Gotham City is one of the oldest Eastern urban centers in the US. It nestles at the mouth of the turbid Gotham River upon islands once peopled by the vanished Miagani tribe of Native Americans. A Norwegian mercenary founded Gotham City in 1635, but the British later took it over. It was also the site for a major battle in the American Revolution. There is also a story that 17th-century Gotham Village´s first dwelling was, in fact a asylum that predated city´s infamous Arkham Asylum. A man called Hiram was first building a chapel but his partner in crime of murder insisted it to became a sanatorium. Gotham´s 19th-century patrons envisioned their community as a concrete and steel stronghold for pious righteousness and booming industrial growth, and for many generations the wealth and business ventures of Wayne family bolstered the city´s economy, but it is best known for it´s soaring crime rate, urban legends and Gothic spires.

 

 

Gotham City was Commissioned by Judge Solomon Wayne to Cyrus Pinkney. Solomon Wayne saw Pinkney's Plans and decided to promote his art. Throughout the years, the architectural appearance of Gotham City has varied greatly. Currently, Gotham is portrayed as having a mix of Art Deco, Neo-Gothic and Post-Modernist styling, characterized by enormous sky-scrapers, high-reaching spires, and the presence of gargoyles and other iconic statuary. A constant factor in the depiction of Gotham City is element of urban decay, which plagues the city even after it's reconstruction. In all rendition, regardless of creator, Gotham's architecture acts as a major literary device, used to set the atmosphere and tone. Writer Dennis O'Neill has described Gotham, figuratively, as "... Manhattan below Fourteenth Street at eleven minutes past midnight on the coldest night in November."

 

The Gotham power-grid is located underneath the city, and has been there for ages; nearly since the city's conception and colonization. It was originally designed for a smaller load and with more antique equipment, and as a result it has trouble handling the power demands of such a large, sprawling, modern city such as Gotham.

 

Over time, power-grids and power-lines have grown more sophisticated, one example of which being the liquid nitrogen lines packed with the power-lines in Gotham's subways,to keep everything running at an optimal temperature. Another example of the modernization is Batman's own addition of his secret Bat-boxes, which he uses to siphon power from the city anonymously and safely, and to disable various tracking devices and security camera's throughout the city when he operates. He does this to maintain his status as legend, and to inspire fear in criminals, as well as to help keep his secret identity hidden.

 

Gotham Heights

Gotham Heights is an upper-middle class neighborhood in Gotham City, and was under the protection of a teenaged Tim Drake as Robin. The neighborhood is markedly nicer than most areas of the city with little sign of urban decay and poverty.

 

The Bowery

One of Gotham City´s worst neighborhoods. It is located to north of Crime Alley and includes Crown Point, a smaller inner-district ridden with crime, homelessness and prostitution.

 

The Cauldron

An area known for organized crime, it is run by the Irish Mob.

Chinatown

Gotham City´s Asian neighborhood.

Diamond District

Fashion District

Financial District

The East End

An underdeveloped part of Gotham troubled with crime, drugs, poverty and prostitution.

Gotham Docks

Gotham City´s harbour.

Gotham Village

Bohemian area of the city. Similar to New York City´s Greenwich Village.

Old Gotham

Old part of the city where GCPD headquarters are located.

Toxic Acres

Abandoned neighborhood of newly built houses, but unsuitable for habitation due to closeness of a toxic waste dump.

Organized Crime

Falcone Crime Family (Italian)

Run by Carmine "The Roman" Falcone , and after his death by his daughter Sofia Gigante until her death.

Galante Crime Family (Italian)

Control´s the East side of Gotham.

Maroni Crime Family (Italian)

Run by Luigi "Big Lou" Maroni and after his death by his son Sal Maroni who was responsible for scarring Harvey Dent.

Odessa Crime Family (Ukrainian)

Arms dealers.

Riley Crime Family (Irish)

Run by Peyton Riley's father Sean Riley until his death.

Sabatino Crime Family (Italian)

The first crime family of Gotham.

Dimitrov Crime Family (Russian)

Run by Yuri Dimitrov. Arch enemies of the Maroni Crime Family.

 

Black Royal Family (Black)

Run by Shakur King, Dominik Knight, Lucas Bishop, and Alfonzo Rook

 

United Dragon Syndicate (Asian)

Run by Rakiro Yuzima

 

 

 

Bars and Nightclubs

Finnigan´s

A bar frequented by the uniformed cops.

The Iceberg Lounge

Fancy nightclub located in downtown Gotham and operated by the Penguin.

My Alibi

An underworld bar.

The Stacked Deck

An underworld nightclub.

 

Sports Teams

Football: Gotham Wildcats, Gotham Knights, Gotham Rogues

Basketball: Gotham Guardsmen

Baseball: Gotham Knights, Gotham Griffins

Ice Hockey: The Gotham Blades