Aegaeon

Aegaeon
City
View of the Aegaean skyline from the shore of Emperors Bay.
Country	Huvakia
Unification	1690 AD
Government
• Emperor	Aleksander Zaetsev
Area
• Total	472 km2 (182 sq mi)
Population  (2015)
• Density	14,025/km2 (36,320/sq mi)
• Metro	3,297,000
Demonym	Aegaean

Aegaeon is the capital and second largest city of the Imperial Hegemony of Huvakia. Aegaeon is a major political, scientific, cultural, and financial center for the Empire. Centered on the northern peninsula of the Aegaean sea, the city of Aegaeon aims to be the business hub of the Western hemisphere. It is also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo. Oil revenue helped accelerate the development of the city, which was already a major mercantile hub. Today, less than 10% of the city's revenue comes from oil. A Centre for regional and international trade since the early 20th century, Aegaeon's economy relies on revenues from trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. A generous presence of museums, academic and political institutions, theatres, and high end shops can be found across the city. According to government data, the population is estimated at around 7.5 million as of January 2020. The city has served as the capital of Huvakia since the empires unification in 1657, the city also served as capital of the empires predecessor the Kingdom of Aegaeon.

History

The history of human settlement in the area now defined by the City of Aegaeon is rich and complex, and points to extensive trading links between the civilisations of the Noost Valley and Eastern Abos, but also as far afield as Umune. Archaeological finds in Northern Aegaeon, particularly the Seris District show settlement through the Ubaid and Hafit periods and the three Iron Ages. The area was known as a source for metallic goods, notably copper and bronze.

The area was covered with sand about 5,000 years ago as the coast retreated inland, becoming part of the city's present coastline. Ceramics have been found from the 3rd and 4th centuries. Aegaeon is thought to have been established as a fishing village in the early 18th century and was, by 1822, a town of some 700–800 members.

Modern History

After years of exploration following large finds in the neighbouring Greysonian Empire, oil was eventually discovered in territorial waters off Aegaeon in 1966. The first field was named Karsean Gold. This led to an acceleration of infrastructure development plans and a construction boom that brought a massive influx of foreign workers. Between 1968 and 1975 the city's population grew by over 300%. Critically, one of the first major projects Emperor Fordo Zaetsev embarked upon when oil revenue started to flow was the construction of Port Aleksander, a deep water free port constructed by Halcrow. Originally intended to be a four-berth port, it was extended to sixteen berths as construction was ongoing. The project was an outstanding success, with shipping queuing to access the new facilities. The port was inaugurated on 5 October 1972, although its berths were each pressed into use as soon as they had been built. Port Aleksander was to be further expanded in 1975 to add a further 35 berths before the larger Port Gaeges was constructed.

Geography

In the Köppen climate classification system, Aegaeon has a Desert climate (Aw) that extends as a peninsula into the Bay of Emperors a sub-body of the Aegaean Sea. Aegaeon experiences two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from April to July and a weaker rainy season in October and November. Monthly rainfall between May and July averages over 16 inches, often causing flash flooding in underdeveloped areas. The main dry season is accompanied by winds which can be quite strong. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded in Aegaeon is 120.2 °F in the summer of 2020, and the minimum is 12 °F in the Winter of 1923.

Canals

An example of a traditional means of river transport

Due to Aegaeons ready access to water from the Sea of Aegaeon many of Huvakias cities have miles of large and intricate canals. Many were built over two hundred years ago through hard work and human ingenuity. Many of these waterways are still use in a light industrial capacity as well as a bustling privately owned community of boats ranging from small Personal watercraft to various cruising Yachts and Houseboats.

