Centreburg

Centreburg is the largest and most populous city in Corraile. With a population of just over 3 million in 2011, it is the political and economic capital of the country, accounting for over 46% of all economic activity throughout Corraile (Excluding Lanaya). Most Government ministries and institutions are based here, and the city attracts significant amounts of human capital and investments, making it one of the world's most active economic centres, despite its small demographics.

Located alongside a deep natural harbour, the city was founded as a trading post and a port, helping to facilitate trade with the rest of the world through the port in Westlane. As the largest port in all of Corraile, the city grew alongside the port, reaching 100,000 inhabitants by 1861. Further economic development during and after the industrial revolution led to a large amount of factories and industries being built alongside the Port of Centreburg. It became Corraile's largest city in 1928, when it surpassed Highvale, being home to over 550,000 residents.

As the political capital of Corraile, it exerts a reasonable amount of influence around the world, since Corraile is a permanent member of the Alliance Security Council. It's strategic location off the Atlantic, along with its natural harbours make it one of the busiest transshipment hubs in the Western Hemisphere. and Centreburg Gateway International Airport, the city's main airport, is one of the busiest airports in North America, and the main point of entry into the country. It is classified as an Alpha World City, and is home to several multinational corporations such as Corraile Airlines and Fontane. Centreburg's Metro system has been ranked as one of the North America's best mass transit systems, carrying over 1.8 million passengers daily.

Before 1900
Centreburg was founded in 1821 as a small farming settlement by the Straits of Centreburg, being home to one of the colony's first large-scale fruit farms. The region surrounding what is known today as the Centreburg Metropolitan Area was starting to prosper as an agricultural breadbasket for the colony, but in the period before railways, transport of produce from the region to the main port of Highvale was difficult. By this period of time, Highvale was already by far the largest settlement in the colony, and connection to the city was essential to the continued prosperity of the farmers in the region.

The Bay of Centreburg was discovered to have the makings of a good harbour, with deep waters and a protection from the sea due to the presence of Saint Patrick's island. This followed with the first establishment of a small harbour in 1830, when the first cargo ships arrived to carry goods from the region to Highvale for further shipping. The growth of the farming sector in the region let to an explosion in the tonnage of freight handled by the small port, which would form the foundation for the first Port of Centreburg.

The growth of the port resulted in the eventual growth of the settlement as well. The number of residents in the town of Centreburg swelled from just 129 in 1822 to 6,090 in 1840. Many of the residents found jobs in the port, or were farmers in the nearby areas. The first town council was founded in 1850, establishing it as a permanent settlement, and further encouraging settlers to move westward towards the town after the word spread of opportunities in the Centreburg area.