HISTORY
Metropolis - one of the greatest cities of the
world, and home of Superman.
Known as the "Bagdad of Hob's River,"
Metropolis has been a global center for commerce, industry and culture
since it was incorporated at the turn of the century. Located near New
York City and Gotham City on the United States' east coast, Metropolis
is divided into six boroughs, and occupies three islands and areas along
the coasts of the Hob's and West Rivers. On islands are the boroughs of
New Troy, St. Martin's Island, and Hell's Gate. On the river banks are
Queensland Park along the West River to the south, and on Hob's River to
the north are Park Ridge and Bakerline. New Troy, on the center island,
is a center of business, like New York's Manhattan. It is home to the University
of Metropolis and Centennial Park on the west side; and the
Daily Planet, the LexCorp Tower, the Newstime building,
and Galaxy Communications in the eastern business district. New
Troy also has a less prosperous neighborhood called Hob's Bay, but commonly
known as Suicide Slum. Metropolis' nickname is the 'Big Apricot'.
Originally founded by the Dutch as Fort Meppel,
the main peninsula of the city was renamed New Troy by the British in 1675.
The growth and potential of New Troy quickly attracted some of the world's
finest minds, and the area became known as a haven for reason and enlightenment.
Metropolis became known as a forward-thinking
city as early as 1775, when Joshua Merriwether founded the weekly
Our Planet, one of the country's first periodicals. Even though
the paper suspended publication at one point, it resumed in 1793 under
its current name, the Daily Planet. Recognizing the importance of
an informed populace, George Washington wrote the paper's first
editorial.
The city grew throughout the years, increasing
its wealth and population as it became a world center of trade, media and
innovative new industries, a tradition carried on today by such companies
as the Daily Planet, LexCorp and S.T.A.R. Laboratories.
Despite its glorious past, Metropolis' brightest
day came when Superman made the city his adopted home almost 10
years ago. On that day, Metropolis saw its status rise from the best-known
city in America to the most renowned city in the world. Under Superman's
ever-vigilant protection, the city has continued to prosper and grow.
The crisis known as "The Fall of Metropolis,"
the city's darkest day, occurred slightly over a year ago and leveled almost
75 percent of the New Troy portion of Metropolis. The catastrophe was caused
when bombs and defensive devises, allegedly placed by Lex Luthor
to ward off an alien invasion in Superman's absence, activated, and utterly
destroyed the business district. Through magical means, the city was rebuilt
overnight shortly after the destruction, thanks to the aid of some of Earth's
finest heroes, thus renewing the city for a glorious new future.
Named "The Most Modern City in America"
several times over, Metropolis has received many national and international
awards for its city planning, development, inrastructure and vision. Truly,
if you are looking for a glimps of tomorrow, look no further than Metropolis!
POPULATION (estimated)
Total..........................................................10,500,000
New Troy..........................................5,467,851
Queensland Park................................1,635,091
Bakerline............................................1,599,983
Park Ridge............................................797,075
St. Martin's Island.................................510,179
Hell's Gate.............................................489,821
VISITORS PER YEAR................44,000,000
(tourism and convention traffic)
GEOGRAPHY
Size: 125
square miles spread over three islands and the mainland banks of the Hob's
and West Rivers, divided into six boroughs.
Distance from New York: 220 miles
Distance from Gotham City: 150 miles
Distance from Chicago: 900 miles
WEATHER
Average summer temps: (July-August)
85 (high)/65 (low)
Average winter temps: (January-February)
38 (high)/5 (low)
Average rainfall: 30
inches
Average snowfall: 18
inches
COMMERCE
Technology: Thanks
to LexCorp and S.T.A.R. Laboratories, technology and the sciences contribute
significantly to Metropolis' economy. LexCorp and its holdings employ nearly
75 percent of the city's populace.
Heavy Industry: Metropolis'
technology industry demands large machinery and delicate components. Several
key robotics and heavy-scale components are headquartered in Metropolis.
Service: Due
to its populace, a fair number of Metropolitans are employed in the service
sectors, from retail to public service. Thanks to its booming economy,
service and retail jobs are virtually always available in Metropolis.
MAJOR EMPLOYERS OF METROPOLIS
LexCorp (all
holdings)..................................6.21 million employees
Bakerline Naval Shipyard................................13,556
employees
WGBS (including
Studio GBS and holdings).........7,823 employees
S.T.A.R. Laboratories........................................1,247
employees
The Daily Planet..................................................645
employees
NOTABLE BUILDINGS / INSTITUTIONS / STRUCTURES
City Municipal Building
The Daily Planet Building
(1921; 37 stories; 542 feet to globe; 501 feet to top floor)
The Daily Planet
Famous the world over for it's rooftop
globe, the Planet building's lobby features the World Room, with information
stations scattered around a 15-foot diameter globe. Also, a multi-media
presentation reenacts Superman's fateful battle with Doomsday, which crossed
the country and ended in front of the Planet building.
