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This dispatch is part of the Towns and Cities of Wesland Project.

Overview

Arnton is a city in the Capital Tableland region of Wesland, Ainslie. Centred on the River Burnett, it is the capital of the nation, and the seat of federal parliament for the nation. With its nearest large city under 100km away, Arnton and Hauton are often regarded to as twin cities to a degree, with regular bus and train services between the two cities. Arnton is the second largest city in Ainslie, and the largest in Wesland.

The city has an estimated population of just over 4.2 million and the city is known to be the 'Leafy Capital' due to how its streets are often lined with nature, giving most of the city that feel.

Etymology

At the dawn of the Arnish Empire, the strong and resilient city of Dalai (dAL-eye) stood over the lands. Conquests were planned there, and the mostly peaceful succession of many different leaders throughout history can be credited to the stability of this city despite all circumstances. The story of Dalai, and later Arnton, is one of overcoming circumstances with ease - one that many cities and towns around Ainslie do not share. That is the true strength of Arnton.

To see its former history as Dalai click here

One of the first challenges that the new city of Arnton faced was the environment that it surrounds itself in. Dalai, the former capital throughout Arnish times, had been threatened by bushfires, and in 1844 received some of the largest and most extraordinary bushfires to date. Most of Dalai was destroyed by these bushfires.

The hope of the Ahnslen people, their resilience and strength despite obstacles encapsulated the spirit of early Arnton. The relocation of Dalai's citizens to Arnton was imminent. Most of Arnton used to be farming land, but the struggling post-bushfire farmers were looking for a way out. The government began to buy properties all over central Wesland, around 90 kilometres away from the highlands and ranges which surrounded Hauton. Planning was integral for the Westfall administration, the first leaders of the modern Ahnslen republic.

Arnton was a priority. Its foundations would be the legacy of the Westfall administration. The buying of properties, and the acquisition of formerly leased land to private companies saw the government receive a large and expansive land claim in where they could create a city. Arnton received city status on the 12th of August 1848.

Small towns began to surround Arnton, as the cooperation and coordination of many different industries was required to build this new city. Towns such as Allore, Highland View, Frotera and Canandi serviced the city as it grew, housing workers, factories and the vital infrastructure needed for the building of the city.

In 1957, it was clear that there was more work to do in the city to make it worthy of being a first class, modern city. This new Arnton site was more defendable from bushfires, and the populus started to be more open to nature in their cities, which was previously viewed as just a fire accelerant.

The Green Arnton project began. Architects and planners from all corners of the nation submitted plans and ideas for the gentrification of the city, especially of its centre. The Arnton Gentrification Commission (AGC) was formed by the Ahnslen Government, and Wilfred Ilande won. His road widening idea mixed with trees in the middle, with most corners featuring some sort of vegetation set the basic council nature codes for the majority of the inner city councils.

The new design was finished in 1962, and most of central Arnton, particularly the roads look as they were then. ‘Green Arnton’ was also met with the new alternative modernism style of architecture, making an aesthetically pleasing, nature centric theme throughout most of central Arnton.

1973 saw a near disaster in the making, as a large bushfire surrounded Arnton. This bushfire was kept under control, due to a network of fire stations ontop of the hills and mountains around Arnton.

In 1997, it was clear that the government was expanding both federally and electorally. This led to the decision that the electoral seat of governance for Wesland needed to be moved, but kept relatively close to Arnton. Hauton was chosen for this, and officially became the electoral capital of Wesland in 1999.

The former electoral parliament was transformed into the Parliament of Ainslie building, and the various electoral related buildings were either removed or modified to allow for embassies. This whole district was called “Laccore”.

The new millennium saw an influx of business, as the new ACEGAD party opened up the nation to foreign businesses at an increasing level, allowing Arnton to become an international hub for finance, enterprise and services.

History

Arnton is located on the banks of the Burnett River, 92km west from Hauton along the Banksview Freeway (F1). The town is situated on the Karvene Plateau, which is near the River Burnett. The Hinande Range rises up towards Hauton, where they reach they eventually reach the Lower Wesland Ranges. The elevation is around 640m (2,099ft) above sea level. The administrative and commercial heart of Arnton is along the southern bank of the river, where the ranges line the outskirts of the urban area. The other three sides (North, west and south) are where mostof the suburbs expand out to. Surrounding towns include Kitarn, Kenten and Blaxland Downs.

Above: A map of Arnton

Arnton covers four geographical regions. In the central suburbs along the banks of the River Burnett are along the Karvene Plateau. The eastern slopes and ranges border the urban area. The northwestern suburbs of Arnton are mainly part of the Arnton Hills region. The southern suburbs are located on the Neviren Plateau.

Flora and Fauna

Arnton has many species of flora and fauna, especially those in the tablelands of Ainslie. The Liriodendron tulipifera is a well known tree which often lines the streets of the nation. The River Oak, or Casuarina cunninhamiana features in the parks and naturally on the outskirts of the city. The Golden Wattle, or Acacia pycnantha is particularly native to the area, with the Arnton Hills and Eastern Slopes and Ranges having this plant as a particularly prominent feature of the landscape.

