New Mombasa

New Mombasa was a major port city and industrial center on Mombasa Island in south Kenya, in the East African Protectorate on Earth. On the mouth of the river north of the island is the New Mombasa Orbital Elevator, a dominant feature of the city skyline. Old Mombasa is located on the mainland north and south of the island. Like Earth's other tether cities, New Mombasa's infrastructure was managed with the help of a second-generation "dumb" AI, the Superintendent.
== Geography ==
The dramatic rise of sea levels has changed the coastlines of Mombasa Island and its surroundings over the centuries. This has also forced a seawall to be built around the city, in order to prevent it from being flooded. A highway runs along the seawall surrounding the island. While the island was originally about as wide on the north as on the southern side, this has changed due to sea levels rising. Despite them dropping at some point, large areas of former land still remain underwater. A notable example of this is the mainland northwest of the island; while originally a large peninsula, this landmass is now completely underwater.
The northern side of the island still retains more of its original width than the southern section protruding from it. There, sea has occupied larger areas of land, leaving the southern half much more narrow. The narrow southern half houses the city center and the business districts of the city, while on the northern side, industrial structures are more prevalent.
From the northern side of the island, a massive suspension bridge connects the island to the mainland. Starting at some point near the city center, the New Mombasa 105 East highway leads over the bridge, to the old city. Near the end of the bridge on the north end of the island, is New Mombasa's industrial district.
The Mombasa space elevator is located in the city center, surrounded by massive skyscrapers. A large artificial canal, cut through the island, houses docking and cargo handling facilities.
Kilindini Harbor is a large, natural deep-water inlet extending inland from the east coast. Managed by the Kenya Ports Authority, the harbor is the main part of the Port of Mombasa and was the only international seaport in Kenya prior to the construction of the Dongo Kundu and Lamu port facilities during the early 21st century.
== History ==
=== Mombasa ===
Mombasa had always been an important port of the Indian Ocean trade routes and was captured and recaptured countless times by a variety of powers including Portugal, the United Kingdom, and various Arab forces. This violent history led to its Swahili nickname "Kisiwa Cha Mvita," or "Island of War." The city became part of the independent nation of Kenya in the 20th century. During this era, Mombasa became a tourist destination, boasting numerous resorts and clean, white beaches. It was also important as a port city, connecting East Africa to the Indian Ocean.
=== Formation of New Mombasa ===
In 2302, due to its economic stability and prominent location, New Mombasa—at that time the world's busiest seaport—was chosen to be Earth's first Space Elevator city. The elevator transformed the city; New Mombasa became one of the most important cities on Earth.
Over the next eleven years the city experienced explosive growth, but nothing compared to what followed. The city grew out as well as up, its urban sprawl unequaled throughout the continent. An influx of trade, citizens, and jobs drastically changed the landscape of the city. Within a century, older housing and hotels on Mombasa Island were replaced with vast industrial complexes and gleaming office towers.
Mombasa would change dramatically with the arrival of the interstellar era. By 2430, New Mombasa had absorbed the entire island and many of the surrounding towns, which became overrun by residents of Mombasa. The switch of name was never official, and though many of the neighborhoods within direct line of sight to the Mombasa Tether still distributed newspapers and chatter directories under their previous names, all municipalities within a 74-kilometer radius of the island became referred to as "Old Mombasa."
By the 26th century the city was a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis, boasting such amenities as a mile-long suspension bridge, a highly efficient MagLev Train system, an automatic highway network, a large police department, and large-scale recreational areas.