Zakahigan is a state located between two of the Grand Lakes and lies at the crossroads of two regions: East Lakes and West Lakes. The state is divided into 23 counties.
| Zakahigan |
|---|
| State |
 | | Flag |
|
| Founded | 1814 |
| Incorporated | 1765 |
| Demonym | Zakahites |
| Government |
| • | Governor Evelyn Sanchez |
| Area |
| • | 20,939 sq mi |
| Population |
| • Estimate (2024) | 5,848,000 |
| • Census (2020) | 5,833,000 |
 |
|---|
| Government of Zakahigan |
|---|
| State |
| Capital | Plainsburgh |
| Head of state | |
| • Governor | Evelyn Sanchez |
| • Lieutenant Governor | Jeremiah Robinson |
| • Secretary of State | Alyssa Chang |
| Legislature | Zakahigan State Legislature |
| • Upper house | Zakahigan State Senate |
| • Lower house | House of Delegates |
|
| Judiciary | Zakahigan Supreme Court |
| Largest City | Maquadena |
 |
|---|
| Administrative divisions of Zakahigan |
|---|
| Second-level | Counties |
| Third-level | Municipalities |
Demographics
|
|
Data
|
| Population
|
5,848,215
|
| Land Area
|
20,939 square miles
|
| Density
|
279 people/square mile
|
Cities and Towns
Municipalities
| Municipality
|
Proper Population
|
Metro Population
|
City Size
|
| City of Maquadena and Bear County*
|
906,169
|
2,746,191
|
440 square miles
|
| City of Plainsburgh
|
304,374
|
609,024
|
70 square miles
|
| City of East Eriksburg
|
189,328
|
380,444
|
75 square miles
|
*Maquadena and Bear County are one consolidated entity.
Education
Zakahigan contains two systems of higher education: Zakahigan State University System and Zakahigan Community College District. All other public universities are operated separately.
Universities and Colleges
| Institutions
|
Student Count
|
Acreage
|
Mission
|
| University of Zakahigan, The
|
62,650
|
7,000
|
research and agriculture
|
| Zakahigan State University, Plainsburgh
|
25,000
|
350
|
policy, education, and music
|
| Southern Zakahigan State University
|
20,000
|
614
|
arts, media, social studies
|
Primary and Secondary
Each public school district operates independently of local jurisdictions, except for financial and facilities purposes. The state's Department of Education (ZDOE) directly operates 15 specialized schools across the state. In contrast, private schools receive minimal oversight from the State.
Legislature
Bicameral Legislature
| parties
|
State Senate
|
House of Delegates
|
| New Socialist
|
18
|
43
|
| Union
|
16
|
51
|
| Common
|
10
|
19
|
| Original
|
3
|
7
|
| Rural
|
2
|
5
|
| TOTAL
|
49
|
125
|
Since 1974, the three most populous indigenous reservations elect 3 state Senators (upper house), and the three less populous elect 3 state Delegates (lower house).
Zakahigan Parties
| left wing
|
left
|
centrist
|
right
|
right wing
|
| New Socialist
|
Union
|
Common
|
Original
|
Rural
|
State-Recognized Reservations
Six indigenous reservations are recognized by the State: Adetka, Bixoheni, Craharan, Green, Hotahaha, and Takinkam. The six reservations operate semi-autonomously, limited only by certain legal statues.
Municipalities
The entire state of Zakahigan will be incorporated civil territory of some type. All legal jurisdictions in the state must lie under three departments: state, county, and municipality. Areas without incorporation must incorporate into a city, a town, a village, or a township. Preexisting hamlets will retain some legal authority, though they will lose some of their powers. Municipalities inside the six reservations may use some flexibility when interpreting this statute.
Counties
| County
|
Seat
|
Total Area (mi²)
|
| Agongos
|
Binesi
|
984
|
| Akisita
|
Akisita
|
799
|
| Bear
|
Maquadena (contiguous with Bear County)
|
441
|
| Central
|
Laycock
|
773
|
| Collins
|
Charming
|
1,014
|
| Confluence
|
Clay
|
872
|
| Farmington
|
Western Rock
|
617
|
| Forrester
|
Progress
|
918
|
| Gellard
|
Rabbit Wood
|
734
|
| Goddard
|
Cold Spring
|
1,009
|
| Indigenous
|
Bixoheni
|
2,076
|
| Kishkadee
|
Kishkadee
|
762
|
| Leighton
|
Marenzi Township
|
655
|
| Little River
|
Little River
|
459
|
| Maquadena
|
Maquakee Falls
|
1,500
|
| Mennowa
|
Mennowa City
|
454
|
| Plainsburgh
|
Plainsburgh
|
1,069
|
| Suenugan
|
Dillingham
|
544
|
| Suffrage
|
Memoquido
|
438
|
| Sutton
|
Shortbridge
|
955
|
| Trinity
|
Trinity
|
1,077
|
| Valentine
|
Lake Marlin
|
804
|
| Witch
|
East Eriksburg
|
709
|
Government of Zakahigan
Elected Officials
Citizen-Elected State Officials
| executive
|
legislative
|
judicial
|
| Governor w/ Lieutenant Governor*
|
Senate
|
Supreme Court
|
| Secretary of State
|
House of Delegates
|
Court of Appeals
|
| Attorney General
|
*The lieutenant governor is elected on the same ticket as the governor.
