Geography

Rapids: Whitewater Sections of Rivers — Formation, Features, and Use Rapids Rapids are turbulent sections of rivers formed by gradient, constriction, obstruction and flow; they create whitewater, support recreation like rafting and kayaking, and influence…

Rapla County (Raplamaa) Rapla County Rapla County (Raplamaa) is one of Estonia's 15 counties, a predominantly rural area in the west-central part of the country with the town of Rapla as its administrative centre and…

Rappahannock River A major river in eastern Virginia that flows from the Blue Ridge to the Chesapeake Bay; notable for its watershed, ecology, colonial and Civil War history, and modern recreational…

Rapperswil Rapperswil — the name of three Swiss localities, best known for the lakeside town Rapperswil‑Jona (canton St. Gallen) with a medieval castle, rose gardens and a historic timber foo…

Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland Rapperswil-Jona Rapperswil-Jona is a lakeside municipality in the canton of St. Gallen formed in 2007 from Rapperswil and Jona. Known for its medieval town, castle, transport links and role as a r…

Rapperswil, St. Gallen (Switzerland) Rapperswil, St. Gallen Historic lakeside town on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich in the canton of St. Gallen. Known for its medieval castle, rose gardens, wooden bridge and a 2007 municipal merger with…

Rapti Zone: geography, history, and significance in Nepal Rapti Zone Rapti Zone was a former administrative zone in Nepal's Mid-Western Development Region, named for the Rapti River. It included several hill and valley districts and played a notable…

Raritan River Major central New Jersey river that drains to Raritan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; important for regional ecology, history, recreation and water resources.

Raron (Valais, Switzerland) Raron Raron is a small historic municipality in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It is the administrative center of the Raron district and is known for a medieval village core, alpine…

Raron District (Valais, Switzerland) Raron (district) Raron is a district in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The article covers its setting, characteristics, history, economy and a list of municipalities that have formed part of th…

Rarotonga — largest island of the Cook Islands Rarotonga Rarotonga is the largest and most populous island of the Cook Islands, home to the capital Avarua. A volcanic, ringed island with a central highland, reef-fringed lagoon and an eco…

Râșca, Suceava County Râşca, Suceava Râșca is a rural commune in Suceava County, northeastern Romania. The article outlines its setting, administrative role, landscape, economy, cultural notes and how it differs from…

Rasht — capital of Gilan Province, Iran Rasht Rasht is the capital of Gilan Province in northern Iran, noted for its rainy climate, distinctive Gilaki culture and cuisine, historic bazaars, and role as a regional commercial an…

Rastatt (district) — Landkreis in Baden-Württemberg, Germany Rastatt (district) Rastatt is a rural district (Landkreis) in western Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It surrounds Baden-Baden, borders France's Bas-Rhin, and combines historic towns, industry and transp…

Ratanakiri Province — northeast Cambodia: geography, people and conservation Ratanakiri province Ratanakiri is a remote, forested province in northeastern Cambodia. Known for its highlands, indigenous communities, protected parks and Banlung town, it faces development and cons…

Ratchaburi province: western gateway of Thailand Ratchaburi province Overview of Ratchaburi province in western Thailand: geography, history, economy, main attractions such as Damnoen Saduak floating market, and notable cultural and natural features…

Rautavesi — lake in Sastamala, Pirkanmaa, Finland Rautavesi Rautavesi is a lake located in Sastamala in the Pirkanmaa region of western Finland. The article covers its setting, natural characteristics, uses, and cultural and environmental c…

Rauzan: Commune in Gironde, Southwestern France Rauzan Rauzan is a small commune in the Gironde department of southwestern France, known for its medieval castle ruins, rural landscape and links to the Bordeaux wine region.

Ravalli County, Montana — Bitterroot Valley county overview Ravalli County, Montana Ravalli County lies in southwestern Montana's Bitterroot Valley. The county seat is Hamilton. Known for mountains, rivers, recreation and agriculture; population about 40,212 at th…

Ravenna: Italian city of Byzantine mosaics and late Roman history Ravenna Ravenna is an inland Emilia-Romagna city and comune in Italy, renowned for its early Christian and Byzantine mosaics, its role as a late Roman and Ostrogothic capital, and its rich…

Ravensburg (district) Ravensburg is a Landkreis (rural district) in southeastern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, centered on the historic town of Ravensburg and covering parts of Upper Swabia and the Allgäu…

Ravenswood — North Side neighborhood of Chicago Ravenswood, Chicago Ravenswood is a North Side Chicago neighborhood in the Lincoln Square community area, noted for courtyard-style apartment buildings, tree-lined streets, mixed housing, local busine…

Ravi River Transboundary river of northwestern India and eastern Pakistan, one of the five rivers of Punjab; rises in the Himalayas, flows past Lahore, and is governed by the Indus Waters Tre…

