Final Fantasy VIII History and Geography Section
Balamb Republic
History:
Balamb Republic works in conjunction with Galbadia Republic. The two are trade partners. Balamb is also the home to the first Garden, Balamb Garden. Balamb Garden trains SeeD. Officially, the Gardens are independent from the local government.
Geography:
Balamb is an island nation. It's city is a harbor and fishing area. Balamb has a small population, consisting mostly of Garden students and SeeD. Balamb has many plains, caves, and forest areas, as well as beaches.
Centra
History:
Centra does not have much of a history. There have been only three major areas of importance in the Centra Island Chain: 1. The Lunatic Pandora Excavation Site
2. The Centra Ruins
3. Matron's orphanage.
The Lunatic Pandora was found by Esthar during Adel's reign. She ordered it to be excavated and repaired. The Lunatic Pandora turned out to be the key to Adel's undoing. It also became the vehicle of her salvation. The Lunatic Pandora contains the Crystal Pillar which starts the Lunar Cry. Adel had the Pillar set at the Sorceress Memorial. Laguna and Co. moved the Pillar, and Adel came to investigate. She was trapped and sealed, then launched into space.
In more recent times, Galbadia has recovered the Lunatic Pandora from the ocean where Esthar sank it years ago. Adel has been freed from her orbital vantage and is being resurrected inside the Lunatic Pandora.
The Centra Ruins are merely that...RUINS. It is apparently the remains of a once great temple. Now it is the home to Tonberries and Forbiddens. Only the curious and the brave have dared to venture to the Centra Ruins.
Matron Edea Kramer's orphanage was located in the southern area of the Centra Island Chain. It is currently in shambles.
Geography:
Centra is a group of island chains and archepelagos with mountainous areas, deserts, and forests. There are no cities or civilizations living in the Centra area.
Esthar
History:
Ruled by Adel until her confinement and the end of the Sorceress War, Esthar is a place of beauty and technological advancement. Esthar's government is now run by President Laguna Loire. Esthar is extremely xenophobic; forgieners have not been allowed in for almost 18 years. Esthar is also the home of Dr. Odine, the leading researcher of sorceress powers and magic. Esthar is the most technologically advanced culture. It has an elite army, and a space program.
Esthar itself contains four other areas outside the city itself. They are the Lunatic Pandora Research Laboratory, the Lunar Pad, the Sorceress Memorial, and Tears Point.
Geography:
Esthar, like Centra, has a variety of geographical forms. It contains deserts, a lake, plateaus, and forests. The entire northern part of the Esthar continent is comprised of thick forests.
Galbadia Republic
History:
Galbadia and Esthar seemed to have a rivarly going. The two fought each other during the Sorceress War. Galbadia's Republic is headed by the dictator, President Vinzer Deling. Galbadia is also home to the largest Garden, Galbadia Garden. Galbadia has been taken over by Sorceress Edea and her knight, Seifer. The Sorceress is on a mission to destroy SeeD. Galbadia is also the home of Julia, the famous singer who wrote and sang "Eyes on Me."
On the darker side, Galbadia boasts a massive prison for "dissidents" in a desert.
Geography:
The Galbadian continent is fairly large. There are five cities/military installations on the continent. Winhill is a small town located south of the desert. Deling City is the Capitol and is located near the northern part of the land mass. D-District Prison can be found in the desert. There is also a Missle Base on the continent. Timber is found near Obel Lake. It is a heavily forested area.
Galbadia has many plains, plateaus, mountains, hills, deserts, lakes, beaches, and forests.
