Geography of Alahana

Alahana is a country in eastern Tarus, bordered to the north by Lakaii, Paxallex and Calen-Taur; and is surrounded to the north west by the Diamond sea, to the south by the Reef sea and the Cerullean Sea, to the east by the Strekar Sea and Inner Tarusian Sea and to the west by the Treurs Channel, also known as the Estene-Tosaer Strait, which seperates Alahana from Dindar.

The country consists of a terrain that is mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills but mountainous in the west (including the Paragon Mountains) and the north (Southern Iron Mountains). Metropolitan Alahana has a territory that covers 762,870 km². It is the largest country in Eastern Tarus. Alahana also has many islands, of various sizes, the largest being Marinia Island followed by Zyan island, Versano island and Rommack island.

## Area and borders

Alahana's territory covers 762,870 km², making it the 48th largest country in the world, 10th largest on continental Tarus and largest in eastern Tarus. Alahana is located largely in the Reef Sea Supra-region and in the north in the Etoran, Ulelion and Riverlands Supra-regions

Alahana has a land border with Lakaii, Paxallex and Calen-Taur in the north and as Alahana is a peninsula it is surrounded by water from all other sides. Alahana's 3,100 km border with Lakaii is defined by the Southern Iron Mountains and is a result of the 1510 Tirath Succession War where the southern parts of the Kingdom of Tirath were incorporated by the Kingdom of Alahana. The 1,100 km border with Paxallex is a result after the Alahana-Karkan war of 1502 where Alahana conquered the lands of Karkan up to the seasonal river, the Emaran. The 95 km border with the elven protectorate of Calen-Taur is result of subsequent exoduses where elves migrated to neighboring lands and elven towns on the border wanted to join one of the neighboring countries like *Enrantaesi* in Lakaii, *Unllume* and *Ayath Alari* in Paxallex, *Alrankadi* in Nogard and *Ella Thalor* and *Canerion* in Alahana.

### Maritime claims

Under the Economic and Social Council of the World Council the territorial waters of a country are 12 miles (±20km) where a state has jurisdiction over an area of water. Inland seas and the Baseline of coast are also included in the territorial waters of a state. In the case of Alahana this means that the entirety of the Cerullean sea is part of the territorial waters of Alahana. The Treurs channel is split between Alahana and Dindar.

The Exclusive Economic Zone of a country is defined as 200 miles (±320 km) of sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. This results in Alahana claiming most of the Reef Sea and a large part of the Western Inner Tarusian Sea. The Diamond Sea is split between Alahana and Dindar.

### Border disputes

The islands of Alahana result in a very large portion of the Reef sea being under Alahanese jurisdiction and under the Alahanese EEZ. This creates a lot of friction between Alahana and other states also claiming these regions where the EEZ's overlap. After the conquest of Marinia island and the surrounding islands the EEZ of Alahana heavily extended into the Reef sea and overlaps with the EEZ of Al'Murtina of the Kinderraine Islands. Aquila island in the Treurs channel also extends the Alahanese territorial waters heavily within the channel making almost the complete channel under Alahanese control. The Asdurn Islands and Zyan island also heavily extend the EEZ of Alahana. All overlapping EEZ's and territorial waters have been resolved by the Economic and Social Council of the World Council and where all parties agreed to the suggested maritime borders.

As for land borders there are no real disputes. Some regions are claimed but don't have enough support such as Aquila island being claimed by Dindar, Marinia island and its surrounding claimed by Al'murtina and the Asdurn island by Sandaria.

