What is "malanad"

Malanad (മലനാട്) is the hilly regions of Kerala, India, especially the north Kerala region and high ranges of Kerala. It includes small hilly regions also. Kerala is divided into coastal areas Theera Desam, midlands Idanad, and high ranges or Malanad. In Kerala, approximately 15 km eastwards from coastal areas, midlands or idanad starts. Malanad starts in a distance of 40 km from the coast.Midlands are the most fertile lands suitable for agriculture although rubber plantations takes most of the lands.

While coastal towns are ancient and bigger, population is higher, midland's towns are smaller, population is much less than Theera Desam or Coastal regions. Malanad have the least human concentration in Kerala. Kerala's Malanad is mostly cultivated with rubber and tea plantations.