Geography Template
Restructuring the Codex
We are currently moving articles around and changing the general structure of the Codex. Please come back later if you get lost!Location, Location, Location
This template is intended for any kind of space and geographical feature that does not fit the other two location templates, Buildings & Landmark Template and Settlement Template.
The example used in this template is the real-world Geography of Madagascar, but this is just one very specific use of this template!
The template has many prompt boxes which can be filled in. Use them for inspiration and to help format your article. Do not feel like you have to fill out all of them!
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
Location Organization Chart
The hierarchy of geography of any place can be visually represented by the automatically created organization trees. All you need to do is fill in the Parent prompt in all of the relevant location articles. This organization tree is added to the bottom of each article in the metadata section.Geography
(GEOGRAPHY)
Describe the general geography of this location. This can differ widely depending on what type of geographic element it is. Link other location articles which are found within this location or can be found around them. Don't forget to add your settlements and landmarks as well!
Describe the general geography of this location. This can differ widely depending on what type of geographic element it is. Link other location articles which are found within this location or can be found around them. Don't forget to add your settlements and landmarks as well!
Madagascar can be divided into five general geographical regions: the east coast, the Tsaratanana Massif, the Central Highlands, the west coast, and the southwest. The highest elevations parallel the east coast. The total size is 587,040 square kilometers (226,660 sq mi), which makes it the world's second-largest island country.
Ecosystem
(ECOSYSTEM)
What are the elements of the ecosystem within this location? How does it work? Is it influenced by locations around them? What are the climate and habitat here like?
What are the elements of the ecosystem within this location? How does it work? Is it influenced by locations around them? What are the climate and habitat here like?
Ecosystem Cycles
(ECOSYSTEM CYCLES)
Describe any cycles the ecosystem here might go through and how it affects its inhabitants. This can be two or more seasons and other celestial cycles (such as the tides caused by moons).
Describe any cycles the ecosystem here might go through and how it affects its inhabitants. This can be two or more seasons and other celestial cycles (such as the tides caused by moons).
Localized Phenomena
(LOCALIZED PHENOMENA)
Are there any local weather or magical phenomena which can be found here? What is the cause of these phenomena? How do they affect this location and the people who live within it? Use the Natural Law Template to go into more details.
Are there any local weather or magical phenomena which can be found here? What is the cause of these phenomena? How do they affect this location and the people who live within it? Use the Natural Law Template to go into more details.
Fauna & Flora
(FLORA & FAUNA)
Describe the animals and plants that can be found in this location. What is special about them? Can they only be found here? Have they invaded from elsewhere? How do they interact with the ecosystem? What is their role? Use the Species Template to describe these in more detail.
Describe the animals and plants that can be found in this location. What is special about them? Can they only be found here? Have they invaded from elsewhere? How do they interact with the ecosystem? What is their role? Use the Species Template to describe these in more detail.
The island of Madagascar has been described as an "alternate world" or a "world apart" because of the uniqueness and rarity of many of its plant and animal species. Their characteristics are believed to reflect the island's origins as a part of Gondwanaland and its many millions of years of isolation following the breakup of the landmass.
Natural Resources
(NATURAL RESOURCES)
What kind of natural resources can be found here? Who is exploiting them? Who is protecting them? How are they distributed? Can they be accessed easily or are they hidden away? Are there any natural resources that are depleted and can no longer be found here? These natural resources can be best described in the Material Template.
What kind of natural resources can be found here? Who is exploiting them? Who is protecting them? How are they distributed? Can they be accessed easily or are they hidden away? Are there any natural resources that are depleted and can no longer be found here? These natural resources can be best described in the Material Template.
Madagascar has a number of natural resources, including graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare Earth elements, salt, quartz, tar sands, semi-precious stones and mica. There are also fishing areas offshore and potential for hydropower. In 2011, it was estimated that 5.96% of the land area was used for arable land and 1.02% had permanent crops. Twenty-six percent of the land is forested. The majority of the population depends on subsistence farming, largely rice and cattle. The manufacturing sector is small but growing.
History
(HISTORY)
Most places have a history associated with them. This can be its geological history but also the histories of the people who lived here and important events which happened here. Use the timeline to expand on these events.
Most places have a history associated with them. This can be its geological history but also the histories of the people who lived here and important events which happened here. Use the timeline to expand on these events.
Tourism
(TOURISM)
Geographic locations can act as tourist magnets. What kind of people are visiting this place? Why are they visiting here? Or are they just in transit to somewhere else?
Geographic locations can act as tourist magnets. What kind of people are visiting this place? Why are they visiting here? Or are they just in transit to somewhere else?
