The Continents
A continent (/ˈkɑn tɪ nənt/) is a large, continuous area of land, bounded by the ocean or contiguous with another continent. By geographic convention, the main land mass of the world is understood to consist of two continents – the smaller Eastern Continent of Heberia, sometimes called the “Old World," and the larger Western Continent of Heremonia, sometimes referred to as the “New World.” The two continents are connected by a 1,500 wmi. wide neck of land known as the “Great Isthmus.”1
Although they are located in proximity to the Western Continent, and within its continental shelf, the three islands of Fomor, Malagasica and Prydaena are not generally considered part of Heremonia, but rather constitute a separate category of land mass designated as “Great Islands.” The Nürdelika Islands of the Boreal Sea on the other hand, many of which are quite large, are nevertheless considered part of Heremonia.
Modern geologic theory suggests that more than 200 million years ago, all the land of the world was compacted into a single “supercontinent” called Dovantalún. As the tectonic plates of the south rotated away from one another due to mantle convection, an enormous valley formed between them, which geologists have named the "Torrean Rift." As the rift expanded and the waters of the ocean flowed in, they created the Torrean Sea, leaving the Great Isthmus as the only remaining connection between the now-bifurcated land masses.
The commonly accepted division of the global land mass into two continents is seen by most modern geologists to be a geographic convention, driven primarily by cultural factors, rather than a strict geological distinction. As a result, the boundary between the two continents has been defined in different ways over the centurís.
Many early atlases showed the boundary at the Suurlúd Sound and the Kicsi River. Others divided the continents at the Cyrontian Mountains and the Kagyü and Gihondi Rivers. However, in modern times the Szömorú and Egmörön Rivers, and the High Lakes of Pilvejärved from which they flow, are universally recognized as the borderline between the eastern and western continents.
Bounded by the Boreal Sea to the north, the Cerulean Sea to the east, and the Torrean Sea to the south and west, Heberia shares a land border with Heremonia at the Great Isthmus, delineated by the Szömorú and Egmörön Rivers. There are 37 countries in Heberia, including two - Barchu and the Neander - with territory in both continents.2
The Crofin Sea is located in northern Heberia. The Mascotic Marshes spread across a large region in the equatorial west, fed by the continent's longest river - the Pyrat. Other major rivers include the Kagyü, the Sherut, the Souzine, the Sutséni and the Yixsa. Major mountain ranges include the Cyrontian, the Altanuruul and the Aluurchin ranges in the north, and the Haas an'Shahin in the south. The Heberian Steppe dominates the north of the continent, stretching from the Cyrontian Mountains in the west to the Aguukhadan Escarpment in the east.
Heremonia is bounded by the Boreal Sea to the north, the Cerulean Sea to the west, the Austial Sea to the south and the Torrean Sea to the east, along with its land border with Heberia. There are 59 countries in Heremonia, including the two transcontinental countries.
The Great Loughs are located in southeastern Heremonia, fed by some of Heremonia's major rivers - the Oin Aub, the Bolgan, the Bith and the Corrail. Other important rivers include the Radegundis, the world's longest at 4,939 wmi., the Heilig, the Pflegen, the Ludganau, the Pheno and the Neimheadh (Nevey).
The Cúlláidir Mountains extend southwest to northeast from central Agnomain through Hunradia, Lesteunia, Vorgia, Érevon and Velandriault to northern Rionnagan, forming a mountainous spine from 150 – 300 wmi. wide that cuts across north-central Heremonia for a total length of 4,000 wmi. and divides the Low Countries to the north from the Midcontinental Plains and the Plains of Andawan to the south. The world's highest peak, the Höchstehöhle, is located in the Weißenspitzen section of the Cúlláidir range.
Large expanses of Heremonia are covered by forests. The largest of them is the Boisombre, also known as the Foraois Gruama, which forms the western portion of the Boreal Forest that runs along the north coast of both continents. Next largest is the Varjometsä Forest in the southern region of Heremonia known as the Vatsanalla. And although somewhat smaller than these two, the Düsterholz Forest is a 1,900 wmi2 forested mountainous region in western Agnomain.
But soon Heber, the younger of the two, tired of the arrangement and took up arms against his older brother, driving Heremon and his people west into a new untamed land, and dividing the world between them. Hence the eastern continent became known as Heberia and the western continent was called Heremonia. It was believed in ancient times that the descendants of Heber populated the East and the descendants of Heremon populated the West, giving rise to the numerous tribes which have become the nations we know today.
The width of the continental shelf varies considerably from region to region, typically narrower and somewhat steeper off mountainous coastlines, and broader and more level when the adjoining mainland is a plain. With an average width of 30 – 40 wmi., the continental shelf is less than ½ wmi. wide along parts of the Nolverian Peninsula and extends over 1,590 wmi. from shore off the northern coast of Zoswela.
