Hyrule

Hyrule (ハイラル, Hairaru) is a fantasy kingdom that serves as the setting for most games of the Zelda series. While the term Hyrule usually refers to Hyrule proper, it can also apply to other surrounding lands that do not fall within the borders of the Kingdom. Hyrule was created by the three Goddesses, Din, Farore, and Nayru. It is a vast kingdom, featuring a wide array of races and geography. Within the Kingdom of Hyrule is the portal to the Sacred Realm, the resting place of the Triforce.

History
Hyrule was formed by the three Golden Goddesses: Din, Farore, and Nayru. According to Hylian mythology as depicted in "Ocarina of Time", Din formed the physical geography of Hyrule, while Nayru established the laws that would govern the land and Farore created the various races that would uphold the law. Their labors completed, the three Goddesses departed from the world they had created. As they vanished, they left behind them three golden triangles that contained their essence. Together, these triangles became known as the Triforce, the most sacred and sought-after relic in all Hyrule.

Currency
The rupee is the most common currency in Hyrule. They are depicted as jewel-like objects that you can even find on the ground. Some colors of rupee, like green, blue, and yellow, are less valuable then the actual gems they represent, barely being able to buy Bee Larva.

Landmarks
Although Hylian geography varies from game to game, Hyrule features several reoccurring landmarks and locations. These are:

Hyrule Field
Hyrule Field is a large plain that vastly covers the majority of Hyrule. No travelers or any other activity are ever seen here, due to being inhabited by many creatures under Ganon’s rule. First appearing in Ocarina of Time, it has since been known for branching out into other territories, such as Hyrule Castle, Death Mountain, and Lake Hylia. It is highly praised in Twilight Princess, appearing five times larger than in its first debut.

Lon Lon Ranch
Lon Lon Ranch is a large farm located at the center of Hyrule Field in Ocarina of Time. It focuses on the raising of horses and Cuccos, as well as the shipping of milk. It is owned by Talon, his daughter Malon, and Ingo. The ranch is also the home of Epona who becomes quite useful later in the game. With the help of Ganondorf, Ingo later takes over the ranch and sends Talon away, who settles in Kakariko Village. Its Terminan counterpart in Majora's Mask, Romani Ranch, bears many resemblances.

Death Mountain
Death Mountain often appears as a large volcano and as the home of the Gorons. In The Legend of Zelda, it was actually the domain of the game's main antagonist, Ganon. It also returned as Ganon's hideaway of the Dark World in A Link to the Past. In Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess, it appears as the homeland of the Goron tribe as well as the home of several dungeons. Death Mountain is also often believed to appear in The Wind Waker as Dragon Roost Island.

Kakariko Village
Kakariko Village is a large settlement, home to many merchants on it first debut in A Link to the Past. It was more notable in Ocarina of Time. however, serving as a former village to the Sheikah tribe, and the location of the Shadow Temple. In Twilight Princess, it appears more barren, having little plant life, and is quite abandoned (which according to several characters is due to many being driven out by Shadow Beasts). Another village appears later in the game, the Hidden Village. A sign posted can be translated as Kakariko Village, however its location is off compared to that of Ocarina of Time, and lacks many of the landmarks found in its previous counterpart.

Lake Hylia
Lake Hylia appears in several Zelda titles and is known for being the home of the Water Temple, where the Zora tribe is said to worship the goddesses. While Lake Hylia is usually noted as it first appearing in Ocarina of Time, its first appearance was really in A Link to the Past. In both Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess, it is the resting place of the water temple, at the bottom of the lake. It is believed to be the same dungeon despite of the differences in appearances.

Zora's Domain
The Zora’s Domain, as its name implies, is the abode location of the Zoras. It is a large, hollowed cavern within the surrounding mountains around the Zora River. At the top of the domain is the throne of the ruling Zora family, in the case of Ocarina of Time, King Zora and Princess Ruto. In Twilight Princess, it appeared much larger and taller, ruled by the now dead Queen Rutela and Prince Ralis. Strangely, it appears frozen after the events of the Great Cataclysm, believed to be the works of Blizzeta.

