- For the original landmass, see Kalimdor (landmass).
 Kalimdor | |
|---|---|
| Level: 1 - 35 | |
 Loading screen as of patch 7.0.3 | |
| Races |
 Makrura |
| Ruler(s) |
  Phaoris |
| Location | Western Azeroth |
Kalimdor [ˈkælɪmdɔɹ] (Titan and Darnassian for land of eternal starlight)[1] is one of the main continents of Azeroth. It is located to the west of the Eastern Kingdoms, southwest of Northrend and northwest of Pandaria. The Great Sea lies in between the continents. Kalimdor is home to the night elves, orcs, tauren, trolls, and draenei. Other races present include the ogres, centaur, naga, demons, and other, more minor races.
Kalimdor can be further divided into three major regions (western continents)[2] known as North Kalimdor, Central Kalimdor, and South Kalimdor. Other sources vary on how it is divided. The World of Warcraft Manual divides it into the Northern Kalimdor and Southern Kalimdor regions. The various editions of the World of Warcraft Guide breaks it into Northern Kalimdor, Central Kalimdor, Southern Kalimdor, and Teldrassil regions. At least one map has divided it into the three regions of Durotar, Mulgore, and Kalimdor (shown through largest font size and caps),[3] although the Durotar and Mulgore emphasis could just be the fact that the book talks about the Tauren and Orcs' new homelands throughout the book. A few maps however do not divide Kalimdor into separate continents and treat it as one single large landmass.
Kalimdor was primarily the domain of the night elves in the ten thousand years between the War of the Ancients and the Battle of Mount Hyjal. In the years since the battle, night elf dominion has given way as the tauren adopted a more centralized system and accepted their allies, the orcs and the trolls into their midst. The recent arrival of the draenei adds a new power to the map.
Now, however, the continent is a politically divided one, the Horde have established strong control in the central and eastern areas while the night elves, now aided by the draenei, preserve footholds in northwestern areas.
History[]
After the War of the Ancients[]
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This section is a lore stub. |
After the Highborne's departure, the remaining night elves deliberately withdrew from the rest of the world. A veil of mist descended upon their entire continent, shrouding its presence from passing sailors.[4]
The knowledge of Kalimdor survived in some old human legends, but without details about its history or whereabouts, merely that the land was broken and set beneath the waves during the Sundering of the World.[5] The quel'dorei, however, knew the truth, as some night elves such as Emmarel Shadewarden visited them in the following millennia.[6] This led to a group of high elves leaving Quel'Thalas and traveling to Winterspring in order to obtain the 
[Crystal of Zin-Malor] one hundred of years before the events of World of Warcraft.[7]
Second War[]
After their defeat on the Broken Isles, Cho'gall and his surviving minions of the Twilight's Hammer sailed west to the mysterious continent of Kalimdor, drawn in by the whispers of the Old Gods. They were followed by Garona, who was eager to hunt out the last members of the Shadow Council.[8]
Approximately four years after the end of the Second War, the human brothers, Greydon and Silverlaine visited Gadgetzan in Tanaris.[9]
Third War[]
The Legion's war path in the Third War.
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This section is a lore stub. |
As the Third War started, Kalimdor was still considered a mere legend among most humans, with people such as the Kirin Tor ambassador to King Terenas' court not believing in its existence.[10] A few heeded Medivh's warning however and traveled west, such as Thrall's new Horde and Jaina Proudmoore's expedition.
Landmass[]
- Main article: Kalimdor (landmass)
Kalimdor also refers to the massive continent that composed Azeroth before the Great Sundering.
Geography[]
Kalimdor has a huge variety of both animal and plant life. Within this continent, you will find almost every land type; from the ice cold plains of Winterspring in the north, to the hot desert of Tanaris in the south. The mystical woods of Ashenvale, the dry, rocky Thousand Needles, the tropical, lush jungle of Feralas — this continent has it all. To the north the landscape is primarily coated in thick alpine woodland, typical in areas such as Ashenvale. Central Kalimdor, home to the horde, is far more rugged and barren, save for the safety of Mulgore. In the south, desert areas dominate the terrain; however, nestled between these bleak landscapes are realms of beauty and wonder such as the thriving tropical regions of Feralas and Un'Goro Crater.
