Xinyuan: Map and Physical Layout

Map

---

Xinyuan's metropolitan area measures barely a kilometer in length, with about half of it built upon beach and the other half over grasslands. The Tianlu River splits the main city from the Rosewater Court, which houses government and administrative centers to the east. The Court also oversees a small set of naval docks for law enforcement vessels and official business, as well as the Tiankou Gatehouse which straddles the river. The mouth of the river was once much wider than it is now, but was partially filled in as part of a public works project in LN 501 making way for the construction of the gatehouse, the Newport District, and improved piers.
West of Newport is the Oldport District, which contains some buildings first constructed close to the capital's founding. Both Newport and Oldport are largely dedicated to commercial endeavors, storehouses, and the like. The new, upscale Cliffside District sits on cliffs that rise up out of the beach, and features amenities and infrastructure designed by an Althea-trained magical architect from Ashimachi known by her pseudonym, Morphou.
The Ramblings is the name given to a large collection of agricultural, commercial, and residential buildings to the north, housing most of Xinyuan's population of farmers and industrial workers.
One of the more notable displays of Xinyuan culture is the display of some form of flag, banner, or pennants in front of every building. There are no real regulations on the color, size, structure, or content of such displays, but common threads include family names, years of establishment, and meaningful symbols or icons. Red and yellow are the most popular colors by a significant margin.
The Azurite Domain

Though on the surface it is merely the body of water that connects the southern ocean to the Tianlu River, the Azurite Domain hosts an entire realm's worth of wonders beneath the surf. Positioned at the outermost reaches of the Southern Reef, long and slender fringes of valuable coral snake their way through a seemingly endless expanse of dunes made of pale sand which are plainly visible in daylight through the crystal-clear waters. Several types of vertebrate, invertebrate, crustacean, and macroalgae provide the staples of a Xinyuan diet, though recently fishing operations have started to strain under the need to venture out further and further to maintain their catch.
Untold species of animals once called this region their home, but eight hundred years of human plunder and industry has reduced their number. Even so, to those visiting from elsewhere the sheer number of observable species inhabiting the Domain is incredibly impressive.
A variety of mineral deposits are within arm's reach as well: metals, gemstones, and other resources are curiously tucked away within the reef. The coral itself is valuable as a decorative stone and as a primary component of Xinyuan's trademark Shangang steel with which weapons, armor, and other sundry goods which make use of its light weight and rose-gold hue.

The Jade Lands

The Lands behind Xinyuan are a coastal grassland of verdant hills which gradually transition into deciduous and coniferous forest as one goes further north. With few trees to compete against, grasses, vines, and other herbaceous species in the area immediately surrounding Xinyuan occupy ranges hundreds of miles wide. The most common species include Rushes' Roost, a tall grass which cluminates in a large platform-like inflorescence which helps with gathering rainwater; and Dragon's Pipe, which dominates shaded valleys especially near water. The Lands provide the foundation for a healthy ecosystem featuring a wide variety of life including several species of nomadic herd animals, avians, reptiles, and insects.
Unlike the Azurite Domain, the Jade Lands are largely untouched by humanity: Xinyuan's small population and low rate of expansion, even combined with the smaller towns and hamlets dispersed throughout the countryside, has left nearly all of its wilderness unexplored and undocumented. Tales abound of the ruins of forgotten civilizations and ancient treasures hidden within the valleys of the Lands, but a nearly nonexistent Explorer's Guild presence and the city-state's focus on mercantile gains has seen few attempts to find them.
As such, Xinyuan is a popular destination for unaffiliated adventurers trying to strike it rich on their own. However, despite their beauty and serenity the Lands remain a part of the Sea of Trees -- institutions such as the Explorer's Guild exist in acknowledgment of the dangers of trying to brave it without sufficient organization and support, and few if any have returned from the mists of the Jade Lands.

---

Additional Info

Xinyuan: The City of Coin
Xinyuan: Map and Physical Layout
Xinyuan: Notable Factions
Xinyuan: People of Note
Xinyuan: Places of Interest
Xinyuan: Resources, Technology, etc.
Xinyuan: Flora and Fauna