Asqalan

Asqalan (In Asqalani: אסקלן) is a Semitic coastal republic separated between two parts on the continents of Vestea and Anetal. Both halves of the country are separated by the Strait of Isarriah. Isarriah, the capital on the Anetalli side of the strait, is the largest city with 4,314,128 citizens living in it. The country has diverse demographics with many different cultures, ethnic groups and religious groups residing. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of the citizens identify as Asqalani.

For many years the Asqalani people have inhabited the region along-side various other ethnic groups. Over the years many different civilizations ruled over the region and collectively led to the diverse population the country has today. Modern Asqalan was founded by the former Asqalani people.

Etymology
The name Asqalan derives from the majority ethnic group of the country, Asqalani, or in the native language Asqalan People(Asqalani: אעם א-אסקלן) after various other proposals for a more ethnically neutral name, Asqalan was chosen as this is how the region was referred to for thousands of years.

Geography and Environment
Asqalan is located on the Strait of Isarriah between the two continents of Vestea and Anetal. A region regarded for thousands of years as fertile and highly habitable. With the exception of the mountainous portions of Anetal, most of the country is either arid or temperate in climate with some areas also hosting tropical climates. Deserts in the south of the country consist the less densely populated areas and are rich in a variety of different geological features unique to the desert.

Climate
The climate of Asqalan varies greatly, the southern portion of the country on the continent of Anetal is most arid-desert, while the portion on Vestea ranges up to a Mediterranean climate. While the heat can reach up to 55 °C (131 °F) it is often countered by low humidity and northern breezes.

Summers, lasting from May to September, are hot and dry, with temperatures averaging around 32 °C (90 °F) and sometimes exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) between July and August. The winter, lasting from November to March, is relatively cool, with temperatures averaging around 59 °C (59 °F).

Ecology
Over 2,000 different plants have been identified in Asqalan. Many of the flowers bloom in the spring after the winter rains. Vegetation largely changes between the two continents and the climate regions they occupy. Many of the plants found in Anetali Asqalan are unique to that region as the mountains formed a physical barrier for biological intrusion from most Anateli wild plants.