Riyata

Riyude, officially the Commonwealth of Riyude, is a country located in Vatupaya. It consists of 31 states, 2 Imperial Cities, and various other territories. Continental Riyude extends from the !Mountains in the north to the Bay of Guasu in the south, and from the Quenniec Canal in the east to !River in the west. It borders Coranelle in the east, which is its closest economic, political, and military ally, and Ta'aroha and Tiepu in the west. It also borders Citelota through the three semi-exclaves of !Exclave, !Exclave, and !Exclave. The largest city is Grana, the executive capital, home of the Imperial Family, and an international finance center with a metropolitan population of 15 million. Other major cities include Isaye, the legislative capital where the Imperial Diet convenes, as well as Citana, Kaleyo, Tasuo, and Manava. With a population of 174.3 million people and an area of 1.1 million square kilometers, Riyude is the 5th-largest nation in the world in terms of population and the 13th-largest in terms of size. Litiya IV has been Empress since April 20th, 1959, and Riyude is a constitutional monarchy and a federal semi-parliamentary democracy.

Continuously inhabited since around 10,000 years ago, what is now continental Riyude was first settled by various hunter-gatherer tribes, who developed agriculture in eastern Taxata by 6,000 BCE.

During the Vatupic iron age, what is now western Riyude was inhabited by three distinct ethnic groups: the !TBD, !TBD, and !TBD. However, following the region's annexation by the Aunic Empire, these peoples were either displaced or assimilated into the Aunic cultural sphere, laying the foundations of what would later become the Riyudic language and culture. After the Aunic Empire's collapse in the 4th century, the region experienced a period of great turmoil as various Aunic and barbarian factions came into frequent conflicts with each other in an attempt to fill the power vacuum. In the year 482, the Proto-Taxic Invasions swept across Riyude and unified the petty kingdoms into a singular entity, the Mirati Confederation.

The Mirati Confederation was initially ruled by a proto-Taxic lineage of emperors and nobles, but they were replaced by ethnic Riyudics during the Hitovy Uprising from 990-992. The capital was moved from Manava to Grana, the seat of power of the new TBD imperial dynasty, who had come to power through sea power and control of trade in the Tupic Sea. The TBD, though their immense wealth, were able to command the loyalty of the many minor nobles at first. However, after only a few generations, the Confederation began to slip back into decentralization.

In the late 18th century and early 19th century, increasing levels of industrialization combined with a successive line of increasingly powerful monarchs saw the imperial government grow more centralized than ever before. The Unification of Riyude was formalized in February of 1858, when the 53 member states of the Mirati Confederation became officially united under the Riyudic Empire. Throughout the 19th century, Riyude rapidly industrialized, coming into frequent conflict with its neighbors. In particular, two inconclusive wars with Ta’aroha in the latter 19th century would fuel nationalistic and militaristic fervor in Riyude that culminated in massive loss of life during World War I.

In 1922, the May Revolution saw Emperor !Emperor overthrown and replaced with his third daughter, !Empress, who advocated strongly for the creation of a democracy in Riyude. Over the next decade, Riyude transitioned to its modern-day Commonwealth government. However, the government retained almost all of the institutions and systems of Imperial Riyude, albeit with significant reform, and it is still widely debated if Imperial and Commonwealth Riyude should be considered two distinct historical entities.

The Summer War was Riyude's last conflict with Ta'aroha and also the sparking incident of the Second World War. The conflict, lasting from 1940-1945, would see most continental Riyude fall under Ta’arohan military occupation. However, a government-in-exile was formed in neighboring allied Coranelle, which eventually succeeded in liberating Riyude from foreign control. The aftermath of this conflict largely saw the Riyudic-Ta’arohan rivalry disappear, replaced by a cooperative !ECSC that eventually would lead to the creation of the Vatupic Treaty Community.

In the modern day, Riyude has retained its historical status as one of the world's great powers, forming an integral part of the Vatupic Treaty Community. It is a highly developed economy with a GDP of Ꝟ8.4 trillion. Riyude is a developed nation and ranks very high in the Human Development Index (HDI), with extended social programs including free education for all and a limited universal healthcare system. Although it suffers from high income and wealth inequality compared to similarly developed nations, Riyude has relatively low poverty rates and has placed well on quality of life indexes. Riyude is a founding member of the VTC.

