Madripoor

Madripoor is a small island nation south of Singapore in the Indonesian archipelago. Conquered by freebooters centuries ago, its heritage of piracy evolved into the present laissez-faire government, permitting virtually any business transaction provided that the status quo is not threatened. Its official name is the Principality of Madripoor, and its capital and single large city is Madripoor, which is divided between wealthy Hightown and impoverished, crime-ridden Lowtown. This serves to represent the extreme social inequality in Madripoor, described as "A place for the very rich and the very poor". As Madripoor was once a haven for pirates, that tradition is somewhat continued today with its lawless quality; the Principality does not allow other nations to extradite criminals. However, it is one of the business capitals of the Pacific Rim, with its own "Trade Center". Other locations of note in the Central Business District are the Bank of Hong Kong and the Bank of Malaysia, luxurious Sovereign Hotel, and the Prince's Palace, said to rival Versailles.