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List of minor Earth Kingdom locations
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The following is a list of minor locations from the Earth Kingdom in Nickelodeon’s animated cartoon series Avatar: The Last Airbender. These locations are either too small or too insignificant to warrant mention in the primary Earth Nation article, but are still relevant at certain points in the series. The Abbey A medium-sized abbey that can be found on a few miles away from the Mo Ce Sea on the west coast of the Earth Kingdom. Over four hundred years old, the ancient structure expresses a simple design of high walls and a large courtyard, reflecting the simple life of the nuns that dwell within it. Though situated in the Earth Kingdom, the nuns have come to claim the abbey as neutral grounds. However, as a result of its location, many Fire Nation battles have been taken place in the surrounding area and the abbey often suffers collateral damage. In recent years, the abbey has been used to manufacture large quantities of organic perfumes and oils that have been sold throughout the world. The Cave of Two Lovers A secret tunnel that passes through a section of the Kolau mountain range just beyond the Earth Kingdom of Omashu. The tunnel is home to territorial creatures such as Wolfbats and their natural predators, the earthbending Badgermoles. In actuality the tunnel is a giant subterranean labyrinth, filled with a seemingly endless supply of bewildering twists and turns. In the center of the labyrinth is the Tomb of Two Lovers, the creators of the cave, founders of the city of Omashu, and the world's very first human Earthbenders. The tomb is a large room with two sarcophaguses in the center which hold the bodies of the two lovers as their final resting place. The walls of the tomb are decorated with pictures and pictograms telling the story of the two lovers as well as the origins of their bending discipline and Omashu's creation. The walls also provide a hint to the solution of the maze with the proverb, "Love is brightest in the dark." In that a row of illuminated crystals in the ceiling would serve as a guide to the exit of the cave when in complete darkness. The two lovers would use the cave as their secret meeting place, anyone else would be lost forever within the labyrinth. The cave's Chinese name is 情人洞, which literally means "Lover's Cave." Chameleon Bay A small bay on the eastern coast of the Earth Kingdom, it holds strategic importance to the war effort as it leads into a river which progresses very close to Ba Sing Se. The Bay has been protected in recent months by a small group of Southern Water tribe warriors, led by Hakoda and Bato, and protected through an ingenious device know as the tangle mine. It is named because the mountains ringing it bear a slight resemblance to a coiled chameleon. Chameleon Bay is written in Chinese as 變色é¾?æ¹¾. Chintown A medium-sized town, ruled by a mayor. This town was founded by the followers of the warlord Chin, who is worshipped by the citzens after he was killed by Avatar Kyoshi. This has led to a longstanding hatred of the Avatar, culminating with the 'Avatar Day' celebration, an anti-avatar holiday. The focal point of the festival is the burning of large effigies representing the past Avatars. Chintown has a strange justice system, called "Just US", where Mayor Tong tells the story like he thinks it is and the accused tells it like what he thinks it is. Then the mayor, with the help the townspeople, decides who is guilty. Those decided guilty spin the wheel of punishment, which contains a series of different punishments, going from community service to being fried in oil. Less dangerous criminals or those waiting for trial are locked in a small prison cell. After Aang's visit to Chintown, and the way he saved it from the Rough Rhinos, Avatar Day was changed to a celebration of the Avatar, and unfried dough was served to remember how Aang was not boiled in oil. Written in ancient Chinese script, at the base of the Chin the Great statue is his name, 秦å?‰ (qín wÄ›i). The name Chintown and Tong is most likely an allusion to American Chinatown enclaves which were historically run by an organization called the Tongs. The Foggy Swamp Also known simply as "The Swamp," this vast, mysterious wetland covers a very large area of the southwest Earth Kingdom. Both the flora and fauna of the swamp are densely packed and home to a variety of creatures including glowing flies, Elbow Leeches, blood sucking insects, and Catgators, a cross between a catfish and an alligator. Waterbenders also dwell within the swamp, as their ancestors migrated from the Southern Tribe thousands of years ago and called the swamps home due the large amount of water it contained. Members of this Foggy Swamp Tribe hunt, fish, and travel around the watery environment with the use of skiffs, small canoe-like crafts propelled by waterbending and their tribe as a whole conspiciously expreses a strong stereotypical Mississippi River Delta theme. At its center stands an enormous, ancient banyan-grove tree whose roots spread out over miles. The swamp as a whole is actually made up of this single tree; one big, living superorganism. It's branches spread, then take root, then spread further. The inhabitants of the swamp base their philosophy on this phenomenon, citing that all people of the world no matter