Faerûn Nations & Real World Influences.
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- Amn is inspired by Spain under the Inquisition,
- Calimshan & Zakhara are inspired by Arabia,
- Chessenta & Threskel are inspired by Greece,
- Chult is inspired by African Jungles,
- Cormyr is inspired by idealized medieval France or maybe England,
- Damara is inspired by Germany, with slavic influence,
- Koryo is inspired by Korea,
- Malatra is inspired by Vietnam,
- Maztica is inspired by Aztec Central America,
- Mulhorand is inspired by Ancient Egypt,
- Netheril is inspired by Rome,
- Rashemen is inspired by Russia,
- Ruathym is inspired by Norway, full of seafaring viking berserker barbarian types,
- Sembia & Chondath are inspired by merchant Italy,
- Shining Lands are inspired by India,
- Shou & T'u Lung are inspired by China,
- Thay is inspired by Turkey, ... except run by Nazis somehow,
- 'The North' is home of germanic berserker & barbarian stereotypes, not seafaring,
- Turmish is inspired by Turkey,
- Unther is inspired by Mesopotamia,
- Vaasa is inspired by Finland,
- Wa & Kozakura are inspired by Japan,
- Western Heartlands & Moonshae Isles are inspired by British Isles,
- Yeshimal Mountains are inspired by Himalayas.
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I've found lists such as these are a useful help to interpret different IG cultures.