[Factbook] Kingdom of Giovanniland

[Giovanniland]

Kingdom of Giovanniland
(Giovannese: Regno de Giovanniterra)

Overview - History (Auran - Andolian - Unified) - Geography - Politics - Demographics - Economy - Culture

[Giovanniland]

Overview
Location (green) in Aura and Andolia:

Capital and largest city: Giovannia

Official language: Giovannese

Ethnic groups:
93% Giovannese
7% others

Religion:
72% Iantenism
24% no religion
4% others

Demonym: Giovannilandian (Giovannese: Giovanniterrano/a)

Government: Parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy

King: Giovanni VI
Prime Minister: Elisa Anario-Silva
Senato President: Flavio Paldeno Kesari
Chief Justice: Numeria Dolabella

Legislature: Senato

Formation:

Lavandulan civilization: c. 2500 BF
Abrentan civilization: c. 300 BF
Giovannian Empire: 16 January 560 AF
Kingdom of Giovanniland: 15 June 1225 AF

Total area: 395,107 km² (152,552 sq mi)

Population: 29,305,150
Density: 74.2/km² (192.1/sq mi)

GDP (nominal): 1.4 billion IMU (𝒜$2.25 billion)
GDP per capita: 48,000 IMU (𝒜$76,800)
Currency: Abrio (𝒜)

Time zone: IAT+0
Calling codes: +2 64 (Aura) and +3 64 (Andolia)
Letter codes: GI and GIO

Giovanniland, officially the Kingdom of Giovanniland (Giovannese: Regno de Giovanniterra), is a kingdom in the Darkesian Sea region between the continents of Aura and Andolia. It is the only transcontinental country of Esferos, with the Auran part of the country being in central Lavender Island, and the Andolian part in that continent's northern mountainous lands. Giovanniland shares land borders with Blue Bubble and Minsu in Aura, as well as Tupmonia, Fhaengshia, and Varanius in Andolia. The nation's territory adds up to a total of 395,107 km² divided into 11 regions and inhabited by nearly 30 million people. The capital and largest city is Giovannia, while other major cities include Porto Violeto, Andoliavilla, Urido and Abrentopole.

In ancient times, the northern part of Auran Giovanniland was home to the famous Lavandulans. City-states were formed in the 23th century BF, and their territorial expansion ushered in the Lavandulan Empire, which enjoyed a golden age after conquering northern Lavender Island. Shortly before the ancient empire fell, the Abrentan civilization arrived into the island, coming south from The Holy Principality of Saint Mark. The Abrentan Republic was founded in 291 BF and came to dominate the island's southwest, later establishing contact with the Lavandulans in 259 AF to start an era of friendly relations between both civilizations, which unified into a single state called the Giovannian Empire in 560 AF. Many civilizations also thrived in the modern-day lands of Andolian Giovanniland, most notably the Beremean dynasties known for advanced technology in ancient times, the Ulerge Khanate who came to supplant the Bereme as the ruling civilization in the area at the end of antiquity, and the Ardala Khanate who overthrew their previous overlords to reach a new peak of territory and influence during the late medieval age.

The Giovannian Empire came to be the first and only state to unify Lavender Island following wars against the Glendora and Minsunese peoples in 631 and 689 respectively, and also annexed the Doyan Islands to the southeast. In the following century, economic ambitions led to the colonization of the Ardala Khanate and the Fhaengshian realms, ushering in the Golden Age of the Empire from 792 to 1039, later expanding to northern Varanius. The empire's zenith saw the great navigations to found trading posts across the five continents, including new trading routes towards Nur through the large Viatic Ocean. After the Golden Age, most territories and colonies regained independence, but the Empire retained its hold in the former Khanate's lands. The Kingdom of Giovanniland's formation in 1225 saw the beginning of democracy within a semi-constitutional monarchy, and the nation fully industrialized soon after. In the 14th century, left-wing parties came to prominence and enacted policies in favor of a full welfare state, workers' rights, environmental safety and other key social issues, laying the foundations for the contemporary Giovanniland.

Giovanniland is a developed nation with a high GDP of $1.4 trillion and GDP per capita of $48,000. The national economy is driven by the tertiary sector with notable contributions from Finances and Technology, whereas Tourism is also important due to the nation's cultural prowess and eco-friendly options, and the industries of the secondary sector play a relevant role as well. Furthermore, the country is a strong trade connection between the continents of Aura and Andolia and has strong diplomatic relations with several other nations, most notably the centuries-long Treaty of Syntilla with Saint Mark, and the Tri-Lavender Treaty providing extensive cooperation with Minsu and Blue Bubble. Together with an advanced national military of 165,558 personnel, these aspects make Giovanniland a significant regional power.

Giovanniland is named after Triumvir Giovanni of the Abrentan Republic. He spearheaded the proposal to unify the Abrentan and Lavandulan peoples after centuries of trading and strong friendship, in order to better defend each other and integrate the two cultures, and fought to have this vision fulfilled while his son Iulio completed the plan. Giovannilandian is the official demonym for any inhabitant of Giovanniland, while the distinct term Giovannese refers to the majority ethnic group.

[Giovanniland]

Auran History

Ancient Lavandula

One of the earliest known cultures in Lavender Island are the Proto-Lavandulan-Minsunese, which developed starting from 6000 BF on the eastern coast. This culture began to split in 4000 BF into the Lavandulans, who migrated to the northern coast, and the Minsunese, who settled in the southeast. The Lavandulans had a long journey westward until settling between two major river deltas in 2500 BF, the Purpuro River to the west and the Gratioso River to the east. Following this initial settlement period, city-states arose by 2200 BF and writing of the Lavandulan language began to develop, starting the early Lavandulan City-States era.

Proposed approximate dates for the beginning and division of the Proto-Lavandulan-Minsunese people.

The first five major settlements founded by the Lavandulans were named Urido, Lunzeno (modern-day Quorivo), Dazano, Medottano, and Osellio. The inhabitants venerated a wide range of deities, most notably the sky god and creator of the world Kalgio, as well as the water goddess Lugiuna, which guided the Lavandulans throughout the coasts of Lavender Island until their homeland between the two sacred rivers. After decades of oral tradition, the 21th century BF saw the creation of the first religious texts. One of the central concepts is Ianteno, the sacred and prosperous way, which all faithful Lavandulans sought to attain by partaking in religious activities, doing good actions for others, and protecting nature. From there the religion gained its name, later translated into Common to Iantenism.

The growth in power and wealth of the city-states, as well as the first recorded wars in Lavandulan history, mark the start of the Middle Lavandulan City-States era. Urido conquered Dazano and other eastern settlements to establish the first major realm in 1808 BF, and Lunzeno waged a successful war against Medottano in 1795 BF. These two major realms coexisted for four decades until a dispute over the eastern city of Davello resulted in a war won by Lunzeno in 1749 BF, founding the first unified Lavandulan polity and dominating for half a century. City-state dominance did not last for much more than a few decades—for example an alliance between Dazano and Osellio successfully toppled the Lunzeno regime at the dawn of the 17th century BF, with Dazano thereafter ruling over the northern city-states and Osellio over the southern ones.

After the fall of Dazano in 1599 BF, conflict for twenty decades ensued until the rise of Medottano, beginning the Late Lavandulan City-States era. A positive aspect of the constant warfare between cities is that it allowed progress in Lavandula's development, which benefitted Medottano's prosperous rule for seven decades and saw even further expansion of Lavandulan settlements, for example the founding of Kharventhin. However, the fall of Medottano dominance in 1505 BF ushered in a tumultuous century, and it only came to an end with the rise of Urido, which sought the chance to reestablish its former glory. The city-state initially created alliances with others but later went in a conquest of all the civilization from 1423 to 1399 BF, after which the ruler Kezeno centralized power and founded the Lavandulan Empire.

Lavandulan Empire

The Lavandulan Empire's expansion over the centuries.

Upon founding the Lavandulan Empire on 1394 BF, Kezeno I established the first of several dynasties, causing enduring changes to the civilization. The emperor's lineage prominently featured the rainforest lavender in their coat of arms, which eventually led to the civilization being known as Lavandulans. Another change that started some time before was a Iantenist shift to monotheism, in which the different gods and goddesses' powers were grouped in the figure of Kalgio. By the end of the Kezeno Dynasty in 1320 BF this was well solidified, and helped legitimate further imperial rule—as there is only one god in heaven, there could only be one ruler on the earth.

Control then passed on to the Andago Dynasty, which led a vast expansion across northern Lavender Island and ruled until 1132 BF. The daughter of the founder Andago I oversaw the first western expansion during her rule and thus gained the epithet of western conqueror, Nugalla I, establishing the provinces of Darrua and Tovaria. A few decades later the empire expanded to the east, under the reign of the emperors Sargalla I and Kezeno III. The conquest happened from 1233 to 1206 BF, and two new provinces called Sartano and Zabiara provinces were created beyond the Ortano River.

Due to the expansion, contact between the Lavandulan and Minsunese civilization became much easier, and a trade route was opened. Furthermore, one of the later rulers Galzeno I decided to expand southwards, in order have a better defensible border at the Great Lavender Range cutting through the center of the island. Although he did not live to see his project's completion, his daughter finished it in 1159 BF and was also named in a similar style to previous great military leaders, Liogalla I, meaning the southern conqueror. Two southern provinces were created, with capital cities at the new settlements of Palkarma and Sisumara.

After the Andago Dynasty ended with the last emperor's heirless death, a brief conflict erupted among several pretenders. Zerina I emerged victorious, founding a dynasty that lasted from 1132 to 1024 BF. This dynasty focused on consolidating control over newly acquired territories rather than expanding further. Notable emperors include Mipano II who established the Lavender Festival that has been celebrated ever since, Nima II known for her severe persecution of pagans, and Lodago II who promoted knowledge, writing, and the arts. The line ended after Galzeno II's two children started a civil war for the throne, causing General Zodeno to pacify the empire and go on to establish his own dynasty.

The Zodeno Dynasty lasted from 1026 to 916 BF, and was eager to expand the Empire's territory in order to control the entire northern coast of Lavender Island. Empress Sargalla II and his son Sargalla III led the Second Eastern Expansion from 1010 to 973 BF, crossing the Nazano River and adding three provinces. This expansion went as far as the Margia River, giving the empire a direct border with Minsunese polities in the south and facilitating trade. The later rulers Zodeno II and Nugalla II also led a minor western expansion from 944 to 930 BF.

After Nugalla's death in 921 BF, the empire was briefly divided until Punsogo from the east unified the lands, founding his own dynasty that lasted until 830 BF. During this period, Lavandula's territory remained stable, and rulers like Lodago III and Galzeno III became notable for large infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Great Trans-Lavandulan Road which improved communication and trade between provinces. The improvements during the Punsogo Dynasty set the stage for the Dezena Dynasty, who saw the importance of projecting power beyond its established borders.

During the rule of Dezena I, the Empire started to increase maritime power and influence over the lands south of the Great Lavender Range. She spent resources to improve the Lavandulan navy for more maritime voyages, and her son led military advances near the mountains. Many great Lavandulan achievements happened over the following decades, such as a successful expedition to the source of the Purpuro River in 790 BF, the beginning incursions beyond the Lavender Range in 772 BF, the creation of a protectorate over the southwestern peoples in 761 BF, the start of a trade network connecting all major peoples of Lavender Island in 725 BF, and the first circumnavigation of the island in 690 BF.

