Province District 02
Province District 02 | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: "Exploratio Et Inventio" | |
| Capital and largest city | Congrad |
| Official languages | English |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Demonym(s) | N/A |
| Government | |
• Governor | vacant |
| Legislature | Provincial Consulate |
| Establishment | 7 September 2021 |
| Population | |
• 2023 census | 8 |
| Currency | Meritian Pupa |
| Time zone | MGT (Meritian General Time) |
Province District 02, also known as Province 02 is a province located in Meritia. It was established as part of the original mainland territories which made up the Principality of Northio prior to its dissolution on 7 September 2021. The province is notable for its major influence in Meritian culture and history, being home to Congrad, the largest city by population in the entire country, as well as a large portion of the influential Highway Route 1. It is the most populous province in Meritia, and is the 2nd largest by area, only surpassed in size by Province District 04. Since its creation, it has been managed directly on the federal level alongside all other provinces of Meritia, due to it not having an organized regional government.
History
Prior to its formation, Province District 02 was a part of a large land parcel, owned by a local family business. While parts of the parcel were likely used for the purpose of farming (as seen by older satellite imagery), the areas comprising Province 02 were left untouched, with first human activity in the area likely not occurring until the 2000s. It was purchased in 2010 by the family of Emperor Joseph I, and in the time after was quickly transformed into an area for both hunting and future leisure. The 2010s saw the first hunting stands being erected in the areas comprising Province 02, and additionally the creation of what would become Highway Route 1. The territory was obtained by the newly established Principality of Northio on 3 March 2021, where it would face a period of relative inactivity until the subsequent dissolution of Northio by September of that same year. Meritia's establishment was a turning point for the province as a whole, and increased activity in the region immediately became a priority of Joseph I. The maintenance of the city of Congrad became regular as it grew in size, becoming Meritia's largest municipal population by 2022, with additional projects underway to grow and renovate it. In early spring of 2022, the first road survey was carried out by the Department of Transportation, with the roads of Province 02 being noted as "particularly well-kept" by the DOT. Into 2023, Joseph I also announced great plans for the expansion of both the roads and city of Congrad in the summer, in order to bring more development to the region.
Geography
Like the rest of Meritia's mainland, Province District 02 is entirely wooded, with mostly oak trees comprising its large forest. It is noted for having some of the tallest trees in the entire country, which have not been measured officially but rather deemed such by visual observation alone. A number of sycamore and maple trees also comprise the area, as well as various local plants, including some less-pleasing ones such as poison ivy and spiked vine plants. The ecosystem is very diverse in land animals, with multiple squirrels, chipmunks, whitetail deer, and coyotes having been spotted in the region. It lacks birds compared to Province 01 to the south of it, however common buzzards and woodpeckers are known to live in the province, and it has even been rumored that eagles possibly could as well.