Kerala

I

Introduction

Kerala, state, south-western India, bordered on the north by Karnataka State, on the east by Tamil Nadu State, and on the south and west by the Arabian Sea. The town of Mahe, part of the union territory of Puducherry, forms an enclave on the north-western coast, 135 km (84 mi) to the south of the border with Karnataka. The state was formed in 1956 from portions of the former Travancore-Cochin State and the former Madras State, including much of the Malabar Coast. Kerala is one of the smallest Indian states, with an area of 38,864 sq km (15,005).

II

Physical Geography

A belt of lowlands about 16 to 19 km (10 to 12 mi) wide lies along the coast. Inland are alluvial plains about 48 to 64 km (30 to 40 mi) in width. In the eastern section of the state rise the Western Ghats, a highland area with elevations of some 2,134 m (7,000 ft). The Cardamom Hills form part of the boundary with Tamil Nadu, extending southwards from the Palghat Gap to a short distance north of Cape Comorin, at the southern tip of India; elevations in the range reach over 600 m (2,000 ft). Kerala's climate varies little throughout the year. The average temperature in the coastal area is 32° C (90° F). In the highlands the average temperature is 21° C (70° F). Annual rainfall is about 3,000 mm (120 in), falling mostly during the monsoon season.

III

Population

Kerala is one of India’s most populous states, with a population of 31,838,619 (2001). The average population density is 819 people per sq km (2,121 per sq mi). The capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram, formerly known as Trivandrum (population, 2001, 889,191). Cochin (2001, 1,355,406), Kozhikode, formerly Calicut (2001, 880,168), and Quilon (1991, 167,000) are the state’s major port cities; other cities and centres of population include Alleppey (2001, 282,727), Kollam (2001, 379,975), Palghat (1991, 111,245), and Trichur (2001, 330,070).

The language spoken in Kerala is Malayalam, a Dravidian language deriving from Tamil but incorporating a considerable number of Sanskrit words. It has a rich literature. Tamil, Konkani, and Kannada are also spoken. Though predominantly Hindu, the state contains significant minorities of Muslims and Christians, and is known for its good record of harmonious relations between the communities. In the performing arts, Kerala is especially known as the home of the dance-drama, Kathakali. The ancient martial art of Kalari Payattu also originated there. See also Indian Dance.

IV

Economy

The principal agricultural products of the state are rice, tapioca, coconut, areca nuts, oilseeds, pepper, sugar cane, rubber, tea, coffee, and cardamom; almost all Indian black pepper and Indian rubber products come from Kerala. The kinds of livestock raised are buffalo and other cattle, sheep, and goats. Most of the industrial concerns in the state are owned or sponsored by the government. Privately owned industries include cashew processing and the manufacture of coir, a coconut-husk fibre. Other manufactured goods are tiles, textiles, ceramics, fertilizers and chemicals, and glass. In addition, numerous factories process the agricultural and mineral products of the state. Fishing is also a flourishing activity. Kerala was badly affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, with some 200 people being killed in the flooding and around another 60,000 being displaced and left homeless along the coast of the union territory.

Women have traditionally held a high social status in Kerala and some communities, such as the Nairs, have followed a matrilineal system. This aspect, leading to a high level of education among women as well as general empowerment in all aspects of life, is probably a key factor in the remarkably high literacy rate (above 90 per cent), the low rate of child mortality, and the highly effective family planning campaigns, which have slowed down population growth considerably in this populous state. Levels of health services, particularly primary health care, are relatively high, in many cases providing free medical treatment. Primary education is compulsory and there are a number of professional colleges and training centres, and eight universities. The high level of unemployment, however, remains a serious problem.