Geography

Pelagic zone — the open ocean away from coasts Pelagic zone The pelagic zone is the open-water part of the ocean beyond the shore and continental shelf. It is structured by depth, light and pressure and hosts plankton, nekton and many ecosy…

Pelagie Islands Three small Mediterranean islands — Lampedusa, Linosa and Lampione — politically Italian but geologically linked to North Africa, known for arid landscapes, fishing, tourism and im…

Peloponnese: geography, history and cultural significance Peloponnese The Peloponnese is a large, mountainous peninsula in southern Greece noted for its ancient sites, varied coastline, islands, and a long history from prehistoric and classical eras…

Pemagatshel District, Bhutan Pemagatshel District Pemagatshel District is a southeastern district of Bhutan with its administrative centre at Shumar Gewog. It includes forested valleys, parts of Royal Manas National Park, and elev…

Peninsula: land surrounded by water on three sides Peninsula A peninsula is a landform projecting into water and connected to mainland by an isthmus; important in geography, history, settlement, and strategic planning with many notable examp…

Pennine Alps: High Glaciated Range on the Switzerland–Italy Border Pennine Alps Pennine Alps — a glaciated high-mountain range on the Switzerland–Italy border, featuring Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn, major glaciers, historic passes, and popular mountaineering…

Pennines: the upland spine of northern England Pennines Overview of the Pennines: location, geology, ecology, history, recreation and conservation of the upland chain running from the Peak District to the Scottish border.

Pennington County, South Dakota — Rapid City and the Black Hills Pennington County, South Dakota County in western South Dakota centered on Rapid City, created in 1875; known for Black Hills landscapes, Mount Rushmore, outdoor recreation, and a mix of urban and rural communiti…

Pennsylvania (U.S. state) Pennsylvania Pennsylvania is a northeastern U.S. state known as the Keystone State. It features diverse landscapes, major cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, historic sites, and varied…

Penza Oblast Penza Oblast is a federal subject of Russia in the Volga region. Its administrative center is the city of Penza. The region combines agricultural plains, industrial towns, and a mi…

Perambalur taluk: administration, geography, and local significance Perambalur taluk Perambalur taluk is an administrative subdivision in Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, India. It centers on the town of Perambalur and includes a number of revenue villages and loca…

Peravia Province (Dominican Republic) Peravia Province Coastal province in the southern Dominican Republic with capital Baní; noted for agriculture, fishing, dry landscapes and the Baní sand dunes; local commerce and coastal tourism ar…

Perennial stream — year‑round flowing watercourses and their ecology Perennial stream A perennial stream flows continuously through normal years, fed by groundwater and surface runoff; it supports aquatic life and riparian ecosystems and differs from intermittent an…

Perg District (Bezirk Perg), Upper Austria Perg District Administrative district in Upper Austria centred on the town of Perg; includes 26 municipalities and notable sites such as the Mauthausen Memorial.

Periphery: meanings, uses, and distinctions Periphery Periphery denotes an outer boundary or edge across disciplines — geography, anatomy, politics, technology — and carries distinct technical and metaphorical senses.

Perito Moreno Glacier — major Patagonian glacier in Argentina Perito Moreno Glacier A large glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, known for its dramatic ice damming and rupture cycles, accessibility from El Calafate, and relative stability amid region…

Perkins County, South Dakota Perkins County is a sparsely populated county in northwestern South Dakota, created in 1909. Its county seat is Bison. The local economy centers on ranching and farming amid mixed-…

Perm Krai: geography, history, economy and culture of a western Ural region Perm Krai Perm Krai is a federal subject of Russia formed in 2005 around the city of Perm. It spans the western slopes of the Ural Mountains and the eastern East European Plain, centered on…

Pernambuco: Brazilian state of Northeast with coastal cities and rich culture Pernambuco Pernambuco is a state in northeastern Brazil centered on Recife, known for its sugarcane economy, diverse climates from humid coast to semi-arid interior, colonial history and vibr…

Pernik Province (Oblast Pernik) Pernik Province Pernik Province is an administrative region in western Bulgaria centered on the city of Pernik, known for its industrial history, mountainous landscapes, and the annual Surva masqu…

Persian Gulf A shallow, strategically vital gulf between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula known for oil resources, shipping routes, rich marine life and a longstanding naming dispute.

Persian Gulf naming dispute: history, positions, and contemporary implications Persian Gulf naming dispute Conflict over whether the body of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula should be called the Persian Gulf or the Arabian Gulf; historical usage, modern politics, and effects…

Perth and Kinross: Geography, Governance and Historical Counties Perth and Kinross Overview of Perth and Kinross: its geography from river valleys to uplands, local governance based in Perth, land use and tourism, and how modern council boundaries relate to histo…

Perthshire — County of Perth in central Scotland Perthshire Perthshire (County of Perth) is a historic county in central Scotland known for varied landscapes from lowland farmland to Highland mountains, rivers such as the Tay, and a strong…

Peru: Geography, History, Culture, and Economy Peru Comprehensive overview of Peru, covering its geography, history, government, economy, culture, and major attractions including Lima, Machu Picchu, the Andes, and the Amazon.

