On the basis of topography, geology, soils, climate, and natural vegetation, the district is divided into 5 sub-micro regions:
Malappuram coast
Malappuram undulating plain
Chaliyar river basin
Nilambur forested hills
Perinthalmanna undulating uplands.

Malappuram coast lies all along the coastal tract of Malappuram.
It makes its boundaries with Kozhikode coast in the north, Malappuram undulating plain in the east, the Thrissur coast in the south, and the Lakshadweep Sea in the west.
The region is drained by the major rivers like Chaliyar, Kadalundi, Tirur, Ponnani, etc.
canals and backwaters.
The maximum height of this region is located at the Kalpakanchery village (104 m) in the Tirur subdistrict.
Malappuram undulating plain lies parallel to the coast.
It makes it boundaries with Nadapuram-Mavur undulating plains in the north, Chaliyar river basin and Perinthalmanna undulating uplands in the east, Pattambi undulating plain in the south and Malappuram coast in the west.
The Gemini hill (478 m) in Kannamangalam is the highest point and the Vazhayur in the northern part (95 m) is the lowest.
Chaliyar river basin entirely lies in the Eranad subdistrict.
It makes its boundaries by Nilambur forested hills in its north and east, Perinthalmanna undulating uplands in the south and Malappuram undulating plain in its east.
Nilambur forested hills make its boundaries with Kozhikode forested hills and Wayanad forested hills in the north, Tamil Nadu in the east, Mannarkad-Palakkad forested hills in the south and the Chaliyar river basin in the west.
It is a part of the Western Ghats.
Many peaks with over 1000 m height can be seen here.
The lowest point is located in Mampad (115 m).
Perinthalmanna undulating uplands make its boundaries with Chaliyar river basin in the north, Mannarkad-Palakkad forested hills in the east, Palakkad Gap in the south and Malappuram undulating plain in the west.
The maximum height of the region is 610 metres at the Vadakkangara.

Eranad and Perinthalmanna subdistricts are located in the midland.
The vast Nilambur Taluk covers the whole of the jungle area (highland) where the population is less, but the land area (including a lot of forest area) is more.
On the basis of topography, geology, soils, climate, and natural vegetation, the district is divided into 5 sub-micro regions:
Malappuram coast
Malappuram undulating plain
Chaliyar river basin
Nilambur forested hills
Perinthalmanna undulating uplands.
Malappuram coast lies all along the coastal tract of Malappuram. It makes its boundaries with Kozhikode coast in the north, Malappuram undulating plain in the east, the Thrissur coast in the south, and the Lakshadweep Sea in the west. The region is drained by the major rivers like Chaliyar, Kadalundi, Tirur, Ponnani, etc. canals and backwaters. The maximum height of this region is located at the Kalpakanchery village (104 m) in the Tirur subdistrict. Malappuram undulating plain lies parallel to the coast. It makes it boundaries with Nadapuram-Mavur undulating plains in the north, Chaliyar river basin and Perinthalmanna undulating uplands in the east, Pattambi undulating plain in the south and Malappuram coast in the west. The Gemini hill (478 m) in Kannamangalam is the highest point and the Vazhayur in the northern part (95 m) is the lowest. Chaliyar river basin entirely lies in the Eranad subdistrict. It makes its boundaries by Nilambur forested hills in its north and east, Perinthalmanna undulating uplands in the south and Malappuram undulating plain in its east. Nilambur forested hills make its boundaries with Kozhikode forested hills and Wayanad forested hills in the north, Tamil Nadu in the east, Mannarkad-Palakkad forested hills in the south and the Chaliyar river basin in the west. It is a part of the Western Ghats. Many peaks with over 1000 m height can be seen here. The lowest point is located in Mampad (115 m). Perinthalmanna undulating uplands make its boundaries with Chaliyar river basin in the north, Mannarkad-Palakkad forested hills in the east, Palakkad Gap in the south and Malappuram undulating plain in the west. The maximum height of the region is 610 metres at the Vadakkangara.
Eranad and Perinthalmanna subdistricts are located in the midland. The vast Nilambur Taluk covers the whole of the jungle area (highland) where the population is less, but the land area (including a lot of forest area) is more.
Malappuram district