Nearly a million islands rise from the waters of the continental shelf, ranging in size from hundreds of thousands of wmi2 to as small as a tiny rock or sand bar. Known as “continental islands,” over 760,000 are named and over 22,000 are permanently inhabited. With three notable exceptions, geographers consider the continental shelf, and the islands rising from it, to be part of the continent to which they are adjacent.
The world's largest island is Malagasica, located to the southwest of Heremonia between the Austeal and Cerulean Seas. It is separated from the mainland by the narrow and treacherous Strait of Suspids and includes three sovereign states - Caronia, Leuphesi and Geisill.
Prydaena is located in the Cerulean Sea northwest of the Heremonian Low Countries forming the western boundary of the marginal Velandrian Sea. It is separated from the continent by the Strait of Thedonia. There are seven states on the island of Prydaena - Celedon, Robaril, Mercumber, Reradein, Orthad, Estearia and Thedonia.
The island nation of Fomor is located south of Heremonia between the Austeal and Torrean Seas. The Strait of Teathba separates Fomor from southern Heremonia. Fomor is the original homeland of all Felid Humans.
Although they are located in proximity to the Western Continent, and within its continental shelf, the three islands of Fomor, Malagasica and Prydaena are not generally considered part of Heremonia, but rather constitute a separate category of land mass designated as “Great Islands.” The Nürdelika Islands of the Boreal Sea on the other hand, many of which are quite large, are nevertheless considered part of Heremonia.
Modern geologic theory suggests that more than 200 million years ago, all the land of the world was compacted into a single “supercontinent” called Dovantalún. As the tectonic plates of the south rotated away from one another due to mantle convection, an enormous valley formed between them, which geologists have named the "Torrean Rift." As the rift expanded and the waters of the ocean flowed in, they created the Torrean Sea, leaving the Great Isthmus as the only remaining connection between the now-bifurcated land masses.
The commonly accepted division of the global land mass into two continents is seen by most modern geologists to be a geographic convention, driven primarily by cultural factors, rather than a strict geological distinction. As a result, the boundary between the two continents has been defined in different ways over the centurís.
Many early atlases showed the boundary at the Suurlúd Sound and the Kicsi River. Others divided the continents at the Cyrontian Mountains and the Kagyü and Gihondi Rivers. However, in modern times the Szömorú and Egmörön Rivers, and the High Lakes of Pilvejärved from which they flow, are universally recognized as the borderline between the eastern and western continents.
Continental Features
The surface of the continents as it appears today is the result of millions of years of changes caused by powerful geologic forces. Tectonic movement, volcanic and other mountain building activity, glaciation, erosion, weathering and sedimentation have all left their mark on the landscape of the world. Today, both continents have soaring mountain ranges and broad plains, high plateaus and complex river systems, as well as a wide variety of other more localized geographic features. Their coastlines are complicated, with shores that vary from high, steep cliffs to wide sandy beaches.Heberia
Heberia (/heɪˈbɛəɹ.i.ə/) is the smaller of the two continents, accounting for about one-third of the world's land with an area of 11,799,634 wmi2. It is located entirely in the Eastern Hemisphere. About two-thirds of Heberia is in the Northern Hemisphere, with a large peninsula known as the Jeneb extending south of the equator.Bounded by the Boreal Sea to the north, the Cerulean Sea to the east, and the Torrean Sea to the south and west, Heberia shares a land border with Heremonia at the Great Isthmus, delineated by the Szömorú and Egmörön Rivers. There are 37 countries in Heberia, including two - Barchu and the Neander - with territory in both continents.2
The Crofin Sea is located in northern Heberia. The Mascotic Marshes spread across a large region in the equatorial west, fed by the continent's longest river - the Pyrat. Other major rivers include the Kagyü, the Sherut, the Souzine, the Sutséni and the Yixsa. Major mountain ranges include the Cyrontian, the Altanuruul and the Aluurchin ranges in the north, and the Haas an'Shahin in the south. The Heberian Steppe dominates the north of the continent, stretching from the Cyrontian Mountains in the west to the Aguukhadan Escarpment in the east.
Heremonia
Heremonia (/ˌhɛə ɹəˈmoʊn.i.ə/) is by far the larger of the two continents, nearly twice as large as its eastern counterpart with a land area of 22,905,181 wmi2. It is roughly equally divided north and south by the equator, with the large majority of its landmass in the Western Hemisphere, excepting only the eastern section between the Prime Meridian and the Szömorú and Egmörön Rivers.Heremonia is bounded by the Boreal Sea to the north, the Cerulean Sea to the west, the Austial Sea to the south and the Torrean Sea to the east, along with its land border with Heberia. There are 59 countries in Heremonia, including the two transcontinental countries.
The Great Loughs are located in southeastern Heremonia, fed by some of Heremonia's major rivers - the Oin Aub, the Bolgan, the Bith and the Corrail. Other important rivers include the Radegundis, the world's longest at 4,939 wmi., the Heilig, the Pflegen, the Ludganau, the Pheno and the Neimheadh (Nevey).
