Just some info I'm compiling. If anyone has more, I'll add it.

Major cities

The following cities have been described as 'big', 'huge' and 'massive'. Here's the latest official map. http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2858/skyrimmap.png
Also, here's a map I made that also seperates the holds. Note, however, that it is slightly outdated. Markarth and Karthwasten need to be swapped around, and the ??? region is actually Pine Forest.
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx316/randomguyface/6thmap.png?t=1297322848

Markarth
http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/screenshots/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim/TheElderScrollsVSkyrimMedia/Markarth01.jpg

Previously known as Markarth Side, Markarth is part of the hold known as "The Reach", and inside a large canyon with a river running through it. Confirmed to be an ancient Dwemer ruin on Twitter, and also a major city. Todd Howard also mentioned an ancient Dwemer ruin built into the side of a mountain now inhabited by current Skyrim residents. The Dwemer style is quite different from that seen in previous games, but it is possible more similar Dwemer style things inside buildings/ruin areas. Much of it is built directly into the walls, but there are also some standalone buildings, and it is built mostly of white stone, with orange-brown roof tiles. According to UESP, conatins an Imperial College of the Voice. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Markarth_Side

http://cdn.zenimax.com/akqacms/files/tes/concept_art/MarkarthCastleExterior.jpg

NOTE: Ithas been suggested to me that Markarth may actually be a renamed Karthwasten (being closer to this location on the arena map) while Markarth Side is a seperate settlement, and that the canyon is named Markarth, thus earning the names. I think this isprobably not the case, as settlements have been relocated before on maps (even Whiterun is in a different place to the Oblivion map) but I am listing the theory here anyway, as it is a reasonable possiblity.

Riften
http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy297/b_harrison/misc/artofskyrim_004_town.jpg

Located in the hold of "Rift", Riften is a major city on the edge of a lake that feeds into a river, with an island slightly to the West. It appears to have mostly wooden buildings of seemingly Nordic style, generally around 2 stories high, and in the concept art, there are 15 buildings at least partially visible. It contains a section that appears to have the Fall Forest directly surrounding it, so doesn't appear to be walled in. There is also a section built on stilts sticking out of the water and another section at the water's edge that does not seem to be on stilts and contains a port. There is a fishery with smokers, a hatchery, an advlt pond and gutting tables. At one point at least, there was a place in Riften where joining the theives guild was possible. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Rifton

Windhelm

Windhelm is in the hold of Eastmarch, in a snowy region. Windhelm is the largest city. It has a palace that should look spectacular. This is also apparently the hangout for the Imperial Guards who monitor the path to Morrowind (From one of the Foreign language mags, I forget). The latest map suggests rebels are based here (Though this seems to be contradictory to the idea that it is the hangout for Imperial guards). Windhelm was once the capitol of the First Empire, the old palace of the Ysgramor dynasty can still be seen in the center of the city. The palace is in fact one of the few original First Empire buildings left, as the city has been sacked twice, during the War of Succession (before 1E 420) and by the Akaviri army of Ada'Soon Dir-Kamal. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Windhelm

This may be Windhelm. The environment and location seems to match the map. http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7418/skyrim2.jpg

Solitude

Solitude is a city in an as-of-yet unnamed hold in Northwestern Skyrim, bordering regions of Tundra Marsh and Pine Forest, and borders the ocean. In the northern parts of Solitude is the Bard's College. The city is a busy port and there's event similar to bonfire night that has the burning of an effigy of King Olaf. It is famous as the Northernmost point in Tamriel. Solitude was once known as Haafingar, which suggests a possible Dwemer origin. Going by the latest map, this is where the those on the Empire's side of the war are based.

It is likely, given the location environment, that this is Solitude. http://i.imgur.com/G4aLM.jpg which may be a later version of this concept art http://www.thedragonborn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/concept1.png though I think this is unlikely, as the environment is different and the building style is very different. Though it does retain the rock bridge over inlet idea.

Whiterun
http://cdn.zenimax.com/akqacms/files/tes/concept_art/WhiterunCityTundra.jpg

Whiterun is a city in Central Skyrim, in the Hold of Whiterun, in a Tundra region. The area containing Whiterun and High Hrothgar used to be referred to as the "Imperial City of Skyrim", before it underwent several acts of choas, including a dynastic feud, attacks by H?rme bandits and frost trolls, and a series of annihilating winters of alternating floods, droughts, and fires. A self-proclaimed priestess of Lorkhan, Jsashe the Witch-Queen, controlled the county and the local witches' coven at the time "A pocket guide to the Empire" was written. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Whiterun

I suspect the city at sunset/rise in this image may be Whiterun. http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx316/randomguyface/Variousshots.png?t=1296069496
I also believe this may be part of Whiterun, and the big building is perhaps the castle (we can see from the Markarth castle that they are not generic like Oblvion). http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/1102/skyrim3.jpg

Smaller Cities and Towns

There are 20 minor settlements in Skyrim, each of which is said to have at least 10 houses. There are 3 places listed as cities on the old map that are no longer part of the "massive" 5. It is unknown whether these will be made as smaller cities or large towns or what. Here are some cities and towns likely to be in. The only one confirmed is Riverwood.

