Thangorodrim was a group of three volcanic mountains in the Iron Mountains in the north of Middle-earth during the First Age. The highest peaks of Middle-earth, they were raised by Morgoth, who delved his fortress of Angband beneath them, and far back into the Iron Mountains. At the base of the south face of the middle peak was the Great Gates of Angband, a deep canyon leading into the mountain, lined with towers and forts. There were also a number of secret gates scattered around the sides of the mountain group, from which Morgoth's hosts could issue forth and surprise their foes.

Angband was a mighty fortified citadel originally constructed by Melkor in the earliest days of the world as an outlying fortress to his northern stronghold of Utumno. Melkor built Angband during the Years of the Trees, originally as an outlying fortress and armoury to his great northern citadel at Utumno. It was commanded from its first construction by Sauron, the chief of Melkor's servants. Utumno was destroyed by the Valar, and Melkor imprisoned in Valinor for three ages, but on his return to Middle-earth, he took Angband as the seat of his power, and raised the towers of Thangorodrim above its gates.

Hithlum is the region north of Beleriand near the Helcaraxë. Hithlum was separated from Beleriand proper by the Ered Wethrin mountain chain, and was named after the sea mists which formed there at times: Hithlum is Sindarin for "Mist-shadow"; its Quenya counterpart is Hisilómë. The Ered Wethrin ("Mountains of Shadow") formed the southern and western wall, and had only a few passes; as such they formed a natural defensive line. The eastern wall was formed by the Ered Lómin or "Echoing Mountains", which curved north-westward to Helcaraxë.

Minas Tirith was the tower on the island of Tol Sirion that guarded the Pass of Sirion. Minas Tirith was built around First Age 60 by Finrod Felagund to prevent the forces of Morgoth from invading Beleriand from the plains of Ard-galen. It was ruled by Finrod's nephew Orodreth. In First Age 457 Sauron captured Minas Tirith in the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of Sudden Flame"). The island was then called Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the "Isle of Werewolves".

Taur-nu-Fuin was a name for the northern parts of Dorthonion, and sometimes for the forest as a whole after it was corrupted by Morgoth after the Dagor Bragollach. The kingdoms of Dorthonion were destroyed at that point, including Ladros and the realm Angrod and Aegnor. Barahir remained as an outlaw in Taur-nu-Fuin, and after his death Beren his son dwelt in this forest for several years, before crossing the Ered Gorgoroth and forsaking Dorthonion to its captors. Then it was truly wholly "under nightshade".

Himlad was a cold land lying between the Rivers Aros and Celon in the northwest of Beleriand; held by Celegorm and Curufin until the Dagor Bragollach.. It was bordered by the lands Dorthonion to the north east, Doriath in the south east, Estolad in south west and Himring to the north west. Himlad was mostly fields but in north most mountains layed who held the second entrance into the land of Beleriand.