how different retain the same roots and are branches of the same tree. Aside from its philosophical standpoints, the swamp contains deep spiritual qualities as well and is believed to be a sacred, mystical place. Enigmatic weather patterns and induced visions visions of the past, present, and future are all but commonplace within the swamp. One particular Waterbender named was able to reach enlightenment under the banyan-grove tree at the very heart of the swamp, and using his abilities, fiercely protects the swamp from any who wish it harm. Full Moon Bay Full Moon Bay is a small secluded cove on the western side of a large waterway. The port there has a ferry station that takes refugees across the waterway to another port at the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. They then take a train ride from the outer wall to the metropolitan area through the city's farmlands. Full Moon Bay is the fastest and safest way for refugees to get from the western side to Ba Sing Se and it is popular because of it cannot be found by the Fire Nation. The Bay was mentioned in "The Serpent's Pass". Full Moon Bay is written as 满月湾 in Chinese. According to the DVD commentary, it was originally name "Half Moon Bay" until they found out that was a real place. Gaipan Situated near central Earth Kingdom, Gaipan was once a sleepy little town of loggers and woodsman that has since been taken over by the Fire Nation and turned into an outpost. It has been occupied primarily by average citizens and soldiers for several years. To the west, a large, man-made dam holds a reservoir, which serves as the town's main source of water. The town is situated within a large forest, whose thick canopy serves as the base of operations, a camouflaged system of huts connected by zip-lines, ladders, and rope bridges. The Freedom Fighters have strived to liberate the town from the Fire Nation and for years have been ambushing their patrol troops and cutting off their supply lines. The occupants of Gaipan were all nearly killed when Jet and his Freedom Fighters filled and blew up the dam holding the excessive water supply, utterly flooding the entire town. Fortunately, Sokka was able to warn the citizens of the town and lead them away to safety before the plan was carried out. Gaoling A large town on the edge of the southern Earth Kingdom, Gaoling is home to both the Bei Fong family and the Earth Rumble tournaments. The town also holds Master Yu's Earthbending Academy, a large, fairly new building that has been around for a couple of years. The academy is mainly consisted of a wide, outdoor courtyard in the middle where rocks of a variety of different shapes and sizes are placed in for students to work with. A very well established place, Gaoling has a variety of people residing in it ranging from the very rich to the very poor, but is mostly filled with middle class citizens whose families have been living there for many generations. On the outskirts of the town are very large, expensive estates where the richest people of the town live, homes to wealthy families such as Toph's. Gaoling (高陵) which means "tall hill" is also a name of a county in Shannxi, a Central province in China. However, in the Avatar world, it is located in the South which coincidentally goes with Toph's knowledge of Chu Gar, Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Bei Fong (北方), Toph's last name, is another contradiction since it means "North", despites her not being from there. Great Divide The largest canyon in the Avatar world, the Great Divide is found in the rocky regions of northwestern Earth Kingdom and can be crossed in about a full day if one has an expert guide. Some believe that the canyon was a natural result of millions of years of erosion, while local belief holds that the canyon was first formed by angered Earth Spirits who lacked proper sacrifices from local farmers. The canyon is home to various insects and omnivorous arachnoid creatures, mostly those known as Canyon Crawlers. The creatures possess a superior sense of smell and will attack passerby if they are carrying food. The single way down the canyon is by a narrow path along the sheer cliff wall. The canyon itself is wrought with missing sections of wall and spontaneous avalanches. It is therefore essential to be crossed only with the aid of the Earthbender guide, who is familiar with the secrets of the canyon and is able to re-construct or de-construct sections of the trail. Herbalist Institute An institute hidden high in a lofty mountain peak of the western Earth Kingdom, surrounded by natural growth. Its secluded location is no doubt the main reason as to how it has managed to become one of the very few remaining Earth Kingdom establishments in the area. The particular location of the institute is higly significant also because the climate it retains is ideal for growing a variety of herbs necessary to brew medicines. In addition, a greenhouse attached to it that holds an endless variety of plant life, including some of the rarest specimens in the world. The institute is well over a hundred years old and was once a thriving foundation which produced medicines that were sent all over the world. Now almost completely abandoned, the sole remaining inhabitants are an eccentric, eighty-year-old herbalist and her cat, Miyuki. After his friends fall severely ill due to being out in a storm, Aang travels to the herbalist institute