The Best Pokémon Regions
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Sinnoh Region
Sinnoh is a region rich with different features and environments players can get lost exploring. In addition to the mountainous terrain, there are four large lakes, each home to a legendary Pokémon. There is also an extensive underground area simply called, The Underground. 107 Pokémon call the Sinnoh region their home.
Setting for: Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum as well as the Diamond and Pearl series in the anime.
Based on: The southernmost regions of Japan to include Kyūshū and surrounding islands.
Settlements: Twinleaf Town, Sandgem Town, Jubilife City, Oreburgh City, Floaroma Town, Eterna City, Veilstone City, Celestic Town, Pastoria City, Hearthome City, Solaceon Town, Canalave City, Snowpoint City, and Sunyshore City.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 2
Hoenn Region
To the southwest of Kanto and Johto sits the island region of Hoenn and thanks to having so many amazing beaches, it's almost required to surf while you are here. Legend has it, Hoenn was formed by the legendary Pokémon Groudon who rose the land while Kyogre expanded the sea. There are 386 different types of Pokémon residing in this region.
Setting for: Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. Additionally, it is the setting for the Advanced Generation anime.
Based on: Hoenn both resembles and is heavily influenced by the Japanese island of Kyūshū.
Settlements: Rustboro City, Dewford Town, Mauville City, Lavaridge Town, Petalburg City, Fortree City, Mossdeep City, Oldale Town, Slateport City, Verdanturf Town, Fallarbor Town, Lilycove City, Pacifidlog Town, Ever Grande City, and Sootopolis City
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 3
Alola Region
The Alola region is heavily influenced by the U.S. state of Hawaii. The people there say "Alola" to mean hello and goodbye, which is similar to the real-world use of the Hawai'ian word "Aloha" and the dress and culture of the islanders in the game similarly mirrors that of the island state. Professor Kukui will help players in this region to catch the 128 different Pokémon that call Alola their home.
Setting for: Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Based on: The main islands of Hawaii
Settlements: The settlements are found on and named after their islands, which include Melemele Island, Akala Island, Ula'ula Island, Poni Island, Ekahi Island, Elua Island, Ekolu Island, Kalola Island, and Aether Paradise.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 4
Kalos Region
The French influence is clear when visiting the Kalos region thanks to the names of the cities and places of interest. Professor Sycamore is the professor for the region, which is also home to 72 different Pokémon. While much of the region is based on France, other European influences have made their way into the area to include an approximation of Stonehenge.
Setting for: Pokémon X and Y
Based on: Like the Unova Region, Kalos does not relate to a Japanese location, but rather, takes inspiration from the nation of France.
Settlements: Vaniville Town, Aquacorde Town, Santalune City, Lumiose City, Shalour City, Coumarine City, Laverre City, Anistar City, Snowbelle City, and Cyllage City.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 5
Kanto Region
Kanto was the first region fans of the games and anime were exposed to so it remains a favorite of many. There are 151 Pokémon who call the region their home. Kanto is probably the most well-known of all the Pokémon regions simply due to its prominence throughout the games as well as the anime series.
Setting for: Kanto has appeared in all main series Pokémon games prior to Generations V and VI as well as the anime, but was the primary setting for Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
Based on: Kanto is based on the Japanese region of the same name, which makes it the only one to share a name with a real world location. Geographically, it shares many resemblances to the real-world Kantō region including similarities to Sagami Bay, Suruga Bay, and Tokyo Bay.
Settlements: Pallet Town, Viridian City, Pewter City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Lavender Town, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Saffron City, and Cinnabar Island
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 6
Galar Region
The Galar region includes idyllic and tree-lined countryside, snow covered mountains that may need a change to winter clothes and a range of both small hamlets and large cities. This green little island also boasts several Pokémon gyms, returning to more familiar gameplay territory after Sun and Moon.
Setting for: Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.
Based on: Galar resembles the geographic features and forested environment of England.
Settlements: Still to be revealed as of February 2019.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 7
Unova Region
Unova is the most distant region in Pokémon and is, therefore, the most foreign in appearance. Its landscape varies wildly with woodland areas, desert, marshes, and mountain ranges spread across its many islands. Professor Juniper, the game's first female professor, calls this land home as do 156 different Pokémon.
Setting for: Pokémon Black and White, and Pokémon Black and White Versions 2
Based on: Unlike most of the other regions throughout the world of Pokémon, Unova has no geographical relation to a real-world location in Japan. Unova is instead an homage to New York City in the United States.
