Cascadia

ISS Satellite imagery of Cascadia, February 2023

Official Wordmark

**Cascadia,** officially **Cascadia Neometropolis**, formerly **Mattupolis**, is the capital and soon-to-be largest city of Armonia. It is located on the Halifax River within an exclave of the State of Everson, and is considered part of North America's Pacific Northwest region. Cascadia sits on the Cascade Bay, 30 miles north of the U.S. state of Washington. It is the centre of Armonia's business, economy, and government. In recent years, it has been colloquially referred to as **The Capitol.**

The city was known as Mattupolis until 2021, when the Armonian Federal Government announced it had selected the city to serve as the new capital, due to Newisle reaching population capacity. Mattupolis was officially renamed to Cascadia in 2022. The city is now the site of the single largest infrastructure project in North America, referred to as Project Cascadia, which will see the city radically transformed physically, economically, and industrially, with a goal to platform Cascadia as a globally recognised metropolis and centre of business. As a result of the relocation of the government, many companies headquartered in Newisle have announced they will be moving their offices as well, causing an expected jump in city population.

Cascadia is a hub for technology, government, and medical development.

## History

Cascadia was originally established as a mining outpost during the western gold rush, as early surveyors identified massive cave systems and ravines rich with minerals and gems underground. As a result, the city became an early mining capital, leveraging its proximity to the ocean for shipping down the Pacific coast. The unincorporated settlement was referred to as Northwestern Outpost until the early 1800s, when it was formally established as Mattupolis, named after Cyril Matts, an mineral magnate and industrialist. Matts pioneered a groundbreaking engineering system which allowed for mining to occur beneath the Cascade Bay. However, due to Matts' reliance on slave labour for mining operations, Mattupolis served as a massive human trading city until Armonia finally abolished slavery in 1850. Nearing the end of his life at the turn of the century with no remaining family or loved ones, Matts bequeathed his entire multi-billion dollar estate to the city to create public enrichment centres like libraries, museums, and universities. He was also the only slave owner at the time to publicly announced his remorse for leveraging indentured labour, and the only Mattupolis business magnate to create funds and organisations aimed to educate former slaves.

As mining operations began to slow, the Armonian government decided to rezone much of the city for manufacturing in the 1920s. Mattupolis continued to serve as Armonia's primary manufacturer until the 1990s, when businesses began to shift to other areas in Armonia (rather than outsource, which the federal government heavily taxed). In it's place, healthcare and technology companies relocated to the large abandonded plots, expanding rapidly the city's population. With the economic boost of these new companies, Mattupolis was able to construct skyscrapers and other buildings to give the city a more modern appearance. Increased tech and startup presence in the 2000s give rise to Mattupolis' nickname "Silicon North."

In 2021, arGov selected Mattupolis to replace Newisle as the Armonian capital, and announced that the city will be resettled as Cascadia using territory seeded from the state of Everson. This relocation would involve the reconstruction of the majority of the city, the expansion and establishment of new public transportation systems, and the reorganisation of the majority of streets and neighborhoods whose names come from slave owning families. A museum will also be created memorialising the hardship and discrimination of enslaved miners, with the goal of educating next generations. For more information, see Project Cascadia.

The citys name originates from the Cascade Mountain range, and the colloquial name of the Pacific Northwest region.

Mattupolis, reconstruction, capitol status, etc.

## Geography

The city is situated around the Cascade Bay, which serves as a basin for the Halifax River that empties into the Pacific Ocean. The city is framed by the Forrestal and Timberline mountains.

Cascadia is situated around the eponymous Cascade Bay, located near the mouth of the Halifax River, which empties into the Pacific Ocean. The city is framed by Mount Forrestal and Mount xxxx, which are part of the Cascade mountain range.

### Climate

Cascadia has a temperate climate, and experiences all four seasons. Weather events such as rain are infrequent compared to other cities in the Pacific Northwest region, but are still an identifiable characteristic of the city’s identity. Snow is rare but is known to occur several times a year due to proximity to Mount Forrestal. The city is not prone to natural disasters other than an occasional earthquake.

The city is heavily forested with pine trees, which serve as a symbol and the unofficial “city flower.” The abundance of pine, oak, and other fauna give Cascadia an extensive tree canopy and contribute to the city’s extraordinarily clean and and crisp air quality.

### City Organisation

Cascadia is divided into four wards. Each ward houses several distinct districts that are divided by natural geography or transportation infrastructure. These wards were established by Project Cascadia, which also ushered in new district names and zoning. These districts and wards determine representation in city government.

**List of Wards and Districts in Cascadia**

## Demographics

Significant queer presence, minorities, immigration heaven.

### Population

Population figures are currently being calculated by district as buildings are refurbished. Official estimates will be coming soon. Unlike prior projects, Cascadia's population does not have a multiplier and are considered "raw values."

### Standardisation

In order to measure, represent data, and convey information, standards protocols are in effect. See Standardisation in Armonia.

## Economy

Hub for tech, medicine, science, government. "Silicon North." French.

## Culture

As Cascadia becomes Armonia's capitol, signage is slowly being updated to feature both English and French across the entire region.

British English, French. Outdoors focused. Diversity hub.

### Landmarks

* Hockey Arena
* Space Needle
* List the number of parks
* Convention Centre
* Music festival

### Sports

Cascadia is known for it's hockey team, the Cascadia \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

## Government

Cascadia is governed by the Neometropolitan Committee (NMC or MetCom) and is formed by representatives of each district. The head of the NMC is formally referred to as the Lord Mayor. Although it is physically an enclave of, and *de facto* associated with, the State of Everson, Cascadia is legally an autonomous city-state and federal district whose laws and regulations supersede that of the state.

## Transportation

Cascadia is world renowned for its public transportation network and exterior connectivity. Modes of transoprt include a well-developed highway network, light rail and Metro system, commuter rail, long distance domestic, and international rail services, seaplane network, and international airport.

### Roadways

Cascadia has several major highways that connect the city internally and externally.

### Railways

Cascadia is a public transportation focused city, with a goal of becoming the most well-connected urban hub in the world.

### Airports

Coleman International Airport, named after historical aviator Bessie Coleman, is Cascadia's only airport which serves domestic, international, and transborder flights. There is an active proposal to construct Keaton Regional Airport, which would serve lower cost travel and would be the first project to exist off-site from the server.

See also: History of public transportation in Cascadia