Ithilien, or Moon-land, was the only part of Gondor which lay across the Great River Anduin, wedged in between the river and the Ephel Dúath of Mordor.
It was a fair and prosperous land during the Second Age and the first part of the Third Age, when Gondor was strong and Mordor deserted. Of old its chief city was Minas Ithil, but when this was captured by Mordor it was renamed Minas Morgul. After this the majority of its people fled across the Anduin to escape war, but the Stewards of Gondor still kept scouts in Ithilien, based on secret locations such as Henneth Annûn.
Ithilien was further divided in North and South Ithilien, but South Ithilien like Harondor was a contested area between Gondor and Near Harad.
During the Fourth Age, Ithilien was ruled by the Princes of Ithilien, a line that started with Faramir. Minas Morgul was not repopulated, and Faramir ruled as Lord of the Emyn Arnen.
Ithilien was a fair, green region of Gondor on the borders of Mordor.
Ithilien was located on the east side the Anduin between the river and the Mountains of Shadow.
Ithilien means "Moon land." The word ithil means "moon" from sil or thil meaning "shine with white or silver light." The ending -ien is a variation of a commonly used suffix in the names of countries or regions.