I've recently been doing some traveling, and doing research on different places to go.  Looking into Lisbon, Portugal, I've learned that its called a City with Seven Hills based on its topography.  For some reason it reminded me of WoT and I think one of the Cities of WoT has a reference to hills (But can't remember which); the same as Lisbon. 

 

This got me wondering if RJ based any of the WoT Cities on real world locations.  I always thought Ebou Dar, Illian, and Tear were based on actual places, or many amalgamations of several places, but I don't remember readings if this was the case or not. 

 

Anyone able to point me in the right direction?  Thank you.     

Tear is based on Tyre in Lebanon. 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyre,_Lebanon

6 hours ago, JosephBurns said:

I've recently been doing some traveling, and doing research on different places to go.  Looking into Lisbon, Portugal, I've learned that its called a City with Seven Hills based on its topography.  For some reason it reminded me of WoT and I think one of the Cities of WoT has a reference to hills (But can't remember which); the same as Lisbon. 

 

This got me wondering if RJ based any of the WoT Cities on real world locations.  I always thought Ebou Dar, Illian, and Tear were based on actual places, or many amalgamations of several places, but I don't remember readings if this was the case or not. 

 

Anyone able to point me in the right direction?  Thank you.     

Rome is associated with 7 hills.  Also a biblical reference in Revelation. 

Illian with is canals is comparable to Venice - the main square between the 2 palaces could have a similar appearance to St Peter's square. 

 

Tar Valon is comparable to Manhattan (other than being far inland instead of a port and no massive statue).

Rhuidean is most probably based on Jordan's Petra, a city in what is now desert, carved out of the rocks of the mountains.

 

I always thought Illian was based on Bangkok - as a serviceman during the war in Vietnam, RJ would've visited it on occasion.