Difference between revisions of "Sierra"

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State of Sierra; Sierra; Estado de Sierra
Flag	State Seal
	Motto:; "Totum Mundi"; A Whole New World
	Anthem:; Mi Sierra Bonita
Constituent state of	Federal States
Capital	Elvira
Official languages	none
Demonym	Sierran
Government	Parliamentary Republic
• Governor	Maggie Woods
• Lieutenant Governor	Jonathan Torres
Legislature	State Assembly
• Upper house	State Senata
• Lower house	State House
	Area
• Total	136,088.42 km2; 52,544.03 sq mi

Revision as of 05:20, 9 November 2019

The State of Sierra (Castellanese: Estado de Sierra) is a state is the western Federal States. It is one of the largest states in terms of area, but more sparsely populated. The state is known for its landscape consisting of the Sierras, wide, open high plains and plateaus, desert areas and rivers. It borders Tauhon in the west, Clamash to the south, Riopoderos to the southeast, AR120-72 to the east, AR120-74 to the north and AR120-73 to the northeast.

Sierra was first settled around the year 800, had vibrant Native Archantan cultures, settlements and even some cities by 1000-1200. Sierra was explored by the Castellanese from around 1530, though primarily from 1650 onward. The first settlements sprang up around the rivers, primarily in the west. Sierra became a possession of the FSA in 1841 and a territory in 1858. Statehood was achieved in April 1872.

The capital of Sierra is Elvira, though the largest city is Dennison.

History

Early history

The territory of present-day Sierra was inhabited by a variety of different native Archantan tribes. In the northwest the western culture tribes of the Asuma, Yahomas, Undaia and Zusi (related to Tejoma and Cosperican tribes) were found, and they were known for working with and making impressive clay potterywork, adobe houses and settlements and fairly colorful art and permanent structures. In the center the Sa'kuas (Saguas), Whitehead and Planos were found, and they were known for some farming, and adept hunter-gatherers. Around 1650 war broke out between the Sa'kuas and Planos, and the first confirmed encounter between Castellanese and the Sierran tribes is recorded (Castellanese may have explored the northwest as early as 1530).

In the north and east the Timona, Kwiskona, Kaitenas and Yunica were the most prominent tribes.

Castellanese period

Castellanese settlement became permanent in the 1780s, with the founding of Fortín de la Sierra near modern-day Folsom; this was a small wooden fortress with several families building houses in the area. Various settlements were founded and often abandoned due to raids by indigenous warriors, but portions of the state were in continuous Castellanese control by then.

Construction of Fortín de Lola around 1820 gave the Castellanese control over the *Colurona* river in the area, and by the 1830s had settlements in the east of the state, as far as San Daniel in the late 1830s.

Early settlement

Overland caravans of settlers began arriving to Sierra in the late 1840s and through the 1850s.

Sierra Territory

The Sierra Territory was proclaimed in January 1858; the small mining town of Colurona was named temporary capital prior to the confirmation of Lola as capital that year. The growth of Elvira and particularly Dennison threatened Lola's position as the most important city, and in 1864 Dennison's businessmen proclaimed it the capital. Assemblymen from Colurona, Montillo and Dillon supported the Lola government and helped form a militia, and those in Chapman, Elvira, Hernandez and elsewhere backed the Dennison government. Fighting between rival militias broke out in April 1864 and ended in 1866, a period called the Sierran Civil War.

The only major pitched battle was fought north of Fountainhead in June 1864, which proved a victory for Lola's militias, but they were unable to advance any further due to the weather. Most of the fighting was in turn small skirmishes and raids, but after 1865 fighting was much reduced. 2000 federal troops were moved to Fort Lola (now Fort Nickerson) and helped prevent significant fighting, but some raids persisted until 1866. The Congress in Huntington eventually named Dennison capital in 1866.

Statehood

Map of the transcontinental railroad in the west, 1875

The first moves for statehood were in 1868 with the first constitutional convention. While a constitution was drawn up, the issue was derailed on the selection of a capital. Elvira also began to position itself as an alternative for a capital, especially due to its central location between Lola and Dennison. With the construction of a railroad from to connect the state with Tauhon in the west and the rest of the country, all three cities hoped for either the railway passage or the capital. Elvira's businessmen and politicians were eventually the most adept, and with rumors of much bribing vitally ensured that the railway would pass through it in 1869. By early 1870 offices of the Great Western and Asperic company were built in Elvira, and construction of the railway reached the city in late 1870.

The selection of Elvira as capital in 1871 paved the way for statehood, achieved 1 April 1872. In 1873, women were allowed the right to vote after a law passed in the state legislature. Large deposits of silver and gold were discovered in the center-west in 1874, leading to a huge influx of prospectors and their families, though many would leave as the easy gold was mostly gone around 1879. Many small towns sprung up, thrived and then declined with the gold, and later silver and other mining.

Government and politics

Sierra has a government similar to that of the FSA. It is headed by an elected Governor, supported by a Lieutenant Governor. The governor appoints other members to government, such as the secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer. The current governor is Maggie Woods, of the [right-wing party] elected in 2017 to a second term.

