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The United Cities of the Vales is a confederation of independent city 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 east 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 mining, forestry, cattle 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.
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 fertile landscape of rich, black soil, 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 together with the eastern plains form 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 and fishing opportunities.
