Tamil Nadu is defined by the lush Western Ghats and the semi-arid Deccan Plateau in the west.
The Western Ghats mountain range defines Tamil Nadu's western boundary. This mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its biodiversity. The range stretches for over 1,600 kilometers and is home to over 100 different species of mammals, over 500 species of birds, and over 2,000 different species of plants.