East
For those living in the Westlands, the East refers to Rhûn (which name indeed means "east" in Sindarin) and all the parts of the world beyond.
The eastern parts of Middle-earth had two great mountain ranges, the Red and Yellow Mountains.
Beyond that not much else is known about the lands or peoples outside the Westlands. Cuiviénen, the lake where the Elves awoke; and Hildórien, the origin of Men, were somewhere in the east of Middle-earth. But the stories follow only the Eldar and the Edain who migrated West.
The peoples of the East were known as Easterlings, being various tribes of Men of Darkness. Such tribes were the Wainriders, the Balchoth and the Variags.
In the Second or Third Age the Blue Wizards went into the East, never to return. Saruman also visited the East before returning and occupying Isengard. During the Watchful Peace, Sauron went to hiding in the East for 400 years and gathered the Easterlings to his service.
