mancha

Mancha typically refers to La Mancha, a historic and geographic region in central Spain that forms part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. The area sits on the central Iberian Plateau and is defined by a high, arid plain with agriculture based on cereals, vineyards, and olive groves. It is renowned for its windmills, notably at Campo de Criptana and Consuegra, which have become symbols of the landscape.

It is also famous for its cultural associations with Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, whose hero is described as originating from La Mancha; the book popularized the term Don Quixote de la Mancha. The region is a major wine-producing area; Denominación de Origen La Mancha covers a large part of Castile-La Mancha and supports a wide range of wines, including young red and white varieties.

The Spanish word mancha means a stain or blot; the name La Mancha shares the same root but the origin of the toponym is uncertain. In addition to the region, Mancha appears as a surname and in various place names in Spanish-speaking contexts.