This is a list of terrae, or major landmasses, on Venus. In accordance to the

International Astronomical Union The International Astronomical Union (IAU; french: link=yes, Union astronomique internationale, UAI) is a nongovernmental organisation with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects, including promoting astronomical research, outreac ...

's rules of

planetary nomenclature Planetary nomenclature, like terrestrial nomenclature, is a system of uniquely identifying features on the surface of a planet or natural satellite so that the features can be easily located, described, and discussed. Since the invention of the tel ...

, they are named after goddesses of love. There are only three named terrae on Venus: *

Aphrodite Terra Aphrodite Terra is one of the three continental regions on the planet Venus, the others being Ishtar Terra and Lada Terra. It is named for Aphrodite, the Greek equivalent of the goddess Venus, and is found near the equator of the planet. Aphrod ...

is named after the Greek love goddess, the counterpart to Venus in Roman mythology. It is located on the southern hemisphere, just below the Equator. *

Ishtar Terra Ishtar Terra is one of the three continental regions on the planet Venus, the others being Aphrodite Terra and Lada Terra. It is a highland region named after the Akkadian goddess Ishtar, and is found in the north of the planet. In size, i ...

is named after a Babylonian love goddess. It is located on the northern hemisphere. Among its prominent features is the highest point on Venus,

Maxwell Montes Maxwell Montes is a mountain massif on the planet Venus, of which a peak ( Skadi Mons) is the highest point on the planet's surface. General description Located on Ishtar Terra, the more northern of the planet's two major highlands, Maxwell ...

* Lada Terra is named after the

Slavic goddess Slavic mythology or Slavic religion is the religious beliefs, myths, and ritual practices of the Slavs before Christianisation, which occurred at various stages between the 8th and the 13th century. The South Slavs, who likely settled in the Balk ...

of love. It is located in the largely unknown Southern Polar area.

References

* This list was adapted from th
Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

References

See also