KeskiMaan

KeskiMaan is a Finnish word that translates to "Middle-Earth" in English. This term is most famously associated with the fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien for his epic fantasy novels, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien, a philologist, drew inspiration from Norse mythology and ancient Germanic languages, and "KeskiMaan" reflects the Finnish influence on his nomenclature.

In Tolkien's legendarium, Middle-earth is a continent inhabited by various races, including Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, Men, and Orcs. It is a land of ancient forests, towering mountains, and vast plains, rich with history and magic. The narrative of The Lord of the Rings centers on the quest to destroy the One Ring, an artifact of immense power created by the Dark Lord Sauron, in the fires of Mount Doom, located within the land of Mordor, a desolate region in the southeast of Middle-earth.

The concept of a "middle land" or a central region is a common motif in many mythologies and cosmologies, often representing the known world or the plane of existence where mortal beings reside. Tolkien's use of "Middle-earth" positions his fictional world as a place that, while fantastical, holds a sense of familiarity and grounding within a larger, often unseen, cosmic framework. The Finnish connection, while subtle, adds a layer to the linguistic and cultural tapestry of Tolkien's creation.