Cardamom Hills

Not to be confused with Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia. For other uses, see Cardamom

The Cardamom Hills (, Malayalam:കാര്ടമോം ഹില്ല്സ്) are part of the southern Western Ghats located in southeast Kerala and southwest Tamil Nadu in South India. Their name comes from the cardamom spice grown in much of the hill's cool elevation, which also grows pepper and coffee. The Western Ghats, Periyar Sub-Cluster including the Cardamom Hills, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

Geography

The Cardamom Hills Central point is about . They cover about 2,800 km² of mountainous terrain with deep valleys, and includes the drainages of the west flowing Periyar, Mullakudy and Pamba rivers. It includes Idukki Dam and Mullaperiyar Dam. They conjoin the Anaimalai Hills to the northwest, the Palni Hills to the northeast and the Agasthyamalai Hills to the south as far as the Ariankavu pass (at c. 9° N). The crest of the hills form the boundary between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The highest peak in the range is Anamudi, with a height of 2,695 metres (8,842 ft) in Eravikulam National Park, the highest point in India south of the Himalayas.Frommers Travel Guide (2007) Wiley Publishing, Inc., retrieved 9/4/2007......
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