[Map Application] Saripoon, Abode of Peace

[Saripoon]

Nation on Eurth: Saripoon
National Flag: https://imgur.com/nwJDHlM

Capital Name: Suriyabong
Capital Location: Located on the banks of a large river, not far from a vast river delta that empties into the sea. 

Starter Stats: 
Population: approx. 34,058,800 (2 Points).
GDP (nominal per capita): Estimated 4,649 (0 Points).
Land Area: Undecided, but between 250,000-≤450,000 (2 Points)

Culture: Inspired by a mixture of real wurld Kerala, Bengal, South Vietnam (mainly Mekong Delta), and South East Asia/Indochina. However, I would say real wurld Kerala has had the strongest influence. When I imagine how Saripoon's people look, I am undecided whether they are more Austronesian or Malayali.  I imagine its perhaps a mixture of both? Perhaps Malayali with Austonesian features. But I am happy to adapt to whatever Eurth needs for diversity reasons. But in terms of architecture etc., very Kerala and Bengal inspired with red brick ancient temples, and wooden houses with over-sloping of roofs, which are meant to protect walls from rains and direct sunshine.

Climate & Geography: Saripoon is a tropical nation characterized by its diverse landscapes, ranging from low-lying river deltas and extensive backwater systems to mist-shrouded highlands and rugged mountain ranges. The country’s core lies on a fertile, expansive delta that fans out, fed by rivers originating in the highlands. This deltaic landscape supports the majority of Saripoon’s population and serves as the country’s agricultural heartland. The monsoon season brings heavy rains that periodically flood the riverbanks, enriching the soil and sustaining extensive rice paddies, fish farms, and aquaculture practices. Coastal regions of Saripoon feature an intricate network of backwaters, canals, and lagoons reminiscent of real wurld Kerala’s backwaters. 

History: Originally, the region was home to a constellation of city-states, each centered around a powerful ruler within a mandala system of overlapping spheres of influence. These city-states shared similar cultural and religious foundations, leading to a gradual consolidation under the ancient Vayapoon Empire, a civilization reminiscent of real wurld Champa, which brought together the lowland and delta regions under one rule and established Saripoon’s first golden age. During this period, red-brick temples and palatial structures in the empire's distinct architectural style flourished, with the empire’s influence extending into neighboring territories.As the centuries passed, the mountainous regions were incorporated into the growing Saripooni state—though the means are uncertain, it may have been through a combination of alliances, marriages, and military campaigns. 

Front Desk: Saripoon, Front Desk Post
Vision Statement: Saripoon, Vision Statement

Desired Location: I don't know if it makes more sense to be in Alharu or 'The Orient'/Oriental Europa. For example, Kertosono seems to be Austronesian, Malay, Indonesian inspired, so it would make a lot of sense (culturally) to be their neighbour. However, in 'The Orient', Kotowari seems to share a lot of cultural similarities too. 

Other Critical Information: A foundational part of my nations identity is that its on a large river delta (similar to real wurld Bangladesh or Southern Vietnam). Of course, river deltas are prime locations for nations, and it appears most of the river deltas are already claimed by nations. And then I need to take into account the tropical/monsoon climate. 

Additional City #1:  Vayapura (ancient/former capital, located on a plain, likely somewhere central).
Additional City #2:  Vanadatara (located in the highlands).
Additional City #3: Jalavong (on the coast, however, also open to not having this city on the map). 

[Xio]

Congratulations on passing the academy! Now let's get you on the map.

Your chosen stats all look good and fit within your desired stat ranges. For your general 'location' it's actually quite free as currently our only Austronesians that's still on the map after the most recent map draft update are the Maori (Marenai on Eurth) which are found in Marenesia Major and the central Adlantic islands controlled by Gallambria. Generally, the Austronesian wurld on Eurth is mapped out like this:

The purple on the map is the area occupied by the Marenai, with the red being the non-Marenai 'Austronesian wurld' (not including Iverica's Verde in north-western Alharu). So if you were going with Saripoon being a South-East Asian country (specifically a Malayo-Polynesian country) it'd go somewhere in the red. Unfortunately pretty much everywhere in the red doesn't fit your desired climate and geography as it's all temperate and quite flat with few big rivers.

