ICHO

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The ICHO, or the International Cultural Heritage Organization, is a special committee organization of the International Forum devoted to the cataloging, preservation, and promotion of unique ideas, and the proliferation of international security and cooperation through arts, science, culture, history, and education initiatives. It is partnered with a number of Forum member states as well as nations outside the IF, alongside non-governmental organizations. It is headquartered in Rilanon, Christie Island, and has branch offices in nations worldwide to oversee its mandate.

The ICHO functions as a part of the International Forum devoted to the proliferation and preservation of information and unique ideas. It is responsible for translating and disseminating international literature, working to integrate nations into the digital network, securing and preserving sites of important cultural importance, and assists with the communication and understanding between unique societies via exchange programs and universal education. ICHO is responsible for many worldwide initiatives in partnership with individual nations and regional power blocs. The most famous part of the ICHO mandate is the Global Heritage program. This program catalogs locations, ideas, and information based in the material or immaterial value they have for domestic and international history, culture, and education. Global Heritage sites include national parks, grand architectural feats, religious pilgrimage destinations, and natural features of great fame and beauty.

ICHO Functions

(Add how the Organization is run, funded, overseen, etc.)

ICHO Global Heritage Sites

Global Heritage Site Image Country Description Annual Visitors (estimate)
Royal Giroruña Estate (Propriedad Réal de Giroruña) Casilló y Réal A complex covering twenty acres on the waterfront of Giroruña. Its principal attractions are the ruined 13th century Tomaras Castle, built upon a small hill overlooking the Royal Southern Gardens, the current Ducal Palace, and the Southern Palace of the Kingdom of Casilló. The Southern Palace is in much better condition than Tomaras Castle but goes unused by the Monarchy in current times. All buildings are open to the public, though the Ducal Palace has limited tours only due to serving as the residence and workplace of the Duke. est. 4 million
Eleçeron Riverfront (Frente al Río de Eleçeron) Casilló y Réal The river district of Eleçeron. The city was founded on the steep banks of the Ría Dorada in 481 CE as a fishing and trade village and expanded outwards. The Royal Gorge that the Riverfront is centered on hosts many government and monarchy properties including the Ministry of Popular Assembly, the Sofía Bridge, and the Summer Palace. The area remains heavily populated and many buildings are over four hundred years old. The classic Réoran architecture of the area has influenced progressive and modern Corric architectural styles. N/A - Settled Area
Walls of Ragólve (Fortificaciones de Ragólve) Casilló y Réal The fortifications of the walled town of Ragólve. They span a circumfrence of four kilometers and are the largest intact historical fortifications in the country. A full restoration project completed in 2007 allows visitors to walk the entire top of the walls. A cathedral and small towerhouse are connected to the walls on the inside and are still in use. Ragólve's walls have withstood bombardment and siege seven times and famously never failed. Some interior sections are off-limits. est. 220,000
Palacia de la Costa Tranquíla (Palace of the Tranquil Coast) Casilló y Réal The historical seat of the Corric monarchy. The Palacia and its surrounding outbuildings and fortifications take up ten out of sixty acres of the Royal Palace Complex in Porta Tranquíla. Built in the mid-12th century as the castle of the Dukes of Avantana, the building has been reworked and expanded as the court of the Kings of Casilló and later Casilló y Réal. While a treasured and famous landmark, the Palacia serves as the home for the Corric monarch eight months out of the year, and is closed to visitors except on special occaisons. The only publicly-accessibly section of the complex is a portion of the Royal Archive of Andora, the largest library in the nation. 13,200 (Archive only)
Tranquil Gardens (Jardins de Tranquíla) Casilló y Réal The royal garden complex adjacent to the Palacia de la Costa Tranquíla, located in south-western Porta Tranquíla. Tourists are allowed in the gardens Tuesdays through Thursdays. The gardens span fifty acres of cultivated land, topiaries, fountains and pools. They were created in 1312 and expanded over the years to include their famous orchards, flower gallery, and statuary. Royal events and parties are often held within the gardens, some of which are open to the public. The plants are rotated by the Royal Gardening Corps every season. 8.2 million
Monastery of the Orphaned Saint (Monasterio de la Santa Huérfana) Casilló y Réal One of the oldest Andoran Deusist monasteries in the country. Built in the early 1300s as a simple chapel, the building expanded over the centuries to be one of the main places of monastic study and Deusism theology in southern Andora. It is named after the Orphaned Saint, an unnamed orphan girl canonized in 1571, though the historical veracity of the tales has been questioned. The monastery fell into disuse in the 19th century and today stands as a monument and historical site managed by the Andoran Church. It is a popular place for Andoran Deus pilgrims. est. 30,000
Azuré River Valley (Valle del Río Azuré) Casilló y Réal The largest and widest river valley system in the nation. Carved hundreds of thousands of years ago, the Río Azuré travels 871 km from central Andora to the province of Veropani in Maláma where it drains via delta into the Concordian Ocean. It is the longest river in Casilló y Réal ahead of the Oura and Dorado rivers. The River Valley is 798 km long and 24 km across at its widest point. The soil here is some of the most fertile in the region and many towns and settlements have been established as a result. The Río Azuré passes through eight cities and twenty-four towns, and directly irrigates over 4 million acres of farmland. The land within the River Valley has been fought over many times in the past, and boasts the highest concentration of historic castles and fortifications in Andora. est. 20 million
