Geography

Mediterranean region: geography, climate, ecology and human history Mediterranean region Region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea across southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia, defined by a distinct climate, characteristic vegetation, long human habitation a…

Mediterranean Ridge The Mediterranean Ridge is a large submarine tectonic ridge formed by plate convergence south of Europe. This article explains its setting, formation, morphology, relation to Cypru…

Mediterranean Sea — geography, history and significance Mediterranean Sea A semi-enclosed sea between Europe, Africa and Asia. Covers ~2.5 million km², links major waterways, shaped ancient civilizations, supports rich marine life and intense modern ship…

Međimurje County (Croatia) Međimurje County Međimurje County is Croatia's northernmost county, a lowland region between the Mura and Drava rivers centered on the city of Čakovec, known for its river landscapes, reservoirs an…

Meghalaya — the hill state of northeastern India Meghalaya Meghalaya is a mountainous Indian state in the northeast, known for high rainfall, matrilineal societies, Khasi/Garo/Jaintia cultures, Shillong capital, lush forests and distinctiv…

Meghna River — major channel of the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta Meghna River A principal river of Bangladesh that helps form the Ganges Delta; its course, tributaries, ecology, navigation, flood risks, and economic significance are described.

Mehi River (New South Wales, Australia) Mehi River A northeast New South Wales river that begins at Tareelaroi Weir, runs 160 km to the Barwon River, supports irrigation—notably cotton—and provides local recreational and ecological…

Meilen District, Canton of Zürich, Switzerland Meilen District Administrative district on the right shore of Lake Zurich in the German-speaking canton of Zürich, centered on the town of Meilen; known for lakeside communities, vineyards and com…

Mekong River — Southeast Asia’s major waterway Mekong River Major transboundary river rising on the Tibetan plateau and flowing through six countries to the South China Sea; notable for its biodiversity, fisheries, seasonal floods and regio…

Melanesia: islands, peoples, and geography of a Pacific region Melanesia Melanesia is a culturally and geographically diverse region of Pacific islands north and northeast of Australia, comprising several archipelagos and nations with distinct histories…

Menard County, Illinois Menard County is a small, mostly rural county in central Illinois. Its county seat is Petersburg. The area is noted for agriculture, historic towns, and proximity to Springfield.

Mendoza Province: Geography, Wine, History and Tourism Mendoza Province Argentine province in the Cuyo region, noted for high-altitude vineyards, the Andes and Aconcagua, with a mixed economy of wine, agriculture and tourism.

Mendrisio District: southern gateway of Ticino and Switzerland Mendrisio District Overview of Mendrisio District in canton Ticino: geography, history, economy, culture and notable features of this Italian-speaking area bordering Italy.

Mercator projection Cylindrical conformal map projection introduced by Gerardus Mercator (1569). Preserves local angles and straight rhumb lines but greatly enlarges high-latitude areas; used for navi…

Mercedario — high Andean summit in Argentina Mercedario Mercedario is a 6,720 m peak in the Argentine Andes. A prominent high-elevation massif, it is commonly listed among the top ten highest Andean mountains and is popular with mountai…

Mercia: Anglo‑Saxon Kingdom of the English Midlands Mercia Mercia was a major Anglo‑Saxon kingdom centered on the River Trent in what is now the English Midlands; it was dominant in the 7th–8th centuries and left lasting cultural and terri…

Mérida (state) — Venezuelan Andes region Mérida (state) Mérida is a mountainous Venezuelan state in the Cordillera de Mérida. Its capital is Mérida city; the region is noted for high peaks, páramo ecosystems, Andean culture, agriculture…

Meridian (geography) — lines of longitude, measurement and uses Meridian A meridian is an imaginary line of longitude running between the poles. This article explains what meridians are, how they are measured, their history, practical uses and related t…

Merseyside Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England centred on the River Mersey. It includes Liverpool and the Wirral, with a mix of urban centres, ports, cultural heritage a…

Merzig-Wadern: district of Saarland in Germany Merzig-Wadern Merzig-Wadern is a district in the northeast of Saarland, Germany, known for the Saarschleife, small towns such as Merzig and Mettlach, and a mixed economy of tourism, crafts and l…

Mesa (table-topped landform): formation, features and distribution Mesa A mesa is a flat-topped, steep-sided landform formed by erosion. This article explains its origins, physical traits, geographic distribution, notable examples, and how it differs f…

Mesoamerica: geography, cultures, and legacy Mesoamerica Mesoamerica is a cultural and geographic region stretching from central Mexico to Costa Rica, home to diverse pre-Columbian societies noted for agriculture, cities, writing, and en…

Mesopotamia: the ancient 'land between rivers' — overview, history and legacy Mesopotamia Mesopotamia, the ancient region between the Tigris and Euphrates, was a center of early urban life, writing, law, and state development whose innovations shaped later Near Eastern…

