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Physical Map of Minnesota - Geographical Features of Minnesota

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

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

Minnesota Physical Map

Physical Features of Minnesota

Minnesota features a mix of forests, plains, lakes, and gently rolling hills shaped by glacial activity. The northern part of the state is heavily forested with rugged terrain and numerous lakes, while the central region transitions into a mix of woodlands and farmland. Southern and western Minnesota are dominated by flat prairies and agricultural land. The state is known as the 鈥淟and of 10,000 Lakes,鈥 and major rivers like the Mississippi originate here, adding to its diverse and water-rich landscape.

Major Landforms in Minnesota

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Canadian ShieldShieldNorthRocky ancient terrain
Superior UplandHighlandNortheastForested rugged upland
Central PlainsPlainCentralMixed farmland and forests
Prairie RegionPlainSouthwestFlat grassland terrain
Driftless AreaUplandSoutheastUnglaciated rugged terrain
Mesabi RangeRangeNorthIron rich mining region
Coteau des PrairiesPlateauWestElevated prairie plateau
Red River ValleyValleyNorthwestFlat fertile valley
Minnesota River ValleyValleySouthWide glacial river valley
Boundary WatersWetlandNorthLake and forest region

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Minnesota

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Mississippi RiverRiverCentralBegins in Minnesota
Minnesota RiverRiverSouthMajor tributary
Red RiverRiverNorthwestFlows north into Canada
St. Croix RiverRiverEastForms state boundary
Rainy RiverRiverNorthBorder with Canada
Lake SuperiorLakeNortheastLargest freshwater lake
Lake of the WoodsLakeNorthLarge border lake
Red LakeLakeNorthLargest lake fully in state
Mille Lacs LakeLakeCentralMajor recreational lake
Leech LakeLakeNorthLarge inland lake

Elevation and Terrain in Minnesota

Minnesota has moderate elevation changes, with higher elevations in the northeastern highlands and lower areas in the northwest valleys. Eagle Mountain is the highest point, while the lowest point lies along Lake Superior. The terrain includes forests, plains, lakes, and river valleys.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointEagle Mountain 鈥 2,301 ft
Lowest PointLake Superior 鈥 602 ft
Average Elevation1,200 ft
Terrain TypeForests, plains, lakes

Minnesota Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateMinnesota
Total Area86,936 sq mi
Land Area79,627 sq mi
Water Area7,309 sq mi
Highest PointEagle Mountain
Lowest PointLake Superior
Longest RiverMississippi River
Largest LakeRed Lake
Major LandformsShield, plains, valleys
Main Water BodiesMississippi River, Lake Superior
Terrain TypeGlacial and lake rich terrain
CoastlineLake Superior shoreline