Difference between revisions of "Zhaire"

Latest revision as of 05:19, 20 May 2006

The City of Zhaire has historically swung between provincial backwater and cultural and economic capital of the region. It is the birthplace of the Gnangara religion, capital of the republic and a major centre for thinking and learning. This is a city with a pastiche of styles and multitude of identities; an ancient citadel, a bustling metropolis, the centre of tradition and a place of innovation. Yet it maintains a sense of continuity, the old running into the new and the new looking to the old for the future. What some visitors mistake for aloofness most locals describe as pride in where they live. Politically and physically separated from the surrounding landscape Zhaire is unique and liveable capital perched above the broad plains to the south and centred in the middle of a continental-nation.

History

Classical Era

Zhaire is the birthplace to Gnangara the first indigenous monological theology. The sandstone outcrop known as the Osmoph is a site for ancient religious practices that pre-date the Gnangara. Pottery, wool and gold are important export commodities as is grain distribution during the first Epoch. The ancient city is located at the centre of the island and surrounded by a canal. From this region the Sagawachee drive south to conquer the Commonwealth returning booty of precious metals, jewellery and fine textiles that pass through the city. The second epoch is marked by rapid urbanisation.

Imperial Era

The city passes into decline with the centralisation of power in Saint Kordaam during the Imperial Era. Not until the late Imperial period does the city prosper with the construction of the twin canal system making Zhaire the major trading centre for the region. There is a new wave of building and revival or urbanisation including the construction of the first bridge to cross the Sep River. Silver, grain, honey, wax and iron are major shipping commodities during the third epoch. The city gains a reputation as a “Bohemian outpost” of the empire because of the exotic attraction of the city to many liberals and free-thinkers.

Republican Era

Zhaire initially fought as pro-Imperial territory but a popular revolt overthrew the government and shut-off supplies from the interior. It was the initiative of Zhaire to construct a fleet of river-cruisers to bombard the imperial cities downstream along the Great Amanzee which was a significant turning point in the course of the war. Zhaire was made the capital in a deliberate move to separate the republic from the image of the Imperial Era as well as being a strong support base for the republic and offering a strategic centre for government administration. Since the Kjahelkee the city has returned to prosperity.

Geography

Terrain

The city occupies the island of Zendee which is surrounded by the Sep River, the upper tributary of the Great Amanzee and Odee Lake. There are three permanent islands situated in the surrounding waters. Esheen Island divides the waters of the Sep which enter to the north-west of the city. The two other islands are situated in Odee Lake; Arouha and The Kadell. The width of the waterways varies with the seasons but at their lowest there is no less then 40 meters between the shorelines and at their peak up 1,200 meters across Lake Odee. The depth and constant movement of the waters allows for sipping from the interior to the coastline, an ancient route that continues to be surfaced. An artificial canal system also allows for shipping to move from the coastline northwards.

Zendee’s most striking geographical feature is the outcrop of limestone known as the Osmoph. Here the hilly terrain supports dense woodland, small ponds and numerous grottos weathered into the face of the ancient limestone that was once a prehistoric sea. The island itself is divided into five general geographic zones - The lowlands of the southern perimeter and south-east quarter of the island; the midlands that surround the limestone range and the northern perimeter; the hillock at the centre of the island; the flatlands that constitute the rest of the island and the Osmoph. No part of urban Zendee is more then 20 meters above the tide line. The city itself is 1,800m ASL.

Climate

Summers are hot and dry with clear skies and an average maximum of 30 degrees Celsius. The warmest months are December, January and February. Autumn brings cooler temperatures and higher humidity with the occasional flash-storm. In winter it is not uncommon for there to be snow or heavy frost and temperatures dropping to -4 degrees Celsius over night. Generally however the temperature rises to the mid teens or low twenties during the day. The coldest months are June, July and August. Springtime brings the peak water flow through the Sep as winter snow of the mountains begins to melt. This is the cause of the famous fogs that cover the low-lying areas of the city.