Sierra has been a key swing state in Federal States politics since the early 1940s, and is often known as the "flip-flop state". The state has often gone from left-wing to right-wing governments in succession, and is known for election patterns that buck the general nationwide trend. The east, south and northeast is often considered to be a more conservative voting region in the state, while the center and west are more left-leaning. The major cities are more left-leaning, though Lola has been more right-leaning than all the others.

Healthcare

Uniquely within the Federal States, Sierra has a publicly subsidized health system; employers, employees and the state government contribute to a public health insurance, and state residents are able to augment it with private insurance as well.

Environment

The State Wildlife Department was set up in the 1930s and oversees the management and protection of a variety of state parks, forests, preserves, sanctuaries and wilderness areas. The natural areas overseen by the state include Northern Peaks Wildlife Preserve, Santa Elena Forest, Telles State Forest, Meseta State Preserve, Kaitenas Forest, Tumona and Elgin Forest, Vilchez Peak Protected Area, Fulton State Park, Fielding State Forest, South Winston Wilderness Area, Fronteras State Forest and San Felipe River Basin Nature Reserve.

Education

Sierra has three main universities, the University of Sierra (main campus in Dennison and second in Lola), State University of Sierra in Elvira and University of Dennison.

Culture

Media

Print media has existed since the mid-18th century. The Dennison Observer is the best-known and most-read newspaper in Sierra (and from the state nationally).

Television in the state has been present since the middle of the 20th century. Free Television (Free Television Sierra) is a popular Sierran station, a public television non-profit channel partly funded by the state. National broadcasters have local stations in the state as well.

Music

Ballad to Joe (1963)

One of the most famous early Sierran music stars was Jack Mitchell (1923-1961). He became a famous country and western star, not just in the state but also nationally before his death in a car accident. Another popular singer in this period was the folk artist Mary Rivas; she recorded most of her hits at the famous Modern Sounds Studio in redonda and was part of the 1960s folk revival in the west.

Food and drink

Sierra is known for having a variety of small and medium breweries. Montana, brewed in San Daniel since 1886, is one of the most popular brands nationally.

Sports

A variety of sports teams are present in the state of Sierra, both amateur and professional. The University of Dennison's sports teams are known as the Lions, the University of Sierra (Lola) teams are known as the Rangers and the University of Sierra Dennison's teams are known as the Hawks. All universities are competitive in Archantan football, soccer (football), (ice) hockey and baseball among other sports. The USL Rangers team has the oldest history of Archantan football in the state, with their team known to have played a version with a round ball as early as 1876.

Professional sports teams include the Dennison Sierrans (baseball), the Dennison Bombers (basketball) and Dennison Wranglers (Ar. football). The Bombers basketball team is the one with the oldest history, founded in 1955 and entering the Archantan national league in 1961. The Wranglers have been present in Sierra since 1975 when a franchise was moved to Dennison, and the Sierrans franchise was awarded to the state in 1984.

Political divisions

Sierra's 22 Counties

Sierra in 1886 (note the 13 counties/1 territory)

The state is divided into 22 counties. Estancia County is the largest in terms of area, and the City-County of Dennison is the smallest and most populous. Sierra is unofficially divided into five regions: West, Central, East, North and South.

County	County Seat	Area in km²	Area in miles	Population	Pop. Density in km²	Established
Andaguani	Andaguani City	10108.03	3092.73	29,400	2.91	1910
Asuma		2579.9	996.11	6,100	2.36	1906
Braxton	Lola	1827.49	705.6	288,450	157.84	1850
Brenton	Montillo	12997.09	5018.2	77,900	5.99	1877
Colurona	Colurona	3538.91	1366.38	52,104	14.72	1870
Cusatia		8443.58	3260.08	38,100	4.51	1872
Dennison	Dennison	97.82	37.77	672,500	6874.87	1890
Dillon	Dillon	6233.63	2406.82	56,225	9.02	1899
Elgin	Vilsack	12522.96	4835.14	63,200	5.05	1913
Estancia	La Rue	21375.53	8253.14	41,200	1.93	1921
Gerrard	Everson	10725.94	4141.31	66,885	6.24	1886
Los Valles	Timona	2608.68	1007.22	51,200	19.63	1976
Meseta	Elvira	5975.67	2307.22	429,600	71.89	1854
Pinault	Chapman	5272.2	2035.61	144,500	27.41	1865
Pink	Hernandez	599.9	231.62	46,800	78.01	1875
Saguas	Canon City	2018.09	779.19	9,250	4.58	1904
Sanchez	Caldwell	5503.97	2125.1	3,200	0.58	1881
Santa Cruz		2490.37	961.54	19,400	7.79	1911
Serrano	Unita	5504.29	2125.22	922,115	167.53	1857
Wilfried	Barclay	1805.69	697.18	413,220	228.84	1871
Yahomas	Billard	4247.8	1640.08	206,000	48.5	1869
Zusi	Burris	9424.37	3638.77	66,250	7.03	1872

Geography

Mountains

Most are mountains, a few are mesas or buttes (flat-topped). Mount Esguerra is the talles in the state at 4501 m. Estancia county has the most mountains of any county, and Zusi County has the two tallest.

