Higher Tar-dinuu

The Kingdom of Higher Tar-dinuu is a coastal tropical nation located at the northernmost tip of !South America. It shares a land border only with Independent Provinces of Lower Tar-dinuu but shares a sea border with (Currently Unnamed Ordrish Colonial island countries) and (Whatever is on that peninsula). It is 1,376,536.16 square kilometers, divided into 33 states, each with a rich local history and culture. Though minor skirmishes have occurred on the border with Lower Tar-dinuu, and with (Unnamed Ordrish colonial island countries), it is not openly hostile with any power in the current age. Higher Tar-dinuu has one of the longest histories of any country in the fertile north of the continent, with the first major power in the region being established around 1,000 BCE in Yurdtri’s Fingers. While many hunter-gatherers had passed through the region prior in order to reach Vidina, only a few had settled there, and none had done so in the mountains. However, in the mountains, the settlers found rich deposits of metal. This material wealth allowed them to quickly advance, and conquer most of the peninsula on which they lived. However, their exploitation of the southernmost provinces resulted in their downfall. By around 550 BCE, Tar-dinuu was in a recognizable form. Eventually, it dissolved into a collection of city-states. However, in 503 CE, the city-states were forced to reunite in the face of a looming threat. They formed a loose confederacy. Unfortunately, this was not enough. (Unnamed Empire) conquered the city-states on the southern edge of the country. While the empire fell due to internal problems, it still taught the civilization that it needed to unite. In 479 CE, the first king was elected. The southern states, which had rejoined Tar-dinuu, broke off to become their own country known as Lower Tar-dinuu. This state of affairs would continue to the present day. There were no major wars, aside from a few skirmishes at the border with Lower Tar-dinuu. Though during the era of colonization the islands were conquered, the actual mainland remained independent. The nation has proven to be remarkably stable. Today, Higher Tar-dinuu is stable. Its economy has been kept prosperous by its advantageous position in Srtui’s Strait, the oil reserves found in the area of the ocean they own, and the beautiful reefs and rainforests that have attracted many tourists. It is fairly developed, but it is still grappling with the unwise decisions made by the country's royalty in the past. It has maintained a position of moderate power in northern !South America, and generally is vocal but not very influential on the world stage.

Etymology
The name “Tar-dinuu” comes from the Archaic-Dinuu word for land (“Tar”) and the Archaic-Dinuu word for themselves, “Dinuu”. “Dinuu” itself comes from a fusion of the Archaic-Dinuu words “Di” and “Nuu”. “Di” means World, and “Nuu” means people. In all, the name “Tar-Dinuu” means “Land of the people of the world”.

Prehistory
The oldest remains of humanity on the peninsula can be dated back to 20,000 years ago, in the form of hunter-gatherers passing through on their way to Vidina. These early cultures restricted themselves to the coast for the most part, as the jungles were difficult to travel through. Though these peoples have left their mark on the local ecosystems. The first actual settlements are dated to approximately 6,000 years ago. These belonged to what is now known as the Burtulaen culture. These people lived at the base of the peninsula, in small agricultural communities. It has been suggested that these people were the ones to originally domesticate qih and spread corn as a food crop. Archeological evidence shows that they were proficient in pottery but never discovered metal-working. All known tools found from these people were made of flint. This lack of metal ultimately led to their assimilation at the hands of the Dinuu approximately 2,900 years ago. The second civilization to appear in the region now under the control of Higher Tar-dinuu is the Kidal civilization. The Kidal were proficient in shipbuilding and were prolific explorers. Evidence of their existence, in the form of monk-seal bone talismans and cultural influences, can be found as far away from the islands which they lived on as the southernmost regions of Vidina. The Kidal people first appeared around 4,000 years ago, and continue to have their culture to this day (though strongly influenced by Dinnu culture). The most recent civilization to emerge was the Dinuu. They were another agricultural civilization, located on the slopes of Yurdtri’s Fingers and the surrounding regions. The Dinuu mastered the technique of terrace farming, allowing them to live in areas where an agricultural civilization would ordinarily have trouble. Their most important attribute was the fact they were the first civilization to enter the Bronze Age. While it isn’t currently known when exactly the Dinuu invented metal-working, it can be presumed to be at least 3,000 years ago. Older smithies and mining operations may exist, but more archeological expeditions into Yurdtri’s Fingers would be required to find them. Either way, after inventing metal-working, the Dinnuu entered the Bronze Age. They began what would be later known as the Empire of Tar-dinuu, though at the time it was simply known as Tar-dinuu.