Sierra

Sierra, officially known as the City of Sierra, is a city in the Commonwealth of Verona and Cartadania. It serves as the primary population center of the Palm Coast metropolitan area and holds the distinction of being the most populous city in both Verona and Cartadania. As of the latest census estimate in 2030, Sierra has a population of 8.7 million people, making it one of the most densely populated major cities in the nation, with an average of 4009.5 PD/km2 across its expansive 2178.1 km2.

Located in Northern Verona, Sierra is renowned for its tropical climate, which is characteristic of the northern and coastal regions of Verona. The city is also recognized for its remarkable ethnic diversity, sprawling metropolis, and status as a major hub of the Cartadanian entertainment industry. Furthermore, Sierra serves as the seat of Sierra County, the most populated county in the country, boasting over 15 million residents. It is also the epicenter of the Sierra metropolitan area, which has a total population of 21 million, and is part of the larger designated Palm Coast area, which holds the distinction of being the most populous in the nation, with a staggering population of 37.8 million as of 2030.

History
Sierra, as a settlement, was originally established in 1407, making it the second-oldest continuously inhabited city still in existence in Cartadania, after New Venceia. As a municipality, Sierra was formed from parts of the Sierra prefecture of Sierra County, where it serves as the county seat. The area, known for its flat and coastal terrain, has been a population center since the 1700s, although it was not until the mid-19th century that Sierra became the largest city in Cartadania, surpassing Valorica and Calaine.

Sierra has a notable historical significance as it established the first municipal zoning ordinance in Cartadania in April of 1881. The Sierra City Council promulgated residential and industrial land use zones, with three residential zones of a single type where industrial uses were prohibited. These zoning laws were aimed at regulating activities such as barns, lumber yards, and machine-powered industrial uses, in addition to existing regulations on explosives warehousing, gas works, oil-drilling, slaughterhouses, and tanneries. However, over time, the city council created exceptions to these broad proscriptions, and some industrial uses emerged within the residential zones. It was in 1914 that Sierra City Council took steps to address the issue and introduced amendments to the zoning laws to distinguish types of housing and establish a comprehensive zoning map, differentiating it from the earlier 1881 Residence District Ordinance.

Sierra's growth and development continued through the early 20th century, with Maravista merging into Sierra in 1903, already hosting 10 film companies at the time. By 1914, Sierra had become a major center for the film industry in Cartadania, with over 80 percent of the nation's film industry concentrated in the city. Its favorable climate and varied topography around the city made it an attractive location for film production companies. The population of Sierra surpassed one million residents by 1925, and the home county's population exceeded four million.

During the Second Great War, Sierra's coastline became a hub for wartime manufacturing, including shipbuilding and aircraft production. Valorica Marine, a prominent shipbuilding company, constructed hundreds of ships, and the Palm Coast area became the headquarters of six major aircraft manufacturers in the country. The war effort led to a significant boost in manufacturing in Sierra, with more aircraft produced in one year than in all the pre-war years combined, underscoring the city's contribution to the war effort and its industrial prowess.

Geography
Sierra is located 546 km northeast of Aurimá and 391 km southeast of Alahuela and the Alexandria border. The city has a total area of 2178.1 km2. Much of the city was built on savanna and foothills, although some parts of the city lie within a forest zone. The flat terrain and extensive greenfield development closer to the coast have combined to worsen flooding. Downtown stands about 65 feet above sea level. The city owns surface water rights for 8.3 e9l of water a day in addition to 870 e6l a day of groundwater, although a lot of the city's water is also pumped in from other sources, such as sister cities Mirada and especially Rosslyn.

Cityscape
The city is characterized by its diverse tapestry of over 80 districts and neighborhoods, each with its own unique history and character. Many of these districts and neighborhoods were once independent incorporated places or communities that have since merged into the city, contributing to its rich heritage and cultural fabric. These neighborhoods have developed organically over time, resulting in well-defined areas that are often marked by signage.

In addition to these neighborhoods, the city can be broadly categorized into several distinct areas, each with its own distinct features and characteristics. These areas include Downtown/Central Sierra, which serves as the heart of the city and is known for its vibrant urban atmosphere; East Sierra and Torino, known for their diverse communities and bustling commercial centers; Maravista, an area with a rich history and significant cultural heritage; Lagoaterra, a waterfront district that offers stunning views and recreational opportunities; Greater Floravila, a sprawling region known for its residential neighborhoods and vibrant local culture; Vegas, an area known for its entertainment and nightlife; Woodlands, a green and serene part of the city known for its natural beauty; Westwood, an area characterized by its suburban charm; and the Ouro and Serena Valleys, which offer picturesque landscapes and tranquil living.