 

Major cities of the Lavandulan Empire during its peak.

In 634 BF, a harmonious transition of power ushered in the Giazo Dynasty, which initially continued the empire's prosperous rule under its founder Giazo I and his son Kezeno VI. However, signs of stagnation were emerging for a while, foreshadowing future challenges. The ambitious endeavors of Giazo's grandson Norbo II precipitated a period of instability—he sought to surpass previous emperors and launched a formidable naval expedition to explore distant lands in the Darkesian Sea, but the fleet never returned home and the emperor was presumed dead. The following rulers struggled to contain the fallout and achieve popularity, amid rebellions both at home and the empire's protectorates in the south, marking the start of a long decline.

The assassination of Zodeno V in 520 BF started an eleven-year interregnum before the Zutrino Dynasty came to power, which did not manage to address the empire's deteriorating situation. The emperor Punsogo IV declared the end of the southern protectorate in 484 BF, retreating from any territory beyond the mountains in a bid to increase stability. However, the Western Invasion in 432 BF saw the loss of the Nupiano province, where the inhabitants were gradually replaced by other ethnic groups and the Lavandulans living there migrated to the central lands. Turmoil after the assassination of Paldeno III in 406 BF caused an interregnum called the Forty-Five Years' Anarchy, an era of Lavandulan history with constant warfare and rapid succession of military rulers, weakening central power and increasing regional autonomy.

During this time of turmoil, the eastern border provinces of Metogo and Turano were lost, since emperors focused on keeping the core lands of empire stable and these provinces were less integrated into Lavandulan culture than others. After imperial control resumed, the two last Lavandulan dynasties inherited a much weakened empire with less territory than before. The short Dorrio Dynasty ruled from 361 to 305 BF, and its last ruler Zerina V achieved an unusually long reign of 24 years but at the price of giving in to local rulers' demands of more autonomy. A high-ranked noble named Karpo overthrew the old empress and proceeded to reverse her policies, albeit too late to salvage the empire's authority, and rebellions resurfaced. The empire officially came to an end with the assassination of the last ruler Kezeno VIII on 249 BF by a noble from Lunzeno, called Norbo, who founded a duchy based on that city instead.

Abrentan Civilization

During the Medieval Age, the territory that is now Giovanniland was inhabited by the multiple post-imperial Lavandulan states often warring against each other in the north, the indigenous highland Akallians in the center that previously were subjects of the Lavandulan Empire, and the rising Abrentan civilization in the southwestern coast. The Abrentans originally inhabited the southern coasts of The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, but when the expansion of the mountain-dwelling northern Saint Markans to the south started in 390 BF, the Abrentans fled the region, unlike the other groups that blended to form Saint Mark. The Great Abrentan Migration happened during the 4th century BF, passing through the Darkesian Sea and arriving into Lavender Island.

The expansion of Abrento throughout its various historical periods.

The Abrentans settled between the Amora and Keleste rivers at first, creating an unified state called the Abrentan Republic and founding their first capital Amorante in the year of 291 BF at the Amora River delta. Other important cities of their core territory were Porto Violeto, now the nation's most important port and second largest city, and Baia Bella near the mouth of the Abrio River. Soon they reached the long Festino River in the south and founded cities like Abrentopole and Illamme. The 2nd century BF featured the final additions to the classical Abrentan territory, advancing south until the Florino River. The end of this territorial expansion, the change of capitals from Amorante to Abrentopole in 135 BF, and the consolidation of the civilization's political system together mark the start of Abrento's Classical Era.

Political power ultimately lay on the Senato Abrenti and the two leaders it elected annually. Other lower-level assemblies and offices also existed, dealing with matters such as justice, regional issues, and various day-to-day administration tasks. Although democratic principles were a key part of the Abrentan identity, the presence of wealthy families in several of these public positions was significant, meaning that popular influence on the state's decisions was limited. Abrento sometimes faced political turmoil, for example when the Senato was mired in internal power struggles and disagreements, or when certain regions seceded from the Republic when they felt marginalized by the decisions made in the capital.

Despite these challenges, the Abrentans lauded their democratic principles in contrast to autocratic societies on the island. In the early period of Abrento's Classical Era, the efficiency of the political system was evidenced by numerous infrastructure projects, such as roads which connected the multiple Abrentan cities and facilitated trade with neighbors such as Minsu to the east. Military development intensified for the civilization to incorporate the Akallian highland territories into the Abrentan realm, founding on the way more cities further upstream in the Amora River and reaching its source in 13 AF.

Towards the end of this period, powerful families from the former capital Amorante and other western cities revolted in 31 AF, due to their dwindling influence in comparison to the capital Abrentopole in the south. They founded the Duchy of Amora and were joined by the Akallians, who declared an independent confederacy in opposition to Abrentan expansion in their lands. The Republic's territory was significantly reduced until its leadership decided to open negotiations with the duke of Amora and agreed to grant more political influence to his area. The now reunited state proceeded to launch an expedition to recover its northern territories, finally subjugating the Akallian Confederacy in 80 AF.

Subsequently, the Middle Classical Era was marked by persistent warfare against internal and external foes. In the north, although the Akallian Confederacy had been dissolved, its inhabitants often continued in animosity to their Abrentan suzerains. Further military advances were made northwards to incorporate more of their territory, but on the other hand, citizenship was also granted so they could participate more in the Abrentan society, reducing the risk of further rebellions. Abrentan attention then turned to the east, where local tribes started to attack trade routes and interrupt Abrentan-Minsunese trade, solved by expeditions past the Florino River that founded new cities and established a direct border with Minsu.

However, the bigger threat to the unity of the Republic during the 2nd century AF was internal discontent due to the centralization of power into the two cities of Amorante and Abrentopole, the administrative and economical centers. There were several rebellions in the periphery, such as the Edrense Peninsula to the south of Abrentopole, the Akallian highlands once more, and the cities of the newly explored rainforest regions in the northwest. However, the Republic averted collapse through reforms allowing greater regional representation, ultimately reunifying in 218 AF after several decades of turmoil.

An overview of the major polities within the Abrentan civilization.

Luckily, Abrentan development continued even in the midst of regional conflicts. They had a goal to establish a direct border with the great civilization to the north that they had heard tales about, the Lavandulans, and pursuit for this aim intensified in the early 3rd century AF. Settlements were founded upstream in the Abrio River, whose source was reached soon after, and the Abrentans finally crossed the great Gratioso River of the Lavandulans in 259 AF to begin the trade between the two civilizations. Religious syncretism led to the Abrentans adhering to the monotheist Iantenism with some influence from their initial polytheist beliefs, since Kalgio was identified with the ruler of the Abrentan pantheon.

The period after the initial Abrentan-Lavandulan contact is deemed the Late Classical Era, a golden era for the Abrentans due to the money and goods earned from trade. During this period, the Abrentans expanded eastwards and found a new branch of the Great Lavender Range, concurrent with the settlement of the Ameno River valley. After two centuries of unprecedented development, the Classical Era ended in 442 AF with the decision to expand the Republic's leadership from two to three leaders, forming the Abrentan triumvirates to better represent the newer regions. The Post-Classical Era initially saw continued prosperity but also witnessed political intrigue and bureaucratic complexity between the triumvirates and the Senato.

This led to increasing instability starting from 490 AF, which also coincided with times of trouble for the Lavandulan civilization. A proposal was made in 548 AF by Triumvir Giovanni to unify both civilizations to better defend the two and solve the ongoing issues, given the centuries of trade and friendly relations. Tutteno V of the New Lavandulan Empire supported Giovanni's proposal, and his daughter Nima VII married Giovanni's son Iulio to strengthen the alliance. However, the unification goal was met with opposition by the other triumvirs Kornelio and Sabino. Although Kornelio's military mutinied to Giovanni's cause and assassinated their former ruler in 551 AF, Sabino stood on in the south, causing the last war of the Abrentan Republic. Although Giovanni was killed in the First Siege of Abrentopole that failed in 555 AF, his son Iulio changed some military tactics and successfully sieged the city in the second attempt, putting an end to the republic on 26 September 559.

Post-Imperial Lavandula

Following the final Lavandulan emperor's assassination in 249 BF, most of the imperial provinces continued as independent states, aside from those in the periphery that were abandoned by the Lavandulans after invasions from foreign peoples. These nine independent states came to be known by their respective capital cities' names—Lunzeno (replacing Urido), Osellio, Zedrillo, Gimussa, Palkarma, Sisumara, Gruzio, Devaio and Zussino. The period immediately after the imperial fall was unfortunate for the Lavandulan population, stuck in a time of insecurity and wars between the newly-independent states.

Over the next century, some states stabilized while others faced turmoil. The Grand Duchy of Lunzeno explored some lands to the west of the Purpuro River that had been lost by the empire in the Western Invasion two centuries before, but in 209 BF it also lost all lands east of the Gratioso River to the rising Principality of Dazano, with which it also partitioned the lands of the fallen Principality of Osellio after 157 BF. In the south, the states of Gimussa and Zedrillo united into a single realm in 182 BF, the Duchy of Andamussa. It soon crafted a mutual defense alliance with the southern Marquisate of Palkarma, a realm that gained prominance after annexing in 149 BF its neighbor to the east Sisumara. As for the former Lavandulan provinces of Metogo and Turano, non-Lavandulan governments formed there and soon the Minsunese religion of Gaoism made inroads.

After a period of relative peace, a coup in the Principality of Dazano happened in 5 AF, when the sitting prince Senino was overthrown by his younger brother Navano. The latter had expansionist plans and dreamt of bringing all the Lavandulan lands back under one single ruler, and he started by declaring war against Lunzeno in 17 AF, winning the conflict after two decades. Navano's son Lozano sought to incorporate the other states, but was met with resistance, and the dream of reunifying all of Lavandula was shelved when Lozano's son Zopello faced a rebellion led by the grandson of the deposed grand duke of Lunzeno in 98 AF. Other Lavandulan states aided in the rebellion, and in 116 AF the siege of Dazano was concluded, causing the death of Zopello in his palace. The core area of Dazano fell into smaller realms, leading to Lunzeno's resurgence as the dominant power.

Major Lavender Island polities and cultures in 135 BF, the start of the Classical Era of Abrento.

In the states of Gruzio, Devaio, and Zussino that were east of the Ortano River, Gaoism started to gain popularity after missionaries came from Minsu in the 1st century AF. A long conflict due to border disputes later started between two of these states, the County of Zussino and Duchy of Gruzio, which ended with the victory of the former and foundation of a new Grand Duchy. Meanwhile, Lunzeno faced some breakaway states, losing its southern lands to a restored Principality of Osellio in 159 AF, which annexed the small successor states of Dazano and started to threaten its former overlords. The grand dukes of Lunzeno managed to reestablish control in 190 BF, and also punished the Duchy of Andamussa and the County of Palkarma that had given support to Osellio. They became vassal states until 232 AF, after which they unified into a single state called the Grand Duchy of Iampelsa.

