Military drills with Holland, 4 largest cities

To solidify ties between The British Empire and Holland, the MoD agreed to a large-scale military exercise along the coast of Mauritania, near Nouakchott. The series of drills, named “world freedom” are linked to Westminster’s initiative to strengthen ties with allies across the globe. The exercises, which include Marines, naval units, aircraft and their army, have demonstrated both nations ability to collaborate with other parties in joint defence efforts. The exercise will span seven days and personel have been permitted to stay in the nearby city ‘Rotterdam Holland Haven’. Additionally, the British ships involved will be moored in Port de L'Amitie. The following military were involved: 

Britain- 

. 5,000 Royal Marines

. 80 Ghurkas

. 350 Turtle ACV’s

. 4 Forge ACV’s

. 1 leviathan cruiser

. 1 galley class combat ship

. 5 warspite destroyers

. 2 Type 39 Frigate

. 4 amphibious assault ship + a full flight deck

. 1 Bastion class aircraft carrier + a full flight deck

. 1 dock landing ship

Holland

. 8,000 infantry

. 2 cruisers

. 3 frigates

. 2 destroyers

. 5 amphibious assault ships

. 1 aircraft carrier 

. 65 fixed wing aircraft

. 15 assorted helicopters

. 8 transport helicopters

. 5 thousand marines

. 100 tanks

. 300 MRAPs

. 10 self-propelled artillery

. 1,000 paratroopers

Holland hosted wargames including amphibious assaults, naval skirmishes across the coast of West Africa and aircraft battles. 

The majority of the British ships were part of the West African Fleet and rendezvoused with the HMS Norwich, the galley class, near Cabo Verde. Before the ship's maiden voyage, the Royal Navy flag, the White ensign, and the Union Jack ascended her flag pole and a Naval chaplain blessed her. Over 40,000 onlookers gathered to witness HMS Norwich embarking from Shotley Gate.  

Over 300 marines, 50 Ghurkas, 20 bandsmen, 10 royal guards, 2 challenger 6 MBTs, 1 hurricane stealth bomber, 4 P1G10-N multirole aircraft and eight Raven Stealth attack helicopters will take part in a military procession in the nation's capital city. 

There are many ways of defining city populations. Perhaps the most obvious and logical is the total population of an urban area – that is, the continuously built-up zone. Here are the 4 largest cities in the UK by population. I do plan on doing the. Top 20 at some point. I'm attempting to focus more on Britain's economy to make it more independent of the empire (then I can get rid of colonies). 

London – 

Population: 32,803,000

GDP:2,545,604,843,000

GDP Per Capita: 81,081

The largest city in England and the capital of the British Empire; through the past two millennia, it has established itself as a world-class destination for business, culture and tourism. With the largest collections of art, historical artefacts and ancient architecture dating back to the Roman era, it is an area of extreme historical and cultural importance. Additionally, it houses multiple significant financial institutions including the London Stock Exchange, thousands of company headquarters and has eight downtown areas. In the past 10 years, favourable economic conditions, high immigration rates and support from the empire have caused an explosion in its GDP, population and global significance. London has been described as a “capital of the world” due to its high multiculturalism and its position as a financial, political and cultural hub. 

Manchester – 

Population: 13,652,000

GDP: 920,283,300,000

GDP Per Capita: 67,425

The second largest city in England and the second richest in the north. In the early 2080s, it witnessed an influx of young talent from across the isles due to its high wages, livability, job opportunities and educational facilities. After this, it was propelled to the second-largest city in the British Isles. Multiple media and creative businesses have headquarters here due to its large young population and high-quality actors. Media conglomerates including the BBC, Muse, Channel 4, ITV, Warner Bros, Netflix, Comcast, Disney and Paramount have studios and regional headquarters in the city to tap into the rich pool of creative talent. Due to its importance in the entertainment industry, it is nicknamed “Britwood” after the previous entertainment capital, Hollywood. Additionally, it is home to a bustling tourist hub, attracting millions of tourists annually to the “Las Vegas of Europe”. Hundreds of hotels, casinos, theatre shows and convention centres are located in the hub. Two of the largest football clubs in the world, Manchester United and City, play regularly in Manchester, attracting their supporters from across the globe. 