Prehistory and early history (before 2nd century)


The first humans to arrive in Riyude most likely did so by crossing the Bay of Guasu, landing on the southeastern coasts. The earliest signs of human activity in Riyude are stone and volcanic glass tools radiocarbon-dated to approximately 10,000 years ago. Taxata was one of the earliest places where agriculture developed in Vidina, and the fertile volcanic soil there, caused by the frequent volcanism of Mount Ariye, enabled the development of large-scale farming as far back as 8,000 years ago.

Starting 5,000 years ago, the discovery of bronze in Vatupaya began a period of rapid technological growth, allowing advanced civilizations to begin appearing. These included the proto-Taxics in the 15th century BCE, the !TBD in the 13th century BCE, and the !TBD in the !12th century BCE. These civilizations traded with each other and other civilization around the Bay of Guasu, establishing one of the largest maritime trading networks in the ancient world.

Classical period (2nd century–4th century)
Classical Riyude is considered to have begun when the Aunic Empire rapidly invaded and annexed parts of modern-day Riyude in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, wiping out many previously existing iron-age civilizations. They reached as far as central Taxata, but the defensible geography of Taxata and the martial culture of the proto-Taxics allowed them to survive and eventually push back. The proto-Taxics at that point were a very advanced civilization, similar to the level of the Aunics, only much smaller in population and land area. Going forwards, the proto-Taxics and the Aunics would be in almost constant conflict against one another, until a mass migration and invasion of the proto-Taxics into Aunic land forced the Empire to abandon its eastern territories. This massive movement of peoples is referred to as the Proto-Taxic Migrations, which irreversibly shaped the course of history in Eastern Vatupaya.

Intermediary period (4th century–TBD century)


The Riyudic Dark Ages lasted roughly two centuries, beginning with the Aunic Empire's departure from its eastern territories to the foundation of the Mirati Confederation at the end of the Proto-Taxic Invasions. The initial decades of the dark age were characterized by frequent famines and starvation, as the population of the region could not be sustained without the organized, coordinated farming and infrastructure of the former Aunic Empire. There were also frequent wars, as the local powers struggled against each other to fill the power vacuum.

The collapse of the Aunic Empire marked the end of the first wave of the Proto-Taxic Invasions and the beginning of the second wave; from then on, large amounts of settlers migrated west to settle in what is now Riyude, whereas the first wave was made up almost entirely of armed invaders. Although many more people settled in invaded territories during the second wave, this did not mean there was no violence; most proto-Taxic settlers were accompanied by large warbands, and they would often militarily subjugate an area before settling there. Over time, the migrations resulted in a region where most positions of power were occupied by the proto-Taxic warrior population, who ruled over the non-proto-Taxic peasant population.


 * Kingdom unites large area in central Riyude but stagnates
 * City-states form trade league on the northern lake
 * Proto-Taxics unify
 * Final wave of Proto-Taxic Invasions subjugate many minor states forming Mirati Confederation
 * Further expansion of the Mirati Confederation
 * Hitovy Uprising replaces proto-Taxic emperors with Riyudic ones
 * Border Kings (Huateta and Huahale) are formed with special privileges to defend against and attack Ta'aroha

Medieval period (TBD century–15th century)

 * Entire Mirati Confederation goes to war with Ta'aroha, Tiepu becomes property of the King of Huateta (First Tiepeti War)

Early modern period (15th century–1848)

 * Harad arrives and start plague
 * Trade with Harad
 * Alutrans arrive
 * 1731: Alutrans begin establishing treaty ports
 * 1734: Ta'aroha invades Tiepu and reclaims it (Second Tiepeti War)
 * Taxic Expulsion Crisis

