Kerala

Kerala is a state in the southern part of India, situated on the tropical Malabar Coast. It is bounded by Karnataka to the north, Tamil Nadu to the east, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the southwest. The capital is Thiruvananthapuram, and major cities include Kochi (Cochin) and Kozhikode (Calicut).

Geography features a long coastline, the backwaters, and the Western Ghats along its eastern boundary. Its climate is tropical, with two monsoon seasons. Malayalam is the official language; English is widely used in education and administration. The state is known for high social development indicators, including a long-running high literacy rate and relatively high life expectancy.

Kerala’s modern political history culminated in 1956 with the States Reorganisation Act, when the Malabar district, the state of Travancore-Cochin, and the princely state of Cochin were merged to form the present state. Earlier influences included ancient spice trade with the Mediterranean and later European colonialism by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.

Economically, Kerala relies on remittances from workers in Gulf countries, a robust services sector (including information technology), and tourism. Key agricultural crops include coconut, tea, rubber, and spices. Backwater tourism, hill stations such as Munnar, and Ayurvedic therapies are notable attractions.

Cultural life in Kerala features classical performing arts such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, traditional music, and distinctive cuisine based on coconut, fish, and rice. The festival of Onam is a major cultural event. The state is often cited for its high human development indicators within India.