Kalimdor

Kalimdor [ˈkælɪmdɔɹ] (Darnassian for land of eternal starlight) is one of the two main continents of Azeroth. It is located to the west of the Eastern Kingdoms. The Great Sea lies in between the continents. Kalimdor is home to the night elves, orcs, tauren and trolls. Other races present include the ogres, centaur, naga, demons, and other, more minor races.

Kalimdor was primarily the domain of the night elves in the ten thousand years between the War of the Ancients and the Battle of Mount Hyjal. In the years since the battle, night elf dominion has given way as the tauren adopted a more centralized system and accepted their allies, the orcs and the trolls into their midst.

Now, however, the continent is a politically divided one, the Horde have established strong control in the central and eastern areas while the night elves, preserve footholds in northwestern areas.

After the War of the Ancients
After the Highborne's departure, the remaining night elves deliberately withdrew from the rest of the world. A veil of mist descended upon their entire continent, shrouding its presence from passing sailors.

The knowledge of Kalimdor survived in some old human legends, but without details about its history or whereabouts, merely that the land was broken and set beneath the waves during the Sundering of the World. The quel'dorei, however, knew the truth, as some night elves such as Emmarel Shadewarden visited them in the following millennia. This led to a group of high elves leaving Quel'Thalas and traveling to Winterspring in order to obtain the  [Crystal of Zin-Malor] one hundred of years before the events of World of Warcraft.

Second War
After their defeat on the Broken Isles, Cho'gall and his surviving minions of the Twilight's Hammer sailed west to the mysterious continent of Kalimdor, drawn in by the whispers of the Old Gods. They were followed by Garona, who was eager to hunt out the last members of the Shadow Council.

Approximately four years after the end of the Second War, the human brothers, Greydon and Silverlaine visited Gadgetzan in Tanaris.

Third War
As the Third War started, Kalimdor was still considered a mere legend among most humans, with people such as the Kirin Tor ambassador to King Terenas' court not believing in its existence. A few heeded Medivh's warning however and traveled west, such as Thrall's new Horde and Jaina Proudmoore's expedition.