The land and nation of the Alerans, it constitutes most of a continent, ending at the coast to the west and south, the Calderon Valley land bridge to Maratea to the east, and the Shieldwall to the north.
The nation is divided into state-like territories named for the prominent cities, each ruled by a High Lord. Inside these territories exist various towns and steadholts where the majority of the free, non-citizen populace live. Each city fields the Legions that make up the military of Alera. These cities, and their lords at the start of the series, are:
- Alera Imperia, ruled by the First Lord Gaius Sextus and First Lady Gaius Caria
- Antillus, ruled by High Lord Antillus Raucus and High Lady Antillus Dorotea
- Aquitaine, ruled by High Lord Aquitainus Attis and High Lady Aquitainus Invidia
- Attica, ruled by High Lord Atticus Quentin
- Ceres, ruled by High Lord Cereus
- Forcia, ruled by High Lord Forcius
- Kalare, ruled by High Lord Kalarus Brencis
- Parcia, ruled by High Lord Parcius
- Placida, ruled by High Lord Placidus Sandos and High Lady Placidus Aria
- Phrygia, ruled by High Lord Phrygius
- Rhodes, ruled by High Lord Rhodes
- Riva, ruled by High Lord Rivus