Arcadia


 * Not to be confused with Acadia

Arcadia, officially the City of Arcadia, is a city in Trans-Antarctica located between Sunshine Fjord and Antilles, and is the county seat of Sunshine County, which includes Arcadia, Sunshine Fjord, and some other towns and cities. The city is one of the largest cities in Trans-Antarctica and one of the largest cities in the United States of Antarctica as well, with a population of around 1.2 million. Arcadia is a major port city on the Trans-Antarctic coast, owing to its position on SABER, and it is an important shipping and financial center in the region.

Founded by a minor branch of a noble family in the High Penguin Confederacy during the middle ages, Arcadia began to expand due to its status as a trade port and location on both land and maritime trade routes. Arcadia was spared the destruction of the Khanzem War, instead remaining firmly under the control of the Good Guys during the war. After the United States of Antarctica was founded in 2000 following the Antarctic Revolution, Arcadia retained its position as a significant trade port, and the city's economy grew as a result of the founding of SABER a few years earlier.

History
The city of Arcadia was founded by the younger son of a noble family in the High Penguin Confederacy, who would later become the founder of the ruling family in the city during the High Penguin Confederacy era. Originally from the province of Baile Átha in the High Penguin Confederacy, the noble discovered an area on the coast of Trans-Antarctica while adventuring that he judged to be ideal for settlement. A small village was built soon after, and soon grow into a town and became a minor market town and trading port due to its location on land trade routes and on the Antarctic coast.

Arcadia prospered under its rulers during the high middle ages, with the city growing to become a significant trade port due to its close location to the Asiapelago, which many traders desired to go to. The city grew to become powerful in its region, establishing control over neighboring lands, and the city's government also maintained a powerful navy to protect the lucrative trade routes. By the 1700s, Arcadia had grown to become one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the province of Nykøbing, and had some influence in the High Penguin Confederacy court in the capital.

During the Khanzem War, the city received thousands of refugees, with many of the refugees also fleeing slavery at the hands of Khanzem, which had overthrown the High Penguin Confederacy. The Good Guy forces quickly established control of that area of the Trans-Antarctic coast, with other cities such as Antilles and Miranda also remaining in Good Guy hands throughout the war. Khanzem attempted to launch multiple attacks to defeat the Good Guys and bring the area under their control, but the attacks all failed, with the Good Guys managing to keep a firm hold over the area.

Arcadia became a city in the Snowman Empire after the Khanzem War, and then Olde Antarctica, which replaced the Snowman Empire a few years later. After STINC overthrew Olde Antarctica in 1990 and established STINC-zachal, the city came under the control of STINC forces for a few weeks, until it was liberated by Bridgestadt Pact forces during the invasion of Antarctica. The city then became a part of Colonial Antarctica, colony of Puffle'and, in 1990, and remained so until 1999, when rebels overthrow the Puffish colonial administration over the continent during the Antarctic Revolution.

After the United States of Antarctica was established in 2000 following the end of the Antarctic Revolution, Arcadia became a city in the state of Trans-Antarctica. Having suffered a population decline due to years of warfare, Arcadia saw population growth once again after the Antarctic Revolution as many began moving to Trans-Antarctica, with many moving to the city. The construction of Highway 1 a few years later allowed for faster commerce, making it easier for goods to be shipped between Arcadia and the other major cities in Trans-Antarctica and the United States of Antarctica.

Government
The executive branch of the city consists of the mayor, while the legislative branch consists of the city council, which is made up of ten members. The mayor is elected every four years in a vote across the entire city, while the city council members are elected by their respective districts every four years as well. Arcadia's mayor has the authority to appoint many important positions in the city's government, and also has veto power. Law enforcement is provided by the Arcadia Police Department, while firefighting services are provided by the Arcadia Fire Department.

Economy
The Port of Arcadia is one of the busiest and largest ports in Trans-Antarctica, and has been a major part of the city's economy. Arcadia's location on SABER links it to many other major ports in the Sub-Antarctic and around Antarctica, meaning that goods are often shipped to and from Arcadia. Though not one of the largest business and financial centers of Antarctica, Arcadia is nevertheless a somewhat significant business and financial center in Trans-Antarctica, and there are some major companies which have either headquarters or offices located within Arcadia.

Geography
Arcadia is located on the southern coast of Trans-Antarctica, close to the mouth of the Sunshine River. The city of Arcadia is mostly located on the island of the same name, with the neighboring Kent Island, where the Arcadia International Airport is located, also being a part of the city. It has an area of around 58 sq mi, of which Arcadia Island is about 50 sq mi. The island is located within a lagoon in the Sub-Antarctic Sea, with two inlets providing access to the sea. Arcadia is at the center of the Greater Arcadia Area, which consists of many smaller towns and cities around it.

Sister Cities

 * Tropicalis_Flag.png Beaksledge, Tropicalis
 * NewUnitedProvincesFlag.png Dolphinas, United Provinces
 * Freezelandflag.jpg Fanon City, Freezeland
 * AcadiaFlag.png Rochelle, Acadia