A significant turning point for Lavandula happened in 259 AF, when the Abrentans reached the Gratioso River and established contact with the Lavandulans. The ensuing trade greatly improved the situation of the Grand Duchy of Iampelsa, whose missionaries traveled south to Abrento and converted the local population, which was important for Iantenism given that it was losing ground to Gaoism in the eastern Lavandulan realms. Envious of Iampelsa's success, Lunzeno started an invasion, but it failed and they were forced to give up all territory east of the Gratioso River in 344 AF, giving Iampelsa sea access. This was followed by a second war that resulted in the annexation of Lunzeno's remaining territories by Tutteno, the grand duke of Iampelsa, who decided to found the New Lavandulan Empire in 381 AF.

In 418 AF, emperor Tutteno II sought to annex the Grand Duchy of Zussino and County of Devaio to the east. Tensions between these two realms had started half a century before, weakening both states, and Tutteno also hoped that a conquest would reintroduce the prestige of Iantenism in these lands. The successful Siege of Devaio took place in 434 AF leading to the annexation of the county, and the duke of Zussino surrendered after eighteen years of war, uniting the civilization after several centuries of division. Although Tutteno II died before this great achievement, his three children Zodeno VII, Kezeno IX, and Zevano I then led the unified Empire to prosperous years.

However, internal strife erupted after Zevano's heirless death, worsened by Minsunese intervention to protect Gaoist interests, and the Abrentan inability to send significant help due to their own turmoil. All the lands to the east of the Ortano River were lost to Minsu by 530 AF, while the imperial throne saw the quick succession of several emperors. Lavandula only stabilized during the reign of Emperor Lodago IV, and his brother Tutteno V further improved the situation by signing a new alliance with Triumvir Giovanni of Abrento, with the goal of unifying the two civilizations. This new pact was strengthened by the marriage between Tutteno's daughter Nima and Giovanni's son Iulio, although it was met with opposition by the other Abrentan triumvirs, so Tutteno sent important aid for Giovanni to bring all Abrento under his rule by 559 AF, after which the two civilizations became unified under a single realm.

[Giovanniland]

Andolian History

Insulare, Bereme and Inte

The major native Andolian civilizations in the territory that is today Giovandolia.

Several indigenous peoples have lived for thousands of years in the northern Andolian land that is today part of Giovanniland, inhabiting different areas of various geographical features and biomes throughout the land, such as the coastal lowlands, the large chains of mountains passing through the middle, and the valleys to the south. The mysterious Insulare civilization has the earliest archeological records, being contemporary with the Proto-Lavandulan-Minsunese in Lavender Island, and by 4000 BF they had formed a civilization in the islands known today as Isule Annovi (New Year Islands). Much about the Insulare is still unknown, including their native name and their undeciphered writing system. However they were known for their commerce prowess, and records from the mainland show that trade with the Insulare was flourishing by the end of the Early Insulare Era, conventionally ending at 2300 BF.

The oldest civilization in the mainland are the Bereme people, who migrated downstream through the great Irto River between the years of 3500 and 2500 BF, and went on to create city-states throughout the river's course, with advanced irrigation systems. Old Bereme scriptures have emerged since 2400 BF, and soon local kingdoms fought for prominence, until the unification in 2152 BF. The first rulers over the unified civilization founded a dynasty, and focused on consolidating the new state as well as spreading the native religion. The second and third dynasties undertook a coastal expansion starting in 1980 BF, while also interacting with the Insulare colonies founded on the mainland during the Middle Insulare Era, and the Inte people to the west of the Bereme.

Following the collapse of the third dynasty in 1887 BF, a century of turmoil ensued, marked by foreign influence by the Insulare and internal division. The Inte people also migrated eastwards during this period, settling lands to the west and east of the Irto River, adding to the upheaval. However, the fourth dynasty reunified the civilization, and their rulers are also known for building several magnificent temples. Prosperity for the Beremeans ensued during the 17th to 15th centuries BF, featuring the fifth dynasty who conquered the Inte homelands and the sixth dynasty who led the navigation of the upper Irto River and founded many new settlements.

Unfortunately, the able rulers of the sixth dynasty were succeeded by weak ones from the brief seventh dynasty, followed by division into northern and southern realms in 1377 BF. The eighth and tenth dynasties ruled the north, and were heavily influenced by the Insulare, who were at the height of their power and wealth, while the ninth and eleventh ruled the south. The ninth dynasty emperors were ethnic Inte, who had invaded parts of the Bereme territory as revenge and decided to establish their dynasty. However, they were overthrown in the year of 1235 BF by the native eleventh dynasty, who came to defeat the northern invaders and unify the Bereme civilization.

While this all played out, new civilizations developed to the south and east of the Bereme. They all had common ancestry from the Proto-Boreandolian culture, which lasted from 3000 BF to around 1500 BF. It then divided into the southern branch, which developed into the Emüne civilization to the south of the Giovandolian Range, and into the northern branch composed by two cultures. These eventually separated into the Ardala civilization in the northern coasts and the Ulerge in the central mountainous valleys, who came to play important roles in the Classical and Medieval Ages of northern Andolia.

Beremean Golden Age and the Boreandolians

The Bereme civilization's initial territories and imperial conquests.

The Classical Age starts with the reunification of the Beremean lands in 1175 BF by the eleventh dynasty, who founded the Bereme Empire and ruled as the first imperial dynasty until 1112 BF, reconquering lost lands to the west, east and south of the Irto River. Great infrastructure projects across the land were completed in this period, alongside progress in new inventions and technology, which was also continued by the twelfth dynasty. Meanwhile, the influence of the Insulare civilization waned due to an economic decline in their eastern colonies, which were soon abandoned due to Beremean conquest.

The peak of the Bereme civilization in territorial extension and riches came with the thirteenth and fourteenth dynasties, who ruled between from the 10th to 7th centuries BF. They undertook vast territorial expansions, such as the eastern coast conquered in 986 AF, where the Ardalan people later migrated to. Two decades later it was time for the Bereme to deal their revenge to the Insulare, invading their home islands in 959 AF and oppressing the native culture. Last but not least, the Ulerge were conquered in 912 AF, when the Bereme explored even higher reaches of the Irto River and the nearby mountains.

Besides the conquests, the Bereme Empire also enjoyed significant advancements in trade, science and the arts. The empire's strategic location and control over trading routes in northern Andolia facilitated the exchange of many goods, often passing through the Empire's coastal cities of Baire and Hedirto as well as the capital Naftera and the inland trading center of Nenofre. The Bereme civilization had an intricate architecture, seen in the magnificent temples featuring scenes of Beremean religion and often built in honor of a city's given tutelary deity. Their ancient texts about medicine and healthcare also showed advanced scientific knowledge for their time, describing detailed surgical procedures, diagnoses and treatments for various diseases.

However, power struggles happened often by the end of the fourteenth dynasty, and the situation got worse after the eastern subjects of the Bereme rebelled. By this time, the two Northern Boreandolian branches of the Ardala and Ulerge were fully separate and began seeking independence. The Ulerge successfully revolted in 655 BF, causing the overthrow of the reigning emperor and its replacement with the fifteenth dynasty. This dynasty failed to stop the turmoil, and came to an end after the Ardala achieved independence in 590 BF, followed by a loss of the dying empire's southeastern frontier lands. The Bereme then retreated to their native lands, and the following centuries had more short-lived dynasties, which tried to revive the civilization's former glory but were often caught in internal fights and only achieved mixed success.

The later Classical Age was important for the Boreandolian cultures, such as the Emüne civilization which expanded through the plains of modern-day southern Giovandolia, and earned wealth from trade to the north with the Ulergeans and south with the Golbans. Meanwhile, the Ardala and Ulerge civilizations both had massive territorial expansion and development of new cities during this period. The Ardalans expanded to the east and founded the magnificent Altan-qota or the Golden City, which became the capital of the Ardala Confederation founded in 453 BF. Meanwhile, the Ulerge civilization expanded within the mountainous valleys to the south of the Ardalans, and the Western and Eastern Leagues were founded in 429 BF as opposing governments fighting for control of all lands.

After a few decades, the Western League won the conflict in 361 BF and set to expand the Ulergean territory even more. By the end of the 3rd century BF the Ulerge reestablished contact with the Ardala, which had recently expanded up to the right bank of the eastern Nia River during the golden years of the Ardala Confederation. No longer separated by the Boriorto Mountains, the two peoples started to more closely trade with each other, although leaders of both civilizations wished to see the two unified one day given their common origins. This came to fruition when Bilgüün Khan of the Ulerge founded the Ulerge Khanate in 187 BF and marched northwards, finishing his campaign in 125 BF after capturing Altan-qota.

Ulerge and Ardala Khanates

The peak territorial extent of the Ardala Khanate, ruling over 195,000 km² in the 7th century.

The next two centuries saw the zenith of power for the Ulerge Khanate and prosperity for its cities such as the capital Gal-gazar, especially after the conquest of the Bereme in 42 AF during the reign of Abargha Khan, overthrowing the native twenty-fourth dynasty. However, the Bereme rebelled in 130 AF and restored native rule for the next two hundred years, while in the core lands of the Khanate, an Ardalan revolt in 241 AF started the Boreandolian Civil War. The Ardala and Ulerge fought for control of the eastern lands, while the Bereme divided themselves over whether to support the Ardalans or remain independent. The former faction prevailed, and an alliance was forged between the Ardala and Bereme, who came to win the war. The Ardala Khanate was founded in 283 AF, and the first khan Erdene granted the Beremeans a high level of autonomy within the new state.

Rulers in the 4th century AF, such as Jargal Khan and Mandakh Khan, enacted important policies to improve the inhabitants' quality of life and strengthen the military. However, it was under Tsinua Khan that the Ardala Khanate started to expand beyond its initial lands. Westward expansion reached the modern border between Giovanniland and Varanius, and in the south, the vast Giovandolian Range was crossed during the rule of Tsinua's son Ilalta Khan. Furthermore, during the reign of the 5th-century Aldar Khan, the Emüne people were made a tributary of the Ardala Khanate.

During the 6th century the Khanate reached its maximum territorial extent, when Ulaghan Khan and his brother Zorigt Khan conducted the great expansion to the east, conquering lands now part of Fhaengshia. They achieved regional fame among other peoples, and trade also thrived to new levels. Afterwards, 7th-century rulers focused on integration and trade rather than further expansion, most notably Arban Khan—but the expansionist policy returned under Khürel Khan and Ochir Khan in the turn of the century. Although Khürel achieved initial success in his campaigns, these advances were reversed under Ochir, and the khan also suffered greatly when his son Namar was killed in battle. Ochir fell ill shortly after and died heirless, with various members of the royal family then attempting to take control of the khanate.

The Giovannian Empire took advantage from the situation, establishing some of its first settlements such as Isula Magna and Andoliavilla in the islands and coastal lands taken from the khanate. The strongest pretender to the throne, Naran, was killed during the Siege of Altan-qota in 734, and the Giovannian Empire went on to conquer the rest of the khanate. Resistance continued in the southern highlands for a few decades, until the death of the last local ruler Daichin Khan in 770. After consolidating control of these lands, the imperial armies crossed the Giovandolian Range and conquered the Emüne in 830.

[Giovanniland]

Unified History

Early Giovannian Empire

The unification of Lavender Island by the Giovannian Empire.

