Gondolin
Gondolin Imperial City and Citadel of Gondolin | |||
The Palace of Gondolin, one of the two official residences of the Emperor. | |||
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Map versions | Status in 1675 AN | ||
Official language(s) | Draconic (official) Menelmacari, Istvanistani, Haifan, Jingdaoese, others | ||
Demonym | Gondoliner; Imperial | ||
- Adjective | Gondolinian | ||
Government | Capital City | ||
Duke of Gondolin | Nikamura Hawkins III | ||
Legislature | City Council | ||
Establishment | 1675 AN | ||
Area | 87.0 km2 | ||
Population | approx. 10 million in metropolis; ~ 1 million within demarcated city limits (1730 AN | ||
Currency | Guilder | ||
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Patron | Thr'or God of the Universe and Creation | ||
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Gondolin is one of the two capitals of the Imperial Federation and the chief city of its empire on both the mainland and fringes of Keltia. Both the city and metropolitan area are synonymous, although the Citadel officially refers to the planned, greenery-heavy inner city. In regards to the so-called Citadel, most refer to this important area of Gondolin as the Inner City, due to the presence of all of the Imperial Federation's governing institutions there, as well as the site of its upper class residences, and the heart of the region's bureaucratic and transportation infrastructure (much of which is situated underground). Due to strict zoning laws in the Inner City, by both area and population even this sprawling complex refers only to a smaller portion of the metropolis (which is also referred to as Gondolin, with the Inner City labelled more simply as the Capital, or to locals as the Citadel).
The population of the metropolis is some 10 million persons as of 1730 AN, with the inner city housing close to one million. Despite its spacious layout, the inner city has a high population density, due to most of these being government workers or otherwise attached to the many noble and imperial persons living in the city's extremely wealthy core. The city has a reputation of being extremely clean and orderly, although an affordability crisis has gripped the city's outer areas since around 1715 AN due to strict zoning laws even in the outer fringes, in a bid to permanently control pollution and overcrowding in vital areas.
It is one of the two political, economic, cultural, and religious centers of the empire. It holds the seat of most of the Imperial Government, and its gilded palace in its heart serves as one of the two official residences of the Emperor. The city is not home to the legislature and the high court, however, these being located in Glacier City instead, along with the most sacred religious sites. While Gondolin has its own high temples, it still pales in comparison to the ancient shrines and temples housed in its sister city. Instead, the city is known for its wealth, splendor, and attention to harmony with both the environment and the needs of the wealthy denizens in the core. The city is also home to several universities, including the prestigious University of Gondolin and the heart of the University of Adrestia system.
Gondolin is connected to the rest of of the Imperial Federation by both land and sea by a network of roads, railways, ports, and multiple international airports. As the city possesses many navigable waterways, it is also served by a very large number of passenger boat services, trams, light rail, bus systems, and other means of transport meant to ease the burden on average citizens of moving between the spread-out metropolis either for commuting or other purposes.