In the Avesta, reference is made to seven karshvar ( > ), climes or zones, organizing the world map into a seven-storied ziggurat representing the cosmic mountain. The world is referred to as the haft keshvar "seven climes". The word has also been translated as "region", "state" or "continent".
The Avesta describes the karshvar as superimposed concentric circles one above the other, with increasing size. These are separated by waters, mountains or forests.
- Arəzahī ("East") (Persian: ارزَه, Arzah)
- Savahī ("West") (Persian: سَوَه, Savah)
- Fradaδafšu ("Southeast") (Persian: فِرَدَدَفش, Firadadafš)
- Vīdaδafšu ("Southwest") (Persian: ویدَدَفش, Vīdadafš)
- Vouru.barəštī ("Northwest") (Persian: وُروبَرِشن, Vurūbarišn)
- Vouru.ǰarəštī ("Northeast") (Persian: وُروجَرِشن, Vurūjarišn)
- Xvaniraθa ("Center") (Persian: خوَنیرَث, Xūnīras)
The story of the creation of these seven regions is told in Bundahishn when "rain first fell upon the earth". Hvaniratha is believed to be "central one" The karshvar Hvaniratha is where "peak of Hara" (Alburz) had "grown from the roots of Elburz mountains".