User:Kalathei95/sandbox/Provinces of the Vasurian Empire

Administrative Divisions of Vasuria
Vasuria is divided into 71 provinces (of which 5 are autonomous) and 12 imperial cities. These are generally further subdivided into regions, followed by prefectures, and then communes. Provinces and imperial cities share equal status as first-level administrative units of the empire.

Provinces (1st level)
The provinces of Vasuria are the highest level of administrative division in the country. Of the 71 provinces, 62 are located in Continental Vasuria, while the remaining nine are Overseas Vasuria scattered across the world.

Provinces were first created during the expansion of the Vasurian Republic during the 5th century PV, which necessitated the governance of newly conquered lands. Historically, provinces were governed by proconsuls who became provincial governors over the territory they administer. Today, provinces are devolved entities with significant local powers to enact laws and policies specific to the province. The head of a province is a provincial governor.

Traditionally, a distinction is made between consular provinces and praetorian provinces. Consular provinces were typically wealthy regions governed by ex-consuls, while praetorian provinces were poorer and governed by ex-praetors. Since the 910s, election to the governorship of a province no longer required politicians to serve a consulship or praetorship, and may be elected directly by popular vote. Nevertheless, the practice of assuming high office before running for provincial governor has remained popular. While provinces are still designated as either consular or praetorian, the functions have all but eroded and only exist in name.

Autonomous provinces are special provinces that exist in asymmetric federalism within Vasuria. They were originally created in the 850s for people groups of distinct cultural, economic and ethnic minorities. In addition to having their own provincial legislatures, they possess their own constitutions, and permitted to elect their own head of state. In practice, however, autonomous provinces are functionally similar to other provinces in that they are ultimately subordinate to the Vasurian Republic. Today, the title of autonomous province is merely a historic label. At present, the provinces of Barzora, Bercunia, Cara, Laensiata, and Urlexia Media are classified as autonomous provinces.

Special Provinces are similar to autonomous province, but governed with an exceptionally higher degree of autonomy. In addition to the privileges assigned by autonomous provinces, special provinces may issue their own currencies, control their monetary and fiscal policies, and conduct diplomatic relations with other countries. Historically, Special Provinces were applied to colonies, namely the mammalian colonies of the Palsan continent. Today, the only province to remain a special province is the Special Province of Arrunae with its majority scalie population.

Imperial cities are cities with provincial-level status, but do not form part of any province. Instead of governors, imperial cities are governed by an urban prefect, in addition to holding additional titles associated with the city's historical government institutions. As of 1020, Vasuria has 12 imperial cities, which includes the capital, Vasur. Vasuria has de jure two national capitals, the Imperial City of Vasur and Imperial City of Rixopolis, though all government functions, diplomatic missions and legislative buildings are located in the former.

Regions (2nd level)
Provinces are further subdivided into regions. The number of regions may vary between provinces, with some smaller provinces being coterminous with a singular region, while larger provinces may have dozens. The level of responsibility, with of regions ranges from ceremonial in some provinces (e.g. Aruva), to significant administrative responsibilities (e.g. Barzora, Ilartia). Regions are typically headed by a regional prefect.

Prefecture (3rd level)
Prefectures are third level administrative divisions below regions. Prefectures are governed by prefectural councils which are led by a prefect. Generally, prefectures are responsible for the maintenance of local infrastructure (such as roads, refuse collection and emergency services). Police districts are also coterminous with prefectures, though larger prefectures in larger provinces may subdivide them further into smaller police districts.

Commune (4th level)
Communes form the smallest administrative unit of Vasuria. Communes were established in ancient times as a means of local village administration, and today, are responsible for essential public services. Today, communes are responsible for essential public services, including the issuance of birth and death certifications.

Demographics
The population of Vasuria (as of the 1019 Vasurian Census) is 512,428,672, with a population growth rate of 0.582 from 1014-1019. A majority of its population, about 80%, live in urban areas while the remainder live in rural areas. About 15% of it's population, mostly marine folk, live in underwater settlements. Given the country's mountainous terrain, most of the country's population reside along the coast and major rivers. The most populous province is Barzora with over 32 million people, while the least populous province is Vasurian Rhychonia (an overseas province) at 28,314 people. Population densities vary wildly across the country. The Napallum-Vasur Metropolitan Area alone constituting around 22 million people, and is sixth largest metropolitan area by the number of people. The least densely populated area within the contiguous portion of Vasuria is Inner Thupravia, while the overseas province of Vasurian Rhychonia is even more sparsely populated at 0.028 people per km2.

In 1018, the birth rate in Vasuria is 13.85 per 1,000 residents for a total fertility rate of 2.0. The death rate as of 1018 is 7.90 per 1,000 people. The natural increase is +5.0. Vasuria experienced several waves of immigration throughout its history, beginning in the 800s during the national's industrial boom, mostly from ex-colonial countries including Lavania, Nova Rhybalia and East Ebretia. Emigration from Vasuria mostly occurred during periods of political instability and civil war. The Pentarchic Civil War (949 – 961) saw significant immigration of Vasurians to Icyria, Rudia and Mammalian Palsan countries, only for this to reverse post-war. Since 1010, Vasuria welcomes over 1.1 million new immigrants each year, a number likely to increase as a result of the Icyrian Political Crisis (1019–present).

