Cattala | Last Update: 21st November 2012

[rooker1]

Congrats on getting your MD into OSITM! 
I look forward to seeing how you make this month special.   With updates like you have been giving us lately it shouldn't be any problem at all.

Robin 

[Battlecat]

Congratulations on your OSITM!   

I look forward to seeing what's next!

[Terring7]

[wallasey]

Well done on your OSITM!

I can feel the heat coming from your images!

Your building set is wonderful. I like the variances between the rural and urban landscapes.

All the best for August!

[Skimbo]

Congrats or OSITM =)

[ThomasK]

Thank you all very much for your kind words. I can assure you that I definitely will be updating shortly, after my brief holiday this past week.

But, whilst I work on the next update, here's two quick maps of Cattala with some images from each of the seven provinces. I hope you like it.

[noahclem]

Congratulations on OSITM!    Looking forward to the next update 

[rooker1]

Interesting photoshopping.

Robin

[art128]

Photoshopping is looking great and is interesting as said Robin, Can't wait to see the full pictures!

[ThomasK]

Thank you Noah, Robin and art128 - here's the update I promised.

Welcome back to Hellas Province, the northern-most province of Cattala. Today we're visiting a town downstream from Eurellia – Amano Bridge.



Clearly Amano Bridge has been built on the banks of a river, which once carried coal, wood and other fuels from Ionia to the northern towns and villages of Hellas Island.



However these days, it's used more recreationally. Strict rules are in place to protect water quality in Hellas, so this river is used for swimming in the summer!



Amano is still a popular place to live, even though industry and manufacturing left the area decades ago. As you can see here, more dense housing is being built along the shoreline, but planning regulations mean that they have to be built in traditional styles.



As is commonplace in most Cattalian towns, the skyline remains dominated by religious centres. Amano's 19th-century cathedral was built at the height of it's wealth, when the town was flourishing and looked likely to become the biggest city in Hellas. This never happened, but the town is still highly regarded in the islands.



Thank you for visiting Cattala today.

[Framly]

Great Update

Congrats on getting your MD into OSITM!

[bat]

The town is wonderful!
And nice work on the river...

[art128]

I like how that compact town is looking between the river and the mountain/forest. Great job!

[ThomasK]

Framly: Thank you - and it's a great honour.

bat: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. It's part of the Diggis pond and stream series, so I have been reluctant to use it in the past.

art128:Thank you very much, and you're spot on - it's in between two hills and as I mentioned in the update, it was hoped that Amano Bridge would grow considerably bigger, but it's expansion stopped because there was no more flat land. I agree that it seems quite compact - I actually didn't notice that until after I posted the update.

[supremec]

Very beautifull city 

[apeguy]

Very nice mediterranean city! The river is very nice.

[ThomasK]

Thank you both.

Today we have a special update, not based on any particular cities. At the moment the AIN Expo 2011 is ongoing, and as part of that I'm showing how the Cattalian education system works. So, here's some images of schools and universities from across Cattala.



There are five stages to education in Cattala – Viviao, Elementare, Secondaria, Accademia and Università. Cattala has State, Private and Religious schools but all follow this system. State schools are fully funded by the Government, whilst religious schools obtain up to 50% of their funding from their religious community.



Viviao is the first stage of education a child enters. Between the ages of 2 and 4, children are offered part-time places at Viviao Infante schools. Between the ages of 4 and 7, children are offered full-time places at Viviao schools. In 2010, 96% of Elementare children had attended Viviao, and it is an informal introduction to learning, mainly through playing and fun activities.



Elementare is the first stage of compulsory education. Children join Elementare school in the academic year of their seventh birthday, and leave at the age of 11. At Elementare school, there are no formal examinations, and it is focused on teaching children basic skills.



Secondaria Scuola is the second stage of compulsory education. Students attend Secondaria school from the age of 11, after finishing Elementare, and leave at the age of 16, to go to an apprenticeship or Accademia.




Accademia is the last stage of compulsory education. Accademia is the equivalent of college and is normally attended by people aged between 16 and 18. In Accademia, students study subjects of their choice which are provided by that Academy and they are much more specialised than at Secondaria level.



Università is the Cattalian name for University, where adults who have finished compulsory education can study for degrees. The largest Universities in Cattala are Jennai City, Celeste, Italia Gennaio, Calora and Lessito. A full update is in the pipeline, so normal service will be resumed soon!

[nedalezz]

Well, I can see why this MD was chosen for OSITM!

In the previous update (the one before this), the second picture had me staring for no less than 5 minutes, just admiring how beautiful it is.

As for the last update - another great post!

[ThomasK]

Thank you nedalezz! I'll try and make more like that for you to stare at.

[supremec]

Wow! Wonderfull  You already used the Paris Rivoli's BATs