View source for Middle-earth locations

This article is about [[fiction]]al locations, landscapes, mountains, rivers etc. from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s [[Middle-earth]]. 
[[Image:Middle-earth.jpg|thumb|400px|A map of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]].]]
== Middle-earth regions ==
=== Beleriand ===
'''Beleriand''' was a large region in northwestern Middle-earth until the end of the First Age. Beleriand lay between the sea in the west and south, and the [[Ered Luin|Blue Mountains]] in the east. 
At the end of the [[First Age (Middle-earth)|First Age]], Beleriand was destroyed and covered by the sea.

=== Eriador ===
'''Eriador''' is a large region in Middle-earth. Is lies between the [[Ered Luin|Blue Mountains]] in the west, the [[Misty Mountains]] in the east, the Ice-bay of Forochel in the north, and the rivers Glanduin and Greyflood in the south.

In the earlier part of the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]] much of Eriador was part of the kingdom of [[Arnor]]. Apart from Arnor, other settlements in Eriador were [[Rivendell]], [[Bree (Middle-earth)|Breeland]] and [[Shire (Middle-earth)|the Shire]].

=== Rhovanion ===
'''Rhovanion''' or '''Wilderland''' is a large region in Middle-earth. It lies east of the [[Misty Mountains]] and south of the [[Ered Mithrin|Grey Mountains]] and the [[Iron Hills]]. The river [[Anduin]] flows through it from the Grey Mountains to the [[Emyn Muil]]. A large part of Rhovanion is covered by the forest of [[Mirkwood]].

=== Rhûn ===
'''Rhûn''' is a large region in Middle-earth. It is the lands east of [[Rhovanion]] and around the inland '''Sea of Rhûn'''.

=== Harad ===
'''Harad''' or '''Haradwaith''' is the name for the lands south of [[Gondor]] and [[Mordor]]. The haven '''Umbar''' was established by the [[Númenórean]]s, and was later a central settlement of the ''Black Númenóreans''. The peoples living in Harad were often under the influence of [[Sauron]], and made war with the western realms. In the [[Fourth Age (Middle-earth)|Fourth Age]] the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor made peace with Harad. In Harad also lived the elephant-like ''[[mûmak]]il'' (or oliphaunts).

== Middle-earth mountains ==
=== Emyn Beraid ===
The '''Emyn Beraid''' or '''Tower Hills''' are a series of hills at the western end of Eriador. Upon them stood three towers, and the tallest, '''Elostirion''', housed a ''[[palantír]]''.

=== Ered Luin ===
The '''Ered Luin''' (Sindarin: "'''Blue Mountains'''"), also known as '''Ered Lindon''', are a mountain range in the far west of [[Eriador]]. Until the end of the [[First Age (Middle-earth)|First Age]], the Ered Luin separated [[Beleriand]] and Eriador. In the middle of the mountain range is a gap, creating the Gulf of Lhûn/Lune, where the [[Mithlond|Grey Havens]] lie.

=== Ered Mithrin ===
The '''Ered Mithrin''' (Sindarin: "'''Grey Mountains'''") are a mountain range north of [[Rhovanion]]. At its western end the Ered Mithrin meet the northern end of the [[Misty Mountains]], the location of Mount Gundabad. East of the Ered Mithrin lie the [[Iron Hills]].

=== Ered Nimrais ===
The '''Ered Nimrais''' (Sindarin: "Whitehorn Mountains") or '''White Mountains''' are a mountain range. It lies between [[Gondor]] in the south and [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]] in the north. In its western part the White Mountains are separated from the Misty Mountains by the [[Gap of Rohan]], near which lies the valley of [[Helm's Deep]]. Through the Mountains ran the ''Paths of the Dead''. The easternmost end of the White Mountains is the mountain '''Mindolluin''', on which lies the city of [[Minas Tirith]].

=== Misty Mountains ===
The '''Misty Mountains''', or Sindarin '''Hithaeglir''', are a great mountain range running from north to south, forming the barrier between [[Eriador]] in the west and [[Rhovanion]] in the east. At the southern end of the Misty Mountains lies [[Isengard]], at the northern end Mount Gundabad. Under the Misty Mountains lies the ancient Dwarven city [[Khazad-dûm]].

=== Mount Doom ===
'''Mount Doom''' (Sindarin: '''Amon Amarth''') or '''Orodruin''' (Sindarin: "fiery mountain") is a volcanic mountain in northeastern [[Mordor]]. Inside the volcano are the '''Sammath Naur''' (or '''Cracks of Doom''') where [[Sauron]] forged the [[One Ring (Middle-earth)|One Ring]], and which is the only place it could be destroyed.

