Argata

Argata (Gada: 𐐂𐐕𐐥𐐂𐐓𐐂⸣, Argada) is a nation in Northern Avalonia. Argata has a population of 61,580,751 and a total land area of 271,675 square kilometers (104,894 square miles). Argata is a fairly diverse nation, consisting of several significant ethnic and linguistic groups. Argata is dominated by two climate zones, and. The climate in Argata is characterized by significant variation in seasonal climate, with hot summers and cold winters.

Argata is a, with an emperor serving as the head of state and a chancellor, appointed by the ruling party in Parliament, as the de facto head of government. The federal legislature of Argata is, split between an upper house, the Senate, and a lower house, the State Council. Argata is administratively divided into 11 states and 3 territories. Argata's states are provided a significant amount of autonomy in their affairs, with each one operating under a constitutional elective monarchy that mirrors the federal system. Territories, on the other hand, are less independent in their capabilities, and do not have their own monarchies. The largest city of the country is Asgano, which also functions as the seat of government of the country, with the royal capital in Elega.

Argata has existed as a nation in some form since the 12th century, when a number of states in the region united to form the Gada Confederation. This confederation of nations expanded in the region mostly by diplomatic means, offering smaller states a place in the confederation in order to protect against outside threats. In the 17th century, Gada was colonized by the Samot-Seratofian Empire along with their neighbor to the West, Badzevalari. Upon their independence in 1872, Argata would split from the Samot-Seratofian Empire as a dominion. Upon the empire's collapse in 1925, Argata would become completely independent. From then on, Argata pursued a policy of neutrality and deterrence, opting for diplomacy over military action while simultaneously keeping a formidable reserve force.

Argata is a, characterized by above-average financial freedoms. The Argan economy is highly advanced and diverse, dominated by a strong. Argata is considered a and scores high on rankings of human development and personal freedom.

Early History
Argata has been consistenly inhabited by indigenous peoples for millenia. It's thought that these early humans arrived in the region from the south and the west, through modern-day Badzevalari. Artifacts such as stone knives and spears have been found in southern Argata, and are dated as far back as 15,000 BCE. These first peoples were, subsisting mainly off wild berries before developing tools and beginning to hunt large game. Between 10,000 and 5,000 BCE, the ancient peoples of Argata would slowly transition from nomadism to a more sedentary lifestyle with the advent of farming, and agriculture became more common than hunting and gathering food.

The Bronze Age in Argata began around the 1000 BCE, and with it came rapid technological advancement that would result in the beginning of urban-focused civilization in Argata. The emergence of cities was especially crucial to Argata's development in its early history, and as a result, many of the region's new empires would evolve from agricultural city-states.

Zalode Empire
The strongest nation of early Argata was Zalodia, located on the southeastern coast of what is now Argata. Zalodia began as a city-state on the southeastern coast of Argata, but quickly grew to become the most populated state in the region. As the Zalods expanded, they dominated lesser states through conquest and subjugation and by 1 CE had become the most dominant power in the region. With their virtual monopoly on power in Argata, Zalodia began a period of technological and scientific advancement. Medicine in particular became one of Zalodia's most advanced fields, with Zalod practitioners pioneering numerous early innovations in surgical and medical procedures. Zalod society also excelled in architectural development, with the Zalod capital of Kazok being the site of numerous architectural wonders, such as temples and monuments.

The Zalod Empire would last for almost 500 years, but starting in 445 AD, the nation would begin to experience widespread instability. As a result of the empire's conquest and subjugation of neighboring states, resistance against the empire's government began to manifest across the region in the following decade. Insurrection broke out in cities across the empire, and several provinces would fall into anarchy as the imperial government lost control of the country. In 459 AD, the rebellions that had gripped the nation for 14 years would finally end as the Zalod emperor and his family would be ushered from their residence in Kazok and executed in the streets. With the collapse of Zalodia, Argata would once again split into a conglomeration of dozens of independent states, all vying for territory and dominance.

Argata, for the most part, would remain divided for several centuries. Immediately after the collapse of Zalodia, none of the newly-created independent states could manage to make any major territorial gains during this time. As a result of the chaos wrought by the collapse of Zalodia, no state had enough wealth or manpower to be capable of domination on the same level as the Zalods. Eventually, between 485 and 500 AD, all but a couple of these independent states would become subjects of neighboring kingdoms.

