Physical Environment: Pirtuni
Located on the northern shore of the Black Sea in Eastern Europe, Pirtuni consists primarily of relatively flat uplands and lowlands. Fertile soil, adequate precipitation, and favorable terrain contribute to the country’s booming agricultural industry, while navigable rivers and access to the world’s oceans via the Black and Azov Seas support both internal transportation and international commerce. The Carpathian Mountains lie to the far west, providing a natural barrier to entry, while heavy forests and marshes impede travel to northern neighbors. The country enjoys four distinct seasons, with winter being longer in the mountains and summer longer in the south.
Table of Physical Environment Data
| Pirtuni Physical Environment Data | |||
| Measure | Data | Measure | Data |
| Land Area (sq. miles) | 223,681 | Mean Elevation (ft.) | 574 |
| Water Area (sq. miles) | 9,351 | Arable Land (%) | 58 |
| Land Border (miles) | 3,491 | Permanent Crops (%) | 1 |
| Coastline (miles) | 1,729 | Permanent Pasture (%) | 14 |
| Lowest Elevation (ft.) | 0 | Irrigated Land (%) | 3 |
| Highest Elevation (ft.) | 6,762 | Forested Land (%) | 17 |
Terrain
Pirtuni lies in Eastern Europe and possesses a total of 233,032 square miles of territory. It shares a 1,208-mile border with Donovia on its east and abuts the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south. From the highest point of Mt. Hoverla, located in the Carpathian Mountains in the far west, the land descends eastward to the fertile plateaus and plains of the uplands. Lowlands lie to the northeast of the Dnieper River and along the seacoasts, while marshes lie in the northwest. Hills define the far eastern region. The Azov Peninsula, which separates the Black and Azov seas, is lowland except for a small mountain range on its southern edge. The elevation of most of the country is less than 1,000 feet above sea level, though both mountainous areas exceed five times that height.
Bodies of Water
The country borders two bodies of water on the south: the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Black Sea is shallow in the gulf formed by the southwestern mainland and the Azov Peninsula, but quickly deepens along the southern coast of the latter. Separated from the Black Sea by the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov is the world’s shallowest sea, with a maximum depth of only 46 feet. It is rich in fish and other marine life, and is fished extensively. Its far western region, between the Azov Peninsula and the Pirtunian mainland, consists of salt marshes. There are multiple ports on both bodies of water.
Pirtuni possesses an extensive river system, with the vast majority of rivers eventually flowing into the Black or Azov Seas. The Dnieper, which follows a meandering 680-mile path from the northern border to the Black Sea, is the country’s largest and most important river. Containing multiple reservoirs along its course, the waterway is used extensively for irrigation, transportation, and hydroelectric power generation. The Dniester is the second-largest river in Pirtuni; other major watercourses include the Desna, Donets, Prypyats, Prut, Southern Buh, and Western Buh. At least parts of all of these rivers are navigable in Pirtuni.
Mobility Classification
Much of Pirtuni consists of relatively flat, open terrain bisected by multiple streams and rivers. Ravines and gorges are common in the upland areas, but less so at the lower elevations. Marshes, bogs, and forests interfere with mobility in the far north. The heavily-treed Carpathian Mountains in the southwest are a considerable obstacle for those wishing to enter the country from that direction. The Azov Mountains provide a natural barrier on the southern shore of that peninsula, and marshes on the shore of the Azov Sea prevent easy access from the east. Seasonal barriers to mobility include snowstorms and ice in the winter—especially in the mountains; dust storms and flooding in the spring; and thunderstorms and flooding in the summer. Fog occurs frequently in the mountains, but is a rare visitor to the lowlands.
Natural Hazards
Many of Pirtuni’s natural hazards are seasonally-dependent. Snowstorms are common in the winter in the southeast, and ice is heavy in the Carpathian Mountains. Come spring, the melting snowpack can create flooding and cause rivers to overrun their banks. Strong wind gusts and dust storms are also common at that time of year, and thunderstorms—sometimes accompanied by hail—occur frequently in the summer. Drought can occur any time from spring through fall, affecting the country’s agricultural output.
Earthquakes occur primarily in the Azov Peninsula and the Carpathian Mountains, though tremors in the central part of the country are not unknown. Most quakes range from 3.0–4.9 on the Richter scale, though both larger and smaller ones have occurred. The largest earthquake in recent history took place just off the southern coast of the Azov Peninsula on 11 September 1927. It measured 6.7 on the Richter scale and triggered a small tsunami with waves less than two feet high.
Subterranean Environment
Pirtuni has a large subterranean environment due to the prevalence of limestone. Naturally-occurring caves can be found throughout the country—both in the mountains and in the plains—as well as man-made tunnels resulting from mining operations. Criminal and insurgent elements are known to create tunnel systems for smuggling and for freedom of movement, as well as to serve as cache locations and safe houses. It is reported that the government has built at least one underground complex—though its purpose remains unclear and is subject to much rumor and speculation.
