Geography of Aedeland

The geography of Aedeland refers to the diversity of its lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena. Aedeland covers the western third of the Stoldavian landmass, extending from the Straits of Andlát in the west to the limestone cliffs that define its border with Vittmark in the east. This vast area includes a changing configuration of broad plains, lofty mountain ranges, and large areas of dense forest. The Zeeæbngten separates southern Aedeland from the Thultanniam sub-continent and its southern neighbor Hallis, while to the north lies the frigid Dlreucu Sea.

Topography

Marked by dramatic variation, with extensive glaciation, Aedeland possesses northern steppe, high plateaus, rugged mountains, deep valleys, and a distinctive coastline. Aedeland is famous for its fjords, some of the most visually striking coastal landscapes in the world. The highest point in Aedeland is Mestrhorn (/MEH-str-horn/), which rises to 4,884 meters (16,023 feet) and is renowned for its steep, glaciated slopes, making it one of the world's most challenging climbs.

Lesser Stoldavian Range

The Lesser Stoldavian Range, known as the Auðigrháls, forms a backbone that divides Aedeland's northern and southern watersheds. The highest point in this range is the Mestrhorn, at 4,884 meters (16,023 ft), located near the nation's center. The Mestrhorn is noted for its steepness and glaciated features, making it one of the world's most challenging climbs. This massif also includes Skjenfjell (4,810.45 m / 15,782 ft), Høygaffjel (4,545 m / 14,911 ft), and Jomfruer (4,158 m / 13,642 ft). The southern face of the range is renowned for high-quality Aedelant cedar.

The Lesser Stoldavian Range is characterized by large recumbent folds and gigantic thrust faults formed by tectonic pressure. The region was shaped by glacial movements, leaving behind large granite boulders scattered throughout the landscape. The interior is rugged and considered impassable apart from three critical passes known as Tre Fjelloverganger: the Himlar Pass, the Skrekk Pass, and the Trange Pass. These passes connect various regions within Aedeland, providing vital routes for travel and trade.

Ålesund Bay Region

Aedeland’s longest river, the Rikrinná (/REEK-rin-nah/), flows through one of the deepest gorges in the world, with sections plunging to depths of 2,407 meters (7,900 feet). The river originates from the Vievattn hot spring, producing an enormous daily flow of 4.5 million cubic meters (1.2 billion gallons). It meanders southeast to Åstillevatn (/AW-still-eh-vahtn/), the country’s largest lake, which divides the river into its upper and lower sections. The Rikrinná is navigable up to the Seven Sisters waterfalls, a series of dramatic cascades, including Flottefoss, Hjortfoss, Skóstafoss, Svandalsfoss, Fossen Blå, Høyfoss, and Dødstalismanenefoss. These waterfalls further enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. The river drains into the Ålesund Bay, the site of Aedeland’s capital, which is famous for its striking tidal waterfalls.

Berkisdalr Region

The Berkisdalr is a partly flat but mostly hilly alpine valley that stretches for 104 miles (167 km) in a roughly east–west direction, with an average width of about 12 miles (19 km). More than half a dozen creeks tumble from hanging valleys at the top of granite cliffs that can rise 3,000–3,500 feet (910–1,070 m) above the valley floor. These streams combine into the Forheksede (/FOR-hehk-seh-deh/) River, which flows out from the western end of the valley, down the Forheksede River Gorge to the Gulf of Aryas. The Berkisdalr is the most heavily populated region of

Sigyn Region

The northern ridge of the Lesser Stoldavian, known as the Austháls (/OWST-hahls/), descends into the Villand Piedmont also called the Sigyn, a region known for its karst topography. This landscape features approximately 3,100 tall quartzite sandstone pillars, some over 2,625 feet (800 meters) in height. The region is also known as the White Marches due to its limestone cliffs and limited surface water.

Skjold Region

The Skjold Peninsula is formed by the rugged Western Auðigrháls Ridge, which constitutes the western terminus of the Lesser Stoldavian Range. The peninsula's coast is deeply serrated with numerous fjords, including the largest, the Bay of Knivene.

