Unova

Unova is the name of the fifth main series region and is the setting of Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black and White Versions 2. Unlike previous regions, which were based on different islands around Japan, Unova was based on America's New York City. This land is distant from all other currently known regions and thus has different Pokémon. Also because of this, the Route numbers restart at 1. For those who have not been playing the other games, this fact can be confusing. It has an incredibly varied landscape; with two mountain ranges, woodland areas, marshes and a desert spread across its islands. The map of Unova has nineteen major settlements, thirty-one places of interest, and twenty-three routes marked on it.

In the sequel game, ice and snow have covered most of the region, changing its landscape and the towns located around it. There are also even different Gym Leaders from the previous game. A reason behind the change of landscape lay in the awakening of Reshiram and Zekrom in the previous adventure.

Nuvema Town
Nuvema Town is the first town in Unova, which is a very small area. This town is the dwelling of the player and their rivals/childhood friends, Bianca and Cheren and it is also where Professor Juniper's Lab is located and is where the player begins their journey. It is connected to Route 1 and is on the southeastern coast of the Unova region. The player also gets to choose their starter Pokémon here.The player can choose from the following starters:
 * -type－Snivy
 * -type－Tepig
 * -type－Oshawott

Aspertia City
Aspertia City is the first city in Unova in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 that has a Pokémon Center, a Pokémon Gym, and several miscellaneous buildings. It is the first starting location for the player that is a city. Aspertia City's -type Gym Leader is Cheren. From this mountainous place, all of Unova can be seen.

Floccesy Town
Floccesy Town is a small town located in the southwestern part of Unova. It is home to former Unova champion, Alder. Floccesy Ranch and Oath Woods lie near Floccesy Town.

Virbank City
Virbank City is a city located in the southwestern part of Unova. It is home to the Pokéstar Studios. Trainers can challenge the Virbank City Gym against the -type Gym Leader Roxie for the Toxic Badge. There is also a port located at the edge of the town where it gives you access to a ship that you can take to Castelia City.

Accumula Town
Accumula Town is a small town renowned for its hills and great views. It is here Professor Juniper tells you about the Pokémon Center and the shop inside it to help prepare you for your journey. After exiting the Pokémon Center, you encounter Cheren, who leads you to the town plaza, where you see Team Plasma for the first time with Ghetsis, who gives a speech to the crowd about liberating Pokémon so that they can truly be equals with people. However, his words do not move the crowd much. After Team Plasma and the crowd leaves, a mysterious N gets left behind and asks you to battle him, he is shown to support Team Plasma's wishes to liberate Pokémon and is later revealed to be the King of Team Plasma.

Striaton City
Striaton City is the first city you enter in Pokémon Black and White. This city features the first gym, run by the Gym Leaders Cilan, Chili, and Cress. The Gym Leader you battle depends on your starter type, which will be at a type disadvantage to the Leader's Pokémon. In addition to this, Professor Juniper's friend Fennel lives here and does her research into the Dream World. This is where you'll need to go in order to send your Pokémon from your game to the Dream World and back again. Upon seeking out a Munna to obtain the Dream Mist Fennel needs to help operate her machine, you head for the Dream Yard and reunite with Bianca. With her, you enter the deepest part of the Dream Yard and find a Munna being abused by two Team Plasma grunts who are also after the Dream Mist. Despite beating both grunts in Pokémon Battle, the player and Bianca are unable to prevent the grunts from further injuring the Munna. Luckily, a Munna's evolved form Musharna comes to its rescue and uses its Dream Mist to fool the grunts into thinking Ghetsis is scolding them and causes them to flee. Fennel comes and finds some leftover Dream Mist and thanks the player for their cooperation while Bianca decides to chase after Munna to capture it. Also, if you speak to a trainer in the Dream Yard, you will receive one of the three element monkey Pokémon that has a disadvantage against the player's starter.

Nacrene City
Nacrene City is an incredibly old city with rail tracks and warehouses that have been abandoned for over 100 years. It has a massive museum dedicated to archaeology and is home to the second Gym of Unova, run by the Gym Leader Lenora. Upon winning at the Gym, Team Plasma arrives and steals the skull from a Dragonite skeleton on display, believing it to hold the essence of Reshiram/Zekrom (depends on version). Also, the player briefly reunites with Cheren and Bianca while meeting the third Unova Gym Leader, the artistic Burgh. Per Lenora's request, the player joins Burgh in investigating Pinwheel forest to return the skull. After you go to the Desert Resort and search for the light stone/dark stone (depends on version) Lenora calls for you and says she has the stone. You receive the stone and are told to head to the final Gym Leader in Unova to learn more about the legend. If you go back to the Desert Resort, in Relic Castle, there is a backpacker who will let you choose from two fossils and you can go to Nacrene Gym to revive the fossil and you'll get a new Pokémon!

