Lost Heaven

The City of Lost Heaven is a fictional city located on the East Coast of the United States. Almost all of the events in the computer and video game take place here. A prominent feature of this city is its similarity to New York City and Chicago in the 1930s. Lost Heaven is a large and bustling metropolis with what most cities would have, such as public transport (including trams and elevated rail), busy streets, tall buildings, hotels and a hospital. Players of Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven, first encounter the city in autumn, 1930. This is the Great Depression and the city is not really a prosperous place. Lack of money has taken its toll on the citizens of Lost Heaven. People are seen evicted from their homes and committing suicide. Corrupted politicians run the city and the Mafia influences these corrupt city politicians with bribes so that they can gain control over the city.

Geographical Information

Lost Heaven is located on hilly terrain at the mouth of the West River. The city is divided into three sections, the West side, the Central side and the East Side. The coastline of Lost Heaven is divided in two; on the West side it is called Saint Peter Coast while on the East side is called Saint Paul Coast. The total area of the city measures approximately 4.6km x 2.2km (2.9 x 1.4 miles). Outside the city are several square-miles of peaceful countryside. The countryside is also the location of the Lost Heaven International Airport. The total area of the countryside measures about 30 to 40 square kilometers.

Lost Heaven's Neighborhoods

The West Side of Lost Heaven

Chinatown

Chinatown is a small neighborhood located north of Little Italy and near the Terranova Bridge that connects Chinatown to New Ark. Like other Chinatowns in other cities, the neighborhood is where most of the Chinese immigrants live. The West Side tramline runs through this area to provide transport to citizens without vehicles. A used car dealership is located in Chinatown, but is empty from the years 1930-1937, due to the Depression. In 1938 when the Depression begins to lift, the car-dealership goes back into business. Two roads that lead into the countryside are located in Chinatown.

Little Italy

This is the most important location throughout the entire city. This is where the Mafia family of Don Salieri is situated and where most of the game's missions start. The family's base of operations is located here at Salieri's Bar. The name of this neighborhood comes from the migration of Italians, notably Sicilians, to the United States. The city tram line runs through this area, bypassing Salieri's Bar, connecting Little Italy with Chinatown and the Works Quarter. Also an elevated railway line goes through here where trains stop at the "Little Italy" station.

Works Quarter

Like many cities around the world, industrialization has helped Lost Heaven become a modern city (at that time). The Works Quarter houses most of the city's factories and other industrial facilities. This area is considered a backbone to Lost Heaven's economy apart from other businesses because of the "Port of Lost Heaven" where major imports and exports of goods take place. Other important buildings include a central train-station for passengers and freight. The Works Quarter also boasts its own fire-station. The city tram line travels all over the industrial sector but there is no elevated rail line here. At the westernmost part of the Quarter, there is a small road that leads to the Lost Heaven Racing Circuit where people can enjoy races on the weekends.

Central Island

Central Island is the commercial center of Lost Heaven. The name says it all. It's an island located in the middle of the city. Like Manhattan of New York City, this part of the city features 1930s-style skyscrapers that houses the several businesses which serve the city. Important buildings such as the State Capitol and the Municipal Building houses the offices of city officials like the mayor, the city's politicians and other important people. The Lost Heaven Theater and the Lost Heaven Art Gallery are also located on this island. A police station (the only known police station throughout the city) is located on the southernmost end of the island near the art gallery. The city tram line runs down the middle of the island before turning east and heading back up the island, along its perimeter. The island has two elevated railway stations, namely "Central Island" and "Giuliano Street", at the northern part of the island. There are various ways in which people can enter the island; from the Works Quarter by crossing the West Marshall Bridge, from Little Italy by going through the Central Island Tunnel, from New Ark by crossing the Giuliano Bridge and from Downtown by crossing the East Marshall Bridge.

The East Side of Lost Heaven

New Ark

This is another city neighborhood located on the city's East Side. There are some important features like the Lost Heaven Hospital and the City Armory. New Ark is connected to Chinatown via the Terranova Bridge, as well as to Central Island via the Giuliano Bridge. The city tramline runs through this neighborhood and is served by the "New Ark" station of the elevated railway. The rival of the Salieri Mafia family, the Morello Family has its base of operations here at Morello's Lounge Bar.

