mesa

An isolated, distinctly flat-topped hill or mountain that stands above the surrounding plains. They tend to be surrounded by steeply eroded cliffs on all sides. Mesas are usually found in arid, hot and dry regions where rock layers are horizontal.

As part of the natural landscape in the Southwestern United States, mesas are a common sight in cowboy western settings.

See also

• canyon
• desert
• Tag Group:Locations