Kerala's topography is highly varied despite its relatively small size. The eastern edge is dominated by the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring high mountain peaks and deep valleys. The highest point in Kerala (and India outside the Himalayas) is Anamudi, which rises to 2,695 meters (8,842 feet).
The central midlands consist of undulating hills gradually sloping downward to meet the coastal lowlands. The western coastal belt is remarkably flat, featuring extensive sandy beaches, lagoons, and backwaters. Notably, the Kuttanad region in the Alappuzha and Kottayam districts sits below sea level (down to -2.2 meters) and is one of the few places in the world where farming is conducted below sea level.