Geography of Kerala
Kerala is wedged between the Lakshadweep sea and the Western Ghats. Lying between north
latitudes 8°18' and 12°48' and east longitudes 74°52' and 77°22', Kerala
experiences the humidequatorial tropic climate. The state has a coast of length
590 km (370 mi) and the
width of the state varies between 11 and 121 km (22–75 miles). Geographically,
Kerala can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern
highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling
hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Located at the extreme
southern tip of the Indian
subcontinent, Kerala lies near the centre of the Indian tectonic plate; hence, most of the
state is subject to comparatively little seismic and volcanic activity. Pre-Cambrian and Pleistocenegeological formations compose the bulk of Kerala’s
terrain.
The eastern region of Kerala consists of high mountains, gorges
and deep-cut valleys immediately west of the Western Ghats' rain shadow.
Forty-one of Kerala’s west-flowing rivers, and three of its east-flowing ones
originate in this region. The Western Ghats form a wall of mountains
interrupted only nearPalakkad (hence also known Palghat), where the Palakkad
Gap breaks through to provide access to the rest of India. The Western
Ghats rises on average to 1,500 m (4920 ft) above sea level, while
the highest peaks reach above 2,500 m (8200 ft).
Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, is at an elevation of 2,695 metres (8,842 ft). Just west of the mountains lie the midland plains comprising central Kerala, dominated by rolling hills and valleys. Generally ranging between elevations of 250–1,000 m (820–3300 ft), the eastern portions of the Nilgiri and Palni Hillsinclude such formations as Agastya Mala and Anamala.
Kerala’s western coastal belt is relatively flat, and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters.
Lake Vembanad, Kerala’s largest body of water, dominates the Backwaters; it lies between Alappuzha and Kochi and is more than 200 km2 (77 sq mi) in area. Around 8% of India's waterways (measured by length) are found in Kerala. The most important of Kerala’s forty-four rivers include the Periyar (244 km), the Bharathapuzha (209 km), the Pamba (176 km), the Chaliyar(169 km), the Kadalundipuzha River (130 km), the Valapattanam (129 km) and the Achankovil (128 km). The average length of the rivers of Kerala is 64 km. Many of the rivers are small and entirely fed by monsoonrains. These conditions result in the nearly year-round water logging of such western regions asKuttanad, 500 km² of which lies below sea level. As Kerala's rivers are small and lack deltas, they are more prone to environmental factors. The rivers also face problems such as sand mining and pollution. The state experiences several natural hazards such as landslides, floods, lightning and droughts. The state was also affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
A
catastrophic flood in Kerala in 1341 CE drastically modified its terrain and
consequently affected its history. The course of the river Periyar was changed, and the Arabian Sea receded several
miles. TheKuttanad region became cultivable, and the Muziris (Kodungalloor) harbour became defunct. A new harbour was developed at Kochi.
Climate
Kerala’s western coastal belt is relatively flat, and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters.
A
catastrophic flood in Kerala in 1341 CE drastically modified its terrain and
consequently affected its history. The course of the river Periyar was changed, and the Arabian Sea receded several
miles. TheKuttanad region became cultivable, and the Muziris (Kodungalloor) harbour became defunct. A new harbour was developed at Kochi.Climate
With 120–140 rainy days per year, Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon. In eastern Kerala, a drier tropical wet and dry climate prevails. Kerala's rainfall averages 3,107 mm (122 in.) annually. Some of Kerala's drier lowland regions average only 1,250 mm (49 in.); the mountains of eastern Idukki district receive more than 5,000 mm (197 in.) of orographic precipitation, the highest in the state.
During summer, Kerala is prone to gale force winds, storm surges, cyclone-related torrential downpours, occasional droughts, and rises in sea level. The mean daily temperatures range from 19.8 °C to 36.7 °C. Mean annual temperatures range from 25.0–27.5 °C in the coastal lowlands to 20.0–22.5 °C in the eastern highlands.
Source:wikipedia
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