Grunnrland Region

The Dyner (/DEE-nehr/), unique loess hills, define the Grunnrland region in northern Aedeland. These fertile dunes, shaped by glaciers, consist of humps and hollows with steep northeast-facing slopes. The region’s largest river, the Níðhö (/NEETH-huh/), is vital for irrigation, electricity production, and flood control and is navigable in parts.

Aryas Region

South of the Skjold Peninsula lies the Aryas (/AHR-yahs/) region, known for its inviting coastline along the Thuaid Sea Vestsjøen. The region is characterized by its fertile piedmont known as the Dales, which abruptly meet the towering western face of the southwestern face of the Auðigrháls. The Forheksede, Aedeland's second-longest river, flows through the Dales before making its way through the treacherous Forheksede River Gorge to the Gulf of Aryas.

Mildeland Region

The Mildeland is at the southernmost base of the Lesser Stoldavian Range. It includes the northern highlands known as the Wolds and a heathland known as the Sandlings. The region is well known for its pleasant climate, more typical of central Anaria than Stoldavia.

Climate

Aedeland experiences a variety of climates influenced by its diverse geography and proximity to several seas, including the Vestsjøen (Western Sea), Nordsjøen (Dlreukv Sea), and Zeeängten, along with its rugged topography.

The northern region, including Aedeland’s capital, Ålesund, has a cool, short summer and long, cold, cloudy winters. Temperatures in this area typically range from 34°F to 70°F (1°C to 21°C), with winter lows averaging 34°F (1°C) and summer highs reaching 72°F (22°C). Cloud cover is common throughout the year, with December being the cloudiest month. Rainfall is highest in November, averaging 2.4 inches (60 mm), while July is the driest month. The climate is cool and damp, with frequent rainfall and limited sunshine.

The Arctic regions of northern Aedeland endure harsh, extended winters, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, representing the most extreme climatic conditions in the country, marked by prolonged snow and ice. The mountainous interior of Aedeland experiences harsh winters and mild summers. Snowfall in the mountain passes is extreme, with an average annual snowfall of 244 inches (6.19 m) and approximately 47 snowfall days each year. These conditions contribute to the region’s harsh, rugged climate, with colder temperatures and a longer winter season compared to other areas of the country.

To the south of the Auðigrháls mountain range, the climate is warmer, as seen in Ærilar, Aedeland’s largest city. This region experiences hot, dry summers and long, cool, wet winters. Temperatures generally range from 47°F to 88°F (8°C to 31°C), with rare extremes dipping below 40°F (4°C) or exceeding 96°F (36°C). From April to November, skies are mostly clear or partly cloudy, providing pleasant weather. Winters are wetter, but the milder temperatures make the region more temperate compared to the cooler north. The climate along the western peninsula is temperate, influenced by the Thuaid Sea Current. This current moderates coastal temperatures, making them milder than those inland. Coastal areas experience relatively mild winters and cooler summers compared to the interior, which sees more variation in temperature. Inland, winters are colder and summers are cooler, with more pronounced temperature differences between the seasons. Aedeland’s climate varies significantly across the country, with northern areas being cooler and more overcast, and southern and western regions enjoying milder, more temperate conditions. The combination of geographic features and proximity to seas creates a range of environmental conditions, shaping life and activities across the nation.

Political Geography

Aedeland's provincial governments, formerly called lægrivöld, were replaced by a system of districts designated by a number that corresponds to its location within the Aedelish Survey Grid Reference (SGR), a standardized grid system subdivided into various smaller units (10 km, 1 km, 500 m, 100 m, 10 m, and 1 m). District Offices coordinate the activities of the various Functional Sequences and social units within their boundaries.

While the regional governments are now administratively replaced, Aedeland's four primary lægrivöldfyrir in Stoldavia—Nordland, Skojdland, Háraland, and Mildeland—along with the two external lægrivöldannarr, Åland and Cykeria, retain cultural and social significance.

