Barrens

The Barrens is the first major location Niko and the Player arrive to. It's a desolate land filled with multiple abysses, ruined machinery, and abandoned factories. Many Phosphor shrimp exist in this area.

Entrance
After exiting the Starting Area, Niko ends up at the left-most side of the Terminal Room in this area. When they exit for the first time, a cutscene is played showing them stepping out with the Sun as they look at the Tower from a distance.

The Barrens are for the most part abandoned, save for a few robots.

Outpost
Niko emerges from an abandoned house and begins their pilgrimage from here.

Docks
There is a rusted-over Rowbot that can take Niko to the Glen.

Cliffs
A maze of cliffs can be found along with a few notes from past residents of the Barrens and a safe containing a gas mask and a strange journal. This is the first place where square particles are witnessed, after unlocking the safe.

Lookout point
Silver resides in a building here. One of her screwdrivers can be taken from that building.

Mineshaft entrance
Silver will not allow Niko to go here alone. Inside, a camera can be found.

Solstice begins here if Niko approaches the ledge and observes a distant yellow light.

Old factory
The robot factory has fallen into disuse, but some machinery is still in operation. Niko cannot approach this area without a gas mask.

Dormitories
The dormitories are still attended by robots, one of which is much larger than the others. Some robots will follow Niko around this area.

Shrimp swamp
There are several sparkling pools full of phosphor shrimp, one of which is bubbled over. There are also several smoke vents in this area, making this area also inaccessible without a gas mask. Some notes suggest the pools of shrimp play an important role in consuming the noxious gases before they can waft in significant quantities to other areas.

Trivia

 * When the map file is opened using RPG Maker XP, a picture of Niko appeared to be drawn using the map's tileset is shown.
 * There is a ":3" emoticon made using the map's tileset that can be seen on the map file of the entrance area. Seeing it in-game is not possible.
 * According to a journal entry in the Swamp, the sole reason the poisonous gas doesn't spread is because the native shrimp consume the gas.