Thursday, August 19, 2010

Districts

e. The highest physical quality of life in india. Peaceful and pristine, kerala is also india's cleanest state.For administrative purposes, the state of kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the state. 
Thiruvananthapuram
Area : 2,197 Sq Km
Population : 32,34,707
Altitude: Sea level 

Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivendrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shorline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination. 
Kovalam Beach:
 16 kms away this Internationally renowned Beach Resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The Southernmost, known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets. 
Padmanabha Swamy Temple :
 The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its Mural Paintings and Stone Carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu Temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on anantha the serpent.
 
Ernakulam
Area: 87.341 sq.kms
Population: 16.6 lakhs
Altitude: Sea level 

Ernakulam is the green commercial capital of Kerala with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. From here, ships set sail for foreign ports with pepper, sea food, rubber and coir.From times immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impression in the town. The harbour is the nucleus around which Cochin has grown to become the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Kochi city consists of the mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willingdon, Bolgatty and Vypeen, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. 
Kochi -
 The Queen of Arabian Sea is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. 

Rivers: Periyar, Muvattupuzha Thodupuzha 
Backwaters: Vembanatt, Kodungallore, Varapuzha. 
Alappuzha
Area : 1,414 Sq Km
Population : 21,05,349 

Situated 64 km. south of Kochi, this district has a long coastal strech. Alappuzha has a large network of canals and is a centre for backwater cruises in Kerala. Alappuzha has earned fame in the commercial world as the world's chief supplier of coir. The temples of Alappuzha represent the Kerala style of architecture. The total area of the district comprises midland and seashore between the Arabian Sea and the Vembanattu Kayal. 82 Km Seashore which is the 13.9% of the State's total seashore. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most colourful of the boat races, is held here on the second Saturday of August every year. Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. A land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. 

Rivers: Pamba, Manimala Achenkovil which merge with Pamba. There is no forest land in the district. 
Wayanad
Area: 2132 sq. km.
Population:671,195 (2001 census)
Altitude: 700 - 2100 m above sea level 

Wayanad, One of the fourteen districts in Kerala (India) is situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in Western Ghats.Wayanad - the green paradise - the border world of greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotising this land has a history and mystery, culture and social epistemology yet to be discovered. Located at a distance about 76 km. from the sea shores of Calicut in the Western Ghats, this station is full of plantations, forests and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumala in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in its most natural abode.The name Wayanad has been derived from the expression 'Vayal nadu' - the village of paddy fields. 

Idukki
Area : 5,019 Sq.Km
Population : 11,28,605
Altitude 2200 m above sea level 

Idukki is one of the most beautiful districts of Kerala in India. High ranges and wooded valleys are girded by three rivers - Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhyar - and their tributaries. The sacred river Pamba also originates from the mountain ranges here. As a tourist destination, Idukki is incomparable - forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spices & plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides and some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere in India. 
IDUKKI ARCH DAM -
 This is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. 550 ft high and 650 ft wide, the dam lies close to the Cheruthorathi barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu dam. Idukki wild life sanctuary is located nearby. 

Rivers: Periyar, Meenachil and Muvattupuzha origins from Idukky district. Pamba flown through Maryayoor and merge with Kaveri.. Peringer Kuttiyar and Muthirapuzhayar merge with Periyar. 
Kannur
Area: 2997 sq. km
Population: 2,251,727
Altitude: Sea level 

Kannur is a town of great historical importance and was the capital of the North Kolathiri Rajas for many centuries. Like Muziris (Kannur) and Kollam, it was once a premier port of ancient Kerala. Marco Polo has referred to Kannur as a great Emporia of spice trade. It came into full political lime light in the 15th century with the arrival of the Portuguese. The St. Angelo Fort built by the first Portuguese Viceroy in 1505 is a landmark of Kannur. The District Itself Which Shares Much Of This Natural Splendour Has Been A Key Contributor To The Cultural, Religious, Political And Industrial Heritage Of The State. In Addition, Kannur Enjoys The Credit Of Having Been The Cradle Of Many A Colourful Folk Art And Folk Music Of Kerala. 

Kasargod
Area: 1961 sq. km
Population: 1,070,629 (2001 census)
Altitude: Sea level 

Kasaragod is the northern-most district of Kerala . It was formed on 24th May, 1984. Kasaragod, the district with natural splendour has been a key contributor to the cultural, religious, political and industrial heritage of the State. Kasaragod is also the cradle of many colourful art forms and folk music of Kerala. Kasaragod has a large population of tribals, who maintain an ethos distinctly different from the mainstream culture.It is world renowned for its coir and handloom industries. Kasargod is known as the land of Gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful sea shores. The fort at Bekal is the largest and best preserved. The rich pageant of 'Theyyams' dieties impersonated raises Kasargod into a land of fabulous fantasies. 

