Geography

Coaraze: Hilltop village in Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Coaraze Coaraze is a small perched commune in the Alpes-Maritimes of southeastern France, known for its stone architecture, scenic views, walking paths and traditional Provençal character.

Coast (shoreline where land meets the sea) Coast The coast is the zone where the sea meets the land. This article explains coastal types, ecology, human uses, hazards such as erosion, and examples including the East Coast and Hol…

Cobb County, Georgia A suburban and historic county northwest of Atlanta, Georgia, home to Marietta, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, and the Atlanta Braves' Trui…

Cochem-Zell district, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany Cochem-Zell Cochem-Zell is a rural district along the Moselle in north-west Rhineland-Palatinate, known for steep vineyards, medieval towns such as Cochem and Zell, castles, and tourism-driven…

Coffee County, Georgia — history, geography, economy, and communities Coffee County, Georgia County in southeastern Georgia; county seat Douglas. Covers history, geography, economy, government, schools and communities with demographic context and notable facts.

Cojedes State, Venezuela Cojedes Cojedes is a lowland state in central-western Venezuela with San Carlos as its capital. Known for Llanos plains, cattle ranching and agriculture, it covers about 14,800 km² and had…

Col (topography): mountain saddle, pass, and key col Col A col is the low point on a mountain ridge between two summits. This article explains its forms, how to identify cols on maps, their role in drainage and routes, and the key col us…

Cologne Government Region (Regierungsbezirk Köln) Cologne Government Region Regional administrative district in southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, centered on Cologne; covers Eifel hills, the Bergisches Land and lower Rhine valley; seat in Colog…

Colombia — Republic in northwestern South America Colombia Colombia is a diverse republic in northern South America, with Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Andean highlands, Amazon rainforest, over 50 million people, and major cities including…

Colombier-le-Jeune: a rural commune in Ardèche, southern France Colombier-le-Jeune Colombier-le-Jeune is a small French commune in the Ardèche department, known for its rural character, local heritage and outdoor opportunities in the hills of southern France.

Colorado River: geography, uses, management and environmental challenges Colorado River Major river of the U.S. Southwest and northwestern Mexico that supplies water, irrigation and hydropower, carved iconic landscapes, and faces overuse, legal disputes and ecological…

Colorado River (Argentina) A river of southern Argentina that rises on the Andes' eastern slopes and flows east across the Patagonian plain to the Atlantic, notable for the Casa de Piedra reservoir and regio…

Columbia (poetic name, personification, and namesake) Columbia Columbia is a historic and poetic name for the United States, derived from Christopher Columbus; used as a personification and as the namesake for places, institutions, companies a…

Columbia County, Arkansas Columbia County is a rural county in southern Arkansas, founded in 1852 with seat at Magnolia. Its economy centers on agriculture, timber, manufacturing and higher education (South…

Columbia County, Florida County in northern Florida centered on Lake City. Covers history, geography, transportation, economy, recreation, and key facts including formation in 1832 and its role as a region…

Columbia County, Pennsylvania: overview, history, communities, and facts Columbia County, Pennsylvania County in northeastern Pennsylvania with Bloomsburg as its county seat. Established in 1813, noted for Susquehanna River towns, mixed economy, and regional history in timber and co…

Columbia County, Washington A small, rural county in southeastern Washington state, established in 1875, with Dayton as its county seat and an economy centered on agriculture and outdoor recreation.

Columbia County, Wisconsin: overview, geography, history and communities Columbia County, Wisconsin Columbia County is a county in south-central Wisconsin with Portage as its county seat. It sits along important rivers and is part of the Madison metropolitan area; its economy cen…

Columbia River Major Pacific Northwest river flowing from the Canadian Rockies through British Columbia, Washington and Oregon to the Pacific; known for large discharge, hydroelectric dams, and h…

Coma Pedrosa — Highest Peak of Andorra Coma Pedrosa Coma Pedrosa (2,943 m) is Andorra’s highest mountain, a popular objective for hikers and climbers near Arinsal in La Massana parish. Noted for rugged terrain, alpine lakes and seas…

Comarca Emberá-Wounaan (Comarca Emberá) — Indigenous territory in Panama Comarca Emberá Emberá-Wounaan (often called Comarca Emberá) is an indigenous autonomous territory in eastern Panama, home to the Emberá and Wounaan peoples, created by Law No. 22 (1983) with prov…

Comminges Comminges is a historic natural region in southwestern France, enclosing the upper Garonne valley near the Pyrenees, known for its ancient roots, medieval heritage, and rural lands…

Communes of the Gers department (France) Communes of the Gers department Overview of the communes that make up the rural Gers department in southwestern France, including administrative role, history, economy, notable towns, and where to find alphabetic…

Communes of the Guyane department Overview of the communes that make up Guyane (French Guiana): administrative role, geography, history, notable towns and special features of these 22 municipal entities.

