about kerala

Know Kerala.....

Location : Southwestern Tip of India
Area : 38,863 Sq. Km
Population : 29,011,237 (Census 91)
Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Language : Malayalam, English Is Widely Spoken.
Religion : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Currency : Indian Rupee
Climate : Tropical
Summer : February - May (24 - 33 Dg. C)
Monsoon : June - September(22 - 28 Dg. C)
Winter : October - January (22 - 32 Dg. C)

A state with 100% literacy, world standards of health, and a hard working, determined, dedicated population is always setting standards in all most all the spheres of its activity. In more modern times the Keralites have migrated in large numbers in search of employment to several foreign countries like United States, Malaysia and Singapore in South East Asia as well as to several countries of Africa and West Asia. The professionals of Kerala are among the most wanted experts in the fields of medicine, Information Technology etc. Kerala is known for its communal harmony and it is achieved by Kerala’s interaction with varied cultures and ways of life, both indigenous and foreign.It is famous for its rivers, backwaters and endless beaches. Besides, Alleppey, Kochi, Munnar, Palakkad, Varkala and Kozhikode. Kerala, one of the most idyllic states of India, lies to the extreme southwest of Indian peninsula. It is flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats on the east. The state can be divided into hills, valleys, midland plains and coastal belts. Formed in the year 1956, it has 14 districts with Thiruvananthapuram as its capital.It is God's own country and an enchantingly beautiful, emerald-green sliver of land. It is a tropical paradise far from the tourist trial at the southwestern peninsular tip, sandwiched between the tall mountains and the deep sea. Kerala is a long stretch of enchanting greenery. The tall exotic coconut palm dominates the landscape. There is a persistent legend which says that Parasuram, the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu Trinity, stood on a high place in the mountains, threw an axe far in to the sea, and commanded the sea to retreat. And the land that emerged all from the waters became Kerala, the land of plenty and prosperity.
Geographical Kerala is located in the southwestern tip of the Indian peninsula and extends between the latitude 10°00 North and longitude 76°25 East. Kerala is bound by the Arabian Sea on the west, Karnataka on the North and Northeast, and Tamil Nadu on the east. The Malabar Coast of India is the site of Kerala location. Geographical Kerala is a part of the coastal belt with the hill ranges known as the Western Ghats running along the length of Kerala. Rain bearing clouds of the South west monsoon bring heavy rainfall to geographical Kerala during the months May to September. Tropical rainfall occurs often during the year. Geographical Kerala is a tropical region, with weather being pleasant for most of the year. Humidity increases during the monsoon season. Kerala location gives it its unique climatic and geographic features.
People in Kerala - As in the case of rest of South India, majority of the people of this state are also Dravidians. Hinduism is the principal religion with considerable percentages of Muslims and Christians. Christianity has a long history in this state, as it is believed that the first missionary from Europe landed on the coast of Kerala in the first millennium.Kerala has hundred percent literacy and this has resulted in high health care and health awareness among the people. Here child mortality is lowest among Indian states and is comparable to those of developed countries. The women in the state enjoys high social status mainly due to the historical matrilineal system where by property etc are transferred to females. Higher education and equal opportunities have further strengthened women's status in kerala's society.

Kerala History According to legend, the land was a gift of Parasurama, one of the ten Avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Parasurama threw his battle-axe into the sea, reclaiming the landmass, Kerala. The long stretch of its coast-line of about 575 kms with its string of many ports, has played a decisive role in shaping the history of Kerala. As far back as the 3rd century BC, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Chinese and Babylonians had trade relations with Kerala. In the early 17th century, the Dutch, the French and the English too were lured by her wealth of ivory, teak and spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and pepper. Christianity, Judaism and Islam; all found their way into Kerala. In AD 52, St. Thomas the Apostle is believed to have landed here to spread the gospel of Christ. The followers of St. Thomas adhereD to Syrian liturgy. But with the arrival of the Portuguese, Latin liturgy was also introduced in the churches. Protestantism was brought into Kerala by the Dutch and the British. The state of Kerala was formed in 1956 by merging the princely states of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar (formerly part of Madras state). In 1957, Kerala became the first democratic state in the world to elect a Communist government. Now, the state has a population of 30 million - making it one of the most densely populated states in India sharing with roughly 60% Hindus, 20% Muslims and 20% Christians. It is also the most advanced state in India with the the highest literacy rate and the lowest birth rate of 24.3%. Almost a quarter of the land area is covered by forest, with over 600 plant species. Paddy fields and coconut palms cover the plains, while up in the hills, there are plantations of arecanut, cardamom, rubber, pepper, tea and coffee.