Margate City

Margate City, officially the Federal Capital of the Republic of Margate, is the capital and largest city in Margate. The city is home to 6.5 million residents squeezed onto a small island of 700 square kilometers, and is the political, and primary economic and cultural center of Margate.

The city is one of the top financial centers in the continent, with major banks having regional headquarters here, as well as the reputable Maritime Stock Exchange. The city's economy also relies on trade passing through the Port of Tuarkis, which combined with the adjacent Port of Sungei Hijau across the Marga Straits, is the second-busiest transshipment port in Antarctica.

The population is highly diverse and the mix of cultures and traditions have influenced what Margate City is today, with Zhouese-Peletoniums taking up 55% of the population. Foreign-born penguins take up almost 40% of the city's population. It is rated as one of the most popular cities to work and live in, as well as one of the easiest to do business. Among world capitals, Margate City is regarded as the second safest after Jokyo, Japaland.

Early Beginnings
Margate City was founded in 1819 by Raffles Wachenburg for the HPC, then known as Marga Island. He settled an agreemnt with the current sultan(as well as Sherby Hoodwounds, which owned the island), and bought over Marga Island as well as Margate Central Island, and the town of Margate was born. A plan was set up to develop the area around the Marga River, now known as the Civic District. Within just half a year, the population of the HPC colony increased tenfold, to about 2000 penguins. The Commercial Square was set up, later becoming the Central Business District of Margate, known as Raffles Square. It was to be a free port - no tax at all, and that continues to be of present times, becoming the secret of the town's success.

The town was divided into 5 districts - Zhoutown, Kampong Hindonesie, Little Hindia, Mainland District, and Telok Mayer, for the various ethnic groups. People then just worked for money, in a strange and faraway land. No one considered settling down. The many workers, mainly from Zhou, got away from home due to wars or low pay or maybe just umenployed. Unskilled and speaking various languages, they built the foundations of the success of the city. Sadly, they came and most never got home.

As the town expanded, so did the economy. By 1830, it was the busiest port in the Sub-Antarctic region, with boats of every kind stopping and merchants trading. Business boomed, and penguins started to settle down.

By 1860, Margate Town was a bustling town with the largest port in the region. Rubber Plantations grew and were developed on the island as well as Central, and the population grew to 80000. A new port, now called the Leppler Harbor, was set up the nearby Leppler area, (built by convicts from Hindia under the HPC-Puffish Agreement of 1858) and the town became "the crown jewel of the HPC empire (did they have one?)". 10 years later the Causeway, linking the island to the mainland of Central opened with a new rail link, allowing the town to profit from Central's hinterland, then known as Kenestral. Cars were also introduced in 1906. Living conditions were harsh, but the worst was yet to come.

The Khanzem War
Almost a hundred years from 1819, in 1913, the HPC was couped. Resistance forces attempted to protect Margate, where some swore they would protect the island from falling. The Japalandese landed on the Eastern Coast, taking Muxen-Liad and several other towns and To no avail, Central was taken in 30 days by the Japalandese and the Khanzem, with the last town, Mohr Laru, falling by the end of January. The Battle of Marga Island was to begin.

First, the Japalandese shifted their forces to the North East coast, landing on the island of Pulau Kubin. The Puffish shifted their defenses there, as well as blowing up the Causeway and the Naval Base. Then, on 3rd February, the Japalandese disguised as civilians crossed the Marga North Straits, taking the Austicean forces by surprise. A day later, the Japalandese finished rebuilding the Causeway and marched. The resistance and Puffish then had no choice but to move to the Burong-Ranjee Line. 5th February. The Japalandese have taken the entire Western region. After a heavily fought battle, the Burong-Ranjee Line collapsed and the Japalandese marched down Bukit Limahf Road and took over the 3 reservoirs of the island. and on the 6th to 7th, the last few battles were fought. Japalandese forces swopt in the Eastern Coast with no resistance, and marched to the City Limits, where heavy resistance was met. At midnight on the 15th, the Puffish and the Resistance surrendered to the Japalandese.

By 1918, the Good Guys and resistance defeated Khanzem and now all was left was the surrender of the Japalandese. The Japalandese government refused to surrender despite the fact that cities were being bombed and its citizens died in combat, losing thousands and thousands every day. On the 5th of August, the atomic bomb (aka Big Momma) was dropped on two Japalandese cities. They surrendered and signed a treaty.