and meets the old woman in order to receive the herbal medicines needed for their recovery. Later on, June, Zuko, and Iroh all come across the herbalist harvesting some plants growing near the decrepit Ruins of Taku situated in the surrounding area of the institute's mountain peak while tracking the Avatar's trail. Makapu Village A small farming village situated at the base of Mount Makapu, a usually dormant volcano located near the western coast of the Earth Kingdom. Despite the danger that it provided, the original settlers decided to establish their home at the foot of the volcano because of the rich, fertile volcanic soil it retained. The founders then established a tradition of going up to the mountain once every year to check to see if the volcano would erupt, but the custom was abandoned and the worry greatly eased twenty years ago by the arrival of the fortuneteller Aunt Wu. The inhabitants of the village currently wear robes retaining depictions of clouds, no doubt in honor of the cloud-reading book Aunt Wu's consults to make her yearly volcano prediction, which, along with various other more practical fortunes, they take as gospel. Due to its hidden location in the mountains, as well as the fear of eruption by outsiders, Makapu village has managed to become untouched by the ongoing war and Fire Nation occupation. Travelers traveling along the coast often stop by briefly for food and supplies, as well as to have their fortunes read. Growing on the Mt. Makapu's rim are panda lilies, rare, beautiful, black-and-white striped flowers to which the particular soil and humid climate suits them perfectly. Considered to symbolize love, young men climb to the top of the mountain to retrieve one to give to their lovers. Turkey Ducks wander around the streets of the village, while wild Platypus Bears inhabit nearby forests. The volcano is about to erupt when Aang, Katara, and Sokka are pointed towards Makapu village by one of its residents. Naturally, the villagers put all their faith in Aunt Wu and refuse to believe them as her yearly prediction says otherwise. After "borrowing" the fortuneteller's books of clouds, the trio are able find the right form and manipulate the clouds to meet it. The shape is a skull and with it the villagers are finally made aware of the upcoming eruption. By digging a large trench to redirect the lava flow, along with an impressive feat of Aang's airbending skill, the village is spared. However, in the end the villagers still hold onto Aunt Wu's fortunetelling, as her actual prediction was that the village would not be destroyed. Meaning 'bulging eye' in Hawaiian, Makapu'u is a name given to the extreme eastern end of the Island of OÊ»ahu in the Hawaiian Islands. Misty Palms Oasis Located on the very edge of the Si Wong Desert, the Misty Palms Oasis is bustling cantina which is regularly filled with traders, soldiers, and wanderers. This is the last place to rest up, buy or trade anything before venturing into the desert, making it the proper place to stock up on supplies. The cantina's trademark is its selection of frozen beverages, served up by its skilled bartender who dices the fruit with dual katanas. The ice is carved from a subterranean iceberg just outside the pub at the center of the oasis, which for the most part is still preserved beneath the hot desert sand. It is here where Aang and the group encountered Professor Zei before heading off into the desert in search of Wan Shi Tong's spirit library. A little while later, Zuko and Iroh met up with a member of the Order of the White Lotus within the catina and came close to sharing run-in with bounty hunter Xin Fu and Master Yu, but were able to escape by intiating a bar fight. Pohuai Stronghold A large, multi-walled, metal Fire Nation fortress overlooking the Earth Kingdom's western shore, built to serve as a troop and supply hub for the military. Many soldiers and Firebenders receive training here before they are deployed into battle. Supplies are regularly transported from the stronghold over thousands of miles of rail lines to relieve the Fire Nation army assembled around the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom capital city Ba Sing Se. While still serving as a Commander of Fire Nation forces in occupied Earth Kingdom territories, Zhao was stationed at the stronghold under a Colonel Shu. When promoted to Admiral, Zhao swiftly used his resources equip the highly skilled Yu Yan archers serving as the stronghold's security guards to capture Aang. The archers succeeded, and Aang was imprisoned within the iron fortress, but was later able to escape with the aid of the Blue Spirit. Ruins of Taku Located near the western Earth Kingdom shores, the city of Taku was once an important hub of commerce for the Earth Kingdom, as it was used to distribute cargo imported from ships to various parts of the Kingdom. However, due to its key strategic location, it was recognized and attacked by the Fire Nation during the initial wave of attacks, becoming one of the very first Earth Kingdom cities to be destroyed. Now almost completely abandoned, the only remaining occupants are an old woman, a medicinal instructor from the now ruined, century-old Herbalist Institute, and her cat, Miyuki, apart from occasional Earth Kingdom troops passing through. Senlin's Forest A forest which was burned down by the Fire Nation as a result of a battle. Having lost their home, the