Xiangia (prefecture)
| Xiangia (prefecture) ស៊ីអាន្ហៀា ខេត្ត |
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 in Sanpantul (light yellow) in Sanpantul (light yellow) |
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| Country |  Sanpantul |
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| Annexed to the Sanpantul | 1724 AN; 8736 ASC | ||||
| Establishment of prefecture | 1740 AN; 8957 ASC | ||||
| Administrative center | Sugo | ||||
| Population | |||||
| • Total | 287,130 | ||||
| Demonym | Xiangian | ||||
| Demographics | |||||
| • Ethnic groups | Xiangi Sanpō |
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| • Native languages | Xiangi Sanpanese |
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| Time zone | CMT (UTC+5:00) | ||||
| Postcode | 12xxx | ||||
Xiangia Prefecture (Template:Lang-km) is an inland administrative division of Sanpantul, located in the mountainous interior of the West Sandwich Island. Its capital is the small city of Sugo. Despite having the structure of a typical Sanpantulian prefecture, Xiangia enjoys a comparatively higher degree of administrative autonomy.
History
Xiangia was formally established as a prefecture in 1740 AN following the culmination of the Democratic Peace Process, a reconciliation framework intended to integrate displaced ethnic minorities into the Sanpanese state apparatus. Prior to this, the Xiangi people lived in the disputed borderlands between the provinces of Jitō and Dateido, often facing instability and marginalization.
Under the provisions of the Democratic Peace Process, the Xiangis were granted relocation rights and a designated homeland within the interior of West Sandwich Island, leading to the establishment of Xiangia Prefecture.
Geography
Xiangia is situated in the mountainous heartland of the island, far from major economic hubs and coastal infrastructure. Its remote and rugged terrain has contributed to its relative poverty and underdevelopment compared to coastal prefectures. However, the location was purposefully selected by the Sanpantulian government as part of a broader **centralization strategy**, aimed at increasing population density and state presence in the island's interior.
Economy
The prefecture's economy is primarily based on pastoral farming and the service sector. The mountainous geography limits opportunities for intensive agriculture or industrialization. Small-scale herding, trade of animal products, and local tourism—particularly eco-tourism—are among the region’s main sources of livelihood.
Demographics and Culture
The majority of the population identifies as Xiangi, an ethnolinguistic group with cultural and linguistic ties to Southeast Asian heritage. The primary languages spoken are Xiangi and Sanpanese.
Despite formal incorporation into Sanpantul, Xiangia maintains distinct cultural traditions, including unique festivals, culinary practices, and localized religious rituals. Its semi-autonomous administrative status allows for the preservation and promotion of Xiangi identity.
Administration and Autonomy
Although officially designated as a prefecture, Xiangia enjoys more internal autonomy than most Sanpantulian prefectures. It has greater control over education, language policy, and local economic planning. However, foreign affairs, military presence, and major infrastructure projects remain under the control of the central government in Kipei.
Challenges
Xiangia continues to face economic and logistical challenges due to its geographic isolation. Poor transport infrastructure, low investment levels, and frequent natural barriers such as landslides and floods limit integration with the broader Sanpantulian economy. Efforts to develop the prefecture have been constrained by both physical terrain and limited federal prioritization.
