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A slender green sliver
of land clinging to the south western flank of the
Indian peninsula, Kerala is one of the southern states of the Republic
of India.
Though it's roots date back to the early years of the christian
era, the modern
state of Kerala was created in 1956, when all the states of India were
reorganized on a linguistic basis. History was created in 1957, when Kerala
became the first state in the world to have
democratically elected a Marxist government to power. Things have changed,
but politics still continues to dominate conversation, particularly in
the numerous wayside tea stalls, where the brew is as strong as the ideology.
The state has been in the
forefront, in terms of education and health services. It has the highest
rate of literacy, lowest rate of infant mortality and the leading female
to male ratio, in the country.
Geography
Kerala is made up of fourteen
districts. Each of them have a distinct character. Thiruvananthapuram (also
known as Trivandrum) is the capital of Kerala, famous for it's Kovalam
beach (rated one of the top ten beaches of the world).
Geography is destiny in Kerala with the monsoon winds bringing the gift
of life annually. It's monsoons are likened to a battalion of wild elephants.
Commerce
Agriculture
contributes most to the state's income in the primary sector. Kerala's
major sources of exports are agro-based and traditional like coir and cashew
as well as marine products and manpower. In spices, pepper is the single
most important product, with Kerala being the largest producer and exporter
of black pepper. Cardamom and ginger are also exported.
Kerala at a glance
| Area | 38,863 Sq.Km | Corporations | 3 |
| Districts | 14 | Municipalities | 54 |
| Taluks | 63 | Rivers | 44 |
| Panchayats | 991 | Highest
Mountain | Anamudi (2652.3 Metres) |
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