Here's a breakdown of its features:

* Flat Top: The top of the mesa is relatively flat and level, often with a plateau-like appearance.

* Steep Sides: The sides of the mesa are usually very steep, often forming cliffs or slopes. These slopes can be made of rock, soil, or a combination of both.

* Isolated: Mesas are typically isolated, standing alone on the landscape, although groups of mesas can also occur.

Here's what makes a mesa distinct:

* Size: Mesas are larger than buttes (which are smaller, isolated hills with flat tops and steep sides).

* Formation: Mesas are formed by erosion, with harder, more resistant rock layers forming the top and softer rock layers eroding away around them.

Think of a table or a pancake for a visual representation. The top is the flat surface, and the sides are the steep edges.

To get a better picture of a mesa, try searching for images online using terms like "mesa landscape," "mesa rock formation," or "mesa national monument." There are many stunning examples from places like the American Southwest.