Hyrule

Hyrule is the world in which many games of the Zelda series take place; the Kingdom of Hyrule is the central feature of the realm. Hyrule is a fantastic, magical realm of created by the three omnipotent Goddesses, Din, Farore, and Nayru. It varies in its terrain, featuring the frost-covered Snowpeak Mountains, the active volcano known as Death Mountain, the arid Gerudo Desert, the verdant plains of Hyrule Field, and the dense, seemingly endless Lost Woods. It's primary waterway is the Zora's River, which flows from Zora's Domain to Lake Hylia. More importantly, within the Kingdom of Hyrule is the portal to the Sacred Realm, the resting place of the Triforce.

Hyrule: Kingdom or World?
The definition of Hyrule has generally been disputed throughout the history of the Zelda series. Hyrule is not only used as the name of the Kingdom of Hyrule, but it is also the name of the realm in which the Zelda series take place. In Link's Awakening it was said that Link had gone out on adventure to other lands and was shipwrecked on his return home. Similarly, he traveled to two different lands, not worlds, in the Oracle games.

The Various Races of Hyrule
What is for certain however is that the Kingdom of Hyrule is a cornerstone in the History of Hyrule, and that most of the adventures in the various games take place in this kingdom. 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. They dominate Hyrule during the time of A Link to the Past. However, they are not the only race to be found in the kingdom. Others include the Gerudo, who reside in Gerudo Valley in the south-western corner of the kingdom, the Gorons from Death Mountain in the north east, Zora and Kokiri from Zora's Domain and Kokiri Forest in the east respectively.

Hylian
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 Terminian 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 and 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, and 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.

Differences throughout Hyrulian History
Hyrule's geography seems to be in constant change. The map seen on the left is from one of the first Zelda games in the timeline, Ocarina of Time. The kingdom revolves around Hyrule Castle which is located a little north of the center of the kingdom, a trademark which seems to characterize the geography in near every map of the land which has ever been made. Just south of the castle we'll find the most prominent town of the kingdom, Hyrule Castle Town, or just Hyrule Town which is it referred to in some games. The hub or core of all Hyrules seem to be Hyrule field, a large flat meadow. The map on the right side is a map of Hyrule from A Link to the Past, and as you can see, some of the important trademarks of the kingdom are the same, but there are also big differences. Hyrule Castle is still located in the center, and Death Mountain in the north. However, a village such as Kakariko Village is in the west, as opposed to east on the Ocarina of Time map. The Desert has switched from north west to south west, Lake Hylia from south west to south east, and the Lost Woods is now up in the north western corner, as opposed to the placement in the east.

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.



Other Lands
Hyrule is one of many lands in the realm of Hyrule. It is important to note that Hyrule is both the name of the realm, and the name of a kingdom within the realm.

Calatia
In the Zelda Comics, this is where Link from The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link comes from. The dominant species seems to be Hylian. Besides that, little is known about it.

Holodrum
A place similar to Labrynna, though there are many differences. It is the main setting for The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, and homeland of Din; the Oracle of Seasons.

Labrynna
A land similar to Holodrum, but with many differences. It is the main setting for The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, and Nayru; the Oracle of Ages.

Termina
A land that is accessible through a portal in the Lost Woods. It is a seemingly rearranged version of Hyrule, and all of Hyrule's citizens (or at least from Ocarina of Time) seem to have an Equivilant being living in Termina, with few Exceptions: Zelda, Ganon, Link, the Sages, and the Happy Mask Salesman.

Important Landmarks

 * Hyrule Castle
 * Death Mountain
 * Kakariko Village
 * Lake Hylia
 * Lost Woods
 * Hyrule Field