Overview
The city has a well-organized street pattern that generally follows a grid plan, characterized by uniform block lengths and occasional roads that cut across blocks, particularly in the highly urbanized areas. However, the city's unique topography, with its rugged outer terrain and three valleys, has necessitated the implementation of different grids for each valley west of the city, adding complexity to the city's street layout. At the same time, the street network outside of the urban pockets tends to follow a more natural progression and distribution, spurred by development in the area.

Major streets in Sierra are designed to accommodate large volumes of traffic, facilitating efficient movement throughout many parts of the city. Some of these streets are notably long, with Brisa Boulevard stretching for 69 km, and Follett Boulevard spanning over 97 km, reaching as far west as Guarias County. Despite the extensive road network and a population of approximately four million people actively using the streets, traffic congestion is relatively manageable in Sierra, particularly when compared to other major cities in Sarpedon, thanks to the city's comprehensive public transit system.

Sierra is characterized by a mix of land use in its buildings, particularly in the districts just outside of downtown and other urbanized areas. While skyscrapers and high-rise buildings are not common outside of a few designated centers such as Downtown, the Woodlands, Floravila, Torino, and Westwood, those that do exist often stand out as prominent landmarks in the city's skyline. Sierra boasts a significant number of buildings with over 30 stories, including 773 completed high-rise buildings, with 81 of them classified as "skyscrapers" reaching a height of at least 150 meters. Overall, Sierra's skyline ranks as the third-tallest in Cartadania, trailing only behind New Venceia and Calaine, both of which are located in Alexandria. In recent years, Sierra has experienced a trend towards apartments rather than single-family dwellings, particularly in the dense inner city and Torino neighborhoods.

Climate
Sierra, located in the northern Verona coast of Cartadania, experiences a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am) that is influenced by its sea-level elevation, coastal location, proximity to the equator, and the Urlazian Current. The city has a distinct dry season in winter, with average temperatures in January ranging from 20.1 °C and highs typically reaching 23-27 °C. Cool air settles after the passage of cold fronts, resulting in occasional rainfall during this season. Lows can fall below 15 °C for about 10-15 nights during winter following the passage of cold fronts. However, Sierra does not have a true winter, as its proximity to the equator means that it receives approximately equal hours of daylight and night year-round.

The wet season in Sierra usually begins in May and lasts until mid-October. During this period, temperatures range from mid-80s to low 90s (29-35 °C), accompanied by high humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms or sea breezes from the Urlazian Sea often provide some relief from the heat. Similar to other parts of the northern Verona coast, Sierra also experiences a weather phenomenon called "June Gloom" in late spring/early summer, which involves overcast or foggy skies in the morning that give way to sun by early afternoon.

Sierra has recorded extreme temperature ranges, from -2.8 °C on 3 February 1917 to 38 °C on 21 July 1940. Although snowfall has not been officially recorded at any weather station in Sierra since record-keeping began, there were instances of snow flurries in some parts of the city on 7 January 1979, which was an unusually cold year for Sarpedon as a whole.

While central Cartadania is not typically prone to hurricanes like the west coast, Sierra does have an official hurricane season from November 1 to November 30, similar to northern hemisphere countries. The most likely time for Sierra to be affected by hurricanes is during the peak of the Melian season, which occurs from mid-July to the end of September. However, hurricanes can also develop beyond these dates, and occasionally remnants of storms from the Kindreds Sea can bring heavy rainfall into Verona. Although tornadoes are rare in the area, there have been instances, with the last occurrence in formerly rural southern Sierra in July 2009.

Science and technology
Main article: Science and technology in Cartadania

The city of Sierra is home to research and development facilities and attracts companies due to the presence of regionally renowned universities. Science, technology and innovation is leveraged by the allocation of funds from the state government.

Luxury goods
Luxury brands tend to concentrate their business in Sierra. Because of the lack of department stores and multi-brand boutiques, shopping malls as well as the Vegas district attract most of the world's luxurious brands.

Most of the international luxury brands can be found in the Columbia, Palm Coast East or JK shopping malls or on the streets of Oscar Freire, Lorena or Haddock Lobo in the Vegas district. They are home of brands such as Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Tiffany & Co.

