Geography

Suwannee County, Florida: overview, geography, history and communities Suwannee County, Florida Suwannee County, established in 1858 in northern Florida, centers on the Suwannee River and the city of Live Oak. This article covers its geography, history, economy, communities a…

Suwannee River — major river of southern Georgia and northern Florida Suwannee River A river rising in southern Georgia that flows southwest through northern Florida to the Gulf of Mexico; known for springs, wetlands, recreation, and its place in American cultural…

Suzhou — historic canals, classical gardens, and modern industry Suzhou Suzhou is a major city in Jiangsu province, China, famed for its classical gardens and canals, an important silk and cultural center, and a modern manufacturing and high‑tech hub n…

Svalbard: Norwegian Arctic archipelago — geography, history, wildlife and governance Svalbard Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean known for its remote islands, polar climate, unique wildlife, the Spitsbergen island group, scientific research, the 1920 tr…

Svealand — central region of Sweden Svealand Svealand is the historical and geographical core of Sweden, containing several provinces including Uppland, Södermanland and Dalarna; it is the location of Stockholm and the early…

Swabian Jura (Schwäbische Alb): karst plateau of southwestern Germany Swabian Jura The Swabian Jura is a Jurassic limestone plateau in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, known for its karst landscape, caves, abundant fossils and prehistoric finds, scenic foothills and o…

Swahili Coast: History, Culture, and Maritime Trade of East Africa Swahili coast Coastal region of East Africa inhabited by Swahili communities across Kenya, Tanzania and northern Mozambique; noted for Indian Ocean trade, Swahili language, Islamic influence and…

Swan River (Western Australia) Swan River The Swan River is the estuarine river that runs through Perth to the Indian Ocean at Fremantle. It is known for its black swans, cultural significance to Noongar people, and urban,…

Swat District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) Swat District Mountainous district in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, centered on Mingora and Saidu Sharif. Known for lakes, green valleys, Gandharan archaeology, agriculture and growing…

Sweden: geography, government, society, and culture Sweden Concise encyclopedia entry on Sweden covering location, government, population, languages, economy, culture and key facts including capital Stockholm and the Swedish welfare model.

Swedish Lapland Swedish Lapland is the northernmost historical province of Sweden, known for its subarctic environment, indigenous Sámi culture, mining heritage, and nature tourism including the N…

Sweet Grass County, Montana Rural county in south-central Montana whose seat is Big Timber. Established 1895, population 3,651 (2010). Known for ranching, mixed-grass prairie, mountain foothills and outdoor r…

Sweetwater County, Wyoming A large county in southwestern Wyoming with Green River as its seat and Rock Springs as its largest city; known for mineral resources, energy production, transportation corridors,…

Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship A voivodeship in south-central Poland centered on the city of Kielce. Named for the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains, it is known for its natural parks, historic sites and reg…

Swiss franc: currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein Swiss franc Overview of the Swiss franc (CHF): names, subdivisions, history, issuing authority, common denominations, uses, and notable facts about this stable, multilingual currency.

Switzerland: geography, languages, government, and international role Switzerland Concise encyclopedia entry on Switzerland: geography, political structure, languages, neutrality, economy, culture, and international institutions, with notes on cantons and practi…

Switzerland County, Indiana A concise overview of Switzerland County, Indiana: location, history, demographics, economy, communities and notable facts about this Ohio River county with seat at Vevay.

Sylhet Division — geography, history, culture and economy Sylhet Division Sylhet Division is the northeastern region of Bangladesh known for tea gardens, wetlands, Sufi heritage and cross‑border links with India; it comprises four districts centered on S…

Syria: geography, history, society and contemporary issues Syria Concise overview of Syria: location and borders, physical geography, political developments since 2011, demographics, culture, economy and major challenges.

Syrian Desert: geography, ecology, history and human use Syrian Desert The Syrian Desert is an arid region of stony plateaus, sand and volcanic fields spanning parts of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Iraq, with a long human history, sparse ecology, a…

Syros: Greek island and regional capital in the Cyclades Syros Syros is a central Cycladic island in the Aegean Sea, known for its capital Ermoupoli, neoclassical architecture, mixed Orthodox and Catholic heritage, and year‑round transport lin…

Syunik Province — southern region of Armenia Syunik Province Syunik is Armenia's southernmost province: a mountainous border region with historic monasteries (Tatev), major mining centres, nature reserves, and towns such as Kapan, Goris and…

Szczecin Lagoon — Oder River estuary between Poland and Germany Szczecin Lagoon Szczecin Lagoon (Oder River estuary) is a shallow Baltic basin on the Poland–Germany border, separated by Usedom and Wolin islands. It supports ports, fisheries, tourism and import…

Table (landform): flat-topped mountains, mesas, tepuis and tuyas Table (landform) A table is a flat-topped rock landform with steep sides. Forms include mesas, buttes, tepuis and tuyas, created by erosion, resistant caprock, or subglacial volcanism; notable for…

Table Rock Lake Artificial reservoir on the White River in the Ozarks created by Table Rock Dam. Important for flood control, hydroelectric power, recreation and fisheries near Branson, Missouri a…

Tabuaeran (Fanning Island) — an atoll of the Line Islands, Kiribati Tabuaeran Tabuaeran, or Fanning Island, is a low coral atoll in the Line Islands of Kiribati. It has a ring of islets around a lagoon, a small resident community, subsistence economy and vul…

Táchira (Venezuelan state) Táchira Táchira is a mountainous state in western Venezuela, bordering Colombia. Known for Andean landscapes, agricultural production, cross-border commerce and the city of San Cristóbal.

