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 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 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