Atlantis

Atlantis is the titular location of *Atlantis: The Lost Empire*.

It was a powerful empire established thousands of years ago that was mostly destroyed in a terrible cataclysm in 6,800 BC and was rediscovered in 1914 in the events of the film.

## Geography

According to Plato, Atlantis is located somewhere beyond "the pillars of Heracles." The exact position has been debated by scholars for centuries with no theory being any better than the other. Many have even reasoned that it may not be in the Atlantic Ocean as has generally been believed.

At the height of its power, Atlantis was, as Plato described, "an island which was larger than Libya and Asia together," by which he meant the ancient Libyan domain and Asia Minor. Following the Great Flood, all that remains is a small island that has been buried within a deep cave system resembling those found within old Hollow Earth theories. Despite being a fraction of its once enormous size, Atlantis is still a very large city, comparable to the size of the major cities on the surface such as New York City, Paris, Tokyo, and London. The city is divided into several rings and once held a form of monorail transport.

The journey to Atlantis is a difficult venture unto itself. One must first descend toward a specific point in the Atlantic Ocean. Travelers must then successfully pass a Leviathan to an underground tunnel it guards. Upon surfacing into the entrance of a cavern, travelers must trek for days through the catacombs of Atlantean ruins, facing various dangers such as forgotten Atlantean machines, deep chasms, and hostile wildlife such as Pyreflies. Finally, there is a dormant volcano they must pass before reaching Atlantis. Around 1000 BC, during the time of the shepherd Aziz, he was able to access the Atlantean catacombs by way of a cave on the surface, an entrance which had become submerged by the time of a failed Viking expedition in 793. As told in the framing story of the *Atlantis Subterranean Tours* guidebook, after the original expedition, Whitmore Enterprises discovered other means of reaching the Atlantean Highway through hidden caverns in Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. These would be the routes they would use to allow celebrities, dignitaries, and Whitmore employees to visit Atlantis on secret trips.

What remains of Atlantis is situated atop flowing lava, protected by the power of the Heart of Atlantis. While the city is mostly ruins, it is still vibrant with life. Following the events of the city's rediscovery by the Whitmore Expedition, the Guardians of Atlantis, previously thought to have been lost in the Great Flood, have surfaced from their dwelling beneath the city's waters and stand in an encompassing circle, signifying the range of their protection. The Heart of Atlantis, once hidden deep within the city, now shines above, hovering over the city. A circulation system provides Atlantis with water, powered by the Heart of Atlantis.

After the events of *Atlantis: Milo's Return*, the city of Atlantis is now situated in the center of the Atlantic Ocean again, out of sight of any nearby land, but in the middle of a fishing ground.

## Goverment

Atlantis appears to be a monarchy led by a King and Queen. However, in the sequel, Kida mentions a Council that she says can look over the city while she is away, implying that Atlantis has another branch of government with as much power as the King and Queen themselves, a branch which is democratically elected. The royal bloodline has a special connection with the Heart of Atlantis, which means they are in charge of defense of the city, development of technology, and use of the crystal's power. The Council likely is in charge of more day-to-day activities and the creation and enforcement of laws.

## Fauna

Various types of strange animals live in and around Atlantis. They were likely inhabitants of the continent where the city originally existed, but have gone extinct everywhere else except the city due to the flood.

Some examples of Atlantean animal life include:

* Parrot Lizards, beaked flying lizards that similar to parrots, are kept as pets and raised for food.
* Pyreflies, small bioluminescent and combustible insects that nest in large groups
* Blue ostrich-like reptiles, possibly domesticated as they are seen in a marketplace
* Marine animals such as fish, crustaceans, and eurypterids, which the Atlantean people catch and eat
* Lava dogs, domesticated dog-like omnivorous animals which can withstand the temperature of magma
* Lava whales, larger relatives of lava dogs
* Bahadmok Tigers, domesticated creatures resembling blue dicynodonts
* Giant domesticated crabs which the Atlantean people ride on

## Rulers

* Nine former kings and queens
* Kashekim Nedakh † (tenth king)
* Queen of Atlantis † (tenth queen)
* Kida Nedakh (eleventh queen)
* Milo Thatch (eleventh king)

## Inhabitants

* Obby
* Leviathan
* Atlanteans

## Visitors

* Helga Sinclair
* Lyle Tiberius Rourke
* Audrey Ramirez
* Vincenzo Santorini
* Gaetan Moliére
* Joshua Sweet
* Wilhelmina Packard
* Jebidiah Allardyce "Cookie" Farnsworth
* Preston B. Whitmore