Geography

Westchester County, New York: overview, geography, history, and communities Westchester County, New York County north of New York City with diverse suburbs, major cities like Yonkers and White Plains, Hudson River shoreline, commuter networks, parks, and a mix of residential, commerci…

Wester Ross (Northwest Highlands, Scotland) Wester Ross Wester Ross is a rugged, scenic region of the northwest Highlands of Scotland, known for Torridonian mountains, sea lochs, crofting communities, wildlife and extensive outdoor recr…

Western Armenia Historical region of the Armenian homeland corresponding to eastern Anatolia; a cultural and political concept shaped by ancient divisions, medieval empires, Ottoman rule, and mode…

Western Asia: geography, history, and significance Western Asia Western Asia (often called Southwest Asia) is the region that overlaps with the Middle East; this article describes its geography, historical development, peoples, and contemporary…

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the largest Australian state by area, with a diverse climate, rich Indigenous heritage, major mining and agricultural industries, and Perth as its capital…

Western Canada: provinces, geography, economy and regional distinctions Western Canada Overview of Western Canada covering its provinces, optional northern territories, major landscapes, economy, population centres, Indigenous presence and regional definitions.

Western Cape (South African province) Western Cape Western Cape is a coastal province of South Africa centered on Cape Town. Known for its Mediterranean climate, unique fynbos biodiversity, wine regions and tourism, it was formed w…

Western Development Region, Nepal Former administrative region of west-central Nepal centered on Pokhara; encompassed mountain, hill and lowland zones and was important for tourism, agriculture and hydropower befor…

Western Division, Fiji One of Fiji's four administrative divisions, occupying the western third of Viti Levu and nearby island groups; notable for Lautoka, tourism, sugar production and major transport l…

Western Europe: geography, history, culture and contemporary distinctions Western Europe Concise overview of Western Europe: variable definitions, historical change, common characteristics, typical members, subregions, institutions and contemporary issues.

Western European Summer Time (WEST) Western European Summer Time WEST is the daylight saving time system that sets clocks to UTC+1 across parts of western Europe and nearby territories during summer months, with local names like British Summer T…

Western Hemisphere The half of Earth lying west of the Prime Meridian and east of the 180th meridian; commonly includes the Americas, nearby oceans, and portions of adjacent continents.

Western New Guinea (Indonesian Papua) Western New Guinea Western New Guinea is the western half of New Guinea island, administered by Indonesia as provinces often called Papua and West Papua; it is noted for diverse peoples, rich ecology…

Western Province, Zambia (Barotseland) Western Province, Zambia Western Province occupies Zambia's floodplain west of the Zambezi. Known as Barotseland, it is the Lozi people's homeland, with extensive floodplain ecology, the Kuomboka ceremony,…

Western Region (Vesturland) — West Iceland Western Region (Iceland) Vesturland (Western Region) is a coastal and agricultural district of west Iceland, centered on towns such as Akranes and Borgarnes and known for fjords, farming, fishing and settl…

Western Regions (Xiyu) — Chinese term for historical Central Asia Western Regions Western Regions (Xiyu) is the historical Chinese name for lands west of the Yumen Pass, broadly covering parts of Central Asia and Xinjiang; a durable concept tied to Silk Road tra…

Western Sahara: geography, history and disputed political status Western Sahara Overview of Western Sahara: its geography, population, colonial history, the Moroccan–Polisario dispute, current division, resources, refugees and international efforts toward a re…

Western United States: geography, history, and cultural significance Western United States Region comprising the United States' western states; its changing boundaries, varied landscapes, history from indigenous peoples to frontier expansion, and modern economic and envi…

Western Victorian Volcanic Plains (Newer Volcanic Province) Western Victorian Volcanic Plains Extensive basalt plains in western Victoria, Australia, formed by monogenetic volcanism over the last 6 million years; notable for fertile soils, many small volcanoes, Indigenous l…

Western Visayas (Region VI) — overview, geography, and administration Western Visayas Western Visayas (Region VI) is a region of the Philippines centered on Panay Island and parts of Negros, with Iloilo City as its regional center and a mix of provinces, cities, isl…

Westerwaldkreis Westerwaldkreis is a rural district in northeast Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, encompassing part of the Westerwald uplands; known for forests, ceramics, outdoor recreation and sma…

Westfjords (Vestfirðir): Peninsula and Region in Northwest Iceland Westfjords Remote, mountainous peninsula in northwest Iceland known for deep fjords, sparse settlements, dramatic cliffs, rich birdlife, cold currents and a long maritime history.