Cidade Vegas was opened in Sierra in 2008, it is a 45,000-square-metre (484,376-square-foot) mall, landscaped with trees and greenery scenario, with a focus on Cartadanian brands but also home to international luxury brands such as Hermès Apparel, Jimmy Choo, Pucci and Carolina Herrera. Opened in 2012, Itania shopping mall has brought to Cartadania brands that were not present in the country before such as Goyard, Tory Burch, Llc., Prada, and Miu Miu.

Government


Sierra operates as a charter city, as opposed to a general law city. The city's charter was first adopted on 9 April 1805, and has been amended multiple times since then. The elected government of Sierra consists of the Sierra City Council, the Mayor of Sierra, the city and commonwealth attorney, and the controller. This government operates under a mayor-council system.

The Mayor of Sierra, currently Silvia Merino, is a social democrat who was elected on a nonpartisan ballot. The mayor serves as the city's chief administrator, executive officer, and official representative. One of their main responsibilities is the general management of the city, including enforcing all laws and ordinances. The city controller, currently Esperanza Minas, is elected independently of the mayor and council. The controller's role includes certifying available funds before committing them and processing disbursements. The city's fiscal year follows the Verona law, with the fiscal year beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30. Sierra has several departments and appointed officers that contribute to the functioning of the city. These include the Sierra Police Department (SPD), the Sierra Board of Police Commissioners, the Sierra Fire Department (SFD), the Housing Authority of the City of Sierra (HACS), the Sierra Department of Transportation (SDOT), and the Sierra Public Library (SPL).

The most recently significant amendments to the Charter of the City of Sierra, which were ratified by voters in 1991, established a system of advisory neighborhood councils. These neighborhood councils are intended to represent the diversity of stakeholders in Sierra, including those who live, work, or own property in the neighborhood. The neighborhood councils are relatively autonomous and have the flexibility to define their own boundaries, establish their own bylaws, and elect their own officers. Currently, there are approximately 90 neighborhood councils in Sierra.

Sierra, as a municipality within the commonwealth, is well-represented in various government bodies and judicial districts. It is divided into nine senatorial districts and eighteen emissarial districts, making it the municipality with the highest number of districts in the Verona General Assembly, which is the legislative body of the state. Additionally, Sierra is covered by the Second Appellate District for the Verona Courts of Appeals, specifically the 2nd and 4th through 7th divisions, which are overseen by a total of twenty-four justices.

At the county level, Sierra County Superior Court serves as the court of original jurisdiction for the city, as per the practice of handling judicial matters at the county level and above in Verona. In terms of resource distribution by the state, Sierra, along with the rest of Sierra County and the Palm Coast, is categorized as Region 3.

On the federal level, Sierra is divided among twelve emissarial districts. It also falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit Court for the Eastern District of Verona, which is part of the Fourth Circuit. Consequently, appeals on federal cases originating from Sierra would go to the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which is located in Aurimá.

K-12 Schools
Sierra Independent School District, with a student population of approximately 900,000, serves the majority of the city of Sierra. It is not originated and defined by the Sierra County boundary, but rather the City of Sierra's, and operates within its own jurisdiction, setting it apart from most other school districts in the state. The district boasts an impressive record of accreditation, with nearly all of its 700+ schools meeting accreditation standards.

As the largest school system in Verona and the second largest in the nation based on student enrollment, Sierra Independent School District plays a significant role in the educational landscape of the city. The district's operations are overseen by both the Sierra County Department of Education and the Verona Department of Education (VDOE), with the exception of Sierra City High School for the Arts, which is operated by the City of Sierra Department of Education.

It's worth noting that several sections of Sierra are also served by neighboring school districts such as Bridgeland ISD, Hermosa ISD, and Mirada ISD. Although the city's charter suggests that all residents should be served by a single school district, the city government has not enforced this provision or taken actions to urge Sierra ISD to annex the portions of the city within those districts. As per Verona law, the final decision on this matter rests with Sierra ISD, as it is a self-governing entity that reports directly to the state.

Libraries


The Sierra Public Library system, which operates 72 public libraries within the city of Sierra, is recognized as the second-largest municipal library system in the country. Its extensive collection boasts approximately 53 million books and other materials, providing a valuable resource for the residents of Sierra.

