Glacei
| Glacei | |
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| Subdivision type: | Canton |
| Capital: | Monte Glacei |
| Population: | 3,001,480 |
| Largest Cities: | Monte Glacei, Alpreaux |
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| Local Leadership Title: | Deputy |
| Local Government: | Grand Council |
| Current leader: | Gustav Trudeaux |
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| Local language: | Lac Glaceian (official) |
| Local Religion: | The Alpine Temple |
Glacei is a canton in northeastern Lac Glacei. Its capital is the city of Monte Glacei. Glacei is the heartland of Lac Glacei and encompasses the Grand Duchy's most populous cities; Monte Glacei and Alpreaux. It is the most mountainous region of the grand duchy and contains the Glacei Mountains and the country's tallest peak, the Isenhorn. Snowmelt from these mountains feeds the fresh waters of Lake Glacei. Glacei is also the most populated canton within the Grand Duchy, although most of the population is centered in the cities of Alpreaux and Monte Glacei.
The Glaceian coast is known as a popular tourist destination and is dotted with numerous small villages.
The canton is also home to Glacei National Forest, which is the largest protected area within the Grand Duchy and occupies about one-sixth of Glacei's total land area. Isenhorn Mountain is located just northwest of the village of Isenburgh, within the first few miles of the national forest.
Major cities include Monte Glacei, Alpreaux, and Hamuji.
History
The Canton of Glacei began as the original heartland of Lac Glacei. The region was chosen for settlement because of its fertile valleys and the safety of the surrounding Glacei Mountains. For many years Alpreaux served as the summer palace of Emperor Jacobus (the winter palace being located in Ergo Sum). In its early days Alpreaux was simply called Lac Glacei, sharing the name with the region and the lake. By 1442 AN (208 ASC) Lac Glacei was at the height of its power within the United Imperium and extended control over much of northeastern Apollonia. At the time much of Apollonia was still devoid of people, with roving bands of indigenous tribes or otherwise empty forests whose only inhabitants were the wild animals. The fertile valley soils and the security offered by the surrounding mountains made Glacei an ideal destination for the first pioneers. These migrants consisted primarily of people fleeing the more densely populated cities such as Ergo Sum, or crowded nations such as Cyberia and Shireroth.
During Lac Glacei's Grand Revival period of the late 1600s, Glacei saw renewed prominence as the Grand Duchy quickly expanded to fill the vacuum left behind by the collapse of Stormark and Gralus. Due to the mountainous nature and many valleys intersecting the region, dense development has been deterred throughout the years. Even so, the area is sprinkled with many cities ands villages nestled comfortably in the fertile valleys. A robust public transit system with many tunnels and passes allowing speedy commerce between these locales has helped to fuel a successful economy in the region. Today, Glacei is known as a major tourist destination and emerging information technology sector. The Grand Apollo Hotel in St. Sonne is extremely popular with celebrities and notoriously difficult to book. The region also offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as skiing and hiking; particularly in Glacei National Forest.