Birmingham – 

Population: 11,236,000

GDP: 508,179,520,000

GDP Per Capita: 45,320

The 3rd largest city in England is located in the heart of the nation. Known for its lively manufacturing economy, it is considered the factory of the Isles as multiple British assembling plants have locations here including the following: Xenith tech, Ederson, Hanabi Industries, Pax, Forge Industries (this existed before the nation named “the forge”) and hundreds more. Unfortunately, due to its low wages for workers, a majority of the city is impoverished and have one of the highest crime rates in Britain. Most workers only make around £7 an hour, with its gdp being pushed up significantly by the middle and higher class factory owners. In fact, its jokingly referred to as “the last Victorian city” due to the huge Victorian-level wealth disparity between the rich and workers. Although it is riddled with poverty, Central Birmingham has witnessed multiple regeneration projects to revitalise the city. It houses multiple important landmarks such as its labyrinthine network of canals, the Bullring, the BT tower, the Birmingham Libary, the City Council building and its modern high-rise cluster. 

Stour

Population:10,921,000

GDP: 778,825,720,000

GDP Per Capita: 71,320

One of the most peculiar cities in the entire world, it was formed by an urban sprawl between major towns including Colchester, Ipswich, Chelmsford and Bury St Edmunds. In the early 2040’s, it was formed after the towns were completely intwined. Although, due to three major areas of outstanding national beauty being in its path, the city has formed a “doughnut” around the Dedham Vale. Strict rules and regulations have prevented it from expanding into multiple areas, forcing its suburbs into snaking tendrils away from the inner city. Due to its odd layout, it has four major downtown areas in the previous towns. In its rapid expansion era, Westminster was forced to transform previous RAF bases into airports to quench its thirst for international travel. Many economists regard it as the “miracle of East Anglia”. Many can not fathom how it expanded so quickly and how it remains such an affluent area. However, most pin it to the actions of a singular company; in the 2030’s, a huge bank, now known as the Sterling Bank, found major success in emerging markets in South East Asia; using its vast, virtually-limitless funds, the visionary owner began to buy up huge parcels of farmland in the area. Using this, he created a new village for the upper class in Shotley Peninsula. It was largely successful and since then, the city has transformed itself into a thriving metropolis in East Anglia. Sterling Bank has honoured its history and is now headquartered in the previous Royal Hospital school, a beautiful complex on the peninsula. Its famed for its large swathes of nature, historical buildings and soaring skyscrapers. 

Isle of Wight - 

population: 5,625,000

GDP: 491,890,625,000

GDP: Per Capita: 87,325

From a relatively small, idyllic retreat for Londoners to a thriving financial powerhouse, the island has witnessed a rapid and welcome transformation. Situated adjacent to the busiest shipping route in the world, the Dover Strait, it first began its unprecedented transformation as a relatively small hub for shipping in the late 2020s. High-profile investors noticed this and erected a small-scale stop-off point for vessels looking for a break from sailing or a fuel refill. Following this, a large oil refinery on the island was created and it soon became a major processing plant for Southern England's oil needs. In the 2040s, Britain began to manufacture products again and the need for container ports forced Westminster to create a huge port complex on the isle as Southhampton became too busy with exports. The port was around 2 times larger than Felixstowe port, the biggest at the time and soon became the primary port for the nation's imports and exports. However, the island suffered a lack of manpower as the Isle of Wight only had a relatively small population. To combat this, Westminster created income-tax breaks as an incentive to workers. Following this, growth exploded. In the first year alone, over 300,000 Brits moved here and another 80,000 from Europe, North America and Oceania. Westminster took quick notice of this and began implementing pro-business policies that were purposely designed to be investor-friendly and provide perfect conditions for startups. In its second year, it generated around 30 billion pounds in investment and its population doubled. Its economy began focusing less on shipping and logistics than on finance and technology. Infrastructure was rapidly developed, including bridges connecting it to the mainland, a subway and train lines. At this point, the Isle of Wight has an estimated 37,200 international companies and the second-highest startup rate in British cities, behind London. With the help of the British government, it began to control its own internal policies and acted independently to the Nation (aside from defence and external policies). Its governance has begun to spread to mainland England, South of Southhampton. Although it has the 4th smallest population in the nation, it has the second most amount of supertall skyscrapers (5), just behind of London.