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Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is located in northeastern Germany and has a strong maritime character due to its location on the Baltic Sea. To the west, the state borders Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, to the south Brandenburg, and to the east Poland. The landscape is predominantly flat to gently rolling and is characterized by extensive farmland, forests, river valleys and numerous lakes. A particularly distinctive feature is the long Baltic Sea coastline with its bays, lagoon waters, cliffs and sandy beaches. The best-known islands include Rügen, Usedom and Hiddensee. Rügen is the largest German island and is home to the chalk cliffs along its coast, one of the most recognizable landscapes in the state. Inland lies the Mecklenburg Lake District, one of the regions of Germany with the greatest concentration of lakes. Lake Müritz is one of the largest lakes in Germany and, together with the surrounding forests and waterways, strongly shapes the character of the region. The state's highest natural elevation is located in the Helpter Mountains and reaches around 179 meters.

The history of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is closely connected with the historic regions of Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania. During the Middle Ages, important trading cities developed along the Baltic coast and became part of the Hanseatic trading network. Stralsund, Wismar and Rostock particularly benefited from their location along important trade routes between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The rule of the dukes of Mecklenburg and the development of the Pomeranian territories also shaped the political history of the region. Numerous churches, city walls, town halls and merchants' houses in the old Hanseatic cities still bear witness to this period. After the Second World War, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was initially re-established as a state within the Soviet occupation zone. In 1952, the state was dissolved in the German Democratic Republic and its territory was divided among the districts of Rostock, Schwerin and Neubrandenburg. With German reunification, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was re-established as a federal state in 1990. Since then, it has again formed one of Germany's five eastern federal states.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is one of the least densely populated federal states in Germany. A large proportion of the population lives in smaller towns, municipalities and rural areas, while larger urban centers are located mainly along the coast and in the region's major economic areas. Rostock is the largest city in the state and one of the most important economic and maritime centers of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The city combines its historic importance as a Hanseatic city with a major seaport and the Baltic Sea resort of Warnemünde. The state capital Schwerin is considerably smaller and is located in a landscape characterized by lakes. Its cityscape is particularly shaped by Schwerin Castle, the historic old town and Lake Schwerin. Other important cities include Stralsund, Wismar, Greifswald and Neubrandenburg. Stralsund and Wismar have outstanding historic city centers, while Greifswald is known, among other things, for its university and its connection to the region's artistic and cultural history.

The economy of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is more strongly shaped by its location on the Baltic Sea and its connection to the sea than that of many other German federal states. Maritime industries play a central role, including ports, shipyards, suppliers, logistics and other services related to shipbuilding and maritime transport. The Port of Rostock is an important transport hub on the German Baltic coast and connects the region, among other destinations, with Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Wismar, Stralsund, Sassnitz and other coastal locations also have important maritime economic structures. In Rostock and other port locations, sectors such as offshore wind energy and maritime technologies are becoming increasingly important. Maritime industries are therefore among the state's distinctive industrial sectors.

Tourism is another major pillar of the economy. The Baltic coast, the islands of Rügen and Usedom, the Mecklenburg Lake District and numerous seaside resorts attract millions of visitors every year. Water-based and coastal tourism is particularly important to the state's economy. Agriculture, the food industry, healthcare and increasingly renewable energy also contribute to the regional economy. Agriculture is especially important in the rural areas of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Large agricultural areas are used for crop cultivation and livestock farming and provide an important foundation for the regional food industry.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has exceptionally diverse natural landscapes, ranging from the Baltic Sea coast to the large lake regions inland. Particularly valuable are the coastal areas with their dunes, beaches, cliffs and lagoon waters. These habitats provide important resting and breeding areas for numerous bird species. Jasmund National Park on Rügen has a particularly important role in nature conservation. It is especially known for its white chalk cliffs and beech forests. Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park protects large coastal and lagoon areas as well as parts of the Western Pomeranian island world. Inland, Müritz National Park extends across lakes, forests, wetlands and habitats supporting a diverse range of wildlife. Overall, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has three national parks, three UNESCO biosphere reserves and seven nature parks. These protected areas preserve different coastal, lake, forest and cultural landscapes and make the natural diversity of the state particularly visible.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has a significant cultural heritage shaped particularly by its Hanseatic cities, Brick Gothic architecture, historic residences and maritime history. Stralsund and Wismar, with their historic city centers, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Their churches, merchants' houses, squares and harbor facilities still provide an impression of the importance of these cities in medieval Baltic trade. One of the state's most prominent landmarks is Schwerin Castle. Located on an island in Lake Schwerin, the castle served as the residence of the dukes of Mecklenburg and today forms, together with the surrounding historic buildings, one of the defining features of the state capital. Among the best-known natural and cultural destinations are also the chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park on Rügen, the seaside resorts of Binz and Sellin, the island of Hiddensee and the Baltic Sea area around Warnemünde. On Usedom, the historic imperial resorts of Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck and Bansin are particularly known for their resort architecture and beachfront promenades. Rostock and Warnemünde also have a distinctive maritime atmosphere. The Hanse Sail in Rostock brings together historic sailing ships, maritime traditions and the modern life of the port city and is one of the state's best-known events. Greifswald is also closely associated with the painter Caspar David Friedrich, one of the most important artists of German Romanticism. The connection between art, the Baltic coast and the northern German landscape is particularly evident there.