Prefectures of Lugida

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Prefecture
Sefir
Atlas-lugida-regions.png
CategoryUnitary state
LocationLugida
Number47 prefectures
– 37 proper prefectures
– 6 urban prefectures
– 3 special prefectures
– 1 capital prefecture
Populations616,194 (Sharjai) – 16,813,021 (Natlia)
GovernmentGovernor
Prefectural Parliament
SubdivisionsMunicipality and equivalent (see Governance)

The Prefectures of Lugida (Lithian: Sefir), sometimes known informally or in historical contexts as the domains of Lugida, consist of 47 prefectures which form the first-level administrative divisions of Lugida. Of these, 37 are proper prefectures, three are special prefectures, six are urban prefectures, and one is a capital prefecture (Natlia). The system was established in 1869 by the then-newly established administration of the Republic of Lugida to replace the former Kingdom of Melunair's system of circuits and its subdivision domains, hence the term 'domain' for prefectures.

Prefectures are divided into municipalities including cities, towns, and in Natlia, capital wards. Governors and prefectural parliaments are elected in five-year terms. They have administrative, executive, and legislative authority within their prefectures' boundaries in respect to the central government of Lugida; the central government reserves the right to prevent a prefecture law from being enacted especially if the law contradicts higher-level laws such as a Ministerial Order, the National Code, and the Constitution. Special prefectures have greater autonomy. For example, they can enact prefectural laws that override higher-level laws except the Constitution and can designate an official regional language.

Background

Officially used to mean "prefecture" is the Lithian term sefir, derived from sek "below" and fira "state", thus literally meaning "subordinate of the state". Sefir is also used in Lithian to refer to other countries' first-level administrative divisions. Therefore the term may also be translated to "province" or "subdivision".

Prior to the formation of prefectures, the terms domains and circuits are used. Since 1386 during Forian Kingdom rule, the core territory is subdivided into four circuits – also known as 'swords' – and then into domains. Kingdom of Melunair used a similar system but with different terms. In their integration of now-southern Lugida in 1762 the kingdom adopted the Forian terminology of circuits and domains and redrew their borders. With the formation of the Republic, the administration in 1869 abolished the circuit borders and consolidated several formerly Melunairi domains. "Prefecture" (sefir) replaced "domain" (gant) as the official term for the subdivision, although the latter is still sometimes used as an informal term. The circuit borders now roughly delineate the six, unofficially designated regions of Lugida. Initially there are around 180 prefectures, all of which retained domain borders, and in 1874 the consolidation process is declared complete at 47 prefectures.

In the initial setting all prefectures but Natlia have the same status as "proper prefectures". This is acknowledged by the National Subdivisions Act enacted in 1875. Governments of two prefectures, Lenthir and Melon, requested greater autonomy of their prefectures on mainly cultural grounds. Hence, in 1928 the act was amended through the Local Autonomy Act to form the "special prefecture" designation for Lenthir and Melon prefectures, with Gerupa Prefecture following later in 1984 after a local referendum. Also introduced in the amendment is the "urban prefectures" designation for Tom and Hara prefectures. At the time these prefectures was highly urbanized in comparison to other proper prefectures, and had the second and third largest population in the 1930s. Delan Prefecture then became an urban prefecture in 1979. Including the 1928 amendment, the National Subdivisions Act has been amended four times, including in 1961, 1975, and 2007, most of which concerns the prefectures' extant of administration and power.

Governance

Types

Prior to the 1928 amendment of the National Subdivisions Act, there are only proper prefectures alongside Natlia as the capital prefecture. The amendment increased the amount of prefecture types into four as explained below.

Proper

Proper prefecture (Sefirtama), or simply prefecture, is the status designated for 40 out of the 47 prefectures. Normal prefecture governance laws apply. Forming the administrative divisions of the proper prefectures are municipalities termed into districts, towns, or cities. Most municipalities are districts while towns and cities are used for more populous municipalities.

Urban

Urban prefecture (Sefirnawa) is the status designated for Delan, Hara, Kito, Susa, Thercein, and Tom prefectures. Unlike proper prefectures, the prefectural government vests more power over its territory, and functions normally assigned to municipalities are relegated to the prefectural government. Otherwise its laws of governance remain similar to that of a proper prefecture. Urban prefectures are subdivided further into wards as opposed to districts, cities, and towns, although Delan Prefecture still makes use of the term 'district'.

Special

Special prefecture (Sefirsiva) is the status designated for Gerupa, Lenthir, and Melon prefectures. Special prefectures are unique in that they have greater autonomy rights and can enact laws that may override higher-level laws except the Constitution, structure their own system of governance and administrative divisions, and assign official regional languages. For example, the government of Melon Prefecture has the Council of Melon in place of a prefectural parliament and lacks a governor, whose role is served by the Council as a whole.

Capital

Capital prefecture (Sefirkiwa) is designated only to Natlia as the national capital of Lugida in which the national government has direct control of the prefecture's administration. Municipalities of Natlia are termed officially as capital wards but often referred to as simply wards.

List of prefectures

Type Lithian term Quantity
    proper prefecture Sefirtama 37
    urban prefecture Sefirnawa 6
    special prefecture Sefirsiva 3
    capital prefecture Sefirkiwa 1
Prefecture Capital Largest city Region Population Area (km²) Density (per km²) Code
Ade Ferhira Hetaf LG-AE
Amu Renibre Melunair LG-AM
Angiten Tenzel Hetaf LG-AG
Ashinte Rumlana Akomere Galen LG-AX
Athira Zelika Adegint Hetaf LG-AT
Dampatu Kammot Ikhelet LG-DM
Davi Thabrem Macara Galen LG-DV
Delan Kirna Melunair LG-DE
Elam Fercair Tengitra LG-EL
Ferain Satna Ikhelet LG-FR
Gakhaila Motseir Kharchem Ikhelet LG-GL
Girkau Mairapha Hetaf LG-GK
Guntram Kalikair Matluk Hetaf LG-GT
Halok Thakaf Galen LG-HK
Hara Theres Melunair LG-HA
Helin Santika Hetaf LG-HE
Jaka Ren Kaliel Tengitra LG-JA
Kam Sefer Melunair LG-KA
Kito Hikit Tengitra LG-KT
Kiret Himotseir Melunair LG-KR
Kuradala Betreter Ikhelet LG-KU
Lenthir Madam Tekairfent Galen LG-LE
Melcair Tendel Melunair LG-MC
Melon Achihera Melunair LG-ME
Nairmeri Sekiret Kammeri Melunair LG-NI
Namir Namir Ikhelet LG-NM
Natlia Kairai Taramot Tengitra 16,813,021 LG-NA
Nida Gairshara Melunair LG-ND
Ravaho Imelnavi Melunair LG-RA
Renikhel Amratide Ikhelet LG-RK
Riet Wilia Tengitra LG-RE
Roset Tennida Hetaf LG-RO
San Magi Thukha Ikhelet LG-SN
Sharjai Tharefet Hetaf 616,194 LG-XA
Susa Mielus Tengitra LG-SA
Talni Sidon Melunair LG-TA
Tazu Todor Shinhan Galen LG-TZ
Thercein Bet Halon Tengitra LG-TC
Thugint Thugint Galen LG-TH
Tigra Seirji Ikhelet LG-TG
Tom Kenasha Tengitra LG-TO

See also