult labor conditions and rising inflation prompted massive labor unrest, culminating in a failed uprising in 1948. However, the violent repression of this revolutionary movement, coupled with ongoing labor strikes, weakened government control nationwide. The old guard of the National Council, which had become ideologically entrenched in the years after the new constitution, was ousted, replaced by a number of new political figures who responded to the growing social democratic tendencies in the country. During the following decade, the basis of the present-day Algazi welfare state was established and several key sectors, notably health and transportation, were nationalized.

Geography

The Koklates Mountains

The Algazi Union is situated in northwestern Baredina, with major cities mostly along the coastline. The country's territory includes much of the southern Koklates (Koghlat) Mountains.There are six islands under Algazi control: Khabit in the Argabav Bay, and Gêlnos (Gelnoz), Frêlus Gemin (Fruzgemin), Eîetikos (Yetikoz), Sahadif, and Tharum off the countries eastern coast.

Climate

The Algazi Union has a warm, mostly dry climate, with higher rainfalls in the mountains and along the northern border. The country's central highlands are primarily desert. Coastal regions generally enjoy very mild temperatures, especially on the Mediterranean east coast.

Politics

Government

Member of Council		Joined Council	Party	City
Hayan Tabiz esh-Amar		1 August 2006	National Party (leader)	Hafsigh
Abin Yargurut esh-Haym		1 January 2008	National Party	Morad
Mijan Okud am-Tanekh		1 January 2009	Merchants' Party (leader)	Farigh
Thiwad Deygr Kemelesh		1 November 2009	Social Democratic Party	Adhar
Enin Udhun am-Bara		1 November 2010	Social Democratic Party (leader)	Yazurum
Teyg Iduj Revizam		1 November 2010	Merchants' Party	Varij
Figha Minu' am-Daya		1 January 2012	National Party	Sedim
Riyaf Gejin Panakesh		1 January 2014	Social Democratic Party	Eyadhan
Amar Ye'in Jiresh		1 January 2014	Social Democratic Party	Tagra
Sewakh Iras esh-Sewakh		1 January 2015	National Party	Bozum

Economy

The mainstays of the Algaz economy are agriculture, shipping, manufacturing, and, increasingly, finance and solar power. The Algazi cities were historically major producers of cotton, silk, and wool textiles, a sector which has continued to play a dominant role in the country's economy. Shipbuilding is also a major industry, particularly in the cities of Yazurum and Adhar. The recent growth of solar power in the Union has also sparked rapid growth in the production of photo-voltaic panels, both for domestic production and export.

Agriculture

Despite the country's dry climate, sophisticated irrigation techniques have made much of the country arable. Wheat is grown primarily in the far north and along the Argabash coast, while rice is grown around lake Wadan and at the base of the Koklates. Fruits and nuts, particularly almonds, pistachios, apricots, grapes, oranges, lemons, mulberries, figs, and olives, are also grown extensively on the coasts, particularly in the east. The desert has long supported goat and sheep herders (also found throughout the country), but irrigation projects over the last two centuries have expanded the area used to grow dates and cotton. Many of the foods grown in the Algazi Union are generally converted to a finished product before export, such as wine, olive oil, or cheese.

Transport

The Algazi rail network was nationalized in 1953 with the creation of Union Rail (Algaz: ), which provides both freight and passenger service between major cities and smaller regional hubs. Boats, particularly ferries, remain an important mode of passenger transportation in coastal regions, as they often provide the most direct route between points. Maritime shipping is one of the mainstays of the economy of the Algazi Union, which has major ports at Eyadhan, Yazurum, Farigh, and Morad.

Energy

In the past decade, both the Algazi government and the private sector have invested heavily in large solar installations in the Algazi desert, often over the opposition of local herders. Solar power now account for 60% of the Union's electricity generation, though much of this is exported to neighboring countries which need to meet renewable energy quotas.

Culture

Cuisine

Algaz cuisine is typically heavy on grains and vegetables. The two staple grains are wheat, usually baked into flat or loaf breads, and rice, while common vegetables and legumes include chickpeas, lentils, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, and eggplant. Yogurt and cheese, typically made from sheep or goat milk, are very common as toppings or in sauces. Meat, partiuclarly lamb, mutton, goat and chicken, is fairly common, though eaten relatively sparingly. Seafood is historically eaten primarily on the east coast, though is gaining in popularity in other regions of the country.

Tea is by far the the most popular beverage in the Algazi Union, and is often served with mint or spices. Coffee has gained in popularity in the past several decades; Terminian-style coffee in particular has been established as a popular drink for dessert or for festive occasions. Wine, largely produced around the city of Adhar near the Lonish border, is the most popular alcoholic beverage.