Geography

Sivaganga district (Tamil Nadu, India) Sivaganga district Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu, India, is known for the Chettinad cultural region, Karaikudi town, historic resistance leaders, agriculture-based economy and distinctive architec…

Siyazan District Siyazan District (Siyəzən) is a raion in northeastern Azerbaijan with a diverse cultural heritage, notable Tat-speaking communities, and a coastal location influencing its economy…

Skagerrak — the sea area between Norway and Denmark Skagerrak Skagerrak is the northeastern arm of the North Sea between Norway and Denmark, forming the western approach to the Kattegat and the Baltic; noted for variable depths, busy shipping…

Skagit County, Washington Skagit County is in northwestern Washington state. Its seat is Mount Vernon. The county is known for the Skagit River valley, tulip agriculture, maritime access, and parts of the N…

Skagit River Transboundary river flowing from British Columbia into Washington State, known for Ross Lake, significant salmon runs, dam reservoirs, the Skagit Valley agricultural plain and impo…

Skagit Valley, Washington Skagit Valley A fertile river valley in northwest Washington state known for the Skagit River, rich agricultural land, important wildlife habitat, hydroelectric projects and a history of public…

Skåne (Scania): Southern Sweden — geography, history and culture Skåne Skåne (Scania) is the southernmost historical province of Sweden. Fertile plains, coastal towns, strong Danish connections and the Öresund link shape its history, economy and cultu…

Skåne County (Scania) — the southern Swedish county Skåne County Skåne County (Skåne län) is the southernmost county of Sweden, centered on Malmö. It blends agricultural plains, coastal cities and cross‑border ties to Denmark with a distinct cul…

Skansen: Stockholm's open-air museum and zoo Skansen Skansen is an open-air museum and zoo on Djurgården in Stockholm, founded in 1891 by Artur Hazelius. It preserves historic buildings, traditional crafts, Nordic wildlife and hosts…

Skaraborg County (Skaraborgs län): history, geography and legacy Skaraborg County Former Swedish county established in 1634, seated in Skara and later Mariestad, merged into Västra Götaland County in 1998. Overview of geography, administration, history and cultu…

Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan Skardu District Skardu District is a mountainous district in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, forming part of the historic Baltistan region. It is known for high peaks, glaciers, lakes, Deosai Plains,…

Skikda Province Coastal province in northeastern Algeria centered on the port city of Skikda, known for its Mediterranean shoreline, industrial activity, and long history from antiquity through th…

Skrapar District — overview, geography, culture and significance Skrapar District Skrapar District is a mountainous district in south-central Albania, centered on the town of Çorovodë, known for the Osum River canyon, rural traditions and small-scale agriculture…

Skyang Kangri (Staircase Peak) — Karakoram seven-thousander Skyang Kangri Skyang Kangri, also called Staircase Peak, is a 7,545 m mountain in the Karakoram on the China–Pakistan frontier, known for its steep ridges, rare ascents and first climbed by a Ja…

Skyros Skyros is the southernmost island of the Sporades in the Aegean Sea, known for its historic Chora, the small Skyrian horse, traditional crafts, archaeological remains and a Helleni…

Slave Coast (Bight of Benin): geography, history, and legacy Slave Coast Coastal region of present-day Togo, Benin and western Nigeria that was a major epicenter of the Atlantic slave trade and a crossroads of cultural and economic exchange from the 16t…

Slave River (Canada): course, history, ecology and uses Slave River The Slave River links the Peace and Athabasca rivers to Great Slave Lake and the Mackenzie watershed. Overview of its course, characteristics, human history, ecology, and navigatio…

Slope County, North Dakota A sparsely populated county in southwestern North Dakota. Known for its rural landscapes, small population (727 in 2010), county seat Amidon, and a local economy centered on ranchi…

Slovakia — Central European republic Slovakia Slovakia is a landlocked Central European country with mountainous landscapes, a Slavic language and culture, EU membership since 2004, and notable cities including Bratislava and…

Slovene Slovene is a South Slavic language and the adjective for things relating to Slovenia or its people. This article summarizes its features, dialects, history, official status, and co…

Slovenia: overview, geography, history and economy Slovenia Concise encyclopedia overview of Slovenia: location, geography, government, economy, history and cultural highlights, with quick facts and distinguishing features.

Smoky Hill River A major central Great Plains river about 575 miles long, flowing east from eastern Colorado through Kansas and joining the Republican River to form the Kansas River.