Sherbian Rule
In 1919, the city was briefly held by the Puffish, then given to Sherby Hoodwounds. The people no longer though the High Penguins were capable rulers, hence the Great High Penguin Revolt of 1919 caused 12 deaths (all of which were High Penguins), 198 penguins injured and 572 to be arrested. In the end, the riots ended in 1923, when the Sherbians had no choice but to excecute 16 penguins. Afriad of excecution, the penguins stopped the riots. All was well until the Great Depression of 1929, which caused the economy to plunge into recession. The situation was so bad the riots began again, and the Margatian Independence War began, lasting from 1941 to 1945. The city was the capital of the resistance and from there, they invaded the remainder part of Margate Central Island, causing the Sherbians suurender and give them self-governance.

After most matters had been settled (and more angry penguins), they merged with Azilda in 1963. But in 1964, the Milton Hotel in Margate City was bombed by Sherbians, causing major casualties. As a result, Lee Kuan You, the leader of the Penguins Action Party, which was the ruling party of the MAI, decided to seperate from Azilda as there was internal conflict between Adzilllans and Margatians.

The Capital of Margate
Margate City became the capital of the forming MAI in 1965, and it faced rapid growth as penguins flocked to the city for jobs. Slums grew exponentially and unemployment rates were increasing. Facing a massive task at hand, with the help of the UAN, a master plan was developed for the development and expansion of Margate City to allow three million residents to live and work within the city limits. This involved building a series of self-contained satellite towns, each with shopping, leisure and employment options, and access to a proposed metro system. These satellite towns would surround a Green Reserve where the reservoirs and primary rainforest was located. Additionally, a mega-industrial complex would be built to provide jobs in the manufacturing industry.

The first satellite town was completed in 1971. Called Kingston, it was the epitome of public housing projects in Antarctica at the time and became the envy of the continent. The town was transit-oriented and with the bus terminal forming an integral part of the town centre, which was located in the middle of the estate. The town center had amenities such as department stores, markets, a government mega-clinic, a bowling alley, a cinema and a sports complex. These state of the art facilities were the pride of the nation, and the Kingston-style satellite town model was replicated many times over, including in other cities such as Muxen-Liad and Fjord Lumpur.

The mega-industrial complex was located in the Tanjong Buroh district, with a proposed second phase in the adjacent Tuarkis region and a third phase done through land reclamation. Initially thought to be a folly but market analysts, the government initiated an agressive advertising campaign, and within five years of launch all available plot on Phase One were sold out, and in total over the next 15 years over a 150 international corporations owned a factory here, with hundreds of local manufacturers and companies also setting up shop in a region that was once swampland.

Infrastructural improvement also became a priority as the master plan was executed. In 1981, Lhangi Airport was opened to relieve operations at the congested Laya Pebar airport. Around the same time, the East Coast Highway, running from the airport to the city, then to the ports and the industrial complex, opened, relieving much pressure on the roads. Over the next 15 years seven other highways would be completed. The Rapid Transit system was approved and construction began in 1982, more than a decade after it was suggested. 1987 marked the opening of the initial segment Rapid Transit system, and by 1990 the initial system had been completed with 3 major lines running from the satellite towns to the city centre.

The Margatian government set out for more ambitious things - in 1989 it was announced that the Eastern Offshore Islands would be reclaimed to form a massive island for a new petrochemical industrial complex. Initial reclamation and development was completed in 2000, more than 9 years ahead of schedule. Being a particularly important sea-trading stop, having oil refineries and LNG terminals further increased Margate City's reputation. The government also pushed for Margate City to become a premier banking and financial hub in the 1990s, and today the Central Business District is well known for it's glimmering office blocks and skyscrapers, many of which are dominated by such companies.

The new millenium has brought new attractions and vibrancy to Margate City - the opening of The Durian Performing Arts Theaters in 2003, relaxations on rules for public demonstrations in 2005, the revival of the Margate Grand Prix in 2008 and hosting the fisrt Summer Youth Olympics in 2010. The Rapid Transit System has not kept up to the changing times and increased population and has declined in standards, leading to frustration amongst citizens. The city was also placed under martial law and damaged during the Fall of Nexon, Margate's subsequent cold war with Nexon and it's re-annexation. Nevertheless, the city has grown and shone on the international stage.

