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Kerala is one of ‘Ten Paradise in the world ’ found out by the National Geographic Traveler. Land with diverse geography overwhelming greenery. Perhaps there is no other place in this world as green as the green green kerala.
Kerala is the south most state in the Indian peninsular, gifted with many natural boundaries. It is an educational advanced state with a literacy rate of 100% and is the most advanced society in India with the highest physical quality of life and social index.
Kerala is popular for her cultural heritage refined over decades and decades by various luminaries. Kerala as the name suggest is the land of 'kera' (coconut trees). She is popular for her aromatic spices which attracted the Portugal’s, Dutch’s and English men towards her, which in turn added to her cultural and social heritage.
Whatever be the myth, whatever be the history, she always keeps a high profile, when you think of India, when you think of beauty.
With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.
Kerala, India's most advanced society : A hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest State.
For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State.
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Kerala At A Glance
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| Location |
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Southwestern tip of India. |
| Area |
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38, 863 sq km.
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| Population |
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3,18,38,619 |
| Capital |
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Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) |
| Language |
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Malayalam;English is widely spoken. |
| Religion |
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Hinduism, Christianity, Islam |
| Time |
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GMT +5:30 |
| Currency |
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Indian Rupee |
| Climate |
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Tropical. |
| Summer |
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February - May (24 - 330C) |
| Monsoon |
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June - September (22 - 280C) |
| Winter |
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October - January (22 - 320C) |
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Names of Districts
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| Old |
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New
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| Trivandrum |
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Thiruvananthapuram |
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Kollam |
| Alleppey |
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Alappuzha |
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Pathanamthitta |
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Kottayam |
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Idukki |
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Ernakulam |
| Trichur |
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Thrissur |
| Palghat |
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Palakkad |
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Malappuram |
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Wayanad |
| Calicut |
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Kozhikode |
| Cannanore |
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Kannur |
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Kasaragod |
| Major Cities |
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Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi (Ernakulam district) and Kozhikode. |
| Taluks |
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61 |
| Revenue Villages |
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1452 |
| City Corporations |
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5 |
| Grama Panchayat |
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991 |
| Block Panchayat |
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152 |
| District Panchayat |
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14 |
| Population |
| Population |
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318.39 lakhs as per the latest 2001 Census
(31.839 Millions) |
| Density of Population |
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819 per sq kms |
| Kerala's Share in the National Population |
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3.1 per cent |
| District Average |
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22.74 lakhs (2.274 millions) |
| Sex Ratio |
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1058 women for 1000 men |
| Literacy |
| Literacy Rate |
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90.92 per cent. |
| Male Literacy Rate |
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94.20 per cent |
| Female Literacy Rate |
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87.86 per cent |
| Educational Infrastructure |
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Lower Primary Schools (First - Fourth classes)
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6712 |
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Upper Primary Schools (Fifth - Seventh classes)
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2951 |
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High Schools (Eighth - Tenth classes)
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2608 |
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Total number of Schools
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12271 |
| Higher Education |
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Higher Education Universities
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7 |
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Arts and Science Colleges
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286 |
| Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) |
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Kerala has had a commendable record in terms of the Physical Quality of Life Index. Indicators of PQLI like infant mortality (11%), female literacy (87.86%), and life expectancy at birth for males (68.23) and females (73.62), 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 hospital infrastructure under the Directorate of Health Services with 933 primary health centres and 5094 sub centres
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| Health Care Infrastructure |
| Immunisation has been near total in the year 2002 - 03. |
| T.T for Pregnant Women |
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86.1% |
| T.T for 5 year old |
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89.2% |
| T.T for 10 year old |
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98.1% |
| T.T for 16 year old |
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95% |
| DPT |
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95.8% |
| BCG |
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103% |
| Polio |
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95.3% |
| Anti-measles |
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90.6% |
| Rate of Diseases per 1000 People - |
| Leprosy |
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0.66 |
| Malaria |
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0.36 |
| Filaria |
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1.28 |
| Tuberculosis |
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0.70 |
| Transport |
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Air: There are three international airports in the state. They are at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Nedumbassery (Kochi) operates international flights and domestic flights.
Road and Rail : The state is well connected by rail and road.
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| Seaports |
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Major : Kochi
Minor : Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha, Kollam
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| Major Beaches |
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Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal
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Major Wild Life Sanctuaries
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Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar.
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| Bird Sanctuary |
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Thattekad, Kumarakom |
| Major Hill Stations |
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Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad |
| Farm / Cash Crops |
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Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice
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| Exports |
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Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products
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| Major Industries |
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Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Buildings, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber.
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