Middle-earth locations facts for kids
This article explores the amazing places, mountains, and rivers found in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world, Middle-earth.
Exploring the Lands of Middle-earth
Main Regions of Middle-earth
Beleriand: The Lost Land
Beleriand was a huge area in the northwest of Middle-earth. It was bordered by the sea to the west and south, and the Blue Mountains to the east.
Sadly, at the end of the First Age, Beleriand was destroyed and covered by the sea.
Eriador: Home of Hobbits and Kings
Eriador is a large region in Middle-earth. It lies between the Blue Mountains in the west and the Misty Mountains in the east. To the north is the Ice-bay of Forochel, and to the south are the Glanduin and Greyflood rivers.
Long ago, much of Eriador was part of the kingdom of Arnor. Other famous places in Eriador include Rivendell, Bree-land, and the Shire.
Rhovanion: The Wilderlands
Rhovanion, also known as Wilderland, is a big region in Middle-earth. It is east of the Misty Mountains and south of the Grey Mountains and the Iron Hills. The great river Anduin flows through it, from the Grey Mountains down to the Emyn Muil.
A large part of Rhovanion is covered by the dark forest of Mirkwood.
Rhûn: The Eastern Lands
Rhûn is a vast region in Middle-earth. It includes all the lands east of Rhovanion, especially around the large Sea of Rhûn.
Harad: The Southern Lands
Harad, or Haradwaith, is the name for the lands south of Gondor and Mordor. The coasts of Harad were settled by people called the Black Númenóreans.
The people of Harad were often influenced by the evil Sauron. They frequently went to war against the western kingdoms. In the Fourth Age, the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor finally made peace with Harad. Giant elephant-like creatures called mûmakil (or oliphaunts) also lived in Harad.
Mountains of Middle-earth
Amon Hen: Hill of the Eye
Amon Hen means "Hill of the Eye" in Sindarin. It is a hill on the west side of the Anduin river. It sits at the southern end of the long lake Nen Hithoel, near the Falls of Rauros. On the other side of the lake is Amon Lhaw.
It was on Amon Hen that the Fellowship of the Ring broke apart, with its members going in different directions.
Ered Luin: The Blue Mountains
The Ered Luin, also known as the Blue Mountains, are a mountain range in the far west of Eriador. Until the end of the First Age, these mountains separated Beleriand from Eriador.
In the middle of the range is a gap, forming the Gulf of Lhûn. This is where the Grey Havens, a famous Elven port, are located.
Ered Mithrin: The Grey Mountains
The Ered Mithrin, or Grey Mountains, are a mountain range north of Rhovanion. At their western end is Mount Gundabad, which is part of the Misty Mountains. To the east lie the Iron Hills.
Ered Nimrais: The White Mountains
The Ered Nimrais, meaning "Whitehorn Mountains," are also called the White Mountains. This mountain range separates Gondor to the south from Rohan to the north.
In the west, the White Mountains are separated from the Misty Mountains by the Gap of Rohan. Near this gap is the valley of Helm's Deep. The secret Paths of the Dead ran through these mountains. The easternmost peak is Mindolluin, where the city of Minas Tirith is built.
Misty Mountains: The Spine of Middle-earth
The Misty Mountains, or Hithaeglir in Sindarin, are a huge mountain range. They divide Eriador in the west from Rhovanion in the east.
At the southern end of the Misty Mountains is Isengard. At the northern end is Mount Gundabad. Beneath these mountains lies the ancient Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm.
Mount Doom: The Fiery Mountain
Mount Doom, also known as Amon Amarth or Orodruin ("fiery mountain"), is a volcano in northeastern Mordor. Inside the volcano are the Sammath Naur, or Cracks of Doom. This is where Sauron created the One Ring, and it is the only place where the Ring can be destroyed.
Weathertop: Hill of Wind
Weathertop, or Amon Sûl ("Hill of Wind") in Sindarin, is a hill in Eriador. It is the tallest and southernmost peak of the Weather Hills. These hills are next to the Great East Road, about halfway between the Shire and Rivendell.
