Sabaody Archipelago

Shabondy Archipelago is an area close to the Red Line. Though it is called an archipelago, it is actually a massive mangrove forest with each tree of the forest serving as an "island" for which people live on. Due to the place being in close proximity to the part of the Red Line bordering the first half of the Grand Line and the New World, it is a highly visited rest stop for all sorts travelers to prepare before entering the New World. Aside from its unique environment and it being a booming business hub, it is notable for the World Nobles who visit there and a thriving slave trade supported by them. One notable slave group there are the Flying Fish Riders whose headquarters are several kilometers from the area.

Layout
The Shabondy Archipelago is, in actuality, a massive mangrove forest in the middle of the ocean made up of 79 separate trees known as Yalkiman Mangrove. The trees are the largest mangroves in the world and are strong enough to grow on top of the ocean. The roots of the Yalkiman Mangrove produce a special resin, which is blown into bubbles when the trees "breathe out" (it can be inferred he means when they release gas through cellular respiration/photosynthesis). These bubbles can only exist in and around the Archipelago and will pop immediately after being removed from their native environment. This is key for many who don't live around this area: if you buy bubble-based merchandise around the archipelago and don't live there, it will pop once leaving the area and the person will essentially have wasted their money.

Culture
The people native to the Shabondy Archipelago have learned to live both within and alongside the trees and the large bubbles that they create. Each tree houses a different use, many of which are for the various commerce for those who visit the area. Like the trees, the bubbles are also used for many different and varied means, going from transportation devices such as bubble bikes to personal hotel rooms to even special helmets used by the World Nobles to prevent them from breathing the air of commoners.

For those who wish to move further along the Grand Line, the archipelago is important in order to dive down towards one of the two gates to cross the massive Red Line. Around the Shabondy Archipelago there are "coating mechanics" who cover ships in the special resin mentioned above. It is this resin that allows ships to go underwater to Fishman Island.

Discrimination
Due to the proximity of the archipelago to the holy land of Mariejoa, World Nobles are sometimes seen going around the place. Fishmen and mermaids also frequent the area due to its proximity to Fishman Island, but must wear disguises to hide their heritage from the nobles, who are notable for their discrimination and usage of slaves purchased nearby.

Pirates also frequent the islands in order to enter the New World by either of these routes (as well as pick up souvenirs of the first half of the Grand Line), while bounty hunters also run around to try and capture these pirates. Besides the bounty hunters, pirates also are forced to deal with various slave traders in and near the area who capture them and sell them to the nobles for the highest bidder to do whatever they desire. Even the fiercest of pirates are treated like trash after capture, similar to the discrimination felt by the undersea races but brought under control by the bomb collars worn on their body.

History
800 years ago, after the founding of the World Government, World Nobles would use this island as their base.

Technology
Everything in this island is bubble-based, one can use a Bubble Cart by simply sitting on it. There is also a Bubble Ferris Wheel