Duskwood is fun but yes, the layout is atrocious.
Atmospherically, Kalimdor is either dead, dying, or an oasis in the middle of a dead/dying area
Well, EK have the undead zones. That's deader than dead (though they're cool). And Blackrock's surroundings are cinder and ash. But I get what you're saying. EK do have the nicer, more traditional forest and grass atmosphere. With Kalimdor you have to appreciate a sparse landscape, yes. The contrast between the lush and the barren is what makes it beautiful.
I admit I'm slightly biased towards Horde as well, but I did play both factions pretty equally.