Geography

Volta River: Ghana’s principal river system and its basin Volta River Major West African river system centered in Ghana; formed by the Black, White and Red Volta, dammed to create Lake Volta, and important for electricity, irrigation, transport and f…

Volusia County, Florida — Overview, History, Geography, and Communities Volusia County, Florida Volusia County, on Florida’s east-central Atlantic coast, includes Daytona Beach and Deltona. This article covers its geography, history, economy, government, and notable communiti…

Volyn Oblast Volyn Oblast is a northwestern region of Ukraine centered on Lutsk, known for its lakes, forests, medieval sites, and a history tied to the historic region of Volhynia.

Vorarlberg — Austria’s westernmost state Vorarlberg Vorarlberg is Austria’s westernmost state, known for its Alpine landscapes, Alemannic dialect, cross‑border ties with Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and a mixed economy of tourism…

Vorpommern-Greifswald district, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany Vorpommern-Greifswald An overview of Vorpommern‑Greifswald, a district in eastern Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern: geography, administration, economy, history and points of interest including the university city…

Vorpommern-Rügen — district in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany Vorpommern-Rügen Vorpommern-Rügen is a coastal district in northern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, known for the island of Rügen, two national parks, bodden lagoons, seaside resorts and the histo…

Võru County Võru County is a largely rural region in southeastern Estonia, known for its hilly Haanja landscape, the Võro language and culture, outdoor recreation and Estonia's highest hill, S…

Vosges (department) Vosges Department in eastern France named for the Vosges mountains. Prefecture Épinal. Landscape of rounded mountains, forests and spa towns; economy includes forestry, agriculture, light…

Vrancea County (Romania) Vrancea County Vrancea County, with capital Focşani, is a Romanian county notable for the Vrancea seismic zone, wine production, subcarpathian landscape and a history as a Moldavian–Wallachian bo…

Vratsa Province (Vratsa Oblast) — geography, history and highlights Vratsa Province Vratsa Province in northwestern Bulgaria: positioned between the Danube and Stara Planina, with capital Vratsa. Notable for Vrachanski Balkan Natural Park, Ledenika cave, energy an…

Vrbanja (river) — right tributary of the Vrbas in western Bosnia and Herzegovina Vrbanja (river) Vrbanja is a right-bank tributary of the Vrbas in western Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its basin covers about 703.5 km², length estimates range 84–95 km, and it holds local hydropower a…

Vrbanjci — village in Kotor Varoš, Republika Srpska Vrbanjci Vrbanjci is a village in the Kotor Varoš municipality of Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This article outlines its location, geography, history, economy and local feature…

Vrbas (river) The Vrbas is a major river in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, flowing north to join the Sava. This article covers its course, tributaries, hydrology, human uses, ecology and notabl…

Vulkaneifel district: volcanic landscape and cultural region in Rhineland-Palatinate Vulkaneifel Vulkaneifel is a German district in the Eifel region, centered on Daun. It is notable for volcanic landforms such as maars, mineral springs, conservation areas, and active geologic…

Vultureşti, Suceava County Vultureşti, Suceava Vultureşti is a rural commune in Suceava County in northeastern Romania, within the historical region of Bukovina. It is a small agricultural locality with traditional culture and…

Vyatskoye, Khabarovsk Krai Vyatskoye (Viatskoe) is a small rural village in Khabarovsk Krai in the Russian Far East, situated on the Amur River. It is a riverside settlement typical of the Amur valley with t…

Vysočina Region Vysočina Region (Czech Republic) is a hilly, forested administrative region centered on Jihlava, known for historic towns, traditional industry and three UNESCO World Heritage Site…

W National Park (W Regional Park) W National Park Transboundary protected area in West Africa around a W-shaped bend of the Niger River, spanning Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso; UNESCO World Heritage Site noted for wetlands and wil…

Wabash County, Indiana Wabash County is a county in north-central Indiana with a history tied to the Wabash River. Its county seat is Wabash; the area includes small cities, agricultural land, and region…

Wabash River Major Midwestern river flowing from northwest Ohio across Indiana to the Ohio River; noted for its length, historical role in commerce, and ecological corridor.

Wabasha County, Minnesota Wabasha County is a Mississippi‑river county in southeastern Minnesota. The county seat is Wabasha; the 2010 census recorded 21,676 residents. Known for river bluffs, wildlife and…

Wachau: Danube valley cultural landscape in Lower Austria Wachau The Wachau is a roughly 40 km stretch of the Danube in Lower Austria, celebrated for terraced vineyards, apricots, medieval towns, historic monuments and its UNESCO World Heritage…

Wadden Sea: intertidal region of the southern North Sea Wadden Sea A broad intertidal zone along the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark coasts, the Wadden Sea features mudflats, salt marshes and barrier islands and is vital for biodiversity, fisheri…

Wadi: seasonal riverbeds and dry valleys of arid landscapes Wadi A wadi is an intermittent valley or riverbed in dry regions. This article explains formation, characteristics, ecological and human importance, hazards from flash floods, and termi…

Wadi Bih: a mountain wadi on the UAE–Oman border Wadi Bih Wadi Bih is a seasonal mountain valley (wadi) that runs along the UAE–Oman frontier in the Hajar Mountains. It is noted for its rugged scenery, recreational use, and cultural and e…

