Housatonic: Difference between revisions

Housatonic is among the oldest cities in northwestern [[Crona]], with historical evidence tracing its existence back to 200 BC. The city most likely formed as a stopping off point to the Unnuaq Chain, as the inconsistent freezing patterns of the Unnuaq Bay made the city the easiest location to cross over to the Unnuaq Chain by either boat or over ice. During the ancient period, the Unnuaq Chain was excellent fishing ground and consequently sustained a much larger population than the present day. Consequently, the city has a long-attested history as the "gateway to the Unnuaqs", as fishermen from the island would often cross to the mainland to sell their excess fish to mainland tribes in or around Housatonic, which became a preferred trading destination between the mainland and island tribes. Despite its long history and relatively permanent economic activity, the city has never grown larger than 75,000 at its peak in the 1300s, and many scholars attribute this to the poor climate for agriculture to support the residents of the city. Like [[Pachaug]], Housatonic enjoyed a minor power position in Crona as Occidental goods began to flow into its ports, but an increasingly menacing posture from [[Occidental]] traders lead to the city joining the [[Northern Confederation]] in [[1728]].

Most scholars believe the Unnuaq Chain was settled in ca. 600 BC by a people thought to be from the region of [[Shenendehowa Bay]] pursuing better fishing opportunities. Since its initial settlement, fishing has been the primary means of survival - and only primary trade good - produced by the islands. Favorable climate conditions lead to a population explosion in approximately 250 BC, and some historians believe the islands may have supported a population close to 50,000 people at the high end around 1 AD. Throughout much of its history, most major settlements on the Chain have occurred near the coast on or near the few slopes into the islands' interiors; the island's steep cliffs were largely avoided by settlers throughout the ages. The "dense period" lead to the establishment of population centers adjacent to the islands, including Housatonic, which most scholars think was established to facilitate trade with the islands. Global cooling facilitated a mass depopulation of the islands by 300 AD, with a minority of scholars believing the ancestors of the [[Algosh]] were among the residents who left in the subsequent migrations. Population levels stabilized at a few thousand by the medieval period. The islands, which consisted of several dozen villages, were not formally part of a polity until the 17th century, when it was put under the influence and protection of the Northern Confederation.

Housatonic has developed a robust economy since its creation as an international charter city in the 2010s; the favorable economic climate created by the charter and supported by the local government lead to good conditions for [[Occidental]] firms to begin establishing offices in Housatonic. The influx of foreign capital enhanced the service economy in the charter city, and the increased demand for food has lead to major expansion of the fishing industry. It houses the world's northernmost major {{wp|international airport}}, and despite temperatures it has become a premier air hub and layover destination for travel between [[Levantia]] and [[Alshar]], as well as other destinations in [[Crona]].