Gwlad Teg

General Information

Provincial Capital: Ceffinton

Literally translated as 'The Beautiful Land', Gwlad Teg is notable for it's stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. Wide-ranging mountains and moors covered in a distinctive yellow heather punctuate the landscape of this region.

Being a mountainous province, transport links in the more rural pars are restricted to roads winding up the slopes. A direct rail link from Gabalfa to the highlands was rejected as unfeasible due to the high gradients involved, although a local train service follows a smoother upland route through the province between Porthbalfa and Tamrida.

Industries

The M2 corridor, including Ceffinton and Porthbalfa, is a area of heavy industry where most of Bettia's manufacturing is based. The town of Porthbalfa features a number of small boatyards.

The northern highlands derive most of their income from farming (mainly sheep and cattle) and, thanks to its stunning scenery, a booming tourism industry.

Places of Interest

Bren-Brooks International Wildlife Reserve

A huge wildlife reserve straddling the border between Bettia and Nedalia, named after the presidents of the two countries. It was set up as a place where animals such as lions and aroras can roam free away from the prying eyes of zoo visitors (although the thousands of visitors can still see them courtesy of special safari expeditions).

Pen-y-Bydd

Can either be literally translated as 'top of the world' or 'end of the world'. This is the highest town in Bettia, situated at an altitude of over 2000 metres. Pen-y-Bydd was founded by a bizarre doomsday cult who believed that this would be the site of the second coming of the Great Arora. The supposed Day of Judgment came and went, and the cult was subsequently embarrassed out of existence. Many of the locals are devout Muslims, and keep the memory of the town's founding alive as a lesson for those who fancy subscribing to extreme or bizarre sects. The town is also populated by a large number of Buddhists, who see the high altitute as a perfect place for meditation.

Environment & Climate

Being the highest point of the entire country, Gwlad Teg experiences cooler temperatures, and it's rainfall is second only to Banastra. Heavy snowfall can be a problem during the winter at the highest altitudes, although the local authorities have years of experience of dealing with these conditions and so it is not a problem.

The landscape is extremely mountainous to the northwest, plunging into the Balfa valley near it's eastern border with Banastra. As such, it attracts large numbers of hill climbers, campers and cyclists during the summer. Indeed, Gwlad Teg's mountain stages play an integral and exciting part of the annual Tour O Bettia.