"Republic City stands as a beacon of freedom..." — Councilman Tarrlok to the United Republic Council.[1]

共和城 Republic City
Physical information
Location United Republic of Nations
Government
Position Capital city
Currency Yuan
Ruler United Republic Council
First appearance "Welcome to Republic City"
Location on map
Image gallery (61)

Republic City, the capital of the United Republic of Nations, is a large metropolis located on the shores of Yue Bay. Situated near the Mo Ce Sea, it is built upon what was once the territory of a Fire Nation colony. The city was founded by Fire Lord Zuko and Avatar Aang after the conclusion of the Hundred Year War as a haven for immigrants from all across the four nations.^[2] Being a modern urban center, Republic City boasts significant high-rise development as well as the widespread use of automobiles, motorcycles, and airships.^[3]

Republic City is home to a variety of iconic landmarks. These include a monumental statue of Avatar Aang in Yue Bay, a spacious city park, many suspension bridges, and skyscrapers. The police force utilizes metalbending for civil law enforcement. Pro-bending is the city's most popular form of sporting.

During Avatar Korra's youth, Republic City faced high levels of crime and numerous revolts led by the Equalists.^[3]

Contents 1 History 2 Cityscape 2.1 Downtown 2.1.1 City Hall 2.1.2 Kuang's Cuisine 2.1.3 Police headquarters 2.1.4 Port 2.1.5 Republic City Park 2.2 Yue Bay 2.2.1 Aang Memorial Island 2.2.2 Air Temple Island 2.2.3 Pro-bending Arena 2.3 Dragon Flats borough 2.3.1 Chi blocker training camp 2.4 Industrial areas 2.4.1 Rally building 2.4.2 Republic City power plant 2.5 Republic City underground 2.5.1 Republic City tunnel network 2.6 Other locations 2.6.1 Central City Station 2.6.2 Harmony Tower 2.6.3 Narook's Seaweed Noodlery 2.6.4 Silk Road Bridge 2.6.5 Triple Threat Triad headquarters 3 Companies 3.1 Cabbage Corp 3.2 Future Industries 4 Demographics 5 Transportation 6 Notable figures 7 Trivia 8 References

History Edit

In the aftermath of the Hundred Year War, Team Avatar, led by Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko, came to an agreement with Earth King Kuei on the establishment of the Harmony Restoration Movement, which would return the Fire Nation colonies to the jurisdiction of the Earth Kingdom. One of the procedures of this action was the relocation of Fire Nation citizens from the foreign settlements they had created over the past century. This order of removal had negative demographic consequences not considered by any of the parties to the agreement. A year into the operation of the movement, Zuko withdrew his support after being accused of being a traitor by his own people, precipitating a confrontation with his friend, the Avatar.^[2]

After a narrow avoidance of war, Aang and Zuko eventually resolved this impasse by not removing the Fire Nation colonies, but regulating the balance of power by creating a fifth nation separate from the original four. This new nation would be a society open to anyone from the four nations to reside in and be governed by a council with representatives from each of the four nations. They named this unique sovereignty the United Republic of Nations and established Republic City as its capital at a valley in the northwestern Earth Kingdom.

With the resources of all four nations, Republic City rapidly developed into a metropolis over the next few decades. Despite being a city directly established for political considerations rather than an evolution of an original settlement, its population and sophistication increased beyond reasonable expectations, causing the number of vagabonds around Republic City to grow.

Despite its prosperity, the city often faced internal strife. Around 128 ASC, the crime boss Yakone used the outlawed ability of bloodbending to terrorize the city, but was eventually tried by the United Republic Council and dealt with by Avatar Aang after his attempted escape from punishment.^[4]

By 170 ASC, Republic City began to experience demographic and political problems as a direct consequence of its nature as a large city. Organized crime became rampant and the Anti-bending Revolution commenced as a result of growing inequality between benders and non-benders.^[3] During the revolution, Amon and the Equalists threatened the city and its benders, eventually using a fleet of airships to bomb the city in an attempt to gain control. Following the abduction of all Council members and the destruction of the United Forces's First Division during the resulting battle, the Equalist forces assumed control of Republic City. However, due to Team Avatar's continued effort in the war, the Equalist forces were soon crushed and Amon's identity was revealed. These events eradicated the morale of the revolution's combatants, resulting in a ceasefire and eventually returning Republic City to its former political state.

Cityscape Edit

In contrast to the other major cities of the world, Republic City is a true metropolitan urban center. The city has developed the architectural and technological sophistication to construct taller buildings, resulting in significant high-rise development. Stylistically, the city generally incorporates traditional ornamentation with far more advanced structural techniques, such as the design of City Hall and the Pro-bending Arena. Despite this, there are still landmarks built entirely in a traditional style, such as Air Temple Island. Beneath the city there is an extensive tunnel network. The metropolitan area is divided into many boroughs.

