Forum:Territory application/AN146, AN137g - Thirran

Forums → Territory application → Territory application/AN146, AN137g - Thirran

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	Territory ID and proposed name
	The Territory ID (from OpenGeofiction:Territories, e.g. AR123a) and proposed name of the country

Thirran / Thirran Thȧamce (Thirranic Republic)

In 2018, I created Thirran on Harda Island. Today, I am reviving the nation that has become somewhat of a legend in Antarephia, but at a new location. Since GTK (which absorbed my former country) is also no more, I’m now able to revive this culture in Central Antarephia.

I am proposing this resurrected nation in AN146 and AN137g.

https://postimg.cc/9zGtcf4N

	Physical geography
	An overview of climate, topography and landscape of the country. It is advised to also create a sketch, you can add a link to this (hosted on imgBB, Postimages or similar, but not imgur.com)

Topography and hydrology

Topographical map (based on Aiki’s Central Antarephia topographical map and current rivers, I thought these were solid, so it lays the groundwork for my proposal):

https://postimg.cc/8FLy5j31

The nation is dominated by a major highland/plateau region, contrasting with the lowlands of the central river valley as well as the eastern coast. The upland/lowland divide manifests itself in many ways in proposed Thirran.

Climate

Koppen map, based on Aiki’s Antarephia climate map with added detail:

https://postimg.cc/HJbSxVNF

Largely oceanic, with continental pockets in the northern uplands, and the highest points feature subalpine and tundra climates. The east coast features a subtropical climate, while portions of the central valley and eastern slopes have rain shadows that encourage a cool semi-arid climate.

Highlands: -10 to +20c, Midlands (and capital): -10 to +25c, Central Lowlands: -5 to +25c, Eastern Lowlands: -5 to +30c

	Human geography
	A brief description of the territory demographics, economic development, land occupation, infrastructure and mapping style

Population

Population density map: https://postimg.cc/r0kTG7ZF

The population of Thirran is 8,500,000. The larger urban areas are primarily concentrated along the central river and the eastern coast. The birth rate is nearly at replacement but is forecast to start aging rapidly in the coming decades.

The uplands are more populated than would be expected, due to the appeal of traditional lifestyles and especially animal husbandry. This lifestyle is seen as the cornerstone of Thirranic culture and livelihood for ethnic Thirraners, so it is preserved to a degree, although many have increasingly moved to cities.

There are four major ethnic groups in the country: Thirranic (50%), Sjepar (20%), Ulethan (15%) and Taukan (10%). The Sjepars and Taukans have historically been subjugated, although this is much improved today. Ethnic distribution map: https://postimg.cc/hQ40Hbtv

Economy

Thirran is a developed nation, with an HDI of 0.798, a GDP per capita (PPP) of 22,000 USD, and a Gini coefficient of 32.

The economy is mixed, with some major industries being state-owned with significant private investment (such as mining, a main economic driver) while the regime change in the 90s led to privatization of many other sectors.

While the economy is trending towards services and manufacturing, agriculture and natural resource extraction are still the backbone of the economy.

The capital, Barran, is the largest center for services, along with Thand, which is an anchor for the eastern region.

Agriculture includes mostly sheep (but also cattle) herding, along with grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and alfalfa, and potatoes, followed by many other cold-tolerant vegetables.

Copper mining is a major sector, and formerly lead as well. Coal, tin, zinc, uranium, and silver are also mined.

Forestry is very important as well.

Manufacturing includes car parts (used in the neighboring Rèaskuskjo auto industry), textiles (large wool production), forestry products, and food processing (meatpacking).

Economic sector map: https://postimg.cc/94yxMrS5

Infrastructure

Energy and power

Thirran’s terrain and year-round precipitation allow for consistent hydropower, and there are a number of dams throughout the upland regions. Coal is still the primary power source, but the first nuclear plant was constructed recently due to international and AnC pressures towards sustainability, and this trend is expected to continue. Wind power has major potential in the upland regions, and one large-scale wind farm exists so far.

