Eriador

In general, Eriador goes around 600 miles coast to coast based on the Atlas of Middle-earth. The hills surrounded the kingdom of Arnor. The Shire was at the center, going east towards the Misty Mountains. There were slopes around Arnor but the majority of the area was flat land. Melkor tended the Misty Mountains before the arrival of the Elves. He did this to protect the territory from Orome. There was a tableland within Rivendell and Trollshaws. Although Eriador's coverage was a widespread forested area, the rest was covered with pasture. As a whole, the area was like a vast field. The north was chilly with arid air, affecting the weather condition. Mostly, it was damp. Winters were mostly moderate to frigid. Up north, parched and cold winds run through and influenced the overall climate. Most inhabitants resided mid and within Arnor and the Shire. By the Third Age, the native tongue used was Westron. Like any other mighty land, Eriador had borders. These were:

• The Misty Mountains were on the eastern side and farther was Rhovanion. Wilderland was its other name.
• The Northern Waste (also known as Forodwaith) [1] was on the northern side. Ice Bay of Forochel became its name later on because of subsequent floods post the War of Wrath.
• Ered Lindon was on the western part. Other names were the Blue Mountains of Ered Luin. Lindon was beyond the mountains. This being a part of Beleriand was the sole survivor of the First Age.
• The Glanduin and Greyflood Rivers [2] were towards the southern part. Both served as borders with Enedwaith. These were with the coastlines of Lond Daer and Belegaer. However, it is unsure if the rivers already were in existence in the First Age.
• Northwards to southwards, the vast land of Eriador was massive. It measured 960 kilometers. Westwards to eastwards, it was 1, 120 kilometers.

Two paths intersected with the region. These were:

• The East-West Road: The road was from the High Pass of the Misty Mountains towards the Grey Havens.
• The Greenway: This was also known as the North-South Road. This linked Kingdoms Arnor and Gondor.
• The Greyflood (Elvish Gwathlo), Brandywine (Elvish Baranduin), and Lune (Elvish Lhun) Rivers were essential bodies of water during this time.

History says the land was wooded even before and during the Second Age. Because of this, men had to make the area usable for cultivation. However, preservation of the lush, green condition did not go on. Before the Third Age, Arnor surrounded it. Down the line, it was divided. It became the Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur kingdoms. These three became opponents. In the old Kingdom of Arthedain, Bree and other nearby communities were on the boundary with Cardolan. The Shire took a small part. The Barrow-wights had their homes within burial grounds from ancient times.

The Edain built them in the First Age while traveling to Beleriand. The monarchies of Angmar, Eregion, and Rivendell were uninhibited. Both Dunedain and Men populated the area in the Second Age. The group also included Noldorin exiles from Eregion nearby Moria. More importantly, Middle Earth's once supreme and powerful High Elven Kingdom of Lindon was in far western Eriador. The land became useless when Sauron attacked the Eregion's Elves.

With this, the majority of the Lindon Elves lost in the War of the Last Alliance. Sauron lost but his followers continued his wicked lifeforce. One of them was the Watch-king of Angmar. He created infectious epidemics affecting the whole region. There was chaos all over. The pandemic, disorder, and war with the Dunedain kingdoms continued. There was a great decrease in the populace. However, because of the Angmar War, Eriador, later on, became rehabilitated. The land seemed native and natural. It became better with the surrounding flourishing environment. At this point, the Elves chose to inhabit Lindon or Rivendell Valley.

In the Sindarin language, Eriador means lonely land or Lone-lands.

1. ^Forodwaith.
2. ^The Greyflood.