India's topography is one of extremes. The highest point is Kangchenjunga in the state of Sikkim, towering at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet)—the third highest mountain in the world. The lowest point is Kuttanad in Kerala, lying roughly 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) below sea level, famous for its intricate backwater farming systems.
The subcontinent's terrain is framed by the Himalayas to the north and the Eastern and Western Ghats—two long mountain ranges that run parallel to the eastern and western coasts, respectively, enclosing the Deccan Plateau. The topography features vast flood plains formed by the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, which are some of the most densely populated and agriculturally productive lands on Earth. Additionally, India comprises two major archipelagos: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
