Kerala - the land of kera or coconut is considered to be one of India's most beautiful state.

Kerala occupies a long (550km), narrow strip of land in the far south of India. Its coastline is on the Arabian Sea and its eastern border with the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu is the top of the majestic Western Ghat mountains. The landscape varies from long golden beaches to cool hill stations and dense green jungle to bustling cities. Its unique feature is the 1,900km of palm fringed backwaters.

The main attractions are world famous beaches, backwaters, hill stations, tropical forests, waterfalls, wildlife, ayurvedic health centres, yoga , monuments, art forms like kathakali and kalarippayattu , festivals like onam and pooram . Kerala is 100 per cent literate and easily the cleanest state. It has India's highest Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI), highest life expectancy and the lowest infant mortality rate.

Kerala At A Glance

• Location : Southwestern tip of India.
• Area : 38, 863 sq km
• Population : 3,18,38,619
• Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
• Language : Malayalam; English is widely spoken.
• Religion : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
• Time : GMT +5:30
• Currency : Indian Rupee
• Climate : Tropical
• Summer : February - May (24 - 33°C)
• Monsoon : June - September (22 - 28°C)
• Winter : October - January (22 - 32°C)

Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)

Kerala has had a commendable record in terms of the Physical Quality of Life Index. Indicators of PQLI like infant mortality (11%), female literacy (87.86%), and life expectancy at birth for males (68.23) and females (73.62), are well above all India levels.

Transport

Air: There are three international airports in the state. They are at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Nedumbassery (Kochi) operates international flights and domestic flights.

Road and Rail : The state is well connected by rail and road.

Seaports : Major - Kochi , Minor - Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha, Kollam

Places of Interest

Major Beaches : Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal

Major Wild Life Sanctuaries : Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralam, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar.

Bird Sanctuary : Thattekad, Kumarakom

Major Hill Stations : Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad

Major Agriculture Products

Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecnut and Rice

Exports

Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other products

Major Industries

Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Building, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber.