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Cochin(Kochi),Kerala
Cherai,Kerala
Athirapally,Kerala
Munnar,Kerala
Marayoor,Kerala
Thekkady(periyar),Kerala
Vagamon,Kerala
Kumarakom,Kerala
Alappuzha,Kerala
Trivandrum,Kerala
Kovalam,Kerala
Guruvayoor,Kerala
Wayanad,Kerala
Bekkal,Kerala
Nilambur,Kerala
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Kerala – An overview
Kerala, one of the smallest states in the Republic of India, has 14 districts or administrative regions. It is a narrow coastal strip nestled between the Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode are the three important cities of the state and attract lots of tourists. It has three major airports and is located at strategic locations of the state which enables easy accessibility from all major towns and cities of the state and they are: Trivandrum/Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Cochin/Kochi International Airport and Calicut Airport.
Specifications
| Location |
: |
Southwestern tip of India. |
| Area |
: |
38,863 sq km. |
| Population |
: |
31,84,1374 |
| 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 - August (22 - 28°C)
October - November
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| Winter |
: |
November - January (22 - 32°C) |
History
Historians say that inhabitation of man in this region started late during the Iron Age. The Stone Age man avoided this region because of mosquitoes and malaria arising out of it and the immense presence of Man Eaters like Tiger. Later it got its prominence in History due to its spice trade and many travelers from far off places took risky Sea Expedition to find this special place and plunder the bounty of spices. So it has been a host to travelers and traders from different parts of the world including the Greek, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. All of them have left their mark in the culture, cuisine, architecture, literature and even flora.
Geography & Tourist Attractions
Strategically it is located at extreme southern tip of the Indian Subcontinent. It is networked by 44 rivers and has diverse geographical features. The lowlands constitute the coastal areas with sandy beaches and adding green luster the coconut palms and mangroves. There are rivers and green carpets of rice field which is a treat for the eyes. The region has fisheries and coir has the major industries. The popular beaches of Kerala are Alapuzha Beach, Bekal Beach, Beypore Beach, Cherai Beach, Ezhimala Beach, Fort Kochi Beach, Kappad Beach, Kappil Beach, Kizhunna Ezhara Beach, Kovalam Beach, Payyambalam Beach, Shangmugham Beach, Somatheeram Beach, Thangasseri Beach, Thirumullavaram Beach, Vallikunnu Beach and Varkala Beach. It has one of the forest clad highest peak in the world that is Anamudi which reaches to a height of 2690m. National parks of the state are Eravikulam, Periyar and Silent Valley. The state is blessed with abundant backwaters and the biggest and popular among this is the Vembanad lake. Others are Veli, Kadhinam Kulam, Anju Thengo, Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor, Ashtamudi(Quilon or Kollam).
Seasons & Climatic Condition
Graced with wonderful and composed climate during the entire year, it is a tropical land with Western Ghats forming a protective barrier against dry winds from up the north. The major seasons experienced are the monsoon (June – September & October – November) and summer (February – May) while winter doesn’t seem to bring much variation in the climate apart a slight variation in the temperature.
Health Tourism – Major Attraction of Kerala
Ayurveda is a 5000 year old herbal health science, and is widely accepted all over the world as an important treatment. In the contemporary times it is a natural cure for all life style related diseases and this land is filled with flora and fauna or herbs which is the basic requirement in the making of these medicines. A large number of tourists visit the state for its ayurvedic treatment.
Responsible Tourism
Responsible tourism is gaining popularity all over the world these days. It is a way of tourism which maximizes the positive impact of tourism and minimizes the negative ones. It was pioneered in India by the state of Kerala in Kumarakom and was successful in it. Now the trend is to successfully implement it in other parts of region. This holistic form of tourism is helping the visitors, the host population and trade receives immense benefits out of it without causing any ecological or social damage.
Kerala Map
| Districts |
Old Name |
 |
| Kasaragod |
| Kannur |
Cannanore |
| Wayanad |
| Kozhikode | Calicut |
| Malappuram |
| Palakkad | Palghat |
| Thrissur | Trichur |
| Ernakulam |
| Idukki |
| Kottayam |
| Alappuzha | Alleppey |
| Pathanamthitta |
| Kollam | Quilon |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Trivandrum |
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