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Places in Middle-earth

Númenor

Type: Kingdoms, Realms, Lands

Region: Numenor

Meaning: Land in the West

Other Names
Númenórë 'Westernesse, West-land' (Quenya)
Anadûnê 'Westernesse' (Adûnaic)
Andor 'The Land of Gift' (named by the Valar)
Elenna 'Starwards' (Quenya)
Elenna-nórë 'The land named Starwards' (Quenya)
Yôzâyan 'Land of Gift' (Adûnaic)
Isle of Kings
Isle of Westernesse
The Land of the Star
The Great Isle

After the Downfall:
Akallabêth 'The Downfallen' (Adûnaic)
Atalantë 'The Downfallen' (Quenya)
Mar-nu-Falmar 'The Land under the (Crested) Waves' (Quenya)

Location: The kingdom of the Edain founded by Elros Tar-Minyatur on the island of Elenna.

Description:

As a reward for their sufferings in the cause against Morgoth, the Valar, the Guardians of the World, granted to the Edain a land to dwell in, removed from the dangers of Middle-earth. Most of them, therefore, set sail over Sea, and guided by the Star of Eärendil came to the great Isle of Elenna, westernmost of all Mortal lands. There they founded the realm of Númenor.

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Númenor

A land was made for the Edain to dwell in, neither part of Middle-earth nor of Valinor, for it was sundered from either by a wide sea; yet it was nearer to Valinor. It was raised by Ossë out of the depths of the Great Water, and it was established by Aulë and enriched by Yavanna; and the Eldar brought thither flowers and fountains out of Tol Eressëa. That land the Valar called Andor, the Land of Gift; and the Star of Eärendil shone bright in the West as a token that all was made ready, and as a guide over the sea; and Men marvelled to see that silver flame in the paths of the Sun.

The Silmarillion, Akallabêth

Map of Númenor.
The island of Elenna, upon which was built the realm of Númenor.
The land of Númenor resembled in outline a five-pointed star, or pentangle, with a central portion some two hundred and fifty miles across, north and south, and east and west, from which extended five large peninsular promontories. These promontories were regarded as separate regions, and they were named Forostar (Northlands), Andustar (Westlands), Hyarnustar (Southwestlands), Hyarrostar (Southeastlands), and Orrostar (Eastlands). The central portion was called Mittalmar (Inlands), and it had no coast, except the land about Rómenna and the head of its firth. A small part of the Mittalmar was however, separated from the rest, and called Arandor, the Kingsland....[It] was at all times the most populous region of Númenor....

The whole land of Númenor was so posed as if it had been thrust upward out of the sea, but tilted southward and a little eastward; and save upon the south the land in nearly all places fell towards the sea in steep cliffs. In Númenor birds that dwell near the sea, and swim or dive in it, abode in multitudes beyond reckoning. The mariners said that were they blind they still would know that their ship was drawing near to Númenor because of the great clamour of the birds of the shore....

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 1, Description of the Island of Númenor

When Meneldur received the Sceptre he removed... and dwelt in the great house of the Kings in Armenelos.

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 2, Aldarion and Erendis

Near to the centre of the Mittalmar stood the tall mountain called the Meneltarma, Pillar of the Heavens, sacred to the worship of Eru Ilúvatar.

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 1, Description of the Island of Númenor

[Aldarion spent time] near Rómenna, where was the chief haven of Númenor, the greatest shipyards, and the most skilled shipwrights.

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 2, Aldarion and Erendis

From the days of Tar-Aldarion there were great plantations in the Hyarrostar to furnish timber for shipbuilding.

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 1, Description of the Island of Númenor

In Númenor all journeyed from place to place on horseback.... Therefore the roads of Númenor were for the most part unpaved..., and heavy cargoes were borne by sea. The chief and most ancient road suitable for wheels, ran from the greatest port, Rómenna in the east, to the royal city of Armenelos, and thence on to the Valley of the Tombs and the Meneltarma; and this road was early extended to Ondosto within the borders of the Forostar, and thence to Andúnië in the west. Along it passed wains bearing stone from the Northlands that was most esteemed for building, and timber in which the Westlands were rich.

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 1, Description of the Island of Númenor

Some metals they found in Númenor, and as their cunning in mining and in smelting and smithying swiftly grew things of iron and copper became common.

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 1, Description of the Island of Númenor

[At] times, when all the air was clear and the sun was in the east, they would look out and descry far off in the west a city white-shining on a distant shore, and a great harbour and a tower. For in those days the Númenóreans were far-sighted; yet even so it was only the keenest eyes among them that could see this vision, from the Meneltarma, maybe, or from some tall ship that lay off their western coast.... But the wise among them knew that this distant land was not indeed the Blessed Realm of Valinor, but was Avallónë, the haven of the Eldar upon Eressëa....

The Silmarillion, Akallabêth

Contributors:
Moriel 16May03
Lyllyn 17May03
Elena Tiriel 4Jul04, 8Dec04, 4Nov05, 24Jul10

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