Wikipedia says that a Desktop Environment is:
...an implementation of the desktop metaphor made of a bundle of programs running on top of a computer operating system that share a common graphical user interface (GUI)... Desktop GUIs help the user to easily access and edit files...
The MATE Desktop is an example of such a desktop environment. It includes a file manager which can connect you to your local and networked files, a text editor, archive manager, image viewer, document viewer, system monitor, and terminal. All of these are highly customizable and managed via a control center. You can find complete documentation for the MATE Desktop Environment and its applications in the MATE Desktop User Guide.
The MATE Desktop provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors like "window" and "desktop". That means, if you've ever used Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS, the MATE Desktop will feel very familiar.
The MATE Desktop has a rich history and is the continuation of the GNOME2 desktop, which was the default desktop environment on many Linux and Unix operating systems for over a decade. This means that MATE Desktop is tried, tested, and very reliable.
Tip
The name " MATE " is pronounced Ma-Tay. It comes from the yerba maté plant, native to South America.