Geography

Cape York Peninsula — geography, ecology, history and conservation Cape York Peninsula Comprehensive overview of Cape York Peninsula in far-north Queensland: its geography, climate, ecosystems, human history, land use, conservation issues and management approaches.

Capelle-lès-Hesdin Capelle-lès-Hesdin is a small rural commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, near Hesdin. This article covers its location, history, local features and community…

Capital districts and territories: purpose, form, and examples Capital districts and territories Overview of capital districts, regions and territories: definitions, legal status, reasons for creation, common characteristics, and distinctions from ordinary administrative units…

Capital Governorate, Bahrain One of Bahrain's five governorates, containing Manama and nearby municipalities; the political, commercial and cultural heart of the kingdom.

Capital region A capital region is the district or territory that surrounds a nation's seat of government, often governed with special arrangements for administration, planning and security.

Capital Region of Denmark (Region Hovedstaden) Capital Region of Denmark An overview of Denmark's Capital Region: geography, administration, history, economy, natural features such as Arresø and Furesø, and notable cultural and civic functions.

Capu Câmpului (commune in Suceava County, Romania) Capu Câmpului Capu Câmpului is a rural commune in Suceava County, northeastern Romania. This article summarizes its location, name, administration, landscape, history, economy and cultural featu…

Caquetá Department — geography, history, biodiversity and economy Caquetá Department Caquetá is a large Colombian department in the Amazon basin. Its capital is Florencia; the region is known for rainforest, the Caquetá River, diverse ecology and rural agriculture.

Caraga (Region XIII) — Northeastern Mindanao, Philippines Caraga Caraga (Region XIII) is an administrative region in northeastern Mindanao centered on Butuan. It comprises five provinces, coastal and island landscapes, mineral resources, rainfor…

Caraș-Severin County Caraș-Severin County is a southwestern Romanian county in the historic Banat region, noted for its mountains, river gorges, industrial heritage centered on Reșița, and a diverse cu…

Carbon County, Montana County in south-central Montana with county seat Red Lodge. Created in 1895, noted for Beartooth Mountains, outdoor recreation, ranching and a history tied to coal and mining.

Carbon County, Utah Eastern Utah county centered on the city of Price, historically shaped by coal mining, railroads, and a mix of rural industries; home to outdoor recreation and a regional universit…

Carchi Province (Ecuador) Carchi Province Northern Andean province of Ecuador bordering Colombia; capital Tulcán. Known for highland landscapes, cross‑border trade at Rumichaca, páramo ecosystems and the topiary cemetery i…

Cardinal directions (north, east, south, west) Cardinal direction The four principal compass points—north, east, south and west—used for orientation, navigation and mapping; their physical basis, practical uses, and common distinctions.

Caribbean Region of the Americas centered on the Caribbean Sea, its islands, and adjacent coastal areas; known for diverse cultures, tropical ecosystems, colonial history and tourism.

Caribbean Sea A warm, semi-enclosed sea of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by the Antilles, Central and South America, the Caribbean Sea is a center of biodiversity, history, tourism, shipping and en…

Carinthia (Kärnten): Austria's southernmost state Carinthia Carinthia is Austria's southernmost state in the Eastern Alps, known for its lakes, mountains, bilingual heritage, tourism and manufacturing sectors, and a mix of Alpine and Centra…

Pic Carlit — highest peak of Pyrénées-Orientales in the French Pyrenees Carlit Pic Carlit (Puig Carlit) is a 2,921 m summit in the eastern French Pyrenees. Highest point of Pyrénées-Orientales and former Languedoc-Roussillon, noted for alpine lakes, hiking fr…

Çaro (Zaro) — commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France Çaro Çaro (Basque: Zaro) is a small rural commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of south‑western France, known for Basque cultural ties, pastoral landscapes and local community…

The Carolinas: North and South Carolina — geography, history, and culture Carolinas An overview of the Carolinas — North and South Carolina — covering geography, colonial and modern history, economy, culture, and distinctions between the two states.

Caroline County, Maryland A rural county on Maryland’s Eastern Shore centered on agriculture and small towns. Denton is the county seat; the county had about 33,000 residents by the 2010 census and dates to…

Carpathian Mountains — the great arc of Central and Eastern Europe Carpathian Mountains A balanced overview of the Carpathian Mountains: geography, geology, ecology, human use, and notable subranges spanning several Central and Eastern European countries.

