Verona

Verona, officially the Commonwealth of Verona is a state situated on the eastern coast of central Cartadania, boasting a diverse geography that spans from the Urlazian Coast in the east to the Serra Afiada mountain range in the center, and from the meranti forests to the Eastern Lençois Desert in the southwest. With a population of 76.2 million people across an area of approximately 392847 km2, Verona is the most populous and expansive state in Cartadania. Its state capital is the city of Aurimá, located in central Verona, and its most populous urban region is the Palm Coast metro area, home to 31.7 million residents. Sierra, Verona's most populous city, boasts a population of over eight million people, and Sierra County, Verona's most populous county, is also one of its largest counties by area.

Verona is known for its warm tropical climate, but the state's large size means that it varies from rainforest in the west to arid desert in the south, and nearly alpine in the mountains. The Central and Chesapeake Valleys, which are major agricultural areas, dominate the state's center. Verona is considered a global trendsetter in popular culture, innovation, and politics, with the Palm Coast Metro area widely recognized as a center for the global technology and entertainment industries.

The state's economy is the largest of any state in Cartadania, valued at $6.267 trillion, making it more than $2.5 trillion ahead of the next largest economy, Santiago. If Verona were a country, it would be the 15th largest economy in the world and the 25th most populous. It is incredibly diverse, with, government, , technology, and professional, scientific and technical business services accounting for 58% of the state's economy. Additionally, Verona's agriculture industry has the highest output of any Cartadanian state, although it is not a coffee-producing state, it exports a significant amount of goods shipped from other states.

Verona shares its borders with Trentino, Santiago, Alexandria, and the capital city of Alahuela to the west and north, Catania to the south, and Alta Roma and Baixa Roma to the east. Furthermore, Verona shares an international maritime border with the Caphirian province of Turiana.

The first inhabitants
Settled by successive waves of arrivals during the last 10,000 years, Verona was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in Ixnay. Various estimates of the native population range from 100,000 to 300,000. The Indigenous peoples of Verona included more than 30 distinct groups of Native Cartadanians, ranging from large, settled populations living on the coast to groups in the interior. Verona groups also were diverse in their political organization with bands, tribes, villages, and on the resource-rich coasts, large chiefdoms, such as the Veronesi, Guanches and Vartuli. Trade, intermarriage and military alliances fostered many social and economic relationships among the diverse groups. Whether a Native tribe was friendly or warlike was critical to the fates of Latin explorers and settlers in that land. Friendly tribes taught newcomers how to grow indigenous crops, prepare foods, and hunt wild game. Warlike tribes made life difficult and dangerous for Latin settlers through their attacks and resistance to the newcomers.

Colonial and Latin periods
Because of Verona's long history as a banlieuregio of Caphiria, the impact of Caphirian culture was strong, especially during the first two centuries following Verona's creation. Due to it's equatorial climate and vast size, Verona spent much of its time as a diversified land. It served as an agricultural hub for Caphiria, and through Caphiria's trade networks, much of the world. It also served as a tourist destination for many Caphirians seeking a more distinct vacation. The long white sand beaches attracted many from around the world as well, especially from Levantia.

Verona originally encompassed what is today, Santiago and Trentino, as well as it's present day area. It was bound by a loose government structure that contained settlements such as Amelia, Lynnhaven, and Viridans, which served as important locations for the Imperium. Much of Verona's colonial period was quite dormant outside of development of the region in terms of trade, which would eventually diminish in favor of trade from Luria and Auvia.

Verona further formed the state of Santiago from its Columbia, Sancti, and Tridentum regions toward the end of it's colonial era. Though never officially a region, Sancti served as Verona's playground in terms of developing new "technology" and advancement as a Banlieuregio.

Republic of Verona and Caphirian invasion
Due to the imperium's constant neglect of Verona in favor of other, more centrally located provinces, Verona's autonomous government passed a law known as the Vermillion Act, which effectively separated the province from the imperium, creating a wall between Verona (and its territory, Sancti) and the Alexandria province north of Verona. Initially, the imperium took little notice to this separation, choosing to overlook it as an international publicity stunt. Things began to change, however, when Verona began to issue its own money, the Veronese Lira, backed at a value higher than that of the Taler. This value was further increased by low circulation, Verona's now incredibly diverse economy, its desirable location, and an exploding population. With similar sentiments of the Burgoignesc for freedom from their national governments, Verona began to develop support on an international stage. It officially codified its initial set of laws as a nationstate in 1426, under the name REPVBLICA VERONEZE, and rewrote all of its information, culture, and signage in its local dialect, of which would eventually standardize into Early Cartadanian half a century later.

