The Shire is located in the North-Western corner of Middle-earth, in a part of the Shire known as the West Farthing. There the small village of Hobbiton can be found. Hobbiton is inhabited by small folk calling themselves Hobbits (they are also known to outsiders as 'hole-dwellers'). They have lived in the Shire for hundreds of years and they existence is little known of in the wide world outside of their peaceful countryside.Hobbiton is as safe and secure as it has ever been and the innocent hobbits dwelling there have no idea of the danger growing in Mordor in the East, and although strangers such as Dwarves and Elves can occasionally be seen travelling on the Shire's outskirts the Hobbits know little of the outside world.
Bree
The town of Bree is located at the crossing of the East and North roads, on the eastern border of the Shire. It has grown up against a forest set upon a hill and contains many different peoples. Both Men and Hobbits call Bree home, and even a few travelling Dwarves have been known to stop at the local Prancing Pony Inn. This is a public house, owned by Barliman Butterbur, who offers accomodation and ale to both locals and travellers who stop for refreshments, tales and songs.
Rivendell
Rivendell is the home of the Elves. Now, as the Third Age draws to an end, the Elves time is too coming to a close. Many have already left over the sea to the Grey Havens. Even so, some Elves still remain, in Northern Mirkwood, Lothlorien, and here in Rivendell. This is the ancient safe-house of the Elves, where their power is used to protect against evil and danger. It can be found in a deep valley in Eastern Eriador at the base of the Misty Mountains. Elrond Half-Elven is it's Master.
Moria
Khazad-dum was the greatest of the Dwarf realms in Middle-earth. Its vast and beautiful halls lay under the Misty Mountains. From its mines came great riches and it was the only source of the precious metal called mithril. But a Balrog slept in the deeps beneath Khazad-dum, and when it awoke the Dwarves were driven from their home. The halls of Khazad-dum were taken over by Orcs and other evil creatures and it became known as Moria, the Black Chasm, and was a place of fear and dread.
Lothlorien
To the East of the Misty Mountains, beside the Siverlode which flows into the Great River Anduin, is the Golden Wood, Lothlorien, the heart of Elvendom in Middle-earth. The Elves of Lothlorien are Wood Elves, like the Elves of Mirkwood, and can pass through the wood quickly and quietly and with their magical grey cloaks they are virtually invisible. The Lothlorien Elves live high above the ground on their platforms builts amongst the towering mallorn trees, said to be the most beautiful trees in Middle-earth.
On the forest floor grow beautiful star-shaped flowers, named Elanor and Niphredil, with pale white petals. The silver trunked mallorns grow up into a canopy of golden leaves and in the branches the Elves build flets, their high houses. In the centre of Lothlorien grows the mightiest mallorn in the city of Caras Galadhon, this is where the Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriels royal hall can be found, high off the ground.
Fangorn Forest
Fangorn Forest is huge beyond belief, with hundreds and hundreds or gnarled and bent trees. The ground is littered with leaf debri and massive roots, just waiting to reach out and trip an unsuspecting traveller. Overhead the trees seem to talk to each other, low rumblings and creakings can be heard and leaves rustle without the aide of the wind.
Edoras
Edoras is the chief city of Rohan and it is here that King Theoden can be found in his great Golden Hall. This beautiful building is covered in carvings depicting stories from the history of Rohan and showing their love for their horses.
The Dead Marshes
It was here many thousands of years ago that a great battle was fought against the Dark Lord Sauron. Many Elves and Men perished and it was during this battle that the One Ring was taken from Sauron and claimed by Isildur.
Minas Tirith
It is built of the very rock of the mountain in which it stands, carved ages ago from the rock of the White Mountains and Mount Mindolluin. The city itself consists of seven levels which steadily climb up the side of the mountain. Each level has large gates and battlements providing excellent protection and so ensuring that the city can be defended under attack. There is only one entrance into the city, via the Great Gate on the lowest level, which is always very well guarded. The sheer mountain cliffs of Mindolluin provide all the protection that is needed behind.
At the very top, on the seventh level is the Citadel. Here dwells Steward Denethor and in ages past this is where the King of Gondor would have dwelt, living high above all life in Gondor and able to cast his ruling gaze down upon the inhabitants.