Discover the 17 Countries That Start with M

Are you searching for countries that begin with the letter M? Look no further! Check out this comprehensive list of the 17 countries that start with M, including the most populated, the largest by land area, and the oldest.

1. Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country off Africa’s southeast coast. It is the fourth largest island in the world and sits in the Indian Ocean across from Mozambique. Antananarivo is Madagascar’s capital city, and the country features a population of 30 million.

Madagascar features a narrow coastal plain with mountains and a high plateau. The country is hot and rainy from November to April and mild and dry from May to October.

Wildlife in Madagascar: lemurs, fossa, aye-aye, indri, chameleons, tomato frogs, giraffe weevils, comet moths, zebu

2. Malawi

This landlocked country resides in Southeast Africa and is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Located on the inland plains and one of the largest cities in the country is Lilongwe, the nation’s capital. Malawi has a total population of 20 million. 

Covering over 40,000 square miles, Malawi has a topography of well-watered plateaus and large hills. Its climate varies from cool in the highlands to warm around Lake Malawi. It has a rainy and dry season.

Wildlife in Malawi: African wild dogs, lions, elephants, zebra, African buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, pangolins, Nile crocodiles

3. Malaysia

This southeast Asian country occupies the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. It’s a diverse country with a mix of many cultural influences. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city and is home to bustling cities and skyscrapers. Malaysia has a population of 34 million people.

Tropical rainforests and large rivers cover the country, as well as highlands and warm seas. Malaysia features a tropical climate, with temperatures holding relatively steady throughout the year.

Wildlife in Malaysia: Proboscis monkeys, sun bears, orangutans, Malayan tigers, rhinoceros hornbills, clouded leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, and crocodiles

4. Maldives

The Maldives is an archipelagic state and country in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. You will find it southwest of India, where it’s known as a vacation destination. Male is the capital of the Maldives, which is its own island about 400 miles southwest of Sri Lanka. The Maldives has a population of 521,021 people.

These small islands mainly consist of lush beaches and dunes, but some also have small lakes and marshes. This country has a warm, humid, and tropical monsoon climate with very little variation in temperature throughout the year.

Wildlife in Maldives: Dolphins, sharks, fish, manta rays, green turtles, moray eels, sea urchins, white terns, gray herons, whales

5. Mali

The Republic of Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa. It is a landlocked country in West Africa bordered by Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania. Bamako is the capital of Mali, and the country has a total population of 23 million.

Mali is a generally flat country with some hills in the south. The climate is hot and dry with two distinct seasons: dry and wet.

Wildlife in Mali: Lions, African wild dogs, leopards, African buffaloes, chimpanzees, African fish eagles, spotted hyenas, and aardvarks

6. Malta

Located in the central Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa, Malta is an archipelago and the world’s tenth-smallest country. Valletta is the capital, and the country has a population of 535,064.

Mali’s topography consists of coastal cliffs and low, rocky plains. Its climate is Mediterranean and largely affected by the sea.

Wildlife in Malta: whales, dolphins, sea turtles, lizards, shrews, freshwater crabs, monk seals, feral cats

7. Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a chain of volcanic islands and atolls in the central Pacific Ocean. It’s located between Hawaii and the Philippines and features a population of 42,050. Majuro Atoll is the nominal capital of the country.

The Marshall Islands consist of huge lagoons, islets, barrier reefs, and low coral limestone. The country features a moist, tropical climate.

Wildlife in the Marshall Islands: Sanderlings, green sea turtles, cattle egrets, brown boobys, laughing gulls, dolphins, albatross, humpback whales, and short-eared owls

8. Mauritania

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is the 11th-largest country in Africa and a sovereign country in Northwest Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean, the Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, and Senegal. Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania, and the country has a total population of 4.8 million people.

Mauritania has a primarily flat landscape with dry sandy plains, dune fields, salt pans, and rocky escarpments. The country has a dry, hot, and windy climate and receives very little rainfall throughout the year.

Wildlife in Mauritania: Barbary sheep, dorcas gazelle, barn owls, goats, baboons, gazelles, sand cats, Egyptian vultures, fennec foxes, and warthogs

9. Mauritius

This island nation is in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar. The vibrant town of Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius and the country’s economic hub. Mauritius has a population of 1.3 million people.

This volcanic island is surrounded by coral reefs and dotted with lush mountains. The country has a mild tropical maritime climate with warm, humid summers and cool, dry winters.

Wildlife in Mauritius: Kestrels, dolphins, flying foxes, parakeets, dugongs, whales, tortoises, skinks, tropicbirds

10. Mexico

Mexico is the world’s 13th-largest country by land area and 10th-largest by population. It is a North American country bordered by the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, Guatemala, and Belize. Mexico City is its capital city, and the country has a population of 128 million people.

