geography

Kerala is a narrow strip of land lying between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east. It is located on the southernmost tip of India. The total area is 38,863 km2 and is divided into 14 districts. Kerala’s coast runs around 580 kms in length and the total land width is between 35 and 120 kms. Kerala lies within east longitudes 74 degree 52' and 72 degree 22' and north latitudes 8 degree 18' and 12 degree 48' and makes about 1.18% area of India.

The eastern part of Kerala includes high mountains, gorges, and deep-cut valleys. The area is covered with dense forests, tea and coffee plantations and other forms of cultivation. Forty-one of Kerala’s forty-four rivers originate in this region, and the Cauvery River descends from here and flows eastwards into neighbouring states. The Western Ghats, which is a wall of mountains, is located in this region near Palakkad. Here, a natural mountain pass known as the Palakkad Gap breaks through to access inner India. The average height of Western Ghats is 1500 m above sea level. To the west of these mountains lie the midland plains, which are the rolling hills and shallow valleys. These have the paddy fields in lower areas and on the higher areas there are groves of rubber and fruits and other crops such as black pepper, tapioca, etc.

The only virgin tropical rain forest in India called the Silent Valley National Park is situated in Kerala. It houses a large number of life forms, many of which are highly endangered, and endemic.