Editing Hanover, Massachusetts (section)

==Geography==
[[File:Map of Hanover, Mass. (2674580336).jpg | thumb|220x124px | right | Map of Hanover, Massachusetts from 1849]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|15.7|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|15.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}}, or 0.70%, is water.   Hanover is the 240th town of 351 in the Commonwealth in terms of size.  Hanover is considered to be a part of the [[South Shore (Massachusetts)|South Shore]] of Massachusetts.  It is bordered by [[Norwell, Massachusetts|Norwell]] to the north and east, [[Pembroke, Massachusetts|Pembroke]] and [[Hanson, Massachusetts|Hanson]] to the south, and [[Rockland, Massachusetts|Rockland]] to the west and northwest.  Hanover is approximately {{convert|10|mi}} east of [[Brockton, Massachusetts|Brockton]] and {{convert|20|mi}} southeast of [[Boston]].

Much of Hanover's eastern and southern borders consist of three waterways, the [[North River (Massachusetts Bay)|North]] and [[Indian Head River|Indian Head]] rivers along the south and southeast, and the Third Herring Brook along the east.  (The latter two are both tributaries, and the town border is marked by their confluences.)  There are also several small ponds and brooks throughout the town, the largest pond being Factory Pond, a tributary of the Indian Head River in the south of town.  The town has several small parks, sanctuaries and conservation areas spread throughout the town. In South Hanover towards Winslow's Crossing, much of the area is covered by swamps and bogs. Most of West Hanover is flat woodlands, with streams that flow into Factory Pond.

The eastern section of Hanover is bordered by the [[North River (Massachusetts Bay)|North River]] and Third Herring Brook. From Chapman's Landing to where Third Herring starts, most of the shoreline is made of marshland or rocky edges. South Hanover into West Hanover has most of the town's smaller tributaries such as the Drinkwater River, French Stream, Iron Mine Brook, Cushing Brook, Longwater Brook, Shinglemill Brook, and the Silver Brook. Besides Factory Pond, Forge Pond and Hacketts Pond are the largest ponds in the town. The second-largest freshwater tidal marsh in Massachusetts is located on the North River banks of Hanover, towards the Third Herring Brook. The highest point in the town is Walnut Hill, located near Assinippi.