Archive:Goal
Góal |
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Area | ||
- | 367 491.4 km2 Expression error: Unexpected number. sq mi |
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Population | ||
- | estimate | 31,240,000 |
- | Density | 85/km2 220.1/sq mi |
Goal is a country located on the northern coast of Nagu.
Etymology
The country is named for its largest lake, Lake Goal.
Geography
Climate
Goal has primarily a hot Mediterranean climate (Koppen classification Csa).
Biodiversity
The chaparral scrublands around Lake Goal contain many native species of cultural and economic importance, including Datura inoxia, Hesperoyucca whipplei, various species of pinyons, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Nasella pulchra, Umbellularia spp., and Salvia columbariae.
The fungus Coccidioides immitis, which causes a lung disease known as Goal fever, is endemic to the country.
Economy
The economy of coastal Goal is heavily based on trade. Historically, the coast served as a trading nexus between the rest of Nagu and Boroso, Akulanen, and the countries of the Draconic Sea. The interior, especially near Lake Goal, has a highly agricultural economy.
Coastal people are very urbanized, modern, multi-ethnic/multi-species. Wealth from agriculture (as well as other rural industries such as pottery) flows from the fields to the coast, and modern imports (both technologic and cultural) flow back to the agricultural areas.
Demographics
Species
Multiple species live in the coastal cities of Goal. The two species indigenous to Goal are humans and astalvi. Humans make up a plurality of the country, but the astalvi population is fairly high as well.
Language
Many different languages are spoken on Goal, including Prra-Blen languages and Ambaroid languages. Most of the Gulai languages are endemic to the Lake Goal area.
Culture
Religion
Traditional funerary practices among the Gulai speakers are cremation, with the bone remains being placed in an earthenware pot and covered with a mix of water and spices, including anise myrtle and bay laurel.
Among most of the peoples indigenous to Goal, Datura inoxia is regarded as sacred and used in religious rituals, as well as a medicine.
Art
Gulai ceramics were traditionally made in a tunnel kiln, with handcarved wooden tools being used to imprint distinctive patterns into the clay. Ceramics were such a specific skilled craft that entire villages would specialize in it. Today the remaining potter's villages predominantly produce wares for export to the wealthy cities of the coast, either for their use or for export onward to other countries.
Traditional basketry is made from Hesperoyucca whipplei fibers.
Symbols
The Datura inoxia flower is a major symbol of the country.