Pindai

Pindai Provinsi Pindai
Province
High Ardent Conclave of Slokais in central Pindai
Flag
Nickname(s):  Jewel of Acadia, The Great Eastern City
Country	Slokais Islands
Establishment	01 January 1927
Capital and largest city	Pindai
Ethnic groups	60% Rén 16% Mescaldo 10% Costeno 6% Indigenous 3% Ambonar 5% Blancos 1% Kaijanese 2% Other
Demonym(s)	Pindai
Government
• Governor	Kwan Ko-Gie Centrist Party
• Upper house	Pindai Senate
• Lower house	Pindai Legislative Council
National representation
• Slokaisian Legislature	14/643
Population
• 2020 census	1,413,749 (19th)
Postal	PI

Pindai is a province in Slokais Islands, a combined city-state with 1,413,749 people. Pindai Province was founded in 1927 and named for the historical Pindai State, a pre-colonial empire. Pindai is one of the most historic provinces with many historical sites as well as the center of modern Slokais with several major companies headquartered in the province. Additionally, Pindai is considered the center of the Minjian faith in Slokais with the High Ardent Conclave in the city.

History

The area that became Pindai has long been a center of trade and commerce with Pre-Medieval kingdoms establishing trading posts, the largest of these being the Janghara State which built Jangharama just to the north of modern-day Pindai. Around the year 800, a fleet of Minjian reached Janghara and were initially welcomed, however, when relations soured the settlers were forced to return to the High Conclave with a message of rejection. In response, Jangharama was undermined from the inside as members of the high class were converted to Minjian, and by 940, the King of Janghara was a Minjian faithful himself. This led to a civil war in the 950s between loyalists to the traditional Animist and spiritual ideology and the Minjian. It's estimated somewhere around 250,000 died in the Great War of Faith which lasted until the founding of Pindai itself in 1037.

The Pindai State operated as a monarchy with a council of 14 minsters in charge of managing various aspects of the city and it's growing collection of vassal states. Staring in the 1200s, Pindai began a campaign of expansion taking surround kingdoms by force, included in there conquest was the spread of the Minjian faith. Although the religion has been active in Pinjiang and other regions, the Pindai State became the center of faith for several centuries. Pindai City also grew in size as land began to reclaimed in the Kamnayma river, these new area's were often the center of trade and craftsmen with cross-cultural exchange occurring.

In 1567, Costeno made contact with Pindai with there arrival being recorded in the famous painting "Arrival of Cotseno Fleet" by Francisco de Ibarra. Initially, King Geng Jianhong accepted the new arrivals allowing for them to construct a settlement on a small island known as Isla Corrales. However in 1581, a group of Catholic priests was arrested in Pindai after attempting to convert worshippers outside of a Minjian Temple, the priests were then imprisoned leading to Costanoan military becoming involved. Geng Jianhong as a result banned Catholic priests from all of the Pindai State and began assembling forces to remove Costenoians from the province in full. Fearing a invasion from the powerful Pindai State, the Colony of San Fernando reached a negotiation were the Catholic Church would be banned from entry into Pindai City in exchange for there activities to continue in the tributary states of Pindai.

Modern Era

Pindai was absorbed in the Territory of Acadia in 1829, with Dominion of Slokais forces occupying Pindai City until 1835. During this period anti-Sanctarian groups such as Yellow Flame Order took part in both passive and active resistance. Eventually, a permeant garrison was placed at Fort George leading to a large Blancos community developing in the district. During the 1850s, the Sanctarian Catholic Church began a program of conversions through public education opening multiple schools and Thomas XII College of the East.

Government and Politics

Pindai operates as both a city and a province leading to a unique provincial government. Citizens of Pindai elect a governor every 4 years and a Senate and Assembly in proportional voting, these bodies are responsible for the management of transport, highways, and ports. However most services are managed by the Mayor's Office and City Council, these are both elected by district which corresponds to the 14 wards and 64 communities. Pindai is politically dominated by the Centrist Party which had traditionally been the party of the Minjian faithful. However, in recent years the Pindai People's Party (PPP) and the Conservative Party have taken votes away and won in certain city wards.

