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 The small state of Kerala, which represents just 1% of the land mass,is considered to be one of India's most beautiful state. It is a very rural state with most of the population living in villages but is culturally and scenically diverse. Kerala has two national parks, ten wildlife sanctuaries and two bird sanctuaries.
Kerala occupies a long (550km), narrow strip of land in the far south of India. Its coastline is on the Arabian Sea ( part of the Indian Ocean) 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. |
| Kerala |
| Capital : |
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) |
| Main Language : |
Malayalam |
| Area : |
38, 863 sq kms ; comes to 1.27% of India's land area. |
| Location : |
Southwest tip of India's main land. |
| Time : |
GMT +5:30 |
| Currency : |
Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Climate : |
Tropical climate, Summer (March - June), Winter (December - January), Monsoon (July - October)
Tourist season : October - May, peak season: November - January |
| Number of Districts : |
14 |
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| Districts |
| Districts: |
Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum), Kollam, Alappuzha(Alleppey), Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur(Trichur), Palakkad(Palghat), Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode(Calicut), Kannur(Cannanore), Kasaragod |
| Major Cities: |
5 |
| Revenue Taluks: |
61 |
| Revenue Villages: |
1452 |
| City Corporations: |
5 |
| Grama Panchayats: |
991 |
| Block Panchayats: |
152 |
| District Panchayats: |
14 |
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| Population |
population
Kerala's population is 318.38 lakhs (31.838 millions) as per the latest 2001 Census,i.e. 3.1% of India's total population. Population deisnity is 819 per sq kms. Sex ratio is 1058 women for 1000 men. |
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| Literacy |
| Kerala's literacy rate is 90.92%, of which male literacy rate is 94.2% and female literacy rate is 86.17%. |
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| 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 (14%), female literacy (87%), and life expectancy at birth for males (69) and females (72), are well above all India levels. The major reason for this achievement is Kerala's focus on the service sector. About 37% of the total annual expenditure of the State is earmarked for health and education. Another reason for this is the existence of a larger network of health infrastructure with 961 primary health centres and 5094 sub centres. |
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| Transport |
| Air: |
There are three international airports in the state - Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Nedumbassery (Kochi). They operate international and domestic flights. |
| Road and Rail : |
The state is well connected by rail and road. |
| Seaports : |
Major sea port is in Kochi and there are minor sea ports in Beypore(Kozhikode), Alappuzha and Kollam. |
| Major Beaches : |
Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal |
| Major Wildlife Sanctuaries : |
Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar. |
| Bird Sanctuary : |
Thattekad, Kumarakom |
| Major Hill Stations : |
Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad |
| Farm / Cash Crops : |
Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice |
| Exports : |
Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products |
| Major Industries : |
Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Buildings, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber. |
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