Geography
 

I was thinking in my room, when I had an interesting idea. I've read several interperatations (forgive me if I misspell that word) on where Tolkien based his geography. I'm trying to find out climates in Middle-Earth, such as how hot it got in Minas Tirith. I've seen in many different topics state where you guys believe certain places were situated. From your thoughts, what climate(s) do you think took place in Middle-Earth?

Peace always,
cherie

I have a feeling that Rohen was a bit like the steppes of Asia. For the looks in the movie, the Shire looked pretty green, so I'd say it rained every other night, and never got quite that warm.


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I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed. I felled the black serpent. A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunset!"
Théoden

If you´d like to look up what you think/found out about the climates, have a look at the Atlas of Middle Earth by Karen Wynn Forstad.
It´s very detailed and there are also maps with climates (sp?) on it, as well as historical maps from all time ages.

Tolkien stated that his mythology didn’t take place in a world apart from ours, but in the same world, only in an imaginary time before human compass. Middle Earth is equivalent to the Europe that Tolkien knew, so the climate of Middle Earth would be roughly the same as Europe and the northern Mediterranean Sea basin. If the Shire is equivalent in latitude and longitude with Oxford, England, then Minas Tirith is equivalent with Venice (I believe, at least somewhere between Florence and Venice).

I always thought that the shire had an english climate.
Rohan reminded me of highlands for some reason.
Rivendell-mountain climate, cold at night,warm in the day and lots of snow in the winter.
Mordor- desert with a lot of eveil in it
Ithilien-Forest in south Germany
Midgewater-Netherlands, you have no idea ho wet it is there
Haradwaith- middle-east
Is that everything,probably not but...oh
Old forest- England
Bree-England.
Well that's what I think [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

~The plains of Rohan ha dalways struck a chord with the Giant's Steps in Ireland.
~The Shire reminds me of Whales
~And Minas Moria seems to me to fit in the Alps

I've always thought that Middle-Earth seemed to fit nicely into Canada because the geography in both places is so beautiful.
I would imagine that the Shire would be in Quebec and as you went west in Canada, it would be like going East in Middle-Earth. You go through the forests of Ontario and then these gradually fade out into the plains/prairies and get into the mountains.
I do think that there are probably better places in the world that could represent areas of Middle-Earth better than Canada. For example, I do think that the Shire would be best set in a very green environment such as British Columbia, The United Kingdom or New Zealand.
However, I really think the plains of Rohan is best suited to the Prairies of Saskatchewan and moving into Alberta where the mountains begin. (talking about Canada)

I live in Canada some of the more natural looking places seem really Middle Earth-y to me. That may just be because I've never been anywhere else. I imagine that Tolkien meant for it to be a more natural England, without civilization.

Go Canada!!!!!!!!
You are right there are tons of places in Canada that can be related to Canada.
Example-Rocky Mountains-Misty Mountains?

From the atlas of Tolkien's Middle-Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad:

Arnor/north westen Rohan-Mild winters, mild summers (i.e. England, North central Europe or Western Oregon)

Gondor/Rohan-Mild winters, warm summers (i.e.Eastern Europe or Arkansas to Wisconsin)

Harondor/Umbar-Mild winters,hot,dry Summers (i.e. Mediterranean Sea area or Southern California)

Mordor-Arid(i.e. Arabia, Western Arizona or Nevada)

Khand/Near Harad-Semi Arid (i.e. Iran, Eastern Colorado)

Angmar/Forodwaith-Severe winters, cool summers (i.e. Central Greenland, Alaska or Northern coast of Russia)

I have a question, more related to the vegetation than geography, but I was wondering if anyone could help me. I am somewhat new to message boards, but I am trying to find a sketch/picture of the elanor, the flower that grew in Lothlorien. I have found descriptions but no sketch. Anyone have any idea where I can look? I have roamed the vast blue nowhere with no luck.

Sorry, lostinstarlight. I have not a clue where to find what you need.
[img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

I personally have thought that these were the climates/backgrounds of these major places (You can probably guess what country I live in after this post):

Shire- The rolling hills of Whales
Rohan- The prairie of the Midwestern US
Gondor- Basically the same as Rohan but with some trees
Dead Marshes- Florida Everglades (but more gloomy)
Ithilien- A young, bright forest full of Swamp Pines and oaks covered with spanish moss
Mirkwood- Germany's Black Forest
Fangorn- A really old oak forest combined with the Blue Ridge Mountains

There's more of course but this was what first came to mind.

Love, Peace, and No evil rulers/dictaters,
Cherie

Go to the link below and then click on "Luthien I" (if the pictures are not showing). It is the round emblem on the far left of the page, 2nd one from the top.

This emblem for Luthien has an elanor in the center (drawn by Tolkien) and niphredil as the white flowers.

Emblems

Thank you SOOOO much!!!!!!!!! I have been hunting for this forever. would anyone know someone who could transcribe these words into the tengwar alphabet? silme, elen, and elanor? you guys are awesome!!!!

Rohan never reminded me of Middle America, the praries are just a little too flat. It kind of reminded me of eastern Montana though, and of course Canada.

Guess I'm a true Flatlander, Gorwingel [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]. Seriously, if you haven't figured it out, I'm from Florida, so if it isn't a mountain range it's flat.

Cheers [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] ,
Cherie