The Giovannian Empire officially came into existence on the day of 16 January 560, when Iulio of the Abrentan Republic and Nima VII of the New Lavandulan Empire agreed to share power as Emperor Iulio I and Empress Nima I. The new state was named after Triumvir Giovanni of Abrento that spearheaded the unification process, who was posthumously declared Emperor Giovanni I. Iulio and Nima ruled together for twenty-one years, leaving a lasting influence on the nascent empire's institutions. They consolidated the new government as an absolute monarchy and divided the empire into various regions, which developed into the modern-day administrative divisions of Giovanniland. The monarchs also expanded the imperial military, annexed some frontier mountainous regions, and colonized Valakilea in the modern-day Doyan Islands. Iulio ruled alone for three more years after his wife died in 581, and was succeeded by their son Augusto.

Augusto sought to create an unified national culture with elements from the Abrentans and Lavandulans, forming a new cultural and ethnic group called the Giovannese. He expanded the Lavender Festival to the entire country, built more Iantenist churches, introduced Abrentan music and cuisine to the Lavandulans, and created a law code incorporating costumes from both cultures. After Augusto's death, his brother Flavio ruled from 621 until 635. He waged war against the Glendora people of Blue Bubble, who had been divided for centuries into northern and southern clans. The northern clan negotiated with General Dezeno and agreed to submit, believing that the Empire would help their side win, while the southern side resisted for four more years until their final defeat in 631 at Atsinanana.

The two next empresses Nima II and Essuna focused on the economy, and both reigns saw the increase of exports and trading posts established by the Empire in the Darkesian Sea. After the death of Essuna, her son Tommaso I inherited the throne, and the goal of unifying the island returned to prominence. Tommaso's increase in military spending alerted the nobles of Minsu, who decided to declared war against the Giovannian Empire in 670. Tommaso then declared war in return and encouraged the Lavandulan populations in northern Minsu to rebel, after having been under Minsunese domination for over a century. This started the northern front of the war, while in the south General Artorio led another offensive. The two fronts met in the Minsunese capital of Asahi, and after a failed siege, the successful Second Siege of Asahi came to an end in 689, with Emperor Sora of Minsu being placed under house arrest and a Giovannian military junta being established. Furthermore, with the fall of Minsu, the Minsunese colony of Savaiakea in the modern-day Doyan Islands was also transferred to Giovanniland.

Although Tommaso I died in 686 before the war ended, his son Giovanni II oversaw the final stages of the war and then became the first emperor to rule over an unified Lavender Island, which lasted for the following four centuries. He ruled from 686 until 745 for a total of 58 years, the longest of any emperor. After three peaceful decades featuring important progress in trade and military affairs, expansion happened once more due to economic interests, this time outside of the island. When the Ardala Khanate in northern Andolia fell into a succession war in 721, Giovanni II authorized an imperial fleet to sail off Porto Violeto and Abrentopole soon after. The fleet reached the Isule Annovi in the first day of 724, where the important fortress of Isula Magna was founded, and afterwards it landed in the Ardalan mainland. The city of Andoliavilla was the first major settlement founded by the Giovannians there, and the coast was named Lido Flavi, in honor of Admiral Flavio that led this fleet.

The southern Darkesian Sea in 720.

The imperial armies took advantage of the fighting between the khans Naran, Elbeg and Tsaghan, who fought for control of the Ardala Khanate. Naran Khan was the most powerful of them, at the time controlling the Ardalan capital of Altan-qota and also the fertile valleys of the Irto River. From the newly founded base of Andoliavilla in 724, General Ottavio gradually came to conquer the Irto River valleys and surrounding lands over the next few years, allying with some local rulers unhappy with the Ardalan rule. Concurrently, General Galzeno fought against the troops of Tsaghan Khan in eastern Ardala, capturing their chief settlement of Tengis and killing the khan in 729. Two generals joined their forces for the siege of Altan-qota, which lasted until 734. Ottavio then invaded the royal palace to murder Naran Khan and his family, ordering the destruction of the city, and founded the colonies of Lido Flavi and Doruna.

The final expansion of Giovanni's reign saw General Lukiano advance southwards into the lands controlled by Tamir Khan, Naran's younger brother, where he founded the Colony of Kordelleria. Last but not least, the emperor signed of the Treaty of Syntilla with Saint Mark in 744, starting a centuries-long collaboration between the two Auran powers that continues to this day. Giovanni's successor was his granddaughter Emilia, and during her reign there was an attempt to conquer the last independent Ardalan lands, however it had mixed results and only managed to annex a few cities. Emilia had more success with conquering the realms in modern-day Fhaengshia, ordering a large military expedition to be raised in the Colony of Doruna and then march east. It entered the Kingdom of Ahfeginsi in the 751, soon capturing the capital Finsi and annexing the entire realm in 752, and the same happened to the Kingdom of Shihganfe in 754 after the successful siege of the capital Ganfa.

Unfortunately, the Giovannian advance was stopped after a failed siege in 755 to the city of Ruike, held by the powerful Kingdom of Fhaengshia. Emilia died later that year, leaving the throne to her younger sister Anna I, who ordered the conquest to halt for the time being. She agreed to send reinforcements from Lavender Island a year and a half later, and once they arrived, General Numerio commanded a successful siege of Ruike. Meanwhile, Admiral Nero won naval battles near the cities of Pirhaen and the capital Fhaendhaw by 760, leading King Soetihn of Fhaengshia to escape to the southern Gheffian region in advance. The imperial forces then pursued him over the two next years until he agreed to surrender in 762, and the Colony of Fhaengshia was then established.

Anna's later years saw further colonial expansion, for example fighting the last Ardalan resistance, led by Elbeg's third son Daichin Khan who commanded a fierce last stand against the Giovannian Empire. He was killed after the siege of Gal-gazar in 770, and his lands were annexed to the Colony of Kordelleria. The empress also sought to expand the Colony of Doruna eastwards to better connect it with the new Colony of Fhaengshia, adding in 781 the mountainous lands of modern-day central Fhaengshia to it, and then consolidating control of the new colonies until her death in 792. Her nephew Paldeno then ruled until 805 and sent expeditions towards islands in the central Darkesian Sea as well as the Outer Sirenas to the southeast, in order to increase the Empire's trading influence.

Middle Giovannian Empire (Pax Giovanniana)

A detailed map of the Giovannian Empire's conquests, including major happenings such as agreements, battles and the founding of new settlements.

The reign of Paldeno's son Iulio II started a period of peace and prosperity for the Giovannian Empire, featuring magnificent economic growth and development of a national identity. During Iulio's reign, many composers, writers and artists had their works financed by notable merchants, and farther expeditions began to establish trading posts in other continents. Iulio's younger sister Abrelia reigned from 824 to 853, and she oversaw the annexation of the Emüne Kingdom in 830 to expand the Kordelleria colony southwards, and an expansion of the Fhaengshian colony into the southern forests. The two next rulers Tenzina and Kesare made preparation for further expeditions by enhancing the military with new technology, and also oversaw the transfer of the capital from Porto Violeto to the newly founded Giovannia, a city built in order to celebrate the prosperity of the empire.

This ushered in the reign of Kesare's daughter Zodena I from 888 to 916. The Varanian War happened in the middle of her reign, in which the northern tribes of Varanius were annexed to the Lido Flavi colony in 904, cementing the Giovannian Empire's influence in the Darkesian Sea. However, defeats against the southern tribes and their geographical remoteness led Zodena to table her plans for annexing the rest. Her younger brother Vittore ruled from 916 to 937, and his reign saw the start of a new age of exploration in the Viatic Ocean, starting famous trade routes with the western Nuran civilizations. In modern-day Sekiya for example, Porto Nurano (Tianshi) was founded in an island off the Sekiyan coast in 920, and later in the decade, the trading posts of Divalle (Qiuxia), Bopeng, Tommasopole (Touma), and Trilaquo (Sanbo) were added to the Empire. The coastal states of Fugo and Fuzhou also fell under Giovannian influence as puppets, but not directly controlled, a model that was also widely repeated in other areas.

Vittore's successors reaped the benefits from the Giovannian fleets' voyages around Esferos, marking the 10th century as a time of economic, cultural and military prosperity. His son Giovanni III and daughter Trinella channeled this wealth into development of the mainland, and cities such as Porto Violeto, Abrentopole, and Urido thrived as major commercial hubs. Further overseas voyages took place during the rule of Trinella's son Dolkare, reaching the peak territorial extent and military strength of the Empire. Dolkare's son Tommaso II then ruled from 999 to 1039, celebrated for a long and peaceful reign that consolidated a new cultural era. However, his rule is also seen in an ambiguous light since economical and military advances fell behind during this time, causing problems later.

Overall during the Middle Giovannian Empire period, unparalleled economic growth happened due to strategic control over lucrative trade routes and abundant resources. The many voyages and expeditions facilitated trade with all continents and brought in diverse goods, while farming and resource extraction in the colonies provided an important backbone to the imperial economy. These riches fueled urban growth as well as the construction of marketplaces, universities, palaces, Iantenist temples, and other public works showcasing Giovannese affluence. The merchant class gained prestige and led commercial innovations—the grand expeditions during the time of Vittore were supported by organizations of merchants and moneylenders, such as the Trading Institute of Lavandula established at Urido in 923, which evolved a century later into the Emeria Lavanda as a pioneer in the history of modern banking.

Social aspects such as culture and religion were also strongly affected by the economic prosperity. This period was a time of artistic and intellectual brilliance, featuring famous works such as the Epic of Giovanniland about the national history of several millennia, the majestic frescoes of the Imperial Palace, and the Giovannese style of classical music with world-renowned operas. Meanwhile, Iantenism reached new lands and left a lasting legacy, with positive aspects such as the prominence of events like the Lavender Festival, and the educational role of founding many academies and universities promoting literacy, philosophy, and the sciences. However, negative aspects were also present, since most religious heads did not object to the abuses carried out by colonial administrators against indigenous peoples, and instead benefitted from the spread of Iantenism.

In regards to the ethnic groups, the Giovannese enjoyed the most privilege in the empire. Besides the important economic and cultural roles, the imperial government also encouraged them to settle in the colonies, in areas such as fertile valleys and mining areas, where they came to control vast agriculture and extraction operations. The other peoples of Lavender Island, namely the Glenpavian and Minsunese, were also important for the Empire's development, with many of them adhering to Giovannese culture and reaching positions of power. However, movements of expression advocating for valorization of their native cultures surged by the end of the period, eventually developing into the independence of Blue Bubble and Minsu decades later.

On the other hand, the indigenous inhabitants of the colonies suffered greatly at the hands of the Empire. Many perished in the wars of conquest and resistance, while harsh working conditions and forced labor in mines, plantations, and construction projects claimed more lives under colonial rule. Giovannese settlers soon outnumbered natives in strategic regions like the Irto River Valley, leading to traditional ways of life being disrupted while a new society shaped by colonial culture emerged, and any rebellion opposing it was thwarted with force.

The administrative divisions of the Giovannian Empire, shown with their borders during the Empire's peak in the late 10th century.