While the Sierra Public Library system operates as a separate entity, it is worth noting that Sierra County, including the city of Sierra, is part of the Palm Coast Consortium of Metropolitan County Governments (PCCMCG). As a result, members of the Sierra Public Library and Sierra County Library can avail themselves of a limited degree of services within the other 13 member library systems, promoting collaborative efforts and access to resources among the consortium's members. This cooperative arrangement enhances the library services available to the residents of Sierra, further enriching the city's vibrant cultural and educational landscape.

Colleges and universities
Sierra boasts a rich educational landscape with a variety of institutions of higher learning. Among them are three major public universities, including Verona Commonwealth University, Sierra (VCU Sierra), Verona Commonwealth University, Valdesan (VCU Valdesan), and the University of Verona, Sierra (UVA Sierra), providing diverse academic programs and opportunities for higher education to the city's residents.

In addition to the public universities, Sierra County is home to a comprehensive community college system consisting of twenty-nine campuses governed by the trustees of the Sierra Community College District. These campuses, such as East Sierra College (ESC), Sierra City College (SCC), Sierra Harbor College, Sierra Mission College, Sierra Pierce College, Torino College, Sierra Southwest College, Sierra Trade-Technical College, and West Sierra College, serve as valuable educational resources for the community, offering a range of courses and programs to meet diverse needs and interests. The campuses are often referred to by their campus numbers, such as Torino College as SiComm 21, in order to facilitate identification and navigation.

Furthermore, the Verona Institute of Technology, which serves as an anchor for the Palm Coast Tech Center, has its primary campus in La Joya, a part of Sierra. This prestigious institution offers specialized programs in technology and serves as a hub for technological research and innovation in the region.

Private colleges and institutes also contribute to Sierra's higher education landscape, with notable examples including Luson College, Luson College of Art and Design (OCAD), Northern Verona Institute of Architecture (NVI-Arc), North Verona Law School, Verona Northern University (VNU), and Woodside University. These institutions offer a diverse range of programs and disciplines, further enhancing the city's reputation as a center for higher education and intellectual pursuits.

Roads
The city of Sierra, along with the rest of the Palm Coast metropolitan area, benefits from an extensive network of freeways and highways that facilitate transportation throughout the region. However, in the past, Sierra's road traffic has been ranked as the most congested in Cartadania according to the annual Urban Mobility Report published by the Fortuna Transportation Institute. In 1990, Sierra recorded the highest annual delay per traveler, with an average of 72 hours of traffic delay per year, surpassing other major cities such as Lynnhaven, Calaine, and Newport, each with 60 hours of delay. Despite this congestion, Sierra's mean travel time for work commutes in 1991 was 29.2 minutes, comparable to that of other cities like Newport and Calaine, and shorter than cities like New Venceia, Figueroa, and Auvergne.

However, in recent years, there has been significant progress in the roadway infrastructure and transportation planning in Sierra. The Verona Department of Transportation has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of the city's transportation system, incorporating transit-oriented design principles. As a result, Sierra residents have been experiencing reduced traffic congestion, despite the city's growing population. This strategic approach to transportation planning has resulted in improved travel times and enhanced mobility for commuters and residents alike in Sierra.

The city is currently served by four interstates and nine state highways that leave the city limits, as well as a network of city and county owned surface streets. The prominent highways of the city are Interstates 45, 55, 56, and 355. IH-45 connects the city to Aurimá and Rathan then further south before terminating at Lipora's border with Caphiria. IH-55 connects Sierra to New Venceia, circumnavigating Alahuela (accessed by IH-57), before passing through New Venceia to the northern coast of Alexandria. IH-56 connects the city to Newport via San Marcos through a connection with IH-52 in western Santiago. Finally, IH-355 forms the Sierra Inner Loop, a beltway around the city's central business district (CBD). The most prominent state highway in Sierra is Verona State Highway Beltway 40, also known as the Palm Coast Beltway, which connects Sierra to Lynnhaven and its satellite cities, the twin cities of La Joya and Los Sueños, most of the Andina County core cities, as well as Rainier and Rosslyn before circling back into Sierra County.

Transit systems
The transit system of the Sierra, as well as the Palm Coast in general, is quite extensive. The network is divided into five key divisions–light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, bus, and ferry. These five systems allow Sierra residents to commute within the city and greater Sierra County, as well as out into neighboring counties, while simultaneously allowing residents in neighboring counties to commute to Sierra County and the city proper.