The imperium, noticing the growing notoriety of the young republic, began to develop a particular feeling of betrayal, going so far as to consider acts of the people of Verona treasonous. As a result, the imperium proceeded to declare a form of marshall law and nearly razed the young republic's infrastructure in an effort to bring it into submission. The result was, of course, Verona's forced re-entry into the imperium. Despite this, however, Verona's disdain for Venceia's rule began to spread and grow not only in Verona, but in Alexandria and Sancti as well. It would go so far as a double-sided operation by Verona's leadership to assist in granting Sancti provincial status so that it would have more power. In the years that followed this invasion, the governments of Alexandria, Sancti, and Verona began very secretive talks of another separation from the imperium.

Union with Alexandria and Santiago
In the the late 1660s, Verona redivided itself into 12 municipios which served as the precursors for Verona's 53 modern counties and are identical to the boundaries of Verona's modern metro areas. In 1671, Verona again seceded from Caphiria, this time taking Alexandria and Sancti, now renamed Santiago from the Cartadanian language equivalent, along with it. The three independent provinces again cited Venceia's neglect of the area for the reason of separation. This time, although Caphiria attempted to bring the three provinces back into the imperium, was torn between the aftermath of the Great Schism and the changing nature of life in Venceia. Inevitably, Venceia withdrew its military from Verona and Alexandria, which generated a de facto new nation, one without name or identity.

Naturally, Alexandria and Santiago looked to Verona for guidance on this as Verona had already been a short-lived nationstate in the past. Over the course of the next 9 years, the three provinces united into the first Republic of Cartadania, written REPVBLICA CARTADANIANA, itself named indirectly for the Carto-Latinic people of the Lusitan peninsula in northern Sarpedon. The union was quite weak and generally served as the basis for what would become the second Cartadanian Republic. The three entities developed an economic model and other aspects that would lead to the development of a stronger nation.

During this period, Verona saw a large urbanization, especially around what is today the Palm Coast. Sierra, previously a small town, began to explode in population and the resulting population growth drastically expanded Verona's economy. It was also around this time that Verona's government moved from Sierra to a more central location in what would become the city of Aurimá. There were a lot of births around this time as well, coinciding with the birth of the new nation. It was also during this time, however, that the country saw what would become the bloodiest conflict on domestic soil.

Early Cartadanian statehood period


In 1697, approximately 17 years after Verona had united with Santiago and Alexandria, things took a turn for the worst. The elite that still oversaw Verona and the other two states through monetary means began to overextend Verona's money and resources for their benefit, which ultimately saw the middle and lower class being neglected by the people they trusted to protect them. As a result, early Cartadania was thrust into a civil war between the wealthy elite and the growing middle and lower class who was becoming poorer by the day. The resulting massacre of many of Cartadania's elite and the forced deportation of three-quarters of Cartadania's upper class would lead to the creation of modern-day Galicia, Ceylonia, and Porlos. The then-governor of Verona was executed during this period as well, which saw Verona enter a period of disarray. The aftermath of this situation and the subsequent eleven year period that followed saw the recreation of Cartadania from a largely capitalist society into a heavily socially democratic one with capitalist aspects.

On 29 October 1709, the governments of the three states called for the creation of a new capital, originally to sit between the three states with land ceded from all three. It was during this period, however, that the west Urlazian provinces, then still part of Caphiria, began to experience the same neglect that Verona faced starting nearly 300 years before. Consequently, to keep the capital centralized and accessible by sea, the three states decided to place the capital between Alexandria and Verona along the Urlazian coast. During this period, Verona also renamed it's municipios to counties, which would continue to divide into the counties of today. Verona's population continued to skyrocket and it was at this time that the State of Verona was renamed to the Commonwealth of Verona. Verona's population, although high, was still quite low in comparison to Alexandria, which served as the capital of the Lusos region during the earlier Caphirian historical periods. This, of course, would change in the coming decades.

