South Akhidia

Kingdom of South Akhidia Suh Akhiďą Físaqła Königreich Sudakhidien 南阿希迪亞王國 Nán Ahidiya Wángguó
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto:
Anthem: Ahkiď Įhđiqk
Map versions	-
Capital	New Paris
Largest city	New Paris
Official language(s)	Akhidian Cibolan Saxon Tiěyán
Official religion(s)	Nazarene
Demonym	South Akhidian
- Adjective	South Akhidian
Government	Monarchy
- King	Şahan I
- Regent	Anastasia
- Legislature	Ahidar
Establishment	1707 AN
Area	858,960 sq.km
Population	5,769,200
Currency	Akhidian Zendert
Calendar
Time zone(s)	CMT -11:00
Mains electricity
Driving side
Track gauge
National website
National forum
National animal	Akhidian Crocodile
National food	Akhidian Shella
National drink	Akhidian Paradise Vine
National tree	Dracaena cinnabari
Abbreviation	SAK

South Akhidia (Akhidian: Suh Akhiďą; Cibolan Saxon: Sudakhidien; Tiěyán: 南阿希迪亞 Nán Ahidiya), officially the Kingdom of South Akhidia (Akhidian: Suh Akhiďą Físaqła; Cibolan Saxon: Königreich Sudakhidien; Tiěyán: 南阿希迪亞王國 Nán Ahidiya Wángguó), is a monarchy in western Cibola. A member of both the Akhidian Confederation and the Mondosphere, its capital and largest city is New Paris.

Etymology

The name Akhidia is commonly believed to derive from the legendary Ark of the Ahit, a mysterious artefact said to bestow fabulous riches upon whomever finds it. An alternative theory holds that the country is named for the mythical Knights of Ahd, a band of courageous warriors who swore an oath to defend the ancestors of the royal House of Zezo. There is little firm historical evidence for either explanation and a definitive answer is unlikely to be found.

Government and politics

Officially a semi-constitutional parliamentary monarchy, South Akhidia functions in practice as a military dictatorship. Power is vested in the young king, Şahan I, but exercised on his behalf by a regent, his stepmother Queen Anastasia. The Ahidar, a rump legislature of local representatives elected by adult suffrage, in practice serves only to rubber stamp the regent's decisions, whose authority is underpinned by the Mondoist occupation forces and supported by various local interest groups, most notably the leaders of the Tieyan ethnic group.

Administrative divisions

South Akhidia is organised into twelve provinces, divided between five regions: the Royal Domain, the Duchy of Cezayir, Bretalyon, Tieya and Dunaria. The Royal Domain falls under the direct control of the royal government, while the remaining four enjoy varying degrees of autonomy. Cezayir is the personal dominion of the Queen Mother Anastasia, while the remaining three serve as a self-governing homelands for their titular ethnolinguistic group.

Flag	Province	Region	Area (sq km)	Population	Capital
	North Barbary	Royal Domain	123,084	741,500	Naval
	South Barbary	Royal Domain	19,476	454,000	Oren
	Suro	Royal Domain	14,940	1,167,300	New Paris
	Zezo-Goturg	Cezayir	61,740	185,000	Zezo-Goturg
	Jehaf	Cezayir	21,744	119,200	Jehaf
File:Alakhidia flag.png	North Ortada	Ceyazir	46,548	162,700	Alakhidia
	South Ortada	Ceyazir	23,724	183,400	Lordpan
	East Bretalyon	Bretalyon	49,320	619,500	St. Litavia
	West Bretalyon	Bretalyon	82,224	585,900	Germanije
	East Tieya	Tieya	180,468	586,700	Hecheng
	West Tieya	Tieya	122,832	434,000	Minerio
	Dunaria	Dunaria	112,860	530,000	Santiago

Foreign Relations

Nation	Status	Visa Policy	Notes
Batavia	Neutral	Visa required
Çakaristan	Friendly	Visa required	Treaty 1699 AN
Hurmu	Friendly	Visa on arrival, 10 days per year	Treaty 1704 AN
Mondosphere	Friendly	Visa-free travel, 90 days per year	Treaty 1706 AN
Sanama	Friendly	Visa-free travel, 90 days per year	Treaty 1703 AN
Senya	Friendly	Visa-free travel, 90 days per year	Treaty 1704 AN
South Sea Islands	Friendly	Visa-free travel, 90 days per year	Treaty 1705 AN

Demographics

South Akhidia has a population of 5,769,200.

