Physical Map of Mississippi - Geographical Features of Mississippi

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of Mississippi showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other Mississippi physical features.

Mississippi Physical Map

Physical Features of Mississippi

Mississippi is characterized by low-lying plains, fertile river valleys, and gently rolling hills. The state is heavily influenced by the Mississippi River, which forms its western boundary and creates the rich alluvial soils of the Mississippi Delta. Much of the landscape consists of flat farmland and forested areas, especially in the central and southern regions. Numerous rivers and streams flow across the state, while the Gulf of Mexico coastline in the south features beaches, marshes, and coastal wetlands.

Major Landforms in Mississippi

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Mississippi DeltaPlainWestFertile alluvial floodplain
Coastal PlainPlainSouthFlat sandy lowland
Piney WoodsForestSouthForested rolling terrain
Black PrairiePlainNortheastRich agricultural soils
Loess HillsHillsWestWind-deposited soil hills
North Central HillsHillsCentralRolling wooded hills
Tombigbee HillsHillsEastGently rolling uplands
Jackson PrairiePlainCentralFertile prairie land
Gulf Coast BeachesCoastalSouthSandy coastal shoreline
Yazoo BasinBasinWestRiver drainage basin

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Mississippi

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Mississippi RiverRiverWestForms western boundary
Yazoo RiverRiverWestMajor Delta river
Pearl RiverRiverCentralFlows to Gulf
Tombigbee RiverRiverEastNavigation waterway
Pascagoula RiverRiverSouthUndammed river system
Big Black RiverRiverWestTributary of Mississippi
Ross Barnett ReservoirLakeCentralLargest lake in state
Grenada LakeLakeNorthFlood control reservoir
Sardis LakeLakeNorthLarge reservoir
Gulf of MexicoOceanSouthCoastal boundary

Elevation and Terrain in Mississippi

Mississippi has relatively low elevation, with gentle changes across the state. Woodall Mountain is the highest point, while the lowest elevations lie along the Gulf Coast. The terrain consists mainly of flat plains, rolling hills, and river floodplains.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointWoodall Mountain – 806 ft
Lowest PointGulf of Mexico – sea level
Average Elevation300 ft
Terrain TypePlains, hills, floodplains

Mississippi Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateMississippi
Total Area48,432 sq mi
Land Area46,923 sq mi
Water Area1,508 sq mi
Highest PointWoodall Mountain
Lowest PointGulf of Mexico
Longest RiverMississippi River
Largest LakeRoss Barnett Reservoir
Major LandformsDelta, Coastal Plain
Main Water BodiesMississippi River, Gulf of Mexico
Terrain TypeLow plains and hills
CoastlineGulf of Mexico coastline