From the origins of its upbringing, Gelsord was always primed for trade. Starting off as a small trading outpost operating primarily in wool, cotton, salt, and seafood, it expanded into a moderately significant and varied trading town during the last days of the [[Bromannikha]] Dynasty. After the fall of the monarchy, the first century of the Republic saw Gelsord shine as the premier interregional commercial and logistic hub. With laxer government restrictions and the construction of the eastern railway, many stores, restaurants, and entertainment centers sprung up within Gelsord. This success prompted further investment with the construction of canals, more railways, train depots, and public infrastructure. Soon, Gelsord became a melting pot of people and goods from all over the world. Gelsord hosted exotic food and spice markets, a plethora of vast and varied shopping centers located along and within gigantic malls, a multitude of attractions and events for holiday and leisure, including the famed Crysler Ski Resort and the Gelsord Winter Fairgrounds. The city is often affectionately referred to as "a mall with a city hall attached". Gelsord was listed as one of the fastest growing cities in Kodiak in the Kodiak Gazette, experiencing GDP growth of 756% and a population growth of 536% within a 30 year span of time. At the peak of Gelsord's life it had a population of over 450,000 thousand and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 33.6 billion florins. However, the disasters of 533 and the century long quarantine following marked not only Gelsord's, but the entire nation's dramatic decline. When compared to Gelsord's peak, during the lowest point in the lost century Gelsord suffered a 85% decline in total trade volume. The movement of people and goods stagnated, foreign investors pulled nearly 2 billion florins out of Gelsord's economy, people were afraid, the future looked bleak. The philanthropy of the [[Crysler Group]] and the formation of the [[Gelsord Business League|Gelsord Business League (GBL)]] helped prevent the total collapse of Gelsord. After the international quarantine on Kodiak was lifted, Gelsord was left with approximately 350,000 residents and a GDP of 13.7 billion florins. Post-quarantine economic growth has been slow and marginal with infrastructure still being in ruins and trade volume having not recovered to pre-quarantine levels.