Appenzell Ausserrhoden Appenzell Ausserrhoden is a small northeastern Swiss canton noted for its rolling pre-Alpine landscapes, traditional crafts and folk culture, a Protestant heritage, and a history t…
Appenzell District (Appenzell Innerrhoden) Appenzell District Appenzell District is a central administrative area of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden in northeastern Switzerland, known for its town core, hamlets, alpine scenery and strong…
Appenzell Innerrhoden (Swiss canton) Appenzell Innerrhoden Appenzell Innerrhoden is a small, traditionally Catholic canton in northeastern Switzerland, known for its Landsgemeinde direct democracy, dairy farming and Appenzeller cheese, and…
Appling County, Georgia Appling County is a largely rural county in southeastern Georgia with Baxley as its county seat. The 2010 census recorded 18,236 residents. The county's economy is centered on agri…
Apulia (Puglia): region of southern Italy Apulia Apulia (Italian Puglia) is a southeastern Italian region on the Adriatic with unique landscapes, historic towns, olive groves, trulli houses and a coastline from Gargano to the Sal…
Apure (state of Venezuela) Apure Apure is a Venezuelan state of vast llanos (floodplains) in the southwest; its capital is San Fernando de Apure and its economy centers on cattle, agriculture and river transport.
Aqaba Governorate Aqaba Governorate is Jordan's southernmost and only coastal governorate, centered on the port city of Aqaba. It is important for trade, tourism, and access to the Red Sea.
Aquia Creek, Virginia Aquia Creek Aquia Creek is a 27.6-mile tributary of the tidal Potomac River in Northern Virginia, known for its historic sandstone quarries, tidal marshes, and roles in colonial and Civil War-…
Aquitaine (southwestern France region) Aquitaine Aquitaine is a historical and geographic area in southwestern France, known for Bordeaux wines, Atlantic coastlines, the Pyrenees, and a distinct cultural heritage absorbed into No…
Arab world: geography, language, history and contemporary significance Arab world Region of Arabic-speaking countries across North Africa and West Asia; shared language and cultural ties, varied histories, economies, and societies; boundaries and membership vary…
Arabian Desert: geography, ecology, and human presence Arabian Desert Large desert stretching across the Arabian Peninsula. Overview of its geography, climate, flora and fauna, human settlement, economy, and conservation challenges.
Arabian Gulf Name used for the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran; refers to the maritime region more widely known internationally as the Persian Gulf and to related cultural,…
Arabian Peninsula: geography, history, and significance Arabian Peninsula Large peninsula in Southwest Asia covering most of Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf states. Arid landscapes, mountain zones, birthplace of Islam, major oil reserves and important…
Arabian Sea: Geography, Ecology, History and Strategic Importance Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea is the northwestern arm of the Indian Ocean between the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent. This article outlines its geography, climate, ecology, histor…
Arad County, Romania: geography, history, economy and culture Arad County Arad County is a western Romanian county in the Crișana region, centred on the city of Arad. It combines plains, hills and low mountains, with mixed agriculture, industry and cross…
Arafura Sea — shallow sea between Australia and New Guinea Arafura Sea Shallow continental-shelf sea between northern Australia and New Guinea, important for fisheries, biodiversity, navigation and the geological history of the Sahul Shelf.
Aragatsotn Province, Armenia Aragatsotn Province Aragatsotn is a western Armenian marz centered on Ashtarak, dominated by Mount Aragats. It combines highland plateaus, agricultural plains, medieval monuments and a frontier border…
Aragon: geography, history and culture of the Spanish community Aragon Aragon is an autonomous region in northeastern Spain with a mountainous north, three provinces and a rich medieval history as the Kingdom of Aragon; notable for its languages, arch…
Aragón River Aragón (river) The Aragón is a river in northern Spain that rises in the Pyrenees and joins the Ebro as a left-bank tributary. It shaped the historical Kingdom of Aragon and remains important for…
Arakawa River — Tokyo's major river and its role in the metropolis Arakawa River Arakawa River (荒川) is a 173 km river rising on Mount Kobushi, flowing through Tokyo to Tokyo Bay. Known for wide floodplains, extensive levees, recreation paths and a sister-river…
Aral Sea: history, collapse, environmental impacts and recovery efforts Aral Sea Former Central Asian lake between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan that largely dried up after Soviet irrigation projects; now a case study in ecological collapse and partial restoration.
