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Falkreath Hold, also known simply as Falkreath, is a hold in the southwestern region of the province of Skyrim, located north of the province of Cyrodiil, west of the Rift, and south of Whiterun Hold. Falkreath hold was once one of several kingdoms which made up the former Colovian Estates. Falkreath was absorbed into the Middle Kingdom of Skyrim by the mid-Second Era. However, near the end of the Second Era, Falkreath rejoined the Colovian Estates under the rule of the petty king Cuhlecain, and finally came back under Skyrim’s rule by the Third Era.

Falkreath is the second largest hold (tied with Whiterun Hold) and the fourth most populous hold. The hold consists of deep temperate marine forests in the north and center, mountain ranges in the south and east, and a semi-arid, rocky region in the northwest transitioning into the western Reach.

Falkreath is a leading lumber producer; its rugged surface is rich in stands of Brutus fir, hemlock, ponderosa pine, white pine, spruce, larch, and cedar. The hold is the largest producer of apples, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries in Skyrim, and ranks high in the production of apricots, asparagus, dry edible peas, lentils, peppermint oil, and potatoes. Livestock and livestock products make important contributions to total farm revenue, and the commercial fishing of salmon, halibut, and bottomfish makes a significant contribution to the hold's economy.

Manufacturing industries in Falkreath are mainly rural, such as lumber, food processing, metals, and metal products. Falkreath is famed as having perhaps the fairest climate in the whole of Skyrim.

Geography
Falkreath is the southern-most hold in Skyrim, tied with the Rift. Its northern border lies mostly along the 50th parallel. To the northwest, Falkreath borders the western Reach, beginning at the end of the Karth river flowing from the northern Sea of Ghosts.

The high mountains of the Jerall mountain range run east-west, covering the entirety of the southeast. From the Jeralls northwards, central and northeastern Falkreath has a mostly marine climate, with mild temperatures and wet winters, autumns and springs, and relatively dry summers. Mount Nightingale, the tallest mountain in the hold, is 40 miles (64 km) eastwards of the city of Falkreath, from which it is prominently visible at 13,284 feet high (4,049 m).

The interior of Falkreath supports dense forests of conifers and areas of temperate marine forest. In contrast, northwest Falkreath has a relatively dry climate with large areas of rocky semi-arid steppe; the town of Granitehall receives an average annual precipitation of 6 to 7 inches (150 to 180 mm). Farther south, the climate becomes less arid, increasing as one goes east. The rugged Karth River Range and Druadach Mountains cover much of the northwestern quadrant of the hold.

Climate
Falkreath’s climate is varies from north to south; An oceanic climate (also known as a “marine climate") predominates in the majority of the hold, and a much drier semi-arid climate prevails in the far northwest nestled between the Druadach Mountains. Major factors determining Falkreath's climate include the continental air masses of Tamriel, and the Jerall and Druadach mountains. In the spring and summer, there comes relatively cool air and a predictably dry season.

In the autumn and winter, Falkreath's prevailing winds to come from the southwest over the Jerall Mountains, bringing relatively warm and moist air masses and a predictably wet season, known colloquially as the føhn. A seemingly chronic weather condition in Falkreath is fog, formed via air lifted over the southern mountains.

The average annual temperature ranges uniformly from 51 °F (10 °C) in the center to 60 °F (21 °C) in the northwest. The lowest temperature recorded in the state was −2 °F (−19 °C) at the peak of Mount Nightingale, while in contrast the highest recorded temperature in the state was 96 °F (36 °C) at Sizun, a small Reachman settlement in the northwest. Central Falkreath is known for its mild climate, considerable fog, frequent cloud cover and long-lasting drizzles in the winter, and warm, temperate summers, while the northwestern region occasionally experiences an extreme climate. Cold fronts from the north in the winter and heat waves in the summer are not uncommon. In the northwestern region, temperatures have reached as high as 112 °F (44 °C) and as low as −20 °F (−29 °C), both in the town of Falltorp.

Flora and Fauna
Forests cover 59% of the hold's land area, mostly north of the Jerall Mountains. Common trees and plants in the region are camassia, Brutus fir, hemlock, penstemon, ponderosa pine, western red cedar, nightshade, and many species of ferns. The state's various areas of wilderness offer sanctuary, with substantially large populations of shorebirds and marine mammals.

Mammals native to the hold include the bat, black bear, bobcat, cougar, coyote, deer, elk, gray wolf, moose, mountain beaver, muskrat, opossum, pocket gopher, raccoon, river otter, skunk, and tree squirrel. Because of the wide range of geography, Falkreath is home to several different ecoregions which allow for a varied range of bird species. This range includes raptors, shorebirds, woodland birds, grassland birds, ducks, and others. There have also been a large number of species introduced to Falkreath, dating back to the late Second Era, including horses and burros. The channel catfish, lamprey, and sturgeon are among the 400 known freshwater fishes. Along with the Illinalta frog, there are several forms of snakes that define the most prominent reptiles and amphibians. There are five species of salmon that ascend the White River.

Merethic Era
There is believed to have been a Western Dwemeri settlement in the north of Falkreath near the border of the Reach, possibly a settler outpost, supported by ancient ruins dating around ME 1200. However, evidence is dubious at best, given by the wear of the ruins and a more likely explanation that the ruins are instead the remains of a lost Nord settlement. .

The area of contemporary Falkreath is believed to have been the last area of Skyrim to have been settled during the time of the Return, with Cyrpto-Nordic stone tablets detailing the establishment of a small settlement around the contemporary location of Falkreath.

With the advent of the Night of Tears, the Nord’s grasp on Falkreath was lost and were unable to regain the region during the conquests of Ysgramor and his Five Hundred Companions.

