Ba Sing Se

Ba Sing Se is the capital of the Earth Kingdom as well as one of its constituent states,[2] encompassing a large portion of the nation's northeastern corner. After the Surrender of Omashu, the city became the last great Earth Kingdom stronghold during the Hundred Year War.[3] The city is by far the largest in the world,[4][5] essentially being more of a small country than a mere city. As a testament to its grandeur, the Earth Kingdom's roadway network is centered on the city.[6] Ba Sing Se means "Impenetrable City";[1] it is so named for its world-famous walls, the gates of which have no hinges or other hardware and are opened by the use of earthbending. Within the Outer Wall lies a large expanse of farmland, Lake Laogai, and several mountains. The Inner Wall encloses the city itself. The metropolis is also notable for having a unique system of walls dividing the populace into different parts of the city based on social status.[7] Ba Sing Se was the safest place for refugees displaced by the Hundred Year War because of the Fire Nation's failure to penetrate its walls. One of the main reasons it stood strong during the Hundred Year War was that the city relied on itself. However, it was eventually captured by the Fire Nation after Princess Azula's play in the Coup of Ba Sing Se.[8] The city was later liberated by the Order of the White Lotus in the final battle of the War.[9] In 171 AG, however, Ba Sing Se fell again, this time to anarchy after the Red Lotus, led by Zaheer, assassinated the Earth Queen.[10] A few weeks later, the situation in the metropolis had been stabilized by Kuvira and her army, which led to her being appointed by the world leaders as the temporary head of the kingdom. Wu was later reinstated as the Earth King after the failed invasion of the United Republic of Nations and Kuvira's surrender.