Geography
The Commonwealth of Verona boasts a vast expanse of land with a total area of 411940.98 km2, making it the largest state in Cartadania. Its sprawling dimensions span 1189.4 km from north to south and 681.2 km from east to west, encompassing a diverse array of landscapes and terrain. Verona's topography is characterized by mountain ranges, sprawling valleys, and miles of pristine coastline. At the pinnacle of Verona's topography lies Mount Amnesty, situated in the towering Serra Afiada mountain range. This mountain stands tall at a height of 4529.6 m above sea level, making it the highest elevation point in the state. In contrast, the lowest point in Verona is found at sea level, along the Attalus Bay and Urlazian Sea.

Climate
The climatic conditions in Verona are predominantly tropical, although due to its extensive area, the climate varies from tropical to continental. The state's coastal regions are influenced by the cool Urlazian Current, which generates summer fog along the coast. In the mountainous inland areas, temperatures fluctuate throughout the year. The moderating influence of the maritime environment results in the shoreline of Lynnhaven and Sierra having some of the coolest "summer" temperatures of all major metropolitan areas in Cartadania, even compared to areas on the same latitude in the interior, despite their peri-equatorial location. The same phenomenon can be observed in the Vírgenes County shoreline bordering Tanoa, which is cooler in summer than most areas. However, a few miles inland, summer temperatures are significantly higher, with downtown La Joya being several degrees warmer than at the coast. The Attalus Bay Area also shows this microclimate phenomenon, where areas sheltered from the sea experience hotter summers than nearby areas close to the ocean. Verona's diverse geography, ranging from the coastal regions in the east to the mountainous Serra Afiada range in the center and the meranti forests in the west, allows this phenomenon to occur and is one of the most striking in the country. The Central and Castelle Valleys, which are major agricultural areas, dominate the state's center.

Ecology and wildlife
Verona is widely regarded as one of the most diverse and affluent regions of the world, encompassing a plethora of ecological communities that are increasingly rare and threatened. The state is situated within the Neotropic ecozone and spans a range of terrestrial ecoregions, giving rise to a large number of endemic species, some of which are relicts that have vanished from elsewhere in Cartadania and the world. The extraordinary number of endemic species in Verona has emerged through differentiation and adaptive radiation, where various species develop from a common ancestor to exploit diverse ecological niches. Unfortunately, many of these unique species face the risk of extinction as a result of human activities such as urbanization, logging, overgrazing, and the introduction of non-native species that have encroached upon their habitats, though efforts to conserve them have reached the forefront of legislation in recent decades.

Verona's geography is characterized by a variety of landscapes, including s, s, s, s, s, and es. The diversity of the state's geography and climate is unparalleled, even within Cartadania. The generally tropical to Mediterranean climate has made Verona an ideal habitat for a vast array of plant and animal species. In fact, Verona boasts the highest level of biodiversity in the country, with over 206 species of amphibians, 181 species of reptiles, 715 species of birds, and 190 species of mammals, in addition to nearly 900 species of trees and other vegetation. This remarkable diversity includes the, which is the tallest tropical tree on the planet, and can be found within the state's everglades.

Regions
The Commonwealth is divided into twelve regions corresponding to the twelve municipios of Verona which became the original twelve counties, from which the current fifty-three were divided. These regions, although they are not official administrative divisions of the state, do have some legal weight as the state still uses them to allocate and divide certain resources. They are most commonly seen as corresponding to the borders of Verona's twelve major metro areas. It is not uncommon for state agencies to endorse these regions in official capacities, for example, with the Verona Tourism Authority frequently using them for promotion purposes.

The largest of the twelve regions by population, and arguably the most widely known, is the Palm Coast region with its 31 million inhabitants, accounting for nearly 50% of Verona's population. It has the largest metropolitan economy in the country and one of the largest in the world for a subnational entity that is not a state, province, or territory at €2.6 trillion, larger than every other state except Verona itself and Santiago.

Verona's regions often times have unique climatic and geographic characteristics as well. For example, while the Palm Coast is characterized by palm trees, beaches, generally sunny weather, and most flat to gently rolling land, the areas of the Chesapeake Valley and Centralia/Capital region are more dramatic in their variation of geography with mountains and valleys, and these areas are typically more Mediterranean and dry. Further still, the other areas of the state are pretty unique as well, such as the Pinellas region with its tropical conifers, the Everglades region with its yellow meranti forests and open wetlands, and the Olympia Valley region with its arid desert climate and occasional oasis.