Dawnstar
Dawnstar is a garrison town on the northern coast of Skyrim. It was after the destruction of a fortress in Dawnstar during 2E 283 that Potentate Versidue-Shaie declared martial law, leading to one of the most brutal and bloody periods in the history of Tamriel. At the end of the third era, Dawnstar's Queen Macalla married Thian, king of Solitude leading to an alliance between the two city-states, as part of an expansion of Solitude's power in northern Skyrim.http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Dawnstar

This is possibly some concept art of Dawnstar. http://www.thedragonborn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/concept1.png The architecture is possibly of Dwemer origin, as it has some aspects of that, and another possibilty for the town's identity is Winterhold (see below) or perhaps Solitude.

Winterhold
Winterhold (sometimes called Winter Hold) is the capital of the namesake county and a coastal fortress, located on the northeastern tip of Skyrim. Somewhat isolated from the rest of Nord culture, but still wealthy and influential, it is known as one of the Old Holds. Due to its proximity to Morrowind's border, Winterhold is heavily affected by Dunmer ways and ideas, fueling part of its economy. It contains the Ysmir Collective, and the well-known College of Winterhold. The ruins of Saarthal are closeby. The failure to appoint Jarl Hanse of Winterhold to King of Skyrim ignited the War of Succession in 1E 369. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Winterhold

Falkreath
Falkreath is a town in south-western Skyrim, close to the border with both Cyrodiil and Hammerfell. Just across the border in Hammerfell lies the town of Elinhir. At one point the city seems to have been counted as part of Cyrodiil. In the first and second eras, Falkreath was one of several kingdoms making up western Colovia, but in the final century of the second era, the kingdom came to greater prominence under the leadership of Cuhlecain and his general, Hjalti Early-Beard or Talos - later to be known as Tiber Septim. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Falkreath

Riverwood
A small logging community in a Pine forest region near High Hrothgar. It has a 'spattering'of houses made out of wood with straw roofs and has a pub and a smith. There is a mill, seemingly powered by a water wheel. The town can be seen here. http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/174/skyrim7.jpg

Granitehall
Sunguard
Kynesgrove
Oakwood
Dunstad Gove
Stonehill
Dragon Bridge
Laintar Dale
Northkeep
Green Wood
Karthwasten

Other Locations

There are roughly 120 dungeons in the game, including Nordic Ruins, Ice caves and most likely Dwemer Ruins.

Bleak Falls Barrows
Bleak Falls Barrows is a dungeon, with ancient Nord catacombs which features rivers, tree roots coming through the ceiling and light coming through odd cracks. I suspect that this concept art is for Bleak Falls Barrows. http://www.thedragonborn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/nordicruins.jpg-610x0.jpg Also, this could be the entrance (It is described as the entrance to a Nordic Barrow. http://cdn.zenimax.com/akqacms/files/tes/concept_art/NordicBarrowBruin.jpg

High Hrothgar
High Hrothgar is a settlement high atop the highest peak in Skyrim, the Throat of the World. Sitting atop seven thousand stone steps, here dwell the ancient Greybeards who endeavor to become more attuned to the voice of the sky. The Nords believe that they were created by Kyne when the sky breathed onto the peak of the mountain, which is also known as Snow-Throat or the Throat of the World. It is possible that Hrothgar has a mystical connection with the vanished Falmer. While this is probably not the precise one, there may be a temple at the top of High Hrothgar similar in appearance to this. http://www.thedragonborn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/nordictemple.jpg-610x0.jpg
The mountain on the left in this image, towering above the others, is likely to be High Hrothgar. http://www.gamestar.de/_misc/images/original.cfm?pk=2198717

Sky Haven Temple
An old Blades Temple. It contains Alduins Wall, a prophetic carving that shows the events leading up to the consumption of the world by Alduin. I suspect that the building on the left in this picture is Sky Haven Temple. http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx316/randomguyface/Variousshots.png?t=1296069496
Another possible appearance of part of the temple is in this image. http://www.gamereactor.no/media/59/elderscrolls5_235971b.jpg



So yeah, I'll add more or fix things up if you guys have any other info.

Just to add to what was already mentioned. The Imperial College of the Voice, founded by Tiber Septim, ages ago, to study the art of Thu'um warfare, is most likely the central building and spire in that shot of Markarth. (just a guess, but a logical one)

If you look directly below the 'spire' down near the botton level, you can see the outline of another structure. My guess is that there are 1 or 2 more buildings built into and around that central piece of rock that we can't see because of the nature of the screenshot, and that all of them together, comprise the college.

The college, whether its still in use, or its practices long abandoned, will no doubt have a few goodies for making our Dovahkiin stronger and more studied in dragonshouts. Not to mention will probably contain some good 'lore generating' in-game books.

ALL SPECULATION OF COURSE.

I suppose it could be, but I don't think there's really sufficient reason to put it in, as we've seen so little. I think it would be mroe likely to be in the cliff somewhere, maybe that eery black archway next to the waterfall, since Thu'um is very powerful and it would be dangerous to practice and study in such a thin tower.

