Gaia
A continent in the pacific ocean, the tectonic plate of Gaia was formed when a massive meteorite, traveling abnormally slowly, impacted the earth 235 million years ago; the meteorite was one of the largest that ever struck the earth, but the slow speed and large size caused the meteorite to deflect off of the earth, which only left a partial impression. Forming what was initially a super volcano due to the disruption of the crust, the molten core eventually resettled, and the continent of gaia was formed, as a super Island in the pacific ocean, or from the pacific plate. The continent is essentially a large basin, or depression in the earth's crust, which puts most of the Island substantially below sea level. While the center and edges are far above sea level, with the highest point being 20,000 feet (in the center), most of the Island is actually below sea level, or the ocean. With the average height being -300 feet, and the lowest point being -4500 feet, the continent produces an assortment of incredibly strange wild life. Due to the low sea level and density of the clouds above continent, low amounts of UV and other radiation reach the surface of Island. As a result, various plants grow to enormous sizes, and among the wild life includes three species of dinosaurs. Most of these dinosaurs resemble land birds (such as ostriches, Emu's, or chickens), but one is close to 45 pounds, giving it the appearance of a Raptor (although 65 million years ahead).
The continent is often seen as Mu by many outsiders, and is often attributed to numerous mythical stories, such as Atlantis, Lemuria, and other "lost" societies. Despite possibly being the continent of claim by many ancient societies and myths, the members of the continent refer to themselves as "Gaians", and to the continent as Gaia. Barton, Durem, and Aekea are the three biggest cities on the Island, however the continent is a single country, save for the Territory of "Meccacano", in the southeast region. Populated by the same individuals moving to the Americas some 26,000 years ago, the earliest Archaeological evidence puts the first humans on the Island at roughly the same time as the Americas, and various Islands in the pacific ocean. Many reaching the continent as a result of Island hopping, it held some of the earliest migrations of humans into the "New World", and has a history that is considered approximately equal to the Americas. The Islanders formed one of the first civilizations, only a thousand years after Mesopotamia, due to it's lush wild life and bounty of fish substituting for the development of agriculture. Despite this, the Islanders had a longer time taking off, due to their inability to develop cities in any location on land they chose, and thus developed at a rate, technologically, similar to the rest of the world.
The primary genealogical basis of the Islanders can be traced to Asian immigrants, Native Americans, Mayans, and later the Greeks. Despite the culture and the language being heavily influenced by the greeks, there is little to any archaeological data regarding the greeks arrival, which has lead many to speculate that their arrival on the Island must have been accidental. A single ship, with a bronze ram, similar on construction to a Tireme, was found to be on the Island as early as the 3rd century BC, the members of whom are believed to have worshiped the Titans, where the Island gets it's name. Despite this, the Island was colonized by British Imperialist in the early 17th century, and the country eventually obtained it's independence in 1856. As a result of the British influence, English is the primary language, and the culture appears very western, although it is heavily associated with Greek and early native American influences, as well.
The population of the Island is 89 million, with an average income of approximately 51,142 American dollars a year. The Island actually shares it's currency with the American dollar, as does Australia and Manoka, making it an unofficial member of the Pacific trading union, as it is affectionately called. The Island's annual GDP is close to 4.55 trillion dollars a year, with a growth rate of approximately 1.5%. In large part dependent on the American economy, it nonetheless serves well on it's own, particularly in the Asian markets. Like most industrialized countries, large portions of the wealth are concentrated in the upper 10%, but this is surprisingly less so than most countries (such as the U.S.). The country is similar to France in it's economic style, being heavily capitalistic, but also possessing a handful of government controlled businesses. Approximately 6% of the businesses are run by the government, while the remaining 94% are public. While there is incredible government involved in the economy, there is generally a divide, between those closely associated with the government economically, and those who prefer to remain private. Some of the more controversial of the nation's politics are between socialist and libertarian views.
