Geography

Alappuzha district, Kerala (Alleppey) Alappuzha district Coastal district in Kerala, India, known for its inland waterways and backwaters, coir industry and Kuttanad rice farming, houseboat tourism, and a history of labor movements inclu…

Alaska (U.S. state) Alaska Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area, located in the northwest of North America; noted for vast wilderness, indigenous cultures, resource-based economy, and distinct history as…

Alaska Interior The inland region of Alaska encompassing vast boreal forests, mountain ranges (including Denali), rivers, sparse settlements such as Fairbanks, and a long history of Indigenous pre…

Alaska North Slope A broad Arctic region along Alaska’s northern coast characterized by tundra, permafrost, major petroleum reserves, wildlife habitat, Indigenous communities, and ongoing environment…

Alaska Range: mountains, glaciers, rivers, and natural history Alaska Range The Alaska Range is a principal mountain chain in Alaska, home to Denali, extensive glaciers, major rivers, and diverse ecosystems; important for mountaineering, science, and prote…

Alaska Standard Time (AKST) Alaska Standard Time Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC−9 during standard time and Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT) is UTC−8 during daylight saving; it covers most of Alaska and the Gambier Islands.

Álava (Araba): province in the Basque Country of northern Spain Álava Álava (Basque Araba) is the southernmost province of the Basque Autonomous Community in northern Spain, known for its capital Vitoria-Gasteiz, Rioja wine territory, varied landscap…

Alb-Donau-Kreis Alb-Donau-Kreis is a rural district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, named for the Swabian Alb and the Danube. It surrounds Ulm and includes towns such as Ehingen, Blaubeuren and Lan…

Alba County, Romania — geography, history, and notable sites Alba County Alba County (județul Alba) in central Transylvania, Romania. Overview of its geography, history from Roman times to the 1918 Union, economy, culture and principal towns including A…

Albania — Republic in Southeastern Europe Albania Concise overview of Albania covering geography, population, history, government, economy, language, culture and notable facts about the Republic of Albania.

Albania Veneta (Venetian Albania) Albania veneta Albania Veneta, or Venetian Albania, was the coastal territory controlled by the Republic of Venice in southern Dalmatia from 1420 until the Republic's fall in 1797. It left lastin…

Albany County (United States) Albany County Albany County names two present U.S. counties — in New York and Wyoming — and refers to a much larger colonial jurisdiction. Both modern counties have distinct histories, geography…

Alberta — province in western Canada Alberta Overview of Alberta: geography, major cities, history, economy and notable facts about the western Canadian province.

Alborz Mountains: geography, geology and cultural significance Alborz Mountains Major mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the Caucasus region to the east; includes Mount Damavand, diverse climates and ecosystems, and important water sources for Teh…

Albula District, Graubünden (Switzerland) Albula District Alpine district in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, centring on the Albula Pass and a network of small valleys. Noted for mountainous scenery, the Albula railway and a collection of…

Aleutian Islands: geography, people, volcanism, and history Aleutian Islands A concise overview of the Aleutian Islands: their geography, geology, ecology, human history, economy and significance as a volcanic, subarctic island chain linking the Bering Sea…

Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska A remote census area in western Alaska encompassing portions of the Aleutian and Pribilof islands; notable for fishing, aviation-dependent communities, and its Unorganized Borough…

Alexander County, Illinois Southernmost county of Illinois at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers; centered on Cairo, historically a major riverport, later facing economic decline, flood risk,…

Alexander Island (Antarctica) Alexander Island Largest island of Antarctica, lying in the Bellingshausen Sea; known for its ice-covered landscapes, scientific sites such as Hodgson Lake, and its discovery and naming in 1821.

Algarve — the southernmost region of mainland Portugal Algarve The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region, known for its Mediterranean climate, limestone coastline and beaches, Moorish heritage, strong tourism industry, and the city of Faro…

Algeria: geography, history, culture and economy of a North African state Algeria Overview of Algeria — the largest country in Africa and the Maghreb: geography, borders, history, society, economy, languages and key distinctions.

Algiers — capital city and Mediterranean port of Algeria Algiers Algiers is the capital and largest city of Algeria, on the Mediterranean coast of northern Africa. It is a political, cultural and historical center known for the Casbah, its port…

Algiers Province Algiers Province (Wilaya of Algiers) is the coastal region that contains Algeria’s capital city, a densely populated administrative, cultural and economic center with about 3 milli…

Ali Sabieh Region, Djibouti Ali Sabieh Region Ali Sabieh Region is a southern administrative region of Djibouti, bordering Somalia and Ethiopia. It features rugged highlands, arid lowlands, a mixed pastoral economy, and the to…