=== Weathertop ===
'''Weathertop''' or '''Amon Sûl''' (Sindarin: "Hill of Wind") is a hill in Eriador, the southernmost and highest summit of the '''Weather Hills'''. The Weather Hills lie next to the [[Great East Road (Middle-earth)|Great East Road]], about halfway between the [[Shire (Middle-earth)|Shire]] and Rivendell. 

On Weathertop was the '''Tower of Amon Sûl''', a watch-tower built by the Kingdom of [[Arnor]], where one of the ''[[palantír]]i'' was kept. In [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|T.A.]] 1409 the Tower was destroyed, and only ruins were left. In October T.A. 3018, [[Aragorn]] and the hobbits camped on Weathertop and were attacked by the [[Ringwraith]]s; [[Frodo Baggins]] was wounded by a Morgul-blade.

== Middle-earth bodies of water ==
=== Middle-earth rivers ===
==== Anduin ====
The '''Anduin''' (also '''Langflood''') is the longest river in Middle-earth. Its sources are in the [[Ered Mithrin|Grey Mountains]], and it flows through [[Rhovanion]] between the Misty Mountains and the forest [[Mirkwood]]. It runs though the [[Emyn Muil]], where it goes through the rapids '''Sarn Gebir''', flows by the '''Argonath''' (also known as the ''Pillars of the Kings'', carved into the likeness of Isildur and Anárion) on either side of the river, then into the lake '''Nen Hithoel''' and over the '''Falls of Rauros'''. After that it flows between the [[Ered Nimrais|White Mountains]] and the [[Ephel Dúath|Mountains of Shadow]], before reaching the Sea in a broad river delta '''Ethir Anduin'''.

==== Bruinen ====
The '''Bruinen''' or '''Loudwater''' is a river in Eriador. It began in the Misty Mountains, and flowed south, through the valley of [[Rivendell]], and into the river [[Mitheithel]].

==== Baranduin ====
The '''Baranduin''' or '''Brandywine River''' is a river in Eriador. Its source is Lake Evendim in northern Eriador, after which it flows south. It flows through [[Shire (Middle-earth)|the Shire]], and at last into the Sea.

== Other Middle-earth locations ==
=== Angmar ===
'''Angmar''' was a realm in northern Middle-earth in the Third Age. It was founded in [[Middle-earth chronology|T.A.]] 1300 by the Lord of the Nazgûl, the [[Witch-king of Angmar]]. The capital of Angmar was '''Carn Dûm'''. Angmar waged war against [[Arnor]], and later its successors [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. In T.A. 1975, Angmar was defeated at the Battle of Fornost by forces from [[Gondor]], the northern Dúnedain and the [[Quendi|Elves]] of [[Lindon (Middle-earth)|Lindon]] and [[Rivendell]].

=== Arnor ===
'''Arnor''' was a human realm in Eriador. It was founded by [[Elendil]] and his people, who had survived the Fall of [[Númenor]] towards the end of the [[Second Age (Middle-earth)|Second Age]]. The peoples living in Arnor were the descendants of the Númenórean survivors, and the indigenous human peoples who had lived there before. The capital of Arnor was the city '''Annúminas''' on the shores of Lake Evendim in northern Eriador. Elendil became the first King of Arnor; after his death, he was followed by his older son [[Isildur]].

After the death of the tenth King, Eärendur, in [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|T.A.]] 861, his three sons split Arnor among themselves, creating three new lands: '''Arthedain''' and its capital '''Fornost Erain''' in the west, '''Cardolan''' in the south, and '''Rhudaur''' in the north. With time, all three countries were destroyed in wars against the northern land [[Angmar]]. 
After the War of the Ring, the land again became part of the '''Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor''', ruled by [[Aragorn|King Elessar Telcontar]] and his descendants.<ref>J. R. R. Tolkien, ''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix A, I  The Númenorean Kings, iii  Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur</ref>

=== Breeland ===
'''Breeland''' is a small region in Eriador, which lies around the '''Breehill'''. It has four villages: '''Bree''' (the largest), '''Archet''', '''Combe''' and '''Staddle'''. The peoples living in the villages of Breeland are Men and [[Hobbit]]s; it is the only place where both people live together. The only other place inhabited by Hobbits is the Shire.
Bree lies at the meeting point of two large roads, the [[Great East Road (Middle-earth)|Great East Road]] and the [[North-South Road (Middle-earth)|North-South Road]], which made it an important centre of trade and travel.

