Ib is an island nation off the northeastern coast of Essos, surrounded by the polar waters of the Shivering Sea. It is located several thousand miles east of Westeros. It is one of the largest islands in the known world, and part of an archipelago with a few much smaller islands. Despite its remote location and harsh living conditions, the local Ibbenese are a hardy folk who maintain a large fleet of whaling ships which spread out far across the world's oceans. Ibbenese whaling ships visit ports in both Westeros and the Free Cities, and are even seen as far south as the Summer Islands.