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.

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 unless the game is hacked or bugged.
 * 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.