Amaia

Amaian Republic Amacyk
Flag
Capital		Geswi
Largest		Agapa
Regional languages		Amaian
Demonym		Amaian
Government
-	President
Independence as democratic union in 1889
-	independence	???
Population
-	estimate	8,350,000
-	Density	23.7/km2 61.4/sq mi
Gini		51 high
HDI		0.886 very high
Drives on the		right
Calling code		+20

Amaia (Amaian: Amajik Amacyk [ɑmɑt͡sɯq]) is a country in eastern Vaniua. With around 8 million inhabitants, Amaia is one of the least populous countries in Vaniua. Amaia is bordered to the west by Torosha and Balakia, to the south by Zwazwamia, and to the east by Baghazan. It is the homeland of the Amaian people, an Amaian ethnic group. The country's capital is Geswi. Amaia is a member of the Eastern Vaniuan Association, an economic and cultural union also consisting of its western neighbours Balakia and Torosha, among other member states.

The country has had a notable Zarasaist presence since the 9th Century, with the Kothlen Horde occupying much of the modern country's territory and the boundaries of the province of Ayman within the Great Horde defining the country's future northern and eastern frontier. Following the collapse of the Great Horde, control was assumed by a Pashaist ruling class, with descendants of the predominantly Zarasaist Ama clan being considered an undercaste.

Amaia was established as an independent republic in 1889 with the support of the Balak Empire as the result of a partition of the Zwazwan Empire between a Zarasaist Amaian state and a Pashaist Zwazwan state. Amaia was effectively a Balak protectorate until the collapse of the Balak Empire and the establishment of the Union of Shomosvan. Following this, Amaia aligned itself with Vosan against Kuulism in Vaniua.

Etymology

Amaia

History

War of Amaian Independence

Main article: War of Amaian Independence

Following the Shozasan Proclamation, Emperor Jimâşim I of the Balak Empire claimed the title of Defender of the Faith, and declared an intent to protect Zarasaist populations within the Zwazwan Empire. The Balak Empire issued an official warning to Zwazwan leadership to deter them from making any attempt to infringe on the rights of Zarasaists. This, coupled with the Shozasan Proclamation, stirred up disillusioned Zarasaists. Two distinct national identities emerged along religious lines as tensions grew between the majority-Zarasaist north and the majority-Pashaist south. Zarasaist insurgent activity grew, culminating in the eruption of hostilities in the northern town of Araky between the Zwazwan military and armed Amaian rebels.

Partition of Zwazwamia

Negotiations leading up to the Peace of Geswi in 1889 determined that the Zwazwan Empire's territory was to be partitioned primarily along religious lines, with some amendments made to provide the prospective Amaian state with better access to the Zwazwam Gulf. The Zwazwan Empire was divided into a northern Zarasaist Amaian state and a southern Pashaist Zwazwan state, the former adopting a republican system of government and the latter maintaining a reorganised form of the previous Zwazwan government. The newly independent Amaia was placed under Balak military protection to deter any Zwazwan reconquest.

Geography

Amaia is characterized by vast flat plains separated by abrupt, steep mountain ranges.

Geology

Amaia is mostly of moderate to old age geologically, with rich mineral and coal deposits.

Climate

The climate is continental verging on semiarid throughout, except for a Mediterranean climate on the southern coast. In the mountains, it is alpine and quite cold.

Politics

Government

An ostensible democracy actually controlled by the lobbyists of the tech industry. Amaia's democracy index is quite low. However, many are proud of their democracy.

Administrative divisions

Amaia is divided into several provinces and one area directly controlled by the central government.

Foreign relations

Amaia, Balakia, Kaatkukia, and Melqui are particularly close. Attempts at diplomacy with Zwazwamia have been strained.

Economy

Amaia's economy is almost solely dependent on information technology, with heavy manufacturing losing ground. The wine industry is locally important, as is tourism from Ketsin's ski resorts and Lake Jeed. Also, Amaia does engage in mining.

Transport

Transport in Amaia is almost solely by car. Agapa does have some cable cars.

Energy

About 60% of Amaia's energy comes from coal burning, and the remainder is from hydroelectric plants in western Amaia, especially the controversial Bazwadymy Dam.

Science and technology

Amaia's software industry is very developed.

Tourism

Ski resorts and such are found near scenic Lake Jeed in the northeast.

Demographics

Ethnic groups

Amaia is almost entirely Amaian, with Manatak people and Voont people the most prominent minorities. The Manatak are almost completely assimilated, with the last relic being their matrilineal surnames, but the Voonts are systematically discriminated against and find it difficult to integrate into society due to prejudice.

Urbanisation

Amaia is about 90% urbanized.

Language

Amaian is a variety of the Amaian-Zwazwan language. The Ziimen languages are almost extinct, as are the Voontic languages.

Education

Work and occupational training constitute most of the Amaian educational system. It is very competitive and only the top 10% of computer science students are guaranteed employment in the industry.

Healthcare

Amaia's healthcare system lags behind that of other developed countries.

Religion

In stark contrast to its neighbors, Amaia is largely secular, with very little religion. This is partially because of the Zwazwan-Amaian schism of the 1800s, where the Zwazwan Pashaist religion that considered Ama people the undercaste was thrown off by the Amaian people.

Culture

Cuisine

Amaia is home to a lot of wine and a lot of dumplings, traditionally served with soy sauce and vinegar. Amaian cuisine uses less dairy than that of its neighbors. Amaian food tends to include a lot of flour and meat.