This is just some short observations on creating a fictional continent. I recently starting creating maps and writing history on them for fun. The continent I’ve been writing for is the following:

It’s easiest to start with the outline. For creating the landmass, there’s tons of software available now that can generate a decent looking blob of land. For the above map, I actually used a continent from the video game Dwarf Fortress, which is a video game that uses procedural generation to create an entire world.

Next, we can pretty up the landmasses. Procedural software can often lack nuances that allow for a more natural look, so understanding some geology and geography can go a long way. For example, cut off from the coast by sharp mountains might create a rain shadow, causing a desert in the area, or maybe a landlocked lowland area might have runoff water accumulate, creating a marsh or swamp area.

Temperature regions should affect the map and how it develops. Islands near a warm equator might have good rainfall too, making them tropical locations. Biomes progressively change as they move to colder regions, which can create denser forests, barren tundra, or whatever depending on the map.

It might help at first to not think of the cities or populations when creating the world. Creating the landmass and environment and then placing populations or settlements based on where people might gather can make the world more grounded in reality.

I’ll probably continue on these notes as I feel like it. Or not. Who knows? I do this for fun so I’m not held to any standards.