Zahava

Zahava officially The Divine Empire of Zahava or The Imperium of Zahava is a country located on the eastern coast of Avalonia. Zahava borders Albaterra to the west, Koryeo to the south, and SiWallqanqa to the South West and shares a maritime border with Agrana y Griegro via the isle of Trinidad. Zahava has a population of 329,675,654 and is the third largest country in total land area encompassing 2,368,896 square kilometers. The Imperial government, under the Primogenitor of Zahava, administers jurisdiction over 14 provinces known domestically as Segmentums,and one direct-controlled municipality, the capital city of Arcanium.

Zahava emerged as one of the world's first civilizations, in the fertile basin of the Mageius and Masali Rivers in the mesis plain. A number of previously nomadic tribes would begin to transition to a more sedimentary and permanent lifestyle with the advent of agriculture. While there were many tribes that existed throughout Zahavan pre-history and antiquity the most developed and influential of these early civilizations were the Zokhian, Marsini, Pelleoni, Kaesoroni, Abranxe, and Teratans.

Each of these peoples developed different cultures, types of government, religious beliefs, although languages gradually started to become somewhat similar from one group to another. Each group would eventually established permanent settlements to serve as their bases of power, essentially becoming independent of one another, and often in competition with each other. Each city state would vie for control over its neighbors through a series of diplomatic negotiations with rivals and an almost continuous series of wars. Over time these civilizations would evolve and as they exchanged cultural influences new civilizations would arise. In 740 a then fledgling group of peoples, known collectively as Zahavaians, established the city of Arcanium which had started as a collection of fishing, trading, and pastoral villages along the Mageaius river. The Zahavaians would fight a brief series of conflicts against their neighors, the Aenes eventually losing the conflict and living under Aeneas rule until 490 BC when a Zahavaian noble, and high priest Arcanios led the Zahavaians to victory over the Aenes, absorbing the Aenes territory and establishing the Zahavaian Kingdom.

In the centuries that would follow the Zahavaians would engage in an initially slow and methodical expansion, subduing the other coastal kingdoms and city states, and then beginning a more rapid expansion inland, and into Avalonia proper, even going on to establish a number of colonial outposts throughout the southern half of the continent.

The government would transition as the Empire grew, initially much more democratic over time rulers embedded themselves, and thus their authority in the zahavan faith, eventually being proclaimed direct descendants of the demi-god hero Zahavarius, who would serve as protector and leader of all humanity. The Imperial house would exert absolute authority over all aspects of government until 2020 when Primogenitor _____, in the face of widespread internal unrest made a series of concessions allowing the populous at large a greater say in government, handing over a number of  governmental duties, creating a new government position, called the Archon who is a member of the Imperial senate elected from among itself to serve as the new head of government.

Since then Zahava has been a governed by the Imperial Senate, who elects from among its members an Archon to serve as head of government. As a is a recognized  and is a leading member of the Economic Community of Southern and External Avalonian States global alliance.

Zahava has the worlds third largest economy with 6.3 trillion dollars gross domestic purchasing power parity with a gdp per capita of 19,110 dollars. The currency of Zahava is the denarius, a coinage originally implemented in about the 7th century BC. Zahava is a country with a  with a large rapidly growing  and  thanks largely to outside investment as well as a well-integrated. Despite this Zahava faces many issues with, , , and increased tensions with its neighbors governed by colonial minorities.

Etymology
The name Zahava derives from the name of Zahavarius, the mythological demi-god hero that saved mankind from the evil forces of the underworld and established the first city state, which also bore the name Zahava.

Paleolithic
What is now Zahava was inhabited by Homo erectus more than a million years ago. Recent study shows that the stone tools found at Albanianis site are magnetostratigraphically dated to 1.36 million years ago. The archaeological site of Harianin in Occidentus segmentum has evidence of use of fire by Homo erectus,which is dated 1.27 million years ago, and Homo erectus fossils in Zahava include the Arketan Man, and the Sepelio Man. Fossilized teeth of Homo sapiens dating to 125,000–80,000 BC have been discovered in Dyrrachium Cave in the Tumultum Segmentum. Evidence of Middle Palaeolithic Levallois technology has been found in the lithic assemblage of Xandassus Cave site in southwest Zahava, dated to approximately 170,000–80,000 years ago.

Additionally thousands of Paleolithic-era artifacts have been recovered from the upper masali valley and dated to around 850,000 years before the present. While even older specimens such as a collection of stone tools and bones found in the Laphis plateau have been dated to 1.46 million years ago.

In 2015 the most complete human skeleton to date was discovered in the boreal highlands, with the remains being dated to 8500 years of age, evidence of metallurgy has been found as far back as the 2nd millennium BC, where several excavations have yielded iron implements dated between 1800–1200 BCE.

Neolithic
The Neolithic age in Zahava can be traced back to about 10,000 BCE. At several sites found along the Masali River archeologists have found evidence of cultivated rice, that has been carbon-dated to 8,000 years ago, at similar locations evidence has been found of proto-zahavan millet agriculture that has been radiocarbon-dated to about 7000 BCE. The development of agriculture and the establishment of farms to provide food over hunting and gathering eventually gave rise to the Marsini culture which is believed to have existed from 7000 to 5800 BCE. At Atonian in the Zapadis segmentum there are some 3,000 plus cliff carvings and drawings dating to 6000–5000 BCE which have been discovered. These carvings feature symbols and characters for things such as the sun, moon, stars, gods, and depict scenes of hunting or grazing. Zahavan proto-writing existed in the Marsini culture around 7000 BCE, further examples of writing were found in the Abraxas culture from 5800 BC to 5400 BC, and has been found in Pelleoni culture sites dating to around 6000 BCE and Zokhian sites dating from the 5th millennium BC. Some scholars have suggested that Marsini symbols were the earliest Zahavan writing system while others dispute this.

