The Indian subcontinent in South Asia lies between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north, it is bordered by the world's highest mountain chain, where foothill valleys cover the northern most parts. Among country’s 28 states, Kerala enjoys the prominent position as a place of tourist interest due to its natural beauty. Kerala, known as God's own country, is an enchantingly beautiful, emerald green land, flanked by the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m one side, the Arabian Sea on the other, and strewn with forty-four rivers, lagoons, backwaters and rich vegetation. In Malayalam language, 'Kerala' means the 'land of coconuts’. Coconut trees dominate the coastal landscape.