Difference between revisions of "Gabalfa"
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nation=[[Bettia]] | | nation=[[Bettia]] | | ||
cityfunction= National and Provincial capital | | cityfunction= National and Provincial capital | | ||
| − | population= 10 | + | population= >10 million | |
leader= Iolo Thomas | }} | leader= Iolo Thomas | }} | ||
| + | [[Gabalfa]] is the capital, largest and core city of [[Bettia]], located in the central province of [[Maes Canolog]]. It was a small town until the last couple of centuries, when a boom in industry saw it come to prominence thanks to its central location and good links with the north and south coasts. It eventually grew into the largest city in Bettia and serves as a major centre of culture, sport and history. Gabalfa is twinned with [[Rêvane]], the capital city of [[Ariddia]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Geography== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Gabalfa is located in the province of Maes Canolog, which is bordered by [[Gwlad Teg]] to the north, [[Al Maghrib]] to the west, [[Banastra]] to the east and [[Clodien]] to the south. The [[River Balfa]] flows eastwards through the centre then northwards towards the port city of Porthbalfa. Due to its location, the topography of Gabalfa is generally a gentle slope running north-south with a slight west-east incline. This levels off nearer the centre where the River Balfa flows. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The hills to the north rise up steeper as they run into the Gwlad Teg highlands, as opposed to those slopes to the south running down to the coast. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Environment=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The city is situated at approximately 500 metres above sea level, with the predictable effect that average temperatures are slightly cooler than coastal parts of the country. Being an urban area, Gabalfa and the surrounding province of Maes Canolog is often warmer than other areas at a similar altitude, especially during the dry summer season. Rainfall is more or less consistant with the rest of the country. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Being an urbanised area, air quality is predictably poorer in comparison to more rural areas due to the increased traffic and industry. The provincial council has taken some steps to alleviate this, including heavy investment in public transport and studies into alternative fuels. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Places of Interest== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Tiddles Park=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Formerly called Gabalfa Gardens, Gabalfa's vast central parkland area was renamed in honour of Tiddles, the former mascot of the [[Bettian national football team]]. Tiddles Park is a popular destination for tourists and locals looking for a spot of tranquility and natural beauty in the centre of the city, with its many varieties of trees and flowers attracting many forms of wildlife, including the relatively rare Silver [[Arora]]. The park is also notable for the monorail which runs through it connecting Tiddles Park Stadium to the central railway station. In this regard, its not the actual monorail which causes most interest, but rather the way in which an experimental form of holographic projection has been used to disguise the monorail's columns as trees. It works to some degree, although ornithologists have noted that birds sometimes become confused when trying to land in their 'branches'. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Tiddles Park Stadium=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Formerly known as Stadiwm Bettia, Tiddles Park is the main base for Bettia's footbal team. Designed by reknowned architect Kenzo Violin, Tiddles Park is instantly recognisable by its prominent roof and green and yellow colour scheme, reflecting the squad's famous shirts. Originally designed as a 81000-capacity all-seater stadium, the FAB (Football Association of Bettia) took the decision to remove the entire lower tier of seats plus the middle and top tiers behind each goal in favour of good old-fashioned terracing. The result - an unbelievably loud atmosphere that can intimidate all but the most hardy of opponents. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Grand Shura Debating Chambers=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[image:Shura.jpg|frame|right|The Grand Shura Debating Chambers]] | ||