Smoky Hills — uplands of the central Great Plains Smoky Hills The Smoky Hills are a band of rolling uplands in the central Great Plains, mainly in north‑central Kansas with a small extension into south‑central Nebraska. Known for chalk outcro…

Smolyan Province — mountainous region of southern Bulgaria Smolyan Province Smolyan Province is a mountainous administrative region in southern Bulgaria, known for the Rhodope Mountains, winter resorts, caves and a mix of cultural traditions centered on th…

Snake River (northwestern United States) Snake River Major river of the northwestern United States rising in Wyoming and flowing through Idaho, forming state borders and joining the Columbia; known for its volcanic plain, canyons, da…

Snake River Plain A broad volcanic and river valley across southern Idaho formed by hotspot volcanism; notable for basaltic geology, a large aquifer, fertile soils, irrigation agriculture, and links…

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa): Wales's highest peak Snowdon Overview of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest mountain in Wales: names and etymology, geology and ecology, main routes and the mountain railway, visitor history, and conservation.

Snowdonia (Eryri): geography, history, and the national park Snowdonia Snowdonia (Welsh: Eryri) is a mountainous region in north Wales and the country's largest national park, known for Snowdon, glacial landscapes, slate heritage, and outdoor recreati…

Snowy Mountains (The Snowies): Australia's highest mainland range Snowy Mountains Mountain range in southeastern Australia containing Mount Kosciuszko, alpine ecosystems, winter snowfields, major ski areas, and the historic Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme.

Snowy Mountains Scheme A major mid-20th-century Australian hydroelectricity and irrigation project in the Snowy Mountains, notable for dams, tunnels and power stations that transformed water management a…

Snowy River (Australia) — geography, history and restoration Snowy River Major river rising on Mount Kosciuszko, flowing from the Snowy Mountains to Bass Strait; famed for its alpine headwaters, the Snowy Mountains Scheme and subsequent environmental fl…

Snowy River National Park (Victoria, Australia) Snowy River National Park Protected national park in Victoria, Australia, preserving rugged Snowy River valleys and rare species including the Brush‑tailed Rock‑wallaby. Remote wilderness with limited vehic…

Snyder, Oklahoma Snyder is a small city and the county seat of Kiowa County in southwestern Oklahoma, known for its rural character, civic institutions, and an unusual municipal boundary shape.

Snyder, Texas Snyder is the county seat of Scurry County in West Texas. The city had 10,653 residents at the 2010 census. It serves as a local center for agriculture, oil and regional services.

Soakage (soak): underground water sources in arid Australia Soakage Natural sites where water percolates into sandy ground and is stored underground in Australian deserts; historically vital to Indigenous peoples and important for ecology, travel a…

Soan River — a principal stream of the Pothohar Plateau Soan River The Soan River is the main seasonal river of the Pothohar plateau in Punjab, Pakistan. It flows from the Murree foothills toward the Indus, with notable geological features, local…

Soča (Isonzo): Alpine river of Slovenia and northeastern Italy Soča The Soča (Isonzo) is an Alpine river rising in the Julian Alps, noted for its emerald waters, biodiversity, WWI history, recreation and parts protected within Triglav National Park…

Soccsksargen (Region XII) — South-Central Mindanao, Philippines Soccsksargen Soccsksargen (Region XII) is a south-central administrative region of Mindanao in the Philippines, centered on Koronadal and noted for agriculture, fishing (tuna), cultural diversi…

Soconusco: geography, history and economy of Chiapas's southern coastal region Soconusco Soconusco is a coastal and foothill region in southern Chiapas, Mexico, noted for coffee and cacao production, rich biodiversity, and a long history of trade and cultural exchange…

Socotra: island of unique biodiversity and strategic location Socotra Socotra is a Yemeni archipelago in the northwest Indian Ocean, famed for exceptional endemism, distinctive plants and fragile ecosystems; it faces conservation and political challe…

Södermanland County (Södermanlands län) Södermanland County Administrative county in east-central Sweden centered on Nyköping; known for lakes, forests, historic towns, and a mixed economy of industry, agriculture and tourism.

Soest (district) Kreis Soest is an administrative district in central North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, centered on the historic town of Soest and including a mix of towns, rural areas and nature re…

Sofala Province (Mozambique) Sofala Province Sofala is a central province of Mozambique, anchored by the port city of Beira. It contains major rivers, coastal wetlands and Gorongosa National Park, an important site for biodiv…

Sofia Province Sofia Province (Sofia oblast) is a Bulgarian province surrounding but not including Sofia city. It covers about 7,020 km², contains major mountains and the Iskar River, and combine…

Sohag Governorate, Egypt Sohag Governorate Sohag Governorate is an Upper Egyptian province along the Nile, known for its agricultural economy and rich archaeological heritage including Abydos, Coptic monasteries, and ancien…

Sokoto River A major tributary system in north‑west Nigeria, the Sokoto River supports irrigation, urban water supply and seasonal transport; dams and development have altered its floodplain an…

Solomon Islands An island nation in the South Pacific known for tropical islands, diverse indigenous languages, WWII history, and economies based on agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Capital: H…

Solomon River (Kansas) Solomon River The Solomon River is a 184-mile river in north-central Kansas. It drains part of the central Great Plains, has two main forks, supports reservoirs and agriculture, and is a tributa…