Geography

Heligoland (Helgoland): German North Sea island group Heligoland Heligoland (German: Helgoland) is a small German archipelago in the North Sea, noted for its red sandstone cliffs, seabird colonies, duty-free trade, and complex Danish–British–Ger…

Helmand Province Helmand Province in southwestern Afghanistan is an arid, agricultural and conflict-affected region centered on Lashkar Gah and the Helmand River, notable for irrigation projects an…

Helmand River Major river of southwestern Afghanistan, rising in the Hindu Kush and flowing to the Sistan marshes; important for irrigation, culture and transboundary water issues.

Helsingør (Elsinore) — Danish coastal city and Kronborg Castle Helsingør Helsingør is a historic port town on northeastern Zealand, Denmark, known for Kronborg Castle (the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet), maritime heritage, ferry links to Sweden, and s…

Hemer (North Rhine-Westphalia) Hemer Hemer is a mid-sized town of about 35,000 people in Märkischer Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, situated on the edge of the Sauerland hills with a history of industrial deve…

Hemisphere A hemisphere is one half of a spherical body. Used most often for Earth, it describes divisions such as Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western hemispheres and related climatic, cu…

Henan Province: geography, history, culture and key cities Henan Overview of Henan, a central-eastern Chinese province: name origin, geography, major cities, historical significance, economy and cultural highlights including ancient capitals and…

Henån — town on Orust, Sweden Henån Henån is the principal town and administrative centre of Orust Municipality on Sweden’s west coast, known for maritime heritage, boating industry and seasonal tourism.

Hendaye (Hendaia) — French Basque coastal town on the Spanish border Hendaye Hendaye (Basque: Hendaia) is a coastal commune in the French Basque Country, at the mouth of the Bidasoa on the border with Spain. Known for its long beach, cross-border links and…

Hendricks County, Indiana Hendricks County, in central Indiana and part of the Indianapolis metro area, was organized in the 1820s. The county seat is Danville; the 2010 census recorded 145,448 residents an…

Hendry County, Florida Hendry County is a largely rural county in southern Florida, known for agriculture, wetlands and small towns such as LaBelle and Clewiston. It was established in the early 20th cen…

Hénin-sur-Cojeul — commune in Pas-de-Calais, northern France Hénin-sur-Cojeul Hénin-sur-Cojeul is a small rural commune in Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France. This article summarizes its geography, administration, historical context, local features and practical…

Héninel: profile of a commune in Pas-de-Calais, northern France Héninel Héninel is a small French commune in the Pas-de-Calais department, historically part of Nord-Pas-de-Calais. This article outlines its location, administration, history, economy and…

Henry County, Alabama County on Alabama's southeastern border, founded in 1819 with county seat Abbeville. Largely rural, historically agricultural, with small towns such as Headland and Abbeville and l…

Henry County, Illinois Henry County in the U.S. state of Illinois; a largely rural county with a 2010 population of about 50,486 and Cambridge noted as its county seat. Overview of geography, history, co…

Henry County, Indiana Henry County is in east‑central Indiana with county seat New Castle. As of the 2010 census it had 49,462 residents. The county is largely rural with manufacturing, agriculture, and…

Henry County, Iowa County in southeastern Iowa with Mount Pleasant as its county seat; founded in the 1830s, largely rural with agriculture, small towns, and historic institutions. 2010 population: 2…

Henry County, Kentucky Henry County is a rural county in the state of Kentucky, established in 1798. Its seat is New Castle and its largest city is Eminence. The county had 15,416 residents at the 2010 c…

Henry County, Ohio A concise encyclopedia entry on Henry County, a largely rural county in northwestern Ohio. Covers geography, history, economy, government, communities and cultural features.

Herat Province Herat Province is a historic, agricultural and cultural region in western Afghanistan centered on the city of Herat. It has long served as a crossroads of Persian culture, trade ro…

Hérault: geography, culture, and economy of a French Mediterranean department Hérault Hérault is a coastal department in Occitanie, southern France, named for the Hérault river. It includes Montpellier, vineyards, beaches and varied inland landscapes with a strong O…

Hérault (river) — river of southern France Hérault (river) The Hérault is a river in southern France rising in the Cévennes and flowing to the Mediterranean near Agde. It shaped local landscapes, supports biodiversity and recreation, and g…

Herefordshire — rural English county centred on Hereford Herefordshire Herefordshire is a largely rural county in the West Midlands of England, noted for the Wye valley, orchards and cider, Hereford cattle and the cathedral city of Hereford.