Excavation of a Pelleonite culture site in the Axaria segmentum, found a community that flourished in 5,500 to 4,900 BCE, with evidence of agriculture, constructed buildings, pottery, and even burial of the dead. With agriculture came increased population, the ability to store and redistribute crops, and the potential to support specialist craftsmen and administrators. In late Neolithic times, the Masali River valley began to establish itself as a center of Kaesoroni culture from 5000 BCE to 3000 BCE. The first villages were founded during this time; the most significant of these was found outside present day Bloukion, in the Borealis segmentum. Later, Kaesoroni culture was superseded by the Apophontar culture, which was also centered on the Masali River from about 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE.

Bronze Age
Bronze artifacts have been found at the Acastian culture site between 3100 and 2700 BCE. The Bronze Age is also represented at the Lower Mageiaus culture 2200–1600 BCE site in south central Zahava. Kempolis located in what is now part of the Tumultum segmentum is believed to be the site of a major ancient city, belonging to the Kempka civilization,between 2000 and 1200 BCE and may have been home to as many as 30,000 people in 1600 BCE. The site of Kempolis was first discovered in 1919 and then re-discovered in 1966.

Evidence of commerece has been found at several sites, namely the Kaelon and Lytanus sites, found in the Mesis and Raetium segmentums respectively. Both sites have Kempkan jewlery, and there is evidence of correspondence between these civilizations. Additionally there are many surviving examples of Kaelon pottery which shs depictions of ships of ocean going designs, and depictions of people wearing Lytanian, Kempkan, and other Zahavan bronze age cultures fashion styles in clothing, hair styles, and styles of makeup or other body art.

Ferrous metallurgy begins to appear in the late 6th century in the lower masali valley. A bronze axe with a blade of meteoric iron excavated near the city of Honeia in the subsolanus segmentum has been dated to the 14th century BCE.

Masonry, sculpting, and other construction advancements are also noted due to the remains of palaces, palatial villas, houses, temples, shrines, monuments and fortifications. Many of these remains show evidence of structural decoration with architectural features, such as columns, friezes and various moldings; mural decoration, such as fresco-paintings, colored reliefs and mosaic inlay. roof tiles were also occasionally employed. Additionally structures were often decorated with depictions of household furniture such as vessels of all sorts, from giant store jugs down to tiny pots; culinary tools, weapons, and other implements and ; thrones, seats, tables, etc are also commonly shown in surviving murals.

Early Kingdoms
As the early civilizations that inhabit what is modern day Zahava transitioned from being nomadic tribes or groups of hunter gatherers to becoming sedentary farmers focused on agriculture these societies began to change. People now had more time for things like creating art, debating and discussing philosophy and the development of new technologies and construction techniques allowed for more permanent shelter, increased food production led to an increase in population and new political and societal structures began to arise, with influential individuals, typically landowners and former chieftains taking positions of authority over other members. Eventually these different cultures began to fight one another over the best farmland or for other resources with hundreds of towns essentially being established as their own states, controlling the areas directly around them. From time to time these cities would be united, either via politics and diplomacy or through conquest and become kingdoms which ruled over varying amounts of territory each vying for supremacy over the another.

Tryris (2070 – 1600 BCE)
One of the first kingdoms to be described in ancient historical records is the Kingdom of Tryris, which was situated in the Garrissis valley, in what is today the Axaria segmentum. The Tryris kingdom was formed after the Tryris tribe managed to subjugate a number of neighboring tribes, assimilating them into their own or if a tribe had resisted the Tryris they would become second class citizens or slaves. The Tryris established what could be considered a proto semi-feudal system of government with chieftains having semi autonomy over their tribal areas, so long as they paid taxes and contributed men to the Tryris military campaigns. The Tyris kingdom would eventually expand to encompass an area from its homeland in the Garrissis valley, to the what is today Arcanium bay. The Tryris were able to achieve such rapid expansion due to their advanced levels of agriculture cultivating the staple crops of maize, beans, squash, rice and chili peppers, which they then traded for goods such as perfume, oils, and finished goods like pottery. This early trade made the Tryris kingdom extremely wealthy, allowing it exert considerable influence on neighbors and bring them into its sphere of control.

The Tyris kingdom is last mentioned in texts from the kingdom which succeeded it, the Agnathio which describes a series of wars, mostly infighting between the Tryris and their client states, with the Tryris losing the battle of Castus in roughly 1600 BCE resulting in the collapse of the kingdom.

For many years scholars believed the Tryris kingdom to be a mythical culture, due to their being little archeological evidence to support its existence and the accomplishments credited to the kingdom, which many believed to be extremely hyperbolic. That was the case until in 1988 a site was found on the charsis plateau which had artifacts bearing images mentioned in texts from other culture were identifiers of the Tryris kingdom.

Agnathio Kingdom (1600 – 1046 BCE)
The Agnathio kingdom succeeded the Tryris, and are also viewed as semi-mythical in regards to some of the rulers. There are however significant archeological sites to confrim the Agnathio kingdoms existence. The Agnathio kingdom would eventually occupy all the territory the former Tryris kingdom had, extending from its homeland in the Herklia valley. It is likely the Agnathio kingdom existed simultaneously as the Tryris kingdom, and after the absorption of the Tryris kingdom the Agnathio kingdom moved its capital city to an area around modern day Idumea. The Agnathio kingdom were the first to take significant concentrated efforts to control the yearly flooding of the Mageiaus river, and through a series of extensive works involving irrigation, dams, and redirection of the river were successful. These efforts effectively cleared the entirety of the Laphis valley for settlement and agriculture.

The Agnathio kingdom would have some forty one kings rule over it before the kingdom finally collapsed, after a series of wars against the Murmean kingdom which was expanding southwards from the lower Masali valley, culminating in the Battle of Anamedyium where it is said a large portion of the Agnathio king Maculleon Iasion defected to the Murmean king Menes Elha's army leading to Maculleon to commit suicide.

