Kerala's topography is distinctly divided into three parallel bands running north to south: the eastern Highlands, the central Midlands, and the western Lowlands.
* **The Highlands:** Formed by the rugged Western Ghats, this region features steep mountains and deep valleys. It is heavily forested and hosts extensive tea and cardamom plantations. The highest peak in India outside the Himalayas, Anamudi (2,695 meters / 8,842 feet), is located here. * **The Midlands:** Characterized by undulating terrain, rolling hills, and shallow valleys, this region is the agricultural heartland of the state. It is intensively cultivated with rubber, fruit trees, tapioca, and spices. * **The Lowlands:** Coastal plains that are generally flat and highly prone to flooding during heavy monsoons. This area is dominated by coconut groves, paddy fields, and the famous estuarine backwater systems that interlace the coastline.
