Laeralsford
Laeralsford
中水福特 | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
 | |
 Laeralsford on a map of central Laeral | |
| Country | Laeral |
| Province | Laeralsford |
| Founded | 1718 |
| Founded by | Duke Jean-Baptiste I |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Nathalie Lefevre (Socialist) |
| Elevation | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Population (2018) | |
| • Total | 14,812,091 |
| Laeralsford Province | |
| Time zone | UTC+2 |
| Website | laeralsford.gov.lr |
Laeralsford is the capital city of Laeral, located in the eastern central Laeral along the Zhongshui river, within the region known as the Riverlands. The Laeralsford Municipal District is the largest municipality in Laeral, which makes up most of the province known as Laeralsford. Laeralsford province has over 14 million residents, making Greater Laeralsford one of the largest urban areas in the International Democratic Union. Laeralsford was established by the Arrivée French settlers by an act of Duke Jean-Baptiste I; the city was also the site of the duke's Spring Court. The Treaty of Laeralsford, signed in 1855 to end the Laeralian War of Independence, was signed in the city. Laeralsford became Laeral's capital in 1894, succeeding Althea. By 1900, Laeralsford had become the nation's largest city, due to industrialization and a major influx of rural laborers searching for jobs in the city's factories. Laeralsford was at the center of the Laeralian Revolution, the Bloody Summer, and numerous social movements.
Laeralsford is the capital of Laeral and houses all national institutions. Laeralsford's sports teams consistently rank among the nation's most successful; Laeralsford AC and Ville Laeralsford are the city's two largest football teams, which consistently battle to lead the Ligue 1. Other sports franchises include the city's two Laeralian Basketball Association teams, the North Bank Titans and South Bank Tigers. Railroads, highways, airports, and bus lines connect Laeralsford with all parts of continental Laeral. The city's primary airport, Laeralsford-René Gramont International Airport, is the busiest airport by volume of passengers and among the busiest airports in the IDU.
Laeralsford is also a central site of Laeralian higher education, home to three National Open University campuses, and a major cultural center, known for its cuisine, nightlife, and historical sites.
Geography[edit | edit source]
An important geographic divide in Laeralsford is between the North and South Bank of the Zhongshui River. The North Bank, which includes the federal district and Republic House as well as upscale shopping districts, financial centers, and residential areas, is historically majority-Arrivée and wealthier, while the South Bank is historically more working-class and racially diverse. Even in the present day, although wealth divides between the two riverbanks have grown closer due to South Bank gentrification, North and South Bank identity is articulated in clothing, music, and even the area calling codes assigned to each region of the municipality.
Laeralsford is served by two airports: Laeralsford-René Gramont International Airport, which is a hub for Laeralian Airways and Air Colombe, and Nuo Yulin International Airport.