Geography

Northern Province (Zambia) Northern Province, Zambia One of Zambia's ten provinces, centered on Kasama. Noted for large lakes and wetlands, waterfalls, sparsely settled uplands, subsistence agriculture, and growing nature-based touri…

Northern Red Sea Region (Eritrea) Northern Red Sea Region Coastal administrative region of Eritrea centered on Massawa, stretching along the Red Sea and including the Dahlak Archipelago; noted for maritime history, coral ecosystems, fishe…

Northern Rhodesia (British protectorate and predecessor of Zambia) Northern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia was a British-administered territory in south-central Africa (1911–1964). Centered on the Copperbelt and Lusaka, it became independent as Zambia in 1964 and was l…

Northern Savonia (Pohjois-Savo) Northern Savonia Northern Savonia (Pohjois-Savo) is an eastern Finnish region centered on Kuopio, known for lakes, forests, Savonian culture, forestry and agriculture, and as a local hub for educat…

Northern Territory (Australia): overview, landscape, people and natural heritage Northern Territory An overview of the Northern Territory of Australia: its geography, climate, Indigenous heritage, major towns, national parks such as Uluru and Kakadu, economy, and governance.

Northern United States The Northern United States is a geographic and historical region including states along the Canada–U.S. border and northern coastal and inland areas, noted for diverse climates, in…

Northridge, Los Angeles: neighborhood overview and notable features Northridge, Los Angeles Northridge is a residential and institutional neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, known for California State University, Northridge, the 1994 earthquake, regional shopping, an…

Northwest (direction) Northwest Northwest is the compass direction halfway between north and west (bearing 315°), an intercardinal point used in navigation, mapping, meteorology and regional names such as the Pac…

Northwest Division (NHL) A former National Hockey League division (1998–2013) in the Western Conference, made up of clubs from western Canada and the northwestern United States, known for regional rivalrie…

Northwest Highlands (Scotland) Northwest Highlands A concise encyclopedic overview of Scotland's Northwest Highlands: geography, geology, ecology, settlements, history, and recreational importance.

Northwest Italy (Nord-Ovest) — geography, regions and economy Northwest Italy Northwest Italy is a statistical NUTS1 area of Italy including Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Aosta Valley; noted for the Alps, the Po Valley, major cities and an advanced industr…

Northwest Passage: Arctic sea route and its history, challenges, and modern significance Northwest Passage Sea route along the northern coast of North America linking Atlantic and Pacific waters; historically sought by explorers, now affected by seasonal ice changes and geopolitical, en…

Northwest Region (Cameroon) One of Cameroon's regions, centered on Bamenda, known for montane forests, Lake Oku, Menchum Falls, seven departments, a strong anglophone heritage, and farming-based economy.

Northwest Territories: overview, geography, history, people and economy Northwest Territories A concise, neutral introduction to the Northwest Territories of Canada: geography, history, government, peoples, economy and notable natural features.

Northwestern Oklahoma Regional overview of northwestern Oklahoma, covering the Oklahoma Panhandle, landscape, history, economy, and notable geographic and cultural features.

Northwestern Ontario Region of Ontario covering Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay districts; characterized by vast forests, lakes, subarctic areas, resource industries, Indigenous cultures and sparse…

Northwestern Region (Norðurland vestra), Iceland Northwestern Region (Iceland) A concise overview of Iceland's Northwestern Region (Norðurland vestra): its location, landscape, population centers, economy and role as a statistical region of Iceland.

Northwood, Iowa Northwood, a small city in northern Iowa and the county seat of Worth County, known for its agricultural surroundings, historic downtown, community institutions, and local events.

Norway: geography, government, language, and culture Norway An accessible overview of Norway: its geography, political system, population and languages, economy, and cultural highlights, with key distinctions and practical context.

Norwegian Sea: geography, oceanography, ecology and human uses Norwegian Sea The Norwegian Sea is a deep, ice-free marginal sea in the North Atlantic off Norway. This article explains its location, physical features, oceanography, ecology, resources, and hi…

Noshaq — highest peak of Afghanistan and a prominent Hindu Kush summit Noshaq Noshaq is a 7,492 m peak on the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, the highest in Afghanistan and the westernmost 7,000 m mountain in the world, notable in mountaineering, geography and…

Nottinghamshire — county in the East Midlands, England Nottinghamshire Overview of Nottinghamshire: geography, administrative districts, history, economy, culture and notable features including Sherwood Forest, River Trent and Nottingham city.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine: region of southwestern France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Overview of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a large administrative region of France: geography, history, economy, major cities and cultural notes, formed from Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Ch…

Nova Scotia — Canadian Atlantic province Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is an Atlantic Canadian province on the east coast, known for its coastline, Mi'kmaq and Acadian heritage, Halifax, maritime economy, and historic events such as the Ha…

Novaya Zemlya: Arctic archipelago of northern Russia Novaya Zemlya Novaya Zemlya is a two-island Arctic archipelago in northern Russia, known for rugged mountains, extensive glaciers, sparse settlements, Arctic wildlife and its Cold War nuclear te…

Ñuble Region Ñuble Region (Región de Ñuble) is a first-order administrative region of Chile with capital Chillán, created in 2018. It is an agricultural and cultural area centered on the Ñuble…

Nubra — valley, river, and mountain pika Nubra Nubra refers to a high‑altitude valley and river in the Ladakh region of northern India, and to a small mountain mammal (Nubra pika) found in similar Himalayan habitats.

