Countries That Start With M: Complete List of 18 Nations

There are 18 countries that start with the letter M: Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, and Myanmar.

Introduction

The M countries span every inhabited continent and include some of the world's most geographically fascinating nations — from the unique biodiversity of Madagascar to the vast steppes of Mongolia and the tiny glamour of Monaco.

This guide covers each M country with essential facts about geography, population, and what makes each nation stand out on the world map.

African M Countries

• Madagascar: Antananarivo, ~30 million, 587,041 km²
• Malawi: Lilongwe, ~21 million, 118,484 km²
• Mali: Bamako, ~23 million, 1,240,192 km²
• Mauritania: Nouakchott, ~4.9 million, 1,030,700 km²
• Mauritius: Port Louis, ~1.3 million, 2,040 km²
• Morocco: Rabat, ~37 million, 446,550 km²
• Mozambique: Maputo, ~33 million, 801,590 km²

Madagascar is the world's fourth-largest island, home to species found nowhere else on Earth — about 90% of its wildlife is endemic, including all lemur species. Mali was home to the medieval Mali Empire and the legendary city of Timbuktu, once one of the world's great centers of learning.

Morocco is the gateway between Europe and Africa, separated from Spain by just 14 km across the Strait of Gibraltar. Mauritius, a tiny island nation in the Indian Ocean, was the only known home of the dodo bird before its extinction in the 17th century.

Asian & Pacific M Countries

• Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, ~34 million, 330,803 km²
• Maldives: Malé, ~520,000, 300 km²
• Marshall Islands: Majuro, ~42,000, 181 km²
• Micronesia: Palikir, ~113,000, 702 km²
• Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar, ~3.4 million, 1,564,116 km²
• Myanmar: Naypyidaw, ~55 million, 676,578 km²

Mongolia is one of the most sparsely populated countries on Earth, with just 2 people per square kilometer. Its vast steppes were the homeland of Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in history. Malaysia is split between Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, separated by the South China Sea.

The Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world, with an average elevation of just 1.5 meters above sea level. It faces existential threats from sea-level rise. Myanmar (Burma) has the longest teak forests in the world and over 135 officially recognized ethnic groups.

European M Countries

• Malta: Valletta, ~520,000, 316 km²
• Moldova: Chișinău, ~2.6 million, 33,846 km²
• Monaco: Monaco, ~40,000, 2.02 km²
• Montenegro: Podgorica, ~620,000, 13,812 km²

Monaco is the second-smallest country in the world and the most densely populated sovereign nation, with about 26,000 people per square kilometer. It is famous for its casino, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and as a tax haven for the wealthy.

Malta is a Mediterranean island nation with a history spanning over 7,000 years. Its megalithic temples predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Montenegro's name means "Black Mountain," and its Bay of Kotor is often called Europe's southernmost fjord.

Mexico

• Capital: Mexico City
• Continent: North America
• Population: ~130 million
• Area: 1,964,375 km²

Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the third-largest country in Latin America by area. Mexico City, built on the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, is one of the world's largest metropolitan areas with over 21 million people in the metro area.

Fun fact: Mexico has 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most in the Americas and seventh-most in the world. It is also the origin of chocolate, corn, chili peppers, and vanilla.

Key Facts

• There are 18 countries that start with the letter M.
• Mexico is the most populous M country with ~130 million people.
• Mongolia is the largest M country by area (1.56 million km²).
• Monaco is the smallest M country at just 2.02 km².
• Madagascar has 90% endemic wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Fun Facts

• Mongolia has more horses than people, with an estimated 4 million horses for 3.4 million humans.
• The Maldives could be entirely submerged by the end of the century if sea levels continue rising.
• Mexico City is sinking at a rate of up to 50 cm per year because it was built on a drained lakebed.
• Monaco's Monte Carlo Casino ironically does not allow Monégasque citizens to gamble.

Final Thoughts

The 18 M countries showcase extraordinary diversity, from the world's most densely packed microstate to one of the most sparsely populated nations on Earth, from ancient island ecosystems to modern economic powerhouses. Each M country brings something unique to the world map.