Kollam
Area : 2579 sq. Kms
Population : 2,398285 (1991 census) 

Kollam, the enchanting tourist spot, is an old sea port town on the banks of Ashtamudi lake. Kollam has maintained a commercial reputation from ancient times. Phoenicians, Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans and Chinese traded with this port. Kollam is the gateway point to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala.It was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala.It is said that the present town of Kollam was built by the Syrian Merchant; Sapir Iso, in the 9th Century A.D. The popularity of Kollam has been established by the time honoured proverb once you see Kollam, you will not need your home any more. Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading centre. It is also the headquarters of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation. 

Kottayam
Area : 2,203 Sq.Km
Population : 19,52,901 

Kottayam is an important commercial centre of Kerala. Situated 76 km. southeast of Kochi, Kottayam is a prominent commercial centre with palm fringed backwaters on the west and the scenic Western Ghats on the east. This was the capital of the Thekkumkur Rajas before the annexation of the kingdom by Marthandavarma. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, One of the country's primary commodities board. Kottayam, among the state's more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the east. 

Kozhikode
Area: 2,206 sq. km
Population: 2,613,683 (2001 census)
Altitude: Sea level 

Calicut is a port for the whole Indian sea. It was the capital of the powerful Zamorins. Vasco de Gama, the first European, landed in India at Kappad near Kozhikode in 1498 A.D. Later the Dutch, the French and the British dominated the area. British rule was established in 1792. Kozhikode was one of the great ports on the west coast, now a centre of timber industry. There are a number of temples, mosques and churches, some of which have historical importance. 

Malappuram
Area: 3550 sq. km
Population: 3,096,000
Altitude: Lowlands: Sea level 

Malappuram (literally, a land atop hills) is situated 50 km south east of Kozhikode.With Nilgiris in the east and the Arabian sea in the west, Malappuram district presents a treat to the eye. Rich and evergreen forests, ravines, hills and dales, rivers and brooks, sandy surfs and palm fringed coasts, festive mood of the gayful Onapatt - the district preserves the cultural wealth of the good old days. It has in store, a hoary past with Zamorins rule, 'Mamankam' festival, Vellattiri's revenge and the resultant Chaver Pada (Suicide Squad), the British rule and indiscriminate oppression of the masses in connivance with exploiting landlords, the National and the Khilaphat movement, the Malabar rebellion and the such. 

Palakkad
Area:4480 sq. km
Population:2,382,235
Altitude: Above sea level 

Palakkad (the other name Palghat is a contribution of the British Raj) is prime among Kerala's most picturesque districts. Palakkad is rightfully therefore known as the Gateway of Kerala, giving the rest of India access to the State.Palakkad, branded as the rice-bowl of Kerala, has fertile plains where substantial quantities of rice are produced by scientific cultivation methods. Groundnut, black gram, coconut, cotton, ragi, pepper, banana, cashew, sugarcane and pea add in to the roll of other major crops. Sugar Cane is grown extensively in the Chittur taluk. Palakkad has a tropical climate. From February to April, days are hot while nights. 

Pathanamthitta
Area: 2731 sq. km
Population: 12,31,577
Altitude: 500 - 1000 mt. above sea level 

Situated near the western ghats and bordered by the hills, Pathanamthitta district is a treat to eyes with its vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes. Blessed by nature, the district is famous for its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals.Forest covers an area of 1390.73 sq.kms. in the district. This is more than 50% of the total area of the district, while the optimum area fixed by experts is only 33%.Three important rivers flow through this district. They are Pampa, Achankovil and Manimala rivers.One third of the electricity produced by the State comes from this district. Power is generated from the Sabarigiri Hydro-electric Project situated at the Pamba basin in the district. 

Thrissur
Area: 3032 sq km
Population: 2,733,311
Altitude: Sea level 

A cultural center, the Kerala Kalamandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy are located here. The two longest rivers of the state, namely, Bharathapuzha and Periyar flow through the district on its northern and southern sides respectively. Gayathri is the important tributary of the Bharathapuzha. Heavy rainfall,warm humid atmosphere and almost uniform temperature throughout the year are climatic features of the district. 
Guruvayoor :
 29 kms west of thrissur, guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of kerala. Its main attraction is the sree krishna temple.

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