Tacking (sailing): technique, commands, and practical considerations Tacking (sailing) Tacking, or coming about, is the upwind turning maneuver in sailing where a boat's bow passes through the wind. This article explains how, why, common commands, and safety consider…

Tacna Region — southernmost region of Peru Tacna Region Tacna is Peru's southernmost region, centered on the city of Tacna. Known for its desert coast, Andean highlands, War of the Pacific history, cross-border trade and agricultural va…

Tacuarembó Department Tacuarembó is a large inland department of northern-central Uruguay, known for ranching, gaucho traditions, varied landscapes and the city of Tacuarembó as its administrative cente…

Tadjourah Region (Djibouti) Tadjourah Region Tadjourah Region is a north-central administrative region of Djibouti centered on the coastal city of Tadjourah. It is known for salt and fisheries, the Mousa Ali massif and a mix…

Tagus River Tagus The Tagus (Spanish: Tajo; Portuguese: Tejo) is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, flowing from central Spain westward through Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon.

Taiga: the Northern Coniferous Forests Taiga Taiga, or boreal forest, is the vast belt of cold-adapted coniferous woodland across the high northern latitudes, defined by its climate, dominant trees, ecology, and role as a glo…

Tailevu Province, Fiji: geography, history, and communities Tailevu Province Tailevu is a Central Division province on Viti Levu, Fiji. It includes Nausori and the historic island of Bau, covers 755 km² and had about 64,500 residents in 2017.

Taiwan: geography, history, politics, people and economy Taiwan Overview of Taiwan (Republic of China): location, political status, history, major cities, population groups, economy and cultural notes for a balanced encyclopedia entry.

Taiwan Province (Republic of China) Taiwan Province Provincial-level unit of the Republic of China covering most of the island of Taiwan and nearby islets. Historically a formal province, its administrative role has been largely str…

Taiwan Strait (Formosa Strait) — geography, history, and significance Taiwan Strait The Taiwan Strait is the sea passage between mainland China and Taiwan. This article explains its geography, oceanography, history, strategic role, economic importance and environm…

Tajik Pertaining to the Tajik people, the Tajik language (a variety of Persian), and the cultural, historical, and national identity of Tajiks in Central Asia.

Tajikistan — Central Asian republic of mountains, languages, and rivers Tajikistan Tajikistan is a mountainous republic in Central Asia with a Persian-speaking majority, a Soviet past, rich highland landscapes, hydropower potential and a distinct cultural heritag…

Tajima Province (但馬国) Tajima Province Tajima Province was an historical Japanese province on Honshū, now part of Hyōgo Prefecture. Known also as Tanshū, it bordered several provinces and had its ancient capital near Hi…

Takhar Province (Takhār) Takhar Province Takhar Province is a northeastern province of Afghanistan with capital Taloqan. It features agricultural valleys, important salt mines, diverse communities and links to neighboring…

Taklamakan Desert: geography, history, ecology and human use Taklamakan Desert Comprehensive overview of the Taklamakan Desert in northwest China: its geography, climate, ecology, Silk Road oases, archaeology, modern uses and conservation challenges.

Tallahatchie River The Tallahatchie River in northern Mississippi runs about 230 miles, joining the Yalobusha to form the Yazoo. It is navigable for much of its lower course and has notable cultural…

Tamanghasset Province (Tamanrasset) — Algeria's southern Saharan region Tamanghasset Province Tamanghasset Province is Algeria's largest wilaya, covering nearly a quarter of the country. Centered on the city of Tamanrasset, it includes vast desert landscapes, Tuareg culture…

Tamarugal Province (Provincia de Tamarugal) Tamarugal Province Province in northern Chile's Tarapacá region. Dominated by the Pampa del Tamarugal, endemic tamarugo trees, desert landscapes, saltpeter heritage and an economy shaped by mining an…

Tamba Province (Tanba) — historical province of Japan Tamba Province Tamba (Tanba) was an old Japanese province on Honshū, located around modern Hyōgo and Kyoto areas. It played a strategic role between Kyoto and western provinces and is known for T…

Tamgaly — Petroglyph site in Kazakhstan Tamgaly Tamgaly is a region in Kazakhstan famous for extensive rock carvings. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it preserves petroglyphs spanning millennia and illustrates ritual, pastoral and…

Tamil Nadu: geography, history, culture and economy Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu is a southern Indian state known for the Tamil language, ancient Dravidian kingdoms, distinctive temple architecture, a long coastline, diverse agriculture and a modern…