The Palm Coast Light Rail serves all five counties in the Palm Coast area, although it does not have connections to every major municipality within the metro footprint. It is operated by the Palm Coast Metropolitan Transit Authority which, in turn, is overseen by the Verona Department of Transportation. In downtown Sierra, it uses city streets, while outside the central portions of the city, the line is built on private rights-of-way. The system currently has eleven lines, but two lines, outlined in a five-line system approved by voters in a 2027 referendum have yet to be constructed. The Uptown Line, which runs along Sutton Boulevard in Uptown, was under construction as a bus rapid transit line—the city's first—while the University Line, which would connect all three major public universities in the county to the system, was postponed indefinitely, although it has been reintroduced to the metro network plan as of January 2030. The light rail system saw approximately 63.6 million boardings in fiscal year 2026.

Commuter rail within the city is much more saturated and interconnected with more rapid forms of transit than most other major cities. There is a single system consisting of thirteen lines operating both above and below ground. The system is most commonly referred to as "the metro" by locals. Sierra Central is the largest and busiest station on the east coast, and the second busiest in Cartadania. As of early 2030, Sierra Central served 850,000 passengers and nearly 4,200 trains every day. Among the 16 railway stations (and 10 additional train stops) within Sierra's city borders, there are five other major passenger railway stations serving various rail modes. Heavy rail, or more specifically, inter-city rail, has been growing rapidly in recent years. Verona, itself, operates PalmettoRail, which is the state's intercity rail system. It forms a web-network across the state, routinely bringing passengers into Sierra Central from all metro areas of the state. Orenvia, the national railway company which owns all of Cartadania's railway tracks, also operates services to Sierra, primarily from the other Luson states and Tanoa.

The Palm Coast Metropolitan Transit Authority (PCMTA) operates an extensive and dense network of bus routes that provide public transportation services in the city. The bus service operates 24 hours a day, with special "N lines" running during nighttime hours. One notable service is the Airport Express Shuttle line, which connects the airport with the city center and is distinguished by its bright blue buses, in contrast to the traditional grey buses used on other routes. In addition to the urban bus lines operated by the PCMTA, there are also green buses, known as "interurbanos," that connect the city with the surrounding suburbs.

Finally, the PCMTA operates ferries in key areas, particularly where the distance is too short or geography is too expensive to warrant a bridge. Key areas include inhabited islands off the Verona coast, such as Toran Island.

This multi-faceted public transportation system in Palm Coast provides various options for commuters and travelers to move around the city and its suburbs, catering to different needs and schedules. Tickets purchased for a trip are valid on all means of public transportation (train, light rail, bus, boat) and in many cases, riders can purchase tickets for heavy rail alongside the PCMTA tickets. Additionally, there are a number of tollways distributed across the metro region. The unified fare system used by PCMTA is able to use funds from PalmettoPass accounts for public transit, making it easier for locals to give up their vehicles for most of their day.

Airports
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A section of Sierra International Airport in the A Terminal. Sierra is served by three airports, two of which are commercial that served 226 million passengers in 2015 and managed by the Palm Coast Airport Authority. The Federal Aviation Administration and the state of Verona selected the "Sierra Airport System as Airport of the Year" for 2008, largely because of its multi-year, $6.2 billion airport improvement program for all four major airports in Sierra.

The primary city airport is Sierra International Airport (SIX), the second-busiest in the United States for total passengers, and fifth-busiest worldwide. Sierra International currently ranks third in the United States for non-stop domestic and international service with 246 destinations. In 2006, the United States Department of Transportation named SIX the fastest-growing of the top ten airports in the United States. The Sierra Air Route Traffic Control Center stands on the Sierra International Airport grounds.

Sierra was the headquarters of Ecinis Airways until its 2010 merger with Lavanda Airlines with headquarters in Venceia; regulatory approval for the merger was granted in October of that year. Sierra International became Ixnayan Airways' largest airline hub. The airline retained a significant operational presence in Sierra while offering more than 1600 daily departures from the city. In early 2007, Sierra International Airport was named a model "port of entry" for international travelers by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The largest commercial airport is Bordeaux-Columbia International Airport (named Curaçao International Airport until 1967) which serves an overlapping jurisdiction with Sierra International Airport. Columbia International is also Premiere Airways central and largest hub. It is the largest international air gateway in the world with an annual 115 million passengers passing through its terminals. In 2015 Omega Airlines launched service from a new international terminal at Columbia airport to several destinations in Coscivia and Punth.

Sierra's third airport is Pacifica Airport (a former U.S. Air Force base) used by military, government, NAA, and general aviation sectors.