Geography

Baghdad Governorate (Baghdad Province) Baghdad Governorate Baghdad Governorate is the central Iraqi province containing the national capital. It is the country's smallest governorate by area and serves as Iraq's political, cultural and eco…

Baglung District, Nepal Baglung District Baglung District in western Nepal is a hilly district in Gandaki Province, known for its river valleys, views of the Dhaulagiri range, agricultural economy and Baglung town as its…

Bagmati River — Kathmandu Valley's sacred river and environmental challenge Bagmati River The Bagmati River flows from the hills north of Kathmandu through Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. It is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, hosts major temples, and faces serious pollution a…

Bagmati Zone (former administrative division of Nepal) Bagmati Zone Bagmati Zone was a central administrative zone of Nepal, centered on the Kathmandu Valley. It combined urban, cultural and natural landscapes and was noted for mineral resources, h…

Bahawalpur District (Punjab, Pakistan) Bahawalpur District Bahawalpur District in southern Punjab, Pakistan: geography, history as a princely state, administration, economy, culture (Riasti dialect), notable sites including Cholistan Deser…

Bahia — Brazilian state on the Atlantic coast Bahia Bahia is a large northeastern state of Brazil known for its Atlantic coastline, Afro-Brazilian culture centered in Salvador, diverse landscapes, colonial history, and significance…

Bahr el Gazel Region (Chad) Bahr el Gazel (region of Chad) Bahr el Gazel is a semi‑arid region in central Chad with capital Moussoro, created in 2008 from part of Kanem. It comprises two departments and is characterised by seasonal wadis,…

Bahrain: the Kingdom — geography, history, society and economy Bahrain An overview of the Kingdom of Bahrain: its islands, geography, history, society, economy, landmarks and modern connections across the Gulf.

Baigts-de-Béarn — commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, southwestern France Baigts-de-Béarn Baigts-de-Béarn is a small rural commune in the historic Béarn area of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, southwestern France, known for its agricultural landscape, local heritage and proximity…

Băilești, Dolj County, Romania Băilești Băilești is a city in Dolj County, Oltenia, southwestern Romania. It is an agricultural and local service center and the birthplace of actors Amza Pellea and Marcel Iureș.

Bailiwick of Guernsey A Crown dependency in the Channel Islands comprising Guernsey and several smaller islands, with its own legal system, assemblies and distinctive political relationship with the UK.

Baintha Brakk (The Ogre) — Technical Karakoram Peak in Pakistan Baintha Brakk Baintha Brakk (The Ogre), a 7,285 m Karakoram peak in Pakistan's Panmah Muztagh, is famed for jagged granite faces and extreme technical routes; first climbed in 1977 by Bonington…

Bairiki — village and administrative centre on South Tarawa, Kiribati Bairiki Bairiki is a village and small island on South Tarawa, Kiribati. Once a primary government centre, it contains administrative offices, a post office, a small port and a regional Un…

Baïse — tributary of the Garonne in southwestern France Baïse The Baïse is a river rising in the Pyrenean foothills that flows north through Hautes‑Pyrénées, Gers and Lot‑et‑Garonne to join the Garonne, important for local irrigation, navigat…

Baja California (peninsula and northern Mexican state) Baja California Northwestern Mexican peninsula and the northern state that occupies its upper third. Known for arid landscapes, rich marine life in the Gulf of California, cross‑border links and a…

Baja California (Mexican state) Baja California (state) Baja California is a northwestern Mexican state on the Baja California Peninsula, bordering the U.S. state of California. It is known for its border cities, desert landscapes, Paci…

Baja California Peninsula A long, narrow peninsula in northwestern Mexico separating the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California; notable for its distinct coasts, diverse ecosystems, tectonic activity and…

Baja California Sur Baja California Sur is the southern Mexican state on the Baja California peninsula, known for long coastlines, arid interior landscapes, marine biodiversity and tourism hubs such a…

Bajaur District: geography, administration, and recent history Bajaur District Bajaur District, in northwestern Pakistan, is a hilly border region formerly an agency of FATA. This article summarizes its geography, administration, history, economy and notable…

Balakan District, Azerbaijan Balakan District Balakan District is a northwestern district of Azerbaijan in the Shaki‑Zagatala region, a foothill area noted for mixed agriculture, multiethnic communities and cross‑border links…

Balaton (Lake Balaton) Balaton Balaton is the largest lake in Hungary and Central Europe, a shallow, popular summer destination distinguished by contrasting northern hills and southern plains, historic towns, vi…

Baldwin County, Alabama Baldwin County is a large, rapidly growing coastal county in southwestern Alabama known for beaches, bayfront communities, tourism, and a mix of coastal and inland landscapes.