Middle Ages
For the next several centuries, the territory that makes up present-day Argata would be ruled by several different empires. At the same time, Argan society evolved with influence from both old Zalod traditions and the cultures of the empires which dominated the region in that time. The first major Argan state to gain independence from this time forward was the northern state of Sevezet, which gained independence through a rebellion in 991. Sevezet would remain dormant for much of the next several decades, but as the power of the adjacent empires waned, the nation began expanding her borders starting in the mid 11th century. In 1203, the Sevezets would, along with 3 other states in the region, form the Gada Confederation. Under the rulership of Sevezet's House of Sodek, The confederation remained largely isolationist for the following century, as none of the confederation's states wanted to threaten their own independence through conflict with other nations.

The confederation began expanding into Northern and Western Argata in the 12th and 13th centuries. By 1300, The Gada Confederation had expanded all the way to Argata's southern coast, and 3 more states had become members of the confederation. Several more states would enter the confederation during the 13th century, and the nation continued to consolidate its power and wealth. Gada sought economic development through trading with its neighbors and via the sea, and foreign trade became a staple of the Gada economy. In the following centuries, the Gada Confederation would do its best to avoid foreign interference, maintaining a neutral, pacifist state while attempting to avoid outside influence.

The Confederation's economic and military strength would begin to stagnate as the nation isolated itself from its neighbors even further. By 1510, the nation was weak enough that their western neighbor, Badzevalari, saw an opportunity to expand. Badzevalari invaded the Confederation, and a 3-year war ensued. Initially, Gada was able to defend its soil, but as the war progressed and the Gadar military suffered heavy losses, it became evident that the confederation could fight no longer. In 1513, A devastated Gada would surrender to Badzevalari. The nation was completely annexed, and the House of Sodek was removed from power and exiled.

Colonial History
In the early 17th century, Gada, and by extension the entirety of Avalonia, was explored and colonized by several Artemian nations, most notably the Samot-Seratofian Empire. At this point, Gada had been a Badzevalan territory for a little less than a century. The Samot-Seratofian Empire would establish colonial rule in North Avalonia, and as a result, Gada was split from Badzevalari under the policy of.

Argata remained a colony of the Samot-Seratofian Empire for several centuries. Its location as an important gateway into the Adeline Sea made it a valuable asset to the Empire, and to let the colony slip away from their control would constitute a crucial loss in the region. However, as colonial control in Avalonia began to wane in the 19th century, it became much more difficult to assert control in the region. In 1872, Gada would gain nominal independence along with Badzevalari, taking the name Argata, with a high level of autonomy being granted to both nations, even though Argata technically had the status of a dominion. Even if this technically wasn't complete independence, many Argans consider this the foundation of Argata as a modern nation. The newly-established Argan throne was taken by the House of Taran, a noble family whose lineage is connected to the Argan state of Vekenis̄.

Independence
Upon independence, Argata would maintain cordial relations with the Samot-Seratofian Empire, but the nation's government would act almost completely independently of the Empire's. After gaining their autonomy, Argata would race to industrialize, free from the strict economic regulations imposed upon them by the Samot-Seratofian Empire. In the ensuing decades, Argan society began to shift away from its largely rural, agriculture-based past, and focus on industry and urbanization grew rapidly during the early 20th century. In an attempt to emulate the decentralized nature of the Gada Confederation, the nation would return to a largely federal model of government, inspired by the system of indirect rule that had been imposed upon them by their colonizers. Argata maintained cordial relations with many other former colonies in Avalonia, except for Badzevalari, as the centuries-long rivalry between the two nations had only slightly improved since the days of the confederation.

Upon the Samot-Seratofian Empire's entrance into the Grand Campaigns in 1918, Argata remained hesitant to get involved, but under pressure from the imperial government, they eventually sent troops to assist in the fighting in Artemia. Argata would find itself on the losing side of the war, however, as in 1925, the Samot-Seratofian Empire was defeated and subsequently dissolved. As a result of the war, Argata was forced to pay war debts, although due to the collapse of their suzerain, Argata now had full control over both domestic and foreign affairs.