Demographics
According to the 2020 Census conducted by the Cartadania Office of the Census, the Commonwealth of Verona had a reported population of 76,239,415 individuals as of 31 December 2020, making it the most populous state in Cartadania. In comparison to other states in the region, Verona's population exceeds that of the next most populous state, Santiago, by approximately 32 million inhabitants. Despite its extensive size, Verona has a population density of 185.1 PD/km2, ranking it as the fifth-most densely populated state in Cartadania.

Verona has historically experienced steady population growth, though there were two significant upward population shifts in the mid-1800s (from around 1838 to 1863) and around the 1900 Census. The mid-1800s saw notable population upheavals, due to a combination of factors such as economic changes, political instability in proximal Vachena, and natural disasters on Urlazio. The 1900 population shift was attributed to an influx of migrants to Verona's coastal communities to support the manufacturing efforts during war times. Despite these disruptions, Verona has generally maintained a positive population growth trend.

Verona's population is largely influenced by its Latin heritage and history, particularly in the northern coastal regions which were once significant centers of activity for Caphiria. The majority of the population is composed of the Pardo group, which is another name for the dominant ethnic group native to Cartadania. The Pardo group constitutes the largest segment of the population, just under fifty percent of the state population, and is followed by individuals of Latin and other Romance descent, which trails Cartadanian-descent by approximately 25.4% and accounts for approximately one-fifth of the population.

Languages
Verona, being part of Cartadania, has Cartadanian as the state official language, which is also used as the language of business, government, and instruction. The state also uses signage in Cartadanian. However, due to the presence of about 20% of the state's population having Latin ancestry, the General Assembly has allowed the combined use of Latin and Ænglish alongside Cartadanian. It is worth noting that about 84% of Latin-identifying individuals in Verona are fluent in Latin and/or Ænglish.

Moreover, Cartadania's close ties with Pelaxia have led to a large population of Spanish-speaking individuals settling in the state. The lexical similarity between Cartadanian and Pelaxian is high, though, estimated at around 90%, allowing for better communication between the two groups without a major need for translation. The Census has reported that approximately one-third of the population in Verona speaks a mother language other than Cartadanian at home, highlighting the state's linguistic diversity.

The most common languages spoken in Verona as of 2030 are:
 * Cartadanian
 * Latin
 * Ænglish
 * Other languages less than 1% each
 * Other languages less than 1% each

Religion
Verona has a predominantly Christian history, with Catholicism being the largest single denomination in the state. This is due to the strong influence of neighboring countries Caphiria and Urcea, both of which have Catholic majorities. Approximately 54% of the state identifies as Catholic, while 32% identify as, and the remaining 14% identify with various other religious groups. In fact, the father of Pope Gregory XVII, the current pope, was born and raised in Cara County, Verona. However, the pope himself was born across the Mendes River in Alahuela.

Despite the separation of church and state being a prominent aspect of Cartadanian life, Verona's Catholic heritage is still reflected in many of its governmental customs and practices. This is exemplified by the numerous cities and counties within the state named after Catholic saints, as well as various buildings and streets. However, active participation in religion is relatively low in Verona compared to other regions in the country.

Economy
Verona's 2024 total gross state product was €6.27 trillion, placing it at 1st within Cartadania. It one of the largest subnational economies on the planet.

Verona is very friendly to small businesses and large businesses alike, although compared to other Commonwealths its taxes are on the higher side. Nonetheless, its open nature and vast lands make it a welcome place for many companies. The state's economy is highly diversified, ranging from agriculture and automobiles to pharmaceuticals and petroleum. It produces large quantities of sugarcane, poultry and eggs, dairy products, rice, and seafood. It is home to automobile manufacturer AGV, one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the country. Other large brands known throughout Cartadania that are headquartered in and/or distributed via Verona include Aurora, Marín-Helius, Nexus, Premiere Airways, and Axiom, among others.

