Area Location
The total area of Coimbatore district is 7469sq.kms. This district is an inland district in the southern part of the Peninsula. It lies between 10* 10' and 11* 30' of the northern latitude and 76* 40' and 77* 30' of eastern logitude in the extreme west of Tamil Nadu. It is bounded in the north and east by Erode district. In the west and south the mountain ranges, viz., the Western Ghats and Aanaimalai provide its boundary. In the west, there is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats. Due to the presence of the mountain pass major parts of the district are benefited from the south-west monsoon. The pass which is commonly known as Palghat Gap has an enduring influence on the trade and commerce that are centered in and around Coimbatore city.
Geographical Features
The soil which is mostly found here is black soil which is suitable for cotton crops A variety but red loam are also found in Avanashi and Coimbatore taluks. The soil in Coimbatore taluk is enriched with organic matter from the hill ranges. There are rich tracts of red loam in Palladam and Pollachi taluks. The soils in Pollachi taluk are mostly of sandy loam often mixed with gravel. The red soils around the Anamalais are fertile.
Coimbatore is perhaps one of the very few districts in the State which are covered with thick forest. More than 20 per cent of the total districts' area is under forest. The forests here are abundend in commercially significant items such as Teak, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Bamboo etc. The Nilgiris slope viz., the Mettuppalaiyam range is rich in sandalwood trees and bamboo. The Other forests in this district are spread over Punachi, Udamalaippettai and Tunacadavu ranges. They vary from rich tropical evergreen forests of Punachi range to jungles of shrubs in Udumalaippettai or Pollachi ranges. The cinchona department is raising a cinchona plantation here. Apart from this, there are one or two tea plantations and coffee plantations.
The fauna is also rich in this district. Most of the common species which are found in the plains are available here but important one are wild elephants and a few tigers in high ranges. The famous wild life sanctuary in Anamalais which covers 95000 hectares includes tigers and elephants. Among domestic animals are the Kangeyam breed and bull are famous in this district. Kangeyam cows are not noted for their yield but their availability in large numbers has helped the district to make a mark in the field of dairy development.
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