Name	County	Height (m.)	Map
Asabia Peak	Estancia County	3001	map
Black Rock	Yahomas County	2695	map
Blythe's Peak	Estancia County	3456	map
Calvin Peak	Cusatia County	1969	map
Colorado Peak	Estancia County	2372	map
Coyanha Rock	Yahomas County	2727	map
Currant's Peak	Serrano County	3064	map
Dominguez Peak	Estancia County	3723	map
Flat Butte	Estancia County	2412	map
Gardiner's Peak	Estancia County	2641	map
Genevieve Peak	Asuma County	2068	map
Henderson Peak	Meseta County	2001	map
Hernandez Peak	Cusatia County	4009	map
Joshua Peak	Estancia County	3347	map
Junasias Peak	Cusatia County	4378	map
Mesa Luis	Zusi County	3987	map
Meseta Chica	Serrano County	3148	map
Meseta Grande	Serrano County	3112	map
Monte Cristo	Cusatia County	3872	map
Monte Guerrero	Estancia County	3996	map
Mount Clinton	Cusatia County	4198	map
Mount Elgin	Elgin County	3808	map
Mount Eloise	Zusi County	4006	map
Mount Esguerra	Zusi County	4501	map
Mount Geraldine	Cusatia County	2244	map
Mount Gordon	Zusi County	1915	map
Mount Gustavia	Asuma County	1799	map
Mount Helena	Zusi County	4468	map
Mount Helles	Elgin County	2102	map
Mount Oswaldo	Serrano County	1886	map
Mount Salazar	Estancia County	4150	map
Mount Serpentine	Zusi County	3012	map
Mount Vera	Cusatia County	3667	map
Mount Vilsack	Elgin County	2016	map
Norbert Rock	Elgin County	1625	map
Pico Grande	Estancia County	4316	map
Roca Grande	Cusatia County	3812	map
Rocky Mount	Yahomas County	2071	map
Saguas Butte	Saguas County	1668	map
Sebita Peak	Yahomas County	2214	map
Spearmint Butte	Serrano County	955	map
Truchas Peak	Estancia County	3855	map
Tumona Peak	Estancia County	3308	map
Undaia Peak	Asuma County	3100	map
Vilchez Peak	Estancia County	2874	map
Yunica Peak	Estancia County	2265	map

Economy

Sierra has a diversified economy

Transportation

Motorways in Sierra

See: Highways in Sierra

There are 3 types of major highways in Sierra, FS-routes, state routes and instrastates. National routes are all dual carriageway separated highways, of which four are present in the state. State routes are primary roads managed by the state, and intrastate are secondary state routes. The counties each have their own network of county roads or routes as well.

F.S. highway sign
State route sign
Intrastate route sign
County road sign

Railways

The first state railway was built in 1859, connecting Lola with Elvira, and in 1861 with Dennison. The development of the intercontinental railway was an important moment in early Sierran history. The Great Western and Asperic connected Jundah in the west with Elvira and then onto Apricity.

Vehicle registration plates

License plate designs

License plates were first required in 1910, but were issued by Dennison County and not by the state. Statewide plate issuance occurred only in 1917.

The standard-issue plates in Sierra feature a landscape with pine trees and a sunset. This design was issued with flat letters and numbers (from 2009 to 2017) and with embossed registration number from 2018. Special plates are issued by the state. The most common ones include a gold on blue design with the motto "The Historic West", for vintage automobiles (reissue of 1966-1971 design), and a reissue of a late 1980s design with the motto "Protect Our Wildlife", for which a percentage of sales goes to nature conservation. Veteran, University and sports-related plates are also issued.

Counties of Sierra
Andaguani · Asuma · Braxton · Brenton · Colurona · Cusatia · Dennison · Dillon · Elgin · Estancia · Gerrard · Los Valles · Meseta · Pinault · Pink · Saguas · Sanchez · Santa Cruz · Serrano · Wilfried · Yahomas · Zusi

Political divisions of the Federal States
States	Alormen · Apawiland · Aperia · Aquilia · Arbenon · Arghenna · Arlington · Astrantia · Belirias · Boscainifornio · Caroline · Clamash · Cosperica · Costa Dorada · Culpepper · Delenshire Islands · East Massodeya · Eustacia · Fellshire · Gilliad · Laine · Makaska · Mennowa · Michisaukee · Midesapa · Minnonigan · Mocoquin · Natrinia · Newlynn · New Carnaby · Nipewa · Oakhill · Oakley · Oronotia · Osaquoya · Passamaqueets · Penquisset · Seneppi · Sierra · Tauhon · Taviani · Tejoma · Tempache · Tennewa · Tierra Alta · Trinity Island · Wahauja · West Massodeya · Whitestone · Wilthamshire · Wychelle
Federal district	Capital District

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+==Economy==
+Sierra has a diversified economy
 ==Transportation==