Mekedesh
Mekedesh
LuDominmne aluMekedesh | |
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| Province of Mekedesh | |
 Zygros II Memorial Temple in Meker | |
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The Province of Mekedesh (Packilvanian: LuDominimne aluMekedesh) is a high-level subnational administrative division of Packilvania. It borders Ashura to the north, Iganar to the northeast, Rigaryat to the east, Bingol and Packilvanian Ocean to the south, Subakil to the southwest, and Kharyat to the west. It is the origin of the Zubrayn Dynasty which conquered Bingol and spread throughout Packilvania from the 13th to the 17th century.
It is located in the Central East Packilvania Timezone (CEPT) at +4 UTC. Its climate consists of hot desert in the north, semi-arid areas in the north and interior, savanna in the interior and tropical rainforest in the south. Its northern parts experiences severe sandstorms during the Harmattan season and its southern parts are often subjected to cyclones during the monsoon season. The Ufrata, Meked, Abaxahad and Ebron Rivers flow through it. Water usage of the Meked and Abaxahad Rivers are a source of disputes with Iganar and water usage over the Ufrata River is a source of disputes with Ashura. Mekedesh is one of the the "front-line provinces" in the fight against desertification. Unlike many other provinces, the plan is to expand its existing savanna by propagating tree species already found there as opposed to other provinces which must introduce trees from other parts of the country.
Mekedesh has a population of 138,920,500 people, making it the third most populated province in Packilvania and among the top 10 in the world (it has more people than Valeria on Great Morstaybishlia). Its largest city and capital is Meker. With a city-proper population of 10,560,345, it is the 7th most populated city in Packilvania. Other major cities include Tashkar, Mochtar, Belaquis, Zalayad, Ohindawo, Dhustri, Kin, Pishtwan, Etahid, Aliwal, Yabali and Vrahanan.
Geography
Mekedesh is a middle sized province in terms of surface area among the provinces of Packilvania. It borders other high level administrative subdivisions of Packilvania, namely Rigaryat to the east, Iganar to the northeast, Ashura to the north, and Kharyat to the west. Mekedesh is characterised by tropical rainforest along its southern coast, which bounds the Packilvanian Ocean and is characterised by thick vegetation, year-round rain, humidity and heat. To the north of the tropical coast is a subtropical rainforest and savanna climate with rain year round, but varying in intensity based on the season. Vegetation is thick but not as thickly forested as the north. This is caused by the distance from the warm Packilvanian Ocean and an increase in elevation.
Through the interior of the province is a semi arid region characterised by low and infrequent rainfall and dispersed vegetation mostly in the form of shrubs and small plants. The north is characterised by deserts which are dry, and hot all year round during the day and freezing cold at night. The wetter areas of the province and the drier areas are caused by the distance from the sea, the increase in average elevation and the presence of a mountain range that bisects the province from east to west. The Meked River after which the province is named flowers through the interior of the province and empties through the city of Bingol. It originates in the northern mountains of Packilvania and its tributaries include large rivers in Packilvania such as the Jumhur River.
The banks of the Mekedesh River house fertile ground and its waters provide moisture for vegetation. Every year, the Meked River swells and often breaks its banks causing flooding when the glaciers of its source mountains melt during the northern summer. There are smaller rivers some of them originating from lakes and others from the mountains that bisect Mekedesh, but many of them are disproportionately located on the south of the province. The north has been prone to droughts, thus vast infrastructure has been constructed to provide the northern cities include the large cities of Meker and Tashkar with water. With climate change causing unpredictable weather, the deserts and arid regions are creeping to the south, which is being combatted by one of the largest tree planting and water conservation efforts in history.
Politics
In step with other provinces in Packilvania, the Provincial Government of Mekedesh is devolved substantial powers to make laws over its internal affairs, giving it substantial autonomy. The head of the province is the Meer who is appoint by the Sultan for as long as he sees fit. He promulgates laws passed by the Khanoniyat (which consists of the Legislative Council which is composed of various officials, representatives of local government, trade unions and other organisations, and the Representative Assembly which is elected by lottery). The Meer is also appoints the Premier and the Provincial Council of Ministers who administers the daily governance of the province. The Provincial Government has no control over the provincial judiciary which is appointed by the Imperial Government and helmed by the High Court of Mekedesh.
