The Western Ghats is a mountain range that covers an area of 160,000 square kilometers(990 m). The Western Ghats perform significant hydrological and watershed functions. More than 254 million people that live in the peninsular Indian states depend on the water source originating in the Western Ghats. Additionally there are 39 areas in the Western Ghats including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests were designated as world heritage sites in 2012. The average elevation of the Western Ghats is 1,200 m (3,900 ft.). This specific area is one of the worlds "hottest biodiversity spots" and provides a home for more than 7,116 animal species and 9,216 flowering plants(flowering and non-flowering included approximate count). The typical climate at the Western Ghats would be either sunny or rainy and normally in the 60's. Climate is a very important component for our farmers to grow their spice crops. The type of rain that the Western Ghats experiences is defined as monsoon rain. Some people claim this iconic mountain range even older than the Himalayas. This is a tourist attraction because of its name and as one of the worlds most "hottest biodiversity spot" because of its unique plants and animal species that you can't find anywhere else in the world. All in all this authentic mountain range is a very important area in exporting spices.