Modern period (1848–1922)
The Kingdom of Taxata invaded !TBD and !TBD in 1848 and 1850 respectively, sparking a crisis in the Mirati Confederation and initiating the Riyudic Wars of Unification. During the 1852 Congress of Citana, the Taxic monarch, !TBD, crowned himself "Emperor in the East" and officially declared Taxata's intention to unite the Confederation into a centralized entity. While not yet in direct conflict with the Emperor and the western states, the Taxic proclamation sparked a period of heightened tension and discord within the Mirati Confederation. The question of unification instantly became a major national issue, especially after Emperor Wilo IX inherited the crown in 1854. He dissolved the Imperial Diet and rallied the loyal states, forming the Western Coalition in direct opposition to the Taxic bloc. Neutral states were persuaded to choose a side and several of those who refused were forcibly compelled to do so, most commonly by military means, but also through diplomatic or economic pressure. The Western Coalition staged an invasion of Tiepu in 1855, incorporating it in to the Confederation. Initially, the two alliances were careful to not directly engage each other, but contention over the disputed Diniye Issue caused war to break out in 1856. Later that year, the northern states, most of which had remained neutral, formally declared allegiance to the Emperor at the December 4th Toriye Conference. Following the defeat of Taxata, the Imperial Diet was reconvened and the electors ratified the Unification of Riyude on February 12, 1858.



Shortly after unification, the Emperor declared the Alutran-controlled treaty ports dissolved, sparking a major diplomatic incident between Riyude and the Alutran powers. Except for Gladomyr, none of the Alutran empires had been notified of the development beforehand, and the Imperial Army forcibly expelled all foreign nationals and merchants from Riyude, seizing their assets and wares. After a period of diplomatic tension, the imperial powers of Salia, Ordrey, and Edury formed a military coalition and, without any formal declaration of war, invaded Riyude on December 23rd, 1858, beginning the Port War of 1858. The coalition initially dispatched an expeditionary force of only 10,000 men, but they had severely underestimated the strength of the Riyudic forces and were defeated almost immediately. A second army of 50,000 men reached Riyude in 1860, but they were likewise defeated at the Siege of Grana on May 7th, 1861. Hostilities ended soon after, but no treaty was signed; the Riyudics refused to give validation to what they saw as an illegitimate, disrespectful invasion. The lack of an official declaration of war was particularly insulting; in a letter written by Prime Minister Maqaro to Broc mac Clocháin, leader of the coalition troops, he wrote that "since you will not treat Riyude with the dignity afforded to an equal nation, it is only fair that we shall do the same to you."

note to self: figure out how industrialization happens


 * War with Salia, Riyude takes their territory in northern Citelota (Riyudic-Salian War)




 * Riyude colonizes East Vidina
 * 1st Riyudic-Ta'arohan War
 * Builds canal with Gladomyr
 * 2nd Riyudic-Ta'arohan War
 * Period of peace and prosperity before WW1
 * Riyude joins international coalition against the Dayashafirate
 * Riyude and Agarad fight, Riyude sends troops to Casalia and Harad
 * Ta'aroha takes advantage of distracted Riyude to invade
 * Trench warfare in western Riyude
 * Dayashafirate collapses
 * Returning Riyudic troops defeat Ta'aroha
 * There is a lot of unrest due to WW1

Contemporary period (1922–present)



 * May Revolution replaces monarch and forms a democracy
 * Political and military reorganization after revolution
 * Remilitarization due to Ta'arohan aggression
 * Ta'aroha invades Riyude
 * Riyude falls, the government runs to Coranelle
 * Naval war to stop Ta'aroha from leaving Bay of Guasu
 * Land war in Citelota
 * Liberation of Riyude
 * Formation of Vatupic Treaty Community
 * Miraculous economic recovery
 * War with Agarad
 * Joins Alutran War, takes Salian colonies in Vidina
 * Naval war with Salia in Locufaric Ocean
 * Nukes Salia to end the war
 * Decolonization in late 1960s to early 1970s
 * Oil crisis and economic recession in 1977 due to Agar Civil War

Geography
The vast majority of Riyude is located on the Vatupic subcontinent, and these parts are called continental Riyude to differentiate them from Riyude's overseas holdings, such as the cities of Mailot, Telana, and Pitana on the southern coast of the Bay of Guasu. Continental Riyude's southern border is the Bay of Guasu, but in Riyude it is called the Vatupic Sea. Other natural borders are the !Mountains in the north, the river !River in the west, and the Quenniec Canal in the east. Riyude's territory covers a large portion of land in eastern Vatupaya, 1,176,294.16 km2, including various coastal islands, the largest of which are Harpau and !Island. It shares borders with four countries: Coranelle, Citelota, Ta'aroha, and Tiepu.

