Geography

Weißeritzkreis — former district in Saxony, Germany Weißeritzkreis Weißeritzkreis was an administrative district in southern Saxony, Germany (1994–2008). Formed from Dippoldiswalde and Freital, it bordered the Czech Republic and was hard hit by th…

Wele-Nzas Province, Equatorial Guinea Wele-Nzas Wele-Nzas is an eastern mainland province of Equatorial Guinea centered on Mongomo. It features rainforest parks, regional towns, and the Mengomeyén airport connecting the province…

Wels-Land District (Bezirk Wels-Land) Wels-Land District Wels-Land is a rural–suburban district in Upper Austria surrounding the statutory city of Wels. It comprises 24 municipalities and combines agriculture, small industry and commuter…

Welsh Marches: the historic borderlands between England and Wales Welsh Marches Region along the England–Wales frontier shaped by early medieval earthworks, Norman marcher lords, and later legal union; noted for castles, shifting boundaries and a mixed cultura…

Welsh people: identity, language, history and culture Welsh people An overview of the Welsh people: their language, cultural traditions, historical development, modern institutions, and global communities, with notes on identity and notable cultur…

Werdenberg (Wahlkreis) — electoral district in the canton of St. Gallen Werdenberg (Wahlkreis) Werdenberg is an electoral district (Wahlkreis) in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The district groups several municipalities around the historic Werdenberg region and serve…

Werra — river of central Germany Werra The Werra is a central German river rising in Thuringia, flowing ~293 km to join the Fulda at Hann. Münden and form the Weser; its valley separates the Rhön and the Thuringian Fore…

Werra-Meißner-Kreis Werra-Meißner-Kreis is a rural district in northern Hesse, Germany, named for the Werra River and the Meißner massif. It includes Eschwege, Witzenhausen and several spa and agricul…

Werribee River Perennial river on the volcanic plains west of Melbourne, flowing from the Ballan hills to Port Phillip Bay and notable for its gorge, parks, irrigation use and wildlife corridors.

Wesel (district) — Lower Rhine district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Wesel (district) Wesel is a district (Kreis) on the Lower Rhine in northwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It combines urban centres, industrial sites and rural landscapes, and includes towns…

Weser (river in northwestern Germany) Weser The Weser is a major river in northwestern Germany, formed by the Fulda and Werra. It flows north through Lower Saxony and Bremen to the North Sea and has long been important for n…

Wesermarsch: district of marshes, coast and maritime economy Wesermarsch Wesermarsch is a district (Kreis) on the lower Weser in northwestern Lower Saxony, Germany, known for reclaimed marshland, tidal flats, coastal towns and maritime agriculture and i…

West — cardinal direction and cultural concept West West is one of the four cardinal directions; a geographic bearing, a cultural-political label for many European-derived nations, and the horizon where the sun and moon set.

West Africa: geography, peoples, history and contemporary issues West Africa An overview of West Africa covering its geography, cultural diversity, history, economies, and regional organisations, with notes on climate zones, major cities and contemporary ch…

West Africa Time (WAT) West Africa Time West Africa Time (WAT) is the civil time zone one hour ahead of UTC (UTC+1), used across several west-central African countries and generally observed year-round without daylight s…

West Azarbaijan Province (Iran) West Azarbaijan province West Azarbaijan is a diverse Iranian province centered on the city of Urmia, known for its multiethnic population, varied terrain, Lake Urmia, cross-border links and agricultural e…

West Bank: geography, history, administration, and contemporary issues West Bank Overview of the West Bank: its geography, climate, population, governance since 1967, legal and political disputes, settlements, and role in Israeli–Palestinian negotiations.

West Belarus: region, history and modern significance West Belarus West Belarus refers to the parts of modern Belarus that were part of the Second Polish Republic (1919–1939); today it broadly corresponds to Hrodna and Brest regions and parts of M…

West Bengal: geography, history, culture and economy West Bengal Overview of West Bengal, an eastern Indian state: geography, climate, history, major cities, culture, and economic importance including Kolkata and the Bengal region.

West Bergholt — village and civil parish in Colchester district, Essex West Bergholt West Bergholt is a village and civil parish in the Colchester district of Essex, England. It has historic roots, local amenities and a parish council; the 2001 census recorded 3,29…

West Berlin: The Western Sectors of a Divided City (1949–1990) West Berlin West Berlin was the section of Berlin administered by the United States, Britain and France from 1949 to 1990, a Cold War enclave surrounded by East Germany and a focal point of po…

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana West Carroll Parish is a rural parish in northeastern Louisiana, established in 1877 with its seat at Oak Grove. It is sparsely populated and primarily agricultural, with community…

West Coast Name applied to western seaboards of countries and regions; denotes specific places (U.S., New Zealand, Tasmania) and broader geographic, cultural, and economic concepts.

West Coast of the United States Overview of the U.S. West Coast: its geography, states, major cities, history, economy, culture and notable distinctions across the Pacific margin.

