Boundary of Tamil Nadu North – Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh South – Indian Ocean East – Bay of Bengal West - Kerala

State profile The state can be divided broadly in to 2 natural divisions The Coastal plains of South India The hilly western area

Coastal Tamil Nadu  Uninterrupted coastline of 922Kms  Includes the coastline of Pondicherry and Karaikkal  The coastline is a lengthy boundary on the east  harbours in Tamil Nadu -  Major ports: Madras  Medium port: Tuticorin  Nagapattinam, Cuddalore & Colochel

Hills in Tamil Nadu Eastern Ghats Western Ghats Shevaroy Hills Palani Hills Anamalai Hills

Eastern Ghats Average elevation – 2000 feet Beginning in Orissa state run through all the districts lying between Ganjam and The Nilgiris plateau No river of any great importance runs from these ranges

Western Ghats 1000 miles in length and run southward and terminate at Cape Comorin, the southernmost exteremity. Joined by the Eastern Ghat and at the point of junction, from the high plateau of the Nilgiris. Near Coimbatore District, the range is interrupted by the Palghat Gap. The south of the gap is known as Anamalai hills and the east of this gap is called Palani hills

Shevaroy Hills The range is in Salem District with an area of 150 Square miles Pacahmalai hills - largest hill in this range

Palani Hills 54 miles in length and 15 miles in width Area – 800 square mills Kodaikanal - famous health resort – 7200 feet above the sea level

Anamalai Hills 80 – 100 square miles 7000 feet above the sea level Anaimalai peak feet high – The Nilgiris is the highest point in South India – 8650 feet Coffee grown in large number Teak belt

Major Rivers Cauvery Vaigai Thamiraparani Palar Ponniyar Vellar

Cauvery 475 miles long and drains an area of 28,000 square miles originates from Coorg in the western Ghats Across the river, a huge reservoir has been constructed called the “Mettur Dam”. Near Tiruchirappalli there is an anaicut called “Grand Anaicut” Colledam – drainage channel of Cauvery

Vaigai Second most important river in Tamil Nadu Originates in Varushanad hills Vaigai dam Anaicut Dam in Manamadurai

Thamiraparani 70 miles long rises in the southern portion of the Western Ghats drains an area equal to 1937 square miles The valley of the river contains some of the richest lands in the State The chief tributaries of the river are – Ramanadhi, Ghatana, Pachaiyar & Chittar

Ponniyar rises in Nandhi hills in Karnataka State enters Tamil Nadu near Dharmapuri drainage area of 620 square miles has no delta on its mouth

Palar rises in Nandhi hills of Kolar, Karnataka state 182 miles long runs through Chingleput and North Arcot districts. Chief tributaries – Cheyyar and Ponni