To the northeast, the Sea of Ghosts borders the Holds of Winterhold, and far northeast lies the island of Solstheim. Bordered by Morrowind to the east, Cyrodiil to the south, Hammerfell to the southwest, and High Rock to the west, Skyrim forms the uppermost province of the continent of Tamriel. In present day, Skyrim is home mainly to the direct descendants of these Atmorans, a people known as the Nords large, hardy men and women who are notorious for their militancy and innate resistance to frost and frost magic, both a consequence of the cold, harsh climate of their homelands. These early Men arrived on Tamriel by sailing south from the ancient continent of Atmora, the northern-most pinnacle of the world.

Skyrim is the northernmost landmass of the continent of Tamriel, and according to Nordic tradition, is the site of one of the earliest civilizations founded and governed by Men during the Merethic Era, many thousands of years ago. Nordic architecture as it is seen in The Elder Scrolls Online. Coming from a warlike culture, they believe that an honorable death in battle will grant them entrance into Sovngarde. Nords see themselves as eternal outsiders and invaders, and even when they conquer and rule another people they feel no kinship with them. Nord culture centers on the quest for honor and glory, with emphasis also on the family and community. Eager to augment their martial skills beyond the traditional methods of Skyrim, they excel in all manner of traditional warfare. Some say that the Nords are famously hot-blooded in order to compensate for their freezing environment, and their political climate can be as shifting and dangerous as the winds. The Nords have a natural resistance to the frost, which evolved due to their settlement in the northern, colder reaches of Nirn, and are known for their prowess as warriors. Nords, also known as Sons of Snow ( Dragon Language: Kul-Do-Od, 'Sons-Of-Snow' ) are a race of men from the province of Skyrim. 'Tradition has it that the Nords came to Tamriel from the continent of Atmora in ancient days.' ― Imperial Geographic Society

Morrowind home of the nords