Nubra Valley (Ldumra) — high‑altitude valley in Ladakh, India Nubra Valley Nubra Valley (Ldumra) is a high‑altitude valley in northern Ladakh, India, known for its cold desert landscape, Diskit monastery, sand dunes at Hunder and the rare double‑humped Ba…

Nullarbor Plain — the treeless limestone expanse of southern Australia Nullarbor Plain A vast, largely treeless limestone plateau in southern Australia covering about 200,000 km². Known for karst caves, coastal cliffs along the Great Australian Bight and long east–we…

Nunavut: Canada’s northern territory Nunavut Nunavut is Canada’s largest and northernmost territory, created in 1999 as a homeland for Inuit communities. It has a sparse population, Arctic landscapes, distinct cultures, and a…

Nuristan Province Nuristan Province is a remote, mountainous region in eastern Afghanistan, noted for its Nuristani languages, steep Hindu Kush valleys, distinct cultural history and largely rural e…

Nürnberger Land: district in Middle Franconia, Bavaria Nürnberger Land Nürnberger Land is a rural district in Middle Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, combining small towns, forests and hills east of Nuremberg with cultural sites, industry and outdoor recr…

Nyanga Province (Gabon) Nyanga Province Nyanga is the southernmost province of Gabon, with the capital Tchibanga. It is sparsely populated and notable for its Atlantic coast, mangroves, Nyanga River and extensive lowland…

Nyon District — administrative, geographic and cultural overview Nyon (district) Nyon District is an administrative district in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, centered on the town of Nyon and covering a lakeshore and hinterland area with vineyards, towns and…

O'Higgins Region (VI Region of Chile) O'Higgins Region Central Chilean region named for Bernardo O'Higgins; capital Rancagua. Important for agriculture, wine production, and copper mining, with coastal and Andean landscapes.

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois Oakbrook Terrace is a small incorporated city in DuPage County, Illinois, within the Chicago metropolitan area, known for its mix of commercial development, office space, and hospi…

Oasis: desert settlements around water and vegetation Oasis An oasis is a localized area in a desert where water allows plants, wildlife and human settlement. This article explains how oases form, their history, uses, ecological role and pr…

Oaxaca (Mexican state) Oaxaca Oaxaca is a culturally diverse state in southern Mexico, noted for its indigenous peoples (Zapotec, Mixtec), strong regional traditions, colonial capital Oaxaca de Juárez, varied l…

Ob (river) Major Siberian river that, together with its main tributary the Irtysh, forms one of the largest river systems in the world; important for navigation, ecology and regional industry…

Oberaargau (administrative district) Oberaargau is an administrative district in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, covering 354 km² and comprising 50 municipalities. It occupies part of the upper Aare valley around the…

Oberallgäu: rural district in Swabia, Bavaria Oberallgäu Oberallgäu is a rural district in the Swabian region of southwest Bavaria, Germany. It comprises Alpine foothills, farming and tourism areas; Sonthofen is the district seat while K…

Oberbergischer Kreis Oberbergischer Kreis is a rural district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, covering part of the Bergisches Land. It features a hilly landscape, small towns, forests, reservoirs a…

Oberblegisee Oberblegisee is a small alpine lake in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, known for its mountain setting below the Glärnisch peaks. It is a destination for hikers and nature enthus…

Oberdorf, Haut-Rhin Oberdorf is a former commune in the Haut-Rhin department of eastern France, now part of the new commune Illtal since 2016. It lies in the historic Alsace area and retains rural and…

Oberegg — district and exclave of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland Oberegg Oberegg is a district of the canton Appenzell Innerrhoden known for its small exclaves, rural landscape, historical ties from the Reformation era, and traditional Appenzell culture…

Oberhasli district, Bern (Haslital) — geography, municipalities and overview Oberhasli (district) Oberhasli (Haslital) is a mountainous district in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It includes six municipalities across alpine valleys, notable passes and tourist sites such as Me…

Oberhavel district, Brandenburg, Germany Oberhavel Oberhavel is a district in northern Brandenburg, Germany, centered on Oranienburg. It combines suburban areas near Berlin with lakes, forests and small towns; created in 1993 from…

Oberpullendorf District — administration, geography and culture Oberpullendorf District Oberpullendorf District in Burgenland, Austria: overview of its geography, municipalities, history, economy, culture and administrative role within the Austrian state.