Transport

Road network: https://postimg.cc/R3DkXhCr

Railway network: https://postimg.cc/gL69QZcQ

The country is not fully linked by motorways. Often, there are at-grade intersections on major routes, therefore classifying them as trunk roads, although portions of motorway exist. Motorway modernization is anticipated to pick up in the coming years, with a Jeidan-Barran route (partially built in the nation’s southeast) paused for now due to funding concerns.

Railroads connect major population centers as well as mining regions. A new AnC-funded project will connect Barran, Cèthtstand, and Thand by higher-speed rail, with plans to connect to Rèaskuskjo and Kwelede-peir in the future.

Development patterns

The core Thirranic lands (i.e. excluding the lowlands) will be more organic or traditional, often preceding any Ulethan influence, while newer expansion will be orthogonal or quasi-linear. On the east coast, where Ulethan colonial influence was strongest, grids and general Ulethan development patterns will persist. Development patterns in the central lowlands will mirror that of Joriskjo and Rèaskuskjo in older areas. Sample town layout: https://postimg.cc/9rmWn4Pp

	History & culture
	A brief description of the intended culture and language

The Thirranic culture is largely an isolate culture, and has no definitive relatives or ancestors, although through prolonged contact with Sjepars, Taukans, and other groups, they ended up sharing cultural traditions, vocabulary, genetics, etc. The origins of the culture have not been determined fully.

The Thirranic Language (conlang) is spoken throughout the country, and is the Lingua Franca. However, it is only native to the midlands and uplands.

In addition, Kweledepeirian (colonial pidgin) is spoken in the east, where there was Ulethan settlement, as well as a Taukan language (the cultural group originally inhabiting the eastern lowlands would be a Taukan group).

Sjepar (the language of Joriskjo and Rèaskuskjo) is spoken in the central lowlands along the central river.

Thirranic is the only official language, while the other three are recognized regional minority languages.

Ingerish (and to a lesser extent Valonian) is increasingly taught in schools as an international working language.

Religion is a mix of traditional animist beliefs with Christic practices (to be fleshed out later).

As for the history, Thirran has existed in one form or another since organized nations started to form. The “heart” of Thirranic territory has never truly been colonized, mostly due to its easily defensible highland location and lack of obvious value to foreign powers.

Contrarily, the eastern slopes and coast, which was integral to Thirran’s access to trade, especially as Thirran was a major source of textiles and certain minerals and ores, was controlled and influenced by Ulethans for centuries.

In the modern era, Thirran followed in Kwelede-peir’s footsteps and implemented a socialist regime, which had limited success until reforms in the 70s, at which point it was seen as a success, and Thirran was rapidly developing.

A regime change in the 90s was brought about by foreign influences, largely to force Thirran into the Antarephian Coalition and end oppression of Sjepars and Taukans. However, this created instability that enabled corruption and slowed down the economic success of the country.

Abbreviated History of Thirran:

Fragmented dynasties and tribes (- c. 1100)

THIRRANIC EMPIRE (c. 1100-1456)

Vassalization of Sjepar States (1240-1342)

Heir to the throne dies, monarchy contested (1342)

THIRRANIC WARS (1342-1364)

War hero unites inner Thirran, becomes monarch (1364)

(Reduced) KINGDOM OF THIRRAN (1364-1883)

Ulethan colonization of eastern fringe (1634-)

Overthrow of monarchy, encouraged by Sjepars (1883)

UNION OF THIRRANIC AND SJEPAR STATES (1883-1918)

Loose union, high autonomy among constituents

THIRRANIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC (1918-1995)

Thirran breaks from political union following Venàriro's election

Embraces Ulethan left-wing thought

Reabsorption of Eastern coastal territories (1936)

Democratic reforms, autonomous regions (1976)

1976-1995 were the "golden years," decent quality of life

THIRRANIC REPUBLIC (1995-)

Foreign intervention and regime change (1995)

Further reforms, devolves into quasi-capitalist oligarchy

	Past mapping
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