Vildemaree

Vildemaree
Capital City and Capital Administrative Territory
Nickname(s):  City of the Sea, Jewel of the Meandrine, City on the Lagoon
Motto(s):  Fluctuat nec mergitur "Tossed by the waves but never sunk"
Sovereign state	Palmaria-Stormwrath
Country	Palmaria
Territory	Capital Administrative Territory
Government
• Mayor	Agnès Chaucer (MNP)
Area
• Capital City and Capital Administrative Territory	284.23 km2 (109.74 sq mi)
• Land	126.4 km2 (48.8 sq mi)
• Metro	512.31 km2 (197.80 sq mi)
Population  (2017)
• Urban	9,752,076
• Metro	21,175,461
• Metro density	41,000/km2 (110,000/sq mi)
• Historic City of Vildemaree	73,452
• Continental Vildemaree	9,678,624
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1
Postal code	10000-11600
Website	www.vildemaree.ps

Vildemaree is the capital and the most populous city of Palmaria and Palmaria-Stormwrath. Located at the mouth of the Meandrine River in the southwest of Palmaria, the city was a major settlement for the past millennium. Since the 18th century, Vildemaree has been one of the most important global cities in Helsa, and a centre of diplomacy, politics, finance, trade, commerce, education, science, and the arts.

Vildemaree is comprised of two major parts: the Historic City of Vildemaree and Continental Vildemaree. The Historic City of Vildemaree is comprised of 105 islands situated in the Vildemaree Lagoon, an enclosed body of water within the Meandrine Estuary. Each island is separated by a network of canals and linked by over 450 bridges. Continental Vildemaree is comprised of the 22 arrondissements that are located on the mainland, which are home to the majority of Vildemaree's population. Together with the City of Tides, they form part of the Capital Administrative Territory, a statistical unit with a population of 16,638,562 people according to 2017 estimates.

Historically Vildemaree was founded by Pyrrhic refugees in the 10th century CE. It became the capital of the Sea Cities, a major maritime power that dominated diplomacy and trade in the Olaria Bay region. Because of this, Vildemaree was considered a wealthy city for most of its history. The city was annexed into the Kingdom of Palmaria in 1636 and became the residence of the Palmarian court in 1667. Vildemaree was instrumental in many artistic movements, especially during the Renaissance period.

Vildemaree is especially known for its architecture, artwork, and famous landmarks. The Watchmaiden, a towering figure guarding the entrance to the Vildemaree Lagoon, draws over 4 million visitors a year. Other landmarks include the Historic City of Vildemaree, the Musée Impérial, the Arsenal, Palais du Régime Impérial, Lilac Palace, Place du Monde, St. Cyril's Cathedral, and the Great Temple of the Enlightenment. Vildemaree remains a very popular tourist destination and a major cultural centre, and has consistently been ranked many times as one of the most beautiful cities in Alitheia.

History

Origins

While there are very few surviving historical records that date back to the Classical Era, many historians agree based on the available evidence that the original population of Vildemaree were comprised of Pyrrhic refugees from Mirassa - as well as inhabitants of the undefended countryside of the Olaria Region - who were fleeing the Germanian invasions that took place in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. These refugees arrived at the mouth of the Meandrine Estuary, finding sanctuary in a marshy lagoon. They settled among the islands and mudflats that dotted the lagoon, founding the city in 956. Its first ruler was Florian, who was elected as the first Duke of Vildemaree in 960.

In 1027, the Cliffordian king Gwenneg invaded parts of Olaria and besieged Vildemaree. The siege lasted for eight months, with Gwenneg's army ravaged by diseases from the local swamps and the king himself succumbing to malaria in 1028. In the aftermath, a treaty was signed with the Cliffordians recognizing Vildemaree as an independent territory.

Expansion

From the 11th to the 14th century, many cities including Vildemaree developed into maritime city-states that straddled trade routes in the Olaria Bay and the Atlantic coast. Vildemaree in particular, situated at the head of the Olarian coast, made its naval and commerical power near-unassailable. The city quickly rose to become a major gateway between Helsa and the outside world.

However, with piracy growing in the Olarian Bay, Vildemaree built a navy to protect its shipping. It also allied with the cities of Stockport, Richport, and Camblain. The allied cities controlled an overwhelming majority of the salt trade. More cities joined the alliance, which eventually organized as the Sea Cities. The principal city of this commercial empire remained in Vildemaree, where the Council of the Sea Dukes was first assembled in 1345. With piracy steadily eliminated by their combined navies, the Sea Cities grew wealthy.

Vildemaree reached its zenith in the 1400s, becoming the most prosperous city in West Helsa. At its peak of its power and wealth, it fielded more than 3,000 ships operated by 34,000 sailors, trading with places as far as the Tresserve Gulf, the Sea of Valaran, and Artalia, as well as inland cities such as Mertz, dominating commerce. It maintained close ties with the Kingdom of Stormwrath, who granted trading privileges within its territory.