Argan policy from this point on was largely based around neutrality, as the people of Argata sought not to get involved in another war that mirrored their forced entry into the Grand Campaigns. With their newfound freedom, the Argan government also began a campaign to advance the economy, relaxing business laws and strengthening industry through subsidization. The economy would see rapid growth as a result, and the Argan economy would begin expanding into newly-created industries, such as aviation and automobile manufacturing. Argata would become a center of manufacturing in Avalonia, and the nation's GDP growth would peak in 1965 at 8.1%.

The rapid economic growth Argata experienced in the mid-20th century did have its consequences. Inequality in the country would skyrocket as a result of lax economic regulation, and blue-collar workers would suffer the most as a result. Poverty became a major issue in the nation during the 50s and 60s, but despite this, a string of laissez-faire conservative governments offered no effective solutions. In 1969, as the level of inequality in the country continued to spike, violent riots began to break out across Argata. Martial law was imposed in several major metropolitan areas, but military intervention likely worsened an already fragile situation. During the 1969-70 riots, over 250 people would be killed, and thousands more would be injured. The conflict marked a massive loss of civilian trust in the Argan government, and the fallout from the riots still affects Argan society today.

Geography
Argata is located in Northern Avalonia, on the Adeline Sea. It shares a single land border in the west with Badzevalari. Argata is 271,675 square kilometers (104,894 square miles) in size, making it smaller in comparison to most other North Avalonian nations. Two main climate zones encompass the country: humid continental and humid subtropical. The climate across Argata is characterized by hot summers and cool to cold winters. Most of Argata is connected by land to the Avalonian continent, however there are several islands in the Adeline Sea that also fall under Argan jurisdiction. Most of these islands are dominated by lowlands, and are warmer on average than the rest of Argata due to their altitude and proximity to the ocean.

Argata is located on a divergent fault line, between Northeastern Anterra and Brigantica. As a result, Argata has no major mountain ranges. Argata only contains one major mountain range - the Temeg̊vo Range in Northern and Central Argata. The Temeg̊vo Range is home to most of Argata's highest altitudes, including the highest point in the country, Kupros Peak, at 1,438 meters (4,718 feet) above sea level. The eastern coast of Argata is dominated by low-lying plains, and as a result the population density is much higher on the coast than in other parts of the country. West of the Temeg̊vo Range, the Argan countryside is dominated by a mix of flatland and hilly areas. The increased altitude in some parts of the country has a slight effect on the climate, for example on some of the highest peaks in the country, where snow can be observed much later in the year than at lower altitudes.

Argata contains many rivers, the longest of which are the Avro River, which originates in the Temeg̊vo Range, flowing through Central Argata and Eastern Arroyo-Abeille before draining into Lake Murdon, and the Antis River, which also originates in the Temeg̊vo Range before draining into the Gulf of Brigantica to the North.

Climate
The entirety of Argata's territory is split into two Köppen climate zones: humid subtropical (Cfa) in the south and hot-summer humid continental (Dfa) in the north. The majority of the country's area falls in the latter category, around 2/3 of the nation. North Argata's humid continental area is characterized by wide variations in seasonal climate, with summer temperatures in the region commonly exceeding 20° Celsius (68° Fahrenheit). Conversely, temperatures in Northern Argata regulary drop below freezing during the winter, and snowfall is a common occurence. Argata's southern humid subtropical regions are warmer on average than the north, and snowfall occurs much less commonly during the winter months.

Government
According to the Argan Constitution, Argata is a constitutional monarchy, operating under a system of, with power divided between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The highest executive authority in the nation is the emperor, who is considered the the head of state. The nation's legislature, meanwhile, is bicameral, and led by the chancellor. Most government bodies in Argata are located in the nation's de jure capital and largest city, Asgano, while the Argan Royal Family resides in the nearby city of Saneta.

Monarchy
The Argan throne is currently in control of the House of Taran, and the current emperor of Argata is Mosik IV, who ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Mosik III, on January 30, 2002. The royal family resides in Reneso Palace, in the royal city of Elega, but there are several other royal properties across Argata. The first in line to the Argan Throne is usually the current emperor's eldest child. This rule applies to the rest of the royal line of succession as well, with the second-in-line to the throne being the heir's eldest son/daughter, and so on.