Alibori — Northern Benin's Largest Department: Geography, Communes, Demographics Alibori Department Alibori, Benin's largest and northernmost department, spans about 25,600 km² along the Niger River. Explore its six communes, capital Kandi, border geography with Burkina Faso, Nig…

Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh Aligarh district Aligarh district in western Uttar Pradesh is an educational and industrial centre centred on the city of Aligarh, known for Aligarh Muslim University and a long tradition of lock-m…

Allahabad Division (Prayagraj Division), Uttar Pradesh, India Allahabad division Administrative division in central Uttar Pradesh centered on the city of Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad); known for the Triveni Sangam, historical sites, agriculture and pilgrimage…

Allegan County, Michigan A county in southwestern Michigan with Lake Michigan shoreline and mixed agricultural, small-town and recreational landscapes; county seat Allegan; notable for river valleys, dunes…

Alleghany County, North Carolina A small, rural county in the northwest of North Carolina, centered on the town of Sparta; known for its Appalachian highlands, outdoor recreation, and agricultural heritage.

Allegheny Mountains A subrange of the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, the Allegheny Mountains stretch across several states and are known for their ridges, forests, and coal-bearin…

Allegheny River: geography, history, and uses Allegheny River The Allegheny River is a major river of the Eastern United States, rising in New York, flowing through Pennsylvania and joining the Monongahela to form the Ohio River at Pittsburgh…

Allendale County, South Carolina A small, rural county in southern South Carolina established in 1919. County seat Allendale; population 8,039 (2020). Known for low population density, agricultural landscape and e…

Allgäu Alps: geography, geology and outdoor recreation Allgäu Alps Mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps spanning Bavaria (Germany) and Tyrol and Vorarlberg (Austria). Known for limestone ridges, grassy faces, high precipitation and popula…

Allier (river) — central French tributary of the Loire Allier (river) The Allier is a major river in central France, rising in the Massif Central and flowing north to join the Loire; it shaped local history, ecology and gave its name to the Allier de…

Almaty Region (Almaty Oblysy) — southeastern Kazakhstan Almaty Region Almaty Region is a large, mountainous and agricultural province in southeastern Kazakhstan. Its capital is Taldykorgan; the region surrounds the city of Almaty but is administrativ…

Almendares River (Río Almendares) Almendares River The Almendares River is a 45 km watercourse in western Cuba that flows northwest from Tapaste to the Straits of Florida, supplies Havana, forms a metropolitan park, and faces indus…

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: geography, history and cultural highlights Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a sparsely populated department in southeastern France known for alpine foothills, river gorges, Provençal culture, lavender landscapes and the prefectur…

Alph River (Antarctica) Alph River Alph River is a small seasonal meltwater stream in Victoria Land, Antarctica, named by explorer Griffith Taylor after Coleridge’s poem. It lies in the ice‑free Dry Valleys and is s…

Alpine lake Freshwater lakes at high elevations, often above the tree line; formed by glaciers, tectonics or dams and noted for cold, clear, low-nutrient waters and sensitive ecosystems.

Alpine tundra: high‑mountain ecosystems above the treeline Alpine tundra High-elevation biomes above the treeline where trees cannot grow. Alpine tundra occur worldwide, vary with latitude and maritime influence, and host specialized plants, animals, an…

Alps: Europe's major mountain range Alps Overview of the Alps: geography, geology, ecology, notable peaks and human uses across the transnational mountain system.

Alpuri Tehsil: administrative and geographic profile Alpuri Tehsil Alpuri Tehsil is the administrative subdivision centered on the town of Alpuri in Shangla District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Overview of geography, administration, economy, hi…

Alsace: geography, history, culture and modern administration Alsace Alsace is a historic region on France's eastern border with Germany and Switzerland, noted for its Germanic culture, wines, Strasbourg, and a history of shifting sovereignty; now p…

Alsatian language (Elsässisch / Alsacien) Alsatian language A Germanic Alemannic language spoken in the Alsace region of France, with distinct phonology, vocabulary influenced by French, and a role in regional identity and culture.

Altenburger Land Altenburger Land is a rural district in eastern Thuringia, Germany, centered on the town of Altenburg. It combines agricultural plains, small industry, historical sites and a disti…

Altenkirchen (district): overview, geography, administration and culture Altenkirchen (district) Altenkirchen is a rural district (Landkreis) in northern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, centered on the town of Altenkirchen (Westerwald). Overview of geography, administration, hi…

Altitude: meaning, measurement, uses, and related terms Altitude Altitude is the vertical distance of a point above a reference such as ground or sea level. This article explains definitions, measurement methods, applications in aviation and sur…

Altmarkkreis Salzwedel — Rural District in Northwestern Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Altmarkkreis Salzwedel Rural District Altmarkkreis Salzwedel is a rural district in NW Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Centered on Salzwedel, it encompasses historic Altmark farmland, small towns, protected landscapes and loca…