Mekedesh has historically been one of the centres of Packilvanian civilisation. Mekedesh has been a part of Packilvania since its was conquered by Iktan the Devout of the Iktanite dynasty since the 7th century CE. Unlike many other provinces which had local rulers and vassals, Mekedesh was directly administered by the ruling dynasty except during the interregnum when various small principalities formed some of which were under the suzerainty of a greater power. The Principality of Tashkar which was centered on the modern day city of Tashkar was the home of the second Packilvanian dynasty, the Zubraynite dynasty which ruled until Mekedesh was conquered by the Demirite dynasty in the 17th century. It was one of the first provinces to fall to human rule and the first to come under the Packilvanian Communist Party when Zerah Demir IV was deposed.
In step with its history under the rule of the Imperial Government, Mekedesh is seen is one of the more archetypal provinces of Packilvania in that it closely mirrors the policy objectives of the Imperial Government in decision making unlike Fidakar and Ashura which have a penchant for resisting. Unlike the Meer of Iganar who has relatively little influence of the running of Iganar, the Mekedesh, the Meer of Mekedesh exercises more authority and is a conduit through which the Sultan exercises his influence. Mekedesh tends to be highly centrist and pragmatist in the political ideals of its political establishment as well as everyday people. Mekedesh is seen as a middle way between the religiosity and conservatism of Ashura and Iganar and the liberalism of Fidakar. Unlike Jumhurikesh which is highly regionalist and tribalist in its political character, Mekedesh is highly unified, with its dialect of Packilvanian also being the official language of Packilvania.
Mekedesh has however shown a willingness to oppose the nation government in some small respects. In 2023, the Mekedesh government joined a rebellion by the governors of other provinces who appoints Sultan Thumim V's removal of Prince Abuyin as Crown Prince of Packilvania and as a member of the Council of State through blocking roads and cutting electricity to Bingol to derail the Coronation and Wedding of Thumim V and Saga of Tynam. Nevertheless, the government was quickly able to take control of the province's electrical utility company and dismiss the entire executive branch and the head of its internal police force. Mekedesh born officials have been disproportionately represented among senior officials in Packilvania, behind only Bingol, such as national finance policy chief, Hudeyna Nakhmoud.
Government
The government of Mekedesh consists of the following branches:
- Legislative: The Khanoniyat (Legislature) consists of the Mijhalis aluKhanonifiya (Legislative Council, the appointed upper house with 150 members) and the Mijhalis ameShabil (Representative Council, the lower houses selected by lottery that consist of 350 members).
- Executive: The Meer (Governor) who appoints the Rayeesgur aluDominimne (Premier) who presides over the Mijhalis aluDominmne ameVazeer (Provincial Council of Ministers).
- Judicial: The Khama luWaloof (High Court) is the highest court as well as other courts.
The Governor is appointed by the Sultan of Packilvania. The incumbent Governor is His Imperial Highness, Prince Nakhim a-Besmali Bedon who was appointed by Thumim V in 2023. The Governor serves until he does, resigns, retires at the age of 65 or is dismissed by the Sultan. Although the Governor is appointed by the Sultan at his discretion, he normally consults with members of the Bedonite dynasty and senior officials in that province to select a province. Usually, Princes with roots in the province will have a meeting with the Sultan where they will nominate candidates and give their opinions on the Sultan's top picks. This can including closed door one on one negotiations to secure the spot for themselves or their preferred candidate. Although Princes are not elected, in practice they do represent constituencies within the government, civic society and business community that can enable more politically popular Princes to be nominated and potentially selected. Loyalty to the Sultan can also play a big role as Governors not only oversee the running of the Province but they also translate the directives of the Sultan and the broader Bedonite dynasty into state policies.