Biodiversity
Vatupic ground sloth

Government and politics


Riyude is a federal state and a constitutional semi-parliamentary monarchy where the powers of the monarch, currently Empress Litiya IV, are limited by the constitution to a mostly ceremonial role. Executive power is instead wielded by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, who derive their legitimacy from the people and the support of the Imperial Diet.

Riyude's federal legislation is the Imperial Diet, a bicameral parliament, made up of the lower House of Representatives and the upper House of Electors. There is universal suffrage for citizens who are 19 years or older, with a secret ballot for all elected offices, both federal and local. The Prime Minister is the head of government, who is appointed by the monarch to act on their behalf after being elected through popular election.

Members of the House of Representatives are elected from parliamentary districts for two-year terms, and seats are apportioned among the states according to population. Each state then draws single-member or multiple-member districts to elect representatives. The Imperial Cities of Grana and Isaye are also allotted seats as if they were states; they are both multiple-member parliamentary districts with proportional representation. The territories of !City, !City, and !City are each represented by a non-voting representative. The House of Electors has 93 seats where each state is entitled to three electors, elected at-large to six-year terms. Elections are staggered so that one seat from each state is up for election every two years. The Imperial Cities and territories do not have electors, except for citizens of Grana who can vote for and are represented by Hitovy's electors.

Riyude has a semi-parliamentary system of government, where the Prime Minister is elected directly by voters in elections every four years. The House of Representatives has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister with the approval of the House of Electors, initiating a snap election. The Prime Minister has the power to veto or sign legislative bills into law, appoint ministers to the Cabinet, and enforce laws passed by the legislation.

Administrative divisions
In the Riyudic federal model, there are two layers of government; the "empire" (federal government) shares power with and exists alongside various constituent "realms" (states) which exercise their power through the Imperial Diet and other methods. This system has existed in some form or another for centuries, stemming from the decentralized model of government that was practiced in the early Mirati Confederation. There are currently 31 states, 2 Imperial Cities, and 3 autonomous cities.



Foreign relations


Internationally recognized as a great power, Riyude maintains official diplomatic relations with almost every country in the world. The World Forum is headquartered in Grana, and Riyude is a permanent member of its !Security Council. It is also a member of the Vatupic Treaty Community, !Organization of Vidnan States, the ODCT, and various regional Defense Protocols around the world. Almost all nations have embassies in Grana, and many have consulates across the country.

Riyude has strong regional ties with its neighbors Coranelle, Tiepu, the Teleri Republic, and, more recently, Ta'aroha. It is also an ally of Gladomyr in East Alutra. According to the Toriye Protocol, Riyude is the guarantor of security for the Vatupic peninsula and is obligated to come to the defense of any nation under attack on that subcontinent, even if they are not a member of the VTC. It also protects Énqusqó and Higher Tar-dinuu under the terms of the Kidal Protocol.

Government finance
Taxation in Riyude is progressive and is levied mostly by the federal government, but also by some state and local governments. Out of the many direct and indirect taxes that exist, income tax and VAT are the most significant. There are also capital gains taxes, various property taxes, tariffs and duties, inheritance and gift taxes, and a carbon tax has existed since 2018. The legal basis for taxation is outlined in the Riyudic Constitution, which grants both federal and state governments the right to tax residents. In practice, the federal government cooperates with each individual state to determine tax rates. The federal government is the sole collector of taxes in 27 out of 31 states. Certain local jurisdictions, mostly municipal governments, also collect taxes in addition to the federal and/or state tax. Special administrative areas designated as Crown Communes are legally situated within states but have protected municipal charters and exclusive taxation rights, and are only subject to federal and local municipal tax. In 2021, taxes collected by federal, state, and local governments amounted to 39.9% of GDP.

