United Cities of the Vales

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United Cities of the Vales Bajarên Yekbûyî yên Geliyan Հովիտների միացյալ քաղաքներ Qytetet e Bashkuara të Luginave
Flag [[|85px|Coat of Arms of Vales|frameless]] Coat of Arms
Motto:
Anthem:
[[|250px|Location of Vales|frameless]]
Map versions
Capital	Bashkim (de facto)
Official language(s)	Keskish Sevan Verdhese Istvanistani (de facto lingua franca)
Official religion(s)
Demonym	Valeser
- Adjective	Valeser
Government	Confederation of independent states
- Head of State	Council of the Twelve
- Executive	Assembly of the Vales
- Legislature	Assembly of the Vales
Establishment	9.IX.1717
Area
Population	8,560,000 (1717 est.)
Currency
Calendar
Time zone(s)
Mains electricity
Driving side	Varies
Track gauge	Several
National website
National forum
National animal
National food
National drink
National tree
Abbreviation	UCV

The United Cities of the Vales is a confederation of independent states founded in 1717 out of the proto-polities of the Keltian interior. The country is centered around the Verdhe, Sev and Kesk rivers extending through the rolling hills and mountains to the southwest of Lake Morovia. The most densely populated area are the fertile lowlands to the southwest of Lake Morovia, serving as the melting pot of the country, with different cultures and peoples mixing. A large share of the food produced in the country comes from the lowlands, with the valleys contributing coal mining, forestry, cattle farming, wheat and potato farming and dairy production to the economy. The city-states operate under a system of internal free trade. Each state ensures that all needs of their people are met, and then trade remaining resources inside the country. Whatever is left is pooled together and exported to bring products into the country that are not produced domestically, as well as foreign currency. The proceeds from foreign trade are retained by the confederate government to finance its budget, with any remaining funds being distributed between the city-states based on population.

History

• Attera 1450-1480
• Talamthom 1500-1514
• Ocia 1535-1599
• Hamland 1627-1669
• Alperkin 1674-1715

Geography

The main territory of the country consists of a number of valleys opening onto three rivers, the Verdhe, Sev and Kesk rivers. The rivers are named after their colors in the native language of the area. The Verdhe ("yellow" in Verdhese) river runs through soils heavy with sand, which leak into the water coloring it yellow. The Sev ("black" in Sevan) river slowly meanders through a landscape littered with open coal mines, while the Kesk ("green" in Keskish) river suffers from overfertilisation, leading to algal bloom each year, turning the river green. The rivers merge before emptying into Lake Morovia, creating a thick layer of clay up to 80 meters deep, topped by a layer of loam several meters thick. This area forms the breadbasket of the country, while also being home to a rich flora and fauna. The valleys in turn are surrounded by hills and mountains, with the highest peaks reaching 1,500 meters. Each valley floor is also crossed by one or more creeks, rivers and streams, providing the local communities with fresh water, fishing opportunities and in several areas, a means of transportation.

Economy

The Verdhe valley, with its people residing in predominantly small communities, is mainly focused on sheep and goat farming, as well as small scale logging and vegetable farming. Vast grazing areas are common in the valley, interspersed with small farms. As a consequence of the animals farmed in the valley, several sheep and goat cheeses as well as milk are produced there. The Sev valley on the other hand is heavily affected by vast deposits of coal which started to be mined eons ago. Since many of the mines are day mines with little to no concern for the environment, coal leaks into the rivers and streams of the valley turning them black. Coal mining has affected both the culture and language of the Sev people. Several larger mines are responsible for a large share of the coal produced in the country. Other industries in the valley are potato and legumes farming. The Kesk valley is mainly focused on the farming of saffron, wine and various fruits, such as apples, pears and plums. It is primarily farming that cause the overfertilisation contributing to green algal bloom in the river.

The plains between the mouths of the valleys and Lake Morovia are responsible for the production of a large majority of the food consumed by Valesers. The area around Bashkim and between the three rivers consists mostly of vast farmland, growing various kinds of cereals and other crops. The main crops grown in the area are wheat, sugarcane, oilseeds, tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, radishes, eggplant, carrots, strawberries, sage, basil and thyme. In the area between the Sev and Kesk rivers, several large farms grow cinnamon, roses and other ornamental flowers. Vales is one of the largest producers of ornamental flowers in the world. The industry that exists in the country is centered around the Storin river and consists mostly of food and floral industry, coal export, and fisheries industry. Energy production comes mostly from several hydroelectrical and coal plants. Mechanical and electronic equipment, vehicles, chemicals, fuels and other more advanced goods are imported.

Politics

Politics in the United Cities of the Vales take place in a confederation of four independent states centered on the three valleys, together controlling the lowlands as a condominium. All four states are governed as elective republics, with leadership being elected for indeterminate terms. Ten percent of the citizens of a state can request a vote on the termination of one or more of state leaders, and frequently do so. The legislative power of the confederation is vested in the Assembly of the Vales, consisting of an equal number of representatives from each valley, as well as representatives of the lowlands, elected for indeterminate terms. The executive power of the confederation is vested in the Council of the Twelve, selected at random from lists drawn up in each valley and the lowlands. The Council of the Twelve also acts as the collective head of state of Vales. While the lowlands govern themselves to a large degree through several districts and the City of Bashkim, ultimate authority over the area rests with the valleys, acting in unison. Due to this requirement, it is rare that decisions in the lowlands are overturned by the valleys. Citizenship is granted by each valley, which also confers citizenship in Vales. Residents in the lowlands need to apply for citizenship in one of the valleys.

Transportation

Vales is a landlocked country with a diverse transportation system that serves its inhabitants and supports its industries. Due to its mountainous terrain and rural landscape, the country's transportation infrastructure is focused on linking the valleys to the capital and the rest of the world.

The primary mode of transportation in Vales is by road, with fairly well-maintained highways connecting the three valleys and the capital. The main highways are the M1, running from the capital of the Sev valley to Bashkim, the M2 running from the capital of the Kesk valley to Bashkim, and the M3 running from the two capitals of the Verdhe valley to Bashkim.

Vales has a limited railway network that connects the valley capitals to Bashkim. The railway lines are primarily used for the transportation of coal, timber, and agricultural products. It is however common for these trains to also pull one or more passenger cars. These do not run on a specific timetable, instead going back and forth between the capitals and Bashkim several times daily. The main railway station is located in Bashkim and serves as a hub for passenger and freight trains.

Vales has several small airports scattered throughout the country, which serve domestic flights. The largest airport is the Bashkim International Airport, which is located just outside the capital and serves as a domestic hub as well as handling international air traffic.

The rivers that flow through the valleys of Vales provide a natural waterway for transportation. However, due to the mountainous terrain and rapids, the rivers are not suitable for large ships. Therefore, smaller boats and barges are used to transport goods such as timber, coal, and agricultural products to and from the capital.

The country has a limited public transport system, with buses and taxis being the primary mode of transportation for local travel. In the capital, there is a comprehensive network of buses, which connect to the surrounding towns and villages.

In conclusion, Vales has a well-developed transportation system that supports its industries and connects its inhabitants to the rest of the world. The country's rugged terrain and rural landscape have influenced the mode of transportation, with roads and highways being the primary mode of transport. The limited railway network, small airports, and waterways also play a significant role in connecting the valleys to the capital of Bashkim.