Administrative divisions of Demirhan Empire

From OpenGeofiction

Demirhan Empire is divided into seventeen provinces (il) with three stages of autonomy:

  • Eyalet - provinces directly ruled from the capital with right to self-governance limited to minor public investments. Heads of the provinces are appointed by the Sultan. Each eyalet has also small elected council consisting of 30 members. Currently there are eight eyalets and all of them are inhabited almost entirely by Turquese people.
  • Vilayet - provinces with much higher degree of autonomy. In vilayets the council, enlarged to 50 members may choose additional official language, including introducing it to school curriculum, also the freedom in spending money for public projects is increased. There are currently six vilayets in total.
  • Other - two provinces have highest available level of autonomy. In these provinces subdivisions, as well as governing officials, bear own unique names. Several differences in civil law also exist. Additionally compared to vilayets the governor of the province is elected by the council and the choice is only confirmed by the Sultan. There are currently two provinces with special status.

The provinces are further divided into sanjaks (known also as etrap, nafa, şahrestan) and then further into kaza (ilçe or bahş), except for Zorlayıcı Dağları Mahosı which does not use the smallest subdivisions. Cities larger than 100 000 inhabitants have the same rank as sanjaks and are further divided into districts (mahalle).

Groups of overseas provinces, belonging to one of the two latter types, are grouped into khedivates which are governed by khedives. Khedivates have greater autonomy than any other province as they are not subjects of dıvan but only the Grand Vizier and the Sultan. Currently there is only one khedivate located in Tarephia.


History

Current administrative dates back to the year 1841 when the first Constitution was established. At the time Demirhan Empire was an unitary state divided into 14 mainland provinces (eyalets): Ardeşehir, Yerkenderun, Viralmanaz, Malazıt, Neril, Burhane, Silvanca, Akdalyakale, Denglikar, Nehirhisar, Haderot, Rudafşar, Şirvandar and several overseas provinces. Every province was divided into sanjaks.

The first change came when Lorantis seceded from the empire. The eyalets of Neril and half of Malazıt were lost and overseas eyalet of Şneldorf was created around the eponymous island. The Second Constitution changed the form of governance to federal and introduced democratically elected councils.

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Provinces

Eyalets

Ardeşehir Eyaleti

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The province has mostly urban caracter as it consist almost only of large Ardeşehir agglomeration. Ardeşehir is the largest city of the empire and used to be a capital between 1181 and 1334 when it was reconquered by Antharia. Monumental Silver Palace remains a witness of these days.

Ardeşehir is an important business center and a tourist attraction because of countless landmarks, museums and cultural diversity. Except for Turqese, also many Ivirans, Hellanesians, Gagavuzes and Antharians live in the city. As most of these minorities are dissatisfied with lack of autonomy, the city was one of the main areas of bloodshed during 1963 communist uprising.

Neighboring city of İskenderiya was chosen in 1984 as a host for Geolympic Games.

Sahil Eyaleti

The eyalet covers most of empire's eastern coast and is inhabited mostly by Gagavuzes - Turqese people who lived under Antharian rule and converted to Ekelan Christicism. Most of the cities preserved somewhat Antharian character.

Along the western border of the eyalet the centuries old line of Antharian fortifications, called Urban Line, still stand although they are broken in many places to make space for roads.

Other major feature of the eyalet - national park of Hılvaç river delta, is located on the border with Lorantian Talamı and formally belongs to the city of Malazıt.

Kıran Eyaleti

Province spreads from Adanaz Mountains to the Kıran river which marks also Malesorian border. Entire Eyalet is mostly rural, being imperial hub of food production. Adanaz mountains are being used locally for winter sports however many Demirhanis prefer to spend their winter holidays in Malesoria or Antharia.

Tarsınar Eyaleti

The capital is located in that eyalet. Originally Tarsınar was a small city located on crossing of trade routes of Karadolu Valley, however after the capital was moved there it transformed into relatively big metropolis with large industrial base.

Eyalet is relatively flat and covered in many rivers and swamps. The major water body is Yenik river, the major river in entire country.

Headquarters of large car producer, Vehikar are located in this province as well, although in small city of Elmalır.

Doğu Karadolu Eyaleti

Province borders several countries including Arya and Kushya and as such is relatively heavily militarised, especially on the Aryan border.

Industry is focused mainly on mining in Compelling Mountains, supposed by relatively dense railway system.