Nevadres National Park (Parque Nacional de los Nevadres) Casilló y Réal A national park encompassing some of the Nevadres mountain range in central Andora. It includes many unique geological landmarks and important watersheds, including the sources of the Azuré and Dorado rivers. Over a million acres of land are set aside as protected habitats and ecosystems. The park is considered to be the premiere outdoor recreation destination in the country, and the Corric Crown has funded many developments of trails and preserves to ensure sapient-nature harmony. Activities include mountain climbing, hiking, fishing, camping, cycling, kayaking, rafting, hang-gliding, and foraging, though all are carefully monitored and regulated. est. 3.1 million
Leidenstad Castle
Cryria A hilltop castle northeast of Leidenstad. It overlooks the point where the River Leiden meets Lake Lasi, and is visible from the village of Kamburn, Tvillingblom Palace, and the Elskov Arsenal. The fortifications have historically served as a defensive feature for the Cryrian capital, and later as a place of refuge for the monarchy. The Cryrian Crown Jewels and various other artifacts belonging to the House of Leidensen are still stored here. As the Castle remains an active royal residence, it is off-limits to most visitors. Beginning in 2019, Queen Ulrika II opened up the site for limited academic and research purposes. N/A
Elskov Arsenal
Cryria Built along the banks of the River Leiden to control the important river routes between the capital and the rest of Älmark, the Elskov Arsenal was at the time of its construction one of the most modern and formidable star-fortresses in the Kingdom. The Arsenal was gradually built upon over the centuries and continued to serve as an active military site through the Great War and the Cryrian Anarchy before finally being decommissioned. Though it remains a property of the House of Leidensen, the site composes part of the Crown Estates operated by the Government for the benefit of the Cryrian people. As such, it is open to the public unlike other nearby royal properties. est. 15,000
Karsholm Palace
Cryria The current seat of the Cryrian Government. Karsholm Palace has a long and storied history dating back to its first usage as a royal residence prior to the House of Leidensen's decision to relocate to Tvillingblom Palace. Karsholm is considered to be part of the Crown Estates, and is in practice operated by the Government. It serves as the official workplace and residence of the Prime Minister, and a number of important Government functions are also conducted from the sprawling building. Due to its status, it is generally closed to the public save by appointment for official business or academic purposes. N/A
Tvillingblom Palace
Cryria The current home of the Cryrian royal family. Tvillingblom Palace is built on Lake Lasi and overlooked by the hilltop Leidenstad Castle. It is a short train ride away from the capital, and the Elskov Arsenal is also nearby. In the monarchy's heyday, Tvillingblom was the heart of Cryrian politics and its de facto seat of government. Today it continues to play an immensely important ceremonial role. The Palace and its extensive gardens are considered to be some of the finest examples of the Kingdom's Absolute Era-architecture. As the primary royal residence, Tvillingblom is largely off limits to normal visitors. Much like Leidenstad Castle, however, it was recently opened up to academics and researchers. N/A
Kankaanvesi Forest
Cryria Located near Leidenstad, the Kankaanvesi Forest is one of the oldest and largest remaining primordial forests. While it has become much reduced due to extensive early logging by Cryrian shipbuilders, large swathes of woodlands were left untouched out of either superstition or because they were claimed as hunting grounds by the royal family of the time. Today, the forest encompasses some 3,000 square kilometers and is one of the most visited natural spaces in the Kingdom. est. 4.5 million
Linnake Plateau
Cryria The Linnake Plateau is a geographical feature located in the Cryrian Highlands. It has had considerable strategic and cultural importance throughout the Isles' history. The early elves founded their capital on the highly defensible location, and built many of their sacred structures on it. Later, it was seized by the invading Cryrians who settled on it. The Plateau offers control of important mountain passes through the Highlands, which have proved vital for both trade and warfare in the past. Today, the location is home to Lielsta's Upper City, and is considered to offer of the best views in the Highlands. N/A - Settled Area
Temple of the Impelantic Legacy Peragen The unofficial main temple of the Tunseist belief, in Arsal, capital of the country, and finished on its current form in 1398. The temple has Impelanta III of Arsal, founder of Tunseism and the Impelanzan Empire, as its saint, origin of "all the contributions Tunseism has brought to Urth through the span of more than two millennia". It attracts great masses of believers on the 26th August, the so-believed anniversary of Impelanta's birth, and is open to public of any belief. 10 million
Impelanzan Lighthouse of Cábonégro New Leganés The lighthouse of Cábonégro, built atop the Cábonégro cape of the New Leganés archipelago in 116 BCE, served an important function as aiding beacon for the Impelanzan navigation and trade routes in the Concordian Ocean. After the Impelanzan rule, the lighthouse continued to be used and suffered several modifications until its final form, finished in 1594. 120,000
Shamsian ululation Bardian ululation
Qaridian ululation
Wed Shams Among the Qaridian and Bardian peoples, ululation is used to express utter happiness and excitement. It is used in all kinds of celebrations, in traditional music, and right before getting into battle in wars. It is most appreciated in women, however it is also commonly found among men. Bardian ululation is performed with the throat, while Qaridian uses fast tongue movements. The ICHO declared Shamsian ululation as Global Immaterial Heritage in 2017.