Kyffhäuserkreis Kyffhäuserkreis is a rural district in northern Thuringia, Germany, known for the Kyffhäuser hills, historic sites, mixed agricultural landscape and small towns that support touris…
Kyle, Texas — overview, history, and local features Kyle, Texas Kyle, Texas, a city in Hays County within the Austin metropolitan area, has grown from a small rural community into a suburban city with parks, historic sites, and a commuter-based…
Kymenlaakso: Finnish coastal and river valley region Kymenlaakso Kymenlaakso is a southern Finnish region centred on the Kymi River valley and the Gulf of Finland coast, known for forest and maritime industry, ports at Kotka and Hamina, and earl…
Kymijoki: a major river of southern Finland Kymijoki Kymijoki is a 204 km river in southern Finland flowing from Lake Päijänne to the Gulf of Finland, crossing Päijänne Tavastia, Kymenlaakso and Uusimaa and notable for hydroelectric…
Kyoto Prefecture — historic and cultural heart of Japan Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto Prefecture on Honshu in Japan's Kansai region centers on the ancient capital Kyoto. Known for temples, shrines, traditional arts, seasonal scenery and a mix of coastal and mo…
Kyrenia District (Cyprus) Kyrenia District Kyrenia District occupies the northern coastal strip of Cyprus. Known for its harbour, castle and mountain backdrop, it is administered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus a…
Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic): geography, history, politics and culture Kyrgyzstan An encyclopedic overview of Kyrgyzstan: its geography, history from Soviet republic to independent state, political developments, society, economy and cultural heritage.
Kyūshū — Japan’s southern main island Kyūshū Kyūshū, meaning “Nine Provinces,” is Japan’s third-largest and southernmost main island, known for active volcanoes, warm climate, historic ports, industrial centers and distinct r…
L'Abergement-Clémenciat: commune in the Ain department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes L'Abergement-Clémenciat L'Abergement-Clémenciat is a small French commune in the Ain department, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This article summarizes its setting, origins, governance, econo…
L'Assomption River: course, basin, uses and ecology L'Assomption River Major river in Lanaudière, Quebec. Flows ~200 km from the Mont Tremblant massif to the Rivière des Prairies at Repentigny; important for drainage, communities, recreation and local…
L'Épine-aux-Bois L'Épine-aux-Bois is a small rural commune in the Aisne department of northern France, formerly in the Picardie region. Overview of its geography, name, history, administration and…
L'Escarène — commune in Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur L'Escarène L'Escarène is a small mountain commune in southeastern France, in the Paillon valley of Alpes-Maritimes, noted for its medieval centre, rural setting and links to Nice and the lowe…
La Altagracia Province La Altagracia is the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic, established in 1961 with Higüey as its capital. It is a major tourism hub that includes Punta Cana, Bávaro and…
La Chapelle-Saint-Fray: commune in Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, France La Chapelle-Saint-Fray La Chapelle-Saint-Fray is a small rural commune in the Sarthe department of Pays de la Loire, western France, characterised by agricultural land, local heritage and communal govern…
La Chartre-sur-le-Loir — commune in Sarthe, Pays de la Loire La Chartre-sur-le-Loir La Chartre-sur-le-Loir is a small French commune on the Loir river in the Sarthe department, Pays de la Loire. It is known for its riverside setting, historic centre, rural economy…
La Flèche — commune in Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, France La Flèche La Flèche is a commune in the Sarthe department of Pays de la Loire, western France, known for its riverside setting, historic military school (Prytanée) and a notable zoological p…
La Force (Aude) — a small commune in Occitanie, southern France La Force, Aude La Force is a small rural commune in the Aude department of Occitanie in southern France. It had 222 inhabitants in 2017 and exemplifies rural life, local agriculture and regional…
La Fosse-Corduan La Fosse-Corduan is a small commune in the Aube département of north-central France. This article summarizes its location, character, governance, and local features typical of rura…
La Génétouze — commune in Vendée, Pays de la Loire La Génétouze La Génétouze is a small rural commune in the Vendée department of Pays de la Loire, western France, characterized by agricultural landscapes, local governance and regional cultural…
La Guajira Department, Colombia: geography, people, economy and culture La Guajira Department La Guajira is Colombia's northeastern department on the Caribbean, covering most of the Guajira Peninsula; known for its arid landscapes, Wayuu culture, coastal wetlands and coal m…
La Jonchère (Vendée) — commune in Pays de la Loire La Jonchère La Jonchère is a small rural commune in the Vendée department, Pays de la Loire, in western France. Typical of French communes, it has local administration, agricultural landscape…
La Lande-sur-Drôme Former small commune in the Calvados department of Normandy, northwestern France, merged into the new commune Val de Drôme on 1 January 2017. Rural village with typical Norman land…
La Libertad Department, El Salvador Coastal department of El Salvador centered on the city of Santa Tecla; known for its beaches, fishing port, surf culture, and connections to the San Salvador metropolitan area.
