So the first bit of detail that I want to tackle is establishing my thoughts on what each territory of the world I have related back to ours. Each territory has it's own flavor (and I will likely be completely wrong about how it's handled), which I have often felt reflected to some degree familiar cultures in our world. There is a strong hint/implication that the world we read about it is our own. The Wheel moves and ages come and go, ours is either sometime prior to the Age of Legends or perhaps somewhere in the future past the events we see. I don't have a strong opinion on that part, but I do think that it means you'll end up seeing some diverse casting choices and that the world will feel very dense compared to ours. The actual land mass space is certainly no larger (in my mind) than the space of Europe or perhaps the mainland US at the largest. The Waste is a large space, Seanchan is probably a decently sized area, but frankly I never got the impression that we really interact with more than a fraction of what would be a full world map.
Let's start with what I think are some of the easier ones to pin down. I do want to note that because of the Breaking of the World I think that even with strong ethnic trends in each area, you'll still find people of all colors and creeds across the world to some degree. Just because a place is mostly one ethnicity doesn't mean there won't be any folks of a different ethnicity as a part of their society. I never got the impression any one place was completely homogeneous outside of really the Aiel.
Andor and it's Western Reaches (The Two Rivers/Manetheren)
Frankly I feel like the allusion to England is relatively strong here. A female monarch, traditional bright castles, spires, rolling hills and forests along with a population that is mostly Caucasian. Camelyn is I think a strong allegory for Camelot in terms of the visual reference point. This will probably be one of the more familiar visual locations to viewers. I think you'll see a relatively diverse population as our crew begin their journey. Mostly white folks, but certainly some representation from latino/black populations too.
Cairhien
During my reread there are a few things that struck me about Cairhien; they are opulent in their spaces, love a huge party, and are not as strong as they present themselves to be. Historically they remind me of the French Monarchy which I think also fits with their tentative alignment with Andor. This is more visual reference for their architecture than for casting. I also think Daes Dae Mar fits very well with the feel of the French court than other monarchies. I would think much like Andor you'll see a variety of casting for the populace, but I feel like the central area of the world is very traditional European in the casting and dress.
Murandy/Altara/Amadacia
Ultimately we don't spend a ton of time in these places, but they are more of that mostly white European blend you get from Andor/Cairhien.
The Borderlands - Saldea, Kandor, Arafel, Shienar
These are a little tricky, but I have often pictured the Borderlands as a blend of central and eastern Asia. Sheinar I often picture as similar in look to Mongolians, while Saldea often struck me as more Korean/perhaps East Russian Asian. The high cheek bones, striking eyes, and dark hair all remind me of that and on my reread, Faile just made me think of a very striking Korean woman in her presence, respect for tradition, and description. So I have a picture of the Borderlands in my head as a blend of that eastern pacific coast/central Asian peoples. Could also have some of south/central asia as an alternative casting group (Pakistani/Indian).
Tear
Tear visually I expect to be very stark and heavy (the Stone makes me think of an imposing peak in a city that feels unnatural), the description of their dress and their relationship with Illian reminds me of the Turkish empire. Bright colors, with volume to some of the clothing, along with their secular government (avoidance of religious systems and lack of a true monarch) also remind me of a blend of Turkish history. I also chose Turkey because of my choice of inspiration for Illian.
Illian
As the rival and counterpart to Tear, Illian makes me think of a Greco-Roman blend for their look and casting. Both are similarly Mediterranean, but despite those similarities they don't get along. Their governance is not democratic, but it is done with a council not a full monarchy. Doesn't hurt that it's also located at the tip of a peninsula much like Italy and Greece. Admittedly as I write this I am only starting book 6 and we haven't really spent time with Illian yet so my opinion may change as I'm just pulling this out of memory.
Ebou Dar
The city is described as vibrant, but dangerous and a little on the dirty side. Coupled with the food as described, and it reminds me out southeast Asia. Thai/Cambodian/Vietnamese would be my angle for how I would want to cast this area. It obviously gets a fair amount of the European people in it from their neighbors to the north.
Tarabon/Arad Doman
Never been quite sure how to handle this group, we really only spend time in this part of the map during the 2nd book, and the main take away is that the people here were quickly and easily subjugated by the Seanchan with their Return although it was not well received. There is a lot of talk about how the Domani women are considered very exotic and appealing. Given their darker skin I would likely angle this towards a Latin/South American casting. The situation and the descriptions of the people make me think of european conquest in south central america given the spaces are not truly united and tend to be more regionally community based.
The Sea Folk
Given they spend their entire lives on the water, I have always pictured them to be a group of peoples who resemble pacific islanders. Dark skin, fiercely tied to their culture, bright colors, tattoos etc. You could also consider casting Philippians, Malaysian, or Indonesian. Consummate masters of the ocean, their ships also remind me of the thinner faster sailing ships from those countries you can still see on the water today.
Seanchan
The visual reference has to be China/Japan. Their armor sounds nearly like samurai armor, and their ships are described to me as Chinese square rigs. There would be more diversity to their general population, but they always reminded me of a blend of that stereotypical chinese/japanese look and feel in the elite/royal level characters we interact with over the course of the series. They can blend in because there would be plenty of cross over since they are descendants of our home territory.
Aiel
This is probably the toughest group to cast. Culturally they remind me of Native Americans, but visually they have a very unique look. Red/Gold hair and blue/green/grey eyes. Makes me think of the acutal Caucuses and western central asia a little. I think the Aiel are going to need some help from the costume or SFX department to nail their contrasting dark skin/lighter hair and eyes appearance.
Shara
We never really see this place, but I would think its a very african/south asia Indian in casting and style. Not a big concern unless the TV show decides to add material we never really got in the books.
Our main map space ends up I think very diverse, with representation from all across the world in it. I think there will be inspiration taken from historical cultures, but they'll need to have the flair given to them that the books afforded. Familiar, but not the same.
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