GEOGRAPHY OF TAMIL NADU
The study of one’s own region is the first step to become a global citizen. Th e
purpose of studying our local territory is to understand life in our environment. In the last
five lessons, you have learnt about various geographical characterstics of our country. In
this lesson and those that follow, we shall learn about the geography of Tamil Nadu.
You will get to know about the etymology, history of formation, location, size, physical
divisions, rivers, climate, soil and natural vegetation of Tamil Nadu in this chapter.
Our state Tamil Nadu has a hoary past with a variety of cultural practices and traditions.
Its exquisite physiography and climate makes our state unique in India. It has long and
sunny beaches, waterfalls, hills, forests and varied flora and fauna.
Cholas and Pandyas – and virtuous kings ruling small kingdoms like Adhiyaman and Pari.
For a short time, the Tamil country was ruled by the Kalabras, but not much about their
time is recorded or known. After the Kalabras, the Tamil country came under the control
of the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Marathas, Mughals and Vijayanagara empires in
succession until the British took administrative control over the entire country,
starting from Madras. During the British period, our country was divided into three
presidencies, namely Madras, Bombay and Calcutta for political and military purposes.
Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Orissa (Odisha)
constituted the Madras Presidency. After independence, following the linguistic
division of states, Telugu-speaking areas were bifurcated from the Madras state. After
bifurcation, there were only 13 districts in Madras state. The Madras state was renamed
as Tamil Nadu by C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, on January 14,
1969.
the country. This landmass extends from 8°4'N to 13°35'N latitudes and from 76°18'E
to 80°20'E longitudes. Its eastern and western extremities are defined by the Point
Calimere and the hills of Anaimalai respectively. The northern extremity of the state is
marked by Pulicat lake and the southernmost point is Cape Comorin. It covers an area of
1,30,058 sq.km and is the 11th largest state in India. It covers 4% of the area of our country
Pradesh in the north, Karnataka in the northwest and Indian Ocean in the south. Gulf of
Mannar and Palk Strait separate Tamil Nadu from the Island of Sri Lanka, which lies to the southeast of India. The state has 1,076 km long coastline, the second-longest in India
after Gujarat.purpose of studying our local territory is to understand life in our environment. In the last
five lessons, you have learnt about various geographical characterstics of our country. In
this lesson and those that follow, we shall learn about the geography of Tamil Nadu.
You will get to know about the etymology, history of formation, location, size, physical
divisions, rivers, climate, soil and natural vegetation of Tamil Nadu in this chapter.
Our state Tamil Nadu has a hoary past with a variety of cultural practices and traditions.
Its exquisite physiography and climate makes our state unique in India. It has long and
sunny beaches, waterfalls, hills, forests and varied flora and fauna.
Formation of Tamil Nadu
During Sangam age, the Tamizham was ruled by three great emperors – Cheras,Cholas and Pandyas – and virtuous kings ruling small kingdoms like Adhiyaman and Pari.
For a short time, the Tamil country was ruled by the Kalabras, but not much about their
time is recorded or known. After the Kalabras, the Tamil country came under the control
of the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Marathas, Mughals and Vijayanagara empires in
succession until the British took administrative control over the entire country,
starting from Madras. During the British period, our country was divided into three
presidencies, namely Madras, Bombay and Calcutta for political and military purposes.
Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Orissa (Odisha)
constituted the Madras Presidency. After independence, following the linguistic
division of states, Telugu-speaking areas were bifurcated from the Madras state. After
bifurcation, there were only 13 districts in Madras state. The Madras state was renamed
as Tamil Nadu by C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, on January 14,
1969.
