Geography
Scattered across the Naruto universe are several countries of various sizes, cultures, power, and landscapes. Only a select few of those nations, however, receive time in the spotlight.
The world of the anime and manga series Naruto contains various countries and locations that have been introduced to the audience so far.
Countries operate as separate political entities and are presumably all monarchies, ruled by feudal lords who stand equally in rank with the hidden villages' leaders. The Naruto world is similar to feudal Japan in many aspects; those countries maintain balance between themselves through nothing but power. Treaties are periodically signed, but they are generally not even worth the paper they are written on.
Despite its similarity with feudal Japan, modern items are seen throughout the series, such as movie theaters, security cameras and even modern life-support systems. Computers are also present, as are video game consoles. In spite of the clearly modern age items present, military technology does not seem to be on the same level. Most military technology seems to be medieval in nature, large-scale crossbows being an example; however, the use of the various supernatural items, such as exploding paper tags, allows them to simulate more advanced technology like flak cannons. The level of communication technology is portrayed inconsistently; on multiple occasions the characters will use short-range radios, yet carrier birds are used for communication between villages.
The five great countries:
Of the countries scattered about the Naruto world, five are considered to be the most powerful and influential of them all. These are the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, Land of Lightning, the Land of Water, and the Land of Wind. Each represents one of the five elements (earth, fire, lightning, water, and wind, respectively) and each is ruled by a Feudal Lord.
Land of Earth
(Area numb.4 in map)
The Land of Earth (Tsuchi no Kuni) has seen little attention in the series thus far. What little is known is that it is covered in rocks and caves, with mountains acting as a natural border for the country that make communication with other countries difficult. The winds of the country are also particularly strong, picking up rocks as they go and dropping them upon cities. They are not allies with the Land of Fire, as noted in the Kakashi Gaiden arc. Their hidden village is Iwagakure, the Village Hidden in the Rocks.
Land of Fire
(Area numb.1 in map)
The Land of Fire (Hi no Kuni) is a geographical feature in the anime and manga series Naruto. It is one of the largest and most powerful countries in the series. Its hidden village, Konohagakure, is the home of the main cast. It is also the most important and well-known country in the story.
The Land of Fire is appropriately oriented towards the element of fire, typically having very bright and warm weather. While not the largest country, it has the largest hidden village.
Twelve years before where the story begins, the Land of Fire was attacked by an exceedingly powerful demon, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. This monster destroyed anything in its path and killed countless people, including, among several others, Iruka Umino's parents. It was stopped by the then Hokage of Konohagakure, a very powerful ninja known as the Fourth Hokage. He sacrificed his own life to seal the monster inside his newborn child, Naruto Uzumaki, the titular character of the series.
In the quiet years that followed, the Land of Fire slowly recovered and became accustomed to peace. This was seen by other countries – who had been working to increase their military power – as a weakness, and is one of the factors that brought about the combined assault from conspiring Otogakure and Sunagakure.
The Land of Fire is home to Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves, and is the home of the majority of the main characters in Naruto. As such, it gets by far the most focus of any country in the plot. It enjoys a relatively temperate climate with generally sunny conditions, allowing for bountiful harvests all year-round. Because of its location, the Land of Fire trades heavily with the other surrounding countries, giving it one of the largest populations and strongest economies in the Naruto world. It was at first widely regarded as one of the strongest countries, but became significantly weaker after Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha.
Land of Lightning
(Area numb.8 in map)
The Land of Lightning (Kaminari no Kuni) has also seen little attention in the series. The first databook describes it as a peninsula divided by a vast mountain range, with numerous rivers running from it out to sea. Hot springs are also prevalent within the country. Its hidden village is Kumogakure, the Village Hidden in the Clouds.
Land of Water
(Area numb.2 in map)
The Land of Water (Mizu no Kuni) is oriented towards the element of water. It is composed of many islands, with each having its own unique traditions. The country's weather is typically cool and full of mist and lakes. In some places, like the area where Haku grew up, it is very cold and snows quite a bit. Little is currently known about it and it apparently leaves itself out of most political affairs, which is understandable considering that it is an island relatively remote from the continent containing the other four major countries. Its hidden village is Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist. Zabuza Momochi attempted a coup d'état in the country, but was repelled. The Land of Water is the smallest of the five great countries, which may be the reason Kirigakure used to hold the gruesome graduation tests that it did.
Land of Wind
(Area numb.9 in map)
The Land of Wind (Kaze no Kuni). It has a typically dry and windy climate, and is covered in large deserts as a result. Sandstorms are a common occurrence.
