The world is modeled on most science fiction mythology. The Xenosaga series began in the year T.C. 4767, and mankind exists on distant planets and artificial colonies. Earth is seemingly gone; it has been erased from starmaps and renamed \"Lost Jerusalem\". The capital of all known space is Fifth Jerusalem, where the Galaxy Federation keeps watch over mankind. The Xenosaga universe is not divided into galaxies and solar systems, but rather is divided into UMN columns. Although initially host to humans, science and the paranormal have given birth to several quasi-lifeforms, including androids, cyborgs, Gnosis, Realians, and U.R.T.V.