West Darfur (state of Sudan) West Darfur West Darfur is a western Sudanese state centered on Al-Junaynah (El Geneina). It is part of the Darfur region and has faced prolonged humanitarian and security challenges since the…

West Delhi — administrative district of the National Capital Territory of Delhi West Delhi West Delhi is an administrative district in the NCT of Delhi, India. It includes residential and commercial neighbourhoods such as Janakpuri, Tilak Nagar and Punjabi Bagh and is di…

West Flanders: geography, history, economy and coastal culture West Flanders West Flanders is the westernmost Belgian province in Flanders, known for its North Sea coast, medieval Bruges, coastal tram, WWI memorials, mixed agriculture and a distinct West Fl…

West Francia: Origins, Development, and Legacy West Francia West Francia was the western portion of the Carolingian realms established by the Treaty of Verdun (843). It became the political foundation for medieval and modern France through…

West Frisian Islands (Waddeneilanden) West Frisian Islands Chain of islands, shoals and tidal flats off the northern Netherlands: major inhabited islands, small uninhabited islets and dynamic sandbanks within the Wadden Sea.

West Garfield Park, Chicago West Garfield Park is a Chicago community area on the city's West Side, bordering Garfield Park. This article covers its geography, history, transportation links, demographics, and…

West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh West Godavari district West Godavari district is a coastal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh with headquarters at Eluru. It covers 7,742 km² and had about 3.94 million people at the 2011 cen…

West Grand Bahama (district, The Bahamas) West Grand Bahama Administrative district covering the western part of Grand Bahama island; includes settlements such as Eight Mile Rock and West End. Overview of geography, communities, history, ec…

West Helena, Arkansas (now part of Helena–West Helena) West Helena, Arkansas Former city in eastern Arkansas's Delta region, merged with Helena in 2006 to form Helena–West Helena; known for Delta agriculture, blues heritage, Civil War history and proximity…

West India (Western India) West India West India is a regional term for the western portion of the Republic of India. Definitions vary, but the area is known for major ports, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural tradi…

West Kalimantan (Kalimantan Barat) West Kalimantan Indonesian province on Borneo known for dense rainforests, river systems, cultural diversity and economic reliance on agriculture, forestry and mining. Capital: Pontianak.

West Lake (Xī Hú) — historic freshwater lake and cultural landscape in Hangzhou West Lake West Lake is a famous freshwater lake in central Hangzhou, China, celebrated for scenic beauty, temples, gardens, classical bridges and its influence on art, literature and garden…

West Macedonia: geography, administration and significance West Macedonia Overview of West Macedonia, a Greek periphery: geography, prefectures, borders, economy, history and cultural highlights, with links to administrative and regional resources.

West Midlands (region): geography, history, economy and culture West Midlands (region) Overview of the West Midlands region of England: its geography, administrative makeup, industrial history, economy, transport and cultural landmarks, and distinction from the West…

West North Central States (U.S. Census division) West North Central States U.S. Census Bureau division of seven Midwestern states—an agricultural and cultural region often called the Heartland or Farm Belt, with about 20 million residents and varied lands…

West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Barat) West Nusa Tenggara Indonesian province on the western Lesser Sunda Islands, centered on Lombok and Sumbawa. Capital Mataram; known for Mount Rinjani, Gili Islands, diverse cultures and tourism-driven…

West Pakistan (1955–1970): formation, administration and dissolution West Pakistan West Pakistan was a province created in 1955 by merging western provinces, states and tribal areas under the One Unit policy; it was dissolved in 1970 amid political crisis that pr…

West Punjab (former province of Pakistan, 1947–1955) West Punjab West Punjab was a Pakistani province from 1947 to 1955, centered on Lahore and covering much of today’s Punjab and Islamabad area; it was created at Partition and later merged into…

West Region (Cameroon) Highland region of western Cameroon, centered on Bafoussam, noted for the Bamboutos Mountains, fertile volcanic soils, lakes, waterfalls and a strong Bamileke cultural presence.

West Riding of Yorkshire Historic northern subdivision of Yorkshire, England; an administrative county 1889–1974 whose territory now lies mainly in West and South Yorkshire and parts of other modern counti…

West Sulawesi: province overview, geography, people and development West Sulawesi West Sulawesi (Sulawesi Barat) is an Indonesian province on Sulawesi island with Mamuju as its capital, established in 2004; known for coastal fisheries, agriculture and diverse lo…

West Sussex: geography, history, economy and places of interest West Sussex County in South East England created in 1974 from historic Sussex; includes Chichester, Gatwick area, South Downs coastline and a mix of urban, rural and protected landscapes.

West Virginia: Overview, geography, history, economy, and culture West Virginia West Virginia is a mountainous U.S. state in the Appalachian region, noted for its rugged terrain, Civil War–era statehood, coal and energy history, outdoor recreation, and Appalac…

West Yorkshire Metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of northern England, centred on Leeds and Bradford; noted for industrial history, cultural institutions, and a mix of urb…