Geography

Pindai is located on the southern tip of Acadia Island, the central regions of the city are located along the flat Kamnayma valley which meets several smaller rivers in the Mardeji District. Eastern regions of the city are generally flatter and include many suburban community districts. Along Pindai's western regions are rolling hills which are foothills of the Acadia Mountains that stretch into the far northern, less developed areas of the Province. Pindai had historically and still is centrally located within Slokais sitting on the Straits of Guixiang which connects San Fernando and cites further down the San Fernando River with the rest of Hesperida. Several small islands belonging to Pindai and are located in the strait with many being utilized historically by various empires.

Economy

Pindai's major industries are commerce and goods production with significant finance and banking sectors. Pindai was traditionally a regional hub for trade and commerce bringing in raw materials from Acadia and nearby islands and exporting goods to the world due to the size and scale of the Port of Pindai. Today, the Port of Pindai is the second largest port in Slokais with only the Port of San Fernando seeing more traffic and daily volumes of goods. In addition, Pindai is considered the center of Mandarin language entertainment and business in Slokais with the Harvest Media Network (HM) and Clique, a social media network. Many large companies are located in the Lower City, a historical era also popular with tourists due to several attractions such as the Museum of Innovation. In addition, tourism related to the Minjian faith has created a substantial industry with the High Ardent Conclave Complex seeing the most visitors.

Transportation

Pindai is served by the Pindai Transport Authority (PTA) which serves 4 heavy rail lines and a ferry system and operates Pindai Central Station in cooperation with Slokasian National Rail which runs several commuter routes to suburban areas, in 2015 a high-speed line was launched between Pindai and San Luis named the Heart of Acadia Line, with planned expansions into areas of western Pindai. The largest airport in the province is Zhen Jin-George Best International Airport (ZJP) which is the 4th busiest in Slokais, in addition, some domestic flights fly into Kendou-Nothern Pindai Airport (KTP).

Demographics

Pindai has the second-highest percentage of Ren Slokasians with 60%, this is due to Pindai being a traditional destination of settlers from Laeral as well as traders and merchants. Mescaldo is the second largest ethnic group with 16%, many being from neighboring East Acadia or other nearby provinces. The third latest group is Costenioans at 10%, many being the descendants of the first missionaries and traders in the 1600s and are largely concentrated in wealthy areas of Pindai. In addition, Blancos, Ambonar, and other Indigenous have populations within Pindai.

Religion

Pindai had historically been the center of the Minjian Faith, with the Pindai State being a Minjian-based trading empire. Today Pindai is home to the High Ardent Conclave of Slokais, considered one of most important sites in the Minjian faith as well as its center of organization within Slokais. This dominance of the religion has impacted the city's cultural and political landscape with Minjian festivals and traditions being important aspects of culture. For example, many businesses close on Sunday for worship a policy that has displeased Non-Minjians. Around 65% are Minjian faithful followed by Catholics at 12%, Atheists at 19%, and Ambonar Church of God at 3%

Language

As with other provinces, Pindai has three official languages, English, Spanish and Slokasian with the additional Pindai Mandarin. Today, Mandarin and Slokasian are the most spoken with it being a primary form of communication. Spanish is used primarily in area's near the East Acadian border due to it's usage in the province.

Education

In education, grade-level public education is provided by the Province and sub-divided with each ward providing the base funds for schools within their districts. There are also several public higher-education institutions such as The University of Pindai, Pindai Provincial College, and Pindai Technical University. In addition, there are major private institutions such as Covenant University, the largest Minjian university in Slokais and affiliated with the Covenant of Slokais Islands. Pindai is generally well-educated, with 37% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.

Culture

Pindai