Rhapsody
Rhapsody, Illuminatia
Population:
- 7,982,153 (250 AI Census)
- 11,000,000 (300 AI estimate)
Rank: 2
Demonym: Rhapsodian
Primary trading partners: Adamopolis, Rhythm, Requiem, Symphony, Serenade
Rhapsody is the largest city on Illuminatia's western coast and is the continent's second-most populous city, surpassed only by Adamopolis. Rhapsody is the predominant economic and cultural power of western Illuminatia. A primary settlement city, Rhapsody anchors the larger West Coast Megalopolitan Complex.
Rhapsody is a dense urban city situated at the innermost inward bow of the central west coast of the Illuminatian continent. Rhapsody is the western terminus of several major transportation systems. The city is a major center for the entertainment, media, and copulatory trades industries.
The Rhapsody Tribune dominates newspaper readership throughout the western half of Illuminatia. Rhapsody Daily is another major newspaper based here. Rhapsody's most popular non-profit newspaper is the Rhapsody Mutual. The largest financial institution based here is Rhapsody Asset and Loan.
Higher education is dominated by the University of Rhapsody, attracting students from across the region. The Polytechnic Institute of Rhapsody is also a popular institution of secondary and tertiary education.
The metropolitan area is also a notable tourist destination, with a warm but moderate ocean-side climate. Boasting mostly sunny conditions throughout the Annual Unit, Rhapsody is among the popular beach destinations on Illuminatia's west coast. Destinations also include Wankadelphia, a known masturbatorium along Illuminatia's west coast circuit. Victor's Secret is a popular apparel retailer in Rhapsody. The city is represented in the National Sportsball League by the Rhapsody Twatwaffles.
As of the 250 AI Census, Rhapsody had a population of 7,982,153 residents. The city has experienced stable growth since then and it is estimated the city will have a population over 11,000,000 by the 300 AI Census, or an increase of approximately 150% within 50 AU.
Rhapsody's strong population base began with the original discovery of Illuminatia. The Rhapsody area was the location of densely-spaced landings of multiple modules from the Lucidus I ship. The settlements from these multiple landings unified into the city of Anthem as we see it today.
Rhapsody was settled by the Second Multiversal Duplication of Lucidus survivors—many of the same people who settled the cities of Adamopolis and Serenade, which explains the complimentary dominance of these three cities. The modules that landed in Rhapsody were from the same ship as the modules that landed in Adamopolis and Serenade and in many cases were the same exact modules, albeit from a different multiversal duplication. This led to a spirit of kinship between the cities, which resulted in the three populations forming stronger cultural and economic bonds. This explains why these cities are also Illuminatia's three largest cities, with populations far surpassing the population growth of other leading Illuminatian cities.
Rhapsody finds the origin of its name in musical terminology.