Forum:Territory application/UL08g - Extension of Navenna (UL08h)

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ForumsTerritory application → Territory application/UL08g - Extension of Navenna (UL08h)


Noun Project Signature icon 619326 cc.svgTerritory ID and proposed name
The Territory ID (from OpenGeofiction:Territories, e.g. AR123a) and proposed name of the country


UL08g - Extension of Navenna (UL08h)

For clarification, I seek to merge Navenna (UL08h) with UL08g, forming a single territory.


Noun Project Map icon 1463108.svgPhysical 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 imgur or similar)


A sketch of the territory is provided on this link. The natural mapping suggested by the sketch do not differ significantly from the mapping currently present in the territory. UL08g's current mapping evokes parallels to the coastline of Dalmatia and Liguria, and I wish to preserve and reuse the natural mapping already present. The sketch also includes some minor additions to UL08h's landmass, in the form of a few islands to try and better tie together the coastlines of UL08g and UL08h. The topography of the territory will be dominated by the foothills of the mountain chain that forms the natural border between UL08g and UL07e. The peaks of this mountain chain rarely surpass 1500 meters. There will be a few rivers feeding into the Mediterranean Sea, which form low-lying and intensively cultivated valleys. This river in particular seem to be a major river in the region, forming a valley through the territory similar to the river Arno in Toscana. Signs of former and current volcanic activity will be present in the landscape in the form of active stratovolcanoes and calderas.

The climate of this territory will be predominantly be Csa, with a possibly more humid climate in the north akin to Cfa. As such, the flora of the territory will be that typical to the Mediterranean of the real world. The topography of the territory means that much of the interior is forested, with open fields and meadows being limited to the coastlines, valleys and flatter ridges.

As a whole, I believe this extension of Navenna creates a more natural border that reflects the nation's maritime legacy.


Invest - The Noun Project.svgHuman geography
A brief description of the territory demographics, economic development, land occupation, infrastructure and mapping style


UL08g will be a part of Navenna, and thus shares Navenna's economic and political elements. Navenna is a liberal democracy and de jure a republic, but with the older institutions of a Doge and a council of oligarchs still in place as head of state and upper house respectively. In practice this works like a constitutional elective monarchy, where the Doge takes the role of the monarch. True executive power however is held by the prime minister, and legislative power is held by a democratically elected parliament. Mainstream politics of Navenna are dominated by center-right leaning parties, who seek further liberalization of the economy, austerity, and a progressive policy in social matters.

Navenna is divided into cantons with a high degree of responsibility for local services, of which UL08g will form 5 new cantons. The population of UL08g is lower than the rest of Navenna due to its geography, and thus I believe it would be reasonable to increase the total population of Navenna from ~3 million to ~4 million. This will lower the overall population density of Navenna.

Navenna's economy is one based on finance, with an industrial sector in steady decline due to competition from both powerful economies nearby (Plevia, Demirhan, Mazan) and countries on other continents where labor costs are low (CCA, Allendea, Tempeira). Thus the Navennese economy is focused on the financial sector, exploiting the nation's historical position as a center of commerce. Navenna can be classed as a conduit-type financial center, where the legal and tax systems enable foreign corporations to route funds from high tax locations to low tax locations, causing a disproportionate amount of economic activity in Navenna. These elements are conveyed on the map through both the presence of financial centers, declining industrial areas and brownfield. Some industries are still active, either through being catered to more niche markets, or by being subsidized due to their importance to the Navennese state. These elements will be present in UL08g, but overall this region of Navenna will be less developed due to a lack of significant natural resources and infrastructure enabling global exchange of capital.

The mapping style of Navenna, which will be implemented in UL08g, mixes elements of various Italian regions, with a focus on Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Toscana. Special focus is given to Navenna's affinity for low-lying marshes and lagoons, with extensive irrigation and water diversion systems in rural areas. Thus, I also take limited inspiration from the Netherlands where this makes sense, as a way to convey a society where water management is important. Navennese urbanism takes inspiration from various eras of Italian urbanism - the canal cities of the Venetian and Marano lagoons, Milano's boulevards and grand circular piazzas, and the modernist suburbs of Rome and Bologna. An extra element added onto what is found currently in Navenna will be the Shelakh star forts, examples of which can currently be found in Rosarà (mapped by stjur) and Migia (mapped by me). The Shelakh civilization has also left ruins behind all over Navenna, conveying the maximum extent of their nation.


