Cordia is shaped like a horseshoe around a wide bay. Your journey starts in Working End, at the tip of the west arm. On a clear day, you can see the Pokémon League across the water at the tip of the east arm.
The road goes the long way around the bay. It runs south through grassland and forest to the windy downs, then east across a foggy marsh to the big port of Splice City. From there it climbs north into the snowy mountains and comes down the far side into the desert.
There are eight Gyms along the way, and each leader's type suits their home, like Bug types in the forest and Ice types in the snow. The last Gym is on a volcanic island in the bay. Past it, the lake caverns lead to the Pokémon League at Standing End.
After your fifth badge, you can fly with the Ridge Whistle to any town you have already visited. Later on, a ferry crosses the bay and links the two ends of the horseshoe.