Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 54.2 square miles (140.4 km2), of which 39.9 square miles (103.4 km2) is land and 14.3 square miles (37.0 km2) or 26.37% is water. The highest point in Meredith is the summit of Leavitt Mountain, elevation 1,414 feet (431 m) above sea level, in the southwestern part of town.

Meredith village, formally defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Meredith census-designated place (CDP), has a total area of 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2). 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km2) of it is land and 0.39 sq mi (1.0 km2) of it (20.08%) is water. Meredith village is the commercial hub of the town, and lies between the northern tip of Meredith Bay, one of several large arms of Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Waukewan. A second village, Meredith Center, is located near the shores of Lake Wickwas closer the geographic center of the town. Meredith Center has much less commercial development than Meredith Village, being located near several protected state forests and wildlife areas.

The town is crossed by U.S. Route 3, New Hampshire Route 25, New Hampshire Route 104, and New Hampshire Route 106. It is bordered by the towns of Sanbornton to the southwest, New Hampton to the west, Center Harbor to the north, Moultonborough to the northeast across Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford to the southeast, and Laconia to the south.

Like many other towns of the Lakes Region, Meredith is dominated by several large bodies of water. About half of the town's southeastern boundary with its neighbor Laconia is occupied by Winnisquam Lake, while the northern half of town lies within a peninsula, Meredith Neck, that separates Meredith Bay from the main body of Lake Winnipesaukee, giving Meredith an extensive coastline. Bear Island, the second largest on Winnipesaukee, and Stonedam Island, along with dozens of smaller islands are also part of the town. Several smaller lakes lie between Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam, including Wickwas Lake and Pemigewasset Lake. Lake Waukewan forms the western edge of the Meredith Village CDP and extends into neighboring New Hampton.

Content courtesy of Wikipedia.