### Extreme points

**Mainland:**

* Northernmost point — Town of Ramstone, State of Iron Mountains, province of Brookryhorn
* Southernmost point — Isle of Butoria, State of Marinia, province of Roinsitam
* Westernmost point — Town of Venzor, State of West Alahana, province of Aquila island
* Easternmost point — Town of Emall, State of South Alahana, province of Bank Islands
* Lowest point — Reef Sea at sea level (0 m)
* Highest point — Mount Legend (5,548 m), State of State of Iron Mountains, province of Brookryhorn

**Alahana, including overseas territories:**

* Northernmost point — Town of Ramstone, State of Iron Mountains, province of Brookryhorn
* Southernmost point — Isle of Alirina, Territory of Newbanks
* Westernmost point — Town of Venzor, State of West Alahana, province of Aquila island
* Easternmost point — Isle of Donnasomin, Territory of Free Cities of Inoras, near Marblerock
* Lowest point — Caragir Wetlands, Territory of Free Cities of Inoras, near Harvesse
* Highest point — Mount Legend (5,548 m), State of State of Iron Mountains, province of Brookryhorn

## Physical geography

Mainland Alahana is a peninsular land mass that lies within the *Reef Sea region* of the Supra-Region *Eastern Tarus*. There are two peninsulas projecting from it: The Telran Peninsula and the Lunensean Peninsula.

The central part of Alahana, also called '*Alahana Proper*' which is seperated from the Iron Mountains region in the north and from the Telran peninsula in the south is partially covered by a relatively flat plain that's punctuated by some time-worn low rolling hills and mountains. Rugged cliffs form the east coast along the Strekar Sea with dramatic vieuws. These cliffs extend all the way to the Cerullean Coast, as well as on most of the Cerullean islands making the land hilly, rocky and steep. These rugged cliffs make way for white-sandy beaches that stretch all along the Reef Sea coast all the way to the Treurs Channel.

A lot of islands can be found along the pebbled beaches of the Cerullean coast. A grand total of 1,488 islands and islets can be found within the waters of Alahana. Within the island-filled Cerullean sea, Rommack island is the largest closely followed by Versano island, Willand island and Blakto island. Aside from the Cerullean islands there are the Bank Islands that can be found in the Western Inner Tarusian Sea also known as the *Bank Sea*. The Bank Islands consist of the largest island, Zyan Island which has the city of Highbank and has a lot of smaller islands scattered along its coastline, in the west and the Asdurn Islands, mostly known as the *Oil Banks*, in the east. But the largest island of Alahana is not found in the Cerullean sea or in the Bank Sea but in the middle of the Reef sea, island of Marinia. While all islands are steep and rocky with a mediterranean climate, Marinia island is rather flat with a much dryer and hotter landscape and features a desert, the Marinian Desert in the south.

Mountains dominate northern and western Alahana, including the Iron Mountains, that stretch along its border with Lakaii which has the highest peak of Alahana, Mount Legend with a height of 5,548 meters. The, volcanic in origin, Telran Highlands is a mountainous plateau divided by steep canyons and valleys. These mountains stretch west toward the Paragon Mountains in the west of the country and to the south toward the Reef Sea. In the east of the Telran peninsula, on the coast of the Cerullean sea, the Heremada Canyon can be found. This river canyon is about 25 kilometers long and the depth varies between 200 and 1000 meters. The Croslita River flows through this canyon into the Cerullean sea. This canyon is part of the Heremada National Park that also inludes lots of deep, narrow valleys that are partly submerged by the sea and are made up of limestone or granite and cliff-edged inlets.

The country is drained by dozens of rivers. The longest river in Alahana is the Hogash River at 2,259 kilometers in length. Other significant rivers include the Green River, Medyr River and the Doonic River.