=== Erebor ===
The '''Lonely Mountain''' or Sindarin '''Erebor''' is a mountain in the northeast of [[Rhovanion]]. When the dwarves had to leave their ancient home [[Khazad-dûm]], it became the new home of Durin's folk, led by [[Thráin I]], who became ''King under the Mountain''. In [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|T.A.]] 2770 Erebor was attacked by the dragon [[Smaug]], who took it as his home, forcing the surviving dwarves to flee again. In T.A. 2941, as told in ''The Hobbit'', the dragon Smaug was slain. The dwarves returned to the Lonely Mountain, ruled by the new ''King under the Mountain'' [[Dáin II Ironfoot]].

=== Esgaroth ===
'''Esgaroth''' or '''Lake-town''' is a town in the northeast of [[Rhovanion]], built at the Long Lake, south of the [[Erebor|Lonely Mountain]] and east of [[Mirkwood]]. It was destroyed by the dragon [[Smaug]], but was rebuilt.

=== Fangorn ===
'''Fangorn''' or '''Fangorn Forest''' is a large forest on the eastern side of the southern end of the Misty Mountains. Fangorn is the only known home of the Ents, a people of giant tree-like beings. The [[Sindarin]] "Fangorn" translates to "Beardtree", and is also the Sindarin name of the Ent [[Treebeard]].

=== Gap of Rohan ===
The '''Gap of Rohan''', formerly known as the '''Gap of Calenardhon''', is the opening between the mountain ranges of the Misty Mountains to the north and the [[Ered Nimrais|White Mountains]] to the south. Across the Gap flowed the river Isen. On each side of the Gap lay a fortress, [[Isengard]] to the north and the [[Helm's Deep|Hornburg]] to the south. The Gap lay west of the land of [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]], formerly [[Calenardhon]], after which the Gap was named.

=== Gondor ===
{{main|Gondor}}

=== Great East Road ===
The '''Great East Road''' or '''Dwarf Road''' is an ancient Dwarven road, which ran from western [[Beleriand]], over the [[Ered Luin]], through the Shire, to the Misty Mountains, and to the Dwarven lands in the east.

=== Mirkwood ===
'''Mirkwood''' was a large forest in [[Rhovanion]]. Originally it was known as '''Greenwood the Great''' (Sindarin: ''Eryn Galen''). 

In the [[Second Age (Middle-earth)|Second Age]] an Elven people settled in the Greenwood, founding the '''Woodland Realm''', with its capital on the hill '''Amon Lanc'''. After the end of the Second Age, the Elves retreated further north. In the 11th century of the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]], Sauron established himself in the hill-fortress of '''Dol Guldur''' on Amon Lanc in the south of the forest. His evil influence darkened the woods, although it lessened towards the north; afterwards the forest became known as ''Mirkwood''. After the War of the Ring the forest was cleared of Sauron's influence and became known as '''Eryn Lasgalen''' (Sindarin: "Wood of Greenleaves"). 

=== Helm's Deep ===
'''Helm's Deep''' was a deep valley on the north side of the western part of the [[Ered Nimrais|White Mountains]], south to the [[Gap of Rohan]]. The valley was blocked by a natural series of hills called '''Helm's Dike'''. Behind this lay the fortress '''Hornburg'''. At the end of the valley lies the entrance to the '''Glittering Caves'''.

=== Isengard ===
'''Isengard''', Sindarin '''Angrenost''', is a fortress at the southern end of the Misty Mountains. It is a small valley inside a ring-shaped wall, the '''Ring of Isengard''', and in its middle stands the tall black tower '''Orthanc'''.
Isengard was built in the [[Second Age (Middle-earth)|Second Age]] by the people of Gondor. In the 28th century of the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]], Isengard was given to [[Saruman]] by Steward Beren of Gondor. In the War of the Ring the Ents destroyed the ring-wall. After the War, the tower Orthanc was given back to [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] and the Reunited Kingdom.

=== Khazad-dûm ===
'''Khazad-dûm''' was a great underground city and the ancient home of Durin's Dwarves under the Misty Mountains. Other names of Khazad-dûm, [[Khuzdûl]] for '''the Dwarrowdelf''', include Sindarin ''Hadhodrond'', ''Casarrondo'' by the Noldor, and Westron ''Phurunargian''. Later in the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]] it became known as '''Moria'''. 