Architecture

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The Celestial Spire as seen from a nearby hotel

Aegaean skyline from helitour in 2015

Imperial Boulevard, Aegaeon 2007

Aegaeon has a rich collection of buildings and structures of various architectural styles. Many modern interpretations of classic architecture can be found here. Architecture has literally been taken to new levels in skyscraper building design and technology. Aegaeon now has more completed or topped-out skyscrapers higher than 2⁄3 km (2,200 ft), 1⁄3 km (1,100 ft), or 1⁄4 km (820 ft) than any other city. A culmination point was reached in 2010 with the completion of the Celestial Spire, now by far the world's tallest building at 829.8 m (2,722 ft). The Celestial Spire's triple-lobed footprint design is based on an abstracted version of the desert flower hymenocallis which is native to the Aegaean region.

The completion of the Celestial Spire, following the construction boom that began in the 1980s, accelerated in the 1990s, and took on a rapid pace of construction during the decade of the 2000s, leaves Aegaeon with the world's tallest skyline as of 4 January 2010. At the top, Celestial Spire, the world's second highest observatory deck after the Shanghai Tower with an outdoor terrace is one of Aegaeon's most popular tourist attractions, with over 1.87 million visitors in 2013.

Harbor Islands

The Harbor Islands are a series of artificial islands created along the coast of Aegaeaon in Emperors Bay. Construction began in 2001 and continues in some areas. Two of the planned 5 islands have been completed, a third is midway through the filling process and the final two proposed islands have been placed on hold sighting the unforseen environmental impacts of the initial islands.

Economy

The economy of Aegaeon proper is largely dominated by services, high-technology companies (IT, aerospace, defence, telecommunications), research, construction, ship building, and commercial activities (especially banking). Additionally, tourism provides a significant source of income. Aegaeon's international airport, Kanov International , is the largest in the nation, and the city hosts the head offices of the vast majority of major Imperial companies, such as Butler Media Group, United Imperial Aeronautics, and the Rottimotors Company.

Universities, national radio, television and the movie industry in Aegaeon are also important parts of the economy: the city serves as the hub of the Imperial film industry, working since the 1930s. The city is also a center for banking and insurance as well as electronics, energy, transport, and aerospace industries. Numerous international companies and agencies headquarters, government ministries, conference centres, sports venues, and museums are located in Aegaeon's principal business districts.

Finance

The Aegaean Stock Exchange, located on Roxstov Avenue, is the world's 7th largest stock exchange, when measured by average daily trading volume and overall market capitalization. Financial services account for more than 20 percent of the city's employment income.Aegaeon has been a leading center of finance in the world economy since the end of the 19th century.

Shipping

Aerial view of Port Aleksander

Port Aleksander is the Empire's second largest port and one of the largest and busiest on Abos. The port currently has facilities for 40 ships at a time. Port Aleksander was the largest in the country until the completetion of Port Gaeges in 1986. It is administered by the Emperors Royal Ports Authority. The port features a railhead facilitating rapid transportation of goods across the Empire.

Tourism

It is estimated that there are over 250,000 hotel rooms throughout Aegaeon, with many smaller private establishments to be found as well. Numerous venues, mueseums, historical sites,adventure opportunities and hundreds of souvenir shops cam be found dotted throughout the city and surrounding areas, further contributing to the wealth tourism brings into the city each year.

Education

Aegaeon is a nationwide center for higher education, containing numerous academies, colleges and universities as well as the Imperial military college the Crucible Gate. For the majority of children, primary and secondary education is the responsibility of the state in which they reside.

Culture

Huvamir Parliment Building

Being the capital city of the Hegemony, Aegaeon hosts all the principal institutions of the nation, like the Imperial Parliment, the Imperial Palace, the High Court, and the diplomatic representatives of all nations with relations with the Empire. Many international institutions are also located in the city, which also hosts major international and worldwide political and cultural organisations.

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Aegaeon Royal Opera House at night

Much of the Aegaean culture is derrived from traditional Huvakian values and beliefs, however due to the relative affluence of the Aegaean people and the large presence of tourist and foreign business people many foreign beliefs and customs are common. The Aegaeon Royal Opera House was constructed following the oil boom of 1966.