"Country of Balar". Beleriand was discovered by the Elves while undertaking their Great Journey. On seeing the land's beauty, the Sindar decided to stay in the lands west of the Ered Luin, rather than continue on to Valinor. Thingol was their king.

Eventually, Beleriand was overrun by the creatures of Morgoth, and during the turmoil at the end of the First Age, Beleriand was sunk beneath the Sea. All that remained into the Second Age was Lindon.
Encyclopedia entry originally written by atalante_star