icata

Icata is a coastal city and administrative center in the fictional region of Valora on the continent of Elaria. Located on the sheltered Icata Bay, it serves as the capital of Valora's coastal municipalities and functions as a regional hub for trade and culture. As of the latest estimates, the city's population is about 230,000, with a diverse urban economy centered on services, commerce, and harbor activities.

Icata occupies a crescent-shaped bay along the Silver Coast, with rolling hills to the inland and a river that flows into the harbor. The climate is temperate and maritime, characterized by mild winters and warm summers. The city was founded in the 12th century by maritime settlers and grew as a trading entrepôt, eventually attaining regional capital status in the 17th century. Modern planning has preserved the historic core while expanding port facilities.

Governance is by a mayor and city council, elected to four-year terms, with departments for planning, finance, and public safety. The economy centers on the port and logistics, financial services, light manufacturing, and tourism. The Icata Port Complex handles containerized cargo and passenger ferries, while a free-trade zone supports small and medium-sized enterprises.

Icata hosts the Historic Quarter, the Gothic Icata Cathedral, and the Harbor Market, which attract visitors year-round. The city supports higher education through Icata University, known for programs in maritime studies, urban planning, and business. Cultural life emphasizes the annual Festival of Lanterns, arts festivals, and a culinary scene rooted in coastal and regional traditions.