The Unfinished Tales
Description Of The Island Of Númenor
Audiobook
A Description of the Island of Númenor, published in Unfinished Tales, was supposedly derived from the archives of Gondor. Numenor was in the Great Sea, closer to Aman in the West than Middle-earth in the East. In shape, it was a star, with five peninsulas extending from the central region, which was around 250 miles (400 km) across. Karen Wynn Fonstad estimated the island to be 167,691 square miles [435,017 km2] in area. Numenor had six main regions: the five promontories, named Andustar, Hyarnustar, Hyarrostar, Orrostar, and Forostar; and the central area, Mittalmar, which contained the capital city Armenolos. The fifth king Tar-Meneldur built a tower in Forostar to watch the stars.
Here was Armenelos, the City of Kings, and the sacred mountain Meneltarma, where religious processions took place, 3 times per year. On its southern slope was Noirinan, the Valley of the Graves. It was guarded by the eagles of Manwë, one of the 2 species of birds mentioned in the chapter, the other being the Kirinki.
Starting with the Northlands, each cape is described in turn: Forostar, where the Eagles of Manwë dwelt and where the mountain Sorontil stood next to the sea. Andustar had 3 bays on its western side, the first being Andúnië, which held the city with the same name, the largest on the island and harbor for the Elves of Eressëa. Here, the beauty of Eldalondë is described and its greatest treasures were the majestic trees: Oiolairë, Lairelossë, Nessamelda, Vardarianna, Taniquelassë, Yavannamírë and Malinornë. The 2 rivers of the island, Nunduinë, and Siril flowed on each side of Hyarnustar, while in Hyarrostar grew Laurinquë, a tree whose only purpose was to charm the people with its beauty. Of Orrostar little is told, only that grains could be cultivated in this cold part of the island.
A description of the people follows, mostly Edain skilled in riding, shaping of terrible war weapons, especially bows, and also in building of the ships used to sail towards Middle-earth, the first one to succeed being Vëantur. Many of the legendary weapons were put to saving here, among them Tuor's axe and the bow of Bregor, as well as the Ring of Barahir, the only artifact to survive the Downfall of Númenor.
This account first describes, in outline and then detail, the geography of Númenor and its mountain, Meneltarma, and its sacred character. The public speakings of the Númenórean kings at the mountain are explained, namely at the times of Erukyermë, Erulaitalë, and Eruhantalë, as are the proceedings of anyone ascending the mountain.
The fertility, flora, and terrain of all regions of the island are then told of, such as the fragrant evergreen trees (Nísimaldar) around the Bay of Eldanna and the laurinquë tree of yellow flowers. The rest of the account covers the roads of Númenor, the common mode of transportation, which was horseback, the craftsmanship of the Númenóreans, their weapons, and their composition, and lastly the love that all able Númenóreans had for maritime affairs. The first Númenórean explorers in their naval expeditions are said to have followed in the footsteps of Círdan, the Elven Shipwright. The chapter ends with a note on the Guild of Venturers and on Tar-Aldarion its founder, who is the subject of the succeeding chapter.