Hérens District, Valais — geography, municipalities and culture Hérens District Hérens is a French-speaking district in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It comprises several mountain municipalities and is known for alpine landscapes, traditional cattle cultu…

Herford (district) Herford is a Kreis (district) in northeastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, centred on the town of Herford and known for its river valleys, small and medium industry, and cultur…

Herm (Channel Island): geography, history, and visitor information Herm Herm is the smallest publicly accessible Channel Island, noted for sandy beaches, car-free life, and a tiny permanent population. This article covers its geography, history, access…

Hermagor District (Carinthia, Austria) Hermagor District Administrative district in southern Carinthia, Austria, centered on Hermagor‑Pressegger See; known for Alpine scenery, ski resorts, lakes and cross‑border links with Italy.

Hermosa — Chicago community area on the city's northwest side Hermosa, Chicago Hermosa is a compact, densely populated community area in northwest Chicago, known for the Kelvyn Park neighborhood, the Walt Disney birthplace, and the former Schwinn bicycle fact…

Hernando County, Florida A Gulf Coast county in west-central Florida with county seat Brooksville, established in 1843; known for springs, coastal communities, natural preserves, tourism and links to the g…

Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia Herne is a city in the Ruhr area of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with about 170,000 residents. It is known for its industrial history, parks, cultural venues and regional trans…

Hersfeld-Rotenburg — district in eastern Hesse, Germany Hersfeld-Rotenburg Hersfeld-Rotenburg is a rural district in eastern Hesse, Germany, centered on Bad Hersfeld. It combines small towns, low mountain landscapes and historical sites such as the Hersfe…

Hertfordshire — county north of London, England Hertfordshire Hertfordshire is a Home County north of London in England, noted for historic St Albans, a mix of countryside and commuter towns, and close links to surrounding counties and transp…

Herzberg am Harz Herzberg am Harz is a small German town on the southwestern edge of the Harz mountains, known for its medieval castle, cultural festivals and a distinctive association with the Esp…

Herzogtum Lauenburg — district and landscape in Schleswig-Holstein Herzogtum Lauenburg Herzogtum Lauenburg is the southernmost district of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, known for its lakes, forests and historic towns such as Ratzeburg and Lauenburg/Elbe.

Hesse (Hessen): German state — geography, history, economy, administration Hesse Hesse (German: Hessen) is a centrally located state of Germany known for its varied landscape, the Rhine–Main metropolitan area, historic cities, and a mixed economy centered on fi…

Hestrus — commune in Pas-de-Calais, northern France Hestrus Hestrus is a small rural commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, historically linked to Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Overview of location, character, history, administra…

Hettinger County, North Dakota Rural county in southwestern North Dakota with county seat Mott; agricultural economy and low population density. Note: the city named Hettinger lies in neighboring Adams County.

Hida Province Former province of Japan in the mountainous north of present-day Gifu Prefecture, known for its timber, traditional towns, festivals and parts of the Japanese Alps.

Hidalgo (state) Hidalgo is a central-eastern state of Mexico with a mining heritage, diverse landscapes from mountains to valleys, a population near 2.35 million, and the capital Pachuca.

High Force (Teesdale) — Waterfall on the River Tees High Force High Force is a well-known waterfall in Teesdale, County Durham. Formed where hard igneous rock overlies softer limestone, it is noted for its dramatic drop and geological signific…

High Plains (United States) The High Plains are the elevated western sector of the Great Plains, spanning several states; a semi‑arid grassland shaped by tectonics, cold winters, strong winds, sparse populati…

High pressure area (atmospheric high or anticyclone) High pressure area A high pressure area is a region where atmospheric pressure is higher than surrounding areas, producing subsiding air, typically clear skies, and distinct circulation patterns that…

High Rock Lake (North Carolina) — reservoir and recreational resource High Rock Lake High Rock Lake is a large reservoir on the Yadkin River in Davidson and Rowan counties, North Carolina. It supplies hydroelectric power, supports recreation and wildlife, and is th…

Highland (Upland): Definition, Characteristics and Significance Highland Highlands or uplands are elevated landforms such as hill ranges, low mountains, and plateaus. This article explains definitions, physical traits, formation, human uses, and notable…

Highlands and Islands (Scotland) Highlands and Islands The Highlands and Islands combine the Scottish Highlands with Orkney, Shetland and the Hebrides — a region of rugged terrain, island archipelagos, distinct cultural history, crofti…

Highlands County, Florida Highlands County is an inland county in south‑central Florida, created in 1921 with its seat at Sebring. It features many lakes, parts of the Lake Wales Ridge, agricultural communi…

Hiiumaa: Estonia’s second-largest island — geography, nature and culture Hiiumaa Hiiumaa, Estonia’s second-largest island, is noted for long coastlines, forests, historic lighthouses and rich wildlife. This article summarizes its geography, habitats, history, c…

Hill (landform): definition, formation, uses and distinctions Hill A hill is a naturally raised area of land smaller and usually less steep than a mountain. This article explains common definitions, how hills form, their uses, ecology, and how the…