Lost Woods
Having appeared in The Legend of Zelda, the Lost Woods has become a very popular landmark of the series. The woods, tough, were properly introduced in A Link to the Past as an almost inescapable maze. In Ocarina of Time, it became infamous for its difficult navigation, as many players would take a wrong exit, and be warped back to the beginning. It played many roles needed to progress and contained many helpful passages that led to other places including Death Mountain and Zora’s Domain. In Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Twilight Princess, it was home to the Skull Kids.

Gerudo Desert
This mysterious location first appeared with the unveiling of the Gerudo race in Ocarina of Time. It served many purposes including the housing of the Spirit Temple located within the Desert Colossus, a massive statue carved on the side of a large rock formation. It also made a return in Twilight Princess, where the Arbiter’s Grounds, a large prison speculated to be the former Gerudo Fortress.

Hyrule Castle
Hyrule Castle has appeared within almost every single title throughout the series. It serves as the home of the Royal Family, and often as the final battle against Ganon. Hyrule Castle has gone through many changes between each game, looking almost completely different inside and out.

Castle Town
Castle Town first appeared in Ocarina of Time as a market place, where shops are the main attraction. Such locations including Potion and Bomb shops, minigames, and a mask shop. It is also home to two of the most important locations in the game, the Temple of Time and Hyrule Castle. Its appearance in Twilight Princess is very similar to that of Ocarina of Time, upholding many shops and businesses and being placed in front of Hyrule Castle. In this game, though, it is larger in size and houses many more shops and people than its Ocarina of Time counterpart.

Theory
The differences in the geography could be explained by stating that the games take place in different parts of a vast kingdom. But this doesn't rule out the possibility of re-occurring places. Some believe that the castle under the sea in The Wind Waker is the very same North Castle from The Adventure of Link.

Trivia

 * Due to the existance of humans, various Earth life-forms, and the mentioning of Earth in The Wind Waker, some fans have come to speculate that Hyrule is located on the planet Earth.

Hylian
The dominant race of Hyrule has since the creation of the world been the Hylians, who were said to be blessed by the gods with some of their magical powers. These Hylians are extremely abundant and are shockingly similar to humans on earth. Unlike most other races, they tend to live in large cities. They are said to be born with magic-infused blood and use magic quite often (variating from their Terminan Counterparts, who use magic less and rely on technology more often.) They are thought of to be closer to the gods than other races and also inhabit Calatia, Holodrum, Labrynna, and Termina.

Goron
These are Rock-consuming Golem-like creatures that inhabit mountains and rocky areas. They boast superhuman strength and the ability to curl up into a ball and roll. Using magic power some can sprout spikes when they pick up enough speed while rolling in this manner. They are completely heat resistant, able to wade through lava. Most Gorons (if not all) cannot swim due to their immense weight. They inhabit, aside from Hyrule, Termina, Labrynna, Holodrum, and many other places.

Zora
These are aquatic, mammalian, Merman/mermaid-like creatures that inhabit Rivers and The Ocean. Zora that live in rivers, or Zola, seem to be more fish-like, aggressive, and can spit fire; where as sea Zoras seem to be more peaceful and dolphin/whale-like. Zora also inhabit Termina, Labrynna, Holodrum, and more.

Forest Dwellers
These include Kokiri, Deku Scrubs, Skull Kids, and many others, but altogether are occasionally referred to as Deku. Kokiri are similar to Hylian children, who never grow into the adult stage, and have the Great Deku Tree as a guardian. Deku Shrubs are plantlike, nut-spitting, short creatures that can burrow into flowers. Skull kids are mysterious, mischievous, childlike creatures. They also inhabit Termina.

Other Lands
These lands fall outside of the borders of Hyrule proper.
 * Holodrum
 * Labrynna
 * Termina
 * Twilight Realm

Non-canon lands include:
 * Calatia
 * Gamelon