Apparently, the area from the capital city (Zarahemla--the "center of the land"--Helaman 1:24) northward toward Bountiful was considered "the most capital parts of the land" (Helaman 1:27). Possibly for reasons of population and civilization, Coriantumr assumed that this part of the Nephite lands would be the strongest. However, we learn that as far as army strength was concerned, "Moronihah had caused that [the Nephite] strong armies should maintain those parts round about by the borders" [of the general land of Zarahemla] (Helaman 1:26).