On Weathertop once stood the Tower of Amon Sûl, a watch-tower built by the kingdom of Arnor. One of the palantíri (seeing stones) was kept there. The tower was destroyed in T.A. 1409, leaving only ruins. In October T.A. 3018, Aragorn and the hobbits camped on Weathertop. They were attacked by the Ringwraiths, and Frodo Baggins was wounded by a Morgul-blade.
Rivers of Middle-earth
Anduin: The Great River
The Anduin is the longest river in Middle-earth. It begins in the Grey Mountains and flows through Rhovanion and the Emyn Muil.
It then passes through the rapids of Sarn Gebir and into the long lake Nen Hithoel. After the lake, it plunges down the Falls of Rauros. The Anduin then flows between the White Mountains and the Mountains of Shadow. Finally, it flows into the sea through a wide river delta called the Mouths of Anduin or Ethir Anduin.
Bruinen: The Loudwater
The Bruinen, also known as Loudwater, was a river in Eriador. It started in the Misty Mountains and flowed south. It passed through the beautiful valley of Rivendell before joining the river Mitheithel.
Baranduin: The Brandywine River
The Baranduin, or Brandywine River, is a river in Eriador. It starts from Lake Evendim in northern Eriador and flows south. It flows right through the Shire and eventually empties into the sea.
Other Important Places in Middle-earth
Arnor: The Northern Kingdom
Arnor was a kingdom of Men in Eriador. It was founded by Elendil and his people. They were survivors of the Fall of Númenor at the end of the Second Age. The people of Arnor were descendants of these Númenórean survivors, along with the local people who already lived there.
The capital of Arnor was the city Annúminas on the shores of Lake Evendim. Elendil was the first King of Arnor. After he died, his older son Isildur became King.
After the tenth king, Eärendur, died in T.A. 861, his three sons divided Arnor into three new lands: Arthedain in the west, Cardolan in the south, and Rhudaur in the north. Over time, all three countries were destroyed in wars against the northern land of Angmar.
After the War of the Ring, the land became part of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor. It was ruled by King Elessar Telcontar (Aragorn) and his family.
Bree-land: Where Men and Hobbits Meet
Bree-land is a small area in Eriador, located around the Breehill. It has four villages: Bree (the largest), Archet, Combe, and Staddle. It's the only place where both Men and Hobbits live together. The only other place inhabited by Hobbits is the Shire.
Bree is at the crossroads of two major roads: the Great East Road and the North-South Road. This made it an important center for trade and travel.
Erebor: The Lonely Mountain
The Lonely Mountain, or Erebor in Sindarin, is a mountain in the northeast of Rhovanion. When the Dwarves had to leave their ancient home of Khazad-dûm, Erebor became the new home for Durin's folk. They were led by Thráin I, who became the King under the Mountain.
Later, Erebor was attacked by the dragon Smaug, and the Dwarves had to flee again. In the story of The Hobbit, Smaug the dragon is killed, and the Dwarves return to the Lonely Mountain. Dáin II Ironfoot becomes the new King under the Mountain.
Esgaroth: Lake-town
Esgaroth, also known as Lake-town, is a town in the northeast of Rhovanion. It is built on the Long Lake, south of the Lonely Mountain and east of Mirkwood.
The town was destroyed by the dragon Smaug but was later rebuilt.
Fangorn: The Ents' Forest
Fangorn, or Fangorn Forest, is a large forest on the eastern side of the southern Misty Mountains. Fangorn is the only known home of the Ents, who are giant tree-like beings.
The Sindarin word "Fangorn" means "Beardtree." It is also the Sindarin name for the Ent leader, Treebeard.
Gondor: The Southern Kingdom
Gondor was a kingdom of Men in southeastern Middle-earth. It was founded by the brothers Isildur and Anárion and their people. They were survivors of the Fall of Númenor at the end of the Second Age.
In the later Third Age, Gondor was bordered by the sea to the south, the Mountains of Shadow to the east, and the White Mountains to the north. In earlier times, Gondor reached even farther north. The city Osgiliath, built over the Anduin river, became the capital of Gondor. Isildur also founded the city Minas Ithil east of the Anduin, and his brother Anárion founded Minas Anor west of the Anduin on Mount Mindolluin.
After the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men against Sauron, Isildur left to rule the northern kingdom of Arnor. Anárion's son stayed to rule Gondor.
