Why Hold Fortified Positions?

I recently overtook my first fort and am now occupying. What benefit is there in occupying the fort now that I have taken it. Under the "cities" tab I saw that there is a money bag with $40 on it. What is the significance of that?

It gives you $40 per hr. Occupying a fort gives you an hourly income of $20 per hr per lvl of the fort. It's better to attack them for the resources then sell them at the market for more but having an hourly income doesn't hurt :p

[Backburner]

Keep forts near you unoccupied and farm for resources, occupy forts father away which you don't normally farm for a boost of income.

Great advice and useful information. Thank you both.

One of my favorite reasons to occupy a fort is to prevent an enemy general from farming it. Organize your alliance to do this en masse and it can be devastating to an enemy alliance, or generals on war refuse.