Scientists believe they have worked out the weather conditions in The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings - with the Shire found to be like Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
Experts used a climate model - similar to those used in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - to simulate and investigate conditions in Middle Earth.
Results showed the Shire, where Bilbo Baggins lived before his unexpected adventure described in The Hobbit, was similar to Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
But Mordor, the land of the evil Sauron, was more like Los Angeles and western Texas, the University of Bristol team found.
The writer of both The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien, spent much of his childhood in Kings Heath, Birmingham, and Sarehole (now Hall Green).
The Hobbit has become the first book to be placed on the shelves of the Library of Birmingham.
The book, J.R.R. Tolkien’s much-loved 1937 children’s fantasy tale, was placed on the shelf by Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, to mark the imminent handover of the building by Carillion, the Library of Birmingham’s construction partner, to Birmingham City Council.
The UK premiere of the long-awaited Hobbit film will be held in London tonight.
The Duke of Cambridge is expected to be in attendance along with other stars.
His wife, The Duchess of Cambridge, won't be there as she is still resting.
Yesterday St James's Palace said: "The Duchess of Cambridge will not attend The Hobbit premiere tomorrow evening and will continue to rest privately. The Duke of Cambridge will attend as planned.
A host of stars are expected to attend the first UK performance of the latest JRR Tolkien adaptation.
The Duke of Cambridge is among the names expected to be in attendance tonight.
The author, JRR Tolkein, grew up in the West Midlands which he used as an inspiration for his writing.
A school celebrated one of their old boys today without whom, one of the most famous books in the English language may never have been published.
Rayner Unwin was only 10 was asked by his dad, a publisher, to read a manuscript to see if it was any good.
The boy said it was, the year was 1936 and the book was The Hobbit which went on to the sell millions.
75 years today, 'The Hobbit' was first published. Its' author, JRR Tolkien, spent much of his childhood in the West Midlands, areas of which he used as inspiration for his writing.
It is thought that Tolkien was influenced by places like Sarehole Mill and the nearby Moseley bog in Birmingham.
The first of three films based on the novel is due to be released at the end of this year.
Pictures courtesy of Warner Brothers via YouTube.
A weekend of festivities is taking place in Birmingham to celebrate Middle-earth and literature.
The Middle-earth weekender is being held at the Sarehole Mill in Hall Green, east Birmingham.
The festival, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of The Hobbit, allows the public to witness medieval re-enactments, performances, music and poetry.
Author of The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien spent most of his youth in Birmingham and used Sarehole Mill as an inspiration for his books.