It is unclear if goldenheart wood is traded with other lands. The wood of the goldenheart is strong, durable and flexible, and gives the Summer Islander bows their superior qualities. The Summer Islands are source of several noted wines and a type of tree called the goldenheart. Their archers are adept at preventing from pirate ships from closing to board. They are superior bowmen, whose tall longbows outrange the bows of most other lands. They are great seamen, whose exotically-designed ships can be found in ports from Oldtown to Asshai. Summer Islanders are dark-skinned and tend to wear colorful clothes and outfits, even their warriors. Last Lament, at the north-western tip of the Summer Islands, is located approximately 750 miles south of Sunspear in Dorne. How much further south they may extend is unknown. The mapped part of the Summer Islands extends for almost a thousand miles from north to south and some nine hundred miles east to west. Jhala is the largest of the three islands and includes two notable, settled valleys: the Sweet Lotus Vale which runs from north to south to Ebonhead and the sea, and the Red Flower Vale which runs east to west along the island's axis. Towns of the Summer Islands include Last Lament at the north-western tip of Walano and Tall Trees Town near the island's south-eastern tip. Jhala contains the only other settlement large enough to be called a city, Ebonhead. Walano contains the capital city of the Summer Islands, Lotus Port. The Smiling Sea divides Walano and Omboru, and the Indigo Straits divide Omboru from Jhala. Smaller islands include Stone Head, Koj, the Isle of Birds, Singing Stones, Three Exiles, Moluu, the Isle of Love, the Isle of Women, Xon, Doquu and the Bones. The three large islands are called Walano, Omboru and Jhala. How far south the archipelago extends is unknown, as maps usually only show the northernmost part of the chain.

There are at least three large and numerous small islands in the group.

Summer islands game of thrones