Paseiwa

Paseiwa (Tanateoe:  P'seiw' ), formally known as The United Kingdoms around Paseiwa (Tanateoe: Taeináshá Gángourigá Pioseiwio) is a association of  located in the West-Keshi river basin, also know as Sameoelama. The kingdom of Paseiwa, not to be confused with the country of Paseiwa, functions as the central kingdom. It is bordered by Jagani in the North East and covers an area of 307,225 km². Paseiwa counts 93.82 million people of which 6.4 million live in the capital and largest city of Shanatae or Sh'n'tae. Other big cities include Nasheoeta, Jeraebaza and Xanatoi.

The country is mainly known for its textile and jewelery industry, making up the largest percentage of its exports. The GDP of Paseiwa is estimated at around $680 billion, which results in a GDP per capita of only $7,261, making it is one of the poorest nations in Anterra. Combined with a high inequality in wealth distribution, living conditions in Paseiwa are one of the most indigent.

Historically the river basin has been home to various tribes and kingdoms over the centuries. The kingdom of Shei-otana was founded in the 14th century by king Heo-enata and marks the begining of Pseiwan history. Due to Shei-otana's strategic position on the mouth of the Nashae-axa river, the capital city of Shanatae, quickly grew out to an important economic and cultural hub.

During the 16th century, the region of Sameoelama came under the rule of the Avalonian empire of Zahava, which gave the region the name Pasaeva after the Paseiwa flower. Pasaeva was mainly used to supply the Zahavan slave trade as well as to grow cash crops. With the Pact of the river kingdoms in 1772 the Zahavan rule came to an end. The colony quickly fell apart in smaller kingdoms again. The kingdom of Paseiwa sought to increase its influence in the region and established mutual agreements with the other kingdoms, this was the beginning of a primitive confederacy, where kingdoms are bound to Paseiwa for as long as both monarchs agree.

In the mid 19th century Tilenno launched a military campaign to colonise the Sameoelama lands for Avalonia once again. This colony was however short lived, as the colony regained independence in the early 20th century as a consequence of the civil war that had ravaged Tilenno. Even then, the Tilennan religion of Lonakae spread like wildfire and formed it's own Keshian branch known as Heonaxa. After regaining independence the kingdoms aimed to closen ties and formalise the fluid confederal structure of the region. Instead of monarchs having the last word, the people could now democratically influence the decision to associate themselves with a central kingdom. This has led to more fluid and everchanging borders within the river valley.

Etymology
The name Paseiwa comes from the Tanateoese word p'seiw' for the, a red three-leaved orchid native to the Pseiwan jungle. This plant is the national flower of the Pseiwan Kingdom and is featured on its flag. The name was given to the kingdom by the Zahavan colonizers after they were introduced to this plant that was exclusive to the region. The flower was very useful in the making of red fabric dye, but reamined mainly an ornamental flower. The settlers called their colony Pasaeva or land of the Pseiwan flower and this name stuck over the course of their history.

Paseiwa however is not the only name for this part of the world. Before the Zahavan colonization, the natives called their land Shei-otana, which roughly translates to cultured land or homeland. When the Tilennan settlers came in, they officially changed the name to Tilae Telonos, or land across the ocean. During this period the name Paseiwa remained in use to colloquially refer to the land.

