Many of its inhabitants left the city for villages on the open ice to provide for themselves and avoid poverty, resulting in a greatly reduced urban population. Like many other settlements around the South Pole, Wolf Cove suffered economic hardships during the lifetime of Avatar Kyoshi. It was also a traditional meeting place for the Council of Elders which jointly governed the South during much of the tribe's history, serving as de facto capital. Wolf Cove originated as one of several cities around the South Pole, and served as center for one of the Southern Water Tribe's sub-tribes.
