Antonija

Antonija (: Antonija; : Антония) is the and largest city of Galvia. The city is located in the central region of the Crown Capital Territory, at nearly the exact geographical centre of the country. Situated on both sides of the upper Kronis river, at the foot of Mount Rietu, Antonija proper is home to 2.7 million people, with 4.1 million living in its surrounding. The city has a, with relatively warm summers and cold winters, and it's the second tallest city in elevation in Galvia.

Antonija was founded in 1299, nine years after the annexation of the Union of Krona by the Legion of Galvia, commanded by Antonija I (formerly Antonija Ivuškāns). The city, originally named Sirds, was purposefully located on higher ground and nearby a mountain range for easier protection, and placed at what was, at the time, the halfway point between northern and southern Galvia. It was eventually declared capital of the United Kingdoms of Galvia in 1230, and renamed Antonija in 1345, on the fifth anniversary of its founder and namesake's death, Queen Antonija I, who ruled the United Kingdoms of Galvia between 1320 and 1340. Since its creation in the 14th century, the city has uninterruptedly been the federal capital of Galvia, as well as the primary residency of the royal family. It has also been the only city to ever host the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government since the inception of the national constitution in 1831.

In contemporary history, the city has managed to remain entirely unaffected during virtually all of Galvia's internal conflicts, including the War of Antonija, a series of continuous conflicts named after the city, but never taking place on it. It has also remained one of the few capital cities in the world to have never been under direct attack by outside forces, including during Galvia's involvement in World War II. Because of its undisturbed nature, the city's original cultural and historical landmarks and sites have remained mostly unchanged for centuries, and its citizens enjoy one of the highest standards of living, not only nationally but regionally. Regarded as a, Antonija is the most visited city in Galvia as of 2020, and one of the most frequented capital cities in eastern and central Alutra, receiving around 5 million visitors annually. Antonija has been the location for the headquarters of the World Forum Health Commission since 1961.

Etymology and names
Founded in 1299, the city was originally named Sirds, derived from the word meaning 'heart'. This name was chosen directly by its founder, Queen Antonija I, and its reasoning has been mistakenly attributed to the city's geographical location at the center of the country, utilizing the analogy of a heart as 'the center of the body'. This is known not be historically accurate, as the United Kingdoms of Galvia, of which Sirds was the capital, did not include the present-day territories of Greater Zemakija, making Sirds one of the easternmost cities in the country at the time. The historical accurate meaning is attributed to the concept of 'capital' or 'gathering city' and its comparison to the human heart. The city's name was changed to its current name, Antonija, on 3 October 1345, five years after the death of Queen Antonija I as a way to honor her memory.