Goday

Goday (Sittapinian: Ghodhai [gʱoɖʱaɪ] Goday pronunciation: [goːɽəj]) is the capital of the Goday District, and the second most populous city of Sittapini. Located in the Strip Island, Goday has a population of 330,592 according to 2020 census, and was the former most populous city in the country, until being surpassed by Naragoti, the country's capital, in the late 1980s, due to people migrating for economic reasons.

The city was established in 1835 by the British colonialists to increase trade between the Sittapinians and the Europeans. The country's first port was built here, and was the sole port city until the establishment of Pulaphani in Ramasa in 1904. As a British colony, Goday immediately grew to becoming one of the major cities in the island. The city was annexed by the Obanacian, later Mahbartha, empire in 1913. Goday eventually declined during the Sittapinian civil war, especially under the rule of the Walakarimasist People's Democratic Army, and heavily stagnated after the war when people moved to the capital. At present, the city remains one of the major and most prosperous cities in Sittapini.

Etymology
The former name of the Strip Island was Ghaw ta Dhai, which meant 'big long island' in Early Sittapinian. The city's name derives from this phrase, and was simplified to just 'Goday'.

Settlement (19th century AD)
The northern area of the Strip Island, where Goday stands today, was settled by humans at approximately early 19th century AD by the northern Sittapinians. The small principality of Ghawtadai was established in 1823, but only survived for a small period of time until the British colonialists were allowed to settle in the island by the Sittapinian monarchy. The principality was immediately dissolved after the establishment of the port city of Goday.