The Riyudic government has continuously operated at a deficit since the Second Interwar Period; since 1950, there have only been 9 years where there was a budget surplus. The current public debt stands at around 155.15% of GDP, or Ꝟ13.06 trillion, one of the highest in the world both in terms of percentage of GDP as well as in absolute valuation. Around 18.5% of the national debt is owed to foreign governments and investors. There is a constitutional limit on public debt with a debt ceiling set to 200% of GDP; no budget can pass with a breach in place. The Imperial Diet has also passed legislation to prohibit both federal and state governments from defaulting on loans.

Military
The Imperial Armed Forces are the standing military forces of Riyude, which are managed by the Ministry of Defense. The commander-in-chief is Litiya IV, the monarch of Riyude. The armed forces are split into four branches: the Imperial Army, Imperial Navy, the Imperial Air Force, and the Imperial Guard. A volunteer-only force since 1952, the Riyudic military had 898,268 active personnel and 555,903 reserve personnel in 2021. Additionally, each state is permitted to raise and train its own defense force, and there are roughly 20,966 active and reserve personnel across the 5 out of 31 states that do so. Altogether, Riyude's armed forces are among the largest and most powerful military forces in the world, and the most powerful in Vidina. Since the end of the Second World War, Riyudic military doctrine has placed a priority on expeditionary warfare. Today, Riyudic military forces can be rapidly deployed from four nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and various marine and airborne expeditionary forces across all four branches. The Navy has achieved an unlimited operational range due to the widespread adoption of nuclear marine propulsion, and the Air Force has similarly expanded its reach through the continuous development of long-range aircraft, the most modern of which are the Hiqano Z-17 strategic bomber and the.

Riyude's 2021 military budget was Ꝟ261.02 billion, or roughly 3.1% of GDP, making it the largest military in the world in terms of military expenditure. Riyude is also a recognized nuclear weapons state with an estimated total stockpile of around 300-350 nuclear weapons.

Economy


Riyude has a highly developed social market economy that ranks among the world's largest with a GDP of Ꝟ8.42 trillion. It has a highly skilled labor force and a high level of innovation. Riyude ranks very well in economic freedom, economic competitiveness, and workforce productivity. It has been a member of the Vatupic Treaty Community since its founding in 1947 and has used the Vatupic Dollar (VAD) as its sole official currency since 2003.

Since the 19th century, Riyude has been a major player in global trade; its location has historically allowed it to access and control trade between the markets of inland Vidina and those of the wider world. Today Riyude is an integral part of the Vatupic Treaty Community and is one of the largest exporters in the world, both to other members of the VTC as well as other nations around the globe.

In 2020, it was estimated that the service sector contributed around 69% of Riyude's total GDP, followed by industry and the primary sector at 28% and 3% respectively. Riyude is rather unique among postindustrial nations in that the secondary sector remains a considerable part of its economy; it is among the largest manufacturing countries worldwide and its automotive, aerospace, and technology industries, among many others, are internationally competitive and contribute significantly to the country's exports.

Energy


According to the Ministry of Energy and Water, Riyude consumed around 46.77 exajoules in 2020, or 268.3 gigajoules per capita. Of this, 64.51% comes from nuclear power, 18.32% comes from renewables, and 17.17% comes from fossil fuels (primarily oil).

Most of Riyude's nuclear power plants were built in the 1980s, after the 1977 oil crisis made it clear that foreign oil was an unreliable and increasingly volatile resource. Riyude has been reliant on nuclear power ever since and has not significantly invested in renewables, except for hydropower. It is still dependent on fossil fuels for transport as well as for residential and commercial use, but around 83% of electricity is generated with nuclear or renewable power. Nuclear energy is considered a green power source by the Riyudic government and is a central part of the plan to become carbon-neutral by 2035. Nuclear power plants are operated by both private companies and state-owned enterprises, but the industry is heavily regulated and the disposal of nuclear waste is the sole responsibility of the federal government. Energy and electricity as a whole are considered an "integral industry" in Riyude and are subject to high levels of government regulation and intervention.

