Joya del Mar

[top_dog 9]

(This is my first city journal and the first time I've posted anything about the cities I actually create and run, If this gains enough interest, I will post more about this city, and maybe even make more journals for my other cities in the future )

First of all, if you are reading this brochure, then may I say congratulations, you're not dyslexic! It also means that you have chosen the beautiful tropical island that is Joya del Mar as your holiday destination!

Located in the Atlantic, south west of Spain, this British-owned island is home to some of the best sun, surf and nightlife in Europe and over the last few decades has become rich in both culture and fun!

During your stay you'll find an almost endless amount of things to do for the whole family, wether you want to party the night away or work on your perfect tan, explore the natural history of the island or explore the city - it's all here waiting for you. Who knows what you may find.

HISTORY

For most of the Joya del Mar's history, it was very much empty, only when Spanish settlers began using it as a trading post for merchants and a rest stop for sailors travelling from America and England, in the early 19th century did the island we know today begin to take shape. Many of the goods going in and out were fish, cotton, food, salt and of course, slaves.

But as bigger and faster ships beagan to emerge, the ports began to decrease in productivity and the small town, back then know as San Sebastion (named after the first mayor) began to become deserted, suffering from it's losses. In 1916, the island was sold to the British as a military training ground and safe haven for soliers during the first world war. Many refugees were also stationed here. When the war ended 2 years later, the soldiers left, but the refugees loved it so much there that they decided to stay, learning to work along side the remaining locals, rebuilding the towns that got attacked there. San Sebastian was re-elected as mayor and spear headed the movement to encourage more people to come to Joya del Mar.

When word got out about the tiny island's paradise setting and lifestyle. More people began to take trips there, the first hotels srpung up along the beach (sadly only one still remains) and by the 1930's the island was well established as an ideal holiday spot.

Then world War 2 broke out and the island quickly converted back to it's military history as yet another taining area and base for British soldiers.

During the war the island got bombed many times by the Germans, but the British refused to give up the island and was able to hold off an invasion and were succesful. But the damage had been done.

An area of what is now known as Bosvigo, laid to ruin during one of the first bombings to the island by the Germans.

It wasn't until the early 1950s when Joya del Mar got back on it's feet and people were able to visit the island again. By 1958 the town had quickly grown into a thriving city. Pretty soon the coast line filled with hotels of all sizes, and Sol Beach went through a massive rennovation, turning it into the paradise you see it as today. Joya del Mar is still growing at an allarming rate and shows no signs of stopping.

Before we dive any further into the virtual tour guide, be sure to take a look at the maps provided to ensure you know your way around the city and island before you get there.

For larger version, go here http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5771367/Joya%20Del%20Mar%20Road%20Map.png

Joya del Mar boasts a great transport and road system,with buses running regularly from all major attractions and areas. Fo quick transport around the island (and you're not fortunate to be rich enough to own a helicopter, be sure to hop onto the La Joya Expresseway.

The La Joya Expressway is the long main road running around the whole island. Suring the 1800s it was nothing more than a small road that connected the small fishing and farming towns to the ports on the west and north sides of the island, as the population grew, so did the demand for a bigger road, and Perro Sebastion, the first mayor of Joya del Mar City, spear headed the construction of the La Joya Expressway. The expressway runs through the middle and the coast of the city, doubling as the main through road for the Holiday District. So if you get lost out there, follow the expressway and you'll find the city.

Don't forget to be here on the 12 of June each year for the Joya del Mar TT, where the entire expressway is closed off and converted into a motor GP race track for a whole week!

Larger version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5771367/Joya%20Del%20Mar%20District%20Map.png

Joya del Mar City is divided into 12 different districts and boroughs, from the serene suburbia of Greenslade to the towering luxury condos and shimmering aparatments of San Sebastian, to the mansions in the hills of Rica Vista, down to the gritty streets of Bosvigo, every kind of person and place can be found here.

Your main areas of interest however, will be the Holiday District, the Shopping District and China Town, all with their own atmosphere and life.

Please take some time to read through the printable tourist map provided here, and be sure to keep it on suring your stay so you always know what's just around the corner!

Larger version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5771367/Joya%20Del%20Mar%20Tourism%20Map.png

We hope you enjoy your stay at Joya del Mar, and we can garuntee you'll find something here for you.

