Kerala is famously known as the Gods Own Country. Its unique geography surrounded by Arabia Sea on the west, Western Ghats on the east and crisscrossed with 44 rivers and 34 lakes makes it one of the most sought after destinations of the world. Kerala has a lush and green vegetation which inspired its exotic cuisine. Coconut trees, mango groves, paddy fields and backwaters are some of the highlights of it landscape. No wonder Keralites call their home 'Gods Own Country'; it definitely is Nature at its Best !!! Kerala attracts more than 8 million visitors (as of year 2006) from around the globe every year and is one of the fastest growing tourist destination in the world. Backwaters, beaches, hills, houseboats, ayurveda treatment and wildlife are some of the major attractions for the visitors.
Useful Facts
Location : South West tip of India Population : 31 million Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (old name Trivandrum) Language : Malayalam is the local language eventhough the vast majority could speak English. Timezone : GMT +5:30 Currency : Indian Rupee Climate : Tropical Seasons Summer : February - May Monsoon : June - September Winter : October - January Major Cities : Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Cochin (Kochi), Calicut (Kozhikode) Airports : Thiruvanananthapuram, Nedumbassery(Cochin), Kozhikode Religion : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam Art Forms : Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Thiruvathira Kali, Margam Kali, Oppana, Kalaripayattu Major Festivals and Events : Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Some Interesting Facts
National Geographic Traveler Magazine has named it one of the top ten "Paradises of World" and one of the fifty "Must see Destinations of Lifetime". Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India (91%). Kerala's literacy rate is higher than that of any Low-Income Country. -The only countries in the Third World to have higher literacy are Cuba, Chile and Costa Rica. In 1957 Kerala was the first state in the world to bring to power a communist government via democratic elections rather than revolution. Life expectancy in Kerala is 74 years, which is much higher than any other state in India (Average 69) and it also is the state with the lowest birth rate least infant mortality. In 2002 Kerala was honoured by WHO and UNICEF as the first "Baby Friendly State of the World" .
Fun Facts
The people in Kerala, the Keralites, are also reffered as 'Malayalees' and nicknamed as 'Mallus' or 'Madrasis'. Keralites are known to be very mobile and can be found in nearly any country in the world. The language of Keralites, 'MALAYALAM', can be spelled from left to right and right to left. In alcohol consumption Kerala beats the rest of India hands down. Kerala tops the list on liquor consumption in India. During the festive period of Onam, the alcohol consumption is increases so much that the statistics show the boozers of Kerala spend more money on liquor than what the entire State spends for all essential commodities including the staple food, rice.