The Lord of the Rings Map Explained: All Middle-earth locations

The Lord of the Rings is known for Middle-earth, but Middle-earth is only one continent in Arda, which is the world in Eä – the universe created by JRR Tolkien. Middle-earth’s god, Eru Ilvatar, created spirit beings called Ainur first, and they lived with him in the timeless halls outside Eä. Eru proposed a musical theme and the Ainur sang the magical Ainulindale, which Eru then revealed had visualized a plan for EA. The 15 most powerful Ainur, the Valar, descended into Eä with Ainur of a lower degree called Maiar, and together they built what they had visualized.

As Eru determined, the Ainur could not leave Eä until it was completed. Outside lay the empty one. The Vala Melkor sought total control and gathered many Maiar to his service. The other Valar against Melkor and his forces from the days before days in the First Age. come to be known in the Elvish language Quenya as Morgoth, or “black enemy,“Melkor was eventually defeated and cast into the void until the final battle, the Dagor Dagorath, a story Tolkien did not finalize. Meanwhile, the kingdom rose and fell in Arda until The Lord of the Rings‘ Third Age, making the full map of Middle-earth intricate and complex.

The Shire

Eriador

The Shire may be Middle-earth’s most famous place, inhabited by lord of the rings Main character, Frodo Baggins. The Shire was the home of Frodo’s friends Samwise Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, Pippin Took and Bilbo Baggins, the main character of Peter Jackson The Hobbit Movies. The Shire is practically synonymous with Howard Shore’s legendary “About Hobbits,” which sounds just like coming home. Beach’s soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings Movies made the Shire seem as beautiful and peaceful as Tolkien described it.

The Shire was a politically defined habitat in Eriodar, a western Middle-earth region that stretched from the Western Blue Mountains to the Misty Mountains to the east. Previously, it contained Arnor, which was divided into Ordain, Cardalon and Rhodaur, which eventually fell. Hobbits migrated west and reached the then untouched Eriodar, with Pallahides entering the year 1150 of the third age. Habitz agreed the borders of the Sarah with Argelev II of Gandor in TA 1511.

The shire was divided into the North, South, East and West Farthings. The east and west marches are outside the farthings. Tokeland was inhabited mostly by Tokes and was a large area in the Westfarthing. Buckland was east of the Brandywine River, otherwise known as the Baranduin. Most of Buckland’s residents were the Brandybuck family. The Westmarsh was to the west of the leases. Bag End was in HobbitonWhat happened in Westfarthing, and right in the center of the shire.

Bree

Eriador

Just off the Great Eastern Road, Brie was one of the shire’s earliest settlements and was just east of Buckland. Bri was the main village of Bri-land. Braylanders claimed that they were the first smokers of the pipe for which Shire was famous. Hobbits lived together with people of Bree, who settled Bree in the Elder Days (before the Second Age).

Gray Havens

Eriador

The Gray Havens were in Western Eriador. Also known as Mithlond, the heavens are ruled by Círdan the Shipwright, Middle-earth’s oldest elf in the Third Age. Ships set sail from the Gray Haven to and from the mainland of AmmanWho was taken out of the circles of the world in the second age, and was only approached through the smooth path. Aman’s most famous realm was Valinor, the land of the Valar.

When the War of Wrath sank the realm of Belryand, the Blue Mountains split and water flowed into the gap, forming the Gulf of Lhûn. The Gray Havens were founded at the beginning of the Second Age around the gap. The rest of Belriand, Lyndon, was above and below the Gulf of Lhûn, to the west of the Gray Haven.

Downland

Eriador

Dunland comprised the southern part of Eridor and was inhabited by Dunlends. The Dunlendings are employed by Saruman to help him fight Rohan, as seen in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Movie. Dunlendings was in conflict with Rohan Since Rohan’s people, the Rohirrim, were given disputed land by Gondor’s king. The Rohirrim came from Rovanion to a land that the Dunlands were protective of.

The Warner Bros. anime movie The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Will cover the Rohirrim’s conflict with the Dunlendings, on 13 December 2024.

