A step-by-step strategy for planning, developing, and optimizing your island.

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1. Laying the Foundation: City Planning Basics

Before you start placing buildings randomly, consider:

• Resource Placement: Identify key resources (mines, farms, oil, etc.) and build around them.
• Shoreline Usage: Some shorelines are usable for docks, while others are limited. Plan trade and tourism areas accordingly.
• Designating Zones:
  • Industrial areas should be near resources but away from residential zones.
  • Tourism districts should be scenic and separate from pollution-heavy zones.
  • Agricultural hubs should be placed where the soil fertility is high.
  • Residential areas should be near jobs, entertainment, and transport hubs.

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2. Attracting and Keeping Citizens Happy

Tropicans need basic amenities to stay satisfied:

• Housing: Ensure proper homes for all wealth levels. If there are too many vacant homes, adjust wages instead of building more houses.
• Food Supply: Farms and ranches ensure a stable food source.
• Jobs: Citizens need access to employment. If you have high unemployment, add industries, tourism, or service buildings.
• Happiness Management:
  • Use the Almanac to check citizen needs.
  • Focus on improving low-rated services (faith, entertainment, health, liberty).
  • Adjust edicts based on population demand.

Understanding Political Factions

• Citizens align with different factions (intellectuals, capitalists, religious, militarists, etc.).
• If you have 2,000 intellectuals and only 500 conservatives, focus policies on the majority faction.
• Use the Almanac > Politics tab to check what each faction wants.

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3. Building a Strong Economy

A balanced economy ensures a steady income:

Start Small, Expand Wisely

• In Colonial Era, focus on easy industries:
  • Rum Distillery (uses sugar, high-profit).
  • Cigar Factory (uses tobacco, steady demand).
  • Creamery (uses milk, profitable).
• Avoid expensive factories early (e.g., Vehicle Factory, Weapons Factory).
  • These require multiple raw materials (e.g., oil, gold, plastics) and complex supply chains.

Boosting Exports

• Always check trade routes and lock high-value deals.
• Monitor market fluctuations to maximize profits.
• Balance exports & imports—sometimes, importing cheap raw materials and exporting finished goods is more profitable.

Alternative Revenue Sources

• Local Services: Tropicans pay for services (cinemas, fun piers, hospitals).
• Tourism: Develop beaches, hotels, and attractions to increase visitor spending.
• Pirate Raids: Rescue workers, educated citizens, or treasures to boost resources.

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4. Shaping Your City’s Destiny

Decide your government type:

• Democratic Rule: Focus on liberty, elections, and citizen happiness.
• Military Dictatorship: Control the population with martial law and security forces.
• Capitalist Economy: Prioritize wealth generation and foreign investments.

Adjusting Edicts

Use edicts to reinforce your city’s identity:

• For Military Rule: Martial Law, Military Police, Conscription.
• For Economic Growth: Tax Haven, Free Trade.
• For Socialist Policies: Wealth Tax, Free Housing.

Swiss Bank Funds

• Build banks with Slush Fund mode.
• Use Building Permit (adds 15% construction cost, but deposits in Swiss Bank).
• Swiss Bank funds allow special Broker actions and personal financial security.

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5. Bonus Tips

• Use the Almanac to analyze happiness, economy, and politics.
• Keep unemployment low—idle citizens cause unrest.
• Balance housing and wages—higher wages mean fewer shantytowns.
• Use tourism to support low-education workers.
• Adjust work modes in buildings for efficiency vs. job availability.

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Final Thoughts

Building the perfect city in Tropico 6 is about planning, economic balance, and political strategy.

With the right approach, you can shape your island’s destiny—whether as a wealthy democracy or an iron-fisted dictatorship!

Good luck, Presidente! 🎩🇹🇨