Overworld

File:Overworld 1.18.png
The **Overworld** is the dimension in which all players begin their *Minecraft* world. Most players spend their time in this dimension.

## Creation

The Overworld is the only dimension created when the player creates a new world. The other dimensions (The Nether and The End) aren't created until a player enters the corresponding dimension for the first time.

### Seeds

Main article: Seed (level generation)

A new world in *Minecraft* is generated through the use of a randomly generated seed, which is an integer used as a starting point for the world generation formula. The player can specify a seed or allow the game to generate one randomly. If given a non-integer input (such as the word "Glacier"), the game converts it into a corresponding integer (such as 1772835215).

A given seed generates almost exactly the same world every time, provided the same edition, game version, and world type are used. Although the exact spawn point varies, the coordinates of all terrain features are the same. All seeds within the 32-bit integer limit Template:In may also generate worlds with the same terrain shape and biome map, but the placement of terrain features, structures, and carver caves may differ.

## Environment

The Overworld is an incredibly complex environment with a wide variety of features.

### Biomes

 File:River through Mesa.png
Main article: Biome

The Overworld is divided into biomes of various types. A biome's type determines the basic characteristics of the terrain within it, such as the blocks composing the surface or the plants that thrive in it. The biome type also determines which mobs can spawn within it and affects how environmental behaviors such as weather are expressed within it.

### Natural structures

 File:Village-1.14-overworld.png
Main article: Generated structures

The Overworld is composed of a large number of terrain patterns, called generated structures, whose arrangement varies widely from one seed to another. The exact structures are unique to each world, while the types of structures that can be generated at a given place are determined by the biome type. Structures are meant to represent real-world equivalents such as mountains, caves, and lakes. "Impossible" (in the real world) formations, such as floating islands, can also be found throughout the Overworld.

Along with terrain features, natural structures include naturally-generated buildings, such as villages, dungeons, mineshafts, and ruined portals.

### Daylight cycle

 File:Day Night.gif
Main article: Daylight cycle

The Overworld is the only dimension with a daylight cycle and the only one where the environment reflects the passage of time. In contrast to time zones in the real world, Overworld time is universal; it is always the same time for every player in the dimension regardless of how far apart they might be, even in an "infinite" world.

During the daytime, the sun acts as a powerful light source, with a light level of 15, the maximum. Sunlight is strong enough to grow plants and affect the way mobs spawn, among other interesting effects. During the nighttime, the moon is the only natural light source. However, moonlight is comparatively dim; the light level falls to a minimum of 4, allowing hostile mobs to spawn. Other than during thunderstorms, nighttime is the only time players may sleep in a bed.

The daylight cycle can effectively be measured using a clock, which allows players to determine the approximate Minecraft time anywhere in the Overworld. Time can also be changed or stopped with the use of the Template:Cmd command.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, just as it does in the real world. Observing its motion is a simple method of telling direction without a compass.

### Mobs

Main article: Mob

The Overworld is home to a wide variety of mobs. Mobs vary greatly in behavior and the level of danger they present to the player. Different mobs spawn at different times and places depending on the light level and the biome, among other factors. On occasion, a mob can move between the Overworld and another dimension, such as The Nether, by using a portal, but this is uncommon. Boss mobs like the ender dragon and the wither cannot enter portals.

#### Other

* Template:EntityLink
* Template:EntityLink
* Template:EntityLink
* Template:EntityLink
* Template:EntityLink
* Template:EntityLink

## Generation

As with all other dimensions in the game, the Overworld can generate infinitely. However, there are some limitations, as detailed below. Like the other dimensions, it is divided into 16×384×16 block sections called chunks.

The Overworld encompasses a three-dimensional volume that extends vertically from the Void up to the build limit (y=-64 to 320), and horizontally for a virtually infinite distance in each direction. This volume is filled (virtually speaking) with air, terrain, and structures. Technically, the terrain is formed by generating multiple noise maps to produce differing elevations, general land shapes, and complex mountain and cave systems.

### Limitations

 File:Mc cutoff.png
Main article: World boundary

While the world is virtually infinite, the number of blocks a player may physically reach is limited with where the limits are depending on the edition of the game and the world type being played.

