Geography

Malta (island) Malta is the largest island of the Maltese archipelago in the central Mediterranean, home to the national capital Valletta and noted for its history, limestone landscape and densel…

Malubiting — Karakoram Peak (7,458 m) Malubiting Malubiting is a 7,458 m mountain in the Karakoram of Pakistan, part of the Rakaposhi–Haramosh subrange. It is noted for steep relief, glaciated terrain, and challenging technical c…

Maluku Islands (Moluccas) — the Spice Islands of eastern Indonesia Maluku Islands An overview of the Maluku Islands (Moluccas): geography, ecology, spice trade history, peoples, administration and modern significance of this eastern Indonesian archipelago.

Malwa — plateau region of west‑central India Malwa Malwa is a historic, volcanic plateau region in west‑central India known for its basalt soils, distinctive history (Paramaras, Malwa Sultanate, Holkars), crops, and heritage cities…

Mambéré-Kadéï Prefecture — southwestern region of the Central African Republic Mambéré-Kadéï Mambéré-Kadéï is a prefecture in southwestern Central African Republic with capital Berbérati. Named for two rivers, it is known for forests, agriculture and mining and was called…

Mamostong Kangri Mamostong Kangri is a 7,516 m peak in the Karakoram range of Jammu and Kashmir (disputed). Also called K35, it was first climbed in 1984 and is one of the world's highest and most…

Manabí Province: Ecuador’s Pacific coastal region Manabí Province Manabí is a coastal province of Ecuador with a diverse landscape—beaches, dry forest and mangroves—known for fishing, Montecristi straw hats, Manteño heritage, Machalilla National…

Manchuria (Northeast China): region, history, and identity Manchuria Manchuria, commonly called Northeast China or Dongbei, is the historical homeland of the Manchu people spanning Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang; a region shaped by rivers, industr…

Mandoul Region (southern Chad): overview, geography, economy and history Mandoul Region Mandoul is an administrative region in southern Chad with capital Koumra. The region is largely agricultural, named for local waterways, and shaped by colonial and post‑independenc…

Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Manggarai Regency Regency on western Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Centered on Ruteng, known for its mountainous landscape, the Manggarai people, agriculture, and the Liang Bua arc…

Mangla Dam (Pakistan) Mangla Dam Mangla Dam is a major earth‑filled dam on the Jhelum River in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, completed in 1967 with World Bank support. It supplies hydroelectric power, irrigation, flood…

Mangrove Cay — District of Andros Island, The Bahamas Mangrove Cay Mangrove Cay is a district of the Bahamas situated on Andros Island, known for extensive mangrove habitats, small coastal settlements, fishing-based livelihoods and proximity to th…

Maniema Province — Democratic Republic of the Congo Maniema Maniema is a central-eastern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Kindu as its capital. It is forested, mineral-rich, and divided into seven territories with minin…

Manimuthar River Manimuthar is the name applied to four distinct rivers in Tamil Nadu, India. One well-known Manimuthar feeds the Thamirabarani system and has an associated dam and waterfall; other…

Manipur: history, geography, culture and significance Manipur Manipur is a state in northeastern India known for its valley and hills, ancient royal chronicle, rich dance and textile traditions, Loktak Lake and unique wildlife, and complex cu…

Manitoba (Canadian province) Manitoba Manitoba is a central Canadian province of plains, forests and lakes. Its capital is Winnipeg; area about 648,000 km² and population roughly 1.38 million (2020).

Manitoba Highway 1 — Manitoba section of the Trans‑Canada Highway Manitoba Highway 1 Manitoba Highway 1 is the provincial portion of the Trans‑Canada Highway running west–east across southern Manitoba, linking Saskatchewan and Ontario through Winnipeg and serving a…

Mann Ranges — mountain ranges of central Australia Mann Ranges A compact mountain group in northwest South Australia extending into the Northern Territory; geologically part of the Musgrave Block and culturally important to the Pitjantjatjara…

Mannanana Range (Tjuntinya) — a ridge of the Petermann Ranges, Northern Territory Mannanana Range A concise overview of the Mannanana Range (Tjuntinya) in the southwest Northern Territory: geography, naming, cultural significance, and physical characteristics within the Peterma…

Mansehra District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) Mansehra District Mansehra District is a mountainous administrative district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, known for Kaghan Valley, historic rock edicts, diverse languages and a tourism-driven ec…

Mansfeld-Südharz (district, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) Mansfeld-Südharz Rural district in southern Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, created in 2007. Combines Harz foothills and agricultural lowlands, with historic mining towns and Luther sites such as Eisleben;…

Mantarur — hilly outcrop in the Petermann region of Australia's Northern Territory Mantarur Mantarur is a hilly outcrop at the southeastern end of the Olia Chain in the Northern Territory, Australia. Notable for Butler's Dome (Utanta), Foster's Cliff, Aboriginal ownership…

Map: Definition, Types, History, Projections, and Uses Map An accessible overview of maps: what they are, their components and types, historical development, mapping technology, map projections, and common uses in navigation, science, and…

Map coloring: cartographic practice and the mathematical problem Map coloring Map coloring covers two related ideas: assigning colors to geographic regions for communication or analysis, and the mathematical question of how few colors are needed so adjacent…

Map projection: representing the Earth's curved surface on a flat map Map projection Map projection methods for depicting Earth's curved surface on flat maps; classification, common distortions, history, practical uses, and how cartographers choose projections.