Sierra has a large effect on the Commonwealth, central Cartadania, and beyond. It has been the site of growth in finance, insurance, technology, manufacturing, real estate, service, logistics, transportation, film, communication, convention and trade show businesses and industries. Other cities in the state have large degrees of importance, as well. Verona's second-largest city, Mirada, is also located in Sierra County, while the largest city outside of the Palm Coast, Oasis Springs, has an economy based largely around health care, transportation and the government. The five largest sectors of employment in Verona as a whole are trade, transportation, and utilities; government; professional and business services; education and health services; and leisure and hospitality. In output, the five largest sectors are financial services, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; government; and manufacturing. As of January 2024, Verona has an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Verona's economy is dependent on trade and international-related commerce accounts for about one-quarter of the state's economy. In 2008, Verona exported €226 billion worth of goods, up from €194 billion in 2007 and €187 billion in 2006. Computers and electronic products, including defense equipment, are Verona's top export, accounting for 42 percent of all the state's exports in 2008.

In 2024, Verona had a median household income of €88,620, placing it at 3rd amongst Cartadanian states, and quite highly throughout the world in comparison. Verona, similar to the other Commonwealths (of which Porta Bianca is the exception) lacks an income tax, but does levy a higher sales tax of 6.25% (although many localities will increase this to 8.25% or rarely 9.25% which is the legal maximum), and decent average property tax rate of 1.28% (assessed at the local level). It should be noted that federal law prohibits taxation on medications, medically related devices, while state law prohibits taxation of food for home.

Government and politics
The state's capital is Aurimá. Verona is organized into three branches of government – the executive branch consisting of the Governor and the other independently elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the Chamber of Emissaries and Senate of Verona; and the judicial branch consisting of the Supreme Court of Verona and lower courts. All candidates in the primary elections are listed on the ballot with their preferred party affiliation, but they are not the official nominee of that party. At the primary election, the two candidates with the top votes will advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. If at a special primary election, one candidate receives more than 50% of all the votes cast, they are elected to fill the vacancy and no special general election will be held.

Executive Branch
The Verona executive branch consists of the Governor of Verona and seven other elected constitutional officers: Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Controller, State Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Education. The governor serves as chief executive officer of the Commonwealth and as commander-in-chief of its militia. The Lieutenant Governor serves as president of the Senate of Verona and is first in the line of succession to the governor. The Attorney General is chief legal advisor to the governor and the General Assembly, chief lawyer of the Commonwealth, and the head of the Department of Justice. The attorney general is second in the line of succession to the governor. Whenever there is a vacancy in all three executive offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, then the Orator Princeps of the Verona Chamber of Emissaries becomes governor.

Legislative Branch
The Verona General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Verona Chamber of Emissaries, with 120 members, and an upper house, the Senate of Verona, with 80 members. Combined together, the Verona General Assembly consists of 200 elected representatives from an equal number of constituent districts across the commonwealth. The General Assembly holds sessions in the Verona State Capitol in Aurimá.

The Chamber of Emissaries is presided over by the Speaker of the House, while the Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Verona. The House and Senate each elect a clerk and sergeant-at-arms. The Senate of Verona's clerk is known as the Secretary of the Senate. The General Assembly also selects the Commonwealth's Auditor of Public Accounts. The statutory law enacted is codified in the Code of Verona.

Judicial Branch


Verona's legal system is explicitly based upon common law (as is the case with all other states except Haia and São Andreas) but carries a few features from civil law, such as community property. Capital punishment is a legal form of punishment and the state has the largest "Death Row" population in the country (though there are states that are far more active in carrying out executions, such as Lombardia). Despite this Verona is nominally, and typically in practice, a rehabilitative state, meaning most criminals go through rehabilitation and re-entry into society.

Verona's judiciary system is the largest in Cartadania (with a total of 3,200 judges, while the federal system has only about 1,680). At the apex is the seven Justices of the Supreme Court of Verona, while the Verona Courts of Appeal serve as the primary appellate courts and the Verona Superior Courts serve as the primary trial courts. Justices of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal are appointed by the Governor, but are subject to retention by the electorate every 12 years. The administration of the state's court system is controlled by the Judicial Council, composed of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Verona, 14 judicial officers, four representatives from the Commonwealth Bar of Verona, and one member from each house of the state legislature.

The Supreme Court of Verona meets in the Javier Padrón Commonwealth Justice building, just east of Downtown Aurimá.