The Borderton Ibis congregates around the lakes of the city, and are quite widespread and present in urban areas. The Gaelitic Wasp, a wasp with a more yellow/orange and black appearance is common in the city, as it is across the nation and beyond.

The Mivai, Macropus robustus inhabits the lands surrounding Arnton and larger parks within the city. The Mivai is a common sight along the outskirts of Arnton as well, where accidents involving the animals increasing in recent years due to urban expansion.

Climate

Under the Köppen-Geirger classification, Arnton has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with warm summers, cold winters and relatively even rainfall throughout the year. There are three major weather stations in the city, in the central-north, the outer west and the outer east.

The primary weatherstation, Northstar Munslen has experienced extreme temperatures ranging from 39.1C in July to -12.2 in January. In the outer west, the Kiverten Station has recorded temperatures from 43.1 to -9.3 degrees. The outer east is significantly higher in elevation and hence has received a maximum temperature of 34.2 and a low of -15.2. The incredibly low temperatures can be linked to almost blizzard-like conditions arising from near Hauton, which reached Arnton but dissapated to a degree past that point.

Weather is vastly dependent on elevation, as more extreme cooler temperatures are recorded in the suburbs with higher elevation, generally to the east and north, whilst temperatures recorded in suburbs with lower elevation record higher temperatures.

Rainfall has little variation, with rainfall higher in the spring. Arnton often experiences fog in winter and storms in spring, where warmer western winds mix with the colder winds from the east. This creates large thunderstorms in April and May. During this time, particularly dangerous storms, known as High-end superstorms have the ability to cause widespread damage. The weather of Arnton is also vastly dependent on the wind direction.

Climate

The population of Arnton has steadily increased since its foundation in the 1840s and now has a population of 4,200,3000 people. This is expected to reach 5 million in 2023, due to the 433 Visa policies. Arnton is the second largest city in Ainslie by around 400,000 residents.

The median age of Arnton residents is about 29, with 7% of residents being older than 65. 14% of people in Arnton speak a language other than Ahnslen or English at home, with the highest languages being Samuderan, Oçitania-Verdonnei and Oster. Most immigrants up until the new millenium came from Gael nations, such as Samudera, Ostehaar and Verdon. Following the Ahnslen entrance into the CU, this is expected to change dramatically, with Mesder nations becoming the highest foreign populations. Common ethnic groups in Arnton include Arnish, Welling, Ipachi, Samud, Oster and Occitanian.

Arnton's largest ancestry groups are the ones that have been in Ainslie for centuries or more - Arnish, Ipachi and Welling. The city sees significantly less immigration than other cities in the nation, due to the 433 policy and its lack of interest to immigrants.

Attractions

Researchers from Cullen Research have deemed Arnton to be a city that is integrated well into the global economy. Arnton became a centre for the distribution of resources, as well as a suitable city for business. Arnton has the third highest GDP per capita in the nation, trailing Wellington and Port Blaxland.

32% of the top 500 companies are based in Sydney, with just over half of multinational corporations setting up their national and regional offices in Arnton. Global businesses are attracted to this city due to its highly skilled and qualified workforce, as well as the benefits and subsidies the electoral government provides them.

Arnton is one of the most affordable cities in The Western Isles, and get above average incomes in comparison to their fellow citizens in other cities. The workforce participation rate is around 72.4%. The largest industries by employment are Healthcare (13.5%), Professional Services (10.3%), Retail (8.5%) and Education and Training (8.3%). Unemployment in the city averages around 3.1%.

Tourism and International Education

Arnton is the entry point for most international visitors, and 82% of them spend at least one night in Arnton. Tourists often come from more Mesder-based nations, such as Travencia, Covonant and Athara Magarat but also from closer Gael nations such as Michigonia, Ostehaar, Segentova and West Suomi.

Popular destinations include the River Burnett, the Kenter Bridge, the Munslen Sports Park, Highton Lookout, the Gallery of Arnton and the Liter, a festival which runs for a fortnight during the period of Easter.

Arnton is the fourth highest ranking city in the world for international students.

National Education

Arnton's high schools are often regarded to as the leading forces in the excellence of Ahnslen students. This is reflective of the two part system that runs through the public system. Students can either study at an International School, which gives them widely recognised qualifications or study at a domestic public school, which provides them with the still well recognised national qualification for the exit of school.

Of particular note is the two major universities in Arnton. The Universite Unifé and the Arnton University. The two universities are the most prestigious and well-performing tertiary institutions in the nation, outputting students of high quality and calibre.

Noteworthy People

• Noah Bindon, leader of the Whindin Church, was born and still lives in the city
• Andrew Kenzai, Prime Minister of Ainslie, completed his tertiary education in the city