The North (A Song of Ice and Fire)

The North refers to a region in the fictional series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R. R. Martin. The North is the area north of The Neck, and has been ruled by House Stark from Winterfell, first as Kings of the North and later as liege lords under the banner of House Targaryen, for thousands of years. It is colder and much less populated than the South. Most of its residents still follow the Old Gods, but some, mainly around the area of White Harbour, have taken the faith of the Seven. Its northern border is The Wall, home of the Night's Watch. The North is separated from the South by the Neck, a small triangle of swampland between two oceans. It is home to small, marsh-dwelling crannogmen and ruled by House Reed, bannermen of Winterfell. The narrowness of the region and the difficulty of the terrain make it a natural border for the North, protecting it from invasion. Bastards born in the North are given the surname Snow.

House Stark

:"Main article: House Stark"

Night's Watch

:"Main article: Night's Watch"

The Night's Watch is an organization that guards the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, known as the Wall. Although diminished in number over time, it still maintains three garrisons along the perimeter.

Cities

White Harbour

:"See: White Harbour."

White Harbour is the smallest of Westeros' major cities (slightly smaller than Gulltown), but it is nevertheless the largest settlement north of the Neck. It is the seat of House Manderly and the North's primary trade port.

trongholds

"See: Strongholds of the North."