Late Giovannian Empire

Upon Tommaso II's death in 1039, his daughter Lavinia inherited the throne and soon faced some revolts, which she managed to end by easing some restrictions. Her decisions upset the more conservative members of the imperial court, which took their chance to strike after she died in 1053, and her son Silvio decided to reverse the policies soon after taking the throne. This angered the Glendulan people, starting their ambition of becoming an independent nation once more. Meanwhile, some Minsunese aristocrats had sent their children to pursue education abroad decades before, spurring the formation of the Gaikoku Society during Nima's reign with the goal of writing anti-Giovannian propaganda. Silvio's authoritarianism caused one of the society's members, called Fukito, to begin writing a book called the "Woes of the Masses" denouncing the Empire. This turmoil resulted in Silvio's assassination in 1062, after which his sister Zodena II inherited the throne.

Zodena tried to restore peace, however the quality of life for the Empire's inhabitants was declining. Meanwhile, the imperial government banned the "Woes of the Masses" and other similar works, leading to the arrest of their authors, and subsequent trials where they were found guilty of treason and hanged. These events fueled Minsunese nationalist sentiments, culminating in a large protest in the capital Giovannia suppressed by the empress. After her death in 1073, her son Giovanni IV inherited the throne but died under uncertain circumstances in September 1074, sparking a succession dispute. Independence movements capitalized on the confusion, leading to unrest until Iulio III secured the throne in March 1075. Fhaengshia's monarchy returned from their centuries long exile, a mass movement of Glendulans to modern-day Blue Bubble led to the formation of the Glenpavian Group, Hisamatsu Jin gathered like-minded people to discuss independence for Minsu, and Khan Daichin II launched an Ardalan rebellion. This last insurgency threatened the Lido Flavi and Kordelleria colonies, nearly reaching Andoliavilla before the generals Aetio and Didio turned the tide and quelled the revolt in 1079.

Besides overcoming the rebellion, the young Iulio III enacted policies that successfully reduced the economic downturn. However he only came to rule until 1084, when he was poisoned due to family intrigue and his brother Kassio took the throne. Kassio's stubborn actions raised the unrest to unforeseen levels, starting with the Colony of Fhaengshia's rebellion two years later with encouragement from their native monarchy. Imperial troops unsuccessfully tried to contain the rebellion, and it soon spread to the neighboring Colony of Doruna, where many Fhaengshians had migrated to. Furthermore, the Glendulan and Minsunese were also appalled by the fact many of them had died in combat during this and previous rebellions, adding another reason for their independence demands.

Hisamatsu Jin met with the Glenpavian Group in 1089, and the following year saw both Blue Bubble and Minsu launch their rebellions, which the Giovannian army failed to contain. Kassio wanted to continue trying to defeat the independence movements, but by mid-1091 it became clear that the situation was no longer salvageable. A coup replaced Kassio with Petro I, who recognized the independence of Blue Bubble, Fhaengshia and Minsu, and also signed the Tri-Lavender Treaty with the two other Lavender Island nations in 1094, accepting them as equals and agreeing to pay reparations. During the later years of Petro's reign, border clashes with Minsu led to the formation of the modern-day border.

The next empress Hadriana ruled from 1113 to 1132, and has a controversial legacy for enacting policies in favor of ethnic persecution, displacement and forced cultural assimilation in the remaining Andolian colonies, as she feared losing these lands for two main reasons. The first was that, although the indigenous population had decreased since the 8th century due to the wars of conquest and forced labor within the Empire, it was still a significant number that could also rise in new revolts like the previous Ardalan insurgency led by Khan Daichin II. The second is that the remaining areas included fertile farmlands and profitable mining operations important for the imperial economy. Hadriana's policies continued for almost 200 years and were very harsh to the indigenous populations, cementing the dominance of Giovannese settlers in modern-day Giovandolia and paving the way for its transformation from colony to an integral part of Giovanniland.

Hadriana's younger brother Karlo inherited the throne after her death. He reorganized the nation's administrative divisions, introducing the two-tier system of regions and municipalities that is still used today, and led the Karlian Renaissance where the Empire regained cultural and economical strength over several decades without major internal conflicts. Furthermore, he also built upon the work of his two predecessors that had opened relations with Minsu and Blue Bubble, and worked towards the formation of friendly ties, which was achieved towards the end of his reign. The following reigns of Antonia and Nima III continued these principles and also made the first steps for the eventual industrialization of Giovanniland.

Unfortunately, a new period of turmoil started when Nima III was assassinated in 1192. Her younger brother Petro II attempted to decrease tensions but faced a major rebellion in northern Varanius that threatened to spill to the rest of the Colony of Lido Flavi. Petro was unable to quell the revolt, and the situation was left to Emperor Klaudio to solve, who saved the lands of modern-day northern Giovandolia while recognizing the independence of Varanius in 1204. Over the following years Klaudio also signed decolonization treaties for other territories, such as the Doyan Islands. His daughter Anna II inherited the throne in 1217, and seeing the need for national modernization and stability, Anna relinquished part of her power and the title of Empress in 1225, marking the change between the Giovannian Empire and the modern Kingdom of Giovanniland. She also granted equal administrative status to Auran and Andolian Giovanniland, abolishing the colonies of Lido Flavi and Kordelleria, and replacing them with regular regions administered as in Lavender Island.

Political reform and industrialization

Giovanniland became a semi-constitutional monarchy in 15th June 1225, after which Anna II ruled as Queen. The Senato was now elected by popular vote under the new system, but the monarch retained the power to appoint any senator as prime minister, according to their best judgment of who might form the best cabinet. Anna II chose Vinikio de Abreo-Florino as the first Prime Minister of Giovanniland, an entrepreneur active in the rising industrialization happening in various major cities. The Queen directed him to place Giovanniland on the path of becoming fully industrialized, reworked various government institutions, and codified the basic rules of the election process, such as senators being elected by region and having a five-year term. The major political parties of the century were at first the right-wing Partito Konservatore (Conservative Party) and the centrist Partito Librale (Liberal Party), as well as the left-wing Partito Demokrata (Democratic Party) later on. The two first dominated politics during this period, and even though they had different ideas on key issues of the era, the monarch used their power to ensure continuity between national policies so that the country could develop.

During the reign of Queen Abrelia II, the liberal brothers Vinikio and Raffello de Abreo-Florino contributed the most to national industrialization, while the conservative Zutrina Amafinia focused on expanding foreign relations and adapting Giovanniland to a new era in the international stage. The Queen died during the third year of Tommaso's prime ministership and was succeeded by her son Filippo, who ruled for five decades and is remembered as a great monarch. During Filippo's reign, Giovanniland became fully industrialized, and many infrastructure projects were funded with the industrial profit, such as a grand railway network to facilitate commerce, with Giovannia, Porto Violeto and Andoliavilla as the main hubs. Cities were modernized, and soon started receiving electricity in the 1280s. Furthermore, an important external achievement from this time was the update of the Tri-Lavender Treaty into a stronger version, with more cooperation between the three nations. King Filippo's reign from 1241 to 1293 was overall a time of economic prosperity, rapid urbanization, infrastructure modernization, and last but not least technological, scientific, and cultural innovations.

Filippo's nephew Iulio IV succeeded him after his death, and although Iulio's reign was shorter, the happenings during this time had a wide impact in Giovannilandian politics. Social movements were rising at the turn of the century, and this was also reflected in the Senato composition, where the Conservatives lost seats while the left-wing Democrats and newcomers Partito Labrista (Labour Party) increased their representation. However, Iulio grew in a conservative background and was not very friendly to these changes to society, and a political crisis in 1307 led to the resignation of both the king and the conservative prime minister at the time, Laronia Diadumena.

Contemporary period

The modern-day borders and cities of Giovanniland and its neighbors.

The next monarch was Osella, who reigned from 1307 until 1343 and was the granddaughter of the late King Filippo. She had different viewpoints and better political expertise, which allowed her to solve the issues and choose a direction for the country to move forward. During the prime ministership of the democrat Gaio Andago-Lugiune, Anna III gathered support from a wide political spectrum to plan the formation of a welfare state, her main goal. She also spearheaded national integration projects such as the north-south highways in both the Auran and Andolian territories, and outlawed of any kind of persecution against Native Andolians. Other important aspects of Anna's reign were the expansion of voting rights to all citizens of Giovanniland, and the formation of new parties such as the Partito Verde (Green Party), Partito Kentri (Center Party) and Partito Patriota (Patriot Party).

Starting from 1324 a new era in Giovannilandian politics started, where the left-wing coalitions controlled the Senato for almost five decades except for two short-lived conservative governments, featuring Labour prime ministers for the first time. This aided Osella's welfare state project, as well as crucial advances in education, health, infrastructure, human development, security and many other areas. The most important prime minister of this period was the Labour politician Gigero Tiberio-Vittori, deemed the Architect of Modern Giovanniland, who served for four complete terms between 1339 and 1355. His social democracy concepts have enjoyed extensive influence since then, being a prominent part of the national development plan in the present day.

The Green Party also came to lead a government during the reign of Queen Osella. The party leader Anna Tansegano became prime minister and promoted ecotourism through the creation of national parks and natural reserves, as well as encouraging the replacement of coal as the dominant energy source in Giovanniland with hydropower, which was soon accomplished. Following Osella's death in 1343, her grandson Giovanni V ruled from 1343 to 1377, continuing her policies. Important accomplishments of his reign were the update of transport infrastructure to connect all settlements with at least five thousand people and make it more environmentally friendly, the codification of several workers' rights bills into a single updated document which improved minimum wage standards, the rise of solar and wind power to complement the dominant hydropower as energy source, and the renewal of Giovannilandian ports to keep up with global trade.

The decade of the 1370s saw the end of the left-wing domination in the Senato, and also the death of Giovanni V, whose younger sister Anna III inherited the throne. After the significant social advances during the previous decades, Anna chose the rising technology sector as a new focus for the country since it began to complement the rest of the tertiary sector, and she also dedicated subsidies for a home electronics industry. Fulvio Benaventura (Conservative), an entrepreneur that invested in the technology market until being chosen as prime minister between 1377 and 1385, contributed a lot to Queen Nima's goals and so did his successors. Alliances were created in this new political era, for example a centrist coalition between the Liberal, Center and Democratic parties, all of which sought to offer an alternative for the left and right governments. Gepello Kesare-Karpo (Liberal) devised this alliance, one of the key senators during Nima's reign alongside the conservative leader Fulvio and the left-wing leader Kornelia Tiberio-Vittori, the daughter of Gigero.

The current monarch King Giovanni VI has ruled since 1407 and has overseen a number of projects, such as developing Giovanniland as a pioneer nation in the field of environmentally friendly technology, and successfully regulating the rising online sectors of the economy. He also pursues an active external policy, which led to the nation's role in hosting the Quorivo & Kharventhin Summer Esferiad together with Blue Bubble, and to a recent economic treaty with Saint Mark and Dalimbar. Overall, Giovanniland is today one of Esferos' largest economies and richest countries per capita, with a technologically advanced economy, expansive welfare state and robust environmental policy.

[Giovanniland]

Geography

Giovanniland has a total area of 395,107 km², comprised by one territory in northern Andolia and the other territory in Aura's Lavender Island. Auran Giovanniland shares a land border with Blue Bubble to the west and Minsu to the east; while Andolian Giovanniland borders Varanius to the west, Tupmonia to the south and Fhaengshia to the east. The nation also borders the Darkesian Sea in three different sections of coast, and uses the International Atomic Time (IAT+0) for the entire territory, lying between latitudes 12° and 26°S, and longitudes 9°W and 9°E.

