View source for Pietersburg

{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Pietersburg
| native_name             = 
| native_name_lang        = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| settlement_type         = {{wpl|City}}
| image_skyline           = {{Photomontage
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| etymology               = 
| nickname                = "''Die eerste stad''" <br> <small> {{wpl|English|Estmerish}} "The First City" </small>
| motto                   = 
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| coordinates_display     = inline,title
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
| coordinates_region      = 
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = [[Nuvania]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Provinces of Nuvania|Province]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Kaap]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[Districts of Nuvaniua|District]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Pietersburg (district)|Pietersburg]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[Municipalities of Nuvania|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Pietersburg]]
| established_title       = Established 
| established_date        = July 5, 1542
| established_title2      = 
| established_date2       = 
| founder                 = 
| seat_type               = Legislature
| seat                    = [[Greater Pietersburg Council]]
| government_footnotes    = 
| leader_party            = [[Democratic Action Party|DAP]]
| leader_title            = [[Mayor of Pietersburg|Mayor]]
| leader_name             = [[Stefan Liebenberg]]
| unit_pref               = Metric
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| area_urban_km2          = 1087
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| area_metro_km2          = 8939
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| population_as_of        = 2019
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| population_density_km2  = auto
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| population_urban               = 5,052,879
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| population_density_rural_km2   = auto
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| population_metro               = 6,926,503
| population_density_metro_km2   = auto
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = auto
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| population_demonym      = Pietersburger
| timezone1               = UTC -6
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| website                 = www.pietersburgstad.nv
| footnotes               = 
}}

'''Pietersburg''' is a city located in the northwest of [[Nuvania]] at the foot of the [[Bay of Dolphins]]. It is the  administrative capital of Nuvania as well as its financial, economic, and cultural centre. With a total population of 6.9 million inhabitants, it is also Nuvania's [[List of cities in Nuvania by population|largest city]], and one of the largest on the [[Arucian Sea]]. The [[Port of Pietersburg]], located to the northwest of the city itself, is Nuvania's second largest port by total volume and by value of cargo, after the [[Port of Windstrand]]. 

The region around Pietersburg has been inhabited since {{wpl|Neolithic|Neolithic times}}, with several archaeological sites producing artefacts that have been dated to around 16,500 years BP. Numerous cultures and tribes occupied the area before [[Lusitania|Lusitan]] explorer [[Luciano Mascarenhas]] first charted the peninsular to the west of the city and the [[Bay of Dolphins]] itself in {{wpl|1531}}. The area was not properly explored by [[Euclea|Eucleans]] until [[Hennehouwe|Hennish]]-[[Estmere|Estmerish]] explorer [[Petrus Boerhaave]] arrived in 1542, and landed at what is now [[Boerhaavestrand]] in central Pietersburg. Here he founded the city of Pietersburg, naming it after his sponsor, [[Pieter van Meetkercke]], with the first wave of immigrants landing in Pietersburg four years later in 1546. 

Initially a small {{wpl|trading post}}, the city became the launching pad for the [[Sotirian Commonwealth|Hennish]] colonisation of [[Nuvania]], with word reaching both sides of the partition, with waves of largely {{wpl|Protestantism|Amendist}} settlers arriving over successive periods. Although there were no official claims over the colony until 1673, it was considered to be a Hennish colony of sorts, as the colonists were largely Hennish speaking and pledged allegiance to the [[Sotirian Commonwealth]]. The colony was proclaimed officially on October 12, 1673, with Pietersburg the largest settlement and the administrative capital. It would remain as such throughout the remainder of the Commonwealth's control over the colony. 

Under [[Kingdom of Estmere|Estmerish]] rule, which began on July 20, 1720, the city became important politically as the administrative centre of the colony, but also important for trade and communications without the outside world, as the Estmerish quickly improved and expanded the port's facilities. By {{wpl|home rule}} in 1811, Pietersburg was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Estmere's colonial empire, and was considered significant in terms of industrial output and cash crop exports. It became an important naval facility, providing Estmere with significant influence over the western [[Arucian Sea]]. 

This economic and military importance carried over into the independence era, with Pietersburg now the capital of an independent Free State. The industrial and economic development continued, and the city experienced a surge in growth until the [[Great Collapse]] in 1915. The city suffered from a stagnating economy following the [[Great War (Kylaris|Great War]], although population growth did not reach pre-collapse levels until the 1950's. Pietersburg would lose the title of the largest port in Nuvania to [[Windstrand]] by the 1980's, but the city became one of two major manufacturing and logistical hubs. The 1980's also saw a boom in finances, which is responsible for the growth of the city's {{wpl|Skyscraper|skyscrapers}}, a trend that accelerated until the [[Great Recession]] in 2005. 