Peshawar District — administrative, historical, and cultural overview Peshawar District Peshawar District is a principal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, centered on the city of Peshawar. It is a historic frontier hub with mixed urban and rural communities.

Petén Department — Guatemala’s northernmost and largest department Petén Department Petén is the largest, northernmost department of Guatemala, known for extensive lowland rainforests, Maya archaeological sites such as Tikal, the capital Flores, and large protecte…

Petermann Ranges: geography, geology, ecology and human significance Petermann Ranges A remote mountain chain in central Australia spanning Western Australia and the Northern Territory, known for ancient geology, arid biodiversity, and cultural significance to Indig…

Petroleum County, Montana: overview, history, and characteristics Petroleum County, Montana Petroleum County is a sparsely populated county in the U.S. state of Montana. Named for early oil activity, its county seat is Winnett and it is Montana's least populous county.

Pfaffenhofen (district): geography, economy and local life Pfaffenhofen (district) Pfaffenhofen is a rural district (Landkreis) in Upper Bavaria, Germany, centered on Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm and known for agriculture and the Hallertau hop-growing region.

Pfäffikon District (Canton of Zürich) Pfäffikon District Pfäffikon District is an administrative district in the German-speaking canton of Zürich, Switzerland, centered on the town of Pfäffikon and characterised by lakeside landscapes an…

Phantom island: cartographic errors, mirages and lost lands Phantom island Phantom islands are reported landmasses that appeared on charts or in accounts but were later disproved, renamed, or submerged. Causes include mapping mistakes, optical effects, an…

Philippine Sea: Geography, Ecology and Strategic Role Philippine Sea The Philippine Sea is the western Pacific body of water east of the Philippines and Taiwan. This article summarizes its location, physical features, ecology, climate influences, hu…

Philippines: an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia Philippines An archipelagic country in Southeast Asia of over 7,600 islands, the Philippines has diverse cultures, complex geography, a history of Spanish and American rule, and a contemporary…

Physical geography: Earth's systems, landscapes, and processes Physical geography Study of Earth's natural systems—atmosphere, water, landforms and life—their processes, patterns, history, and how they shape environments and human activity.

Piave The Piave is a major river in northeastern Italy that rises in the Alps and flows southeast through the Veneto plain to the Adriatic Sea near Venice; noted for its historic and eco…

Pic Palas (Pic de Palas) — Pyrenean summit on the France–Spain border Pic Palas Pic Palas is a 2,974 m (9,757 ft) mountain in the Pyrenees on the Spain–France frontier, the highest point of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, known for…

Picardy: geography, history, economy and cultural highlights Picardy Picardy (French: Picardie) is a historical and former administrative region in northern France, now part of Hauts-de-France. Known for agriculture, World War I history, and the cit…

Pico da Neblina: Brazil's Highest Peak in Amazonas near the Venezuela Border Pico da Neblina Pico da Neblina, Brazil's highest peak (nearly 3,000 m) in Amazonas near the Venezuela border. Remote cloud-forest landscape rich in biodiversity; access is limited and regulated,…

Pico do Fogo: Cape Verde’s central volcano and its caldera Pico do Fogo Pico do Fogo is an active stratovolcano on Fogo Island, Cape Verde, rising to 2,829 m. It features a large caldera, a central cone, historic eruptions, unique endemic plants and lo…

Pico Ruivo — Highest Peak of Madeira Pico Ruivo Pico Ruivo is the highest point on Madeira island (1,862 m). This article summarizes its location, geography, natural environment, hiking routes and significance within Portugal's…

Piedmont: geography, history, economy and cultural highlights Piedmont Piedmont (Piemonte) is a northwestern Italian region at the foot of the Alps, centered on Turin. This article outlines its geography, history, economy, wines, languages and adminis…

Pielești — commune in Dolj County, Romania Pielești Pielești is a rural commune in Dolj County, southern Romania. This article outlines its location, geography, history, economy, cultural life, and local administration for a concise…

Pierce County (United States counties) Pierce County Pierce County is the name shared by five U.S. counties in different regions. This article summarizes their locations, origins of the name, distinguishing features, and common roles…

Pike County, Alabama Pike County is a county in southeastern Alabama. Founded in 1821 and named for General Zebulon Pike, its county seat is Troy. The 2010 census recorded 32,899 residents.

Pilbara: geography, geology, people and economy of a remote Australian region Pilbara Overview of the Pilbara region of north Western Australia: landscape, ancient geology, climate, Aboriginal heritage, mining and towns such as Port Hedland, Karratha and Newman.

Pilica — river in central Poland Pilica (river) Pilica is a major central-Polish river, a left tributary of the Vistula. It runs about 319 km with a basin of roughly 9,273 km², noted for reservoirs, protected valleys and recreat…

Pind Kargu Khan: A Union Council of Abbottabad District Pind Kargu Khan Pind Kargu Khan is a rural union council near Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, known for pine forests, mixed farming, orchards and local cultural traditions. Overview, g…