Giovanniland's border with Blue Bubble is defined by two rivers, the Ameno River in the south and the Purpuro River in the north, two rivers having their springs near the Silvano Peak of the Great Lavender Range's western branch, a famous mountain also on the two nations' border. On the other hand, the border with Minsu has large straight sections, starting near the southern town of Aquavioleta, cutting through the eastern branch of the Great Lavender Range, following the Ortano River for a significant part of the Lavandulan lands in the north, and then ending with another vertical line. As for the Andolian border, the northwestern part bordering Varanius is defined by a few rivers, followed by a large straight section until the southwest. The Gigero River then defines part of the southern border before the Tupmonian border, after which two straight sections define the border with that country, while the eastern border with Fhaengshia roughly follows along the Nia River until its mouth.

Topographic and river map of Giovanniland.

Giovannilandian topography is diverse and includes several topographical regions. Auran Giovanniland has plains in the southwest, corresponding to the Prinvalli and Abrenosto regions, as well as in the north within the Lavandula region. The capital Giovannia and the surrounding region are in the central highlands, and last but not least, the regions of Verdiante and Spandorto are known for having parts of the Great Lavender Range's western and eastern branches respectively. Major rivers to the south of the mountains include the Amore River with large cities such as Porto Violeto and Amorante near its mouth; the Keleste River in whose upper waters the capital Giovannia was notably built; and the southern Festino River that drains into the Darkesian Sea in the city of Abrentopole. In the north, the Gratioso River is a very important river for the Lavandula region, featuring the capital Urido and other relevant cities like Osellio and Lampo throughout its course.

Andolian Giovanniland is far more mountainous, although it also has lowlands and plains where a significant part of the population lives, mainly in the north (the Lido Flavio and Altana regions) and the extreme south (the Tramontana region). Meanwhile, the central Terra Violeta region is known for their great altitude contrast, including valleys of the large Irto River and its tributaries surrounded by large mountain ranges. The region of Kordelleria is very sparsely populated and contains the Giovandolian Range, divided into two parts by the central L'Apertura mountain pass, and it's where most earthquakes in the country happen. As for notable rivers, the aforementioned Irto River crosses the territory from southeast to northwest, and near its waters there are several major cities like Nenofre, Villaflori and Henotti; while the southern Emune River crosses cities like Ioseppole and Daurona.

Biodiversity

Biome map of Giovanniland.

Giovanniland has a total of eight different biomes, three of which appear in Aura and seven in Andolia. Auran Giovanniland is covered by a large broadleaf forest, although the northern and western areas receive high rainfall throughout the year and are therefore rainforests, while the other areas have a distinct dry season, leading to the different biome classifications. Meanwhile, a large part of Andolian Giovanniland is covered by tropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands, whereas the rest of the biomes have a more limited distribution—for example the montane grasslands and coniferous forests in the mountainous south, and the semiarid or arid shrublands that cover a significant part of the coast, except in the west where broadleaf forests are the highlight.

Giovanniland has a rich biodiversity, especially in the Auran forests and Andolian savannas. Some examples are jaguars, ocelots, capybaras, iguanas, tapirs, sloths, armadillos, piranhas, macaws, flamingoes, and anacondas, some of which are only found in the rainforest regions. All three coastlines that the nation has in the Darkesian Sea are also known to be home to various types of maritime life, including but not limited to dolphins, large whales, shrimps, octopuses, and coral reefs. The country also features a large amount of plant species, such as the many Auran forest trees, while Andolian Giovanniland offers a diverse lineup ranging from pines and araucarias in the mountainous regions to cacti and xeric trees in the arid lands, and of course the ubiquitous savanna trees and shrubs. In order to protect this biodiversity, Giovannilandian state policy has included an extensive environmental protection program for the last century. There are several designated national parks and natural reserves, in which sustainable tourism is allowed but no farming or mining can take place. Laws also regulate industries to prevent deforestation, species endangerment and water pollution among other issues.

     

The hyacinth macaw and rainforest lavender are national symbols, both are native to Lavender Island and the latter gives the island its name.

[Giovanniland]

Politics

Giovanniland is a parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy. The monarch is the head of state and holds executive power, shared with the Prime Minister, which is the head of government. Although the monarch also appoints the Prime Minister, the latter must have the confidence of the Senato elected by popular vote, therefore the premiership usually goes to the largest party that can form a majority coalition. This has been the government type since the Kingdom of Giovanniland's foundation, after the Giovannian Empire's absolute monarchy from 568 to 1225. King Giovanni VI is the reigning monarch since 1407 when his mother Queen Anna III died, while the current Prime Minister since the 1423 general election is Elisa Anario-Silva from the Partito Labrista, who succeeded Amore Gile Abrente from the Partito Verde.

Government
     See also: List of rulers of Giovanniland

Giovanniland has an unicameral legislature called the Senato Giovanniterrano, elected through an open list system of proportional voting. General elections happen when the Senato is dissolved, happening at most four years after the previous one, or earlier if the Prime Minister resigns, dies in office, or is subject to a successful vote of no confidence. The eleven Regions of Giovanniland serve as electoral constituencies, where parties propose their own lists but voters can give preference votes that influence the order of which senators get elected, and the number of senators that each region elects ranges from 66 in Giovannia Magna to 8 in Kordelleria. Proposals, amendments or repeals can be crafted by the Senato and need a simple majority to pass, except for constitution amendments which need a supermajority of two thirds. Similar systems happen for the Kurias, the regional and municipal legislatures, who may enact laws of their own regarding matters not covered by higher levels, and elect an executive Governor and Mayor respectively.

Giovannilandian politics involve coalitions of parties to form a government, since a single party hasn't attained a majority in over a century. The government current is led by the left-wing Partito Labrista (Labour Party) as the largest party in the tripartite alliance with the center-left Partito Demokrata (Democratic Party) and the left-wing Partito Verde (Green Party). Meanwhile, the Partito Kentri (Center Party) is independent, whereas the opposition is formed by the center-right Partito Librale (Liberal Party), the right-wing Partito Konservatore (Conservative Party), and the right-wing Partito Patriota (Patriota Party). Various smaller parties also exist in Giovanniland and are active in regional and municipal elections, but for the Senato elections they field candidates within one of the seven parties mentioned above.

The Parties of Giovanniland on the Senato. The governing coalition has a majority of 215 seats while the opposition holds 156.
A history of all Parlamento elections can be found in this link.

The laws of Giovanniland are based on earlier civil law traditions of the Abrentans and Lavandulans, codified by the Constitution of Giovanniland, which was first written in 1225 after the founding of the Kingdom and has since then been amended several times. There is a hierarchical system composed of lower-level courts representing one or more municipalities, intermediate courts that handle regional cases and appeals for each of the eleven regions, and at last the apex court called the Supreme Tribunal, which has ultimate judicial authority to solve any legal case, and other duties such as reviewing the constitutionality of bills passed by the Senato. Members of the judiciary branch generally serve for many years or even decades until the mandatory retirement age of 70 years, to balance judicial continuity and experience with the introduction of new generations and perspectives.

The selection of judges at both the local and national level is independent from the other branches of government, with lower-level and intermediate courts employing a three stages process of initial selection through competitive regional examinations, a probationary period, and at last the formal appointment by regional committees. Meanwhile, the justices of the Supreme Tribunal are chosen by the Cabinet and formally appointed by the Monarch based on the recommendations of the important High Council of the Judiciary. The council's diverse composition includes judicial representatives, elected by their peers within the judiciary from different levels and regions; political representatives chosen by the Senato; and legal profession representatives, elected by the national bar association.

Diplomacy and military

Giovanniland's diplomacy is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, currently Tarquino Albio-Trinelli, alongside the Monarch and the Prime Minister. They have the responsibility of representing the nation in important foreign events, however any major changes to the nation's foreign policy must be approved by the Senato, including the signing of international treaties and declaration of war or peace. The nation has several regional and international partners, and embassies around the world, some of them dating back to the Giovannian Empire era, when many trading missions were sent across Esferos and resulted in the foundation of trading posts.

Two of Giovanniland's closest alliances have existed for centuries and date to imperial times, the Treaty of Syntilla signed in 744 AF and the Tri-Lavender Treaty in 1094 AF. The former is a long-standing alliance with Saint Mark, signed by Emperor Giovanni II the Great due to the two nations' common origins and dominance of the Darkesian Sea at the time, which has developed into a strong modern-day collaboration involving economical, military, diplomatic, technological and other aspects. The latter was initially signed with Blue Bubble and Minsu to recognize their independence from the Empire, but has grown to include good relations with the other Lavender Island nations and various initiatives to integrate the island's infrastructure. Furthermore, Giovanniland has also signed recent treaties, such as a significant economic treaty with Saint Mark and Dalimbar. On the other hand, some unfriendly nations are the three Horns of Andolia nations—Varanius, Overthinkers and Larxia—who oppose the existence of Andolian Giovanniland.

Giovanniland maintains a sizable military with a total of 165,558 personnel, and the military budget of $33,759,533,326 represents 2.4% of GDP and 5.0% of government spending, a lot of which goes to advanced technology and equipment in order to increase the nation's strength and defend it from any threats. Compulsory service exists in Giovanniland but not all people choose to serve in the military, since the option for social service also exists. Giovanniland's modern army and navy claim their heritage as far back as the imperial period, although much has changed since then, while the air force is a more recent addition. The Giovannilandian Army has 94,026 enlisted personnel, while the Navy has 30,427 and the Air Force has 41,105. There are additionally 18,369 reserves, and over 3 million people fit for service, to be conscripted in the case of a foreign invasion or similar emergency.

[Giovanniland]

Demographics

Administrative divisions

     

Maps of the regions and municipalities of Giovanniland (open in a new tab and zoom for a close view).

Three levels of division are commonly used for Giovanniland, although only two have actual administrative status. The first-level division are the two territories of Auran and Andolian Giovanniland, which do not have any administrative distinction but serve an important statistical purpose for when one needs to divide data by continent. Afterwards there are the eleven regions, six in Aura and five in Andolia. This system has its roots in the early Empire, when the joint emperors Iulio I and Nima I divided the new state into four regions, but it was Emperor Karlo that brought the Auran regions to their modern form and number, and Empress Anna II who founded the five Andolian regions after abolishing the former colonial divisions.

Last but not least, the 632 municipalities are the base administrative divisions of the country, and they are divided into two categories. Most of the population lives in the urban municipalities, which are composed of a chief city and often some other areas and villages around it, administratively counted as part of the same city. The minimum population requirement for an urban municipality is 10,000 inhabitants, with some exceptions. Meanwhile, rural municipalities have lower population density and are home to smaller towns and villages as well as vast rural areas. Urban population does exist in them, but these towns usually don't meet the requirement to become a municipality of their own.

Population

Population density in the regions and municipalities of Giovanniland.