The Dunlends moved out of the Halladin, an isolated house of the Aedith – the first men, and those who did not keep with Murgo. T in the battles of the old days The peoples of Middle-earth). They first settled Dunland in the Second Age, fleeing the cruel colonization of the Númenóreans returning from Númenor. The Dunlands have long cut themselves off in language and culture from the Bedites.– Nomen, who did not help the relations, stood down. When Gondor was founded, Dunland became his territory, but it eventually retreated.

Rivendell

Misty mountains

Rivendell was founded by Elrond in SA 1697 as he fled from Sauron’s forces during the War of Sauron and the Elves. Elrond and his men took sanctuary in this outpost In the Misty Mountains, run from Eregion when it fell to Sauron. Rivendell became one of the greatest Elvish strongholds in Middle-earth, protected by Elrond and Willia, his ring of power.

Elrond’s daughter, Arwen, lived with him in Rivendell for much of her life. She also spent a lot of time with her grandparents, Galadriel and Celeborn, in Lothlorien. As distant relations of Elrond, The chieftains of the Dunedain were fostered in Rivendell Since TA 2012, which was when Aragorn came to be raised there and met Arwen.

Moria

Misty mountains

Moria was located in the middle of the Misty Mountains and was otherwise known as Khazad-dûm. Khazad-dûm was one of the largest dwarven colonies in Middle-earth history since the Age of the Trees. Khazad-Dam was established in the olden days Through Doreen the Deathless, who has awakened beneath Mount Gundabad, the northern point of the Misty Mountains. The Dwarves are the creation of Owl, the Smith, one of the Eight Aratar, the 15th Valar, and one of Tolkien’s greatest demigods.

Moria was reclaimed by Balin in TA 2989, taken by Orcs in TA 2994, and finally resettled by Durin VII in the Fourth Age.

Blessed with the imperishable flame by Eru, dwarves are given life. Durin was the first dwarf, the oldest of the seven fathers of the dwarves. Durin ruled Hazad-Dum with his people Until their mining unearthed a Balrog in TA 1981 and the colony was deserted. Moria was reclaimed by Balin in TA 2989, taken by Orcs in TA 2994, and finally resettled by Durin VII in the Fourth Age.

Fangorn Forest

Misty mountains

Fangorn Forest was the realm of the Ents The Lord of the Rings. Merry and Pippin famously adventured through it with Treebeard in The two towers Book and movie. Fangorn Forest is at the southeastern end of the Misty Mountains and may be named after the Ent Fangorn. Phangarn Forest was the easternmost remnant of a huge forest. which spanned Middle-earth in the older days but was devastated by Númenórean expansion.

Isengard

Misty mountains

Isengard is at the foot of the Misty Mountains, flanked by the Ring of Isengard. The circle of mountains protected Orthanc, Isengard’s great tower, originally built by early Gondorians when they settled Middle-earth after the fall of Númenor. Led by Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anarion, the Fleeing Numenoreans built the kingdoms in exileEstablishing settlements and structures that would remain large long into the fourth age and beyond.

Orthanc’s keys were transferred to Gondor, while the local Rohirrim and Dunlendings war. Saruman offered to lead Isengard, which Gondor and Rohan, who were allies, welcomed. little by little, Saruman fell under Sauron’s sway and populate Isengard with Orcs and Uruk-hai. However, the Ents reclaimed the territory during the War of the Ring.

Mirkwood

Rhovanion

Mirkwood was known as Greenwood the Great before the Shadow fell upon him. Mirkwood, perhaps the better part of Rhovanion, is part of what gave the area its name, with Rhovanion being Sindarin (Elvish) for “Wilderland.” Greenwood the Great Possibly connected to Eriador’s Old Forest In the ancient days before the war of wrath and migrating civilizations have changed the structure of Middle-earth.

Karen Wynn Fonstad The Atlas of Tolkien’s Middle-earth is the most accurate Tolkien cartography since Tolkien’s own maps.

Nandor Elves migrating from Cuiviénen settled Greenwood, which eventually fell into the hands of Sindar Thranduil, father of Legolas. in the third age, Sauron built Dol Guldur in South Greenwoodand dangerous flora and fauna spread from it, turning greenwood into mirewood. After Sauron fell, Galadriel and Celeborn conquered Dol Guldur and divided Mirkwood between themselves, Thranduil, the Bornings, and the Woodmen. They renamed it the Wood of Greenleaves.

