Vetalia City

Overview

Vetalia City is the largest city in the USSRV and its capitol. During the Soviet era, the city has seen rapid growth that has made it an industrial and commercial powerhouse as well as the seat of the Vetalian government. Its long history contributes to a rich cultural heritage that has mostly survived the series of wars that devastated the city as well as the repressive rule of Orik Melia. In recent years, the city has faced the challenge of balancing rapid growth with investments in infrastructure as well as the demands of the military and economic ministries that put pressure on the city's ability to control its growth and the problems associated with it.

History

Early History

Vetalia City's origins are difficult to place due to the small amount of historical material during the city's early history. Most estimates place its founding around -2344 BCE during the city-state era. At this time, the city's name was Galmeta, named after the local tribes that had allied and founded the city as a defensive outpost against other city-state. Its advantageous position on the Goldur River enabled it to achieve a higher level of agricultural production as well as capitalize on the excellent fishing and trade routes than the river provided. In -2021, at the dawn of the Vetalian Empire, the city had a population of 103,000 and during the next 799 years grew to over 1,000,000 residents. Following the collapse of the Empire in -1019, the city's population contracted as the Imperial aqueducts and sewer systems decayed or were looted for stone. By -859 the population was only 45,000 and much of the old city was completely destroyed by looting and war.

Monarchial Era

During the 8th and 7th centuries BCE, Vetalia City began to recover due to its role as the capitol of the Vetals, one of the tribes that had occupied the city during the collapse of the old empire. It was during this time that the city was renamed by it new rulers Vetalia City. Under the rule of their kings, the city gradually expanded its sway until it had become a major Generian kingdom. Over the next 704 years the monarchy gradually expanded its influence until it was the third largest nation on the planet and Vetalia City the largest in the world with a population of 2.3 million. However, in the years the monarchy grew increasingly stagnant and the country began to fall behind economically and socially, culminating in its utter defeat in the First and Second Gener Wars. During this time, the Kingdom of Vetalia collapsed and the provinces that comprised it split off and became independent nations. Vetalia City was the capitol of the aptly named Vetalian Republic, which was the largest and wealthiest of the successor nations.

Republican Era

During the Republican Era, Vetalia City saw strong growth driven by the Republic's economic prowess. By 13 CE, the population climbed to 10,000,000 driven by advancements in sanitation and public engineering, and it emerged as a major cultural and educational powerhouse. Several famous universities including Malia State University and the University of Vetalia City were founded during this period, and the city became known for its technological prowess. However, in the second and third centuries CE, it became clearer and clearer that Vetalian Republic was in need of serious reform. Its economic and technological achievements had slown as the political system became bogged down in bureaucracy, and by the year 250 it was well behind other nations in all measures of economic and technological development. Over the next two decades, a revolutionary group known as the Communist Party of Vetalia gained support and eventually succeeded in overthrowing the Vetalian Republic, albeit at the cost of a decade of war.