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DispatchFactbookGeography

by Aerion. . 100 reads.

Imperial City, Imperial Seat & Capital

Imperial City is the capital of the Grand Empire of Aerion and imperial seat. It is the most recently built capital in the Western Atlantic, having been founded following the move of the capital and imperial seat by Empress Ameria Wasterin from the original capital and imperial seat at Astevane. It is a new city and has been called one of the most ambitious construction projects in the Western Atlantic.

Imperial City is a planned city laid out in ten concentric circles extending from the central circle of the Palace District which contains the massive stone, glass, and steel stepped pyramid that is the Imperial Palace. The walls reflecting the circles are massive gleaming white walls of a steel-like substance.

Imperial City has an estimated metropolitan population of seven million which is small for an Aerionian city but is exponential growth considering the relatively recent founding of the city.

Imperial City is an imperial domain and is in the special Imperial Central Province which encompasses a two hundred to three hundred mile radius around Imperial City carved out of the province of Elearan. Most of Imperial City is managed by the Imperial City Administration under the Governor of Imperial City, who reports directly to the Empress though more often practically reporting to the Ministry of the Imperial Court.

Planned Ring Cities

At the four cardinal directions, twenty-five miles from Imperial City are planned towns with populations hovering around 200,000 to 300,000. These are the towns of Abesharathstān to the west, Abeshalastān to the south, Mesharelstān to the east, and Melandarstān to the north. Mesharelstān to the east of Imperial City is home to the Imperial Naval Academy and houses many Imperial Military personnel as well as workers of the nearby Seaport. Abeshalastān seems to have been shaped to be a wealthy suburb of Imperial City.

History

Imperial City has had a brief history as a new city. Only days after the death of her brother Crown Prince Regent Damoen Wasterin and before her coronation Pādshah Empress Ameria Wasterin had a vision for a new city to reflect the new stature of Aerion as an Empire and her title of Empress. The project was constructed in secret for over a year by over four hundred thousand workers, and advanced robotics some brought from other nations.

Geography

Imperial City is located on coastal plains approximately 20 miles from the eastern coast of Aerion. A massive canal had been dredged here from the ocean to the area of the city by the Imperial Corps of Engineers even before the death of HRH Prince Damoen Wasterin.


Climate

Imperial City has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters, hot, humid summers, and significant rainfall all year long. Spring is long and arrives early, and April is the driest month. Summer is the wettest season; almost half of the annual rainfall occurs during the summer months in the form of thundershowers. Fall remains relatively warm through October. Winter is short and mild and is characterized by occasional rain and rare snow.

Cityscape

Imperial City is a planned city. The design for Imperial City was largely envisioned by the Empress and practically designed by Imperial Architect Dr. Alixian Poritreon who was the chief architect of the plan along with the Imperial City Architectural Commission.

A Planned City

Imperial City is a highly planned city down to every detail. Ten concentric circles of white steel walls dividing the districts radiate out from the massive mega-structure of the Imperial Palace in the center. Major highways pass to the east, west, north, and south. Imperial Avenue bisects the city.

Architecture

The predominant architectural styles of Imperial City are Art Deco, Neoclassical Empire architecture, Modernist architecture, and even elements of Fascist architecture as well as Minimalism. Though the architecture changes dramatically as one moves out into the Finance, Corporate, and Outer District where the Imperial Decree on the height of buildings are removed. The Imperial Palace is a massive glass, steel, and stone stepped pyramid. A modern mega-structure.

The Garden District is dominated by more ornate styles including Baroque architecture, French Baroque Architecture, and even Rococo style.

The Government District is dominated by Neoclassical Empire architecture, Fascist architecture, and Minimalist modernism.

The Central Sector is dominated by Neoclassical styles such as Empire style, and Fascist architecture though the Temple District has more traditional Greco-Roman architecture. The Defense District is mostly utilitarian, the University District
features mostly minimalist and new Empire style architecture, along with some Gothic University style features.

