Ricei

Ricei is a fictional coastal city and municipal entity in the archipelago of Lysara, created for use in world-building and urban studies. The name is said to derive from the Lysaran words ri 'sea' and cei 'city', reflecting its historical role as a harbor settlement.

Geography and planning: Located on two small hills overlooking a natural harbor, Ricei encompasses about 35 square kilometers. The climate is temperate maritime with mild winters and warm summers. The city center sits along a protected waterfront with a network of plazas and narrow alleys.

History and governance: Ricei was founded in the 12th century by maritime settlers and grew as a trading hub. It functioned as a provincial capital for several centuries before joining a modern federation. The government uses a mayor-council system with a 15-member city council elected by proportional representation for four-year terms.

Economy and culture: The local economy centers on port services, fishing, light manufacturing, and tourism. The Ricei Festival, held each spring, celebrates seafaring heritage with markets, music, and ship parades. Notable landmarks include Ricei Fort, the Old Market, and a hilltop observatory.

In scholarship, Ricei is frequently used as a model for studying urban resilience, coastal adaptation, and municipal governance in small port cities.