The Land of Wind is home to Sunagakure. It had been relatively uninvolved with politics until recent times, and even had a peace treaty signed with the Land of Fire. The lord ruling it, however, has been systematically cutting down its military force and transferring missions he would normally address to his own country's hidden village to Konohagakure. It conspired with Otogakure to launch a surprise attack and hopefully destroy Konohagakure. The ninja of Sunagakure tend to use wind and sand-based jutsu, although some of its notable ninja are masters of puppet techniques.
The Land of Wind is a large, dry, and desolate country whose cities are typically found near water sources. While much of the country is inhospitable, the population is large and prosperous due to its frequent trading with the Land of Fire. While not seen as often as the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind receives a great deal of attention in the series, and has a great many powerful ninja to call its own. Its hidden village is Sunagakure, Village Hidden in the Sand. The Land of Wind has been relatively uninvolved with politics until recent times, and even had a peace treaty signed with the Land of Fire. The lord ruling it, however, had been systematically cutting down his military force and transferring missions he would normally address to his own country's hidden village to Konohagakure, prompting desperate measures on the part of the Kazekage at the time.
Other shinobi countries:
Land of Bears
(Right area from numb.3 in map)
The Land of Bears (Kuma no Kuni) is introduced in the Star Village filler arc and is home to Hoshigakure. It is surrounded by a canyon filled with poisonous gas.
Land of Grass
(Area numb.6 in map)
The Land of Grass (Kusa no Kuni) is home to Kusagakure. Little else is known about the Land of Grass.
Land of the Moon
(Green area from right in map)
The Land of the Moon (Tsuki no Kuni) is the focus of the third Naruto movie. It is an island nation in the shape of a crescent moon, hence the name. It is home to the ninja village Getsugakure. In the first Chunin exam, a ninja wearing a headband with a crescent moon shape on it is seen taking the test, but is not mentioned or shown in the other exams.
Land of Rain
(Area numb.5 in map)
The Land of Rain (Ame no Kuni) is home to Amegakure, and is filled with a great number of small buildings in a heavily wooded area, suggesting that it might perhaps be located in a rainforest. Its borders are highly defended, and those wishing to pass through the country must first give their name, purpose, and amount of time they intend on staying in the country before being allowed admission. Even if one is permitted to enter the country, they will be under constant surveillance by the government for the duration of their stay.
Because the Land of Rain is situated between three of the five great countries, it often acts as the battlefield for their wars. As a result, its government lacks stability and much of its population is composed of refugees from the various wars. Unbeknownst to the rest of the Naruto world, apart from Konoha, the country has been in a civil war for an undisclosed amount of time, which only ended after the Akatsuki leader, Pein, overthrew the entire country singled-handedly.
Land of Rice Fields
(Area numb.3 in map)
The Land of Rice Fields (Ta no Kuni), otherwise known as the Land of Sound (Oto no Kuni), is a small country bordering the Land of Fire and home to Otogakure, Orochimaru's own hidden village. The Land of Rice Fields is its original name, with the Land of Sound being Orochimaru's own name for it. Many of its shinobi were collected, most being from the Fuma clan, to supply his need for followers and jutsu.
Land of Snow
(White area in bottom in map)
The Land of Snow (Yuki no Kuni) was the focus of the first Naruto movie, in which it had been taken over by a tyrant. Its hidden village is Yukigakure. The Land of Snow possesses an unusually advanced level of technology when compared to other countries in the Naruto world. Things such as railroads, airships, power generators, and volley guns are commonplace here, though the latter fired salvos of kunai instead of bullets. Additionally, their ninja wear special chakra armor that makes them virtually immune to ninjutsu and genjutsu.
Land of the Waterfall
(Area numb.7 in map)
The Land of the Waterfall (Taki no Kuni) consists of a large waterfall which hides Takigakure, its hidden village. Not much is known about this land, except that Team 7 had a mission that brought them here. Obviously, the landmark of the area is its waterfall, which is rather large by modern standards.
Land of the Whirlpool
The Land of the Whirlpool (Uzu no Kuni) is a former country where Kushina Uzumaki, the mother of Naruto Uzumaki, once hailed from. Nothing else is known about this country at this point.
Other non-shinobi countries:
Land of Birds
(Under numb.4 area in map)
The Land of Birds (Tori no Kuni) is a small country that Naruto and Team Guy (minus Rock Lee) were sent to in the Bird Country filler arc. They were sent to investigate the rumor of the ghost of Noroimusha, as well as protect the daimyo, Toki. They eventually learned that a group of wandering ninja (The leader posing as the adviser of the Feudal Lord) was hoping to take over the country through a complex conspiracy. The ninja were defeated in the end.
