Caprica City

Caprica City, before the Cylon attack.

Caprica City is an ocean-front city of tall towers and glittering spires, bisected by a river, which leads down to the sea from the lakes in the hills behind the city. Prior to the Cylon attack, Caprica City was home to some 7 million people. It was the largest city on the colony of Caprica, and home to the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Colonial Government. The Colonial Defense Mainframe resided in Caprica City.

A large spaceport linked the city with the rest of the Twelve Colonies, while the hills behind the city provided secluded living space for the well-off among the population, such as Doctor Gaius Baltar. It was surrounded by a number of smaller hamlets, such as Oasis (Miniseries).

The city itself was divided into a number of smaller districts and neighborhoods, explored in the Miniseries. These location names are non-canon and used as a reference only.

Aerial View of the City

The Shoreline: This is the waterfront area facing the ocean. It was the first view of Caprica City, seen in the Miniseries and the show's opening credits. This district is quite cosmopolitan, containing a number of metallic office towers and hi-rises. These taller buildings are juxtaposed with the smaller apartment and work structures that line the beach and tree-lined walk.

Riverwalk: Riverwalk was the most explored section of Caprica City in the Miniseries. It was located on the river that bisects the Colonial capital. This neighborhood's main attraction was the Riverwalk Market, an open-air bazaar full of vendor stands hawking fresh fruit, construction materials and other goods. Many varied types of citizens congregated in this zone, from businessmen to shoppers and construction workers. It was in a smaller area of Riverwalk, the Government Center Plaza (Miniseries (novelization)and Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II) that Baltar first strolled with Six after meeting her. The market was also the site where Six murdered Chantara's baby via snapping of the neck (Both seen in the Miniseries). Surrounding the market stalls was a snaking complex of glass and steel supported by columns. Various landscaped gardens and reflecting pools occupied the unused land between the market and complex. Behind the market complex, a few of Caprica City's trademark silver office towers could be seen.

Pre-attack Caprica City.

Caprica City Center: This was the area reached by Baltar and Six after they explored Riverwalk. The city center contained the highest density of skyscrapers, occupation parks and hi-tech industries. Since all city traffic was airborne, the city center had no paved roads. Instead, the spaces between the buildings were occupied by a system of walkways, steps, plazas, gardens and water features. This provided the perfect municipal commons area where citizens could jog, take infants out for walks, play with friends, buy a balloon or simply take a pleasant afternoon stroll. In the Miniseries, Baltar and Six walked through one of the central city's landscaped gardens. While Baltar talked about himself, Six could be seen stealing curious glances at various citizens as they passed by.

Government Center Plaza: Needless to say, this zone contained the Colonial legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, as well as the CNP mainframe. It was also located in the Riverwalk section of Caprica City, presumably in the complex over the district's marketplace. Through its gardens and walkways a numerous human traffic toting briefcases and suits could be seen. It was here that President Adar's office was (Epiphanies). During the Cylon attack, a reporter for Channel 7 News was seen here reporting on the population's reaction to the nuclear bombardment before he and a background cafe table were blown off screen by a bomb shock wave (Miniseries).

Caprican Plaza

Caprica City was completely destroyed by a Cylon nuclear detonation (in the 50 megaton range) in the Cylon attack.

Notes

• The Riverwalk complex and garden is actually the campus of Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Re-imagined Series definition: operating system on military and civilian ships exploited by the Cylons (TRS: "Miniseries, Night 1")