Template:IN, the map contains a world border located by default at X/Z coordinates ±29,999,984. The world border is an animated wall of blue stripes. Standing near the border results in a red vignette appearing around the screen. Most entities are unable to pass the border, except by teleporting. Players who breach the border receive constant damage unless they are in creative or spectator mode. The player can teleport past the world border and continue as far as X/Z ±29,999,999, where there is an invisible wall. However, the player can travel a few chunks further by riding horses, pigs, and minecarts through it.Template:Verify

In Template:El, Infinite-type worlds have no fixed horizontal limits, but either generation stops or normal game behavior begins to break down at extreme distances; the exact details depend on the platform. However, experiments suggest that players can generally reach at least X/Z ±30,000,000 before such problems occur.

### Terrain features

 File:Mountain Biome.png
Main article: Terrain features
The Overworld contains numerous terrain features, at a wide variety of scales.

### Blocks

#### Naturally generated

"Naturally generated" includes blocks that are created through the world seed.
Template:Columns-list

#### Naturally created

Naturally created means a combination of events that cause a new block to be placed by natural causes, not the player. Some of these blocks may also be created as part of world generation.
Template:Columns-list

#### Structures

Same as naturally generated, but these blocks are created only with the "Generate Structures" option enabled.
Template:Columns-list

## Technical information

### Folder

Template:IN, information on the Overworld is stored in the `region` folder of the `.minecraft/saves/worldname` directory, with "worldname" being the name of your world.

Deleting the `region` folder resets the Overworld so that all player-made changes and buildings in that dimension are undone.

## Achievements

Main article: Achievements
Some achievements and advancements are obtained only in the Overworld, as their conditions cannot be replicated in the Nether or the End at all.
Template:Load achievements

## Advancements

Main article: Advancements
Template:Load advancements

## History

Main article: History of world generation
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## Gallery

Classic.pngThe classic finite generator used in late 2009.IconicAlpha.jpgThe version of the terrain generator used prior to Alpha v1.2.0.Beta.pngThe world generator used from Alpha v1.2.0 to Beta 1.7.3.Overworld b1.8-r1.6.pngThe world generator used from Java Edition Beta 1.8 to 1.6.4.Overworld.jpgThe world generator used from release 1.7 to 1.17.1.1.18 terrain.pngThe world generator used from Java Edition 1.18.Line Time JINX.jpgOfficial T-shirt "Line Time" depicting the overworld made by JINX.Village View.pngAnother view of post-1.18 world generation.]]YouTube Earth.jpegThe Overworld as it appears in Around the Minecraft World in 80 Biomes.Trivia

* The maximum number of blocks that can be generated in the Overworld is approximately 921.6 quadrillion (9.216×1017) blocks, assuming a distance of 30,000,000 blocks in either direction.
	+ The total area is about 8 times the surface of the Earth.
	+ This means that storing a filled world, with no entities or block entities, would require 3.6864 quintillion (3.6864×1018) bits (Template:Tooltip petabytes) for the block data alone, based on the fact that each standard block is assigned 4 bits of information.
	+ By manually modifying the game, it is possible to generate the world up to 2,147,483,647 blocks (the 32-bit integer limit) in either direction.
* A 1:1 (1 block = 1 meter) scale map of the Earth, built-in *Minecraft*, would be 510.9 trillion (5.109×1014) blocks in size.
	+ Assuming the map is one block deep and uses 1 byte per block, its size would be approximately 475,800 GB (464.7 TB).
	+ A Moon-sized map would be made of 37.95 trillion (3.795×1013) blocks. Its data size would be 35,340 GB (34.52 TB).

## See also

* Tutorials/Navigation – Tips for navigating at the Overworld
* Survival
* The Nether
* The End

## References

Template:Reflist

Template:Environment

cs:Svět
de:Oberwelt
es:Superficie
fr:Monde normal
hu:Térkép
it:Overworld
ja:オーバーワールド
ko:오버월드
nl:Bovenwereld
pl:Powierzchnia
pt:Superfície
ru:Верхний мир
th:Overworld
uk:Верхній світ
zh:主世界

1. ↑ http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1981051-it-seems-that-the-underground-is-no-longer-swiss-cheese-anymore/page\_\_hl\_\_cave%20generation%20swiss%20cheese
2. ↑  https://youtu.be/MReDRthq7iQ