Zaandam

Zaandam
Flag of the Grand Duchy of Zaandam
City Details
Country	Grand Duchy of Zaandam
Established	7 November 3024
Government	Semi-constitutional monarchy
Population	170,108
Demonym	Zaandamese
Ethnic groups	Dutch, English, Spanish
Religions	The Pontifical Church

Grand Duchy of Zaandam

Zaandam is an independent sovereign duchy, ruled by a Grand Duke. Located in the Eastern Doggerlands, the duchy is one of the most massive by area, but is sparse in population. The land features a variety of geography, hosting both fresh water from its mountain ranges and pine forests in the North, and salt water from the East Sea, resulting in brackish marshes unique to Zaandam. The two municipalities in Zaandam are the capital of Port Zaandam and the Zaandam Valley Township.

History

While the state of Zaandam was originally founded in 3018 as part of the Almere Socialist Republic (ASR), the state was quickly annexed by the United Cities of Greater Bonitana (UCGB) in the October Conflict on Nov. 2nd, 3018. This newfound nationality would not last long, as on Jan. 3, 3019 the UCGB was dissolved and succeeded by the Eastern Federal Republic (EFR) of which Zaandam would become a Federal Subject (FS).

The state was conquered by the Neu Corporate Republik (NCR) in the NCR-EFR War, becoming part of the Eastern Commonwealth, and eventually a Dependency of the Republic of Paxem which it remained until April 3024. Then-Praetor Yoan Ruiz declared independence from Paxem following massive unrest in suit of the Cyrene Great Oceanic Dam collapse.

The independent acting state government was taken over by the forces of Jan Maurice Aarsten, acting in coordination with an organized farmer revolt and Christian militias, and declared a new government on 24 October 3024. A charter would be ratified establishing the Grand Duchy officially on 11 November 3024, with Aarsten taking the throne as the first Grand Duke.

Geography

The southern part of the state is a mostly flat, arid region bisected by a few rivers and a lake. A few hills and small table mountains are also present. San Benito, the capital of Zaandam, is located in this southern region. The climate becomes more temperate and cold further north, with forests and meadows of pine trees, oaks, and beech trees. At the north is the Zaandam Valley, a valley formed by an ancient volcanic crater. The mountains in the valley are large but not significantly high, and it snows at the top of them due to the relatively low temperatures. A highway passes through Zaandam and the valley, and a road from Novenae that traverses through Asunda also enters the valley via a small canyon, which is also the location of Cumming, a small town. 

Industry

Zaandam also is home to the Kriegsmarine East Sea fleet, which boasts an impressive number of Paxemese naval ships. The Paxemese Navy is the largest employer in Zaandam.

Zaandam Machining Company, owned by Paxemese Triumverate Donna Winters, is a large employer in the state. This company was forcefully shut down by the Neu Corporate Republic towards the end of the Great War due to a refusal to produce arms but has since restarted operations under the reforms brought by Paxem.