Geography

Inselberg (monadnock): isolated rock hills and small mountains Inselberg An inselberg or monadnock is an isolated rock hill, ridge, or small mountain rising above surrounding plains. They form by selective weathering and are important landmarks, habitat…

Insular area (United States territories) Insular area Overview of U.S. insular areas: territories that are not states, their legal categories, inhabited examples, residents' rights and representation, and a brief history of their stat…

Insular Italy (Italia insulare) — the statistical NUTS1 region Insular Italy Insular Italy is the NUTS1 statistical region that groups Sicily and Sardinia and nearby islands for national and European statistics, planning and some electoral uses.

Interlaken District (Canton of Bern) Interlaken District A concise overview of the Interlaken District in the Swiss canton of Bern: geography, administration, economy and its role as a tourist gateway between Lakes Thun and Brienz.

Interlaken-Oberhasli (administrative district) Administrative district in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. Covers 29 municipalities across 1,229 km²; known for lakes, high Alpine scenery, tourism and mountain transport links.

Interlaken, California — census-designated place in Santa Cruz County Interlaken, California Interlaken is an unincorporated census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California, with roots in the Monterey Bay region and a 2010 population of 7,321.

International Date Line Imaginary line near the 180° meridian where the calendar date changes by one day when crossed; it deviates to follow national borders and islands.

International Festival of Geography (Saint-Dié-des-Vosges) International Festival of Geography Annual French festival celebrating geography, maps and spatial sciences. Held since 1990 in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, organized by ADFIG and held under the patronage of the Internation…

International Geographical Union Global scholarly association coordinating geography research and cooperation. Founded in 1922, it organizes commissions, conferences and promotes applied and theoretical geography…

International waters (high seas): law, rights, and uses International waters Areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction, often called the high seas. Overview of legal status, freedoms, distinctions from territorial seas and EEZs, governance challenges,…

Interstate 290 (Illinois) — Dwight D. Eisenhower Expressway Interstate 290 (Illinois) Auxiliary Interstate serving Chicago and its west-side suburbs, commonly called the Eisenhower or 'the Ike', linking the Loop with regional expressways and carrying heavy commuter…

Interstate 37 (I-37) Interstate 37 A south–north Interstate Highway in Texas linking Corpus Christi and San Antonio. Approximately 143 miles long, it serves as a regional freight corridor and a primary hurricane eva…

Interstate 44 Interstate 44 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States, running about 634 miles from Wichita Falls, Texas, northeast through Oklahoma and Missouri to the St. Louis are…

Intertidal zone: the coastal area between high and low tides Intertidal zone The intertidal zone is the shoreline band alternately submerged and exposed by tides. It supports diverse, specially adapted communities and plays vital ecological and economic rol…

Ionian Sea A part of the Mediterranean between southern Italy, Greece and Albania, the Ionian Sea is known for its deep basins, seismic activity, Greek islands, rich marine life and important…

Iranian Plateau (Persian Plateau) Iranian plateau Highland region of Southwest and South Asia covering much of Iran, parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan; a geological plateau with distinct mountain ranges, deserts, and a deep histor…

Iraq: Geography, History, People, and Modern Role Iraq A balanced overview of Iraq covering geography, ancient Mesopotamian heritage, historical development, demographics, economy, culture, and modern governance.

Iraqi Kurdistan (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) Iraqi Kurdistan Autonomous Kurdish-majority region in northern Iraq with its own government, economy centered on oil and agriculture, distinct culture and languages, and a history of autonomy with…

Irazú Volcano: geography, craters, history and conservation Irazu Volcano Irazú Volcano is a prominent stratovolcano in Costa Rica's Central Mountain Range, known for its varied craters, crater lakes, and historical eruptions. The national park protects…

Iredell County, North Carolina: overview, history, and communities Iredell County, North Carolina Iredell County, formed in 1788 in North Carolina, includes Statesville (county seat) and Mooresville. This article summarizes its history, geography, population, economy, and notab…

Ireland: Geography, History, Culture, and Contemporary Overview Ireland Island in the North Atlantic divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. An overview of its geography, history, languages, culture, economy and notable facts.

Irish national grid reference system National grid system used to locate points across the island of Ireland, its structure, uses, relation to UK grid, and modern replacements for mapping and surveying.

Irish Sea: geography, uses, ecology and environmental issues Irish Sea Summary of the Irish Sea’s geography, ecology, economic uses, energy production and environmental pressures, with notes on management and conservation.

Iron County, Wisconsin: Geography, Population, and County Seat Hurley Iron County, Wisconsin Overview of Iron County, Wisconsin — a northern border county next to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with a 2010 population of 5,916 and county government and services based in Hurley…

Ironbridge Gorge — the Severn Gorge and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution Ironbridge Gorge Deep river gorge in Shropshire noted for early iron production, pioneering industrial sites and the cast-iron Iron Bridge; designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in i…

Irouléguy: a French Basque commune and its mountain vineyards Irouléguy Irouléguy is a small commune in the French Basque Country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) noted for its steep terraced vineyards, Basque culture, and a recognized local wine appellation.