Geography Types - Click to Expand
Abyss
Archipelago
Asteroid
Asteroid belt
Badlands
Bay
Black Hole
Bodden
Brush
Canyon
Cape
Cave
Cave System
Cliff
Coast / Shore
Continent
Copse
Coral Reef, Atoll
Coral Reef, Barrier
Coral Reef, Fringing
Coral Reef, Platform
Cove
Crater / Crater Lake / Caldera
Desert
Desert, Ice
Dimensional plane
Dimensional, Pocket
Estuary / River delta
Field
Fjord
Forest
Forest, Boreal (Coniferous)
Forest, Cloud / Water (Subtropical)
Forest, Jungle (Tropical)
Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)
Galactic Nebula
Galactic Quadrant
Galactic Sector
Galaxy
Galaxy Cluster
Galaxy Supercluster
Glacier
Gorge / Rift
Grassland
Grove
Gulf / Lagoon
Highlands
Inland Sea
Island
Island, Floating
Isthmus
Jungle
Lake
Lake, Dry
Landmass
Lava river
Meadow
Megastructure
Moor
Mountain / Hill
Mountain Pass
Mountain range
Multiverse
Oasis
Ocean
Peninsula
Plain
Planar Sphere/Grouping
Planet
Planetary Orbit
Planetoid
Planetoid / Moon
Planetoid, Rogue
Plateau
Pond
Rapids
Region
River
River Basin
Rock Formation
Rolling Hills
Salt flat
Savannah
Sea
Shoal
Simulation
Solar System
Spring
Star
Star System
Star System Sector
Strait
Stream
Sub-continent
Summit
Taiga
Territory
Theatre
Tundra
Underground / Subterranean
Universe
Vale
Valley
Void
Volcano
Wasteland
Waterfall
Wetland / Swamp
Woods
Wormhole
Archipelago
Asteroid
Asteroid belt
Badlands
Bay
Black Hole
Bodden
Brush
Canyon
Cape
Cave
Cave System
Cliff
Coast / Shore
Continent
Copse
Coral Reef, Atoll
Coral Reef, Barrier
Coral Reef, Fringing
Coral Reef, Platform
Cove
Crater / Crater Lake / Caldera
Desert
Desert, Ice
Dimensional plane
Dimensional, Pocket
Estuary / River delta
Field
Fjord
Forest
Forest, Boreal (Coniferous)
Forest, Cloud / Water (Subtropical)
Forest, Jungle (Tropical)
Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)
Galactic Nebula
Galactic Quadrant
Galactic Sector
Galaxy
Galaxy Cluster
Galaxy Supercluster
Glacier
Gorge / Rift
Grassland
Grove
Gulf / Lagoon
Highlands
Inland Sea
Island
Island, Floating
Isthmus
Jungle
Lake
Lake, Dry
Landmass
Lava river
Meadow
Megastructure
Moor
Mountain / Hill
Mountain Pass
Mountain range
Multiverse
Oasis
Ocean
Peninsula
Plain
Planar Sphere/Grouping
Planet
Planetary Orbit
Planetoid
Planetoid / Moon
Planetoid, Rogue
Plateau
Pond
Rapids
Region
River
River Basin
Rock Formation
Rolling Hills
Salt flat
Savannah
Sea
Shoal
Simulation
Solar System
Spring
Star
Star System
Star System Sector
Strait
Stream
Sub-continent
Summit
Taiga
Territory
Theatre
Tundra
Underground / Subterranean
Universe
Vale
Valley
Void
Volcano
Wasteland
Waterfall
Wetland / Swamp
Woods
Wormhole
Maps
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Dashboard Article Creation
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Alternative Name(s)
Madagascar
Madagasikara
Madagasikara
مدغشقر
Type
Island
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Contested By
Inhabiting Species
Related Myths
Related Prompts
The prompts listed below are part of the Worldbuilding Prompts that can be found under the Community menu. These prompts use the template discussed in this article. Using these prompts is a great way to expand your worldbuilding!Mentioned Templates
One of the biggest confusions I have on World Anvil is the various dropdowns which have no explanation. For example, what is the difference between a "Plane of Existence", "Dimensional Plane", and "Planar Sphere/Group"? A reference guide for exch dropdown, linked within the relevant article, would be extremely beneficial.
Hi! The "type" dropdown is just like the different prompts/text boxes in all templates. They're there so you can use it if you want to. The only effect is has is that the option you select (if any) will be displayed on the sidebar. So, the difference between these three examples you mention is just the words being used. It could be that in your world there are different kinds of planes, for example. I hope this clarifies things. Let me know if you have any other questions!