Borders of Gondor the Southern Kingdom

Gondor the Southern Kingdom:

Now onto the kingdom known to more than its northern sister, Gondor's borders on my map look very different then just about all other maps and here are my explanations for doing this. Tolkien was fairly specific with regards to the size of Gondor with the first piece being that after the events of the Lord of the Rings, Gondor would go on to regain all the lands it once had, bar that of which was given to Rohan. With this I was able to start working further into its exact boundaries. Beginning in the east it is the border in those lands near the sea of Rhûn are defined as reaching as far as or up to the sea of Rhûn for the eastern borders of Gondor under the rule of King Hyamendacil in the Third Age  1015-1149. As for the north part of that section of Gondor it is said that the realm of Gondor extended north to the Field of Celebrant and the southern eaves of mirkwood. On the map I have made the border in the north meet the river Anduin right at the top where the Field of Celebrant does and lines up with the southern eaves of mirkwood. It then goes on to follow the eaves stopping at the river that feeds the Sea of Rhûn and encompassing the area of Dorwinion. I did this as the eastern border is defined as the sea of Rhûn and followed the line set up by the text on the north border, it is also said that during the Fourth Age the Reunited Kingdom claimed large parts of this area known as Rohavanion and in the earlier days it is likely that Dorwinion was claimed by the time Gondor had reached its height. Below you can see where Tolkien marked the Field of Celebrant on this map and the southern eaves of Mirkwood can be seen drawn in as well. 

Following this we move to the southern border of Gondor which is by far one of the easier ones to find and mark. The first point listed is the river Harnen in south of Gondor marking the border of the kingdom, also defining the southern border of the region of Harondor. Though this is stated as the southern border it is also noted that the kingdom does continue south along the coast to the peninsula and havens of Umbar. The Havens of Umbar located around the bay made by the peninsula is then where Gondor should end according to the text as you can see on the next page. 

As for the western borders of the main portion of Gondor on my map they share a good border with Rohan and then with the sea as Gondor has a healthy coast. This also acts as the rest of the southern border for the main lands of Gondor. There is also the island of Tolfalas or Tol Falas, just beyond the Either Anduin in the bay of Belfalas. Though the little island was almost destroyed it does still stand as a lonely mountain in the bay and is described within the borders of Gondor, even if barren at this time during this time. In the far west there is a place I know you all have looked at and questioned, the tan region between the two parts of Gondor. In regards to the border for main Gondor there it is said that Andrast was a long cape in south Gondor that was never permanently settled by the Númenóreans of Gondor. Though this is true they did keep and maintain beacons and a coast guard force at the area of the capes end. As for the tan above that area is Drúwaith Iaur or Old Púkel land the original home of the Drúedain fell in this area on the north side of the White Mountains that ran down the cape. This land was never a part of Gondor before the Reunited Kingdom and it is said that the Men of both Gondor and Rohan would seldom enter it. It specifically falls between the river isen and the western edge of the Ered Nimrais, this is why I have only given Gondor the eastern side of Andrast and the end of the cape.

The last part of Gondor is that of the Enedwaith, the lands north of the river Isen. This land was once the border between Arnor and Gondor through the lands that are now Gondor as they once held those lands. During that time both Arnor and Gondor had interest in the area but neither had a permanent settlement in these lands except Arnor. The northern kingdom had the fortified town of Tharbad at the bridge over the river Gwathló, the city falling on both sides. It is noted though that neither kingdom owned the region at this time even with the town creeping in. This would change though after the falling of Arnor, in which it is said that Enedwaith had become a part of Gondor during the days of the Kings of Gondor where they would continue to mainly focus on maintaining the North-South Road. Dunland is also said to be part of Enedwaith with no distinction as to Gondor not claiming it as well so I have also included it. I have included this area as noting back to the first part where Gondor had reclaimed all of its lands at its height once in the days of the Reunited Kingdom, as Enewaith was theirs at the height it would be theirs in the Reunited Kingdom. The tan above these lands form the region of Eregion or Hollin which was not stated as ever being a part of either realm but rather belong to the elves and was followed by Rivendell. 

As for why the lands in Mordor are not included in this, the first two smaller areas of Mordor are stated as being uninhabitable. This is also part of why Minas Morgul originally Minas Ithil could not be the capital of Ithilien once more and Faramir had to make Eymn Arnen his capital. As for the lands around the Sea of Núrnen, it is stated that after the War of the Ring that all the lands around Lake Núrnen were given to the freed slaves of Mordor by King Elessar. There is no mention of them being made a part of Gondor, nor is there mention of them being under the Crown of the King of the West, so they would not be a part of any of the kingdoms of the Reunited Kingdom. They would also not be either kind of protectorat dependent or independent, alsog with this they are not a colony as they are neither settling in Gondor or Men of Gondor founding a settlement for the Kingdom. Lastly though they were given the land there was no condition of homage or allegiance which are two key factors in defining a vassal so they would not be that either. Due to all of this they would be regarded as liberated enemies and a neutral and possibly a friendly neighbor. That covers the borders of Gondor except those in which lie the dependent protectorats which will be covered later in this book.