Vegetation
Land Cover
Forests cover 17% of Pirtuni’s area, and lie primarily in the mountainous areas and in the far north of the country. The country can be broken into five regions based on vegetation: Carpathian Mountain zone, Azov Mountain zone; polissya zone; forest-steppe zone; and steppe zone. The Carpathian Mountains contain deciduous trees at lower elevations, followed by conifer forests higher up and alpine meadows at the highest elevations. The Azov Mountains possess deciduous trees and shrubs in abundance. The polissya zone occupies the northern part of the country and consists of a mix of conifers and deciduous trees, as well as marshes, bogs, and natural pastureland. The forest-steppe zone lies south of the polissya zone. Containing primarily rich agricultural land and some deciduous trees, it accounts for one- third of the country. The steppe zone takes up the southern third of the country, and is characterized by flat, treeless plains. Common tree species in Pirtuni include Alder, Beech, Birch, Hornbeam, Oak, Pine, and Spruce.
Agriculture
Pirtuni has a rich agricultural heritage stemming from its abundant resources in this area. Over half of the country (59%) consists of cropland that produces corn, grains (primarily wheat), grapes and other fruits, legumes, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, tobacco, and vegetables. An additional 14% is pastureland for livestock, primarily cattle. Most agricultural activity takes place in the forest-steppe and steppe zones, with irrigation being practiced in some areas of the latter. Farmers make use of Western agricultural techniques—though not to the level of sophistication found in the most advanced countries—that allow only 7% of the populace to farm great expanses of land. Agriculture makes up 13% of Pirtuni’s GDP, and the country is a net food exporter.
Climate
Nearly all of Pirtuni enjoys a continental climate, with the southern coast of the Azov Peninsula experiencing a Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and sunny, with nearly 10 hours of sunlight per day. Winters are cold and cloudy, with only 2–3 hours of sunshine daily. Hours of sunlight are higher in the south than in the north, as are average temperatures. Precipitation occurs primarily in the summer (rain) and winter (snow), with lulls in the spring and fall. Climate in the mountains varies with elevation, with lower temperatures and longer winters associated with the higher altitudes.
Seasons
| Pirtunian Seasons | ||
| Season | Months | Remarks |
| Winter | December–March | Longer in the mountains |
| Spring | April–May | |
| Summer | June–September | Longer in the south |
| Fall | October–November | |
Weather
Precipitation
Most precipitation in the country occurs in the summer in the form of rain, and snow covers most of the country during the winter. Average precipitation amounts are highest in the mountains, and decrease from west to east and from north to south, with the Azov Mountains being a notable exception. The Carpathian and Azov Mountains receive 30–60 inches of precipitation per year, the polissya zone experiences 23–30, the forest-steppe zone has 19–27, and the steppe zone receives under 20 inches.
Temperature-Heat Index
June through August produce the hottest temperatures in Pirtuni, especially along the coasts. The lowest summer average temperature—54°F—is found in the Carpathian and Azov Mountains, while the highest (75°F) is on the Azov Peninsula. Most areas of the country experience average summer highs of 63–72°F, with temperatures increasing from north to south and from west to east. Absolute highs range from 101–106°F. Combined with relative humidity in the 55–75% range, summer weather can be very uncomfortable in the country.
Temperature-Wind Chill Index
Average lows in Pirtuni are sub-freezing, and range from 15–32°F during December–February. Winter temperatures follow a different pattern than summer ones: while temperatures still increase from north to south, they also increase from east to west—opposite of what is seen in the summer months. The warmest area of the country is the western shore of the Azov Peninsula, with an average temperature lying above 32°F. Absolute lows in Pirtuni range from -30°F to -42°F.
Relative Humidity
Relative humidity is moderate to high and varies seasonally in Pirtuni. The months of April–August are the driest, with the monthly average ranging between 55–75% in all but the western coastal areas, where the humidity is slightly higher. The November–February timeframe experiences the highest relative humidity, which ranges from 75–90%. Relative humidity is higher in the western part of the country, and can drop significantly in the southeast during periods of drought.
Wind
The country experiences mild to moderate wind year-round, with relatively modest seasonal variation in wind speed. Winds are stronger from November–March—particularly in the spring months—and weaker from June–October, with many areas experiencing a noticeable lull in August–September. Average monthly wind speed ranges from 5–14 mph in winter to 2–10 mph in summer, depending on region, but does not vary by more than 6 mph for any fixed location. Moist air from the Atlantic and Mediterranean plays a larger role in the winter and in the western part of the country, while dry air from Central Asia has greater influence in the south and east, and during the summer. Gale-force winds are possible on the Black Sea, and dust storms occur in the southeast regions during the summer.
Summary
Pirtuni enjoys favorable terrain for military movement with seasons that, while varied, are not extreme. Mountains, forests, and marshes are the primary obstacles in the far west, the far north, and on the Azov Peninsula, while ravines—including some that are man-made, due to mining—and bodies of water are the main impediments throughout the remainder of the country. Seasonal weather presents additional challenges, including snow in the mountains and warm, humid weather in the south. Black Sea access and navigable rivers provide additional options for transportation.