Ashura: Difference between revisions
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It has a hot desert climate. Nevertheless due to it s historical importance and the discovery of oil and gas in the 1890s, its economic and demographic importance increased significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries. It contains some of the largest oil and gas fields on [[Urth]]. It has a population of over 127 million people. Its economy has a GDP of 919 billion KRB. However, it has a GDP per capita of 7,230 KRB. If Ashura was an independent country, it would be similar in size and economic might to countries like [[Stratarin]] and [[North Ethalrian Confederacy|North Ethalria]]. Its capital and largest city [[Akas Akil]] is the 10th most populated city in Packilvania.
== Etymology and terminology ==
The name "Ashura" is of unknown origin. It was first documented on a stone tablet over 3,500 years ago on a bone tablet. Its meaning is highly contested, but it believed to refer to the desert by eminent linguist Monhad Shalbal.
== Geography, biodiversity and climate ==
Ashura is bisected by the Ufrata River. The Ufrata River is the largest and longest river and most of the parts of it that lie in Ashura are navigable. The river benefits from the massive mountains in the moth-east of Packilvania and tributaries along its route that deposit billions of liters of water. The province relies on the river and the Khidan-Adrien-Obrakud Aquafir for almost all its water consumption needs. In the past, industrial and residential run off into the river was bad, to such an extent that strict regulations were imposed and the Imperial government took over water related matters in the province in the early 1990s. Most of the biodiversity on the rivers banks has recovered as a result..
The wetlands around the river house water fowl and many water plants such as indigenous species of water lilies. The rest of the Province is characterised by sandy desert. Most of the sentient population is concentrated on the river. Nevertheless, the deserts are home to many species of succulent plants and low-water consuming plants. It is home to an abundance of reptiles that enjoy the heat. Other animals such as jackals, caracals, desert hyraxes, and wild dogs as well as wild donkeys roam the country side. The camel is the agricultural animal of choice. Nevertheless, cattle and sheep are raised on the limited pastoral areas in the countryside. However they do come into competition with wild antelope. Animals that rely on the massive ant hills such as anteater and meerkats roam the arid regions of the Province.
Rain in Ashura is sporadic and unreliable and the province has been known to go years with extremely little precipitation. This is because most of the moisture from the Packilvanian Sea and Borean Sea is lost and the winds that reach Ashura are hot and dry. Average temperatures range around 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. The hottest recorded temperature is 46 degrees Celsius.
== Government and politics ==
The political system of Ashura takes place in the framework of a devolved administration akin to the rest of the [[administrative divisions of Packilvania]]. As a result of legislation passed by the Parliament of Packilvania, the province has control over schools, universities, hospitals, internal roads, intraprovincial roads, mining, water, police (except in [[Akas Akil]] and [[Adrien]]) and electricity among others. The Provincial government is based in [[Akas Akil]].
The Governor appoints the government convenes the Provincial Legislature and signs provincial laws. This is currently HIH Prince Qalad a-Obadion Bedon. The Premier is the Chairperson of the Provincial Council of Ministers and oversees the daily running of the Provincial Government, currently Dr. Nohan Jamlar. The High Court of Ashura is responsible for striking down provincial laws that do not conform to national laws or the Constitution, receiving appeals from lower courts and exercising general jurisdiction over matters beyond the scope of lower courts under its jurisdiction. The Judge President of the High Court of Ashura is Marquis Faijal Duwal of Sajahaad.
The Ashurian Provincial Legislature has 500 members. The lower house, the Representative Assembly is elected by lottery. Of whom at least 30% are women. However the Province has no representation of religious minorities. Ashura is regarded as the most socially conservative province in the country. Dress codes are strictly enforced, entry to the sacred cities to non-Paxists is strictly prohibited and it has no designated areas for religious minorities to freely practice their religions. It has the highest proportion of its Legislative Council members (the upper house with most of the law-making power) being from or affiliated with the [[Magisterium of Paxism]].
== Economy and infrastructure ==
Ashura is one of the biggest producers of oil in the world. Over 60% of its economy relies on oil exports to other parts of the country and the world. The oil industry in Ashura is largely split between the Ashura Petroleum and Gas Corporation (known for marketing purposes as PetroAshura) and Insamion Fuels. Both operate oil wells, but the oil refining facilities are largely owned by Umbariel, Sajik & Tarkhin, BTA, and Bakil Refinining. Oil distribution and retail are administered by Ashmid and Exotex. The oil sector employs over 50% of workers.
With the Province lying on the banks of the Ufrata Rivers (the largest and longest river in the world), most of the population and large urban centers are concentrated around or near it. As a navigable river, most of the trade of goods that happens between Ashura and the rest of the country happens through barges passing through the river. Through the nutrients and moisture deposited by the river, substantial agriculture has emerged on its banks including water-intensive cotton farming, with Ashura being the largest producer of cotton in the country. The Akas Akil International Airport and the Adrien International Airport handle most of the passenger and freight air traffic. There is a high-speed rail line that connects Akas Akil, Adrien and Zukaril in [[Iganar]].
The province relies on 89% of its energy on diesel power plants, which are largely operated by Ashura Energy, Ashura Electrical Generation and the Ashura Power Corporation. Energy distribution is managed by local governments while transmission is handled by the state owned Ashurian Electricity Transmission Authority. Water is managed by water boards run by local governments, but access to water sources like the Ufrata and the Khidan-Adrien-Obrakud Aquafir are regulated by the provincial government.
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