The Vatican is a sovereign state in Rome, governed by a monarchical-sacerdotal government. The Vatican occupies 44 hectares of land along the Tiber River. The Holy See’s headquarters—the main governing body of the Roman Catholic Church—are within the Vatican. The Vatican must import most goods.

The Pantheon is a circular temple in Rome which was built in 125 AD. In general, pantheons are temples dedicated to gods.

The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, also referred to as “the Lateran portal” and “the Lateran,” is one of five patriarchal basilicas in Rome (St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major or Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls). It is located in Rome, Italy.

A VR tour of the archbasilica can be found here.

The Arch of Titus was created by Domitian, Titus’ brother, to memorialize Titus’ rise to the role of emperor. Titus was the first emperor of the Flavian dynasty, ruling from 79 AD to 81 AD. The Arch of Titus is located in the Forum at Rome, along the Via Sacra.

Torquay, England makes an appearance in North and South as Margaret begins to make plans for moving the family from Helstone to Milton. Mrs. Hale laments that Mr. Hale cannot not be with her during her respite while Margaret moves the family as he had done before their marriage. Mrs. Hale had spent that time in Torquay with a titled couple. 

In North and South, Delhi, India enters the narrative when Margaret wears the shawls to show the guests before Edith's marriage. The shawls were imported, expensive, and a sign of wealth. Gaskell's incorporation of the Indian shawls into her narrative is meant to bring forth the importance of colonialism in British economics and society. Furthermore, it gives background to the importance of the manufacturing sectors that she weaves into the narrative later in Milton.