Komodu
| |
| Type | Municipality |
| Mayor | Abu Sahalu |
| Population | 2,000,000 |
| Density | 4,000/km² |
| Area | 500km² |
| Country | Hama |
| GDP (nominal) | 60 billion SHD (720 billion dahab) |
| GDP (nominal) per capita | 30,000 SHD (360,000 dahab) |
| Motto | Tsiku duzi bakaru (Jewel by the sea) |
| Animal | Kudu |
| Flower | Protea |
| Colors | Red, Maroon and Black |
Komodu is an urban agglomeration located on the coast of the Borean Sea in Hama. It is the seat of the central government of the Hamanian Empire. It is a major economic center. It is the largest port in Hama, and it is a major financial, tourist and diamond cutting center. The city is a major cultural center. It is the origin of prominent schools of art and language and have many historical landmarks. It is a major population center, having the largest population of any city in Hama.
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Etymology
The word Komodu originates from middle Hamanese (which was spoken between 1500 and 1800. It means the estuary of the Modu river. This name was first used in 1500 in a government document. The city had been called Komonamodu before that point, but was contracted. The name stuck and has been used ever since.
History
Pre-history
The area around the estuary of the river Modu, where Komodu lies today, was settled by 1200. It provided a national deep water by and was protected by the surrounding mountains. The early settlers recognised its strategic value and economic potential and began construction on a small settlement that grew consistently over the following years. The settlement was often raided and ruined and rebuild again. There is evidence of a iron tools, clay pots and baked bricks that suggest that the settlers were fairly advanced people.
1400 to 1500
The city was ruled by the Chief of the Manonite people. In 1400 this was Yusufu Waba. He recognised the need for a strong defence and commitment the construction of a city wall and the periphery and a fortress at the coast. These fortifications significantly strengthened the defences of the city against invading forces on land and pirates from the sea. Control of the city was wrested from the Chief by the King of Hama who moved his court there.
This followed with the construction of impressive temples, libraries and palaces. The city also became a major center of Hamanian civilisation. Construction on major projects began in this time such as the Red Fort (a massive palatial castle built of red stone as a residence for the King and his government), variety aqueducts and roads.
Attack of the Wandering Mariners
The Wandering Mariners was an association of merchants who tried to control maritime trade routes. Using coercion, they were able to seriously influence maritime trade. A request to charge taxes on coming ships was denied by the Crown. The Wandering Mariners attacked the city to force the King to cooperate. Unfortunately the committed to many of their forces to the attack and severely underestimated the defences of the city. They were crippled and eventually lost all their power.
1550 to 1650
The city of Komodu was free to control its own trade. Revenues from taxes on imported and exported goods and fees on ships moored at the docks gave the King enough money to focus on beautifying the city. Many people flocked to the city to trade in its thriving markets without the fear of the Wandering Mariners keeping them away. The city thrived and regained its position as a center of commerce and culture.
Kalatian-Hamanian War
The city was a major staging ground for the Kalatian-Hamanian War.
Population
There are 2 million people who currently reside in Komodu. They make up 10% of the population of Hama. The city is diverse. It attracts people from across the world and from many parts of the empire. There are many cultural and ethnic groups that have made the city their home. Due to tourism, international commerce, diplomacy and higher education, many people from other parts of the world come to Komodu and stay for fairly short periods. There are many expatriate workers who have taken advantage of the demand for affordable domestic servants and construction workers. People from other parts of the empire are often poor and come to Komodu to find better-paying jobs.
There were poor communities which sprung up in the central business district and peripheral suburbs. Crime and urban decay soon followed. In 1980 the government forcefully evicted thousands of people and relocated them in state housing several kilometres from the city. The legacy of this policy is still visible. Many of the southern suburbs are relatively poorer than the northern parts of the city. These are residential areas that house many of the working class people.
Around the 1980s and 1990s, these areas had high rates of crime. A formidable police and paramilitary presence was deployed here to enforce law and order and this presence has been maintained ever since. Although crime has significantly decreased, the area continues to struggle with crime and has consistently higher rates of crime than other parts of the city. Although the area has consistent and reliable energy, sanitation, water and other public services, the socioeconomic problems have not been been tackled. These places are very diverse, with many poor immigrants from all over the empire living here. There are wolf and human populations that struggle to maintain a peaceful coexistence.
In contrast, the northern parts of the city are wealthy. The central business district, government district, embassy districts and affluent miss class and upper income suburbs are located here. These places have many of the amenities that are founded in some of the most sophisticated cities in the world such as Sani Bursil in Staynes and West Mifflin in South Hills. People here live in comfort and safety. Wealthy Hamanites maintain homogeneous residential areas to the northeast, while middle class areas are more mixed.
Throughout the city there is a strong Abrahamic presence. There are many houses of worship. Hamanese is the most spoken language, but there are higher than average rates of Staynish due to the international nature of the commercial and business districts.
Governance
The city is governed by a technocratic council appointed by the King. This council is like a board of directors and runs the city like a corporation. The administration head of the city is Abu Sahalu, the mayor of the city. The city has many problems such as the uneven distribution of public services, tense cultural relations and crime in the south, but on the whole, it is well governed. The council, being made up of civil servants, it has been run consistently and efficiently for the past 20 years.
There are elected representatives for each district. They handle community issues and represent their constituents in consultations with the city council. There are resilient processes of public consultation and discussion on issues that affect residents of the city. Unfortunately migrants are marginalised in the political process and are often underrepresented. This is due to electoral laws and political discrimination. On the whole, the city is managed well and the policies of the city council have significantly reined in and coordinated urban development.
Economy
The city is an upper income city. It has an economic output of 60 billion dollars and an average output of 30,000 dollars per resident. The city houses the treasury of the nation. Billions of undisclosed gold reserves are kept in the vaults of its banks. It is a major commercial node. Billions of dollars in transactions are processed here. The banking industry is largely housed here. Many large banks have set up their headquarters in this city. As a center of government for the whole empire, a large administrative sector has grown. Many people work in the management of imperial administration.
The city is a major center for leisure. Retail is another major sector. There are many shopping malls. The largest such centers are located in the city. There are many varieties of shops including luxury retail. There are several resorts and luxurious hotels. There is a strong arts, film and music sector. There are several amusement parks with incredible rollercoasters and waterside. There are also many cultural and heritage sites that attract foreign visitors. Many business operate in and large revenues are being brought in from the tourism sector.
Another major sector is diamond cutting. Komodu is one of the foremost centers of diamond cutting in the world. A large portion of its revenues and economic output arise from this sector. This sector has benefited from the affluent market and the raw diamonds that are being cheaply extracted from Borea and Itur. There are many jewelers. There are also industrial diamond makers who prepare diamonds from use in machines. Although this sector faces competition from synthetic diamonds, it remains resilient and profitable.
The city is also a major trade node. Many roads and railway tracks converge here. Komodu forms part of the greater Yasteria Interlink system that began in Vekaiyu. These direct links have caused a boom in commerce. The city is also a major port and conducts a lot of maritime trade. The largest international airport in Hama is located nearby.
