Long Earth
The Long Earth is a phenomenon explored in (unsurprisingly) The Long Earth. Imagine a pack of cards. Our world- Roundworld, Datum Earth, it goes by many names- is in the middle, and one can travel, using the Stepper, through the cards, although one often experiences nausea. Hardly any of the worlds are occupied, so it seems the evolution of mankind is a unique thing. It is unknown whether the card pack circles round to meet itself, or whether there is something more mysterious at the end.
Datum Earth is one of many 'interglacial' worlds; that is, worlds that are covered in trees and rich forms of life. Animals thrive there, with unusual species of armadillos and horses being in profusion. Who knows, there might be a Hermit Elephant in there. The interglacial worlds are surrounded by a set of worlds experiencing ice ages- this is called the Ice Belt, and it starts at West 11. As a result the previous world, West 10, has become a sort of 'mustering' world, where supplies and suchlike can be purchased.
Similarly there is the Mine Belt, a set of worlds filled with desolate deserts and rich minerals, and the Corn Belt, which is good farming country and is ideal for setting up colonies. It starts at West 100,000, but nobody knows how deep it is.
There are some worlds that are mere dust-bowls, like the worst class of planets, or are covered in ice, where nothing can grow. These are called Jokers, and are not to be confused with the other Jokers...
Notable Earths
- Datum Earth
- East 3
- West 5
- West 10
- West 100,000, also known as Good Old Hundred K.
- West 101,754