Eldershire

Eldershire is a fictional historic county in the northern portion of the realm of Eldoria. It covers a landscape of rolling farmland and wooded hills, with the eastern boundary marked by the River Athel and the western edge by the Mistwood Forest. The county town is Dunmere, and Eastgate is the largest urban center. The population is around 118,000.

Historically, Eldershire developed as a feudal shire in the early medieval period and was formally organized as a county in the 12th century. Its name is believed to derive from the elder trees along the Athel. The region experienced agricultural growth in the high medieval era and industrial expansion in the 18th–19th centuries, followed by gradual modernization in the 20th century.

Administratively, Eldershire is a ceremonial county within Eldoria, governed by a county council and a lord-lieutenant representing the crown. It retains a degree of devolved responsibility for local services, planning, and education, aligned with national law.

The economy is primarily rural, focused on dairy production, crop farming, and light manufacturing in a few market towns. Tourism centers on historic architecture, glacially formed landscapes, and traditional festivals. The transportation network includes regional rail connections linking Dunmere and Eastgate to the national capital region, supplemented by a network of A- and B-class roads.

Demographically, Eldershire is predominantly of the majority ethnic group, with small communities of migrants contributing to local culture. The region maintains a distinct dialect of Eldorian English, a sustainability focus in farming, and an annual harvest festival.

Notable sites include Eldershire Cathedral in Dunmere, the ruins of Castle Norwood, and the Stonebridge Riverside Walk. The main educational institution is Eldershire College of Agriculture and the Arts, with several primary and secondary schools serving rural communities.

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