The Southern Water Tribe is the southern division of the Water Tribes. Its people are concentrated in a large harbor city at the coast of the South Pole, but many also live in small settlements throughout the pole.
The Southern Water Tribe has an eventful history, and saw times of prosperity and freedom as well as decline and genocide. Before the Hundred Year War, the Southern Water Tribe was not a great power like its sister tribe, but was still thriving. It had a unique culture and waterbending style, and was centered in one large inland city. However, the Hundred Year War reached the tribe in 40 ASC. In order to eliminate a possible threat to its war efforts, the Fire Nation initiated a series of brutal raids, devastating the South Pole and killing or capturing all waterbenders. In the end, the Southern Water Tribe was on the brink of extinction, with its culture shattered, its main city largely abandoned, and its unique waterbending style effectively erased.
However, this changed when two inhabitants of the tribe discovered Avatar Aang in 99 ASC, and began to travel the world together with him in order to end the war and save the world.
After this group's involvement in the Siege of the North, the Northern Water Tribe administrated a relief effort led by Master Pakku, who brought along a number of warriors, waterbenders, and healers to aid in the Southern tribe's redevelopment. By the time of Avatar Korra's birth in 153 ASC, the tribe had grown significantly, and had begun to play a significant role in world affairs. A representative from the Southern Water Tribe held a position on the United Republic Council that formerly governed the United Republic of Nations.
