Balamb
From Xinda
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| Nation | Tzen | ||
| Spoken Languages Official Unofficial | Tzeni English, Caldanese Latagonian | ||
| Government Magnate (Head of State)
Mayor (Head of Gov't) | City-State Loric the Mad Michael Davis | ||
| Founded Principality City | Circa 1100 C.E. T.Y. 1087 T.Y. 1201 | ||
| Population • 2008 census | 7,378,190 | ||
Balamb is the Holy Constitutional Monarchy's largest city with a vibrant and active population of over 7.3 million citizens. Many of the nation's most liberal and enlightened people consider the city to be the true 'capital' due to the presence of the nation's various government offices and courts: the National Assembly, the nation's legislative branch and the Superior Court. Ever since Balamb was an independent principality under the Simmons Family, Balamb has been the epicenter of Tzen culture, higher learning and the sciences. This continues to be true today with the recently passed Sciences Incentives Act by the National Assembly which gives companies which fall into the high-technology, software, biotechnology and life sciences sectors incentives and research grants to open up businesses in the booming Balamb Industrial Park. So far many companies have taken advantage of this and unemployment in the city has decreased 4.2% this year alone. The political atmosphere is that of moderate independents and while the National Front is the controlling party, Balamb is rather liberal with at least 31% describing themselves as leaning members of the Movement for Reform and Progress (MRP) due to this, Balamb is a major liberal stronghold which has gone to the MRP since the establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy in T.Y. 1257 under the reign of His Majesty King Kefka Almasy.
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[edit] Transportation
[edit] Public Transportation
Due to the city's importance to the nation at large, His Majesty the Magnate Loric Almasy, has made sure that the economic, social and technological center is not without proper transit infrastructure. Within the city there are several busy tram routes which crisscross the center of town, with the majority of lines starting outside the Balamb Rail Terminal. The city is still behind when it comes to underground metros but it is sufficient for the city and has three lines, all of which go through the middle of the Downtown district. Balamb hasn't been able to avoid the traffic woes of other major cities throughout the world but Mayor Davis upon his election a year ago issued an order which made cars pay a tax to enter the city center during certain hours of the day except for taxis and other public transit vehicles. This has cut down on independent drivers by 20% and has also seen a 9.9% increase in public transit riders this year.
[edit] Inter-City and International Transit
Balamb is well-connected to the rest of the country and that of the world. The city is connected by three major autoroutes: the A1 (Jacinto-Balamb), the A3 (Balamb-Port Sinclair) and the A5 (Balamb-Narshe). All autoroutes in Tzen are equipped with manned and automated tolls to defray the cost of upkeep. As of yet there hasn't been any complaints over the tolls as they are kept reasonably low. If driving yourself is not in mind for you, there is also one of the nation's two international airports, Balamb Almasy Airport that serves many popular destinations all over the world and its the hub airport for Royal Tzen Airlines. If traveling by airplane frightens you, Tzen has upgraded all its major railway lines throughout the land to be powered by electric trainsets, namely the Razor Train technology acquired through negotiations with Cramsfordd. Travel time between Jacinto and Balamb is 60 minutes while Balamb to Port Sinclair is 90 minutes. The longest trip by train that lasts overnight is the Trans-Tzen Express which goes from Balamb to Miranda via Jacinto.
[edit] Brief History
The City of Balamb was in fact not a city but its own sovereign state prior to the Unification War between the Almasy and Figaro Families at the Battle of Raven Rock in 1200. It was in 1087 that Henry Simmons became the leader of the small, profitable principality. Over the decades, it grew larger and larger, slowly taking over the smaller surrounding villages, hamlets and for a time controlled the relatively large Fiefdom of Valais. By 1155, Balamb was the third largest domain in the area, only shadowed by the Dukedoms of Jacinto and Miranda. When Henry's successor David the Merry died in 1169, the people heralded the ascendancy George the Pure in 1171 and by 1199, a year before the Unification War had reached its peak, both Jacinto and Miranda sent delegates to plead the Principality to support their side. After many audiences, George declared his support for Almasy and was responsible for tipping the odds in their favor. Due to his service, he was the first mayor of Balamb. Since then whenever a Simmons is up for election, he is pretty much already the winner. Today, Balamb continues to be an important if not inseparable part of Tzen.
[edit] Important Places
For a city that is well-regarded throughout much of the world, Balamb is home to many interesting locales. Within the quiet and quaint Churchgate district, people in the thousands stream through Zenithar Square to peruse and purchase fresh meats, fish, fruits and vegetables when farmers from all around the local area to sell their wares. This usually occurs on Saturdays since small businesses are not allowed to operate on Sunday per religious guidelines.
If that's not for you, then for those who are willing to spend hours just exploring and acting like a tourist, the Xadi Museum offers the most extensive collection of Tzen and foreign art pieces from around the world including famed Tzen artist Andrew Thomas' portrait of Peter Almasy right after his victory at Raven Rock. Other cultural hotspots include the famous Tzen Opera House, the Gallerias, the calm Niche Gardens outside Simmons Manor. For those who don't mind a short ride out into the countryside, the annual State horse race, with riders wearing the heraldry of the past independent domains. These normally occur at the first of August in celebration for the Second Planting Holiday.
While being a tourist requires one to look around, one doesn't have to follow the crowds. An interesting place to visit is the Waterfront and Downtown. Balamb might be the business center of the nation with a modern skyline, the Waterfront still carries that old world charm brought over from the old Tzen. At the heart of Downtown is Simmons Square, here is the location of the medieval City Hall, built at the very foundation of Balamb as a community gathering point to trade and gossip. On Mondays, there is the traditional Julianos Parade where people along the route praise the Lord for his continued guidance for their lives and the longevity of the Monarchy. The route ends at the Balamb Cathedral which like the other large churches in the nation are dedicated to the worship of the Nine Divines and out of them, Julianos. He is also known as Dauros in this part of the country.
Ten minutes outside of the city proper, lies the wealthy communities of Bastilla Downs which is home to the soon-to-be or possible resort and casino complex including the rarely-used Bastilla Downs Racetrack where horse races occur monthly. Rumors have it Sunset Entertainment will announce their plans in the coming days. His Majesty Loric Almasy has a personal villa in the neighborhood and Chancellor Walker sometimes invite foreign delegates and officials to spend the night there as a gesture of goodwill. Also outside the urban limits of Balamb lies Dollet, a gated community for the city's most seclusive and wealthiest individuals.