Murmean Kingdom (1046 – 256 BCE)
The Murmean kingdom is the longest lasting of all the Zahavan kingdoms of antiquity. The Murmean kingdom began to emerge from the Murmur valley, along the Murmean river from which the original tribe took its name. The Murmeans, unlike the Agnathio and Tryris before them adopted a centralized form of government, and subdued neighboring tribes, a key component to the Murmean expansion was that they were often able to subdue neighbors without having to fight them. This was due to the Murmean practice of not demanding tribute in the form of gold or silver but in manpower for future campaigns. During campaigns the Murmeans would often use their "allied" forces to bear the brunt of the fighting while their own forces remained intact, thus making it much more difficult for subject kingdoms to rebel.

The Murmeans rapidly overran the territories of the upper and lower Masali valleys before expanding southwards to absorb most of the Agnathio's territory in what is today central Zahava. The Murmeans also expanded eastwards, conquering territories extending from the modern cities of Moriae, which served as the Murmean capital later on to the city of Seidon just north east of Arcanium.

A major first that occured during the Murmean kingdom was the concept of the rulers authority coming from the divine. The Murmeans believed their king or queen were a divine being sent from the heavens by the ruler of the divines to rule over man and ensure the divine's will was carried out on earth. This did not stop the overthrow of Murmean rulers however, as it was determined that if a ruler should do so poorly that a challenger should rise and successfully overthrow them, then the challenger had been sent by the divine to replace the previous dynasty.

As the Murmean kingdom expanded ever larger, its previous system of governance became more and more strained as frontier client kingdoms would often rebel wanting more autonomy over their lands. This led to the Murmean king Amsu Mekhari establishing the regio terram system which was essentially a more structured feudal system than those used by the Agnathio or Tryris. Family members and distinguished warriors, or other wealthy members of Murmean society were given land, and specific titles which carried with them codifed levels of authority, the regio terram system essentially turned the Murmean kingdom into a a decentralized system of confederation-like government with a strict social heirarchy of the ruling family, nobles, lesser nobles, merchants and tradesmen, and commoners at the lowest rung.

The Murmean Confederacy (722 – 476 BC)
Over time, this decentralized system became strained as the familial relationships between the Murmean kings and the regional dynasties which the new system of government established. Peripheral territories developed local power and prestige that began to rival that of the Murmean royal line, and the familial relationships between the client states and the Murmean royal family would become thinned as the generations progressed, further weakening the concept of familial loyalty to the Murmean rulers.

At the same time these peripheral client states began to fight with one another, with larger more powerful states essentially annexing smaller ones, and placing their own dynastic lines on the conquered thrones, still other states were broken up into numerous smaller territories when infighting between vassal dynasties began leaving local strongmen in charge of small regions sometimes no bigger than a single fortifed village.

Eventually larger states would annex the smaller weaker ones, and in some instances after achieving a certain level of prestige and power vassals would declare themselves independent of Murmean rule. The Murmeans would then launch wars against these rebellions, while initially successful in quelling them, as more and more vassals declared themselves independent Murmean authority continued to rapidly decline. Eventually the Murmean kingdom was partitioned up into nine distinct kingdoms with the head of each kingdom, declaring themselves King and shedding the facade of subservience to the Murmeans entirely.

The Nine Kingdoms (476 – 221 BCE)
While the Murmean kingdom still technically existed, the Murmean king was a title only and held no real authority outside of the Kingdom of Murmea proper. The nine kingdoms: Murmean, Daradan, Tarentus, Laphis, Arketes, Agatone, Keuken, Suberei, Imhoden would each consolidate their authority within their respective areas of control. The period would see near constant fighting between the nine kingdoms, and smaller client realms, with multiple rulers declaring themselves to be sent by the divine to conquer the other kingdoms to justify their military campaigns.

During the time of the nine kingdoms, the larger coastal kingdoms, of Tarentus, Arketes, and Imhoden, gained significant power while the smaller more centrally located kingdoms of Murmean, Daradan, Laphis, Keuken, Agatone, and Suberei typically served as satellites and tributaries to the larger kingdoms.

Of the three largest kingdoms the most effective at doing so were the Tarentae, under Agies Varenus who reformed the kingdom of Tarentus to centralize its power structure. The state consisted of 16 prefectures with Varenus and three senior ministers each in charge of four prefectures; Varenus also combined military offices and duties with civil ones. These reforms provided the Tarentus, already powerful from control of trade crossroads through the lower Masali valley and along the river itself and the coastal areas around the Tarentae capital of Tarentum, provided the kingdom with a greater ability to mobilize resources than the more loosely organized kingdoms.

As neighboring kingdoms, were annexed by the Tarentae, they too would be reformed and had placed under the new Tarentae system of administration system of prefecture and combination of military and civil positions.

The nine kingdoms period would end following the conquest of the other nine kingdoms by the Tarentae king Kaelon Atticus in 221 BCE establishing the first empire of Tarentum a territory extending throughout all of what is today north eastern Zahava.

Imperial Era
The centralized power structure established by Varenus had given Tarentum a significant advantage over the other kingdoms, culminating in the Tarentum conquest of the remaining kingdoms, and other smaller client states, with the Tarentae king Kaelon Atticus declaring themselves emperor in 221 BCE. Atticus in an effort to establish stability and peace decided not to persecute the citizens of the newly conquered territories and force Tarentae culture onto them, instead Atticus adopted many customs and particularly religious practices from the conquered regions, establishing the first pantheon, and himself being crowned Emperor through a series of rituals, one for each of kingdoms as a sign that Atticus' Imperial title was approved by all the gods, and not just his own. Despite his efforts upon Atticus' death the empire would be weakened by infighting leaving it susceptible to attack from outsiders, which would ultimately bring about the downfall of the Tarentae empire.

Empire of Tarentum (221 BCE – 206 BCE)
By most standards the empire of Tarentum is a short lived one, lasting officially only fifteen years. The empire still had a profound effect on future Zahava, its political structure while flawed, established the framework for a strong centralized government with the creation of multiple magistrates and ministers to address the various government administrative needs.

Public works projects that the Tarentae government had been undertaking, even wile fighting wars of conquest had resulted in a number of roads, bridges, dams, improved irrigation and other agricultural advancements. This allowed further increased food production, established more effiecent means of trade and travel from one place to another, particularly for the Tarentae military as it continued to subdue neighboring kingdoms. After taking over an area the Tarentae would proceed with the establishment of small towns, fortified cities, and trade posts along the coast and at strategically important areas which allowed the Tarentae to secure their expanding conquests and provide a platform from which stable control over the newly conquered region could be established and maintained.

