Geography

Continental divide: definition, examples, and significance Continental divide A continental divide is a topographic boundary separating drainage basins whose waters flow to different oceans or terminal basins; affects river routing, ecology, and mapping.

Continental Europe The European mainland excluding offshore islands. An overview of its geographic scope, historical usage of the phrase “the Continent,” cultural and legal distinctions, and typical…

Continental shelf: definition, formation, ecology and legal importance Continental shelf The continental shelf is the submerged margin of a continent. This article covers its physical form, geological origins, ecology, resources, human uses and legal status under marit…

Continental United States The Continental United States comprises the U.S. states and District of Columbia located on the North American landmass; often confused with the contiguous or 'lower 48' states but…

Contra Costa County, California Contra Costa County is in the northern San Francisco Bay Area of California. Its county seat is Martinez; the county spans shoreline, valleys and Mount Diablo and includes suburban…

Contrevoz — Commune in Ain, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France Contrevoz Contrevoz is a small French commune in the Ain department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, noted for rural landscape, local administration, and access to regional outdoor activi…

Conurbation (urban geography) Conurbation A conurbation is a continuous urban area formed when cities, towns and villages expand and merge; it describes physical, economic and social integration beyond individual municipal…

Converse County, Wyoming Converse County in east-central Wyoming, established in 1888 with county seat Douglas. A sparsely populated, largely rural county noted for ranching, energy production and outdoor…

Conway County, Arkansas Conway County, established in 1825 in central Arkansas, is a largely rural county with Morrilton as its seat. It lies in the Arkansas River Valley and is known for outdoor recreati…

Cook County, Georgia Cook County is a rural county in southern Georgia with county seat Adel. Population was 17,212 at the 2010 census. Overview of geography, history, economy, government and local fea…

Cook Strait (Te Moana-o-Raukawa) Cook Strait The channel separating New Zealand's North and South Islands, linking the Tasman Sea to the South Pacific; noted for strong currents, variable weather, and regular ferry services.

Cooper Creek — major inland river of Australia Cooper Creek Cooper Creek is an ephemeral inland river system in central Australia. Fed by remote monsoon rains, it drains into the Lake Eyre basin and supports unique floodplain ecology, pasto…

Cooum River — short urban river of Chennai, India Cooum River The Cooum River is a small but historically significant river that flows through Chennai to the Bay of Bengal. It is notable for urban pollution, tidal influence, flood roles, and…

Copperbelt Province, Zambia Copperbelt Copperbelt is a northern Zambian province named for its copper reserves. It is the country’s mining heartland, with major urban centres, transport links and a history tied to the g…

Coquimbo Region (Chile) Coquimbo Region Coquimbo Region in north-central Chile: coastal plain, semi-arid interior valleys (Elqui, Limarí, Choapa). Capital La Serena; economy from mining, agriculture, fisheries and astron…

Coral Sea: geography, ecology, and conservation Coral Sea Overview of the Coral Sea off northeastern Australia: boundaries, physical features, biodiversity, climate, the Coral Sea Islands Territory, human uses, history and conservation ch…

Coral Sea Islands Territory: remote reefs, cays and meteorological outposts Coral Sea Islands An Australian external territory of scattered coral cays and reefs in the Coral Sea, largely uninhabited except for a small weather station. Important for navigation, meteorology a…

Corbu, Harghita County Corbu, Harghita Corbu is a rural commune in Harghita County, central Romania. This article summarizes its location, landscape, administrative role, economy, cultural background and points of local…

Cordillera Administrative Region (Philippines) Cordillera Administrative Region Highland region in northern Luzon, Philippines, comprising six provinces and the regional center Baguio; noted for mountainous terrain, indigenous cultures, rice terraces and biodi…

Cordillera Department (Paraguay) Cordillera Department Central Paraguayan department centered on Caacupé, known for rolling hills, agriculture, religious pilgrimage, crafts and proximity to Asunción. ISO code PY-03.

Cordillera Septentrional — Northern mountain range of the Dominican Republic Cordillera Septentrional A geographical and ecological overview of the Cordillera Septentrional, the low, coastal mountain chain running along the northern coast of Hispaniola in the Dominican Republic.

Corfu (Kerkyra): Greek island in the Ionian Sea Corfu Corfu (Kerkyra) is a green, historic Greek island in the Ionian Sea known for Venetian architecture, fortresses, music traditions, beaches and a mixed economy of tourism and agricu…

Ćorkovac — a tributary of the Vrbanja River in central Bosnia Ćorkovac Ćorkovac is a short mountain tributary of the Vrbanja River in central Bosnia, rising on the Vlašić plateau. Noted for its spring at 1,150 m, historic watermills and its role among…

Corn Belt (Midwestern United States) Corn Belt Agricultural region of the U.S. Midwest where field corn predominates. Known for fertile prairie soils, mechanized grain farming, crop rotation with soybeans, and major economic an…

Cornant: a rural commune in the Yonne department of central France Cornant Cornant is a small commune in the Yonne department, Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté, central France. This article summarizes its setting, administration, history, economy and points of loc…

Cornwall (Kernow): a county and Celtic region in southwest England Cornwall Cornwall is a historic, coastal county at England’s southwestern tip, known for its Celtic heritage, coastal landscapes, mining history, Cornish language, and a tourism-driven econ…

Cornwall County, Jamaica Historic western county of Jamaica comprising five parishes; noted for coastal resorts, agriculture, historic towns and distinct limestone and coastal landscapes.