The Daily News Building
Galaxy Communications (WGBS) Building (1964; 55 stories; 745 feet)
SRC="http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Stargate/1640/galaxy.jpeg" WIDTH="184" HEIGHT="132" ALIGN="BOTTOM" NATURALSIZEFLAG=
"3">Galaxy Communications
National corporate headquarters, Land
Lines Command Center and principal satellite relay center. This facility
monitors and regulates 17 million communication lines.
Hyperdome Stadium
Located within the famed HyperSector,
the Hyperdome Stadium plays host to numerous sporting events, concerts,
and other forms of mass public entertrainment.
HyperSector
A rapidly renewed area of downtown Metropolis
which boasts the popular Hyperdome Stadium and the brand new LexCom building.
Kaye Printing Plant
Located next door to the Daily Planet,
this facility handles the printing of the 1.3 million daily papers.
LexCom Building
Located in Hypersector and founded by
billionare financier Lex Luthor, LexCom was launched online in the opening
days of 1999. LexCom stands at the cutting edge of information dissemination
for the new millennium and offers instant updates of major topical headlines
when the news happens. . .not just when the presses roll.
LexCorp International Tower (1980; 96 stories; 1,301 feet)
LexCorp Tower
Famous around the world as LexCorp's headquarters
and Lex Luthor's home, the distinctive L-shaped building is the tallest
structure in Metropolis and offers upscale dining and shopping experiences
in its spacious atrium. LexCorp is now the world hub of the largest industrial
and financial entity in existence.
The Metropolis Star Building
The Metro Eagle Building
The National Whisper Building
Newstime Building
(1913; 66 stories; 894 feet)
Home of the nations number 2 weekly news
magazine.
Sikela Hippodrome
(demolished)
Current site of the LexCorp International
Tower.
S.T.A.R. Laboratories
<
S.T.A.R. Laboratories are located in various
cities throughout the United States. Home to astounding breakthroughs in
technical and medical sciences.
Technology And Research. . .
Superman Monument (formerly
Superman's Tomb)
Superman's former Tomb in Centennial
Park
After losing his life during a battle
with the alien known as Doomsday, Superman was laid to rest in a special
tomb in the heart of Centennial Park. A statue in his likeness stands atop
the tomb with an eternal fire burning below. Thankfully Superman has since
returned to life and remains the guardian of Metropolis. The tomb is kept
standing as a reminder of that trying time and as a tribute to the Man
of Steel.
OTHER PLACES
Bibbo's Ace O' Clubs
First Presbyterian Church
Hobb's Bay Grille (spelled "Hobb's" on store-front)
Metropolis Cemetery
Metropolis Theater
Old Shuster Customs House
Simon Project (low rent housing)
Stryker's Island Maximum Security Facility
CULTURE FACTS
Sports (all
have won national titles):
The Meteors (NL), baseball
The Monarchs (AL), baseball
The Meteors (NFC), football
The Generals, basketball
The Mammoths, hockey
Theatres (12):
Warner Theatre (Metropolis'
historical grand-old movie house, which shows classic movies all year,
and "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas)
City Parks (10
including):
Centennial Park
Metropolis' largest park, known throughout
the world as the location of Superman's one-time tomb in Centennial Square,
is one of the most-recognized sites in the world. Acres of nature trails
are available for visitors, along with horse riding, jogging and bicycling.
Fort Hob's Park
Perez Park
Planet Square
Siegel Park
Museums (14)
Art Galleries (7)
Also more than 4,000 eating establishments
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (44
including)
University of Metropolis
Nordham University
Metropolis Institute of Technology
Metropolis Community College
MEDIA
Daily Newspapers
The Daily Planet
The Daily News
The Metropolis Star
The Metro Eagle
The National Whisper
Magazines
Newstime (the nation's #2 weekly news magazine)
Notable Network affiliate television stations
(more than 10 network affiliates including)
WMET, WGBS, WJAB, WLEX, WGMC
Radio Stations (more
than 100 including)
WGBS AM and FM, WCAR, WKSL, WJUR, WALT (94.5,
home of "dinosaur" rock)
(many are the home of nationally-syndicated on-air
personalities)
CITY SERVICES
Metropolis Transit Authority
Bus, Ferry, Subway, Elevated rail, and Hovercraft
Metropolis Police Department
Awarded "Nation's Finest" rating three
years running.
Metropolis Special Crimes Unit
Handles superpowered menaces.
Team Luthor
LexCorp's private security force, whose aid has
been pledged to the city in times of need.
Metropolis Fire Department
With sub-stations throughout Metropolis, the MFD
provides 24 hour fire call and search and rescue assistance with the latest
technology.
Metropolis General Hospital
Offering the finest in medical care to the Metropolis
community, General is also the home of many major medical breakthroughs
each year thanks to its excellent research programs and medical school.
NOTABLE STREET NAMES
Berrios Street
Broome Street
Carlson Street
Simon Street
Swan Street
Clinton Street
Gerald D. Ordway Drive
Sullivan Place
BRIDGES
Clinton Bridge
Mortimer Bridge
Queensland Bridge
Sources:
Superman Secret Files 1, January 1998. ©1998 DC Comics,
Inc.
Wizard's Superman Special, 1998. ©1998 Gareb Shamus
Enterprises.
Superman Secret Files 2, May 1999. ©1999 DC Comics,
Inc..