wildlife that once lived in the forest have fled to other parts of the Earth Kingdom and the only notable landscape that stands in the scorched remains is a grove of statues in its center. Near the forest is a small village left untouched by the Fire Nation as it does holds no significant military advantage. Its villagers are mostly farmers and traders and many have left to fight in the war. Though unharmed by the Fire Nation, the villagers dealt with constant attacks and kidnappings by Hei Bai, the black and white spirit guardian of the forest who angered, transformed from a docile giant panda bear into a ravage six-legged creature as a result of the destruction. Senlin, written in Chinese as 森林, means "forest". Serpent's Pass A dangerous passage to Ba Sing Se, occasionally described as the "Deadly" Serpent's Pass. It is a slender, natural bridge made up of mountainous rocks and surrounded by water, the sole portion of land connecting the Southern Earth Kingdom to the Northern Earth Kingdom. The passage also serves to separate the Eastern Earth Kingdom side from the Western Fire Nation controlled side. Several years ago, the Serpent's pass was the only way for refugees to get from the Southern Earth Kingdom to Ba Sing Se, but fortunately today there are less dangerous route ferries able to shuttle refugees across. However, obtaining a passport for such privileges can prove to be quite rigorous. Traveling on foot across the pass is extremely treacherous, as it holds areas high above the waters with steep, crumbling cliffs on either side, while other parts that are actually submerged deep into the lake. In these waters lives a green serpent that often attacks people who are crossing. At the start of the pass, there is a gate with a sign reading 盤蛇關, meaning "Coiling Serpent Mountain Pass", and a warning carved into a post, reading "Abandon Hope". Si Wong Desert Otherwise known as the "Desert of the Dead", the Si Wong Desert holds the driest, hottest environment of the Avatar world and is really nothing more than miles of barren sand. Only a select few are mentally and physically capable of surviving in this desert, let alone navigate through it, for an extended period of time. However, certain desert-dwelling peoples such as the Sandbenders and the Bedouin merchants have come to adapt to the habitat. Nevertheless, even they can find themselves victims to common habital afflictions such as starvation, dehydration and skin cancer. The desert's ecosystem is primarily consisted of cacti and a few scavenger species such as the Gilacorn and the large predatory insectoid . The name of the desert literally translates to the "Death" in Mandarin (Chinese: æ»äº¡; Pinyin: sÇ? wáng). Si Wong Rock A gigantic mesa that rises from the center of the rolling dunes of the Si Wong Desert, looming imposingly over the landscape. Considering its flat, barren surroundings, the mesa would appear supernaturally out of place. Ancient Sandbender lore tells that the rock was dropped from the heavens by the gods as a demonstration of their potent power and incense when human inhabitants had stopped abiding by the rules of their priests. Regardless of its true origin, the rock is the only notable landscape feature of the barren desert, aside from the now completely buried library, and is thus used as a guidepost by the Sandbenders or any others who traverse through the Si Wong. In addition to being a visual landmark, the rock is also composed of a metallic ore that gives it magnetic qualities, allowing the Sandbenders to create compasses that work throughout the desert, giving them their location in relation to the rock. Atop of rock stands a large hive home to a colony of carnivorous Buzzard-Wasps who are known to immediately defend their home against anyone who disturbs. Wan Shi Tong's Spirit Library An ancient structure built and passed over from the Spirit world to the physical world by the knowledge spirit Wan Shi Tong several thousand years ago for the purpose of the preservation of all the world's knowledge for the betterment of humanity. While it was once a huge palatial structure, a large majority of was buried beneath the sands of the Si Wong and only its top most spire was visible from the desert. With the assistance of his knowledge seekers, the library has built up an enormous collection, though a portion of it has been destroyed by the Fire Nation. The library also holds an advanced, domed planetary calendar room constructed from various fine materials including phosphorescent crystals, jade, and brass. Using its gears, cogs, crystal-projected stars, as well as several rotating planets, the planetarium acts as a kind of almanac, illustrating both recorded history as well as projected future planetary alignments. The library has now been completely buried underneath the desert sands by Wan Shi Tong in an effort to prevent his knowledge from ever being misused. Whaletail Island A considerably large island situated off of the southern coast of the Earth Kingdom. The island gets its name from its distinctive shape, which on maps bares an uncanny resemblance to a whale's tail. While little is known about the island or its inhabitants, Water Tribe sailing lore makes the claim that whales can never be found anywhere near the island due to thinking that it's the actual tail of the largest whale in the world. See Also
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