Downtown Edit

The bustling center of the city, downtown, is reminiscent of all the different elemental bending traditions in both its architecture and its population. In downtown Republic City, tall, well-crafted buildings line the cobblestone streets, and a railroad track sits elevated above the roadway, offering transportation to those wishing to explore the city. This sector is representative of a cultural melting pot of shops and stands featuring goods from all three nations. It is the political, economic, and cultural center of Republic City, protected by a massive police presence operating from their headquarters and airships. Despite this security, downtown suffers from organized crime as much as the remainder of Republic City. The Triple Threat Triad, the largest bending triad of the whole city, claims the downtown area is their turf and runs protection rackets throughout it.^[5]

City Hall Edit

Main article: City Hall

City Hall is a center for governance in Republic City, and secondarily a venue for public press conferences and gatherings, which are held at the large square before its front entrance. It is here that the new Avatar, Korra, made her first official appearance to the city's inhabitants.^[3] While the building has an entrance typical of traditional architecture from the Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation, certain distinctive features, including the large dome and four spires at the corners, are derived from a new style developed after the Hundred Year War.

Kuang's Cuisine Edit

Main article: Kuang's Cuisine

Kuang's Cuisine is a lavish restaurant known for its strict dress code. It is located at the intersection of two streets where cable cars pass.

Police headquarters Edit

Main article: Police headquarters

The police headquarters, often referred to simply as "Headquarters", is the base of operations for the metalbending police, and also where apprehended criminals are booked and jailed. The architecture of the police headquarters is comparable to that of standard Earth Kingdom buildings, with both the exterior and the interior being largely geometrical in design. Headquarters is overseen by Chief Saikhan. On the Headquarters' facade stands a statue of Toph Beifong.^[6]

Port Edit

Republic City's port hosts a significant amount of international commercial traffic, and serves as the terminal for a cargo steamship line to the Southern Water Tribe. Automobiles are brought to the port and loaded onto the ships, on which they are taken regions across the world. The area has road access as well as a railroad line. Several wooden piers extend into Yue Bay, some of which have structures constructed above them. One of these buildings exhibits Earth Kingdom architectural features, having brown sides, a green roof, and a dome. In addition to foreign steamers, the port also serves as a terminal for the Air Temple Island ferry. A suspension bridge is built above the area.

Republic City Park Edit

Main article: Republic City Park

Located in the city's central peninsula, Republic City Park is landscaped with small hills, deciduous trees shading impeccably kept grass, and fine stone arch bridges. Due to the poverty of a large number of Republic City citizens, the city park has also become a place popular with vagabonds such as Gommu, whom Korra met soon after her initial arrival in the city. Fishing in the ponds here is strictly prohibited by the park officials, who patrol it to ensure that all civilians bide by this rule.

Yue Bay Edit

Aang Memorial Island Edit

Main article: Aang Memorial Island

Aang Memorial Island is a small islet off the coast of Yue Bay, located near Air Temple Island. It features a massive statue of a teenage Avatar Aang created by the Fire Nation some years after the end of the Hundred Year War for display in the bay of Republic City, where it would stand as a symbol of peace and goodwill.^[7] Aang is depicted in Air Nomad attire, with the accompanying necklace he wore when Fire Lord Zuko announced the war's end at his coronation.

Air Temple Island Edit

Main article: Air Temple Island

Located in Yue Bay, Air Temple Island is the home of Tenzin and his family, some of the most important figures in Republic City. The temple was originally built by Avatar Aang himself.^[7] Comprised of several unique facilities, including a tall tower with boasting traditional architecture, several smaller dormitories with blue roofs, and an open training area, Air Temple Island is also the residence of the Air Acolytes, who serve to carry on the customs of the now-extinct Air Nomad civilization.

Pro-bending Arena Edit

Main article: Pro-bending Arena

Pro-bending is the most popular sport in Republic City, and official pro-bending matches are held in the city's Pro-bending Arena. As a testament to the sport's popularity, this building has a golden appearance and is lit at night, making it a prominent city landmark. The arena is spacious enough to hold the pro-bending ring on which the contestants compete, a large pool of water far below the ring, and seating for the great number of spectators that attend each game.^[8] The arena is one of Republic City's most renowned cultural marvels, and people from all over the world come to visit and watch the world's greatest benders compete.^[9]

After the Pro-bending Tournament was completed, the Equalists attacked this arena, leaving the roof and the pro-bending ring heavily damaged.^[10] Following the attack, in which the championship team was stripped of their bending by Amon, the arena was closed indefinitely. However, six months later, pro-bending matches have resumed.