In the 15th century, a great civil war happened, and Osgiliath was destroyed. Minas Anor then became the new capital. During the rule of King Eärnur, the Ringwraiths captured Minas Ithil, and it was renamed Minas Morgul. Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith ("Tower of Guard"). These two cities were often at war, with much fighting around Osgiliath.
During the War of the Ring, Sauron's forces took Western Osgiliath, allowing them to attack Minas Tirith. Orcs attacked the city, but the arrival of the Rohirrim (people of Rohan) forced them to stop. This allowed the defenders to charge the enemy. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields was won by the Men of Gondor and Rohan.
The last King, Eärnur, disappeared in 2050 of the Third Age. After this, Gondor was ruled by the Stewards of Gondor instead of a king, until the end of the Third Age. After the War of the Ring, the land became part of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor, ruled by King Elessar Telcontar (Aragorn) and his family.
Great East Road: An Ancient Path
The Great East Road is an ancient Dwarven road. It ran from western Beleriand, over the Ered Luin, through the Shire, to the Misty Mountains, and on to the Dwarven lands in the east.
Helm's Deep: A Stronghold Valley
Helm's Deep was a deep valley on the north side of the western White Mountains. It was south of the Gap of Rohan. The valley was protected by a natural line of hills called Helm's Dike. Behind this lay a strong fortress called the Hornburg. At the end of the valley is the entrance to the Glittering Caves.
Isengard: Saruman's Fortress
Isengard is a fortress at the southern end of the Misty Mountains. It is a small valley surrounded by a ring-shaped wall, called the Ring of Isengard. In its center stands a tall black tower named Orthanc.
Isengard once belonged to Gondor. But in the 28th century, it was given to Saruman. It held a palantír, a magical seeing stone. During the War of the Ring, the Ents destroyed the ring-wall. After the war, Orthanc tower was returned to King Elessar and the Reunited Kingdom.
Khazad-dûm: The Dwarven City
Khazad-dûm was the ancient home of the Dwarves, hidden under the Misty Mountains. It was a huge underground city and a network of mines. It was the only place in Middle-earth where the precious metal mithril could be found, which made the Dwarves very rich.
Khazad-dûm was founded by Durin the Deathless very early in the First Age.
In the Third Age, the Dwarves accidentally woke a Balrog deep in the mines. The Balrog killed King Durin VI and many Dwarves. The surviving Dwarves had to flee and find new homes. Khazad-dûm then got a new name: Moria, which means "dark pit" in Sindarin.
Lothlórien: The Golden Wood
Lothlórien was an Elven kingdom, located between the Misty Mountains and the Anduin river. It lay on the land between the Anduin and Silverlode rivers, close to the Dwarven realm of Khazad-dûm.
Lothlórien was founded in the Second Age, with Amdír as its first King. The Elves of Lothlórien fought in the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men against Sauron. Amdír was killed in that war, and his son Amroth became king. However, Amroth later left Lothlórien. From then until the end of the Third Age, it was ruled by Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Caras Galadhon was the main city of Lothlórien. Other names for Lothlórien include the shorter Lórien, and names like Laurelindórenan, Dwimordene (Rohirric), or The Golden Wood.
Mordor: The Black Land
Mordor means "Black Land" in Sindarin and "Land of Shadow" in Quenya. It is a land in the southeastern part of Middle-earth, east of the Anduin river. It was the land of Sauron in the Second and Third Ages.
Mordor is surrounded by mountain ranges: the Ered Lithui ("Mountains of Ash") in the north, the Ephel Dúath (Mountains of Shadow) in the west, and another range in the south. In the northwest is the plateau of Gorgoroth. At the base of the Ered Lithui in northwestern Mordor was Sauron's main fortress, Barad-dûr. Southwest of Barad-dûr lay the volcano Mount Doom.
Most of Mordor is a barren wasteland. However, the southern part, around the Sea of Núrnen, was more fertile. It was used as farmland to grow food for Sauron's armies.
Mirkwood: The Dark Forest
Mirkwood is a large forest in Rhovanion. Originally, it was known as Greenwood the Great (Eryn Galen in Sindarin).