Methow River (Washington) Methow River The Methow River is a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington. It drains the eastern North Cascades, supports diverse wildlife, recreation and ranching, and takes it…

Meurthe: river, historic department, and regional name in northeastern France Meurthe Meurthe refers chiefly to a river in northeastern France and to a former French department. The name also appears in the modern department Meurthe-et-Moselle and in regional geogra…

Meurthe-et-Moselle Meurthe-et-Moselle is a French department in the Grand Est region, named for the Meurthe and Moselle rivers. Prefecture Nancy; known for industry, Art Nouveau heritage, and Lorrain…

Meuse (Maas): a major river of France, Belgium and the Netherlands Meuse The Meuse (Dutch: Maas) is a principal Western European river rising in France, flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands and draining into the North Sea. It has long commercial,…

Meuse (department) Meuse is a department in northeastern France, named for the Meuse river. Its prefecture is Bar-le-Duc; the area is known for rural landscapes, World War I history at Verdun, and ag…

Mexico (United Mexican States): geography, history, people, and culture Mexico Mexico is a federal country in North America with a rich pre-Columbian heritage, Spanish colonial legacy, diverse landscapes and cultures, and a modern mixed economy and society.

Mexico–United States border The international boundary between Mexico and the United States, spanning from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico; its geography, history, crossings, governance, environmental and s…

Miaoli County, Taiwan Miaoli County Miaoli County is a largely rural county in north‑central Taiwan, noted for its Hakka heritage, woodcarving and pottery centers, agricultural products, and scenic mountains and coas…

Michigan: Geography, History, and Key Facts Michigan Michigan is a U.S. state spanning two peninsulas, bordered by the Great Lakes and neighboring states; known for Detroit's auto industry, long freshwater coastline, and early abolit…

Michigan Avenue (Chicago) Michigan Avenue Major north–south thoroughfare in Chicago known for the Magnificent Mile, shopping, landmark architecture, and cultural institutions along Lake Michigan’s lakefront.

Michigan Territory (1805–1837) Michigan Territory Territorial government of the United States from 1805 to 1837, centered on Detroit; its development, institutions, economy, key events (War of 1812, Toledo dispute) and path to sta…

Micronesia (Pacific region) Micronesia Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania made up of thousands of small islands and atolls in the western Pacific, with distinct cultures, languages, and a complex colonial and politica…

Mid-Atlantic Ridge A major underwater mountain range and divergent plate boundary in the Atlantic where seafloor spreading creates new oceanic crust and supports unique geological and biological syst…

Mid-Atlantic States (United States) Mid-Atlantic States Region of the U.S. Northeast defined by the Census Bureau as New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; a densely populated, historically industrial corridor anchoring the BosWash mega…

Mid-Western Development Region, Nepal Former administrative region of Nepal centered on Birendranagar (Surkhet), covering high Himalayan areas, mid-hills and Terai plains; historically one of five development regions u…

Middle East: geography, peoples, history and geopolitics Middle East A clear, neutral overview of the Middle East covering its geography, peoples, ancient roots, modern states, economic importance and contemporary political issues.

Middle Francia: the short-lived Carolingian realm between East and West Middle Francia Middle Francia was a trans-Alpine Carolingian kingdom formed at Verdun (843), ruled by Lothair I and divided in 855; its fragmentation shaped medieval western European borders.

Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken) — Bavarian administrative region Middle Franconia Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken) is a Regierungsbezirk in northern Bavaria, Germany, centered on Ansbach and including the cities Nuremberg, Fürth and Erlangen; notable for its his…

Locations of Middle-earth: regions, geography, and notable places Middle-earth locations An overview of the principal regions, physical features, development, and narrative role of locations in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium.

Midland County, Texas: Demographics, Economy, and Geography Midland County, Texas Midland County, Texas: population trends and demographics, energy-driven economy centered on oil and gas, West Texas geography and climate, and Midland city’s role in local governm…

The Midlands (England): geography, history, economy and identity Midlands Overview of the English Midlands: location and boundaries, historical origins in Mercia, administrative regions, major cities and industries, cultural identity, and links to relate…

Midwestern United States (Midwest) — geography, history, and culture Midwestern United States Regional overview of the Midwestern United States: boundaries, states, climate, history, economy, and cultural characteristics of the U.S. north-central states.

MIMAROPA (Southern Tagalog Islands) — Philippine island region Mimaropa MIMAROPA is an administrative region of the Philippines comprising Mindoro (Occidental and Oriental), Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan. It is noted for island landscapes, biodiversi…

Minas Gerais: Brazil's central state known for mining, agriculture, and industry Minas Gerais Minas Gerais, a large inland Brazilian state centered on Belo Horizonte, combines a historic mining legacy with diverse agriculture, industry and varied landscapes; learn about its…

Mindanao: geography, peoples, history and significance Mindanao Mindanao is the southern major island group of the Philippines, noted for diverse landscapes, mixed Indigenous, Muslim and Christian populations, complex history, and economic and…