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Kerala
is a small state, tucked away in the south west corner of India.
It represents only 1.18% of the total area of india but 3.43%
of the total population of the country is in Kerala.
Physiography
Kerala may be divided into 3 geographical regions: 1) Highlands,
2) Midlands and 3) Lowlands. The highlands slope down from the
Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 900 m, with
a number of peaks well over 1,800 m in height. This is the area
of major plantations like tea,coffee,rubber,cardamom and other
spices.
The midlands, lying between the mountains and the lowlands,
is made up of undulating hills and valleys. This is an area
of intensive cultivation. Cashew, coconut, arecanut, cassava(tapioca),
banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugar-cane and vegetables of different
varieties are grown in this area.
The lowlands or the coastal area, which is made up of the river
deltas, backwaters and shore of Arabian sea, is essentially
a land of coconuts and rice. Fisheries and coir industry constitute
the major industries of this area.
Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty-four rivers(41
west-flowing and 3 east-flowing) cut across Kerala with their
innumerable tributaries and branches but these rivers are comparatively
small and being entirely monsoon-fed, practically turn into
rivulets in summer,especially in the upper areas.
Capital Thiruvananthapuram
Area 38,863 sq km
Language Malayalam
Districts 14
Population 29,011,237
Males 14,218,167
Female 14,793,070
Increase (1981-91): 3,557,557
Growth Rate (per cent) 1981-91: 13.98
Density(persons per sq.km.) 747
Urban Population 26.31%
SexRatio(females per 1000 males) 1040
Literacy 90.59%
Males 94.45
Females 86.93
Percapita income(92-93) Rs.5,065
1991 Census final population total 29,698,518
History
When India became free, three administrations ruled this region-two
princely states, Travancore and Cochin, and Malabar which was
under the direct administration of the British. One of the first
steps taken by independent India was to amalgamate small states
together so as to make them viable administrative units.
Accordingly Travancore and Cochin states were integrated to
form Travancore-Cochin State on 1st July, 1949. However, Malabar
remained as part of the Madras Province. Under the States Re-organization
Act of 1956, Travancore-Cochin State and Malabar were united
to form the State of Kerala on 1st November, 1956.
Some territorial adjustments had necessarily to be made on re-organization.
In this adjustment, Kerala lost to Madras (now Tamil Nadu) the
taluks of Thovala, Agasteeswaram, kalkulam and Vilavancode in
the far south and Shencotta in the east, while it gained the
Malabar district and the Kasargod taluk of South Kanara district
in the north. The Laccadive Minicoy and Amindivi detached from
Kerala and declared as Union Territory.
Administration :The sate has unicameral legislature.
The Legislative Assembly has 141 members.
State of the Economy
Power(installed capacity): 1476.5 MW; Industrial Employment:2.59
lakh; No. of industrial units: 11,407; People per phone: 62;
Road length: 139,042 km; Domestic Airports: 3; Inflation 12.2%.
Kerala with its high population presents complex problems in
the sphere of food, employment and housing. The state is 50%
shot of food. Owing to the historical and climatic reasons state
has developed commercial agricultural more than food crops.
Consequently, the state is short of food grains, especially
rice which is the staple food of the people. Out of a gross
cropped area of 30.21 lakh hectares in 1992-93 the share of
food corps (cereals,millets,pulses and tapioca) was only 23%.
Kerala has a unique cropping pattern. It accounts for 92% of
India’s rubber, 70% of coconut,60% of tapioca and almost 100%
of lemon grass oil. Kerala is the single largest producer of
a number of other crops like banana and ginger, besides tea
and coffee in abundance.
Rubber: Production stood at 408,300 tons in1970-71.(Figures
for India for 35,160 and 92,171, respectively.) Area under Rubber
increased from 198,424 to 437,100 hectors during the same period.(Figures
for India:217,198 and 508,420)
Coffee : In 30 years coffee production in the state increased
more than 7 times. In 93-94 Kerala produced 38000 tones. Production
marked an increase because of rice productivity.
Tea : 1993-94 total production of tea in this state was
60,690 tones. Around 34,850 hectors are under tea foundation.
Cardamom : The area under cardamom decline to 39,930
hectors in 1992-93 against 43,670 hectors in 1991-92, and production
fell from 3450 tonnes in 91-92 to 2424 tonnes in 1992-93.
