Mafiy

Mafiy Vrisdad Mafiys Free City of Mafiy
Municipality and Independent City
Mafiy from the River Wik Mafiy from the River Wik
Coat of arms of Mafiy Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  Sdad Faasen Eyses City of a Thousand Colours
Country	Vyvland
Province	File:Flag-wik.png Wik
Parliament constituency	9 seats
Government
• Mayor	Han Wengel-Houtman (KDC)
Population
• Total	948,781
Demonym	Mafiymaan
Time zone	UTC-6
Postcode	T0000-T2999
Phone code	162 (MA)
Area Population density	582km2 (225mi2) 1,630/km2 (4,216/mi2)
Elevation	110m
Website	www.mafiy-sdad.rg.vy

Mafiy (pronounced /maðiʏ/) is the fourth-largest city in Vyvland and the capital of Wik province. Mafiy is one of the oldest cities in Vyvland and has been a major population centre for centuries. Mafiy was particularly domiant in the renaissance period, when it was briefly the country's largest city; it is still the most important city for the Lutheran Church of Vyvland and the University of Mafiy is one of the country's highest-regarded learning institutions. Mafiy lies in the north of the country, 55 kilometres north of Vlud and in the western corner of the Wik plain. It lies on the River Wik as it flows out from the Sdokres Valley.

History

Mafiy has historically been an independent city free from provincial control, due to its important position on a trading route from the northeast of Vyvland to other areas; this status was bestowed on the city by Rikard II, Duke of Wik, in 926. Due to this special status, it was rarely attacked, while the government of the free city could act better in the interests of Mafiy, especially commercially. Thus, the town became rich in the medieval period, and much of the money accumulated by business owners and the city's government was free to be spent on the advancement of science, art and knowledge in the renaissance era, and this was fostered by encouragement from the monastic community resident in Mafiy Abbey. Mafiy was therefore home to a disproportionate number of scholars and intellectuals, including painter Niklas Rysey and noted physicists Alecand Reys and Jan Vrumeer. In 1637 the University of Mafiy, the third-oldest in the country, was set up by the city's council.

By the end of the 17th century, Mafiy had become the largest city in Vyvland. However, the lack of natural resources or minerals in the Mafiy area meant it became outpaced by Vlud and especially Lyksdal. It experienced low rates of immigration from rural areas, while most people who did come were employed in commercial trades. Due to the low population yet large commercial sector and good economy, Mafiy was the destination chosen for the rehousing of many Southern refugees during partition, and as such the city's biggest period of population growth was in the mid-1900s, when the population doubled to over 1 million for the first time. In 1957, Mafiy became the third-largest city in Vyvland, a status which had previously been that of Jesel.

Geography

File:Mafiymap.png

A map of Mafiy

Mafiy is situated on the Wik river, 48km from its source, and at the first point at which it meets the Wik plain, which lies to the east of the city. Mafiy is also situated at the end of the Seerm mountains, which stretch approximately 120km to the west, and north of the Selwydklev (Selwyd Gap), an important low pass between Vlud and Wik provinces, which carries the A1 motorway in addition to the railway line to Vlud.

Within the city, the greatest contrast in geography is between the east bank and west bank of the river; in the west, the river's plain very quickly gives way to hills, on top of which lies the city's Abbey, and further on, the town of Jebon. In the east, the suburbs of the city stretch further out onto the plains. The old town is situated mainly on the west (right) bank, although modern times have seen expansion to the east, where many modern department stores, offices and commercial premises are located.

Economy

Mafiy's economy is dominated by trade, as it serves as a commercial hub for the region. As such, 82% of workers are employed in the tertiary sector. Due to the presence of the university and generally high education standards, Mafiy is also a centre for telecommunications. The head office of Vyvland's second-biggest-selling newspaper, Fe Bysbeerer, is also located in the city.

Governance

File:Mafiyboroughs.png

The boroughs of Mafiy

File:Mafiy City Council.png

The current composition of Mafiy City Council

Mafiy is a municipality with special status as an independent city due to its large size and historical prominence. As such, councillors are elected to the city council for various different districts within the city, which currently coincide with the city's boroughs (see below). Mafiy has historically been a Liberal stronghold, with six of Mafiy's nine seats in the Vyvlander Parliament being held by the party. The city council is controlled by a Liberal-Green coalition which is semi-independent from Wik province. In addition the Wik Provincial Diet, with authority over the city and the whole rest of the province, sits in the city.

Administrative divisions

Mafiy is comprised of six boroughs, after the number was reduced from ten in 2006, when the Niysdad and Oysdad boroughs were merged into Sdad, Masger and Falsel were merged into Masger-Falsel, while in 2011, Huseg was merged into Wesdad. The current boroughs are Brunten, Dalder, Masger-Falsel, Piteden, Renweg, Sdad and Wesdad.

Twinned cities

Mafiy is twinned with three cities with similar status in other Esquarian nations:

• Template:Country data Iglesiantis Akatna, Iglesiantis
• Template:Country data Geadland Da Hegner, Geadland
• Template:Country data Masseau Wiley, Masseau

Transport

The Mafiy Metro serves all boroughs of the city; it is the third-most used in Vyvland. It consists of four lines and 71 stations, while also linking suburban and national surface trains. Mafiy is located on major roads between Heersduik, Mids, Govkros and Vlud, and as such has good transport links within Vyvland. Its mainline railway station, Mafiy Cenjral, is the fifth-busiest in Vyvland, while the Mafiy Norgerplaac terminus station is also well-used. Both are operated by Vyvlubaan, the national rail company. Air travel is facilitated through Mafiy Airport on the city's eastern fringe and Wesge Airport, which also serves Vlud, to the southwest.