Ethnicity
See also: Ethnicity in Vasuria According to the 1019 Vasurian Census, 66.69% of Vasurians were mammals, 9.01% avians, 6.45% scalies, 0.93% arthropods and 0.31% other. Vasuria, specifically the region of Cara and Alphatia, is the homeland and birthplace of the mammal race. According to the Imperial University of Baeticia Department of Social Sciences, lions were amongst the first to roam the regions of Alphatia, before migrating westwards towards the Blue Sea. According to the Vasurian Ministry of Home Affairs, leonine people make up anywhere between 0.5-1.0% of Vasuria's mammal population. Rodents make up the majority of the country's mammal population at around 7-10%. Non-leonine felines and canines share 6% each. The number of equines, bovines, caprines and others are not certain at a national level. Ethnic differences are more pronounced provincially, with some provinces predominated by certain mammal and non-mammal races.

Of the non-Mammalian population, about 60% are Non-mammal Vasurians whilst 40% are non-mammals from other countries. Some provinces in Vasuria have non-mammalian majorities, such as the Province of Lycrisa and Morsa with 58.38% being non-mammalian, and the Province of Arrunae being 71.86% scalie.

The Vasurian Census officially defines the race and ethnicity in the country. For more than a millennia since its inception, despite being felines, lions are designated leonidus/leonida by the Vasurian Census, reflecting their status as the ruling class, while all other felines are simply grouped together as felinus/felina. Other mammalian designations include equina, canina, phocas, taurina, caprina, porcina, rodentia, sciura, cuniculus, orca and delphina. Avians are all classified as avarius/avaria without further distinction as a result of discriminatory practices against Avians, mostly from Icyria. Scalies are divided into lacerta, serpentina, crocodilia, draconaria, dinosauria and testudo. Marine creatures are categorised into two major groups: squala and piscaria. .Arthropods only receive the designation: arthropoda. The issue of race became increasingly controversial in the 950s. Criticised by politicians, scholars, scientists and minority rights activists alike, the Vasurian Census's racial classification were considered racist and outdated. The Ethnic Act 975 officially abolished the requirement for citizens and permanent residences in Vasuria needing to state their ethnicity on all official documents within the designations provided by the Vasurian Census.

Languages
Officially, the Vasurian Republic recognises one national language and two official languages. Vasurian is the national and official language, while Heclivinian is an official language, it is not a national one. The terms 'national language' and 'imperial language' are interchangeable. As co-official languages, Vasurian and Heclivinian are the language of imperial administration, education, diplomacy and prestige. Both languages are major world languages, and are spoken by over 480 million bilingual speakers across the empire with varying degrees of fluency in either one of them. Historically, during the reign of the Bovine Emperors, Urlexian was made a co-national language with Vasurian, but this was eventually dropped when the reign of the bovines came to an end.

Owing the vast size of the empire, regional languages, such as Icyrian, Pavanungi, Carian and Laensiatan are spoken within Vasuria. Each province and imperial city designates their own official language(s) and may or may not adopt Vasurian nor Heclivinian as official languages. This is the case for most northern provinces where Urlexian is the sole language official language in 11 provinces. Monolingualism is rare even in provinces with singular official languages, as the Imperial Language Act 916 makes it mandatory for all schools empire wide to give Vasurian or Heclivinian classes from primary school onwards.

Vasurian
Vasurian is enshrined in the Vasurian Constitution as imperatae lingua (the language of the commanded). It is the national language of Vasuria. 36% of the country's population use Vasurian as an L1 language, while 86% use it as an L2 language (data according to a 1018 report by the Imperial Vasurian Language Academy).

Vasurian forms a dialectal continuum across the country, with local varieties and dialects specific to different regions and provinces. The prestige dialect of Vasurian is Standard Vasurian (Lingua Vasuriana prima, lit. 'Prime Vasurian Language') which is based off the the dialect of the capital city of Vasur. It is used in media, speeches, instruction, diplomacy and formal occasions. The Imperial Vasurian Language Academy established in 802 is the principal academic body that overseas the Vasurian language. Vasurian is taught in school from the first year onwards, be it as a primary or secondary language, up until the last year of secondary school when Vasurian is no longer a compulsory language. Nevertheless, Vasurian remains the language of instruction in most institutes of higher learning primarily in the central and northern half of the empire.

The Vasurian language is conventionally subdivided into 9 regional dialects which includes: Cellipera-Napallum-Vasur (or CNV) Vasurian, Telodian Vasurian, Cuvorian Vasurian, Arrulian Valley Vasurian, Piregian Vasurian, Northern Vasurian, Northeastern Vasurian, Insular Vasurian and Southern Vasurian. Each dialects become increasingly mutually unintelligible the further any two given dialects are from each other. Dialectal variations are on a decline amongst younger generations as standardised education, industrialisation, internal migration, modern communication technology and widespread use of social media are increasingly assimilating dialects more or less towards Standard Vasurian.