|
| Comptroller
|
| Insurance Officer
|
Cabinet and Other Officials
| title
|
department
|
ascension
|
| Lieutenant Governor*
|
Governor's Office
|
co-elected
|
| Secretary TRE
|
Department of the Treasury
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DFA
|
Department of Food and Agriculture
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DOE
|
Department of Education
|
appointed
|
| Secretary SWAPH
|
Department of Social Welfare and Public Health
|
appointed
|
| Secretary COCA
|
Department of Commerce, Opportunity, and Consumer Affairs
|
appointed
|
| Insurance Officer DIR
|
Department of Insurance and Revenue
|
elected
|
| Secretary DED
|
Department of Economic Development
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DLS
|
Department of Library Services
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DOC
|
Department of Corrections
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DoJJ
|
Department of Juvenile Justice
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DFW
|
Department of Fish and Wildlife
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DEMS
|
Department of Emergency Management and Security
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DLI
|
Department of Labor and Industry
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DOL
|
Department of Lottery
|
appointed
|
| Commissioner DPU
|
Department of Public Utilities
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DOT
|
Department of Transportation
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DVA
|
Department of Veterans' Affairs
|
appointed
|
| Secretary NTA
|
Department of Native and Tribal Affairs
|
appointed
|
| Secretary DEEP
|
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
|
appointed
|
| Attorney General DOJ
|
Department of Justice
|
elected
|
| Secretary SOS
|
Department of State
|
elected
|
Political Decisions and Controversies
Sociopolitical Issues & Protections
| policy
|
result
|
legislative
|
executive
|
judicial
|
| abortion
|
up to 29 weeks
|
x
|
|
x
|
| age of consent
|
17
|
x
|
x
|
|
| death penalty
|
illegal since 1997
|
|
|
x
|
| drinking age
|
21
|
x
|
x
|
|
| LGBT marriage
|
legal since 2004
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
| medical marijuana
|
legal since 1998
|
x
|
x
|
|
| prostitution
|
illegal in most municipalities
|
x
|
|
|
| recreational marijuana
|
legal since 2013
|
x
|
|
|
| smoking/vaping age
|
21
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
| U-turns on public roads
|
illegal since 2005
|
x
|
x
|
|
| women's suffrage
|
legal since 1909
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
This table is shown is because these policies affect the state's development and are visible upon close examination.
Political History
Zakahigan was admitted into statehood on May 1, 1814. From then until the early 1960s, Zakahigan was politically conservative. Gradually since 1958, Zakahites transitioned to more liberal or libertarian policies.
Unique Laws
- Fireworks stores and tents must be located at least 1,000 feet (304m) away from gas stations. Individuals wishing to use fireworks must do so at least 750 feet (230 m) away from gas stations.
- Unincorporated areas cannot exist.
- Some jurisdictions have food waste prevention laws, targeted at large and corporate eateries.
Political Figures
Governors may serve up to 3 four-year terms (12 years), excluding an acting term.
Governors
| Term
|
Name
|
Lieutenant
|
Note
|
| 1814-1818
|
Mortimer Collins
|
|
|
| 1818-1826
|
Albert Corry
|
|
|
| 1826-1830
|
Mortimer Collins
|
|
|
| 1830-1842
|
Gale Norman
|
|
|
| 1842-1846
|
Warren Erikson
|
|
|
| 1846-1854
|
Edwin Schumer
|
|
|
| 1854-1858
|
Garland Holliday
|
|
|
| 1858-1870
|
Christopher Prince
|
|
|
| 1870-1874
|
Alexander MacKenzie
|
|
|
| 1874-1878
|
Lucius Prince
|
|
son of Christopher Prince
|
| 1878-1882
|
Bradford Hollingsworth
|
|
|
| 1882-1886
|
Harvey Vanderlaan
|
|
|
| 1886-1890
|
Lucas Ash
|
|
|
| 1890-1902
|
Augustus Clay
|
|
youngest governor upon inauguration (age 25)
|
| 1902-1910
|
Elizabeth Forrester
|
|
first female governor
|
| 1910-1914
|
Ferdinand Lehmann
|
|
|
| 1914-1918
|
Richard Highwater
|
|
first Jewish governor
|
| 1918-1926
|
Orrin Levinson
|
|
|
| 1926-1934
|
Gavin Tyler
|
|
|
| 1934-1942
|
Ronald Norris
|
|
|
| 1942-1954
|
Nash Gellard
|
|
|
| 1954-1958
|
Edward Brick
|
|
|
| 1958-1970
|
Sage Cameron
|
|
|
| 1970-1982
|
Isaiah Waterman
|
|
first Black governor
|
| 1982-1986
|
Thad Branch
|
|
|
| 1986-1994
|
George O'Malley
|
|
|
| 1994-1998
|
Peter Cochran
|
|
|
| 1998-2006
|
Amanda Bassett
|
|
|
| 2006-2010
|
Beatrice Waverly
|
|
oldest governor upon inauguration (age 67)
|
| 2010-2022
|
Jasmine Kim
|
|
first Asian governor
|
| 2022-Now
|
Evelyn Sanchez
|
Jeremiah Robinson
|
first Latina governor
|