Irrawaddy River (Ayeyarwady): Myanmar's principal river and delta Irrawaddy River Major north–south river of Myanmar, formed by the N'mai and Mali confluence, flowing to the Andaman Sea. Myanmar's largest waterway with a 404,200 km² basin and a diverse, economic…

Irrunytju (Wingellina): a remote Ngaanyatjarra community in Western Australia Irrunytju, Western Australia Irrunytju, also called Wingellina, is a small Ngaanyatjarra Aboriginal community in the Goldfields‑Esperance region of Western Australia, near Surveyor Generals Corner and surround…

Irtysh River — major tributary of the Ob across China, Kazakhstan and Russia Irtysh River Long transnational river rising in the Altai, the Irtysh flows from China through Kazakhstan into Russia, joining the Ob. Important for navigation, hydroelectric power, irrigation…

Isar — Alpine river running from Tyrol to the Danube through Bavaria Isar The Isar is an Alpine river rising in the Karwendel (Tyrol) and flowing 295 km through Bavaria — via Mittenwald, Bad Tölz, Munich and Landshut — to join the Danube near Deggendorf.

Isère (disambiguation) Isère primarily denotes a river in southeastern France and the department named after it; it also appears in historical, geographical and maritime contexts including the ship that…

Isère (river) — river in southeastern France Isère (river) The Isère is a major river in southeastern France that rises in the French Alps and flows west-southwest into the Rhône. It passes Grenoble, supports hydropower, agriculture, recre…

Isfahan Province: geography, history, culture and landmarks Isfahan province Central Iranian province centered on the city of Isfahan. Known for historic Safavid-era architecture, varied landscapes, traditional crafts and important rivers, it is a national…

Island (landform) Island A landmass surrounded by water, islands vary from continental fragments to volcanic peaks. This article explains types, formation, geology, ecology, human use and notable differenc…

Island country: definition, characteristics, history, and significance Island country An island country is a sovereign state made up entirely of islands. This article explains what defines them, common features, economic roles, examples, and modern challenges such a…

Isle (river) — a right-bank tributary of the Dordogne in southwestern France Isle (river) The Isle is a river in southwestern France (Occitan: Eila) flowing through Haute-Vienne, Dordogne and Gironde in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and joining the Dordogne River as a right-bank t…

Isle of Man Self-governing island in the Irish Sea, a Crown dependency with its own parliament, distinct culture, and a mixed economy built on tourism, finance and unique traditions.

Ismayilli District — geography, history, economy and culture Ismayilli District Ismayilli District in northern Azerbaijan is a mountainous, forested region centered on the city of Ismayilli, known for agriculture, crafts, mountain villages and growing rural to…

Ismoil Somoni Peak: Highest Summit of Tajikistan Ismoil Somoni Peak Ismoil Somoni Peak is the highest mountain in Tajikistan and the Pamirs, a glaciated 7,495 m summit notable for its history, first ascent in 1933, and its former name, Communism Pe…

ISO 3166 — international codes for countries and subdivisions ISO 3166 ISO 3166 assigns standardized two- and three-letter and numeric codes to countries and their principal subdivisions, enabling consistent identification in data, shipping, internet…

ISO 3166-1: Standard codes for countries and territories ISO 3166-1 ISO 3166-1 defines short alphanumeric codes for countries and dependent territories used worldwide (alpha-2, alpha-3 and numeric), maintained by the ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency.

ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 (three-letter country codes) ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 Three-letter country and territory codes defined in ISO 3166-1, used for data interchange, passports, statistics and mapping; maintained by the ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency.

ISO 3166-2: Codes for Country Subdivisions ISO 3166-2 ISO 3166-2 specifies the standard codes for primary administrative subdivisions (states, provinces, regions) of countries, forming the second part of the ISO 3166 series for consis…

Isotherm — Lines of Equal Temperature Isotherm An isotherm is a contour line on a map connecting points with the same temperature. Used in meteorology, climatology and oceanography, isotherms help visualize temperature patterns…

Israel: geography, people, history and modern state Israel Comprehensive overview of the State of Israel: location, geography, demographics, history, government, economy, culture and the Israeli–Palestinian context.

Israel Standard Time (IST) Israel Standard Time Israel Standard Time (IST) is the civil time zone used in Israel during the winter months (UTC+02:00); in summer the country observes Israel Daylight Time (IDT, UTC+03:00).

Isthmus (geography) Isthmus An isthmus is a narrow land connection between larger land areas, bordered by water on two sides; important in geology, ecology, human history and transport.

Isthmus of Corinth Narrow land bridge in Greece linking the Peloponnese to the mainland; site of the ancient Diolkos and the modern Corinthian Canal, a strategic maritime shortcut, transport corridor…