Geography and Cities in Fantastic Realms
Maybe your geography classes in school bored you to death, or maybe they inspired images of untouched plains, ancient cities, or deep, mysterious oceans. Regardless of your past experiences with the study of a world’s physical features, if you want to create a memorable and unique urban setting for your narrative, you’ll want to develop at least a basic understanding of how geography affects the various aspects of civilization.
Geography is one of the core elements that shapes a city, both in our world and within your fantastic world; it influences everything from its culture to its economy. The basic geography of a city, like whether it's located by a southern sea, in the northern mountains, or on a sprawling plain, will dictate the resources available to its people and the type of lifestyles they lead. For instance, a city by the sea might thrive on fishing, trade, and shipbuilding, while a mountain city might focus on mining or rely on complex trade networks to bring in what it can’t produce. The inhabitants of the sea-city might be experts in navigation or forecasting the weather, because the location they inhabit demands it from them, while the mountain-city folk might be extremely proficient in crafting attire that allows them to survive in a harsh, cold environment. Geography provides the backbone for understanding why a city developed as it did and what unique challenges or strengths its inhabitants face.
Climate, often tied directly to geography, is another factor that deeply impacts a city and the way its inhabitants go about their lives and spend their time. A city in a cold, mountainous region will have a very different architectural style and culture than one located in a tropical rainforest; you can see evidence of this phenomenon within our own world by comparing the cultures and histories of regions within very different climate zones. Cold climates might lead to thick-walled homes built for insulation, sturdy attire for winter, and a reliance on preserved food through the long winters. In contrast, a warm, fertile city would likely have open structures to allow airflow, lighter clothing, and fresh food available year-round. Climate can even influence a city’s festivals and belief systems, with various celebrations centered around seasons, harvests, or weather changes.
Natural landmarks and geographical features can also serve as integral parts of any given city’s identity. Rivers, for example, are often vital in fantasy cities for drinking water, irrigation, and as natural defenses against invaders. They also serve as trade routes, which might mean your city becomes a bustling hub of diverse cultures and goods. An urban center built into a canyon or atop a cliff might have a sense of isolation, which inevitably creates a more insular culture that’s cautious of outsiders. A city surrounded by dense forests might have inhabitants skilled in hunting, herbal medicine, or woodworking, with their lives interwoven with the surrounding wilderness.
The geography of a particular region can determine not only the economy and culture but also the level of conflict a city might experience; always remember that resources are key for any civilization to survive or thrive. A strategically located city—such as one between two powerful kingdoms—might face frequent political tension or invasion attempts, and in response becomes a fortress-like city where defenses are prioritized. Alternatively, a city in a peaceful but secluded valley may have little need for defense, focusing instead on agriculture and the arts. Geography can even inspire legends within the city, like mountains seen as home to gods or enchanted forests that no one dares enter; that lore, borne from the physical landscape, can create powerful opportunities for narrative and authenticity within a fantasy setting.
As you work to craft a memorable, lived-in, and unique city for your setting, taking the geography into account helps create a living, breathing place that feels like it’s grown organically from its surroundings. Small details, like what people eat, how they travel, and how they interact with their environment, all stem from geography, enriching the story with natural depth. Just by setting the city into a believable landscape, you can give it a personality and a history that readers will feel immediately and resonate with emotionally.
