Minimal hypersurfaces of least area

In this paper, we study closed embedded minimal hypersurfaces in a Riemannian $(n+1)$-manifold ($2\le n\le 6$) that minimize area among such hypersurfaces. We show they exist and arise either by minimization techniques or by min-max methods: they have index at most $1$. We apply this to obtain a lower area bound for such minimal surfaces in some hyperbolic $3$-manifolds.