Maputo: capital city of Mozambique and its coastal hub Maputo Maputo is the capital and largest city of Mozambique, a coastal port and cultural centre shaped by Portuguese colonial history, a busy harbour, major university, historic Baixa dis…

Maquoketa River A roughly 150-mile tributary of the Mississippi in northeastern Iowa, the Maquoketa River drains rolling farmland, marks the Driftless Area boundary, and is known for limestone blu…

Mar Menor — the saline lagoon of Murcia, Spain Mar Menor Mar Menor is a shallow, enclosed saltwater lagoon in Murcia, southeastern Spain, separated from the Mediterranean by La Manga and noted for tourism, biodiversity, and recent enviro…

Maracaibo Maracaibo is a major Venezuelan city on Lake Maracaibo in Zulia State. Known for its oil-rich basin, tropical climate and cultural traditions such as gaita music, it is the country…

Marais des Cygnes River A 217-mile tributary of the Osage River in eastern Kansas and western Missouri, known for its marshy lowlands, wildlife habitat, historical significance, and seasonal flash floodin…

Maranhão: geography, history, and culture of a Brazilian state Maranhão Overview of Maranhão, a northeastern Brazilian state: geography, environment, historical development, economy and cultural highlights including São Luís and Lençóis Maranhenses.

Marche: Central Italian Region on the Adriatic — Geography, History, Culture Marche Marche is a central Italian region on the Adriatic coast, known for rolling hills, Renaissance towns like Urbino, seafood and wine, varied economy and a mix of coastal and mountain…

Marchspitze: a Dolomite peak of the Hornbach chain in the Allgäu Alps Marchspitze Marchspitze is a 2,609 m Dolomite mountain in the Hornbach chain of the Allgäu Alps, Tyrol, Austria. A steep, rarely frequented summit east of the Großer Krottenkopf popular with e…

Mare Nostrum — the Latin name for the Mediterranean Sea Mare Nostrum Mare Nostrum is a Latin expression used by the Romans for the Mediterranean Sea and later revived by Italian nationalists; it denotes historical, strategic and cultural claims abou…

Marecchia (river in Emilia‑Romagna) Marecchia The Marecchia is a river in northeastern Italy that rises in the Apennines and flows northeast to the Adriatic at Rimini. Historically called Ariminus, its valley marks the souther…

Margalla Hills A low mountain range north of Islamabad in the Lesser Himalayas, noted for its peaks, trails, biodiversity, and role as a protected recreational area.

Marginal sea A marginal sea is a partially enclosed portion of an ocean adjacent to the coast, shallower and more influenced by land and rivers than the open ocean; classification and examples…

Mariana Trench — Earth's Deepest Oceanic Trench Mariana Trench The Mariana Trench is the deepest known part of the world's oceans. This article explains its location, geology, dimensions, exploration history, biological significance and notabl…

Marie Byrd Land Marie Byrd Land is a vast, remote region of West Antarctica notable for its unclaimed territory, mountain ranges, volcanic features and role in polar exploration and scientific res…

Marilyn (hill): British Isles classification by relative height Marilyn (hill) A Marilyn is a British Isles hill or mountain with a prominence of at least 150 metres. The list is used by walkers and peak-baggers and contrasts with the Munro classification.

Marine reserve A marine reserve is a formally protected area of sea, ocean, estuary or large lake where removal of plants and animals is restricted to conserve biodiversity, enable research, and…

Marinette County, Wisconsin: geography, history, communities, and economy Marinette County, Wisconsin Marinette County is in northeastern Wisconsin along Lake Michigan. Its county seat is Marinette. The county has a timber and manufacturing heritage, notable rivers, and the site of…

Marion County, South Carolina A rural county in eastern South Carolina, Marion County is named for Revolutionary War leader Francis Marion; its county seat is Marion and it had 33,062 residents at the 2010 cens…

Marion County, Texas Marion County is a small, rural county in northeastern Texas with its county seat at Jefferson. The 2010 population was 10,546; the area is known for 19th-century riverport history…

Maritime Alps The Maritime Alps are the southernmost section of the Alps, forming part of the France–Italy border. They feature steep peaks, Mediterranean-alpine climatic contrasts, important pr…

Maritime Region (Togo) Maritime Region Maritime is Togo's southernmost region, home to the national capital Lomé. It includes the country's coastline, the main port and transport hub, several prefectures, and a diverse…

Mark Twain National Forest Overview of Mark Twain National Forest: geography, history, ecology, ranger districts, recreation, notable features (Greer Spring, Eleven Point, Glade Top Trail) and visitor guidan…

Markazi Province — central region of Iran Markazi province Markazi Province (Persian: استان مرکزی) is a centrally located province of Iran. Its capital is Arak; the region is known for industry, agriculture, historical sites and several im…