Coropuna — glaciated volcano massif in the Peruvian Andes Coropuna Coropuna is a high, multi-summit volcanic massif in southern Peru (6,425 m). Noted for its historic ice cover, cultural importance and ongoing glacial retreat, it ranks among the A…

Corpe (Vendée) — Commune in Pays de la Loire, France Corpe Corpe is a small commune in the Vendée department of the Pays de la Loire region in western France, known for its rural character, local administration, and typical village ameniti…

Corrèze (department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France) Corrèze Corrèze is a department in south‑western France, in Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, named for the Corrèze river. Prefecture Tulle; noted for river valleys, plateaus, medieval villages, agricul…

Corrèze (river) The Corrèze is a small river in southwestern France, a left tributary of the Vézère. It gives its name to the Corrèze department and has local ecological, historical and recreation…

Corrie: glacial hollow, Scottish place-name, and cultural uses Corrie Corrie denotes a bowl-shaped glacial hollow (cirque), appears in Scottish place names and surnames, and is used in culture (e.g., the soap nickname 'Corrie' and the folk group The…

Corrientes, Argentina — provincial capital on the Paraná River Corrientes Corrientes is the capital city of Corrientes province in northeastern Argentina. Located on the Paraná River, it is an administrative, cultural and river-port centre with a long co…

Corrientes Province (Argentina) Corrientes Province Northeastern Argentine province known for the Iberá Wetlands, Yacyretá hydroelectric complex, strong Guaraní heritage, and an economy based on agriculture, livestock and nature tou…

Corse-du-Sud (Southern Corsica) Corse-du-Sud Corse-du-Sud is the southern department of the French island of Corsica, with prefecture Ajaccio. It is known for dramatic coastal scenery, mountainous interiors, Corsican culture…

Corsica — Mediterranean island of France Corsica Corsica is a mountainous Mediterranean island and territorial collectivity of France, known for rugged landscapes, distinctive culture and language, historic towns such as Ajaccio,…

Corson County, South Dakota — geography, people, and community Corson County, South Dakota Corson County is a sparsely populated county in northern South Dakota. This article summarizes its location, population, history, governance, economy, and ties to the Standing Rock…

Costa Rica: geography, biodiversity, history and society Costa Rica Concise, neutral overview of Costa Rica covering location, government, biodiversity, economy, history and cultural highlights.

Côte-d'Or: department of eastern France and Burgundy wine region Côte-d'Or Côte-d'Or is a department in eastern France centered on Dijon, known for its Burgundy vineyards, historic towns, cultural heritage and a mixed economy of agriculture, industry and…

Côte‑Nord (Quebec region) Côte-Nord Côte‑Nord is a vast, sparsely populated administrative region on Quebec’s northern shore of the St. Lawrence, known for boreal wilderness, resource industries, coastal communities…

Côtes-d'Armor Côtes-d'Armor is a coastal department in Brittany, northwest France, created during the French Revolution and known for its rugged shoreline, Breton culture, agriculture and touris…

Cotswolds: hills, villages and heritage of central‑southwest England Cotswolds Gently rolling limestone hills in central–southwest England known for honey‑coloured stone villages, medieval wool wealth and protected landscapes. Popular for walking, heritage an…

Couderay River The Couderay River is a tributary of the Chippewa River in northwestern Wisconsin, known for its forested corridors, wildlife habitat, recreational use, and links to regional cultu…

Couesnon (river in northwestern France) Couesnon The Couesnon is a small river rising in Mayenne and flowing into the tidal bay of Mont‑Saint‑Michel. Its shifting course, estuary dynamics and cultural role have influenced local l…

Counties of England: definitions, history, and modern forms Counties of England An overview of England's counties: their origins, changing boundaries, administrative and ceremonial roles, and how different definitions coexist in law and everyday use.

Counties of Iran (Shahrestan): Administrative units, structure, and role Counties of Iran Overview of Iran's counties (shahrestan): their place in the provincial system, internal parts (bakhsh, dehestan), administration, history, uses, and notable examples.

Counties of Ireland: historic divisions, administration and cultural role Counties of Ireland The island of Ireland is traditionally divided into 32 historic counties—26 in the Republic and 6 in Northern Ireland—used for administration, sport, identity and statistics, thoug…

Counties of Northern Ireland Overview of Northern Ireland’s six historic counties: their geography, history, administrative role, cultural importance, and relation to the island’s 32 counties.