Batı Karadolu Eyaleti

Relatively dry province focused mainly on pasture and, in bigger cities, also heavy industry. The area is also known for large swamps between Alaklareli and Islahisar.

Historically it was inhabited by Şerkmans but they were assimilated to regular Turqese people durig migration processes in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Kan Vadisi Eyaleti

Eyalet is located in the eponymous valley between two large mountain ranges. Similarly to former one was originally inhabited by Sherkmans who were turkified.

The capital of the eyalet, Nehirhisar, is one of the major cities in the country and the largest which is not located on the sea shore. Rapid growth of the city was possible because of large industrial base built during 70s of former century.

Kuruvadi Eyaleti

Another eyalet inhabited by turkified Sherkmans. It is relatively dry, cold place, surrounded by mountains and desert. Known for extensive mining industry and carpets.

Vilayets

Yevercin Vilayeti

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Yevercin desert covers the majority of the vilayet. Province is inhabited in majority by Sherkmans. Many Sherkmans still live in traditional tribal communities which migrate with their sheep and goat herds across the semi-deserted areas of the vilayet. Tribal beys of the tribes established Sherkman Council which is advisory body for vilayet council. Sherkman Council was however dissolved from 1965 to 1992 as part of Süleyman III policies which were supposed to lead to integration of minorities into Turqese nation.

Since 1996 vilayet is a home to the only nuclear power plant in the country.

Şneldorf Vilayeti

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Şneldorf province is a relatively large group of islands located in southeastern tip of Demirhan Empire. Historically Şneldorf was known as Jevilmir and constitued own Lorantian city-state. After the fall of Lorantian Confederation Kalmish Knights, brought to Lorantis to fight against Demirhan Empire fled to the island and conquered it. Shortly after however, the island fell into hands of Demirhan Sultans. After that the turkification of local people had begun and went far enough to prevent the island from joining Lorantian national uprising.

As of today nearly one third of inhabitants declares Demirhan Kalmish as language they use at home, followed nearly the same amount of Lorantian speakers. Demirhan Kalmish is heavily turkified version of standard Kalmish language.

Melesür Vilayeti

Small vilayet located behind Red Mountains, mostly acquired from Suria in 1915 during September Revolution. The vilayet is rich in mineral resources, mainly oil and chrome.

Inhabited mostly by Imani Malesorians. Malesorian language is second official language of the territory and is taught on native level.

Special provinces

Zorlayıcı Dağları Mahosı

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Iviran community until early nineteenth century lived across all of the empire, often crating closed communities in larger cities. Many Ivirans, as being distinct in terms of religious beliefs from the rest of inhabitants lived in poverty without a chance to change their fate. Other Ivirans however rose to prominence during Arıtma process because they borrowed large amounts of money to state for public investments. As part of the payment Sultan Mehmet VI designated a space in Compelling Mountains for exclusively Iviran settlements. Poor Ivirans massively migrated from the streets of the cities to the new area in hope for better life as miners or lumberjacks. In consequence entire region quickly became majority Iviran.

However initially Ivirans rejected the special status of their province guaranteed in 1916 Constitution. Their leader, Şalom Yusuf Paşa was afraid of loosing connection with the Ibrıyım communities in other parts of the empire, however the special status was granted in 1952 by Sultan Mehmet VII. According to local rules Iviran, written in traditional Iviran script, is co-official language, tought in schools at native level. The sacraments given by Iviran priests are recognised by a state. There are also several minor differences between local and state civil code.

The province is called Mahos and is divided into 26 Nafa and two separated cities.

As of today mining remains the main pillar of provincial economy, however Haderot recently became important financial hub for the Empire.

Şirvan Ostanı

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Lands known as Şirvan were conquered by Demirhan Empire in series of wars wirh Basharid Shahdom in 20s and 30s of eighteenth century. They remain majority Aryan, with most of local Turquese people being mostly of Kushyan rather than Demirhan origin.

The ostan, located near Emerald Sea and seprated from the rest of the empire by Compelling Mountains spreads from Kartın river delta in the east to the Gandara desert in the west. Most of the western area is barely suitable for farming so most of population is located in Şirvandar - Hosrat corridor near Kushyan border. There are also many fishing and tourism oriented communities on the shores of Emerald Sea. The ostan has also the only confirmed deposits of uranium in the country.

The province, or more precisely Langan island in Emerald Sea remains one of the most prominent places with Ahuryanism as dominant religion. According to statistical data 27% of Aryans living in Demirhan Empire remain followers of Ahuryanism.

