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Gully City and County
This public article was written by [Deactivated User], and last updated on 22 Apr 2020, 19:32.

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Gullu (黒市郡 Mikyoan: gullu-shigyung [gɯ̽llɯ ɕigjɯ̽ŋ], Mikyoan Spanish: la ciudad y condado de gulu [la ɕjuða i kõn̪d̪ao ðe guɾu]), officially the City and County of Gullu, is a city-county in Mikyo and is the third most populous county in the nation, after Ishigagi and Illyomotei. Gullu is considered the cultural, economic, and commercial centre of the Southern Region of Mikyo (which consists of Gullu, Hatelluma, and several smaller islands east of Gullu) due both to its population, but also due to its thriving economy based primarily on gambling, services, and electronics.

Gullu is well known in Mikyo as a Cultural Mosaic, similar to Ishigagi and Yongnagumei. Gullu has a long history of coexisting cultures and has historically been a Majority-Minority County for centuries. In the past, Turkic-Mikyoans have made up the majority/plurality, and this long history of Turkic-Mikyoans (primarily Kazakhs and Uzbeks) has made Gullu a culturally distinct and unique spot not only in Mikyo but the Ryukyus as well.

Gullu has an estimated population of 185,204 as of 2018, making it the third most populated county in the nation after Ishigagi and Illyomotei. Around 44.34% (82,114) of the population is foreign-born, and in total, about 62.87% (116,442) of the population was born abroad or in a different Mikyoan county.

History

In the 15th century, the island was incorporated into the Ryukyu Kingdom. By 1879, the island was formally annexed by Imperial Japan.

Gullu history is often described in cycles of demographic shifts, due to its continually changing people.

Indigenous Yaeyama Era (pre-1800's)

The earliest history of Gullu (and Mikyo in general) was not well documented until the late 1700's. Earliest accounts state that the island was populated by a group of Indigenous Yaeyama tribes who lived in relative peace, with occasional conflicts.

Today there are around 1,381 Indigenous Yaeyama Mikyoans, making up 0.75% of the county's population.

Turkic Era (1800-1950)

From early 19th to mid 20th centuries, Gullu was primarily populated by Turkic Mikyoans, primarily Kazakhs and Uzbeks. Starting in the early 1820's the island began to be known as a suburb of Ishigagi, which had many Turkic Mikyoans due to its proximity to the historic Turkic community in southern Ishigagi. Wealthy Turkic Mikyoans over time moved to the island and were the primary source of population growth on the island for decades.

During this period, Gullu was a relatively wealthy island, however, some poverty existed in the high-density inner city, which was more working class due to it being a centre for manual labour fields.

With the Japanese occupation in 1879, Gullu's Turkic population was oppressed and Turkic cultures and languages were banned. This was common across all Mikyoan islands and over time this suppression of Turkic cultures and languages caused the people to be mostly assimilated to the rest of Japonic-Mikyoan Culture. Leading up to and during World War II the Turkic population was further oppressed, and all Turkic Mikyoans were expected to take on Japanese names, the Japanese language and culture, and completely assimilate to the Japanese Empire. Gullu was pacified into a Japanese City, rather than a Turkic Mikyoan City.

Today the Turkic Mikyoan population of Gullu numbers only at 4,556 (2.46%), however at their height Turkic Mikyoans numbered at 34,441 (77.49%). Most Turkic Mikyoans left for Ishigagi and Illyomotei leading up to, during, or immediately after World War II while others completely assimilated to the larger Mikyoan culture. Today a number of Multiracial residents of Gullu have some Turkic ancestry.

Asian Era (1950-1990)

After World War II, Asian-Mikyoan migration to Gullu increased, especially from Illyomotei, however, immigrants from China and the Philippines also entered during the years under US occupation.

With the establishment of the Yobosu Regime, Mikyo was shut off from the world under martial law and would not allow any immigration until 1981. During this time minority populations either steadily grew or stagnated and declined. The European Mikyoan population (which was largely made up of American and British soldiers and/or their descendants as well as historic traders from Portugal and Spain) peaked during the Yobosu Era but has since declined.

Some Vietnamese and Korean War refugees were also accepted by the Yobosu Regime to keep the population largely Asian Mikyoan.

The growth of the Asian Mikyoan community has not stopped and the number of Asian Mikyoans has not declined since the Asian Era, however, they have declined as a percentage of the population. At their height, Asian Mikyoans made up 45.06% (58,204) of the population and today they make up 38.79% (71,843) of the population.

Pacific Islander Era (1990-2010)

Gullu has a long history of Pacific Islanders, particularly Penghu, Palauans, Taiwanese Aboriginals, and Chamorro. The group known as 'Gullu Pacific Islander Community Organization Committee' was well known during the Yobosu Regime Era for protesting against Pacific Islander Discrimination, primarily colourism, both within and against the community.

