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Kerala

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Kerala is a beautiful state located in India. It sits right on the Malabar Coast.

Tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala
Tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala

To the north and northeast, it is bordered by Karnataka. Tamil Nadu lies to the east and south. The Laccadive Sea sits to the west of the state.

Silk route copy
Silk route copy

Many people call it a paradise because of its green hills and sandy beaches. It is a very important part of India with many different cultures.

The land has a very long history of trading with the world. Kerala has been a famous exporter of spices since 3000 BCE.

Silk route copy
Silk route copy

Ancient traders from Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt came to the coast for these goods. Later, Roman ships arrived at ports like Muziris to trade gold for black pepper. In the 15th century, Portuguese traders arrived because of the spice trade. This started a time of European colonisation in India. The state has always been a busy hub for people traveling by sea.

Long ago, the region was ruled by different groups of kings. The Chera dynasty was the first major kingdom in this area. They grew strong through sea trade but often fought with the Chola and Pandya dynasties. In 1947, India became an independent country. After that, two areas called Travancore and Cochin joined together in 1949. Finally, on November 1, 1956, the modern state of Kerala was formed.

Caminho maritimo para a India
Caminho maritimo para a India

This happened when several districts were merged into one single state.

Today, Kerala is a very special place with many impressive facts. It has 33 million people living in 14 different districts.

Kerala Population Pyramid in 5-year age groups (2011 census)
Kerala Population Pyramid in 5-year age groups (2011 census)

Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of the state. Most people there speak Malayalam, which is the main language. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India at 96.2 percent.

2006 Human Development Index for India map by states, HDI data by GoI and UNDP India
2006 Human Development Index for India map by states, HDI data by GoI and UNDP India

People also live long lives there, with a high life expectancy of 77.3 years.

Life in Kerala is shaped by its natural surroundings and many traditions. The state grows many things like coconut, tea, coffee, and rubber.

Tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala
Tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala

Many people also work in the fishing industry along the coast. There are many different religions, including Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. People celebrate festivals like Onam to remember the legendary King Mahabali.

Kerala boatrace
Kerala boatrace

Whether you visit the backwaters or the busy cities, there is always something new to discover.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Parshuramsaraswats.jpg
Parshuramsaraswats.jpg
File:MarayoorDolmen.JPG
MarayoorDolmen.JPG
File:Silk route copy.jpg
Silk route copy.jpg
File:3rd Tiruvalla Copper Plate.jpg
3rd Tiruvalla Copper Plate.jpg
File:Caminho maritimo para a India.png
Caminho maritimo para a India.png
File:Tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala.jpg
Tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala.jpg
File:Nemmara-paddy.jpg
Nemmara-paddy.jpg
File:Cochin International Airport Limited.jpg
Cochin International Airport Limited.jpg
File:Cochin Ship Yard Cranes.JPG
Cochin Ship Yard Cranes.JPG
File:Kerala Population Pyramid in 5-year age groups (2011 census).png
Kerala Population Pyramid in 5-year age...
File:2006 Human Development Index for India map by states, HDI data by GoI and UNDP India.svg
2006 Human Development Index for India...
File:Language Map of Kerala (2011 Census).svg
Language Map of Kerala (2011 Census).svg

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