Editing Zamastan (section)

==Geography==

Zamastan's geography is epitomized by the variety and intensity of its physical relief, which has defined patterns of settlement and industry since colonization.

Zamastan is situated on the continent of [[Caxcana]] and is bordered to the west by the [[Olympic Ocean]] and its marginal seas: the [[Hapson Sea]], the [[Tarin Sea]], [[Horseshoe Bay (body of water)|Horseshoe Bay]], and [[Elkjop Bay]]. The southern border of Zamastan, which borders [[Paraboca]] and [[East Chanchajilla]], was established by the May 1876 Treaty which ended the [[Parabocan War]]. Zamastan's coastline includes deep, mountainous fjords and about 1,400 islands, most of which are uninhabited. The majority of the coast, however, consists of a mixture of rocky and sandy beaches, which has contributed to a unique and varied display of biodiversity on Zamastan's coast. Much of the coast is covered by primarily [[wikipedia:Rainforest|sub-tropical rainforest]] and [[wikipedia:Tropical rainforest|tropical]]. The nation's most populous city is [[Tofino]], which is at the confluence of the [[Zian River]] and [[Blackfoot River]].

[[File:Zian mountain range.jpg|thumb|left|Lake Themba in the [[Zian Mountains]] is renowned for its natural beauty]]

The mountain ranges of Zamastan, notably the [[Zian Mountains]] and [[Louise Mountains]], as well as the [[Almarez Passage]]'s many inlets and ranges provide some of Zamastan's renowned and spectacular scenery, which forms the backdrop and context for a growing outdoor adventure and ecotourism industry. 70% of the country is mountainous (more than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level). The tallest point in Zamastan is [[Grouse Mountain]], which stands at 16,306 feet above sea level. 60% of Zamastan is forested; roughly 20 percent is arable grassland and [[wikipedia:Savanna|wooded-savanna]]. The Administrative District of [[Pahl]] is the agricultural center of the nation.

The country's mainland away from the coastal regions is somewhat moderated by the Olympic Ocean. Terrain ranges from lush inland forests and semi-arid valleys, to the range and canyon districts of the Central and Southern Interior, to boreal forest and subarctic prairie in the Northern Islands.

The Whitehorse area, extending from [[Kelowna]] to [[Point Tarin]], is one of several wine and cider-producing regions in Zamastan. Other wine regions in Zamastan include the [[Northern Isle]].
[[File:Z -BIOMES AND CLIMATES.png|thumb|right|Biomes and climate map of Zamastan]]

Southeastern Zamastan consists of semi-mountainous and [[wikipedia:Semi-arid climate|semi-desert]] areas in the form of the [[Addle Desert]]. The southwest of Zamastan, which extends from the east corner of [[Lake Greening]] and to the shoreline of the Olympic Ocean along the border of [[Rio Palito]], is mostly sub-tropical rainforest and broadleaf.

====Earthquakes====
Zamastan is situated along several major and minor fault lines, and due to this geographical placement, it has many earthquakes. The largest fault lines being the Romemork Fault<ref>https://theidu.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1903&start=50#p19722|Zian Earthquake: 351 Tremors in 24 Hours As Romemork Fault Moves (August 15th 2019)</ref> and the Valliu Fault. About 37,000 earthquakes are recorded each year, but most are too small to be felt. Several major and severely destructive earthquakes have occurred on these fault lines, including the [[1919 Tofino Earthquake]] and the [[2019 Coastal Valley Earthquake]]<ref>https://theidu.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1903&start=50#p19915|THOUSANDS DEAD, MISSING AFTER 8.3 QUAKE STRIKES ZAMASTAN. Most Powerful since 1919 Tofino Tremor (August 31st 2019)</ref>.

===Climate===
Though located just south of the equator of the [[International Democratic Union]], Zamastan experiences a wide variety of meteorology and climates. 

===Fauna===
''See also: [[Fauna of Zamastan]]''

Much of the nation is undeveloped wildlands, so populations of many mammalian species that have become rare in much of the [[International Democratic Union]] still flourish in Zamastan. Watching animals of various sorts, including a very wide range of birds, has long been popular. Bears (grizzly, black—including the Kermode bear or spirit bear) live here, as do deer, elk, moose, caribou, big-horn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, beavers, muskrats, coyotes, wolves, mustelids (such as wolverines, badgers and fishers), cougars, eagles, ospreys, herons, Canada geese, swans, loons, hawks, owls, ravens, harlequin ducks, and many other sorts of ducks. Smaller birds (robins, jays, grosbeaks, chickadees, and so on) also abound.
[[File:Orcatofino.jpg|thumb|right|An orca breaches near [[Tofino]] (seen in background)]]
Many healthy populations of fish are present, including salmonids such as several species of salmon, trout, char. Besides salmon and trout, sport-fishers in Zamastan also catch halibut, steelhead, bass, and sturgeon. On the coast, harbour seals and river otters are common. Cetacean species native to the coast include the orca, humpback whale, grey whale, harbour porpoise, Dall's porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin and minke whale. 

Zamastan introduced species include: common dandelion, ring-necked pheasant, Pacific oyster, brown trout, black slug, European starling, cowbird, knapweed, bullfrog, purple loosestrife, Scotch broom, Himalayan blackberry, European earwig, tent caterpillar, sowbug, grey squirrel, Asian longhorn beetle, English ivy, fallow deer, thistle, gorse, Norway rat, crested mynah, and Asian or European gypsy moth.

Some endangered species in Zamastan are: Northern Island marmot, spotted owl, Tarin white pelican, and badgers.

===Forests===
White spruce or Engelmann spruce and their hybrids occur in 12 of the 14 biogeoclimatic zones of Zamastan. Common types of trees present in Zamastan's forests include Western Redcedar, Yellow-cedar, Zian Mountain juniper, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa or yellow pine, Whitebark pine, Limber pine, Western white pine, Western larch, Tamarack, Alpine larch, White spruce, Engelmann spruce, Sitka spruce, Black spruce, Grand fir, Amabilis fir, Subalpine fir, Western hemlock, Mountain hemlock, Douglas-fir, Western yew, Pacific dogwood, Bigleaf maple, Douglas maple, Vine maple, Arbutus, Black hawthorn, Cascara, Garry oak, Pacific crab apple, Choke cherry, Pin cherry, Bitter cherry, Red alder, Mountain alder, Paper birch, Water birch, Black cottonwood, Balsam poplar, Trembling aspen.
[[File:Zian forest.png|thumb|left|Forest basin in southern Zamastan]]

===Protected Areas===
There are 14 designations of parks and protected areas in the nation that reflect the different administration and creation of these areas in a modern context. There are 141 ecological Reserves, 35 state marine parks, 7 state Heritage Sites, 64 National Historic Sites of Zamastan, 4 National parks and 3 National Park Reserves. Over 800 areas in total are considered protected habitats or landmarks by the Zamastan government.