Alexandria

Alexandria, officially the State of Alexandria, is a state located on the north-central coast of the Luson region of Cartadania. With 28.6 million residents across a total area of about 163895.3 km2, Alexandria is the third-most populous and eleventh-most extensive state in Cartadania. The state capital is the city of Calaine in central Alexandria, while New Venceia is the most populous city in the state, located along the northeastern coast near the Sanoria Channel. Greater New Venceia is the most populous urban region in the state, with 7.4 million residents spread amongst eleven counties.

In 1710, Alexandria became the first state to ratify the current constitution of Cartadania, and thus earned the distinction of being the first state (and is where it's nickname "The Premier State" originates). Reformed after 30 years of disarray, Alexandria long stood as the capital of what would become Cartadania even before the nation's formation. It was the playground of many Caphirians, thanks to its relatively flat geography and similarly Mediterranean climate despite its position in the tropics. As a result, Alexandria developed much as a second hub for Venceia (hence, New Venceia) and for many decades, had the most explosive growth in population and economy of any Cartadanian state. Its economy is the third-most diverse in the country (second only to Verona and Santarém), and it is the financial center of Cartadania.

The area that today corresponds to the state territory was already inhabited by indigenous peoples from approximately 12,000 BC. In the early 15th century, the coast of the region was visited by other sea-faring explorers and navigators resident to the Odoneru. After the establishment of the Banlieuregio of Alexandria during the Pontificate, the region began to gain political weight. After independence in 1671, Alexandria began to become a major agricultural producer (mainly coffee and sugarcane) in the newly constituted Cartadanian Republic, which ultimately created a rich regional rural oligarchy, which would switch on the command of the Cartadanian government with elites during the early republican period in the 1680s.

History
Alexandria is the oldest state in Cartadania by way of constitutional ratification, doing so 352 years years ago. The area that today corresponds to the state territory was already inhabited by indigenous peoples from approximately 12,000 BC. These people, who eventually came to be known as the Ettian, are the oldest continuously existing civilization in Sarpedon.

Around the 9th century BC, Alexandria's coast was a site of interest for the Adonerii league, and Serdica (today part of New Venceia) was a port city of Adonerum. The only such city in the area, Serdica's exact purpose remains unknown, however many historians believe that it was probably of similar purpose as New Venceia had been early on–one of agricultural production. New Venceia, which rose as a "legal" settlement in the 14th century, stands in its place and is the largest city in the state. As a directly controlled colony of Caphiria, Alexandria remained relatively undeveloped early on. It focused mostly on the coastal production of sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, and other crops that were then exported back south to urban Caphiria. The importance of it versus its southern neighbor was a debate that would lead to the fallout of an empire.

After the establishment of the Banlieuregio of Alexandria during the Pontificate, the region began to gain political weight as a true entity. In the early 16th century, the coast of the region was visited by other sea-faring explorers and navigators resident to the Odoneru. Northern Alexandria has the largest population of non-Latinic and non-Romance descent individuals relative to any other part of the state. Alexandria, as a consequence of its location, has been very receptive to foreign travelers and immigration, even in the modern era.

After independence in 1671, Alexandria began to become a major agricultural producer (mainly coffee and sugarcane) in the newly constituted Cartadanian Republic, which ultimately created a rich regional rural oligarchy, which would switch on the command of the Cartadanian government with elites during the early republican period in the 1680s. The rural nature of Alexandria did not last very long in many areas, especially those along the Urlazio coast, where most of the state's population is located. Calaine pushed for intense industrialization and urbanization between 1671 and 1697, in a period known as Solis, sometimes referred to colloquially as Pax Alexandrini, and as a result, Alexandria's population skyrocketed and New Venceia crossed the half-million mark.

In 1710, Alexandria became the first state to ratify the current constitution of Cartadania, and thus earned the distinction of being the first state, earning it the nickname "The Premier State". Reformed after 30 years of disarray and the Ano Roxo, Alexandria long stood as the capital of what would become Cartadania even before the nation's formation, with it's city of Meridia. It was the playground of many Caphirians, thanks to its relatively flat geography and similarly Mediterranean climate along the coastline, especially near New Venceia and along the Urlazio Coast. As a result, Alexandria developed much as a second financial and governmental hub for Venceia (hence, New Venceia) and for many decades, Alexandria saw the most explosive growth in population and economy during the colonial and provincial periods.