Aran Economic Region (Central Azerbaijan) Aran Economic Region Aran is a central economic region of Azerbaijan centered on the Kura-Araz plain, noted for extensive irrigated agriculture, river systems, and a mix of districts and cities that fo…
Arancou (Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France) Arancou Arancou is a small rural commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France, noted for its agricultural landscape, local heritage and proximity to Pyrenean and B…
Arapahoe County, Colorado Arapahoe County is a populous county in the Denver metropolitan area of Colorado. Covers suburban and plains communities; county seat Littleton and largest city Aurora. Overview of…
Arasalar River — distributary of the Kaveri (Cauvery) Arasalar River Arasalar River is a distributary of the Kaveri (Cauvery) that flows through the Cauvery delta, irrigates agricultural land, and reaches the Bay of Bengal at Karaikal in the Karaika…
Arauca Department Arauca is an eastern Colombian department on the Venezuelan border. Its capital is Arauca; the region is known for llanos savannas, oil and cattle production, and frontier cultural…
Araucanía (IX Region of Chile): geography, culture and economy Araucanía Region Overview of Chile's Araucanía (IX Region): landscapes from Andean peaks to lakes and forests, local economy of agriculture, forestry and tourism, administrative divisions, and Mapu…
Arauco Province (Bío Bío Region, Chile) Arauco Province Arauco Province is a coastal province in Chile's Bío Bío Region with capital Lebu. It combines coastal landscapes, forests, Mapuche cultural presence, and an economy based on fores…
Araujuzon — commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France Araujuzon Araujuzon is a small rural commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France, within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It is administered as a French commune with…
Araux: A commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, southwestern France Araux Araux is a small French commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département, located in the southwest of France. This article summarizes its setting, governance, history, local life, a…
Arbore (commune in Suceava County, Romania) Arbore Arbore is a rural commune in Suceava County, northeastern Romania, noted for its historic painted Orthodox church and traditional Moldavian cultural heritage.
Arbuckle Mountains — an ancient Oklahoma range Arbuckle Mountains A concise overview of the Arbuckle Mountains in south-central Oklahoma: geology, landscape, human use, recreation, and notable features near Davis and Turner Falls.
Arcadia (Peloponnese, Greece): geography, history and culture Arcadia Arcadia is a mountainous region in the central Peloponnese of Greece, known for its pastoral landscapes, classical history, and the city of Tripoli as its modern administrative cen…
Arcadia, Florida — city and county seat of DeSoto County Arcadia, Florida Arcadia is a small city in south-central Florida. As the county seat of DeSoto County, it is known for its historic downtown, agricultural surroundings, and role as a local governm…
Arcadia, Louisiana Arcadia is the parish seat of Bienville Parish in northern Louisiana, a small administrative and commercial center with roots in agriculture and timber and a local role in governme…
Arces-Dilo — a rural commune in Yonne, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Arces-Dilo Arces-Dilo is a small rural commune in the Yonne department of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France, known for its countryside setting, historic buildings and agricultural character.
Archer County, Texas Archer County is a rural county in north-central Texas with county seat Archer City. Noted for ranching, energy activity, and ties to novelist Larry McMurtry. Population about 9,00…
Archipelago: formation, types, ecology and human significance Archipelago An archipelago is a group of islands formed by volcanic, tectonic, erosional, or biological processes. This article reviews origins, types, notable examples, ecology, and human and…
Arctic: geography, climate, ecosystems, and human significance Arctic Overview of the Arctic region around the North Pole, its geography and climate, tundra and sea ice, wildlife and peoples, historical exploration, and contemporary environmental and…
Alaska Arctic Region: Geography, Communities, and Economy Arctic Alaska Overview of Alaska's Arctic Region: its tundra geography, Indigenous communities and remote towns, transport challenges, wildlife, and the economy from subsistence to oil-driven de…
Arctic Circle: definition, geography, phenomena, and changing boundary Arctic Circle The Arctic Circle is the northernmost major circle of latitude marking where at least one day of polar day and polar night occurs. This article covers its position, movement, geogr…
Arctic Cordillera: Canada's Northern Mountain Chain Arctic Cordillera A remote mountain chain along northeastern North America, the Arctic Cordillera spans Ellesmere Island to northern Labrador, featuring Barbeau Peak, extensive glaciers, polar clima…
Arctic Ocean — geography, ecology, and human activity Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean is Earth's smallest, coldest ocean around the North Pole. This article explains its geography, physical features, ecosystems, human uses, exploration history, and…
Ardabil Province, Iran Ardabil province Ardabil Province in northwestern Iran, created in 1993 from parts of East Azerbaijan and Gilan, is noted for Mount Sabalan, thermal springs, carpet weaving and its Azerbaijani cult…
Ardèche (department) — geography, history and highlights Ardèche Ardèche is a department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes named for the Ardèche River. Noted for limestone gorges, rural landscapes, chestnut culture and outdoor tourism, it blends natural h…
Ardèche (river) The Ardèche is a 125 km river in south-central France, a right-bank tributary of the Rhône, known for its limestone gorges, the Pont d'Arc natural arch and the nearby Chauvet cave…
Ardennes A forested, hilly upland region of northwestern Europe spanning parts of Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany, known for its geology, wildlife, cultural history and role in majo…
Ardennes (department) Ardennes is a northeastern French department in the Grand Est region, named for the Ardennes forest. Its capital is Charleville-Mézières; the area is known for forests, the Meuse v…