Underneath the Giuliano Bridge, there is an automobile repair shop where drivers with problems with their cars can come here to have it repaired. This is the domain of Lucas Bertone, an associate of the Salieri family, and is one of the protagonist's friends.

Downtown

Like the downtown of any city, this district is another business centre, bustling with people and thriving businesses. Downtown is located just south of New Ark. This neighbourhood is served by the city tramline and by the "Downtown" elevated railway station. The First National Bank of Lost Heaven is located in Downtown. Here, the player has to attempt a bank robbery with one of his colleagues. Near the southern end on Downtown is the Lost Heaven Church, another mission-location.

Hoboken

Hoboken is located east of New Ark. This neighborhood represents the slums of Lost Heaven. Its buildings are shabby, run-down or closed up completely. There are several places in Hoboken which are of minor interest to the player. These include the Hoboken Stadium and an underground weaponry shop belonging to a man named Yellow Pete. It is located in the 'Twister' theater, near the Hoboken construction-site. The elevated railway line has two stations in Hobken, namely, "Central Hoboken" and "Market Avenue".

Oakwood

Oakwood is a small neighborhood of terraced houses and small apartments occupied by the middle-class people of Lost Heaven. This small and peaceful neighborhood is located east of Downtown. There aren't many places of interest around Oakwood. There is the small Oakwood church near the roundabout - A whitewashed building - the only church in the city with a clock-tower and bells which strike the hour. The Oakwood Junior High School (the only known school in Lost Heaven), is also located here. Oakwood is one of the few places that the Lost Heaven tramline does not serve. A car is essential to getting around Oakwood. It will take ages to walk.

Oak Hill

Oak Hill is located east of Lost Heaven sitting on top of a rather substantial hill (hence the name). There are two very steep roads which lead to the top of the hill, one is via Hoboken. This is the shortest but slowest way to the top. The road is very steep and twists often. The other road is located in Oakwood. This road is also very windy, but it has several straight stretches between the bends, which allow for the building up of speed when attempting the hill in your car. While this route is longer, it's generally faster because you can take the sharp bends at greater speeds. Oak Hill is the wealthiest and most scenic place in Lost Heaven because of its location on top of a hill. It is away from the noise and pollution of the city and boasts beautiful oceanfront views. Oak Hill is occupied by huge mansions that only the very wealthy can afford to own. Thus, Oak Hill has earned the nickname, "The Millionaires' Quarter". No public transport is available for Oak Hill, due to the steepness of the slopes. A car is essential for getting to the top. There is a lighthouse located at the foot of the hill and is accessible by a small dirt-road, which leads off the main Oakwood-Oak Hill road.

Outside Lost Heaven: The Countryside/Outskirts

The Lost Heaven Countryside (accessible from New Ark and Chinatown), boasts several miles of winding country roads. Speeding here in Free Ride will clock up $100 every two seconds spent speeding over convert|65|mi|km an hour.

Clark's Motel

This is a small motel located about three miles (5 km) from the New Ark entrance to the countryside. It's a cheap place with a pool-room, a cafe, bar and three small rooms for a quick overnight stay.

The Lost Heaven International Airport

The airport is located about a mile from the New Ark entrance to the countryside. This is another backbone of Lost Heaven's economy as it brings in people like businessmen, to the city. There are two runways, that cross each other, as well as a flying school to train student pilots. The Airport features twice in the game.

The Lost Heaven Racing Circuit

The Lost Heaven Racing Circuit is located West of the Works Quarter. It is accessed by a long, winding road. You visit it twice during the game. Great care should be taken when accessing the racing-circuit at night. There are no streetlamps here and the road is very hard to see.

The Lost Heaven Hydroelectric dam

This dam provides the power supply to the entire city of Lost Heaven. The views of the countryside from the top of the dam are quite good.

External links

* [http://mafiascene.com/index.php/ Mafiascene: The World's Biggest Mafia Fansite]