In 93-94 area was 43,459 hectares and production 4430 tonnes.
Coir and Cashew are two of the largest traditional industries
in the state. Cashew production was 90,000 tonnes in 1992-93.
Handloom also is fairly developed. Bamboo based industries are
also thriving. In 1989-90 cashew work of Rs. 360 crores and
coir products worth Rs.33.52 crore were exported.
Out of a total marine products export of 139,419 tonnes from
India during 1991. Kerala share was 50,997 tonnes. That is 36.58%.
Fish production in 1992 was 603,000 tonnes.
Total no: of small scale units was 95,851 in March 93. No: of
working factories was 13,946 by end of 1992. Joint stock companies
rose to 5,228 by march 93.
In 1991 the state announced a new industrial policy of leberalisation
for private entrepreneurs, first private airport, is planning
to launch a airport development organization is approaching
capital market for funds.
Universities
Kerala University, Thiruvanathapuram ; Calicut University, Thenjippalam(Malapuram
Dist.); Cochin University of science and technology, Kochi;
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam; Kerala Agl University,
Thrissur; Sree Sandara Sanskrit University, Kaladi(Ernakulam
Dist.); Kannur University, Kannur(set up in Nov.95 as Malabar
University). Number of colleges under Universities : a) Kerala:45,b)Calicut:72,
c)M.G.:57.
The first fully literate Municipal Town (Kottyam-1989), and
the district(Ernakulam-1990) in India are in Kerala. On Dec.11,
1995, Ernakulam also became India’s first ‘Bachat’ (savings)
district. In 1991, Kerala became the first fully literate state
in India. Literacy among adults: 89.9%
Infant mortality rate in Kerala is 16 per 1000 live births.
Life expectancy is 71.3.
Tourist Centres
Under the aegis of the Department of Tourism and Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation, many places in Kerala is a state which
has notified tourism as an industry along with government sponsored
schemes.
Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) the capital city is an abode
of temples, mosques and churches. Kovalam Beach Resort is just
12km away. Veli(8 km.), Neyyar Dam (19 km), and Ponmudi(61 km)
are other places of interest.
Kochi(Cohin)- the major port of Kerala - is known as
the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. The beautiful Willingdon Island
with the adjoining port is a great attraction. Kalady in Ernakulam
District is the birth place of Sri Sankarachrya. Guruvayur in
Thrissur Dist. The has the famous Lord Krishna shrine. Kalamandalam,
the renowned Kathakali Centre is in Thrissur District. Kozhikode
(Calicut) is historically important as the capital of the Zamorines.
Edakal cave in Wayanad district is centuries old. The pantomime
dance-drama kathakali performed by men, "The dance of the enchantress"
mohiniyattam performed by women and Thullal, the solo dance
exposition are among the classical dance forms of Kerala.
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Kuttanad
Kuttanad,called the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth
of paddy crops,is at the very heart of the backwaters.The scenic
countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has
a rich crop of banana, cassava and yam.This is perhaps the only
region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2 m below sea
level. Inland waterways which flow above land level are an amazing
feature of this region.
The Vijaya beach park
Picnic spot with children's park & boating facilities
(Open 1500 - 2000 hrs). Entrance fee: Rs. 2 per person; Free
entrance for children below 5 years. Boating charge: Rs. 10
for 10 minutes. Other facilities for children: Toy train, bicycles.
Video permit: Rs. 25, Camera permit
Chavara Bhavan
(6 km from Alappuzha. Accessible only by boat): Chavara Bhavan
is the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara.
It is now a holy shrine and spiritual resort where thousands
of devotees gather for prayer, receive favours and feel amply
gratified. Here, a 250 year old historically important beacon
of light is preserved intact in its original and primitive form.
Edathua Church
(24 km from Alappuzha, on the Alappuzha - Thiruvalla Road)Established
in 1810, the church is dedicated to St. George.
It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help
to heal all mental disorders and other ailments. During the
annual feast (5th, 6th and 7th of May) pilgrims from all parts
of South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit the church
and seek the blessings of the saint.