Ravine: steep-sided erosion landform and its characteristics Ravine A ravine is a narrow, steep-sided valley formed chiefly by water erosion. This article describes its features, formation, ecological role, differences from canyons and gullies, and…

Rawal Lake Artificial reservoir in the Margalla Hills that supplies water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and serves as a local recreational and ecological area under ongoing conservation challe…

Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Rawalakot Rawalakot is the principal town and tehsil headquarters of Poonch District in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, known for its hill setting, regional markets, administrative role an…

Rawalpindi District (Punjab, Pakistan) Rawalpindi District Administrative district in northern Punjab, Pakistan, centered on Rawalpindi city; includes hill resorts, archaeological Taxila, and several tehsils with varied geography, economy…

Razgrad Province, Bulgaria: Geography, Administration, and Regional Overview Razgrad Province Overview of Razgrad Province in northeastern Bulgaria—its geography, municipalities and provincial administration, transport links, local economy and the city of Razgrad as regiona…

Reagan County, Texas Reagan County, Texas, is a small West Texas county centered on Big Lake, historically tied to oil production in the Permian Basin. It includes Big Lake, Best, Stiles and Texon and…

Reasi — town and district in Jammu region, Jammu and Kashmir, India Reasi Reasi is a hilly district and town in the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, India, known for its proximity to the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage gateway (Katra), forested hills, agricu…

Rébénacq: a commune in the foothills of the French Pyrenees Rébénacq Rébénacq is a small commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, southwestern France. Nestled in the Béarn region near the Pyrenees, it is known for rural life, local heritage, outdoor access…

Recklinghausen (district) Recklinghausen is a district (Kreis) in the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, known for its industrial heritage, urban municipalities, and cultural events centered on…

Red Clay Creek A Mid-Atlantic stream running from southeastern Pennsylvania into northern Delaware, Red Clay Creek is a tributary of White Clay Creek with historical, ecological, and recreational…

Red Hills (Gypsum Hills) — distinctive red rock region of southern Kansas Red Hills (Kansas) A dry, dissected landscape of redbeds and gypsum outcrops in southern Kansas, the Red Hills (Gypsum Hills) form a rugged counterpoint to the Great Plains and support ranching, wild…

Red River (rivers and related uses) Red River “Red River” is a name applied to several rivers worldwide—most notably in East/Southeast Asia and North America—and to places, historical events, and cultural works associated with…

Red River County, Texas Red River County is a rural county in northeastern Texas named for the Red River. The county seat is Clarksville; the population was 12,860 at the 2010 census. The area has agricul…

Red River of the North — course, characteristics, history, and importance Red River of the North A neutral overview of the Red River of the North: its course from the U.S. prairie to Lake Winnipeg, physical characteristics, agricultural significance, flood history and cross-bo…

Red Sea: geography, ecology, history and economic importance Red Sea Concise overview of the Red Sea: its geography between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, physical and ecological features, major ports and shipping routes, climate, tourism and con…

Red Sea Governorate (Egypt) Red Sea Governorate Coastal governorate of Egypt along the Red Sea, centered on Hurghada; known for tourism, diving, ports, and a desert interior stretching between the Nile valley and the Red Sea.

Reef: Types, Formation, Ecology, and Human Interactions Reef A reef is a submerged feature—rock, sandbar, or biogenic structure—supporting diverse marine life. This article describes reef types, formation, ecological value, threats, and huma…

Reference ellipsoid: mathematical model for Earth in geodesy Reference ellipsoid A reference ellipsoid is a smooth mathematical surface approximating Earth's shape, used as the basis for geodetic coordinates, map projections, datum definitions and GNSS position…

Regen (district) Regen is a rural district in the Bavarian Forest of Lower Bavaria, Germany, named for the Regen river. It is noted for wooded landscapes, traditional glassmaking, outdoor recreatio…

Regensburg (district) Regensburg (Landkreis) is a rural district in Bavaria, Germany, encircling the independent city of Regensburg and crossed by the Danube; it combines river valleys, uplands, agricul…

Region: Definition, Types, History, and Uses in Geography Region A region is a medium-scale area of land or water distinguished by shared features. This article explains its definitions, types, historical use, practical examples, governance role…

Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur (RAAS), Nicaragua Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur One of Nicaragua's two autonomous Caribbean regions, established in 1989. Capital Bluefields; includes island destinations such as the Corn Islands and a diverse Afro‑Caribbean and…

Region of Murcia, Spain Region of Murcia Autonomous community in southeast Spain centered on the city of Murcia. Noted for its Mediterranean coast, agriculture, historical port city Cartagena, and a mix of coastal tourism…

Region of Southern Denmark Administrative region in southern Denmark encompassing Funen, southern Jutland and nearby islands; seat in Vejle, largest city Odense, with key industries, transport links and the…

Region Zealand (Region Sjælland) Region Zealand Administrative region in Denmark covering the island of Zealand and nearby islands; seat in Sorø, largest city Roskilde. Created in 2007, it manages healthcare and regional develop…