Iscandar lies one hundred sixty-eight thousand light years from Earth ("Toward a Sea of Stars"). Eighty percent of Iscandar's surface is covered by water. Along with an atmosphere that is similar to that of Earth before the Garmillas-Earth War, at least part of the planet's landmass supports a moderately warm climate. Complex life has evolved on Iscandar, including forests and grasslands, Blue Crystal flowers, animals resembling terrestrial birds and fish, and a technologically advanced human-like species ("The Distant Promised Land").