Hesse's topography is a diverse mix of river valleys, rolling plains, and ancient, eroded mountain ranges. The landscape is generally dominated by various ranges of the Central Uplands:
* **Highest Point**: The Wasserkuppe, rising to 950 meters (3,117 feet), located in the Rhön Mountains in eastern Hesse. * **Lowest Point**: The Rhine River valley near the state's southwestern border with North Rhine-Westphalia, at roughly 72 meters (236 feet) above sea level. * **Mountains and Plateaus**: The state is segmented by several distinct hill ranges. The Taunus mountains lie just north of Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. Further north is the Vogelsberg, which is uniquely formed by the largest contiguous basalt mass (an extinct volcanic region) in mainland Europe. To the east are the Rhön mountains, to the south is the Odenwald, and to the north is the Habichtswald and Rothaargebirge. * **Valleys and Plains**: The most significant flatlands are found in the Rhine-Main lowlands in the south and the Wetterau region north of Frankfurt, both of which boast extremely fertile soils and are heavily cultivated and populated.