Essos

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Essos is the largest of the three known continents in the world. It lies east of Westeros and north of Sothoryos and stretches from the Shivering Sea to the Summer Sea, and from the Narrow Sea to the lands surrounding the Jade Sea.

Essos shelters many different people and has a vast and varied geography. The name 'Essos' is not commonly known or used in Westeros. Terms such as 'beyond the Narrow Sea', 'the eastern continent' or simply 'the east' are more commonly encountered. It is also frequently referred to by the names of one of its constituent regions, such as the Free Cities or Dothraki sea.

Geography

Essos is one of the three known continents in the world. It is roughly the size of Eurasia with similar latitudinal and longitudinal dimensions. Essos is considerably larger than Westeros though its true extent is unknown as no map of the entire continent currently exists. The north coast of the mainland is separated from the polar cap by the Shivering Sea. To the south, across the Summer Sea, lies the uncharted continent of Sothoryos. In the extreme east, across the Jade Sea, sit Asshai, Yi Ti, and the mysterious region called the Shadow Lands.

Essos geography and climate vary greatly. Being separated from the polar cap of the Lands of Always Winter and located farther to the south, it is affected by winters to a lesser extent then Westeros. [1] The western coastline appears to be temperate in the north, becoming drier and hotter to the south and is characterized by green rolling hills, the massive Forest of Qohor, and extensive island chains such as Braavos and Lys. The middle of the continent is covered by the flat grasslands plains of the Dothraki Sea and to the east, the arid wasteland of red sand where nothing grows known as the Red Lands. Beyond the Red Lands the city of Qarth sits beside straits that lead to the Jade Sea. The south is dominated by dry rolling hills and has a Mediterranean climate with a coastline along the Summer Sea connecting Volantis with the Valyria peninsula and the great inlet known as the Slaver's Bay.

See Also Map of the Free Cities from A Dance with Dragons and it's locations.

Regions

The Free Cities

The Free Cities are nine independent city-states, located on the western coast of Essos. Each of the Free Cities controls a certain amount of territory surrounding it, including smaller towns and villages.

Seven of the cities are coastal or island ports, lying on the Narrow Sea, whilst two others are located inland. Each of the Free Cities controls a certain amount of territory surrounding it, including smaller towns and villages, the region extends from the western coastline to the mountains in the east, which separate them from the 'Dothraki plains'.

Among the nine Free Cities are Braavos, Myr, Pentos and Volantis lying on the coast and Lorath, Lys and Tyrosh on islands along side it, and Norvos and Qohor located inland, roughly east of Pentos. They are independent city-states that, with the exception of Braavos, were all originally founded as colonies of Valyria. The Free Cities are located on the western edge of Essos: along the coast, further inland, or on islands in the Narrow Sea.

The Forest of Qohor and River Rhoyne marks its eastern border, the Stepstones the west and the Disputed Lands the south, control over those last two territory are frequently points of contention between Myr and Lys.

The Dothraki Sea

Inland east of the 'Free Cities', lies the vast Dothraki sea, flat grassland plains that cover much of Essos Inland. It's inhabited by the Dothraki people, a copper-skinned race of warlike nomads with their own language and unique equestrian culture.

Slaver's Bay

South of the Dothraki Sea is Slaver's Bay, The region holds many small city-states and the three great slaver port cities of Yunkai, Meereen, and Astapor. The cities were built from the rubble of Old Ghis, an ancient rival of Valyrian Freehold which crushed and superseded it thousands of years ago. The slaver cities are still connected to the Free Cities by the Valyrian road network. The city of New Ghis sits on an island in the Bay, but little has been revealed about it.

It's bordered to the east by the Lhazar Lands a semi-arid land of pastures and hills; south of the Dothraki Sea, it is inhabited by the Lhazareen people.

Valyrian peninsula

The Valyrian peninsula is a large headland extending south from Essos into the Summer Sea. Once the heartland of the Valyrian Empire and the location of the city of wonderment Valyria, but since it has been partially destroyed in the Doom, with many islands formed and low lying areas flooded and Valyria laying in ruin.

Qarth

A vastly rich city, home to the Qartheen people, warlocks and merchant princes. Situated in a central location within Essos and controlling the Straits of Qarth‎, Qarth is a gateway of commerce and culture between the east and west, and the north and south. Brimming with wealth, and priding themselves on their sophistication, the Qartheen engage in unending intrigue bewteen the many powerful factions of their society.

Lhazar

Lhazar located South-east of the 'Dothraki sea' and north of Slaver's Bay. It is the home of the Lhazareen people, called haesh rakhi or Lamb Men by the Dothraki.

People

Essos is home to a much larger and more diverse set of races and cultures than Westeros, descendants of old cultures the Andals, the Rhoynar, old Ghis, and Valyrian Freehold. including:

  • Dothraki people, a copper-skinned race of warlike nomads with their own Dothraki language and unique culture.
  • Ghiscari, a mongrel race that populates most of Slaver's Bay, that speak a bastardized version of High Valyrian. Descendants of old Ghis.
  • Peoples of the Free Cities, they speak a distinct form of High Valyrian, though the Common Tongue of Westeros is also used. Descendants of Valyrian Freehold.
  • Lhazareen, a peaceful people with bronze skin, flat faces, and almond eyes. They are predominantly shepherds, called the Lamb Men by the Dothraki, who frequently prey on them.

Qartheen and even Ibbenese fishing colonies in the north.

Trivia

The continent used to be called the 'eastern continent' and 'Essos' was only mentioned by George R.R. Martin in mid-2008 on an interview[2] and latter officially confirmed.

References and Notes

  1. SSM
  2. The Citadel. "Asshai.com Forum Chat" (July 27, 2008) So Spake Martin

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