So instead let's work from the other way around - identifying Eurth's big (unoccupied) watersheds regions and river deltas and seeing what cultures are/would be situated there:

So it's safe to say we can cross off the river regions in Aurelia, the one on the Hei Sea, and that tiny one between the Synthe Sea and the Turtle Sea. Leaving just the one north of the Synthe Sea and the two in Orient Europa. For the one in Alharu originally a country called Kertosono which was Javanese, so that's a potential location that works quite nicely with your desired culture and geography. The two in Europa could also be potential locations though you'll probably have to rework the culture as that general region has been reserved for Dravidian and Indo-Aryan languages and cultures.

For my proposed locations, I think the Alharun delta works best. Although it's not shown on the map as a great river delta like the one in Europa, realistically that gulf should be a major river delta region just due to the amount of water pouring through there from Alharu's Great Lakes and the surrounding highlands being smack in the middle of one of Eurth's largest tropical rainforests. Below, I've chosen 2 locations around that region I believe your country could fit. It's up to you to decide which location you prefer the most. Afterwards all necessary countries (lore / proximity / etcetera) will be pinged for consent. If they don't object within the next 5 days your country will be added to the next map update.

1. Eastern Reach

With a land area of approximately 444,300km^2 (to the nearest 100km^2) your country would be divided into two main climactic regions: a tropical rainforest in the western third of your country, and a monsoon climate akin to South Asia in the eastern two thirds. Highlands stretch along your eastern interior with a large flat basin across your western interior facilitating what should be a massive river delta that isn't shown on the map. That lake on your northern border is fed from fresh water from Monsoons and tropical storms that inundate the local highlands with large quantities of water. The lake itself is probably slightly brackish, but if you (and your future neighbours) keep it clean it would be an insanely valuable resource as you'll basically never run out of water for agriculture and human consumption.

2. Western Reach

The other possibility, with an area of ~447,00km^2, is pretty much the same except your country now leans to the west instead of the east. Climatically, everything is reversed. You now have a South Asian monsoon climate in your far eastern interior with most of your country situated in the Alharun Rainforest. Highlands stretch out across your western regions with only that originally basin being flat land. Besides that, everything else is the same.

[Saripoon]

Greetings Xio,

Thank you for the detailed and insightful recommendation. There's certainly a lot to consider!

At the moment I am leaning more towards Option 1: Eastern Reach, however, I am curious if I go down the Dravidian and Indo-Aryan languages and culture route, what an alternative location in Europa could look like?

I guess I need to decide if my culture is more Dravidian/Indo-Aryan or Austroasiatic. I have essentially created a blend or mix of Dravidian/Indo-Aryan and Austroasiatic cultures, and so now its trying to work out the most appropriate location (based off existing lore) for that 'blend' to fit in. Especially since Europa is more 'Dravidian'/'Indo-Aryan', and Alharu is more 'Austroasiatic'.

Edited November 22 by Saripoon (see edit history)

[Xio]

Sorry for the wait - I can offer a couple options in Europa which could fit a more South Asian version of Saripoon using your current stats (250,000-≤450,000km^2).

3. Jasmine Sea River Delta

With an area of around 402,100km^2, your country would be covered in temperate broadleaf forests with a climate akin to central Japan / the Koreas. Kotowari to your south is a Tamil-speaking country. You'd occupy the entirety of the Jasmine Sea river delta - the largest river delta on Eurth.

4. Eebay Minor River Delta

A bit larger - at ~432,200km^2 - your climate would be pretty much identical to location 3, just with more mountains and a much smaller.

[Saripoon]

Thank you for your response, Xio.

I truly appreciate the time, effort, and level of detail you’ve put into this—it has been incredibly helpful.

Considering the information provided and my vision for Saripoon's climate and geography, I believe Option 1: Eastern Reach of Alharu is the most suitable location.

I look forward to being on the map. 

https://imgur.com/claXSRz

 

Edited November 30 by Saripoon (see edit history)