Physical
Paseiwa is located in the West-Keshi River Valley, also named Sameoelama by the Pseiwan people. The Nashae-axa, the largest river of the basin, flows on its eastern border. From the Nasae-axa the Geizaja river branches off and flows through the northern kingdoms. Shanatae is located on the mouth of the Nasae-axa river where in flows into the Pseiwan Sea. On the western border the Sha-ashana river flows on which Jeraebazae is located on the mouth. The southern part of Paseiwa is relatively flat, with some small halls scattered across. When moving northwards, terrain becomes increasingly elevated untill you reach the Zoroungaja ridge in the north which separates Paseiwa for the Northern kingdoms of Naxe-eosha. Of the coast of Paseiwa several islands are located, with the biggest one being Sameoefa, which is part of the Kingdom of Paseiwa and is split with in half its eastern neighbour. The most populated island however is Zaezanga, which forms its own kingdom. There are also 3 important lakes located within the kingdoms. The biggest one is the Wamleisan lake, located on the Nashae-axa river and border by the kingdoms of Wamaleisa and Ngoezaza. The second biggest is the Felpasan lake, located on the border of Paseiwa proper and Felapasa. The last one is naxahu-au lake, located on the border with its western neighbour. Further east the exclave kingdoms are located in the eastern part of the river valley as opposed to ther other kingdoms, safe from Wamaleisa, which are located in the west. These kingdosm are home to a more elevated and hilly terrain.

Climate
Paseiwa is located on the equator giving her a stable and tropical climate. The year is generally divided in a dry and a wet seasons with the driest period lasting from june through mid-september. The wet season lasts from mid-september through may, with peaks of rainfall in march and november. Temperature is stable all year round, hovering between 25°C and 27°C and rarely exceeding 30°C or falling below 20°C, although extreme weather has increased over the last years.

Fauna and Flora
Paseiwa has lush vegetation cover all across the kingdoms. The north is covered in a thick with a large biodiversity of plants and animals. Most interestingly,, , as well as  and  are found here. While the rainforest used to be heavily cut down for economic gain during the colonial period, these practices have since been ceased and the rainforest has been slowly recovering since as a protected royal park and wildlife sanctuary. This coincides with the law of Pseiwan ground, which states no natural resources are to leave Paseiwa without consent of the crown.

The coast is less densly forested and has historically been more urbanised than the North. Even so it is still home to large forest and a plethora of plant and animal species. Most famously, the Pseiwan flower, or is found here. The is commonly seen in the coastal regions as well as various species of colourful tropical birds like the, the  and the.

The sea is also home to many creatures. It is common to see and  swimming by. It is also not uncommon to spot whales, sharks and orcas in Pseiwan waters.

Demographics
Keeping track of demographic within Paseiwa has always been a challenge due to its everchanging borders. Historical trends might seem seird and arbritary, but this is due to the fact that people become and cease to be Pseiwan citizens all the time. Demographics presented here will be representative of the larger Sameoelama region, whihc also includes Naxe-eosha and parts of Jagani and other West-Keshi nations.

Cities
The capital and largest city of Paseiwa is Shanatae. Currently around 6.4 million people live in its greater urban area. Most people however live in or very small and poorly maintained appartements, sometimes with as many as 12 in one room. Working circumstances in the cities are also abismal. An average textile worker works 10 hours a day, 7 days a week for an equivalent of $10/week. This is in stark contrast with the richer neighbourhoods of Shanatae. These are located mostly outside the city center and are gated of to the general population. These are mostly inhabited by decendants of colonizers or textile or other industry exectutives. While other cities face similar problems, these are mostly less pronounced than in the capital.

Economy
Paseiwa is sometimes nicknamed the nation of colour. This is because it has traditionally been one of the main producers of and. Nowadays most of the Pseiwan economy is based around the producting of. The kingdoms, especially around the coastal areas are home to large where clothes are made cheaply, but in very bad circumstances and for a very small loan. Paseiwa is currently the largest producer of textile in Anterra. Another large industry is the, various are found in the northern hills and mountains. The industry is however very regulated due to the Pseiwan ground law, which states no non-regenerable resources are to leave Paseiwa without consent of the crown, causing the growth of the industry to slow down. As a response gem and other precious resources are often smuggled out of the country.



Agriculture
Most of the Pseiwan agriculture is in function of creating either material for fabric or pigments for dye. Large flower farms are found in the southern midlands for this reason, but also for decorative purposes. Paseiwa has mastered the cultivation of rare flowers and exports them all across Anterra. Many specialist claim that the flower industry will create a sustainable path to economic prosperity and can kick-start larger economic growth within the kingdoms.