Local government
Verona is currently divided into 53 counties. The county government provides countywide services such as law enforcement, jails, elections and voter registration, vital records, property assessment and records, tax collection, public health, health care, social services, libraries, flood control, fire protection, animal control, agricultural regulations, building inspections, ambulance services, and education departments in charge of maintaining statewide standards. In addition, the county serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas. Each county is governed by an elected board of supervisors.

Residents of a sufficiently large piece of unincorporated county land can incorporate a city. The city government then takes some of the tax revenue that would have gone to the county, and can impose additional taxes on its residents. It can then choose to provide almost all the services usually provided by the county (and more), or provide only a few and pay the county to do the rest. A city in this last arrangement is called a contract city.

Like municipalities in most other states, incorporated cities are municipalities that are within counties. Local government is thus divided between the city and the county. A city can be formed from any area with a defined boundary having a population of 1,000 or more. The method for forming cities starts with petitioning the state legislature to grant a charter. As of 2020, there are 624 incorporated cities in Verona.

Although Verona permits cities and counties to enter "interlocal agreements" to share services, the state does not allow consolidated city-county governments, nor does it have metropolitan governments (PCCMCG is a consortium of county governments). The state does not have townships— areas within a county are either incorporated or unincorporated. Incorporated areas are part of a municipality. The county provides limited services to unincorporated areas and to some smaller incorporated areas. Municipalities are classified either "general law" cities or "charter". A municipality may seek charter status once it exceeds 20,000 population with voter approval. General-law cities owe their existence to state law and are consequently governed by it; charter cities are governed by their own city charters. Cities incorporated in the 19th century tend to be charter governed. All ten of the state's most populous cities are charter cities. Most small cities have a council–manager form of government, where the elected city council appoints a city manager to supervise the operations of the city. Some larger cities have a directly-elected mayor who oversees the city government. In many council-manager cities, the city council selects one of its members as a mayor, sometimes rotating through the council membership—but this type of mayoral position is primarily ceremonial.

Verona also permits the creation of "special districts", which provide limited services. The most common is the school district, but can also include hospital districts, community college districts, and utility districts. Municipal, school district, and special district elections are nonpartisan, though the party affiliation of a candidate may be well-known. Partisan elections in charter counties depend on the laws enacted by the county, while general law county and state elections are partisan.

K-12 Education


In Verona, each school district is run by a school board, a non-partisan council that makes decisions for the district at large, including building new schools and other facilities. The elected council of the school board also helps determine educational policy based upon the state curriculum within the boundaries of the school district, its taxable area, which is "independent" of local government authority. The board also has the ultimate say in the hiring and firing of principals and superintendents, and other district-wide administrative positions. The employment of teachers in individual schools, however, is usually left to the principal and administrative staff of the respective schools.

Between 2018 and 2019, Verona spent €19,901 per pupil ranking it well above the national average, with an outlay of about €318 billion. The pupil/teacher ratio was 11.8, below the national average of 17.3. Verona paid full-time instructors, on average, €76,432, well above the national average of €46,593. The Verona Department of Education (VDOE) administers the state's public school systems. Verona has over 100 school districts- all districts except the Varina County School District are independent from municipal government, though few cross city boundaries and none currently cross county boundaries. School districts have the power to tax their residents and to assert eminent domain over privately owned property, though most funding comes directly from state and federal sources. The VDOE has no authority over private school activities aside from base curricula regulation as required by Verona's Education Code, while homeschooling is illegal in Verona and much of Cartadania as a whole.

Prior to 2002, Verona assessed student performance in the elementary school and secondary school grades via the Verona Education Standards Assessment (VESA), administered at the end of each year beginning in Grade 4. Beginning in January 2002, Verona completely eliminated the VESA and instead opted for a model where teachers formulate their own grading systems for the students similar to collegiate systems, although with oversight from various superior bodies (e.g., principals, directs of primary and secondary education, district superintendents, and VDOE review board). The Verona Education system as a whole underwent a major overhaul in 2004 that marked the end of an era. VESA assessed students' attainment of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies skills required under Verona education standards and the Student Succession Act. The test replaced the Verona Common Core of Learning (VCCL) test introduced in 1971.

