Tamil Nadu is located in the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula bordered by Kerala to the west, Karnataka to the northwest, Andhra Pradesh to the north and Bay of Bengal to the east. The total area covered by the state is 130058 sq. kms of which 22933.79 sq. kms is under forests.

The state has been divided into 5 major physiographic divisions - the Kurinji or mountainous region, the Mullai or forest region, the Palai or arid region, the Marudham or the fertile plains and the Neidhal or coastal region. The Eastern and Western Ghats meet in this state and run along its eastern and western borders.

The hills of the Western Ghats have dense forests as compared to Eastern Ghats. This region receives maximum rainfall and hence favours plantations of tea, coffee and spices. However, the upper reaches of the Eastern Ghats are not without their share of beauty and Yercaud in the Shevaroy hills is famous for its fruit orchards and banana and coffee plantations. The most arid and desert like-area is in the Tirunelveli district and is known as Palai.