The valley is the bread basket of the Northern Kingdoms, an agricultural superzone, producing most of the food, wine and other foodstuffs that the surrounding peoples consume. It is also in a strategic location between the borders of the four major realms. In the books and games, the Pontar Valley belongs to Aedirn, but this was seized from Kaedwen 300 years ago. This is under dispute in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings where King Henselt marched unsuccessfully against Aedirn three years ago (in the video game continuity) and is back again, this time against Saskia and her voluntary militia.