In the Second Age, an Elven people settled in the Greenwood, creating the Woodland Realm. Their capital was on the hill Amon Lanc. After the Second Age, the Elves moved farther north. In the 11th century of the Third Age, Sauron made his home in the hill-fortress of Dol Guldur on Amon Lanc in the south of the forest. His evil power darkened the woods, though it was less strong in the north. After this, the forest became known as Mirkwood. After the War of the Ring, Sauron's influence was removed, and the forest became known as Eryn Lasgalen ("Wood of Greenleaves" in Sindarin).
North-South Road: A Long Journey
The North-South Road is a long road that runs from the kingdom of Arnor in the north to Gondor in the south. The road started in the city Fornost Erain, the capital of Arthedain. It crossed the Great East Road at Bree. It then continued south to the end of the Misty Mountains. There, the road turned east, towards the cities Minas Tirith and Osgiliath, ending at Minas Ithil.
A part of the road south of Bree is also known as the Greenway.
Rivendell: The Last Homely House
Rivendell, or Imladris in Sindarin, was a beautiful Elven city in eastern Eriador. It was founded in the Second Age by Elrond, who ruled it until the end of the Third Age.
Rohan: Land of the Horse-lords
Rohan, also called the Riddermark or simply The Mark, was a kingdom of Men in southeastern Middle-earth. It was north of Gondor. Rohan lay north of the White Mountains, southeast of Isengard, and southwest of the Emyn Muil.
Originally, this land was part of Gondor and was called Calenardhon. The capital of Rohan is Edoras, where the king's hall, Meduseld, stands.
Because of a terrible plague in 1636 T.A. and later wars, Calenardhon became mostly empty. In 2509 T.A., the Rohirrim (a people from the north) came south to help Gondor fight against invaders. The Rohirrim helped Gondor win the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. As a reward, Steward Cirion of Gondor gave the land of Calenardhon to the Rohirrim. The King of the Rohirrim, Eorl the Young, swore the Oath of Eorl: that Rohan would always help Gondor if it needed aid in its wars. After this, the Rohirrim moved into their new land, which they named the Riddermark or The Mark. Gondor called the land Rohan (Sindarin: "Land of the Horse-lords").
The Shire: Home of the Hobbits
The Shire is a land in Eriador. It is settled by Hobbits. Its name in Westron was Sûza ("Shire") or Sûzat ("The Shire"). Its name in Sindarin was i Drann.
The Shire was settled by the Hobbits in the 24th century of the Third Age. It is divided into four Farthings: the North-, West-, South-, and Eastfarthing. The leaders of the Shire were the Mayor of Michel Delving, the Thain from Tuckborough, and the Master of Buckland.
Númenor: The Star-shaped Island
Númenor was a huge, star-shaped island west of Middle-earth during the Second Age. At the beginning of this Age, it was given to the human peoples who had helped the Elves in their wars against Morgoth. In the middle of the island was the mountain Meneltarma, which was a holy place for the Númenóreans.
Númenor was divided into six regions, one in each "star-arm" and one in the middle. These regions were Forostar ("Northlands"), Andustar ("Westlands"), Hyarnustar ("Southwestlands"), Hyarrostar ("Southeastlands"), Orrostar ("Eastlands"), and the central region Mittalmar ("Inlands"). In eastern Mittalmar was the region Arandor ("Kingsland"), with the capital city Armenelos and the haven of Rómenna.
Their first king was Elros Tar-Minyatur, brother of Elrond. Númenor became the most powerful nation of Men. But later, many Númenóreans, including their kings, became greedy for power and became enemies of the Elves.
Towards the end of the Second Age, when it was ruled by King Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, Númenor was destroyed and sank into the sea, much like the legendary Atlantis. Only a group of Númenóreans led by Elendil, called the Elendili ("Elf-friends") or the Faithful, managed to escape. They came to Middle-earth, where they founded the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. The Akallabêth is the story of Númenor's history and its downfall.
Some of the many names for Númenor were Westernesse, Númenórë (Quenya), and Anadûnê (Adûnaic), all meaning "West-land." It was also called Andor (Quenya) and Yôzâyan (Adûnaic), both meaning "the Land of the Gift." Later, it was also known as Atalantë (Quenya) and Akallabêth (Adûnaic), both meaning "the Downfallen."
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