Esthampton
Esthampton | |
|---|---|
Left-to-right from top: Skyline of Esthampton, South Downs | |
| Nickname(s): The City of the Sun, the Free City | |
| Sovereign state |  Esthursia |
| Country |  Osynstry |
| Shire county | Esthamptonshire |
| Settled by Downish peoples | CE 884 |
| Area | |
| • City | 2,183.63 km2 (843.10 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 1,586.52 km2 (612.56 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,608.07 km2 (1,006.98 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • City | 4,974,170 |
| • Density | 2,520.57/km2 (6,528.2/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 5,503,992 |
| • Demonym | Esttish Esthamptoner |
| GVA (2022) | |
| • Total | ʃ169.86 billion ($263.79bn) |
| • Per capita | ʃ30,861.34 ($47,927.66) |
Esthampton is the third-most populous city of Esthursia, being the second-most populous within Osynstry. The traditional home of the South Osynstric (and later thus Downish people), Esthampton was originally a fishing town that grew into a maritime hub as a result of its favourable location between Osynstry (and later Esthursia), Scalvia and Sorovia, as well as its Mediterranean climate. The city grew, along with most of the southeast, with its coal mining industry; by the 1800s, Esthampton's rapid growth had outstripped Yeaburn and Anbourn to make it the primary southern city, a status recognised when it became a city in 1805.
The 1920s saw Esthampton be the host to a failed fascist revolt; the March on Esthampton, shortly after the ascent of leftwing Prime Minister George Asmont, saw the Osynstric Renewal Front attempt to storm the streets of Esthampton, leading to large counterprotests by antifascists, which turned violent and culminated in the abrupt end of the fascist movement in Esthursia following the death of Arnold Rimmer, its leader. Esthampton's tourism industry grew during the mid-20th century, especially as transport links from further north improved, however the decline of coal mining in the late 20th century severely impacted the city; despite this, and thanks to its strong tourism sector, Esthampton remains significantly more prosperous than most of the southeast, but slightly less prosperous than its historic rival city, Execester. Esthampton, however, has recently been home to a burgeoning finance and civic banking sector, and a rising education sector, driving strong growth in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. Esthampton has a significant immigrant community, especially thanks to its location and high degree of acceptance and state housing of refugees.