Lothlórien

Rhovanion

Just east of the Misty Mountains, Lothlorien was first occupied by Nandor Elves but was established as the realm of Lord of the Rings Fame by Amdir near the beginning of the Second Age. Amdir rejected the common Elvish choice of returning west to Valinor after the Wrath of Wrath. With Belriand sunk and only Lindon remaining, most elves departed Middle-earth for Valinor, but those who stayed spread out. Sindar Elf Amdir and his son, Amroth, took over the rulership of Lothlórien. Noldor noble Galadriel and her husband, Celeborn, moved there and took leadership in the third age.

Erebor

Rhovanion

Located in northeastern Rhovanion, or Wilderland, Erebor is also known as the Lonely Mountain, and it was the destination of Thorin’s Company in The Hobbit Books and movies. Bilbo and the dwarves’ quest ended in Ereborwho was chairman of the Drak Smaug. But Erebor belonged to the dwarves before Smaug took it over. This old dwarven stronghold was founded by Thráin I after he led his people away from Khazad-dûm following the emergence of the Balrog. Dwarves recolonized Erebor after Smaug was killed.

Dale

Rhovanion

Men built the city of Dale under Erebor when it first flourished before Smaug invaded. Known for its toy market and bells, the great city of the Northman was threatened by smog when he arrived, and it became desolate and was left in ruins. Esgaroth, or Lake-city, sprang up nearby. Bard of Esgarath, descended from the lords of Dail, shot down Smaug in TA 2941 and rebuilt Dail three years later, when Thorin retook Erebor. Dale’s reign ended up stretching far and embrace Lake City, which was rebuilt after the devastating battle.

Rhûn

Eastern Middle-earth

East of Rhovanion and northeast of Mordor, Rhûn was a mysterious land in Middle-earth. In the older days, both elves and men were raised in the Far East, Cuiviénen and Hildórien respectively. Long since changed from its core, Middle-earth situated Rhûn between Rhovanion and the old lands that most likely once hosted Cuiviénen and Hildórien. While Many elves and humans migrated westMany continued. Elves who never migrate are known as the Avari. Much of Rhûn fell to Morgoth and later, Sauron, although it is not known exactly how or by which leader.

The people of Rhûn are known as the Estlings, and they often mate with Gondor in the Third Age. The Blue Wizards went to Rhûn around TA 1000, according to Unfinished TalesAlthough Tolkien toyed with them doing so in the Second Age. As two of the Valar’s Istari, their mission was to oppose Sauron, but it was unknown how this was done. Flying down Dol Guldur in the third age, Sauron lived in Rhûn for 400 years And gained many Estling followers, as mentioned in The peoples of Middle-earth, The last History of Middle-earth book.

Gondor

Southern Middle-earth

Gondor and Arnor are the kingdoms in exile, established by Elendil’s family after the fall of Númenor in SA 3320. While Arnor eventually fell, Gondor survived to become what may be the greatest realm of Middle-earth’s third and fourth ages. Ruled by the Ruling Stewards of Gondor Since King Earnur disappeared in TA 2050, Gondor’s rightful king, Aragorn, finally assumed the throne in TA 3019. King Aragorn Elessar’s claim to the throne was undeniable as he was the heir of Isildur , Desiderion, and a great military leader.

Gondor was a vast and strategic coastal realm that encompassed Mordor to its east, Rohan to its north, and Harad to its south. War brought the worldSo its borders have been hotly contested over the years. Gondor had a riverside settlement called Pelargir and occasionally occupied the southern port of Umbar. Although Minas Ithil was taken by Sauron and turned into Minas Morgul, Gondor’s capital, Osgiliath, remained Warthorn, as did Ithilien. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn reclaimed Gondor’s territory.

Rohan

Southern Middle-earth

The Rohiri were descended from the Nortmen, who were descended from the Bedites. The race never crossed the Blue Mountains and was taken to Númenor, unlike some of the Edain. The Nort people were friendly with the Numen who returned after their island sank and developed Gondor and Arnor. Gondor eventually formalized some of its territory into Rohan, giving the Rohirrim the territory of Callenardon in TA 2510.