Modern era
Today, Alexandria has turned most of its focus has turned to post-industrial life. With the advantages of cheap real estate, low taxes, right-to-work laws, and a regulatory environment limiting government interference, the Calaine metropolitan area became a national center of finance, insurance, technology, manufacturing, real estate, logistics, and transportation companies, as well as the film, convention, and trade show businesses.

Healthcare, retail, transportation, and tourism are some of the state's growing industries of the postindustrial era. As in the rest of the nation, most residential population growth has occurred in suburban rather than central city areas as the largely rural environs of eastern Alexandria began to change adjust. Agricultural tracts gave way to residential communities and suburbs became increasingly common. This has fueled new forms of communities, such as suburban cities, although all three major cities have had significant revitalization in their downtown areas and continue to see population growth.

Geography
The state of Alexandria covers a total area of 163895 km2 and ranks as the 11th-largest state by size. It is 554.7 km north-to-south and 468.2 km east-to-west. The highest elevation in Alexandria is Monte Pinhal in the Serra Alexandrina, at 4126 m above sea level; while the state's lowest point is at sea level, on the Odoneru Ocean and Urlazio Sea.

Climate
The overall climate of Alexandria is hot almost all year. The temperature in the state varies from 22 to 36 C. The coast is mediterranean, tempered by the cool trade winds; in the more elevated, semi-arid regions it is very hot and dry (often above 22 C, but seldom above 30 C), although the nights are cool. In the higher ranges (Serra Alexandrina) the temperatures are cooler and vary from about 14 to 18 C. The record minimum temperature registered in Alexandria was 8 C, recorded in Altagracia, a small city in central ranges.

The extreme southwestern portion of the state lies along the equator and is part of the Pantanal region of Cartadania (located in all four major Luson states). It is characterized by very high humidity and large amounts of rainfall. In fact, annual rainfall in the region is from 2250 - 3050 mm. Monthly precipitation ranges from 80 mm in July to 263 mm in March. It typically rains on almost 300 days every year. It is the second-rainiest place in the country.

Environmental issues
Despite Alexandria's commitment to urban-nature mixing, it lags behind Veneza and Verona in terms of environmental commitments. The state's industrial nature combined with its image as a workhorse of Cartadania has caused many officials to turn the other way in terms of environmental issues. Though Alahuela set the standard for environmental impact through the entirety of the union, the states have the ability to build on the laws set forth by Congress. At present, Alexandria uses the basic form established, with minor adjustments for SB 270. Nonetheless, despite the lag, Alexandria is still a post-industrial economy, with a very high standard of living. Thusly, issues pertaining to the greenhouse effect caused by carbon emissions and industrial dumping have always been top priorities for the Alexandria Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).

Flora and fauna
Alexandria is home to various plant and animal species, including 77 amphibian species, 62 reptile species, 114 bird species, and 83 mammal species, as well as nearly 107 species of tree and other vegetation. While not as diverse as other states, like Milan and neighbor Verona, Alexandria sports a very strong integration of urban area and nature. The coexistence of animals and people throughout the state has made Alexandria one of the most unique among the thirty-one. It is notable for its large green spaces, especially those of large cities like Calaine, New Venceia, and Portsmouth, where initiatives exist to restore many of the original nature.

Alexandria's SB270 dedicated 10% (16390 km2) of state land to nature and wildlife preserves. It is the largest allocation of land for this purpose, relative to a state's area, in the country.

Population
The Cartadania Office of the Census found that the reported population of Alexandria was 28,615,080 at the 2020 Census, which was finalized on 31 December 2020, making it the third-most populous state in Cartadania. The population density of the state is 174.6 PD/km2, making Alexandria the sixth-most densely populated state. For a while, Alexandria was the most populous state, even moreso than Verona and Santiago due to its hyper-urban development. This has since changed over the years, with Verona topping Alexandria by a margin of 48 million people.

