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Geography and ‘The’
With geographic nouns, sometimes you use ‘the’ and sometimes you don’t. Confusing, right? No longer:
Don’t Use ‘The’
Single Mountains or Islands
Examples
Mount Hood, Madagascar
Most Countries and Continents
Examples
France, Algeria, North Korea, Australia, Antarctica
Streets, Squares, and Parks
Examples
Linden Street, Madison Square, Yosemite National Park
Bays, Single Lakes
Examples
Honolulu Bay, Lake Michigan
Cities, States, and Counties
Examples
Reno, Florida, Howard County
Use ‘The’
Groups of Islands
Example
the British Isles
Canals and Rivers
Examples
the Suez Canal, the Mississippi
Peninsulas
Examples
the Arabian Peninsula, the Iberian Peninsula
Country Names with of phrase
Examples
the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of South Korea
Mountain Ranges
Examples
the Cascades, the Andes
Oceans, Seas, and Gulfs
Examples
the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico
Large Regions and Deserts
Examples
the West Coast, the Gobi
Annotate
College Writing: Guides, Handbooks, and Advice