| + | Designed by acclaimed minimlist architect Taha Evans, the recently-completed debating chambers provides a home for the ruling Grand Shura of Bettia and its associated adminstration. Its main structure is comprised of four large steel pillars supporting a flat roof slab with its edges raised at the corners, from which a trio of highly distinctive conical chimneys rise for natural ventilation purposes. The whole building is set at the top of a stepped plinth, and is linked to the MCPC building via an elevated walkway. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Maes Canolog Provincial Council building=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | In stark contrast to the simple elegant stylings of the Grand Shura Debating Chambers, the MCPC Building is a highly abstract deconstructivist design based on the concept of working from the inside out. The central debating chamber was taken as a starting point, with the surrounding parts built around it. Although it received initial criticism from traditionalists who felt it was unsympathetic to the surrounding parkland, it has become a popular distinctive part of central Gabalfa's landscape, framing the top end of the city's civic centre. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Masjid-i-Nur (Mosque of Light)=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Set in one corner of Tiddles Park, this magnificent place of worship has dominated the Gabalfa skyline for centuries, even surviving the recent war of independance relatively unscathed. Its most striking features are its distinctive green dome and matching minerets, mirroring the mosque's verdant suuroundings. This along with the muted yellow of its sandstone walls has led some historians to speculate that this is the reason why Bettia's flag is green and yellow. The main prayer hall can hold 10000 men on the ground floor and 5000 women on its mezzanine level. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===The Rambles=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | A vast curved street set into an otherwise regular grid-plan of streets in south-central Gabalfa, now used as the main shopping and socialising area. The Rambles was originally two separate streets built around 130 years ago to accomdate the new northern railway line. Around 40 years ago, the then government took the decision to take the railway line running through the centre of Gabalfa and move it underground, but decided against reinstating the regular street grid. They instead chose to develop this new space, a choice that proved popular with the locals. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Transportation== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Gabalfa is served by an interconnecting grid of streets, with a Riverside Boulevard running along the length of the River Balfa on either side for some ten miles. The city is served by an Inner Ring Road (the P1), and an orbital motorway (the M3) from which other motorways and roads lead to major cities. An interstate motorway running from west to east connects Gabalfa with [[Nedalia]] and [[Hypocria]], with direct access to [[Northern Bettia]] provided via the M2 running to the north. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Gabalfa is connected to the national railway network, with rail links provided to all major cities. The line is run underground within the city centre. International rail links are available from Gabalfa to Kafra ([[Nedalia]]), Pylos, Hypocrium and Thraxus ([[Hypocria]]), and Fonstown ([[Spruitland]], via an undersea tunnel). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The high-speed Gabalfa Underground Transport System (GUTS) originally provided a link between Gabalfa Central Station and Gabalfa International Airport (located to the north of the city), with numerous stations positioned along its route. After wide demand, this service was extended to other parts of the city. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The streets running through Tiddles Park and most of central Gabalfa are closed to private transport for the sole use of residents and public transportation only. An extensive bus network operates within Gabalfa, run by the Gabalfa Bus Company. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A new monorail system runs in a ring around the centre of Gabalfa. Starting from the central station, it runs down the entire length of The Rambles and around the Civic Centre, from where it takes passengers to the national stadium and through the centre of Tiddles Park. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Gabalfa International Airport (GBI) is undergoing major renovations. The national airline Arorair currently provides flights from GBI to the following airports: | ||
| + | * Akani Sands airport (AKS) | ||
| + | * Kafra International Airport ([[Nedalia]]) | ||
| + | * Nephi International Airport ([[Lamoni]]) | ||
| + | * Drax International Airport ([[Hypocria]]) | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
==Map of Gabalfa City Centre== | ==Map of Gabalfa City Centre== | ||
| − | + | [[image:Gabalfa-map.gif|frame|right|Gabalfa City Centre]] | |
===Administration=== | ===Administration=== | ||