The emperor of Argata wields any powers not delegated to either the chancellor or Parliament. The emperor has the final authority on any bills passed by Parliament, and also acts as commander-in-chief of the Royal Argan Forces. The emperor is also permitted to recommend constitutional amendments, however the power to actually amend the constitution is held by Parliament. Argata's emperor also has the power to nominate justices for the Argan High Court, but Parliament acts as the final authority on this decision as well. Finally, the emperor has the power to dismiss the chancellor from their position, but this power is rarely utilized.

The Argan Royal Family is a major political symbol of Argata. The Argan emperor often makes international visits as a representative of Argata, and overseas, the emperor is usually seen as the face of the country as well as the "leader" of Argata, rather than the chancellor.

Legislature


The Argan Parliament is headed by a chancellor, who manages the legislative affairs of the country and serves as an advisor to the emperor. The current chancellor of Argata is Vĕs Koloda, who was inaugurated on 16 July 2018. Both the chancellor and vice-chancellor are appointed by the State Council, with nominations confirmed by the Senate. To be a candidate for chancellor, one must be at least 30 years of age and must be a native citizen of Argata. Those who are citizens of Argata but were born overseas are not legible for the position. The minimum age for members of Parliament is 25, however the citizenship requirement does not change. These rules are reflected in those of the state governments as well.

Legislative power is vested in the bicameral parliament, split between the Senate and the State Council. The Argan Senate consists of 55 members, 5 from each state, elected every four years. The State Council is made up of 300 members, elected every two years, who each represent their respective councillorships, each with an average population of 205,000. Councillorships are redrawn after each national census by a non-partisan committee made up of 5 members from each party in Parliament at the time. Members of both houses are limited to five terms in office. After an election, chief ministers for Argata's various government ministries are appointed by the chancellor. Bills can be introduced into Parliament by members of either house, and a simple majority vote in both houses is required before the bill is sent to the emperor, who must approve the bill before it is signed into law. In addition to bills, Parliament also has the responsibility of passing an annual budget for the Argan government, a process which is also subject to approval from the throne.

The chancellor and other members of Parliament can be removed from office by impeachment. Impeachment requires a 3/5 vote in the State Council and a 2/3 vote in the Senate if it's the chancellor that's being impeached, otherwise it requires a 3/5 vote in whichever house the impeachment is taking place in. If a chancellor is removed from office, the vice chancellor takes over their position. If a member of Parliament is removed, a snap election is held to determine their successor.

Argata's Royal Cabinet consists of a variety of different government ministries, which are responsible for the administration of various areas in the Argan government, including economics, transport, justice, defense, etc. The chief ministers of these ministries are all appointed by the Emperor, usually in the weeks following a federal election, with assistance from the chancellor. Argata's ministries are further subdivided into federal departments, each pertaining to a certain aspect of a given ministry. Usually, the number of federal departments contained within each ministry varies. Voting is a right in Argata regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs. However, those under the age of 18 are disenfranchised. The minimum voting age in Argata was 20 years old until 2005, when a constitutional amendment lowered the age of suffrage to 18. Women were also disenfranchised on the federal level in Argata until 1944, when they were given the right to vote, also by constitutional amendment.

Judiciary
The Argan judicial system operates through a multi-tiered system of courts, with the highest court in the nation being the Argan High Court. The High Court consists of 9 justices, who are nominated by the emperor before being voted on by the Senate. A 3/5 majority vote is needed in the Senate to confirm a justice, and upon confimation, justices serve until death or retirement.

The next level of courts are the State Courts, which preside over state law. The lowest level of courts in Argata are District Courts, each of which presides over the law in a given county. The system of judicial appeals in Argata starts at the district level, and goes all the way up to the High Court. Civil cases almost never reach the Supreme Court, however, and are usually decided at the state level, since each state has their own High Court.

