ABOUT KERALA
AT A GLANCE
With the
Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and
networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have
made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable
climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald
backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling
plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms.
Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of
which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming
destinations is only a two hour drive from the other - a singular advantage no
other destination offers.
Kerala,
India's most advanced society: With hundred percent literacy. World-class
health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life
expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and
pristine, Kerala is India's cleanest state.
Geography
With the
Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and
networked by forty-four rivers, Kerala enjoys diverse geographical features.
Kerala is divided into three geographical regions: Highlands, which slope down
from the Western Ghats onto the Midlands of undulating hills and valleys into
an unbroken coastline with many picturesque backwaters, interconnected with
canals and rivers. The Western Ghats are nowhere more than 120 kms from the
sea.
Seasons
Bestowed
with a pleasant and equable climate throughout the year, Kerala is a tropical
land with the coast running down its entire length and the Western Ghats
forming a protective barrier against the dry winds from up north. The monsoons
(June-September & October-November) and summer (February-May) are the
seasons markedly experienced here, while winter is only a slight drop in
temperature from the normal range of 28-32°C.
People
and Life
Kerala
is one of India's most progressive states in terms of social welfare and
quality of life. The State boasts of one of India's highest literacy rates,
highest life expectancy and lowest child mortality rates. The literacy rate for
women is one of the highest in all of Asia. Enjoying a unique cosmopolitan
viewpoint, the people of Kerala, at all levels of society, have greater access
to services and opportunities - as well as a greater say in their governance.
History
Kerala's
history is closely linked with its commerce, which until recent times revolved
around its spice trade. Celebrated as the Spice Coast of India, ancient Kerala
played host to travellers and traders from across the world including the
Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British.
Almost all of them have left their imprint on this land in some form or the
other - architecture, cuisine, literature.
Districts
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Kollam
- Pathanamthitta
- Alapuzha
- Kottayam
- Idukki
- Ernakulam
- Thrissur
- Palakkad
- Malapuram
- Kozhikode
- Wayanad
- Kannur
- Kasargod
Location
Kerala
is situated on the southwestern coast of India, a country in South Asia. This
tropical paradise enjoys a unique topography with Arabian sea, a part of the
Indian Ocean on the west and the Western Ghats on the east.
| Date of Formation | 1 November 1956 |
| Location | South West tip of the India's main land/ North latitude between 8°18` and 12° 48` East longitude between 74° 52` and 77° 22` |
| Capital | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Area | 38,863 sq.km. |
| Principal Language | Malayalam |
| Currency | Indian Rupee |
| National Festival | Onam |
| State Animal | Elephant |
| State Bird | Hornbill (Bensyrus bicemis) |
| State Flower | Kanikonna(Cassia fistula) |
| State Tree | Coconut Tree(Cocos nucifera) |
| Staple Food | Rice |
| State Fish | Pearl Spot ("Karimeen" in Malayalam)(Etroplussuratensis) |
| Neighbouring States/ Union Territories | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Lakshadeep |
CENSUS OF INDIA 2011-PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT KERALA
| |
|---|---|
| Demography Population | 3,34,06,061 |
| Male | 1,60,27,412 |
| Female | 1,73,78,649 |
| Sex Ratio (Females Per 1000 males) | 1,084 |
| Population density | 860/sq.km |
| Urban Population | 1,59,34,926 |
| Rural Population | 1,74,71, 135 |
| Decadal Growth rate | 4.9 |
| Child Population (0-6 years): Total | 34,72,955 |
| Rural Child Population | 18,23,664 |
| Urban Child Population | 16,49,291 |
| Scheduled Caste Population | 30,39,573 |
| Scheduled Tribe Population | 4,84,839 |
| Literacy Rate | 2,81,35,824 |
| Male Literacy Rate | 1,37,04,903 |
| Female Literacy Rate | 1,44,30,921 |
| Literacy Rate(%) | 94.0 |
| Male literacy Rate(%) | 96.1 |
| Female Literacy Rate(%) | 92.1 |
| Rural Literacy Rate | 1,45,49,320 |
| Urban Literacy Rate | 1,35,86,504 |
No. of Administrative Units
| |
| Districts | 14 |
| Taluks | 63 |
| Villages | 1018 |
| Statutory Towns | 59 |
| Census Towns | 461 |
| Grama Panchayats | 978 |
| No. of Community Development Blocks | 152 |
| District Panchayats | 14 |
| Assembly Seats | 140+ 1 Anglo Indian Nominee |
| Lok Sabha Seats | 20+ 1 Anglo Indian Nominee |
| Rajya Sabha seats | 9 |
| Municipalities | 53 |
| Municipal Corporations | 5 |
| Cantonments | 1(Kannur) |
| Township | 1(Guruvayoor) |
| Legislative Constituencies | 140 |
| Loksabha Constituencies | 20 |
| Rajya Sabha Seats | 9 |
| Seat of High Court | Kochi |
| Highest Populated District | Malappuram |
| Lowest populated District | Wayanadu |
| Largest District | Idukki |
| Smallest District | Alappuzha |
| Longest river | Periyar |
| Highest peak | Anamudi |
| Largest Lake | Vembanadu Lake |