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania County in southwestern Pennsylvania east of Pittsburgh; seat Greensburg. Historic manufacturing and coal region now diversified into education, healthcare, and light industry. 2010…

Westmoreland County, Virginia Rural county on Virginia’s Northern Neck. Seat Montross; population 17,454 (2010). Noted for colonial plantations and as the birthplace of George Washington; economy centers on agr…

Westmorland — historic county in north‑west England Westmorland Westmorland is a historic county in north‑west England, known for its upland landscapes, market towns such as Kendal and Appleby, and its 1974 incorporation into the modern county…

Weston County, Wyoming Weston County is a rural county in northeastern Wyoming with Newcastle as its county seat. It borders South Dakota and has a small population, ranching heritage, and mixed prairie–…

Westphalia: region, history and cultural identity in northwestern Germany Westphalia Westphalia (German: Westfalen) is a historic region in northwestern Germany, known for its varied boundaries, distinctive dialects and for the 1648 Peace of Westphalia that reshape…

Westward, Allerdale (Cumbria) Westward Westward is a village and civil parish in the borough of Allerdale in Cumbria, north‑west England. It is a small rural community recorded with a population of 814 at the 2001 censu…

Wet Tropics of Queensland Ancient tropical rainforests along Queensland’s northeastern coast, a World Heritage region notable for exceptional biodiversity, living evolutionary history and strong cultural an…

Wetland: Definition, Types, Functions, and Conservation Wetland An overview of wetlands: what they are, common types, ecological roles, biodiversity importance, human threats and international conservation efforts such as Ramsar and initiatives…

Wetteraukreis Wetteraukreis is a district in central Hesse, Germany, situated between the Taunus and Vogelsberg ranges. Known for fertile farmland, historic towns (Friedberg, Bad Nauheim) and li…

Wheatland County, Montana Rural county in east‑central Montana. Harlowton is the county seat. Small population, agricultural landscape, continental climate, and low population density with local historic an…

White Butte — highest point in North Dakota White Butte White Butte is the highest natural point in North Dakota, a modest butte in Slope County within the Badlands. It is a destination for hikers, geologists, and state-highpoint visito…

White flight: mid-20th century urban migration and its effects White flight White flight describes large-scale moves of white residents from cities beginning in the mid-20th century, the causes and consequences for urban demographics, housing and regional…

White Sea: geography, history, ecology and human uses White Sea The White Sea is a southern inlet of the Barents Sea on Russia’s northwest coast. This article summarizes its geography, climate, ecology, ports, historical role and contemporary u…

Wichita Mountains (Oklahoma) Wichita Mountains A compact overview of the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma: geology, ecology, human history, recreation, and conservation significance, with links for location.

Wiener Neustadt-Land District (Lower Austria) Wiener Neustadt-Land District Administrative district surrounding the statutory city of Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria; covers municipalities, varied landscapes, local administration, economy, transport and h…

Wienerwald (Vienna Woods): geography, ecology and cultural significance Wienerwald The Wienerwald or Vienna Woods is a forested highland region southwest of Vienna. This article explains its geography, ecology, history, recreational use and conservation status.

Wierre-au-Bois Wierre-au-Bois is a small rural commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, known for its village character, agricultural surroundings and local heritage within the…

Wigtownshire (County of Wigtown) Wigtownshire Historic county in southwestern Scotland, known for its peninsulas, early Christian sites and Wigtown — Scotland's National Book Town; now part of Dumfries and Galloway for local g…

Wil (Wahlkreis) Wil is a Wahlkreis (electoral district) in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. It groups several municipalities around the city of Wil for administrative and electoral purposes…

Wilkes County, North Carolina Wilkes County is a largely rural county in northwestern North Carolina, noted for its Appalachian foothills, music festivals, moonshine and early stock-car racing roots. The county…

Will County, Illinois: Overview, Geography, Economy and Communities Will County, Illinois Will County, in northeastern Illinois, is a populous and diverse county anchored by Joliet. It combines Chicago-area suburbs, agriculture, and restored prairie, with major transpor…

Willamette Valley A fertile, populous valley in western Oregon that hosts major cities, diverse agriculture and Oregon’s wine country, shaped by rivers, floods, and migration history.

Willandra Lakes Region A Pleistocene lake system and cultural landscape in south‑west New South Wales, Australia, noted for ancient Aboriginal occupation, crescent dunes (lunettes), and world‑important a…

Willer-sur-Thur — commune in Haut-Rhin, Alsace (France) Willer-sur-Thur Willer-sur-Thur is a small French commune in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace. It lies in the Thur valley, shaped by the river and nearby Vosges foothills, with Alsatian cultural…

Willesden, North‑West London Willesden Willesden is a district in north‑west London, historically in Middlesex and now in the London Borough of Brent, known for its transport hubs, diverse communities, parks and suburba…

Willisau District, Canton of Lucerne Willisau District Willisau District is a largely rural administrative area in the canton of Lucerne, central Switzerland, centered on the town of Willisau and comprising several small municipalities…