Colovia Colovia is one of two geographic regions of the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil that lies west of the Niben River and east of the Abecean Sea , and in between the Brena and Strid rivers . Colovia is culturally distinct from the areas of eastern Cyrodiil , officially known as Nibenay . Although currently unified with the Colovia as Cyrodiil , it has been its own independent nation throughout multiple points in history , often called the Colovian Estates . Geography . Geographically , the region most frequently identified as Colovia is bordered to the west by the Abecean Sea , to the east by Lake Rumare and the Niben River , to the south by the Strid River and Valenwood Forest , and to the north by the Brena River and Jerall Mountains . Politically , the region is also bounded by its borders with Hammerfell to the northwest , and Elsweyr to the southeast . Colovia ' s geography can be broken down into three primary regions : the Gold Coast , the West Weald , and the Colovian Highlands . Gold Coast . The Gold Coast is the western - most region of Colovia , consists of the entire coastline on the Abecean Sea , and continuing inland until the start of the West Weald forest and foothills of the Colovian Highlands . The borders of the Gold Coast follow the coastline inward to the mouths of the Strid River to the south , and the Brena River to the north . It is the flattest region in the entire Cyrodiilic province , and much less densely foliated than regions further east . The region gets its name from the sparse golden grass that dots the coastline , alongside the occasional stand of evergreen trees . The Gold Coast also contains Cyrodiil ' s primary port town of Anvil . West Weald . The West Weald is a large , forested region that runs along the Strid River , abutting the border with Valenwood , and continues in a roughly half - moon shape into the hills of the Colovian Highlands and Jerall Mountains . Once the Strid River ends , the West Weald dips into a steep valley that follows the border with Elsweyr east into the river basin surrounding the Nibenay River and its western tributaries . To the northeast , the forest melds with the Great Forest that surrounds Lake Rumare and the Imperial City . The area is mildly hilly , with much of the bedrock showing through , and contains a number of lakes . The West Weald contains a wealth of flowering plants and deciduous forests , as well as a good amount of quality farmland . In particular , the rolling hills make ideal locations for grapes , and both the Tamika Vineyards and Surilie Brothers Vineyards are found just outside Skingrad , near the head of the Strid River . The forested hills also support abundant wildlife ( some rather dangerous ) , and a variety of flowing plants . The West Weald also contains Miscarcand , the capital city of one of the ancient Ayleid kingdoms . Colovian Highlands . The Colovian Highlands are a sparsely populated region making up the western foothills of the Jerall Mountains . It cuts a fairly straight swathe of land running northeast from the coast , along the Hammerfell border , into the Jerall Mountains proper . The vegetation is similar to that of the Gold Coast , though more dense , and there is a higher population of wild animals ( in particular , mountain lions and wolves ) . There are almost no settlements , human or otherwise , in the region , though the city of Chorrol was founded on the edge of the foothills in the Great Forest . A single road runs past Chorrol into the hills , and access to the few ruins or dungeons typically requires following extensive and circuitous paths along the mountainside . History . During the Merethic Era , Colovia was part of the Ayleid Empire in central Tamriel . When Alessia overthrew the Ayleid and founded Cyrodiil , it did not initially include the regions west of the Nibenay Basin . These regions ( which included the Ayleid capital ) banded together to form a loosely organized kingdom , under the name The Colovian Estates . The region would remain essentially independent until well into the First Era . The Cyrodiilic Empire had a fairly stable relationship with Colovia , an arrangement which benefited both regions . Colovia held one of only two ports that gave Cyrodiil access to ocean trade , the other going through the swampy Blackwood , dangerously close to both Elsweyr and the Black Marsh . Most of Colovia was not well suited for farming , especially large - scale crops and livestock , but was a prime source of furs and pelts from its mountain animals , as well as the finest wines in Tamriel . In the early days of the Empire , its Heartland was often the target of ambitions of mer rulers , most notably the Direnni Elves of High Rock . Colovia was situated between Cyrodiil and its enemies , and saw significant military action as armies clashed on its soil . It was also the major focus of Cyrodiilic expansion under the First Dynasty , which was constantly pushing the border of Cyrodiil west . In 1E 1029 , the Empress " officially " pushed Cyrodiil ' s border all the way to High Rock , which would have included at least the entirety of the Colovian Highlands . Finally , in 1E 2703 , when the Tsaesci of Akavir invaded Tamriel , the Colovian Estates was fully integrated into the Cyrodiilic Empire under King Reman I , beginning the Second Dynasty of Cyrodiilic rule . Also , as an interesting side note , the Colovian Estates were given to Imperial General Talos to rule , by then - Emperor Cuhlecain , marking the start of Talos rise to power . Talos , of course , later became Emperor himself , unified the entire continent , and took the Cyrodiilic name Tiber Septim .