While it was discussed at BlizzCon 2011 in October, much of the information surrounding the World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria expansion since then had been vague suggestions by the Blizzard staff and speculation by fans of the game. However, that all changed on Monday, March 19, 2012 when Blizzard released the official Mists of Pandaria expansion website, which includes a massive amount of information on the expansion and a promise of more to come.

Image credit: Blizzard

Blizzard has released information on the new race, Pandaren, and new class, Monk, as well as images of the female Pandaren, which were promised at BlizzCon. Also released is an updated Talent Calculator, more detail on the new Challenge Mode and Pet Battle systems, and detail on nearly every new zone (except the Dread Wastes) and several new dungeons, including the map of the new continent. Finally, details of five of the 16 new non-playable races have been announced with the rest to come soon. Also coming soon is information on the new Scenario system, as well as details on each non-playable Faction.

Those of you who (like me) signed up for the World of Warcraft Annual Pass after BlizzCon, as well as press, fansites, friends, and family, and opt-in beta testers, will soon be getting your Beta keys to begin exploring Pandaria (and providing feedback to the development team) before everyone else. Fansites and press have already seen the newest development progress and have begun sharing that information.

Head over to the Mists of Pandaria site, read the information, and then come back here and share your thoughts on the new expansion with us.