Northern islands

thumb|left|The northern islands.
The northern islands is an archipelago north and slightly east of the Maelstrom, usually close to Tirisfal Glades in the Eastern Kingdoms and Northrend. They appeared on most world maps, dating back to the Warcraft III manual, but have yet to have names or significant information.
The islands do resemble the Broken Isles from Warcraft III, however, the Broken Isles are very close to the Maelstrom while the northern islands are further away. Moreover, they may have been shown as different things on at least one very early concept map.
In Wrath of the Lich King, these isles were removed from the overworld map, as they occupied the same area as Northrend, albeit, they are still present in the cosmic map, which also includes the northern continent. It is possible that they were simply there to help fill an empty map, but their former consistency was notable.
As of Legion, it seems that the Broken Isles indeed match the former location of these islands. However, the northern islands and the islands that the RPG called the Broken Isles have seemingly been on the map at the same time since Warcraft III, though that island may be Balor or the Darkspear Islands instead.
In Shadowlands, an archipelago known as the Exile's Reach appears roughly in a position where the northern islands once were.
==Gallery==
;In-game maps
WorldMap-World-Classic-alpha.jpg|In-game world map in the World of Warcraft alpha. Note the original Dragon Isles separately north of the Western Plaguelands.
VZ-Azeroth-old1.jpg|In-game world map in the World of Warcraft release.
VZ-Azeroth-old2.jpg|Patch 2.0.3.
VZ-Azeroth-old3.jpg|Patch 2.4.0, last time the islands were depicted in the overworld map.
TaxiMap0.png|On the pre-Cataclysm Eastern Kingdoms Flight Map.
WorldMap-Cosmic-old.jpg|On the original cosmic map.
WorldMap-Cosmic-old2.jpg|On the Draenor cosmic map, last time they were depicted on the cosmic map.
;Other maps
Azeroth map concept Metzen 1999 wall painting.jpg|Early concept art with what could be the northern islands (here as a single isle) northwest of Tirisfal.
Warcraft III - Azeroth.jpg|Azeroth as seen in the Warcraft III manual.
WC3-D05.jpg|As seen in the Warcraft III campaign map.
WoW Town Hall world map.jpg|Pre-release map on the official World of Warcraft web site.
Topographyworldmap.jpg|World of Warcraft World Map poster publication.
Azeroth Map on Wall.jpg|Map seen from a ceiling at the Hall of Explorers in Ironforge.
Azeroth-Hall of Legends.jpg|In the Hall of Legends in Orgrimmar.
;Identification
Azeroth map concept Metzen 1999.jpg|Early concept art depicting a hybrid northern islands/Dragon Isles separate from the "TOS" on the Broken Isles
Warcraft 3 Loading screen Broken Isles.jpg|The shape of the Broken Isles in Warcraft III, somewhat matching the northern islands
Southseas map.jpg|A likely false negative from the non-canonical Lands of Mystery, depicting the Broken Isles as the nameless island southeast of the Maelstrom (as seen above)
WorldMap-World-old8.jpg|The final location of the Broken Isles, matching the former location of the northern islands
South Seas Chronicle.jpg|South Seas map from Chronicle, removing the nameless island southeast of the Maelstrom outright
Category:Azeroth
Category:Islands
Category:Great Sea
Category:Lore locations