The Governor appoints the Premier. The Premier is the chair of the Council of Ministers. He presides over and convenes its meetings. The Council of Ministers votes and deliberates on key issues relating to the running of the Province but each member, called a muVazeer aluDominimne (Provincial Minister), runs a Department (luBawaab) that specialises in one area of the government's work. When a vacancy arises in the Premiership, the Governor will consult with caucus leaders in the Legislative Council, receiving recommendations and having them opine on his potential picks. Although the Premier serves as the pleasure of the Governor, the reality is that it is impossible to get anything done without the support of the Legislative Council.
In turn, the Premier will recommend Provincial Ministers to the Governor. The Governor is not obligated to follow his advice but usually the Governor will appoint the Prime Minister's choice. The Council of Ministers handles the daily running of the Province and the implementation of provincial and national laws. Unlike ministers appointed in other countries, Ministers are assessed for their political aptitude, professional experience and academic qualifications, with their personal history being vetted by the government.
The Council of Ministers is as follows:
| Department | Minister | Former Position |
|---|---|---|
| Public Safety and Crisis Management | Sahil Mashad | Director of the Mekedesh Independent Police Inspections Directorate |
| Water and Environmental Conservation | Nekhad Ansawour | Director of the Meker Water and Sanitation Agency |
| Rural Development and Agriculture | Hudeen Yahmoud | Deputy Director of the Agricultural Bank of Packilvania |
| Finance | Duwar Qasim | Provincial Manager of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of Packilvania |
| Transport and Public Works | Uliyad Zabar | Chief Engineer of the Tashkar Transit-Oriented Redevelopment Project |
| Education, Youth and Sport | Lohaad Adim | President of the University of Meker |
| Tourism, Religious and Cultural Affairs | Shabran Vardeek | Chief Overseer of Magisterial Seminaries in Mekedesh |
| Mineral Resources and Energy | Ilam Khanayd | Chairperson of the Mekedesh Climate Action Commission |
| Women, Children and People with Disabilities | Suhayla Bakhmoud | Chairperson of the Mekedesh Gender Equality Action Commission |
| Commerce, Industry and Trade | Luhayda Nakhyar | Director of the Mekedesh Industrial Policy Forum |
| Public Housing and Urban Development | Gibraan Hanad | Chief Engineer of the Pishtwan Planning and Monitoring Authority |
The Legislative Council in Mekedesh consists of the following members: 8 are appointed by the Federation of Mekedesh Trade Unions, 3 by the Mekedesh Bar Association, 3 by the Mekedesh Law Society, 8 by the Mekedesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 4 by the Mekedesh Chamber of Mining, 6 by the Conference of the Magisterium of Paxism in Mekedesh, 4 by the Mekedesh Association of Institutions of Higher Learning, 4 by the Mekedesh Military District Headquarters, 2 by the Mekedesh Police and Correctional Service, 5 by the Meker Municipal Council, 3 for the 7 local government with over 4 million people, 2 for the 9 with three million, 1 for the 12 with between 3 and 1 million, and 1 for the 5 regional boards, 2 members of the Mekedesh Chapter of the Association of the Friends and Veterans of the Carriers of Mercy, 4 by the Princes of the Bedonite dynasty residing in Mekedesh, 3 by the Conference of the Peers of the Realm in Mekedesh, bringing the minimum total to 112 people. The Prime Minister may appoint as many members as is necessary to ensure that at least 30% of the members are women and 30% are younger than 35. Currently the total is 140 members of which 31% are under 35 and 38% are women. 22 members were appointed to meet the diversity requirements and they were actually nominated by the larger local governments and regional boards in relation to population, giving the sub-provincial administrative divisions 78 seats, which is just over half.
Economy
It has a nominal GDP of 1,112,753,205,000 KRB, which is the third largest in Packilvania. It has a nominal GDP per capita of 8,010 KRB, the third highest of any province in Packilvania.
The province has a substantial manufacturing industry. It manufactures textiles and garments, consumer products, household construction materials, and consumer electronics. This includes smartphones, laptops, hard drives, toys, utensils, furniture, prefabricated housing structures.
The Province has a rainy warm climate in the south and the massive river Meker flows through it. As such, it is also a major producer of agricultural output.