One of the most important aspects of worldbuilding is creating unique and interesting countries. These countries should not only be geographically diverse, but also have distinct cultures, histories, and governments. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to create unique countries in your fantasy world.
This is the third part of my series on fantasy worldbuilding. The other parts are listed below:
- 1: General Worldbuilding Tips
- 2: Geographical Worldbuilding
- –> 3: Creating Your Nations
Tips for Worldbuilding Unique Countries
- Geography: When creating your countries, it is important to consider their geography. This includes things like their climate, terrain, and resources. The geography of a country can have a major impact on its culture and history. For example, a country that is located on a desert island will likely have a very different culture than a country that is located in a mountainous region.
- History: Every country has a history, and this history should be reflected in its culture and government. When creating your countries, think about their past. What major events have shaped their development? Who are their heroes and villains?
- Culture: The culture of a country is one of the things that makes it unique. This includes things like its language, religion, art, and music. When creating your countries, think about what makes their cultures unique. What are their customs and traditions? What are their values and beliefs?
- Government: The government of a country is another important aspect of its culture. When creating your countries, think about what type of government they have. Is it a monarchy, a democracy, or something else? How does the government work?
- Religion: Religion can play a major role in the culture of a country. When creating your countries, think about what religions they practice. How does religion influence their daily lives?
- Technology: The level of technology in a country can also have a major impact on its culture. When creating your countries, think about what level of technology they have. Do they have access to magic? Do they have advanced technology?
- Languages: The languages spoken in a country can also be a source of cultural pride. When creating your countries, think about what languages they speak. Are there any unique dialects or languages spoken in your world?
- Names: The names of your countries should be memorable and unique. When creating your countries, think about what names would be appropriate for their culture and history.
Examples of Unique Fantasy Countries
There are many examples of unique fantasy countries in literature. Some of my favorites include:
- Middle-earth: The world of Middle-earth, created by J.R.R. Tolkien, is one of the most famous and well-developed fantasy worlds. It is home to a variety of unique countries, including the Shire, Gondor, and Mordor.
- Westeros: The world of Westeros, created by George R.R. Martin, is another well-developed fantasy world. It is home to a variety of unique countries, including the Seven Kingdoms, the Dothraki Sea, and the Wall.
- Roshar: The world of Roshar, created by Brandon Sanderson in the Stormlight Archive series, is a an incredibly unique world with its own sense of place that I haven’t seen replicated elsewhere. It features nations such as Alethkar, Jah Kaved, Kharbranth, Shinovar and many more.
Conclusion
Creating unique and interesting countries is an important part of worldbuilding. By following the tips in this article, you can create countries that will bring your fantasy world to life.
Additional Tips For Worldbuilding Countries
- Get inspired by real-world cultures. There are many different cultures in the world, and you can use them as inspiration for your own creations.
- Don’t be afraid to be creative. There are no limits to what you can create in a fantasy world.
- Have fun! Worldbuilding should be enjoyable.
More in this Worldbuilding series
If you’d like to read more about worldbuilding, please check out the other articles from this series:
- 1: General Worldbuilding Tips
- 2: Geographical Worldbuilding
- –> 3: Creating Your Nations