Yeah the Tolkien map and Europe could come under my thread. I have seen Europe overlaid on top, (but the world Map in Tolkien Bestiary looks more like a mirror of 2 continents - though I don't know if that was done by Tolkien)

I do try and steer away from Middle-Earth type of world. Actually looking at some of the other information on this forum that is helping with that.

I live in the UK, so I as I create my 'ultimate' world (coz I'm actually trying to write fantasy novels and develop a world for them) I fall into a trap of what I mentioned above. On the other hand, if you want to get the reader to have a sense of security, then putting the hero's home town in a familiar setting can be a good device