Ecology
Wedged between Arabian Sea in the West and Western Ghats in the East geographically Kerala is unique and beautiful. This unique geography of Kerala provides many hills, high mountains and valleys, dense forests along with the beautiful water bodies, backwaters, lakes and beaches. Being encroached upon by the Western Ghats Eastern Kerala holds so many mountains and valleys. This is the place where there are so many tea, coffee and spice plantations. Also there are dense green forests in here.
With an area of 38,863 square kilometre Kerala’s coast runs 580 km in length and 35-120 kilometre in width. Networks of forty four rivers are seen in Kerala. Among forty four forty one of the rivers originates from Western Ghats in Eastern Kerala. Western Ghats rises on average of 1500 meters above Sea level. There are peaks which may reach to about 2500 meters. Kerala is the one place with many diverse geographical features. West side of the mountain lies the midland plains with an area of land running along central Kerala. The lowest regions of midland plains host paddy fields and the elevated land slopes has rubber and fruit trees along with black pepper, tapioca and other crops. The coastal belt of Kerala is flat with paddy fields, coconut trees and by a network of interconnected canals and rivers.
Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala in Alleppey district comprises more than 20% of the India’s waterways by length. The backwaters, canals and rivers in Kuttanad made the coastal belt of Kerala rich with water. These backwaters are one of the major attractions in Kerala which draws thousands of tourists every year. Vembanad Lake, the largest water body in Kerala dominates the backwaters. Spread in an area over 200 kilometre square Vembanad Lake lies between Alappuzha and Kochi. Kerala has a pleasant tropical climate. Kerala with diverse attractions and unique geography catch the attention of the people in Gods own Country.
Reference: Kerala Tourism Department