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Ankh-Morpork is a fictional city which features in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. As cities go, it is on the far side of corrupt and polluted, and is subject to outbreaks of comedic violence and brou-ha-ha on a fairly regular basis. It is home to the Unseen University, a centre of magical learning.
The city divides more or less into Ankh (the posh part) and Morpork (the humble part, which includes the area known as "the Shades"), which are separated by the River Ankh.
History
Ankh-Morpork used to be ruled by kings, until the last one - the euphemistically-remembered King Lorenzo the Kind - was overthrown in a popular uprising. The question of what to do with the deposed king was settled when he was executed by a member of the Vimes family, who was banned from bearing arms as a consequence. Afterwards Ankh-Morpok reverted to an non-hereditary oligarchic system. The ruler is called the Patrician. The succession is normally either by assassination or a civil war.
The most recent office-holder is Lord Havelock Vetinari, a former assassin. He might come from Genua, but his past remains obscure. His predecessor was Lord Snapcase.
The nearest surviving relative of the former royal familiy seems to be Corporal Nobby Nobbs. The origin of Captain Carrot, a dwarf, remains shrouded in mystery.