La Pampa Province (Argentina) La Pampa Province Central Argentine province of La Pampa: low-density grasslands, cattle-raising economy, capital Santa Rosa, and a history shaped by indigenous peoples and late 19th-century settlem…
La Paz County, Arizona La Paz County is a sparsely populated county in western Arizona along the Colorado River. County seat Parker; population 20,489 (2010). Known for desert landscapes, river recreatio…
La Paz Department — geography, culture and administration of Bolivia's Andean-to-Amazon region La Paz Department (Bolivia) Overview of Bolivia’s La Paz Department: its Andean-to-Amazon landscapes, cultural and linguistic diversity, administrative structure, major cities, economy, tourism attractions an…
La Paz Department, El Salvador La Paz Department (El Salvador) La Paz is a central-southern department of El Salvador with capital Zacatecoluca, known for its river valley landscapes, agricultural economy, and 19th-century administrative origi…
La Rabatelière (Vendée, Pays de la Loire) La Rabatelière La Rabatelière is a small rural commune in the Vendée department, in the Pays de la Loire region of western France, known for its agricultural landscape, local heritage and village…
La Rioja: Spanish region and province known for wine and cultural heritage La Rioja La Rioja is an autonomous community and province in northern Spain, centered on Logroño. Renowned for Rioja wine, vineyards, historic towns and Camino de Santiago sites, it blends…
La Roche-en-Ardenne La Roche-en-Ardenne is a small town in the Belgian Ardennes, known for its castle ruins, riverside setting on the Ourthe and outdoor tourism. It is located in the province of Luxem…
La Roche-sur-Yon: prefecture city of Vendée in western France La Roche-sur-Yon Overview of La Roche-sur-Yon, a planned prefectural city in Vendée (Pays de la Loire), covering its layout, history under Napoleon, economy, cultural life and notable features.
La Rochette (Ardèche) La Rochette, Ardèche La Rochette is a small commune in the Ardèche department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in southern France. Its rural setting, historical roots and outdoor opportunities typify many villa…
La Tourette-Cabardès (Aude, Occitanie, France) La Tourette-Cabardès A very small rural commune in the Cabardès area of Aude, Occitanie, in southern France. Population about 23 (2017). Known for its quiet landscape, local administration and regional…
La Unión Department, El Salvador La Unión Department La Unión is an eastern department of El Salvador, created in 1865. It includes the port city of La Unión, volcanic highlands, Gulf of Fonseca coastline, colonial sites and island m…
Lääne County, Estonia Lääne County Lääne County (Läänemaa) is a coastal county in western Estonia with Haapsalu as its capital. Known for flat coastal landscape, birdlife and historic Haapsalu castle, it combines ru…
Lääne-Viru County County in northern Estonia with capital Rakvere. Known for a mix of coastal and inland landscapes, medieval heritage, protected nature areas, and an administrative structure of one…
Laartsa (village in Hiiu County, Estonia) Laartsa Laartsa is a small village on Hiiumaa island in Hiiu County, northwestern Estonia. Historically part of Emmaste Parish, it typifies rural island life with natural scenery, quiet co…
Labaroche, Haut-Rhin: a commune in the Vosges foothills of Alsace Labaroche Labaroche is a small commune in the Haut-Rhin department of northeastern France, set in the Vosges foothills. It is noted for Alsatian timber-frame architecture, woodlands, hiking,…
Labastide-Esparbairenque Small rural commune in the Aude department of Occitanie, southern France. Population 73 (2017). Medieval roots, Mediterranean-influenced landscape, local agriculture, and quiet her…
Labatut (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) — commune in southwestern France Labatut, Pyrénées-Atlantiques Labatut is a small commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. This article summarizes its geography, history, administration, econom…
Laborie Quarter, Saint Lucia Laborie Quarter Coastal quarter in southern Saint Lucia centered on the village of Laborie; known for fishing, small-scale agriculture, Creole culture and a colonial-era history shaped by French a…
Labrador Peninsula Large northeastern Canadian peninsula bounded by Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Labrador Sea and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence; sparsely populated, rich in natural resources and distinct…
Labrador Sea: geography, oceanography, ecology and human uses Labrador Sea Encyclopedic overview of the Labrador Sea: location, physical features, ocean circulation role, climate and sea ice, ecosystems, human use, navigation, research, and conservation.
Labuan: Malaysian island territory and offshore financial centre Labuan Labuan is a small Malaysian federal territory off Borneo known for its free trade status, offshore financial services, oil and gas activities, and World War II heritage sites.
Lac Region (Chad) Lac (region) Lac is a western region of Chad on the shores of Lake Chad. Its capital is Bol. The region is centered on lake-based livelihoods and faces environmental and security challenges.
Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota Rural county in western Minnesota centered on Lac qui Parle Lake; county seat Madison. Known for prairie agriculture, river and lake landscapes, and a state park important for wild…
Lachamp-Raphaël Lachamp-Raphaël is a small rural commune in the Ardèche department, Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes, France; this article summarizes its setting, history, local life, administration and notab…
Lachapelle-Graillouse — a rural commune in Ardèche, France Lachapelle-Graillouse Lachapelle-Graillouse is a small rural commune in the Ardèche department of southern France. This article summarizes its geography, administration, history, local character and typ…