Demographics

Like all urban areas there are restrictions imposed to curtail over-development and urban-sprawl from occurring. Although the population remains generally static the demographic nature of Zhaire remains in motion. There has been a sustained increase of human settlement in the last decade and a static total presence by the non-human community although it is becoming more diversified. The age structure of the city continues to support an over representation of the middle-aged, a reflection of the demand for established professionals due to the high level of government employment centres.

Religion

Zhaire is the only city where Gnangara forms the majority religion with 5% of all devotees living in the city. The historical affiliation of the city and its local religion remains strong through architectural and literary expression. The second-largest belief system is atheism which is the result of both an outcome of the previous constitutional requirement of disavowing religious affiliation to work in senior areas of the civil service and a strong atheist cultural undercurrent.

• Athiest 20.4% (91,800)
• Buddhism 0.8% (3,600)
• Christianity 0.8% (3,600)
• Gnangara 34.5% (155,250)
• Islam 0.3% (1,350)
• Judaism 0.6% (2,700)
• Mother Church 14.7% (66,150)
• Universal Cathedral 13.7% (61,650)
• Other 14.2% (63,900)

Ethnicity

The comparatively higher representation of humans and non-humans (sapiens) is mostly centred on the diplomatic and transnational functions of the government and business. There is also a small but vibrant refugee community amongst the non0human community who participate in public awareness campaigns. In increasing number of humans are moving to Zhaire to better access governmental services in the city through trade and finance. In the last mayoral elections three non-humans and one human candidate ran for office.

• Pagnaan Sapiens 85.5% (384,750)
• Humans 12.6% (56,700)
• Other 1.9% (8,550)

Economy

Healthcare is excellent with many research clinics operating in the city leading the frontier of medical research in the nation. There is also a small chain of medical factories that engineer and produce specialist medical equipment and artificial implants. Numerous libraries, galleries and museums are open to the public and are responsible for the saying “books and bags” when talking about a trip to the capital because of the duel interests of these many fine facilities and the variety of shopping available in the city. Tourism is a growing industry but the city remains dominated by the government and research.

Employment

Like most capital cities the civil service is the primary employer occupying one-third of the urban workforce. Education, research and development are the second largest sectors making Zhaire the academic centre of the nation and an important centre for technological innovation and scientific research. The media, retail and finance also play an important role in the local economy. A significant amount of the previous manufacturing industry has been moved outside the urban centre to allow for housing development and better transport access.

• Agriculture 1%
• Arts & Media 10%
• Civil Service 30%
• Finance 7%
• Manufacturing 5%
• Research & Education 20%
• Retail 10%
• Private Service 14%
• Transport 3%

Exports

A high-technology and services sector has developed in Biotopia including the nation’s aerospace and robotics industry. Some elements of the traditional craftware industry remain particularly in glass goods and woollen textiles imported from the surrounding hinterland. Education, technology and research make a significant contribution to the urban economy.

Aerospace

Glassware

Publishing & Media

Robotics

Textiles

Imports

Metropolitan Zhaire is highly dependent on imported foodstuffs and electricity (approximately 60%). It is also a large market for top-end consumer goods including textiles, electronics and furniture fuelled by the higher than average incomes of the numerous civil servants and researchers. All tributary shipping and most rail passes through Zhaire making it a national transport hub. As heavy industry has tended to disperse the service and consumer sectors have grown in importance to the Zhaire economy.

• Foodstuffs
• Electricity
• Construction materials
• Consumer goods
• Consumer electronics

Infrastructure

Zhaire is well serviced by a public transport network, numerous educational centres, cultural institutions and parklands. Healthcare is excellent with many research clinics operating in the city leading the frontier of medical research in the nation. Wikipedia:Public transport, pedestrianism and cycling are the most frequent means of travelling within the city.

