- This article is about the southern landmass. For the geographic southernmost point on Earth, see South Pole.
The South Pole region is a large landmass. To the northeast, there are some adjacent islands.
The South Pole region,[1] often shortened to South Pole, is the Earth's southernmost landmass.[1][2] Surrounded by the "southern seas",[3] it is mostly covered by frozen tundras, polar deserts,[2][4] and dangerous mountain ranges.[5] Deep in the region's interior lies the geographic South Pole and its spirit portal.[6]
The South Pole region is marked by its cold climate, and most of it is perpetually covered in snow.[2][7] Nevertheless, there is some permanent and seasonal green flora. Despite its icy and hostile environment, the region is home to a rich variety of well-adapted wildlife[8] as well as the Southern Water Tribe. The South Pole is also rich in certain natural resources such as oil.[9]
History[]
In the late era of Raava, the South Pole region seemingly possessed a much more mild climate, and the land was not yet entirely covered in ice and snow.[10]
Later, the South Pole already hosted an advanced civilization which built large stone structures, possessed a system of writing, and appeared to have venerated otter penguins. One of the centers of this ancient culture, the Glacial Temple, was located in the east of the region. The architecture and artifacts of this civilization did not resemble later Water Tribe culture, and it seemingly ceased to exist at some point without further impacting later settlers of the region.[11]
Eventually, human migrants from the Northern Water Tribe arrived in the South Pole region.[12] They built various settlements and divided into many small tribes, though they became collectively known as the "Southern Water Tribe".[13][14] The Southerners later politically reunited with the Northern Water Tribe.[14][12] Though the Southern Water Tribe managed to thrive to some extent in its harsh homelands,[15] the tribe long suffered from a lack of tradable goods and native woods to build a trade fleet.[16][17]
Having emerged during the Hundred Year War, the Everstorm affected the South Pole region's deep interior.
Though the South's economic situation waxed and waned over centuries,[18][19] it was dealt a crippling blow in the Hundred Year War. The Southern Water Tribe raids during this conflict destroyed not just many settlements and decimated the south's population,[20][15] they also caused spiritual disturbances which manifested in the Everstorm.[6]
Following the Great War, the South's population drastically grew alongside a blooming new industry.[21][22] In 171 AG, the Southern Water Tribe won its full independence and Avatar Korra opened the local spirit portal.[23]
Natural resources[]
The South Pole's oil deposits were exploited after the Hundred Year War.
Historically, the Southern Water Tribe heavily depended on what its people could hunt or fish in the surrounding seas. In particular, the sea prunes are not just a popular food among Southerners,[7] but have also been an export item.[24] The many animals around the region have also been hunted for their pelts, some of which are highly valuable due to their naturally insulating qualities.[7][25] In the era of Roku, these pelts supported a local textile industry specialized in exports.[19]
Following the Hundred Year War, the Southern Water Tribe began to industralize more strongly. In this period, the greatest known deposit of crude oil was discovered in the South Pole region.[9]
Settlement patterns[]
The people of the Southern Water Tribe have traditionally settled along the South Pole's coast to gain access to the sea and its vital resources.[7][18] A small number of settlements are located deeper inland.[26]
Flora[]
The sea around the South Pole is home to a variable flora, including seaweed and sea prunes.[7] In contrast, plants are rather sparse on the land. However, some areas of the South Pole feature wild blueberries.[27] At the spirit portal, there is also a small pine tee forest.[28]
Fauna[]
The icy waters of the South Pole region are home to a rich fauna.
Despite its hostile environment, the South Pole has a rich wildlife. Along the coast, otter penguins maintain large colonies. These animals are preyed upon by tiger seals. Other local semiaquatic animals are the arctic seal[29] and the arctic hippo.[30] The coastal waters are also home to many species of fish (including the penguin fish), shellfish, crabs, and squid.[7][8] On land, one can find the ice crawlers,[8] arctic camel,[6] arctic hen,[31] and snow rats.[9]
The South is also home to large carnivores ranging from pack hunters like the owl wolf,[32] the mighty snow leopard caribous,[9][32] polar bears,[8][33] and the generally feared polar bear dog.[34][35]