StarBase 118 Commercial Sector
The StarBase 118 Commercial Sector is located in the massive bulging dome near the middle of the starbase structure. The dome spans about 15% of the length of the base, and supports its own atmosphere, complete with clouds and a simulated sun. This area is often one of the most popular places to meet others, exchange or buy goods, and of course: eat. There are a number of distinct areas on the dome floor, which have grown up around hubs of activity. There is, for example, a small Klingon area, and a very active New Orleans quarter. These regions of the dome usually occupy certain streets, which have been artfully remodeled from the standard architecture to tie in with the general use of the area.
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When considering the layout of the commercial sector, it is important to note that density is very low, in comparison to most modern-day cities like New York. Because the commercial sector is so large (4km+ across, as compared to 2km across for Manhattan), it is possible to keep buildings smaller, streets wider (and more walkable), and to be creative with architecture in segmented areas.
Overall, the atmosphere is similar to Earth and generally busy. Streets are lined with small trees, and flora is evident almost everywhere. At certain times of the day, especially around noon, finding a seat at almost any restaurant in the dome can be near impossible, and sometimes even perilous.
Goods & Services
It is important to remember what a starbase represents in the Beta Quadrant. For the crews on a freighter, it is where they can get a new plasma inducer, and have a qualified engineer install it. Federation starbases are where you head if you are oppressed and seeking political asylum. Federation starbases are where you go if one of your crew comes down with some illness that even a holographic doctor has never seen. It is a place where a traveler can get off one ship, and wait for the arrival of another. It is where the tired, lonely, and wealthy crews can spend some time and blow off some steam. There will be "refugees" who made it there, but don't have transit visas to their intended destination. There will often be mercenaries (free-lance Security officers) looking for work. There will be spies for all the major powers trying to gather intelligence for their power / empire. Even with the tightest restrictions, starbases tend to get populated with a "wide variety" of people.
A City in Space
Federation starbases are not just a place for Federation personnel. They are cities, floating in space. There are civilians living there that have nothing to do with the Federation. Some are permanent "Non-Citizen Residents." NCR's are often citizens of some "non-aligned" world that have come to live on Federation starbases. Then there are other "NCR's" that have been granted political asylum from persecution on their homeworlds. The Federation is very sensitive to the plight of those groups being discriminated against. Any such person who stands on a Federation starbase may call out for asylum. After doing to, they may stay until their hearing.
Dimensions
The floorspace of the dome is approximately 4228m in diameter. At its tallest point, the dome is approximately 1450m high. Clouds are simulated in the range of 1200-1400m. The tallest buildings in the dome stand at approximately 330m (80 floors).
In comparison, the island of Manhattan, at its widest point, is approximately 2km across. A measurement image is available.
Noteworthy Public Establishments
StarBase 118 is home to over 100,000 inhabitants ranging from active Starfleet personnel, their dependents (wives/husbands and children), independent civilians making a living on the base, political refugees, and those being treated in the large "Mental Health Center" (asylum) which is on the base. There are many civilian shops, vendors, restaurants and services to be found on the starbase. For many space-going travelers, the starbase is a wonderful break from the endless monotony of trackless space. Freighter crews love to stop in for some "shore leave," even if it is just an overnight stay. They spend their hard-earned credits freely. The hard earned (and quickly spent) credits have attracted many businesses, which offer a variety of "goods or services." (It should be noted that the credits being spent attract illegal entrepreneurs as often as legal business ventures.) There are two main public business areas on the station. The first is the promenade. The promenade is the point of entry from most of the civilian airlocks. It is clean, nice, and has pleasant shops and restaurants. There is "another" business area, which most people on the starbase call "The Dungeon" because it is down in the "bowels" of the starbase. Shops and restaurants down in the Dungeon are quite different than those on the promenade