Today Pietersburg is a vibrant and dynamic city that boasts one of the highest living standards in Nuvania and in the wider Arucian region. It is also one of greenest in the country in terms of park lands, preserved wetlands, including the world's [[Albertina National Park|only urban national park]], as well as environmentally friendly transport policies. 

== History ==

== Geography ==

Pietersburg is located at the foot of the [[Bay of Dolphins]] in northwestern [[Kaap]] province. Geographically the city is bordered to the east and south by the ''[[Kustveld]]'', to the west and northwest by the [[Westrand]], and to the northwest by the [[Mascarenhas Peninsula]]. The city itself lies around the foot of the bay, expanding westwards into the easternmost foothills of the Westrand, south and east into the Kustveld. 

Central Pietersburg lies on what was formerly a large {{wpl|wetland}} fed by numerous streams as well as two rivers, the [[Riebeck River|Riebeck]] and the [[Konrad River|Konrad]], which come to a confluence near the central city in the district known as [[Tweerivier]]. Much of the land was initially converted for farming in the 17th and 18th centuries, before being urbanised in the 19th and 20th centuries. Much of the initial urban development began on the flat hard areas to the south of the modern city centre, which was created when the wetlands were drained and turned into stable land. These areas formed the core of the central business district. Much of the central business district of Pietersburg suffers from varying rates of {{wpl|subsidence}}, with the average sink rate of around 3-6 millimetres a year. This has caused problems for the city's infrastructure, especially its utilities and several lines of the [[Pietersburg O-Spoor]]. In addition, these areas suffer from drainage issues and are prone to surface {{wpl|flooding}} during heavy rain. 

Western Pietersburg is generally defined as the areas to the northwest of the central business district, as well as the contiguous urban area between the left bank of the [[Riebeck River|Riebeck river]], and the [[Westrand]]. These include suburbs of the city proper, as well as various satellite cities and towns. Unlike the central business district, western Pietersburg was largely {{wpl|forest}} and {{wpl|farmland}} before being urbanised, with the soils generally being fertile, in line with the other areas of the ''kustveld''. Northwestern Pietersburg is home to many of the more exclusive areas of the city, as the Westrand is closer to the coast here than elsewhere. Suburbs like [[Chatillon]], [[Leliëndal]], and [[Sabana]], are among the wealthiest places in the city. To the south are more satellite towns, including [[Baskop]] and [[Governor's Valley]], the latter known for its colonial architecture. Most of western Pietersburg is largely residential with small commercial centres. These are considered to be the city's largely middle class and upper class suburbs. 

Southern Pietersburg is generally defined as the contiguous urban area south of the city centre, which encompasses numerous areas, and is a mixture of middle class, working class, residential, and industrial areas. Both the Riebeck and the [[Konrad River|Konrad]] rivers flow through this area. It is home to many well known suburbs including [[Lowlands]], [[Kroonenburg]], [[Redfield]], [[Twin Lakes]], as well as the large industrial area of [[Longwood, Nuvania|Longwood]], which is home to numerous large industrial complexes, including several car factories. The suburb of [[Huntingdon]], located at the periphery of the urban area, is the location of Pietersburg's largest airport. Outside of the urban area, there are a number of satellite cities and towns, including [[Andover]], [[Montgomery]], [[Oakhurst]], and [[Ravenswood]]. Southern Pietersburg is predominantly known for being a largely {{wpl|Anglophone||Estophone}} area of the city. 

Eastern Pietersburg is defined as the urban area located east of the Konrad river, and the eastern shores of the [[Bay of Dolphins]]. These areas are much like southern Pietersburg, with mixed use, mixed class areas. Predominantly the area is known as being the site of the [[Port of Pietersburg]], as well as Nuvania's largest [[Pietersburg Naval Base|naval base]]. It is mostly low, rolling terrain, with {{wpl|lagoons}} and {{wpl|mangrove swamps}} close to shore, these areas being either protected or developed for residential projects. It is the location of [[Albertina National Park]], as well as some notable suburbs including [[Bethania]], [[Constancia]], [[Easton]], and [[Wortelboombaai]].  

Beaches are a primary feature of the geography of Pietersburg, and are some of the most famous beaches in Nuvania. The biggest and most well known of these is the [[Witstrand]], from which the surrounding district derives its name. The Witstrand is located directly north of the city centre and is often considered to be among the most desirable beach in the city owing to its central location and being lined with luxury apartments and condominiums. It is also the location of a number of festivals, including the largest sandcastle building festival in Nuvania, as well as a New Year music concert. [[Vosstrand]] to the east is another popular beach located in the east. Other popular or notable beaches include [[West Beach]] and [[Konradstrand]], parts of which form the mouth of the Konrad river, and [[Boerhaavestrand]], just northwest of the city centre. 


=== Climate ===

=== Parks ===


[[Category:Nuvania]]