Ancestry
According to census findings, the population of Alexandria in 2020 was:


 * Pardo or Cartic 39.2
 * Latinate or northern Levantine descent 33.7
 * Pelaxian 10.2%
 * Burgoignac 8.6%
 * Coscivian 2%
 * Cronan 0.6%
 * Alshari 0.4%
 * Native 5.3%

As its heritage and identity would indicate, there are strong Latinate ancestry lines amongst Alexandria people, especially those from the northeastern coastal region proximal to New Venceia due to influence from Caphiria. Like most of Cartadania, though, the Pardo group still holds the majority of the population, but only leads Latin descent by about 5.5%.

Languages
The federal official language in Cartadania is Cartadanian, and as a result, the language of business, government, and instruction in Alexandria is Cartadanian as well. However, because some 21% percent of the state is fluent in Caphiric Latin, the General Assembly has and continues to permit combined use of the language alongside Cartadanian, one of only a few non-border states to do so. Approximately 29% of the population has reported speaking a other than Cartadanian at home in Alexandria. A minor language of Alexandria, known as Ettian, is a local language that is similar to that of the Sinitalian people, although convergently evolved outside of Levantia.

The most common languages spoken in Alexandria as of 2024 are:
 * 65% Cartadanian
 * 21% Latin
 * 5% Ettian
 * Other languages less than 1% each

Religion
Alexandria is mostly, although there is a moderately sized community within the state as well. The Catholic Church is the largest single denomination in the state, as Cartadania was a former constituency of Caphiria and is proximate to Urcea, the two largest countries on the planet, both of whom have a Catholic majority. With approximately 69% of the state identifying as Catholic and 22% identifying as irreligious, the remaining 9% constitute other religious groups from around the globe. Despite the separation of church and state being a very stark part of Cartadanian life, Alexandria's catholic past plays a large part in the customs of its government even today.

Government
The State is divided into 117 counties across the six regions. Some counties have been named for prominent figures in Cartadanian history, and many bear names relevant to their geography or features. Counties in Alexandria have their own elected legislative branch, usually called the Board of Supervisors, which usually also has executive authority in the county. Alexandria's constitution provides all counties and cities with "" authority. The county boards have considerable power to pass legislation within their county, similar to how cities would.

Alexandria recognizes all local units of government as cities, so all incorporated towns are legally cities by virtue of commonwealth law. While Alexandria does not provide for independent cities like Acara, Aleira, or Triessa, it does allow governments by way of a local referendum, of which two exist–Alexandria City and New Venceia.

State government
As with all other Cartadanian states and the federal government, Alexandria's government is based on the separation of legislative, executive, and judicial power. Executive authority in the state rests with the. Both the Governor of Alexandria and lieutenant governor are elected on separate ballots to four-year terms of office, limited to two terms. Most of the executive officials that comprise the governor's cabinet are elected by the citizens of Alexandria rather than being appointed by the governor.

Legislative authority resides in the Alexandria General Assembly, composed of the Senate and the Domus Alexandriae. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the state's senate, while members of the Domus Alexandriae select their own speaker. The Alexandria Constitution sets the number of senators at 80, each of whom is elected from single-member districts. It also mandates a minimum of 120 representatives, apportioned among the representative districts. The state currently sits at the legally defined number of 80 senators and 120 representatives, each of whom serves two-year terms with no limit. The state's laws are codified as the Code of Alexandria. The basis of law in Cartadania draws heavily from the legal system of Alexandria, with many laws between the two being nearly identical.

Alexandria's judges and justices who make up the state's judicial system are elected by a majority vote in both the Domus and Senate without input from the governor, one of the ways Alexandria's legislature has more power than its executive. Judicial authority rests with the Supreme Court of Alexandria. In addition, there are smaller courts that have more limited geographical jurisdiction, including Circuit Courts, the trial courts of general jurisdiction, and the lower Superior Courts, which house Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts and General District Courts. The Supreme Court has seven justices who serve twelve-year terms, with a mandatory retirement age of 75. The supreme court selects its own Chief Justice from among its seven justices, who is limited to no more than a twelve-year term as Chief.