In the ostan the Aryan language is taught in schools at native level. It is also co-official language of the local parliament. Local governors hold the title of Ostandar instead of Vali. The term "şahrestandar" is in use instead of "bey". Ahuryan priests are recognised by law and they can give marriages and divorces which are valid according to the law (same as Iman priests in entire empire). Ahurian new year, Navruz is also local holiday.

Lorantis Talamı

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Lorantis is the largest special province of Demirhan Empire. It is known for remaining independent from 1888 to 2021 when it was reintegrated to the empire with popular vote held in the country on 17.04.2021. About 71.4% of voters voted in favour of joining the empire as long as all their rights are protected and the Supreme Council (Ard-Şenadh) as well as popular voting will remain as leading legislative body for internal matters. Therefore only international politics and national matters are delegated to central government of Demirhan Empire. Therefore local governor powers are limited only to key infrastructural projects and conscription.

The province is known for its beautiful nature with many national parks being located there. It is also known for beautiful beaches covered by white sand. The whole country lies in hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. The biggest river is Yenik flowing from Demirhan Empire and forming a large estuary. Typical form of plant life in the country are endemic pines (pinus lorentiesis) which can be seen all along the coastal part of the country up to 50 kilometers into the land. Deeper where the climate is much dryer the scrub type of planting is much more present. The pines also cover the Windy Hills region. These woods are dry with artificial forest cover.

Majority of Lorantians speak Lorantian language at home, however after annexation Turquese language classes became mandatory for all Lorantians attending schools. Therefore it is expected that the population will achieve bilingualism typical for people from other special provinces within several decades. Lorantis is religiously diverse province. According to census made after annexation about 23% of Lorantians, especially in western and southern part of the province follow Iman as the main religion. Antoher 51% declares themselves devoted Kreideth followers, while 19% sees themselves as culturally Kreidethin as the option of atheism is not available in Demirhan censuses. Kreideth is native politheistic folk religion which undergo national revival during independence period and has great impact on Lorantian way of life - they are often seen as most liberally minded from all Demirhanis but it comes from the fact that in many ways Kreideth morality is different from the Imani. For example Kreideth followers are not forbidden from eating any kind of food and should have permissive attitude for nudity as human body is considered sacred but as a consequence body modifications are strictly prohibited. Lorantis is the nly province where social nudity is generally accepted and nude beaches exist.

Koşangar Uçbeyliği

Koşangar is a small militarised province located entirely behind Compelling Mountains. Uçbeylik was aquired by Demirhan Empire in a short war between it and UL07c in 19th century. Similarly to nearby Kuruvadi Eyaleti is relatively dry and people are poor.

Despite relatively bad conditions of living, people native to the region, known as Yughuts, enjoy the same amount of freedom as their counterparts from Şirvan - local language is taught at schools at native level and used in local parliament. Entire province is bilingual. Leader of the province is called Uçbey instead of vali to underline the importance of the territory as a border of the empire.

Tarephian Khedivate

Şekerkamışı Vilayeti

The vilayet is located in volcanic Sugar Cane Islands where the history of Demirhan Tarephia started. Now it is known as popular place for holidays.

The vilayet is home to Apurimaks, however the majority of people are of Turquese origin. Despite that there are schools teaching in Apurimak language, many places have bilingual names and Apurimak native religion is undergoing revival.

Fırtına Burnu Vilayeti

Vilayet where capital of the khedivate is located, also home of the vast majority of the population. Majority of the vilayet is covered by swamps and large Manatukuk lake.

Similarly to Şekerkamışı Vilayeti Turquese constitute majority of the population, however in some places, especially relatively big Kumırt'uku city native Illimans are a majority. Illimans enjoy the same level of freedom as Apurimaks in the islands. Nearly one in tenth of Illimans follow the religion of their ancestors instead of Iman so there are many places where ancient rituals are performed.

Raha Vilayeti

Largest Vilayet, mostly covered with lush jungle. It is also the one least affected by Demirhan culture. Inhabited by Illimans who are vast majority of the population. Importantly there is also significant Florescentan minority in the west.

Flag of Demirhan Empire.png Demirhanlı Devleti
Regional topics
Neighboring territoriesAntharia, Niscavo, Qennes Malesoria, Suria, Kushya, Arya, Arbutania, Eden
Regional organizationsAssociation of South Ulethan Nations