States
Argata is a federal state, divided into 11 states and 3 territories. The system of Argan states was established in 1815, six decades before the nation's confederation. The state system was established with cultural and historic context in mind, and was created to assist in the process of indirect government by the Samot-Seratofian Empire. Each state in Argata is a constitutional monarchy, with the position of head of state being held by an elective monarch. Appointed by the emperor, these state rulers serve until death or abdication. These heads of state, like the federal monarchy, serve in tandem with the states' governors, who serve as head of the state government. The states of Argata are largely autonomous, with their own unicameral legislatures, and can to enforce their own laws, impose taxation, hold elections, and perform any other power delegated to them by the federal government.

Argata's federal territories are regions which, for one reason or another, were not chosen to be governed under a state-level government. Argata's territories are less autonomous than their state counterparts, and are largely subordinate to the federal government. These territories still, however, are given some autonomy, and do not completely submit to federal rule. territories are also constitutional monarchies, however royal power is held by the emperor rather than an elected ruler like the states.

Most of the states and territories of Argata are further subdivided into counties, each governed by a local council headed by a commissioner. Counties are a lot less autonomous than the states, operating under a more unitary system of governance. Some Argan states have chosen to subdivide not into counties, but rather a state-specific system that has some historical significance. However, these systems, for the most part, operate near-identically to the default county system. The final level of administrative rule in Argata are municipalities, which are a further subdivision of the counties. These municipalities are usually based on cities, towns, and other settlements. Some counties only contain a single municipality. These counties are referred to as urban counties.

Politics
Argata is functionally a, with the two main political parties in the country being the Royalist Party and the Liberal Party. The Royalist Party platform is largely conservative and laissez-faire, including support for the monarchy, free-market economic policies, and traditional values. The Liberal Party, on the other hand, supports liberal policies such as government intervention and social welfare. The Liberal Party does not oppose the monarchy, but at the same time does not express outward support for it like the Royalist Party. There are several smaller parties that regularly obtain seats in the Parliament, but only the aforementioned main parties have ever gained a majority in either house.

These parties also have counterparts which operate at the state, county, and municipal levels. There is no significant difference between these parties and their federal equivalent, as they function more as divisions of the party at-large than as separate entities. However, some state political parties in Argata are exclusive to their respective states. These include parties which advocate for state-specific policies, including regionalism and even independence.

In Argata, the more urban areas of the country tend to vote heavily with the Liberal Party, and the more rural areas with the Royalists. Traditionally, ethnic Gada people tend to be much more heavily skewed towards voting Royalist, with ethnic minorities of all types voting Liberal more often.

Military and Law Enforcement
Argata's military is known as the Royal Argan Forces, and consists of five branches: The Argan Army, Argan Navy, Argan Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie, and Royal Security Corps. Argata practices a strict policy of, with every male aged 18 or older having to serve at least 150 days in the RAF. The Argan military consists of approximately 244,000 active-duty troops, and because of conscription, has a formidable reserve force, amounting to about 1,300,000 troops, or almost 2% of the country's population. Argata's military spending amounts to approximately $48.7 billion, or 1.8% of the nation's GDP.

Argan military policy throughout the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century has been defined by a largely defensive stance, with the RAF avoiding intervention in almost any international conflict since the end of the Grand Campaigns in 1925. Despite this non-interventionist policy, the RAF still maintains a well-prepared military, with the policy of conscription offering substantial military training to almost every male citizen of the country. There have been proposals to introduce conscription for females as well, but no such legislation has ever been passed. Much of Argata's military equipment is supplied domestically, but the RAF also imports a substantial amount of supplies from abroad.

The commander-in-chief of the Argan Forces is the emperor, who acts as the final authority on defense matters in the nation. As a result, the emperor plays a large role in military culture in Argata, participating in events such as parades and other ceremonies.

Internal Security Service
Argata's Internal Security Service (ISS) is a special branch of the RAF dedicated to law enforcement among the civilian population, as well as special roles in combat zones. The Internal Security Service's mission in the present-day largely involves providing auxiliary law enforcement capabilities and cooperating with local law enforcement, especially in situations where the local police forces are incapable of controlling a situation on their own. Certain dangerous and large-scale incidents, including rioting and terrorism, often warrant the dispatch of ISS troops. The ISS is often utilized for disaster relief as well. The ISS is also suited for roles in conflict zones, including keeping the peace and humanitarian relief.