Land of the Claw
The Land of the Claw (Tsume no Kuni) is featured in episode 177 of the anime. There was, at one point, tension between this nation and the Land of the Fang. The two sides barely averted a war thanks to one of Jiraiya's Icha Icha novels, which was delivered to the Fang Country's feudal lord by mistake.
Land of Demons
The Land of Demons (Akuma no Kuni) is featured in the fourth Naruto movie, Naruto: Shippūden the Movie.
Land of the Fang
The Land of the Fang (Kiba no Kuni) is featured in episode 177 of the anime. There was, at one point, tension between this nation and the Land of the Claw. The two sides barely averted a war thanks to one of Jiraiya's Icha Icha novels, which was delivered to the Fang Country's feudal lord by mistake.
Land of the Forest
The Land of the Forest (Foresuto no Kuni) is featured in the Shinobazu arc of the anime. Naruto, Lee, and Sakura were to oversee the transfer of a member of "Shinobazu" — a group of rogue ninja who commit crimes for a living. Nothing else is known about this land.
Land of Honey
The Land of Honey (Hachimitsu no Kuni) is briefly mentioned in episode 194 of the anime. Nothing else is known about this land.
Land of Red Beans
The Land of Red Beans (Amanattou no Kuni) is briefly mentioned in episode 194 of the anime. Nothing else is known about this land.
Land of the River
The Land of the River (Kawa no Kuni) is located between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind. Akatsuki had a hideout in this country before Sakura Haruno and Chiyo destroyed it in their battle with Sasori. The terrain resembles the Land of Fire and contains at least one major river. Not much else is known about this country.
Land of the Sea
The Land of the Sea (Umi no Kuni) is featured in episode 169. Orochimaru had a hideout here, and several of his forbidden experiments were conducted here as well. One of his subordinates continued the work after Orochimaru abandoned it, leading to attacks on the local ships. It is not a prosperous nation, and relies on the Water Country ninjas for protection.
Land of Stone
The Land of Stone (Ishi no Kuni) is featured in episode 159. It is ruled by a priest.
Land of Swamps
The Land of Swamps (Numa no Kuni) makes an appearance in episode 152. Anko Mitarashi protects its daimyo, Chichiya.
Land of Tea
(Top area of numb.3 in map)
The Land of Tea (Cha no Kuni) is a small country in which Team 7 helped Ibiki Morino's younger brother, Idate Morino, win a race that was intended to settle the rivalry between the Wasasbi and Wagarashi clans. It consists of two separate islands.
Land of Udon
The Land of Udon (Udon no Kuni) is first mentioned in episode 192 of the anime. Chikara-sama is the daimyo of this country and is currently engaged to Princess Fuku of the Fire Country.
Land of Valleys
The Land of Valleys (Tanima no Kuni) is briefly mentioned in episode 193 of the anime. Nanafushi, a shinobi set on stealing Konoha's secrets hails from this country. It is possible that there is a Shinobi village here, but it is unknown.
Land of Vegetables
The Land of Vegetables (Na no Kuni) is featured in episodes 187-191 of the anime. Naruto, Choji, and Hinata are sent there to escort a small convoy, not realizing that the country's daimyo's daughter, Haruna, was with the group, and that she was fleeing from a group of brothers who had taken control of the country with the help of collaborators, who were massacred after the completion of the coup.
Land of Waves
The Land of Waves (Nami no Kuni) is a relatively poor nation, and thus does not have a hidden village. It is an isolated island, but used to be prosperous nonetheless, until Gato set his sights on it. He broke the people's will and monopolized the import/export industry, which was crucial for its economy. Team 7's first real mission was to this country, and, with the help of Zabuza Momochi and the townspeople Gato's reign of terror was ended for good.
Great Naruto Bridge
The Great Naruto Bridge (Naruto Ōhashi) was the name given to the bridge built by Tazuna to end Gato's monopoly over the economy. While Gato was still in control of the Land of Waves, Tazuna started building the bridge to allow free import and export once again, giving its economy a chance to recover. Tazuna decided to name the bridge after Naruto Uzumaki because of everything he did to inspire both his grandson and, by proxy, the rest of the citizens. Haku and Zabuza are buried nearby; three years later, in Shippuuden, Sasuke Uchiha would return, to the same area, so that Suigetsu would acquire Zabuza's Zanbato from the swordsman's grave.