The total population of Giovanniland was 29,305,150 in the 1420 Census, with a density of 74.2/km² and a ratio of men to women of 1.01:1. The ten largest cities are home to 6,167,052 inhabitants, while another 18,711,894 live in the other urban municipalities across the country, an urban rate of 85%. The average population density is just over 74 people per km², although the Auran lands are more densely populated with 114 per km², in comparison to the Andolian lands’ 41 people per km2. The most populous region is Giovannia Magna with 4,903,172 inhabitants, comprising 2,110,456 people living in the capital Giovannia and many more in the metropolitan area. Other populous regions are Lavandula (4,336,140 inhabitants), Abrenostro (4,180,293), and Prinvalli (3,831,529) in Aura, as well as Lido Flavi (3,155,639) in Andolia. On the other end of the spectrum are the regions of Spandorto (997,412) in Aura and Kordelleria (570,966) in Andolia, which also have the lowest population densities in Giovanniland, due to their vast mountainous and forest areas, home to several national parks.

Censuses are as old as the Giovannian Empire, in a simpler form than today. There were 1.8 million people in the combined lands of Abrento and Lavandula when they unified to form the Empire, 17 million during the territorial peak in the late 11th century (6.5 million within the modern Giovannilandian borders), and 8.3 million when the Kingdom of Giovanniland was formed in 1225. Significant growth began during industrialization, reaching 10 million in the 1250s, 15 million at the start of the 14th century, 21 million in the 1360s, 26 million in the start of the current century, and now over 29 million. In a similar way to other developed nations, the growth decreased during the last century, although it has now stabilized and so has the fertility rate, which has fluctuated between 1.6 and 1.8 in recent times. Meanwhile, the life expectancy has steadily increased, and now stands at 82 years.

Ethnicity, language and religion
     See also: Giovannese Language and 1420 Giovannilandian Census

In the latest census, 27,241,573 people described themselves as Giovannese, the majority ethnic group across the entire nation, while the second largest group are the 1,616,693 immigrants. Afterwards there are the Native Andolians, who number 301,408 people and are divided into four main groups within Andolian Giovanniland—the Bereme in the west, the Ardala in the northeast, the Ulerge in the center and the Emune in the south. Last but not least, the Glenpavians and Minsunese are also recognized as an ethnic minority and together add up to 145,477. In the Auran Giovanniland, Giovannese are 93.16% of the population, followed by immigrants at 5.99%, Minsunese at 0.38%, Glenpavians at 0.33%, and Native Andolians at 0.14%. Meanwhile, for Andolian Giovanniland, the percentages are 92.50% Giovannese, 4.42% immigrants, and 3.08% Native Andolian.

The national language is Giovannese, which evolved from Old Abrentan, the language that the Abrentans brought into Lavender Island from Saint Mark. It's therefore closely related to the Markan language, but has extensive influence from the Lavandulan language due to the integration between Lavandula and Abrento. On the other hand, in the topic of religion, the native Lavandulan faith persevered and was adopted by the Abrentans who contributed to its spread—this religion is Iantenism, adhered to by 72.31% of the population or 21,190,553 people. Iantenism began during the Lavandulan city-states era, featuring various deities such as Kalgio, sky god and creator of the world, and Lugiuna, the water goddess, although by the time of the Lavandulan Empire it was evolving to monotheism, with Kalgio earning the other deities' attributes. The religion's name comes from the core concept Ianteno, meaning the sacred and prosperous way, which includes but isn't limited to partaking in religious activities, doing good actions for others, and protecting nature.

Education and health

The students of most Giovannilandian schools have the freedom to choose their own school subjects alongside a basic curriculum in order to line up with what they wish to do in the future. High school and college are very competitive in the country, as students give their best to achieve better job opportunities. The country has a good reputation for student happiness and school procedures in Esferos, and also a high amount of bachelor's, master's and doctor's degrees. Giovannilandian high schools feature a special project called "idea incubator", in which dedicated students can start working on scientific projects from an early age, and then contribute their ideas to the nation with the help of government subsidies once they are older. Technological and scientific research is carried in the various universities in the country, with special units on the eight prefecture-level cities, the country's most advanced technological hubs.

Universal healthcare is provided to every resident of Giovanniland, although private health services are also present. The health infrastructure includes at least five Basic Health Units and one major hospital with advanced technology per municipality, with the biggest hospitals being in the cities with over 100 thousand inhabitants. Nowadays, the national healthcare has also adopted nationwide electronic health records that both patients and doctors can access, and also a government app for mobile phones, so that patients can quickly schedule appointments. University hospitals are common, as it is fundamental that medical students have practice in order to graduate and become full workers for the healthcare system.

Largest cities

Rank	City	Population	Region	Rank	City	Population	Region
1	Giovannia	2,110,456	Giovannia Magna	11	Vinikiano	238,927	Giovannia Magna
2	Porto Violeto	1,005,553	Prinvalli	12	Raffellia	224,012	Giovannia Magna
3	Andoliavilla	640,816	Lido Flavi	13	Flaviopole	217,221	Lido Flavi
4	Urido	502,819	Lavandula	14	Amorante	213,024	Prinvalli
5	Abrentopole	425,870	Abrenostro	15	Salvoregno	201,477	Prinvalli
6	Karlopole	347,106	Abrenostro	16	Dazano	181,632	Lavandula
7	Annavilla	328,736	Verdiante	17	Giovangrandi	167,336	Prinvalli
8	Isula Magna	302,873	Altana	18	Ioseppole	160,214	Tramontana
9	Nenofre	254,690	Lido Flavi	19	Baiabella	152,069	Prinvalli
10	Quorivo	248,133	Lavandula	20	Osellio	147,820	Lavandula

Giovannia	Porto Violeto	Andoliavilla	Urido

[Giovanniland]

Economy

Giovanniland has an advanced mixed economy with a GDP totalling $1,406,647,221,920, and due to the Giovannilandian policies of social democracy and welfare state, 48.2% of the national income goes to government spending. The national economy is highly diversified, featuring services as 71% of the economic output, while industries account for 27%, and the remaining 2% is generated by primary activities, all backed by the national currency called Abrio (𝒜). The labor force is defined as all the population between 18 and 70 years old, estimated to be 18,734,722 according to the latest national census, with an unemployment index of only 2% due to extensive welfare and social policies.

Primary and secondary sectors

For much of its history, Giovanniland's economy relied on agricultural and manufacturing goods. Both the Abrentan and Lavandulan civilizations regarded trade as very important for their national development, and it was this relation that allowed both cultures to grow closer and form the Giovannian Empire, which brought an economic revolution to Lavender Island. During the imperial era, a period of prosperity came to the island due to the diverse goods brought in by the trading posts and routes established around Esferos, and the agricultural and mining riches earned from the Andolian colonies. The decline of the Giovannian Empire forced the nation to adapt to a new era, and during the late 12th and early 13th centuries, the Industrial Revolution was brought from Saint Mark and was fully complete throughout the country by 1260. Continued economic growth has happened most often since then, allowing for the nation's development in other spheres such as society and infrastructure.

Despite the decrease in relative importance for external trade after the Industrial Revolution, agriculture and mining still provide a backbone for the nation's industries and services. Agriculture is currently estimated to contribute around 1.5% of GDP, generating a variety of tropical crops such as bananas, coconuts, papayas, cassava, cocoa, coffee, rice, sweet potato, and tea. Mining, another major component of the Giovannilandian primary sector, accounts for 0.5% of the national GDP and features an increasing search for rare-earth elements due to their uses in advanced technology, although the sector faces environmental regulations due to the green policies of the notable Partito Verde.

Meanwhile, the secondary sector is represented by factories and industries such as automobiles, computers and other electronics, food processing, and retail. These industry types are often concentrated in specific regions of the country, such as the Abrenostro region having strong influence in Giovannese cuisine and thus being the center of the national food processing industry. The mountainous regions such as Kordelleria are known for their retail sector, while automobiles are often produced in the regions of Spandorto and Altana. Finally, the technology industry is present throughout the country, with Amorante (in Prinvalli) and Flaviopole (in Lido Flavi) as examples of key cities of this sector. They have the nearby ports of Porto Violeto and Andoliavilla respectively, so Giovannilandian high-tech and nanotechnology products can be exported and generate high revenue, or be transported to other parts of the country.

     

Avvento is a primary sector company focusing on wind power, while Ekoprodutti is a secondary sector company that manufactures environmentally friendly products.

Services

The tertiary sector is the driving workforce behind the national economy. Technology services account for over 10% of the GDP and are divided into diverse areas such as telecommunications, e-commerce, software development, social media, gaming, data processing, artificial intelligence and much more. Several Giovannilandian companies from this sector have in the last few decades become present in the lives of nearly all Giovannilandians and also a decent international audience, for example Tullerigno through its widely used Osello operating system and Essio browser & search engine; and more recently the Konsortio Intellegentie's development of the generative chatbot Violeta and text-to-image model VisioArti. This subdivision of the tertiary sector is most present in the region of Giovannia Magna, with several enterprises' headquarters in cities next to the capital such as Vinikiano, Raffellia and Iuliopole. Nearly all of Giovanniland's population has access to the internet, and most households have electronics ranging from computers, televisions and mobile phones to advanced Internet of Things devices.

The finance and trade sector is also notable and has its roots in the Giovannian Empire, since successive emperors sought to reach lands previously unknown to the Giovannese, establishing trading posts in the five continents including Nur, with which the Empire notably pioneered a surge in trade routes across the Viatic. Many institutions of merchants and moneylenders were founded in important ports like Urido and Porto Violeto during the imperial golden age in the 9th and 10th centuries AF, and developed into modern-day banks such as the famous Emeria Lavanda (Lavender Bank). Presently 7% of the GDP comes from this area, and Giovannilandian banks have earned a reputation of having a very secure and technological system, alongside low taxes for money deposits.

Last but not least, the other major source of services income is tourism. Environmentally friendly tourism is prominent in the northern Lavandulan rainforests and the two branches of the Great Lavender Range in Giovaura, as well as the vast southern savannas of Giovandolia, with several designated national parks and natural reserves for this purpose. Historical tourism offers a wide range of attractions, ranging from ancient ruins of the Lavandulan Empire to the medieval Abrentan castles and the vast diversity of Giovannian Empire architecture, complemented by museums like the National Museums of Giovannia and Andoliavilla. Cultural tourism is also very lively and finds its home in the region of Abrenosto, whose capital Abrentopole regularly hosts several culinary events, since world-famous Giovannese meals like pizza and seafood pasta come from this region, as well as art exhibitions and festivals. Another destination in the region is the Abrentan Cape, known for the vineyards and wine production near the city of Portovini, and the beach resorts visited by many international tourists along the cape's coastline.

     

The logos of Tullerigno and Emeria Lavanda, two service sector companies mentioned above.

Energy and transport

The vast amount of energy in Giovanniland is generated by renewable sources, showing the effects of the Partito Verde's policies for nearly a century, starting from the leadership of Anna Tansegano when hydroelectricity replaced coal as the dominant energy source in the nation. Nowadays hydropower still leads with a plurality of 31%, but the government recognizes its disadvantages such as loss of arable land, population displacement, and disruption of ecosystems, so efforts to phase it out as the main contributor are ongoing. Other contributors to the national energy generation are solar power (30%), wind power (26%), biomass and other renewables (10%), and non-renewables (3%). The coastal regions of Prinvalli, Abrenosto, Lido Flavi and Altana are the main sites for the wind and solar energy generation due to the favorable tropical broadleaf forest and savanna biomes that feature a lot of solar irradiation and strong winds.