The Tarentae established an official currency and established set prices for certain goods. The Tarentae also were important in other aspects of what would become Zahavan life establishing the early basis for numerous laws regarding property, and codified the rights and legal protections of citizens, non-citizens, and even slaves. The empire of Tarentum was also the first Zahavan civilization to establish the earliest version of the modern day Zahavan pantheon, combining the numerous religious deities, rituals, and other religious practices from among the varying states that now made up the empire, this new religion gave the first uniquely Zahavan identity to the people who inhabited the area.

The Tarentae empire was not without fault however, secession for the Imperial seat, and regional governorship was never clearly established and aristocratic dynasties often schemed and fought one another in efforts to gain influence or control over territories fragmenting what would otherwise be a unified and strong state. This fragmentation, would yet again lead to the downfall of an early Zahavan civilization

Geography
Zahava occupies a large area on the eastern coast of Avalonia and extends deep into the continental interior. Zahava shares land borders with Albaterra to the west, Koryeo to the south, and SiWallqanqa to the South West in addition to these it shares a maritime border with Agrana y Griegro via the isle of Trinidad.

The majority of Zahava lies between the equator and the tropic of Capricorn although the northern most sections of the country lie on or above the equator. At 2,368,896 km2 it is the third largest country in the world. Zahavan topography is also diverse and includes hills, mountains, plains, highlands, and scrublands.

Much of the terrain lies between 100-200 meters in elevation with the south west areas being mountainous with terrain ranging from 300 to 5000 meters with Mount Empion being the highest point in the country at 5033 meters. The east coast, and much of the interior areas are dominated by tropical forests, most of which comprise the Cyrene Rainforest and tropical savanna on low lying generally flat terrain with scattered rocky highlands, or plateaus. The southern coast is broken up with a transitional palm forest surrounded by yet more tropic and subtropic savanna leading to an extensive area of wetlands and marshes around lake Myddenia.

The southern regions are more rugged, dominated by subtropical savanna and thorny almost impassable shrubland scattered among broad rolling terrain broken up by low, rounded hills and occasional ravines and plateaus.

The western regions are dominated by a complex mass of ridges and mountain ranges, which at their lower elevations are covered in subtropical shrubland, and valleys of grassland. To the northwest there is a large swath of tropical steppe created due to heavy deforestation in the area, although some areas of the natural thicket and scrubland have been preserved.

Zahava has a dense and complex river system, with several major drainage basins that empty into the Iapetus Ocean. Major rivers include the Mageiaus, Laphis, and Masali.

Biodiversity
Zahava is a due to the high biological diversity, and having many species of flora and fauna which are exclusively indigenous, or endemic to the country. The Cyrene Rainforest is one of the largest such forests in the world, and has among the greatest levels biological diversity of any particular biome in the world. The rich wildlife of Zahava reflects the variety of natural habitats found within its borders. The Imperial Zoology and Natural Sciences Institute estimate that the total number of plant and animal species in Zahava could be well over four million.

Some of the larger mammals found in Zahava include the carnivores such as the tiger, lion, Avalonian Wild Dog, puma, jaguar, various types of leopards, ocelots and foxes. Large mammal herbivores include elephants, wild pigs, tapirs, anteaters, sloths, opossums, armadillos various types of deer/elk, wild horses, rhinoceros, various types of monkeys,squirrels and rodents, and several types of bovines.

Zahava is home to roughly 1800 different species of bird, of which some 240 are endemic. The types of birds vary greatly from raptors, the largest being the, considered sacred to the people of Zahava, and is the inspiration for the image of a two headed eagle which adorns the official seal of the country, and the current symbol dynasty holding the Imperial house. Other raptors include

Governance and Administration
The Imperium is broken up into several smaller administrative divisions:


 * The Imperium: This is the highest level of governance, and maintains authority over all Zahavan territories and people. The highest elected office is the Archon, whose appointment comes from the Imperial Senate, and is confirmed by the Emperor, the Emperor also reserves the ability to call for new elections for the office of Archon. The Archon oversees the Imperial Senate, and can veto legislation from the senate. The various government ministry and department heads report to the Archon. Additionally at the Imperial level are the Ordo Templi, which ensures no law or act agreed to by the Imperial government violates religious tenants, and the Imperial court, which serves as the highest court in the Imperium


 * Segmentums: The largest administrative division, Segmentums are headed by a Segmentarch, who is appointed by the Segmentum's councilum, essentially a segmentum level senate. The Segmentarch oversees and has limited veto powers over the Segmentum's councilium. The Segmentums councilum also elects members who will serve as the Segmentum's representatives in the Imperial senate. At this level are the Segmentum courts, which carry out judicial administration across the whole of the Segmentum


 * Prefecture: Prefectures are a further subdivision of Segmentums. Prefectures are themselves established, or dissolved by the Segmentum's Councilium. Prefectures are headed by a Vicar, who is appointed by the Segmentarch, and oversees and has veto powers over the Prefecture councilium. The Prefecture councilum is made up of enfranchised persons, who reside within the established boundaries of the Prefecture. For Judicial administration there are Prefecture courts, which are established by the Segmentum courts.


 * Polis: The polis is the smallest subdivision of government, typically only encompassing the boundaries of a particular city, town, or village. The Polis is governed by the Polis Councilum, which consists of elected persons who also reside within the boundaries of the Polis. The Polis councilium is headed by a Poliarch, who oversees and can veto measures proposed by the Polis Councilium. Some of the larger Polis' have Polis level courts for limited judicial affairs, although the majority of Polis' do not have their own courts, and instead use Prefecture or Segmentum courts for judicial administration

Foreign Relations
Zahava maintains diplomatic missions or embassies in 59 countries, the Imperium has territorial disputes with Agrana y Griegro over the isle of Trinidad. Zahava considers itself an advocate for developing countries, and is strongly in favor of decolonization efforts, particularly in Avalonia.