Royal Security Corps.
Argata's Royal Security Corps. is another specially-designated branch of the Royal Argan Forces, and is the smallest branch of the five. The Royal Security Corps. duties primarily involve security and protection for the royal family and their properties, as well as for various other government buildings and positions. Whenever the Argan emperor or other members of the royal family are travelling, for example, the Royal Security Corps. will deploy a squadron to provide around-the-clock security for them. Royal estates are also provided security by the Corps., including palaces and other properties. The Royal Security Corps. also provides security for federally-owned buildings, including the Houses of Parliament, the residence of the chancellor, and various ministries and other departments.

Additionally, the Royal Security Corps. provides security for state-level monarchs, since they are high-profile leaders directly appointed by the Argan throne.

Law Enforcement
Law enforcement in Argata is largely decentralized and multi-tiered, in keeping with federal policy. The highest level of law enforcement is at the federal level, with the Ministry of Justice presiding over several federal law enforcement agencies, ranging in function from drug enforcement to criminal investigation. The next level of law enforcement belongs to the states, with each state being responsible for their own law enforcement agencies. These agencies are almost completely independent from the federal government, and funding is provided by the state alone. The lowest level of law enforcement is at the municipal level, with state police having county-level departments that provide law enforcement for their respective county.

Economy
Argata possesses a higly developed and diversified economy, with some of the nation's largest industries including electronics, finance, aviation, lumbering, and fishing.. The Argan GDP(PPP) was estimated to be $2.944 trillion in 2020, making it the 7th richest country in Avalonia. Argata is consistenly ranked as one of the more competitive economies in the world, and despite recent economic hardship, Argata's economic prowess in Avalonia seems to be stable for the time being. Historically, Argata's economy relied heavily on manufacturing, which in turn originated from Argata's strong tradition of shipbuilding. The industrially-focused Argan economy of the early and mid 20th century started off as one of the strongest on the continent, however the century progressed, Argata's export-oriented economy was soon eclipsed by other, stronger nations in Avalonia as well as the world at-large. Currently, the Argan economy is dominated by the service sector, comprising 70.8% of Argata's annual GDP, followed by the industrial sector at 27.7% and the agricultural sector at 1.5%. Argata is classified as a, with the nation's per capita GDP(PPP) being $45,965 as of 2020.

Finance
Finance is a very crucial field of the Argan economy, with Argata's financial sector being particularly strong. Argata's largest city, Asgano, is ranked as a global financial center, and the city serves as the headquarters for dozens of financial companies, such as banks and investment firms.

Industry
Argata's industrial sector accounts for 27.7% of the nation's annual GDP, and has historically been a driving force in the nation's economy. Argata is a leading manufacturer of materials such as aircaft and automotive parts, electronics, ships, chemicals, and consumer goods. Much of Argata's industrial output is concentrated in the eastern portion of the country, which is the most densely populated region in the nation, housing many of Argata's largest cities. One of Argata's largest manufacturing fields is in aircraft manufacturing, which accounts for a large portion of Argata's industrial output.

Electronics is another industry which accounts for a considerable portion of the Argan industrial sector. Argata's largest city, Asgano, is one of Avalonia's largest centers for electronics, being home to the headquarters of numerous global tech firms.

Agriculture
Agriculture does have some presence in Argata, however it does not account for a significant portion of the economy. The entire agricultural sector in Argata is estimated to make up just 1.5% of the national GDP. Some of Argata's largest crops include wheat, corn, potatoes, and soy. While agriculture has historically been a large part of the Argan economy, the Industrial Revolution greatly altered the Argan way of life, and agricultural production was largely surpassed by other sectors during the early-to-mid 20th century. Agriculture is still a large part of society in Western Argata especially, owing to the region's long history of agricultural production.

Tourism
While Argata's tourism industry occupies only a small part of the nation's GDP, it is still a thriving sector of the Argan economy. Much of Argata's promotion of tourism centers on the country's abundant beaches, which are particularly idyllic in the southern portion of the country. Thus, South Argata is home to many tourist destinations and resorts. The Temeg̊vo range is another focus for tourism, with hiking in particular being an often-promoted activity in the West of Argata. Cultural tourism is also significant in Argata, with traditional Argan temples often being a hotspot for tourist activity.

