Alküüde

Alküüde is a coastal municipality in the western Valorian region of the fictional country of Valoria. It lies on the sheltered Gulf of Udria, with inland pine forests and a river that flows through the town. It is the administrative center of Alküüd District and is known for its harbor and timber industry.

The harbor is protected by two breakwaters, and the shoreline includes small beaches and rocky coves. The climate is maritime temperate, with cool summers, mild winters, and about 700–900 mm of rainfall annually.

Alküüde was founded around 1100–1150 by merchants and fishermen and gained town rights in 1260. The port expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries with steam navigation, and postwar modernization improved infrastructure and public services.

The population is about 8,400 residents (as of 2023). The economy centers on fishing, timber processing, light manufacturing, and a growing hospitality sector. The town language is predominantly Valorian, with some minority communities contributing linguistic and cultural diversity.

Culturally, Alküüde hosts events such as the Lighthouse Festival in summer and a traditional autumn market. The municipal government is headed by a mayor and a 12-member town council. Education includes a secondary school and a vocational college, while infrastructure covers a regional rail station, a network of local buses, and a small marina that supports regional maritime traffic.