Dragon Flats borough Edit

Main article: Dragon Flats borough

The Dragon Flats borough is one of Republic City's many residential sectors. It is known for being Hiroshi Sato's birthplace and an active triad territory. Before a successful raid by Councilman Tarrlok's task force, it hosted an underground training facility for Equalist chi blockers.^[4] Due to continued Equalist activity in the area, its residents were for a brief amount of time put under a curfew, which was unsuccessfully resisted by non-benders.^[1]

Chi blocker training camp Edit

Main article: Chi blocker training camp

The chi blocker training camp was a secret Equalist facility used for instructing non-benders on chi blocking. It was hidden in a secret cellar underneath a bookstore, and was successfully invaded by Tarrlok, Korra, and the remainder of the task force. Several people who had been participating in Equalist activities at the time were captured by the task force and arrested.^[4]

Industrial areas Edit

Rally building Edit

Main article: Rally building

The rally building is a large convention hall formerly operated by the Equalists. It is located near an industrial sector of Republic City's waterfront, at the intersection of two minor roadways and is the place where Amon's revelation rally was held.

Republic City power plant Edit

Main article: Republic City power plant

The Republic City power plant is the main source of electricity for the city. It is operated by firebenders through the use of lightning generation. According to Mako, the pay for the job is decent.^[11]

Republic City underground Edit

Republic City tunnel network Edit

Main article: Republic City tunnel network

The Republic City tunnel network is a system of subterranean passages located underneath Republic City. It is a heavily complex network of tunnels, but upon first glance, the system seems to be largely unused. However, due to growing unrest among the citizens of Republic City, it had at one point become the primary site of operations for Equalist activity. During this time, the tunnel network hosted Equalist prisons, training camps, and garages.^[12]

Other locations Edit

Central City Station Edit

Main article: Central City Station

Central City Station is the city's main hub of transportation, though in recent years, it has hosted less ridership due to the advent of the Satomobile. Nonetheless, it remains a busy commercial center, which is symbolized by the monumental statue of Fire Lord Zuko at its front entrance.^[4]

Harmony Tower Edit

Main article: Harmony Tower

The Harmony Tower is a tall lattice structure located north of the downtown area that allows citizens to see a clear, panoramic view of Republic City.^[13]

Narook's Seaweed Noodlery Edit

Main article: Narook's Seaweed Noodlery

Narook's Seaweed Noodlery is a restaurant in the city that serves traditional Southern Water Tribe cuisine. Its noodles are advertised as the best in the United Republic.

Silk Road Bridge Edit

Main article: Silk Road Bridge

The Silk Road Bridge is one of Republic City's many suspension bridges. It is here that Korra, Tenzin, and Lin Beifong received information regarding Hiroshi Sato's secret factory.^[14]

Triple Threat Triad headquarters Edit

Main article: Triple Threat Triad headquarters

The Triple Threat Triad headquarters is the base of operations for the Triple Threat Triad, Republic City's most notorious organized crime faction. It is disguised as a restaurant and located on a minor roadway near Central City Station.^[11]

Companies Edit

Cabbage Corp Edit

Main article: Cabbage Corp

Cabbage Corp is a leading automobile manufacturer. One of its most popular models is the Cabbage Car, a cheaper and more compact alternative to vehicles produced by Future Industries, the company's main rival. Cabbage Corp's current owner is Lau Gan-Lan.

Future Industries Edit

Main article: Future Industries

Future Industries is a manufacturing company founded by Hiroshi Sato and currently led by his daughter, Asami. Using state-of-the-art technology and the assembly line, the factory is able to produce over a hundred luxury Satomobiles on a daily basis. Although the automotive industry is where the company primarily does its business, it has the resources to also manufacture weapons and airplanes. Despite high demand, Future Industries' only known competitor is Cabbage Corp.

Demographics Edit

The population of Republic City is large by world standards, and the mass influx of immigrants from the four nations has caused considerable demographic challenges. The foremost of these challenges is inequality: the gap in wealth is considerable. Newcomers to the city appear unaware of these phenomena until their arrival, when they are presented with a considerable surprise. The Avatar herself believed its citizens to all be "living it up" and was shocked to discover vagabonds in the city park. With these difficult conditions, the populace seems ready to be stirred into a revolt against the perceived bending elite. A protester expended relatively little effort in arousing anger in a crowd against an annoyed Korra.

