Plato gives specific details about the landscape and architecture of Atlantis. These details are the only primary details known to scholars.

• Atlantis was the size of Lybia and Asia combined.
• The island was in front of the mouth of the Pillars of Hercules.
• Atlantis traded with many foreign nations.
• Atlantis was largely self sufficient.
• Mining took place. Ores mined were: gold, silver, tin and orichalcum. Brass was also made.
• The island was large enough to have pasture for tame and wild animals.
• The interior of Atlantis featured rivers, marshes, forests with woods for all kinds of work, mountains, and plains.
• There were elephants
• Fruits were harvested that had hard rinds and meat, and could be made into oils and ointments.
• There were chestnuts.
• Atlantis had numerous "great" temples. It had bridges, towers, walls, canals, irrigation, and the means to build these things.
• Red, black, and white stone was used for the for building.
• Ivory was used in temple decoration.
• Atlantis had two natural fountains, one cold, the other heated, implying volcanic and or geo-thermal activity.
• There was a horse racing track on the outer wall. * Atlantis had many large and beautiful mountains.
• The mountains contained "country folk, rivers, lakes, meadows, forests.
• The main plain was 330 miles long and 110 miles wide (roughly).
• The mountains sheltered the main plain across the northern side and ran into the ocean.
• The Capitol of Atlantis was called Poseidon and sat on an island.
• The leaders wore "azure" colored robes during prayer and judicial ceremonies.
• The Leaders inscribed their decisions on "golden tablets".
• "there occurred violent earthquakes and floods....Atlantis..disappeared into the sea."
• The outer wall was 11 miles in diameter (roughly).
• Atlantis had a canal to the sea that was 300 feet wide and 100 feet deep. It ran 5.5 miles down to the sea.
• The earthquake left a "shoal of mud" making it impassable.