Location and Size
Tamil Nadu is one of the 29 states of India, located in the southern most part ofthe country. This landmass extends from 8°4'N to 13°35'N latitudes and from 76°18'E
to 80°20'E longitudes. Its eastern and western extremities are defined by the Point
Calimere and the hills of Anaimalai respectively. The northern extremity of the state is
marked by Pulicat lake and the southernmost point is Cape Comorin. It covers an area of
1,30,058 sq.km and is the 11th largest state in India. It covers 4% of the area of our country
Boundaries and Neighbours
Tamil Nadu is bounded by Bay of Bengal in the east, Kerala in the west, AndhraPradesh in the north, Karnataka in the northwest and Indian Ocean in the south. Gulf of
Mannar and Palk Strait separate Tamil Nadu from the Island of Sri Lanka, which lies to the southeast of India. The state has 1,076 km long coastline, the second-longest in India
Administrative Divisions
Already we have learnt that the state of Tamil Nadu had only 13 districts at the timeof its formation. After that, the state was reorganised several times for the purpose of
administrative convenience. At present there are 35 districts in Tamil Nadu, including the
newly created districts such as Kallakurichi, Tenkasi and Chengalpet. The administrative
divisions of the state are given in the following table.
Divisions | Numbers |
| Districts | 35 (32+3) |
| Revenue Divisions | 76 |
| Taluks | 226 |
| Firkas | 1,127 |
| Revenue Villages | 16,564 |
| Municipal Corporations | 15 |
| Municipalities | 125 |
| Panchayat Unions (Blocks) | 385 |
| Town Panchayats | 561 |
| Village Panchayats | 12,618 |
| Lok Sabha Constituencies | 39 |
| Assembly Constituencies | 234 |
| Source: maps of india.com 2019 |
Physiographic Divisions
We have learnt about endogenetic and exogeniec processes in 9th std. Have youever thought what kind of landforms on which you live? Have you ever noticed the
landscapes, you come across while travelling from one place to another? Have you ever
wondered how these landforms were formed? Let’s see the major physical features of
Tamil Nadu and their characteristics. Tamil Nadu is located on the Peninsular Plateau, known as Deccan Plateau. It is also a part of the ancient Gondwana land that broke away
135 million years ago during Cretaceous Period. Tamil Nadu has many unique land
features which include high eroded mountains, shallow deep valleys and plains. The
topography of the state slopes towards east. Based on the major differences in relief, Tamil
Nadu is divided into the physical divisions of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Plateaus,
Coastal and Inland plains.
Western Ghats
Western Ghats extends from the Niligris in the north to Marunthuvazh Malai atSwamithope in Kanyakumari district in the south. Height of the Western Ghats ranges
from 2,000 to 3,000 metres. It covers an area of about 2,500 sq.km. Though the Western
Ghats is a continuous range, it has some passes. The passes are Palghat, Shencottah,
Aralvaimozhi, and Achankoil. The Niligris, Anaimalai, Palani hills, Cardamom hills,
Varusanadu, Andipatti and Agasthiyar hills are the major hills of Western Ghats .
Nilgiri Hills
The Nilgiri hills is located in the Northwestern part of Tamil Nadu. It consistsof 24 peaks with more than 2,000 metre height. Doddabetta is the highest peak (2,637
metres) of this hills followed by Mukkuruthi (2,554 metres). Ooty and Coonoor are the
major hill stations located on this hills. It has more than 2,700 species of flowering
plants and the state animal Nilgiri Tahr is found in this hill. Much of the Nilgiris natural
montane grasslands and shrublands have been disturbed or destroyed by extensive
tea plantations and cattle grazing.
Anaimalai
Anaimalai is located in the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is located tothe south of Palghat Gap. Anaimalai Tiger Reserve, Aliyar Reserved Forest, Valparai hill
station, Kadamparai hydroelectric Power Plant are located on this hills. Aliyar and
Tirumurthy dams are located at the foothills of this range.
Palani Hills
Palani hills are the eastward extension of the Western Ghats. Except its westernpart, these hills are located in Dindigul district. Vandaravu (2,533 metres) is the highest
peak in the Palani hills. Vembadi Shola (2,505 metres) is its second highest peak. The hill
station of Kodaikanal (2,150 metres) lies in the south central portion of the range.
