map extent

1. The rectangular limits (xmin,ymin and xmax,ymax) of the area of the Earth's surface displayed using ARC/INFO. Map extent is specified in the coordinate system of the coverage or other geographic data set used. Typically, the extent of the geographic database (or a portion of it defined by a zoomed-in view) defines the map extent for display.
2. The geographic extent of a geographic data set specified by the minimum bounding rectangle (i.e., xmin,ymin and xmax,ymax).

The rectangular limits (xmin,ymin,xmax,ymax) of the area of the Earth's surface you want to display using ARC/INFO. The geographic extent specified by the minimum bounding rectangle of a study area.