Belas

Belas is a province of southern Morindira adjacent to Morravia and Ditador and has a coast along the Belegaer Sea. It is part of the former Belini Kingdom of Morindira and is one of the original 5 provinces created after the Morindiran Revolution on March 4th, 1789.

History

Prior to the signing of the Dita-Bel Treaty in 1659 most of the province was ruled by Ditador. Invaded by Ditador in April 1793, the area was recaptured thirteen months later.

Geography

Belas has a population of roughly 3,000,000, of whom just under a quarter live in the capital, Victoria. Other towns include Argelè-sur-Bele, Thir, Selene (the ancient Illiberis) and V'rades.

Belas consists of two river valleys in the Shien mountain range - from north to south, those of the Evar Katon and the Shenayim - and the eastern Plain of Beli into which they converge. Most of the population and agricultural production are concentrated in the plain, with only 30% of the area.

Economy

Belas is a wine-growing area and a tourist destination.

Demographics

The Hebrew language is spoken by all the population.

The Spanish language is estimated to be spoken by rather more than a quarter of the population and understood by more than 40%, due both to the Ditadorian history of the region and the proximity of Ditador, where Spanish is official.

Culture

Places of interest include:

• Selene - site of the Framindol Academy.
• Meyne-sur-Belas - famous for its Grenache-based Meyne wine.
• Prats de Molló - important defensive castle of the 17th century facing south from the Shien mountians.
• Salses - important defensive castle of the 16th century, on the ancient frontier with Ditador.