Overview of Novasolan Cities and Regions
With an estimated 2020 population of 5,320,175, Novasola hosts multiple major cities and regions. The state has five major metropolitan areas, each distinct and shown on the map above.
The state’s capital, Artemis was founded in 1850 as a port
on Fairweather Sound. Its location allowed for better access to Novasola’s
interior and gave settlers a stopping point when travelling and transporting
materials to and from the prairie steppe and the Paramounts. Agdaka Pass to the
west, one of the lowest points in the Novasolan Divide and the easiest route
through the Paramounts, connects Artemis to the Twin River basin and western
regions. The pass also allows moisture and rainclouds pass through and reach
the west side of the mountains, giving the area immediately surrounding Artemis
a wetter climate than areas further north or south, but is still more sheltered
from severe weather than Cape George. Artemis serves as the closest and major
metropolitan area for the Fairweather Sound and Prairie regions.
Artemis is the second largest city on Novasola, and as the
capital its largest employer is government, both state and federal. Outside
government its biggest industries are mining and agriculture, especially grain
crops and cattle. The nearby Arrowhead Mountains are used for stone and
precious metal mining, the prairie is an important area for oil wells and
livestock ranching, and the northern coast of Fairweather Sound is a productive
wine region.
Founded in 1780 by English explorer Captain Morgan
Fairweather, Cape George is the first English settlement on the island. The
Cape’s strategic location at the entrance to Charlotte Sound gave the English
command over not just the sound, but also the Twin River basin and the southern
coast in general.
Cape George sees much rain and wind, as nothing buffers it
from the northwesterly prevailing winds, but the warm ocean current, called the
North Pacific Current, flows eastward to Novasola’s south, bringing a warmer water
to Cape George, making the area on average the hottest on the island, with a
climate comparable to San Francisco, CA. The Tower Mountains to the northeast
dump rain along the north of Charlotte Sound, and thus Cape George is often
considered the rainiest city on Novasola, a title it competes to hold with
Vodograd.
With just over 1.5 million people, Cape George is the
largest city on the island and acts in many ways as the economic and cultural
center of Novasola. Its major industries include shipping, fishing, and
tourism. Cape George is a major international port and fueling stop for ships
and airplanes.
Located on the northern coast of Charlotte Sound, between
the mouths of the Castor and Pollux rivers, the city of Twin Rivers was founded
in 1793 as a shipping port for the Twin River valley. The Castor and Pollux
rivers are both extremely important economically and ecologically, and the
basin they create is one of the most fertile areas on the island, thus the twin
river basin is one of the most commercially important agricultural areas on
Novasola, with a wide variety of crops. Anything grown or produced in the
valley can be shipped down either river and end up in the city of Twin Rivers
before being shipped across the pacific. Twin Rivers is the fastest growing city in the state.
The most isolated city on the island, Culver was originally
founded as a trading post in 1884 but remained small until more recent years. Located
in Culver Bay on the east Coast, the area was popular among whalers, which was
its major industry before it was outlawed. Now, Culver is a hotspot for
creative professions like artists and musicians, as well as for outdoor
recreation enthusiasts. Its location provides people access to much of the
Morning Mountains and eastern forests, and its relative isolation has led to
the development of a culture unique to Culver, which is often both celebrated
and mocked by the rest of Novasola.
Vodograd, which in Russian roughly translates to “Water
City”, is the oldest permanent settlement on Novasola outside some
indigenous/tribal sites and was founded by Russian fishermen and traders in
1769. The city, originally a small trading outpost, was located where the
Chidkayook River empties into the Pacific to take advantage of the major salmon
runs and other fish spawning like herring that the river hosted each year. The
Chidkayook is one of the largest rivers on the island, and one of the most
economically and ecologically important for its vast quantities of fish.
Likewise, the forests in the area are dense with massive trees, and thus the
river provides crucial access to logging areas. The Chidkayook also provides a
link to Great Shadow Lake.
Though Vodograd is the smallest metropolitan area on Novasola, its total population varies significantly with the seasons, as one of Vodograd’s biggest industries, after logging and fishing, is tourism. Its population can more than double in the summer as tourists from across the state and even internationally, flock to Novasola’s northwest to take advantage of the many nearby attractions like national forests and parks and Great Shadow Lake.
Charlotte Sound
The Charlotte Sound Region comprises the extreme southwest
of Novasola and includes the areas immediately surrounding Charlotte Sound,
Cape George, and the Georgian Mountain foothills. Because the city of Twin
Rivers is also on Charlotte Sound, this region may also be referred to as the
Cape George Region to better differentiate this region as tied with the city of
Cape George.
Twin River Valley
A major agricultural area, the Twin River Valley Region is the most commercially important and productive region of the island. Also called the Twin River Basin, the region
comprises the entire basin formed by the Castor and Pollux watersheds. This is the fastest growing region in the state by population, as more and more people and industry are taking advantage of the fertile land. Serviced
by and associated with the city of Twin Rivers.
Western Range
General term for the wide expanse of forests and mountains
along the west coast, including the Angelics. The biggest industry in this
region is lumber. Low in population, this area aligns itself with the cities of
Vodograd, Twin Rivers, and Cape George, depending on location.
Chidkayook Basin
This encompasses the entirety of the Chidkayook river basin
and the Great Shadow Lake watershed, as well as the north forests and coast of
Novasola. This region sees heavy logging and fishing, and is served by
Vodograd.
Prairie
Somewhat obvious, the Prairie Region encompassed Novasola’s
interior grasslands, and the dry eastern slopes of the Paramounts. This is an
important agricultural area, especially with grain and livestock, as well as an
important mining region for precious stones, metals, and oil and natural gas.
Generally served by Artemis.
Fairweather Sound
The Fairweather region is comprised of the coast surrounding
Fairweather Sound. The shrubby and Mediterranean climate of this area makes it
an important producer of grapes and wine. This region is served by and highly
associated with the city of Artemis.
Eastern Range
General term for the east coast, Morning Mountains, and
eastern mixed forests. This area is served by the city of Culver generally.
Biggest industries include lumber and mining.
Kosatka Island
Island to the northeast, with a small population. This area
is rugged and mostly undeveloped, with fish as its major industry. This is the
most isolated part of Novasola.
Francis Islands
The Francis Islands are popular tourist destinations. Though isolated and distinct, they are generally served by either Cape
George or Artemis and are sometimes considered part of either the Charlotte
Sound or Fairweather Sound regions.