### Natural resources

**Energy:** Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Uranium

**Food:** Fish, Crops

**Minerals:** Iron Ore, Copper, Bauxite, Nickel, Gold, Salt

### Rivers and lakes

The main rivers in Alahana are:

* Hogash River, with a length of 2,259 km flows from the Iron Mountains into the Cerullean Sea
* Green River, with a length of 1,079 km flows from Telran Highlands into the Diamond Sea
* Canolla River, with a length of 795 km flows from the Iron Mountains into the Cerullean Sea
* Medyr River, with a length of 477 km flows from Lake Gazosh into the Strekar Sea
* Doonic River, with a length of 391 km flows from the Paragon Mountains into the Treurs Channel
* Kasonne River, with a length of 375 km flows from the Telran Highlands into the Reef Sea
* Esath River, with a length of 166 km flows from the Paragon Mountains into the Treurs Channel
* Croslita River, with a length of 282 km flows from Telran Highlands into the Cerullean Sea
* Klipur River, with a length of 118 km flows from Telran Highlands into the Green River

Other minor rivers and tributaries include the Cottlerial, Epforte, Claison, Narrac, Tavin and Besanzon rivers.

### Artificial waterways

Alahana also has some artificial waterways and canals used for carrying vessels transporting goods and people. The largest being the Nuhlan Canal that connects the Cerullean Sea with the Diamond Sea and the Prominster Canal in the overseas territory of Inoras which connects the Torine Sea with the Cagani Sea.

There are many smaller canals used for shipping purposes.

## Climate

Alahana generally enjoys cool winters and mild summers. Average winter temperatures range from 1°C to 9°C and average summer temperatures from 16°C to 26°C. Alahanese climate can be divided into five Climatic regions:

The region of Alahana proper, which includes the major cities of Adrilla, Antarp and Attbridge, has a temperate oceanic climate with temperatures averaging 10.2°C in winter, up to 27.8°C in summer, and rainfall distributed throughout the year.

The Cerullean Coast is characterized by mild winters and blisteringly hot summers. There is plenty of sunshine during the summer months, and refreshing sea breezes. Temperatures in the summer usually peak at 30°C or 35°C but sometimes even 40°C or more, and an average of 12 hours of sunshine per day. 27 dry days per months can be expected during the summer season.

The Telran Peninsula has cool and fairly rainy winters, though summers here are usually hot with average temperatures ranging from 24.7°C in the summer and 3.1°C in the winter. There is also a lot of rainfall in this region with an average of 200 days a year.

The highlands of Telra, Etora and Paragon varies greatly. The paragon mountains and Telran Highlands are subject to oceanic influences resulting in abundant precipitation year round with low temperatures, and cold winters with sometimes heavy snowfall. The Iron mountains, or the Etoran region, the climate is characterized by lower temperatures because of higher altitudes and greater precipitation caused by air becoming moisture-laden as it lifts over higher terrain.

Marinia Island can be described as subtropical dry, hot desert climate with low annual rainfall, very high temperatures in summer. During the summer months it is very hot with low rainfall. Daily maximum temperatures can reach easily 40°C or more. Winter is cooler with occasional rainfall. Spring and autumn are warm, mostly dry and pleasant, with maximum temperatures between 25°C and 35°C and cooler night Temperatures between 15 and 22°C.

## Environment

Although it is one of the most industrialized countries in the world, Alahana has one of the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of Tarus with 86,684 Kt annually. This is because the massive renewable energy industry that is active in the country which now accounts for 55% of its electricity production. Another 35% comes from nuclear power making ~90% 'clean' energy. The other 10% still comes from fossil fuels.

The laws of the Tarusian Union about the environment are very strict and where the main reason all nations within the union had to cut their Carbon dioxide levels. Although it was rough for most countries to make these standards, it ultimately resulted in an booming renewable energy industry throughout the union, less polluted air and water, healthier food and longer lifespans.

About 37% of Alahana's land area is covered in forests. It is illegal in most cases to cut down trees in these forests. This is to preserve the environment and the country's beauty. Hunting is also strictly regulated and also illegal in most cases. The environment laws in Alahana are very strict resulting in a very stable ecology and as mentioned before less polluted air and water, healthier food and longer lifespans, but also result that many companies had to invest a lot of money to reduce their pollution resulting in their bankruptcy. The hunting and logging industries also took a heavy hit because of these laws. Only a few companies remain but animal products and wood have to be imported in larger quantities.