Much of the Zahavan foreign policy centers on the notion that colonial powers, and their descendant populations should restore authority to native peoples over the lands. This cornerstone of foreign policy occasionally runs counter to the Zahavan policy of harmony without uniformity, which encourages diplomatic relations between states despite ideological differences. The latter having resulted in Zahava supporting and working with states others have regarded as dangerous or repressive.

Zahava is a leading member of the ECOSEAS alliance, and supporter of the World Indigenous People's Organisation. Additionally it allows the International Movement for Socialism to maintain offices in Arcanium, most recently the Imperium, has begun transitioning to occupying a larger international role.

Military
The Sanctorus Imperialis Militarum sometimes referred to simply as the Militarum, is the armed forces of The Imperium of Zahava. The Militarum consists of six service branches, Imperial Army, Imperial Navy, Imperial Air Corps, Frontier Troops, Imperial Guard and the newly established Departmentum Cyberarium. Units are assigned to one of four theater commands known as Themes which are based on geographic location. The Militarum has an annual budget of 554 billion dollars annually giving it the largest military budget in the world.

Zahava is a recognized state and operates an undisclosed number of  and  in addtion to a limited number of   and. Zahava also has an extensive chemical weapons stockpile and is rumored to develop a number of biological weapons.

In the aftermath of the Eurekan War Zahava began undertaking extensive efforts to modernize its armed forces, particularly its navy and airforce, and began to transition to a quality over quantity approach. Since then Zahava has developed a number of and  capabilities that include,  and advanced , , and.

Zahava is large arms exporter, particularly to ECOSEAS member states, and has jointly developed a number of technologies primarily with Chezzetcook primarily in regards to naval assets. Since the early 2000s Zahava has made strives in the development of 100% domestic production, with the first fully indigenous aircraft carrier, the 80,0000 ton Prospero being launched in 2007.

Economy
Zahava has a diversified, lead by the service sector, which accounted for 74% of the GDP and employs about three-quarters of the country's workforce in 2020, whilst the accounted for 23.5% and the  accounted for the remaining 2.5%. Zahava is unusual in developed countries due to the importance of its primary sector, particularly in the areas of, and of rare minerals and uranium. Zahava has the world third largest economy, with a GDP totaling $6.536 Trillion in 2020, and has the 9th highest GDP per capita in the world with $48,462 per inhabitant.

Zahava is the largest economy in ECOSEAS, and has the second highest per capita income. Since joining ECOSEAS Zahava has pushed for a number of economic reforms, successfully lobbying for a number of initiatives to promote economic growth in the region such as the development of a sovereign wealth fund, and a preferential tariff schedule.

Financial services, banking, which consists largely of and  and insurance are the most important sectors of the economy. The Imperialis Argentari Commercium, literally "Imperial Financial Trade Market" is a stock exchange established in 1590 by nobleman Ankhu Ctesias as part of the the Ctesias trading Consortium now serves as the Stock exchange representing a number of companies both domestic and foreign.

Aristoi automotive group, consisting of Aristoi and its subsidiaries is the largest vehicle manufacturer in the Imperium offering a wide variety from high end performance and luxury cars to buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles. IARM a majority state owned arms manufacturing consortium is another important part of the manufacturing sector of the economy together with a number of civilian aircraft manufacturing companies. In 1963 with growing concern over foreign ownership in the manufacturing sector, Primogenitor Abdelis Vastorius created the Externus Argentari Inspectorum Officium EAIO to ensure foreign takeovers and the establishment of foreign businesses would be beneficial to the Imperium.

Communications and Media
See also: Culture of Zahava

Tourism
Tourism is a major industry in Zahava and is important for the country's economy and is a rapidly growing industry that serves millions of international and domestic tourists yearly. Foreigners visit the Zahava to see natural wonders, cities, historic landmarks, ancient ruins or archeological sites, to visit the numerous wildlife preserves, or other outdoor attractions, and entertainment or sports venues.

Zahavans seek similar attractions, as well as recreation and vacation areas. Sex tourism is also popular particularly among foreigners due to Zahava's lack of inhibitions towards sex in general, legal prostitution, and culture of acceptance towards LGBTQ people.

Traditionally tourism was somewhat limited to wealthy aristocrats whom would visit key historic and religious sites, both as an unofficial coming of age ritual and, more often than not for political reasons, such as heirs to the Imperial throne visiting the shrine at the site of Zahavarius' victory. As advancements in transportation technology were made domestic tourism became an industry, with many key cities such as Arcanium actively marketing events, such as fairs, and later grand orchestras, or plays nationwide to draw visitors. Cities would even compete with one another for periods of time, both in efforts to draw specific acts or events to their cities, but also on which city could have the most visitors for any given event. Many cities in Zahava have a wide variety of night clubs and bars, with certain areas of the town typically catering to tourists from different regions. Arcanium has the so called "Colonial Row" where a series of night clubs, restaurants, and other venues specifically meant to cater to western Artimean visitors. These areas are typically more heavily patrolled by police and other security personnel to ensure the safety of tourists and businesses in these districts.

Religion also plays a large part in the Zahavan tourist industry with many practitioners making trips to the country for key holiday festivals or to visit sacred holy sites as part of a pilgrimage.

Zahava's many beaches, and the islands that makeup the exoticus segmentum are major tourist destinations and offer a wide variety of resorts, tours, and other activities for visitors to the Imperium.

Transportation and Infrastructure
Since the late 1990s, Zahava's national road network has been significantly expanded through the creation of a network of national highways and expressways, primarily focused on the coastal regions. More recently projects which aim to expand these networks to the interior have begun. At the same time the national railways were also been expanded, and by the end of 2018, Zahava's high-speed railway network reached a length of 29,000 km. In 1991 there were a total of 10 bridges crossing the Masali, and Mageiaus rivers, which effectively trisect the country in to three north central and south regions. In 2000 there were more than 100 road and railway bridges and tunnels of various capacities that crossed the river ways.

