Hoenn, the setting of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, is based primarily on Japan’s Kyushu island.
The developers adapted Kyushu’s geography into a region dominated by coastlines, islands, waterways, and mountainous areas. Hoenn is rotated relative to Kyushu, allowing the game’s routes and locations to support the desired gameplay structure.
Ruby and Sapphire use Hoenn as the home of Team Magma and Team Aqua, whose opposing plans focus on expanding land or sea. Groudon and Kyogre represent those two environmental forces.
Other Pokémon regions also draw from real places. Kanto and Johto are based on areas of Japan’s main islands, while Sinnoh is inspired by Hokkaido. Hoenn’s island geography is especially visible in the many sea routes players must navigate.