Faerûn Nations & Real World Influences.



    1. Amn is inspired by Spain under the Inquisition,
    2. Calimshan & Zakhara are inspired by Arabia,
    3. Chessenta & Threskel are inspired by Greece,
    4. Chult is inspired by African Jungles,
    5. Cormyr is inspired by idealized medieval France or maybe England,
    6. Damara is inspired by Germany, with slavic influence,
    7. Koryo is inspired by Korea,
    8. Malatra is inspired by Vietnam,
    9. Maztica is inspired by Aztec Central America,
    10. Mulhorand is inspired by Ancient Egypt,
    11. Netheril is inspired by Rome,
    12. Rashemen is inspired by Russia,
    13. Ruathym is inspired by Norway, full of seafaring viking berserker barbarian types,
    14. Sembia & Chondath are inspired by merchant Italy,
    15. Shining Lands are inspired by India,
    16. Shou & T'u Lung are inspired by China,
    17. Thay is inspired by Turkey, ... except run by Nazis somehow,
    18. 'The North' is home of germanic berserker & barbarian stereotypes, not seafaring,
    19. Turmish is inspired by Turkey,
    20. Unther is inspired by Mesopotamia,
    21. Vaasa is inspired by Finland,
    22. Wa & Kozakura are inspired by Japan,
    23. Western Heartlands & Moonshae Isles are inspired by British Isles,
    24. Yeshimal Mountains are inspired by Himalayas.

    Source: Real Life Equivalent Nations in Toril?



  • I've found lists such as these are a useful help to interpret different IG cultures.