As Tolkien appeared (at least in regard to Middle Earth) to recognise a world where there was temperature increase as one journeyed south, this would put these parts of the map distinctly out of sync. This would also cause conflict for any climatologists as Beleriand in Tolkien’s creation is regarded as a very hospitable climate as compared to Eriador which is regarded as temperate at best. On this map the Blue mountains have achieved a disproportionate size due to compensating to Eriador being made a much smaller area further to the south of Beleriand. They existed at more or less corresponding levels of latitude separated by the Blue mountains. However I agree with some of the other criticisms of the related settings of Beleriand in regards to Eriador. I hate to be critical of someone who has done a lot of research and used imagination especially with the hypothetical siting of many areas only described in text, especially in the undying lands. Hopefully this helps whet your appetite for the upcoming release of The Hobbit, just a few weeks away! I also love seeing the ice bridge connecting the northern portions of the two islands/continents. Or, alternatively, England and Ireland, depending on scale.

There’s a lot of evidence that Arda is the same planet we live on, in a different age, and this map showcases some ways in which Middle-Earth and the Undying Lands might eventually become the continents we know today. From what I understand, this map isn’t entirely accurate, but it’s still fun to peruse. Like any Fantasy fan, I’m always curious to see what lays beyond the edges of those maps we’re all so familiar with from our countless reads and re-reads of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. This map really helps to put into perspective the journeys of Frodo and Bilbo, showing that they trek over only a small portion of the entirety of Middle Earth and Arda itself. Okay, so maybe you’ve seen a full map of Arda before, but it’s always fun to find a new look at an old favourite.

Middle earth map