The Holds of Skyrim Content . Welcome , loyal officer of the Empire . You have been given this guide to help you , and those men under your command , better understand the geography of Skyrim . Since you will be serving in Skyrim for a lengthy period of time , this information should prove invaluable . Skyrim is organized into nine holds . A hold is a large area of land roughly equivalent to a county in Cyrodiil . Each hold is governed by a Jarl who maintains his court in the hold ' s capital city . Four of these holds are fairly small and sparsely populated . As a result , the capitals are little more than towns . The five major cities of Skyrim act as capitals for the larger holds . Following is a detailed review of each hold . EASTMARCH : Located in the eastern reaches of Skyrim , Eastmarch shares a common border with Morrowind . Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak rules from the ancient city of Windhelm , and he and his followers should be considered your most serious threat . Do not tread lightly in Eastmarch , for the Stormcloaks are at their strongest and most organized in these lands . As an Imperial soldier , you will find few friends here . HAAFINGAR : Solitude , the seat of High King of Skyrim and the capital of Haafingar hold , has always welcomed the Empire with open arms . Much commerce flows along the rivers here , and you will find the folk of this hold to be among the most hospitable in Skyrim . As you venture forth in your campaigns , be sure to maintain a secure supply line back to Solitude . The Empire maintains ample provisions in Castle Dour , from which General Tullius commands all the legions stationed in Skyrim . HJAALMARCH : This hold is divided evenly between wind - swept tundra dotted with farms and a huge , stinking salt marsh . There is little of interest here , save perhaps for the hold ' s capital , Morthal . Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone has been cooperative enough with the Empire in the past , but will ultimately look out for her own interests if put in a difficult position . While the hold offers minimal strategic value to the Empire , it would make an ideal staging ground for a Stormcloak siege of Solitude , and so must be held against the enemy . THE PALE : The Pale is a barren realm covered by vast fields of ice and snow . Its boundaries stretch from the center of Skyrim all the way to its northern coast . Here , at the capital city of Dawnstar , can be found one of the busiest parts in the province . With access to the coastal waterways of Skyrim , Dawnstar could prove vital in the war effort . Should the Stormcloaks choose to attack Solitude from the river , this port would make a tempting target due to its close proximity . THE REACH : Dominating the western border of Skyrim , the Reach is made up almost entirely of steep , craggy mountains . Little grows in this forbidding realm , but the capital city of Markarth is a nigh - impregnable stone fortress that would make an excellent defensive position for either side in the war . Be aware that this dangerous region of Skyrim is home to the Forsworn , the rebellious natives of the Reach . They know the terrain , can strike without warning and count the Empire as an enemy . If they attack , you must neither give nor expect any mercy . THE RIFT : This hold occupies the southest corner of Skyrim and much like the Reach in the west , is dominated by tall mountain peaks . The climate in the Reach is milder than in the northern holds and there is more vegetation to be found here . Farming thrives as a result . A word of warning about Riften , the hold ' s capital city . Our agents have reason to suspect that the Thieves Guild makes it home here even though it is has diminished from its strength of previous years . Nevertheless , mind that you men keep an eye on their coin purses should they have reason to spend any length of time in the city . WHITERUN : This central hold is characterized by wide , grassy plains that are home to numerous farms . Many roads pass through Whiterun , joining the more distant holds together . The hold ' s capital city , also called Whiterun , sits high on a rocky promontory amid a large , flat swath of scrubland . Among the wealthiest cities of Skyrim , Whiterun has usually proven friendly to the Emperor ' s soldiers . WINTERHOLD : This bleak snow - blown hold in the northeast corner of Skyrim is utterly inhospitable . Perhaps the mages at the College of Winterhold chose to make their home there because they knew they would be largely left alone . As with Whiterun , the name Winterhold describes both the hold and its capital city , though the word " city " hardly applies . The hold capital is a meager village built near the mages ' college . Few other noteworthy settlements exist in this frozen waste and it is unlikely to play any significant part in the war .