Agriculture
According to the 2020 Riyudic agricultural survey, there was 43,169,995 hectares, or 431,699.95 km2 of cultivated agricultural land, which is 36.7% of the country's total area. The average size of a Riyudic farm is 88 ha, with farms in Northern and Central Riyude generally being larger than those in other parts of the country.

Riyude has historically been a major food producer in Vatupaya. Main Riyudic staple crops include potatoes, sweet potatoes, peanuts, squash, beans, and maize. Agriculture made up around 1.8% of the Riyudic economy in 2020, or Ꝟ151.56 billion. Since the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945, the Riyudic government has pursued a policy of self-sufficiency for foodstuffs and water; the country is a net food exporter and is a major producer of various cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Riyude also has a minor wine industry, started using imported grapes from Gladomyr, which now are grown mainly in Muatiy, Iriy, and Taxata.

Trade


Riyude is one of the largest trading nations in the world. In 2020, it exported around Ꝟ2.7 trillion, or 32% of total GDP, and imported Ꝟ2.4 trillion, or 28% of total GDP. Due to its large industrial capability, Riyude is a net exporter of many advanced manufactured products, which are exported to countries all over the world. Traditionally, the Riyudic government places a high import tariff on manufactured goods in order to encourage the domestic production and export of high-value products. Its primary trade partners are other members of the Vatupic Treaty Community, but it exports to many countries all across the world. It has a trade surplus of around Ꝟ350 billion, the largest in the world.

Manufacturing
Riyude has a very large industrial capability and has been described as one of the preeminent producers of advanced goods in the world. Industry makes up 29% of Riyude's GDP, and its manufacturing output is the second-highest in the world. It is a world leader in the production of automobiles and ships, consumer electronics, machine tools, jewelry and other luxury goods, and processed foods. Riyude is also the leading nation in the production of advanced electronics. As of 2020, Riyude was the leader of the global semiconductor industry, accounting for around 38% of the global market. Riyude is also a major manufacturer of airplanes and airplane parts. Airtram, the world's leading aerospace corporation, was formed partly from the aerospace division of the Riyudic company Hiqano, and has two manufacturing facilities in Riyude; one in Citana and another in !City.



Population
The 2020 Riyudic Census officially counted 174,328,305 people living within Riyude's borders.

Immigration
As of 2017, Riyude had a fertility rate of about 1.77 births per woman. Birth rates have been declining since the industrial revolution spread to Riyude, and dropped rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s. 1972 was the last year the total fertility rate was above replacement rate, or 2.1 births per woman. In 2021, the birth rate was 1.83 births per woman. However, because of immigration, the total population has not declined. Since the end of the Second World War, Riyude has seen large waves of immigration, particularly from other parts of Vidina, northern Casalia, Harad, and Tiridina. According to the 2020 census, around 33 million people, or 19% of the population, were not of Riyudic descent.

Starting from the 1980s, Riyude has consistently received a large number of asylum applications, especially from Agarad due to the intensification of the Agar Civil War.

Religion
The 7th Amendment to the Riyudic Constitution guarantees full religious freedom and also enshrines "freedom from religion in government." Religion in Riyude is hard to gauge due to the varying definitions of "religion" and the historically unorganized, personal, and diffusive nature of Riyudic religious traditions. Religious scholars note that, aside from the large population in Western Riyude (primarily Huateta and Huahale) who practice Orthodox Tevatua, there is no significant boundary between Tevatua and the various indigenous folk religions. Unlike its western counterpart, the "Folk Tevatua" practiced in Riyude is pluralistic, animistic, humanistic, and has been thoroughly syncretized with existing local beliefs and traditions. It is polytheistic and occasionally nontheistic, and it is often hard to distinguish from irreligion.