Cardamom Hills
These hills are also known as Yela Mala hills located in the southwestern part ofTamil Nadu. It acquires its name from the cardamom spice, which is commonly grown
here. Pepper and coffee are the other crops cultivated over the hills. They meet the Anaimalai hills in the northwest, the Palani hills in the northeast and Varusanadu and
Andipatti hills in the southeast.
| Peaks in Western Ghats | Height(m) |
| Doddabetta | 2,637 |
| Mukkuruthi | 2,554 |
| Vembadisolai | 2,505 |
| Perumalmalai | 2,234 |
| Kottaimtalai | 2,01 |
Varusanadu and Andipatti Hills
Another eastward extension of Western Ghats is Varusanadu and Andipatti hills.Megamalai (the highway mountain), Kalugumalai, Kurangani hill station, and Suruli
and Kumbakarai waterfalls are found on these hills. Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wild
life Sanctuary is located in the southern slope of these hills in Virudhunagar district. Vaigai
river and its tributaries originate in this region.
Pothigai Hills
Its major part lies in Tirunelveli district with its southern slope in the Kanyakumaridistrict. Pothigai hills are called with different names such as the Shiva Jothi Parvath,
Agasthiyar hills and Southern Kailash. These hills feature richest biodiversity in the
Western Ghats. This area is known for its rich evergreen forest, waterfalls and ancient
temples. Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is located in this region.
Mahendragiri Hills
This continous range is situated along the border of Kanyakumari and Tirunelvelidistricts and is a part of the southern range of the Western Ghats. Its average height is
1,645 metres. ISRO Propulsion Complex, a test facility for Indian Space Research
Organisation’s launch vehicles and satellite propulsion systems, is situated on the lower
slopes of this mountain.
The Eastern Ghats
Unlike Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats is a discontinuous and irregular one. It isdissected at many places by the rivers, which drain into the Bay of Bengal. Its height ranges
from 1,100 to 1,600 metres. These hills separate the plains from plateaus. Javadhu,
Servarayan, the Kalrayan, Kollimalai and Pachaimalai are the major hills of the Eastern
Ghats of Tamil Nadu and are located in northern districts of the state.
Javadhu Hills
Javadhu hills are an extension of the Eastern Ghats spread across parts of Velloreand Tiruvannamalai districts and separatesthese two districts. Many peaks with the
height of 1,100–1,150 metres are located in this range. Melpattu is its highest peak. The Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO) Kavalur, which began operations in 1967, is located on
these hills. Many parts of this range are covered with bluish grey granites. It is noted for
its fruit bearing trees, medicinal herbs and sandalwoods. Due to illegal logging,
sandalwood trees are disappeared now.
Kalvarayan Hills
The name ‘Kalvarayan’ comes from the word ‘Karalar’, the ancient name of thepresent tribes. It is another major range of hills in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. This
range, along with the Pachaimalai, Aralvaimalai, Javadhu and Servarayan hills, separates
the river basins of Cauvery and Palar. The height of this hill ranges from 600 to 1,220
metres. These hills have two sections. The northern section is referred as the Chinna
Kalvarayan and the southern one the Periya Kalvarayan. The average height of Chinna
Kalvarayan is 825 metres and the Periya Kalvarayan is 1,220 metres.
Servarayan Hills
It is a mountain range located near the Salem city with the height ranging from1,200 to 1,620 metres. Th e name of the range comes from a local deity, Servarayan. Th e
highest peak in the southern part of the Eastern Ghats is located in this range. Th e peak
is Solaikaradu and its height is 1,620 metres. Th e hill station Yercaud, which is known as
poor man’s Ooty, is located on this range. Servarayan temple is its highest point (1623
metres).