Settlements: Nuvema Town, Aspertia City, Floccesy Town, Virbank City, Accumula Town, Striaton City, Nacrene City, Castelia City, Nimbasa City, Anville Town, Driftveil City, Mistralton City, Lentimas Town, Icirrus City, Opelucid City, Humilau City, Lucanosa Town, Undella Town, Black City, and White Forest.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 8
Johto Region
Johto is located to the west of Kanto and is home to more than 251 different types of Pokémon. It is home to several legendary Pokémon including Ho-Oh, guardian of the skies and Lugia, the Diving Pokémon who keeps watch over the seas. Much of the culture of Johto centers on plants, which also supplied the names for the region's cities.
Setting for: Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, Pokémon HeartGold, and SoulSilver. The 3rd through 5th seasons of the anime were also set in Johto.
Based on: Kansai, Tokai, and eastern Shikoku areas of Japan.
Settlements: New Bark Town, Cherrygrove City, Violet City, Azalea Town, Goldenrod City, Ecruteak City, Olivine City, Frontier Access, Cianwood City, Safari Zone Gate, Mahogany Town, and Blackthorn City
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 9
Ransei Region
It is believed that the region of Ransei was created by the mythical Pokémon, Arceus, The shape of the island is the same as the shape of Arceus, which likely gave rise to the legend. It is believed among the feudal kingdoms of Ransei that a unification of all 17 kingdoms would bring Arceus back to the world. There is no professor who calls Ransei home, though the villain of the region is Nobunaga's Army.
Setting for: Pokémon Conquest
Based on: Ransei isn't based on a specific location in the real world, but its structure and culture are similar to the Feudal period of Japan.
Settlements: The region is divided into 17 separate Kingdoms instead of towns or villages. The kingdoms are Aurora, Ignis, Greenleaf, Fontaine, Pugilis, Violight, Chrysalia, Terrera, Illusio, Cragspur, Viperia, Yaksha, Avia, Valora, Spectra, Nixtorm, and Dragnor.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 10
Almia Region
Almia shares many similarities to Fiore in that Pokémon Rangers are the main group of people training Pokémon instead of Pokémon Trainers. The area features a wide variety of geographic features including valleys, a desert, and a large volcanic island to the East.
Setting for: Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Based on: Almia isn't necessarily based on a specific location in the real world, but it does bare similarities to the "tailpiece" of Hokkaido. There are some geographic similarities between Almia and Greece or Turkey.
Settlements: Chicole Village, Vientown, Pueltown, Shiver Camp, Haruba Village, and Boyleland.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 11
Oblivia Region
The islands of Oblivia have a long and complex history including the worship of many Pokémon including Arceus. There are numerous monuments and ancient temples spread across the islands relating to the worship of various Pokémon. Professor Hastings calls Oblivia home where each island is based on the seven solfège syllables of music notation: do, re, mi, fa, so, la, and ti.
Setting for: Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Based on: Oblivia is an archipelago and therefore resembles similar landmasses in the real world. It does not appear to adhere to a specific archipelago, but takes elements from many.
Settlements: The islands of Oblivia are: Dolce, Renbow, Mitonga, Faldera, Sophian, Layuda, and Tilikule Island. The main cities are Cocona Village, Tilt Village, and Aqua Resort.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 12
Ferrum Region
The Ferrum Region is the primary setting of the Pokkén Tournament and features a number of geographic locations to include islands, a volcano, and a dragon's nest. Battles are picked up only in the places where the Earth's energy becomes especially strong, which applies to a number of locations spread across Ferrum.
Setting for: Pokkén Tournament
Based on: Ferrum is not based on any specific location in the real world.
Settlements: Old Ferrum Town, Techne City, Tellur Town, Ferrum Stadium, Selen Island, Neos City, Haunted House, and Thalia Beach
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 13
Fiore Region
Fiore features city names related to the four seasons and the name "Fiore" translates in Italian to "flower." Geographically, it is somewhat close to the Sinnoh Region and it is home to Professor Hastings. The people of Fiore abhor Poké Balls and it is impossible to buy or sell them there. Instead, people are encouraged to simply befriend Pokémon and keep them by their sides without ever restricting them to Poké Balls
Setting for: Pokémon Ranger
Based on: There is no clear association between Fiore and any real-world location.
Settlements: Fall City, Ringtown, Summerland, and Wintown.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all? - 14
Orre Region
Unlike other locations in the Pokémon world, Orre has no wild Pokémon with only a few ever appearing in specific locations. As a result, most of the Pokémon battled in the region are brought in from other locations, primarily from Johto and Hoenn. Professor Krane calls Orre home though there is no official Pokémon League in the area. Instead, several facilities offer consecutive battles to players/trainers.
Setting for: Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.
Based on: The Orre region is based off the geographic features and settlement of Phoenix, Arizona in the United States.
Settlements: Phenac City, Pyrite Town, Agate Village, The Under, and Gateon Port.
Is this a great place to catch 'em all?