If you are interested in learning more about Joya del Mar, it's history and what it has to offer YOU, please continue to the virtual tour...

  Edited June 22, 2011 by top_dog  

[sanfe96 0]

great city! It likes a good place to go holidays.

[top_dog 9]

Thanks! I apologise for the lack of photos in the last post, but this one should be much more appealing

In this post, I will talk about Joya Del Mar City, a city teaming with life, boasting a happy population of over 1 million inhabitants.

Joya Del Mar City (orignally called San Sebastian) is the huge city located on the south of the island and is the center of everything on the island.

However, the city is not just one big entity, it's split into several areas and districts, each one with it's own personality and history. Here I will show each district and tell you a little about them.

Here is a quick reminder of where each district is:

Go here for larger printable version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5771367/Joya%20Del%20Mar%20District%20Map.png

Holiday District If someones says "Joya del Mar" to you, the first image that comes to mind will probably be of the Holiday District.

The District that Never Sleeps, the clubs are awake 24 hours a day and the occupants, even longer! This district is world famous for it's night life, hotels, casinos, bars and parties. The district also includes the shimmering sands of Sol Beach, a 2 mile stretch of sand with it's own volley ball stadium.

While here, be sure to check out Splash Island, a huge water park that's perfect for all ages! And of course, those that don't like the sea.

Don't forget to be in the area in mid July, when the expressway is closed off as part of the Del Mar Parade, a huge street party that lasts for 2 days to celebrate the prosperity of the island.

Shopping District: A short walk away and second in popularity to the Holiday District with tourists. The district boasts 2 malls and several smaller shops, producing items from designer labels to local produce and wares.Not a lot to say about this area, if you love shopping, you'll spend a got part of the day in this area.

Chinatown: As you walk through the historic China Town gate, it will be like you've been transported to Asia! Originally built as a small village to house the Chinese refugees and workers at the ports, this area is now a thriving district, another block in the structure that makes up the whole city. This little China is a lovely holiday from your holiday, with it's diverse architecture, food and culture. Relax in the Zen garden and talk to the pidgeons, sample the chinese food in the resturants or spend your hard earned money on useless nik-naks in the many shops and the town square's market place. Don't forget to be here in January and February for the mesmerising Chinese New Year festivals.

Financial District: Not high on tourist attractions, but if you love towering skyscrapers, walls of glass and big business, then this place is for you! The hub of all that goes on in the city and the island, it's also home to the iconic city hall, which stands proudly opposite the Discovery Column in Discovery Square. On the top of the column stands the Angel of Discovery, which faces towards the north when, at the time it was built, was still undiscovered, symbolising the potential and benefits of exploration and what can be found.

So those are the districts and areas popular by tourists. But what about the people of Joya Del Mar, where do they live and how? This next part will take you to the residential districts of the city.

Bosvigo: The largest residential district, Bosvigo houses the residents of lower wealth, gritty apartments and flats huddle together near the wooden framed and shakey houses of the suburbs. Despite it's famous biker bars and greasey spoons, it is highly recommended that you do not delve too far into this area alone, however, this area is home to the Del Mar Football Club Stadium, and during the football season, this place is alive with fun and excitment, teeming with community where everyone in the city comes together to support their home team....just...don't stick around for the after party if the home team loses, the riots are rather notorious.

Garrimen: Similar to Bosvigo. Nearer the center, it's a collection of large arpartments and high rise council flats surrounding the Island Hoppers baseball stadium, but further out, it's a ghetto, full of old trembling shacks and bungalows. Unlike Bosvigo, however, there is a strong sense of community here, everyone knows everyone, the local skate park and local mall are great hang out spots and are where most of the locals meet.

Park District: includes the blocks around Central Park aswell, neatly lined with a mixture of old and modern apartments, that replaced old apartments after the bombings of WW2, on never ending streets and condos overlooking the park.

For tourists though, the large central park acts as an oasis amidst the sea of flats, with serene, peaceful foot paths and cycle tracks, not forgetting Ferdinand's Rotating Resturant and Observatory, the tallest building in town, boasting breath taking views high up above the city while you enjoy fine Italian cuisine.

Greenslade: A picture perfect suburbia, with quaint, cosy homes nestled amongst trees , with architecture ranging from victorian wooden structures to post modern European styles, it is the most peaceful and tranquil district in the city. In the middle of Greenslade lies Greenslade park, the ideal place for a quiet stroll, a picnic or an all out paintball war at Dennis' Paintball Palooza Park.