| Peaks in Eastern Ghats | Height (m) |
| Shervarayan temple | 1,623 |
| Mazhamalai | 1,500 |
| Urgamalai | 1,486 |
| Kuttirayan | 1,395 |
| Muganur | 1,279 |
| Valsamalai | 1,034 |
| Districts | Hills |
| Coimbatore | Maruthamalai, Velliangiri and Anaimalai |
| Dharmapuri | Th eertha malai, Chitteri and Vathalmalai |
| Dindigul | Pazhamalai and Kodaikanal |
| Erode | Chenni hills and Sivan hills |
| Vellore | Javadhu, Yelagiri and Rathinamalai hills |
| Namakkal | Kolli hills |
| Salem | Servarayan, Kanjamalai and Chalk hills |
| Villupuram | Kalvarayan and Gingee hills |
| Perambalur | Pachaimalai |
| Kanyakumari | Marunthuvazhmalai |
| Tirunelveli | Mahendragiri and Agasthiyarmalai |
| Th e Nilgiris | Nilgiri hills |
Kolli Hills
It is a small mountain range located in Namakkal district. It covers an area of about2,800 sq.km. It rises up to 1300 metres. This is a mountain range that runs almost parallel
to the east coast of South India. Arpaleeswarar temple located on this range is an
important pilgrim centre. It has the largest cover of evergreen or shola forest when
compared to other parts of the Eastern Ghats. Several coffee plantations, fruits, flowers
and silveroak estates are found in this region.
Pachaimalai
It is the lowest hill range, spreads over the districts of Perambalur, Tiruchirapalliand Salem. In Tamil language, pachai means green. The vegetation in this range is greener
than the vegetative cover of the other hills in this region. Hence it is named as ‘Pachai
malai’. Jackfruit is a popular seasonal agricultural product of this hills.
Plateaus
Plateaus of Tamil Nadu are located between the Western Ghats and the EasternGhats. It is roughly triangular in shape and covers an area of about 60,000 sq.km. Its
height increases from east to west. Its height ranges between 150 and 600 metres. This
plateau is broader in the north and very narrow in the south. It has many subdivisions.
Bharamahal plateau is a part of the Mysore plateau situated in the northwestern
part of Tamil Nadu.
Its height ranges from 350 to 710 metres. Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri
districts are located in this region. Coimbatore plateau lies between the
Nilgiris and Dharmapuri districts. Its height varies from 150 to 450 metres. This region
includes Salem, Coimbatore and Erode districts. The area of this plateau is about
2,560 sq.km. Its height varies from 352 to 710 metres. Moyar river separates this plateau
from the Mysore plateau.
districts are located in this region. Coimbatore plateau lies between the
Nilgiris and Dharmapuri districts. Its height varies from 150 to 450 metres. This region
includes Salem, Coimbatore and Erode districts. The area of this plateau is about
2,560 sq.km. Its height varies from 352 to 710 metres. Moyar river separates this plateau
from the Mysore plateau.
Rivers like Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravathi, which originate from Western
Ghats, form valleys in this region. Many intermontane plateaus are found in the region
of the Nilgiris. Sigur plateau is one such plateau. Madurai plateau found in Madurai
district extends up to the foothills of the Western Ghats. Vaigai and Thamirabarani
basins are located in this zone.
Plains
The plains of Tamil Nadu may be divided into two, namely inland plains andcoastal plains. Inland plains are drained by the rivers Palar, Ponnaiyar, Cauvery and
Thamirabarani. Cauvery plains is one of the most important fertile plains of the state. The
plains of Cauvery is found in Salem, Erode, Karur, Tiruchirapalli, Pudukottai, Thanjavur,
Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.
Coastal plains of Tamil Nadu are also called Coromandel or Cholamandalam (land
of Cholas) plain, which extends from Chennai to Kanyakumari. It is formed by the rivers that flow towards east drain in the Bay of Bengal. It is more than 80 kilometres wide at
some places. Though it is an emerged coast, some parts are submerged into the sea. The
sand dunes formed along the coast of Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts are
called Teri. Coral rocks are found at the head of Gulf of Mannar in the east coastal plain.
Beaches
The Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal consists of many beautiful andexotic beaches. The golden sands of Tamil Nadu beaches are scattered with palm and
casuarinas groves. Marina and Elliot beaches of Chennai, Kovalam and Silver beaches of
Kanyakumari are some of the famous beaches in Tamil Nadu.
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