The Finance and Corporate District feature mostly futuristic modernist skyscrapers with stunning more ornate Art Deco elements especially in the Finance District. Several gigantic skyscrapers towering over one hundred floors are nearly finished in these districts.

The Outer District is dominated by a variety of styles.

Economy

Imperial City has a robust and stable economy with about 50% of the population employed by the Imperial Government, Imperial Court, or Imperial Armed Services. 20% are employed in the service sector, and 20% in finance or corporate and the other 10% in various other sectors. Many organizations such as corporations, banks, law firms, independent contractors, non-profit organizations, industry trade groups, and associations have their headquarters in Imperial City or are anticipated to move to Imperial City within the next year. Several of the wealthiest 5% of Aerion are anticipated to move their families to the Imperial City, though some will remain in Astevane. This will undoubtedly bring new jobs in the service sector, and throughout the city.

Poverty is practically not visible in Imperial City due to strict laws and codes. Massive apartment bloc towers have been set up in the Outer District on the edge of the Imperial City, and in nearby towns to provide affordable housing for those working in the service sector.

Transportation

Transportation has been adequately, and extensively planned in Imperial City. Especially public transportation. Within or below each circle wall around each district is a self-contained rapid transit system which extends to points within the district. A citywide maglev transportation system runs between districts, and a more secure government VIP maglev system runs from the Defense District through the Government District, Garden District, and Imperial District with further secure trains running into the base of the Imperial Palace itself.

The citywide public maglev transportation system connects to the nearby Imperial Air and Space Port, and the Damoen Wasterin International Airport as well as the Seaport. The secure government VIP maglev system connects to the Imperial Air and Space Port as well and to the VIP Terminals there. Automated doubledecker buses connect less accessible areas of the city.

There are several avenues, motorways, and streets for the automated cars of Aerion's modern transportation system. Two automated motorways starting from the south, and east respectively wind their way through the Outer District, Finance District, Corporate District, University District, and into the Central District. Imperial Avenue bisects the center of the Imperial City starting in the Finance District and running all the way into the Imperial Palace though is restricted in some areas.

The automated vehicles of Aerion's automated transportation system zip along the streets, and motorways of Imperial City.
In addition, running through the Imperial District, Garden District, Government District, and Defense District there are smaller people mover systems called Automated Secure MiniRail which are restricted to government and other Imperial personnel.

Two secure high-speed train rails run from the Imperial Palace through the Imperial City and converge into one running through various stops to Astevane. Secure government trains and the Imperial Train itself runs this rail.

Districts

There are several districts in Imperial City though what constitutes a district in geography and place is defined differently. The Central Sector which is the fifth concentric circle contains several smaller districts including the Temple District. The Palace District, Garden District, Government District, and Defense District are in a special “Imperial Security Zone.” These districts have restricted access though these access lists contain hundreds of thousands.

Palace District

The first ring in the city of concentric circles At the center of the Palace District is the massive Imperial Palace with a mile wide footprint. The massive glass, stone, and steel stepped pyramid towers nearly six thousand feet into the sky. It is an engineering marvel. In front of the Imperial District is the Imperial Forum, a massive plaza with a tribune that can hold nearly a million people. Around the Imperial, Forum are large statues of the Kings of Aerion.

The Imperial District is guarded at all entrances, and the Imperial Guard checks every person that comes through at checkpoints. To get into the Imperial District, you must be on the Imperial District Access List <IDAL> or be added to it. Most upper-level government officials, members of the Imperial Aerionian Court, foreign ambassadors, employees of the Ministry of the Imperial Court such as Imperial Household Staff, and others are on the IDAL. This is in addition to the security clearances to various levels of the Imperial Palace.

Garden District

The Garden District is the second ring of the concentric circles. It lives up to the name. It is approximately five miles wide from the wall of the Palace District to the wall of the Government District, and the circumference is many miles around. Parks, woods, and elaborate gardens are dominating features of the district. A full canal like a river winds through the whole ring of the circle. The Garden District is exceptionally exclusive.

