Baltega

Baltega, officially the Baltegan Republic (Lingarian: República Baltegana), is the third country in Baltega and the biggest in Subtorian Balteca. At x million square kilometers (x sq mi) and with over 81 million people, Baltega is the world's fifth-largest country by area and the sixth most populous. Its capital is Asencio, and its most populous city and financial center is Trinidad. The federation is composed of the union of the 24 provinces and the Federal District. It is the largest country to have Lingarian as an official language; one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations, due to over a century of mass immigration from around the world; and the x-most populous Theodorian-majority country.

Bounded by the Avansic Ocean on the east, the Dunic Ocean on the west, and the Baltegan Sea on the south, Baltega has a coastline of x kilometers (x mi). It borders Ipuxuna on the north-west and Equinoctia on the north-east and covers roughly x of the continent's land area. Its Frondosa basin includes a vast tropical forest, home to diverse wildlife, a variety of ecological systems, and extensive natural resources spanning numerous protected habitats.

The territory which would become known as Baltega was inhabited by numerous tribal nations prior to the landing in the early 16th century of explorer x, who claimed the discovered land for the Lingarian Empire. Baltega remained a Lingarian colony until 1809. Independence was achieved after the declaration and fight for independence with the creation of the Baltegan Republic. The country thereafter enjoyed relative peace and stability, with several waves of West-Artopan immigration, mainly Subtorians, radically reshaping its cultural and demographic outlook; over 60% of the population has full or partial Lingar and Ildonnean ancestry, and Baltegan culture has significant connections to Ildonnean culture.

The almost-unparalleled increase in prosperity led to Baltega becoming one amongst the wealthiests nations in the world by the early 20th century, and its GDP per capita has consistently been in the top ten until the present. Baltega is a regional power, and retains its historic status as a middle power in international affairs. A major ally of Osana, Baltega is a developed country that ranks xth in the Human Development Index, the x-highest in Balteca. It maintains the x-largest economy in Balteca. Baltega is also a founding member of the League of States, International Development Organization, International Trade Organization, Pan Baltecan Union, and the Organization of Lingaro-Baltecan States.

Etymology
The name «baltega» comes from an apellation given in honor of Lingarian explorer Juan Francisco Baltego, whose expedition culminated with the discovery of Balteca (and subsequently Baltega), the Baltegan Sea (Lingar Sea) and the foundation of the first Lingarian settlement in the western hemisphere.