Rio Santiago City
Rio Santiago City | |
|---|---|
 Clockwise (from the top): Panorama view of Rio Santiago City whereabouts, Liberty Road, Lémarita Palace, Parliament House, Garden and Forest Park, Arlandican (alternative) and Lémaritan Flags in a flag pole. | |
 Seal | |
| Nickname: Golden City of the North | |
| Anthem: United Together, Forever as One | |
| Country |  Arlandica |
| Province |  Lémarita |
| Foundation | April 10, 2019 |
| Cityhood | July 6, 2022 |
| Government | |
| • Governor-Representative of Lémarita | Benz Gian Arellano |
| Population | |
| • Total | 18 |
Rio Santiago City (Ilocano: Siudad ti Rio Santiago; Lémaritan: Ytic fo Oir Ogaitnas; Spanish: Ciudad de Río Santiago), also known as Yrafonllejwylioddsantiago, is a territory in Arlandica, which serves as the administrative center of Lémarita Province. The territory stands as both the cultural and financial center of the kingdom. Rio Santiago City serves as the country's legislative capital, while the official capital is located in Santo Niño City.
As the financial center of the nation, it is home to a thriving financial sector, as well as a diverse range of businesses spanning from agriculture to manufacturing. Much of the land in and around Rio Santiago City is legally owned by the family of Benz Gian Arellano, the 1st and incumbent president of the Parliament.
History
Commonwealth of Lémarita (April 10, 2019–July 6, 2022)
Rio Santiago City has a history dating back to April 10, 2019, when it was founded as the capital of the now-dissolved Commonwealth of Lémarita. Founded by Benz Gian Arellano. As the administrative hub of this short-lived republic, it played an important role in the political and cultural development of the region.
On July 6, 2022, Rio Santiago City achieved a milestone when it was officially granted the status as Arlandica's new financial and cultural center, following the admission of Lémarita into the country. This historic recognition marked a new chapter in the territory's development. Despite its humble origins, Rio Santiago City quickly emerged as a bustling center of commerce and industry. Its strategic location made it an ideal gateway to the wider Arlandica, and a natural hub for trade and commerce.
On January 1, 2024, King Jerold I declared Rio Santiago City as the legislative capital of Arlandica, given that the Parliament is based there, although the status is not permanent.
Etymology
The origin of the name Rio Santiago is derived from two Spanish words. The word "rio" means river, while the word "Santiago" actually means Saint James. Currently, Rio Santiago is unofficially called "Yrafonllejwylioddsantiago," translated in English as "The River Where Saint James Sailed."
Throughout the history of the territory, the territory changed its name only once. Formerly called Port Rio Santiago, it was changed after Lémarita was administered to Arlandica as one of its provinces.
On the other hand, Rio Santiago has several official names and ceremonial names, but they are not publicly used. One well-known official name of Rio Santiago that is officially used by the government is the "City of Port Rio Santiago y Aurelius De Santa Cruz," used in 2021-2022 before administration.
By 2023, a ceremonial name has been proposed for the city by the current Lémaritan governor-representative:
The city where prosperity, freedom, and justice reign supreme is also the birthplace of our mighty leader. It is the land of the golden people, where we work together for a better tomorrow. (Proposed ceremonial name)
The current trend in Lémarita is naming places as long as possible. The former title holder for the longest place name in 2021 is "Sylintralintivintarivologovolsomagigolsivitancerokalsantivaceneritotovatoninceltivancehaliturian City" (shortened to Haliturian City). The name exactly has 100 letters in it. The current governor-representative wants to rename the territory to boost its tourism.
Geography
Rio Santiago City is a territory located in Arlandica, specifically in the Philippine municipality of Ballesteros, Cagayan. The territory is generally flat topography. The territory's terrain has also given it a distinct character, with wide-open spaces and panoramic views.
Trees and other vegetation can be found throughout the territory. Its landscape is also dotted with a mix of residential and commercial structures. The majority of the territory's residents live in houses and residences.
People and culture
The people of Rio Santiago City are identified as Arlandicans and ethnically predominantly Ilocanos. The constructed language invented by Arlandicans here is the Lémaritan language, which is currently spoken in certain parts of the city, especially in the central area.
The important aspect of the people's identity in Rio Santiago City is their religious affiliation. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, which reflects the territory's strong ties to the Philippines' colonial past. The Catholic Church has played a role in shaping the territory's social, cultural, and religious landscape.
Despite the territory's relatively small size, it is home to approximate 18 people.
Economy
Rio Santiago City is emerging as one of the most important settlements in the country. Its strategic location and growing economy have made it a hub for commerce, trade, tourism, and transportation. One of the key drivers of the territory's economy is its financial sector. The territory is home to a number of state-owned companies and agencies, including the Trans-Arlandic National Bank, which plays an important role in the country's banking and financial system. Also, the Sports Committee of Arlandica is headquartered in the territory, which is responsible for maintaining and administering the sports related activities in the country. Another important institution based in Rio Santiago City is the Hopeful Morning Broadcasting Network, it is the one and only media company based in Arlandica. The network provides a wide range of news, entertainment, and educational programming to viewers across the country, and has a significant impact on public opinion and discourse.
The territory holds one-third of the Arlandica's national treasury, making it a vital hub for financial management and budgeting. Agriculture is another major industry in Rio Santiago City, with the territory's fertile soil and favorable climate making it an ideal location for crop cultivation. The territory is particularly known for its rice, corn, and spice exports, which are sought after both locally and internationally. The territory's agricultural sector is supported by a range of government and private initiatives and programs, which aim to promote sustainable and equitable growth in the sector.
Transportation
Rio Santiago City is connected to the rest of Lémarita province through an extensive road network, which makes it easy to access other parts of the country from the territory. However, most of these roads are unpaved, which can make travel difficult during inclement weather or other adverse conditions. Despite this, the territory's road infrastructure is continuously improving to make it more accessible for both locals. The Liberty Road is the main road that runs through the heart of Rio Santiago City, connecting it to other towns and territories in the area. This road ends at Highway 3, which is Arlandica's longest road.
Although Rio Santiago City has an extensive road network, there are currently no airports within the territory limits. However, there are several airports located within a reasonable distance, such as the Tuguegarao Airport, which is approximately 90 kilometers away. This airport serves as a major gateway to the region, providing domestic flights to several destinations across the Philippines. As a landlocked territory, Rio Santiago also does not have any seaports.
Tourism
Rio Santiago City, as being the cultural center, is home to several places of interest. The Lémarita Palace is one such attraction, serving as the official residence of the current President of the Parliament of Arlandica. It features a blend of traditional and modern architectural styles, with lush gardens and courtyards. Another attraction in Rio Santiago City is the Parliament House, which is the meeting place of the Parliament of Arlandica. The National Museum of History and Culture is also found here, it is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of Arlandica, and it houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits that highlight the history, art, and traditions of the Arlandican and Filipino people.
The territory has a multi-purpose sports field. There is also a forest and garden park located in the heart of the territory. These parks feature lush greenery, scenic walking trails, and picnic areas, making them the perfect place to connect with nature. However, these may not usually open to the public since Rio Santiago City itself is a private residence.