Pacific Islanders became the dominant cultural group in the late 1990's and early 2000's with the fall of the Yobosu Regime. Fijians, Hawaiians, Samoans, and Chamorro moved to the island en masse, many to work in the hospitality industry but also some for the financial services industry. In 2008-2010 the group's growth was temporarily halted due to the 2008 Great Recession causing a slow in the economy, therefore slowing migration and immigration to the county, however it has since picked up once more.

As of August 1st, 2018, the Pacific Islander Mikyoan population numbers at 37,992 (20.51%) compared to 20,019 (19.58%) in 1990, and 5,097 (12.34%) in 1950.

Multicultural Era (2011-present)

On May 10th, 2011, the then-County Executive of Gullu, announced that Gullu was a “cultural mosaic” in a speech before the City Council. Since then most academics and politicians have agreed that Gullu was in a ‘Multicultural Era’, in which no group held the majority of power nor made up a majority of the population. This terminology is somewhat contested, as Asian Mikyoans make up just under half of the City Council, however for most the term is used happily.

In Gullu, multiculturalism, similar to in Ishigagi, has become an ideal which many politicians endorse and seek to present as a unique quality of the county. The City Council, with the exception of all Nationalist members and some Independent members, has endorsed the concept.

Currently, Gullu is a Majority-Minority county, and no group makes up more than 40% of the population. Lyko Mikyoans, African Mikyoans, Middle Eastern/North African Mikyoans, and Multiracial Mikyoans are all fast-growing communities and will collectively make up more than half of the county’s population by 2050. Much of the county’s conflicts surrounding racism and immigration stem from this sudden and rapid diversifying of the population.


Geography and Climate

Geography

The island has an area of some 100 km2 (39 sq mi)and a population of approximately 185,204 as of 2018. Gullu is a comparatively flat island, as the highest point is just 15 metres (49 ft) above sea level.

Gullu’s land area has also expanded past its natural boundaries, and some neighbourhoods are built entirely or mostly upon the reclaimed land. Some communities are also primarily boat communities, such as Chonghu’i.

Climate

Gullu has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) with hot summers and warm "winters". Precipitation is abundant throughout the year; the rainiest months are August and September (due to tropical storm/typhoon) while the driest months are December and July.


Demographics

The Mikyoan Census Bureau estimates the population of the city to be at 185,204 as of August 1st, 2018, with a population density of 185/km2 (4,749 per sq mi.)

In the County, 90,058 (48.63%) of residents idenfity as male, 90,848 (49.05%) of residents idenfity as female, and 4,298 (2.32%) identify as non-binary or other. 56,209 (30.35%) of residents are under 18, 118,422 (63.94%) are between 18 and 64, and 10,573 (5.71%) are 65 or older.

Race, Ethnicity, Religion, and Language

Gullu is a Majority-Minority county, as 61% of the population is Non-Asian Mikyoan. Currently the estimated racial makeup of Gullu includes 71,843 Asian Mikyoans (38.79%), 9,006 European Mikyoans (4.86%), 11,204 African Mikyoans (6.05%), 19,663 Lyko Mikyoans (10.62%), 4,556 Turkic Mikyoans (2.46%), 37,992 Pacific Islander Mikyoans (20.51%), 11,302 Middle Eastern/North African Mikyoans (6.10%), 15,961 Multiracial Mikyoans (8.62%), 1,381 Indigenous Yaeyama Mikyoans (0.75%), and 2,296 Other Mikyoans (1.24%).


2018200019801960
Asian Mikyoan38.79%42.60%45.06%44.83%
Caucasian Mikyoan4.86%8.65%11.78%13.54%
African Mikyoan6.05%5.49%3.86%2.35%
Lyko Mikyoan10.62%7.17%4.90%2.97%
Turkic Mikyoan2.46%2.61%4.63%7.92%
Pacific-Islander Mikyoan20.51%20.14%19.15%19.58%
Middle-Eastern/North-African Mikyoan6.10%4.77%3.10%0.99%
Mixed Race8.62%6.76%5.59%4.92%
Indigenous Yaeyama0.75%0.87%1.17%2.19%
Other1.24%0.94%0.78%0.70%


As of 2018, 86.85% of Gullu's population under 1 were minorities, meaning they had at least one parent who was not Asian Mikyoan. Gullu is a Majority-Minority county. In 2018, 56.27% (2,007) of births in the city were to one or more parent who was foreign-born.

As of 2018 a plurality of the population is irreligious (46.18%). Christians (20.12%), Muslims (17.14%), Buddhists (10.09%), Shintoists (3.14%), Hindus (2.19%), and others (1.14%) make up the rest of the population. Currently the fastest growing religion is Islam.

As of 2018, the most spoken home language in Gullu is Mikyoan, (46.58%) with 86,268, followed by Spanish (16.24%) with 30,077 home speakers, Chinese (10.09%) with 18,687, French (6.59%) with 12,205, Tagalog (4.09%) with 7,575, Arabic (3.84%) with 7,112, English (3.03%) with 5,612, Higashikan (2.48%) with 4,593, Persian/Farsi (1.95%) with 3,611, Korean (1.69%) with 3,130, and Others (3.42%) with 6,334 home speakers.