Ethnic groups

Ethnic groups in South Akhdia

  Batii (22%)

  Tiěyán (21%)

  Bretallois (19%)

  Batavian (10%)

  Fentoian (10%)

  Dunarian and Steerish (9%)

  Other (9%)

South Akhidia is home to six distinct ethnic groups. The largest community, accounting for around 22% of the population, are the Batii. The Batii are a Matbaic people who originated in eastern Cibola, before migrating westward in the course of the previous two centuries.

The Tieyan people form the second largest group, with some 21% of the population. Descendents of the inhabitants of the epononymous kingdom in the south-west of the continent, the Tieyans are now found throughout the Barbary Peninsula and to the north of the straits.

The third most numerous ethnolinguistic group are the Bretallois, representing just under 19% of the kingdom's inhabitants. The Bretallois speak a Britannic language similar to Steerish and are concentrated primarily in the central portion of the Barbary Peninsula.

The Batavians also have a long history in the region. They account for approximately 10% of the population.

The origin of the Fentoaian people is disputed. According to some traditions, they are descended from Euran refugees who fled to Cibola and were enslaved by the Batii. They also form around 10% of the population.

The Dunarians, who inhabit the south-western coast, speak a proto-Alexandrian dialect. However, recent genetic studies have suggested that they share a common ancestry with the neighbouring Steerish.

Languages

South Akhidia has three official languages. Akhidian is spoken predominantly by those of Batii and Fentoaian descent, approximately 32% of the population. A member of the Middle Cibolan Language Family, its larynx structure and suffixes are highly distinct and it derives only a comparatively small proportion of its vocabulary come from other languages. Although spoken natively by fewer people, Cibolan Saxon is the most widely understood second language, with over 60% of the population having some knowledge of it. Use of the Tieyan language has declined in recent decades, but having been recognised as an official language, its prospects are expected to improve. Some 15% of the population speak it as a first language. Bretallois, Batavian, Dunarian and Steerish Low Saxon are also spoken by smaller numbers of people.

Religion

Religious adherence in South Akhdia

  Nidarosian Catholic Church (35%)

  Matbaic Orthodox Church (35%)

  Tieyan traditional faiths (12%)

  Umraism (2%)

  Atheist or other (16%)

The Nazarene faith is by far the most widely practiced religion in South Akhidia, followed by nearly seventy percent of inhabitants. The Matbaic Orthodox Church was traditionally promoted by the ruling Batii elites in Akhidia, but in recent years the Nidarosian Catholic Church has gained in popularity and today, the two sects are roughly equal in numbers of adherents.

Umraists make up two percent of the population, while practioners of traditional Tieyan faiths are estimated to account for a further twelve percent, although there is some overlap between this latter group and the Nidarosian Nazarene community.

Economy

Infrastructure

South Akhidia's transportation network is being substantially upgraded. The capital, New Paris, is served by two major airports, Suro King Zezo and Domansk. Although both currently accommodate a mixture of domestic and international flights, there are plans to develop Suro King Zezo as the country's principle intercontinental hub. The cities of the Barbary Peninsula are linked to both Etzeland and Steerswick by road and rail networks and there are ongoing efforts to standardise railway infrastructure across the region. A state-owned ferry service connects the two sides of the Barbary Strait and links the various islands of the Inner Sea to each other and the mainland.

Culture

Sports

Football remains South Akhidia's most popular sport. The country possesses several top-flight teams, which continue to play in a united Akhidian league, the Liga Ahidya. South Akhidia similarly contributes to a unified Akhidian international team.

Rugby, volleyball, baseball, basketball and archery are also popular and the subject of regular domestic competitions.

Cuisine

South Akhidia's cuisine is a fusion of elements inherited from the various ethnic groups who inhabit the country. The national dish is Shella, a seafood wrap made with shrimp, peppers and garlic; it is traditionally served with potatoes dipped in sunflower oil. Tieyan food is widely available and in recent years, cake has become increasingly popular.