Kerala's topography is broadly divided into three distinct longitudinal zones:
* **Eastern Highlands:** Rugged and mountainous, this region forms the Western Ghats. It features deep valleys, dense forests, and tea/coffee plantations. The highest peak in Peninsular India, Anamudi (2,695 meters / 8,842 feet), is located here. * **Central Midlands:** A region of rolling hills and shallow valleys. It is heavily cultivated with cash crops like rubber, pepper, cardamom, and coconut. * **Western Lowlands:** The coastal plains bordering the Arabian Sea, characterized by backwaters, river deltas, and sandy beaches.
A notable topographical feature is Kuttanad, known as the "Rice Bowl of Kerala," which is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried out below sea level.