Topography
Margate City consists of the island of Marga and all surrounding small islands. It is located off the coast of Kenestral Island, and as a result has the same rock and soil conditions as the mainland. The island is small at 730km2, with approximately 200km2 having being reclaimed from the sea, which began in the 1960s. Many key infrastructural projects were built on reclaimed land, including Lhangi Airport, Buroh Island, home to a petrochemical refining complex, Tuarkis Port and the extension of the Central Business District known as Crescentia. Today most reclamation has ceased as more emphasis was placed on the development of the mainland.

The island is low lying, with a significant portion less than 10 meters above sea level. Hilly ranges span the southern region of the city, where unlike in the north, hills were not leveled (or only partially leveled) to make way for the satellite towns. The tallest point is Bukit Emas (Gold Hill in Malay) at 165m above sea level, located within the Central Nature Reserve, located in the middle of the city.

Margate City used to have many rivers, but efforts to make Margate a self-sufficient nation in water resources meant that many river estuaries were dammed up, including the famous Marga River, which the city grew around. Today there are few natural rivers flowing out to sea.

Climate
Like the rest of the island, Margate City has a tropical climate, due to a partial hole in the ozone layer. Thus, most penguins, with the exception of locals, cannot bear the heat. It never snows, but it rains almost daily. There are no seasons, and it is almost summer all year around. It is classified as a Class A under the Kloppen climate survey. However, it snows once a year on average. How strange. But a few Margatians hate it when snow comes, despite the fact that they are penguins.

Architecture
Margate City's primary architectural style is a unique blend of old colonial buildings in the colonial district, utilitarian/brutalist-style apartment blocks, office blocks and transit stations from post-independence to around 1990 in the older suburbs, and the glass-and-metal skyscrapers that make up most of the present-day skyline in the Central Business District and in the newer suburbs. This makes for an interesting look and feel when looked from a different angle, however most people are familiar with the skyline CBD, giving the impression of modernity, when the city is actually full of culture and history.

Payer Jahat (pronounced pah-yer jar-hart) Airbase's proximity to the Central Business District limits the height of the tallest buildings to 300m. This restriction is likely to be lifted when the airbase is replaced by a new one on the mainland in 2022. Land-use planning and restricts most buildings in the suburbs to thirty stories high (or 90m, whichever comes first)



Pre-independence buildings mostly come in the form of shophouses, a design unique to Margate and the Asiapelago. They usually consist of two to three levels, with shops on the ground floor and the upper levels used for residential purposes, although today they are usually used as office space, exercise studios and heritage centers. These shophouses usually have a blend of Archipelagoan, Asiapelagoan and Freezelandian motifs and designs, both on the interior and exterior. These are usually located in the colonial districts.

Brutalist and utilitarian architecture was used for efficiency and cost-saving after independence up to 1990, when the government started paying more attention to aesthetics and the image of the city. Seen in the older apartment flats and older office blocks on the fringe of the Central Business District, these are usually prefabricated or have a simplistic yet elegant design. Newer buildings use not only glass, steel and concrete among the likes of modern construction materials, but also high-tech equipment which saves electrical, water and gas bills, including darkened glass, green walls and water-catchment systems.

Districts
Margate has five major regions, which are further divided into districts.
 * Buroh-Tuarkis is the industrial center of the city and also comprises several New Towns
 * Bandar Hutan is home to the city's innovation center and is the gateway from the mainland to the city proper
 * Lhangi is rich in culture and history, having been developed in colonial times. The airport is located in this region.
 * Tsin Kang is full of high-density and new residential towns
 * Central District is home to the old colonial town, the Central Business District and most office space, as well as many luxury homes and villas on it's outskirts.

Landmarks


Another is TheDurian, a concert and performing arts centre which the roof is the shape of a durian, actually being solar panels. It has many a time been criticized for its architecture, but many Margatians regard it as a landmark. Well known is the control tower of Lhangi International Airport, which has been a symbol of rapid growth and development. And finally, what other better than the Port of Margate City, the continent's third busiest port and the city's main economic growth factor.