### Natural Hazards

Natural hazards are very uncommon in Alahana. There are 6 inactive volcanoes in Alahana, 2 of them located in the Reef Sea, 4 located in the Paragon Mountains and 1 active volcano (*Mount Hellion*) on Linet Island which erupted last in 1975 and 1 (*Mount Chamgar*) 12 kilometers of the coast of Marinia which erupted last in 2010.

Minor earthquakes up to 3.0 of the Richter magnitude scale are a regular phenomenon in Alahana because the fault line between the Tarusian plate and the Ozuin Plate is relatively close, ±280 km from Marinia Island and ±890 km from the mainland. Earthquakes up to 5.8 can be felt occasionally, up to once a year in the south of mainland Alahana or Marinia. The largest measured earthquake in recorded history is one of 7.1 on the Richter scale in 1987.

Floods are also an occasional fenomen on the flatlands around rivers. Some areas are also sensitive to land- and mudslides although they are not severe. Regional hazards include hailstorms, avalanches in the mountainous regions, forest fires in the south and extreme droughts on Marinia island.

### Biodiversity

*Main Article: Fauna of Alahana*

   There are four geobiographic regions in mainland Alahana: Atlantic, continental, mediteranean and Alpine. Alahana has many endemic species found nowhere else on Eurion. As the Alahanese mainland lies fully within the Taravaran faunistic realm, which includes all of the Tarusian continent, Estavaran continent and the north of the Ozuini continent, and shares a great deal of its flora and fauna with the rest of this biogeographic realm. Known animals that exist in all over mainland Alahana include Rodents such as , dormice, squirrels,regular mouses and rats. Animals belonging to the mustelidae  family live here such as martens, polecats, stoats and weasels. Besides these smaller mammals there are also hedgehogs, rabbits and hares. Other large mammals that live here are many kinds of deers and boars.

   The ecoregions and ecology found in the Telran peninsula are extremely varied. The densely forested areas found around the Green river and the Central Lakes have mostly species adapted to living in temperate climates. These woodlands here can be described as Temperate deciduous - or broadleaf forest. The mammals that live here are Wolves, beavers and Foxes. Another large mammal that lives here is threatened and endemic to this region, the Alahanese river cat that lives along the banks of rivers of these lowland woods. Besides the woodland areas of Telra there is also the highlands of Telra and the Paragon mountains. As for mammals there are many ungulates like ibexes, chamois and mouflons. Smaller animals such as Marmots also live in the highlands and mountains. Of all the bird species living on the Telran peninsula there is one that stands out from the others, the Phoenix bird, an introduced species that is native to the continent of Inoras. The Telran reptile and amphibian population includes the XXX

When going to the southern - or eastern coast one will come across the terrestial biographic region of the Reef sea. The flora of the reef sea region

Iron Mountains

unique marinia ecosystem: Ibis

Alahana has a very rich bird population of an estimated 520 bird varieties. Small birds such as cuckoos and swallows. Waterbirds such as ducks, geese and swans, grebes, rails, moorhens, coots and loons. Terrestrial species of birds such as quails, pheasants and bustards. Wading birds such as plovers, sandpipers, coursers, pratincoles and sea birds such gulls, Skuas, terns, shearwaters, gannets, cormorants, petrels and storm petrels. Birds of prey such as ospreys, vultures, kestrels, falcons, hawks, eagles and owls and finally large birds such as flamingos, cranes, storks, pelicans, herons and egrets.

Aquatic life: Alahana is bordered by 2 large bodies of water: the Diamond Sea and the Reef Sea which contain many animals.

colonial wildlife

Dragons and griffins

## Human geography

### Land use

* *Arable land*: 35.60%
* *Permanent crops*: 1.9%
* Water: 3.4%
* Forest: 34.2%
* Urban: 8.2%
* *Other*: 16.7%