Carroll County, Arkansas County in northwest Arkansas noted for its Ozark hills, Victorian-era Eureka Springs, dual county seats (Berryville and Eureka Springs), and an economy shaped by tourism, agricultu…

Carroll County, Georgia: overview, history, and key features Carroll County, Georgia County in west-central Georgia with seat in Carrollton; mix of small cities, university presence, manufacturing and agriculture; established in the early 19th century and part of t…

Carroll County, Illinois: overview, history, and community profile Carroll County, Illinois Carroll County is a rural county in northwestern Illinois with Mount Carroll as its county seat. This article summarizes its geography, demographics, history, economy, and local go…

Carroll County, Kentucky Carroll County is a small, largely rural county in northern Kentucky, centered on the city of Carrollton at the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky rivers.

Carroll County, Mississippi A rural county in central Mississippi with two county seats, agricultural and timber landscapes, historic sites, and a small-town culture rooted in 19th-century development.

Carroll County, New Hampshire County in eastern New Hampshire, founded 1840 and named for Charles Carroll; includes mountain valleys, lakeshore towns, and a mix of tourism and rural communities.

Carroll County, Ohio Carroll County, in eastern Ohio, had a 2010 population of 28,836. Its county seat is Carrollton. The county is largely rural, with agriculture, small towns, and energy-related acti…

Cars, Gironde — commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France Cars, Gironde Cars is a small rural commune in the Gironde department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. This entry summarizes its geography, history, administration, economy and prac…

Carspach — commune in Haut-Rhin, Grand Est, France Carspach Carspach is a small commune in the Haut-Rhin department of northeastern France, in the historic Alsace region. The article covers its setting, administration, history, economy, and…

Carter County, Missouri Carter County is a rural county in southeastern Missouri with Van Buren as its county seat. Known for Ozark landscapes, forestry and outdoor recreation, it had 6,265 residents in 2…

Carter County, Montana Rural county in southeastern Montana with county seat Ekalaka. Population 1,160 at the 2010 census. Noted for wide grasslands, ranching, Medicine Rocks State Park and a local paleo…

Cartography: The science, craft, and history of mapmaking Cartography Cartography is the practice of designing and producing maps. This article describes map types, core elements, historical development, modern techniques (GIS, remote sensing) and co…

Cascade County, Montana County in central Montana centered on Great Falls; noted for the Missouri River waterfalls, hydropower, agriculture and a military presence. 2010 population: 81,327; county seat: G…

Cascade Range Mountain range of western North America, known for volcanic peaks, temperate forests and alpine landscapes; extends from Northern California through Oregon and Washington into Brit…

Cascade, Iowa — Overview, History, and Local Features Cascade, Iowa Compact encyclopedia entry on Cascade, Iowa: location, geography, history, economy, community life, and notable features for residents and visitors.

Cascades Region, Burkina Faso Cascades Region Administrative region in southwestern Burkina Faso centered on Banfora, known for the Karfiguéla waterfalls, two provinces (Comoé, Léraba), agriculture and growing eco-tourism.

Casentino (Upper Arno Valley, Tuscany) Casentino Casentino is the upper valley of the Arno River in Tuscany, Italy. Known for its wooded mountains, medieval towns such as Poppi and Bibbiena, important monasteries and protected be…

Caspian Sea: geography, history, ecology and uses Caspian Sea The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed inland waterbody. This article summarizes its geography, hydrology, ecological value, historical context and economic importance.

Cass County, Missouri County in western Missouri, part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. County seat Harrisonville. A mix of suburban communities and rural landscape; population 99,478 at the 2010 c…

Castile and León — autonomous community in northwestern and central-northern Spain Castile and León Castile and León (Castilla y León) is Spain's largest autonomous community by area, made of nine provinces with a rich medieval heritage, Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and im…

Castile–La Mancha (Castilla–La Mancha) Castilla–La Mancha Autonomous community in central Spain centered on the historic city of Toledo; five provinces, a plateau landscape, Don Quixote heritage, Manchego cheese and large agricultural and…

Castlereagh River (New South Wales, Australia) Castlereagh River An inland river in central New South Wales, the Castlereagh flows from the Warrumbungles northwest across agricultural plains to join the Macquarie River; notable for variable flow…

Catalonia: region, language, and autonomy in northeastern Spain Catalonia Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, centered on Barcelona. It has a distinct language and culture, four provinces, a strong economy, and a complex modern po…

Catamarca Province — northwest Argentine region of mountains and valleys Catamarca Province Catamarca is a largely mountainous province in northwest Argentina, with dry Andean ranges, irrigated valleys, mining, traditional crafts and the capital San Fernando del Valle de…

Cataracts of the Nile: rapids, history, and their role in navigation Cataracts of the Nile Shallow, rocky sections of the Nile between Aswan and Khartoum that create rapids. Covering physical traits, the six classical cataracts, historical importance, and modern impacts…

Catatumbo River A river originating in the Colombian Andes that flows northeast into Venezuela and empties into Lake Maracaibo, known for its ecology and the nearby Catatumbo lightning phenomenon.