Transport

There is also a regular ferry service across Lake Odee. During peak hour trainss and busses fill quickly and some commuters prefer to ride home along the broad cycle-paths on most city roads. Although automobiles are used almost exclusively for government officials (only during working hours) trucks and other heavy vehicles regularly supply the city and remove its waste. The police and other emergency services also use private automobiles but aside from these conveniences most people are resigned to using the futuristic looking public transport system, especially during summer when trains and busses provide one of the few air-conditioned outlets in the city.

Housing

Like all cities in Biotopia there are restrictions on development and migration to halt over-development, urban sprawl and the growth of ghettos and estates through mismanagement and under-investment in public infrastructure so endemic to large metropolises. Housing is a problem in the sense of attaining permanent accommodation because of strong demand but there are limits to the maximum population capacity and density of each urban district. Individual housing is allocated by lottery ensuring that even basic housing provides adequate living space because even the most senior government official could be subject to the poorest house available.

Electricity

The city has to import up to 50% of its electricity and derives this from a number of source. Internally its produces electricity from the copious numbers of solar panels that adorn rooftops, a waste to power plant and a small geothermal power station. Coal power is the largest single contribute to the urban grid. The city is a nett consumer of electrivity.

• Fossil Fuels 42%
• Solar power 20%
• waste-to-energy 15%
• Wind power 10%
• Hydropower 8%
• Geothermal 5%

Attractions

Numerous libraries, galleries and museums are open to the public and are responsible for the saying “books and bags” when talking about a trip to the capital because of the duel interests of these many fine facilities and the varieties of shopping opportunities available in the city. There are numerous heritage sites within the city dating from the Imperial and Republican Era. Some of these include;

Old Downtown

Dating from the Mid-to-Late Imperial Era the Old Downtown is well preserved and complimented with a mix of residential and commercial properties. Housing regulations mean that there are a number of various occupations and income levels distributed throughout the area. The area is the focus for antique stores, book sellers and other small enterprises and galleries. There are numerous courtyards and alleyways which compliment the inward ambience of the area. The area attracts numerous shoppers to the weekly markets.

Redfern University

Redfern University (RU) is the largest campus in Zhaire with an enrolment of 30,000 students from across the nation attending. The campus has an established reputation for academic excellence and has been a operating as a university for nearly 300 years. Redfern University also receives high performance outcomes in through their technical and engineering faculties. Redfern University is at the centre of the intellectual hub in Zhaire.

Garden of the Dead

The Garden of the Dead is the oldest and least developed part of the city and has been used since antiquity as a place for religious worship and recreation. 900,000 people were registered to have visited in the last year or double the population of the city itself. All the mainstream religious communities in the city have established shrines or grottos in the Garden which covers the Osmoph. Large areas of it are devoted to parkland with several small ponds and picnic areas. There are also denser areas of woodland that preserve the primordial nature of mountain.

Parliament Island

The Federal Parliament, National Library and Hall of Heroes are all located on a small artificial peninsula near the Azure Harbour on the eastern shore of Zendee Island. The Federal Parliament was constructed in the Republican style after the initial site was bombed forcing the republican government to move into the Redstar Hotel. The three main buildings are popular icons of the city and strong examples of Republican style architecture.

Arouha Island

Arouha Island is an important religious centre of the Gnangara religion. The island is landscaped to read as a religious metaphor and is dotted with various buildings the most important of which is the Third Temple (or the Golden Crematorium). The Holy Archives and Sacred Catacombs are also set on the island. The First and Second Temples are located in Zhaire. Although the island contains important religious sites members of the public can visit the island using the regular ferry service across Odee Lake.

Plaza of the White Pines

The Plaza is the most famous boulevard in the nation with yearly parades and ceremonies held particularly during the socialist phase of the Republican Era. The plaza stretches from Azure port on the east coast to the heart of the old city and is lined by several well-known city institutions. The Plaza is closed during New Years Eve and is covered by local denizens who line the street to welcome the new year.

Sister Cities

none