Castelia City
Castelia City is a journey across the Skyarrow Bridge which leads you to this thriving metropolis beside the sea. Unlike previous cities, this one is much, much bigger. It features a variety of areas and utilizes the DS's 3D graphic engine to show the city from a wide range of camera angles and uses a vast amount of interactivity. There are countless skyscrapers piercing the clouds, five piers which harbor boats and, of course, the Castelia City Gym. Upon arrival in the city, the player decides to challenge Burgh, only to arrive at the Gym to see Cheren has won his badge already. Trying to challenge Burgh himself/herself, the player bumps into Burgh who explains that there is trouble brewing in the city and is told to met him at the largest pier. There, the payer finds Bianca again, but she is accompanied by another trainer named Iris. It is revealed that Team Plasma has stolen Bianca's Munna and have eluded Iris in her search through the city. The Player and Burgh find Team Plasma has hidden out in the building directly in front of Burgh's Gym. There, the player once again meets Ghetsis and another of his colleagues he calls a fellow member of the Seven Sages. Through negotiation, Munna is returned to Bianca and Team Plasma escapes through use of a smoke screen. The Player then challenges Burgh and the Gym and earns the Insect Badge. Upon leaving Castelia City, the player is challenged by Bianca to battle her Pokémon to see how they've grown. Castelia City is Unova's largest city.

Nimbasa City
Nimbasa City is a bustling city of entertainment, which has it's very own theme park with the fourth gym inside. After riding roller coasters, you can challenge the fourth Gym Leader of the Unova region. The Musical Theater is located here, as well as two sports stadiums and the Battle Subway. It is known that if Castelia City is the place of business, Nimbasa City is the place of leisure. Upon arriving in Nimbasa City, the player saves the Daycare man from Team Plasma and meets Bianca yet again. The player then has the choice to follow her to the theater or head to the amusement park to follow the Team Plasma grunts. If the player follows Bianca, both are gifted Prop cases for their Pokémon if they choose to enter them in the Musical Theater. Upon exiting the theater, Bianca's Dad arrives and tries to take her back home. Luckily, Elesa arrives and convinces him to let Bianca continue journeying to discover herself. If the player chooses to follow Team Plasma, they arrive in front of the Ferris Wheel and meet N again. He explains that he is the king of Team Plasma and that he seeks to liberate Pokémon from people. The two grunts arrive to save their king, but N instead decides to cover their escape. After beating N, the player learns of N's plan to revive one of the legendary Pokémon and use it to help his cause. However, he then adds that if the player wishes to stop him, he/she should revive the legendary Pokémon's equal. Upon exiting Nimbasa City, the player is once again confronted by Cheren for a battle, After the battle, both are met by Elesa, who introduces them to Alder, the Unova champion. Cheren becomes agitated by Alder as he questions his view of what becoming the champion means. They are then brought to the Charizard Bridge to be allowed access to the next city and challenge the Gym Leader.

Anville Town
Anville Town is an idyllic, peaceful town which can only be accessed by boarding a train in the Battle Subway. It has a rail yard where trains park for an overhaul. At the weekends, traders gather to exchange goods.

Driftveil City
Driftveil City is a port town distributing many goods, it's home to the fifth Gym. It has its own market and Cold Storage is a short walk away. Upon arriving in town, the player and Cheren are blamed by Clay for the escape of Team Plasma due to the bridge's lowering. However, they are offered a deal, capture Team Plasma and they can challenge his Gym. Working together, the player and Cheren find Team Plasma hiding in a Cold Storage container with one of the Seven Sages. Upon the player and Cheren's defeat of the grunts, Clay arrives with Cold Storage workers to arrest Team Plasma. However, once the player leaves afterwards and arrives at the Gym for a battle, Ghetsis has arrived with back up and has the captured operatives of Team Plasma released into his custody.

Mistralton City
Mistralton City is notable for having the first airport in a Pokémon game, the city operates a cargo plane service transporting goods. It is also where the -type Gym is located. Trainers who want to adjust their Pokémon's moveset can go here for the Move Family. Upon arriving in the city, the player meets Professor Juniper's dad, also a Professor, who updates the Pokédex for the player. The player meets Skyla and is lead to Celestial Tower. There, Skyla has the player ring the bell on top to learn what kind of person the player is. Upon learning the answer, Skyla returns to the Gym to be challenged. After earning the sixth Unova badge, the player once again battles Team Plasma's king and has his or her Pokémon's words listened to. N does feel some sorrow over having to separate Pokémon and people who truly care for each other like the player does, but still plans to go on ahead. After getting the HM Surf and defeating the Elite Four, the player can return and find Mistralton Cave to catch Cobalion.

