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Post by ➤ GRAZ ! on Aug 30, 2011 17:00:55 GMT
Settlement Overview
This brief overview covers major settlements in Solastella by population.
SIERRAVILLE
Population: 6,560,000
Location: Marsmonte Island
Governor: Sir William Dowes
Demonym: Sierran
Sierraville is the largest city in Solastella, and also one of the most economically productive. It has been the capital of the country for time immemorial, which means it gets higher funding from the government. Some major government offices are based here, though most have now moved to Miranda Isle in the name of independence. It is also home to important non-governmental national institutions such as the Federal Bank of Solastella, the largest national stock exchange, museums, business confederates and media centres.
Halfway up Mt. Marsmonte, its gleaming towers sit high. Sierraville is home to the tallest building in Solastella, the Gran Sierra, which stands at 230m high. The central business district has other tall houses, while many are built on the fertile slopes, overlooking the ocean and Marshtown.
MENES CITY
Population: 5,440,850
Location: Sphinx Isle
Governor: Dr. Jensen Kallei
Demonym: Menesian
Located on the banks of the River Menes, Menes City is simultaneously the oldest and newest city in Solastella. Some of the buildings, including the massive pyramid which stands 150m high and has recently been converted to a gym for Carrick, predate anything else on Solastella, going back thousands of years. It handles more trade than Sierraville because of its more central location, while the city is home to numerous casinos, theatres and stadia - making it the ideal location to have a good time.
The desert climate can make life difficult in this city, but the fertile water from the river means that some agriculture does occur. Despite this, most of the food consumed here is imported, while it is a net exporter of services and manufactured goods, making the Menes River the busiest waterway in the world.
MARSHTOWN
Population: 940,850
Location: Marsmonte Isle
Governor: Marie Cuthbert
Demonym: Marshtowner
A coastal settlement, Marshtown looks over a number of islands that have broken away from the larger Marsmonte Island. It has a bustling port, and is fringed by the forest, which engulfs the outer districts of the town whole. Marshtown has long thrived as the bridge between inland Sierraville and the rest of the world. Though the two cities do a lot of trade together and are very close culturally, they also maintain a deep rivalry of each other, particularly as Sierraville has grown in power and influence, leaving Marshtown subject to its whims.
The town isn’t vertical, but rather horizontal, with lots of three- and four-storey in neat rows, but few skyscrapers, unlike its nearby cousin. The port is incredibly busy, often bustling with activity.
MIRANDA CITY
Population: 340,000
Location: Miranda Isle
Governor: Dallas Woodbridge
Demonym: Mirandan
Miranda City was designated the governance capital of Solastella, and as such is home to a number of governmental businesses, including the Legislative Assembly, the main parliament of the country. A gleaming, white city, Miranda City enjoys a temperate climate and a nice cool breeze. Commuters from smaller nearby settlements often push the working day population closer to 600,000, but this can depend on the level of activity.
Miranda City is so closely linked with the governance of Solastella that it has become a byword for ‘government,’ though it is also home to many media outlets, including the Solastella Gazette. The museums and information industry in Miranda City are legendary, making it the best place to research. Miranda University frequently places top in the national and international leagues.
ACERO CITY
Population: 240,350
Location: Acero Isle, on Acero Beach
Governor: Agnes Herald
Demonym: Aceran
A city that built its wealth on rare metal exports is now one that is renowned for its vivid nightlife, bustling tourism industry and booming economy. Acero is a city of gleaming spires and glass, which sits in a jewel of an island. Though the population remains low, it is a prime site for tourists, being more vibrant than nearby Parsus, even if it is less up-market. The city sits on the edge of the delicious beach, with a world-class spa and resort. As home to the Bank of Fezu, it is one of the prime locations for Parsenne retail, though the majority of shops (unlike more nationalistic Parsus) also accept payment in regular Soleres.
Acero is growing quickly, and its sunny weather makes it a prime location for new and exciting ideas. As the largest population centre south of the Lagoon, it is also the prime advocate for South Solastella in governmental affairs. Nonetheless, the city remains a relative minnow politically, and it tends to side with Menes and Sierraville in big disputes, much to the chagrin of the smaller towns and cities in the region.
PARSUS (LA PARSU’EIL)
Population: 19,400
Location: Spice Islet, around Lake Parsus, on the edge of Spice Meadows
Governor: Professor Eleanor Waterstone
Demonym: Parsusi (Parsu’ellian)
Primarily a tourist town, Parsus stretches from the glittering shores of the Spice Islet straight to the edge of the Spice Meadows. The town does not have much in the way of industry or big firms, with many people being employed either by one of the big Spice Houses or by in shops selling trinkets. The town is filled with sweet smells during the summer and autumn as the spice matures and wafts its scent over the nearby area.
Parsus has a long history, being originally been home to the kingdom of Fezu, with Fezan still being spoken widely on the island. After Fezu was conquered by Solastellans in the year 1789, the island was renamed Spice Islet and La Parsu’eil’s name was Solestallicised to Parsus. Politically it has often been the object of rows on the subject of independence from Solastella, and it remains a key issue at elections for governorship. The city has been noted by many across the region for being highly developed, with one of the highest GDP per capita figures in Solastella. Nonetheless, the population of the town has been steadily decreasing, almost at the same rate as productivity increases, meaning the economy has largely been still for the last decade. Nonetheless, it remains wealthy, even if other areas are growing faster.
REMUS VILLAGE
Population: 15,320
Location: Remus Isle
Governor: Nicholas Valance
Demonym: Reman
A small village on the edge of the Twin Isles, Remus is the first major settlement that visitors will meet. That said, it’s still a quaint, beautiful little village glittering on the edge of the sea, its buildings dominated by the lighthouse that simultaneously serves as its landmark and its gym. There are plans to transform Remus Village, which has been growing crisply in population and interest, into Port Remus, a larger town with an extended docklands that would allow it to stand on its own. At present, it must share its port facilities with Romulus, which has put increasing pressure on the ancient Verda Bridge.
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