First Era
The region of Falkreath was absorbed into the Ayleid Empire, and remained under Ayleid control until the Alessian Slave Rebellion of 1E 242, when the Men of Cyrodiil rose up against their Ayleid masters. Given Falkreath’s northern location in then-Cyrodiil, the region gained heavy influence from the neighboring states of Bruma and Chorrol, eventually becoming part of the Colovian Estates, a region of Imperial settlement defined by Colovian culture.

However, given the oppressive rule of the Alessian Priest ruling class, the Colovian Estates chose to secede from the Alessian Empire, establishing a new independent state. Despite hostility towards the Alessians, the Colovian Estates did their part during the Thrassian Plague by contributing ships to the All Flags Navy. During the War of Righteousness, Falkreath saw little combat in its lands, given fierce defense of Choroll and the impassable Jerall Mountains.

Second Era
With the rise of the warhawk Jorunn the Skald-King, the position of Falkreath was threatened, as the Skald-King saw the region of former territory of Skyrim as unjustifiably occupied, which in turn lead to the Falkreath War, in which the hold was returned to Skyrim’s control.

With the outbreak of the Tiber Wars, forces led by the petty king Cuhlecain and his general, Hjalti Early-Beard - later to be known as Tiber Septim, were able to recapture Falkreath hold and return it to the Colovian Estates. However, shortly before the establishment of the Septim Empire, plans went into effect in which Falkreath was returned to Skyrim, in order to secure peace.

Third Era
Falkreath hold remained mostly peaceful for the duration of the Third Era, save for dispatching several regiments of soldiers to reimburse the forces of Uriel III during the War of the Red Diamond.

Race and ethnicity
The Imperial Census Bureau estimated that the population of Falkreath hold was 2,674,273 in 4E 200, ranking third overall in population in Skyrim.

4.6 percent of Falkreath's population was reported as under five years of age, 20.7 percent under 18 years of age, and 11.3 percent were 65 or older.

Given its history and proximity to Cyrodiil, Falkreath is the only hold of Skyrim where the population is of majority-Imperial descent, mostly Colovian. According to the 4E 200 Imperial census, the racial composition of Falkreath was the following:
 * Imperial - 53.8% - 1,438,619
 * Nord - 46.1% - 1,234,057
 * Breton - 0.3% - 802
 * Dunmer - 0.1% - 267
 * Redguard - 0.1% - 231
 * Bosmer - 0.002% - 164
 * Altmer - 0.0009% - 56
 * Khajiit - 0.0007% - 40
 * Argonian - 0.0003% - 20
 * Orc - 0.0002% - 17

Largest Cities
The largest settlements in Falkreath hold according to the 4E 200 Imperial Census are the following:

Economy
The 4E 200 total gross economic product for Falkreath was $5 billion, and in turn the per capita GEP in 4E 200 was $1,869, ranking it xth in Skyrim. The economy of Falkreath is mainly supported by forestry, agriculture, and fishing, its largest export by far both raw and processed timber. Common crops grown in the fertile central region include peas, potatoes, apples, squash, chard, lettuce, cabbage, leeks, onion, pumpkin, sweet cherries, and hops. While the climate of Falkreath is unsuitable for vineyards, the hold is the largest grower of hops in Skyrim, its hops are commonly exported for their spicy aroma and bitter flavor. Fishing also comprises a large portion of the economy, with salmon and other freshwater fish in abundant supply. The central trade hub of the hold is defined as the shore areas of Lake Illinalta, which is the source of the White River traveling all the way up to Windhelm. Falkreath’s strongest domestic trading partners include the holds of Whiterun and Windhelm, while its strongest provincial partners are the states of northeastern Hammerfell.

Falkreath hold is connected to not only Cyrodiil, but High Rock as well via the Silver Road Interprovincial Highway, which passes through an artificial pass constructed through the Jerall Mountains, known as Jerall Silver Pass. Several railways directly connect the Capital of Falkreath to the cities of Whiterun and Markarth, while an indirect railway known as the Silver Interprovincial Rail passes through Falkreath on the way to the Imperial City, beginning all the way in the capital of High Rock, Daggerfall.

GDP Composition
According to the 4E 200 census, the number of workforce-aged citizens was recorded at 1,695,489, or 63.4% of the population, while the unemployment rate among able-bodied citizens was recorded as 213,631, or 12.6% of the population. Therefore, the workforce of Falkreath was recorded as 1,481,858. The workforce composition was recorded as 41.8% in agriculture, 11.4% in industry, and 46.8% in services.

Government and politics
Historically, Falkreath hold has been a strong supporter of the government in Cyrodiil, and its loyalty is still prevalent, as the hold is a stronghold of the Conservative party. The current Jarl of Falkreath hold is Jarl Siddgeir of Stuhn, who inherited the position from his uncle, Dengeir of Stuhn, who was forced to step down due to failing health. However,, in 4E 197, Dengeir of Stuhn brought a case to the High Court of Skyrim, alleging that he was forced to step down due to Imperial corruption. However, the case was soon dismissed when it was found that Dengeir was mentally unfit to give testimony.

Culture
The culture of Falkreath is fairly similar to that of ‘dominant’ Nord culture, with several differences; Totem poles are common sights in villages, the elders of Falkreath traditionally wear blankets stitched with native designs, and more. Yet, perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of Falkreath’s culture is the peculiar branch of the Old Nordic religion that many in the hold still worship. The Falkreath branch of the Old Nordic religion is unique in that it shares characteristics of many ancestor worship cults throughout the Empire. The people of Falkreath place a high emphasis on the honor of past ancestors and fallen comrades, perhaps stemming from Falkreath’s situation hosting many battles throughout the ages. All Nord villages in the hold are home to revered cemeteries, watched over by a Priest of Arkay, the largest in the capital city of Falkreath.