Creta

Creta is a nation that borders Amestris to the west. Along with Aerugo, Creta continually engages Amestris in border disputes, and a great deal of blood has been shed by both sides in their long history as military enemies. At present, the Amestrian city of Pendleton is the center of the latest border war, in which military negligence has caused massive casualties. It is thought to be an ally of Aerugo, as they are both at war with Amestris. At the end of the manga and 2009 anime, Edward Elric ventures to Creta and the nations to the west in order to learn and exchange information about alchemy.

Creta's real life equivalent is most likely France, since Creta is to the west of Amestris and at war with Amestris. There are probably references to the Franco-Prussian war, in which the beginnings of the German Empire and the Second French Empire clashed in a major war which ended in the unification of Germany. Creta also is thought to be more powerful than Aerugo due to its having larger armies and better equipment (as refrenced by veterans of the border war), leaving an obvious reference to France also, since in the 1870s to the 20th century, France was the only other western mainland superpower.

The Creta border war is thought to be a reference to the Franco-Prussian war, suggesting its occurrence in the early 20th century instead of 1870-1871. Pendelton is possibly supposed to be the equivalent of the German town Wissembrough, which was the the site of a major battle where the French forces outnumbered, fought back, and infilicted heavy casualties.