Simnation Map Guide: Geography, Climate & Player-Created World Maps
SimNation is the imaginary country where the action of every main game in The Sims franchise unfolds. Sometimes referred to as Simerica, Simlandonia, or Simsonia, SimNation serves as the central setting for The Sims universe. Structurally, SimNation is presented as a presidential republic, and both its laws and cultural attributes are strikingly similar to those of the United States.
Population and Languages in SimNation
The exact population size of SimNation remains unknown, contributing to its ongoing mystery and appeal in The Sims lore. Some references in core games suggest an estimated population of about 20,000 residents.
What truly sets SimNation apart is the incredible diversity of its inhabitants. The overwhelming majority are regular sims, but SimNation is also home to a rich array of supernatural and fantastical beings. Among these are ghosts, vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, mermaids, and even intelligent robots.
The official language spoken throughout SimNation is Simlish – a unique, fictional language that all sims communicate in. Minority languages include Selvadoradian, Tomarangi, and the exclusively written Simji, each adding depth to the game's cultural worldbuilding.
Geography and Climate of SimNation
The precise real-world equivalent or location of SimNation is one of the enduring mysteries in The Sims community. Popular fan theories suggest that it may represent an alternative version of North America, possibly inspired by regions like Nevada or California, due to similar landscapes and cultural vibes. Another theory, fueled by The Sims 4 trailer, is that SimNation exists on a parallel Earth, with sims depicted as arriving from outer space.
SimNation's geography encompasses an astonishing variety of climate zones – one of the most unique aspects of The Sims’ worldbuilding. The most frequently portrayed environments are temperate grassy plains and rolling coastal hills, featured prominently in areas like Willow Creek or Brindleton Bay. Other biomes include scorching deserts (Oasis Springs, Del Sol Valley, StrangerVille), forested mountain regions, and even lush oceanic rainforests.
A trademark feature of SimNation's climate is its unpredictability. Even tropical islands can experience cold snaps, sometimes plunging to temperatures as low as -17°C, bringing unexpected snowstorms. This presents a challenge for players looking to draw consistent or realistic maps, forcing them to either rationalize these weather anomalies or simply embrace the fantasy.
Mapping SimNation also proves difficult due to conflicting in-game representations. Various globes and maps appear throughout The Sims series, with some resembling our Earth’s familiar continents and others displaying drastically different landmasses.
Symbolism and National Identity
The national animal of SimNation is the llama – a direct nod to The Sims series’ longstanding inside joke. While llamas are native to the Andes mountains of South America, this quirky national mascot only adds to the mystery of SimNation’s geography, as it doesn’t align with the implied North American setting. Most likely, the llama serves as a symbolic figure rather than a literal part of the in-game fauna.
Community Theories
Players in The Sims community are dedicated to piecing together the geography of SimNation and custom worlds. Most mapping attempts use climate as a guide: for example, Mt. Komorebi’s snowy terrain is generally placed in the far north; deserts occupy the central or southern regions; while tropical islands like Sulani are located near the equator. Windenburg, described as distinctly European, is often considered a separate continent or country entirely.
On fan forums, simmers passionately debate how to organize their custom worlds and what to name their personal versions of SimNation. A few popular approaches include:
— Grouping locations by climate: deserts (Del Sol Valley, Oasis Springs, StrangerVille), cold north (Mt. Komorebi), tropical islands (Sulani, Tomarang).
— Creating custom political systems, such as kingdoms and empires, adding further depth to their SimNation lore.
— Dividing worlds into "human" regions and "magical" territories to reflect gameplay mechanics and supernatural sims.
— Naming and grouping by proximity, e.g. Central City (San Myshuno + Willow Creek), Western Desert (Del Sol Valley + Oasis Springs), and Eastern Countryside (Windenburg + Brindleton Bay).
Player-Made Maps of SimNation
If you want to see these maps in high resolution or visit the original posts, simply click on the author’s name.
keirosims
Keirosims created a map inspired by the “The World Is Your Oyster” artwork from The Sims 4: Discover University, grouping the various sims worlds by their connections to real countries or regions of the world. For locations from older games that lack a strong theme, placements are determined by their overall atmosphere and narrative role. Keirosims also made sure to include as many classic sims locations as possible, incorporating worlds with a visible in-game presence or with a substantial mention in The Sims lore.
lizasim
Lizasim’s map began as a compilation of other people’s work but evolved gradually into an original design. The new version is more convenient for navigating SimNation in gameplay. All cities and towns are divided into zones: Sylvitea (“Green Zone”) is a vast, forested region representing recreational areas where both ordinary sims and occult sims live side by side; Metropagonia unites urban locations, with San Myshuno as the central metropolis; Sunscape (called “Sandy Steppes”) groups resorts, ranches, and studios in a single sun-drenched part of SimNation; while Veilora highlights the magical and supernatural side of The Sims 4, accessible only through special entry points. Distant or culturally rich areas like Sulani and Selvadorada are shown as remote regions with their own languages and unique identities.
Ephiemera
Ephiemera’s map was created to realistically connect all Sims 4 locations, paying close attention to geography and landscape – rivers, mountains, and lakes are used to create natural borders and routes. This method makes every world feel like part of a logical, continuous environment within SimNation.
usonofallama
Usonofallama focused on cultural and geographic analogies, dividing the SimNation universe into large regions and defining local languages, laws, and migration routes using mods like “Language Barriers” and “Home Regions”. In this vision, SimNation is divided into distinct subregions nuanced by lifestyle and culture: the technological West Coast, the academic Northeast, the traditional Deep South, and special Indigenous Lands. Other continents or realms, like the Old World or Oceanic Lands, are each given their own flavor, culture, and migration flows – mimicking more realistic or complex worldbuilding.
Nocturne
Nocturne produced several versions of their SimNation map, prompted by ongoing debates about where to place certain locations like Gibby Point or Britechester. Some versions keep cities as separate islands, others move them closer together, offering multiple choices for simmers.
simsyren
Simsyren visualizes each world in The Sims 4 as a city within one state and divides the custom map into three areas: a jungle region (Sulani, Selvadorada, Tomarang), a main territory split between desert and forest biomes (places like Oasis Springs, San Sequoia, Willow Creek, and Newcrest), and a mystical area shrouded in fog (Glimmerbrook, Forgotten Hollow, and Moonwood Mill). This approach helps explain travel distances and adds to the immersion of the Sims universe.
MissLollypop
All worlds in The Sims 4 are tied to real places on the planet. This is needed to understand whether a Sim can just visit a neighboring city or will need a long flight – the Home Regions mod takes this into account.
Oolamoon
dulcisoria
