Hyrule

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Hyrule is a kingdom that serves as a main setting of the Zelda games. It is shown as a large land filled with forests and trees. and usually surrounded by mountains. It is a kingdom ruled by a royal family. It is also a place tied closely to the Sacred Realm and the Triforce. Throughout the ages this land is constantly attacked by the power-hungry Ganon, who is usually stopped by a young hero named Link, with the aid of the Princess Zelda.

Divisions

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link revealed that there were two main sections of Hyrule. There was South Hyrule, where most of the games take place, and the much-larger North Hyrule. The two lands are divided by the most well-known of Hyrule's mountains, Death Mountain. North Hyrule has not been revisited since the game it was introduced in.

In Twilight Princess, South Hyrule was shown to be divided into three provinces: Eldin (containing Death Mountain and Kakariko Village), Lanaryu (containing Hyrule Castle, Lake Hylia and Zora's Domain) and Faron (containing the Faron Woods). There were also several neighboring provinces.

The Hylians and other Prominent Creatures

Hyrule was home to an ancient race known as the Hylians, who were named after the land. They were apparently a prosperous people who mastered sorcery and could hear messages from the gods through their tall ears. In A Link to the Past, their numbers had already dwindled, but the ruins of their ancient architecture was seen.

Normal humans are most commonly seen inhabiting Hyrule in the Zelda games. Other races include the mountain-dwelling Gorons, the aquatic Zora, the all-women Gerudo desert tribe, the Kokiri forest children, the nigh-extinct Sheikah shadow people and the tiny Minish people.

Geography

South Hyrule

Hyrule's geography is partially consistent throughout most of the games. It is mostly fields, forests, mountains and caves. The following are important locations which appear in various Zelda games:

• Death Mountain
• The Lost Woods
• The Desert of Mystery (aka Gerudo Desert or Desert of Doubt)
• Lake Hylia
• Kakariko Village

The only exception was The Minish Cap, which featured an original set of locations.

Important Storyline Events

Ganon has taken over Hyrule in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. On all occasions he has been defeated by Link.

Probably the most important storyline events to Hyrule were shown in The Wind Waker. After Ganon returned to torment Hyrule and no hero appeared to challenge him, the prayers of the people caused the Golden Goddesses to flood Hyrule, making it into the Great Sea. Hyrule was still preserved in a time-frozen bubble at the bottom of the sea. The tops of its mountains became islands. Hyrule remained asleep for centuries until Link un-froze time. At the end of the game, King Daphnes made a wish on the Triforce that allowed Hyrule to be destroyed by the Great Sea. There was no longer anyone living there, and Daphnes then sent Link and Tetra out to find a new land.

In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, a second Hyrule was shown to have been founded by Tetra after The Wind Waker.

Trivia

• Hyrule may be a pun for 'High Rule', as in the King has the highest rule.
• Hyrule is also apparently the name of the world it is located on.