Granadine

==Overview==
The Dhow Republic controls a long stretch of barren coastline in northwestern Kijana.  Officially founded in 1624, the nation was ruled for nearly two hundred years by a series of strongmen located in the city of Granadine itself, which is located in the extreme north of the country.  As of 1905, nearly a quarter of the nation's population lives in the city of Granadine, while another quarter lives in the smaller coastal cities of Genil, Barro, and Keiro.  The remainder of the populace can be found in tiny fishing villages or farming hamlets that dot the barren coastline.
A traditional sea-trading power, Granadine's influence waned as steamships arrived on the western coast of Kijana.  Granadine's traders were well-known for their sailing dhows, and had some modest successes at oceanic voyages, resulting in Granadine's nickname as "the Dhow Republic."
The state is ruled by the Ha'i Basa, an individual who serves as joint head-of-state and head-of-government.  The twenty-one seat Lad Thouapai is composed from the three main groups within the country (priests, nobility, and commoners), with each group contributing a total of seven representatives.  Seven seats in the Lad Thouapai, those of the Commons, are held for a period of six years, while the remaining seats for the nobility and the priests are held for life.  The Lad Thouapai passes laws and elects the Ha'i Basa from outside of their ranks.
Granadine's populace is very religious, following a tribal religion known as Mak Mai.  There are numerous temples located along the coast, but seven - which are responsible for representation in the Lad Thouapai - are particularly prestigious.
Granadine imports food from Sebiris and further abroad, as well as working heavily with artisanal fishing.  The sparsely-populated interior has modest mineral reserves of cement, bentonite, and salt.  Mining of these resources, occasionally with foreign investment and expertise, has largely permitted the country to fund much of its modernization efforts.
Although Granadine's trade empire has crumbled under external competition, the Dhow Republic is modernizing wherever possible.  The country has successfully rebuffed attempts at foreign interference, and continues to maintain its political independence.
Category:Nations
Category:Granadine