Coyaha (The Kalmar Union)

The Coyaha Republic, Coyahaland, Coyaha, is a small democratic republic in central eastern Leifia. It is bordered by Aniyunwiya (The Kalmar Union), Tsalagi Republic and Mvskokia. The capital is Patsiliga and the population around 842,000.

The official language is Coyahan.

The Head of State is President Chestowee.

The currency is the Coyahan Vol' (CGV).

History
Dominated by the broad but geographically isolated valley of the Tanasqui River which forms much of its western border the Coyaha people spent much of their history in obscurity. Álengsk traders first reached the valley in the 1260s as the Aniyunwiyan Empire spread its road network out through its newly conquered hinterland and brought new tribes into vassalage.

The collapse of the Empire after the death Edoha left numerous local lords, often Aniyunwiyan or Yesan in origin, fighting amongst themselves for control and influence over the Coyahan lands. In between the feudal lordships communes of unaligned Coyahan evolved into semi-republican entities. Gradually a system of shifting alliances created stability in the Tanasqui valley and extended their influence eastwards into the mountains. The Second Aniyunwiyan Empire under Kullaakka attempted to recapture the valley but thanks to improved defenses and a new-found willingness to work together could not force their will upon the states on the eastern shore. This situation has led to some historians to call it 'the Swiss Confederation of Leifia'.

The valley, marking an important junction between the north-east and south-east Leifian states, became a trading hub. Buoyed by impressive crop yields its armies could afford to fend off the advances of Aniyunwiya, Yesanland and Mvskokia and indeed it was its junction between these three powers, that kept it independent.

The intensive monoculture practised by the valley farmers as a response to the demand for wheat from Mvskokia, plus regular flooding, denuded the soils of their worth and even before the Leifian Crisis took hold in the 1820s the valley was turning into a dust bowl. Most of the good forests had been cut down leaving a dearth of firewood and already much afflicted by rampant malaria, the population collapsed. Large numbers of Coyahan emigrated into Mvskokia or Aniyunwiya and were often looked down as second-class citizens. Denied rights and treated almost as slave labour abroad and massively depopulated at home the Coyahan people was in danger of simply ceasing to be a coherent body.

During the period of the Cotton Wars large numbers of Coyahan were drafted into the armies of the various combatants and the largely abandoned city of Kuwandatalunyi saw the Wars' most northernly battle as Aniyunwiya blundered into the conflict in 1903. While the war did little to change the fortunes of the Coyahan directly it did bring the land to the attention of the Atlantic coast states. Álengiamark and the newly formed Powhatan Customs Union (see Powhatanland) took the lead, putting up money to build dams across the rivers to provide power and regulate the flooding. The farmlands, rested after the long period of desolation were given a new purpose as crop-rotation became standard. With railways came a renewed influx into the towns. An Althing-styled government was adopted and open elections were first held in 1936. Gradually the Coyahan people have found their feet once more and many long-departed families have returned to share the prosperity.

Government
The Coyaha Republic is governed by a bi-cameral Council with elections held, on average, every four years. The current president is Chestowee though the title holds little direct power.