Backwaters
The backwaters form a specially attractive and economically
valuable feature of Kerala. They include lakes and ocean inlets
which stretch water is the Vembanad lake, some 200 sq. km in
area, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin Port, The
Periyar, Pamba, Manimala,Achenkovilm Meenachil and Moovattupuzha
rivers drain into this lake. The other important (Anju Thengu),
Edava, Nadayaram Paravoor, Ashtamudi(Quilon), Kayamkulam, Kodungallur(Cranganore)
and Chetuva. The deltas of the rivers interlink the backwaters
and provide excellent water transportation in the lowlands of
Kerala. A navigable canal, 367 km long,stretches from Thiruvananthapuram,
the capital of Kerala, to Tirur in the far north.
Beaches
Crave for Sun & Sand!..…come and embrace the golden
sands of its immaculate beaches, pep up your spirits under the
tropical sun and feel the pulse of its coastal life. You can
also enhance your gastronomy skills or give a break to your
taste buds and savor some of the ethnic dishes of the land.
The famous beaches are Alappuzha, Cherai, Valapattanam, Payyambalam,
Muzhapilangad, Thirumullavaram, Kozhikode, Kappad beaches.
Hills
Hill Stations of Kerala are Echo point, Ramakalmedu, Peermede,
Munnar, Thrissanku and Peeru hills.
Museums
Maritime Museum, Indo-Portuguese Museum, Tea Museum- Munnar,
Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Teak Museum,Nilambur, Napier Museum
& Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, Archaeological Museum
are important museums of Kerala.
Monuments
KrishnapuramPalace,Kayamkulam, Synagogue, Fort Kochi, Vasco
da Gama Square, Mattancherry Palace are monuments to visit.
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Nehru
Trophy Boat Race
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of the most important boat
races in Kerala. It is an annual event conducted on the second
Saturday of August every year, in the afternoon. The main event
consists of a stiff competition between the magnificent snake
boats known as 'chundanvallams' for the coveted trophy. These
boats stretch about 100 feet in length, with a raised prow,
resembling the raised hood of a snake. These snake boats are
usually rowed by men numbering around 100; rowing in unison
and in an aggressive manner. The race commences with a ceremonial
water procession comprising of floats and a variety of craft.
One can also witness races comprising other varieties of boats.
Manarcad Perunnal
Manarcad Perunnal, the annual feast at the St. Mary's Church
at Manarcad, will be held from September 1-8 this year. Known
as Ettunombu Perunnal (literally, eight day prayer and fasting),
this is the feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated by the
Christian community of Kerala. The retreat and fast begins on
the first of September every year. Pilgrims observing the fast,
stay in the church from morning till night during these days.
The main kanikka or offering of the church is muthukkuda (highly
embellished silken parasols). The church has a holy tank and
a golden cross, which are considered sacred. On the last three
days of the feast processions are held with golden crosses and
accompanied by thousands of devotees holding muthukkudas.
Onam Festival
A festival immersed in myths, folklore and traditions Onam
is an occasion for Keralities to celebrate plenitude and togetherness.
The ten-day Onam celebrations begin on the Atham asterism of
the Malayalam month Chingam (August-September). Onam the harvest
festival of Kerala which tells almost all the cultural and ritual
activities practised during the Onam days.
During these days children prepare floral designs called Pookkalam
in front of their houses to welcome Onathappan (an affectionate
term of address for Maveli or King Mahabali). Thiruvonam, the
tenth day, is the most auspicious. On this day all members of
the family gather together, usually at the ancestral home for
Sadya - the traditional lunch served on plantain leaves.
Athachamayam Thrippunithara Ernakulam
An occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms of
Kerala, Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten-day Onam
festival in Kerala. Conducted on the Atham asterism of the Malayalam
month Chingam (Leo), the event today commemorates a royal custom
of the Maharajas of erstwhile Kochi State. In olden days it
was customary for the King to travel with his entire entourage
to the Thripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for the
subjects to greet the king and see him at close quarters. The
procession still retains its majestic charm and is conducted
in a spectacular manner.
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By Road
: Inter-state private and government buses operates between
neighbouring states. Usually the journey is performed in the
night so that you can escape the heat of the day.
By Air : There are three airports in Kerala. The airports
at Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are international
airports. The international airports have several carriers operating
from Singapore, Colombo, Male, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu
Dhabi and Dubai. Some Airlines based in India are Air India
, Alliance Air , Indian Airlines , Jet Airways , Sahara Airlines.
By Rail : Indian Railway operates several trains into
and from (and within) Kerala. Trains into Kerala start from
all the neighbouring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, etc. |
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