Mapping Fictional Locations

Have you ever wondered about the locations of iconic fictional settings, like Gotham City from Batman or Springfield from The Simpsons? Or perhaps you’re curious about the whereabouts of Jurassic Park or Hogwarts?

One individual has taken it upon himself to answer these questions.

Instead of indulging in endless television series or preparing for athletic challenges, Rhys B. Davies dedicated the past two years to crafting an extensive map that features 5,000 fictional places drawn from films, television shows, literature, and video games.

This imaginative atlas includes well-known locations such as Quahog from Family Guy, Liberty City from the Grand Theft Auto series, and the quaint village depicted in The Vicar of Dibley.

Some locations proved to be straightforward to pinpoint.

Rhys, 35, explained, "Determining the setting of The Vicar of Dibley was relatively simple, as the opening credits prominently showcase a specific motorway."

"Once you identify that motorway, you can trace it back to uncover where Dibley is imagined to be."

Some fictional locations presented unique challenges for Rhys and his co-author Matt Brown, while others were simpler to pinpoint.

For instance, although Hogwarts is widely believed to be situated in Scotland, the author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, has never specified its exact location.

• The film set of Willy Wonka

  
  

• An abandoned prison rumored to be the backdrop for the Enola Holmes sequel

  
  

• Do social media posts from film stars enhance tourism to these sites?

  
  

For Rhys and Matt, uncovering the secrets behind the magical world meant carefully analyzing the hints scattered across various Harry Potter media.

"You need to seek out the facts," remarked Rhys, a resident of the charming coastal town of Aberystwyth in Wales.

"The initial inquiry, naturally, revolves around which canon to adhere to, as the Harry Potter films depict Hogwarts located in the West Highlands," Rhys explained, noting, "However, the novels present an alternative narrative."

"We have a general timeline regarding when Hogwarts established its train services, which allowed us to examine historical railway maps and determine which routes were operational during that time."

Through extensive research conducted over two years, Rhys has meticulously examined films, TV shows, novels, and video games to uncover hidden fictional landscapes.

His findings suggest that Hogwarts, the famed school of witchcraft and wizardry, is located in the Grampians rather than the West Highlands.

This conclusion stems from significant clues, such as Sirius Black's journey from London to Hogwarts, which takes him near Dufftown in Moray, Scotland.

Additionally, in the stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," Harry's son makes a remarkable trek from Hogwarts to Aviemore, completing the journey in under a night.

These insights lead to the idea that Hogwarts is conveniently within walking distance of Aviemore, further supporting Rhys's theories about its geographic placement.

While these discoveries are not officially recognized, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the mapping of beloved fictional places.

Mapping Fictional Locations

Locating the fictional town of Pontypandy, home to the beloved cartoon hero Fireman Sam, proved to be a challenging task, as explained by Rhys.

Although it may seem logical for Pontypandy to be nestled between Pontypridd and Tonypandy, the latest version of the series has surprisingly placed it along the coast.

"The only feasible solution we found was to situate it in the Vale of Glamorgan," Rhys remarked.

Unlike actual places, fictional settings often have the quirk of shifting around or maintaining inconsistencies over time.

• Stinky Bay has been included on the map to assist with coastal rescue efforts.

  
  

• The "slow map" initiative encourages walking throughout Britain.

  
  

• The fascinating background of the Ordnance Survey is worth exploring.

  
  

In "The Poseidon Adventure," the SS Poseidon experiences sinking incidents across three distinct oceans, varying between the 1969 novel, the 1972 film, and its adaptations in 2005 and 2006.

Similarly, Batman's Gotham City has had a well-defined location for many years, but a recent film has now placed it just across the water from Superman's Metropolis.

"We based our decision on maps from the comics, which showed them being a bit apart, allowing for some real communities in between that we know actually exist," Rhys added.

In the realm of mapping fictional locations, the process can be quite subjective.

When faced with conflicting information from various sources, the consensus often leans toward the representation that appears the most coherent or practical.

Maps are typically designed to guide individuals from one destination to another.

This raises the question: what purpose does a map serve if it includes imaginary places?

Initially, Rhys was simply seeking a collaborative project with a friend.

Years ago, he teamed up with his friend Matt to design a fictional map of Britain, which turned out to be quite popular.

Following that success, they took on the challenge of mapping the intricate streets of London.

“Encouraged by the success of our previous projects, we decided to set our sights higher and attempt to map the entire globe,” Rhys shared.

Canal Adventures and Time Travel

• Navigate the scenic Welsh canals alongside Maureen and Gareth, filled with lively banter and adventures.

  
  

• A remarkable story unfolds as a man, who had been frozen in time since 1979, emerges to embrace life anew in 2021 after a long absence.

  
  

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

The Harry Potter movies chronicle the adventures of a young wizard, Harry Potter, as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, confronts dark forces, and discovers his true destiny. For those wondering where to watch harry potter , the movies are available on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime, or they can be rented from digital retailers. However, due to regional restrictions, some users might need a Netflix VPN to access the films in certain countries.

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