📝 Created by: El Arby Ameur | 📅 August 2026 | 🌐 lesson.tn
📖 Estimated reading time: 8 minutes | Word count: ~1000 words
🌍 Articles with Geographical Names: The vs No Article
Level: A2-B1 | Focus: Using 'the' with places
GrammarArticlesarticlesgeographythe
📌 Use THE with these geographical features
Category
Examples
Rivers, seas, oceans
the Nile, the Amazon, the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea
Mountain ranges
the Alps, the Himalayas, the Rocky Mountains
Deserts
the Sahara, the Arabian Desert
Island groups
the Bahamas, the Canary Islands, the Maldives
Countries with plural names
the United States, the Netherlands, the Philippines
Countries with 'of'
the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland
Regions
the Middle East, the West, the North Pole
📌 Do NOT use THE with these
Category
Examples
Most countries
France, Spain, Japan, Brazil, India, China
Cities, towns
Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, Cairo
Continents
Africa, Asia, Europe, South America
Individual mountains
Mount Everest, Mount Fuji, Kilimanjaro
Lakes (singular)
Lake Victoria, Lake Superior, Lake Geneva
Examples:
• I visited France last summer. (no article)
• The Amazon River is the longest river in South America.
• She climbed Mount Everest. (no article)
• The United States is a large country.
• Lake Victoria is in Africa. (no article)
• The Sahara Desert is very hot.
• I live in London. (no article)
• The Nile flows through Egypt.