Heclivinian
Heclivinian is the other co-official language of Vasuria. It is spoken as a first language by 44% of Vasurians, while 92% use it as a second language.

Heclivinian acquired co-official status with Vasurian in 601 PV, even though the former had been used even in government functions for well over eight centuries. The Heclivinian language is prevelant within the provinces of the southern portion of the empire, from the provinces of Greater Heclivinia, the Maritime Madrucian Provinces and Vasurian Orumia (i.e. Rhaïzacia, Icyria, Tsalpus and Barzora). Vasuria owes much of its political, linguistic, cultural, philosophical, scientific and religious influence from Heclivinian culture. Traditionally, Vasurian elites were taught Heclivinian prose, rhetoric, politics and philosophy as a mark of their aristocratic status. Today, Heclivinian is taught as a primary language of instruction in provinces where Heclivinian is the main language of communication.

Modern Standard Heclivinian is based off Paunaeonian Heclivinian, the prestige dialect spoken by residents of the Imperial City of Paunaeum. Despite this, Azartic Heclivinian (or Southern Empire Heclivinian) is the most commonly spoken variety of Heclivinian which comprises 60 million speakers. Other dialects with over a million speakers include Rixopolitan Heclivinian, Xantiphon Heclivinian, Garchian Heclivinian, Baetician Heclivinian amongst others. Due to the linguistic diversity of Heclivinian, some dialects are more mutually unintelligible than others. Speakers of different Heclivinian dialects might switch to Paunaeonian Heclivinian to facilitate inter-dialectal communication.

Heclivinian is also found as a creole in Southern Barzora where it is used as a lingua franca for 9 million of its inhabitants.

Urlexian
Urlexian is an official language in many provinces in the northern portion of the empire.

Religion
Religion in Vasuria

The 1019 Vasurian Census records 32.2% of residents as Orthodox Carianists, down from 34.5% from 1009. 21.8% of residents are irreligious, which comprises agnostics and atheists. Avecites make up 8.4% and are mostly concentrated amongst it's Avian population. Moucomites at 7%, folk religions (including ancestral worship, animism, shamanism and mana mysticism) at 6.5%, Madrucism at 6.2%, Sexenonism at 4.5% and Doeism at 3.2%. The remaining 10.2% constitute other religions and those undeclared.

Orthodox Carianism
Orthodox Carianism, a polytheistic religion of the Carian Pantheon, is the official state religion of the Vasurian Republic. Morixius, the god of law, morality and justice, is the patron and protector of the Vasuria state since 751 when he replaced Tinos with the passing of Lex Abraxia et Borougoea (or The Tinosian Replacement). Orthodox Carianism became the dominant religion on the Vasurian continent during the rise of the Carian Empire, and even after its fall, remains the dominant religion until the modern era. For many centuries, Orthodox Carianism shaped Vasurian politics. The position of Pontifex Maximus, the Supreme Pontiff of Vasuria, is the highest religious authority in Vasuria, and Primus inter pares (first among equals) within the International Fellowship of the Orthodoxy.

In modern times, the exact degree of religiosity amongst Orthodox Carianists is not precise. The Fellowship of the Orthodoxy in 1017 found 33% of Carianists attend church on a weekly basis, 45% once or a few times a month, 13% a few times a year, and 9% once in a few years or never. Religiosity is also geographically concentrated in different parts of the empire more than others. In the same survey, 95.3% of Narexia's population self-professed the Orthodox Carianist faith, while Comedula stands at 8.3%. The orthodoxy is traditionally concentrated in its mammalian population; its churches, temples and shrines can be found all over the empire.

Avecitism
Avecitism, one of the world's oldest organised religions, arrived on the Vasurian continent from Rudia sometime in the 10th century AV. Avecitism's propensity of forming political cohorts, and its association with Icyria, have seen it come into conflict with the Vasurian state on numerous occasions. Aveticism was at one point banned empire-wide during the reign of bovine emperor Rigatus when Avecites refused to participate in sacrifices to the Imperial cult. The Religious Freedoms Act 599, lifted the ban on Avecitism, though this was done largely as a means to appease its Avian population.

Avecitism is the second largest religion in the empire with over 8.4% adhering to the faith, most of them being Avians. Vasuria is home to many important Avecite temples of religious significance, including the Grand Temple of Hatrunga in the city of Reion and the Sepulchre of Razartardes near the city of Acheniobus. The highest concentration of Avecites are found in the Provinces of Rhaïzacia and Icyria where they have 63.2% and 72.6%.

Moucomitism
Moucomitism, the native religion of Barzora has a significant following in Vasuria. Modern Moucomitism (a syncretism between Orthodox Carians and Moucomitism) is the most commonly practised school in Vasuria at over 80% of adherents. The remaining 20% practice Old Moucomitism, an ultra-orthodox school of Moucomitism that rejects the additions of Orthodox Carian elements. Moucomitism is mostly found in Barzora, though it could be found across the world in small Barzoran diaspora communities.