Yeah, that's something I really appreciated about SS. No humans on the overworld, period. Well, except Impa. But she's literally the only one until Groose plummets down! I love how desolate pre-Hyrule feels, despite being populated by the Kikwi, Parrelas, Mogmas, Robots, and a few Gorons. Also, did you notice a semblance between Faron's tadtones and the baby Zoras from Majora's Mask? Remember when the Zora eggs hatched, they were basically what we now know as tadtones?
[collapse=Zora Tadtones][/collapse]
I'm guessing Faron will go on to create the Zoras sometime between SS and OoT. I really enjoyed the Gorons being somewhat native to Lanayru Desert, though it's never specified. Interesting that you compare SS's Hyrule to LoZ's in the desolation of man. It's awesome because it's rounded out now with elements from the entire series to date. Aghaoisdja;dojasd it's so good.
Gotta go now, but we'll talk later.