The Lower City originally started as a seaport serving the Lowlands and the Upper City, which in turn traded with people on the Plateau and points inland. The Lower City also serves as a collection point for crops grown for export by lowland farmers in the area.
As trade grew, manufacturers who depended on ocean access found it profitable to locate in the Lower City, making it a major manufacturing and financial center. In contrast with those of the Upper City, the financiers of the Lower City tend to specialize more in international banking.
Because of proximity to the Wizards' Quarter, those manufacturers and other businesses that rely heavily on magic tend to favor the Lower City over the Upper City.
In recent years developers have begun exploiting nearby ocean beaches (not shown). This, combined with the glamour of the city's fabled past, has produced a thriving resort and tourist trade.
Back to the Ancient City.
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