House of the Dragon, HBO’s superhit spinoff prequel preceding the events of Game of Thrones, continues the saga of these realms. Yes, it would be best if you had maps, charts and other aids to fully understand the House of the Dragon. The utter scale of the map of Westeros from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon is intimidating – and that’s only about half of the ‘known world’. The plot of Game of Thrones is complicated to grasp. It not only has a large cast of main characters but also takes place in a fictional world with topography as well-recorded as the political machinations that drive most of the action.

Before you watch any further episodes of House of the Dragon, make sure you know Westeros like the back of your hand.

The North

The Starks are the Wardens of the North, ruling from Winterfell for over 8,000 years. The North is the most populated and biggest contiguous territory in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Other notable houses from the area include the Reeds, Karstarks, Umbers, and Boltons, as well as Houses Bolton, Umber, and Karstark.

Riverlands

The Riverlands are immediately east of the Westerlands (land of the Lannisters), just north of King’s Landing. Its reigning family is House Tully, whose castle, Riverrun, was Catelyn and Lysa Tully’s home town. Apart from being an important site during the Targaryen Civil War in House of the Dragon, the Riverlands also served as the principal theatre for the War of the Five Kings in Game of Thrones.

Westerlands

The Westerlands are located on the western border of Westeros and are the birthplace of Tyland and Jason Lannister from House of the Dragon. Ever since the time of the First Men, the Lannisters have dominated the land, and their stronghold is the reputedly invincible Casterly Rock, near the seaside city of Lannisport.

The Iron Islands

The Iron Islands are a series of seven islands located off Westeros’ west part, straight north of Casterly Rock. They are undoubtedly Westeros’ most traditionally diverse place. House Greyjoy rules them from Castle Pyke, and their naval reputation is undoubtedly the greatest in the Seven Kingdoms. Because their country has terrible agricultural conditions, they’ve always become rich through piracy, with raiding groups terrorising villages all along the Westerosi coast, plundering property and capturing women. Even after Aegon’s Conquest made that practice illegal, the Iron Islanders are still renowned as a people with little/no devotion to anybody or anything other than their tribe.

The Vale

Vale is marked by its geographical remoteness from the remainder of Westeros. It is situated northeast of the Riverlands and is mostly cut off from the rest of Westeros by the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ during the dreadful winter. This status has enabled the area to stay politically significant while permitting it to sit out major continental wars if desired. The Eyrie, the seat of House Arryn, occupies a mountaintop naturally defended by the Bloody Gate. This pass enables access to the Eyrie from the West and is too small for foreign forces to penetrate.

The Stormlands

The Stormlands, an important area during Aegon Targaryen’s conquest, are located directly south of King’s Landing and bounded south by the Dornish Sea. After Aegon I’s incursion, House Baratheon became the governing house, and they’ve reigned from their seaside stronghold Storm’s End even by the end of Game of Thrones (Gendry Baratheon now holds The Stormlands). The storms that pound the southeast coast of Westeros, where the castle and area are located, inspired the names of both the fortress and the territory.

Dorne

Dorne is Westeros’ southernmost territory, with an exceptionally distinct and liberal civilisation compared to the rest of the realm. They support sexual liberties and openly accept bastard offspring into their homes. This is historical because Dorne’s House Martell was never subjugated by House Targaryen in Game of Thrones, providing insight into the social divides that divide the Westerosi people. Tyland Lannister in House of the Dragon episode 9 questions whether Dorne was attacked since it was not a member of the seven kingdoms until 187 AC, as efforts to integrate Dorne into the realm was still proceeding at the time.

The Reach

The Reach, traditionally governed by House Tyrell, is a central area of Westeros with some of the richest farmland on the continent. Its seat of power is Castle Highgarden, inhabited by the governing House Tyrell until the seventh season of Game of Thrones. The Reach is also home to famous sites, including Oldtown, the Citadel, and other Westerosi royal houses such as the Tarlys (like Samwell Tarly from Game of Thrones). In House of the Dragon, however, Oldtown is the seat of the Hightowers and is considered a place where intellectuals go and gather knowledge.

The Crownlands

The Crownlands comprise King’s Landing (the capital), the territory surrounding the city, Blackwater Bay, and Dragonstone Castle (where Rhaenyra and Daemon currently reside), which is culturally characterised primarily by its status as the kingdom’s capital. This site is crucial in Season 1 of House of the Dragon since it served as the starting point for Aegon I’s invasion of Westeros. After he triumphed and unified the Seven Kingdoms, he began construction on the Red Keep. Previously, Aegon and the Targaryens governed from Dragonstone, the Valyrian Freehold’s former westernmost bastion.

Beyond The Wall

Beyond the Wall is Westeros’ area, which is farthest north, but because it exists independently of royal power, it remains wholly unattached to and mostly undiscovered by its southern neighbours. It’s so far beyond the wall that even in summer, the temperature is frigid and cruel, and it’s populated by nomadic tribes known as the wildlings or “Free Folk.” There are virtually no permanent cities or communities outside Hardhome, and Craster’s Keep is one of its prominent monuments.