Valans

From Scandia

**Valans**

Location in Valania
Province	Valansia
Founding Date	c. 1200 AE
Area	1,577 km² (609 sq mi)
Population • Density	7,512,400 4,761/km² (12,331/sq mi)
Praetor	Caecilius Viridius
Administrative Divisions	5
Time Zones	Imperial Standard Time (IST) (SMT +3)
Website	www.valans.vn

The capital city of Valania, Valans was long considered to be the centre of the world and, though less important today, remains one of the largest cities in Scandia. It is vital to Valania's economic welfare as most of the nation's businesses are based there.

1 History
2 Valans Today
3 Culture
4 Geography and demographics
5 Gallery

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History

Main article: Valania#History

Valans was originally founded by Valen in the distant past. Since then, it has remained the vital centre of the Valanian Empire. For a time, it was also the capital of the small kingdom of Valansia.

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Valans Today

Valans is the centre of culture, politics and business in modern Valania. Gaius Pontifex Airport, located just outside the city, is also the major hub for air travel both in and around Valania, and a new runway and terminal are curently under construction. The vast Central Station, the largest railway station in Dorania, is the centre of the Valanian rail network, daily bringing in commuters from all over the country.

The largest economic sectors in Valans are business and financial services, though before 1500 such businesses barely existed in the city. Since then, however, much of the manufacturing has moved to Ostiae, which benefits from its large seaport and trade links with Schwerdt, and its place has been taken by more financial companies. This change was furthered by the completion of the COVSE Building in 1511, as well as the closing of Valania's borders from 1525-33, which, as it did not block the flow of money, caused the business sector to bloom.

Valans is remarkable for its vast array of historic sites. Most significant is the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, the oldest parts of which date back to 10CE. It is an important place in the Cruistian religion, housing as it does the grave of Cruis himself. The city also contains many museums which house treasures from the imperial era. Renowned universities, including the world-famous University of Valansia, surround the city, providing a steady stream of learned individuals to fill Valania's government and further its scientific reputation.

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Culture

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Music

Valans has always been one of the world centres of classical music. In the past, it has produced such great composers as Bethovus, Motsa, Elger, and even the great Bachen spent much time in the city. While classical music cannot be said to appreciated as much today, the New Coliseum in the city's centre plays host to many a concert, and the annual Festival of Music celebrates Valania's cultural achievements in this area.

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Literature, art, museums

Many of the foundations of modern literature were also laid in Valans. The writer Tolsto came from this city, and set many of his novels there, including the serious Crime, Sentence, and Execution and the slightly less reverent War, Peace, and a Few Heretics on account of which Tolsto was forced to flee Valania. Modern writers and satirists continue to follow in Tolsto's tradition, though none have been exiled recently!

Valans contains a rich array of museums, notably the National Museum of Valania, the Imperial Museum, and the Valans History Centre. In these are contained many of Valania's national treasures, from ancient Iudean jewellery to an entire Ingallish warship, preserved for over 300 years. The praetor is currently embarking on a program to grant free access to all publicly-owned museums and art galleries in the capital. If this succeeds, then it will grant an unprecedented level of access to some of the most important artefacts in the world.

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Places of interest

The buildings are listed along with their construction dates. In the case of those buildings that were destroyed and rebuilt, or were extensively added to, only the original dates of construction are given.

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Palatine Hill

Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (10)
Old Forum (23)
Imperial Treasury (215)
New Forum (722)
National Museum of Valans (1105)

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Capitoline Hill

Old Senate House (115AE, destroyed 793)
Imperial Palace (90AE, destroyed 541)
Mausoleum of Gaius Pontifex (835)
Senate House (under construction)

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Caelian Hill

Baths of Titus Aurelius (91AE)
New Coliseum (1368)
Imperial Museum (1399)

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Esqueline Hill

Circus Maximus (325)

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Viminal Hill

Central Station (1436)
Opera House (1470)
COVSE Building (1511)

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Geography and demographics

Central Valans covers seven hills — the Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esqueline, Palatine, Quirinal and Viminal Hills — next to the river Tiner. Beyond these, the city sprawls for quite some distance in every direction.

Valans' official population stands at just under 7million, though the true number is about 7.5million. Many of these live in the conurbation surrounding the city. Unusually in Valania, virtually all of the city's population can speak Ingallish; this is because of the significant foreign business transactions which occur in the city.

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