Prince: Named after it's designer, Arthur.K.Prince, who planned the strange but famous ring streets that center towards a small park and shops (At the time the city was on a pretty poor shoe string budget). A peaceful place who's subruban silence is crushed by the occaisonal roaring jet engine from the near by airport.

San Sebastian: Known by the locals as the 'Empire District', San Sebastian is home to the hard working exectuvies and elites of Joya Del Mar where the rich glittering condos and apartments reach high into the sky. This heavily gaurded district is paved with money, even the lamp posts have gold plated bases! Also in this area you can find the theatre district, with the famous Lucia Castra Opera House and the glamourous Kodak Theatre! On the beach lies the Sandy Green Estates, where the current mayor lives. Only the priviledged of the priviledged get to live here in this gated community.

Costa Rica: Where do the world's rich and famous go when they retire, or if they need a second-fifth holiday home? Joya del Mar of course! But they don't just go anyway here, they go to the coast of the rich - Costa Rica!

Mansions nestle warmly here between and over the rocks on the West of the island,being so close to Bosvigo, it has security at all hours and high gates to keep unwanted people from entering. Over the last few years the residences have complained of the growing number of factories in the nearby Smith Industrial District, and are campaigning to have the entire districct moved futher up the island. Insane and impossible? You never know what can be acheived when lots of rich people get together.

Smith Industrial District: The home to the second largest income to the island - the first being tourism of course. Just north west of Bosvigo where most of the workers live, this grimey smoke filled part of the island has been the subject of many campaigns, from health and enviroment, to spoiling the views of the rich on the hills. However it's safe to say that the island would surely crumble economically without this blemish on an otherwise beautiful face.

So that's all the districts covered, hopefully by now you will have a clear understanding of all the gears that keep this island and city running so beautifully.

In the next part of the tour, we will look at the mechinitions of Joya del Mar, and find out just how the city ticks, stay tuned!

Editor's notes:

So far everything I've said about this city is true, it does have over a million inhabitants and its largest income is tourism (trading holiday tokens!), second only to heavy industry and retail. In the next journal I will hope to cover all technical stuff of the city so that you can see this is a proper functioning city as well as one that's made to be aesthetically pleasing

I also apologise for any typos, it is 4am here!

  Edited June 26, 2011 by top_dog  

[Damastius 5]

It is a very good city!

[fukuda 351]

Extremely nice! Looks like you really spent a lot of effort on this, keep it up!

[TowerDude 2,186]

Beautiful

[Wheelbarrow95 43]

Very nice city! Can't wait to see some more!

And where did you get this volleyball stadium at the beach and small soccer stadium - at Greenslade, I think?

[top_dog 9]

Very nice city! Can't wait to see some more!

And where did you get this volleyball stadium at the beach and small soccer stadium - at Greenslade, I think?

Thanks! The stadiums and a load of other hidden content in the game came from an unlocker mod (not sure which though, I downloaded a whole bunch or stuff at one time!) but it unlockes a beach resort pack in the game as well as a load of other stuff in liesure and landmarks It should be in the Custom Content part of the forum.

[top_dog 9]

Ok here are the statistics and figures for my city, I'll let the images do the talking

We'll first look at the population of the city

POPULATION

WEALTH

EMPLOYMENT

SHOPS

OVERALL SATISFACTION

And what about the roads and services getting the people from A to B?

OVERALL TRAFFIC

BUSLINES

BUS CAPACITY

I am currently working on a metro system too for the more built areas that are having trouble getting the offices of thhe city center and the industrial district.

Lets also take a look at the services provided by the city

SECURITY

HEALTH

FIRE

EDUCATION

CITY SERVICES

LANDMARKS EFFECTS

HOLIDAYS

(a lot of the red comes from areas occupied by hotels)

LEISURE

And lastly, the enviroment.

AIR POLLUTION

NOISE POLLUTION

ENVIROMENT

You've probably noticed as well the huge amount of income my city has generated. Allow me to break it down for you

I have a lot of services in the city providing tradable tokens, I also ship off a lot of my workers to other cities, my biggest investor being

Omnicorp. My biggest income comes from my workforce and holiday tokens which at some point ended up with me having an insane amount of cash tokens and thus an insane amount of money!

  Edited July 6, 2011 by top_dog