View source for Benacia

{{Continents
|name = Benacia
|image = benaciaphysical.PNG
|area = 24,198,903.63
|population = 493,454,076 inhabitants
|date_founded = 2000
|countries = {{team flag|Benacian Union}}<br>{{team flag|Kalgachia}}<br>{{team flag|Mondosphere}}<br>{{team flag|Sanama}}<br>{{team flag|Shireroth}}<br>{{team flag|Tellia}}<br>
|dependencies = 0
|languages = Common Language, Dutch, Germanian, Yiddish
|largestcities = [[Shirekeep]]<br/>[['s Koningenwaarde]]<br/>[[Anun]]<br/>[[Kolmenitzkiy]]
}}

'''Benacia''' is a continent on [[Micras]]. It is considered to include the Benacian mainland, the Benacian Archipelago of Naudia'Diva, Benacia Island, and Florencia, the Yardistani Archipelago of Khaz Modan, Mirioth, Amity, Yardistan, and Istvanistan, and the northern islands of Lesser Automatica and Hyperborea.

==Origins and Etymology==

East Benacia was on the first MCS maps (pre-numbering system and 1.0.0), while West Benacia was added at the same time as the Eastern Hemisphere. Benacia was named after the town of Benicia, California, near where MCS Founder [[Erik Mortis]] lived. Use of the name did not become widespread until the formation of the Benacian Commonwealth. Even then, the continent was most often associated with [[Shireroth]] until the schism of that state led to the creation of the [[Benacian Union]].

==History==

The Benacian Commonwealth (June 2001 - November 2001) was an alliance of Shireroth, Machiavellia, and Hyperborea, and between the three countries controlled the entire continent. It eventually became the Hegemony of Alexandros and later Tymaria, but dissolved with the fall of that nation. Since then, the eastern half of the continent has been dominated by Shireroth until the present day. The eastern half became unoccupied after the fall of Machiavellia, but has since hosted nations such as Puritania (Series 5), Numenor (Series 11), and currently Batavie. Eastern Benacia has historically been one of the least popular areas for claims, maybe because of the constant dominating presence of Shireroth. Since the fall of the [[CIS]] western Benacia had remained unoccupied for many months before the appearance of [[Batavia]], then the nearly simultaneous appearances of [[Ashkenatza]],[[Amokolia]], and [[Tellia]]. Amokolia was annexed by [[Ocia]] and is currently a protectorate of [[Victoria]], whilst Ashkenatzi consolidation of power on Benacia led to an annexation of [[Tellia]] and expansions to the northern coast. Shireroth, meanwhile, lost a number of territories along the northern coast whilst retaining Absentia, and [[Batavia]] also expanded northwards after the [[Gascony War]]. In recent months the most significant territorial change has been the independence of the [[Elwynn (country)|Republic of Elwynn]], which has changed the political balance of power in northern Benacia drastically.

==Geography==

West Benacia is a fairly mountainous region, culminating in two peninsulae jutting out into the sea. The mountain ranges come together to form the spine of the continent, the Concordian Mountains, in south-central Benacia. These feature the tallest peak in the world, Mt. Medivh in the Unoccupied Territories, just a little shorter than Everest at 8089 meters tall. South of the mountains is a mild desert; north are the cold wastes of Elwynn. Eastern Benacia is the drainage basin of the great [[Elwynn (river)|River Elwynn]] and its many tributaries, most notably the North Elwynn and the South Elwynn. The Elwynn area of Shireroth has a second, smaller mountain range and is heavily forested. In the far west of the continent are the mountains of Goldshire, the marshy Elwynn Delta near Musica, and hundreds of little tidal islands.

==Benacian Identity==

Among the organizations fostering a Benacian sense of identity are the old Benacian Commonwealth and [http://micras.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1434 Eastern Benacia Radio].


==Demographics==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! State or jurisdiction !! Benacian Pop !! Date !! Note
|-
! {{Team flag|Elwynn}}
| 87,552,127 || 1672 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Sanama}}
| 85,056,296 || 1674 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Shireroth}}
| 67,744,134 || 1674 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Sathrati}}
| 64,932,048 || 1669 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Drak-Modan}}
| 35,895,671 || 1669 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Crisco}}
| 23,739,000 || 1674 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Sovereign Confederation}}
| 22,000,000 || 1674 (estimated) || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Unified Governorates}}
| 18,927,070 || 1672 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Kalgachia}}
| 18,500,000 || Unknown || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Francia}}
| 17,899,021 || 1679 || Successor of [[West Amokolia]]
|-
! {{Team flag|Ransenar}}
| 16,000,000 || 1674 (estimated) || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Batavia}}
| 14,668,254 || 1670 || 
|-
! {{Team flag|Stormark}} (Benacian territories)
| 7,900,000 || est || Gascony, Ravaria, Snæland
|-
! {{Team flag|Tellia}}
| 5,000,000 || 1674 (estimated) || 
|-
! Florencia
| 1,509,506 || 1669 || Disputed sovereign
|-
! {{Team flag|Inner Benacia}}
| 445,921 || 1668 || 
|-
! Naudia'Diva
| 320,000 || 1669 (estimated) || Disputed sovereign
|-
! Iridia
| 150,200 || 1669 (estimated) || Disputed sovereign
|}

==References==

[[category:Continents]][[Category:Geography]]