Pokémon Regions – Introduction
To date there are nine main Pokémon regions, one for each generation of Pokémon. The regions feature in the Pokémon anime and also in the video games.
Each of the Pokémon regions is made up of a number of different areas, towns and cities. These in turn contain shops, Pokémon Centers, gyms and other buildings and features that can be explored. In the games, there are generally challenges that need to be completed and gym leaders to be defeated in order to progress to the next level.
In addition to the nine main Pokémon regions there are some additional regions that have featured in the anime or spin-off games.
The Kanto Region
The Kanto Region was the first region to be introduced when Pokémon launched in 1996. It is based on the Kantō region of Japan.
There are 10 towns or cities, all named after colours, and 15 notable buildings or locations. The resident Professor is Professor Oak who lives in Pallet Town. The routes through Kanto are numbered 1 – 25.
The Kanto Region is associated with Generation I, II, III, IV and VII and the Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow series.
The Sevii Islands
The Sevii Islands are located south of the Kanto Region. They are based on the Izu and Bonin Islands of Japan. There are a total of seven islands, all of which are named numerically – one island, two island etc.
The Sevii islands only feature in the game FireRed and LeafGreen.
The Johto Region
The Johto Region is the second of the Pokémon regions and is based on the Japanese location of Kansai.
Johto is connected to the Western part of the Kanto Region.
There are 12 cities and towns, named after plants, and 20 notable buildings or locations. The resident Professor is Professor Elm who lives in New Bark Town. The routes through the Johto Region are numbered 29 – 48.
The Johto Region is associated with Generation II, III, IV and V and the Gold and Silver series.
The Hoenn Region
The third Pokémon region is the Hoenn Region. It is based on Japan’s third largest island, Kyushu.
Hoenn can be found south-west of the Kanto and Johto Regions. It is predominantly a sea region.
There are 16 cities and towns, whose names are all portmanteau words (made by joining two words together). The Hoenn Region boasts 19 notable buildings or locations. The resident Professor is Professor Birch who lives in Littleroot Town. The routes through the Hoenn Region are numbered 101 – 134.
The Hoenn Region is associated with Generation III and VI and the Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald series.
The Sinnoh Region
The Sinnoh Region is the fourth of the Pokémon regions. In ancient times it was known as the Hisui Region. It is based on Hokkaido, the second largest island of Japan.
The Sinnoh Region is located north of the Kanto, Johto and Hoenn Regions. Sinnoh is divided by a mountainous region. The highest mountain is Mt Coronet.
There are 15 cities and towns, whose names are portmanteau words (made by joining two words together). The Sinnoh Region boasts 13 notable buildings or locations. The resident Professor is Professor Rowan who lives in Sandgem Town. The routes through the Sinnoh Region are numbered 201 – 230.
The Sinnoh Region is associated with Generation IV and VIII and the Diamond and Pearl series.
Battle Zone
Battle Zone is located to the north-east of the Sinnoh Region. It is based on the Russian island of Sakhalin. It features in Diamond and Pearl as well as Pokémon Emerald and the 2021 game Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl.
The Battle Zone has three main locations: Fight Area, Survival Area and Resort Area.
The Unova Region
The fifth Pokémon region is the Unova Region. It is based on the metropolitan area of New York.
The Unova Region is located far from the previous regions and is not connected to them in any way. It has two main rivers which divide the region into three parts.
There are 21 cities and towns and 25 notable buildings or locations. Unlike previous regions, there is no link between the names of the towns and cities. The Sinnoh Region boasts 13 notable buildings or locations. The resident Professor is Professor Juniper who lives in Nuverma Town. The routes through the Unova Region are numbered 1 – 23.
The Unova Region is associated with Generation V and the Black and White Series.
The Kalos Region
The Kalos Region, shaped like a five-pointed star, is based France and is the sixth of the Pokémon regions.
Like the Unova Region, the Kalos Region is isolated from the first four regions.
There are 14 cities and towns (with vaguely French-sounding names) and 16 notable buildings or locations. The resident Professor is Professor Sycamore who lives in Lumiose Town. The routes through the Kalos Region are numbered 1 – 22.
The Kalos Region is associated with Generation VI and the XY Series.
The Alola Region
The Alola Region is a group of islands and is based on the American state of Hawaii. It is the seventh of the Pokémon regions.
The Alola Region is not connected to any of the previous regions.
There are 10 cities and towns (with Hawaiian-sounding names) and 61 notable buildings or locations. Professor Kukui is the resident Professor but it is not known where his residence is. The routes through the Alola Region are numbered 1 – 17.
The Alola Region is associated with Generation VII and the Sun and Moon Series.
The Galar Region
The Galar Region is the eighth of the Pokémon regions and it is based on Great Britain.
The Galar Region is an autonomous region and does not have links with the other Pokémon regions.
There are 11 cities and towns (with British-sounding names) and 9 notable buildings or locations. Professor Magnolia is the resident Professor who lives in Wedgehurst. The routes through the Galar Region are numbered 1 – 10. There is also a rail network which connects cities and towns not connected by routes.
The Galar Region is associated with Generation VIII and the Sword and Shield Series.
The Isle of Armor
The Isle of Armor features in the Sword and Shield Expansion game. It is based on the Isle of Man, a self-governing island located in the Irish Sea.
There are 19 notable locations on the island.
The Crown Tundra
The Crown Tundra features in the Sword and Shield Expansion game. It is located south of Postwick in the Galar Region and is based on Scotland.
The Region is covered with ice and snow.
The Paldea Region
The Paldea Region is the ninth of the Pokémon regions and it is based on the Iberian Peninsula which includes Spain, Portugal and Andorra.
The Paldea Region is an autonomous region and does not have links with the other Pokémon regions.
There are 12 cities and towns spread across the 4 regions. Professor Sada and Professor Turo are the resident Professors. In a departure from previous regions, the two Professors are not named after trees.
The Paldea Region is associated with Generation IX and the Scarlet and Violet Series.
