Bridgeport
Daegyo-si
대교시 | |
|---|---|
Provincial Capital | |
 Downtown Bridgeport | |
| Nickname(s): Bridge City, Portal to the Maritimes | |
| Country |  Haesan |
| Administrative District (Province) |  Northern Maritimes |
| Founded | 331 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Kwon Jun-su (Free Democrats) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 220 km2 (86 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 1,103,864 |
| • Density | 5,000/km2 (13,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+6.5 (HMT) |
| Website | cityofbridgeport.hn |
Bridgeport is the most populous city in Haesan's Maritimes, and the capital of the Northern Maritimes. With a population of 1.1 million, it is the 15th largest city in Haesan. It is located on the northern coast of Geumseong Island. Renamed Daegyo-si by the Haean Language Administration Act, Bridgeport, the city's Opthelian colonial name, is more commonly used. Founded as a fishing village named Hwayeong, the city gained importance in the 15th century as a receiving place for foreign merchants along the southern coast. While Hanyeong received nearly all diplomatic maritime traffic, Hwayeong siphoned off a growing percentage of international merchant vessels due to the overcrowding of Hanyeong's markets. By the 17th century, Valahandian merchant Dálach[a] wrote in his captain's journal that "the main port [Hanyeong] has become such a diplomatic knot that the savvy trader will always choose Huánogh[b]."
Under Opthelian rule, the city became a central administrative hub, chosen for its strategic location and perceived willingness to tolerate Opthelian rule without violent backlash. Hwayeong was already a fairly international city, but during the Opthelian colonial period an estimated 70,000 Opthelians migrated to the city, transforming the cultural landscape. The construction of the Straits Bridge in 1887 during the Amelian period connecting the city to the mainland helped solidify its position as a key import/export port, and was the impetus for its christening as Bridgeport. Bridgeport was severely bombed by Daryan forces during the Great War who targeted the city's key port and refueling infrastructure which provided support for both the Haesanite and Maximusian navies.
Bridgeport's economy is concentrated on import/export firms, logistics, and finance. Its port is the fourth largest commercial port in Haesan. In recent years, the city has developed as a nucleus for fintech, and is home to several sizeable private cloud computing centers. It is connected by high-speed rail to Suyang, and its Bridgeport Duchess Amelia International Airport (DYO) is a hub for Air Maritimes and is the 15th busiest airport in Haesan.
The city tends to be more conservative than Haesan as a whole as a result of its large yeongmin[c] population. It is the most populous city in Haesan where English is the primary language spoken in casual conversation. The city is notably suburban for Haesan, has very strong primary and secondary education, and was rated by the Democratic Times News Service as the best city in Haesan to raise a family.
Notable Places[edit | edit source]
- Air Maritimes Building, a large, square office building with an adjacent arts and entertainment center and shopping mall
- Bradley River Boardwalk, a wooden promenade built along the Bradley River in downtown Bridgeport, lined with parks, street food stalls, and other vendors
- Bridgeport Roundel, a large capsule ferris wheel iconic to the city
- Straits Bridge, a large suspension bridge visible from downtown Bridgeport connecting Geumseong Island to mainland Haesan, which lends the city its name