	Nordaland Nordaland, Aedeland's northernmost lægrivöldfyrir, stretches from the Åstillevatn in the east to the Skjold peninsula in the west. It includes western Sigyn, the Ålesund Bay Region, and the Grunnrland Region. Historically dominated by sheep and wool production, Nordland was Aedeland's traditional source of wealth. Its ancient Aetts, once influenced by Östervallen, have played a key role in Aedeland's history. The region also produces most of Aedeland's cereal grains, particularly from the loess hills. The cooperative farming methods used before mechanization gave rise to the Bulé subculture. As the first to industrialize, Nordaland has the largest economy in Aedeland, with heavy industry concentrated around the Stilvatn basin and the Rikranna river valley. Its major cities are Ålesund, Aedeland's capital, Ascolat, which lies on the eastern side of the Ålesund Bay from the capital and is the largest city of western Sigyn and the formal capital of Austland/West Hagen, and Ayrendæl, the largest city Grunnrland.
	Skjoldaland The western Skjolda peninsula has long been shaped by the sea-going wealth of Storhavn, whose authority was strengthened by the region's rugged coasts and isolation. Life in Skjolda has historically been difficult, with its people living just above subsistence, leading to a fiercely independent raiding Víkingur culture. Recent rail and road projects have integrated Skjolda more closely with the rest of Aedeland. Today, its fishing and highland wool industries are on par with Nordaland’s. Its major cities are Störmheim on the northern coast of the peninsula and Knivene on the Southern coast near the border with Aryas.
	Háraland Aedeland's central lægrivöldfyrir, Háraland, is its least populous region. Its people, the Hárfólk, are closely related to the Víkingur of Skjoldland. Historically sparsely populated, Háraland has rapidly urbanized in the past century, with Vintersæte as its largest city of the Berkisdalr. Its main industries are chemicals and forest products.
	Mildeland Mildeland is Aedeland’s most diverse lægrivöldfyrir, known for its cultural and economic significance. It is home to Ærilar, Aedeland's largest city and cultural hub. The southwestern Aryas coast is the center of Aedeland's manufacturing industry, while the Mildeland peninsula serves as the country's breadbasket, producing a variety of crops. The region also boasts Aedeland's most moderated climate, with fertile valleys, coastlines, and an economy driven by agriculture, tech, and entertainment, making it a major economic powerhouse in Aedeland. Other major cities of Mildeland are Avfall and Kavernene,
	Åland Åland comprises the Aereyjar Isles, a chain of islands between Cykeria and Thultannia, also known as the Chain of Vind. Major inhabited islands include Åland, Aetheros, Eressëa, Vestras, Maleficarion, Anteros, and Elysion. The Aereyjar were originally settled by a western Aldsegian people, who separated from the eastern branch that became the Aedelish before migrating to Stoldavia. Over time, these native populations blended with Emther and Aedelish Víkingur migrants, forming the distinctive Ålander culture. The Ålanders are known for their seafaring lifestyle, with fishing as their primary industry and a growing reliance on military facilities in the region.
	Cykeria Cykeria, or Sikaland in Aedelish, lies at the southern more habitable tip of the Jorvic continent, north of Anaria. Once a colony, Cykeria was fully integrated into Aedeland under the Technate. With over 95% of its population residing in Grænaborg, Cykeria is characterized by vast territory and low population density. Its significance to Aedeland goes beyond its size, as the name "Cykeria" is derived from a corruption of the Aedelish term síkaland, meaning "our homeland." The native Cykerians are regarded as the ancestors of all Aldsegians. Greater Cykeria, however, is dominated by Nordalanders who immigrated to escape persecution by the Greater Stoldavic Empire.
	Great Cykeria Great Cykeria, Stórr-Sikaland in Aedelish, is a strategic expansion of Aedeland's territory, encompassing the Arctic islands and the full extent of the Arctic ice cap, as defined by its maximum reach in 7610. Despite its vast size, it remains Aedeland's least populated province. Cykeria is rich in valuable mineral deposits, including lead, cobalt, iron, platinum, and gold, which have become a significant source of wealth for both the national economy and budget. These high-quality and easily accessible resources, close to industrial centers in Anaria, make extraction particularly profitable, cementing Cykeria's role as a key economic asset for Aedeland.