Helderbourgh Stadt
Nation: | Grand Duchy of Helderbourgh |
Population: | 935.619 |
Predominant language: | Batavian, Common Language |
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Main roads: | A1, A3, A6 and A7 |
Major districts: | Upper city, lower city and Batavian quarter |
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Current mayor: | Jean Metternich |
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Helderbourgh Stadt (Dutch: Helderburg), also known as Helderbourgh City, is the capital of the Grand Duchy of Helderbourgh and the canton of the same name.
The city is located atop a plateau sitting at the edge of an escarpment running along the western flank of Helderberg Mountain.
In 1675 AN, the city had 935,619 inhabitants, making it the most densely populated city in the country.
History
Prior to becoming a major city, Helderbourgh was a small village consisting of a few families of Treiso-Batavian descent. These original settlers hailed from Batavian Cibola, some two to three thousand years ago, when Batavia held colonies in what is presently Bretalyon. Over time these families intermarried with the Germanian population, and these families settled and named the Helderbergs.
Due to its reasonably sheltered location, the city became a refuge during the civil war within the United Principalities of Treisenberg. This made the city the largest city in the country. When the civil war ended, Helderbourgh became the capital and name giver of the new state. To distinguish the name of the new state, as well as the canton of the same name, "Stadt" was added to the name: Helderbourgh Stadt.
Since the appointment of Arkadius Frederik Gustavus des Vinandy as Grand Duke in 1672 AN, the city has undergone major development. The previously provisional homes are increasingly being replaced by old-style residential blocks. The city expands and the suburbs are built like a landscape garden.
Geography
Helderbourgh Stadt lies on a plateau of the western flank of Helderberg Mountain, slightly east of the centre of Helderbourgh. The mountain closest to the city is Helderhorn with a height of 858 m (2,815 ft).
The center of the city is characterized by a division of the upper city (Batavian: bovenstad) and lower city (Batavian: benedenstad). The upper city, with the market square and the Grand Ducal Palace, is 559 m (1,834 ft).
Steep cliffs surround the upper city that drop into the narrow valleys of the Alzig and Attert rivers, whose confluence is in Helderbourgh Stadt. The 70 m (230 ft) deep gorges cut by the rivers are spanned by many bridges and viaducts, including the Elisabeth Asara Bridge. Although Helderbourgh Stadt is not particularly large, its layout is complex, as the city is set on several levels, straddling hills and dropping into the two gorges.
The Batavian quarter (Batavian: Bataafsch Kwartier) lies between the Elisabeth Asara Bridge and the Grand Central Station. A neighborhood where mostly Batavians live and the Bataafsch Huys (Common Language: Batavian House) is located. The Bataafsch Huys is the exchange for gold and other precious metals.
Government
Local government
The City Council of Helderbourgh Stadt consists of 45 members. Currently, the Conservative Union is the largest political party in Helderbourgh Stadt and therefore supplies the mayor, Jean Metternich.
The composition of the city council is as follows:
Name | Abbr. | Leader | Ideology | Political position | AM's | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative Union | CU | Jean Metternich (mayor) | Conservatism | Right wing | City Council: 24 / 45 | |
Labour Party | LP | Eloïse Margue | Socialism | Left | City Council: 16 / 45 | |
Liberal Democrats | LD | Maurice Delvaux | Liberalism | Centre | City Council: 4 / 45 | |
The Greens | GR | François Metz | Green politics | Left | City Council: 1 / 45 |
National government
Helderbourgh Stadt is the seat for the Helderbourgh Government. The grand duke and his family live in the Vinandy Palace, while the Grand Ducal Palace functions as a work residence.
The various ministries and the National Assembly (parliament) are based in the city.
Places of interest
Among the places of interest are:
- Colmar Palace, the residential residence of the Grand Duke, currently opened as a museum.
- Elisabeth Asara Bridge, named after Elisabeth Asara des Vinandy, daughter of Arkadius Frederik Gustavus des Vinandy, Grand Duke of Helderbourgh.
- Grand Ducal Palace, the working residence of the grand duke in the center of the upper city.
- Grand Central Station, is the main railway station serving Helderbourgh Stadt, 80,000 passengers use this station every day. The station is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the upper city.
- Kilian Soccer Stadium, is a multi-use stadium with a capacity of 13,000.
- Statue of Kilian, erected in honour of Kilian Van Allen, the first Grand Duke of Helderbourgh.
- Vinandy Palace, the private residence of Arkadius Frederik Gustavus des Vinandy.
Transport
Highways
Helderbourgh Stadt is situated in the heart of southwestern Cibola. It is therefore connected to several highways:
- A1: to Kronstadt and Leichenhafen.
- A3: to Waldenburg, Vaduz, St. Litavia and Köln.
- A6: to Steenswick and Steensmouth.
- A7: to Leichenberg and Moorheim.
Public transport
Rail
Various train stations serve the city, including the central station: Grand Central Station. The main rail network is operated by Helderbourgh National Railway Company (Batavian: Helderbourgh Nationale Spoorwegmaatschappij - HNS) and the high-speed network is operated by Cibola Express.
Bus
Helderbourgh Stadt has a network of bus routes, operated by the local bus company, Bus company Helderbourgh Stadt (Batavian: Busmaatschappij Helderbourgh Stad - BHS). In addition, there are five park and rides around the city, where the regional bus services are connected to the city network. These park and rides are also provided with parking spaces to reduce the traffic pressure in the city.
Tram
In 1675 AN the first tram line was opened between the Grand Central Station and the upper city. There are plans to provide the city with multiple tram lines, including between all park and rides and the centre.
Airport
The city is served by Helderbourgh International Airport, the country's most important international airport. The airport is connected to the city by bus services and a railway line. A tram line is currently being constructed and opening is expected in 1677 AN. The airport is the principal hub for Helderbourgh's flag carrier, Helderair.