Tamil Nadu is bouded on the north of Andhra Pradesh and Mysore, on the west of Kerela, on the east of Bay of Bengal and on the south by the Indian Ocean. It is the eleventh largest state in the country with an area of 1,30,058 sq kms and a total population of 55,858,946. The state ranks seventh in the country in terms of Population, the density being 428 per sq km.
It is in Tamil Nadu that the southernmost points of India - Kanyakumari - is located. The waters of the Bay of Bengal, The Arabian sea and the India Ocean meet here. The Pilgrimage of the devout Hindu is never complete without a trip to Rameshwaram in the State after visiting Varanasi or Kasi in Uttar Pradesh
Topographically, the State can be divided into distinct units. Parellel to the coast and gradually rising away from it is a broad strip of plain country. Between the Palar and the Kaveri, the coastal plain is backed by the extention of the Eastern Ghat in a chain of low flat - topped hills - the Javadis, the Shevaroys, meet the Cardamom Hills of Madurai District.
Between these hills and the Western Ghat is a plateau rising westward. The Kaveri Valley divides the plateau into two parts. There is a narrow mountainous strip along the western boundary of the State except for the gaps at Palakkad and Sengottai.
The Important rivers like the Vaigai and the Tambraparani have their sources the Western Ghats. The ponnaiyar and the Kaveri comprise the in State rivers. Rives of local importance are the Arani, the courtaliayar, the Cooum, the Gadilam, the Gamukha, the Manimuttar, the Vellar, the south Palar, the Vaippar, the Chittar, the Noyii, the Bhavani, the Kodavanar and the Amaraya
Traditionally, the lad of tamils has been divided into five major Physiographic divisions - the Kurinji or mountainous region, the mullai or forest region, the Pala or arid region, The marudham or fertile plains and the Neidhal or coastal region.
The Eastern and Western ghats meet in Tamil Nadu and run along its eastern and western borders. All of Tamil Nadu's famous hill station i.e Ooty (Udagammandalam). Kodaikkanal, Kotagiri, Yeracaud are situtatedin this region, Contrasting with the low rocky hills of eastern ghats. the hills of the Western ghats have dense forests. This area receives abundant rainfall and the Scenic valleys of Cumbum and Pollachi are dotted with plantation of tea, coffee and spices, However the higher reaches the eastern Ghats are not without their share of beauty and Yeracud in the Shevaroy hills is f amous for its fruit orchards and banana and coffee plantations.