Alhadas

Alhadas is the capital and most populous city of the Watanese province of Matania. Situated on the banks of the Vidalic River, Alhadas is located in the central bluffs of the nation far from any other similarly populated cities. With a metro population of 2.6 million, Alhadas is the second largest city in Watan. The city also lies against the banks of Lake Palmetas - a reservoir within the Vidalic River.

Alhadas proper has a population of 1.5 million as of 2022. Its old town, encompassing 4 km2, contains two World Heritage Sites: the Construção da Filosofia or Building of Philosophy on the campus of the University of Alhadas and the Túneis do Nascimento or Tunnels of Nascimento - the largest and oldest standing library in Watan. The Alhadas harbor is one of three river ports in Watan and often sees river cruise liners within the summer months. Alhadas experiences high temperatures in the summer, with daily maximums routinely above 35 °C (95 °F) in July and August.

While the area the city was built on had been inhabited for many years prior, Alhadas as it were was founded by Ventoran settlers in 1112 as Ajolugar meaning "place of garlic" due to the area's prominent garlic fields. By request of king Nascimento I in 1437, the city was renamed to Alhadas in order to match the Watanese language, now meaning "[place where there are] piles of garlic". The city would not grow substantially until Watan's independence from Ventora in 1328, where poor farmers of the central Watanese bluffs would move en masse to the city looking for work. Starting during the ruling of the House of Cavaco starting in 1436, Nascimento I, II, and III would have large interests in the city, including commissioning buildings and sculptures. The Tunnels of Nascimento would be constructed during this time.

During the 2016 Watanese coup d'etat attempt, the city would be the site of many skirmishes which resulted in the deaths of many. The University of Alhadas is one of the most influential colleges in its part of the world.