A mesa (Spanish and Portuguese for "table") is an elevated area of land with a flat top and sides that are usually steep cliffs. It takes its name from its characteristic table-top shape.
It is a characteristic landform of arid environments, particularly the southwestern United States. Many examples are also found in Spain, Sardinia, North and South Africa, Arabia, India, Australia, badlands and Colorado regions of North America. The largest mesa in the world is considered to be the Grand Mesa located in western Colorado in the United States.