Wadi Fira Region (Chad) Wadi Fira Region Wadi Fira is a region in eastern Chad with capital Biltine. It occupies a semi‑arid Sahel zone, is largely rural and pastoral, and has strategic cross‑border links and humanitarian…

Wahlbach, Haut-Rhin — commune in Alsace, eastern France Wahlbach, Haut-Rhin Wahlbach (Alemannic: Wàhlbi) is a small commune in the Haut-Rhin department of eastern France, rooted in Alsatian culture with rural landscapes, local administration, and a bilingu…

Wakarusa River (Kansas tributary) Wakarusa River The Wakarusa River is an 80.5-mile tributary of the Kansas River in eastern Kansas. Impounded to form Clinton Lake, it supports recreation, wildlife habitat and regional water mana…

Wakasa Province: history, geography and cultural legacy Wakasa Province Wakasa Province was a historical region on Honshū’s Sea of Japan coast, now part of Fukui Prefecture. Known for its port at Obama, maritime trade, and cultural traditions linked to…

Wakhan (Wakhan Corridor) — high valley of the Pamirs Wakhan The Wakhan is a remote high-altitude region in northeastern Afghanistan, a narrow corridor in the Pamir and Karakoram ranges known for sparse population, distinct ethnic groups, hi…

Walcheren: island region in Zeeland, the Netherlands Walcheren Walcheren is a former island in Zeeland, Netherlands — about 216 km² and roughly 114,000 inhabitants (2016). It includes Middelburg, Veere and Vlissingen and is noted for ports, co…

Waldeck-Frankenberg (district in northern Hesse, Germany) Waldeck-Frankenberg Rural district in northern Hesse, Germany, noted for the Edersee reservoir, Kellerwald forests, historic towns such as Korbach and Bad Arolsen, and a mix of agriculture, forestry a…

Waldenburg District (Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland) Waldenburg District Waldenburg District is a largely rural district in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland. Its capital is Waldenburg; the district comprises 15 municipalities and had 16,091 i…

Waldenburg, Arkansas Waldenburg is a small incorporated city in the U.S. state of Arkansas. This article summarizes its character, history, local life, and notable distinctions within a rural setting.

Waldpolenz Solar Park — 40 MW Photovoltaic Power Plant in Saxony, Germany Waldpolenz Solar Park Waldpolenz Solar Park is a c.40 MW photovoltaic power plant east of Leipzig in Saxony, Germany. Built with thin‑film PV technology and reported investment near €130 million, it dem…

Waldshut (district): Southern Black Forest and Rhine border Waldshut (district) Waldshut is a district in southern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, occupying part of the southern Black Forest and bordering Switzerland along the Rhine; known for forests, towns and c…

Waldviertel — the Forest Quarter of Lower Austria Waldviertel Region in northwestern Lower Austria known for forests, granite highlands, rural culture, medieval monasteries, and cross‑border nature parks on the Czech frontier.

Walensee (Lake Walen) — Alpine lake in eastern Switzerland Walensee Walensee is a narrow, deep alpine lake in eastern Switzerland between the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus, noted for the steep Churfirsten cliffs, clear water, the tiny Schnittlau…

Wales: geography, language, culture and history Wales Wales is a country of the United Kingdom with a distinct Celtic identity, its own language and devolved government, known for rugged landscapes, industrial history and rich cultura…

Wales Coast Path — continuous footpath around the Welsh coastline Wales Coast Path An 870-mile continuous long-distance trail encircling Wales, opened in 2012. It links coastal towns, nature reserves and historic sites, offering recreation, wildlife access and lo…

Walker County, Texas: Demographics, Government, and Major Institutions Walker County, Texas Explore Walker County, Texas — its population profile, local government, and key institutions in Huntsville, including Sam Houston State University and major state correctional fac…

Walker Lake — saline terminal lake in Nevada Walker Lake Walker Lake is an endorheic (closed-basin) saline lake in western Nevada fed by the Walker River. It has cultural, ecological, and recreational importance but has declined from red…

Wall Cloud: formation, features, and relation to severe storms Wall cloud A wall cloud is a localized, often lowered cloud base beneath a thunderstorm updraft. Rotating wall clouds signal mesocyclones and can precede tornadoes; non-rotating wall clouds a…

Walla Walla County, Washington County in southeastern Washington state with seat Walla Walla; known for agriculture, vineyards and the Walla Walla sweet onion. Population was 58,781 at the 2010 census.

Wallace County, Kansas: overview, history, geography and communities Wallace County, Kansas Wallace County is a sparsely populated county in far western Kansas. This article summarizes its location, population, history, economy, communities, and notable features.

Wallace Line — biogeographic boundary between Asia and Australasia Wallace Line A major biogeographic boundary in the Malay Archipelago dividing mainly Asian and Australasian flora and fauna; marks the transition zone Wallacea and illustrates the role of sea b…

Wallace, Idaho: Silver Valley Mining Town, Historic Downtown and Cultural Site Wallace, Idaho Wallace, in Idaho's Silver Valley, is a historic mining community known for its preserved downtown, mining heritage, environmental cleanup in the Coeur d'Alene basin, birthplace of…

Wallachia: Țara Românească — a historical region of Romania Wallachia Wallachia (Romanian Țara Românească) is a historic principality in southern Romania, traditionally split into Muntenia and Oltenia; important in medieval state formation, Ottoman p…