Qarth

Qarth is a city located on the south coast of the Essos continent, located thousands of miles to the south-east of Westeros. It is a known centre of trade and commerce. Its people are known as Qartheen.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Qarth is a great and immensely rich city which guards the Straits of Qarth (also called the Jade Gates), which connect the Summer Sea to the Jade Sea. Trade ships travel from Westeros to Asshai and back again via Qarth carrying varied cargoes. The city's landward side is protected by a parched desert known as the Red Waste, which even the Dothraki fear to cross.

The city is ruled by a council known as the Pureborn, though in practice the council has to balance its interests against those of three powerful guilds, the Thirteen, the Ancient Guild of Spicers and the Tourmaline Brotherhood. Qarth is protected by the Civic Guard and a strong navy.