Zahava has the world's largest market for automobiles, with sales exceeding 24 million in 2017. The rapid expansion of road networks has seen a dramatic increase in vehicle related fatalities. Many blame poorly enforced traffic laws as the main cause, resulting in the government forming a new specific police force solely for the purpose of traffic law enforcement, the number of traffic accident related deaths almost immediately began to fall following this measure, however the number of fatalities on Zahavan roadways still remains higher than in other more developed parts of the world.

The government has also taken additional measures to improve roadway safety, both by requiring more rigorous driver education and testing, and through the use of modern roadway construction and safety measures. The government has also implemented strict safety regulations and consumer protection laws that all vehicle manufacturers must meet. From 2007 to 2016 traffic related fatalities fell by an additional 21%.

In many urban areas, bicycles, or small motorbikes remain a common mode of transport, despite the increasing prevalence of automobiles.

Zahava's railways, which are state-owned, are among the busiest in the world, as of 2017, the country had 127,000 km (78,914 mi) of railways. Despite this extensive network the railways often struggle to meet demand. Particularly around key religious holidays where large numbers of rural citizens travel to stay in cities for the festivals, or to make religious pilgrimages, the eleven days of celebration from December 16 to the 27th see one of the largest annual human migrations in the world.

In 2013, Zahavan railways delivered 2.406 billion passenger trips, generating 1,059.56 billion passenger-kilometers and carried 3.987 billion tons of freight, generating 2,917.4 billion cargo tons-kilometers. The government continues to upgrade and expand the railway network in order to better meet this staggering demand. Beginning in 2000 the government began construction of high speed rail and metro systems for urban travel. The highspeed network includes the Nazrah-Arcanium-Selonopolis or NAS line, with an annual ridership of over a billion passengers in 2015. To date the NAS is the fastest train in Zahavan service with a top speed of 440 km/hr. In 2009 the government began construction on a maglev high-speed train connecting Arcanium and Nazrah, that would reach a speed of 600 km/hr, if the project is successful this line would be expanded to other urban areas.

Since 2000, the growth of rapid transit systems in Zahavan cities has accelerated. As of January 2016, 26 Zahavan cities have urban mass transit systems in operation and 39 more have metro systems currently under construction, with a further two dozen recently having their system proposals approved by the government. There are more than 210 airports in Zahava with up to 230 planned for completion by 2024. It is expected that by 2030 Zahava's commercial airline fleet will be approaching 6300 aircraft. Like road and rail networks, civil aviation in Zahava has seen rapid and largescale expansion. This has made some of Zahava's largest airports among the busiest in the world.

Zahava has 110,000 kilometers of navigable rivers, streams, lakes, and canals, with over 2,700 river and seaports, about 140 of which are open to foreign shipping of these eighteen are considered "major" shipping ports with a capacity of over 50 million tons per year, In 2015 Zahava's major coastal ports handled 3.2 billion tons of freight. River traffic and the use of canals and barrages remains a common method for moving cargo from the interior regions to the coastal regions for sale or processing and export, with ships of up to 10,000 tons being able to navigate some 1,000km inland on the Masali river.

Traffic on the inland waterways exceeded 3.459 billion tonnes of cargo in 2016, with passenger traffic reaching 271 million people. Construction of new railways and highways has diminished the utility of Zahava's rivers for passenger transport. Nonetheless, passenger boats are still popular in some regions, and remain a popular tourist activity.

Energy
Zahava is among the worlds largest energy consumers, and likewise since the 1980s its energy production has increased dramatically to meet domestic demand. Zahava has very limited reserves of natural gas and crude oil, instead relying heavily on renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric,, and especially to meet energy demands. Zahava's nucler program began in earnest in the 1990s with facilities set up to utilize readily available domestic sources of uranium.

In 2018 nuclear power accounted for 65% of Zahavan electricity production, hydropower power accounted for 13%, bio-fuels 10%, renewables 3%, and fossil fuels 9%.

All sources of power production are nationalized and under the authority of the administratum of energy, with plans to build an additional eleven nuclear power plants with the stated goal to become a net energy exporter.

Demographics


The 2019 census recorded the population of Zahava to be 1,001,230,145 bout 16.60% of the population were 14 years old or younger, 72.14% were between 15 and 59 years old, and 11.26% were over 60 years old. The population growth rate is expected to be 0.52%. Zahava makes up a large bulk of the worlds poor, although the government has started to make large scale efforts to increase the standard of living and lower the percentage of the population living in poverty. From 2009–2018, the unemployment rate in Zahava has averaged to be about 4%.

Population growth is a concern of the government, and extensive efforts on the spread of contraceptives and safe sex practices has been undertaken in attempts to control it. For brief periods of time the government has limited the number of children a household can have. Males account for 51.18% of the population.

The average life expectancy in India is at 73.4 years—76.1 years for women and 70.8 years for men. Migration from rural to urban areas has been an important dynamic in India's recent history. The number of people living in urban areas grew by 42.2% between 1991 and 2001. Although the vast majority of people still inhabit rural areas.

The literacy rate in Zahava varies dependent upon region, but remains relatively high compared to peoples level of income with a national literacy rate of 96.3%. This is largely due to the tradition of free and communal education and the cultural values placed on education overall.

Religion


The Epitoma Aiona contains the majority of Zahavan religious tradition and serves as a spiritual guide to the Zahavan ideas of the origin of the universe, the origins of the humanity, the lives of heroes, interactions between the gods and mankind, and the nature of the human soul. Zahavan religion is organized under a system of priestly offices with the Primogenitor being the head the faith. The next highest church official being the Ecclesiarch Imperialis a position appointed by the Primogenitor. Duties of the priestly offices include include deifying the Emperor, supervision of rituals and leading of prayers and other religious services or rites.

Zahavans practice daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly rituals as well as some more infrequent ones dependent upon a multitude of conditions. Rituals may consist of animal sacrifices, or prayers, and incantations made to heroes of Zhavan lore or to a specific individual or group of gods. In addition to the gods and heroes of the Aiona, Zahavans also worship their ancestors and often have a chosen familial deity meant to watch over protect and provide for the family, many Zahavans also worship the Primogenitor, as a descendant of the divine and a protector of all humanity.