Infrastructure and Transportation
Argata's road network spans some 500,000 kilometers across the country. The highest level of Argata's road network are Federal Motorways, which span the entire nation and are administered by the Federal Highway Department as a division of the Ministry of Transport. The second level of Argata's road network are the State Motorways, which operate under the jurisdiction of a given state, rather than the federal goverment.

Rail transport in Argata is among the most advanced in the world, with many Argans relying on the nation's railroads in their daily lives for transportation. The Argan rail system's defining feature is the nation's high-speed rail program. The fastest trains operating on Argata's railroads can reach speeds of up to 340 km/h (211 mph), and Argata's high-speed rail program is often hailed as one of the nation's greatest infrastructure achievements. Numerous other rail lines across the country, including urban subway systems, operate as a part of the nation's rail system, which is also administered by the Ministry of Transport.

Demography
With a population of 61,580,751, Argata is a densely-populated nation. The population density is 226.52 people per square kilometer (586.7 per square mile). Argata's largest city is Asgano, with an estimated population of 6,250,000, or about 11% of the country's total population. As much as 80% of Argata's population resides in urban areas, many of which are concentrated in the eastern section of the country. Nearly 30% of the population resides in the Asgano-Galdalas Corridor, a densely-populated agglomeration of urban areas stretching over 300 kilometers up the eastern coast of the country.

The average life expectancy at birth in Argata is 79.11 years, with the average male life expectancy being 76.50 years and the average female life expectancy being 82.03 years. Much of the most developed regions in Argata have very high life expectancies, but the average is brought down mainly by the more impoverished and underdeveloped communities in the country, particularly those in the highlands. The median age in Argata is 38.8 years.

Ethnicities
Argata contains dozens of different ethnic groups, consisting of both native ethnicities and immigrant groups alike. The most prominent of these are the Gada, who make up about 53.9% of the population. The second largest ethnic group in the country being Samots, who constitute another 15.5% of the nation's population, owing to Samotkhe's colonization of the region in the 17th century under the Samot-Seratofian Empire. There are several minority native ethnic groups inhabiting different regions of Argata, the largest of which include the Badzevala, at 13.1% of the population, the Govela, at 5% of the population, and the Tog, making up 4% of the population. Numerous different immigrant groups also have significant populations in Argata, many of which are concentrated in the nation's urban areas.

Argata's various native ethnic groups arose from the disconnected nature of Argan states during much of Argata's history. These different ethnicities and cultures largely developed separately from one another, resulting in the multi-ethnic and multilingual status of modern-day Argata. Most of these ethnic groups are concentrated in a single state, and as a result, regional politics and culture are still very strong in Argata.

Language
Gada is the lingua franca of Argata, as well as the sole official language of the country. Gada is spoken at a fluent level by at least 95% of the population, however, Gada is the first language of only around 85% of Argata's population. The second most widely-spoken language is Samot, spoken fluently by about 20% of the Argan population. The most spoken regional language in Argata is Badzevala, spoken fluently by about 12% of the population. Several other Gada-related languages, including Govel and Tog, are spoken regionally in Argata as well. These languages are not considered official on the federal level, but in some states, they are considered official, either by themselves or with another language, usually Gada. Many non-native immigrants to the country also speak their native tongue as their first language.

Argata has two official alphabets, both used widely across the country - the Temasesîfalek script, inherited from the Tavaludan language language and used mainly for Tavic languages, and the Samot alphabet, in widespread use across the nation due to the colonial influences of Samotkhe.

Religion
Most Argans - around 68% of the population - practice x. While Argata does not have a state religion, x traditions are present in many government functions in the country, including inaugurations and royal ceremonies. The second largest religion is y, practiced by a further 7% of the population. Atheists and agnostics compose approximately 20% of Argata's population.

Culture
Argan culture has been influenced by many different groups of peoples throughout history. As a consequence of Argata's divided status for much of its early history, the nation is very regionalized, and vast differences in local cultures can be observed across the country, such as in clothing, cuisine, and music.

Music
Music plays a very large part in Argan culture. Music in Argata dates back to the earliest civilizations in the country, with many primitive instruments having been unearthed in numerous locations across Argata. During the days of Zalod rule over much of Argata, musicians were highly-esteemed members of society, and occupied a fairly high position in the Zalod caste system.