Geography

Somali Region (Ethiopia) Somali Region Ethiopia's eastern Somali Region, often called the Somali Regional State, is a large, predominantly Somali-speaking area with Jijiga as its capital; known for pastoralism, cross-bo…

Somali Sea — coastal waters along Somalia's eastern shore Somali Sea A coastal region of the western Indian Ocean off Somalia's east coast, the Somali Sea is known for its seasonal currents, productive fisheries, and a chain of small islands includi…

Somalia — Federal Republic on the Horn of Africa Somalia Somalia is a country on the Horn of Africa with a long coastline, a predominantly Somali-speaking population, Islam as the main religion, a federal government, and a complex modern…

Somaliland: self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa Somaliland Somaliland is a self-governing territory that administers the former British Somaliland. It declared independence in 1991, has its own institutions and capital Hargeisa, but lacks…

Somerset County, New Jersey Somerset County is a historic, suburban county in north-central New Jersey noted for affluent towns, preserved open space, Revolutionary War sites, and a mixed residential and corp…

Somme (department, Hauts-de-France) Somme Somme is a department in northern France, named for the Somme River. Its prefecture is Amiens. Noted for WWI battlefields, the Bay of the Somme, agricultural plains and Gothic heri…

Somme River (northern France) Somme River The Somme is a slow, lowland river in northern France known for its broad estuary, wetlands and wildlife, and for the 1916 Battle of the Somme during the First World War.

Sömmerda (district) — rural district in northern Thuringia, Germany Sömmerda (district) Sömmerda is a rural district in northern Thuringia, Germany. Its seat is the town of Sömmerda. The district combines agricultural landscape, small towns, light industry and local c…

Sonbhadra district (Uttar Pradesh): geography, economy and history Sonbhadra district Sonbhadra is a large, mineral‑rich district in southeastern Uttar Pradesh, India, known for coal mining, thermal power plants, forests, the Rihand reservoir and industrial towns su…

Sonian Forest (Forêt de Soignes / Zonienwoud) Sonian Forest A large mixed beech and oak forest southeast of Brussels spanning three Belgian regions; valued for recreation, biodiversity, and historical landscape and managed by regional autho…

Sonneberg (district) Sonneberg is a rural district in southern Thuringia, Germany, noted for its rolling forested landscape, historic toy-making industry, cultural museums, and cross-border ties with B…

Sonora (Mexican state) Sonora Sonora is a large northwestern Mexican state on the Gulf of California, known for deserts, coastal ecosystems, cross-border ties with Arizona, indigenous cultures, agriculture, min…

Sonoran Desert: geography, life, history and conservation Sonoran Desert Overview of the Sonoran Desert: its location across the U.S. and Mexico, climate and distinctive plants and animals, human history, ecological adaptations, and contemporary conserv…

Sophene (Tsopk): an ancient Armenian province and Hellenistic kingdom Sophene Sophene (Tsopk) was a historic province in southwest Greater Armenia, later a Hellenistic realm and a Roman province. Located in present southeastern Turkey, it played a strategic…

Sopot (Dolj County) — Commune in Oltenia, Romania Sopot, Dolj Sopot is a rural commune in Dolj County, in the Oltenia region of southwestern Romania. It is an administrative local unit with a largely agricultural economy and local cultural tr…

Soppe-le-Haut — former commune in Haut-Rhin, Alsace Soppe-le-Haut Soppe-le-Haut was a small former commune in Haut-Rhin in eastern France. Merged into Le Haut-Soultzbach on 1 January 2016, it is notable for its rural character, Alsatian heritage…

Soufrière Quarter (Saint Lucia) Soufrière Quarter Soufrière Quarter is a coastal district on Saint Lucia's west coast, centered on the town of Soufrière and known for volcanic landscapes, the Pitons, botanical gardens, waterfalls…

Souk Ahras Province Souk Ahras Province is a northeastern Algerian province bordering Tunisia. Its capital is Souk Ahras; the region is known for Roman-era heritage, agricultural landscapes, and cross…

Soultzbach-les-Bains, commune in Haut-Rhin, Grand Est, France Soultzbach-les-Bains Soultzbach-les-Bains is a small rural commune in the Haut-Rhin department of eastern France, known for its Alsatian architecture, woodland surroundings and a historical association…

South (cardinal direction) South South is one of the four cardinal directions, pointing toward the South Pole. It appears on compasses and maps and has geographic, navigational, and cultural meanings.

South Abaco — district of the Abaco Islands, Bahamas South Abaco South Abaco is an administrative district on the southern portion of the Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas, known for its coastal cays, marine habitats, fishing and tourism, an…

South Africa: Republic at the Southern Tip of Africa South Africa An encyclopedic overview of the Republic of South Africa: geography, people, languages, government, history, economy and wildlife, with key facts and distinctions.