Lentimas Town
Lentimas Town is a town located in central eastern Unova. The town can be accessed by airplane from Mistralton City. The town is located in the middle of a windy passage.

Icirrus City
Icirrus City is a city with wetlands and windmills. The city looks entirely different during winter. Brycen is the Leader of the Gym here. The player once again encounters Professor Juniper (Senior) at the edge of town and is told one of the legendary Pokémon sleeps inside. However, the Player must defeat Brycen in a Gym battle first to continue the story. Upon winning and leaving the Gym, the player reunites with both Cheren and Bianca. However, Brycen exits the Gym and tells Cheren to wait for a Gym battle as something is amiss. They head for Dragon Spiral tower. Inside are numerous Team Plasma members and one of the Seven Sages. With the help of Cheren and Brycen, the player makes his/her way up to the top to find N has awoken Reshiram/Zekrom (depends on which version) and explains that once he defeats Alder, he will have the authority to make his plan become reality. N then tells the player to find the dark stone/light stone and awaken Zekrom/Reshiram and counter his plans at the Pokémon League if he/she dares before flying off.

Opelucid City
Opelucid City in White, is old and historical city. However, in Black, it is a modern, bordering on futuristic. It is here the player learns more about the Unova founding myth and the Pokémon that caused it. Upon winning the eighth Gym badge, the player meets up with Professor Juniper once again and is shown the way to Route 10 to head for the Pokémon League. The Gym Leader also depends on the version. In Black, it's Iris's mentor Drayden and in White, it'sIris herself. This is possibly to coincide with the Yin/Yang theme the games have. You also get your Master Ball in this city.

Humilau City
Humilau City is a city in northeastern Unova. Trainers can challenge the -type Gym against Leader Marlon for the Wave Badge.

Unova Pokémon League
Pokémon League is the ultimate goal for Trainers, beat the Elite Four and the Champion here to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Lacunosa Town
Lacunosa Town is a tiny town with little more than a Pokémon Center. The people here believe a legend, which says that a monster attacks at night, and do not venture outdoors after dark. It is a good place to heal your Pokémon and obtain some information on the Giant Chasm.

Undella Town
Undella Town is the beach town that acts as a summer retreat for many famous and wealthy people, including the Elite Four and the famous Cynthia.

Black City
Black City is exclusive in Pokémon Black. It's a dark city ruled by greed. Many battles can be fought here, and rare items can be bought at the market.

White Forest
White Forest is exclusive in Pokémon White. A peaceful forest which attracts people and Pokémon alike.

Liberty Garden
An area of Unova located on an island. You can only gain access to it through a boat on Castelia City after you've obtained the Liberty Pass key item from a Wi-Fi Event. On this island is a lighthouse where you'll encounter Team Plasma and the legendary Pokémon Victini.

Entralink
In the middle of the region lies a place of mysterious power, it can only be accessed by warping through the C-Gear.

P2 Laboratory
Team Plasma's small, secret research lab. You can find it, surrounded by rapids, in Route 17 on the northern island.

Dreamyard
An old factory site often used as a playground by children and Pokémon, here you'll find a girl who wants to give you a Pokémon. The dreamyard has several areas unlocked after you complete the main game.

Wellspring Cave
The first cave you visit; Team Plasma flee here after stealing a girl's Pokémon.

Pinwheel Forest
A dense forest with many patches of grass, fallen trees and the Challenge Rock. You can either explore the complicated maze of trees or stick to the road for a straight path.

Relic Castle
Ancient ruins located in the desert, surrounded by odd Pokémon statues. The floor has quicksand here and there, and if you try to walk through it, you'll fall to the lower floor. Other than receiving a fossil, there isn't much to do here until one visits Dragonspiral Tower. After completing Dragonspiral Tower the first time, the player is able to explore the lower floors. It is also the location where the player first encounters Ryoku of the Seven Sages and Volcarona.

Cold Storage
To the south of Driftveil City you'll find these chilled warehouses, storing an array of goods and serving as a hiding place for Team Plasma.

Mistralton Cave
A forgotten cave located on Route 6. It's said to be sealed with hints of a legend's presence. Cobalion can be found in here in Pokemon Black & White.It is the only place where wild Axew can be caught.

Chargestone Cave
A cave which is literally charged with energy, causing stones to float. You'll meet the Shadow Triad for the first time in here.

Celestial Tower
A memorial tower dedicated to deceased Pokémon, located on Route 7. Ringing the large bell on the top floor is said to purify spirits.

Twist Mountain
Primarily a mine used to collect valuable minerals, it also serves as a path connecting Route 7 and Icirrus City. Many items are buried away here, and the winter season has a drastic impact on the caves. If the player goes to the lowest cave, there is a man that gives the player a fossil.

