Atalamia

**Atalamia,** officially the **Commonwealth of Atalamia**, is a country located on the northwestern end of Acanuria, where it is part of the Westward States. With 1,734,971 km2, it makes it the first largest country in Acanuria and the second largest in the world behind Belzhyiria. It's capital is Honan, with the largest city being Cžantanó. In total, there are 23 states with 5 additional territories. The country's tall mountains, caused by the collision of the Karavarash-Atalamian plate with the Acanurian plate, make it geographically, culturally, and ethnolinguistically isolated from the rest of the world. The name "Atalamia" comes from the Kelatikan word *atelam*, meaning "our territory." It is referred to as *Otamèscu* by Atalamians.

## History

The lands of Atalamia were initially settled by the Paleo-Atalamic peoples (also called the Woodware Culture) around the year 2300 BCE, originally migrating from the Wulvian Plain. They inhabited the Central Region and some parts of the Northern Region. These are separate from the modern-day Atalamians and the Wulvians, but some aspects of their culture could still be found.

In 1600 BCE, people from the late Laroudian culture would migrate across the Karavarash Peninsula into northern Atalamia and Sununda in an event called the Laroudian Migration. A subgroup living in northern Atalamia soon diverged into the ancient Parzans. As they moved further south, they came into contact with the Paleo-Atalamic groups in 1470 BCE. The Parzans took over the Paleo-Atalamian people and completely wiped out their culture.

Eventually, the Parzans would branch off into multiple different ethnic groups, including the Atalamians. By 345 BCE, the Atalamians formed the Atalamian Empire and controlled areas as north as the state of New Karavarash in Sununda, all the way down to Pelgrun. In 76 AD, they fought against the neighboring Santesanic Empire in a war called the Santesanic War, which lasted 143 years. It ended when the Atalamians took control of their capital, Pesothē (known today as Pasocší) in central Brisgan, which put the war to an abrupt end. The states of Brisgan, Kisuk, Cohomi, Wesziša, Pjont, and part of Rojias and Comadal were annexed into the Atalamian Empire in 77 or 78 AD.

Most of Whittes, Ketarora, and Comadal were ruled by the Yevanotian Kingdom.

## Geography and Climate

Atalamia is a very mountainous country. There are four main mountain ranges: the Kantuses in the east, the Calmijzes in the north, the Malecšies in the center, and the Jèrranós in the south. These mountain ranges make it difficult to traverse, enter and exit the country. The mountains are often forested and have snowy peaks. The mountains make it difficult to build buildings, and the strong winds erode the soil quickly. Many large cities are near the ocean or are in the plains or valleys. Smaller villages are built on gentler slopes.

Before the inventions of major highways like the Tacšmòzsin 23 and 48, trade was often exclusively done by sea, since the mountains were hard to cross. Nowadays, people can enter and exit the country via one of the many roads and highways.

The plains are usually found in the far southeast. The largest of them all, the Great Atalamian Plain, is useful for agriculture for its rich soil and flat, expansive land. Compared to the mountainous northern and western regions, this area is relatively flat with a few big hills.

Valleys and mountain passes are spread out across the continent. Villages on mountains are built here, as they are flat and stable. The soil tends to be richer at the valleys and rivers often pass through them. They also served as a good hiding place during the Yaranoti and Atalamian Nurskallia Sieges.

There are many lakes and ponds, with the largest lake being Lake Kóromiy, which spans from Siva to Kolti-Naranur. It serves as an important resource for fisheries. In the north, fjords are common. They also serve as good places for fishing but are also good for farming clams and other mollusks. The rivers are large because the mountains funnel the water into one localized area. The Pygas River is the largest river in the mountains, and is situated in the North-Central zone.

In the north, you can find the Sala Sea, a part of the Naranean Ocean. To the east, from north to south, is the Bay of Gerraž and the Bay of Honan. In the south is the Chanurka Sea. The Chanurka Sea has many oil and natual gas reserves. Many countries fight for these obsolete islands so that they can gain access to this oil. Atalamia's Arayo Islands (Mèzsen Arrajó) were captued so that they could get acess to this oil. Soon, the islands would become annexed.

The country is bordered by Stagarland and Kusolbia to the south and Sununda to the east. The small territory of Port Llanyen of Belzhyiria is located on Kolsynsy Island.

## Flora and fauna diversity

Atalamia is rich in species diversity and has about 48 endemic species. The Atalamian Nature and Wildlife Association (Cžaken uizs Lantkós o Šankasné Otamèscu) (CLŠO) lists 23,878 native species and 37 invasive species. Many species live in the south, where it is warmer.

On land, there are many species of bird, mammals, reptiles, plants, fungi, and insects. In the mountainous, forested north, most animals live up high in the trees as protection or as a vantage point. Many insects and small mammals burrow to keep themselves hidden. Most animals in the north are very furry, as to keep themselves warm. Tall trees form forests that span across thousands of acres of land. They provide shelter and protection for the animals who live there.

