A region in which mist and high humidity are so common that they have a notable effect on vegetation and agriculture; especially any of several areas in the eastern foothills of the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa, lying mainly between 1100 and 1500 metres above sea level; (also) any of several mountainous regions extending from south-eastern Egypt to the Horn of Africa; these areas collectively.
Origin
Early 20th century.
Definition of mist-belt in US English:
mist-belt
noun
A region in which mist and high humidity are so common that they have a notable effect on vegetation and agriculture; especially any of several areas in the eastern foothills of the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa, lying mainly between 1100 and 1500 metres above sea level; (also) any of several mountainous regions extending from south-eastern Egypt to the Horn of Africa; these areas collectively.