I smell it, even over the stench of the sewer... I'd know that smell anywhere. Smells like danger, smells like life... Smells like Madripoor. 
History
Overview
Flag of Madripoor
Madripoor, officially Principality of Madripoor, is an island in Southeast Asia, located in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca, southwest of Singapore. Its capital and single large city is Madripoor, which is divided between wealthy Hightown and impoverished, crime-ridden Lowtown. This serves to represent the extreme social inequality in Madripoor, described as "A place for the very rich and the very poor." Madripoor was once a haven for pirates, a tradition that is somewhat continued today with its lawless quality; the Principality does not allow other nations to extradite criminals. However, it is one of the business capitals of the Pacific Rim.
Events
The island was best known because of its relation to the mutant known as Wolverine[1] and the fact that the villainess Viper was a long-time ruler.[2] More recently, it was the focus point of an alien invasion led by Khan, but was stopped by a team of X-Men.[3] Afterward, the newest Scorpion traveled to the island to learn more about her secret past and her mysterious mother.[4]
It was later revealed the island rested on the back of a giant dragon, which was awakened by the Hand.[5]
Madripoor had it's own defenders Tarik Fayad using the Coptic Staff and the alias of "Horus" to protect the small island nation. He was killed by Grant Ward, who was using a counterfeit Iron Man Armor, using intel from the stolen Quantum Drive, which contained information on how to defeat several major super heroes. Horus' death was a demonstration of the legitimacy of the content of the Quantum Drive, meant to attract the attention of any potential bidder.[6]
Magneto later established a variation of the X-Mansion to serve as a base for the time-displaced X-Men.[7]
Facts
Localization
- Madripoor localization seems to have retconned over the years:
- Madripoor is a small island nation located to the south of Singapore in the vicinity of Kepulauan Riau and Kepulauan Lingga in the Indonesian archipelago.[8]
Languages
The major languages in Madripoor range from English, French, and Cantonese Chinese, as well as other Asian languages.[8]
Economy
The monetary unit used in Madripoor is the Madripoor Dollar.[8]
The capital city, which shares the island’s name, lays claim to the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the world. At the same time, it possesses one of the most severe pockets of poverty on the planet. This economic polarization has effectively divided the capital city into two parts: Hightown, the high-tech haven of the very rich and powerful, and Lowtown, the medieval domain of the hopelessly poor.[8]
Politics and international relations
The seat of government was originally ruled from Madripoor the capital city. It is governed by an elected Chancellor.[8] It also has a ruling prince as well.[8]
It was conquered by freebooters centuries ago, its heritage of piracy evolved into the present system of government whose laissez-faire policy allows for virtually any business transaction provided that the status quo is not threatened. Madripoor does not allow criminal extradition from within its borders, making it an exotic diplomatic haven for many international criminals and organizations who help maintain the stability of the government through a sophisticated system of corruption that includes payoffs to the Chancellor, who runs the day-to-day government operations.[8]
In 1942, Madripoor was invaded and occupied by Imperial Japan in order to control the island's trade routes.[9]
Alternative Realities
The Humorverse (Earth-9047)
Nastynpoor.
Points of Interest
- Buccaneer Bay
- Central Business District
- Empty Quarter
- Hightown
- Imperial Hotel
- King's Impresario Restaurant
- Madripoor Police Force Headquarters
- Royal Palace & Museum
- Sovereign Hotel
- Wheelers & Dealers
- X-Mansion
- Lowtown
- Brass Monkey Saloon, 332 Cyan Street
- Dream Street
- Foxy Den Strip Bar
- Harbor Bar
- Madame Joy's Brothel
- Princess Bar
- Wharfside
- Trade Center
- Bank of Hong Kong
- Bank of Malaysia
Residents
- Madripoor/Residents
Notes
Trivia
- Captain America teamed up with Wolverine at Madripoor in World War II, being the first canonical time they met.[11]
See Also
- 394 appearance(s) of Madripoor
- 6 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Madripoor
- 17 minor appearance(s) of Madripoor
- 166 mention(s) of Madripoor
- 11 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Madripoor
- 42 image(s) of Madripoor
- 26 article(s) related to Madripoor