| Line 24: | Line 87: | ||
11. [[Latao]]<br /> | 11. [[Latao]]<br /> | ||
12. [[Hypocria]]<br /> | 12. [[Hypocria]]<br /> | ||
| − | 13. | + | 13. [[Western Afghanistan]] |
(Other embassies will be allocated throughout the city as and when needed) | (Other embassies will be allocated throughout the city as and when needed) | ||
| Line 31: | Line 94: | ||
14. War Memorial<br /> | 14. War Memorial<br /> | ||
15. Balfa Place<br /> | 15. Balfa Place<br /> | ||
| − | 16. | + | 16. Masjid-i-Nur (Mosque of Light)<br /> |
17. Gabalfa Gardens<br /> | 17. Gabalfa Gardens<br /> | ||
| − | 18. | + | 18. Tiddles Park<br /> |
19. Blue Arora Shopping Centre<br /> | 19. Blue Arora Shopping Centre<br /> | ||
20. The Rambles<br /> | 20. The Rambles<br /> | ||
| Line 44: | Line 107: | ||
25. Gabalfa Civic Centre railway station | 25. Gabalfa Civic Centre railway station | ||
| − | ===Gabalfa Underground Transport System (GUTS)=== | + | ===Gabalfa Underground Transport System (GUTS) stations=== |
26. Gabalfa Central<br /> | 26. Gabalfa Central<br /> | ||
27. Grand Mosque<br /> | 27. Grand Mosque<br /> | ||
| − | 28. | + | 28. Tiddles Park<br /> |
29. South Bank<br /> | 29. South Bank<br /> | ||
30. The Rambles | 30. The Rambles | ||
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[[Category:Bettia]] | [[Category:Bettia]] | ||
Revision as of 05:49, 8 June 2007
| Gabalfa | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Geography
Gabalfa is located in the province of Maes Canolog, which is bordered by Gwlad Teg to the north, Al Maghrib to the west, Banastra to the east and Clodien to the south. The River Balfa flows eastwards through the centre then northwards towards the port city of Porthbalfa. Due to its location, the topography of Gabalfa is generally a gentle slope running north-south with a slight west-east incline. This levels off nearer the centre where the River Balfa flows.
The hills to the north rise up steeper as they run into the Gwlad Teg highlands, as opposed to those slopes to the south running down to the coast.
Environment
The city is situated at approximately 500 metres above sea level, with the predictable effect that average temperatures are slightly cooler than coastal parts of the country. Being an urban area, Gabalfa and the surrounding province of Maes Canolog is often warmer than other areas at a similar altitude, especially during the dry summer season. Rainfall is more or less consistant with the rest of the country.
Being an urbanised area, air quality is predictably poorer in comparison to more rural areas due to the increased traffic and industry. The provincial council has taken some steps to alleviate this, including heavy investment in public transport and studies into alternative fuels.
Places of Interest
Tiddles Park
Formerly called Gabalfa Gardens, Gabalfa's vast central parkland area was renamed in honour of Tiddles, the former mascot of the Bettian national football team. Tiddles Park is a popular destination for tourists and locals looking for a spot of tranquility and natural beauty in the centre of the city, with its many varieties of trees and flowers attracting many forms of wildlife, including the relatively rare Silver Arora. The park is also notable for the monorail which runs through it connecting Tiddles Park Stadium to the central railway station. In this regard, its not the actual monorail which causes most interest, but rather the way in which an experimental form of holographic projection has been used to disguise the monorail's columns as trees. It works to some degree, although ornithologists have noted that birds sometimes become confused when trying to land in their 'branches'.
Tiddles Park Stadium
Formerly known as Stadiwm Bettia, Tiddles Park is the main base for Bettia's footbal team. Designed by reknowned architect Kenzo Violin, Tiddles Park is instantly recognisable by its prominent roof and green and yellow colour scheme, reflecting the squad's famous shirts. Originally designed as a 81000-capacity all-seater stadium, the FAB (Football Association of Bettia) took the decision to remove the entire lower tier of seats plus the middle and top tiers behind each goal in favour of good old-fashioned terracing. The result - an unbelievably loud atmosphere that can intimidate all but the most hardy of opponents.
Grand Shura Debating Chambers
Designed by acclaimed minimlist architect Taha Evans, the recently-completed debating chambers provides a home for the ruling Grand Shura of Bettia and its associated adminstration. Its main structure is comprised of four large steel pillars supporting a flat roof slab with its edges raised at the corners, from which a trio of highly distinctive conical chimneys rise for natural ventilation purposes. The whole building is set at the top of a stepped plinth, and is linked to the MCPC building via an elevated walkway.