The palaces of the Great Officers of State, and the Ministerial Palaces, the assigned residences of Her Imperial Majesty's Ministers are here. The Imperial Advisors have palaces here as well. Other high ranking officials such as the Director-General of the Imperial Security Agency and the Prime Director of the IOAG also have palaces.

There are twenty mansions in the Garden District for each of the twenty Imperial Governors of the provinces for when they visit the capital, but they do not meet the splendor of the palaces of higher officials. Land for Ambassadorial Residences for several key nations in the Western Atlantic has also been granted here.

Several pieces of property some with mansions are sold to the wealthiest in Aerion who find favor with the Crown, and other members of the Imperial Court.

The Empress Ameria Wasterin School for Girls operated by the Sisterhood of Abeshala is also located here along with other exclusive private schools. The Motherhouse of the Sisterhood of Abeshala is also located on an estate in the Garden District.

Most of the architecture in the Garden District is Baroque architecture, French Baroque Architecture, and Rococo.

Government District

The Government District is the third ring. It is laid out in an extremely orderly fashion. Most of the buildings are stone or granite built in the neoclassical Empire style with stark modernist elements as well as propaganda style Art Deco elements. Some have Art Deco style architectural elements. Because of height restrictions and order buildings do not reach over 10 floors high though have many sub-levels. Golden modernist Art Deco statuesque figures decorate the buildings. There are four major Forums at each cardinal direction going around the circle of the Government District where most Ministries are headquartered around these forums and forums at the ordinal directions where agencies that have their own separate building are headquartered. The large Archchancellery building sits on the southern forum. The major Ministries have their headquarters facing these forums. All Ministries are headquartered here excepting the Ministry of Defense (located in the Defense District) and the Ministry of the Imperial Court (located in the Imperial Palace).

Defense District

The Defense District is the fourth ring. It is only five miles wide from the wall of the Government District to the wall of the Central Sector. the most highly fortified of all the districts outside of the Imperial District or Government District, and is considered a buffer zone between the “inner districts” and the rest of Imperial City. A large circular stone building here serves as the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. The headquarters of the Imperial High Command is here, as well as the other three branches of the armed services. There is also an entirely separate headquarters for the Imperial Central Province Command, Imperial Military Intelligence, and other elite units. The Imperial Military Academy is here as well as the Imperial Naval Officers Academy. The Imperial Military Hospital is here and is the more prestigious hospital in the Imperial Military Medical Corps. Most traffic passes through the Defense District and does not stop. There are no stops on the public inter-city maglev trains here excepting secure trains.

Central Sector

The Central Sector is the fifth ring. It is one of the broader rings of the circle and is the largest outside of the Outer Sector. The Central Sector is fifteen miles wide from the walls of the Defense District to the walls of the Embassy District. It is not a district, but rather a sector containing several districts. It is home to the General District, the Embassy District, the Temple District, Cultural District, Convention District, and other districts. The Imperial Colosseum, Imperial National Library, Imperial Museum of Arts, the Imperial Museum of History, the Imperial Museum of Aerionian Culture, and the Imperial Museum of Sciences, as well as many others, are in this district. The large Imperial City International Convention Center is also here. Large forums have been laid out in the Central Sector.

Embassy District

The Embassy District within the Central Sector is home to the embassies of foreign nations and also some consulate generals. The closer nations with which the Grand Empire has relations are offered larger embassies on Embassy Plaza such as those nations of the Western Atlantic; other nations are offered embassies on Embassy Avenue. This area has the most diverse architecture as some nations chose to build their embassies in their own architectural styles.

On Embassy Plaza there is also the Embassy Plaza Hotel, a ten-story highly secure five-star hotel for some visiting dignitaries. Embassy Plaza and Embassy Avenue are called unofficially at times the “Foreign Area.”

Some offices of international organizations and NGOs are also located in the Embassy District. Luxury shopping and a variety of dining are offered nearby. Most Ambassadorial Residences of important nations or those who can afford such are in the Garden District or in reduced priced condos offered in luxury condominium buildings in the Garden District.