It is notoriously difficult to gather data on religious affiliation in Riyude. In a 2017 poll conducted by the World Forum, 63% of respondents self-identified as "practicing some form of Tevatua," but the 2020 census found that up to 81% of the population were irreligious or practicing folk religions compared to only 9% practicing Tevatua. The situation becomes more complicated when taking into account the large immigrant population, many of whom are irreligious without subscribing to indigenous Riyudic ethnic religions.

Education
Education in Riyude is provided in public and private schools. By law, children are required to attend school starting from the age of 3 or 4 until they turn 18, usually taking them through two years of preschool in addition to the primary and secondary levels of education. About 94% of primary and secondary school students attend public schools, and the remaining 6% of children are either homeschooled or attend private schools. All secondary schools in Riyude offer foreign language classes; as of 2020, the most-studied language was Taxic. Myrish was second, followed closely by Kanasa.



97.7% of Riyudic adults age 30 or older have completed secondary education. 52.5% attended a college or vocational school, 28.6% earned an undergraduate degree, and 10.9% earned a postgraduate degree. According to the Ministry of Education and Science, the literacy rate is around 99.9%. Riyude ranks very highly on education indexes and is a world leader in the diversity and quality of higher education. There are more than 5,000 universities or colleges in Riyude, and many of them rank within the top 100 in the world. The federal public university system, Imperial University of Riyude, is one of the largest in the world by enrollment, with just under a million students as of 2021.

Culture
The culture of Riyude has been shaped through its interactions with many civilizations and peoples since ancient times. Riyude's indigenous culture originates from the !TBD civilization that existed in central and southern Riyude between 1200 BCE to 200 CE. Starting from the 2nd or 3rd centuries CE, the !TBD people were invaded and heavily influenced by neighboring peoples; first by the Aunics from the west, and second by the proto-Taxics and !TBD from the north and east. These cultures all merged together during the early Mirati Confederation and created the medieval Riyudic culture that emerged by the 9th century CE. Since the early modern era, Riyude has been greatly influenced by countries from Alutra and, to a much lesser degree, Harad. In contemporary times, Riyudic culture has itself become one of the most influential cultures around the world, primarily due to Riyude's economic significance and the global reach of its popular culture.

The idea of a Riyudic culture and ethnicity began to emerge in the 8th century due to the unification of the culturally diverse region by the proto-Taxics around three centuries prior. Riyudic culture was greatly influenced by Haqami, a humanistic system of thought and behavior that developed in medieval Riyude. Most frequently described as a worldview or philosophy, Haqami laid the foundation for the cultural values of Riyude which continue to be important in modern times. Contemporary Riyudic culture is achievement-oriented, highly altruistic, and extremely meritocratic. Although Riyude is most often described as an individualistic society, it also has many features of a collectivist one. Self-determination is important, but people must also follow sometimes strict social rules. For example, it is important to show friendliness and politeness to strangers and acquaintances, while rudeness and public displays of negative emotions are looked down upon. Reliance on others is not viewed as a negative thing unless it becomes one-sided or unwelcome. The concepts of trust and social obligation are of paramount importance in Riyudic culture; once a promise has been made or a relationship has been established, it is intolerable to renege on one's commitments.



Contemporary Riyudic culture primarily stems from domestic influences, but it also incorporates influences from other regions of the world, primarily Vidina, Alutra, and Harad. The formation of the Ministry of Culture in 1961 has helped make Riyude's cultural heritage more accessible to the domestic and international public. Riyude has developed a sophisticated system for the protection and promotion of its "cultural properties," including structures and buildings, works of art, significant historical objects, performing arts and craft techniques, and historic or natural monuments.

Holidays
There are many federal and state holidays to celebrate signifigant days in Riyudic history or culture.



Taqa is the most important holiday in Riyudic culture and is the country's traditional new year festival, occurring annually on the winter solstice. Masks and makeup, representing the achievements and glory of the past year, are an important part of the festival, which are usually removed at midnight to symbolize the beginning of a new year. The celebrations are world-famous for their elaborate costumes and parades, which happen throughout Riyude and in some international cities with large Riyudic populations. Since the late 19th century, Taqa celebrations have increasingly begun to incorporate fashion styles and trends from all across the world.