Geography of Kerala Kerala is bordered by land on three sides and by the Arabian sea at the west. It shares its border with the state of Karnataka at the north and the rest of Kerala shares it border with Tamil Nadu. In fact, almost the whole of the western and southern frontiers of Kerala is surrounded by Tamil Nadu. Kerala is divided into three geographical regions: Highlands Midlands Lowlands The Highlands slope down from the Western Ghats (also known as the Sahyadri) which rise to an average height of 900m, with a number of peaks well over 1800 m in height. It is 18650 sq.km in area and accounts for 48 percent of the total land area of Kerala. This is the area of major plantations like tea, coffee, rubber and various spices. This area is often known as the Cardamom Hills. This region is one of the largest producers of many spices especially cardamom from which it earns its name. Anaimudi(2694 meters), the highest peak in India after the Himalayas, is in the Munnar division of the Western Ghats. Most of the rivers of Kerala originate from the Western Ghats. The Midlands, lying between the mountains and the lowlands, is made up of undulating hills and valleys. It is 16200 sq.km in area ie, about 40 percent of the total land area. This is an area of intensive cultivation. Cashew, coconut, arecanut, tapioca, banana and vegetables of different varieties are grown in this area. Lowlands are also known as the Coastal Area. It covers an area of almost 4000 sq.km. It is made up of numerous shallow lagoons known locally as kayels, river deltas, backwaters and shores of the Arabian sea and is essentially a land of coconuts and rice. This area is very fertile and most of the paddy cultivation is along this area. Kuttanad region of Kerala is one of the very few places in India where cultivation is done below sea level. Water is the main mode of transportation in these areas. Location: Southwestern tip of India. Area : 38,863 sq km. Population: 3,18,41,374 (Census 2011) Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Language: Malayalam. English is widely spoken. Religion: Hinduism, Christianity, Islam Time: GMT +5:30 Currency: Indian Rupee Climate: Tropical Summer: February – May (24 – 34°C) Monsoon: June – September (20 – 30°C) Winter: October – January (18 – 28°C) Kerala Districts: Kasargod Kannur Wayanad Kozhikode Mallapuram Palakkad Thrissur Ernakulam Idukki Kottayam Alappuzha Pathanamthitta Kollam Thiruvananthapuram Major Cities Trivandrum Kochi Kozhikode
