Area Minimum Altitude – The Wise Pilot

The lowest altitude that may be used under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 1,000 ft or, in a designated mountainous region, 2,000 ft, rounded up to the next 100-ft increment, under conditions of standard temperature and pressure, above all obstacles located in the area specified.

Glossary: Minimum IFR Altitude
The lowest IFR altitude established for use in a specific airspace. Depending on the airspace concerned, the minimum IFR altitude may be a minimum obstacle clearance altitude (MOCA), a minimum en route altitude (MEA), a minimum sector altitude (MSA), a minimum vectoring altitude (MVA), a safe altitude 100 NM, an area minimum altitude (AMA), a transition altitude or a missed approach altitude. The minimum IFR altitude provides obstacle clearance but may or may not be within controlled airspace.