Dragonspiral Tower
No one knows the history of the oldest tower in Unova, although there are rumors of a Dragon Pokémon on its summit. It plays a major role in the game's plot. N awakens Reshiram or Zekrom (depending on the version) at the top of the tower and a backpacker gives you a fossil.

Moor of Icirrus
A detour from Route 8 brings you to this marshland. In winter, the swamps freeze over.

Pokéstar Studios
Pokéstar Studios allows the player to perform a movie. Characters such as Brycen play a role in Pokéstar Studios.

Pokémon World Tournament
The Pokémon World Tournament is a new feature in which trainers can partake in a tournament against other trainers in a single or double battle. It is held in Driftveil City, hosted by Cynthia, the Sinnoh League Champion.

Floccesy Ranch
Above Route 20 in Black and White Versions 2 lies Floccesy Ranch, where the player must retrieve a stolen Herdier from a Team Plasma grunt for a farmer on the ranch.

Oath Woods
A forest where Keldeo can learn the move Secret Sword and transform into its Resolute Forme.

Cave of Being
A cave where the player disperses the Sinnoh Lake Trio, making them available for capture around the Unova region.

Clay Tunnel and Underground Ruins
A cave connecting various locations, accessible only after defeating the Elite Four. It contains ruins inside, wherein Regirock, Regice, and Registeel can be captured.

Reversal Mountain
A mountain in which Heatran can be captured.

Plasma Frigate
An airship that serves as Team Plasma's headquarters and main means of transport, the Plasma Frigate is an area the player will frequently enter to stop Team Plasma's plans.

Nature Sanctuary
A faraway forest-like area north of Mistralton City in which a Shiny Haxorus can be captured.

Challenger's Cave
On Route 9 is a cave that opens after you complete the main story. It's pitch black and requires the use of Flash to explore properly. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the cave has collapsed and cannot be entered.

Victory Road (BW)/Victory Road (B2W2)
The notorious road makes a return in Generation V. It's the final test for Trainers hoping to take on the challenge of the Pokémon League. You are also able to battle your rival here. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the original Victory Road caved in. Parts of the new one takes place in the ruins of N's Castle.

Gym Leaders
Black and White= Black 2 and White 2=

Elite Four
Black and White= Black 2 and White 2=

Champion(s)
Black and White= Black 2 and White 2 =

Origin
Unova is based on New York City, with Castelia City being based on Manhattan and the Sky Arrow Bridge being based on the Brooklyn Bridge. Nacrene City is based on Brooklyn. Nimbasa City may also be based on Midtown, Manhattan.

Anime
In In the Shadow of Zekrom!, Ash, Delia and Professor Oak come to West Unova on a trip, during time of which Ash encounters the legendary Pokémon Zekrom which leads him to start a new journey in Unova with Pikachu alone. Kanto Pokémon are rare in West Unova and Ash continues to make new friends such as Iris and Cilan. He eventually captures a lot of Unova region Pokémon and like Gary originally did, rotates them around his team. It may be interesting to know that West Unova only contains the regional Pokémon.

He also earns eight badges, becoming rivals with Trip, Bianca and Stephan. Learning that the Unova League is months away, they head to East Unova with Cynthia to compete in a new tournament. Dawn is also participating. East Unova has Pokémon from all five regions and is quite popular.

Trivia

 * The entire Unova region is said to be based upon New York, as stated by Junichi Masuda in Pokémon Peer.
 * This is the first Region to be based upon a non-Japanese and non-Asian location, the second is Kalos (France), the region released directly after Unova. The third is Alola (Hawaii), the region released after Kalos.
 * Unova is the first region to have a major name change in the English version, and the first region whose English name begins and ends with a vowel.
 * The Unova region is the first region to have an active airport.
 * Unova has more cities than any other region.
 * Instead of continuing on from the previous region's route numbers, the routes in Unova restart at 1.
 * This is the first region in games to have a female professor.
 * According to Gym Leader Skyla, the Kanto region and the Sinnoh region are "Just round the corner".
 * The Unova Pokédex is the first Regional Pokédex in the main series to begin with a Mythical Pokémon instead of a Grass-Type Starter Pokémon, this is due to Victini being designed for Generation IV with a place at the end of the Sinnoh Pokédex but ending up getting removed and held back.
 * Unova has the most form changing Pokémon. This is due to the introduction of seasons and the concept of Pokémon that change form depending on the season.
 * Even though Unova is far away from the other regions, the player can still catch Pokémon from preceding regions in the games.
 * As of Generation V, this region is the one where the player has the most rivals with a total of four combined from Black, White, Black 2 and White 2.
 * This is the only region in having a different name from the English version, being pronounced in Spanish as Teselia.
 * Unovas has the most population, having 949 people.