Zoteros

Zoteros is a fictional city-state used in contemporary speculative fiction and world-building exercises. It is depicted as a coastal urban center that functions as a regional hub for commerce, culture, and learning.

Geography and demography: Located on a crescent bay bounded by cliffs to the north and a river delta to the south, Zoteros covers about 360 square kilometers and hosts a population around 180,000, with neighborhoods ranging from densely packed merchant warrens to higher-ground ceremonial districts.

History: Founded in the early medieval period by maritime guilds seeking to control trade routes, it rose as a maritime republic and later transformed into a constitutional city-state through a series of reforms.

Governance: Zoteros is governed by the Conclave of Quays, a bicameral assembly comprising an urban council and a merchant senate, with an appointed chief magistrate as head of government. Legal system combines customary law with civil codes.

Economy and culture: The economy relies on port trade, shipbuilding, fisheries, and textile crafts. The city hosts a bilingual market and hosts annual Tide Festival. Education: home to a notable academy of navigation and a public library system.

Landmarks and transport: Notable sites include the Lighthouse of the North Star and the Grand Canal, which links districts. Transport relies on ferries, road networks, and a rail link to inland regions.