Regions[]
Kalimdor has been shown to be divided into three great regions or continents:
Kalimdor is further divided into the following regions:
- Azuremyst Isles
Azuremyst Isle (1 - 30)- Bloodmyst Isle (1 - 30)
- Durotar (1 - 30)
- Moonglade (1 - 30)
- Mulgore (1 - 30)
- Teldrassil (1 - 30, Destroyed)
- Azshara (5 - 30)
- The Barrens
- Northern Barrens (5 - 30)
- Southern Barrens (10 - 30)
- Darkshore (5 - 30)
- Ashenvale (7 - 30)
- Desolace (10 - 30)
- Stonetalon Mountains (10 - 30)
- Ahn'Qiraj: The Fallen Kingdom (15 - 30)
- Dustwallow Marsh (15 - 30)
- Felwood (15 - 30)
- Feralas (15 - 30)
- Silithus (15 - 30)
- Tanaris (15 - 30)
- Thousand Needles (15 - 30)
- Un'Goro Crater (15 - 30)
- Winterspring (15 - 30)
- Mount Hyjal (30 - 35)
- Uldum (30 - 35)
Capital cities[]
Alliance[]
- Darnassus in Teldrassil, Northern Kalimdor
- Exodar in Azuremyst Isle, Northern Kalimdor
Horde[]
- Orgrimmar in Durotar, Central Kalimdor
- Thunder Bluff in Mulgore, Central Kalimdor
- Bilgewater Harbor in Azshara, Northern Kalimdor
- Darkspear Isle (Echo Isles) in Durotar, Central Kalimdor
Neutral[]
- Timbermaw Hold in Felwood, Northern Kalimdor
- Gadgetzan in Tanaris, Southern Kalimdor
- Zul'Farrak in Tanaris, Southern Kalimdor
- Caverns of Time in Tanaris, Southern Kalimdor
- Ramkahen in Uldum, Southern Kalimdor
Dungeons[]
- Main article: Instances by continent
Northern Kalimdor[]
Central Kalimdor[]
Southern Kalimdor[]
Caverns of Time[]
- Escape from Durnholde Keep
- Opening the Dark Portal
- Battle for Mount Hyjal
- Culling of Stratholme
- End Time
- Well of Eternity
- Hour of Twilight
- Dragon Soul
Battlegrounds[]
- Main article: Battleground
Arenas[]
- Main article: Arena
- Ring of Valor - Orgrimmar (Removed)
- Tol'Viron Arena - Uldum
Playable races[]
Alliance[]
Horde[]
In the RPG[]
After the surviving Highborne were exiled by the night elves from Kalimdor, kaldorei druids wove a powerful spell to close their borders within an eternal mist. There they remained for thousands of years, hidden by the mist and by the swirling seas of the Maelstrom.[11]
Another version is that following the birth of the World Tree Nordrassil, Malfurion Stormrage gathered all the druids into a conclave, where they underwent a great slumber, sending their spirits into the Emerald Dream. A great barrier of mist grew around Kalimdor, to prevent eyes even in Azeroth from finding the second Well of Eternity.[12]
Kalimdoran is a language common to many natives of the continent.
Notes and trivia[]
- 230 before the First War, a strong earthquake hit Kalimdor as a result of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan summoning Ragnaros at the end of the War of the Three Hammers.[13]
- Aegwynn and Tabetha are known individuals to have traveled to Kalimdor prior to the Third War, like the ogres.
- Kalimdor (in-game) is roughly 25,246 yards or 23 kilometers in length. This makes it 0.0028% the length of Africa.[14]
- Kalimdor's name was originally concepted as Calendore.[15]
Gallery[]
- In-game maps
Classic alpha
Classic alpha
Classic release
The Burning Crusade release
Cataclysm release
Patch 8.1.0
Classic Flight Map
The Burning Crusade Flight Map
Patch 3.1.0 Flight Map
Cataclysm Flight Map
Patch 8.1.0 flight map
Patch 8.1.0 flight map (zoomed in)
Loading screen during World of Warcraft.
Loading screen during The Burning Crusade.
Loading screen during Wrath of the Lich King.
Loading screen during Cataclysm.
Loading screen during Mists of Pandaria.
Loading screen during Warlords of Draenor.
- Other
Map of Azeroth from Warcraft III.
Early World of Warcraft layout.
Map of Kalimdor from pre-release World of Warcraft.
Northern Kalimdor in the World of Warcraft manual.
Southern Kalimdor in the World of Warcraft manual.
Very early concept art.
Kalimdor on the left of key art for patch 7.3.0.
- RPG books
Kalimdor in Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game
Atlas Map
- Fan art
Topographical map of Kalimdor before Cataclysm.
Fan-made composite map by Subthermal
See also[]
References[]
- ^ The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 74
- ^ Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game map:
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Cenarius
- ^ The Last Guardian, chapter 8
- ^ [10-45] Rendezvous with the Courier
- ^ [15-30] Legacy of the High Elves
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 198
- ^ Traveler: The Spiral Path, chapter 38
- ^ The Warning (WC3 Human)
- ^ Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 23
- ^ Alliance Player's Guide, pg. 124
- ^ Shaman prologue
- ^ Movement#Traversing_Azeroth
- ^ File:ABE - Lordaeron and Khaz Modan map.jpg
[10-45] External links[]
IncGamers Kalimdor Map
WOW Scribble Maps Kalimdor Map
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