Freedom of religion is guaranteed in Zahava, although unofficially Zahavan polytheism is the state religion and religious organizations other than this are subject to religious oversight by the government, and must pay taxes at a higher rate than Zahavan polytheist counterparts still enclaves of various religious sects exist in the country, typically confined to a specific village, town, or part of a region.

A 2016 study found 98.6% of Zahavan citizens identified as being practitioners of Zahavan Polytheism, making Zahavan Polytheism one of the most followed religions in the world, the remaining 1.4% being divided up among various branches of Christianity, Islam, and other faiths. Over 97% of those not following Zahavan Polytheism were identified as being foreign born persons.

Cities
Beggining in the early 1980s Zahava has seen a steadily increasing movement of citizens moving from the rural interior to urban centers closer to the coast, primarily seeking better employment and earning potential opportunities. As of 2020 fifty-one percent roughly 510 million people now reside in urban centers. The largest cities in Zahava, in terms of population within an urban area are Arcanium (20,217,700), Iocanthos (16,446,900), Barca (13,552,359) Calixium (12,552,359), Moirae (12,478,447), Akragas (12,446,900) Nazrah (11,007,835), Thraxia (10,313,714) and Selonopolis (10,291,486), and Ephisia (9,358,400).

Arcanium is the capital of the Imperium and since times of antiquity has been a center for commerce, industry, and culture as well as the seat of government. Other cites developed as centers of key industries, or trade, due to their geographic location and proximity to accessible transportation networks or specifically desired resources. Of all the segmentums of the Imperium, the Raetium Segmentum has the greatest number of large urban centers with 5 of the top 20 cities in the Imperium being found in Raetium.

Education
Zahavans have enjoyed some form of public education since the height of the second Imperial era nearly two thousand years ago. Zahava has maintained a high level of literacy throughout its history. With many towns and cities having multiple libraries, the Imperium considers it crucial that its citizens have access to the deep literary tenets of the Zahavan culture extending back as far as 700 BCE.

Early Childhood Education
Daycare and nursery-kindergarten are considered critical for developing the cooperation and communication skills important to prepare young children for lifelong education, as well as formal learning of reading and mathematics, with the focus of education in early childhood being for students to “learn how to learn”, additionally it is considered important to instill a strong moral foundation for children beginning at an early age. To this end children are often told stories about great men and women, or cautionary tales about individual failures, which are meant to instill Zahavan values into children. Parents and family members are expected to act as role models. With education considered invaluable to the preservation of Zahavan culture, much of services that consist of early childhood education are provided by the state with education payments, when applicable are scaled based on family income.

Schools, or daycares are overseen by appointed schola magisters, who serve as teachers for students, early childhood education does not focus on formal education and instead focuses on nature, animals, and the “circle of life” and a focus on materials- based learning. To encourage a positive attitude towards learning in general it is common practice that, after birth families are provided with a number of books both for children and adults.

Primary Comprehensive Education
The compulsory educational system in Zahava consists of a twelve-year comprehensive school from the ages of 5 to 18, broken up into grades 1-12. The education system is further broken up into varying levels of scholariums or schools. Level 1 scholariums consist of grades 1-4 (ages 5-11), Level 2 scholariums consist of grades 5-8 (ages 11-14) and level 3 scholariums of grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)

At all levels of the comprehensive education students are taught both practical skills such as basic sewing, and cooking in conjunction with their formal areas of study. Homework is typically kept minimal, and outdoor activities and exercises are heavily encouraged along with reading for pleasure. Many children's shows in the Imperium feature books that allow children to "interact" with the characters in the programs.

The atmosphere in classrooms is formal, pupils are expected to show their schola magisters high levels of respect and many schools implement uniforms which students must wear and maintain. Class sizes are traditionally kept low, with roughly 20-25 pupils per classroom. Where this is not feasible classrooms often have more than one schola magister.

The Zahavan education system does not have gifted programs during the normal school day. Students who excel in their studies are expected to assist those who are struggling, and may take advanced courses in special after hours programs. Other programs offered include musical instrument instruction, organized sports or competitions, and more advanced practical instruction such as additional foreign language studies.

At level 1 scholariums students begin their formal education in traditional areas of study, students are additionally also taught a foreign language which is typically French, or Spanish. Students also receive formal religious instruction.

Level 2 scholariums students continue with their formal education, second language and religious instruction but on more advanced areas of study. In recent times students, particularly in the urban centers have also began receiving basic computer science and programming instruction.

Level 3 scholariums continue with their formal education, second language and religious instruction but on still more advanced areas of study such as trigonometry. Students also receive education in budgeting and financial management, students are also administered aptitude tests to provide them with better guidance on whether they should attend trade school, or seek secondary education

Students are assessed quarterly students who score poorly in one half quarter must show improvement by the end of the second half or they will be forced to retake a course and be prevented from going onto the next grade. At the completion of 12th grade, if a student has acceptable evaluations they will receive their Primary Comprehensive Education diploma, which will allow them to attend either trade schools, or go on to secondary education at Adeptorium. Depending on evaluations, interviews and desired vocational job or adeptorium area of study the state may cover all costs associated with the programs.

Crime and law enforcement
Each Province maintains its own provincial wide police force, while cities, towns and villages also have their own smaller law enforcement forces. Provincia Arbites, Urbs Arbites and Praedium Arbites respectively.

Besides the Ordo Custodes the Imperialis Arbites are the only Empire wide police force. Unlike the Custodes the Arbites are focused primarily on enforcement of the Lex Imperialis which serves as the legal code of the Empire, although the two agencies regularly work closely together.

Similarly towns and cities have their own courts, which deal with matters within the jurisdiction of the town or city they reside in, these are commonly referred to as Polis Courts. Above these courts are Prefecture courts, which have a county level jurisdiction deal with appeals from the polis courts, above these are the provincial courts who likewise deal with appeals from the Prefecture courts, and above these are the Imperial courts. Judgements from a lower court can be appealed to a higher court, but judgements issued by a court at the Imperial level are only able to have their decisions overturned by an Imperial decree usually following the advice of the Imperial Council of Justices who advise the Primogenitor on legal matters and handle legal proceedings for the Imperial house.

