The climate of Gilneas varies significantly. 90% of the land is the barren, rocky desert (and the rich mines and cave communities below). The other 10% is fertile and rich, and spreads about 10 miles out on all sides along the borders of the kingdom. Gilneas' fertile outskirts land is said to be called the Fertile Crescent of the whole Genevievan continent.
Gilneas began as a small colonial city-state hundreds of years ago. Today, it has significantly expanded and encountered a variety of other cultures, many of which have been hostile. Gilneas has been invaded, or done the invading, in over fifty wars we know of in the last three hundred years. Unusually, the kingdom has never had any hostilites with the natives, who have always been cooperative and friendly.
Gilneas has many small rural hamlets, but the majority of the population live in busy urban centers. These include Isleta, Lake St. Paul, and of course, Gilneas City. After many wars with the neighboring nation of Lithuania-Latvia, Gilneas has successfuly conquered great chunks of land and has governed them efficiently. The barren, mostly useless desert has no roads, but a highway and railroad system runs along the border of Gilneas all aroung the fertile crescent. A large international airport, the first to be built in Genevieva, is located in Gilneas City.
The War in Gilneas, the most recent one to be specific, began at the end of August of 2014 (Gregorian Calendar). This war has already had some devastating effects, and four small nuclear explosions have at least put a dent in Gilneas' rocky geography. Though casualties have so far been minimal, Gilneas and her ally Archeuland and Baughistan have managed to re-take land gained by the invaders. The first stage of the war is over. However, angry nations --New Cedoria and other enemies of Gilneas have only been scarred. They are fully prepared for a second wave, this time for total military domination of Gilneas and the formation of a new government.
Emperor Markus III of Archeuland has responded to pleas for help by sending in reinforcements (60,000 troops) to Gilneas, personally commanded by himself. They are stationed currently in the small village of Puero Jorge. Small contingencies are distributed along the southern border of Gilneas, acting as lookouts, waiting for any invasion from the south. Meanwhile, Gilnean troops and allied troops from Deian-Salazar are monitoring the western border along the River. The small river is filled with perfect fords and crossing points, making a land attack on Gilneas easy if the border is not guarded. Some native mercenaries and volunteers have come up to the two front lines to help out. In addition, the King of Gilneas reports a substantial home guard has gathered to defend towns and the borders from attack.
The current defensive position of Gilneas, however, is precarious. The first wave of attacks, totally unexpected, nearly conquered Gilneas except for pockets of resistance and a re-grouped defense force, who quickly pushed back the foreign foe to their own countries. About a thousand were killed, not to mention the uncounted dead from four nuclear attacks. Significant areas along the western edge of the Gilnean fertile crescent include the towns of Lake St. Paul and Riverside. These towns were not captured in the first wave due to the resourcefullness of their citizens. Instead, the allied nations attacking Gilneas buzzed right past them. When the enemies of Gilneas were forced to retreat after being surrounded and pushed back, militias from these towns killed and captured about 20 or 30 retreating soldiers. However, this dumb luck may not save Gilneas next time. Gilneas is getting ready for a second wave, and so are the enemies of Gilneas across the River -- New Cedoria and Serriat.
And now, time having passed and only hours of ceasefire spent, the war appears to have resumed. Rumors are circulating of enemy troop movement in preparation of crossing the River. The defenders of Gilneas are ready for a long fight.