Giovanniland also has a strong and well connected network of railroads, highways, waterways, harbors, airports, and more. The highway (autostrada) system is divided into national roads, which receive an abbreviation with the two-letter code GI followed by a number, and regional roads, whose abbreviations feature the region’s code instead. A very important project in the history of Giovannilandian highways was completed in 1313, when north-south highways were completed in both Aura and Andolia. The following decades saw the connection of all urban municipalities to this new system, and at last smaller settlements in rural municipalities. Meanwhile, the railway system is older and dates back to the middle to late imperial period, where it took on the role of transporting vast amounts of agricultural, mining and manufacturing goods. These were originally wooden rails, while newer innovations such as metal rails, steam and now electric power were introduced during or after the Industrial Revolution.

The busiest port city in Giovanniland is Porto Violeto, a historic port that has been in existence for nearly two thousand years. The harbor was greatly expanded during the imperial golden era, since it hosted a majority of the trade between the mainland and the overseas trading posts established by the Giovannian Empire, becoming the most prosperous city in all of the empire. In recent times, Porto Violeto has maintained its significance as the second largest city in Giovanniland and head of a cosmopolitan metropolis, while its port has evolved into a major container terminal for both the Darkesian Sea and the wider world. Meanwhile, other significant port cities include Urido in the north and Andoliavilla in the south. The country is also well-adapted for aerial transport—the five busiest Giovannilandian airports are the Emperor Giovanni II the Great International Airport in Giovannia (22 million passengers per year), the Abreo-Florino International Airport in Porto Violeto (15m), the Flavio International Airport in Andoliavilla (10m), the Respublika International Airport in Abrentopole (7m), and the Ianteno International Airport in Urido (5m).

     

Hydropower and solar power are roughly tied for energy contribution and together account for over 60% of the nation's energy, the latter widely used in urban centers.

[Giovanniland]

Culture

The culture of Giovanniland is very rich and diverse, with influences from the ancient Lavandulan city-states, the Abrentans and their Markan heritage, neighbor nations such as Blue Bubble and Minsu, and most recently immigrants from various continents. The concept of an unique Giovannese culture came into being during the start of the Empire, specifically the reign of Augusto. He sought to create an unified national culture with elements from the Abrentans and Lavandulans, for example expanding the Lavender Festival to the entire country, building more Iantenist churches, introducing Abrentan music and cuisine to the Lavandulans, and creating a law code incorporating costumes from both cultures.

Cuisine

Giovannese cuisine is home to several famous dishes, most notably pizza. It was created in southern Abrento during the medieval republican era, soon spreading to the entirety of Giovanniland and then the world. The Pizza Abrentana has a round shape with a raised edge, baked in traditional style within a wood-fired brick oven. The two most common styles are Pizza Iuliana, with hand-crushed peeled tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fragrant basil leaves, and extra virgin olive oil; and Pizza Nauti (sailor’s pizza) which has tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, oregano and garlic. In the coastal regions of Prinvalli and Lavandula, Pizza Eskomarini (seafood pizza) is common and can include species such as fish clams, shrimp, octopus, and squid. Meanwhile, in the capital Giovannia a common topping is the Pizza Dui Stationi (two seasons pizza) whose vegetables allude to the two tropical seasons.

Pasta is also a Giovannese staple and comes in diverse varieties such as spaghetti, fusilli, penne, ravioli, fettuccine and lasagna. The Lavanda ed Eskomarino (lavender and seafood pasta) is the official dish of Porto Violeto, with seafood from the city’s harbors and a forest lavender seasoning. Another pasta recipe is the Lasana Tropicale, including not only the traditional ragù but also adding pesto sauce made with tropical nuts, such as macadamia and cashew. Besides pasta and pizza, other renowned dishes are Padella, saffron-colored rice with seafood; Tiramisù, featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone cheese; and Gelato Giovannese, offered in tropical flavors such as passion fruit, guava, watermelon, dragonfruit, papaya and tamarind.

     

Pizza Iuliana and Lavanda ed Eskomarino respectively.

Visual arts

In the field of visual arts, some of the earliest preserved paintings in modern-day Giovanniland were made by the Lavandulan artist Paldeno of Karpo. He lived between 760 and 702 BF during the golden age of the Lavandulan Empire, usually painting about the diverse nature in the rainforests of northern Lavender Island. After the Abrentans' arrival in the island, they produced artworks with themes such as wars with other peoples, political life in their Republic, and the Abrentan landscape. The Giovannese Renaissance occurred during the early and middle Giovannian Empire, when artists were prominently financed by merchants and the government, marking a golden age in painting and sculpture. Artists such as Giorgio Massimiano, Anna Gepelli Santi, and Iulia Urbano-Vekellio used techniques of perspective and color in order to capture the urban and rural landscapes in the Empire.

The magnificent artworks of the Renaissance coincided with the development of Giovannese architecture. The intricate medieval Abrentan castles and villages gave way to a more modern and grandiose style, and new Iantenist temples were built across the Empire with some new touches added to the traditional Lavandulan buildings. A prime example is the Palatio Smaraldo, built during the reign of Emperor Kesare shortly after the capital was moved to the new city of Giovannia. Kesare chose the empire’s best architects and artists to build and decorate the palace, including Massimiano who made many of the famous frescoes still there today. Pictured themes included the expanding cities, biodiversity, the nobility, colonial expansion, thriving commerce, overseas expeditions and life in the colonies.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, a new movement called Verdenism celebrated the dynamism and emotional depth within the natural world. They experimented with color and form, besides using vibrant hues and exaggerated forms. One of the defining Verdenist works is The Dance of the Spirits by Erasmo Ambrosio, which depicts vibrant figures moving through a forest and shows the harmony between humanity and nature. More recently, Giovanniland became a hub of avant-garde movements, in particular the Ecofuturism movement. Inspired by the rapid changes in technology and its effects in society and the environment, artists such as Zodena Fagundi and Silvio Rubellio-Quieti sought to break with the past and picture the new world.

     

Some of Giorgio Massimiano's famous works, and the Palatio Smaraldo.

Literature

Records of written Lavandulan language begin in the city-states era, serving not only as communication between the different cities, but also as a way to describe historical peoples and events. The Lavandulans were notable for their poetry and philosophy; some of the famous names being Nima of Quorivo and Dargio of Gimussa. Later, the Abrentans arrived into the island and created a literary tradition centred on chivalric romance, love stories, palace drama and other medieval aspects, known as the Akallian genre. They also translated and were influenced by the ancient Lavandulan classics, helping to preserve many impressive works for the modern day.

The Giovannese Golden Age happened from the 8th to the 11th centuries. Poets captured the essence of their tropical surroundings in works such as Ode to the Rainforest by Marko Traiano and Lavender Island by Gialla Zerdano Poska, celebrating the rich biodiversity of the Giovannian Empire and emphasizing the connection between nature and spirituality. The development of a Giovannese identity was also present and culminated in the writing of the Epic of Giovanniland by Fulvia Silvanio-Belmari in the early 10th century, writing a detailed founding myth and then extensively describing the national history of several millennia. In a similar vein, valuable historical writing about the culture of the imperial era was encouraged and serves as an important source for modern-day studies.

Newer literary styles continued developing afterwards. Narrative and short stories by authors such as Neurina Linari and Gigero Altada explored the lives of common people in the diverse landscapes of Giovanniland, while a wave of philosophical writing occurred concurrently, and various intellectuals wrote essays on society and governance. More recently, the advent of industrialization and technology in the last two centuries has introduced these themes and their social impacts into the national literature. The contemporary literary scene in Giovanniland is vibrant, and authors such as Arabella Gialla-Galzeno and Tommaso Kelesti continue to explore themes of ecology, cultural heritage, and social justice.

Sports

Giovanniland recently hosted the II Summer Esferiad of Quorivo and Kharventhin together with Blue Bubble, topping the medal table with 26 gold, 21 silver and 22 bronze for a total of 69 medals. Meanwhile, the national sport is chess, and the city of Sonserino is considered the national chess capital, hosting the annual Giovannilandian Chess Championship. The two most successful Giovannese chess grandmasters are Vespasia Serentelli and Plinio Amafinia-Lampo, who dominated the national chess scene in the mid-14th century, and are respectively ranked 1st and 2nd for most championship titles. Current notable players include Guillermo Urido-Amorino, Dezeno Purparboni, Karlo Neurino-Sousa, and the defending champion Raffella Quadrigaro.

     

Participants of the annual Giovannilandian Chess Championship, and the logo of the II Summer Esferiad.

Music

Lavandulan archaeological sites have musical records dating back to the Lavandulan imperial era, whose instruments included xylophones, panflutes, horns, lyres and organs. The Abrentans later added their own influences and music theory, setting the stage for music to flourish during the Giovannian Empire. The style of Giovannese classical music arose starting from the 9th century AF, featuring new instruments like the piano and violin, and new musical forms like symphony and opera. Emperor Giovanni II's reign from 953 to 983 was the zenith of this style, when notable composers such as Agrippina Quintilio and Neurino Fulvio-Abroni created renowned operas, exploring themes of Lavandulan mythology and the period’s aristocratic society. Opera remains popular in the modern day, and opera houses in major cities have stunning architecture and acoustics.

The 14th century saw the introduction of multiple modern styles such as jazz, rock, pop and electronic music in Giovanniland. Furthermore, a distinct Tropical genre arose in the 1360s from the mixture of various earlier traditions and gained immense acclaim, coinciding with the emergence of film scores that highlighted Giovanniland's cinematic talent, with composers like Ottavio Nasselli creating memorable soundtracks for both local and international films. Annual music festivals are hosted in cities such as Abrentopole and Ioseppole, celebrating the country's musical heritage and contemporary talent, and drawing crowds from around the world.

Festivals and holidays

The most prominent festival is by far the Lavender Festival, which happens during the week before New Year, starting in December 25th and ending on January 1st. The forest lavender is commonly seen in Giovanniland as a symbol as prosperity and renewal, hence the festival's date just before another year begins. The nation celebrates the holiday through various events, such as the planting of lavender in home gardens some time before December so they can be fully grown by the time of the event, and decoration of houses with lavender bunches and perfumes, which is said to give good fortunes for the upcoming year. Food recipes featuring lavender are also common, such as pasta, cupcakes, tea, and lemonade, among others.

The Lavender Festival is not only very important but also ancient, dating back to the 11th century BF when it was founded in Urido during the Lavandulan Empire, although nowadays it’s celebrated nationwide. Other important dates are the Empire Day (January 16th), when the Giovannian Empire was founded in 560 by Iulio of Abrento and Nima VII of Lavandula; Giovandolian Day (April 23rd), when in 724 the fleet led by Admiral Flavio first landed in the mainland of modern-day Giovandolia; Kingdom Day (June 15th), when the Kingdom of Giovanniland began after Anna II’s reforms in 1225; Abrentan Day (August 29th), when the Abrentan Republic was founded after several decades of Abrentan migration from Saint Mark to the Lavender Island; and Constitution Day (October 30th), when Giovanniland’s first constitution was completed in 1228.

     

Lavender products for sale in Urido during the Lavender Festival, and Empire Day banners in Giovannia.