Khazad-dûm was founded by [[Durin the Deathless]] a long time ago in [[First Age (Middle-earth)|First Age]], before the Sun and Moon. Its mines were the only place in Middle-earth where the precious metal ''[[mithril]]'' could be found, making the dwarves wealthy and prosperous.  In 1980 of the Third Age, the dwarves woke a [[Balrog]] deep in the mines of Khazad-dûm. The Balrog killed King Durin VI, earning it the name "Durin's Bane", and Khazad-dûm was deserted. The survivors of Durin's folk found a new home in [[Erebor]], and some other places. Khazad-dûm became afterwards known as '''Moria''', which is Sindarin for "black pit". In the years 2989-2994 [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|T.A.]], the Dwarves try to re-establish a colony in Moria led by Balin, which fails when all are killed by Orcs.<ref>J. R. R. Tolkien, ''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix A, III  Durin's Folk</ref>

=== Lindon ===
'''Lindon''' is an Elven realm between the Sea and the Blue Mountains. The Gulf of Lune divides it into '''Forlindon''' ("North Lindon") and '''Harlindon''' ("South Lindon"). In Lindon were also the Elven port '''Mithlond''', or the "'''Grey Havens'''".

=== Lothlórien ===
'''Lothlórien''' was an Elven realm. It lay east of the Misty Mountains, on the land between the [[Anduin]] and Silverlode, close to the Dwarven realm [[Khazad-dûm]]. Lothlórien was founded in the [[Second Age (Middle-earth)|Second Age]], and [[Amdír]] became its first King. The elves of Lothlórien fought in the [[War of the Last Alliance]] against Sauron. In the war Amdír was killed, succeeded as King by his son [[Amroth]], who later left Lothlórien. Since then until the end of the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]] it was ruled by [[Celeborn|Lord Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel|Lady Galadriel]]. '''Caras Galadhon''' was the main city of Lothlórien. Other names of Lothlórien are the shortened form '''Lórien''', and the names '''Laurelindórenan''', [[Rohirric]] '''Dwimordene''', or '''The Golden Wood'''.

=== Mordor ===
{{main|Mordor}}

=== North-South Road ===
The '''North-South Road''' was a long road running from the realm of Arnor in the north to Gondor in the south. The road began in the city [[Fornost Erain]], the capital of [[Arthedain]], crossed the [[Great East Road (Middle-earth)|Great East Road]] at [[Bree (Middle-earth)|Bree]], and ran further to the southern end of the Misty Mountains. There the road turned east, towards the city [[Minas Anor]], across [[Osgiliath]], and ended at [[Minas Ithil]].
A part of the road south of Bree is also known as the '''Greenway'''.

=== Rivendell ===
'''Rivendell''' or Sindarin '''Imladris''' was an elven residence in eastern Eriador. It was founded in 1697 of the [[Second Age (Middle-earth)|Second Age]] by [[Elrond]], who ruled it as Lord and Master of Imladris until the end of the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]]. Many Dúnedain heirs were raised in Rivendell, among them [[Aragorn]].

=== Rohan ===
'''Rohan''' was a human realm in the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]] which lay north of the White Mountains, southeast of [[Isengard]] and southwest of the Emyn Muil. Its capital was '''Edoras''', where stood '''Meduseld''', the Golden Hall of the King.

Originally the land was a part of Gondor, and named '''Calenardhon'''. In 2509 [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|T.A.]] the Rohirrim came from the north, and helped Gondor fight against a combined invasion of Men from the north-east and Orcs from Mordor. The Rohirrim helped Gondor win the ''Battle of the Field of Celebrant'' and the war. As a reward, Steward Cirion of Gondor gave the land Calenardhon to the Rohirrim, and the King of the Rohirrim, Eorl the Young, swore the ''Oath of Eorl'': that Rohan would come and help Gondor whenever needed. Afterwards, the people of the Rohirrim moved into their new land, which they named the ''Riddermark'' or just ''The Mark''. Gondor called the land ''Rohan'' ([[Sindarin]]: "Land of the Horse-lords"), and its people ''Rohirrim'' (Sindarin: "People of the Horse-lords").<ref>J. R. R. Tolkien, ''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix A, II  The House of Eorl</ref>

=== The Shire ===
The '''Shire''' is a land in Eriador, inhabited by [[Hobbit]]s. 

The Shire was settled by the Hobbits in the 24th century of the [[Third Age (Middle-earth)|Third Age]]. It is divided into four ''Farthings'': the North-, West-, South- and Eastfarthing. 

Hobbits were an independent, orderly people. It would be hard to say that they had any government at all.
Among the Shire's most influential residents of the Shire were ''the Mayor'' of Michel Delving, ''the Thain'' from Tuckborough and ''the Master of Buckland''.

The Shire was invaded by [[Saruman]] (called "Sharkey"), and the Hobbits were beset by "gatherers" and "sharers" - indicative of [[Socialism]] or [[Communism]], although Tolkien disclaimed any allegorical aspects.

== References ==
{{reflist|spaltenzahl}}

== See also ==
*[[Middle-earth]]

{{Middle-earth}}
[[Category:Middle-earth|Locations]]