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How do the Tamil Nadu Plains differ from the Tamil Nadu Uplands?
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Tamil Nadu
Shore Temple, Mamallapuram, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
The Tamil Nadu Plains and the Tamil Nadu Uplands are distinct geographical regions of Tamil Nadu characterized by differences in elevation, terrain, and soil composition.
Topography and Elevation
- Tamil Nadu Plains: These are eastern coastal lowlands bordering the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The landscape is primarily flat, featuring river deltas and sand dunes (locally called theris) along the coast.1
- Tamil Nadu Uplands: This is a hilly region in central Tamil Nadu. It features a higher average elevation, ranging from approximately 1,485 feet (450 meters) in the west to 500 feet (150 meters) in the east.2
Soil and Vegetation
- Plains: The soils are predominantly red-loamy and sandy-loamy, rich in iron. Vegetation includes littoral forests, coconut and casuarina plantations, and thorny scrub.1
- Uplands: The soils consist mostly of clay and loam. Forests are largely absent, with the northern areas characterized by scrub and scattered woodlands.2
Both regions are drained by major rivers, including the Kaveri, Palar, and Vaigai, which flow eastward toward the sea.21