Culture
The city has one of the most diverse ethnic groups and since racial harmony is celebrated here, cultures do mix a lot. For example, a Zhouese may eat Japalandese food and learn about Castillan traditions. Well, you get the point. According to research Margate City is the most peaceful city in terms of racial harmony in Antarctica. In fact, High Penguins and Khanz Penguins get along well. O_O Okay...that's just weird. A holiday is actually dedicated to racial harmony in July. What's more, it's a PUBLIC HOLIDAY. That's just how obsessed Margatians are with racial harmony.

The Arts
Margate City is practically a must visit for performing arts. They even claim Margate City is better than South Pole City in terms of performing arts. A great centre for Asiapelagoan arts, festivities and more. Margate City is home to one of the biggest performing arts centre in Antarctica. TheDurian was constructed and completed for this sole purpose. There is also the Alexandrina Threatre, National Arts Centre and the Central Bay Theatre. There is even a specialized secondary school, The Arts School. The National Perfroming Arts Festival is held every year, comprising of various art performances from all over Antarctica, including the Ninja Archipelago. It is usually held in April. In 2013, it was held on the 2nd to 17th of April.

There is also Antarctica's third permanent IMAX movie theater in Fruit Grove shopping district, and there are 7 1000-seater open-air amphitheaters located in Bruong Lake District, Woodgrove, Pinewoods, and the remainder in the City's CBD.

Margate City is also a food hub due to its higher-than Margate average foreign population. There is plently to eat, and at least 5 food festivals are held here annually, most prominently the Margate City Festival O' Food , which is held in July.

Sports
Margate City is home to the national team of sports and the most successful clubs in the Margate Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Badminton and Table Tennis Leagues. Ironically enough, despite their busy lifestyles, penguins still have time to play and enjoy sports. The city's council predominantly invests in these 4 clubs, which are all called the Margate City Rovers. All of them have won at least 6 titles in the Margatian leagues and at least 1 title in overseas competition.

Demographics
Margate City has a population of 5,521,964 as of 2013, of which 55% are Zhouese-Peletoniums, 15% Enclave Peletoniums, 5% Adelie Penguins and the Remainder 25% other species and other ethnic groups. THe city has the highest city population and has the 7th most land ares for a city in Margate. The median ages is 35 for female and 36 for male here. Penguins living here typically earn about M$7000 (which is about 5500 fish) a month/

Road
The city is served by about 4000km of roads, about 200km of which are expressways. There are 8 expressways in Margate City, which are the Pan-City Highway, a 10-lane highway spanning the city island, SouthwestCoast Highway, the highway leading to the airport which also has 5 lanes, and more. There are also some main arterial raods, such as Thomspon Raod, Bukit Limaf Raod, NorthWest Coast Road, the Outer Ring Road and the Inner Ring Road, etc.

Air
Margate City is served by two airports, the Lhangi International Airport, which the national carrier of Margate, Margate Airlines and renowned budget airline SherbyBlue operates out from. It was opened in 1981, and boasts 3 terminals with an upcoming fourth and a capacity of 64 million a year. The airport has been ranked one of the best airports in the continent, partly due to its architecture and wide range of facilities, such as gardens, restaurants, a libraries, swimming pools, a gym, playground and even a mini shopping mall. Despite all this, the airport is still one of the cleanest and most pleasant to go to. However, the terminals are huge and it takes a lot of time to get from one point to another.

The second is the old Snowlater Airport, Margate City's first airport, was reopened in 2011 for the private aviation industry.

Rapid Transit System
See Margate City RTS for more information.

The Rapid Transit System of Margate City, locally known as the RTS or the Metro System, opened in 1987 with 5 stations from Hio Cu Gang to Ta Payao. Today, it is a national icon for both the the city and the country, with 102 station on about 250km of lines, with 5 lines (and 4 more others that will be completed by 2030)

The Green Line, Red Line and Purple Line are arterial lines which serve Margate City's outer districts and satellite towns and connect them to the city, the Orange line an orbital line which connects the three lines outside the city, and the Blue Line which is a soon-to-be completed arterial line but now currently serves the city centre.

Today, about 1.7 million penguins and puffles commute on the RTS daily.

Bus
With 2.97 million rides a day, most Margatians use the bus as a replacement for the RTS if there is no station or if they simply want to make a short journey or transfer. Two operators run the about 900+ routes, Margate City Bus Transit (MCBT) and Trans City Bus Services (TCBS)

Sea
There are ferries leaving the city from the Lhangi Ferry Terminal on the East Coast, near the airport.