Kerala, India
Kerala is a picturesque state located along the Malabar Coast of India. Established on November 1, 1956, through the States Reorganisation Act, it was formed by merging Malayalam-speaking areas from the former regions of Cochin, Malabar, South Canara, and Travancore. Encompassing an area of 15,005 square miles, Kerala ranks as the 21st largest state in India. It shares borders with Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, as well as the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With a population of approximately 33 million according to the 2011 census, it is the 13th most populous state in the country. The state comprises 14 districts, with Thiruvananthapuram serving as the capital. Malayalam is the principal and official language spoken by the majority of the population.
Historically, the Chera dynasty was the first prominent kingdom in Kerala, followed by other kingdoms such as the Ay kingdom in the southern region and the Ezhimala kingdom in the north during the early Common Era. Dating back to 3000 BCE, Kerala was a significant exporter of spices, gaining recognition in trade literature by figures like Pliny and in the Periplus around 100 CE.
The spice trade attracted Portuguese traders in the 15th century, which ultimately led to European colonization in India. By the early 20th century, Kerala was comprised of two major princely states, Travancore and Cochin, which united in 1949 to form the state of Thiru-Kochi. The Malabar region was once part of the Madras province in British India and continued to be integrated into the Madras State after independence. The modern state of Kerala was created after the 1956 reorganisation, merging the Malabar district with areas from Madras and the Thiru-Kochi state.
Kerala boasts a remarkably low positive population growth rate of 3.44% and possesses the highest Human Development Index (HDI) in India, noted at 0.784 in 2018 (up from 0.712 in 2015). It also proudly holds the highest literacy rate of 96.2% according to the 2018 census from the National Statistical Office, the highest life expectancy at 77.3 years, and an impressive sex ratio of 1,084 women for every 1,000 men. According to NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals dashboard and the Reserve Bank of India's Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy, Kerala stands as the least impoverished state in India. It is the second-most urbanised major state, with 47.7% of its population classified as urban based on the 2011 Census. Notably, Kerala ranked first in the country for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, as reported by NITI Aayog in 2019. The state's media presence is robust, featuring newspapers published in nine languages, predominantly Malayalam, with some in English. The population is primarily Hindu, followed by significant communities of Muslims and Christians.
In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Kerala's economy was the 8th largest in India, boasting a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of ₹8.55 trillion (approximately US$100 billion) and a per capita net state domestic product of ₹222,000 (around US$2,700). The tertiary sector accounted for about 65% of the state's gross state value added (GSVA), with the primary sector contributing a mere 8%. The state has experienced substantial emigration, particularly to the Gulf states during the economic boom of the 1970s and early 1980s, leading to a strong reliance on remittances from a broad expatriate community. Kerala is noted for its production of pepper and natural rubber, playing a significant role in national agriculture alongside coconut, tea, coffee, cashew, and various spices. Positioned between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east, Kerala features a coastline that extends 370 miles. Approximately 1.1 million individuals depend on the fishing industry, which constitutes 3% of the state's income. Recognized as one of the world's ten paradises by National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is a renowned tourist destination celebrated for its scenic coconut-lined beaches, enchanting backwaters, hill stations, Ayurvedic tourism, and lush tropical landscapes.
Source: Wikipedia