Mexico is a diverse country with landscapes such as high mountains, deserts, rainforests, deep canyons, and coastal beaches. The climate varies from very arid to sub-humid.

Wildlife in Mexico: Agouti, iguanas, macaws, sea turtles, white-tailed deer, ocelots, jaguars, jaguarundis, toucans, parrots, quetzal

11. Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia is a country in the Western Pacific Ocean that consists of more than 600 islands. Palikir is the capital of Micronesia, and the country has a population of 545,434 people.

These islands are surrounded mainly by coral reefs and mangrove swamps. The climate is warm and tropical, with dry and wet seasons.

Wildlife in Micronesia: Dugongs, sea turtles, whale sharks, dolphins, giant clams, humpback whales, terns, lorikeets, and killer whales

12. Moldova

This Eastern European country is bordered by Ukraine to the north, east, and south and Romania to the west. Kishinev, or Chisinau, is the capital city of Moldova, which sits along the Bacu River. The country has a population of 3.4 million.

Broad-leaved forests and steppe occupy most of Moldova. Much of the terrain is steep forested slopes dispersed with valleys and ravines. This country has a moderate continental climate with mild winters and warm summers.

Wildlife in Moldova: Wild boars, wolves, badgers, martens, polecats, ermines, roe deer, foxes, hares, muskrats

13. Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera in Western Europe. Monaco is surrounded by France and borders the Mediterranean Sea. The country is so small it doesn’t really have a capital, but most of its government buildings are in Monte Carlo. The population of Monaco is 36,297.

Monaco has a rugged and hilly terrain with rocky coastal areas. The country features a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Wildlife in Monaco: Roe deer, wild boars, Atlantic puffins, sperm whales, barn owls, red foxes, dolphins, ospreys, gulls, bats, and weasels

14. Mongolia

Mongolia is the world’s largest landlocked country and shares borders with China and Russia. This rugged country is known for its vast expanses and its capital city, Ulaanbaatar. The population of Mongolia is 3.4 million.

Its landscape consists of deserts, semideserts, upland steppes, and forested high mountain ranges. Because it is situated far from any sea with a high altitude, Mongolia has an extreme continental climate, featuring very cold winters and short, warm summers. 

Wildlife in Mongolia: Snow leopards, Pallas’s cat, Przewalski’s horses, argali, antelopes, camels, gobi bears, wolves, brown bears, Mongolian marmots, Corsac foxes

15. Montenegro

Located in Southeast Europe, Montenegro is a Balkan country along the Adriatic Coast. Along with the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo. Podgorica is the capital and largest city, and the country’s total population is 626,485.

It’s located in the Balkan Peninsula and is a very mountainous country with valleys and basins. The coastal region of Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, while the interior has a sub-alpine climate.

Wildlife in Montenegro: Wild boars, brown bears, wolves, red deer, golden eagles, chamois, griffon vultures, Balkan lynx, dolphins, Adriatic sturgeons  

16. Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco is a North African country in the Maghreb region. It borders the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Western Sahara, Algeria, and Spain. Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, and the country features a population of 37.65 million.

Along with its mild coastline, Morocco consists of large mountainous areas and the Sahara Desert. Near the coast, you will find a tropical climate, while inland areas are hotter, drier, and more continental.

Wildlife in Morocco: Fennec foxes, barbary macaques, gazelles, cheetahs, bald ibis, barbary sheep, sand cats, caracals, lions, monk seals, Egyptian vultures, camels, striped hyenas

17. Mozambique

This Southern African nation sits along the Indian Ocean and is bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini. Maputo is the capital city, and the total population of Mozambique is 33 million.

The country features miles of coastline and fertile river valleys that rise towards the mountains in the north and west. Mozambique features a tropical to sub-tropical climate, with warmer temperatures near the coast.

Wildlife in Mozambique: African wild dogs, lions, rhinos, hippos, African buffaloes, civets, leopards, whales, sharks, elephants, impalas, wildebeests  

A Recap of the 17 Countries That Start with M

The Most Populated Country That Starts with M

Morocco is the most populated country that starts with M, with a population of 37.65 million people as of 2023.

The Largest Country That Starts with M By Land Area

Mexico, with a land area of 761,610 square miles, is the largest country that starts with M by land area.

The Oldest Country That Starts with M

Founded in 1297, Monaco is the oldest country that starts with M.

The Youngest Country That Starts with M

Founded in 2006, Montenegro is the youngest country that starts with M.

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