Archival Geography

Middle-earth map represents archival geography - showing the lands of Middle-earth

Archival Geography include all places on the map found within the game that are of interest, as the boundaries and borders known as Locations, Interiors, or as Instances. It's a fancy name for what most players refer to as Locations on the Middle-earth Map (see map). Note: Locations are subdivided for ease of navigation.

Locations in hierarchical order

Lands

• Locations viewed on the first layer of the Middle-earth map -- (see all Lands)
• Currently there are five Lands: Eriador, Rhovanion, Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor

Regions

• Locations viewed on the second layer of the Middle-earth map; found on the land maps -- (see all Regions)
• Each Region has its own map.
• Examples: Angmar, Dunland, East Rohan, Central Gondor

Areas

• Locations viewed on the third layer of the Middle-earth map; found on the region maps (these are named places that do not have their own map) -- (all Areas)
• Examples: Redhorn Lodes, Westfold, Pelennor, Agarnaith

Settlements

• Locations viewed on either the third or fourth layer of the Middle-earth map; found on a region or area map (these are named places that may or may not have their own map) -- (see all Settlements)

Types of Settlements:

• Cities - Large settlements that have their own map
• Towns- Settlements that show area text (may or may not also show landmark text)
• Villages - Settlements that show landmark text
• Camps - Settlements that show the blue icon

• Examples: Rivendell, Isengard, Edoras, Minas Tirith

Landmarks

• Locations viewed on the Middle-earth map that represent buildings, structures, city sections, and other noteworthy locations that are of outstanding, historical, aesthetic, or cultural importance which may or may not have a red flag -- (see all Landmarks)
• POIs (red flag) are Landmarks, but some Landmarks do not show flag.
• Examples: Market Square, Lady's Rest, Brandywine Bridge, Bones of Smaug

Locations outside the hierarchy

Interiors

• Locations that require a character to step into an instance, whether they step through a door into a building or through a cave entrance into a network of tunnels or crypts - (all Interiors)
• Examples: The Forsaken Inn, Lalia's Market, Caves of the Avorrim, Lake-town Trading Hall

Instances

• Locations that are separate from the world, sometimes duplicate copies of places, which are used for Quest Instances, Skirmishes, Public Dungeons and World Instances - (see all Instances)
• Examples: Goblin-town, Defence of Minas Tirith, The Siege of Gondamon, The Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu (Raid)

Archival Geography

Sub-regions

Areas

Dungeons

Instances

Interiors

Landmarks

Lands

Regions

Settlements

Archival Geography

Middle-earth

For all landscapes and structures, see Physical Geography

For all "man-made" (Humanoid) buildings and structures, see Humanoid Geography