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 due to them both being 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 most likely real life equivalent is France due to Creta being to the west of Amestris also being at war with Amestris. Most likely being a reference to the Franco-Prussian war where the beginnings of the German Empire and the Second French Empire clashed in a major war ending in the unification of Germany. Creta also is thought to be more powerful than Aerugo due to having larger armies and being better equiped (as refrenced by veterans of the border war) Leaving a obvious refrence to France also since in the 1870-20th century France was a superpower and was the only other western mainland superpower.

The Creta border war is though to be a reference to the Franco-Prussian war hinting it happening in the early 20th century instead of 1870-1871. Pendelton possibly is supposed to be the equivalent of the German town Wissembrough being a the site of a major battle where the french forces, outnumbred fought back and infilicted heavy casulties.