The Water Tribes also became more involved in global affairs, with each of the polar divisions having a representative on the United Republic Council prior to its dissolution. Although the Water Tribes adopted a largely isolationist policy during wartime, it gladly received dignitaries and visitors in the pre-war period, and also welcomed outsiders following the end of the Hundred Year War. Īll divisions are occasionally referred to collectively as the Water Tribes. The Southern Reconstruction Project helped restore the Southern Water Tribe to its former glory, and the settlement has since expanded to encompass a larger portion of the South Pole. In comparison, the Southern Water Tribe was devastated by numerous raids which nearly eliminated the tribe's entire bending population and destroyed its infrastructure. Historically, the Northern Water Tribe has maintained a stronger position than its Southern counterpart, in part due to its large bending population, which largely remained unscathed during the Hundred Year War. On the other hand, the Foggy Swamp Tribe seemingly lacks formal political structure, with members in several small settlements functioning without a formal chief to be observed. Though the Northern chief was formally the ruler of both tribes, the South maintained control of its own internal affairs before ultimately gaining formal independence in 171 AG. Both the Northern and Southern Water Tribes are chiefdoms led by a tribal chief. There are three tribes: the Northern Water Tribe, centered in the North Pole the Southern Water Tribe, centered in the South Pole and the Foggy Swamp Tribe, located in the Earth Kingdom's Foggy Swamp. The Water Tribe is a sovereignty of waterbenders and nonbenders. Nations Water Tribe Main article: Water TribeĪgna Qel'a is maintained within a wall of ice. After the end of this conflict, relations between the different countries have significantly improved, and each of the four nations had a representative on the United Republic Council, until the council was abolished in early 171 AG. In recent history, one of the greatest threats to global stability was the Hundred Year War, in which the Fire Nation sought to dominate the other nations using military force. Several factors are believed to determine the prosperity of the four nations, such as political balance, economic success, societal order, and spirituality.
In addition, there were several individuals and movements throughout history who aspired to unite the four nations into one community, be it through peaceful means or by force.
The nations were instead split into multiple states, while people of the different nations often intermingled to form new cultures and ethnic groups. An even distribution of power among the four nations is believed to keep balance in the world, and a fall or increase in the strength of one nation can engender a disruptive imbalance.ĭespite these beliefs, the world's political and cultural landscape did not overlap with the Four Nations for most of history. Each nation is culturally unique and associated with one bending technique: waterbending, earthbending, firebending, and airbending, respectively. The world is traditionally divided into four nations: the Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. Names Recreation Slang Songs Spiritual beliefs Transportation Writing Occupations Organizations Politics Society WeaponryĪrchitecture Arts Body markings Cuisine Fashion Migration Music Currency Economy Education Law and order Military ranks