Maes Canolog Provincial Council building
In stark contrast to the simple elegant stylings of the Grand Shura Debating Chambers, the MCPC Building is a highly abstract deconstructivist design based on the concept of working from the inside out. The central debating chamber was taken as a starting point, with the surrounding parts built around it. Although it received initial criticism from traditionalists who felt it was unsympathetic to the surrounding parkland, it has become a popular distinctive part of central Gabalfa's landscape, framing the top end of the city's civic centre.
Masjid-i-Nur (Mosque of Light)
Set in one corner of Tiddles Park, this magnificent place of worship has dominated the Gabalfa skyline for centuries, even surviving the recent war of independance relatively unscathed. Its most striking features are its distinctive green dome and matching minerets, mirroring the mosque's verdant suuroundings. This along with the muted yellow of its sandstone walls has led some historians to speculate that this is the reason why Bettia's flag is green and yellow. The main prayer hall can hold 10000 men on the ground floor and 5000 women on its mezzanine level.
The Rambles
A vast curved street set into an otherwise regular grid-plan of streets in south-central Gabalfa, now used as the main shopping and socialising area. The Rambles was originally two separate streets built around 130 years ago to accomdate the new northern railway line. Around 40 years ago, the then government took the decision to take the railway line running through the centre of Gabalfa and move it underground, but decided against reinstating the regular street grid. They instead chose to develop this new space, a choice that proved popular with the locals.
Transportation
Gabalfa is served by an interconnecting grid of streets, with a Riverside Boulevard running along the length of the River Balfa on either side for some ten miles. The city is served by an Inner Ring Road (the P1), and an orbital motorway (the M3) from which other motorways and roads lead to major cities. An interstate motorway running from west to east connects Gabalfa with Nedalia and Hypocria, with direct access to Northern Bettia provided via the M2 running to the north.
Gabalfa is connected to the national railway network, with rail links provided to all major cities. The line is run underground within the city centre. International rail links are available from Gabalfa to Kafra (Nedalia), Pylos, Hypocrium and Thraxus (Hypocria), and Fonstown (Spruitland, via an undersea tunnel).
The high-speed Gabalfa Underground Transport System (GUTS) originally provided a link between Gabalfa Central Station and Gabalfa International Airport (located to the north of the city), with numerous stations positioned along its route. After wide demand, this service was extended to other parts of the city.
The streets running through Tiddles Park and most of central Gabalfa are closed to private transport for the sole use of residents and public transportation only. An extensive bus network operates within Gabalfa, run by the Gabalfa Bus Company.
A new monorail system runs in a ring around the centre of Gabalfa. Starting from the central station, it runs down the entire length of The Rambles and around the Civic Centre, from where it takes passengers to the national stadium and through the centre of Tiddles Park.
Gabalfa International Airport (GBI) is undergoing major renovations. The national airline Arorair currently provides flights from GBI to the following airports:
- Akani Sands airport (AKS)
- Kafra International Airport (Nedalia)
- Nephi International Airport (Lamoni)
- Drax International Airport (Hypocria)
Map of Gabalfa City Centre
Administration
1. Grand Shura of Bettia debating chambers
2. Gabalfa Provincial Council (GPC)
3. Gabalfa City Hall
Embassies
4. Nedalia
5. Xile
6. Khazaron
7. Abattoir
8. Lesser Ribena
9. Starblaydia
10. Lamoni
11. Latao
12. Hypocria
13. Western Afghanistan
(Other embassies will be allocated throughout the city as and when needed)
Places of Interest
14. War Memorial
15. Balfa Place
16. Masjid-i-Nur (Mosque of Light)
17. Gabalfa Gardens
18. Tiddles Park
19. Blue Arora Shopping Centre
20. The Rambles
21. Market Square
Transportation
22. Gabalfa Bus Station
23. Gabalfa Central railway station
24. The Rambles railway station
25. Gabalfa Civic Centre railway station
Gabalfa Underground Transport System (GUTS) stations
26. Gabalfa Central
27. Grand Mosque
28. Tiddles Park
29. South Bank
30. The Rambles