Noun Project languages icon 105908 cc.svgHistory & culture
A brief description of the intended culture and language


As a part of Navenna, the history and culture of the new territory will be much the same, but with a few key differences which will affect Navenna as a whole. As for Navenna, the history and culture is documented on the wiki, but as a summary, Navenna is a real world parallel to the Republic of Venice, exploring how such a nation would have evolved into modern times, and introducing my own original elements to make the culture unique. The Navennese language is based on Venetian (specifically Veneto Lagunare, the variant spoken around the Venetian lagoon), but also introduces minor conlang elements in the form of a unique orthography, spelling and vocabulary.

I have been in discussion with User:Stjur, the previous territory owner, about reusing his Shelakh culture for this territory, and I have been given permission to do so. The Shelakh culture is an attempt at bridging the gap between the Italic and Turkic cultures of the area, which is a cultural continuum with no real counterpart in real life. I have also both explicitly and implicitly intergrated Shelakh influences in previous mapping of Navenna, and replacing these influences with something else would be a not unsignificant change for Navenna. For these reasons, I wish to further develop the foundation that stjur has created here. My interpretation will inevitably diverge from stjur's source material as I develop the history and culture independently, but the basics will likely remain.

As a summary, the Shelakhs are a bit of a cultural isolate, but trace their origins back to the Turquese peoples of Uletha. The Shelakh language is based on Etruscan with some Turkic elements thrown in. Since Etruscan is not a well documented langauge, the result is a fairly loose conlang. Stjur previously had the vision of UL07e (Mardoumakhstan) being an origin point of Turquese people in Uletha in general, and the Shelakhs possibly originated here as well. Cultural exchanges between proto-Shelakhs, Turquese tribes and proto-Plevians (possibly Nascilians?) resulted in the Shelakh civilization having a mix of both Turquese and Plevian influences, which their language aims to reflect. The Shelakh civilization was a dominant power in the region before Navenna's existence, centered around the city of Vispora. At some point this power dynamic would change with the rise of the Navennese republics, eventually leading to the integration of Shelakh lands into Navenna during the medieval ages, which would then lead to Navenna's uncontested rise as a maritime republic. In modern times, Navennese language and culture is dominant, with Navennese being enforced as the state language of the country and most inhabitants identifying as Navennese first. Shelakhs and Navennese peoples have intermixed and shared the same nation for a long time, which has significantly reduced the number of people self-identifying with Shelakh ethnicity. However, the legacy of the Shelakhs are visible both in the country's culture and on the map. Shelakh names adapted to the Navennese language are common all over UL08g and in parts of UL08h ("Navenna" itself is a name with Shelakh origins), and the southernmost cantons of Navenna may even be mapped with both Navennese and Shelakh names to reflect a sizable Shelakh minority. Relations between Navennese and Shelakhs are generally well, and many Shelakhs identify with a shared Navennese/Shelakh identity. Some more regionalist elements might be present, seeking cultural revival and greater autonomy for the Shelakh people. These forces will not be strong, but might play a role in Navennese politics.


Noun Project drawing icon 2123401.svgPast mapping
To support your request provide links to areas of OGF mapping which showcase your mapping skill. Mapping relevant to the requested theme & geography is especially useful
The {{coord}} template can optionally be used to link to the OGF map - it results in a nice formatted link. Or you can paste in a URL.


I have been mapping Navenna for the last couple of years, and my style as a mapper has evolved over this time. Thus the quality of mapping in Navenna might vary, but it represents pretty well what I intend to continue in UL08g. Some examples follow below:


Noun Project Signature icon 619326 cc.svgUsername & date
Sign and date the application by typing four tildes like this: ~~~~


Timboh (talk) 19:56, 16 July 2023 (UTC)


Noun project 579150 Conversation.svgDiscussion
Discussion for clarification & decision


Feather-core-check-square.svg Territory application approved
Good plans which also match the current structure of the region. Bixelkoven (talk) 14:44, 18 July 2023 (UTC)
Careful with the linguistic structure, as the area is very diverse, but you described your intentions well and you have shown great skills when it comes to the linguistic aspect so far, I don't doubt you'll manage in your new territory as well. Delightful of you to show respect to the past mapper and continue their legacy in the area.