As the center of commerce throughout the nations, organized crime appears to be very common in Republic City. Gangs such as the Triple Threat Triad lay claim to certain boroughs of the city, which they call "territories". In these areas, the control of triads appears to be considerable, with shopkeepers forced to pay them in order to secure their safety. This power over local business is significant considering the regular and frequent airship patrols by the city's police forces.^[3]

Transportation Edit

The use of modern transportation methods such as automobiles, motorcycles, and airships is widespread in Republic City. The city also has invested considerably in advanced transportation infrastructure, with feats of engineering such as an elevated mass transit system and several suspension bridges connecting the city center with its outlying boroughs.^[3]

Notable figures Edit

Avatar Aang Avatar Korra Councilman Tenzin Councilman Tarrlok Councilman Sokka Fire Nation councilwoman Chief Toph Beifong Lin Beifong Mako Bolin Tahno

Chief Saikhan Council page Lightning Bolt Zolt Pema Jinora Ikki Meelo Rohan Shady Shin Asami Sato Hiroshi Sato

Skoochy Toza Amon Lieutenant Two Toed Ping Butakha Butler Yakone Feathered hat man Protester Shiro Shinobi

Trivia Edit

• The concept of Republic City is inspired by several real world past and present locations from the late 1800s to the 1930s. This includes Shanghai circa 1920s, Hong Kong, and Western cities such as New York, Chicago, and Vancouver. In particular, the giant Aang statue, the huge park, and the bridge are inspired by the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge, respectively, in New York City.^[15]
• The rapid urbanization and technological advances of the World of Avatar mirrors that of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in the real world, in which automobiles, towering buildings, trolleys, and other great engineering feats came to be.
• The park in Republic City resembles Hyde Park in London, with its "Speaker's Corner", where anyone can stand up and speak to the public. In Republic City Park, a man is speaking to the public with a megaphone about the Equalists' views against benders.
  • Similarities can also be traced with other European landmarks; the Harmony Tower is reminiscent of Paris' Eiffel Tower, and City Hall closely resembles Berlin's Reichstag.
• The city is divided into boroughs. The only one known is the Dragon Flats borough, home of Hiroshi Sato's family.^[4][6]
• Republic City is located near Makapu Village and Taku.
• The elevated railway transportation can be compared to the elevated railway system, or EL, built in Chicago during the early 1900s, and the street trolley system can be compared to San Francisco's street trolleys also built during the early 1900s.
• Tarrlok's seizing of control of major law operations and using the police to oppress non-benders makes Republic City appear to operate like a police state, just as Ba Sing Se was before the end of the Hundred Year War.
• It appears that during the time of Yakone's trial, Republic City's citizens were still using animals for transportation, as evidenced by the lack of motor vehicles and Yakone utilizing an ostrich horse carriage as a method of escape.
• In "And the Winner Is...", a Cabbage Corp advertisement on the radio describes the company as "Republic City's trusted name in technology for over fifty years". This would mean that Republic City was, to some extent, up and running by 120 ASC, a mere twenty years after the end of the Hundred Year War.
• In the German dub of The Legend of Korra, Republic City is called "Republica".
• In the Greek dub of The Legend of Korra, Republic City is called "Democracy City".
• In the Dutch dub of The Legend of Korra,  Republic City is called "Republicasia".

References Edit

↑ 1.0 1.1 "When Extremes Meet". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. June 2, 2012. No. 8, Book One: Air ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gene Yang (w), Gurihiru (a). The Promise Part 1 (January 25, 2012), Dark Horse Comics ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Welcome to Republic City". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. April 14, 2012. No. 1, Book One: Air ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "The Voice in the Night". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. April 28, 2012. No. 4, Book One: Air ↑ Welcome to Republic City. Nickelodeon (May 4, 2012). Retrieved on May 4, 2012. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Legend of Korra Press Site - Character descriptions. Viacom International Inc. (March 2012). Retrieved on March 17, 2012. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Painting of Yue Bay. Korra Nation (March 17, 2012). Retrieved on March 17, 2012. ↑ Painting of Pro-bending Arena. Korra Nation (March 7, 2012). Retrieved on March 17, 2012. ↑ The Legend of Korra: Welcome to Republic City. Nickelodeon (May 11, 2012). Retrieved on May 11, 2012. ↑ "And the Winner Is...". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. May 12, 2012. No. 6, Book One: Air ↑ 11.0 11.1 "The Revelation". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. April 21, 2012. No. 3, Book One: Air ↑ "Out of the Past". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. June 9, 2012. No. 9, Book One: Air ↑ "The Spirit of Competition". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. May 5, 2012. No. 5, Book One: Air ↑ "The Aftermath". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. May 19, 2012. No. 7, Book One: Air ↑ Farley, Christopher (July 21, 2010). 'Legend of Korra': The 'Avatar' Creators on the New Spinoff. Speakeasy. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on March 8, 2011.

Start a Discussion Discussions about Republic City

• 

  Why doesn't the Foggy Swamp Tribe get a seat at the Republic City Council table?

  478 messages
  • 
    Swampbender55
    Ha, yeah. Get a drive-by sanding. 2013-06-15T02:33:55Z
  • 
    The Air Nomad Critic
    You never know, sandblasting seems like it would hurt like the dickens, considering what its used for IRL. 2013-06-15T03:01:30Z

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