Well I added a bit more to my theory. I'm not saying that it is just the tower. I think there's much more to that structure than we are able to see...but you could be right.

I'll meet you back here on November 12th, and one of us can gloat---sound good. :thumbsup:

Oh, I guess I forgot to say nice compilation before. So "nice compilation" :biggrin:

One more thing.

I read in another thread, that someone else thought that the piece of concept art directly to the right of your suspected Whiterun image, is a piece of artwork depicting the big bridge leading to the city of Windhelm.

Thought I'd mention it.

Well, I doubt it, for reasons I will explain below, but thanks for reminding me of that. Here's a bigger version of that art.
http://www.thedragonborn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/concept1.png
As you can see, it's not on a river , like Windhelm is, rather it's above a small inlet on the coast somewhere with a lighthouse. It also looks somewhat otherworldly, it could be Dawnstar or Winterhold, and also another possible Dwemer city, or something Morrowind influenced (in which case it is more likely Winterhold).

Notice the structure the dragon is sitting on,
http://greyviper.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/skyrim-dragon-perch.jpg

is the same as this artwork.
http://www.thedragonborn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/nordictemple.jpg-610x0.jpg

I don't think that's High Hrothgar. Perhaps structures leading to it.

Yes, well they aren't quite the same (the one the dragon is on actually seems to be the same as in the troll picture) but they are similar. I take back that it's probably High Hrothgar, because you can actually see another mountain behind it that is about the same height if not taller.

And you were the one who pointed out all the towns on that map in the concept art video weren't you? You wouldn't happen to still have that pic, would you?

Yep...good catch.

Seen more clearly it definitely appears to be a coastal background+no river.

Edit: looking at http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3503/maplabels.png, with the cities highlighted. If you follow the coast southwest of Winterhold, you will find a small shaded cell wrapped around the mouth of an inlet on the coastline with some writing next to it. Your image could possibly be concept art of that location. ???????

Edit2: If that is in fact the coastline. Its hard to discern what the white part of the map is, that surrounds the heavy border. (glacier/iceberg/iceshelf/land...submerged or not?) I can't be certain.

That's an old map with speculative city names and locations.

Here's a "clearer" map. http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2858/skyrimmap.png

Yeah, it doesn't seem to have glaciers surrounding it, but it is in a snowy region. I'd say most likely Dawnstar actually (On the newer map, there's a small glacier free point). I doubt it's Solitude because it's just so small. Looks like you can barely fit a street in there let alone a town square for burning effigies.

Something about this just sounds wrong...

I believe that "arching" city is Solitude.

I think it was Pete Heines twitter. Someone asked about the Dwemer ruins Todd Howard mentioned, and when we would get screenshots, and the reply was a link to that pic of Markarth.

I know I was just trying to point out how weird "Dwemer ruins" And "twitter" sounds in the same sentence

It could be, but like I said before, the reason I doubt it is because firstly, it's very small and there doesn't seem to be any connected locations, whereas Solitude is supposedly a large city with a busy port, and also it appears to be in a snowy region, whereas Solitude is between Pine Forest and Tundra Marsh.

Solitude is the only major city along the coast. Also the only city not surrounded by glaciers. Minor cities are said to only have 10+ buildings.

It could be Dawnstar.

Just thought I might give a little bump in case anyone is interested.

Updated with some stuff from the trailer. A few suppositions as to the places depicted.

Haafingar (the port town mentioned in several articles) is not listed.

It's Solitude. Haafingar is the old name. The map Bethesda had in the concept art and in the Oblivion map lists it as Solitude. The only source I remember listing 'Haafingar' was the IGN review video which got several things wrong, such as saying there were 1000 steps leading up High Hrothgar.

I love Markath. It looks really cool, in my opinion. Well, they all do, really. However, I like waterfalls and stone.

As far as the major cities go, will they have walls like in Oblivion or will they be open to walk right in? (what I'm really asking is, are there going to be loading times between the main map and the major cities like there was in Oblivion where you just enter the city door?)

Some may have surrounding walls, but I do not think there will be loading screens. I think they will be in the same worldspace. The Riften concept art shows large parts of it up against the water (so that much must be open) and it appears also to lead directly into the forest on it's borders, so no walls. Also, being in a canyon, you would need to be able to see Markarth from above and, if not climb down, fall into it, which means it would have to load before you enter through a gate. I am 95% sure there will not be walled cities.

Yep it's Solitude or also known as Haafingar.

I'm thinking Solitude is the name the Imperials and the Empire came to call it while the Nords and the people of Skyrim first knew it as Haafingar (That's just a guess though) But really the two names are both the same city.

It's actually got a very rich history and lore backstory to it. You should read http://www.imperial-library.info/content/morrowind-biography-wolf-queen and http://www.imperial-library.info/content/oblivion-wolf-queen which tell the life story of Queen Potema.



Solitude (Haafingar) is probably my favorite city of all in Skyrim because of these stories and the one I want to visit the most in game. I hope the Castle of Potema is still there!