Higher education
Verona's public postsecondary education offers three major systems and a number of independent public and private schools. The state's research university system is the University of Verona system (UVA), a public university system. As of August 2024, the University of Verona system had a combined student body of 551,212 students. There are 13 general campuses, and a number of specialized campuses in the UVA system. It is often considered the flagship of the three public, four-year systems. The Verona Commonwealth University system (VCU), with its 34 campuses and eight off-campus centers, enrolls nearly 950,000 students. It has at least one campus in all twelve of Verona's metropolitan regions, offering the most diversity in enrollment throughout the state, with some regions having multiple campuses.

The Verona Institute of Technology system is the state's STEM-focused research university system. It has an enrollment of just under 150,000 across its four campuses and nine centers, and is considered by many as the most prestigious of the systems (although some argue the distinction goes to the UVA system). Finally, the Verona Community Colleges system provides lower division coursework, as well as basic skills and workforce training. It is the largest network of higher education in Cartadania, composed of 111 colleges serving a student population of just over 4 million. Some Verona residents also travel to Alahuela to attend the Erudite University of Alahuela, the largest public, single campus university in Sarpedon with nearly 140,000 students.

Verona also has a number of private universities, the most well known of these is Merced University, located in Canaeria. It has approximately 46,000 students and is the largest private university in the state. Other small private schools can be found in the respective metro areas for each resident.

Transportation
Verona has an extensive network of transportation infrastructure that spans its vast terrain. The state has an extensive network of controlled-access highways, limited-access roads, and regular highways that connect all parts of the commonwealth. With the most extensive highway and railway system in Cartadania, Verona's Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for the development, maintenance, and regulation of the state's transportation systems, including aviation and public transportation. Despite the rapidly growing population, Verona's transportation networks have managed to keep traffic congestion to a minimum. The state's lack of overall traffic congestion, particularly in areas outside of the Palm Coast and National metropolitan areas, is noteworthy, given its high population and density. Verona's first freeway, the Bay Freeway, opened in 1948, stretching the length of the state adjacent to the Attalus Bay from northeastern Sierra County to Vírgenes County. Since then, the state has constructed an immense 136336 km of public highways that crisscross its diverse landscape. To fund recent growth in the state's highways, Verona has developed fourteen toll roads, with several additional tollways proposed. In central Verona, the Varina Tollway, known as SH-295, boasts an advisory speed limit of 195 km/h, which is the highest in the nation, though in some urban areas the speed limit is much lower. However, most of its length outside of Rathan and Aurimá does not have a posted speed limit. Before the Varina Tollway was opened, the highest speed in Verona was 145 km/h on SH-210, tying with Santiago's SR-600. All federal and state highways in the commonwealth are paved.

A hub of northern Sarpedon, transportation plays an essential role in Verona's economy. The state has 26 foreign trade zones (FTZ), and in 2028, a combined total of €330 billion worth of goods passed through Verona land FTZs alone. These goods come from various international sources, transported by air and sea, including from neighboring Turiana, which is situated across the bay.

Verona, as the most populous state in Cartadania, is home to an extensive transportation infrastructure that spans highways, railways, airports, and seaports. Sierra International Airport (SIX) is one of the world's busiest airports, and plays a crucial role as a connection point due to Cartadania's central location. It also serves as a major hub for trans-continental flights, connecting Verona to nearly every country in Sarpedon.

In addition to its airport, Verona has several important seaports, with the Palm Coast International Terminals in northeastern Verona standing out as the third largest in Cartadania and one of the busiest in the world. The Verona Department of Public Safety is responsible for the protection of Verona's infrastructure, including its highways, railways, and ports. Within the department, the Verona Commonwealth Police division is tasked with providing police-sanctioned services to anyone traveling on Verona's state-maintained highways and on any state property.

The Verona Department of Motor Vehicles oversees the licensing of drivers and the issuance of ID cards. It is one of the largest vehicle agencies in Sarpedon and by far the largest in Cartadania, with over 54 million driver's licenses and ID cards on record as of 2030. This large number of active drivers in Verona surpasses the population of any other state in the country.

Energy


Verona's significant population places it among the leading energy consumers in Cartadania. However, stringent conservation mandates, favorable weather conditions in populous areas, and strict environmental regulations have kept its per capita energy consumption relatively low compared to other states in the country. Verona is a major contributor to the national energy grid, generating a total net electricity production of 315.5 TWh in 2024. The majority of the state's power comes from natural gas, hydroelectric, and nuclear energy sources. With the exception of some power plants located in the Palm Coast area and northern Verona, most of the state's power plants are situated in its interior regions.

