θˈæɾɪkˌæd lˈɪɾɚɹəli mˈiːnz flˈæt fˈɔːɹɪst, ænd ðə ɹˈiːdʒən ɪz ɐ dᵻsˈɪdjuːəs bˌʌt dʒˈɛnɚɹəli mˈɔɪst lˈoʊlˈænd fˈɔːɹɪst sɚɹˈaʊndɪŋ ðə pˈɛɹɪjˌɑːɹ ɹˈɪvɚ, ðə lˈɔŋɡɪst ɹˈɪvɚɹ ɪn kˈɛɹələ.
Thattekkad literally means flat forest, and the region is a deciduous but generally moist low-land forest surrounding the Periyar River, the longest river in Kerala.