🗺️ Map Legend: The Persistent Folklore Zones
🎯 CRITERIA FOR ZONES:
- Population density <10/sq mi in 1 AD AND 1000 AD
- Persistent reports of non-human intelligences
- Documented continuity into modern era
🌈 ZONE COLORS:
Scandinavian Trollheim
Scottish Fairy Highlands
Carpathian Spirit Mountains
Ural Otherworld
Balkan Vila Realms
Icelandic Huldufólk
Former spirit zones (now populated)
📊 DENSITY KEY:
<3/sq mi: Hunter-gatherer societies
3-6/sq mi: Pastoral/subsisence
6-10/sq mi: Sparse agricultural
>10/sq mi: Folklore tends to fade
🔍 PATTERN RECOGNITION:
Hypothesis: Human density <10/sq mile creates ecological "space" for:
1. Actual non-human ecosystems
2. Psychological perception of others
3. Cultural preservation of traditions
4. All the above interacting
💡 Interactive Tips:
- Click on colored zones for details
- Scroll to zoom in/out
- Drag to move around map
- Gray areas show "lost" spirit zones
📈 Historical Demographics
Population Changes:
| Europe Total (1 AD): |
~25-30M |
| Europe Total (1000 AD): |
~40-45M |
| Avg Density (1 AD): |
~5-8/sq mi |
| Avg Density (1000 AD): |
~8-12/sq mi |
Folklore Persistence:
Modern Belief Surveys:
• Iceland: 54% believe in huldufólk
• Norway: 25% respect huldra sites
• Scotland: Active fairy tourism
• Romania: Village offerings continue
Key Insight:
Zones colored on map represent only ~15% of European land area but contain ~80% of persistent non-human intelligence folklore.