South Amboy, New Jersey A small city in Middlesex County on the Raritan River, South Amboy has a maritime and rail history, a compact waterfront community, commuter links to New York, and continuing redev…

South America South America is the southern continent of the Americas, known for the Andes, Amazon Basin, rich biodiversity, Spanish and Portuguese heritage, and diverse cultures and economies.

South Andaman district — Andaman and Nicobar Islands South Andaman district Administrative district in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with Port Blair as its headquarters. Known for tropical forests, coral reefs, British-era history, tourism, and stra…

South Andros (District of The Bahamas) South Andros South Andros is the southern district of Andros Island in The Bahamas, known for its fishing, conch and lobster production, mangrove wetlands, blue holes and ecotourism.

South Asia (Indian subcontinent): geography, countries, climate, and economy South Asia Comprehensive overview of South Asia — the Indian subcontinent — covering geography, member states, climate zones, agriculture, resources, history, and regional distinctions.

South Australia: geography, history, economy and culture South Australia One of Australia's six states, centred on Adelaide. Noted for Mediterranean coastlines, an arid interior, major wine regions, mining, Indigenous heritage and a history as a planned…

South Bohemian Region (Jihočeský kraj) South Bohemian Region A concise overview of the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic: geography, rivers and ponds, history, economy, protected areas, and administrative districts.

South Carolina: Geography, history, economy and key facts South Carolina An accessible encyclopedic overview of South Carolina covering geography, history, major cities, economy, natural regions and notable distinctions.

South Caucasus (Transcaucasia): geography, peoples, resources and disputes South Caucasus Overview of the South Caucasus (Transcaucasia): its geography between the Greater Caucasus and Turkey/Iran, constituent states, natural resources, ethnic diversity and modern polit…

South Central Oklahoma (Arbuckle Country) South Central Oklahoma Region of Oklahoma defined by the Department of Tourism, centered on the Arbuckle Mountains; known for karst landscape, lakes, parks, outdoor recreation and regional cultural herit…

South China Sea A marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, the South China Sea is a strategically and economically important maritime region with complex geography, rich resources, and multiple…

South China Sea Islands: geography, claims, resources and significance South China Sea Islands Collection of more than 250 maritime features in the South China Sea — islands, reefs and shoals — notable for overlapping territorial claims, fisheries, hydrocarbon prospects and…

South Delhi: district profile, history, neighborhoods and significance South Delhi Concise overview of South Delhi district in the National Capital Territory: geography, subdivisions (Saket, Hauz Khas, Mehrauli), history, urban character, administration and notab…

South East Delhi district A revenue district in the southern part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, containing residential neighbourhoods, markets and institutional landmarks such as Defence Colon…

South East England One of England's nine official regions, encompassing nine counties from Kent and Hampshire to Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight; notable for its coastline, commuter links to London…

South Eleuthera District occupying the southern portion of Eleuthera island in the Bahamas, known for beaches, coastal villages, fishing and tourism; an administrative district with distinct natur…

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands A remote British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic, composed of sub-Antarctic islands known for dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife, a scientific presence and competing so…

South Hampton Roads (Virginia) South Hampton Roads South Hampton Roads, often called the Southside, is the southern half of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in southeastern Virginia, noted for its coastal geography, naval presen…

South Holland (Zuid-Holland): geography, cities, economy and history South Holland South Holland (Zuid‑Holland) is a densely populated Dutch province on the North Sea coast, home to Rotterdam, The Hague, major ports, historic cities and extensive reclaimed land.

South India: geography, cultures, history and modern significance South India Overview of South India covering its states and territories, languages and culture, historical development, economy, and notable features such as temple architecture, cuisine and b…

South Island (Te Wai Pounamu) — geography, history and significance South Island The South Island of New Zealand (Te Wai Pounamu) is the larger main island by area. This article outlines its geography, climate, ecosystems, human history, economy and places of i…

South Italy (Italia meridionale) — ISTAT NUTS1 statistical region South Italy South Italy (Sud or Italia meridionale) is one of Italy's five NUTS1 statistical regions. It groups several mainland southern regions for statistics, planning, and some electoral r…

South Jamaica, Queens: neighborhood profile and history South Jamaica, Queens South Jamaica is a residential and commercial neighborhood in the borough of Queens, New York City, known for its working‑class roots, Caribbean and African American communities, a…

South Karelia: region of southeastern Finland South Karelia South Karelia (Etelä-Karjala) is a southeastern Finnish region centered on Lappeenranta and Imatra, noted for Lake Saimaa, cross‑border ties, industry, and tourism.

South Khorasan Province (Iran) South Khorasan province Eastern Iranian province centred on Birjand, known for saffron, barberry and desert landscapes; formed from the split of historic Khorasan. Key cities include Birjand, Ferdows, Tab…

South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo South Kivu South Kivu is a province in eastern DR Congo with capital Bukavu. It includes Lake Kivu, montane forests, Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, mineral resources and a complex modern history…