The Cúlláidir Mountains extend southwest to northeast from central Agnomain through Hunradia, Lesteunia, Vorgia, Érevon and Velandriault to northern Rionnagan, forming a mountainous spine from 150 – 300 wmi. wide that cuts across north-central Heremonia for a total length of 4,000 wmi. and divides the Low Countries to the north from the Midcontinental Plains and the Plains of Andawan to the south. The world's highest peak, the Höchstehöhle, is located in the Weißenspitzen section of the Cúlláidir range.
Large expanses of Heremonia are covered by forests. The largest of them is the Boisombre, also known as the Foraois Gruama, which forms the western portion of the Boreal Forest that runs along the north coast of both continents. Next largest is the Varjometsä Forest in the southern region of Heremonia known as the Vatsanalla. And although somewhat smaller than these two, the Düsterholz Forest is a 1,900 wmi2 forested mountainous region in western Agnomain.
Names
In modern scientific discourse, the continents are referred to as the Eastern Continent and the Western Continent. However, the traditional names by which they have been known since antiquity remain popular among the general public even today. In classical Kiltic mythology, Heremon and Heber were the sons of King Cuachta3 and Queen Tús, the first monarchs in the ancient East, who ruled in Cairmhansín and claimed dominion over the entire world. At his death, Cuachta bequeathed the world to his sons to rule jointly, share and share alike.But soon Heber, the younger of the two, tired of the arrangement and took up arms against his older brother, driving Heremon and his people west into a new untamed land, and dividing the world between them. Hence the eastern continent became known as Heberia and the western continent was called Heremonia. It was believed in ancient times that the descendants of Heber populated the East and the descendants of Heremon populated the West, giving rise to the numerous tribes which have become the nations we know today.
Continental Shelf
Both continents are surrounded by a submerged “continental shelf” that slopes gradually away from the shoreline to a depth of between 100 and 200 yds. before terminating at an abrupt drop-off called the “shelf break,” where it begins to descend at a much steeper slope toward the ocean floor. However, in some locations, notably along the northern shore of Heberia, there is no shelf break, and the continental shelf maintains its gradual slope all the way to the seabed.The width of the continental shelf varies considerably from region to region, typically narrower and somewhat steeper off mountainous coastlines, and broader and more level when the adjoining mainland is a plain. With an average width of 30 – 40 wmi., the continental shelf is less than ½ wmi. wide along parts of the Nolverian Peninsula and extends over 1,590 wmi. from shore off the northern coast of Zoswela.
Nearly a million islands rise from the waters of the continental shelf, ranging in size from hundreds of thousands of wmi2 to as small as a tiny rock or sand bar. Known as “continental islands,” over 760,000 are named and over 22,000 are permanently inhabited. With three notable exceptions, geographers consider the continental shelf, and the islands rising from it, to be part of the continent to which they are adjacent.
The Great Islands
The world's three largest islands are not part of Heremonia, despite their close proximity to the mainland and location within the continental shelf. Rather, Malagasica, Prydaena and Fomor are considered to be a separate category of land mass known as the "Great Islands." With a total combined area of 36,755,175 wmi2 and nearly 126 million inhabitants, the three Great Islands make up just under 6% of the world's total land area and slightly more than 5% of the world's population.The world's largest island is Malagasica, located to the southwest of Heremonia between the Austeal and Cerulean Seas. It is separated from the mainland by the narrow and treacherous Strait of Suspids and includes three sovereign states - Caronia, Leuphesi and Geisill.
Prydaena is located in the Cerulean Sea northwest of the Heremonian Low Countries forming the western boundary of the marginal Velandrian Sea. It is separated from the continent by the Strait of Thedonia. There are seven states on the island of Prydaena - Celedon, Robaril, Mercumber, Reradein, Orthad, Estearia and Thedonia.
The island nation of Fomor is located south of Heremonia between the Austeal and Torrean Seas. The Strait of Teathba separates Fomor from southern Heremonia. Fomor is the original homeland of all Felid Humans.
1 Historically known as the Isthmus of Zaminpol in the East, and the Isthmus of Drochtalún in the West.
2 The Barchurian capital of Várokirályi, which straddles the Szomorú River at its mouth, is the only transcontinental city in the world.
3 Sometimes referred to as Ceanntobair.
2 The Barchurian capital of Várokirályi, which straddles the Szomorú River at its mouth, is the only transcontinental city in the world.
3 Sometimes referred to as Ceanntobair.
PART OF A SERIES ON
Geography
The Continents
Heberia
Area = 11,799,634 wmi2Heremonia
Area = 22,905,181 wmi2The Great Islands
Fomor
Area = 502,370 wmi2Malagasica
Area = 774,670 wmi2Prydaena
Area = 773,320 wmi2
Map of Heberia
Map of Heremonia
Comments