Temple District

The Temple District within the Central Sector is home to the Grand Temples of the priesthoods of the ancient Aerionian deities. The massive Imperial National Temple was built here as a temple to all of the major deities. The Imperial National Temple is a massive marble temple complex in the Greco-Roman style. A massive dome is in the center of the Imperial National Temple Complex. The Grand Temples of Abeshala and Abesharath are also very large. Several Archpriests and Archpriestesses of the major deities as head of these priesthoods have their palaces here in the Temple District.

University District

The University District is the sixth ring and is a smaller concentric circle only three miles wide with universities, student housing, housing for staff, and various retail areas for students as well as hotels for visitors. This district ring contains 6 universities as well as several academies, and schools. The Imperial Institute of Technology is here. The Imperial University, the most prestigious University in the Empire is located here. The Imperial City University, a larger more public university is also located here. Five Aerionian private universities have relocated their main campuses here.

Finance District

The Finance District is the sixth ring. It is a Special Economic Zone for banking & finance along with Astevane. The headquarters of the Imperial Central Bank is located here, and the headquarters of Imperial Bank. GAPC Finance has also established their headquarters here. Several financial related firms have invested here, including prestigious private bankers. Also, several law firms and those who support the financial sector have began moving to the Finance District. There are some luxury condominium complexes in the Finance District along with luxury shopping and restaurants, but many choose to live elsewhere. The Special Economic Zones for banking & finance of Astevane and Imperial City's Financial District are under her Imperial Majesty's decrees related to bank secrecy, chartering new banks, lowering taxes on banks headquartered here, and the invitation of foreign banking operations in these areas.

Corporate District

The Corporate District is the seventh ring. It is ten miles wide. It is home to many corporate offices and the international headquarters of many Aerionian megacorporations. The laws related to building height do not apply to the Corporate District or the Finance District, and numerous skyscrapers are built here. Tax breaks are offered for foreign corporations locating here. It currently is home to the international headquarters of General Aerionian Motors the international headquarters of Ontheran, the international headquarters of Esvora-Seuru-Dasveer luxury goods conglomerate, and the international headquarters of Omdial Communications. The corporate headquarters of the newly established White Wolf Global Health Insurance & Health Services Corporation. There are many businesses headquartered here such as corporate law firms. Other corporations are in the process of moving their headquarters here. There are more residentially oriented luxury neighborhoods featuring blocks of condominiums in the Corporate District.

Entertainment District

The Entertainment District is the ninth ring. It is the center of entertainment for the city and is often considered in areas a “24/hr” district. Here there are shopping malls, casinos, bars, clubs, lounges, restaurants, bathhouses (luxury and seedy), stores, and many other options to entertain the senses. There are also many hotels located here in the “Hotel Area.” There is also an area that is the city's semi-legal “red light district.” Gambling is especially legal in the Entertainment District, and there are casinos ranging from high class to regular.

Some areas of the Entertainment District are geared for more luxury patrons though there are higher end luxury areas for the even wealthier in the Garden District. This area still has luxury bathhouses, high roller casinos & hotels, three five star hotels, boutique hotels, luxury stores, luxury shopping, and other such amenities. Other areas are more seedy in the Entertainment District, and others are more for the average consumer. Several foreign establishments may also be established here such as foreign chains, etc.

Outer Sector

The tenth ring is the Outer Sector. It could be called the “People's Sector” because it is home to the largest number of average working Aerionians. It is the largest of the sectors with a width of 20 miles between the walls of the Entertainment District, and the large outer walls of Imperial City. Areas of the Outer Sector have a suburban feel, while others are more industrial. Within the Outer Sector is the “Industrial District” which is by law kept rather small for an Aerionian city, along with other districts. Massive apartment blocks provide affordable housing for the service sector employees and others. Many of those civil servants lower in the Imperial Government live in gated communities here. The working class and other neighborhoods of the Outer Sector are not as dingy as those in other cities because of strict regulations. There are smaller retail areas and a variety of other areas of the Outer Sector

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