There are about 1,749 species of mammals that are native to Atalamia. There are five endemic species of mammal that live here. Many species live in the trees or in burrows underground.

There are 2,203 bird species in Atalamia, 11 of which are endemic. The illusive red-breasted mountaineagle is the national bird and is one of the rarest birds in Atalamia. Seeing one is believed to give good luck. Touching one is forbidden and may cause you to pay a fine. Some of these birds are important to humans, as they are eaten for food, such as the Atalamian and grey manok. The variable forest parrotoo, a common pet, originates in Atalamia.

There are 1,491 species of reptiles in Atalamia, most of which live in the south, Some live in the frigid north, and some live in the water, like sea snakes, One particular species, the golden maritime edla, a species of lizard, lives in the north near the Sala Islands and in the fjords. Despite the freezing temperatures, they can handle swimming in cold water for up to an hour.

There is an unbelievable amount of diversity under the water. The lakes, rivers, and oceans all contain many species of fish, corals, mollusks, and seaweed.

There are 3,123 species of fish, 13 of which are endemic. Some of those being the Tansuk Island seabass, the Pasachi cisco, and the painted minnow. 3 of these endemic species have gone extinct already. The black-spotted cisco and the striated lancetbass are the most caught freshwater fishes and are considered delicacies and used in many dishes.

There are about 3,349 species of mollusk, whether that be clams, snails, slugs, octopi, or cuttlefishes. Bivalves come out on top, with 1,359. Oysters, snails, and other mollusks are commonly eaten. Some species are highly invasive, like the leafy river slug or the tiger knife mussel. These species outcompete many other species and had led to the extinction of many animals. There are 19 species that are endemic.

Nanobes have been accepted as nonliving organisms like how viruses are, and there are 4 species of them. Scientists use Linnaean taxonomy (they use that here too) rather than the traditional naming method for viruses. The four species of nanobe are: the Norvidinian crystal nanobe (*Halasocristallo parvum*), worm nanobe (*Auctota katakermatismeni*), Lichatian noodle nanobe (*Auctota lichatensis*) and the golf ball nanobe (*Remorbis spherica*). *R. spherica* comes from an asteroid from Mars.

There are also 10 species of virus, not including ones that originate from outside of the country. The deadliest virus, the purpleskin virus, originated in Atalamia. It was passed on by common house ratmice and led to a pandemic in the year 4130. There are vaccines to prevent them, but infected people often show no symptoms and die within two weeks or less. People in poverty are more prone to getting the virus, but as vaccination rises, numbers decrease.

Some viruses, such as the pink-white cabbage mottle virus, affect crops every year. Scientists have developed ways to stop the virus, like using chemicals.

## Culture and Food

Atalamian tradition heavily revolves around seafood. Kacžó, fried octopus with seasoning and dipping sauce, is one of the most popular dishes in Atalamia, and is even the national dish. When the first settlers of Atalamia came, they were mostly fishermen and farmers. Most settled on the coast or near lakes and rivers. They caught fish, squid, and other creatures and implemented them into their cuisine. Some native animals, like the wild manokbird, were hunted and consumed as well. Other animals were not introduced until way later. The Wulvians brought livestock, such as pigs and cows Even then, people were reluctant to eat them because they had never seen such animals. Southeast Atalamian cuisine uses these meats often. Northern cuisine does as well but the people favor seafood more.

Other ethnic groups were farmers, and farmed cabbage, rice, and wildoats. Their food was also influenced by the other ethnic groups. Their food shares similarities with the hunter-gatherer tribes. Some dishes made using traditional crops are: *oi* *naszcšek, kyrr,* and *pôlos vi qozži.* These dishes can be found throughout the northeast and the south.

## Ethnic Groups

Atalamia is extremely diverse and has many ethnic groups and tribes. The most widespread and populous group is the Atalamians, which only make up about 78% of the population. The second most are the Yusi people at 9% and in third place are the Wulvians at 3%.

## Languages

Atalamia has approximately about 322 languages from eight different families, with the largest one being the Atalamic languages. Only 63 of these languages are not an Atalamic language. Atalamian is the official language of Atalamia, and of 5328, the Wuli language became co-official.

The most common languages are Atalamian, Sunundan, Corinian, and Kusolbian. They are used by most of the population and for writing important documents. Most documents, food labels, signs, radio statons, and more use these four languages.

Atalamia has six language isolates: Arauci, Shanship, Talochar, Amaji, Kolatik and Cheshko. Arauci and Kalochar are well-attested and are both spoken by around 10,000 people. However, the other four are not studied well. Both Shanship and Cheshko are spoken by less than 100 people and are soon on the verge of extinction. Talochar and Amaji are already thought to be extinct.

## Politics

Atalamia is divided into 18 constituencies during voting season every five years.