User blog comment:Jimeee/Hearthfire confirmed as the latest add-on. Official trailer./@comment-4975504-20120828151851/@comment-4905149-20120830080149

Actually, the human races, as well as a little elven, are all based on mixed nationalities, but there is always a specific nationality or culture they are based on. Nords are based on Norwegian people and culture. Their gods and geographic location, as well as their hardiness, makes them very similar to the Norse indeed. The Redguard are based on African geographical location, but Arab culture. The Arabs live in the Mediterranean area while the Africans live in a desert region, similar to Hammerfell. The Redguards also resemble the Arabic culture and appearance. The Imperials are based on the Romans in their outward appearance and their ruling over the land, even down to the Imperial Armor very much resembling the Roman Centurion Armor. Although, they are based on the English in the way they include different races into their Empire and how they expanded, or at least tried to expand, over all of Tamriel. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim makes elaborates on this a lot more. The rebels rise up to leave the Empire, except instead on leaving the continent and province, they just fight. Skip the migration, go straight to the revolution. Quickly, the Orcs are somewhat based on African-English in the way they live in the same province as the "whites" or Bretons, but are different in appearance and culture. The Elven races are based on the Chinese (mostly) and English. Coming from another continent to try to spread their people and beliefs upon other people. They are hated in most of Tamriel, and people treat them racistly. Also... *cough* slanty eyes *cough*. Khajiit and Argonians, I don't really know, and other human races are basically just based on Western Civilization.