Zerutsica

The United Realms of Zerutsica and Paukona (Reino Unido de Zerutsica e Paukonhe), commonly known as Zerutsica is a country in West Artopa, off the West Coast of the main continent. Zerutsica is comprised of the Island of Zerutsica itself as well as the Island of Paukona, Areiot, Azurlan, and other small islands both within and without the Valan Archipelago. Zerutsica does not border any nations, instead being completely surrounded by the Avansic Ocean and Valan Sea. The Total Area of Zerutsica is 452,599.6 square kilometers (174,749.7 sq mi.), and an estimated population of over 38 million people in 1959. Zerutsica is a constitutional dual monarchy, made up of the Kingdom of Zerutsica and the Kingdom of Paukona, with its capital located in Astar, the country's largest city and cultural center. Other major urban areas include Caramecton, Ralcetsa, Areiot, and the capital of Paukona, Paukonar.

Anatomically modern humans first arrived in the Zerutsican Isles around 42,000 years ago. The ancient Sarut and Pokut tribes, along with other local pre-Nicatorrian peoples, dwelled the territory maintaining contacts with foreign Valan cultures. The Nicatorrian conquest and colonization of the islands (Zerutia) ensued, bringing the Nicatorization of the Zerutsican population. The Nicatorrian Empire had less succcess in the southern isles, with native nations that would become the Paukonans fighting back fiercely against the empire for most of its history. After the fall of the Nicatorrian Empire most of the peninsula was ruled by local city states prospering from the large volume of trade flowing through the Valan sea at the time. By 1723, most of these city states had aligned themselves under the rule of the Duchy of Astar, and the northern islands were unified into the first Kingdom of Zerutsica. The integration of the Kingdom of Paukona came in 1766, when the king of Zerutsica died, being succeeded by his then brother, the king of Paukona.

Zerutsica took part heavily in the West Artopan colonial period. The first Zerutsican colony was located in Trebia, which the Zerutsicans named "Tsipera." From this base of operations in the Avansic, Zerutsica cemented claims over vast portions of southern Balteca that eventually became modern Karjeitha-Fredeland. In addition to colonization in the West, Zerutsica maintained control over a section of Kanta, which remains integrated in the Empire today as the State of Obemiri, a semi-autonomous state currently under direct Zerutsican rule.

Zerutsica entered a period of decline in the 19th century, with much of the nation's colonies declaring independence as a result of an out-of-control inflation crisis taking place in 1845. This culminated in the Zerutsican civil war, whereupon the Kingdom of Paukona declared total independence from the union in 1850. The neighboring nation of Sylvia capitalized on this misfortune, a rare step away from their isolationist policies of the century, to exert an immense amount of control over Zerutsican politics and policies in exchange for assistance in the war. Eventually, by 1856, the war had been won, with the islands re-unified under the current dual-monarchial system. Zerutsica was able to emerge from the war much more centralized than before and capitalized on this heavily. With Sylvian assistance, Zerutsica was able to fully industrialize, and cement itself as a major player within West Artopan politics, but global influence still remained elusive.

Zerutsica remained officially neutral for much of the Great War, although it was heavily influenced by Sylvia to provide a substantial amount of support and arms to the Holy Accord. Eventually, Zerutsica entered the war near its end, earning itself a spot at the negotiating table, but accomplishing little else. Zerutsican troops fought in limited numbers on the Artopan front, and participated in the Sylvian Grand Fleet, blockading the defense league for its limited time in the conflict.

Modern day Zerutsica is one of the richest countries within Mytas, and boasts an impressive array of ancient Nicatorrian structures and artwork. It's warm south artopan climate and proximity to the sea has earned it a reputation as being a tourist hub within the continent, with the islands being a popular winter destination for many in Northern Artopa and Balteca. The nation is also technologically advanced state, hosting West Artopa's first operational research reactor, and first operational electrical reactor, the second such in the world, only behind Almeria.