Verona is rich in renewable energy resources, and there is substantial potential for their development in the state. The southern interior and counties that border Santiago are predominantly flat, making them ideal for wind farms. Northern Verona, which straddles the equator, is suitable for solar energy generation due to the ample sunlight it receives.

Water


Verona's water system is among the most expansive in the world, managing a volume of water that surpasses that of some entire countries. The state's water supply is primarily sourced from its network of eight major rivers, which traverse its expanse. Of these eight, the Elisabeth, San Miguel, and Trinity rivers provide the majority of the water supply for the state's 76 million inhabitants. Despite the significant output of Verona's river system, the state's water supply has historically been unable to keep up with the demand, which has resulted in the need to pump water from neighboring states, though in recent years, the need to pump water from out of state has decreased dramatically. Notably, Alahuela relies on Verona for all of its water supply and uses one of the country's largest pumping systems to transport it.

In response to the increasing demand for water, Verona implemented a series of conservation efforts that remained a significant component of the state's political agenda for over forty years after its population crossed the 40 million mark in 1937. While the water supply has improved, the state's government continued to promote conservation efforts to prevent another water crisis from occurring until the 1990s, when the state changed its regulations on farming.

Interestingly, while the Palm Coast is home to nearly half of Verona's residents, the bulk of the state's water is consumed by the central and southern agricultural regions. These regions provide not only for Verona's population but also for the nation as a whole.

Food
Verona's cuisine is widely regarded as a representative example of Cartadania's culinary traditions, with many international visitors associating the state's cuisine with the entire region. This can be attributed, in part, to the fact that Verona alone is home to a fifth of Cartadania's total population, as well as its location within the greater Lusia region, which shares many cultural and culinary similarities. One of the most beloved dishes in Verona is the classic feijoada, a hearty stew made with black beans, pork, beef, and sausage. Another popular dish is the Prato Veronese, which features grilled beef fillet, rice and beans, farofa (toasted cassava flour), fried garlic, and fried potatoes.

The state's coastal regions are renowned for their seafood, particularly shrimp, and roasted chicken. Additionally, a ubiquitous and beloved snack throughout Verona is pão de queijo, a small, baked cheese roll that is both inexpensive and widely available from street vendors, groceries, supermarkets, and bakeries alike. Tourists in particular are often drawn to this delicious treat, which is especially prevalent around Verona's northern beaches.

Given Verona's tropical climate and abundance of beachfront locales, a strong beach culture has developed, which has had a profound impact on the state's cuisine. Visitors can often be seen enjoying fresh coconut water from coconuts prepared on site, while Cartadania's national drink, the caipirinha, is also quite popular in Verona, despite its origins in the Victoria region.

Among Verona's many traditional desserts, bolo de rolo stands out as a particularly beloved dish originating from the Luson region, and especially from the Verona-Alexandria-Santiago triple point. This cake is made from a batter of flour, eggs, butter, and sugar, which is then wrapped around a layer of guava paste, resulting in a swiss-roll-like appearance with much thinner layers.

Festivals
Verona is home to several cultural festivals that are significant in Cartadania. The largest of these festivals is Carnival, which takes place in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. Carnival is a time for celebration, with colorful parades and lively music. Sierra Carnival, in particular, is the largest Carnival festival in Cartadania and attracts millions of people each year.

The Festa da Luz is another important celebration in Verona, which takes place on the longest day of the year. The festival centers around the theme of light and features parades, live music, acrobatic performances, and a grand fireworks display. Local businesses and artisans sell their handcrafted lanterns and other light-themed items during the festival.

Dia Roxo is a unique festival in Cartadania, which is celebrated on September 4th each year. The festival is a national holiday and is marked by local festivals, decorations in the color red, and fireworks. One of the unique features of Dia Roxo is the playful throwing of natural colored powders, typically but not exclusively in the color red, similar to the Festival of Colors in Hindu countries.

These festivals are important to Verona's history and culture, and they attract tourists from all over the world. They offer an opportunity to experience the vibrant and colorful culture of Cartadania and are a testament to the country's rich heritage. Food and drink also play an essential role in these festivals, with local vendors offering a variety of traditional Cartadanian dishes and drinks.