Amestris

Amestris is the nation-state that serves as the principal setting of the anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist. Amestris is quite large and diverse, both in terms of terrain and inhabitants. In the central and southern provinces the citizens seem to be of Eurasian extraction. The province of Ishbal in the East (annexed by Amestris 14 years earlier) is ethnically and culturally distinct from the rest of country; it is populated by religious-minded tribes similar to the people of India, North Africa or the Middle East. Due to Amestris's many aggressive militaristic acts, it has shaky relations with most of its bordering countries. The country conquered and annexed the former country of Ishbal in the East, and the military is constantly engaged in border-clashes with Creta in the West and Aerugo in the South. Drachma, Amestris' neighbor in the north, has recently signed a non-aggression pact with Amestris after having border wars between the two countries, but diplomatic relations remain shaky--Amestris's government still considers Drachma to be populated by "barbarians." However, the two countries are separated by the Briggs Mountain Range, which aids in hindering another full-scale engagement. Far to the east, beyond Ishbal and the Great Desert, lies the country of Xing. Xing is ruled by an imperial government, and its people use alchemy strictly for medical purposes. There were any mentions of conflict between Xing and Amestris. This would imply that Amestris is a mostly land-locked nation, as it seems to be bordered completely by other countries (Creta, Aerugo, Drachma, and Xing). It is currently unknown what lies beyond the nations of Creta, Aerugo, Drachma, and Xing, whether that's all there is to the continent or if there are more countries out there. It is known that there is a water route from Xing to Amestris(considered to be "the long way around."), but its location, name, or the existence of any others is unknown. As well, it is unknown if there are separate land-masses (continents) beyond the one that the current countries are on.

The Amestrian Conspiracy
It has been revealed in recent chapters that the shape of the country Amestris has actually been formed in the shape of a giant transmutation circle, much like the one Father used in Xerxes. Every main conflict involving the Amestrian State Military coincides with a specific node of the transmutation circle.

The circle is nearing construction as the final remaining point of bloodshed is the fortress Briggs, where the Crimson Alchemist, Zolf J. Kimbley, is preparing to turn it into a bloodbath as the Homunculus Sloth has almost completed the giant tunnel he has been digging around the entirety of Amestris.

Lior: A city that holds a powerful secret.