Art
People visiting or living in Zahava or the cities throughout the Imperium are exposed to art in a range of styles and media on a daily basis. Public or official art—including sculpture, monuments such as victory columns, or triumphal arches, or large commemorative statues, religious shrines and the iconography printed onto coins and paper money are the most common form of art people in the Imperium are exposed to.

Art is often religious in nature, depicting a god, or group of gods, ancestors, or in the case of murals often using visual images to tell one of the many ancient epics from Zahavan lore. Art, more importantly high quality art is enjoyable by all persons in the Imperium, not merely those who are wealthy. Temples, shrines, public baths, and other gathering places all are typically adorned with high quality art, while wealthy individuals may commission paintings, sculptures, or other works of art to be displayed publicly both as a means of flaunting their wealth but also as a means of showing their appreciation for culture.

Even items used for commercial use or interior decoration often display varying degrees of esthetic quality and artistic skill.

Oddly however for the most part artists and other artisans are often looked down upon in Zahavan society loosely considered to be akin to manual laborers, Still the required skills to produce quality work was recognized, and is often even considered a divine gift. For those exceptionally skilled artists they may be invited to reside in the home of a wealthy aristocrat producing private commissioned works for them, in fact it is common for Zahavan upper classes to use the works produced by their private artisans as a means of conducting showmanship and competition between rival noble houses.

Music
Music and singing play important parts in Zahavan culture as well and range over various traditions and regional styles. Many religious rites and ceremonies include incantations or prayers being said in a specific melody while certain instruments are believed to ward off ill influences from affecting certain rituals and ceremonies. Music also plays a large part in funerary rites, with funeary processions typically being accompanied by a small band playing music to ward off nefarious spirits, and to celebrate the deceased's spirit ascending to the Hall of tranquillitas.

Music and song are also considered important aspects of social events, with music typically accompanying the evening meal, or in the occasion of guests visiting it is common for children to sing or do other performances for the visiting parties, both as a means of providing entertainment and a means for the hosts to showboat the quality of education and talents of their children. Music is believed to closely resemble the order of the cosmos and is thus considered important for study in addition to subjects like mathematics and knowledge.

Songs also play an important role as a means of self expression and provides a means to preserve local history, with many folk songs revolving around historical events or epic stories, music is also important in a marshal sense, with many aristocrats and the Imperial house having their own marches which announce their arrival, the military itself has a wide variety of marches and songs that vary from regiment to regiment and musical instruments are often depicted in Zahavan art.

Literature
See also: Zahavan Mythology

Zahavans have always placed a special emphasis on written word, and record keeping. The ancient scribe Laothoe is quoted as saying "If the sea were ink, there would still not be enough of it to record all the concerns, ledgers, reports, and private messages of the members of the Imperial Government."

Laws and edicts are traditionally posted in writing as well as read out at town squares. While being illiterate was no excuse for one caught breaking a new law. Religion, and the belief that rituals, prayers, and ceremonies must be conducted in the proper manner and order also play a key part in the Zahavan value on written word, to conduct a religious ceremony incorrectly would risk offending the gods and could bring great misfortune on oneself or family.

The preservation and honoring of Ancestors, and other folk tales or epics, and the deeds of these hereos or historical figures is another reason Zahavan's place high value on the written word, and why literacy rates remain high despite the dire financial situation many people in Zahava face.

Sports
Association football is the most popular sport in the Imperium. With cities, and segmentums having their own leagues connected via a system of promotion and relegation. The highest tier, or top flight Tropaion League is often considered one of the most prestigious football leagues in the world and represents the highest level of competition in the Imperial football league system.

The Zahavan National Football Team regularly performs well in the AIFA Anterran Cup, winning the 2019 title, resulting in the teams seventh title overall now tied with rival Agrana y Griegro for the second most titles, the national football team also has the second most top four finishes overall with 19.

is another highly popular sport, with the Zahava Open being one of the major tennis festivals of the Anterran Tennis League. Other popular spectator sports include, , , , , , , and. Water sports like, , and are popular in Zahava as well. Motorsports have become increasingly popular in recent years particularly racing with a number of Zahavan metropolises having built tracks.

, mainly of white stags and general, , , , , , and general  as well as other outdoors, exploration type activities are popular in Zahava.

Cuisine
Zahavan cuisine consists of a wide variety of regional and traditional cuisines, and includes influences from religious practices and varies dependent upon ones social class. All Zahavans typically eat three meals today, and have at least one break, typically at 10am or 7pm where they break for tea or coffee.

Zahavans believe that the first meal of the day is important to both having a successful day and for maintaining good general overall health, typically breakfast occurs in the early morning and consists of porridge or flatbread, with some vegetables, fruit, eggs, milk, juice, or yogurt based drinks and finished with coffee.

Breakfast is followed by an optional break for tea or coffee which serves more of a social purpose than as an actual meal, "tea" typically consists of tea or coffee with finger sandwiches, or small sweet rolls.

Lunch is typically served around mid day, and typically consists of a flatbread sandwiches with pork, chicken, or fish, an alternative to flatbread sometimes meat served with rice and a variety of sauces, other lunch meals consist of a soup made with legumes, or salad, with some fruit and vegetables served with tea, fruit juice, or carbonated drinks.

Dinner is the largest meal of the day and typically consists of pork, chicken, fish, beef, or in some cases game meats like venison served in a stew or over rice with a variety of sauces and vegetables, flatbread, cheeses, and fruits followed by rice puddings, cakes, fried dough, or breads with honey. Dinner is usually accompanied with wines or beers, tea or coffee.

Dinner is followed by another "tea" which similarly to the earlier tea gathering serves more a social purpose than actual meal, the later tea gathering typically has sweet rolls or small cups of ice cream as opposed to finger sandwiches.