Communes of the Tarn-et-Garonne department (France) Communes of the Tarn-et-Garonne department Overview of the communes in Tarn-et-Garonne: structure, governance, history, examples and their role as France's basic local government units.

Comoros (Union of the Comoros): geography, history, society and environment Comoros An overview of the Union of the Comoros: islands, geography, history, politics, society, economy and notable features including Mayotte and Mount Karthala.

Comparison of the Regions of Japan Comparison of regions of Japan An accessible, neutral comparison of Japan's commonly used regions, their origins, climatic and cultural differences, economic roles, and how they are used today.

Compass rose: purpose, design, history and navigation use Compass rose An illustrated guide to the compass rose: map symbol showing directions, its parts and variants, historical development, role in navigation and differences between true, magnetic a…

Comps (Gironde) — a commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France Comps, Gironde Overview of Comps, a small French commune in the Gironde department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine: location, administration, landscape, history and local features.

Comunità montana Grand Combin An overview of the Comunità montana Grand Combin in Valle d'Aosta: geography, purpose, activities and its relation to the Grand Combin summit and surrounding Alpine valleys.

Comunità montana Mont Emilius An inter-municipal mountain community in Valle d'Aosta (Italy) that groups ten comuni around Monte Emilius to coordinate local development, environmental protection, tourism and mo…

Comunità montana Mont Rose An association of nine mountain municipalities in Italy's Valle d'Aosta centered on the Monte Rosa massif, coordinating local development, environment, tourism and services for alp…

Comunità montana Monte Cervino An association of 12 municipalities in Italy's Valle d'Aosta centered on the Monte Cervino (Matterhorn) and the Valtournenche valley, coordinating local services, tourism and mount…

Comunità montana Valdigne Mont Blanc An administrative mountain community in the upper Aosta Valley (Valdigne) that groups five comuni around Mont Blanc to coordinate development, tourism, environmental protection and…

Comunità montana Walser Alta Valle del Lys (Walser Upper Lys Valley) Comunità montana Walser Alta Valle del Lys A cooperative mountain community in Italy's Aosta Valley that groups Walser-influenced municipalities in the upper Lys (Gressoney) valley to coordinate services, development and cu…

Concepción Department, Paraguay Northern department of Paraguay with the city of Concepción as its capital; known for river transport, cattle ranching, and a mix of urban and rural landscapes. ISO code: PY-1.

Conchez-de-Béarn Conchez-de-Béarn is a small rural commune in the historic Béarn area of southwestern France, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. It exemplifies regional architecture, agricultu…

Congo: countries, river, and historical entities of Central Africa Congo Overview of the name 'Congo' covering the two modern states, the Congo River, historical polities and the region’s geography, history, and significance.

Congo River (Zaire River) Congo River Major Central African river, second-longest in Africa. It drains a vast rainforest basin, has enormous discharge, and has been central to regional transport, ecology and history.

Congolian rainforests (Congo Basin) Congolian rainforests The Congolian rainforests form the second‑largest tropical forest on Earth, spanning the Congo Basin; they are biodiversity hotspots, vital carbon stores, and home to diverse peopl…

Connacht — province of western Ireland Connacht Connacht (Connaught) is the western province of Ireland, made up of five counties. Known for its Atlantic coastline, Gaelic heritage, Gaeltacht regions, and modern cultural and spo…

Connecticut River — New England’s Longest River and Major Watershed Connecticut River Major New England river about 407 miles long, draining ~11,250 sq mi across four states to Long Island Sound; important for ecology, history, navigation, hydropower and regional cu…

Connemara: landscape, culture and history of western County Galway Connemara Connemara is a rugged region in western County Galway, Ireland, noted for its mountains, bogs, Irish‑speaking communities, national park and cultural heritage.

Constantine Province (Algeria) Constantine Province Overview of Constantine Province in northeast Algeria: geography, history, administration, economy, culture and notable landmarks including the city of Constantine.

Conthey District, Valais (Switzerland) Conthey District Administrative district in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. A French-speaking area in the Rhône valley combining vineyards, orchards, light industry and alpine tourism around the…

Contiguous United States (the Lower 48) Contiguous United States The contiguous United States — also called the conterminous United States or the Lower 48 — comprises the 48 adjoining U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska,…

Continent Large, distinct expanses of Earth's land commonly grouped as continents; overview of definitions, the usual list, history of the concept, and how continents differ from other geogr…

Continental climate: definition, Köppen types, distribution and examples Continental climate A climate with large seasonal temperature swings, cold winters with regular snow cover and warm to hot summers. Includes Köppen D-type subcategories and many interior temperate-zon…