Kerala - Perfect Blend of Nature and History

Located on the southwestern Malabar Coast
Borders Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west
First prominent kingdom was the Chera Dynasty
Kochi, also known as Cochin, is called the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea‘ and the ‘Gateway to Kerala.’
Edakkal caves in Ambukutty Moun am feature petroglyphs or rock carvings believed to have been made by Neolithic men.
Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial art forms, gets its name from ‘kalari‘ (school) and ‘payattu‘ (practice).
Kochi is home to the world’s first airport completely powered by solar energy.
Kerala produces 2/3 of India’s total coconut production (56% from Kozhikode).
The state is responsible for 95% of the country’s black pepper production.
Accounts for 85% of the natural rubber in India.
Kerala contributes 75% of the national cardamom production, mainly from Idukki and Wayanad.
Kerala has the highest literacy rate among Indian states.
Known as the ‘Garden of Spices‘ or the ‘Spice Garden of India.’
Vembanad Lake is designated as a wetland under the Ramsar convention.
Asthamudi Lake is a palm-shaped lake with a unique wetland ecosystem and a Ramsar site. It’s the entrance to Kerala’s famous backwaters.
Kannur is the first zero-landless district in the country.
Malappuram is the first e-literate district in India.
Alappuzha (Alleppey) is also known as the ‘Venice of the East.’
The Sasthamcotta Lake, the only major freshwater lake in Kerala, is located in Kollam District.
The annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place on the backwaters of Punnamada in Alappuzha.
Kerala was the first state to be declared a ‘Complete Digital State.’
Wedged between the Lakshadweep Sea and the Western Ghats.
Kerala’s coastal belt of Karunagappally is known for high background radiation from thorium-containing monazite sand.
Anamudi in the Idukki district is the highest peak in South India.
The Kuttanad region, also known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala,’ has the lowest altitude in India.

Category	Information
State Animal	Elephant
State Bird	Great Indian Hornbill
State Tree	Coconut
State Flower	Kanikonna or Indian laburnum or amaltus
Geography	– Humid tropical rainforest climate with some cyclones
	– Climatically distinct regions:
	– Eastern highlands; rugged and cool mountainous terrain
	– Central mid-lands; rolling hills
	– Western lowlands; coastal plains
	– Wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon and northeast winter monsoon
Tribes	Paliyan, Ulladan, Hill Pulaya, Rular, Kattunayakan, Koraga, Mudugar, Kadar
Lakes	Sasthamkotta Lake, Vembanad Lake, Lakes of Alappuzha, Pookode Lake, Ashtamudi Lake, Punnamada Lake, Akkulam Lake, Mananchira, Veeran Puzha, Vellayani Lake, Paravur Kayal
Islands	Dharmadam Island, Kavvayi, Vypin, Gundu Island, Munroe Island, Valiyaparamba, Willingdon Island, Ezhumanthuruthu, Pulinkunnu
Protected Areas	Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Begur Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Agasthyavanam Biological Park, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage Sites	Nilgiri, Agasthyamalai, Western Ghats
Ramsar Sites	Ashtamudi Wetland, Sasthamkotta lake, Vembanad Kol Wetland
Dams	Malampuzha Dam, Walayar Dam, Banasura Sagar Dam, Parambikulam Dam
Minerals	Iron Ore, Bauxite, Silica Sand, Magnesite
GI Tags	Peacock jaggery, Tirur betel nut, Tirur Vettia, Wayand Robusta Coffee, Nilambur Teak, Aranmula Kannadi, Payyannur sacred ring, Nawar Bhat, Palakkadan Matta Bhat, Malabar Kalimiri, Alleppey Coir, Brass carved carvings, Screw pine carving, Maddalam of Pallakad, Pokkali rice, Green cardamom of Alleppey, Vakkalum pineapple, Balrampuram saree and cotton cloth, Kasargod saree, Central Travancore jaggery, Kuthampully Sarees and Fine Cotton Fabrics, Wayanad Jeerakasala Rice, Wayanad Gandhakasala Rice, Chendamangalam Dhoties, Kaipad Rice, Chengalikodan Nendran Banana
Festivals	Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Sabarimala, Theyyam, Payippad Jelotsavam
Dances	Chavittunatakam, Kathakali, Kolkli, Koothu, Kutiyattam, Theyyam, Thirvathirakali, Ottamthullal, Chakyar Koothu