The Pseiwan midlands are known for their production as well as. Paseiwa produces roughly 7.000.000 60 kg bags of coffee a year, making it one of Anterra's leading producers. Other tropical crops like, , , , and  are also produced in the midlands. In the past large sections of rainforest used to be cleared to perfrom agriculture, but since the government has limited the clearing of the rainforest and has subsidized sustainable alternatives, Pseiwan agriculture is now performed on a environmentally friendly way.

Tourism
Tourism in Paseiwa is of limited importance. Most of the tourism is centered around the. Paseiwa still has a lot of untouched wilderness, which attracts a lot of nature enthousiasts. Multiple guided tours can be taken through the jungle. However some tourist underestimate the dangers of the jungle and decide to explore it on their own. This has led to some unfortunate deaths in the Pseiwan jungle.

Urban tourism is pretty much non existant. Most cities are overcrowded and dirty as is and don't provide many accommodation for the averge tourist. Due to the lack of knowledge of different international languages in the Pseiwan population, most facilties that are provided are inaccesible for foreigners without guides. For the brave people that do want to explore Paseiwa, some agencies provide Pseiwan discovery tours, which mainly focus on the rural aspects of Pseiwan life as this is seen by Artemians as "primitive" and thus interesting.

Lastly people travel to Paseiwa for foreign aid, even though the country doesn't really need it. It is true that many people don't have access to primary goods, but many aid mission end up disrupting the local economy and development. Many villages also don't like white people medling in their affairs and forcing their way of life on them, especially after the colonial history.

Energy
The river valley, while rich in natural resources like gems and, has a distinct lack of large deposits. In the past the country could sustain itself on relatively little fossil fuel, like and  that were present, due to the low energy demand. But as the kingdoms progressed the country had to find a way to keep up with the growing energy demand. Fossil fuel sources started to run out, and so the government turned itself to, which currently contributes close to half of Paseiwa's energy production. Paseiwa has also one that was built in 2002, providing around 5% of electricity. In the past Paseiwa would often import oil and coal from other nations to keep up with energy demand, but in recent years, the kingdoms have proven to be able to provide enough energy on their own. With regards to the future, Paseiwa is aiming to provide clean and sutainable energy and expand its grid to the furtherst corners of the valley. Currently an estimated 46% of people have access to electricity. Paseiwa is aiming to increase this number to above 75% by 2030.

Transportation
Historically most of travelling between the river valley kingdoms was done by boat. This element of Pseiwan life still remains visible as the are still on of the most utilised modes of transport in Paseiwa. Furtermore, many towns and villages are still only accesible by boat. In recent years however the river kingdoms have aimed to improve accesibiity in the confederacy. Most towns and villages in the southern part of Paseiwa are now accesible by paved or semi-paved roads and most large cities in the midlands and north also have road connections. Paseiwa is also in the process of constructing a train network that aims to connect the big cities. The first line between Shanatae and Jeraebaza opened in 2007 and since then Xanatoi, Nasheoeta and Gaieroganga are now all accesible by train. The newest line towards Ngazouja is projected to open in 2022.

On a regional level, people in most big cities mainly rely on busses, taxi's and bikes to get around. Shanatae and Jeraebaza are the only two cities to also feature a tram network. The one in Jeraebaza only has 2 lines, but the Shanatae system is one of the biggest tram networks in the world with 18 lines, 412 stops and close to 500 000 daily travellers. The island kingdom of Zaezanga also has a independent ferry system around the island, but most travel there is done by small motorised boats.

Even so the exclave kingdoms suffer from poor accesibility, due to their distance to the rest of Paseiwa travelling to these kingdoms can be quite a challenge as you'd hav to go through Naxe-eosha to get there. Agreements between Paseiwa and Nexe-eosha have been made to improve the transport in these regions, but no plans are currently on the way.