At the time of the events of The Lord of the Rings, Théoden ruled Rohan From her capital Edoras. Théoden raised his orphaned niece and nephew, Éowyn and Éomer, as his own. Located between Fangorn Forest, the White Mountains, the River Isen, and the River Entwash, Rohan included the Eastfold, the Westfold, and the fortress of Helm’s Deep.

Mordor

Southern Middle-earth

In Middle-earth’s southeast, Mordor was known as the Black Land and the mention sent shivers down many a spine. The Lord of the Rings. Marked by Orodruin, or Mount Doom, Mordor was the territory of the Dark Lord Sauron. Sauron forged the One Ring at the Cracks of Doom in Orodruin, making it the only place it could be destroyed. Frodo finally succeeded, with Gollum biting the ring off his finger and falling into the volcano.

Sauron chose Mordor as a base around 1000 years into the Second Age of Middle-earth. He built his Dark Tower, Barad-dûr, and the area was used to assemble troops for his repeated bids for world domination. Fortified by mountains on all sides except its east, Mardor had the sea of ​​Nornen to freeze its dry land. The Black Gates gave way to a deep valley called Vodun. The only three other ways into Mordur were the Murgul Pass, the Syrit Ungal Pass, or entrance from the east, which was Sauron’s territory.

Umbar

Southern Middle-earth

With its coastal cape, Umbar was a highly strategic location in Middle-earth and frequently changed hands. Although uncertain, it seems that the Númenórean Aldarion first discovered Umbar during Númenor’s golden age. whatever the case, King’s people have settled in Umbar over the years – The Black Numen opposed the Valar and brutally colonized Middle-earth. Gondor conquered Umbar in TA 933 but lost it to a splinter group after civil war. This group became known as the Corsairs of Umbar and eventually fell to Sauron.

Hand

Southern Middle-earth

Possibly the most enigmatic realm in Middle-earth, Khand lay to the south of Rhûn, to the east of Mordor, and to the north of Harad. The Varyags of Khan fought for Sauron In the War of the Ring, but it is unknown if all men of Khand are Varyags or not. It is also unknown when Khand was founded, who ruled it, or if it ever clashed with Gondor in the Fourth Age.

Harad

Southern Middle-earth

Harad was an ancient civilization, its people descended from the people who first awakened in Hildórien. Known as Haradrim, the people of Harad were fierce, warlike and darker skinned than the Northmen. They rode Mûmakil, or Oliphants, into battle, creating memorable scenes in the Peter Jackson movies. The solar realm was the southernmost point of documented Arda, which was included in Near Harad and Far Harad. Although The Haredim fought for Sauron In the War of the Ring, they made peace with Gondor after Sauron’s fall.

Valinor

Aman

Aman was a continent west of Middle-earth, and it was populated by only Ainur and elves until a few select others joined at the end of the Third Age. The Valar who came down to Arda and built it, he founded Amen As their realm after their original realm, Almarn, was destroyed during the conflict with Morgoth. The Sounding Sea, or Belegaer, was between Amman and Middle-earth. But reaching Amman was no simple matter in the third age. The Valar removed it from the circles of the world to protect it.

Only elves, or those they approve of, can reach AmanTraversing the strait by ship. Vanyar elves inhabited Valmar alongside the House of Tulkas and the Halls of Orome. The Naldur lived in Tyrion, a city on a hill called Tuna. The Teleri lived in Alqualondë and were known as Falmari in Aman. The plains of Valinor also hosted the Woods of Orome, the Halls of Mandos, Aulë’s Court, the Gardens of Lorien, the Pastures of Yavana, and Ilmarin on Mount Taniquetil, the mansion of Valar leader Manwh and his wife, Varda.

Toleresia

Aman

Tol Eressia was an island just off the coast of Aldamar, an eastern bay of Amman. Originally used by the Vala Ulmo to transport elves across Belegaer, the island has become anchored in its position. The island was mostly inhabited by Teleri Elves. However, after the destruction of the War of Wrath, many more elves moved to Valley Heresia as refugees. The port city, Avallónë, may have been glimpsed by some Númenóreans in the Second Age. After Númenor fell, Elendil used one of the Elvish palantirs to see heresy in The Lord of the Rings.