The Water Tribes have been the North and South of the Avatar world. Capable of Waterbending, those in the tribes are hardy but were hit significantly during the 100 Year War.
During the events of Avatar The Last Airbender, the South had been raided frequently and its distance from its northern brothers caused it to stumble in the war. Still, since then the changes made through the reconstruction project and having the next Avatar in the Southern Tribe have changed things.
10 The South Has Oil
In the comic arc North and South, the southern reconstruction project is headed by the Northern tribe to fix the war-torn south. In it, the tribe drastically remodels the old igloo village Aang first arrived at.
However, in this, the reason for the remodel is for oil. In fact, the South had the largest deposit of oil in the Avatar world and was why the North was so interested in the South again.
9 The South And North Have Normal Sunlight
Despite the 24 hours of night or day when the planet tilts for the North and South pole, the Water Tribes do not seem to have this problem.
In the Legend of Korra, the characters spend a decent amount of time in the South, but the sunlight rules are the same there as the rest of the world. The same is true of the North during Avatar The Last Airbender.
8 Some Resettled In The Foggy Swamp
For unknown reasons, a group of Southern Tribe Waterbenders went off from the tribe and settled in the Foggy Swamp. In many ways, the swamp is most teeming with spiritual energy, and these settlers most likely wanted to connect to the spirit's nature.
During the time of Avatar Wan, the Waterbenders do live in more tropical regions as well, so it is also likely for the Swamp Tribe to have come from those origins as well.
7 Both Tribes Were Once Ruled By The North
Despite the strong chain of leadership in the south from Hakoda to Sokka and then to Tonraq, both tribes had originally been ruled by the Northern Tribe.
However, the patriarchal laws regarding Waterbending as well as the distance led to changes and the South eventually claiming their independence. Still, in The Legend of Korra, Unalaq wanted to reset this in the civil war, only to be stopped by the avatar.
6 The First Capital Was Agna Qel'a
While the South has no general cities that are known of like Ba Sing Se or Omashu, the North has its capital city of Agna Qel'a. First given its clear title in The Shadow Of Kiyoshi, the city was the first to be made entirely of ice and snow.
The city itself has a canal system that was inspired by the canals of Italy, with their arching bridges also directly taken from cities like Florence and Venice.
5 The North Uses Icebergs For Defense
During the Siege of The Northern Tribe, the Fire Nation's industrious navy was kept in check by a system of icebergs. With sharp spikes capable of ripping through solid metal and sinking even the largest ships, the currents in the iceberg fields were dangerous to large ships but easily navigated by nimble Water Tribe ships.
The iceberg spikes were also used as a cover for warriors to hide behind, enabling them to easily ambush unwanted visitors and protect their home.
4 Water Tribe Culture Takes From Tai Chi
The basic principles of Waterbending come from the push and pull of the moon and the ocean's waves. In this, the principles of Tai Chi are also the same. The healing pressure points of Tai Chi are also present in Waterbending healing too, furthering this connection.
Finally, the moon doors of the homes are also another touch on Tai Chi. As such, the culture adopts many concepts from Tai Chi while mingling with concepts of First Nation's shamanism and tribal style.
3 Coming Of Age Ritual
Ice dodging is a significantly necessary ritual for all Water Tribe sailors and is a coming of age ritual between father and son. To successfully pass this ritual grants respect and a rise to the next level for the water tribe.
When Bato does it for Sokka in the Earth Kingdom, he does his family proud by taking the skiff through sharp rocks and ravines much like the iceberg seas of the North and South. In fact, this ability is so crucial that the North's first defense system depends on it.
2 North And South Cuisine Is Different
The Water tribes may be the same but are very different too, and Gran Gran is probably the best connection to both tribes. Leaving the North due to their sexist ways, she found refuge and a family in the south.
Still, she would often comment on the differences in their cuisine. Both may use sea prunes, but the southern style used more seafood while the northern style had more land-based meats.
1 The Season Of Winter
The four nations are based on the four elements, but they are also an allegory for the four seasons. With Water comes many potential seasons, but Winter is most clear for the Water Tribes.
Snow and ice are frequent features of their architecture, geography, and even their culture. In this, Uncle Iroh's song of the four seasons is a subtle hint at the diversity of the four nations.