Balearic Islands Mediterranean archipelago and autonomous community of Spain comprising Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera; known for diverse landscapes, Catalan culture, tourism and maritime…

Balgo (Wirrimanu): Remote Aboriginal Community in Western Australia Balgo, Western Australia Balgo (Wirrimanu) is a remote Aboriginal community in northeastern Western Australia, located between the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts. It is an important centre for Kukatja and…

Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina): geography, peaks, ecology, and human significance Balkan Mountains The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) are a major east–west range across central Bulgaria into Serbia, notable for Botev Peak, diverse ecosystems, historic passes and protected area…

Balkans (Balkan Peninsula) Balkans Region in southeastern Europe defined by a shared peninsula, varied geography, layered history and diverse cultures; boundaries and membership vary by context.

Balkh Province: history, geography, culture and modern role Balkh Province Balkh is a northern Afghan province centered on Mazar-i-Sharif. It contains the ancient city of Balkh, diverse communities, important cultural sites and an agricultural economy.

Ball, Louisiana — a suburb of Alexandria in Rapides Parish Ball, Louisiana Ball, Louisiana is a small residential suburb of Alexandria in Rapides Parish, central Louisiana. This article outlines its setting, community character, history, services and nota…

Ballater: Gateway village of Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire, Scotland Ballater Ballater is a village on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire, eastern Scotland. Known as a gateway to the Cairngorms and Royal Deeside, it has Victorian heritage, outdoor recreation, an…

Baloch people The Baloch are an Iranian ethnic group native to Balochistan across southeastern Iran, southwestern Pakistan and southern Afghanistan. They speak Balochi, live in tribal communitie…

Balochistan: region, geography, culture and contemporary issues Balochistan Balochistan is a large, arid region across Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, known for its distinct Baloch culture, strategic ports, mineral wealth, and complex modern history and de…

Balochistan (Pakistan): geography, history, government and significance Balochistan (Pakistan) Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area, sparsely populated and resource-rich. This article covers its geography, history, administration, economy, and key contemporary…

Balochistan (region): geography, peoples, history and contemporary issues Balochistan (region) Balochistan is a large, arid region on the Iranian plateau spanning parts of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. This article summarizes its geography, peoples and languages, history,…

Balsam Lake Balsam Lake is a common North American place name for lakes and nearby communities, notably the summit lake on Ontario's Trent–Severn Waterway and a lake and village in Wisconsin,…

Balti — people, language, cuisine, city, and other meanings Balti Balti refers to several distinct things: an ethnic group and Tibetan-derived language of Baltistan, a British-style curry and its cooking vessel, the Moldovan city Bălți, and other…

Baltic: sea, region, peoples, and languages Baltic Concise encyclopedia overview of the Baltic Sea and Baltic region: geography, states and peoples, languages, history, economy, environment and contemporary significance.

Baltic Sea: Geography, Ecology, History and Human Uses Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is a shallow, brackish inland sea in northern Europe. This article covers its geography, physical traits, ecology, historical role, economic uses and modern environm…

Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — geography, history, and modern life Baltic states Survey of the three Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—covering geography, languages, history, political development, economy and notable cultural distinctions.

Baltistan: geography, history and culture of the Karakoram highlands Baltistan Baltistan is a high‑altitude region in the Karakoram south of K2, with Balti‑speaking communities of Tibetan origin. It has a distinct culture and a complex modern political histor…

Baluchistan (Chief Commissioner's Province) A former directly administered province of British India covering northern parts of today’s Pakistani Balochistan, distinct from neighbouring princely states and tribal agencies an…

Bamberg (district) Rural district surrounding the city of Bamberg in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany; a mixed agricultural, cultural and historic region with about 145,000 inhabitants.

Bamberg County, South Carolina County in south-central South Carolina. Overview of geography, history, communities, economy, and demographics, with links to census and local references.

Bamingui-Bangoran Prefecture, Central African Republic Bamingui-Bangoran Bamingui-Bangoran is a large, sparsely populated northern prefecture of the Central African Republic with capital N'Délé and notable protected savanna and woodland areas.

Bamyan Province: geography, people, history and cultural heritage Bamyan Province Bamyan Province is a central Afghan region known for its Hazara majority, highland landscapes, Silk Road history and the ruined Buddhas of Bamiyan, a focal point for archaeology, t…

Banbhore Division (Thatta Division) — administrative division in Sindh, Pakistan Banbhore Division Banbhore Division, also called Thatta or Bhambore Division, is an administrative region in southeastern Sindh, Pakistan, named for the historic coastal site of Bhambhore and coveri…

Banda district, Uttar Pradesh: geography, history and overview Banda district Banda district is a district in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India. This article summarizes its geography, history, administration, economy, transport and cultural high…

Bandarban District Bandarban is a mountainous district in south-eastern Bangladesh known for its ethnic diversity, hilly landscapes, and cultural heritage within the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Bandipore: town and administrative area in Jammu and Kashmir Bandipore Bandipore (Bandipora) is a town and administrative area in the Kashmir Valley, known for its location by Wular Lake, local agriculture and fisheries, Kashmiri culture, and role as…