In 2018, 69.03% of Gullu's residents (127,848) spoke a language other than or alongside Mikyoan at home or in their daily life.


Economy

The Gullu economy is driven primarily by tourism, gaming, entertainment, and hospitality which in turn also feed into the retail and restaurant industries.

Tourism and Hospitality

The Tourism and Hospitality industries are mostly located on the northern coast of Gullu and comprise a significant portion of the economy. Hotels are widely dispersed across both the city centre as well as along the coasts, however luxury resorts are most commonly found on the northern shore due to its view overlooking the boats passing between the other major islands of Mikyo.

Several historical sites and areas have become huge tourist attractions over the decades, such as Shinghu Street (a major road in the city decorated in traditional Mikyoan gates and lanterns which runs north to south on the island), the Fujisan Temple, the Financial District, as well as a multitude of other attractions.

Gaming and Entertainment

Revenue from gaming and gambling make up a substancial portion of the city's income each year. Most casinos are located along the southern and south-eastern coasts. Gullu's gaming and gambling scenes are most commonly thought to have arisen due to the Yaguja's, the Mikyoan crime organization, historic influence on the city.

Alongside gaming, entertainment is another industry commonly associated with Gullu. The nation's two largest film studios (Chobo Pictures and Mingju Studios) are based in Gullu. Most Mikyoan reality, game, variety, and talk shows are filmed and based in Gullu. The entertainment industry is not limited to just television and film, however, as the performing arts have a long history in Gullu due to its historical placement as a suburb of the wealthy during the Mideival Mikyoan period.


Culture

Gullu's culture is very distinct, due to the island's ethnically, linguistically, racially, and religiously diverse population. Gullu is home to a significant numebr of ethnic enclaves and diverse cultural sites.

The city hosts several museums, such as the Yaguja Museum, the Gullu Children's Discovery Museum, the Gullu Museum of Natural Science and History, and the Gullu Museum of Modern Art.

Along Shinghu Street, a major road which passes through major sections of the city, street performances are ordinary. The Shinghu Performing and Visual Arts Complex is located alongside the street as well and hosts numerous festivals, galleries, and events celebrating performing and visual arts. The largest film festival in Mikyo, the Gonghai Film Festival, is held annually in The Shinghu Performing and Visual Arts Complex each May.


Governance

County and City Government and Federal Government
Gullu is divided into 20 Districts for the City and County Council. The Capitol Building is located in Namhuang (南灣), on the southernmost point of the Island. The City and County Council has 200 seats, and each district elects 10 seats to the council. Currently, 101 are held by the Progressive Party, 26 are held by the Liberal Party, 13 are held by the Conservative Party, 45 are held by the Nationalist Party, 4 are held by the Green Party, 9 are held by the Communist Party, and 2 are held by Independents.

The current county executive is Erika Myu (武에리카), a member of the Progressive Party, who was elected in November 2017. County Executives are elected every 4 years. For the past 12 years, the County Executive of Gullu has been a member of the Progressive party.

The county currently has 6 seats in the National Senate, 4 held by Progressives, 1 held by a Liberal, and 1 held by a Nationalist. The county also holds 16 seats in the National Council. 9 seats are held by Progressives, 3 are held by Liberals, and 4 are held by Nationalists.

Politics

Gullu is a primarily left-leaning county, and the county has voted for a Liberal or Progressive candidate in every single election since the establishment of Mikyo's Democracy in 1998.

Most voters in Gullu are affiliated with the Progressive Party or the Nationalist Party, however, around a third of registered voters in Gullu are not affiliated with any party. Gullu's voter turnout rate was 69.32% in the 2018 presidential election.




Education

Public Schools
The Gullu public school system is united under one school district (Gullu Public Schools or GPS), and decisions are made by the Gullu Public Schools Board of Education (GPSBE), which is made up of 15 members.

As of 2018, the student population numbers at around 56,000.

Universities

Gullu is home to four universities, two public and two private: the University of Gullu at Shinghu, the Namhuang University of the Arts, the Pacific Marina University, and the Beokhu'i University. Each university has an acceptance rate of 21.4%, 53.9%, 6.9%, and 2.2% respectively.


Transportation

Connection to the Main Islands

Gullu is connected to both Illyomotei and Taketomei by bridges, and a rail runs between Ishigagi and Gullu through Taketomei. Ferries between Gullu and the other islands also regularly transport goods and passengers between Gullu and the other major islands of Mikyo. Gullu currently has no ferry line between it and Yongnagumei, however, discussions between the two city's Departments of Transportation are in works to possibly create one.

Public Transportation

Gullu has a subway system and an above-ground rail system. The above ground rail system runs along the city's coasts and in between major districts, whereas the subway system is scattered with stations in each district. Trams run along Shinghu, Namhuang, Beokhu'i, and Shijang Streets and are mostly used by tourists and by people who work and live in the area. Gullu also has a bus system which runs along the main roads and some local systems which circle two or three neighbourhoods at a time.

Around 51.09% of the population commutes to work or school using public transportation and around 67.22% of the population uses public transportation at least once a week.
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