[Growltigger]

Cant remember the name of the book written by Christopher Tolkien, but it said that the Shire was modelled on England around Thame/Reading/Oxfordshire, but definately middle England.

Tolien seemed to shy away from any analogy of what he was trying to create. I beleive many people said that Numenor was an analogy to Atlantis (hell it sank!), which Tolkien rebutted strongly.

I dont think the Elves were ever meant to be North America, unless Geo is coming out of the closet about his propensity to wearing pointy ears, a blonde wig and poncing round in forests!! I can see Elrond saying "Time to head to the West, y'all get that?" - I suppose Varda/Elbereth is meant to be Hilary Clinton?

Not sure I like the idea of Mordor being London, and Gondor being Welsh. At no place in the book does Boromir hack the head off an orc and say "Boyo Take That Butty Bach", and I expect the fact the orcs all talk like they come from tne East End of London is just happenstance. In my opinion, they should all have had Cleveland accents.