Malacca

"Malacca, former imperial capital of the Malay states until the Portuguese first came. The riches were too much for the west sea people not to come plundering."

— Old citizen's opinion on Malacca's history.

Demographics

Predominantly Malays, then Chinese, Indians, and miscellaneous ethnic groups.
Despite this, the British are currently among the upper crust along with a minority of well-established Chinese traders, most of the latter being able to trace their lines back to Ming-dynasty China.

Government

Because Malacca is currently a British-controlled city, it is governed by the laws of the Straits Settlements. As a result its laws are likely similar to England itself.

Defences

According to a Chinese historiographer in the past, Malacca was surrounded by a palisade with four gates and watch towers.
Inside the walls was a kind of citadel that contained the merchants' warehouses, the treasury and food storehouses.
After the British took over from the Portuguese and Dutch, they added reinforcements of 16-pound cannons to the towers.

Industry & Trade

The Malacca River divides the city into two almost equal halves of north and south. The south side is where the natives and citizens live, and the north reserved for outsiders.
The two zones are connected by a large bridge much like London Bridge over the River Thames. It serves as a commercial hub. A large market was built on the bridge where merchants can dock their small boats and unload goods.

Infrastructure

The city has almost everything required for trade to run smoothly. At this time, improvements to the central bridge's dock are in progress.

Assets

Malacca has an established spice trade going, with a particular cultivar of chili  known for its extreme spiciness.
The chili in question is so notorious that a common stereotype of Malaccans is they all are in love with chili.

History

Formerly the capital of the Malay empire, it was founded in 1377 and flourished for two centuries with trade from Arabia and China until the Portuguese got wind of it.
The Portuguese then took over the city, ruled for nearly a century and struggled with the neighboring local kingdoms of Aceh and Johor before the Dutch arrived. When Johor made an alliance with the Dutch, the latter took over Malacca.
Later on, the Dutch had to hand over Malacca to the British in 1824.

Founding Date

1377

Alternative Name(s)

Melaka (Malay spelling)

Type

Large city

Population

About 80000

Inhabitant Demonym

Malaccan